Polymeric Emissive Materials Based on Dynamic Covalent Bonds

Dynamic covalent polymers, composed of dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs), have received increasing attention in the last decade due to their adaptive and reversible nature compared with common covalent linked polymers. Incorporating the DCBs into the polymeric material endows it with advanced performance including self-healing, shape memory property, and so forth. However, the emissive ability of such dynamic covalent polymeric materials has been rarely reviewed. Herein, this review has summarized DCBs-based emissive polymeric materials which are classified according to the different types of DCBs, including imine bond, acylhydrazone bond, boronic ester bond, dynamic C-C bond, as well as the reversible bonds based on Diels–Alder reaction and transesterification. The mechanism of chemical reactions and various stimuli-responsive behaviors of DCBs are introduced, followed by typical emissive polymers resulting from these DCBs. By taking advantage of the reversible nature of DCBs under chemical/physical stimuli, the constructed emissive polymeric materials show controllable and switchable emission. Finally, challenges and future trends in this field are briefly discussed in this review.     

Reversible Control of Nanoparticle Functionalization and Physicochemical Properties by Dynamic Covalent Exchange

Existing methods for the covalent functionalization of nanoparticles rely on kinetically controlled reactions, and largely lack the sophistication of the preeminent oligonucleotide‐based noncovalent strategies. Here we report the application of dynamic covalent chemistry for the reversible modification of nanoparticle (NP) surface functionality, combining the benefits of non‐biomolecular covalent chemistry with the favorable features of equilibrium processes. A homogeneous monolayer of nanoparticle‐bound hydrazones can undergo quantitative dynamic covalent exchange. The pseudomolecular nature of the NP system allows for the in situ characterization of surface‐bound species, and real‐time tracking of the exchange reactions. Furthermore, dynamic covalent exchange offers a simple approach for reversibly switching—and subtly tuning—NP properties such as solvophilicity.     

Fluorescent Dynamic Covalent Polymers for DNA Complexation and Templated Assembly

Dynamic covalent polymers (DCPs) offer opportunities as adaptive materials of particular interest for targeting, sensing and delivery of biological molecules. In this view, combining cationic units and fluorescent units along DCP chains is attractive for achieving optical probes for the recognition and delivery of nucleic acids. Here, we report on the design of acylhydrazone-based DCPs combining cationic arginine units with π-conjugated fluorescent moieties based on thiophene-ethynyl-fluorene cores. Two types of fluorescent building blocks bearing neutral or cationic side groups on the fluorene moiety are considered in order to assess the role of the number of cationic units on complexation with DNA. The (chir)optical properties of the building blocks, the DCPs, and their complexes with several types of DNA are explored, providing details on the formation of supramolecular complexes and on their stability in aqueous solutions. The DNA-templated formation of DCPs is demonstrated, which provides new perspectives on the assembly of fluorescent DCP based on the nucleic acid structure.     

Dynamic Diselenide Bonds: Exchange Reaction Induced by Visible Light without Catalysis

Dynamic covalent bonds are extensively employed in dynamic combinatorial chemistry. The metathesis reaction of disulfide bonds is widely used, but requires catalysis or irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light. It was found that diselenide bonds are dynamic covalent bonds and undergo dynamic exchange reactions under mild conditions for diselenide metathesis. This reaction is induced by irradiation with visible light and stops in the dark. The exchange is assumed to proceed through a radical mechanism, and experiments with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yloxyl (TEMPO) support this assumption. Furthermore, the reaction can be conducted in different solvents, including protic solvents. Diselenide metathesis can also be used to synthesize diselenide‐containing asymmetric block copolymers. This work thus entails the use of diselenide bonds as dynamic covalent bonds, the development of a dynamic exchange reaction under mild conditions, and an extension of selenium‐related dynamic chemistry.     

Dynamic Mechanical Characterization of Molecular Motion in a Wide Temperature Range of Various Polymers Containing Propylene Units

The temperature transitions for a series of flexible polymers containing propylene units were studied by dynamic mechanical spectroscopy. It was found that the gradual activation of the local motion of different structural units involved in polymers occurs with increasing temperature. Initially, the rotation of the side groups, such as side methyl groups, is activated and on further heating the main chain structural units show their local motions. It is important that the temperature interval of the appearance of the local motion of each structural unit is almost independent of the presence of other structural units. Accordingly, the polymers investigated can be divided into two groups. The activation of the local motion of the most rigid structural unit determines the glass transition in the first group of polymers. The glass transition of the polymers of the second group takes place at a higher temperature which depends on the content of side methyl groups and the intermolecular interaction. The increased influence of both these factors on the cooperative amorphous motion of polymers of the second group leads to their increased T_g values.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dynamic elastomers based on bio-derived crosslinker

Petroleum-derived monomers are the most common building blocks for ester-based thermosets. Bio-derived thermoset elastomers are becoming viable alternatives to conventional thermosets. Herein, we developed a biobased vitrimer-type thermoset elastomers using abundant and sustainable raspberry ketone as feedstock. We utilize raspberry ketone to create building blocks for dynamic oxime chemistry and crosslinked these through free radical polymerization with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate as a comonomer. In contrast to other dynamic networks based on ester bonds, which need catalysts, this is undesirable since catalyst deactivation or leaching lowers its effect over time and may impair reuse. This network incorporates catalyst-free bond exchange reactions in catalyst-dependent polyester networks by substituting oxime-esters for typical ester linkages. The elastomer exhibits stress relaxation, a low glass transition temperature (T_g) (−55 to −40.2°C) and tensile strength up to 5.2 ± 3.0 kPa. Furthermore, the dynamic oxime transesterification exchange mechanism allows elastomers to be reprocessed using a hot press at 160°C and 8 × 10³ kPa pressure. After reprocessing, the tensile strength of elastomers can be recovered up to 78.1 ± 10.9%. This work integrates the principles of catalyst-free dynamic exchange process and mechanical recycling coupled with biobased components to provide a rational solution towards conventional elastomers. In the future, these elastomers can be exploited for the development of hydrogels, recyclable elastomers, and commodity plastics.     

A Strategy toward Cyclic Topologies Based on the Dynamic Behavior of a Bis(hindered amino)disulfide Linker

A simple and efficient method to generate macrocyclic structures has been developed based on the dynamic behavior of the linker bis(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)disulfide (BiTEMPS). The prime linear structure was transformed into a (macro)cycle using the following sequence: 1) thiol–ene reaction with a BiTEMPS derivative to afford the linear precursor, then 2) an entropy‐driven transformation induced by diluting and heating. The radicals generated from BiTEMPS upon heating are highly tolerant toward a variety of chemical species, including oxygen and olefins, but they exhibit high reactivity in exchange reactions, which can be applied to the topology transformation of various skeletons. The advantages of the present method, namely, its procedural simplicity and substrate versatility, are demonstrated by the gram‐scale synthesis of cyclic compounds with low and relatively high molecular weight.     

Dynamic Interconversion between Boroxine Cages Based on Pyridine Ligation

Dynamic interconversion between large covalent organic cages was achieved simply by heating or acid/base treatment. A mixture of the boroxine cages 12‐mer and 15‐mer was cleanly converted into a pyridine adduct of the 9‐mer boroxine cage upon treatment with pyridine, and the geometry of N‐coordinated boron atoms changed from trigonal to tetrahedral. The reverse reaction was achieved by heating or acid treatment. In this process, the larger boroxine cages 12‐mer and 15‐mer were found to be entropically favored owing to the release of free pyridine molecules from 9‐mer ?6 Py.     

Complex Functional Systems with Three Different Types of Dynamic Covalent Bonds

Multicomponent surface architectures are introduced that operate with three different dynamic covalent bonds. Disulfide exchange under basic conditions accounts for the growth of π stacks on solid surfaces. Hydrazone exchange under acidic conditions is used to add a second coaxial string or stack, and boronic ester exchange under neutral conditions is used to co‐align a third one. The newly introduced boronic ester exchange chemistry is compatible with stack and string exchange without interference from the orthogonal hydrazone and disulfide exchange. The functional relevance of surface architectures with three different dynamic covalent bonds is exemplified with the detection of polyphenol natural products, such as epigallocatechin gallate, in competition experiments with alizarin red. These results describe synthetic strategies to create functional systems of unprecedented sophistication with regard to dynamic covalent chemistry.     

“Design of Experiments” as a Method to Optimize Dynamic Disulfide Assemblies: Cages and Functionalizable Macrocycles

Cyclophanes are a venerable class of macrocyclic and cage compounds that often contain unusual conformations, high strain, and unusual properties. However, synthesis of complex, functional derivatives remains difficult due to low functional group tolerance, high dilution, extreme reaction conditions, and sometimes low yields using traditional stepwise synthetic methods. “Design of experiments” (DOE) is a method employed for the optimization of reaction conditions, and we showcase this approach to generate a dramatic increase in the yield of specific targets from two different self‐assembling systems. These examples demonstrate that DOE provides an additional tool in tuning self‐assembling, dynamic covalent systems.     

From Ionic Liquids to Supramolecular Polymers

Charging forward : Ionic interactions presented in a multivalent fashion in small‐molecule ionic liquids lead to functional polymer‐like materials (see picture) that are consistent with the formation of a supramolecular ionic network. For example, the ionic material formed from a dication consisting of two covalently linked tetraalkyl phosphonium moieties and a porphyrin tetracarboxylate has a viscosity of 10⁶ Pa s at 25 °C.

     

Synthesis of a Two‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Monolayer through Dynamic Imine Chemistry at the Air/Water Interface

A two‐dimensional covalent organic monolayer was synthesized from simple aromatic triamine and dialdehyde building blocks by dynamic imine chemistry at the air/water interface (Langmuir–Blodgett method). The obtained monolayer was characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, which unambiguously confirmed the formation of a large (millimeter range), unimolecularly thin aromatic polyimine sheet. The imine‐linked chemical structure of the obtained monolayer was characterized by tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and the peak assignment was supported by spectra simulated by density functional theory. Given the modular nature and broad substrate scope of imine formation, the work reported herein opens up many new possibilities for the synthesis of customizable 2D polymers and systematic studies of their structure–property relationships.     

Dissipative Dynamic Covalent Chemistry (DDCvC) Based on the Transimination Reaction

This work reports that the composition of a dynamic library (DL) of interconverting imines can be controlled over time in a dissipative fashion by the addition of an activated carboxylic acid used as a chemical fuel. When the fuel is added to the DL, which is initially under thermodynamic equilibrium, the composition of the mixture dramatically changes and a new, dissipative (out of equilibrium) state is reached that persists until fuel exhaustion. Thus, a transient dissipative dynamic library (DDL) is generated that, eventually, reverts back to the initial DL when the fuel is consumed, closing a DL→DDL→DL cycle. The larger the amount of added fuel, the longer the time spent by the system in the DDL state. The transimination reaction is shown to be an optimal candidate for the realization of a dissipative dynamic covalent chemistry (DDCvC).     

Dynamic covalent polymers

This Highlight presents an overview of the rapidly growing field of dynamic covalent polymers. This class of polymers combines intrinsic reversibility with the robustness of covalent bonds, thus enabling formation of mechanically stable, polymer‐based materials that are responsive to external stimuli. It will be discussed how the inherent dynamic nature of the dynamic covalent bonds on the molecular level can be translated to the macroscopic level of the polymer, giving access to a range of applications, such as stimuli‐responsive or self‐healing materials. A primary distinction will be made based on the type of dynamic covalent bond employed, while a secondary distinction will be based on the consideration whether the dynamic covalent bond is used in the main chain of the polymer or whether it is used to allow side chain modification of the polymer. Emphasis will be on the chemistry of the dynamic covalent bonds present in the polymer, in particular in relation to how the specific (dynamic) features of the bond impart functionality to the polymer material, and to the conditions under which this dynamic behavior is manifested. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3551–3577.     

Directional Dynamic Covalent Motion of a Carbonyl Walker on a Polyamine Track

Controlled directional displacement of a molecular group has been achieved based on dynamic covalent motions implementing the reactional features of the imine bond. ortho‐Carboxybenzaldehyde derivatives are able to form stable adducts with both primary and secondary amines as imines or as amino lactones, respectively, depending on the acidity of the medium. They may thus perform pH‐driven intramolecular “walking” along a non‐symmetric polyamine chain, in which an imine serves as the terminus under basic conditions on one end of the chain and a lactone formed on a secondary hydroxylamine nitrogen on the other end serves as the terminal site upon addition of acid. The displacement between the termini occurs stochastically through reversible change in valency at the carbon site of the carbonyl group between imine, aminal, iminium and amino lactone form. On the other hand, the directionality results from the stabilisation of the terminal products under given pH conditions. By its ability to undergo interconversion between C?N and O‐C‐N moieties, the ortho‐carboxybenzaldehyde group extends the realm of dynamic covalent chemistry of imines to secondary amines and opens new perspectives in this field.     

Light-Responsive Arylazopyrazole Gelators: From Organic to Aqueous Media and from Supramolecular to Dynamic Covalent Chemistry

Versatile photoresponsive gels based on tripodal low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) are reported. A cyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (CTA) core provides face-to-face hydrogen bonding and a planar conformation, inducing the self-assembly of supramolecular polymers. The CTA core was substituted with three arylazopyrazole (AAP) arms. AAP is a molecular photoswitch that isomerizes reversibly under alternating UV and green light irradiation. The E isomer of AAP is planar, favoring the self-assembly, whereas the Z isomer has a twisted structure, leading to a disassembly of the supramolecular polymers. By using tailor-made molecular design of the tripodal gelator, light-responsive organogels and hydrogels were obtained. Additionally, in the case of the hydrogels, AAP was coupled to the core through hydrazones, so that the hydrogelator and, hence, the photoresponsive hydrogel could also be assembled and disassembled by using dynamic covalent chemistry.     

Quadruple Switching of Pleated Foldamers of Tetrathiafulvalene–Bipyridinium Alternating Dynamic Covalent Polymers

Two dynamic covalent polymers P1 and P2 were prepared by alternately linking electron‐rich tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and electron‐deficient bipyridinium (BIPY²⁺) through hydrazone bonds. In acetonitrile, the polymers were induced by intramolecular donor–acceptor interactions to form pleated foldamers, which unfolded upon oxidation of the TTF units to the radical cation TTF^.+. Reduction of the BIPY²⁺ units to BIPY^.+ led to the formation of another kind of pleated secondary structures, which are stabilized by intramolecular dimerization of the BIPY^.+ units. The diradical dicationic cyclophane cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene) (CBPQT^2(.+)) could further force the folded structures to unfold by including the BIPY^.+ units of the polymers. Upon oxidation of the BIPY^.+ units of the cyclophane and polymers to BIPY²⁺, the first folded state was regenerated. Switching or conversion between the four conformational states was confirmed by UV/Vis spectroscopic experiments.