Salicylaldimine-based symmetric dimers: synthesis and thermal behaviour

Several symmetrical dimers comprised of salicylaldimine-moieties connected through ester linkages to the termini of odd-parity alkanediols have been synthesized and investigated for their thermal behaviour. In order to understand the structure-property relations, the lengths of the central alkylene spacers (C₃ and C₅) as well as those of the terminal alkoxy chains (C₆ to C₂₂) have been varied. The dimers with a C₃-alkylene spacer are non-liquid crystalline, while some of the compounds having a C₅-alkylene spacer exhibit liquid crystalline properties. The dimer, with a C₅-alkylene spacer and C₆-alkoxy tails, shows an intercalated smectic C (SmC_c) phase, whereas the C₈, C₁₀, C₁₁, and C₁₂ homologues are non-mesomorphic. The higher homologues of this series with C₁₆, C₁₈, C₂₀ and C₂₂ alkoxy tails show a mesophase that has the signatures of a two-dimensional banana (B₁) phase. This mesophase is enantiotropic in the C₁₆ and C₁₈ homologues while it is monotropic in the other homologues. In these dimers, the spacer length has a remarkable influence on the thermal behaviour.     

Salicylaldimine-based symmetric dimers: synthesis and thermal behaviour

Several symmetrical dimers comprised of salicylaldimine-moieties connected through ester linkages to the termini of odd-parity alkanediols have been synthesized and investigated for their thermal behaviour. In order to understand the structure-property relations, the lengths of the central alkylene spacers (C₃ and C₅) as well as those of the terminal alkoxy chains (C₆ to C₂₂) have been varied. The dimers with a C₃-alkylene spacer are non-liquid crystalline, while some of the compounds having a C₅-alkylene spacer exhibit liquid crystalline properties. The dimer, with a C₅-alkylene spacer and C₆-alkoxy tails, shows an intercalated smectic C (SmC_c) phase, whereas the C₈, C₁₀, C₁₁, and C₁₂ homologues are non-mesomorphic. The higher homologues of this series with C₁₆, C₁₈, C₂₀ and C₂₂ alkoxy tails show a mesophase that has the signatures of a two-dimensional banana (B₁) phase. This mesophase is enantiotropic in the C₁₆ and C₁₈ homologues while it is monotropic in the other homologues. In these dimers, the spacer length has a remarkable influence on the thermal behaviour.     

1,2-Propanediol-linked chiral symmetric and non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers containing trifluoromethyl

Four symmetric and non-symmetric chiral liquid crystal dimers containing trifluoromethyl groups, termed as TFBA-PD-TFBA, UEBBA-PD-TFBA, UEBA-PD-TFBA and UEA-PD-TFBA, respectively, have been synthesised and characterised. UEA-PD-TFBA exhibited chiral nematic phase, whereas the other three dimers displayed chiral smectic A phase. X-ray diffraction (XRD) has revealed the structure of the smectic A phase for TFBA-PD-TFBA to be intercalated, whereas that for UEBBA-PD-TFBA and UEBA-PD-TFBA to be monolayer and interdigitated, respectively. In addition, the weaker peak corresponding to a shorter layer spacing was observed for UEBBA-PD-TFBA and UEBA-PD-TFBA. Considering the results of XRD measurements and computer simulations, the structural model corresponding to the shorter layer spacing is assigned as horseshoe-like shape. The absence of smectic behaviour for UEA-PD-TFBA reveals that the weaker aromatic–aromatic interactions cannot stabilise the smectic A phase.     

Thermodynamics of symmetric dimers: lattice density functional theory predictions and simulations

A new lattice density functional theory (DFT) approach is proposed for symmetric dimers taking into account all possible configurations for molecules adjacent to a central dimer. Comparison with Monte Carlo simulations shows significant improvement of the proposed model compared to previously developed version of lattice DFT for dimers. It is shown that the new model gives accurate analytical solutions over a wide range of densities and temperatures. Phase transitions in dimers are analyzed and fundamental differences between dimers and monomers are discussed.     

Two-dimensional electronic spectra of symmetric dimers: Intermolecular coupling and conformational states

We study the information content of two-dimensional (2D) electronic photon-echo (PE) spectra, with special emphasis on their potential to distinguish, for waiting times T=0, between different conformations of electronically coupled symmetric dimers. The analysis is performed on the basis of an analytical formula for the frequency-domain 2D PE signal. The symmetric dimers are modeled in terms of two identical, energy-degenerate, excitonically coupled pairs of electronic states in the site representation. The spectra of conformationally weighted ensembles, composed of either two or four dimers, are compared with their one-dimensional linear absorption counterparts. In order to provide a realistic coupling pattern for the ensemble consisting of four dimers, excitonic couplings are estimated on the basis of optimized geometries and site-transition dipole moments, calculated by standard semiempirical methods for the bridged bithiophene structure 1,2-bithiophene-2-yl-ethane-1,2-dion (T2[CO]2). In the framework of our model, the highly readable 2D PE spectra can unambiguously identify spectral doublets, by relating peak heights and positions with mutual orientations of site-localized transition dipoles.     

Observation of intercalated smectic phases in symmetric liquid crystal dimers containing hydrazide groups

Dimeric hydrazide derivatives with nitro, phenyl, and methyl terminal subsistents were synthesized. The liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction. Interestingly, intercalated smectic phases were observed in these symmetric liquid crystal dimers. The effect of the substituents and the length of the spacer on the mesophase is discussed, confirming that intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the hydrazide groups was the driving force for the formation of the intercalated structures.     

Novel oxazepinedione-derived symmetric dimers: synthesis and mesophase characterisation of seven-membered heterocyclic compounds

The synthesis and characterisation of three sets of symmetric dimeric compounds composed of seven-membered oxazepinedione heterocyclic rings were carried out. All the dimers possess the tetradecyl- (n = 14) alkyl side chain attached to the nitrogen atom of the oxazepinedione core. The oxazepinedione core in turn was connected with varied connecting spacers (n = 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12). The dimers were spectroscopically characterised by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and elemental analysis techniques. The compounds were investigated for liquid crystalline properties using differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy with heating assembly. The precursor imines 2a–e itself started exhibiting liquid crystalline SmA/tilted hexatic mesophase. Further fusion of 2a–e with maleic anhydride, succinic anhydride and phthalic anhydride gave the novel oxazepinedione-derived symmetric dimers 3a–e, 4a–e and 5a–e respectively. The dimers 3a–e and 4a–e did not exhibit any liquid crystal (LC) properties. However, the phthalic anhydride-fused oxazepinediones 5a–e show monotropic nematic liquid crystalline phase. The results indicate that the formation of mesophase is dependent on the type of fused oxazepinedione ring.     

Synthesis and STM imaging of symmetric and dissymmetric ethynyl-bridged dimers of boron-subphthalocyanine bowl-shaped nanowheels

The future's wheel: A new class of wheels, based on subphthalocyanine fragments, for future incorporation in functional nanovehicles is reported (see figure). The syntheses of a symmetric wheel, a nitrogen-tagged wheel, and their ethynyl-bridged homodimers are presented. Theoretical calculations and STM imaging demonstrate the advantage of a bowl-shaped structure and the efficiency of the tag for STM imaging.     

The liquid crystal properties of symmetric and non-symmetric dimers based on the azobenzene mesogenic group

A novel system of symmetric and non-symmetric dimers containing azobenzene groups has been synthesized and studied in an attempt to understand further the molecular origins of the intercalated smectic phases. For the non-symmetric dimers, the lack of symmetry was derived solely from the differences in length of the two terminal alkyl chains. Both the spacer and terminal chain lengths were varied. The spacer length was found to exert a profound influence on the clearing temperatures of these materials and a large odd-even effect was observed for the series. The smectic A phase stability was observed to increase with the terminal chain length, yet decrease with increasing spacer length. X-ray diffraction has revealed the structure of the smectic A phase of both the symmetric and non-symmetric azobenzene dimers to be of the monolayer type and not intercalated. The existence of the intercalated phase has previously been explained in terms of either a charge-transfer interaction, or by an electrostatic quadrupolar interaction. However, it has been thought that it may also be the result of an excluded volume or space filling constraint. For the non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers described here, a charge-transfer interaction should be minimal, as should the stabilization from the quadrupolar interaction between the two mesogens. However, it appears that some sort of specific interaction is required to stabilize the intercalated structure.     

The liquid crystal properties of symmetric and non-symmetric dimers based on the azobenzene mesogenic group

A novel system of symmetric and non-symmetric dimers containing azobenzene groups has been synthesized and studied in an attempt to understand further the molecular origins of the intercalated smectic phases. For the non-symmetric dimers, the lack of symmetry was derived solely from the differences in length of the two terminal alkyl chains. Both the spacer and terminal chain lengths were varied. The spacer length was found to exert a profound influence on the clearing temperatures of these materials and a large odd-even effect was observed for the series. The smectic A phase stability was observed to increase with the terminal chain length, yet decrease with increasing spacer length. X-ray diffraction has revealed the structure of the smectic A phase of both the symmetric and non-symmetric azobenzene dimers to be of the monolayer type and not intercalated. The existence of the intercalated phase has previously been explained in terms of either a charge-transfer interaction, or by an electrostatic quadrupolar interaction. However, it has been thought that it may also be the result of an excluded volume or space filling constraint. For the non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers described here, a charge-transfer interaction should be minimal, as should the stabilization from the quadrupolar interaction between the two mesogens. However, it appears that some sort of specific interaction is required to stabilize the intercalated structure.     

Products of class-sums of the symmetric group: Generalizing the recurrence relations

The formulation of a combinatorial theory of the structure of the class-algebra of the symmetric group is pursued. Recurrence relations for reduced class-coefficients involving imbedded cycles are presented. It is pointed out that for bridging cycles one can obtain elimination rules that involve symmetrization over sets of reduced class-coefficients with common cycle-structures but inequivalent index distributions. Consequently, some of these reduced class-coefficients remain individually inaccessible. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Configurational probabilities for symmetric dimers on a lattice: an analytical approximation with exact limits at low and high densities

A new approach is developed for lattice density functional theory of interacting symmetric dimers at high temperatures. Equations of equilibrium for two-dimensional square and three-dimensional cubic lattices are derived for the complete set of configurations in the first three shells around the central dimer, and rules of truncation for higher shells are based on exact results from the mathematical theory of domino tilings. This provides exact limits for both low and high densities. The new model predicts contributions of particular configurations which are in agreement with Monte Carlo simulations over the whole range of densities, including agreement with pocket Monte Carlo simulations at high densities.     

Facile synthesis and versatile topological transformation of mono-cleavable symmetric starlike terpolymers

A straightforward strategy involving a RAFT process and ring-opening polymerization was used to construct symmetric reduction-responsive amphiphilic A(2m)B(2n)C(2) (m≈n≈ 3) starlike terpolymers with precise microstructure, which could be efficiently converted into thiol-functionalized telechelic stars, degraded A(m)B(n)C miktoarm stars and comblike-linear multiblock copolymers via postmodification.     

Compartmental modeling of the fluorescence anisotropy decay of a cylindrically symmetric brownian rotor: Identifiability analysis.

We present the results of the deterministic identifiability analysis based on similarity transformation for models of one-state excited-state events of cylindrically symmetric rotors in isotropic environments undergoing rotational diffusion described by Brownian reorientation. Such an analysis on error-free time-resolved fluorescence (anisotropy) data can reveal whether the parameters of the considered model can be determined. The fluorescence delta-response functions I(parallel)(t) and I(perpendicular)(t), for fluorescence polarized respectively parallel and perpendicular to the electric vector of linearly polarized excitation, are used to construct, in convenient matrix form, expressions of the sum S(t) = I(parallel)(t) + 2I(perpendicular)(t), the difference D(t) = I(parallel)(t) - I(perpendicular)(t), and the time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy r(t) = D(t)/S(t). The identifiability analysis of r(t) demonstrates that the rotational diffusion coefficients D(parallel) and D(perpendicular) for rotation respectively about and perpendicular to the symmetry axis can be uniquely resolved. However, the polar and azimuthal angles defining the absorption and emission transition moments in the molecular reference frame are not individually identifiable. Nevertheless, the difference between the polar angles of these transition moments is uniquely determined.     

Scratching the surface of buckminsterfullerene: the barriers for Stone-Wales transformation through symmetric and asymmetric transition states

General-gradient approximation (PBE) and hybrid Hartree-Fock density functional theories (B3LYP) in conjunction with basis sets of up to polarized triple-zeta quality have been applied to study the Stone-Wales transformation of buckminsterfullerene (BF) to yield a C(60) isomer of C(2)(v) symmetry with two adjacent pentagons (#1809). In agreement with earlier investigations, two different transition states and reaction pathways could be identified for the rearrangement from BF to C(60)-C(2)(v) on the C(60) potential energy surface (PES). One has C(2) molecular point group symmetry with the two migrating carbon atoms remaining close to the fullerene surface. The other one has a high-energy carbene-like (sp(3)) structure where a single carbon atom is significantly moved away from the C(60) surface. The carbene intermediate and the second transition state along the stepwise reaction path characterized previously at lower levels of theory do not exist as stationary points with the density functionals utilized here. The classical barriers of both mechanisms are essentially identical, 6.9 eV using PBE and 7.3 eV with B3LYP.     

Disulfide symmetric dimers as stable pre-hapten forms for bioconjugation: a strategy to prepare immunoreagents for the detection of sulfophenyl carboxylate residues in environmental samples

A convenient, generic synthesis of bioconjugates from haptens with a thiol group has been established. The corresponding haptens are synthesized as stable symmetric dimmers through a disulfide bond that is reduced immediately before conjugation with the aid of a di(n-butyl)phenylphosphine polystyrene (DBPP) resin. This strategy was used to prepare haptenized biomolecules and to raise antibodies against short-alkyl-chain sulfophenyl carboxylates (X-C(z)-SPCs; X is the position of the benzylic group and z is the alkyl-chain length) formed after degradation of the widely used domestic and industrial linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LASs) surfactants. Because of the complexity of the LASs technical mixture, homologous and pseudo-heterologous immunization strategies have been studied with the aim of broadening antibody recognition of the SPC family. With this purpose, two types of immunizing haptens have been synthesized and used to prepare bioconjugates and raise antibodies. Type-A bioconjugates (SPC(A)-protein) were prepared by synthesizing type-A haptens as stable symmetric dimers, generically 2,2'-dithiobis[5-{4-(N-ethylsulfamoyl)}phenylalkanoic acids] (X-C(z)-S-SPC). On the other hand, type-B bioconjugates (SPC(B)-protein) were prepared by treating the carboxylic groups of the corresponding 4-sulfophenylalkanoic acids (X-C(z)-SPC) with the amino groups of the lysine residues by using classical carbodiimide procedures. Type-A haptens produced antibodies with a much higher avidity for the target analyte. Under competitive immunochemical configurations (As112/2-C(5)-ovalbumin), these antibodies can reach a limit of detection (LOD) of 40 ng L(-1) with an IC(50) value of 200 ng L(-1) for 3-C(6)-SPC, which opens up the possibility of trace contamination of edible waters by surfactants with 3-C(6)-SPC as a marker of LAS pollution. A comparative study of the properties of the three families of polyclonal antibodies produced revealed that antibodies raised through pseudo-heterologous immunization strategies produced antibodies with a broader specificity versus the SPC family. These results indicate that this approach could be useful in avoiding synthetic difficulties associated with preparing haptens that preserve all the most important chemical functionalities of the molecule.     

Gold nanoparticle dimers for plasmon sensing

In this study, gold nanoparticles (GNP) were stabilized for the first time as dimers by a conducting polymer (CP). The morphology of kissing particles was examined by high-resolution transmission electronic microscopy (HRTEM). The broad-band localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) tunable by solvent variation and molecular binding was demonstrated by UV-vis measurement. The sensitivity of the longitudinal LSPR to the surrounding media or the binding of a biomolecule was 6 times higher than that of the transversal LSPR. A homogeneous bioassay was directly developed from the highly stable GNP-CP dimers with LSPR as prober, and protein sensing with detection limit well below 100 ng/mL was achieved.     

A vibronic model for exchange-coupled mixed-valence dimers

A quantum-mechanical calculation of the spin—vibronic states of an exchange-coupled mixed-valence dimer is presented. It is shown that the temperatur     

Cyclic porphyrin dimers as hosts for coordinating ligands

Bicovalently linked tetraphenylporphyrins bearing dioxypentane groups at the opposite (transoid, H₄A) and adjacent (cisoid, H₄B) aryl groups have been synthesised. Protonation of the free-base porphyrins leads to fully protonated species H₈A⁴⁺/H₈A⁴⁺ accompanied by expansion of cavity size of the bisporphyrins. The electrochemical redox studies of these porphyrins and their Zinc(II) derivatives revealed that the first ring oxidation proceeds through a two-electron process while the second ring oxidation occurs at two distinct one-electron steps indicating unsymmetrical charge distribution in the oxidized intermediate. The axial ligation properties of the Zinc(Il) derivatives of H₄A/H₄B with DABCO and PMDA investigated by spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies showed predominant existence of 1: I complex. The Zn₂A.DABCO complex assumes an interesting eclipsed structure wherein DABCO is located inside the cavity between the two porphyrin planes with Zn-N distances at 2.08 and 2.22 ?. The Zn atoms are pulled into the cavity due to coordination towards nitrogen atoms of DABCO and deviate from the mean porphyrin plane by 0.35 ?. The electrochemical redox potentials of the axially ligated metal derivatives are found to be sensitive function of the relative coordinating ability of the ligands and the conformation of the hosts.     

Cyclodextrin dimers as receptor molecules for steroid sensors

The dansyl-modified dimer 9 complexes strongly with the steroidal bile salts. Relative to native beta-cyclodextrin, the binding of cholate (1a) and deoxycholate (1b) salts is especially enhanced. These steroids bind exclusively in a 1:1 fashion. For other bile salts (1c-1e) both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes were observed with stabilities similar to those of native beta-cyclodextrin. This indicates that only one cavity is used, with a small contribution from the second. The difference is attributed to the absence of a 12-hydroxy group in the second group of steroids. Comparison with a dimer that lacks the dansyl moiety (6) shows that this group especially hinders the cooperative binding of la and 1b. The smaller interference in the binding of the other steroids indicates that self-inclusion of the dansyl moiety hardly occurs. This weak self-inclusion is supported by fluorescence studies. The dansyl fluorescence of dimer 9 is less blue-shifted than that of other known dansyl-appended cyclodextrin derivatives; this is indicative of a more polar micro-environment. Addition of guests causes a change in fluorescence intensity.