Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of 1,1'-binaphthyl-based chiral phenylenevinylene dendrimers

New chiral, soluble binaphthyl derivatives that incorporate stilbenoid dendrons at the 6,6'-positions have been prepared. The synthesis of the new enantiopure dendrimers was performed in a convergent manner by Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction of the appropriately functionalized 1,1'-binaphthyl derivative (R)-1 and the appropriate dendrons (R)(2n)G(n)-CHO. Different electroactive units were incorporated in the peripheral positions of the dendrons in order to tune both the optical and electrochemical behavior of these systems. Fluorescence measurements on the chiral dendrimers reveal a strong emission with maxima between 409 and 508 nm depending upon the substitution pattern. Finally, the redox properties of the dendrimers were determined by cyclic voltammetry, showing the influence of the functional groups at the peripheral positions of the dendrimer on the redox behavior of these systems.     

Dendrimers based on a three-dimensionally disposed AB4 monomer

[reaction: see text] Design and synthesis of a novel class of dendrons based on an AB(4) monomer are described. These dendrons have been evaluated by using dendritic encapsulation of a redox active core. The electrochemical properties of symmetric ferrocene-cored dendrimers show that significant alterations in redox potential and heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants could be achieved even at lower generations.     

Dendronized Anionic Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis,Characterization, and Antiviral Activity

Anionic carbosilane dendrons decorated with sulfonate functions and one thiol moiety at the focal point have been used to synthesize water‐soluble gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through the direct reaction of dendrons, gold precursor, and reducing agent in water, and also through a place‐exchange reaction. These nanoparticles have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, TEM, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV/Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and zeta‐potential measurements. The interacting ability of the anionic sulfonate functions was investigated by EPR spectroscopy with copper(II) as a probe. Different structures and conformations of the AuNPs modulate the availability of sulfonate and thiol groups for complexation by copper(II). Toxicity assays of AuNPs showed that those produced through direct reaction were less toxic than those obtained by ligand exchange. Inhibition of HIV‐1 infection was higher in the case of dendronized AuNPs than in dendrons.     

Exploring and expanding the structural diversity of self-assembling dendrons through combinations of AB, constitutional isomeric AB2, and AB3 biphenyl-4-methyl ether building blocks

General, efficient and inexpensive methods for the synthesis of dendritic building blocks methyl 3',4'-dihydroxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate, 3',5'-dihydroxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate, and methyl 3',4',5'-trihydroxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate were elaborated. In all syntheses the major step involved an inexpensive Ni(II)-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. These three building blocks were employed together with methyl 4'-hydroxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate in a convergent iterative strategy to synthesize seven libraries containing up to three generations of 3',4'-, 3',5'-, and 3',4',5'-substituted biphenyl-4-methyl ether based amphiphilic dendrons. These dendrons self-assemble into supramolecular dendrimers that self-organize into periodic assemblies. Structural and retrostructural analysis of their assemblies demonstrated that these dendrons self-assemble into hollow and non-hollow supramolecular dendrimers exhibiting dimensions of up to twice those reported for architecturally related dendrons based on benzyl ether repeat units. These new dendrons expand the structural diversity and demonstrate the generality of the concept of self-assembling dendrons based on amphiphilic arylmethyl ethers.     

Multifunctional Supramolecular Dendrimers with an s‐Triazine Ring as the Central Core: Liquid Crystalline,Fluorescence and Photoconductive Properties

Novel liquid crystal (LC) dendrimers have been synthesised by hydrogen bonding between an s‐triazine as the central core and three peripheral dendrons derived from bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid. Symmetric acid dendrons bearing achiral promesogenic units have been synthesised to obtain 3:1 complexes with triazine that exhibit LC properties. Asymmetric dendrons that combine the achiral promesogenic unit and an active moiety derived from coumarin or pyrene structures have been synthesised in order to obtain dendrimers with photophysical and electrochemical properties. The formation of the complexes was confirmed by IR and NMR spectroscopy data. The liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and X‐ray diffractometry. All complexes displayed mesogenic properties, which were smectic in the case of symmetric dendrons and their complexes and nematic in the case of asymmetric dendrons and their dendrimers. A supramolecular model for the lamellar mesophase, based mainly on X‐ray diffraction studies, is proposed. The electrochemical behaviour of dendritic complexes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The UV/Vis absorption and emission properties of the compounds and the photoconductive properties of the dendrons and dendrimers were also investigated     

Synthesis and opto‐electrical properties of dendron‐containing poly(2,3‐diphenyl‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene) derivatives

A new series of poly(2,3‐diphenyl‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene) derivatives containing dendritic side groups were synthesized. Different generations of dendrons were integrated on the pendant phenyl ring to investigate their effect on optical and electrical properties of final polymers. Homopolymers can not be obtained via the Gilch polymerization because of sterically bulky dendrons. By controlling the feed ratio of different monomers during polymerization, dendron‐containing copolymers with high molecular weights were obtained. The UV–vis absorption and photoluminescent spectra of the thin films are pretty close; however, quantum efficiency is significantly enhanced with increasing the generation of dendrons. The electrochemical analysis reveals that hole‐injection is also improved by increasing dendritic generation. Double‐layer light‐emitting devices with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/Ca/Al were fabricated. High generation dendrons bring benefit of improved device performance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3440–3450, 2007     

Unusual electrochemical properties of unsymmetric viologen dendrimers

A new series of redox-active dendrimers containing a single 4,4'-bipyridinium (viologen) group covalently attached to the focal point of Newkome-type dendrons (first to third generation) has been prepared and characterized. The electrochemical properties of these unsymmetric dendrimers show two unusual aspects. First, the electrochemical kinetics for viologen reduction remains fast from the first to the third dendrimer generation. Second, the values of the half-wave potentials reveal that dendrimer growth favors the generation of positive charge in the viologen residue in CH(2)Cl(2), THF, and CH(3)CN solutions, while slightly disfavors it in DMSO.     

间苯二甲酸酯为端基的非对称共轭树状体的合成及光学性质

以间苯二甲酸酯为端基, 采用收敛法经钯催化的Sonogashira偶联反应合成了1～3代非对称的共轭树状体, 利用¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, 质谱和元素分析进行了结构表征. 该类型树状体的骨架以间位和对位分枝的苯乙炔为基础, 其显著特征是每个吸电子基团都与一个给电子的烷氧基直接共轭. 对其光学性质的初步研究显示, 随着代数的升高它们的UV/vis吸收边缘和最大荧光发射波长均发生了红移.     

Arylamide dendrimers with flexible linkers via haloacyl halide method

[reaction: see text] Soluble arylamide dendrons with flexible linkers, peripheral ester or carboxyl groups (R), and focal amino or halogen functionalities (F) were synthesized from aryl glycineamide (AG) building blocks. The AG blocks were prepared in high yields from trivial starting materials by Fischer's haloacyl halide method, which also could be extended to the dendrimer synthesis itself. The G2 AG dendrons were coupled to a Pd porphyrin core, demonstrating outstanding encapsulation efficiency in aqueous solutions.     

Expanding the structural diversity of self-assembling dendrons and supramolecular dendrimers via complex building blocks

The design and synthesis of the first examples of AB4 and AB5 dendritic building blocks with complex architecture are reported. Structural and retrostructural analysis of supramolecular dendrimers self-assembled from hybrid dendrons based on different combinations of AB4 and AB5 building blocks with AB2 and AB3 benzyl ether dendrons demonstrated that none of these new hybrid dendrons exhibit the previously encountered conformations of libraries of benzyl ether dendrons. These hybrid dendrons enabled the discovery of some highly unusual tapered and conical dendrons generated by the intramolecular back-folding of their repeat units and of their apex. The new back-folded tapered dendrons have double thickness and self-assemble into pine-tree-like columns exhibiting a long-range 7/2 helical order. The back-folded conical dendrons self-assemble into spherical dendrimers. Non-back-folded truncated conical dendrons were also discovered. They self-assemble into spherical dendrimers with a less densely packed center. The discovery of dendrons displaying a novel crown-like conformation is also reported. Crown-like dendrons self-assemble into long-range 5/1 helical pyramidal columns. The long-range 7/2 and 5/1 helical structures were established by applying, for the first time, the helical diffraction theory to the analysis of X-ray patterns obtained from oriented fibers of supramolecular dendrimers.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Gold‐Nanoparticle‐Cored Dendrimers Stabilized by Metal–Carbon Bonds

Synthesis and characterization of gold‐nanoparticle‐cored dendrimers (NCDs), in which the dendrons are attached to the gold core through gold–carbon bonds, are described. Synthesis of these materials involved the simultaneous reduction of HAuCl₄ and a Fréchet‐type dendron with a diazonium group at the focal point, all in an organic solvent such as toluene. These materials possess a nanometer‐sized gold core surrounded by a shell of polyaryl ether dendrons, which are connected radially to the core. The NCDs were characterized by TEM, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and IR, UV, and NMR spectroscopic techniques. Average particle diameter of the NCDs ranged from 4.7 to 5.5 nm for the different generations. All NCDs exhibit the characteristic plasmon absorption of gold nanoparticles at 520 nm. Average numbers of dendrons per NCD in AuG_n were calculated using results from TGA and TEM studies. Multiple layering of the dendrons is proposed as a possible reason for the high dendron/NCD value.     

Self-assembly of hybrid dendrons with complex primary structure into functional helical pores

The synthesis of three libraries of self-assembling hybrid dendrons containing a primary structure based on the sequence (4-3,4-3,5)12G2-CO(2)CH(3) generated from benzyl ether, biphenyl-4-methyl ether, and AB(2) repeat units constructed from (AB)(y)--AB(2) combinations of benzyl ethers, is reported. The structural and retrostructural analysis of their supramolecular dendrimers facilitated the discovery of new architectural principles that lead to the assembly of functional helical pores. The self-assembly of an example of hybrid dendron containing -H, -CO(2)CH(3), -CH(2)OH, -COOH, -COOK, -CONH(2), -CONHCH(3), -CO(2)(CH(2))(2)OCH(3), -(R) and -(S)-CONHCH(CH(3))C(2)H(5) as X-groups at the apex demonstrated that these self-assembling dendrons provide the simplest strategy for the design and synthesis of porous columns containing a diversity of hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional groups in the inner part of the pore. The results reported here expand the scope and limitations of dendrons available for the self-assembly of functional pores that previously were generated mostly from dendritic dipeptides, to simpler architectures based on hybrid dendrons.     

Hydroxyl-terminated dendritic oligomers from bile acids: synthesis and properties

[reaction: see text] The high reactivity of the chloroacetyl group has been exploited for the synthesis of bile acid based first and second generation dendrons with multiple hydroxyl groups. The synthesis involves only a few steps and avoids the use of protecting groups for the terminal hydroxyl groups. These dendritic structures with facially amphiphilic bile acid backbones on the periphery were able to solubilize cresol red, a hydrophilic dye, in a nonpolar solvent. HPLC analysis of the dendrons suggests that hydrophobicity increases with increase in oligomer size, but in each generation, the dendrons with a higher degree of branching are less hydrophobic.     

Synthesis and energy-transfer properties of poly(amidoamine) dendrons modified with naphthyl and dansyl groups

Poly(amidoamine) dendrons of 1-3 generations with naphthyl groups at the periphery and a dansyl group at the focal point were synthesized and carefully characterized. Intramolecular energy-transfer properties of these flexible aliphatic-scaffold light-harvesting dendrons were investigated by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Efficient energy transfer from the naphthyl groups to the dansyl group occurred for both the first and the second generation dendrons (the energy-transfer efficiency was 94.3% and 76.9%, respectively), whereas the third generation dendron exhibited a low energy-transfer efficiency of 17.8%. The average donor-acceptor distances between the naphthyl and dansyl groups were calculated for different generation dendrons. Different degrees of the backfolding of dendritic branches were used to interpret the different donor-acceptor distances.     

Janus carbosilane/phosphorhydrazone dendrimers synthesized by the ‘click’ Staudinger reaction

The first association of carbosilane dendrons (having a phosphine at the focal point) with phosphorhydrazone dendrons (having a thiophosphoryl azide at the focal point) has been successfully carried out by ‘Staudinger click’ reaction. The corresponding Janus dendrimers possess the characteristics of both components; they are oily as the carbosilane dendrons, and they can be easily functionalized as the phosphorhydrazone dendrons.     

Effect of pH and generation of dendron on single‐step synthesis of gold nanoparticles using PEGylated polyamidoamine dendron in aqueous medium

Three types of PEGylated polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrons were synthesized through PEGylation of primary amines at the periphery of second, third, and fourth generation dendrons. Au(III) precursors and the synthesized PEGylated PAMAM dendrons were mixed at various pHs to evaluate the effect of pH on gold nanoparticle (Au NP) synthesis by monitoring the change in surface plasmon resonance. The Au NP synthesis reaction was controlled by pH through the balance between protonated and deprotonated tertiary amines and the reactivity of Au(III) precursors. By using PEGylated PAMAM dendrons with higher generation, the obtained Au NPs had narrow size distribution with small average size because of the limitation of intermolecular space among PEGylated PAMAM dendrons for the growth to Au NP. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1391–1398, 2010     

Self-assembly and supramolecular transition of poly(amidoamine) dendrons focally modified with aromatic chromophores

Three novel series of amphiphiles based on poly(amidoamine) dendrons (from G1 to G3) and having different aromatic chromophores (Cz I, Cz II, and Py) at the focal point were synthesized and studied for their self-assembly behavior in aqueous solution by using electronic microscopies (i.e., SEM and TEM), UV-vis, fluorescence, IR, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the generation of dendrons affected significantly the self-assembly of these amphiphiles in aqueous solution and the morphological structures of the resulting assemblies depended greatly on the architecture of the focal chromophores. As a result, the first generation of dendrons assembled readily into vesicles at low concentrations. These vesicular structures subsequently fused to form a stable tubular structure. Similar tubular structures could also be directly obtained through self-assembly of these amphiphilic dendrons at high concentrations. X-ray investigations showed that the resulting tubules possessed a lamellar structure. A head-to-head packing model of amphiphilic dendrons in the assemblies was proposed.     

Functional Carbazole Liquid‐Crystal Block Codendrimers with Optical and Electronic Properties

The synthesis and characterisation of a family of block codendrimers consisting of highly versatile mesogenic and carbazole‐containing 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis‐MPA) dendrons are reported. The liquid‐crystal behaviour was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry, polarised‐light optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Depending on the chemical structure of the constituent dendrons, the codendrimers show lamellar or columnar mesophases. On the basis of the experimental results, models both at the molecular level and in the mesophase are proposed. The physical properties of the block codendrimers derived from the presence of the carbazole moiety in their structure were investigated: photoluminescence in solution and in the mesophase, electrochemical behaviour and hole transport. Electrodeposition of carbazole dendrons afforded a globular supramolecular conformation in which the mesogenic molecular side plays a key role.     

Synthesis and chiroptical analysis of optically active chiral shell dendrons

We have prepared a series of chiral dendrons (1-4) in which chiral subunits are placed in individual generational shells at varying distances from the focal point. The optical activity of these chiral dendritic structures is successfully modeled using structurally similar low-molecular weight model compounds. In dendrons 1a and 1b a chiral subunit is directly adjacent to the focal point, whereas in dendrons 2, 3, and 4a,b the chiral subunits are incorporated in the interior of the dendron. A marked difference in optical activity between the former 1a and 1b) and latter (2, 3, 4a,b) dendrons is mirrored in the optical activities of model compounds 12a, 12b, 19a, and 19b. These model compounds directly mimic the surrounding constitution of the chiral subunits in the dendrons. This successful analysis of the chiroptical data using low-molecular weight model compounds suggests that these dendrons do not possess conformational order in solution.     

Design of liquid-crystalline gold nanoparticles by click chemistry

Mesomorphic alkyne-based first- and second-generation dendrons were grafted onto gold nanoparticles carrying azide groups under click reaction conditions. The nanoparticles decorated with the dendrons displayed liquid-crystalline properties and good thermal stability.