光化学在自组装结构调控与探测中的应用

利用光照引发的光化学变化,作为一种通过宏观手段向微观系统提供能量和外加刺激的理想手段,在分子自组装研究中起到了重要的作用.通过光化学变化可以实现对分子自组装结构从分子结构到微观结构,再到宏观性质的多层级调控.反之,通过其他手段调节聚集体的组装结构和分子排列,也可以控制改变聚集体的发光情况.此外,分子荧光探针为认识纳米尺度的分子自组装结构的微观环境提供了有力的支持,是研究自组装结构中不可取代的重要表征手段.本文就光化学手段对分子自组装结构的调控与探测,以及自组装结构对发光分子的光学性质的影响等方面进行了介绍.     

基于光敏性胸腺嘧啶脱氧核苷亚膦酰胺单体的光响应DNA水凝胶

设计并合成了一种1-(4,5-二甲氧基-2-硝基苄基)乙氧基光敏基团保护的胸腺嘧啶脱氧核苷亚膦酰胺单体,将其通过固相合成引入到DNA序列中,可以实现对DNA链互补配对的光学调控;并进一步利用该单体合成了功能性的核酸序列,成功制备了快速光响应的DNA超分子水凝胶.该结果拓展了DNA单体的多样性,为构建新型光响应功能体系提供了新途径.     

刚棒-线团分子的自组装研究进展

超分子化学领域的自组装研究是近年来研究的热点,对这种由一种或多种结构单元自发聚集而成具有一定尺寸和结构的过程研究已经取得了重大进展。以亲水基团和亲脂基团为主要构成单元的两亲性分子在自组装领域中的表现优异于其他分子,其亲水的刚性棒状基团和疏水的柔性线团基团通过不同方法共同构成了各种类型的刚柔两亲性分子,而在水溶液中自组装而成不同结构与性能的聚集体又与两亲性分子的结构密切相关。目前,已报道的调控超分子自组装的方法大致可以分为两类,即外部刺激法和自身修复法,本文亦从这两个方面总结了近年来刚棒-线团分子自组装的研究进展。     

Gemini表面活性剂分子结构对其水溶液中聚集行为的影响

Gemini表面活性剂是通过联接基团将两个具有亲水亲油性质的两亲结构单元在其亲水头基上或靠近亲水头基处以共价键方式连接而成的一类表面活性剂。这类表面活性剂由于联接基团的引入具有比传统单链表面活性剂更高的表面活性,同时分子结构中更多的可调控因素使其在水溶液中表现出更为丰富的自聚集行为,而且分子不同部位结构的改变对分子内或分子间相互作用产生不同的影响,可实现通过分子结构的设计有效调控其自聚集能力和聚集体结构。本综述将从联接基团、烷基链、亲水头基、反离子和其它功能性基团这五个方面概述近些年Gemini表面活性剂水溶液中聚集行为方面的研究进展,总结人们对Gemini表面活性剂分子间相互作用规律的认识,期望对于进一步发展这类高效的表面活性剂体系提供有益的帮助。     

刺激响应型功能聚合物的合成及应用

刺激响应型聚合物是一类功能性聚合物,它在药物控制释放、基因载体、纳米粒子以及纳米反应器等众多领域具有广阔的应用前景,因此引起了越来越多科学工作者的关注。刺激响应型聚合物多为双亲性聚合物,可通过自组装的方式得到形态各异的聚集体,如胶束、囊泡等。在受到某些外界环境刺激时,它们会产生特异性响应,尤其是功能性聚合物嵌段会发生相应的变化,从而引起整个聚合物结构的相转变和体积相转变。根据环境刺激种类的不同,刺激响应型聚合物可以分成不同类型,本文主要介绍了pH、温度、光、分子、电化学和手性等响应型聚合物,并概括了它们的结构特点以及不同的合成方法,简单说明了它们具有刺激响应功能的作用机理,阐述了结构与性能的联系。另外,还介绍了它们的潜在应用,并对此类聚合物的发展前景作了展望。     

含C60球两亲分子有序聚集体研究

综合评述了C60两亲分子有序聚集体的形成、结构及聚集体演变规律,介绍了含C60球两亲分子有序聚集体结构的冷冻刻蚀电子显微镜和电子显微镜、小角度中子散射、小角度X光散射、激光光散射以及聚集体结构模型的研究结果.     

表面活性离子液体参与构筑的胶束体系

离子液体(ILs)的可设计性,使得新型表面活性离子液体(SAILs)不断涌现,从而将具有不同功能基团的ILs引入到了传统的有序分子聚集体中,这也将有助于实现有序分子聚集体的可控性和功能化。本文综述了SAILs在水溶液及离子液体中的胶束化行为,重点总结了烷基碳链长度、阴离子类型和阳离子结构对SAILs聚集行为的影响,分类归纳了SAILs与传统表面活性剂复配体系的协同增效作用,并探讨了SAILs构建的胶束体系的发展方向。     

荧光探针技术在水溶液两亲分子有序组合体研究中的应用

总结了荧光探针技术在两亲分子有序组合体研究中的应用.在两亲分子有序组合体研究中,荧光技术的应用非常广泛.尤其是荧光探针技术的应用,为两亲分子有序组合体微观信息的获取提供了一个简单便利的渠道.根据荧光探针分子的荧光光谱,如最大发射波长、荧光强度及荧光寿命等参数,可以得到临界聚集浓度、微粘度、微极性等信息;根据探针的荧光猝灭,尤其是时间分辨荧光猝灭技术,可探测有序组合体的聚集数、聚集数变化相应的聚集体转化及表面电荷等信息.近年来发展起来的含荧光基团的两亲分子因其可以对聚集体微环境进行原位检测而引起了了广泛的关注.本文对上述几个方面的相关工作分别作了介绍.     

Gemini型表面活性剂疏水链中肉桂酸基团的光致二聚反应

采用紫外光谱、 红外光谱和质谱研究了Gemini型表面活性剂N,N'-二对丁氧基肉桂酰胺基胱氨酸钠(SDBCC)溶液的光化学反应过程和产物, 分析了SDBCC浓度对分子疏水链中肉桂酸基团光化学反应产物分布和光致二聚产率的影响. 结果表明, 在不同浓度下, SDBCC分子疏水链中的肉桂酸基团的光化学反应过程均以光致二聚反应为主, 且为分子内光致二聚产物. 但聚集体形成前后在光照过程中肉桂酸基团的光致二聚反应产率随SDBCC浓度的变化趋势不同, 聚集体形成前光致二聚反应产率随浓度的增加而增大, 聚集体形成后光致二聚反应产率随浓度的增大而减小. 综合光化学反应过程、 拓扑条件和聚集体结构进一步分析了胶束和囊泡的存在对SDBCC分子疏水链中肉桂酸基团光致二聚反应的影响.     

两亲性分子聚集体的相变及其协同性

两亲性分子聚集体是一类重要的软物质,它们有着丰富而复杂的相行为.本文主要从两个方面综述了作者所在的研究组在两亲性分子聚集体相变研究方面的工作进展.(1)磷脂相关体系相变热力学:归纳了多种小分子(二甲基亚砜、甘油、海藻糖、尿素等)对于磷脂体系相行为的调控,比较并讨论了固醇类分子和葡萄糖神经酰胺分子诱导磷脂分子形成液态有序相的能力,还介绍了计算机模拟磷脂相行为的工作进展.(2)两亲性分子聚集体相变的协同性:先介绍了相变协同性(即分子头部、尾部、界面等基团在相变过程中的一致性)问题的提出,然后通过双十八烷基二甲基溴化铵分子和硬脂酰溶血卵磷脂两个体系的研究实例,说明两亲性分子聚集体相变过程中存在着头尾不一致的现象.对这个问题的研究,将为我们打开挑战相态转变的一系列重大问题(如相变动力学、相态多型性、相态稳定性以及相变可逆性等)的新窗口.     

Liquid-crystalline physical gels

Liquid-crystalline (LC) physical gels are a new class of dynamically functional materials consisting of liquid crystals and fibrous aggregates of molecules that are called "gelators". Liquid-crystalline physical gels, which are macroscopically soft solids, exhibit induced or enhanced electro-optical, photochemical, electronic properties due to the combination of two components that form phase-separated structures. In this tutorial review, we describe the materials design and structure-property relationships of the LC physical gels. The introduction of self-assembled fibers into nematic liquid crystals leads to faster responses in twisted nematic (TN) mode and high contrast switching in light scattering mode. Furthermore, the LC physical gels can be exploited as a new type of materials for electro-optical memory. This function is achieved by the control of reversible aggregation processes of gelators under electric fields in nematic liquid crystals. Electronic properties such as hole mobilities are improved by the introduction of fibrous aggregates into triphenylene-based columnar liquid crystals. The incorporation of photochromic azobenzenes or electroactive tetrathiafulvalenes into the chemical structures of gelators leads to the preparation of ordered functional materials.     

The bis-urea motif as a tool to functionalize self-assembled nanoribbons

Here we present a surfactant molecule (1) containing an ammonium headgroup, in which a bis-ureido group is incorporated in its hydrocarbon chain. Due to strong hydrogen bonding interactions, 1 forms well-defined highly ordered ribbon-like aggregates in water. Moreover, we demonstrate that these ribbons can be functionalized via a modular approach through molecular recognition of other bis-urea containing molecules. The dye disperse orange and biotin were coupled to matching bis-ureido groups and incorporated into the ribbon structure. The anchoring of different functionalities in a modular approach proved to be possible using the molecular recognition capabilities of the bis-ureido moiety, thereby opening possibilities to a wide range of applications.     

On-Surface Activation of Trimethylsilyl-Terminated Alkynes on Coinage Metal Surfaces

The controlled attachment of protecting groups combined with the ability to selectively abstract them is central to organic synthesis. The trimethylsilyl (TMS) functional group is a popular protecting group in solution. However, insights on its activation behavior under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and surface-confined conditions are scarce. Here we investigate a series of TMS-protected alkyne precursors via scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) regarding their compatibility with organic molecular beam epitaxy (OMBE) and their potential deprotection on various coinage metal surfaces. After in-situ evaporation on the substrates held in UHV at room temperature, we find that all molecules arrived and adsorbed as intact units forming ordered supramolecular aggregates stabilized by non-covalent interactions. Thus, TMS-functionalized alkyne precursors with weights up to 1100 atomic mass units are stable against OMBE evaporation in UHV. Furthermore, the TMS activation through thermal annealing is investigated with STM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We observe that deprotection starts to occur between 400 K and 500 K on the copper and gold surfaces, respectively. In contrast, on silver surfaces, the TMS-alkyne bond remains stable up to temperatures where molecular desorption sets in (≈600 K). Hence, TMS functional groups can be utilized as leaving groups on copper and gold surfaces while they serve as protecting groups on silver surfaces.     

Synthesis and pH-dependent self-assembly of semifluorinated calix[4]arenes

A new series of highly fluorinated calix[4]arene-based amphiphilic molecules was designed and synthesized. Using the calix[4]arene scaffold, four perfluorinated hyper-hydrophobic groups and four water solubilizing chains were introduced in the same molecule and also segregated in space following the scaffold directionality. Upon solubilization in aqueous solutions, these amphiphilic molecules form microscopic fluorous domains that drive the formation of various self-assembly patterns. We found that the self-assembly of these semifluorinated calix[4]arenes is dependent on external stimuli, such as changes in the polarity of the solvent or pH. As a consequence, by changing the pH of the solutions, it is possible to shift the aggregation pattern of these molecules, by a regular change either in the shape or in the size of the initially formed ordered aggregates. These are examples of the variety of structures and possibilities in nano-engineering offered by fluorous-phase driven molecular recognition.     

Functional Liquid‐Crystalline Assemblies: Self‐Organized Soft Materials

In the 21st century, soft materials will become more important as functional materials because of their dynamic nature. Although soft materials are not as highly durable as hard materials, such as metals, ceramics, and engineering plastics, they can respond well to stimuli and the environment. The introduction of order into soft materials induces new dynamic functions. Liquid crystals are ordered soft materials consisting of self‐organized molecules and can potentially be used as new functional materials for electron, ion, or molecular transporting, sensory, catalytic, optical, and bio‐active materials. For this functionalization, unconventional materials design is required. Herein, we describe new approaches to the functionalization of liquid crystals and show how the design of liquid crystals formed by supramolecular assembly and nano‐segregation leads to the formation of a variety of new self‐organized functional materials.     

Functional liquid-crystalline assemblies: self-organized soft materials

In the 21st century, soft materials will become more important as functional materials because of their dynamic nature. Although soft materials are not as highly durable as hard materials, such as metals, ceramics, and engineering plastics, they can respond well to stimuli and the environment. The introduction of order into soft materials induces new dynamic functions. Liquid crystals are ordered soft materials consisting of self-organized molecules and can potentially be used as new functional materials for electron, ion, or molecular transporting, sensory, catalytic, optical, and bio-active materials. For this functionalization, unconventional materials design is required. Herein, we describe new approaches to the functionalization of liquid crystals and show how the design of liquid crystals formed by supramolecular assembly and nano-segregation leads to the formation of a variety of new self-organized functional materials.     

Light‐Induced Self‐Assembly and Decay of J Aggregates of Thiamonomethinecyanine Dyes

Formation of J aggregates, that is, one‐dimensional supramolecular self‐organizations in which the transition moments of individual molecules are aligned parallel to the line joining their centers through a “head‐to‐tail” arrangement, normally proceed via electrostatic interactions between oppositely charged molecular groups; this is facilitated by an electrolyte medium. Here, we show that J aggregates of thiamonomethinecyanine dyes in a solution can be assembled from dye dimers by illuminating the solution with light of the appropriate wavelength to induce excitation of the dye dimers. The reverse process is also demonstrated by application of light of the correct wavelength to induce excitation of the J aggregates. Our results indicate that spontaneous J aggregation in the dark and formation of J aggregates through illumination proceed through different mechanisms; the former resulting in an increase in the number of the aggregates and the latter in an increase in the size of the aggregates.     

Thin film photochromic materials: Effect of the sol-gel ormosil matrix on the photochromic properties of naphthopyrans

Photochromic naphthopyran derivatives have been embedded in sol-gel prepared organically modified thin films. The introduction of organic functional groups into a silica matrix allows tailoring the surface of its pores and the polarity of the environment of the embedded host molecules. The photochromic properties of the naphthopyran molecules, such as the spectral properties of the coloured forms and the kinetics of the thermal bleaching, depend strongly on the polarity of the pores where the molecules are located and, hence, on the nature and loading of organic functional groups in the composition of the ormosil matrix. Important changes in the photochromic properties of the films have also been induced by modifications in the sol-gel preparation and processing parameters. The photostability of the photochromic molecules upon prolonged exposition to UV light is strongly related to the nature of the embedding ormosil matrix. The introduction of organic functional groups into the inner pore surface of the matrix, where the dye molecules will be located, affects the stability of the molecules, in terms of the effectiveness of the interaction between the photochromic molecules and the pore surface.     

Photostability of a photochromic naphthopyran dye in different sol-gel prepared ormosil coatings

A photochromic naphthopyran derivative was embedded in sol-gel prepared thin ormosil films. The resulting samples show high transparency and exhibit a strong red colouration upon irradiation with UV light. The photostability of the photochromic molecules is strongly related to the nature of the embedding ormosil matrix. The introduction of organic functional groups into the inner pore surface of the matrix allows tailoring the chemical environment where the dye molecules will be allocated, in terms of the effectiveness of the interaction between the photochromic molecules and the Si-OH groups on the surface of the pores, affecting the stability of the molecules upon prolonged exposition to UV light. The photostability of the molecules was increased in matrices functionalized with larger organic groups, or with larger amount of modifying groups. In this way the photodegradation of the photochromic molecules could be reduced by a factor of 5, as compared with the photodegradation of the molecules in unfunctionalized silica matrix.