Azo‐Polymer Janus Particles Assembled by Solvent‐Induced Microphase Separation and Their Photoresponsive Behavior

We report the successful fabrication of photoresponsive Janus particles (JPs) composed of an epoxy‐based azo polymer and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Two representative azo polymers, of which one polymer (BP‐AZ‐CN) has cyano groups as electron‐withdrawing substituents on the azobenzene moieties and the other polymer (BP‐AZ‐CA) has carboxyl groups as the electron‐withdrawing substituents, were adopted for the investigation. The nanoscaled JPs, with a narrow size distribution and different azo polymer/PMMA ratios, were fabricated through self‐assembly in solution and as dispersions. Upon irradiation with linearly polarized light (λ=488 nm), two types of photoresponsive behavior were observed for JPs in the solid state. For JPs composed of BP‐AZ‐CN and PMMA, the light irradiation caused the azo‐polymer component to be stretched along the light polarization direction. Conversely, for JPs composed of BP‐AZ‐CA and PMMA, the azo‐polymer component became separated from PMMA component under the same irradiation conditions. These observations are valuable for a deeper understanding of the nature of self‐assembly and photoinduced mass‐transport at the nanometer scale.     

Solvent‐Enhanced Diastereo‐ and Regioselectivity in the PdII‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Six‐ and Eight‐Membered Heterocycles via cis‐Aminopalladation

The Pd^II‐catalyzed intramolecular oxidative cyclization of tosyl‐protected cis‐ and trans‐N‐allyl‐2‐aminocyclohexanecarboxamides was examined, and efficient syntheses of cyclohexane‐fused pyrimidin‐4‐ones and 1,5‐diazocin‐6‐ones were developed. In the course of the research, a marked solvent effect was observed on both the regio‐ and diastereoselectivity. Additionally, a novel Pd^II‐mediated domino oxidation, oxidative amination reaction was discovered. Our experimental and theoretical findings suggest that the reactions proceed via a cis‐aminopalladation mechanism.     

Light‐ and Solvent‐Controlled Self‐Assembly Behavior of Spiropyran–Polyoxometalate–Alkyl Hybrid Molecules

A molecular photochromic spiropyran–polyoxometalate–alkyl organic–inorganic hybrid has been synthesized and fully characterized. The reversible switching of the hydrophobic spiropyran fragment to the hydrophilic merocyanine one can be easily achieved under light irradiation at different wavelengths. This switch changes the amphiphilic feature of the hybrid, leading to a light‐controlled self‐assembly behavior in solution. It has been shown that the hybrid can reversibly self‐assemble into vesicles in polar solvents and irreversibly into reverse vesicles in non‐polar solvents. The sizes of the vesicles and the reverse vesicles are both tunable by the polarity of the solvent, with the hydrophobic interactions being the main driving force.     

Structures and Properties of Three Solvent‐Dependent Chiral Compounds Based on N‐Benzoyl‐L‐glutamic Acid

Three solvent‐dependent chiral copper(II) compounds, {[Cu₂(bzgluO)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O}_n ( 1 ), {[Cu₂(bzgluO)₂(DMSO)₂]·H₂O}_n ( 2 ) and [Cu₂(bzgluO)₂(DMF)₂]_n ( 3 ) (H₂bzgluO=N‐benzoyl‐L‐glutamic acid) have been synthesized under ambient temperature conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 both crystallize in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁. Compound 3 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4₃. Compound 1 exhibits a ladder‐like 1D chain structure, which is extended by hydrogen‐bonding interactions to form a 3D supramolecular network. Compounds 2 and 3 both give a diamond‐like 3D structure. Besides, there are hydrogen‐bonding interactions in 2 . The structural difference indicates that the solvent system plays a crucial role in modulating structures of coordination compounds. Circular dichroism (CD) and the magnetic properties of the compounds have also been investigated.     

Solvent‐Dependent Truxene‐Based Nanostructures

Three truxene derivatives functionalized with alkyl chains, either attached directly or distanced by linking phenyl or ethynyl groups, self‐assemble in solution and induce the gelation of different solvents in spite of not being endowed with groups able to establish strong directional interactions. A ¹H NMR study points to face‐to‐face alternating π‐stacked motifs at the origin of nucleation. Solvents play an important role in modulating the aggregation of these derivatives giving rise to fibrous or spherical superstructures. Analysis of the influence of different solvents on the morphology of the aggregates provides a better understanding of the various stages of the hierarchical self‐assembly. The way in which alkyl chains are attached to the central core also strongly affects the self‐assembling properties and gelation ability of this series. Phenyl spacers present the highest association constants in solution and give rise to gelation in a broader range of solvents. This behavior has been rationalized by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, SEM, and photophysical measurements. Interestingly, it was found that these compounds in the gel state exhibit unusual emission properties most likely arising from the formation of excimers, which evidences that π–π interactions also occur in the excited state.     

Catalyst‐ and Solvent‐Dependent Stereodivergence in the Intramolecular Et2Zn/Pd0‐Promoted Carbonyl Propargylation: Mechanistic Implications

Carbonyl‐tethered propargylic benzoates undergo intramolecular carbonylpropargylation upon treatment with Et₂Zn in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd⁰ with the formation of 2‐alkynylcyclopentanol products. A ligand/solvent effect on the cis/trans selectivity (referring to the relative positions of alkynyl and OH groups) of ring‐closure has been found. In a non‐coordinating solvent (benzene), increasing the electron‐donating ability of the phosphine ligand (while decreasing its dissociation ability) leads to an increased tendency towards the trans product. On the other hand, the combination of a coordinating solvent (THF) and PPh₃, an easily dissociated phosphine, results in the exclusive formation of cis products. Experimental and computational results are compatible with a divergent behavior of an allenylethylpalladium intermediate that partitions between competitive carbonyl‐addition and transmetalation pathways, each leading to a different diastereoisomer. These results also suggest that the dissociating ability of the phosphine regulates that behavior.     

Unprecedented Solvent‐Assisted Reactivity of Hydrido W3CuS4 Cubane Clusters: The Non‐Innocent Behaviour of the Cluster‐Core Unit

Opening the cluster core : Substitution of the chloride ligand in the novel cationic cluster [W₃CuS₄H₃Cl(dmpe)₃]⁺ (see figure; dmpe=1,2‐bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane) by acetonitrile is promoted by water addition. Kinetic and density functional theory studies lead to a mechanistic proposal in which acetonitrile or water attack causes the opening of the cluster core with dissociation of one of the Cu? S bonds to accommodate the entering ligand.