Formation of cubane-like photodimers from 2-naphthalenecarbonitrile

Irradiation of 2-naphthalenecarbonitrile (2-NpCN) in solution with a light lambda > 280 nm results in the formation of three rigid cubane-like photodimers, anti-head-to-head 1, anti-head-to-tail 2, and syn-head-to-tail 3, which are not in line with the previously recognized regioselectivity. These cubane-like photodimers have been well characterized by spectroscopic investigation and/or X-ray crystal structural analysis in this work. Moreover, the separation of the optically pure enantiomers of 1, 2, and 3 has been achieved by HPLC resolution.     

Nitrone cycloadditions to 1,2-diphenylcyclopropenes and subsequent transformations of the isoxazolidine cycloadducts

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of C-aryl,N-aryl (or N-methyl) nitrones with a number of 1,2-diphenylcyclopropenes substituted at the C(3) position occurs with the formation of expected "normal" cycloadducts (with N-methylnitrones) and products of their subsequent transformations. Among them are corresponding alpha-acetophenyl aziridines and tetra (or penta) -arylpyrroles. Aziridines and the normal cycloadducts can be also thermally converted to such arylpyrroles with moderate to good yields. Substitution at the C(3( position of cyclopropenes by an electron acceptor group decreases the reactivity of cyclopropenes.     

Photophysical properties of sulfonated dihydroxy phosphorus(V) tetrabenzotriazacorrole

The photosensitizing properties of a novel phthalocyanine analogue, sulfonated dihydroxy phosphorus(V) tetrabenzotriazacorrole [P(OH)2TBCSn] and a non-sulfonated one [P(OH)2TBC] are reported in this paper. Different from other phthalocyanine derivatives, P(OH)2TBCSn shows little aggregation in aqueous solution. The fluorescence quantum yield (PhiF) of P(OH)2TBCSn is lower than that of the non-sulfonated one. Studies of triplet state photophysics show that the presence of peripheral substituents on the macrocycle enhances the quantum yield of the triplet state. The sulfonated derivative, P(OH)2TBCSn, has a longer triplet lifetime (tauT = 0.234 ms) and higher singlet oxygen quantum yield (PhiDelta = 0.88) than P(OH)2TBC. Together with the ground-state absorption properties, the photosensitizing properties of the new compound suggest that it may be used as an excellent photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT).     

Engineering Graphdiyne for Solar Photocatalysis

Graphdiyne (GDY) with a direct band gap, excellent carrier mobility and uniform pores, is regarded as a promising photocatalytic material for solar energy conversion, while the research on GDY in photocatalysis is a less developed field. Herein, the distinctive structure, adjustable band gap, and electronic properties of GDY for photocatalysis is firstly summarized. The construction and progress of GDY-based photocatalysts for solar energy conversion, including H₂ evolution reaction (HER), CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) and N₂ reduction reaction (NRR) are then elaborated. At last, the challenges and perspectives in developing GDY-based photocatalysts for solar fuel production are discussed. It is anticipated that a timely Minireview will be helpful for rapid progress of GDY in solar energy conversion.     

Strain-stiffening response in transient networks formed by reverse wormlike micelles

Strain-stiffening, that is, an increase in material stiffness at large deformations, is a property of many biological materials. Currently, model systems for the study of this phenomenon are elastic networks (gels) of semiflexible filamentous biopolymers such as actin, keratin, or fibrin. Here, we demonstrate strain-stiffening in a class of viscoelastic solutions, comprising reverse wormlike micelles. These structures are formed by the coassembly of the physiological surfactants, lecithin and bile salt, in an organic solvent, cyclohexane. In contrast to the biopolymer gels, the networks here are transient and are formed by the physical entanglement of relatively flexible worms. Our results suggest that neither a permanent network nor a high filament rigidity is required for strain-stiffening. We suggest a different origin, based on a temporary strain-induced increase in the volume fraction of entangled worms. Our system can also serve as a convenient synthetic model for future studies into this phenomenon.     

Chemical constituents from the leaves of Manglietia phuthoensis and their effects on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Two new phenyl glycosides, mangliesides A and B (1, 2), a new ionol glycoside, manglieside C (3), two new lignan glycosides, mangliesides D and E (4, 5), were isolated from the leaves of Manglietia phuthoensis, along with two known lignans, 3-methoxymagnolol (6) and obovatol (7). Their structures were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR, electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS and HR-ESI-MS experiments. Among them, compounds 2 and 5 significantly (p<0.05) increased the growth and differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro.     

Synthesis and photophysical studies of calix[4]arene-based binuclear platinum(II) complexes: probing metal-metal and ligand-ligand interactions

A series of calix[4]arene-based binuclear platinum(II) complexes, Pt2LCl2 (1, L = 5,11,17,23-tetra- tert-butyl-25,27-di[methoxy(4-phenyl)-(C;N;N)]-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene, HC;N;N = 6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), [Pt2L(mu-dppCn)](ClO4)2 (dppCn = bis(diphenylphosphino)-methane (2, n = 1), -ethane (3, n = 2), -propane (4, n = 3), and [Pt2L(PPh3)2](ClO4)2 (5), have been designed and synthesized in this work. Spectroscopic investigation demonstrates that p- tert-calix[4]arene is capable of assembling the two square-planar [(C;N;N)Pt(II)] units in a face-to-face manner, simultaneously suppressing intermolecular aggregation and increasing the solubility of the studied complexes. Facile replacement of the chloride ligand in 1 by the strongly sigma-donating ancillary phosphine ligands affords binuclear platinum(II) complexes with improved photophysical properties. All of the complexes are emissive both in the fluid/glassy solution and in the solid state, except for 1 in the solid state at room temperature. Moreover, the absorption and emission energies of the complexes are sensitive to the ancillary ligands. Varying the tethered phosphine auxiliaries from dppm (2) and dppe (3) to dppp (4) and PPh3 (5) modulates the intramolecular metal-metal (Pt...Pt) and ligand-ligand (pi-pi) distances, thereby leading to a switch of 3MMLCT and excimeric 3(pipi*) excited states to a common 3MLCT excited state.     

Synthesis, structure, and chirality of hydroxyl- and carboxyl-functionalized cubane-like photodimers of 2-naphthalene

Two novel hydroxyl- and carboxyl-functionalized cubane-like photodimers from methyl 2-naphthoate have been successfully achieved under mild conditions. X-ray crystal structures confirm that the cubane-like structure is well retained in these two derivatives and the intermolecular OH?O hydrogen bonding plays an important role in crystal packing. It is of significance that the isolated racemic mixture can be subsequently resolved into two optically pure enantiomers by high-performance liquid chromatography.     

Self-assembled nanowire networks of aryloxy zinc phthalocyanines based on Zn-O coordination

Tetrakis(aryloxy)phthalocyanine (4c) and its Zn congeners (4a and 4b) and Ni congener (4d) were synthesized, and their self-assembling properties in coordinating and non-coordinating solvents were investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Compounds 4a and 4b in non-coordinating solvents exhibit red-shifted and split Q-bands in absorption spectra even at very low concentrations, suggesting J-aggregate formation. The MALDI-TOF MS for the samples of 4a and 4b prepared from chloroform solutions gives the monomer and aggregate signals. The TEM images of such samples display an indefinite two-dimensional network structure. The aggregates break up into monomers when a coordinating solvent is added to the solution. The driving force for the aggregate formation is proposed to be the complementary coordination of the ether oxygen in the aryloxy groups of one molecule to the core Zn of another molecule of phthalocyanine.