Synthesis of porphyrins bearing hydrocarbon tethers and facile covalent attachment to si(100)

The use of redox-active molecules as the active storage elements in memory chips requires the ability to attach the molecules to an electroactive surface in a reliable and robust manner. To explore the use of porphyrins tethered to silicon via carbosilane linkages, 17 porphyrins have been synthesized. Fourteen porphyrins bear a tether at a single meso site, and three porphyrins bear functional groups at two beta sites for possible two-point attachment. Two high-temperature processing methods (400 degrees C under inert atmosphere) have been developed for rapid (minutes), facile covalent attachment to Si platforms. The high-temperature processing conditions afford attachment either by direct deposition of a dilute solution (1 microM-1 mM) of the porphyrin sample onto the Si substrate or sublimation of a neat sample onto the Si substrate. The availability of this diverse collection of porphyrins enables an in-depth examination of the effects of the tether (length, composition, terminal functional group, number of tethers) and steric bulk of nonlinking substituents on the information-storage properties of the porphyrin monolayers obtained upon attachment to silicon. Attachment proceeds readily with a wide variety of hydrocarbon tethers, including 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl, vinyl, allyl, or 3-butenyl directly appended to the porphyrin and iodo, bromomethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl, ethynyl, vinyl, or allyl appended to the 4-position of a meso-phenyl ring. No attachment occurs with substituents such as phenyl, p-tolyl, mesityl, or ethyl. Collectively, the studies show that the high-temperature attachment procedure (1) has broad scope encompassing diverse functional groups, (2) tolerates a variety of arene substituents, and (3) does not afford indiscriminate attachment. The high-temperature processing conditions are ideally suited for use in fabrication of hybrid molecular/semiconductor circuitry.     

Thermal and spectral studies of 2,4,5-trimethoxybenzoates of heavy lanthanides(III) and yttrium(III)

2,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoates of Tb(III), Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III), Tm(III), Yb(III), Lu(III) and Y(III) are crystalline, hydrated salts with colours typical for M(III) ions. The carboxylate group is a bidenate, chelating ligand. The complexes of Tb(III), Dy(III) and Ho(III) are dihydrates while those of Er(III), Tm(III), Yb(III), Lu(III) and Y(III) are trihydrates. These compounds are characterized by low symmetry. On heating in air to 1273 K, the 2,4,5-trimethoxybenzoates of heavy lanthanides(III) and yttrium(III) decompose in two steps. At first they dehydrate to form anhydrous salts which next are decomposed to the oxides of the respective metals. The values of the enthalpy of dehydration process were determined. The solubility in water at 293 K for all heavy lanthanides(III) and yttrium(III) are in the orders of 10^-3-10^-4 mol dm^-3. The magnetic moments of the complexes were determined in the temperature range 77-300 K.     

Synthesis of cyclic hexameric porphyrin arrays. Anchors for surface immobilization and columnar self-assembly

To investigate new architectures for the self-assembly of multiporphyrin arrays, a one-flask synthesis of a shape-persistent cyclic hexameric array of porphyrins was exploited to prepare six derivatives bearing diverse pendant groups. The new arrays contain 6-12 carboxylic acid groups, 12 amidino groups, 6 thiol groups, or 6 thiol groups and 6 carboxylic acid groups in protected form (S-acetylthio, TMS-ethyl, TMS-ethoxycarbonyl). The arrays contain alternating Zn and free base (Fb) porphyrins or all Zn porphyrins. The one-flask synthesis entails a template-directed, Pd-mediated coupling of a p/p'-substituted diethynyl Zn porphyrin and a m/m'-substituted diiodo Fb porphyrin. The porphyrin building blocks (trans-A(2)B(2), trans-AB(2)C) contain the protected pendant groups at nonlinking meso positions. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of a Zn(3)Fb(3) cyclic hexamer containing one thiol group on each porphyrin was prepared on a gold electrode and the surface-immobilized architecture was examined electrochemically. Together, the work reported herein provides cyclic hexameric porphyrin arrays for studies of self-assembly in solution or on surfaces.     

Investigation of 5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoates of La(III), Gd(III) and Lu(III) Complexes

5-Chloro-2-methoxybenzoates of La(III), Gd(III) and Lu(III) were synthesized as penta-, mono- and tetrahydrates with a metal to ligand ratio of 1:3 and with white colour typical of La(III), Gd(III) and Lu(III) ions. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and FIR spectra, thermogravimetric and diffractometric studies. The carboxylate group appears to be a symmetrical, bidentate, chelating ligand. The complexes are polycrystalline compounds. Their thermal stabilities were studied in air and inert atmospheres. When heated they dehydrate to form anhydrous salts which next in air are decomposed through oxychlorides to the oxides of the respective metals while in inert atmosphere to the mixture of oxides, oxychlorides of lanthanides and carbon. The most thermally stable in air, nitrogen and argon atmospheres is 5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoate of Gd(III). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparison of electron-transfer rates for metal- versus ring-centered redox processes of porphyrins in monolayers on Au(111)

The standard electron-transfer rate constants ( k ( 0 )) are measured for redox processes of Fe versus Zn porphyrins in monolayers on Au(111); the former undergoes a metal-centered redox process (conversion between Fe (III) and Fe (II) oxidation states) whereas the latter undergoes a ring-centered redox process (conversion between the neutral porphyrin and the pi-cation radical). Each porphyrin contains three meso-mesityl groups and a benzyl thiol for surface attachment. Under identical solvent (propylene carbonate)/electrolyte (1.0 M Bu 4NCl) conditions, the Zn (II) center has a coordinated Cl (-) ion when the porphyrin is in either the neutral or oxidized state. In the case of the Fe porphyrin, two species are observed a low-potential form ( E l (0) approximately -0.6 V) wherein the metal center has a coordinated Cl (-) ion when it is in either the Fe (II) or Fe (III) state and a high-potential form ( E h (0) approximately +0.2 V) wherein the metal center undergoes ligand exchange upon conversion from the Fe (III) to Fe (II) states. The k ( 0 ) values observed for all of the porphyrins depend on surface concentration, with higher concentrations resulting in slower rates, consistent with previous studies on porphyrin monolayers. The k ( 0 ) values for the ring-centered redox process (Zn chelate) are 10-40 times larger than those for the metal-centered process (Fe chelate); the k ( 0 ) values for the two forms of the Fe porphyrin differ by a factor of 2-4 (depending on surface concentration), the Cl (-) exchanging form generally exhibiting a faster rate. The faster rates for the ring- versus metal-centered redox process are attributed to the participating molecular orbitals and their proximity to the surface (given that the porphyrins are relatively upright on the surface): a pi molecular orbital that has significant electron density at the meso-carbon atoms (one of which is the site of attachment of the linker to the surface anchoring thiol) versus a d-orbital that is relatively well localized on the metal center.     

Metal-molecule interactions upon deposition of copper overlayers on reactively functionalized porphyrin monolayers on Si(100)

The interaction of evaporated Cu deposited on a series of porphyrins in monolayers covalently attached to Si(100) substrates was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and FTIR spectroscopy. Each porphyrin contains a triallyl tripod attached to the porphyrin via a p-phenylene unit. The tripod anchors the porphyrin to the Si(100) substrate via hydrosilylation of the allyl groups. Two of the porphyrins are Zn chelates that possess meso p-cyanophenyl substituentsone, ZnP-CND, contains a single group opposite (distal) to the tripodal surface anchor, whereas the other, ZnP-CNL, contains two groups orthogonal (lateral) to the surface anchor. A third Zn porphyrin, ZnP, containing nonreactive p-tolyl groups at all three nonanchoring meso positions, was examined for comparison. The fourth porphyrin, FbP-HD, is a metal-free species (free base) that contains nonreactive phenyl (distal) and p-tolyl groups (lateral) at the three nonanchoring meso positions. The fifth porphyrin, CuP-HD, is the Cu chelate of FbP-HD, and serves as a reference complex for evaluating the effects of Cu metal deposition onto FbP-HD. The studies indicate that all of the porphyrin monolayers are robust under the conditions of Cu deposition, experiencing no noticeable degradation. In addition, the Cu metal does not penetrate through the monolayer to form electrically conductive filaments. For the ZnP-CND monolayers, the deposited Cu quantitatively reacts/complexes with the distal cyano group. In contrast, for the ZnP-CNL monolayers no reaction/complexation of the lateral cyano groups is observed. For the FbP-HD monolayers, Cu deposition results in quantitative insertion of Cu into the free base porphyrin. Collectively, the studies demonstrate that porphyrin monolayers are amenable to direct deposition of Cu overlayers and that functionalization of the porphyrins can be used to mediate the attributes of the metal-molecule junction.     

NMR and molecular modeling study, as complementary techniques to capillary electrophoresis method to elucidate the separation mechanism of linezolid enantiomers

NMR study and molecular modeling were performed to improve the level of understanding of the chiral recognition process occurring between linezolid and anionic single-isomer cyclodextrin-heptakis-(2,3-diacetyl-6-sulfato)-beta-cyclodextrin (HDAS-beta-CD). NMR spectrometry allowed to estimate the stoichiometry of the complexes between HDAS-beta-CD and S- or R-linezolid and to determine the binding constants. The 1:1 complex stoichiometry was detected in millimolar concentrations and the mode of binding was proposed. The binding constants Ka of the complexes were of the order of 30-80 M(-1). Molecular dynamic simulations of 40ns for four complexes and calculations of binding free energies were performed. These calculations allowed determining the mode of binding of linezolid to HDAS-beta-CD and explaining the binding enantioselectivity.     

The Construction of an Apparatus for the Evaluation of Abrasive Properties of Dentifrice Using Radioisotopes

Construction of an original apparatus (brushing machine) designed to test the abrasiveness of dentifrice is described. The principle of the procedure employed consists in neutron activation of a human tooth subsequently brushed with the dentifrice under study in standard conditions. The radioactivity level of the dentifrice indicates the relative degree of its abrasive properties.

The design of the apparatus meets the radiation safety requirements. Its working parameters crucial to the wearing process (i.e. the pressure applied to the tooth specimen, the total number, frequency and amplitude of the brushing strokes) can be programmed precisely.     

Characterization of the properties of stationary phases for liquid chromatography in aqueous mobile phases using aromatic sulphonic acids as the test compounds

We investigated the effects of the concentration of naphthalene sulphonic acids (NSAs) as anionic test compounds in the injected sample and of the salt additives to the mobile phase on ion-exclusion. The retention behaviour of NSAs sensitively reflects even minor changes in the ionic and hydrophobic interactions and can be useful for predicting the effects of the stationary phases in reversed-phase chromatography of polar and ionic compounds, both small ones and biopolymers, e.g., oligonucleotides. We studied chromatographic properties of several stationary phases intended for separations in aqueous mobile phases: a C18 column end-capped with polar hydrophilic groups, a densely bonded C8 column doubly end-capped with short alkyl groups, a short alkyl stationary phase designed to keep full pore accessibility in highly-aqueous mobile phases and a Bidentate column with “bridged” C18 groups attached to the silica hydride support. The chemistry and pore structure of various types of column packing materials and of the salt additives to the mobile phase affect the proportion of the pore volume non-accessible to anions due to ion-exclusion and consequently the peak asymmetry and hydrophobic selectivity in reversed-phase chromatography of organic acids. We also addressed the problems connected with the determination of column hold-up volume in aqueous mobile phases. The accessibility of the stationary phase for anionic compounds in contact with the sample zone is affected by ion-exclusion due to repulsive interactions with the negatively charged surface in the pores of the stationary phase. The accessible part of the stationary phase increases and consequently the migration velocity along the column decreases with increasing concentration of the sample in the zone moving along the column. Because of a limited access to the stationary phase, its capacity can be easily overloaded. The combination of the column overload and ion-exclusion effects may result in fronting or tailing peak asymmetry. To explain this behaviour, we proposed a modified Langmuir model, respecting the variation of the column capacity due to the effects of sample concentration on ion-exclusion.     

Zeta potential determination as a new way of stationary phases characterization for liquid chromatography

A set of seven homemade octadecyl silica‐based bonded phases was investigated. Their zeta potential data in methanol and ACN as well as in methanol–water and ACN–water solution were obtained using Zetasizer. The influence of both the coverage density of bonded ligands and the end‐capping of the modified surface on these data was investigated. Presented results may give useful information about the accessibility of the residual silanols in different mobile phases during the chromatographic analysis. Those measurements may be useful to choose chemically bonded stationary phases for CEC. The results also confirm the phenomena of anion exclusion from the pores of stationary‐bonded phase.