Two‐Step direct arylation for synthesis of naphthalenediimide‐based conjugated polymer

A naphthalenediimide (NDI)‐based conjugated polymer was synthesized by a two‐step direct C‐H arylation sequence. In the first step, two ethylenedioxythiophene units were coupled to NDI by direct arylation. In the second step, the direct arylation polycondensation of the monomer, formed in the first step, with 2,7‐dibromo‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene afforded the corresponding NDI‐based conjugated polymer ( PEDOTNDIF ) with molecular weight of 21,500 in 91% yield. The optical and electrochemical properties of the polymer were evaluated. The polymer showed ambipolar behavior in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). The electron mobility of PEDOTNDIF was estimated to be 2.3 × 10^?6 cm² V^?1 s^?1 using an OFET device with source‐drain (S‐D) Au electrodes. A modified OFET device with S‐D MgAg electrodes increased the electron mobility for PEDOTNDIF to 1.0 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1 due to the more suitable work function of these electrodes, which reduced the injection barrier to the semiconducting polymer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1401–1407     

Dynamics of water in real space and time

Owing to marked advances in instrumentation in X-ray and neutron scattering the time-dependent pair correlation function, the Van Hove function, can now be determined by inelastic X-ray and neutron scattering measurements. The local dynamics of water in real space and time is visualised by this approach. We discuss how the dynamic properties, such as viscosity and diffusion, can be elucidated through the Van Hove function of water.     

Molecular Insights into the Ligand-Based Six-Proton- and Six-Electron-Transfer Processes Between Tris-ortho-Phenylenediamines and Tris-ortho-Benzoquinodiimines

The global demand for energy and the concerns over climate issues renders the development of alternative renewable energy sources such as hydrogen (H₂) important. A high-spin (hs) Fe^II complex with o-phenylenediamine (opda) ligands, [Fe^II(opda)₃]²⁺ (hs- [6R] ²⁺), was reported showing photochemical H₂ evolution. In addition, a low-spin (ls) [Fe^II(bqdi)₃]²⁺ (bqdi: o-benzoquinodiimine) (ls- [0R] ²⁺) formation by O₂ oxidation of hs- [6R] ²⁺, accompanied by ligand-based six-proton and six-electron transfer, revealed the potential of the complex with redox-active ligands as a novel multiple-proton and -electron storage material, albeit that the mechanism has not yet been understood. This paper reports that the oxidized ls- [0R] [PF₆]₂ can be reduced by hydrazine giving ls-[Fe^II(opda)(bqdi)₂][PF₆]₂ (ls- [2R] [PF₆]₂) and ls-[Fe^II(opda)₂(bqdi)][PF₆]₂ (ls- [4R] [PF₆]₂) with localized ligand-based proton-coupled mixed-valence (LPMV) states. The first isolation and characterization of the key intermediates with LPMV states offer unprecedented molecular insights into the design of photoresponsive molecule-based hydrogen-storage materials.     

Single-Step N-Terminal Modification of Proteins via a Bio-Inspired Copper(II)-Mediated Aldol Reaction

The chemical modification of proteins is an effective technique for manipulating the properties and functions of proteins, and for creating protein-based materials. The N-terminus is a promising target for single-site modification that provides modified proteins with uniform structures and properties. In this paper, a copper(II)-mediated aldol reaction with 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (2-PC) derivatives is proposed as an operationally simple method to selectively modify the N-terminus of peptides and proteins at room temperature and physiological pH. The copper(II) ion activates the N-terminal amino acids by complexation with an imine of the N-terminal amino acid and 2-PCs, realizing the selective formation of the nucleophilic intermediate at the N-terminus. This results in a stable carbon-carbon bond between the 2-PCs and the α-carbon of various N-terminal amino acids. The reaction is applied to four different proteins, including biopharmaceuticals such as filgrastim and trastuzumab. The modified trastuzumab retains the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 recognition activity.     

Synthesis of thermally stable aromatic poly(spiroorthocarbonate)s having a Cardo or bent structure

Novel poly(spiroorthocarbonate)s [poly(SOC)]s having a Cardo or bent structure were synthesized by polycondensation of several bis‐catechols having fluorene (BCFL), spirobisindane (BCSPI), or spirobischromane (BCSPC) in the structure with 2,2,6,6‐tetrachlorobenzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d’]bis[1,3]dioxole (4ClBD). Synthesis of poly(SOC)s was confirmed by NMR and IR spectrometry. The poly(SOC)s obtained from BCFL or BCSPC were soluble in common organic solvents. The glass transition temperature of the poly(SOC)s was not detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the range of 50–300 °C. The 10 wt % decomposition temperature of the poly(SOC)s was found to be above 400 °C. These results indicated the high thermal stability of the poly(SOC)s. Soluble poly(SOC)s could be possessed to form a film on a glass plate by the spin coat method. The obtained polymer films were 0.2 μm in thickness with 95% light transmission in the optical wavelength range. These results suggested that the Cardo or bent structure may block the packing of the main‐chain of the structure, which improves the solubility of the polymers, increases transparency, and enhances the thermal stability of SOCs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1409‐1416     

Selective nucleophilic additions to poly(methacrylate)s containing isothiocyanate moieties in the side chains and their application in cross‐linking

Reactivity of isothiocynate moieties in the side chain of polymethacrylate with amine, alcohol, or thiol was investigated, and the reactions were applied to preparation of networked polymers. Isothiocyanate of polymer side chain rapidly reacted with amines without a catalyst, to give the corresponding thioureas. However, it did not react with alcohols or thiols under the same conditions. Using 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) as a catalyst, addition of alcohols or thiols to the isothiocyanate proceeded smoothly. Addition of amines, alcohols, and thiols to isothiocyanates moiety contained in the side chain of polymethacrylate also proceeded readily with or without the catalyst, respectively, to effectively give the corresponding side chain modified polymers. Occurrence of these additions was confirmed by ¹H NMR and IR measurements. Glass transition temperatures and thermal decomposition temperatures of the obtained polymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Networked polymers were easily prepared by addition of 1,6‐hexamethylenediamine or hexamethylene glycol to the polymethacrylate having isothiocyanato groups. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1832–1842