Synthesis and testing of new end-functionalized oligomers for molecular electronics

Several new classes of oligomers have been synthesized with functionalities designed to aid in the understanding of molecular device behavior, specifically when molecules are interfaced between proximal electronic probes. The compounds synthesized are series of azobenzenes, bipyridines and oligo(phenylene vinylene)s that bear acetyl-protected thiols for ultimate attachment to metallic surfaces. Some initial electrochemical and solid-state test results are also reported.     

Substitution pattern and stereochemistry versus liquid crystalline behaviour [1]

Abstract

Selectively O-alkylated inositols of myo-, scyllo- and chiro-configuration allow detailed studies of the relationship between the substitution pattern in the cyclohexane ring and the liquid crystalline properties observed to be made for these mainly novel cyclic compounds containing hydroxyl functions. The types of thermotropic mesophase formed and containing hydrogen bonds are strongly influenced by the number and the stereochemical arrangement of both the hydroxyl groups and the alkyloxy chains, as well as by their positions on the cyclohexane ring.

The mesophases of the various new inositol ethers have been studied by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, and are discussed here in comparison with known systems, as a function of the above mentioned structural factors.     

A convenient [2+2] cycloaddition-cycloreversion reaction for the synthesis of 1,1-dicyanobuta-1,3-diene-scaffolded peptides as new imaging chromophores

We report on the chemoselective coupling between colorless peptide fragments functionalized with a mutually reactive electron-rich N^α-(4-ethynylphenyl)-N^α-(methyl)-glycyl- and an electron-deficient [4-(2,2-dicyanovinyl)]benzoyl moiety. The resulting donor-substituted 1,1-dicyanobuta-1,3-dienes represent a new class of orange-red colored (λ_max = 450-500 nm, with molar extinction coefficients (ε) above 5,000 mol⁻¹ dm³ cm⁻¹) peptide-based imaging chromophores.     

Addition reaction of azido-exTTFs to C60: synthesis of fullerotriazoline and azafulleroid electroactive dyads

[structure: see text] The addition reaction of azido-exTTFs to C(60) affords electroactive fullerotriazoline and azafulleroid dyads, which behave as amphoteric redox systems. Fluorescence experiments and transient absorption spectroscopy reveal that excitation of the fullerene moiety leads to radical pair lifetimes that are 2 orders of magnitude higher than those previously reported for related fullerotriazolines.     

Effects of internal hydrogen bonds between amide groups: protonation of alicyclic diamides

The proton affinity (PA) of cyclopentane carboxamide 1, cyclohexane carboxamide 2 and their secondary and tertiary amide derivatives S1, S2, T1 and T2, was determined by the thermokinetic method and the kinetic method [PA(1) = 888 +/- 5 kJ mol(1); PA(2) = 892 +/- 5 kJ mol(1); PA(S1) = 920 +/- 6 kJ mol(1); PA(S2) = 920 +/- 6 kJ mol(1); PA(T1) = 938 +/- 6 kJ mol(1); PA(T2) = 938 +/- 6 kJ mol(1)]. Special entropy effects are not observed. Additionally, the effects of protonation have been studied using an advanced kinetic method for all isomers 37 of cyclopentane dicarboxamides and cyclohexane dicarboxamides (with the exception of cis-cyclopentane-1,2-dicarboxamide) and their bis-tertiary derivatives T3T7 by estimating the PA and the apparent entropy of protonation Delta(DeltaS(app)). Finally, the study was extended to bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene-2,3-dicarboxamide 8 and its bis-tertiary derivative T8, to all stereoisomers of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxamide 9, their secondary and tertiary amide derivatives S9 and T9, and to endoendobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,5-dicarboxamide 10 and the corresponding secondary and tertiary derivatives S10 and T10. Compared with 1 and 2, all alicyclic diamides exhibit a significant increase of the PA (DeltaPA) and special entropy effects on protonation. For alicyclic diamides, which can not accommodate a conformation appropriate for building a proton bridge, the values of DeltaPA and Delta(DeltaS(app)) are small to moderate. This is explained by ion / dipole interactions between the protonated and neutral amide group which stabilize the protonated species but hinder the free rotation of the amide groups. If any of the conformations of the alicyclic diamide allows formation of a proton bridge, DeltaPA and Delta(DeltaS(app)) increase considerably. A spectacular case is cis-cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxamide 7c which is the most basic monocyclic diamide, although generation of the proton bridge requires the unfavorable boat conformation with both amide substituents at a flagpole position. A pre-orientation of the two amide groups in such a 1,4-position in 10 results in a particularly large PA of < 1000 kJ mol(1). The observation of comparable values for Delta(DeltaS(app)) for linear and monocyclic diamides indicates that a major part of the entropy effects originates from freezing the free rotation of the amide groups by formation of the proton bridge. This is corroborated by observing corresponding effects during the protonation of dicarboxamides containing the rigid bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane carbon skeleton, where the only internal movements of the molecules corresponds to rotation of the amide substituents.     

Reactivity of urethanes at high temperature: Transurethanization and side reactions

The reactivity of urethanes based on 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and 4,4′‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) was investigated at temperatures between 190 °C and 235 °C. Diurethane model compounds end‐capped with either 1‐dodecanol (D‐core‐D) or 1‐hexadecanol (H‐core‐H) were mixed and annealed at high temperature. The core was either MDI or HDI. The transurethanization reaction was followed based on the formation of the compounds (H‐core‐D). The amount of H‐core‐D and of side products, which had formed after variable annealing times, were identified with ¹H NMR, FTIR, SEC, and MALDI‐TOF. Transurethanization was considerably faster for MDI‐based urethanes than for HDI‐based urethanes. Only traces of side products were formed during annealing of MDI‐based urethanes, whereas a significant amount of allophanates was formed from HDI‐based urethanes under the same conditions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 621–629     

A Titanium(IV)‐Based Metal–Organic Framework Featuring Defect‐Rich Ti‐O Sheets as an Oxidative Desulfurization Catalyst

While titanium‐based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely studied for their (photo)catalytic potential, only a few Ti^IV MOFs have been reported owing to the high reactivity of the employed titanium precursors. The synthesis of COK‐47 is now presented, the first Ti carboxylate MOF based on sheets of Ti^IVO₆ octahedra, which can be synthesized with a range of different linkers. COK‐47 can be synthesized as an inherently defective nanoparticulate material, rendering it a highly efficient catalyst for the oxidation of thiophenes. Its structure was determined by continuous rotation electron diffraction and studied in depth by X‐ray total scattering, EXAFS, and solid‐state NMR. Furthermore, its photoactivity was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance and demonstrated by catalytic photodegradation of rhodamine 6G.