Modular peripheral functionalization of thiophene dendrons and dendrimers

A series of thiophene dendrons and dendrimers with peripheral functional groups were designed and synthesized. Two methodologies using thiophene dendrons and dendrons as synthetic building blocks, namely, (1) periphery functionalization; (2) a combination of focal and periphery functionalization have been demonstrated.     

Chain-configurational properties of novolac phenol–formaldehyde resins

Rotational isomeric-state chain-configurational calculations have been applied to the novolac phenol–formaldehyde structure. Steric interference allows the chain to be considered with a twofold potential energy barrier model. Computations that fit the observed dipole-moment data over a range of molecular weights indicate that the conformational angle is near ±80°, with the g^±g⁼ states on the average being 155 cal/mole below the g^±g^± states. The limiting dipole-moment ratio is computed to be 1.47, compared to the experimental value of 1.48. A negative temperature coefficient agrees in sign with the experimental value, and the characteristic ratio of the end-to-end molecular dimensions is calculated to be 3.27, as compared to the experimental value of 4.76.     

Molecular structure of AlH3[N(CH2CH2)3CH]2

Reaction of AlH₃[N(CH₂CH₂)₃CH] with hexamethyltrisiloxane, (OSiMe₂)₃, gives rise to the bis-quinuclidine complex AlH₃[N(CH₂CH₂)₃CH]₂, which has been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The molecular structure of AlH₃[N(CH₂CH₂)₃CH]₂ consists of a trigonal bipyramidal aluminum with axial coordination of the quinuclidine ligands. Crystal data: orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, a = 10.6895(9), b = 12.266(1), c = 12.3794(9) Å, V = 1623.2(2) ų, and Z = 4.     

Photoswitching the Cytotoxic Properties of Platinum(II) Compounds

The photoactivation of potential anticancer metal complexes is a hot topic of current research as it may lead to the development of more selective drugs. Photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) with coordination compounds is usually based on a (photo)chemical reaction taking place at the metal center. Herein, a new strategy is exploited that consists of “photomodifying” a ligand coordinated to metal ions. Platinum(II) complexes from photoswitchable 1,2‐dithienylethene‐containing ligands have been prepared, which exhibit two interconvertible photoisomeric forms that present distinct DNA‐interacting properties and cytotoxic behaviors.     

Active dielectric metasurface based on phase‐change medium

We propose all‐dielectric metasurfaces that can be actively re‐configured using the phase‐change material Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ (GST) alloy. With selectively controlled phase transitions on the composing GST elements, metasurfaces can be tailored to exhibit varied functionalities. Using phase‐change GST rod as the basic building block, we have modelled metamolecules with tunable optical response when phase change occurs on select constituent GST rods. Tunable gradient metasurfaces can be realized with variable supercell period consisting of different patterns of the GST rods in their amorphous and crystalline states. Simulation results indicate a range of functions can be delivered, including multilevel signal modulating, near‐field coupling of GST rods, and anomalous reflection angle controlling. This work opens up a new space in exploring active meta‐devices with broader applications that cannot be achieved in their passive counterparts with permanent properties once fabricated.