Two organic–inorganic hybrid compounds constructed from 12-tungstovanadate and bipyridine

Two rare 12-tungstovanadate-bipyridine inorganic–organic hybrid compounds, [VW₁₂O₄₀] · 2(4,4′-H₂bipy) · 2H₂O (1) and [VW₁₂O₄₀] · 4(2,2′-Hbipy) (2), have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR analysis. In 1, a 2-D supramolecular architecture is formed by hydrogen-bonding between [VW₁₂O₄₀]^4? and bipy. Compound 1 shows good activity for photocatalytic reduction of rhodamine B in a liquid–solid system. The electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of 2-bulk carbon paste electrode modified with 2 were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Polymer chain conformation of copolymers with different monomer size: C NMR spectroscopy and MALS study

Copolymer composition, distribution and molecular size of the comonomer influence the final properties of polymer materials. Such influence can be followed from the effect on the chain conformation in solution determined from the scaling law between radius of gyration and molecular weight.     

Resorcinarene supramolecular organocatalyst for functionalized 1-tetralone synthesis in aqueous medium

An efficient, straightforward and environmentally benign process has been developed for the synthesis of fluorenone and 1-tetralone derivatives using cyclic 1,3-dione, malononitrile and dialkylacetylenedicarboxylate as starting materials in aqueous medium. The reaction is favoured in presence of resorcin[4]arene which is effective as a reusable organocatalyst. The catalyst has been easily synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR, XRD and HRMS analyses. Resorcin[4]arene afforded the resulted products in a shorter time and in good yields. The recyclability of the catalyst was established up to 6th cycle by FT-IR and SEM images.     

溶剂去除速度对于溶剂退火薄膜相形貌的影响

以聚苯乙烯-聚4-乙烯基吡啶(PS-b-P4VP)嵌段共聚物作为研究对象,采用DMF作为退火溶剂,以原子力显微镜(AFM)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)为表征手段,研究了溶剂退火后期溶胀薄膜中溶剂的去除速度对于薄膜相形貌的影响,发现通过改变溶剂去除速度可以有效的调控薄膜中的形貌.当薄膜厚度为35 nm时,DMF的快速挥发会导致薄膜中形成以PS为分散相的反转柱状相结构,当降低溶剂的挥发速度时,薄膜中形成了以PS为分散相的环状形貌,当进一步减缓挥发速度时,薄膜中将形成台阶状的片层结构;然而当薄膜厚度为55 nm时,溶剂退火后期薄膜中形成的是以P4VP为分散相的正常柱状相结构,在相同溶剂去除速度条件下薄膜相形貌变化较小.     

Needle-like supramolecular amphiphilic assembly constructed by the host–guest interaction between calixpyridinium and methotrexate disodium

In this work, the host–guest interaction between calixpyridinium and the anionic anticancer drug methotrexate disodium was explored in water. Unexpectedly, an interesting anisotropic needle-like rather than an ordinary isotropic spherical supramolecular amphiphilic assembly was fabricated by the complexation of calixpyridinium with methotrexate disodium. It is the second anionic guest to be discovered to form the non-spherical supramolecular assembly upon complexation with calixpyridinium. This discovery implies the possibility to construct various topological nanostructures based on the host–guest interactions between calixpyridinium and the anionic drugs in the future. The resulting calixpyridinium–drug assemblies with different morphologies may have the diverse potentials to adjust the efficacies of anionic drugs.     

Integrating CuO−Fe2O3 Nanocomposites and Supramolecular Assemblies of Phenazine for Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis

A photoredox catalytic ensemble consisting of CuO‐Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites and oligomeric derivative of phenazine has been developed. The prepared system acts as an efficient photoredox catalyst for C?N bond formation reaction via SET mechanism under ‘green’ conditions (aerial environment, mixed aqueous media, recyclable), requiring less equivalents of base and amine substrate. The present study demonstrates the significant role of supramolecular assemblies as photooxidants and reductants upon irradiation and their important contribution towards the activation of the metallic centre through energy transfer and electron transfer pathways. The potential of oligomer 4 : CuO‐Fe₂O₃ has also been explored for C?C bond formation reactions via the Sonogashira protocol.     

6,6′-Thiobis(methylene)-β-cyclodextrin dimer as a dimeric host and reusable promoter for synthesis of chromenones in water

Herein, two unit of β-cyclodextrin linked by thiomethylene bridge was synthesized and employed as a novel efficient supramolecular host for the synthesis of biologically active chromenones templates via three-component single-pot reaction. A possible reaction mechanism through molecular complexation is suggested based on 2D ROESY NMR spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, the catalyst could be easily recycled, while a 94% yield and 89% rate of catalyst recovery could be achieved after four cycles of catalyst recycling. Environmentally benign reaction conditions, excellent yields, and avoidance of organic solvent and conventional isolation as well as purification are the noteworthy credits of this developed protocol.     

Getting to the bottom morphology of block copolymer thin films

We demonstrate a general approach for attaining the bottom morphology of block copolymer(BCP) thin films. In our former measurements on PS-b-PMMA films, surface morphology maps of the BCP films revealed distinct ordering regimes where the cylinders orient predominantly perpendicular or parallel to the interface and an ‘intermediate' regime where these morphologies coexist. However, this earlier work did not explore the bottom morphology of BCP thin films. In this study, we investigated the block copolymer morphology near the solid substrate in the cast block copolymer film having a perpendicular cylinder morphology on the surface.     

Spectral and electrochemical investigation of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene-stabilized vitamin E aggregation

The host–guest interaction of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (p-SC4) in solution state is studied using emission and cyclic voltammetric techniques. The lipid soluble α-tocopherol (α-T) forms a solid complex with p-SC4. FTIR and NMR spectral analysis of the solid complex reveals the tight packing of α-T inside the cavity of p-SC4. The structural deformation is confirmed by XRD analysis. SEM images differentiate the highly porous gel like structure of vitamin E aggregate and the solid structure of the host–guest complex prepared. NOESY spectra confirm the tight penetration of α-T within the hydrophobic cavity of p-SC4.