Side Substituents Research Articles

Electrochemical synthesis and properties of polyporphyrin films based on 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin

Polyporphyrin films were obtained by electrooxidative polymerization of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin which, in turn, was obtained by condensation of pyrrole with pyridine-4-carboxaldehyde. The polymer formation involved the side substituents, with the π-conjugated porphyrin platform being preserved. The obtained polyporphyrin forms an electroconductive coating possessing semiconductor properties with the band gap of 1.76 eV

Polarization-dependent second harmonic generation in peptide crystals: effects of molecular packing.

A series of chiral peptide luminophores containing the coumarin moiety was synthesized via a simple and efficient solution-based procedure. The peptides, containing either L-Phe, or L-Ala, or L-Leu (designated, respectively, as p1, p2, and p3), self-aggregate to form anti-parallel sheet-like structures. The self-assembly of the peptide luminophores leads to non-centrosymmetric crystals which display significant second harmonic generation (SHG). The dependence of the SHG intensity on the input laser polarization revealed a strong correlation between the SHG and the crystal packing. In the polar plots, the SHG intensity as a function of the linear polarization orientation of the input laser beam gave a four-petal pattern for p1, a predominantly two-petal pattern for p2, and a dumbbell-shaped pattern for p3. This reflects the dependence of the second order optical susceptibility tensor on the crystal symmetry. The polar plots can be fitted very well with the theoretical expressions derived from the second order polarization equation after incorporating crystal symmetry in the second order optical susceptibility tensor. The strong polarization-dependent SHG from organic crystals may be interesting for polarization controlled nonlinear optical switches, sensors, and actuators.

Electrochromic properties of conductive polyporphyrin films based on 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-pyridyl)porphyrin

Polyporphyrin films based on 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-pyridyl)porphyrin and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin were obtained by electrochemical polymerization during the electrooxidation of the respective monomers. The polyporphyrin formation involved the side substituents, with the [Formula: see text]-conjugated porphyrin platform being preserved. The obtained polyporphyrins form uniform electroconductive coatings, tightly adhered to the electrode surface. The electrochromic properties were studied by the spectroelectrochemical method. Electronic absorption spectra of the films were recorded under the action of electric current at the stepwise potential changes within several intervals. The obtained polyporphyrin films were shown to possess electrochromic properties. The films were oxidized when exposed to anodic potentials and reduced when exposed to cathodic potentials. The electronic absorption spectra were used to calculate the optical band gap of the initial, oxidized and reduced films and to evaluate their conductivity. The highest conductivity was found in the electrochemically oxidized poly-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin film.

Study on molecular structure and association behaviour of heavy subfractions of vacuum residue by an improved separation method

AbstractVacuum residue (VR) is the most complex component of crude oil. Due to the special structure of heavy subfractions, physical aggregation and chemical coking reactions easily occur through molecular force, which affects the normal processing. Therefore, in‐depth study and analysis of their composition, structure and association behaviours are particularly important. In view of the shortcomings of the traditional separation method in terms of separation accuracy, mainly including the purification of asphaltenes and the poor separation of resins. In this paper, a reasonably improved separation method is adopted, and the multi‐stage asphaltene extraction and the multi‐stage silica gel coupling separation are carried out innovatively, which achieves a high yield of 99% while ensuring the separation accuracy. The samples were characterized by elemental analysis (EA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐NMR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to study their structural characteristics and association behaviours. The results show that the main forms of heteroatoms in asphaltene and resin surface are C‐O‐C, C‐OH, pyridine, pyrrole, and thiophene, and the content of these substances is higher in asphaltene. Compared with resins, asphaltenes contain a more peri‐condensed aromatic structure and shorter alkyl substituent side chains. By studying the hydrogen bond and acid–base interaction, it is found that asphaltene and resin mainly contain OH‐OH, OH‐π, and OH‐ether O, of which the content of OH‐OH is the highest. Asphaltene and resin have more neutral and basic substances. These hydrogen bonds and acid–base interactions caused by heteroatoms are the main forces for the association of the heavy subfractions of the VR.

Polynorbornenes bearing ether fragments in substituents: Promising membrane materials with enhanced CO2 permeability

Polymers with rigid main chains and flexible long side substituents combine membrane properties of both glassy and rubbery polymers. Such polymers exhibit high selectivity for CO2/N2 and light hydrocarbon separations. Herein we report synthesis and gas transport properties of two sets of addition and metathesis polynorbornenes bearing flexible ether moieties as side groups. Norbornenes with one and two ether moieties per a substituent have been prepared and used as monomers. ROMP polymerization of these monomers over the 1st generation Grubbs catalyst affords high-molecular-weight products in good yields. Vinyl-addition polymerization of norbornenes with one ether moiety in a substituent also gives polymers with good film-forming properties, while the polymerization of norbornenes with cellosolve moieties (–CH2–O–CH2–CH2–O–Alk) has been a challenge and this problem has been overcome by tuning the nature of catalytic systems based on Pd–N-heterocyclic carbene complex. The obtained polymers are amorphous and show good thermal stability. Pure permeability and diffusivity of permanent gases and gaseous hydrocarbons were investigated for these polymers. Gas transport properties are considered along with the results of quantum mechanical simulations. Key parameters of the substituents for tuning gas transport properties are discussed. Polymers with cellosolve substituents demonstrate enhanced solubility-controlled permeation of CO2. The incorporation of ether moiety in side substituents also increases solubility-controlled hydrocarbon separation selectivity (up to 35 for C4/C1 pair) compared to the similar polymers with alkyl groups.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of morpholinium ionic liquids: impact of a long alkyl side substituent on the cation-anion interactions.

In this study, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to analyse nine morpholinium ionic liquids, which are of great interest in green chemistry because of their low toxicity and high recyclability. The effect of the alkyl chain length on the aliphatic C 1s binding energy and the impact of the anion basicity on the cationic N 1s and O 1s binding energies are investigated. It is concluded that by changing the basicity of the anion, there is a more notable change in the electronic environment of the oxygen centre. The impact of a long alkyl side substituent on the cation-anion interactions is also discussed. It is observed that there is an intense charge shielding effect of the alkyl side chain in the cases of octyl and dodecyl substituents, which is reflected in the reduced Br 3d5/2 binding energy.

Liquid crystal and photophysical properties of laterally fluorinated azo-ester materials

ABSTRACT Some laterally fluorinated three-benzene-ring molecular core of azo-ester compounds bearing 2-methylbutoxy unit as the terminal chain were prepared to investigate the effects of terminal substituents on the liquid crystal properties where different opposite terminal groups are introduced. The opposite terminal side substituent, R, is a polar group that alternatively changes between the electron-donating group (OCH3 or OC4H9) and electron-withdrawing group (Br or NO2), including the terminally unsubstituted compound. The structures of all synthesised compounds were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Their mesomorphic properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy, and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering. Mesomorphic studies revealed that all derivatives were liquid crystalline materials, except for the unsubstituted terminal derivative (F1). When the electron-donating group is attached to the terminal phenyl ester moiety, the analogues (F2 and F3) were enantiotropically nematogenic. Terminal substitution with the electron-withdrawing bromine atom (F4) induced the nematic-to-nematic (N-NX) phase transition upon cooling, while the nitro group (F5) exhibited an enantiotropic nematic phase. The terminally nitro-substituted analogue F5 showed the highest bathochromic shift UV-vis absorption bands due to the stronger electron-withdrawing inductive effect of NO2 terminal group.

Influence of side chains assembly on the structure and transport properties of comb-like polysiloxanes in hydrocarbon separation

We have synthesized a number of comb-like polysiloxanes with linear, branched, cyclic and silicon-containing substituents; most of them are new and previously not studied polymers. The physicochemical properties of comb-like polysiloxanes have been systematically investigated. Differential-scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray scattering data revealed the side-chain microphase assembly for polymers with linear aliphatic substituents, while the polymers with bulky substituents did not form a microphase. It is shown that the ratio of microphase in the polymer is greater, the closer the values of the thickness of the microphase layer and the length of the cross-link. The effect of the side-chain substituent on the hydrocarbon transport properties of comb-like polysiloxanes was studied. All synthesized polymers are promising as membrane materials for a vital process of hydrocarbon separation. This is associated with an increase in the solubility selectivity of n-butane/methane because the solubility coefficient of methane sharply decreases when long side chains are introduced into the polysiloxane. It was shown for the first time that microphase forming polymers have a significantly higher butane/methane selectivity (23.2–27.5) than polysiloxanes not forming a microphase (selectivity 12.3–20.0). The effect is demonstrated on polysiloxanes with various types of side substituents. It was revealed that for the comb-like polysiloxanes, the diffusivity selectivity and permselectivity are proportional to the fraction of the side-chain microphase in the polymer. With the increase in the hydrocarbon microphase share, the diffusion coefficient of the permanent gas methane is decreasing more rapidly than n-butane, which dissolves well in hydrocarbons and plasticizes polymer. Consequently, the polymers forming the microphase have a higher selectivity C3+/CH4 in the separation of a multicomponent hydrocarbons mixture.

Vibratile Dihydrophenazines with Controllable Luminescence Enabled by Precise Regulation of π-Conjugated Wings

Vibratile Dihydrophenazines with Controllable Luminescence Enabled by Precise Regulation of π-Conjugated Wings

Propellanes as Rigid Scaffolds for the Stereodefined Attachment of σ-Pharmacophoric Structural Elements to Achieve σ Affinity.

Following the concept of conformationally restriction of ligands to achieve high receptor affinity, we exploited the propellane system as rigid scaffold allowing the stereodefined attachment of various substituents. Three types of ligands were designed, synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated as σ1 receptor ligands. Propellanes with (1) a 2-methoxy-5-methylphenylcarbamate group at the “left” five-membered ring and various amino groups on the “right” side; (2) benzylamino or analogous amino moieties on the “right” side and various substituents at the left five-membered ring and (3) various urea derivatives at one five-membered ring were investigated. The benzylamino substituted carbamate syn,syn-4a showed the highest σ1 affinity within the group of four stereoisomers emphasizing the importance of the stereochemistry. The cyclohexylmethylamine 18 without further substituents at the propellane scaffold revealed unexpectedly high σ1 affinity (Ki = 34 nM) confirming the relevance of the bioisosteric replacement of the benzylamino moiety by the cyclohexylmethylamino moiety. Reduction of the distance between the basic amino moiety and the “left” hydrophobic region by incorporation of the amino moiety into the propellane scaffold resulted in azapropellanes with particular high σ1 affinity. As shown for the propellanamine 18, removal of the carbamate moiety increased the σ1 affinity of 9a (Ki = 17 nM) considerably. Replacement of the basic amino moiety by H-bond forming urea did not lead to potent σ ligands. According to molecular dynamics simulations, both azapropellanes anti-5 and 9a as well as propellane 18 adopt binding poses at the σ1 receptor, which result in energetic values correlating well with their different σ1 affinities. The affinity of the ligands is enthalpy driven. The additional interactions of the carbamate moiety of anti-5 with the σ1 receptor protein cannot compensate the suboptimal orientations of the rigid propellane and its N-benzyl moiety within the σ1 receptor-binding pocket, which explains the higher σ1 affinity of the unsubstituted azapropellane 9a.

Effects of side substituents in bithiophene spacer on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells with cobalt electrolyte

In order to prevent the inter-molecular aggregation and retard electron recombination, blocking side substituents, i.e. alkyl and alkylphenyl, were incorporated into the bithiophene bridge and two new carbazole-based sensitizers (CzD2 and CzD3) were synthesized. A reference dye (CzD1) comprising bithiophene spacer was also synthesized for comparative purposes. Their photophysical, electrochemical, structural and electronic properties were extensively investigated for highlighting the effects of side substituents. Moreover, their photovoltaic properties were evaluated using cobalt-containing electrolyte. The CzD3 with the bulkiest side group yielded the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.20% due to the largest open circuit voltage (Voc) and short circuit photocurrent (Jsc). Furthermore, incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) spectra and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis were performed to reveal the impact of side substituents on the performance of devices. Therefore, this work demonstrates that incorporating blocking side groups into the π-bridge is an effective way to obtain high PCEs of sensitized cells with cobalt redox.

Simultaneous Two-Color Visualization of Lipid Droplets and Endoplasmic Reticulum and Their Interplay by Single Fluorescent Probes in Lambda Mode.

In living systems, subcellular organelles mutually cooperate and closely contact to form organelle interaction networks. Thus, the simultaneous and discriminative visualization of different organelles is extremely valuable for elucidating their distribution and interplay. However, such meaningful investigations remain a great challenge due to the lack of advanced single fluorescent probes (SF-probes) capable of simultaneous and two-color imaging of two targets. Herein, for the first time, we present two excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) based SF-probes (PPC and EPC) for simultaneous two-color fluorescence imaging of lipid droplets (LDs) and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) under single-wavelength excitation. Due to the strong electron-donating ability of the side substituents, the fluorescence spectra and colors of these ESIPT probes are highly sensitive to the nuance of water contents between LDs and ER, leading to orange and green fluorescence in LDs and ER, respectively, in the Lambda imaging mode. Using the probe PPC or EPC, the morphology, size, and distribution of LDs and ER have been investigated in live cells and tissues. With the aid of in situ and real-time fluorescence imaging in Lambda mode, we observed the generation of newborn LDs near the ER regions and their close apposition and shared identical fluorescence colors, probably providing a valuable proof for the mainstream hypothesis that LDs originate from the ER. The remarkable imaging performances render these SF-probes as powerful tools to decipher LD-ER related biological processes.

Surface active monomers: from micellar solution properties to molecular characteristics

Hydrodynamic methods and light scattering were used in the studies of solutions of a surface active monomer 11-acryloyloxyundecyltrimethylammonium bromide (AUTA-Br) and its polymers in 0.05 M NaCl. Aqueous solutions of AUTA-Br monomer in the concentration range of 4 to 16 CMC contain individual molecules and near-spherical AUTA-Br aggregates. The pAUTA-Br polymers possess rather high equilibrium rigidity (11.8 nm). This high value of equilibrium rigidity found for pAUTA-Br macromolecules is apparently caused by two factors: the presence of a bulky side substituent in each AUTA-Br monomer unit and incomplete suppression of electrostatic interactions between neighboring monomer units in the backbone.

Modified bile acids and androstanes—Novel promising inhibitors of human cytochrome P450 17A1

Cytochromes P450 are key enzymes for steroid hormone biosynthesis in human body. They are considered as targets for the screening of novel high efficient drugs. The results of screening of bile acids and androstane derivatives toward human recombinant steroid 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17A1) are presented in this paper. A group of steroids, binding with micromolar or submicromolar affinity (in a range from 9 μM – less than 0.1 μM), was identified. Results presented here showed that these steroidal compounds are able to decrease rate of hydroxylation of essential CYP17A1 substrate – progesterone, while some compounds completely inhibited enzyme activity. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis based on in vitro and in silico studies showed that high affinity of the enzyme to bile acids derivatives is correlated with side chain hydrophobicity and presence of hydroxyl or keto group at C3 position. From the other side, bile acid-derived compounds with more polar side chain or substituents at C7 and C12 positions possess higher Kd values. Among androstane-derived steroids couple of Δ5-steroids with hydroxyl group at C3 position, as well as 16,17-secosteroids, were found to be high affinity ligands of this enzyme. The data obtained could be useful for the design of novel highly efficient inhibitors of CYP17A1, since the bile acids-derived compounds are for first time recognized as effective CYP17A1 inhibitors.

Dielectric properties of addition and metathesis polynorbornenes with bulky side-substituents

Structure-property study of polynorbornenes for low dielectric permittivity materials was performed. Dielectric properties of various polynorbornenes bearing F-, Si- and alkenyl-side groups were investigated. The incorporation of both fluoroorganic- and Me3Si-groups as side substituents was found to be a fruitful tool to tune dielectric properties and to obtain polymeric materials with low values of dielectric relative permittivity (hereinafter dielectric permittivity) and the dissipation factors. Addition polynorbornenes with Me3Si- or alkenyl-side groups disclosed dielectric permittivity in the range of 2.07–2.34. Polynorbornenes containing fluouroorganic groups exhibited dielectric permittivity as low as 1.94–2.78. To the best of our knowledge, the achieved values of dielectric permittivity are the lowest ones among published for polynorbornenes. The investigated polymers also exhibited low or moderate values of the dissipation factor. The obtained results are considered and discussed along with the data of wide-angle X-ray diffraction, positron annihilating lifetime spectroscopy, low temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption investigations.

Crystallization, structure and properties of polylactide/ladder poly(silsesquioxane) blends

Oligomeric ladder silsesquioxanes (LPSQ-R) with side substituents (R = COOH, COOMe, OH) capable of acceptor/donor interactions through hydrogen bonds were used for the preparation of blends with polylactide (PLA). Depending on the strength of their interactions with the PLA, LPSQ-R were differently dispersed in the polyester matrix. The blends exhibited different properties and crystallization behaviour depending on the type and content of LPSQ-R. PLA/LPSQ-COOMe exhibited good transparency. Owing to very good dispersion of the modifier, PLA with 5 wt% of LPSQ-COOMe was ductile, which was reflected in nearly 230% elongation at break, retaining however relatively high yield strength of nearly 40 MPa. Moreover, the spherulite growth rate was accelerated in PLA/LPSQ-COOMe, which caused enhancement of the cold-crystallization. In turn, cold-crystallization of PLA/LPSQ-OH was enhanced by strong nucleation.

Influence of ω-Bromo Substitution on Structure and Optoelectronic Properties of Homopolymers and Gradient Copolymers of 3-Hexylthiophene

The nature of side chains and substituents influence the resulting electronic and structural properties of conjugated polymers. Here, we report fundamental studies on the influence of a ω-bromohexy...

Investigation of the aromaticity of mono, di, tri and tetraazaphenanthrene derivatives

AbstractIn this chapter mono, di, tri and tetraaza substituted phenanthrene derivatives have been investigated computationally with B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) level of theory. Substitution of carbon atom of the main structure with nitrogen obviously disturbs the aromaticity, indeed it decreases it. Thus, the idea of regaining of the aromaticity back by using electron withdrawing groups came across. As a result of the computational calculations, energetically most unfavored structures have been found to be those where aza substitutiona are vicinal. Secondly, the aromaticities of the present species depend on the position of the centric substituent. In addition, the effect position of the side substituent has been considered. The system becomes more aromatic (possess greater negative NICS values or smaller HOMA value) when the electron withdrawing atoms or groups are adjacent to the centrically substituted heteroatoms.

Effect of Side Substituents Incorporated into π‐Bridges of Quinoxaline‐Based Sensitizers for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Two new metal‐free donor (D)–acceptor (A)–π–A‐type sensitizers with 2,3‐dihexylquinoxaline (HQ) and 2,3‐diphenylquinoxaline (PQ) moieties as additional acceptors, respectively, coded as ZW002 and ZW003, are synthesized and applied in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Both dyes have broad absorption and large molar absorption coefficients. The sensitizer with the HQ core effectively restrains intermolecular aggregation due to steric hindrance of numerous alkyl chains. A thienyl unit with or without a hexyl branch is used as a π‐bridge. Incorporation of only thienyl groups as a π‐bridge into the sensitizer increases the dye‐loading amount on the TiO2 film due to the smaller molecular size. Using the ZW002 dye with the Co (II/III) redox couple results in DSSCs that exhibit a high photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 8.23% and short‐circuit current density (Jsc) of 12.43 mA cm−2, an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 960 mV, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.69. Although ZW003 shows a wider absorption range than that of ZW002, the two additional phenyl groups on the quinoxaline unit contribute to poorer performance (power conversion efficiency [PCE] of 7.43%) due to more serious dye aggregation.

Rhamnomannans and Teichuronic Acid from the Cell Wall of Rathayibacter tritici VKM Ac-1603T.

The structures of three cell wall glycopolymers of the phytopathogen Rathayibacter tritici VKM Ac-1603T (family Microbacteriaceae, order Micrococcales, class Actinobacteria) were established by chemical methods and NMR spectroscopy. Polymer 1 is a branched rhamnomannan with the repeating unit →3)-α-[β-D-Xylp-(1→2)]-D-Manp-(1→2)-α-D-Rhap-(1→3)-α-D-Manp-(1→2)-α-D-Rhap-(1→; polymer 2 is a linear rhamnomannan with the repeating unit →2)-α-D-Manp-(1→2)-α-D-Rhap-(1→3)-α-D-Manp-(1→2)-α-D-Rhap-(1→; polymer 3 is a branched teichuronic acid containing monosaccharide residues GlcA, Gal, Man, and Glc at a 1 : 1 : 1 : 5 ratio (see the text for the structures). It has been demonstrated that representatives of four Rathayibacter species studied to date (R. tritici VKM Ac-1603T, R. iranicus VKM Ac-1602 T, R. toxicus VKM Ac-1600 and "Rathayibacter tanaceti" VKM Ac-2596) contain differing patterns of phosphate-free glycopolymers. At the same time, the above Rathayibacter strains have a common property - the presence of rhamnomannans with D-rhamnose. These rhamnomannans may be linear or branched and differing in the positions of glycosidic bonds and side substituents. The presence in the cell wall of rhamnomannans with D-rhamnose may serve as useful chemotaxonomic marker of the genus Rathayibacter.