Spacer Chain Research Articles

Investigating the Mobility-Compressibility Properties of Conjugated Polymers by the Contact Film Transfer Method with Prestrain.

Up to now, researches on the mobility-stretchability of semiconducting polymers are extensively investigated, but little attention was paid to their morphology and field-effect transistor characteristics under compressive strains, which is equally crucial in wearable electronic applications. In this work, a contact film transfer method is applied to evaluate the mobility-compressibility properties of conjugated polymers. A series of isoindigo-bithiophene conjugated polymers with symmetric carbosilane side chains (P(SiSi)), siloxane-terminated alkyl side chains (P(SiOSiO)), and combined asymmetric side chains (P(SiOSi)) are investigated. Accordingly, a compressed elastomer slab is used to transfer and compress the polymer films by releasing prestrain, and the morphology and mobility evolutions of these polymers are tracked. It is found that P(SiOSi) outperforms the other symmetric polymers including P(Si─Si)andP(SiO─SiO), having the ability to dissipate strain with its shortened lamellar spacing and orthogonal chain alignment. Notably, the mechanical durability of P(SiOSi) is also enhanced after consecutive compress-release cycles. In addition, the contact film transfer technique is demonstrated to be applicable to investigate the compressibility of different semiconducting polymers. These results demonstrate a comprehensive approach to understand the mobility-compressibility properties of semiconducting polymers under tensile and compressive strains.

Role of Dual Nature of Ionic Liquid in Solvation Dynamics and Rotational Diffusion in Mixed Micelles: A Time‐Resolved Fluorescence and Fluorescence Anisotropy Study

AbstractThe present work demonstrates the role of the dual nature of an ionic liquid, 1‐dodecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide (C12mimBr), in the solvation dynamics and rotational diffusion of Coumarin 153 (C‐153) in the aqueous mixed micellar solutions of three cationic gemini surfactants, 12‐s‐12,2Br− (where s = 4, 6 and 8) using different spectroscopic and light scattering techniques. Ionic liquid within the micelles controls the weightages of solvation components. In pure micelles of a gemini surfactant, the fast and slow solvation components are major and minor, respectively, which vary based on the concentration of the ionic liquid. The effective solvation rate enhances with increasing concentration of C12mimBr. Dual nature of C12mimBr governs the size of mixed micelles. Thus the associated time constant for rotational motion also alters accordingly. In micelle, lateral diffusion coefficient (DL) value enhances with its increasing size due to mixed micelle's increased porosity. Gemini spacer chain length effect is also discussed.

Cell Uptake of Steroid-BODIPY Conjugates and Their Internalization Mechanisms: Cancer Theranostic Dyes.

Estradiol-BODIPY linked via an 8-carbon spacer chain and 19-nortestosterone- and testosterone-BODIPY linked via an ethynyl spacer group were evaluated for cell uptake in the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 and prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and LNCaP, as well as in normal dermal fibroblasts, using fluorescence microscopy. The highest level of internalization was observed with 11β-OMe-estradiol-BODIPY 2 and 7α-Me-19-nortestosterone-BODIPY 4 towards cells expressing their specific receptors. Blocking experiments showed changes in non-specific cell uptake in the cancer and normal cells, which likely reflect differences in the lipophilicity of the conjugates. The internalization of the conjugates was shown to be an energy-dependent process that is likely mediated by clathrin- and caveolae-endocytosis. Studies using 2D co-cultures of cancer cells and normal fibroblasts showed that the conjugates are more selective towards cancer cells. Cell viability assays showed that the conjugates are non-toxic for cancer and/or normal cells. Visible light irradiation of cells incubated with estradiol-BODIPYs 1 and 2 and 7α-Me-19-nortestosterone-BODIPY 4 induced cell death, suggesting their potential for use as PDT agents.

Research on the Construction of Manufacturing Industry Chain Ecosystem—A Case Study of Tianjin Manufacturing Industry

This study takes Tianjin as an example to analyze how to build the manufacturing industry chain ecosystem. Based on the ecosystem theory, the related literature of manufacturing industry chain and value chain, and combined with various action plans for the development of manufacturing industry in Tianjin, the structure chart and construction roadmap of industrial chain ecosystem were drawn. Based on the input–output data of 42 sectors in Tianjin, this study calculated and analyzed the changes in embedment degree of various manufacturing industries in Global Value Chain (GVC) and National Value Chain (NVC) in Tianjin from 2010 to 2017. It is found that the industrial chain ecosystem is mainly composed of four elements: the enterprises on the industrial chain, the information flowing among enterprises, the goods circulating among enterprises, and the external environment of enterprises. The connection of supply and demand chains, enterprise chains, space chains and value chains forms an industrial chain, and the value chain is a crucial relationship chain in the connection mechanism. In addition, 2015 is a turning point for Tianjin manufacturing industry to embed in GVC and NVC, mainly due to the industrial economic adjustment in Tianjin, the global economic turmoil, and the establishment of the manufacturing industrial park. In terms of R&D intensity, high and medium high-tech manufacturing industries tend to be embedded in GVC, but are easily affected by enterprises and environmental factors. However, low and medium low-tech manufacturing industries still have ample space to integrate into GVC, information and products are important factors to determine the upgrading of its industrial chain. Therefore, in order to better construct the industrial chain ecosystem of manufacturing industry and enhance the industrial competitiveness of Tianjin’s manufacturing industry, it is necessary to give priority to the development of high-tech manufacturing industry, expand the international openness of low-tech manufacturing industry, support regional advantageous industries, and carry out dynamic regulation of industrial ecology.

Cationic lipid-conjugated bis-arylidene oxindole derivatives as broad-spectrum breast cancer-selective therapeutics

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous malignancy with wide-ranging variations in therapeutic responses, overall survival etc. Major challenges for available chemotherapeutic agents in achieving clinical success are in maintaining systemic bio-distribution and avoiding non-specific adverse effects. Bis-arylidene oxindoles are estrogen receptor (ER)-selective bioactive molecules with moderate potency. In here, we have designed, synthesized and evaluated a series of twin aliphatic chain cationic lipid-conjugated bis-arylidene oxindole molecules with variations in nature of linker, lengths of carbon spacer and hydrophobic twin chains. We observed that among the various structural analogues, C8 twin-chain containing molecules, PGC8, S2C8 and S3C8 showed effective cancer cell-selective cytotoxicity in different cancer cell lines with an IC50 ranging from 4 to 7 µM. These molecules selectively induced apoptosis, ROS production and cell cycle inhibition at G1/S phase in ER + breast cancer cells but not in non-cancer cells. Additionally, these molecules formed homogenous self-assemblies exhibiting effective hydrodynamic diameter with positive surface charge. The self-assemblies also showed prominent cancer cell-selective uptake and DNA-binding abilities. Hence, we have shown successful incorporation of dexamethasone to the self-assemblies, and its enhanced cytotoxicity even in ER-negative breast cancer cells. All these results indicate that PGC8, S2C8 and S3C8 molecules, albeit their potent and selective ER-positive anti-breast cancer activity, can be repurposed as targeted delivery systems and hold promise as unique, broader spectrum breast cancer cell-selective therapeutic payloads.

Synthesis, Structural and Theoretical Analyses of C≡N···I Halogen-Bonded Liquid Crystalline Complexes of 4-Cyano-4′-alkoxy Biphenyl Systems

A series of 4-cyano-4′-alkoxybiphenyl compounds were synthesized by varying the spacer chain lengths (−CH2−)n, where n = 3–10, for the systematic study of a halogen-bonded (XB) complex with 1,4-diiodotetrafluoro benzene. The XB liquid crystalline complexes obtained from the liquid-assisted grinding method were characterized by FTIR, Raman, DSC, and PXRD studies. Further, C≡N···I XB interaction was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The odd-even analysis has suggested that the even carbon chain length containing XB liquid crystalline complexes shows slightly higher alteration in their isotropic temperature compared to the odd carbon chain lengths of such complexes. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that the higher alkyl chain complexes (n = 6–10) showed liquid crystalline temperature at lower values with respect to their ligands. The Hirshfeld and energy framework analyses have also been carried out to assess the stability and percentage contribution of XB noncovalent interaction. The frontier molecular orbital, noncovalent interaction, molecular electrostatic potential, and QTAIM analysis were performed using DFT to evaluate the nature of XB in these halogen-bonded liquid crystalline systems.

Electrorheological effect and dielectric properties of Poly(ionic liquid) microspheres with different length of alkyl chain spacer between ion pair and backbone

Imidazolium-based poly(ionic liquid) analogues having different lengths of alkyl chain spacer between ion pair and backbone, named as P[ECnVim][PF6] (n = 2, 3, 6), were synthesized. Then, P[ECnVim][PF6] were transformed into microspheres by an evaporation-induced phase separation method. The influence of the length of alkyl chain spacer on the electro-responsive electrorheological effect and dielectric property of P[ECnVim][PF6] microsphere suspensions were studied. It showed that as the length of alkyl chain spacer increased, the electrorheological effect increased but the working temperature range of electrorheological effect became narrow. By combining dielectric spectra analysis and activation energy measurement, it was clarified that the influence of the length of alkyl chain spacer on electrorheological effect was mainly associated with the change of ionic conductivity and interfacial polarization, which was further related to the change of elastic potential energy of ion motion in P[ECnVim][PF6] with different lengths of alkyl chain spacer between ion pair and backbone. However, the working temperature range of electrorheological effect depended on the change of glass transition temperature with the length of alkyl chain spacer. The result provides the structure-property relationship insight for the design of poly(ionic liquid)-based electro-responsive electrorheological materials.

ЕКОНОМІЧНА РЕКОНСТРУКЦІЯ: ВПЛИВ ДРУГОЇ СВІТОВОЇ ВІЙНИ НА ПІСЛЯВОЄННЕ ЕКОНОМІЧНЕ ЗРОСТАННЯ

In order to achieve post-war recovery of the country, integrate the economy into the European space and global value chains, Ukraine needs to implement a large-scale recovery program. With the current development of information technologies (big data, cloud technologies, high-speed internet coverage, modern satellite systems, etc.), the world has not seen recovery projects on the scale of Ukraine's future recovery. Therefore, Ukraine needs to create its own recovery model using the best principles of recovery from natural disasters and military conflicts, as well as modern digital tools. To achieve this goal, this study examined the international experience of post-World War II recovery. The main focus of the analysis was on approaches and tools that produced the maximum result. The study also showed the necessity for Ukraine to form a new paradigm of economic thinking and development. Its content lies in the transition to thinking in terms of reconstructive type of economic development. It is shown that reconstructive development is possible both on the basis of economic growth and under certain conditions with zero or even negative rates of economic growth. In analyzing the issues outlined in the title of the article, it is relevant to refer to the experience of developed countries around the world. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to analyze the main factors that helped countries recover and develop after wars and military conflicts, in order to take them into account when creating a new concept for the reconstruction of Ukraine's economy. Looking at the examples of state intervention in post-war economic growth processes that have been analyzed, there are somewhat common features in foreign experience that indicate the importance of targeted international assistance for the recovery of production capacity and stable economic growth. The Golden Age of capitalism was characterized by an unprecedented growth in international trade combined with impressive rates of global economic growth, and modern thinking and development practices are largely a result of it. Long-term economic planning was recognized as important, and industrialization was promoted as a means of promoting economic development in less developed countries.

Lipopolysaccharide and statin-mediated immune-responsive protein networks revealed in macrophages through affinity purification spacer-arm controlled cross-linking (AP-SPACC) proteomics.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a pattern recognition receptor, is activated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and induces the MyD88 pathway, which subsequently produces pro-inflammatory cytokines through activation of transcriptional nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Statins have been widely prescribed to reduce cholesterol synthesis for patients with cardiovascular disease. Statins may have pleiotropic effects, which include anti- and pro-inflammatory effects on cells. The molecular mechanism of the sequential influence of LPS and statin on the innate immune system remains unknown. We employed affinity purification-spacer-arm controlled cross-linking (AP-SPACC) MS-based proteomics analysis to identify the LPS- and statin-LPS-responsive proteins and their networks. LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells singly and combined with the drug statin used in this study. Two chemical cross-linkers with different spacer chain lengths were utilized to stabilize the weak and transient interactors. Proteomic analysis identified 1631 differentially expressed proteins. We identified 151 immune-response proteins through functional enrichment analysis and visualized their interaction networks. Selected candidate protein-coding genes were validated, specifically squamous cell carcinoma antigens recognized by T cells 3, sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1, Ras-related protein Rab-35, and tumor protein D52 protein-coding genes through transcript-level expression analysis. The expressions of those genes were significantly increased upon statin treatment and decreased in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. Therefore, we presumed that the expression changes of genes occurred due to immune response during activation of inflammation. These results highlight the immune-responsive proteins network, providing a new platform for novel investigations and discovering future therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases.

The effect of side chain spacer length on the thermoresponsive behaviour of poly(methylamide acrylate)s

Aqueous solubility of poly(methylamide acrylate)s can be altered via modulation of the side chain spacer length between the polymer backbone and pendant amide functionality whereby a butyl spacer is sufficient to induce LCST behaviour (P(MAmBA)).

Electrorheological and dielectric analysis of self-crosslinked poly(ionic liquid)s with different flexible chain spacer

Three kinds of self-crosslinked poly(ionic liquid)s (S-PILs) with different flexible chain spacers, namely P[B2V][TFSI], P[C8DVIM][TFSI] and P[TEGDVIM][TFSI], were prepared. The influence of flexible chain spacer on electrorheological (ER) effect of S-PIL suspension in silicone oil under electric fields was studied by rheological method and dielectric spectroscopy. It is found that as the flexibility of chain spacer increases, the ER effect increases. However, the dielectric spectrum shows that the variation of ER effect is not completely consistent with that of interfacial polarization but is related to the competition between interfacial polarization induced by ion motion and electrode polarization formed by ion leakage. By combining wide-angle X-ray scattering spectra and ion activation energy analysis, we further clarify that the reason for the inconsistence of dielectric property and ER effect is not only related to the flexibility of chain spacer but also related to the interaction between oxygen on chain spacer and counter-anions in the S-PILs. The result provides an insight for the molecular design of S-PIL ER materials.

Alkali-Stable Anion Exchange Membranes Based on Poly(xanthene).

Poly(xanthene)s (PXs) carrying trimethylammonium, methylpiperidinium, and quinuclidinium cations were synthesized and studied as a new class of anion exchange membranes (AEMs). The polymers were prepared in a superacid-mediated polyhydroxyalkylation involving 4,4'-biphenol and 1-bromo-3-(trifluoroacetylphenyl)-propane, followed by quaternization reactions with the corresponding amines. The architecture with a rigid PX backbone decorated with cations via flexible alkyl spacer chains resulted in AEMs with high ionic conductivity, thermal stability and alkali-resistance. For example, hydroxide conductivities up to 129 mS cm-1 were reached at 80 °C, and all the AEMs showed excellent alkaline stability with less than 4% ionic loss after treatment in 2 M aq. NaOH at 90 °C during 720 h. Critically, the diaryl ether links of the PX backbone remained intact after the harsh alkaline treatment, as evidenced by both 1H NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. Our combined findings suggest that PX AEMs are viable materials for application in alkaline fuel cells and electrolyzers.

Fouling Resistance and Release Properties of Poly(sulfobetaine) Brushes with Varying Alkyl Chain Spacer Lengths and Molecular Weights

We examined the effects of alkyl carbon spacer length (CSL) and molecular weight on fouling resistance and release properties of zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) brushes. Using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization, we synthesized two series of brushes with CSL = 3 and 4 and molecular weight from 19 to 1500 kg ·mol-1, corresponding to dry brush thickness from around 6 to 180 nm. The brush with CSL = 3 was nearly completely wet with water (independent of molecular weight), whereas the brush with CSL = 4 exhibited a strong increase in water contact angle with molecular weight. Though the two-brush series had distinct wetting properties, both series of brushes exhibited similarly great resistance against fouling by Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria and Aspergillus niger fungi spores when submerged in water, indicating that neither molecular weight nor CSL strongly affected the antifouling behavior. We also compared the efficacy of brushes against fouling by fungi and silicon oil in air. Brushes grafted to filter paper were strongly fouled by fungi and silicon oil in air. Grafting the polymers to the filter paper, however, greatly enhanced removal of the foulant upon rinsing. The removal of fungi and silicon oil when rinsed with a salt solution was enhanced by 219 and 175%, respectively, as compared to a blank filter paper control. Thus, our results indicate that these zwitterionic brushes can promote foulant removal for dry applications in addition to their well-known fouling resistance in submerged conditions.

Surface adsorption and bulk properties of polyoxyethylene–polyoxypropylene random copolymer-type double-chained surfactants in quaternary-ammonium-salt-type amphiphilic gemini ionic liquids

Recently, a few studies have been reported on the layer structure of ionic liquids using X-ray and neutron scattering. However, the nanostructural features of ionic liquids remain unclear. Herein, the surface adsorption and bulk properties of polyoxyethylene (EO)–polyoxypropylene (PO) decyl tetradecyl ether-type nonionic surfactants (C10-C12POxranEO24PO13−x, where x represents the length of the PO chain linked to alkyl chains; x = 0, 5, 8, and 13) in quaternary-ammonium-salt-type amphiphilic gemini ionic liquids containing oxygen or nitrogen in the spacer (2C12(Spacer) NTf2, where (Spacer) = (2-O-2), (2-O-2-O-2), (2-N-2), (2/2-N-2), and n represents the alkyl chain length; n = 10, 12, and 14 for the 2-O-2 spacer, and n = 12 for all others) are elucidated by surface tension, small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering, and viscosity measurements. The surface tension of the C10-C12POxranEO24PO13−x surfactants in the gemini ionic liquids containing oxygen in the spacer increased as the surfactant concentration increased, and it became comparable to that of C10-C12POxranEO24PO13−x alone, indicating that the gemini ionic liquid adsorbed at the air–liquid interface was replaced with C10-C12POxranEO24PO13−x following its addition. In the bulk, 2Cn(Spacer) NTf2 and C10-C12POxranEO24PO13−x formed a layered structure, and the layer spacing depended on the alkyl chain length and spacer structure of the gemini ionic liquid and the length of the PO chain linked to the alkyl chains of the surfactants.

On the spacer group effect on anti-Escherichia Coli activity of cationic gemini surfactants using molecular connectivity indices and atomic charges

The molecular connectivity indices were used to investigate the effect of the spacer group structure on the value of minimum inhibitory concentration of bis-quaternary ammonium bromide salts. QSAR model obtained allows to examine the influence of branching, multiple bonds, and heteroatoms of the spacer group on minimum inhibitory concentration value. The effect of spacer’s branches and heteroatoms on anti – Escherichia coli activity of cationic gemini surfactants was also investigated using the atomic charges. This study leads to some significant conclusions regarding the effect of the spacer group structure on antibacterial activity of cationic gemini surfactants against Escherichia coli. The general conclusion is that a small modification of the straight spacer chain structure can give gemini surfactant with of excellent activity against such resistant bacterium as Escherichia coli.

Interaction of the anion [2-B<sub>10</sub>H<sub>9</sub>O(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>4</sub>O]− with secondary amines

Objectives. One of the most promising methods of treating malignant tumors is 10B-neutron capture therapy. While compounds based on cluster boron anions [BnHn]2− (n = 10, 12) are often used as boron-containing agents due to the very high specific concentration of boron atoms per particle, the use of such compounds is associated with the need to develop new methods for the functionalization of boron clusters associated with the production of boron-containing derivatives containing biologically active functional groups. One of the most convenient methods of modification of [BnHn]2− (n = 10, 12) anions is the interaction of their derivatives containing cyclic oxonium-type substituents with negatively charged or neutral nucleophilic reagents. The disclosure of substituents of this type leads to the formation of closo-borates with functional groups separated from the cluster by an alkoxyl spacer chain. The purpose of this study is to develop methods for the synthesis of derivatives of the closo-decaborate anion [B10H10]2− with pendant nitrogen-containing groups.Methods. The general control of the reactions of the disclosure of cyclic substituents was carried out on the basis of 11B nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy data. The structure of the obtained derivatives, including the nature of the attached functional groups, was determined using 1H, 13C attached proton test (APT) NMR and infrared (IR) spectroscopy data. The molecular weight of the synthesized compounds was confirmed by electrospray ionization mass-spectrometry (ESI–MS).Results. The interaction of the anion [2-B10H9O(CH2)4O]− with secondary amines (dimethylamine, dipropylamine, diallylamine, dibutylamine, diisobutylamine, morpholine, di-sec-butylamine) in an ethanol environment is investigated. As a result of the reactions, a cyclic substituent is shown to expand with the addition of a nucleophilic reagent. Seven new derivatives of the closodecaborate anion with pendant nitrogen-containing groups have been synthesized.Conclusions. A developed method for obtaining closo-decaborates with ammonium groups separated from the boron cluster by an alkoxyl spacer group is presented. It is shown that the use of amines of various structures does not fundamentally affect the course of the reactions, allowing the composition and structure of the target derivatives to be effectively regulated. The resulting compounds can be involved in further modification reactions due to a reactive pendant group, as well as being suitable for use as effective polydentate ligands. Closo-decaborates with pendant nitrogen-containing groups and their derivatives are of considerable interest in the synthesis of compounds for use in 10B-neutron capture therapy of malignant tumors.

Ray-Wave Correspondence in Microstar Cavities.

In a previous work by the authors (Phys. Rev. Research 2, 012072(R) (2020)) a novel concept of light confinement in a microcavity was introduced which is based on successive perfect transmissions at Brewster's angle. Hence, a new class of open billiards was designed with star-shaped microcavities where rays propagate on orbits that leave and re-enter the cavity. In this article, we investigate the ray-wave correspondence in microstar cavities. An unintuitive difference between clockwise and counterclockwise propagation is revealed which is traced back to nonlinear resonance chains in phase space.

Experimental and theoretical heat capacity of mono- and dicationic long alkyl chain imidazolium-based ionic liquids

Here we present the heat capacity (Cp) of a series of ten imidazolium based ionic liquids (ILs), mono- and dicationic, with chemical formula CnMIMBr (n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16) and Cn(MIM)2Br2, (n = 4 and 8), respectively. The heat capacity values of eight ILs were determined using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) in the temperature range of (358.15 to 378.15) K and compared with the results obtained from theoretical models found in the literature and molecular modeling calculations. For this set of ILs the Cp values were found to be in the range of (189.3 to 985.7) J mol−1 K−1. A linear increase in heat capacity with temperature was observed for all ILs. The Cp predicted by theoretical models and molecular modeling calculations showed reasonable agreement with the experimental Cp values for the majority of the studied ILs. The heat capacity increased with the addition of methylene groups in the side and spacer chains for both mono- and dicationic ILs. Consistent with the literature, it is observed that the additional methylene groups have a larger effect on the heat capacity at higher temperature.

Linear- and star-type quaternary ammonium salt-based trimeric surfactants: Effect of structure on adsorption and aggregation properties

Oligomeric surfactants with multiple hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups are an attractive novel surfactant with improved properties and functionalities compared with those of conventional monomeric surfactants. In this study, linear- and star-type quaternary ammonium salt-based trimeric surfactants, 3Cnlin-s-Q and 3Cntris-s-Q, were synthesized with different alkyl chain lengths (n), spacer chain lengths (s), and spacer skeletons (linear or star) and their adsorption and aggregation properties were characterized by electrical conductivity, surface tension, fluorescence, viscosity, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Trimeric surfactants exhibited high water solubility despite containing three alkyl chains. Conversely, the linear-type trimeric surfactant 3C14lin-3-Q, composed of rigid short spacer chains and long alkyl chains, exhibited low water solubility. The adsorption and orientation of trimeric surfactants at the air/water interface depended on the alkyl chain length, spacer chain length, and spacer skeleton, and the effect of alkyl chain length was dominant. The star-type trimeric surfactant 3C12tris-6-Q was efficiently adsorbed and oriented at the air/water interface, despite its long spacer and bulky skeleton, which extended from the center of the amino group in the spacer. Therefore, trimeric surfactants with high performance and advanced functionalities were successfully achieved. This study provides insights into the molecular design and synthesis of trimeric surfactants for future application in various industrial fields.

Lophine-cinnamoyl hybrids: Synthesis, photophysical properties and a spectroscopic and molecular dynamics approach towards interactions with bovine serum albumin

Lophine and cinnamic acid derivatives have gained considerable attention due their chemical, biological and fluorescence emission properties. Herein we reported the synthesis of a new family of lophine-cinnamoyl hybrids connected by a methylene chain with two to nine carbon atoms. The hybrids show absorption in the ultraviolet and emission in the blue-violet region independent of the length of the alkyl chain spacer. Non-covalent interactions of the hybrids to bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Overall, the hybrids display moderate affinities for BSA (binding constants in the range 10–14 × 104 M−1) and can be effectively employed as protein probes using BSA as a model. The theoretical calculations showed preferential interactions of the hybrids with the binding pocket located near to Trp213 and the number of binding sites equal to 1 are in agreement with the experimental data obtained through the Stern-Volmer approach.