Stronger host-guest binding does not necessarily give brighter particles: a case study on polymeric AIEE-tunable and size-tunable supraspheres.

Supraspheres were prepared from a pillar[5]arene-based linear polymer (the host) and several multitopic guests. According to host-guest binding studies in nanosystems, the optical and structural properties (fluorescence capability, density, and particle size) of the nanoparticles were correlated not with the host-guest binding affinities, but with the relative fluorescence quantum yield.

Crystal structure analysis of a star-shaped triazine compound: a combination of single-crystal three-dimensional electron diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction.

The solid-state structure of star-shaped 2,4,6-tris{(E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)-phenyl]ethenyl}-1,3,5-triazine is determined from a powder sample by exploiting the respective strengths of single-crystal three-dimensional electron diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction data. The unit-cell parameters were determined from single crystal electron diffraction data. Using this information, the powder X-ray diffraction data were indexed, and the crystal structure was determined from the powder diffraction profile.

Fluorescent-Cavity Host: An Efficient Probe to Study Supramolecular Recognition Mechanisms.

Using fluorometry to study the interactions between guests and host cavities is often challenging, especially for hosts with small cavities because the fluorophore may not be close to the binding site. Therefore, it is critical to overcome this hurdle to broaden the applicability of fluorometry in supramolecular chemistry. Herein, we designed a fluorescent-cavity host (H1) by conjugating the binding site of a pillar[5]arene cavity and studied its host-guest recognition mechanism in the cavity.

Pillar[5]arene-Diketopyrrolopyrrole Fluorescent Copolymer: A Promising Recognition and Adsorption Material for Adiponitrile by Selective Formation of a Conjugated Polypseudorotaxane.

Conjugated pillar[5]arene-diketopyrrolopyrrole copolymer (P1) is synthesized by the copolymerization of a difunctionalized pillar[5]arene and a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based monomer, which shows large extinction coefficients (1.1 × 10 m cm ) at 519 nm and strong emission at 587 nm. P1 exhibits very strong host-guest binding affinity towards adiponitrile but low binding affinity towards 1,4-dihalobutane and 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)butane.

Correction: Selective precipitation of alkyl dihalides using a newly synthesized water-soluble bisphosphorylpillar[5]arene.

Correction for 'Selective precipitation of alkyl dihalides using a newly synthesized water-soluble bisphosphorylpillar[5]arene' by Wenjin Cheng et al., Chem. Commun.

Selective precipitation of alkyl dihalides using a newly synthesized water-soluble bisphosphorylpillar[5]arene.

Bisphosphorylpillar[5]arenes ( and ) were synthesized and used to study the host-guest complexation in organic solvents and water. The interactions between the guests and the phosphate of the hosts lead to strong binding towards alkyl dihalides and alkyldiammonium ions. may be used to detect or separate alkyl dihalides in water due to the rapid precipitation of the complex.

2,3-Dipentyldithieno[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline-Based Organic Dyes for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Effect of π-Bridges and Electron Donors on Solar Cell Performance.

Five novel metal-free organic dyes DQ1-5 containing a dipentyldithieno[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline (DPQ) unit were synthesized and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), where DPQ was employed as a π-spacer for the first time. Their photophysical, electrochemical, and theoretical calculations and photovoltaic properties were systematically investigated. All the five dyes show broad photoresponse.

Monoester copillar[5]arenes: synthesis, unusual self-inclusion behavior, and molecular recognition.

The self-inclusion behavior of monoester copillar[5]arenes depends on the position of the ester group, which causes different guest selectivities. Monoester copillar[5]arenes bearing an acetate chain can form stable self-inclusion complexes in low- and high-concentration solution and exhibit high guest selectivity. However, a monoester copillar[5]arene bearing a butyrate chain can not form a self-inclusion complex and exhibits low guest selectivity.

Unexpected behavior of enaminones: interesting new routes to 1,6-naphthyridines, 2-oxopyrrolidines and pyrano[4,3,2-de][1,6]naphthyridines.

Reaction of enaminones 1a-d with 2-aminoprop-1-ene-1,1,3-tricarbonitrile (2) in the presence of AcOH/NH₄OAc afforded 7-amino-5-oxo-5,6-dihydro-1,6-naphthyridine-8-carbonitrile derivatives 9a-d. On the other hand, 2-aminopyrano[4,3,2-de] [1,6]naphthyridine-3-carbonitriles 20a-c,e were the only obtained products from the reactions of 1a-d with 2 in the presence of AcOH/NaOAc, while 1d afforded [3,5-bis-(4-chloro-benzoyl)-phenyl]-(4-chloro-phenyl)-methanone 21 under the same condition. The reaction of 2 with diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in the presence of AcOH/NH₄OAc afforded (4-cyano-5-dicyanomethylene-2-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-acetic acid ethyl ester 15B.

Unambiguous structure elucidation of heterocyclic products from condensation-cyclisation reactions of enaminones by 2D INADEQUATE and 15N NMR.

The reaction of enaminones with 3-amino-2-cyanopent-2-enedinitrile can lead to an array of 12 possible products, depending on the reaction pathway and tautomerization. The use of 2D INADEQUATE and (15)N NMR for the unambiguous structure elucidation of the reaction products is discussed in this manuscript.

Optical switches with biplanemers obtained by intramolecular photocycloaddition reactions of tethered arenes.

The dimerization of anthracene by a [4π + 4π] cycloaddition is one of the oldest and best known reactions in photochemistry. In the series of tethered bichromophoric arenes, this reaction type could be extended to anthracene-naphthalene, naphthalene-naphthalene and recently even to anthracene-benzene and naphthalene-benzene systems. Cyclophanes, which can be regarded as twofold or multiple tethered systems, are not discussed here.

Dimerization control in the self-assembly behavior of copillar[5]arenes bearing ω-hydroxyalkoxy groups.

Two novel copillar[5]arenes bearing ω-hydroxyalkoxy groups are synthesized and their self-assembly properties are studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, specific viscosity, and X-ray measurements. The copillar[5]arene 2b bearing a 6-hydroxyhexyloxy group exhibits a reversible self-assembly behavior, leading to the formation of the self-inclusion monomer and hugging dimers. The reversible self-assembly behavior can be controlled by tuning solvent, temperature, guest, and H-bond interaction.

Benzoxetes and benzothietes--heterocyclic analogues of benzocyclobutene.

Benzo-condensed four-ring heterocycles, such as benzoxetes 1 and benzothietes 3 represent multi-purpose starting compounds for the preparation of various higher heterocyclic ring systems. The thermal or photochemical valence isomerizations between the benzenoid forms 1,3 and the higher reactive o-quinoid structures 2,4 provide the basis for the synthetic applications. On the other hand, this valence isomerization impedes in particular the generation and storage of 1 because the thermal equilibrium 1<=> 2 is completely on the side of 2.

Efficient synthesis of copillar[5]arenes and their host-guest properties with dibromoalkanes.

An efficient method for the synthesis of copillar[5]arenes was developed with FeCl(3) as catalyst and different 1,4-dialkoxybenzenes and paraformaldehyde as reactants (yields: 50-85%). The host-guest property of (co)pillar[5]arenes and terminal dibromoalkanes was investigated by (1)H NMR measurements and an X-ray study. The complexation behavior of the copillar[5]arenes can be tuned by changing the substituents on the host.

Organic dye bearing asymmetric double donor-π-acceptor chains for dye-sensitized solar cells.

A novel efficient metal free sensitizer containing asymmetric double donor-π-acceptor chains (DC) was synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Comparing to 3.80%, 4.

Synthesis of heterocyclic homotriptycenes.

A series of novel heterocyclic homotriptycenes bearing furan, thiophene, and pyridine rings, 7a-f, were synthesized by intramolecular dehydration reactions of 10,10-dihetarylmethyl-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols 6a-f. In the presence of acids, the secondary alcohols 6a-f show different reactions which depend on the electron densities of the attached heterocyclic rings. The initially formed carbenium ions react in an electrophilic substitution with electron-rich heterocycles.

Enhanced performance of the dye-sensitized solar cells with phenothiazine-based dyes containing double D-A branches.

Double donor-acceptor (D-A) branched dyes (DBD) with a phenothiazine unit as electron donor and a 2-cyanoacrylic acid unit as electron acceptor were synthesized and used as sensitizers for solar cells (DSSCs). The conversion efficiency of the DSSCs amounts up to 4.22% (2.

A dendrimer chiroptical switch based on the reversible intramolecular photoreaction of anthracene and benzene rings.

A series of Fréchet-type dendrimers with 9-benzyloxymethylanthracene cores were synthesized and characterized. The chiral source for the dendrimers was an (S)-2-methyl-1-butoxy group in the 3-position of the benzene ring. Irradiation at 366 nm of a dilute benzene solution led to the formation of two diastereomers (1:1) through a quantitative intramolecular [4pi+4pi] cycloaddition between the central anthracene ring and the neighboring benzene ring.

High electrical conductance of single molecules: a challenge in the series of conjugated oligomers.

En route to molecular electronics: As extended, conjugated oligomers are desirable for molecular electronics, their electrical conductance should display a low attenuation factor. Zinc-complexed oligo(ethynyleneporphyrindiylethynylene)s have been prepared that are distinguished by ultralow attenuation factors in single-molecule conductance.

Polyfunctional nitriles in organic syntheses: a novel route to aminopyrroles, pyridazines and pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridazines.

Phenacylmalononitrile 1 reacts with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal to yield an enaminone which could be readily converted into a pyrrole or an aminopyridazine by treating with ammonium acetate and hydrazine hydrate, respectively. Compound 1 reacted with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol at room temperature to yield the dihydropyridazine 9 as a single product. In refluxing ethanol this product further reacted with hydrazine hydrate to yield the novel dihydropyrazolopyridazinamine 10.

Optical switching and antenna effect of dendrimers with an anthracene core.

Dendrimers 6G(i) (i=1-4) consisting of an anthracene core and Fréchet dendrons which are attached via a CH(2)OCH(2) chain in the 9-position undergo quantitative and completely reversible intramolecular [4pi+4pi] cycloaddition. The process can be monitored by absorption and fluorescence measurements. The Fréchet dendrons act as an energy funnel that collects and focuses the photon energy but does not change the photostationary states, which for both directions are completely on the product side when the separate chromophores are selectively irradiated.

The solution structure of stilbenoid dendrimers: a small-angle scattering study.

The spatial structure of a stilbenoid dendrimer is investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) in dilute solution. All measurements are performed in toluene. The dendrimer consists of a stilbenoid scaffold with appended hexyloxy chains.

Effect of donor-acceptor substitution on the nonlinear optical properties of oligo(1,4-phenyleneethynylene)s studied by third harmonic generation spectroscopy.

Third-harmonic generation (THG) spectroscopy was performed for oligo(1,4-phenyleneethynylene)s (OPEs) with terminal donor-acceptor (DA) substitution and compared to the results of merely donor substituted OPEs and regular OPE chains with 2,5-dipropoxy benzene rings. Both, extension of the conjugation and push-pull effect enhance the molecular hyperpolarizability gamma, even for the DAOPEs, which exhibit a hypsochromic shift of the long-wavelength absorption for increasing length L of the conjugated chain.

Acid-catalyzed cyclization of anthracenol derivatives to homotriptycenes.

10-Benzyl-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-ols, having high electron densities in the benzene ring, exhibit in the presence of acid a transannular ring closure to the corresponding homotriptycenes in almost quantitative yields. Since the starting compounds are easily accessible from 9(10H)-anthracenone, this process represents the most facile route to such pentacyclic systems. An electron-releasing methoxy group enables the intramolecular electrophilic substitution in its para position.