Poly(aryleneethynylene)s: Syntheses, Properties, Structures, and Applications

Phenylene ethynylene pentamers for organic electroluminescence

An isomeric family of eighteen triisopropylsilyl-capped phenylene ethynylene pentamers (molecular formula C60H62Si2) has been prepared by using fast parallel synthesis, for organic electroluminescence. Each pentamer was grown on a polymer support of propylaminomethylated polystyrene by using a series of palladium-catalysed reactions between aryl iodides and alkynes. "Tea bag" technology was used to carry out several different reactions simultaneously in the same flask. Here I present the syntheses of the materials, compare their photoluminescence both in solution and in the solid state (amorphous thin films) and describe the incorporation of the most promising pentamer into organic electroluminescence devices.

Synthesis and properties of a twistophane ion sensor: a new conjugated macrocyclic ligand for the spectroscopic detection of metal ions

The synthesis of a structurally new type of conjugated macrocyclic ligand (1) is reported that comprises a dehydroannulene framework incorporating two 2,2'-bipyridine units. Modeling studies showed the ligand to possess an unusual chirally twisted and relatively rigid architecture capable of binding metal ions in an enforced tetrahedral coordination geometry. The macrocycle was prepared in seven steps from (2-bromophenylethynyl)-trimethylsilane (2) and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The pyridine H3 protons in the 1H NMR spectrum of 1 showed a marked temperature dependencey that may be related to conformational opening and closing motions of the macrocyclic ring. Ligand 1 was found to spectroscopically detect the presence of Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ and, in particular, to function as a multiple readout sensor, giving different sequences of signal output depending upon the type of metal ion analyte with which the system was addressed. Macrocycle 1 also gave a highly characteristic and specific visual output response in the presence of Zn2+ consisting of a bright turquoise fluorescence and in this respect may find applications in the sensing of this biologically important metal ion.

Complexation of unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds in pi-conjugated polymers with transition metals

The present paper explores the possibility of preparing pi-conjugated organometallic polymer hybrid systems based on a poly(p-phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) derivative, in which the ethynylene moieties of the polymer are coordinated to platinum(II) centers. The use of the "bifunctional" [Pt-(mu-Cl)Cl(PhCH=CH(2))](2) (2) allows, under appropriate conditions, the formation of three-dimensionally cross-linked, conjugated PPE-platinum(II) networks. The synthesis of [Pt-(mu-Cl)Cl(PhC(triple bond)CPh)](2), as a model compound, and a series of model reactions of 2 with diphenylacetylene (3) have enabled an NMR study which has revealed a number of equilibria, and suggests a mixed Pt-styrene-acetylene complex as a key structure. As expected, the coordination of Pt markedly influences the photophysical characteristics of the PPE. The photoluminescence is efficiently quenched, and the absorption maximum in the visible regime experiences a hypsochromic shift upon complexation with 2.

Oligonucleotide-directed assembly of materials: defined oligomers

A nano-architectural system that has high variability while maintaining component specificity is described. Tetraphenylcyclobutadiene(cyclopentadienyl)cobalt complexes and phenyleneethynylene trimers were synthesized and subsequently modified with oligonucleotides utilizing standard phosphoramidite chemistry. The resulting oligonucleotide modified organics (OMOs) were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and phosphate analysis. Hybridization of these OMOs resulted in a series of self-assembled oligomeric hybrids of varying length and topology. These hybrids were characterized by melting temperature, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. This model system demonstrates the power of DNA to self-assemble modules of interest-independent of the module itself.

Conjugated organometallic polymers containing Vollhardt's cyclobutadiene complex: aggregation and morphologies

Organometallic polymers were prepared by acyclic diyne metathesis (ADIMET) or by Pd-catalyzed coupling of 1,3-diethynylcyclobutadiene(cyclopentadienyl)cobalt with a suitably substituted diiodobenzene. The polymers obtained by Heck coupling show a degree of polymerization (Pn) of 20-60. The monomers for ADIMET were made by the Pd-catalyzed coupling of [1,3-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)-2,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclobutadiene](cyclopentadienyl)cobalt to 1-bromo-2,5-dialkyl-4-propynylbenzenes in the presence of KOH in yields of 40-48%. The monomers carry hexyl, ethylhexyl, and (S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl side chains. Polymerization of the propynylated monomers furnishes organometallic polymers with a Pn of up to 230 arylene-ethynylene units. The polymers were fully characterized by polarizing microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). They show nematic, lyotropic liquid crystalline phases as well as chiroptical properties from which aggregation in poor solvents and in the solid state can be concluded. Lamellar or irregular honeycomb-shaped morphologies in these organometallic polymers can be detected by electron microscopy.