Cross-Linking Dendrimers with Allyl Ether End-Groups Using the Ring-Closing Metathesis Reaction

Multiarm star polymers based on thiol–ene photoclick cyclodextrin cores

Highly efficient synthesis of multifunctional initiators based on cyclodextrin (CD) cores was achieved by a thiol–ene photoclick strategy. They were successfully employed in a “core-first” approach to prepare multiarm star polymers via ATRP.

Olefin cross metathesis and ring-closing metathesis in polymer chemistry

The use of olefin cross metathesis in preparing functional polymers, through either pre-functionalisation of monomers or post-polymerisation functionalisation is growing in both scope and breadth, as discussed in this review article.

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years 2004-2011

Herein, we present a survey of the literature covering the development of molecular imprinting science and technology over the years 2004-2011. In total, 3779 references to the original papers, reviews, edited volumes and monographs from this period are included, along with recently identified uncited materials from prior to 2004, which were omitted in the first instalment of this series covering the years 1930-2003. In the presentation of the assembled references, a section presenting reviews and monographs covering the area is followed by sections describing fundamental aspects of molecular imprinting including the development of novel polymer formats. Thereafter, literature describing efforts to apply these polymeric materials to a range of application areas is presented. Current trends and areas of rapid development are discussed.

Molecular Chemistry to the Fore: New Insights into the Fascinating World of Photoactive Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals possess unique properties that are unmatched by other chromophores such as organic dyes or transition-metal complexes. These versatile building blocks have generated much scientific interest and found applications in bioimaging, tracking, lighting, lasing, photovoltaics, photocatalysis, thermoelectrics, and spintronics. Despite these advances, important challenges remain, notably how to produce semiconductor nanostructures with predetermined architecture, how to produce metastable semiconductor nanostructures that are hard to isolate by conventional syntheses, and how to control the degree of surface loading or valence per nanocrystal. Molecular chemists are very familiar with these issues and can use their expertise to help solve these challenges. In this Perspective, we present our group's recent work on bottom-up molecular control of nanoscale composition and morphology, low-temperature photochemical routes to semiconductor heterostructures and metastable phases, solar-to-chemical energy conversion with semiconductor-based photocatalysts, and controlled surface modification of colloidal semiconductors that bypasses ligand exchange.

Cross-linked hyperbranched polyglycerols as hosts for selective binding of guest molecules

The ring-closing metathesis reaction of dendrimers containing allyl ether end groups is known to rigidify them significantly. Herein we report that polyallylated hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) 1 complexes the sodium salt of rose Bengal in chloroform solution but releases it readily to water. In contrast, extensively cross-linking 1 with Grubbs catalyst provides 2 which similarly complexes rose Bengal, but does not release it despite 12 h of shaking with water. Both 1 and 2 also complex thymol blue and exhibit the same differential complex stability when extracted with water. Neither 1 nor 2 complex Congo red sodium salt and more weakly solubilize the cesium salt of rose Bengal and thymol blue. Larger loop size cross-linked analogs HPG 5 and 6 also bind rose Bengal (RB) and thymol blue and are able to bind Congo red, but both release the dye more readily when extracted with water. In addition, a bathochromic shift is observed in the UV spectra for complex 6.RB, suggesting a changed microenvironment for the dye due to a tighter binding of the counteranion. Dihydroxylation of the alkene groups in 1, 2, 5, and 6 produced HPGs 3, 4, 7, and 8, respectively. HPGs 3 and 4 are both water-soluble, but 7 and 8 were not and could not be studied further. In water, HPG 4 solubilized less than one nonpolar guest (Nimodipine, pyrene, or Nile red) per polymer at least in part because it forms very large aggregates. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) indicate aggregates with diameters of ca. 100 nm in pure water. The aggregates dissociated in high salt concentrations suggesting applications in stimuli responsive materials.