Direct (hetero)arylation polymerization for the synthesis of donor–acceptor conjugated polymers based on N‐benzoyldithieno [3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole and diketopyrrolopyrrole toward organic photovoltaic cell application

In this research, new donor–acceptor (D‐A) photovoltaic polymers were synthesized from dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole electron donor derivatives, including N‐benzoyldithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole and N‐(4‐hexylbenzoyl)dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole, in combination with the electron deficient unit 2,5‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐3,6‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐dihydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione via direct (hetero)arylation polymerization. The D‐A conjugated polymers obtained were characterized via ¹H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, DSC, XRD, photoluminescence and UV–visible methods. In addition, these D‐A polymers were used as activated layers in bilayer and bulk heterojunction structures for the fabrication of organic photovoltaic cells. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Novel poly(3,4‐dialkoxythiophene)s carrying 1,3,4‐oxadiazolyl‐biphenyl moieties: synthesis and nonlinear optical studies

Two new donor–acceptor types of polymer, poly{2‐(biphenyl‐4‐yl)‐5‐[3,4‐dialkoxy‐5‐(1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole}s, were synthesized starting from 2,2′‐sulfanediyldiacetic acid and diethyl ethanedioate through multi‐step reactions. The polymerization was carried out via the polyhydrazide precursor route. The optical and charge‐transporting properties of the polymers were investigated using UV‐visible and fluorescence emission spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric studies. The polymers showed bluish‐green fluorescence in solutions. The electrochemical band gaps of the polymers were determined to be 2.16 and 2.22 eV. The nonlinear optical properties of the polymers were investigated at 532 nm using the single‐beam Z‐scan technique with nanosecond laser pulses. The polymers showed strong optical limiting behaviour due to effective three‐photon absorption. The values of the three‐photon absorption coefficients for the polymers were found to be 9 × 10^?24 and 17 × 10^?24 m³ W^?2, which are comparable to those of good optical limiting materials. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,characterization, metal sorption,and biological activity of poly(N‐heterocylic acrylamide)

N‐heterocyclic acrylamide monomers were prepared and then transferred to the corresponding polymers to be used as an efficient chelating agent. Polymers reacted with metal nitrate salts (Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺_, Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺_, Fe²⁺) at 150°C to give metal‐polymer complexes. The selectivity of the metal ions using prepared polymers from an aqueous mixture containing different metal ion sreflected that the polymer having thiazolyl moiety more selective than that containing imidazolyl or pyridinyl moieties. Ion selectivity of poly[N‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)acrylamide] showed higher selectivity to many ions e.g. Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺. While, that of poly[N‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)acrylamide] is found to be high selective to Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ only. Energy dispersive spectroscopy measurements, morphology of the polymers and their metallopolymer complexes, thermal analysis and antimicrobial activity were studied. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42712.     

Synthese des 5‐[(Acetylhydrazono)‐(4‐chlorphenyl)‐methyl]thiophen‐2‐yl‐esters der Trifluormethansulfonsäure

The synthesis of 5‐[(acetylhydrazono)‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐methyl]thiophen‐2‐yl ester of the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid ( 2a ) and its N‐methyl derivative 2b was attempted. Oxidation of 2‐thiophene boronic acid to 2‐hydroxythiophene and in situ reaction there of with triflic anhydride yielded the hitherto unknown thiophene‐2‐yl ester of the trifluormethanesulfonic acid ( 6 ) which was transformed under Friedel‐Crafts conditions into 5‐(4‐chlorobenzoyl)‐thiophene‐2‐yl ester of the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid ( 3 ). Reaction of 3 with acetyl hydrazine resulted in the formation of the title compound 2a , albeit in low yield. The conversion of N′‐[(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐methylen]‐N‐methylhydrazide ( 4b ) via boronic acid into 5‐[(acetylmethylhydrazono)‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐methyl]thiophen‐2‐yl ester of the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid ( 2b ) was not successful.     

Free radical kinetics of N‐methyl N‐vinyl acetamide polymerization at low conversions in aqueous media

N‐methyl N‐vinyl acetamide (NMNVA) monomer was polymerized at low conversions and its free radical kinetics were detailed using capillary dilatometry. The polymerizations were conducted isothermally, at 40°C using 2,2′‐azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl) propane dihydrochloride] (ABDH) as initiator. Monomer concentration and initiator concentration ranges were 1.10–1.70 mol · L⁻¹ and 1–4 mmol · L⁻¹, respectively. The aqueous polymerization media were kept at neutral pH. The rates of polymerization (R_p) and orders of reaction with respect to NMNVA and ABDH concentrations were evaluated and the kinetic expression was found to be ideal, with R_p ∝ [NMNVA]^1.07 [ABDH]^0.61. The polymers obtained were characterized by their viscosity numbers and correlation of viscosity average molecular weights was made with the amount of ABDH initiator. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 337–341, 2001     

Thiophene π‐bridge effect on photovoltaic performances of dithienosilole and bithiazole backboned polymers

In this article, two dithienosilole (DTS) and bithiazole (BTz) backboned donor–acceptor (D‐A) copolymers with (poly{5‐(5‐(4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐silolo[3,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophen‐2‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐4,4'‐dinonyl‐5'‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,2'‐bithiazole} (PDTS‐DTBTz)) and without (poly{5‐(4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐silolo[3,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophen‐2‐yl)‐4,4'‐dinonyl‐2,2'‐bithiazole} (PDTS‐BTz)) thiophene π‐bridge were synthesized to study the influence of thiophene π‐bridge on their photovoltaic performances. Both polymers show similar band gap, but polymer with thiophene π‐bridge (PDTS‐DTBTz) has a higher molecular weight, narrower polydispersity index (PDI), more planar geometry, higher crystallinity, higher hole mobility, and better miscibility with fullerene (polymer solar cells (PSCs) acceptor). Although PDTS‐BTz polymer based PSCs devices show higher open circuit voltage (V_oc), PDTS‐DTBTz polymer does show higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) with improved short circuit current density (J_sc) and fill factor (FF). The present results indicate that thiophene π‐bridge does contribute to the PSCs performances of dithienosilole and bithiazole backboned copolymer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42798.     

Controllable preparation and near infrared optical limiting properties of fluorene‐containing polyacetylenes

Two novel fluorene functionalized polyacetylenes with different conjugation bridge architectures (stilbene and azobenzene), poly[2‐[4‐vinyl‐4′‐(N‐methyl, N‐ethyl‐yl propargyloxy) phenyl azo]‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene] ( PC1 ), poly[2‐[4‐vinyl‐4′‐(N‐methyl, N‐ethyl‐yl propargyl group) stilbene ethenyl]‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene] ( PC2 ), were designed and prepared through using [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂‐Et₃N as the catalysts, respectively. These polymers are soluble in common organic solvents, such as toluene, chloroform, 1,2‐dichloromethane, and tetrahydrofuran, which their structures and properties were systematically characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analyses, UV–vis, photoluminescence, thermogravimetric analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and Z‐scan technique. The optical limiting properties were investigated at 780 nm with 450 fs laser pulses. Remarkably, it is expected that, by incorporation of fluorene into functional polyacetylene has endowed the resultant polymers with well optical limiting properties and thermal stability. Additionally, the nonlinear optical properties of functionalized polyacetylenes were significantly affected by different molecular structure of conjugated bridge of substituted group. The polyacetylenes with azobenzene ( PC2 ) conjugated bridge displaying well two‐photon absorption cross‐sections of 3950 cm/GM (2010 cm/GM for PC1 containing stilbene), owning to stronger π‐conjugated chromophores of objective polymer and intramolecular charge transfer effect. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46100.     

New low bandgap conjugated polymer derived from 2, 7‐carbazole and 5, 6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4, 7‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl) benzothiadiazole: Synthesis and photovoltaic properties

To develop conjugated polymers with low bandgap, deep HOMO level, and good solubility, a new conjugated alternating copolymer PC‐DODTBT based on N‐9′‐heptadecanyl‐2,7‐carbazole and 5, 6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)benzothiadiazole was synthesized by Suzuki cross‐coupling polymerization reaction. The polymer reveals excellent solubility and thermal stability with the decomposition temperature (5% weight loss) of 327°C. The HOMO level of PC‐DODTBT is ‐5.11 eV, indicating that the polymer has relatively deep HOMO level. The hole mobility of PC‐DODTBT as deduced from SCLC method was found to be 2.03 × 10^?4 cm²/Versus Polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on the blends of PC‐DODTBT and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) with a weight ratio of 1:2.5 were fabricated. Under AM 1.5 (AM, air mass), 100 mW/cm^?2 illumination, the devices were found to exhibit an open‐circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.73 V, short‐circuit current density (J_sc) of 5.63 mA/cm^?2, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.44%. This photovoltaic performance indicates that the copolymer is promising for polymer solar cells applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Studies on polyurethanes and polyurethane–ureas derived from divalent metal salts of mono(hydroxybutyl) hexolate

Divalent metal salts of mono(hydroxybutyl)hexolate [M(HBH)₂), M=Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺or Pb²⁺] were synthesized by the reaction of 1,4‐butanediol, 5,6,7,8,10,10‐hexachloro‐3a,4,4a,5,8,8a,9,9a‐octahydro‐5,8‐methanonaphtho‐[2,3‐C]‐furan‐1,3‐dione and divalent metal acetates. Hexamethylene bis [N′‐(1‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐prop‐2‐yl)urea] (HBHMPU) and tolylene 2,4‐bis[N ′‐(1‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐prop‐2‐yl)urea] (TBHMPU) were synthesized by reacting 2‐amino‐2‐methyl‐propan‐1‐ol with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) and tolylene 2,4‐diisocyanate (TDI), respectively, in toluene solvent. Flame‐retardant metal‐containing polyurethanes were synthesized by the solution polymerization of HMDI with M(HBH)₂ and the polyurethane–ureas by reacting HMDI with 1:1 mixture of M(HBH)₂ and HBHMPU or TBHMPU, respectively, in DMSO as solvent. The polymers have been characterized by elemental analysis, solubility, viscosity and IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the polymers has been studied by thermogravimetry. The flame‐retardant property of the polymers has been investigated by measuring limiting oxygen index values. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

(Meth)acrylate liquid crystalline polymers for membrane applications

Synthesis and characterization of a series of linear copolymers with liquid crystalline side chains is reported. Methacrylate monomers containing cyanobiphenyl as a mesogenic group were prepared. These monomers were then copolymerized with 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate in varying molar ratios. The structure and composition of the monomers and corresponding polymers were determined by ¹H‐NMR, elemental analysis and size‐exclusion chromatography. Thermal properties of the polymers were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and X‐ray scattering techniques. Increasing mesogen content resulted in an increase of the glass transition temperature of the copolymers. In addition, above a threshold mesogen content the copolymers exhibited smectic mesophases. Using a solution casting technique, a membrane was fabricated to study single gas transport behaviors. Permeabilities, were in the order of CO₂ > propylene > O₂ > N₂ > CH₄ > propane. Diffusion coefficients correlated well to Lenard–Jones Diameter. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42694.     

Synthesis of novel poly(vinyl ether)s containing the oxybenzylidenemalononitrile group as a nonlinear optical chromophore,and their electro‐optic properties

2,4‐Di‐(2′,2′‐dicyanovinyl)‐1‐(2′‐vinyloxyethoxy)benzene and 2,4‐di‐(2′‐carbomethoxy‐2′‐cyanovinyl)‐1‐(2′‐vinyloxyethoxy)benzene were prepared by condensation of 4‐(2′‐vinyloxyethoxy)isophthaldehyde with malononitrile and methyl cyanoacetate, respectively. The two vinyl monomers were polymerized with boron trifluoride etherate as a cationic initiator to yield poly(vinyl ether)s containing two oxybenzylidenemalononitrile and oxybenzylidenecyanoacetate groups, which are effective chromophores for second‐order nonlinear optical applications. These polymers were soluble in common organic solvents such as acetone and dimethyl sulforide. They showed thermal stabilities up to 300 °C from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), with differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) thermograms giving T_g values in the range 73–87 °C. The second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficients (d₃₃) of poled polymer films were around 1.8 × 10^?9 esu, and these polymers showed good long‐term thermal stability for 60 days at room temperature, which is acceptable for nonlinear optical (NLO) device applications. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polyphenol species derived from bis(4‐aminophenyl)ether: Substituent effects on thermal behavior,electrical conductivity,solubility, and optical band gap

In this study, four different Schiff bases namely 4,4′‐oxybis[N‐(2‐hydroxybenzilidene)aniline] (2‐HBA), 4,4′‐oxybis[N‐(4‐hydroxybenzilidene)aniline] (4‐HBA), 4,4′‐oxybis[N‐(3,4‐dihydroxybenzilidene)aniline] (3,4‐HBA), and 4,4′‐oxybis[N‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzilidene)aniline] (HMBA) were synthesized. These Schiff bases were converted to their polymers that have generate names of poly‐4,4′‐oxybis[N‐(2‐hydroxybenzilidene)aniline] (P‐2‐HBA), poly‐4,4′‐oxybis[N‐(4‐hydroxybenzilidene)aniline] (P‐4‐HBA), poly‐4,4′‐oxybis[N‐(3,4‐dihydroxybenzilidene)aniline] (P‐3,4‐HBA), and poly‐4,4′‐oxybis[N‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzilidene)aniline] (PHMBA) via oxidative polycondensation reaction by using NaOCl as the oxidant. Four different metal complexes were also synthesized from 2‐HBA and P‐2‐HBA. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by FTIR, UV‐vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR analyses. According to ¹H NMR spectra, the polymerization of the 2‐HBA and 4‐HBA largely maintained with C? O? C coupling, whereas the polymerization of the 3,4‐HBA and HMBA largely maintained with C? C coupling. The characterization was made by TG‐DTA, size exclusion chromatography and solubility tests. Also, electrical conductivity of the polymers and the metal complex compounds were measured, showing that the synthesized polymers are semiconductors and their conductivities can be increased highly via doping with iodine ions (except PHMBA). According to UV–vis measurements, the optical band gaps (E_g) were found to be 3.15, 2.06, 3.23, 3.02, 2.61, 2.47, 2.64, 2.42, 2.83, 2.77, 2.78, and 2.78 for 2‐HBA, P‐2‐HBA, 4‐HBA, P‐4‐HBA, 3,4‐HBA, P‐3,4‐HBA, HMBA, PHMBA, 2‐HBA‐Cu, 2‐HBA‐Co, P‐2‐HBA‐Cu, and P‐2‐HBA‐Co, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Optically active helical vinyl polymers via radical polymerization of (S)‐3‐vinyl‐2,2′‐bisalkoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl

(S)‐3‐Vinyl‐2,2′‐bisalkoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl ( 3 ) was synthesized via the Wittig reaction. Radical polymerization of all the monomers can take place smoothly in the temperature region tested. These polymers (poly‐ 3 ) showed very large specific optical rotations which were four times as large as those of the corresponding monomers 3 . Poly‐ 3 displayed optical rotations and Cotton effects in the UV?visible absorption region of side groups which were different from the corresponding monomers 3 and the model compounds (S)‐3‐ethyl‐2,2′‐bisalkoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl ( 4 ). These facts imply the formation of helicity of the main chain and the helical conformations were quite stable demonstrated by the unchanged pattern of temperature variable circular dichroism spectra. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Diallyl‐1,12‐diaminododecane‐based cyclopolymers and their use as inhibitors for mild steel corrosion

A variety of N,N‐diallyl compounds, capable of undergoing cyclopolymerization, are prepared from 1,12‐dodecanediamine. Selective monoformylation followed by allylation of the parent diamine afforded N,N‐diallyl‐N′‐formyl‐1,12‐dodecanediamine which was converted into quaternary ammonium monomers N,N‐diallyl‐N‐benzyl (or p‐methoxybenzyl)‐N′‐formyl‐1,12‐dodecanediamine by reacting with benzyl‐ or p‐methoxybenzyl chloride. The monomers on homo‐ and co‐cyclopolymerization (with SO₂) afforded the cationic polyelectrolytes which on acidic hydrolysis of the formyl group gave water‐soluble polyelctrolytes. All the synthesized monomers, polymers, and the starting 1,12‐dodecanediamine were used to study the corrosion inhibition of mild steel by gravimetry and electrochemical methods in acidic and saline media at 60°C. The inhibitor molecules (at a concentration of 400 ppm) exhibited inhibition efficiencies (%IE) in the ranges 62%–99% in 1 M HCl, 95%–99% in 4 M HCl, 13%–91% in 7.7 M HCl, 13%–91% in 0.5 M H₂SO₄, and 75%–90% in 3.5% NaCl. There is a dramatic increase in the IEs by the monomers and polymers in comparison to the parent diamine. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Copolymerization of 1‐oxo‐2,6,7‐trioxa‐1‐phorsphabicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐4‐yl methyl acrylate and (10‐oxo‐10‐hydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐yl) methyl acrylate with styrene and their thermal degradation characteristics

Two phosphorus‐containing acrylates of 1‐oxo‐2,6,7‐trioxa‐1‐phorsphabicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐4‐yl methyl acrylate and (10‐oxo‐10‐hydro‐9‐oxa‐10λ⁵‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐yl) methyl acrylate were free‐radical‐copolymerized with styrene (St). The r₁ reactivity ratio values (related to the novel acrylates) were 0.342 and 0.225, respectively, and the r₂ reactivity ratio values (related to St) were 0.432 and 0.503, respectively. The thermal stability of the copolymers was tested by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in N₂ or air, and the ignitability was tested by measurements of UL‐94 vertical combustion tests and the limiting oxygen index. The results of TGA and combustion tests indicated that the effect of flame retardancy was determined by the nature of the phosphorus‐containing substituent. Compared with the 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide based group, the 1‐oxo‐2,6,7‐trioxa‐1‐phorsphabicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐4‐yl methol based group could enhance the ability of char formation with an antidripping effect. It is concluded that phosphorus‐containing acrylates are potential flame‐retarding monomers for styrenic polymers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis and spectroelectrochemistry of dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole derivatives

New π‐conjugated polymers containing dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole (DTP) were successfully synthesized via electropolymerization. The effect of structural differences on the electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of the 4‐[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl]aniline (DTP–aryl–NH₂), 10‐[4H‐dithiyeno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pirol‐4‐il]dekan‐1‐amine (DTP–alkyl–NH₂), and 1,10‐bis[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl] decane (DTP–alkyl–DTP) were investigated. The corresponding polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, NMR (¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Changes in the electronic nature of the functional groups led to variations in the electrochemical properties of the π‐conjugated systems. The electroactive polymer films revealed redox couples and exhibited electrochromic behavior. The replacement of the DTP–alkyl–DTP unit with DTP–aryl–NH₂ and DTP–alkyl–NH₂ resulted in a lower oxidation potential. Both the poly(10‐(4H‐Dithiyeno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pirol‐4‐il)dekan‐1‐amin) (poly(DTP–alkyl–NH₂)) and poly(1,10‐bis(4H‐dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrol‐4‐yl) decane) (poly(DTP–alkyl–DTP)) films showed multicolor electrochromism and also fast switching times (<1 s) in the visible and near infrared regions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40701.     

Fluorene‐based conjugated polymer with tethered thymines: click postpolymerization synthesis and optical response to mercury(II)

A kind of fluorene‐based conjugated polymer with tethered thymine (T) groups {poly[(9,9‐dioctyl)‐2,7‐fluorene‐{9,9‐dioctyl‐4–1,2,3‐triazol‐[5‐(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran‐2‐yl]‐5‐methylpyrimidine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione}‐2,7‐fluorene]‐co‐[(9,9‐dioctyl)‐2,7‐fluorene‐4,7‐bis(5‐thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo‐2,1,3‐thiadiazole] ( P‐3 )} was successfully synthesized by a Cu(I)‐catalyzed click reaction between the acetylene‐substituted polymer precursor {poly[(9,9‐dioctyl)‐2,7‐fluorene‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐4‐phenylacetylene fluorene)]‐co‐[(9,9‐dioctyl)‐2,7‐fluorene‐4,7‐bis(5‐thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo‐2,1,3‐thiadiazole]} and 3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine. The chemical structures of the intermediates and target polymer were verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H‐NMR analyses. The specific binding with Hg²⁺ of P‐3 was corroborated by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence analyses against other metal ions. The results show that P‐3 possessed selectivity and sensitivity toward Hg²⁺. Around 77% of photoluminescence intensity of P‐3 was quenched when the concentration of Hg²⁺ reached 7.7 × 10^?4 M and with a detection limit in the range of about 4.8 μM. A comparison experiment suggested that a synergic effect of the tethered T and S atoms interrelated with Hg²⁺ existed in P‐3 . Most of the fluorescence intensity of P‐3 was recovered upon the addition of iodide anions to the P‐3 /Hg²⁺ complex; this suggested that P‐3 could be used as a potential reversible optical Hg²⁺ probe. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Shape memory polymers based on uniform aliphatic urethane networks

Aliphatic urethane polymers have been synthesized and characterized, using monomers with high molecular symmetry, to form amorphous networks with very uniform supermolecular structures, which can be used as photo‐thermally actuable shape memory polymers (SMPs). The monomers used include hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), trimethylhexamethylenediamine (TMHDI), N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine (HPED), triethanolamine (TEA), and 1,3‐butanediol (BD). The new polymers were characterized by solvent extraction, NMR, XPS, UV/VIS, DSC, DMTA, and tensile testing. The resulting polymers were found to be single phase amorphous networks with very high gel fraction, excellent optical clarity, and extremely sharp single glass transitions in the range of 34–153°C. Thermomechanical testing of these materials confirms their excellent shape memory behavior, high recovery force, and low mechanical hysteresis (especially on multiple cycles), effectively behaving as ideal elastomers above T_g. We believe these materials represent a new and potentially important class of SMPs, and should be especially useful in applications such as biomedical microdevices. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Structural Optimization of Berberine as a Synergist to Restore Antifungal Activity of Fluconazole against Drug‐Resistant Candida albicans

We have conducted systematic structural modification, deconstruction, and reconstruction of the berberine core with the aim of lowering its cytotoxicity, investigating its pharmacophore, and ultimately, seeking novel synergistic agents to restore the effectiveness of fluconazole against fluconazole‐resistant Candida albicans. A structure–activity relationship study of 95 analogues led us to identify the novel scaffold of N‐(2‐(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl)ethyl)‐2‐(substituted phenyl)acetamides 7 a – l , which exhibited remarkable levels of in vitro synergistic antifungal activity. Compound 7 d (N‐(2‐(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl)ethyl)‐2‐(2‐fluorophenyl)acetamide) significantly decreased the MIC₈₀ values of fluconazole from 128.0 μg mL^?1 to 0.5 μg mL^?1 against fluconazole‐resistant C. albicans and exhibited much lower levels of cytotoxicity than berberine toward human umbilical vein endothelial cells.     

Synthesis and characterization of main‐chain,second‐order,nonlinear optical polyurethanes with isolation moieties and zigzag structures

In this study, two main‐chain second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) polyurethanes were successfully prepared with indole‐based chromophores. The introduced phenyl isolation group and the continuous zigzag polymer backbone were found to be helpful for effectively decreasing the intermolecular dipole–dipole interactions and enhancing the NLO properties of the resulting polymers. The studied polymers exhibited good optical transparency, high thermal stability, and excellent NLO effects; this indicated that the nonlinearity–stability trade‐off and nonlinearity–transparency trade‐off could be alleviated by this newly designed polymer system. Poly{4‐anilinocarbonyl[N‐ethoxyl‐5‐phenyl‐3‐azo(2′‐oxyethylene‐4′‐nitrobenzene)indole]carbonylimino} with a zigzag backbone showed a large second harmonic generation coefficient (d₃₃) value of 88.4 pm/V. However, poly{5‐naphthyliminocarbonyl[N‐ethoxyl‐5‐phenyl‐3‐azo(2′‐oxyethylene‐4′‐nitrobenzene)indole]carbonylimino} (PUAZN) with a continuous zigzag structure exhibited a higher d₃₃ value of 116.2 pm/V, which was attributed to the unique rigid and zigzag linkage of 1,5‐naphthalene as the isolation spacer. The enhanced NLO efficiency and relatively longer term temporal stability made PUAZN as a promising candidate for practical applications in photonic devices. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42974.