Synthesis and electro-optical properties of helical polyacetylenes carrying carbazole and triphenylamine moieties

Novel chiral acetylene monomers bearing carbazole and triphenylamine groups, namely, (S)-3-butyn-2-yl 2-(9-carbazolyl)ethyl carbonate (1) and (S)-3-butyn-2-yl 4-(diphenylamino)benzoate (2) were synthesized, and polymerized with Rh⁺(nbd)[η⁶-C₆H₅B⁻(C₆H₅)₃] catalyst to give the corresponding polymers with moderate molecular weights (M_n 13.0 × 10³ and 15.5 × 10³) in good yields (86% and 88%). CD spectroscopic studies revealed that poly(1) and poly(2) took predominantly one-handed helical structure in CHCl₃. The helical structures of poly(1) and poly(2) were very stable against heating and addition of MeOH. The solution of poly(1) and poly(2) emitted fluorescence in 0.52% and 7.2% quantum yields, which were lower than those of the corresponding monomers 1 and 2 (22.5% and 76.5%). The cyclic voltammograms of the polymers indicated that the oxidation potentials of the polymers were lower than those of the monomers. The polymers showed electrochromism and changed the color from pale yellow to pale blue by application of voltage, presumably caused by the formation of polaron at the carbazole and triphenylamine moieties. The onset temperatures of weight loss of poly(1) and poly(2) were 225 and 270 °C under air.     

Synthesis and properties of optically active substituted polyacetylenes having carboxyl and/or amino groups

Polyacetylenes having carboxyl and/or amino groups in the side chain were synthesized by the polymerization of N-(2-propynyloxycarbonyl)-l-alanine (1) and l-alanine N-propargylamide (2) catalyzed with a rhodium cation complex. Poly(1_0.5-co-2_0.5) exhibited a larger CD signal than the homopolymers. The polymer mixtures obtained by the polymerization of 1 in the presence of poly(2), and those obtained by the polymerization of 2 in the presence of poly(1) showed specific rotations larger than calculated. The polymerization of propargylamine in the presence of poly(1) did not exhibit significant effect, while the polymer mixtures obtained by the polymerization of propiolic acid in the presence of poly(2) exhibited [α]_D of positive sign, although poly(2) alone exhibited [α]_D of negative sign.     

Synthesis and properties of polyacetylenes containing carbazolylmethyl groups

Novel acetylene monomers containing carbazolymethyl groups, 3,5-bis[(3,6-di-t-butyl)carbazolylmethyl]-1-ethynylbenzene (1), 3-(3,6-di-t-butyl)carbazolylmethyl-1-ethynylbenzene (2), and 4-(3,6-di-t-butyl)carbazolylmethyl-1-ethynylbenzene (3) were synthesized, and polymerized with [(nbd)RhCl]₂-Et₃N, Rh⁺(nbd)[η⁶-C₆H₅B⁻(C₆H₅)₃], and WCl₆-n-Bu₄Sn catalysts. The corresponding polyacetylenes with number-average molecular weights ranging from 1600 to 115,000 were obtained in 18%-quantitative yields. The UV-vis absorption band edge wavelengths of the polymers obtained with W catalyst were longer than those of the Rh-based polymers. The photoluminescence quantum yields of the W-based polymers were 1.1-3.1%, while those of the Rh-based ones were 0.18-4.1%.     

Synthesis and properties of polyacetylenes carrying N-phenylcarbazole and triphenylamine moieties

Novel acetylene monomers containing N-phenyl-substituted carbazole (Cz) and triphenylamine (TPA) groups, namely, 3-ethynyl-9-phenylcarbazole (1) and p-(N,N-diphenylamino)phenylacetylene (2) were synthesized, and polymerized with several Rh-, W-, and Mo-based catalysts. Poly(1) and poly(2) with high number-average molecular weights (15?500-974?000) were obtained in good yields (77-97%), when [(nbd)RhCl]₂-Et₃N (nbd = norbornadiene) was used as a catalyst. The polymers exhibited UV-vis absorption peaks derived from the Cz and TPA moieties at 250-350 nm and polyacetylene backbone above 350 nm. The UV-vis absorption band edge wavelengths of the polymers were longer than those of the corresponding monomers. Poly(2) exhibited a UV-vis absorption peak at a longer wavelength than poly(1) did, which indicates that poly(2) has main chain conjugation longer than that of poly(1). The molecular weights and photoluminescence quantum yields of the polymers obtained by the polymerization using [(nbd)RhCl]₂-Et₃N were larger than those of the Rh⁺(nbd)[η⁶-C₆H₅B⁻(C₆H₅)₃]-based counterparts. The cyclic voltammograms of the polymers indicated that they had clear electrochemical properties; the onset oxidation voltage of poly(1) was higher than those of N-alkyl-substituted Cz derivatives. The polymers showed electrochromism and changed the color from pale yellow to blue by application of voltage, presumably caused by the formation of charged polaron at the Cz and TPA moieties. The temperatures for 5% weight loss of the polymers were around 350-420 °C under air, indicating the high thermal stability.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Polyacetylene with Side-chain Thiophene Functionality

A new polyacetylene derivative with electroactive thiophene substituent, namely poly(2-methylbut-2-enyl thiophene-3-carboxylate) was synthesized and characterized. For this purpose, novel acetylene monomer was synthesized by the reaction of 3-thiophenecarboxylic acid with propargyl bromide and polymerized with a Rh catalyst to give the corresponding polymer. The chemical structure of the polymer was characterized to comprise the conjugated backbone and electroactive thiophene side group. UV spectral changes of the polymer with temperature were also studied. The polymer exhibited better thermal stability than the unsubstituted polyacetylenes.     

Synthesis and characterization of optically active liquid crystalline polyacrylates containing mesogenic phenylbenzoate groups

A series of novel side chain liquid crystalline polyacrylates with pendant chiral groups were synthesized. It was found that monomers with electron releasing -OC₄H₉ terminal groups seem beneficial for the formation of liquid crystalline phases. Copolymerization of the monomers was carried out and the physical properties of the copolymers were investigated. All synthesized polymers revealed liquid crystalline phases and appeared highly thermally stable with decomposition temperatures (T_d) at 10% weight loss greater than 384 °C and about 50% weight loss occurred beyond 442 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. Two miscible chiral compounds were also synthesized and used as chiral dopants to induce cholesteric liquid crystalline phases of polymers. Liquid crystalline phases of the polymers were investigated using DSC and XRD, and confirmed with POM technique. The optical properties of the induced cholesteric liquid crystalline polymers were investigated using UV-vis spectrometer. The appearance and the color variation of the polymer films before and after UV irradiation were also investigated. Typical helical morphology of the cholesteric liquid crystalline film was analyzed by SEM technique.     

Synthesis and optically acid-sensory properties of novel polyoxadiazole derivatives

New organo-soluble and blue-emissive fluorene-based polyoxadiazoles, PFO_x and PFO_xEH, exhibit colorimetric and fluorescent acid-sensory properties to a strong acid due to the weak basicity of imine-type nitrogen atom(s) in an 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring. To further investigate their protonation with an acid, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and AM1 semiempirical quantum-mechanics are utilized as well as UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. These investigations indicate the protonation does not proceed thermodynamically but kinetically at the initial stage of the complex formation of an acid and an oxadiazole ring in the polymer backbone.     

Synthesis and properties of polyacetylenes having pendent phenylethynylcarbazolyl groups

Novel acetylene monomers substituted with phenylethynylcarbazolyl groups, 3-[(4-octylphenyl)ethynyl]-9-propargylcarbazole (1), 3,6-bis[(4-octylphenyl)ethynyl]-9-propargylcarbazole (2), 9-(4-ethynylphenyl)-3-[(4-octylphenyl)ethynyl]carbazole (3), and 9-(4-ethynylphenyl)-3,6-bis[(4-octylphenyl)ethynyl]carbazole (4) were synthesized, and polymerized with Rh⁺(nbd)[η⁶-C₆H₅B⁻(C₆H₅)₃] and WCl₆-n-Bu₄Sn catalysts. The corresponding polyacetylenes with number-average molecular weights ranging from 9200 to 94?000 were obtained in 20-98% yields. The IR spectra of the polymers revealed that acetylene polymerization took place at the terminal ethynyl group, while the ethynylene group remained intact. The UV-vis absorption band edge wavelengths of W-based poly(3) and poly(4) were longer than those of the other polymers. W-Based poly(4) emitted fluorescence with the highest quantum yield (41%). Poly(1) exhibited excimer-based fluorescence in dilute solution.     

Synthesis and properties of pyrene-functionalized polyacetylene. A stable helical polymer emitting fluorescence

Pyrene-functionalized chiral N-propargylamide, (R)-HC≡CCH₂NHCOCH(CH₃)O-1,4-C₆H₄-OCO(CH₂)₃-1-pyrenyl (1) was polymerized with (nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶-C₆H₅B⁻(C₆H₅)₃] as a catalyst to obtain the corresponding polymer with a moderate weight in a good yield. Poly(1) was soluble in CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, and THF. The polarimetric and CD spectroscopic data indicated that poly(1) existed in a helical structure with predominantly one-handed screw sense in these solvents. The helical structure was stable upon heating and addition of MeOH. Poly(1) showed very large excimer-based fluorescence compared with 1.     

Synthesis and properties of ornithine- and lysine-based poly(N-propargylamides). Responsiveness of the helical structure to acids

Ornithine- and lysine-based novel N-propargylamides, N-α-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-δ-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-l-ornithine-N′-propargylamide (1), N-α-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-?-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-l-lysine-N′-propargylamide (2), N-α-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-N-δ-tert-butoxycarbonyl-l-ornithine-N′-propargylamide (3), and N-α-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-N-?-tert-butoxycarbonyl-l-lysine-N′-propargylamide (4) were synthesized and polymerized with a rhodium catalyst. Polymers with moderate molecular weights were obtained in good yields. Poly(1)-poly(4) showed strong Cotton effects in THF, whose sign and wavelength depended on the substituents. They were satisfactorily converted into the corresponding polymers [poly(1a)-poly(4a)] with free amino groups. Poly(1a) and poly(2a) also formed a helix, while poly(3a) and poly(4a) did not. Poly(1a) and poly(2a) decreased the CD intensity by the addition of m- and o-phthalic acids.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermally curable polyacetylenes by polymerization of propargyl benzoxazine using rhodium catalyst

A novel acetylene monomer containing benzoxazine group was synthesized and polymerized with [(norbornadiene)rhodium(I) chloride]₂ ([(nbd)RhCl]₂) to give the corresponding polymer. The effect of triethylamine as co-catalyst in the polymerization was investigated. The spectral and thermal analyses confirmed the presence of benzoxazine functionality in the resulting polymer. It is shown that polyacetylene containing benzoxazine side groups undergoes irreversible cis–trans isomerization and thermally activated curing in the absence of any catalyst forming polyacetylene thermoset with high thermal stability.     

Synthesis and properties of novel fully conjugated polymers containing bithiazole rings

Two novel fully conjugated polymers containing bithiazole rings (PDDBTz and PDABTz) were first synthesized by polycondensation of 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene-1,8-dial with 2,2′-bis(diethylphosphinatyl methyl)-4,4′-bithizole or 2,2′-diamino-4,4′-bithiazole (DABT). The structure of the polymers was determined by IR, ¹H NMR and elemental analysis. PDDBTz is soluble in trifluoroacetic acid and DMSO, whereas PDABTz is soluble in common solvent such as THF, DMSO, DMF. Bithiazole rings were introduced to provide bidentate N-donor sites for binding metal ions. Their lanthanide metal complexes were prepared. The magnetic behavior of these polymeric complexes was measured as a function of magnetic field strength (0-60 kOe) at 4 K and as a function of temperature (4-300 K) at magnetic field strength of 30 kOe. The results show that they all exhibit features of soft ferromagnet.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence property of polyacetylenes containing liquid crystalline side groups

A series of new side-chain liquid crystalline (LC) polyacetylenes containing 4-(trans-n-alkylcyclohexanylcarbonyloxy)phenyl 4-alkynyloxybenzoate side groups were synthesized by using [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂, WCl₆ and MoCl₅ as polymerization catalysts. The synthesized polymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements. The monomers showed a nematic phase while all polymers revealed the nematic, smectic A and smectic C phases. X-ray diffraction measurements proved that all the polymers show an interdigitated bilayer structure. The optical properties of the polymers were investigated by UV-vis and photoluminescent spectroscopies. The polymer films emitted green-blue photoluminescence at about 500 nm.     

Novel optically active methacrylic polymers containing side-chain porphyrin moieties for chiral recognition

Novel optically active methacrylic homopolymers bearing in the side chain one or more chiral groups of one single configuration (l-lactic acid residue) linked to tetraphenylporphyrin have been successfully synthesized and fully characterized.These intrinsically chiral polymers exhibit remarkable thermal stability, with glass transition temperature in the range 250-315 °C and decomposition temperatures in the range 360-390 °C. Spectroscopic, thermal and chiroptical characterizations indicate the occurrence of dipolar interactions among the side chain moieties and the presence of chiral helix conformation at least for chain segments of the macromolecules.The macromolecular Zinc-porphyrin material resulted capable to bind optically active α,ω-diamine guests through nitrogen/zinc coordination to form complexes exhibiting exciton-coupled bisignate Circular Dichroism (CD) spectra with signs related to the absolute configuration of the guest compound. This behavior is due to the formation of diastereomeric complexes which lead to a preferred porphyrin helicity, at least for chain segments. The method turns out to be very sensitive, requiring only few micrograms of guest compound.     

Temperature and light sensitive copolymers containing azobenzene moieties prepared via a polymer analogous reaction

Four different series of polyacrylamides containing different amounts of azobenzene moieties have been synthesized via a polymer analogous reaction of poly(pentafluorophenylacrylate) (PPFPA). All copolymers were designed to exhibit a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in aqueous solution, which was dependent on (i) the amount of incorporated chromophoric azobenzene groups and (ii) the isomerization state of the respective azobenzene group. Higher LCST values were measured for UV-irradiated solutions of the copolymers in comparison to the non-irradiated copolymer solutions. A maximum difference in the LCST of up to 7 °C was found for the copolymer poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) containing 8.5 mol% of azobenzene groups. Within this temperature range, a reversible solubility change of the copolymer could be induced by irradiation with light.     

Synthesis and properties of helical polyacetylenes containing carbazole

Novel acetylene monomers containing carbazole with chiral menthyl and bornyl groups, 9-(1R,2S,5R)-menthyloxycarbonyl-2-ethynylcarbazole (1), 9-(1S,2R,5S)-menthyloxycarbonyl-2-ethynylcarbazole (2), 9-(1R,2S,5R)-menthyloxycarbonyl-3-ethynylcarbazole (3) and 9-(1S)-bornyloxycarbonyl-2-ethynylcarbazole (4) were synthesized and polymerized with a Rh catalyst to give the corresponding polymers [poly(1)-poly(4)] with moderate M_n value of (11.5-92.2) × 10³ in good yields (77-89%). CD spectroscopic studies revealed that poly(1), poly(2) and poly(4) took predominantly one-handed helical structure in CHCl₃, THF, toluene, and CH₂Cl₂, while poly(3) did not. Addition of methanol to CHCl₃ solutions of poly(1) and poly(2) resulted in the formation of aggregates showing smaller CD signals at 275 and 320 nm. The helical structure of poly(1) and poly(2) was very stable against heating. The polymers emitted fluorescence in 0.40-2.90% quantum yields. Poly(4) exhibited an obvious oxidation peak at 1.10 V. The polymers were thermally stable below 300 °C.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of optically active polymers containing oxime groups

Optically active polymers containing oxime groups have been prepared: (i) by partial quaternization of poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) with phenacyloxime bromide and with (+)-(S)-1-bromo-2-methylbutane; and (ii) by reaction of the copolymer from 4VP and (+)-(S)-5-methyl-1-hepten-3-one with hydroxylamine. These polymers have been used as catalysts for the esterolysis of esters of p-nitrophenol with non-chiral and with chiral acids. The kinetic parameters of the catalytic process are markedly dependent on the structure of polymer and substrate. A moderate chiral discrimination of the antipodes of p-nitrophenyl 2-methylbutanoate is observed with the catalyst obtained from the copolymer of 4VP with (+)-(S)-5-methyl-1-hepten-3-one.     

Synthesis, thermal and optical properties of liquid crystalline terpolymers containing azobenzene and dye moieties

The synthesis, thermal properties and photochemical and photophysical studies of new azopolymers are described. These polymers contain three different types of monomer, each of which is mainly responsible for a particular function: A mesogenic benzanilide, a photochromic azobenzene and a dye unit (a benzoxazole, an anthracene or a stilbene derivative). This approach provides liquid crystalline terpolymers with different spectral properties and with the potential ability to be photoaligned by irradiation and thermotropic self-organization. The polymers have been prepared by random radical polymerisation of the corresponding methacrylate-fucntionalised units. All of the materials show good thermal stability and liquid crystalline behaviour, displaying smectic A or nematic mesophases. Optical properties of the polymers in solution display additive bands in the absorbance spectrum and luminescent properties in the emission region of the individual dye monomers. However, films of these polymers are not luminescent. A study of the absorption and redox properties of the dyes has been performed in order to evaluate the quenching process in the polymers.     

Synthesis,helical conformation,and infrared emissivity property study of optically active substituted polyacetylenes derived from serine

Serine‐based monosubstituted acetylene monomers were synthesized and polymerized with rhodium zwitterion catalyst in THF to afford optically active polyacetylene derivatives (LPA and DPA) and corresponding racemic polyacetylenes (RPA) with moderate molecular weights in good yields. All of the substituted polyacetylenes (SPA) were characterized by FT‐IR, NMR, GPC, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and TGA. LPA and DPA were soluble in common organic solvents and possessed single‐handed helical conformation according to their intense Cotton effect and large specific rotations, while RPA presented random coiled polymer chain. The characterization results showed that helical structure of these SPAs was stabilized by intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the substituents which played a significant role in creating and maintaining the helix. Further, the infrared emissivity properties of them at wavelength of 8 to 14 μm were investigated at room temperature. Consequently, the LPA and DPA exhibited lower infrared emissivity values than RPA, which came down to 0.632 and 0.616. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41210.