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Herein we devise and execute a new synthesis of a pristine boron-doped nanographene. Our target boron-doped nanographene was designed based on DFT calculations to possess a low LUMO energy level and a narrow band gap derived from its precise geometry and B-doping arrangement. Our synthesis of this target, a doubly B-doped hexabenzopentacene (B\(_{2}\)-HBP), employs six net C−H borylations of an alkene, comprising consecutive hydroboration/electrophilic borylation/dehydrogenation and BBr\(_{3}\)/AlCl\(_{3}\)/2,6-dichloropyridine-mediated C−H borylation steps. As predicted by our calculations, B\(_{2}\)-HBP absorbs strongly in the visible region and emits in the NIR up to 1150 nm in o-dichlorobenzene solutions. Furthermore, B\(_{2}\)-HBP possesses a very low LUMO level, showing two reversible reductions at −1.00 V and −1.17 V vs. Fc\(^{+}\)/Fc. Our methodology is surprisingly selective despite its implementation of unfunctionalized precursors and offers a new approach to the synthesis of pristine B-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
We investigated the folding kinetics of G‐quadruplex (G4) structures by comparing the K\(^{+}\)‐induced folding of an RNA G4 derived from the human telomeric repeat‐containing RNA (TERRA25) with a sequence homologous DNA G4 (wtTel25) using CD spectroscopy and real‐time NMR spectroscopy. While DNA G4 folding is biphasic, reveals kinetic partitioning and involves kinetically favoured off‐pathway intermediates, RNA G4 folding is faster and monophasic. The differences in kinetics are correlated to the differences in the folded conformations of RNA vs. DNA G4s, in particular with regard to the conformation around the glycosidic torsion angle χ that uniformly adopts anti conformations for RNA G4s and both, syn and anti conformation for DNA G4s. Modified DNA G4s with \(^{19}\)F bound to C2′ in arabino configuration adopt exclusively anti conformations for χ. These fluoro‐modified DNA (antiTel25) reveal faster folding kinetics and monomorphic conformations similar to RNA G4s, suggesting the correlation between folding kinetics and pathways with differences in χ angle preferences in DNA and RNA, respectively.
n this work the synthesis and analysis of chromophore functionalized spherical gold nanoparticles is presented. The optical, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of these hybrid materials are furthermore studied. The work therefore is divided into two parts. The first part deals with triarylamine and PCTM-radical functionalized gold nanoparticles. The focus thereby was on the synthesis and on the investigations of chromophore-chromophore interactions and gold core-chromophore interactions. The chromopores, especially triarylamines, were attached to the gold core via different bridging units and were studied with optical and electrochemical methods. The purity and dimensions of the nanoparticles was determined by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), TGA, XPS and STEM. Furthermore a cyclic voltammetry technique was used to determine the composition of the particles via the Randles-Sevcik equation. An analysis of these parameters led to a model of a sea urchin-shaped nanoparticle. Optical measurements of the particles revealed an anisotropic absorption behavior of the triarylamine units due to gold core-chromophore interaction. However this behavior depends strongly on the relative orientation of the transition dipole moment of the chromophore to the gold surface and the distance of the chromophore to the surface. Hence, the anisotropic behavior was exclusively detected in the spectra of the Au-Tara1 particles. The short and rigid pi-conjugated bridging unit thereby facilitates this gold core-chromophore interaction. It was shown from electrochemical investigations that the triarylamine units can be chemically reversibly oxidized to the triarylamine monoradical cation. Furthermore, the measurements revealed a strong interligand triarylamine-triarylamine interaction which was only seen for the Au-Tara1 particles. The long pi-conjugated bridging units of the Au-Tara2 and Au-Tara3 particles as well as the aliphatic bridging unit of Au-Tara4 prevent any detectable interligand interactions. One may conclude that both the gold core-chromophore and the interligand triarylamine-triarylamine interaction depend on the length and the rigidity of the bridging unit. The electron transfer behavior of the triarylamine units adsorbed onto the gold core was additionally studied via spectroelectrochemical (SEC) measurements which are able to reveal weaker interactions. The investigations of Au-Tara1 and Au-Tara2 revealed a significant strong coupling between neighboring triarylamine units which is due to through-space intervalence interactions. This behavior was not detected for Au-Tara3 or for Au-Tara4. The SEC analysis also revealed that these observed interligand interactions depend on the length and the rigidity of the bridging unit. Thus, the systematic variation of the bridging unit gave a basic insight in the optical and electrochemical properties of triarylamines, located in the vicinity of a gold nanoparticle. The second part of this work aimed at the synthesis of new molecules, denoted as SERS-markers, for immuno SERS applications. For this purpose, the SERS-markers were designed to have a Raman-active unit and a thiol group for chemisorptions to Au/Ag nanoshells. In cooperation with the group of Schlücker (University of Osnabrück) the SERS-markers were absorbed onto Au/Ag nanoshells, denoted as SERS-labels, and characterized. The SERS spectra of the SERS-labels exhibited intense and characteristic SERS-signals for each marker. For immuno SERS investigations SEMA3 was functionalized with a hydrophilic end unit. This marker was adsorbed onto an Au/Ag nanoshell and encapsulated with silica. An anti-p63 antibody was bound to the silica surface in order to generate a SERS-labeled antibody for the detection of the tumor suppressor p63 in benign prostate. Immuno-SERS imaging of prostate tissue incubated with SERS-labeled anti-p63 antibodies demonstrated the selective detection of p63 in the basal epithelium. The results show the potential of the method for the detection of several biomolecules in a multiplexing SERS experiment.
Various structural possibilities for Si\(_3\)C\(_3\) clusters are investigated by ab initio calculations employing basis sets of double- and triple-zeta quality augmented by d polarization functions. Correlation effects are included by a second-order Moeller Piesset perturbation treatment. For the two lowest-lying structures higher-order correlation corrections and multi-reference effects are also included. Bonding features are investigated by two different types of population analyses to obtain insight into the nature of chemical bonding. A total of 17 stationary points were investigated, 14 of which correspond to local minima and three being transition states. The energetically lowest-lying structures are: A "pyramidlike" structure with various multicenter bonds, followed by a es symmetric isomer closely related to the ground state Si6 structure. Planar structures, favoured in small carbon clusters, lie higher in energy and are transition states. The lowest-lying triplet system is found to be the linear nonsymmetric Si - C-C-C-Si -Si structure, which is calculated to lie about 38 kcalfmole above the singlet ground state. A building-up principle based on bonding criteria is suggested for the occurence of the various structural possibilities.
The first part of this work focuses on the characterization of systems which complex electronic structures require the application of multi-reference methods. The anti-tumor efficacy of the natural product Neocarzinostatin is based on the formation of diradicals and causes DNA cleavage and finally cytolysis. Computations on model systems performed in the present work show the influence of structural features on the mode of action and the efficacy of this antitumor-antibiotic. The cyclization of systems related to the enyne-cumulene framework like the enyne-allenes was investigated earlier and relations to the more unusual class of enyne-ketenes are analyzed. The class of enyne-ketenes (and also the enyne-allenes) show a broad spectrum of possible intermediates (diradicals, zwitterions, allenes). The electronic structures of these intermediates are also possible for the (heteroatom substituted) 1,2,4-cyclohexatriene and a model for their energetic sequence based on high-level multi-reference computations is proposed. In all three projects the application of multi-reference approaches is necessary to obtain a comprehensive picture of the reactivity and electronic structure but also shows up the limits inherently existing in the currently available programs with respect to the size of the molecules. In the second part, algorithms for a multi-reference Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MR-MP2) program, designed to perform large-scale computations, were developed and implemented. The MR-MP2 approach represents the most cost-effective multireference ansatz and requires an efficient evaluation of the Hamilton matrix for which an algorithm is designed to instantly recognize only non-vanishing matrix elements and to employ the recurring interaction patterns of the Hamilton matrix. The direct construction of the Hamilton matrix is additionally parallelized to work on cluster environments.
Nowadays, the management of infectious diseases is especially threatened by the rapid emergence of drug resistance. It has been suggested that the medicine quality assurance combined with good medication adherence may help to reduce this impendence. Moreover, the search for new antimicrobial agents from medicinal plants is strongly encouraged for the exploration of alternatives to existing therapies. In this context, the present work focused on both the quality evaluation of commercialized antimalarial medicines from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on the phytochemical investigations of a Congolese Ancistrocladus species.
From the leaves of a botanically and phytochemically as yet unexplored Ancistrocladus liana discovered in the rainforests of the Central region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the vicinity of the town of Ikela, six new naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids were isolated, viz., two constitutionally unsymmetric dimers, the mbandakamines B\(_3\) (3) and B\(_4\) (4), and four related 5,8′-linked monomeric alkaloids, named ikelacongolines A–D (5a, 5b, 6, and 7). The dimers 3 and 4 are structurally unusual quateraryls comprising two 5,8′-coupled monomers linked via a sterically strongly constrained 6′,1′′-connection between their naphthalene units. These compounds contain seven elements of chirality, four stereogenic centers and three consecutive chiral axes. They were identified along with two known related compounds, the mbandakamines A (1) and B\(_2\) (2), which had so far only been detected in two Ancistrocladus species indigenous to the Northwestern Congo Basin. In addition, five known monomeric alkaloids, previously found in related Central African Ancistrocladus species, were isolated from the here investigated Congolese liana, three of them belonging to the subclass of 5,8′-coupled naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, whereas two compounds exhibited a less frequently occurring 7,8′-biaryl linkage. The stereostructures of the new alkaloids were established by spectroscopic (in particular HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR), chemical (oxidative degradation), and chiroptical (electronic circular dichroism) methods. The mbandakamines B\(_3\) (3) and B\(_4\) (4) displayed pronounced activities in vitro against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the pathogen of African sleeping sickness, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.
Rapid multiple-quantum three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy disentangles quantum pathways
(2019)
Coherent two-dimensional spectroscopy is a powerful tool for probing ultrafast quantum dynamics in complex systems. Several variants offer different types of information but typically require distinct beam geometries. Here we introduce population-based three-dimensional (3D) electronic spectroscopy and demonstrate the extraction of all fourth- and multiple sixth-order nonlinear signal contributions by employing 125-fold (1⨯5⨯5⨯5) phase cycling of a four-pulse sequence. Utilizing fluorescence detection and shot-to-shot pulse shaping in single-beam geometry, we obtain various 3D spectra of the dianion of TIPS-tetraazapentacene, a fluorophore with limited stability at ambient conditions. From this, we recover previously unknown characteristics of its electronic two-photon state. Rephasing and nonrephasing sixth-order contributions are measured without additional phasing that hampered previous attempts using noncollinear geometries. We systematically resolve all nonlinear signals from the same dataset that can be acquired in 8 min. The approach is generalizable to other incoherent observables such as external photoelectrons, photocurrents, or photoions.
Although known about and investigated since the late 1970’s, the picture of the basic principles governing inhibitor strengths and the structure-activity relationships of the cysteine protease inhibition mechanism is still very incomplete. Computational approaches can be a very useful tool for investigating such questions, as they allow the inspection of single, specific effects in isolation from all others, in a manner very difficult to achieve experimentally. The ab initio treatments of such large systems like proteins are still not feasible. However, there is a vast number of computational approaches capable of dealing with protein structures with reasonable accuracy. This work presents a summary of theoretical investigations into cysteine protease cathepsin B using a range of methods. We have concentrated on the investigation of cysteine protease inhibition by epoxide- and aziridine-based inhibitors in order to obtain better insight into these important topics. Various model systems are simulated by means of pure quantum mechanical methods and by hybrid (QM/MM) methods. Both approaches provide a static picture. Dynamical effects are then accounted for by additional molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, using both classical and QM/MM MD approaches. The quantum mechanical approach was used to study very small model systems consisting only of the electrophilic warhead of the inhibitor (both substitituted and not) and molecular moieties simulating a very simplified protein active site (methylthiolate instead of Cys29 and methylimidazolium instead of His199 residue) and solvent surroundings (two waters or two ammonium ions, in combination with a continuum solvent model). Although simple, such a system provides a good description of the most important interactions involved in the inhibition reaction. It also allows investigation of the influence of the properties of the electrophilic warhead on the reaction rate. Beside the properties of the electrophilic warhead, the protein and solvent environment is also an important factor in the irreversible deactivation of the enzyme active site by the inhibitor. The non-covalent interactions of the inhibitor with the oxyanion hole and other subsites of the enzyme, as well as its interaction with the solvent molecules, need to be explicitly taken into account in the calculations, because of their possible impact on the reaction profile. As molecular modeling methods allow the treatment of such large systems, but lack the possibility of describing covalent interactions, our method of choice was the combined quantum mechanics/molecular modeling approach. By splitting the system into a smaller part that undergoes the bond cleavage/formation process and must be treated quantum mechanically, and a larger part, comprised of the rest of the protein, which could be treated using force fields, we managed to simulate the system at the desired precision. Our investigations concentrated on the role of His199 in the inhibition mechanism as well as on the structure-reactivity relationships between cysteine protease and various inhibitors, yielding new insight into the kinetics, regio- and stereospecificity of the inhibition. In particular, our calculations provide the following insights: i.) an explanation for the regioselectivity of the reaction, and original insight into which interactions affect the stereoselectivity; ii.) a clear model which explains the known structure-activity relationships and connects these effects with the pH-dependency of the inhibition; iii.) our computations question the generally accepted two-step model by showing that substituent effects accelerate the irreversible step to such an extent that the achievement of an equilibrium in the first step is doubtful; iv.) by way of theoretical characterizations of aziridine models, the reasons for similarities and differences in the mode of action of epoxide- and aziridine-based inhibitors are elucidated; and finally, v.) combining our results with experimental knowledge will allow rational design of new inhibitors. To account for dynamical effects as well, molecular dynamics (MD) computations were also performed. In these calculations the potential energy was computed at the force field level. The results not only supported and clarified the QM/MM results, but comparison with previous X-ray structures helped correct existing errors in the available geometrical models and resolved inconsistencies in the weighting of various factors governing the inhibition. In the work the first QM/MM MD calculations on the active site of the cysteine proteases are presented. In contrast to the MD simulations, these calculations used potential energies computed at the QM/MM-level. With the help of these computations we sought to address strongly disputed questions about the reasons for the existence of the active site ion pair and its role in the high activity of the enzyme.
Fluorogenic RNA aptamers are synthetic functional RNAs that specifically bind and activate conditional fluorophores. The Chili RNA aptamer mimics large Stokes shift fluorescent proteins and exhibits high affinity for 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolone (DMHBI) derivatives to elicit green or red fluorescence emission. Here, we elucidate the structural and mechanistic basis of fluorescence activation by crystallography and time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Two co-crystal structures of the Chili RNA with positively charged DMHBO+ and DMHBI+ ligands revealed a G-quadruplex and a trans-sugar-sugar edge G:G base pair that immobilize the ligand by π-π stacking. A Watson-Crick G:C base pair in the fluorophore binding site establishes a short hydrogen bond between the N7 of guanine and the phenolic OH of the ligand. Ultrafast excited state proton transfer (ESPT) from the neutral chromophore to the RNA was found with a time constant of 130 fs and revealed the mode of action of the large Stokes shift fluorogenic RNA aptamer.
Fluorogenic RNA aptamers are synthetic functional RNAs that specifically bind and activate conditional fluorophores. The Chili RNA aptamer mimics large Stokes shift fluorescent proteins and exhibits high affinity for 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolone (DMHBI) derivatives to elicit green or red fluorescence emission. Here, we elucidate the structural and mechanistic basis of fluorescence activation by crystallography and time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Two co-crystal structures of the Chili RNA with positively charged DMHBO+ and DMHBI+ ligands revealed a G-quadruplex and a trans-sugar-sugar edge G:G base pair that immobilize the ligand by π-π stacking. A Watson-Crick G:C base pair in the fluorophore binding site establishes a short hydrogen bond between the N7 of guanine and the phenolic OH of the ligand. Ultrafast excited state proton transfer (ESPT) from the neutral chromophore to the RNA was found with a time constant of 130 fs and revealed the mode of action of the large Stokes shift fluorogenic RNA aptamer.
Main objectives of the present dissertation can be divided in two parts. The first part deals with setting up a spectroscopic technique for reliable and accurate measurements of the two-photon absorption (2PA) cross section spectra. In the second part, this firmly established experimental technique together with conventional spectroscopic characterization, quantum-chemical computations and theoretical modelling calculations was combined and therefore used as a tool to gain information for the so-called structure-property relationship through several molecular compounds.
Herein we report a broad series of new trinuclear supramolecular Ru(bda) macrocycles bearing different substituents at the axial or equatorial ligands which enabled investigation of substituent effects on the catalytic activities in chemical and photocatalytic water oxidation. Our detailed investigations revealed that the activities of these functionalized macrocycles in water oxidation are significantly affected by the position at which the substituents were introduced. Interestingly, this effect could not be explained based on the redox properties of the catalysts since these are not markedly influenced by the functionalization of the ligands. Instead, detailed investigations by X-ray crystal structure analysis and theoretical simulations showed that conformational changes imparted by the substituents are responsible for the variation of catalytic activities of the Ru macrocycles. For the first time, macrocyclic structure of this class of water oxidation catalysts is unequivocally confirmed and experimental indication for a hydrogen-bonded water network present in the cavity of the macrocycles is provided by crystal structure analysis. We ascribe the high catalytic efficiency of our Ru(bda) macrocycles to cooperative proton abstractions facilitated by such a network of preorganized water molecules in their cavity, which is reminiscent of catalytic activities of enzymes at active sites.
In light of the rapidly increasing global demand of energy and the negative effects of climate change, innovative solutions that allow an efficient transition to a carbon-neutral economy are urgently needed. In this context, artificial photosynthesis is emerging as a promising technology to enable the storage of the fluctuating energy of sunlight in chemical bonds of transportable “solar fuels”. Thus, in recent years much efforts have been devoted to the development of robust water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) leading to the discovery of the highly reactive Ru(bda) (bda: 2,2’-bipyridine-6,6’-dicarboxylic acid) catalyst family. The aim of this thesis was the study of chemical and photocatalytic water oxidation with functionalized Ruthenium macrocycles to explore the impact of substituents on molecular properties and catalytic activities of trinuclear macrocyclic Ru(bda) catalysts. A further objective of this thesis comprises the elucidation of factors that influence the light-driven water oxidation process with this novel class of supramolecular WOCs.
We have investigated theoretically the importance of the O(\(^3\)P)+CH(a\(^4\sum^-\)) and the O(\(^3\)P)+CH(X\(^2\Pi\)) channels in the collinear chemi-ionization reaction O+CH->HCO\(^+\) +e\(^-\). We have found that both channels may lead to chemi-ionization via favorable Franck-Condon overlaps with the states ofthe ionic species.
A new flavanone-chromone biflavonoid, preussianone (1), has been isolated from the leaves of Garcinia preussii, along with four known biflavonoids. The absolute stereostructures were elucidated by chemical, spectroscopic, and chiroptical methods. The biological properties of the new biflavonoid against several bacterial strains were evaluated.
Detection of metals in different environments with high selectivity and specificity is one of the prerequisites of the fight against environmental pollution with these elements. Pyrenes are well suited for the fluorescence sensing in different media. The applied sensing principle typically relies on the formation of intra- and intermolecular excimers, which is however limiting the sensitivity range due to masking of e. g. quenching effects by the excimer emission. Herein we report a highly selective, structurally rigid chemical sensor based on the monomer fluorescence of pyrene moieties bearing triazole groups. This sensor can quantitatively detect Cu\(^{2+}\), Pb\(^{2+}\) and Hg\(^{2+}\) in organic solvents over a broad concentrations range, even in the presence of ubiquitous ions such as Na\(^{+}\), K\(^{+}\), Ca\(^{2+}\) and Mg\(^{2+}\). The strongly emissive sensor's fluorescence with a long lifetime of 165 ns is quenched by a 1 : 1 complex formation upon addition of metal ions in acetonitrile. Upon addition of a tenfold excess of the metal ion to the sensor, agglomerates with a diameter of about 3 nm are formed. Due to complex interactions in the system, conventional linear correlations are not observed for all concentrations. Therefore, a critical comparison between the conventional Job plot interpretation, the method of Benesi-Hildebrand, and a non-linear fit is presented. The reported system enables the specific and robust sensing of medically and environmentally relevant ions in the health-relevant nM range and could be used e. g. for the monitoring of the respective ions in waste streams.
Nanodiamond (ND) is a versatile and promising material for bio-applications. Despite many efforts, agglomeration of nanodiamond and the non-specific adsorption of proteins on the ND surface when exposed to bio-fluids remains a major obstacle for biomedical applications. An assortment of branched and linear molecules with superior ability to colloidally stabilize nanoparticles in salt and cell media environment, for up to 30 days, was attached to the ND’s surface.
The building box system with azide as external groups offers a huge variety of binding with many molecules, such as drugs, dyes or targeting molecules, is possible. Clicking, for instance, zwitterions moieties to the chain protects ND surface from protein corona forming when the particles get in contact with biofluids containing proteins.
Thermogravimetric analysis results of the ND surface loading show a significant prevention of up to 98 % of the protein adsorption compared with NDs without zwitterionic headgroups and long colloidal stability when tetraethylene glycol (TEG) are attached to the surface.
The versatility of the modular system to bind not only zwitterionic chains but also clickable functional molecules to fluorescent nanodiamonds (fNDs) demonstrates the potential of the system at the nanodiamond. Using defect structures, such as nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, diamond particles, due to their widely non-toxic behavior, can be used as fNDs for photostable labeling, bioimaging and nanoscale sensing in living cells and organisms. To functionalize the fND surface a novel milling technique with diazonium salts was established to perform grafting on poorly reactive HPHT fNDs yielding in high surface loading and high negative zeta potential.
Combining the benefits of TEG and zwitterion containing groups with antibody enabled nucleus targeting ability on fND confirms the enhanced colloidal stability in living cells experiments for the first time. Furthermore, the results indicate an improved corona repulsion compared with fND without zwitterion containing headgroups. As a result, the circulation times were enlarged from 4 (fND without zwitterion chain but with antibody) to 17 (with antibody and zwitterion chains) hours.
In non-biomedical applications, the modular system can be used as a probe for heavy metals by binding it to dyes. Detection of metals in different environments with high selectivity and specificity is one of the prerequisites of the fight against environmental pollution with these elements. Pyrenes are well suited and known for fluorescence sensing in different media.
The applied sensing principle typically relies on the formation of intra- and intermolecular excimers, which is however limiting the sensitivity range due to masking of e.g. quenching effects by the excimer emission. This study shows a highly selective, structurally rigid chemical sensor based on the monomer fluorescence of pyrene moieties bearing triazole groups.
This probe can quantitatively detect Cu2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ in organic solvents over a broad concentration range, even in the presence of ubiquitous ions such as Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. The strongly emissive sensor’s fluorescence with a long lifetime of 165 ns is quenched by a 1:1 complex formation upon addition of metal ions in acetonitrile. Upon addition of a tenfold excess of the metal ion to the sensor, agglomerates with a diameter of about 3 nm are formed. Due to complex interactions in the system, conventional linear correlations are not observed for all concentrations. Therefore, a critical comparison between the conventional Job plot interpretation, the method of Benesi-Hildebrand, and a non-linear fit is presented. The reported system enables the specific and robust sensing of medically and environmentally relevant ions in the health-relevant nM range and could be used e.g. for the monitoring of the respective ions in waste streams.
Nonetheless, often these waste streams end up in sensitive aquacultures, where such sensor technology only works if the probe is water-soluble to monitor the spread and formation of environmental damage from heavy metals. Many chemosensors only work quantitatively in specific solvents and under highly pure conditions. In this thesis a method to stabilize water-insoluble chemosensors on nanodiamonds in saline water while maintaining the sensor efficacy and specificityas as well as colloidal stability is presented. Additionally, the sensor capability is retained in organic solvents. This study provides insight into the absorptivity of pyrene derivatives to the nanodiamond surface and a way to reversibly desorb them.
Moreover, the system proves that in presence of 95 % oxygen atmosphere while the fluoresce measurement the results of the do not vary from the one in argon atmosphere. Furthermore, the presence of common ions in water do not disturb the colloidal stability of the NDs and also no influence the sensor functionality and thus is highly promising candidate for measurement without cumbersome preparation steps.
We synthesized new pyrene derivatives with strong bis(para ‐methoxyphenyl)amine donors at the 2,7‐positions and n ‐azaacene acceptors at the K‐region of pyrene. The compounds possess a strong intramolecular charge transfer, leading to unusual properties such as emission in the red to NIR region (700 nm), which has not been reported before for monomeric pyrenes. Detailed photophysical studies reveal very long intrinsic lifetimes of >100 ns for the new compounds, which is typical for 2,7‐substituted pyrenes but not for K‐region substituted pyrenes. The incorporation of strong donors and acceptors leads to very low reduction and oxidation potentials, and spectroelectrochemical studies show that the compounds are on the borderline between localized Robin‐Day class‐II and delocalized Robin‐Day class‐III species.
We synthesized a series of new mono‐, di‐, tri‐ and tetra‐substituted perylene derivatives with strong bis(para‐methoxyphenyl)amine (DPA) donors at the uncommon 2,5,8,11‐positions. The properties of our new donor‐substituted perylenes were studied in detail to establish a structure‐property relationship. Interesting trends and unusual properties are observed for this series of new perylene derivatives, such as a decreasing charge transfer (CT) character with increasing number of DPA moieties and individual reversible oxidations for each DPA moiety. Thus, (DPA)‐Per possesses one reversible oxidation while (DPA)\(_{4}\)‐Per has four. The mono‐ and di‐substituted derivatives display unusually large Stokes shifts not previously reported for perylenes. Furthermore, transient absorption measurements of the new derivatives reveal an excited state with lifetimes of several hundred microseconds, which sensitizes singlet oxygen with quantum yields of up to 0.83.
In this thesis, intermolecular acceptor-acceptor interactions in organic solar cells based on new non-fullerene acceptors are addressed. For this purpose, first the reproducibility of organic electronic devices was tested on a new facility for their fabrication. This was followed by the screening for new acceptor materials. Based on this, three molecular systems were investigated with regard to their acceptor-acceptor interactions and their influence on solar cell efficiency.
Bowl-shaped naphthalimide-annulated corannulene as nonfullerene acceptor in organic solar cells
(2020)
An electron-poor bowl-shaped naphthalimide-annulated corannulene with branched alkyl residues in the imide position was synthesized by a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling annulation sequence. This dipolar compound exhibits strong absorption in the visible range along with a low-lying LUMO level at –3.85 eV, enabling n-type charge transport in organic thin-film transistors. Furthermore, we processed inverted bulk-heterojunction solar cells in combination with the two donor polymers PCE–10 and PM6 to achieve open-circuit voltages up to 1.04 V. By using a blend of the self-assembled naphthalimide-annulated corannulene and PCE–10, we were able to obtain a power conversion efficiency of up to 2.1%, which is to the best of our knowledge the highest reported value for a corannulene-based organic solar cell to date.
A series of novel imide‐functionalized C\(_{64}\) nanographenes is investigated as acceptor components in organic solar cells (OSCs) in combination with donor polymer PM6. These electron‐poor molecules either prevail as a monomer or self‐assemble into dimers in the OSC active layer depending on the chosen imide substituents. This allows for the controlled stacking of electron‐poor and electron‐rich π–scaffolds to establish a novel class of non‐fullerene acceptor materials to tailor the bulk‐heterojunction morphology of the OSCs. The best performance is observed for derivatives that are able to self‐assemble into dimers, reaching power conversion efficiencies of up to 7.1%.
Quantum chemical calculations of circular dichroism (CD) spectra in combination with experimental CD studies are one of the most efficient analytical tools for the elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of a chiral molecule. In the present work 18 chiral compounds of most different molecular structures and origins were investigated using various theoretical methods (the semiempirical CIS methods, the time-dependent DFT and DFT/MRCI approaches). The advantages and limitations of the applied methods were discussed in the context of the studied compounds. Furthermore, the last part of this work deals with the CD investigations of a chiral compound in the crystalline state. A well-known natural product with a specific conformation/CD spectrum behavior was used as a model compound to examine a novel solid-state CD method and to investigate the possibility of its improvement to provide a higher reliability for the assignment of the absolute configuration.
The chirality of the interlocked bay-arylated perylene motif is investigated upon its material prospect and the enhancement of its chiroptical response to the NIR spectral region. A considerable molecular library of inherently chiral perylene bisimides (PBIs) was utilized as acceptors in organic solar cells to provide decent device performances and insights into the structure-property relationship of PBI materials within a polymer blend. For the first time in the family of core-twisted PBIs, the effects of enantiopurity on the device performance was thoroughly investigated. The extraordinary structural sensitivity of CD spectroscopy served as crucial analytical tool to bridge the highly challenging gap between molecular properties and device analytics by proving the excitonic chirality of a helical PBI dimer. The chirality of this perylene motif could be further enhanced on a molecular level by both the expansion and the enhanced twisting of the π-scaffold to achieve a desirable strong chiroptical NIR response introducing a new family of twisted QBI-based nanoribbons. These achievements could be substantially further developed by expanding this molecular concept to a supramolecular level. The geometrically demanding supramolecular arrangement necessary for the efficient excitonic coupling was carefully encoded into the molecular design. Accordingly, the QBIs could form the first J-type aggregate constituting a fourfold-stranded superhelix of a rylene bisimide with strong excitonic chirality. Therefore, this thesis has highlighted the mutual corroboration of experimental and theoretical data from the molecular to the supramolecular level. It has demonstrated that for rylene bisimide dyes, the excitonic contribution to the overall chiroptical response can be designed and rationalized. This can help to pave the way for new organic functional materials to be used for
chiral sensing or chiral organic light-emitting devices.
We report the direct imidization of naphthalene and perylene dicarboxylic anhydrides/esters with bulky ortho,ortho‐diaryl‐ and ortho,ortho‐dialkynylaniline derivatives. This imidization method uses n‐butyllithium as a strong base to increase the reactivity of bulky amine derivatives, proceeds under mild reaction conditions, requires only stoichiometric amounts of reactants and gives straightforward access to new sterically crowded rylene dicarboximides. Mechanistic investigations suggest an isoimide as intermediary product, which was converted to the corresponding imide upon addition of an aqueous base. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal dimeric packing motifs for monoimides, while two‐side shielded bisimides crystallize in isolated molecules without close π–π‐interactions. Spectroscopic investigations disclose the influence of the bulky substituents on the optical properties in the solid state.
The present thesis introduce different synthetic strategies towards a variety of polycyclic aromatic dicarboximides (PADIs) with highly interesting and diverse properties. This included tetrachlorinated, tetraaryloxy- and tetraaryl-substituted dicarboximides, fused acceptor‒donor(‒acceptor) structures as well as sterically shielded rylene and nanographene dicarboximides. The properties and thus the disclosure of structure‒property relationships of the resulting dyes were investigated in detail among others with UV‒vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and single crystal X-ray analysis. For instance, some of the fused and substituted PADIs offer strong absorption of visible and near infrared (NIR) light, NIR emission and low-lying LUMO levels. On the contrary, intriguing optical features in the solid-state characterize the rylene dicarboximides with their bulky N-substituents, while the devised sterically enwrapped nanographene host offered remarkable complexation capabilities in solution.
General and efficient tools for site-specific fluorescent or bioorthogonal labeling of RNA are in high demand. Here, we report direct in vitro selection, characterization, and application of versatile trans-acting 2'-5' adenylyl transferase ribozymes for covalent and site-specific RNA labeling. The design of our partially structured RNA pool allowed for in vitro evolution of ribozymes that modify a predetermined nucleotide in cis (i.e. intramolecular reaction), and were then easily engineered for applications in trans (i.e. in an intermolecular setup). The resulting ribozymes are readily designed for specific target sites in small and large RNAs and accept a wide variety of N6-modified ATP analogues as small molecule substrates. The most efficient new ribozyme (FH14) shows excellent specificity towards its target sequence also in the context of total cellular RNA.
In vitro selected ribozymes are promising tools for site-specific labeling of RNA. Previously known nucleic acid catalysts attached fluorescently labeled adenosine or guanosine derivatives through 2’,5’-branched phosphodiester bonds to the RNA of interest. Herein, we report new ribozymes that use orthogonal substrates, derived from the antiviral drug tenofovir, and attach bioorthogonal functional groups, as well as affinity handles and fluorescent reporter units through a hydrolytically more stable phosphonate ester linkage. The tenofovir transferase ribozymes were identified by in vitro selection and are orthogonal to nucleotide transferase ribozymes. As genetically encodable functional RNAs, these ribozymes may be developed for potential cellular applications. The orthogonal ribozymes addressed desired target sites in large RNAs in vitro, as shown by fluorescent labeling of E. coli 16S and 23S RNAs in total cellular RNA.
Polymer micelles are an attractive means to solubilize water insoluble compounds such as drugs. Drug loading, formulations stability and control over drug release are crucial factors for drug‐loaded polymer micelles. The interactions between the polymeric host and the guest molecules are considered critical to control these factors but typically barely understood. Here, we compare two isomeric polymer micelles, one of which enables ultra‐high curcumin loading exceeding 50 wt.%, while the other allows a drug loading of only 25 wt.%. In the low capacity micelles, steady‐state fluorescence revealed a very unusual feature of curcumin fluorescence, a high energy emission at 510 nm. Time‐resolved fluorescence upconversion showed that the fluorescence life time of the corresponding species is too short in the high‐capacity micelles, preventing an observable emission in steady‐state. Therefore, contrary to common perception, stronger interactions between host and guest can be detrimental to the drug loading in polymer micelles.
The present thesis demonstrates the potential of dipolar aggregation of merocyanine dyes as novel directional and specific supramolecular binding motif for the creation of more elaborate supramolecular architectures beyond simple dimers. Furthermore, the self-assembly studies into bis(merocyanine) nanorods gave new insights into the kinetics of morphogenesis in supramolecular aggregates.
The pseudopeptide backbone provided by N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine oligomers with attached nucleobases has been widely utilized in peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) as DNA mimics. Here we demonstrate the suitability of this backbone for the formation of structurally defined dye stacks. Toward this goal a series of peptide merocyanine (PMC) dye oligomers connected to a N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine backbone were prepared through peptide synthesis. Our concentration-, temperature- and solvent-dependent UV/Vis absorption studies show that under the control of dipole–dipole interactions, smaller-sized oligomers consisting of one, two or three dyes self-assemble into defined duplex structures containing two up to six chromophores. In contrast, upon further extension of the oligomer, the chosen peptide backbone cannot direct the formation of a defined duplex architecture anymore due to intramolecular aggregation between the dyes. For all aggregate species a moderate aggregation-induced emission enhancement is observed.
The present thesis demonstrates the importance of the solid state packing of dipolar merocyanine dyes with regard to charge transport and exciton coupling.
Due to the charge transport theory for disordered materials, it is expected that high ground state dipole moments in amorphous thin films lead to low mobility values due to a broadening of the density of states. However, due to their inherent dipolarity, merocyanine dyes usually align in antiparallel dimers in an ordered fashion. The examination of twenty different molecules with ground state dipole moments up to 15.0 D shows that by a high dipolarity and well-defined sterics, the molecules pack in a highly regular two-dimensional brickwork-type structure, which is beneficial for hole transport. Utilization of these molecules for organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) leads to hole mobility values up to 0.21 cm²/Vs. By fabrication of single crystal field-effect transistors (SCFETs) for the derivative showing the highest mobility values in OTFTs, even hole mobilities up to 2.34 cm²/Vs are achieved. Hence, merocyanine based transistors show hole mobility values comparable to those of conventional p-type organic semiconductors and therefore high ground state dipole moments are not necessarily disadvantageous regarding high mobility applications.
By examination of a different series of ten merocyanine dyes with the same chromophore backbone but different donor substituents, it is demonstrated that the size of the donor has a significant influence on the optical properties of thin films. For small and rigid donor substituents, a hypsochromic shift of the absorption compared to the monomer absorption in solution is observed due to the card stack like packing of the molecules in the solid state. By utilization of sterical demanding or flexible donor substituents, a zig-zag type packing is observed, leading to a bathochromical shift of the absorption. These packing motifs and spectral shifts with an offset of 0.93 eV of the H- and J-bands comply with the archetype examples of H- and J-aggregates from Kasha’s exciton theory.
The aim of the thesis was to develop water soluble poly(2-oxazoline) (POx) copolymers with new side group functionalities, which can be used for the formation of hydrogels in biomedical applications and for the development of peptide-polymer conjugates.
First, random copolymers of the monomer MeOx or EtOx with ButEnOx and EtOx with DecEnOx were synthesized and characterized. The vinyl functionality brought into the copolymer by the monomers ButEnOx and DecEnOx would later serve for post-polymerization functionalization. The synthesized copolymers were further functionalized with thiols via post-polymerization functionalization using a newly developed synthesis protocol or with a protected catechol molecule for hydrogel formation. For the formation of peptide-polymer conjugates, a cyclic thioester, namely thiolactone acrylamide and an azlactone precursor, whose synthesis was newly developed, were attached to the side chain of P(EtOx-co-ButEnOx) copolymers.
The application of the functionalized thiol copolymers as hydrogels using thiol-ene chemistry for cross-linking was demonstrated. The swelling behavior and mechanical properties were characterized. The hydrophilicity of the network as well as the cross-linking density strongly influenced the swelling behavior and the mechanical strength of the hydrogels. All hydrogels showed good cell viability results.
The hydrogel networks based on MeOx and EtOx were loaded with two dyes, fluorescein and methylene blue. It was observed that the uptake of the more hydrophilic dye fluorescein depended more on the ability of the hydrogel to swell. In contrast, the uptake of the more hydrophobic dye methylene blue was less dependent on the swelling degree, but much more on the hydrophilicity of the network.
For the potential application as cartilage glue, (biohybrid) hydrogels were synthesized based on the catechol-functionalized copolymers, with and without additional fibrinogen, using sodium periodate as the oxidizing agent. The system allowed for degradation due to the incorporated ester linkages at the cross-linking points. The swelling behavior as well as the mechanical properties were characterized. As expected, hydrogels with higher degrees of cross-linking showed less swelling and higher elastic modulus. The addition of fibrinogen however increased the elasticity of the network, which can be favorable for the intended application as a cartilage glue. Biological evaluation clearly demonstrated the advantage of degradable ester links in the hydrogel network, where chondrocytes were able to bridge the artificial gap in contrast to hydrogels without any ester motifs.
Lastly, different ways to form peptide-polymer conjugates were presented. Peptides were attached with the thiol of the terminal cysteine group to the vinyl side chain of P(EtOx-co-ButEnOx) copolymers by radical thiol-ene chemistry. Another approach was to use a cyclic thioester, thiolactone, or an azlactone functionality to bind a model peptide via native chemical ligation. The two latter named strategies to bind peptides to POx side chains are especially interesting as one and in the case of thiolactone two free thiols are still present at the binding site after the reaction, which can, for example, be used for further thiol-ene cross-linking to form POx hydrogels.
In summary, side functional poly(oxazoline) copolymers show great potential for numerous biomedical applications. The various side chain functionalities can be introduced by an appropriate monomer or by post-polymerization functionalization, as demonstrated. By their multi-functionality, hydrogel characteristics, such as cross-linking degree and mechanical strength, can be fine-tuned and adjusted depending on the application in the human body. In addition, the presented chemoselective and orthogonal reaction strategies can be used in the future to synthesize polymer conjugates, which can, for example, be used in drug delivery or in tissue regeneration.
N\(^6\)-Isopentenyladenosine in RNA Determines the Cleavage Site of Endonuclease Deoxyribozymes
(2020)
RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes can serve as selective sensors and catalysts to examine the modification state of RNA. However, site-specific endonuclease deoxyribozymes that selectively cleave posttranscriptionally modified RNA are extremely rare and their specificity over unmodified RNA is low. In this study, we report that the native tRNA modification N\(^6\)-isopentenyladenosine (i\(^6\)A) strongly enhances the specificity and has the power to reconfigure the active site of an RNA-cleaving deoxyribozyme. Using in vitro selection, we identified a DNA enzyme that cleaves i\(^6\)A-modified RNA at least 2500-fold faster than unmodified RNA. Another deoxyribozyme shows unique and unprecedented behaviour by shifting its cleavage site in the presence of the i\(^6\)A RNA modification. Together with deoxyribozymes that are strongly inhibited by i\(^6\)A, these results highlight intricate ways of modulating the catalytic activity of DNA by posttranscriptional RNA modifications.
Deoxyribozymes are emerging as modification-specific endonucleases for the analysis of epigenetic RNA modifications. Here, we report RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes that differentially respond to the presence of natural methylated cytidines, 3-methylcytidine (m\(^3\)C), N\(^4\)-methylcytidine (m\(^4\)C), and 5-methylcytidine (m\(^5\)C), respectively. Using in vitro selection, we found several DNA catalysts, which are selectively activated by only one of the three cytidine isomers, and display 10- to 30-fold accelerated cleavage of their target m\(^3\)C-, m\(^4\)C- or m\(^5\)C-modified RNA. An additional deoxyribozyme is strongly inhibited by any of the three methylcytidines, but effectively cleaves unmodified RNA. The mXC-detecting deoxyribozymes are programmable for the interrogation of natural RNAs of interest, as demonstrated for human mitochondrial tRNAs containing known m\(^3\)C and m\(^5\)C sites. The results underline the potential of synthetic functional DNA to shape highly selective active sites.
Deoxyribozymes are emerging as modification-specific endonucleases for the analysis of epigenetic RNA modifications. Here, we report RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes that differentially respond to the presence of natural methylated cytidines, 3-methylcytidine (m\(^3\)C), N\(^4\)-methylcytidine (m\(^4\)C), and 5-methylcytidine (m\(^5\)C), respectively. Using in vitro selection, we found several DNA catalysts, which are selectively activated by only one of the three cytidine isomers, and display 10- to 30-fold accelerated cleavage of their target m\(^3\)C-, m\(^4\)C- or m\(^5\)C-modified RNA. An additional deoxyribozyme is strongly inhibited by any of the three methylcytidines, but effectively cleaves unmodified RNA. The m\(^X\)C-detecting deoxyribozymes are programmable for the interrogation of natural RNAs of interest, as demonstrated for human mitochondrial tRNAs containing known m\(^3\)C and m\(^5\)C sites. The results underline the potential of synthetic functional DNA to shape highly selective active sites.
Deoxyribozymes are artificially evolved DNA molecules with catalytic abilities. RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes have been recognized as an efficient tool for detection of modifications in target RNAs and provide an alternative to traditional and modern methods for detection of ribose or nucleobase methylation. However, there are only few examples of DNA enzymes that specifically reveal the presence of a certain type of modification, including N6-methyladenosine, and the knowledge about how DNA enzymes recognize modified RNAs is still extremely limited. Therefore, DNA enzymes cannot be easily engineered for the analysis of desired RNA modifications, but are instead identified by in vitro selection from random DNA libraries using synthetic modified RNA substrates. This protocol describes a general in vitro selection stagtegy to evolve new RNA-cleaving DNA enzymes that can efficiently differentiate modified RNA substrates from their unmodified counterpart.
RNA molecules play diverse roles in biological systems. Post-transcriptional RNA modifications and dynamic structures enhance the functional diversity of RNA. A prerequisite for studying their biological significance is the availability of reliable methods for the detection of RNA modifications and structures. Several promising approaches have been developed in the last few decades; however, efficient, and versatile tools are still required to study the dynamic features of RNA. This thesis focuses on the development of nucleic acid catalysts as a tool to address the current needs in studying RNA. The major part of this thesis aimed at the development of deoxyribozymes as a tool for the detection of RNA modifications. Using in vitro selection from a random DNA library, we found deoxyribozymes that are sensitive to N 6 -isopentenyladenosine (i6A), a native tRNA modification and structural analogue of m6A. The in vitro evolution identified three classes of DNA enzymes: AA, AB08, and AC17 DNAzymes that showed distinct response to i6A modification and showed strong discrimination between structural analogues, i.e., m6A and i6A. In the continuation of the project, we attempted to develop RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes that differentially respond to monomethylated cytidine isomers, 3-methylcytidine (m3C), N4 - methylcytidine (m4C), and 5-methylcytidine (m5C). Several deoxyribozymes were identified from in vitro selection, which are selective for a specific methylated cytidine isomer. The characterization of AL112, AM101, AN05, and AK104 catalysts confirmed the successful evolution of modification-specific and general deoxyribozymes that showed a broad substrate scope. In order to accelerate the DNAzymes discovery, a high throughput sequencing method (DZ-seq) was established that directly quantifies the RNA cleavage activity and cleavage site from deep sequencing data. The libraries contained information about cleavage status, cleavage site and sequence of deoxyribozymes and RNA substrate. The fraction cleaved (FC) data obtained from Dz-seq was validated for a subset of deoxyribozmes using conventional gel based kinetic assay and showed a good linear correlation (R2 = 0.91). Dz-seq possesses a great potential for the discovery of novel deoxyribozymes for the analysis of various RNA modifications in the future. The second objective of the current study was the development of structure-specific RNA labeling ribozymes. Here, we attempted to develop ribozymes that targets RNA of interest by structure-specific interaction rather than base-pairing and focused on a specific RNA G-quadruplex as the target. Two subsequent selection experiments led to the identification of the adenylyltransferase ribozymes AO10.2 and AR9. The partial characterization of these catalysts showed that A010.2 was unable to recognize intact BCL2 structure, but it turned out as the first reported trans-active ribozyme that efficiently labeled uridine in a defined substrate RNA hybridized to the ribozyme. The other ribozyme AR9 was shown to serve as a trans-active, self-labeling ribozyme that catalyzed adenylyl transferase reaction in the presence of the intact BCL2 sequence. Based on these preliminary findings, we envision that AR9 could potentially serve as a reporter RNA by self-labeling in the presence of an RNA G-quadruplex. However, both AO10.2 and AR9 still require more detailed characterization for their potential applications.
Perylene bisimide (PBI) dyes are a widely used class of industrial pigments, and currently have gained significant importance for organic-based electronic and optical devices. Structural modification at the PBI core results in changes of the optical and electronic properties, which enable tailored functions. Moreover, the aggregation behavior of PBIs is alterable and controllable to achieve new materials, among which organogels are of particular interest because of their potential for applications as supramolecular soft materials. In this work, new PBI-based organic gelators were designed, synthesized, and characterized, and the aggregation behaviors under different conditions were intensively studied by various spectroscopic and microscopic methods. In chapter 2, a brief overview is given on the structural and functional features of organogel systems. The definition, formation and reversibility of organogels are introduced. Some examples on dye based organogel are selected, among which PBI-based organogelators reported so far are especially emphasized. Some basic knowledges of supramolecular chirality are also overviewed such as characterization, amplification, and symmetry breaking of the chiral aggregates. According to our former experiences, PBIs tend to form aggregates because the planer aromatic cores interact with one another by pi-pi interaction. In chapter 3, a new PBI molecule is introduced which possesses amide groups between the conjugated core and periphery alkyl chains. It is found that well oriented aggregates are formed by hydrogen bonding and the pi-pi interaction of the cores. These interactions enable the aggregates to grow in one-dimension forming very long fibers, and these fibers further intercross to 3D network structures, e.g., organogels. In comparison to the very few PBI-based gelators reported before, one advantage of this gelator is that, it is more versatile and can gelate a wide range of organic solvents. Moreover, the well-organized fibers that are composed of extended π-stacks provide efficient pathways for n-type charge carriers. Interestingly, AFM studies reveal that the PBI molecules form well-defined helical fibers in toluene. Both left-handed (M) and right-handed (P) helicities can be observed without any preference for one handedness because the building block is intrinsically achiral. In chapter 4, we tried to influence the M/P enantiomeric ratio by applying external forces. For example, we utilized chiral solvents to generate chiral aggregates with a preferential handedness. AFM analysis of the helices showed that a enantiomeric ratio of about 60: 40 can be achieved by aggregation in chiral solvents R- or S-limonene. Moreover, the long aggregated fibres can align at macroscopic level in vortex flows upon rotary stirring In chapter 5, bulky tetra-phenoxy groups are introduced in the bay area of the PBI gelator. The conjugated core of the new molecule is now distorted because of the steric hindrance. UV/Vis studies reveal a J-type aggregation in apolar solvents like MCH due to intermolecular pi-pi-stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Microscopic studies reveal formation of columnar aggregates in apolar solvent MCH, thus this molecule lacks the ability to form gels in this solvent, but form highly fluorescent lyotropic mesophases at higher concentration. On the other hand, in polar solvents like acetone and dioxane, participation of the solvent molecules in hydrogen bonding significantly reduced the aggregation propensity but enforced the gel formation. The outstanding fluorescence properties of the dye in both J-aggregated viscous lyotropic mesophases and bulk gel phases suggest very promising applications in photonics, photovoltaics, security printing, or as fluorescent sensors. In chapter 6, we did some studies on combining PBI molecules with inorganic gold nanorods. Gold nanorods were synthesized photochemically. By virtue of the thioacetate functionalized PBIs, the rods were connected end to end to form gold nanochains, which were characterized by absorption spectra and TEM measurement. Such chromophore-nanorod hybrids might be applied to guide electromagnetic radiation based on optical antenna technology.
Liquid crystal (LC) shape‐amphiphiles with a disc tethered to a fullerene have been intensely studied for the application in photovoltaics, and helical nanosegregation of C\(_{60}\) has been claimed around the π‐stacking disks based on X‐ray results. The most promising materials reported to date have been resynthesized and studied comprehensively by XRS, density measurements, modelling, and electron density reconstruction. In contrast to previous reports, the results indicate that metal phthalocyanine−fullerene mesogens pack in lamellar columnar phases with p2gm symmetry. Fullerenes assemble in layers and are flanked by phthalocyanine columns, thus explaining the balanced charge carrier mobility of electrons and holes. Such variable donor−acceptor structures are promising for organic electronic applications.
Parallel polar dimers in the columnar self‐assembly of umbrella‐shaped subphthalocyanine mesogens
(2021)
The self-assembly of umbrella-shaped mesogens is explored with subphthalocyanine cores and oligo(thienyl) arms with different lengths in the light of their application as light-harvesting and photoconducting materials. While the shortest arm derivatives self-assemble in a conventional columnar phase with a single mesogen as a repeating unit, the more extended derivatives generate dimers that pile up into liquid crystalline columns.
In contrast to the antiparallel arrangement known from single crystals, the present mesogens align as parallel dimers in polar columnar phases as confirmed by X-ray scattering, experimental densities, dielectric spectroscopy, second harmonic generation, alignment, and conductivity studies.
UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopies reveal a broad absorption in the visible range and only weak emission of the Q-band. Thus, these light-collecting molecules forming strongly polar columnar mesophases are attractive for application in the area of photoconductive materials.
Columnar Liquid Crystals from Star‐Shaped Conjugated Mesogens as Nano‐Reservoirs for Small Acceptors
(2020)
Shape‐persistent conjugated mesogens with oligothiophene arms of different lengths have been synthesized. Such mesogens possess free intrinsic space between their conjugated arms. They form columnar liquid‐crystalline phases, in which the void is filled by dense helical packing in the neat phase similar to an oligo(phenylene vinylene) derivative of equal size. The void can also be compensated by the inclusion of the small acceptor molecule 2,4,7‐trinitrofluorenone. In solution, the acceptor interacts with the core as the largest π‐surface, while in the solid material, it is incorporated between the arms and sandwiched by the star‐shaped neighbours along the columnar assemblies. The TNF acceptors are not nanosegregated from the star‐shaped donors, thus the liquid crystal structure converts to a nano‐reservoir for TNF (endo‐receptor). These host–guest arrangements are confirmed by comprehensive X‐ray scattering experiments and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. This results in ordered columnar hexagonal phases at high temperatures, which change to helical columnar mesophases or to columnar soft crystals at room temperature.
Energy Transfer Between Squaraine Polymer Sections: From helix to zig-zag and All the Way Back
(2015)
Joint experimental and theoretical study of the absorption spectra of squaraine polymers in solution provide evidence that two different conformations are present in solution: a helix and a zig-zag structure. This unique situation allows investigating ultrafast energy transfer processes between different structural segments within a single polymer chain in solution. The understanding of the underlying dynamics is of fundamental importance for the development of novel materials for light-harvesting and optoelectronic applications. We combine here femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy with time-resolved 2D electronic spectroscopy showing that ultrafast energy transfer within the squaraine polymer chains proceeds from initially excited helix segments to zig-zag segments or vice versa, depending on the solvent as well as on the excitation wavenumber. These observations contrast other conjugated polymers such as MEH-PPV where much slower intrachain energy transfer was reported. The reason for the very fast energy transfer in squaraine polymers is most likely a close matching of the density of states between donor and acceptor polymer segments because of very small reorganization energy in these cyanine-like chromophores.
The catalytic splitting of water into its elements is an important reaction to establish hydrogen as a solar fuel. The bottle-neck of this process is considered to be the oxidative half reaction generating oxygen, and good catalysts are required to handle the complicated redox chemistry involved. As can be learned from nature, the incorporation of the catalytically active species into an appropriate matrix can help to improve the overall performance. Thus, the aim of the present thesis was to establish novel supramolecular approaches to improve water oxidation catalysis using the catalytically active {Ru(bda)} fragment as key motive (bda = 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylate).
First, the synthesis of ruthenium catalysts gathering three {Ru(bda)} water oxidation subunits in a macrocyclic fashion is described. By using bridging bipyridine ligands of different lengths, metallosupramolecular macrocycles with distinct sizes have been obtained. Interestingly, an intermediate ring size has been proven to be optimal for the catalytic water oxidation. Detailed kinetic, spectroscopic, and theoretical studies helped to identify the reaction mechanism and to rationalize the different catalytic activities. Furthermore, solubilizing side chains have been introduced for the most active derivative to achieve full water solubility.
Secondly, the {Ru(bda)} fragment was embedded into supramolecular aggregates to generate more stable catalytic systems compared to a homogeneous reference complex. Therefore, the catalyst fragment was equipped with axial perylene bisimide (PBI) ligands, which facilitate self-assembly. Moreover, the influence of the different accessible aggregate morphologies on the catalytic performance has been investigated.
Eight streptophenazines (A-H) have been identified so far as products of Streptomyces strain HB202, which was isolated from the sponge Halichondria panicea from the Baltic Sea. The variation of bioactivities based on small structural changes initiated further studies on new derivatives. Three new streptophenazines (I-K) were identified after fermentation in the present study. In addition, revised molecular structures of streptophenazines C, D, F and H are proposed. Streptophenazines G and K exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against the facultative pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis and against Bacillus subtilis. All tested compounds (streptophenazines G, I-K) also showed moderate activities against PDE 4B.
In this work the influence of “active” bridge units on the electron transfer (ET) mechanism within organic donor-bridge-electrode arrays in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) was studied by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. In the first part of this work ferrocenealkanethiols 1 – 3 and the ferrocenearylthiols 4, 5 were investigated to get experience in the monolayer preparation for measuring ET rates. Cyclic voltammetry of the monolayers indicates that homogeneously mixed monolayers containing redox active molecules and dummy molecules were formed. For the known ferrocenealkanethiols 1 – 3 the ET rates could be confirmed compared to the ones measured by Creager et al. [206]. As expected the ET rate decreases by increasing chain length of the alkane spacer from 2 to 3. Changing the bonding between the redox centre and the alkane spacer with the same bridge lenght, e. g. by using a carboxy-group in case of 1, does not influence the ET behaviour very strong. The aromatic ferrocenethiols 4 and 5 show very high ET rates due to the strong conjugated system although the distance between the redox centre and the electrode is comparable to the C8-alkyl compound 2. The electronic coupling factors all indicate a nonadiabatic ET between the redox centre and the electrode. As expected the electronic coupling factors increase with decreasing spacer length or with an enlarged conjugated system. To sum up, experience in monolayer preparation could be obtained, the measured ET rates for well known ferrocenealkane-compounds 1 - 3 could be verified and the information could be transferred to the conjugated systems 4 and 5. In the second part the triarylamine- 29, 32 and the phenothiazinealkanethiol 35 have been examined relative to their ET behaviour in mixed monolayers. The cyclic voltammograms of the diluted monolayers indicate that homogeneously formed monolayers are present. The ET rates of triarylamine- 29, 32 and phenothiazinealkanethiols 35 are 10 to 100 times higher than compared to ferrocenealkanethiols with equal chain length[183, 206], whereas in a [Ru(bpy)2(pp)]+-containing monolayer the same value was observed [177]. Almost two parameters influence the ET rate constant: the electronic coupling matrix element and the reorganisation energy  [209]. The ET rate in donor substituted alkanethiols is mainly influenced by the reorganisation energy  [177] and even small changes have a dramatic effect on the observed processes, therefore an increasing ET rate from the ferrocene (high reorganisation energy) over the phenothiazine 35 and the [Ru(bpy)2(pp)]+ to the triarylamine chromophores 29 and 32 (low reorganisation energy) is observed. Furthermore the bonding between the redox centres and the alkane spacer plays an important role on the ET rate in case of the triarylamines 29 and 32 opposite to the assumption made by Creager et al. that the connection does not play any role. For the electron rich ether connected compound 29 the ET is not only dominated by the reorganisation energy but also by mesomeric effects where the positive charge of the electron rich derivative 29 is more located at the ether function so that the chain is formally shortend by one atom resulting in higher ET rates than compared to 32. In the third part of the thesis a series of “molecular wires” consisting of methoxy- or chloro-substituted triarylamines and phenothiazines with different bridge units and bridge length between the redox centre and the anchor thiol function have been prepared in order to investigate their ET-behaviour. Cyclic voltammetry and UV/vis-spectroscopy show that the oxidation potential and the energetic states could be controlled very well by introducing different redox centres and bridge units resulting in a decreasing oxidation potential of the redox centres and a bathochromic shift of the absorption bands in the UV/vis-spectra. Also the densitiy of the chromophores in mixed monolayers could be controlled very well for only three compounds (49, 52 and 87) with nitrile-substituted bridges reliable ET rates could be obtained. In these chromophores the ET rate decreases by increasing the density of the redox active molecules in the mixed monolayers indicating that the adsorption geometry changes with coverage with the chromophores tilting to a more upright orientation as the surface becomes more crowded. For all other compounds the measurements were limited by the fast ET rates. Conformational, as well as a very weak distance dependence of the ET resulting in very high ET rates [172] or unfavourable HOMO-LUMO energies of the donor, bridge and the electrode are reasons for this behaviour. The fact that compound 49 shows almost the same rate constant independent of the length (n = 2 or n = 3) may indicate that a hopping process is operating for which a much weaker length dependence is expected than in the case of a superexchange.