Mechanism of N-octadecyl-N'-maleoyl-L-phenylalanine self-assembled into supramolecular structures

N-Octadecyl-N'-maleoyl-L-phenylalanine (ODMA-L-Phe) was synthesized through the condensation, deprotection and aeid-ylation reaction of BOC-L-phenylalanine, octadecylamine and maleic anhydride. ODMA-L-Phe can self-assemble in some organic solvents and turned them into thermally reversible physical supramolecular organogels. The morphology of ODMA-L-Phe aggregates was characterized by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The aggregates of ODMA-L-Phe were needle-like fibrils with diameters of approximately 100-200 nm. The mechanism of ODMA-L-Phe self-assembly in organic solvents was investigated using 1H NMR and circular dichroism (CD). The results indicated that hydrogen bonding was one of the main driving forces for the self-assembly of ODMA-L-Phe.     

Self-assembly of a dialkylurea gelator in organic solvents in the presence of centrifugal and shearing forces

A novel dialkylurea gelator, 1-methyl-2,4-bis(N(')-octadecaneureido)benzene (designated as MBOB) was synthesized, which can turn some organic solvents into organogels at extremely low concentrations (<2 wt%). The (1)H NMR spectra of MBOB in solution (110 degrees C) and in the gel state (30 degrees C) indicate that intermolecular hydrogen bonding is the driving force for the self-assembly of MBOB. In the process of the self-assembly of MBOB, orientation of MBOB aggregates occurs under the influence of external fields, such as a centrifugal force and shearing force fields. The minimum gelation concentrations of MBOB in organic solvents under a centrifugal force field were significantly higher than those in the absence of a centrifugal force field, indicating a significant effect of the external field on the self-assembly of MBOB. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) provided evidence for a significantly phase transition of the MBOB aggregates from an amorphous state in the absence of the external field to an oriented state under conditions of a centrifugal or shearing force during the gelation process. A self-assembled structure of MBOB is proposed based upon an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and a molecular simulation. DSC analysis of the organogels indicates that the phase transition temperature increased from 58.5 degrees C in the absence of the external field to 63.3 degrees C under a centrifugal force field and 62.2 degrees C under a shearing force field. The enthalpy of the phase transition decreased from 3.1 J/g in the absence of an external field to 2.6 J/g under a centrifugal force field and 2.7 J/g under a shearing force field.     

Chlorophyll a self-assembly in polar solvent-water mixtures

The conversion of chlorophyll a (Chl a) monomers into large aggregates in six polar solvents upon addition of water has been studied by means of absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime measurements for the purpose of elucidating the various environmental factors promoting Chl a self-assembly and determining the type of its organization. Two empirical solvent parameter scales were used for quantitative characterization of the different solvation properties of the solvents and their mixtures with water. The mole fractions of water f1/2 giving rise to the midpoint values of the relative fluorescence quantum yield were determined for each solvent, and then various solvent-water mixture parameters for the f1/2 values were compared. On the basis of their comparison, it is concluded that the hydrogen-bonding ability and the dipole-dipole interactions (function of the dielectric constant) of the solvent-water mixtures are those that promote Chl a self-assembly. The influence of the different nature of the non-aqueous solvents on the Chl aggregation is manifested by both the different water contents required to induce Chl monomer-->aggregate transition and the formation of two types of aggregates at the completion of the transition: species absorbing at 740-760 nm (in methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, acetone) and at 667-670 nm (in pyridine and tetrahydrofuran). It is concluded that the type of Chl organization depends on the coordination ability and the polarizability (function of the index of refraction) of the organic solvent. The ordering of the solvents with respect to the f1/2 values--methanol < ethanol < acetonitrile < acetone < pyridine < tetrahydrofuran--yielded a typical lyotropic (Hofmeister) series. On the basis of this solvent ordering and the disparate effects of the two groups of solvents on the Chl a aggregate organization, it is pointed out that the mechanism of Chl a self-assembly in aqueous media can be considered a manifestation of the Hofmeister effect, as displayed in the lipid-phase behavior (Koynova et al., Eur. J. Biophys. 25, 261-274, 1997). It relates to the solvent ability to modify the bulk structure and to distribute unevenly between the Chl-water interface and bulk liquid.     

π-共轭三苯基苯衍生物的合成及其胶凝性能

合成了一系列三单脂肪链具有盘状结构的三苯基苯衍生物并研究了其在有机溶剂中自组装行为. 结果表明, 该系列衍生物在多种低极性有机溶剂中可以形成稳定的凝胶, 利用小角X射线衍射实验和扫描电子显微镜技术观察到干凝胶的分子排列具有层状结构, 形成纤维状和片层状聚集, 紫外-可见吸收光谱和红外光谱结果表明分子间氢键和π-π共轭堆积效应是形成自组装凝胶的主要驱动力. 在形成凝胶过程中, 凝胶剂分子在溶液中通过盘状中心的π-π共轭堆积效应和酰胺键的分子间氢键作用自组装成层状结构, 层状结构进一步组装形成纤维状和片层状聚集体, 最终形成三维网状结构阻碍溶剂流动形成凝胶.     

反应型二烷基脲凝胶剂及有机溶剂的室温凝胶化研究

通常制备有机分子凝胶是在高温下溶解凝胶剂,凝胶剂分子在冷却过程中进行自组装并使有机溶剂凝胶化。该方法限制了某些低沸点溶剂的凝胶化。利用甲苯二异氰酸酯与烷基胺的高反应活性,制备了三种不同烷基链长的反应型凝胶剂甲苯–2, 4–二（N, N’ –烷基）脲。这种反应型凝胶剂能以较低的浓度在室温下使某些芳香族和卤代烃溶剂中形成热可逆的有机分子凝胶。不同烷基链长的亲溶剂作用以及溶剂性质对有机分子凝胶的形成有较大影响。场发射扫描电镜表明这种反应型凝胶剂在有机溶剂中自组装形成纤维状三维网络结构。烷基链长度不同,形成的纤维状聚集体的形态也不同。红外光谱（FT-IR）和核磁共振波谱（1H-NMR）研究表明分子间氢键作用是这种凝胶剂自组装的驱动力。通过X射线衍射（XRD）和分子模拟推测了其聚集体的结构形态。     

化学酶法合成五嵌段聚合物及其自组装行为的研究

用酶促开环聚合与ATRP方法相结合,制备了聚甲基丙烯酸六氟丁酯-聚己内酯-聚乙二醇-聚己内酯-聚甲基丙烯酸六氟丁酯(PHFMA-b-PCL-b-PEG-b-PCL-b-PHFMA)五嵌段聚合物.首先用Novozym e 435作为催化剂合成了聚己内酯-聚乙二醇-聚己内酯三嵌段聚合物,然后通过端基官能化法合成了大分子引发剂,并用其引发甲基丙烯酸六氟丁酯(HFMA)的ATRP反应,合成了五嵌段聚合物.通过核磁和GPC证明了大分子引发剂和五嵌段共聚物的结构,五嵌段共聚物的GPC分析表明这种合成方法的可行.共聚物胶束的直径和大小通过动态光散射方法和原子力显微镜测试,五嵌段共聚物在水中的的自组装行为也被研究.结果证明胶束是球形,其平均直径为77 nm.聚合物在四氢呋喃中的浓度对聚合物的聚集形貌有很大的影响.     

疏水作用对光化学和光物理过程的影响 Ⅹ. 非平面分子2,2’-联萘在促簇性溶剂中的簇集和激基缔合物的形成

激基缔合物是由一个激发态分子和一个基态分子形成的复合物,组成激基缔合物的两个分子平面必须彼此平行呈夹心面包式构型^[1]。在某些情况下,两个芳香环在基态时就呈激基缔合物的构型并有很强的相互作用,形成基态复合物一二聚体^[2,3]。人们对平面结构的芳香化合物分子形成的激基缔合物已经进行了大量研究,并且注意到非平面的芳香化合物分子很难形成激基缔合物^[4]。     

Effect of organic solvents on J aggregation of pseudoisocyanine dye at mica/water interfaces: morphological transition from three-dimension to two-dimension

Morphological and spectroscopic properties of pseudoisocyanine (PIC) J aggregates produced at mica/solution interfaces have been characterized by absorption/fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Addition of organic solvents (1-propanol (PrOH) or 1,4-dioxane (Dox)) into aqueous solutions of the PIC dye induced a transition of the morphology of the interfacial J aggregates. The characteristic feature of this transition is the thickness (or height) change of the aggregate domain layers from three-dimensions to two-dimensions: The domain area of the J aggregates was dependent on the amount of the organic cosolvent, while the domain thickness was dependent on the type of the cosolvent. In pure aqueous solution, the J aggregates at the mica/water interface had a three-dimensional structure with the height of approximately 3 nm (multilayer structure). In mixed solvents of PrOH/water or Dox/water (5 or 10 vol%), the interfacial aggregates became a bilayer or monolayer structure, respectively, assuming that PIC molecules are adsorbed on their molecular plane perpendicular to the mica surface. Meanwhile, optical properties (band width and peak position) of the J band were invariant upon addition of the organic cosolvents, suggesting that molecular packing in the J aggregates is essentially unchanged. These results revealed that spectroscopic properties of the interfacial PIC J aggregates were determined only by the lateral (two-dimensional) interaction within the adsorbed monolayer of PIC molecules on mica, and interlayer interaction in the multilayered J aggregate was consequently small.     

Hierarchical self-assembly of a bow-shaped molecule bearing self-complementary hydrogen bonding sites into extended supramolecular assemblies

The bow-shaped molecule 1 bearing a self-complementary DAAD-ADDA (D=donor A=acceptor) hydrogen-bonding array generates, in hydrocarbon solvents, highly ordered supramolecular sheet aggregates that subsequently give rise to gels by formation of an entangled network. The process of hierarchical self-assembly of compound 1 was investigated by the concentration and temperature dependence of UV-visible and (1)H NMR spectra, fluorescence spectra, and electron microscopy data. The temperature dependence of the UV-visible spectra indicates a highly cooperative process for the self-assembly of compound 1 in decaline. The electron micrograph of the decaline solution of compound 1 (1.0 mM) revealed supramolecular sheet aggregates forming an entangled network. The selected area electronic diffraction patterns of the supramolecular sheet aggregates were typical for single crystals, indicative of a highly ordered assembly. The results exemplify the generation, by hierarchical self-assembly, of highly organized supramolecular materials presenting novel collective properties at each level of organization.     

Vesicles prepared by β-cyclodextrins Inclusion complexes based on switching supramolecular interaction models induced by mixed solvents

Vesicles, based on two-head inclusion model (2:1) and one-head inclusion model (1:1) of carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (CM-β-CD) with N,N′-bis (ferrocenylmethylene) diaminohexane (BFD) were prepared in water as well as in mixed solvents (water/methanol, water/ethanol, water/isopropanol, water/tert-butanol and water/glycerol). Morphologies and sizes of the aggregates in water and mixed solvents were observed by TEM and confirmed by DLS. A gradual change was shown with increasing proportion of the organic component in the mixed solvents. The polarities and steric hindrances of the mixed solvents would play key roles in the morphological changes of aggregates. Moreover, two possible formation mechanisms in different solvents were proposed based on UV, CV and ¹H-NMR data. The work in this paper may extend the applications of vesicles in biosimulation, drug-delivery and smart materials.     

聚苯乙烯-b-聚氧乙烯-b-聚苯乙烯三嵌段共聚物的自组装

小分子表面活性剂、磷脂、接枝及嵌段共聚物等两亲分子在选择性介质中能够自组装形成特定的分子聚集体 [1,2 ] .嵌段共聚物自组装的某些行为具有生物膜模拟性 ,如最近发现的嵌段共聚物自组装囊泡 [3～ 5] .诸多因素影响着嵌段共聚物在稀溶液中的自组装行为 [6] .对于 ABA型三嵌     

含蜜胺基团的新型苝酰亚胺染料的合成及纳米纤维的构筑

合成了一种含三嗪基团的新型苝酰亚胺染料(T-PTCD), 并对其分子结构进行了确认. 考察了溶剂的极性和溶剂体积比等因素对相转移法和快速溶剂扩散法制备的T-PTCD聚集体形貌结构的影响. 结果表明, 以甲醇和三氯甲烷分别作为"不良"溶剂和"良"溶剂, 低体积比甲醇/氯仿在一定程度上有利纳米纤维的形成; 当体积比为1:4时, 采用相转移法可制备出直径大约100 nm左右, 长度为几十微米的结构规整的纳米纤维.     

Polyaniline precipitation in aqueous medium: from bulk aggregates to nanoparticles

A postsynthetic self-assembly system was designed to investigate a construction process from suspended polyaniline (PANI) molecules to condensed aggregates. The conventionally synthesized PANI was dissolved in polar solvent and introduced into acidic medium with electrolytes similar to the aniline chemical oxidative polymerization (COP) medium. In this way, reaction interference that is usually encountered in the COP process could be avoided, and influences of medium conditions including organic electrolytes on the self-assembly behaviors of PANI were studied. It was discovered that, in a static aqueous medium with moderate pH and rich electrolytes, PANI molecules composed of bulk aggregates could self-assemble into well-dispersed nanoparticles with few structural changes. Electrostatic force is considered to dominate the self-assembly of PANI molecules as compared with other noncovalent interaction or the effect of soft templates such as ionic liquid and surfactant. The results are supposed to provide better understanding on the formation mechanism of micro/nanostructured PANI.     

带极性侧链的环[6]芳酰胺的球形自组装

环芳酰胺是一类基于三中心氢键促进,经寡聚前体一步大环合成法得到的刚性大环分子.通过紫外-可见(UV-Vis)光谱、动态光散射(DLS)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)和原子力显微镜(AFM)等实验手段,详细考察了侧链为三甘醇单甲基醚链,由六个苯环单元组成的环[6]芳酰胺的自组装行为.实验结果表明,该大环在1,2-二氯乙烷中发生自组装,其组装聚集体随温度升高产生从聚集体到单分子的解聚变化,至70℃时几乎完全解聚;在由良溶剂(二氯甲烷)和不良溶剂(芳烃类)组成的混合溶剂中,带有三甘醇醚链的环[6]芳酰胺化合物1自组装成微球,结合热稳定性实验和TEM证实是实心微球而非囊泡.进一步发现微球形成和形貌依赖于混合溶剂中不良溶剂的极性和种类,芳烃类溶剂有利于微球形成,而烷烃和极性溶剂则不利,后者更倾向于形成膜的结构.     

Supramolecular organogels formed by monochain derivatives of succinic acid

The monoalkyl chain derivatives of succinic acid self-assemble into ordered bilayer aggregates by forming dimers of hydrogen bonded carboxylic acid in a number of organic solvents and finally gelatinize the solvents. The gelation ability of each derivative was inspected. The morphologies of xerogels were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The microstructure of aggregates was studied by small angle X-ray diffraction (SA-XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results reveal that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between neighboring molecules are critical factor in the process of organogelation.     

Solvent effect on the aggregate of fluorinated gemini surfactant at silica surface

The aggregate states of partially fluorinated gemini surfactant [(CF3)2CF(CF2)2(CH2)10N(CH3)2]2(CH2)6Br2 (C(F)(5)C10-C6-C10C(F)(5)) on silica surface were investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and water contact angle (CA) measurement by analyzing the effects of bulk concentration and adsorption time on stack state. On surfactant-adsorbed silica surfaces, there was a flat surface layer interspersed with some scattering surfactant aggregates. In the case of short adsorption times, the aggregates would be hemisphere. In the case of long adsorption times, the aggregates would be present in the form of bilayers. With the increase of bulk concentration, the adsorbed amount was enlarged and the surface layer became more compact. The formation of patchy bilayer aggregates indicated the saturation of the surface layer. Furthermore, organic solvent effects on the aggregate state of the surfactant on a silica surface were studied with four organic solvents, including n-hexane, dehydrated ethanol, 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, and toluene. With the treatment of different organic solvents, the hemisphere aggregates on the surface layer can rearrange into spherical bilayer, rodlike monolayer, and branched rodlike monolayer aggregates, respectively. The polarity of solvents and affinity of organic solvents for surfactant molecules may have a great impact on the stack state of the fluorinated gemini surfactant molecules.     

Self-assembly of short amyloidogenic peptides at the air-water interface

Short peptide stretches in amyloidogenic proteins can form amyloid fibrils in vitro and have served as good models for studying amyloid fibril formation. Recently, these amyloidogenic peptides have gained considerable attention, as non-amyloid ordered structures can be obtained from these peptides by carefully tuning the conditions of self-assembly, especially pH, temperature and presence of organic solvents. We have examined the effect of surface pressure on the self-assembled structures of two amyloidogenic peptides, Pβ(2)m (Ac-DWSFYLLYYTEFT-am) and AcPHF6 (Ac-VQIVYK-am) at the air-water interface when deposited from different solvents. Both the peptides are surface-active and form Thioflavin T (ThT) positive structures at the air-water interface. There is considerable hysteresis in the compression and expansion isotherms, suggesting the occurrence of structural rearrangements during compression. Preformed Pβ(2)m fibrillar structures at the air-water interface are disrupted as peptide is compressed to lower molecular areas but restored if the film is expanded, suggesting that the process is reversible. AcPHF6, on the other hand, shows largely sheet-like structures at lower molecular areas. The solvents used for dissolution of the peptides appear to influence the nature of the aggregates formed. Our results show that like hydrostatic pressure, surface pressure can also be utilized for modulating the self-assembly of the amyloidogenic and self-assembling peptides.     

Self-Assembly of Synthetic Zinc Chlorins in Aqueous Microheterogeneous Media to an Artificial Supramolecular Light-Harvesting Device

Self-assembled aggregates of a synthetic zinc chlorin in an aqueous suspension with either α-lecithin or Triton X-100 exhibit unique structural and functional properties. Absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence, and resonance Raman spectra indicate that the supramolecular structure in an aqueous microheterogeneous medium is very similar to that of the bacteriochlorophyll c aggregates in non-polar organic solvents and in chlorosomes, the main light-harvesting antennae of green photosynthetic bacteria. The nature of the aggregates is controlled by structure and/or concentration of the added surfactants. When a small amount of metal-free bacteriochlorin is present it acts as an efficient energy acceptor from the aggregated zinc chlorins. Thus, self-assembly of synthetic zinc chlorins, doped with appropriate energy acceptors and surrounded with surfactants, affords an artificial supramolecular light-harvesting device in aqueous environment.     

十八烷基-L-苯丙氨酸齐聚物在有机溶剂中的自组装

由L-苯丙氨酸和二(三氯甲基)碳酸酯反应得到的L-苯丙氨酸-N-羧基-环内酸酐(L-Phe-NCA), 在十八胺的引发下开环聚合得到十八烷基-L-苯丙氨酸齐聚物(简称L-Phe-R18). ¹H NMR (300 MHz)和FT-IR表征了产物结构, 是平均聚合度为5的齐聚物. L-Phe-R18能在多种有机溶剂中发生聚集和自组装, 并进而在这些有机溶剂中形成热可逆的物理凝胶. 其中, 该齐聚物能在氯苯、二苯醚、甲苯等溶剂中形成透明凝胶. 也能在苯、硝基苯、醋酸丁酯等溶剂中形成非透明凝胶. L-Phe-R18在这些有机溶剂中的最低凝胶化浓度(MGC)在w＝0.3%～1%之间. X射线衍射(XRD)数据和场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)以及分子模拟表征了L-Phe-R18聚集体的微观形态和可能的聚集方式. 认为L-Phe-R18在有机溶剂中通过分子间氢键、π-π堆积等非共价键相互作用聚集、组装成厚度约为20 nm左右的带状纤维, 溶剂分子以毛细力存在于相互缠绕的纤维网络结构中, 使体系形成稳定的凝胶.     

Solvent effect on the self-assembled structure of an amphiphilic perylene diimide derivative

An amphiphilic electron-deficient (n-type) perylene diimide has been synthesized and characterized. The diimide contains a hydrophobic long chain on one end and a hydrophilic ethoxy chain on the other. The self-assembly of this molecule in polar and nonpolar solvents has been demonstrated by concentration- and temperature-dependent absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. Analysis of the spectral change for the aggregates shows typical J-aggregates for structures precipitated from polar solvents and H-aggregates for structures precipitated from nonpolar solvents. SEM and TEM micrographs and a suggested packing scheme, compatible with the formation of nanostrips in nonpolar solvents and nanofibers in polar solvents, are presented.