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Based on the analysis of optical absorption spectra, it has recently been speculated that the excitonic coupling between individual azobenzene-functionalized alkanethiols arranged in a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a gold surface could be strong enough to hinder collective trans-cis isomerization-on top of steric hindrance [Gahl et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2010, 132, 1831]. Using models of SAMs of increasing complexity (dimer, linear N-mers, and two-dimensionally arranged N-mers) and density functional theory on the (TD-) B3LYP/6-31G* level, we determine optical absorption spectra, the nature and magnitude of excitonic couplings, and the corresponding spectral shifts. It is found that at inter-monomer distances of about 20 angstrom and above, TD-B3LYP excitation frequencies (and signal intensities) can be well described by the frequently used point-dipole approximation. Further, calculated blue shifts in optical absorption spectra account for the experimental observations made for azobenzene/gold SAMs, and hint to the fact that they can indeed be responsible for reduced switching probability in densely packed self-assembled structures.
In this paper, we perform many-electron dynamics using the time-dependent configuration-interaction method in its reduced density matrix formulation (rho-TDCI). Dissipation is treated implicitly using the Lindblad formalism. To include the effect of ionization on the state-resolved dynamics, we extend a recently introduced heuristic model for ionizing states to the rho-TDCI method, which leads to a reduced density matrix evolution that is not norm-preserving. We apply the new method to the laser-driven excitation of H(2) in a strongly dissipative environment, for which the state-resolve lifetimes are tuned to a few femtoseconds, typical for dynamics of adsorbate at metallic surfaces. Further testing is made on the laser-induced intramolecular charge transfer in a quinone derivative as a model for a molecular switch. A modified scheme to treat ionizing states is proposed to reduce the computational burden associated with the density matrix propagation, and it is thoroughly tested and compared to the results obtained with the former model. The new approach scales favorably (similar to N(2)) with the number of configurations N used to represent the reduced density matrix in the rho-TDCI method, as compared to a N(3) scaling for the model in its original form.
In this work, the adsorption and splitting of the water molecule by light and/or an external potential is investigated in the frame of (photo-) electrochemical cells using a rutile ruthenium dioxide anode. With the help of periodic density functional calculations, the adsorbed structures of H(2)O and some radicals involved in the splitting process (O, OH, OOH) are obtained and compared with the available experimental results. On the basis of these electronic-structure calculations, we use a method to calculate the stability of the reaction intermediates and conclude on the thermodynamical possibility of the water splitting reaction at the surface. We demonstrate that a moderate overpotential of 0.64 V is required for the reaction to take place at the RuO(2)(110) surface.
Functional hybrid materials on the basis of inorganic hosts and ionic liquids (ILs) as guests hold promise for a virtually unlimited number of applications. In particular, the interaction and the combination of properties of a defined inorganic matrix and a specific IL could lead to synergistic effects in property selection and tuning. Such hybrid materials, generally termed ionogels, are thus an emerging topic in hybrid materials research. The current article addresses some of the recent developments and focuses on the question why silica is currently the dominating matrix used for (inorganic) ionogel fabrication. In comparison to silica, matrix materials such as layered simple hydroxides, layered double hydroxides, clay-type substances, magnetic or catalytically active solids, and many other compounds could be much more interesting because they themselves may carry useful functionalities, which could also be exploited for multifunctional hybrid materials synthesis. The current article combines experimental results with some arguments as to how new, advanced functional hybrid materials can be generated and which obstacles will need to be overcome to successfully achieve the synthesis of a desired target material.
We have earlier shown that linear poly(ethylene imine) (LPEI) is an efficient growth modifier for calcium phosphate mineralization from aqueous solution (Shkilnyy et al., Langmuir, 2008, 24 (5), 2102). The current study addresses the growth process and the reason why LPEI is such an effective additive. To that end, the solution pH and the calcium and phosphate concentrations were monitored vs. reaction time using potentiometric, complexometric, and photometric methods. The phase transformations in the precipitates and particle morphogenesis were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. All measurements reveal steep decreases of the pH, calcium, and phosphate concentrations along with a rapid precipitation of brushite nanoparticles early on in the reaction. Brushite transforms into hydroxyapatite (HAP) within the first 2 h, which is much faster than what is reported, for example, for calcium phosphate precipitated with poly(acrylic acid). We propose that poly(ethylene imine) acts as a proton acceptor (weak buffer), which accelerates the transformation from brushite to HAP by taking up the protons that are released from the calcium phosphate precipitate during the phase transformation.
In this thesis, simulations of laser-driven many-electron dynamics in molecules are presented, i.e., the interaction between molecules and an electromagnetic field is demonstrated. When a laser field is applied to a molecular system, a population of higher electronic states takes place as well as other processes, e.g. photoionization, which is described by an appropriate model. Also, a finite lifetime of an excited state can be described by such a model. In the second part, a method is postulated that is capable of describing electron correlation in a time-dependent scheme. This is done by introducing a single-electron entropy that is at least temporarily minimized in a further step.
In this work new fluorinated and non-fluorinated mono- and bifunctional trithiocarbonates of the structure Z-C(=S)-S-R and Z-C(=S)-S-R-S-C(=S)-Z were synthesized for the use as chain transfer agents (CTAs) in the RAFT-process. All newly synthesized CTAs were tested for their efficiency to moderate the free radical polymerization process by polymerizing styrene (M3). Besides characterization of the homopolymers by GPC measurements, end- group analysis of the synthesized block copolymers via 1H-, 19F-NMR, and in some cases also UV-vis spectroscopy, were performed attaching suitable fluorinated moieties to the Z- and/or R-groups of the CTAs. Symmetric triblock copolymers of type BAB and non-symmetric fluorine end- capped polymers were accessible using the RAFT process in just two or one polymerization step. In particular, the RAFT-process enabled the controlled polymerization of hydrophilic monomers such as N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) (M1) as well as N-acryloylpyrrolidine (NAP) (M2) for the A-blocks and of the hydrophobic monomers styrene (M3), 2-fluorostyrene (M4), 3-fluorostyrene (M5), 4-fluorostyrene (M6) and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorostyrene (M7) for the B-blocks. The properties of the BAB-triblock copolymers were investigated in dilute, concentrated and highly concentrated aqueous solutions using DLS, turbidimetry, 1H- and 19F-NMR, rheology, determination of the CMC, foam height- and surface tension measurements and microscopy. Furthermore, their ability to stabilize emulsions and microemulsions and the wetting behaviour of their aqueous solutions on different substrates was investigated. The behaviour of the fluorine end-functionalized polymers to form micelles was studied applying DLS measurements in diluted organic solution. All investigated BAB-triblock copolymers were able to form micelles and show surface activity at room temperature in dilute aqueous solution. The aqueous solutions displayed moderate foam formation. With different types and concentrations of oils, the formation of emulsions could be detected using a light microscope. A boosting effect in microemulsions could not be found adding BAB-triblock copolymers. At elevated polymer concentrations, the formation of hydrogels was proved applying rheology measurements.
Mechanistische und kinetische Untersuchungen von komplexen zellulären Prozessen in situ sind in den vergangenen Jahren durch den Einsatz photoaktivierbarer Biomoleküle, sogenannter caged Verbindungen, möglich geworden. Bei den caged Verbindungen handelt es sich um photolabile inaktive Derivate von biologisch aktiven Molekülen, aus denen durch ultraviolettes Licht mit Hilfe einer photochemischen Reaktion die natürliche, biologisch aktive Substanz schnell freigesetzt werden kann. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden caged Verbindungen von den Neurotransmittern Octopamin und Dopamin, dem Octopamin-Antagonist Epinastin, den Proteinsyntheseinhibitoren Emetin und Anisomycin, dem Protonophor CCCP und dem Riechstoff Bourgeonal hergestellt. Zur Synthese dieser caged Verbindungen wurden sowohl bekannte als auch verschiedene im Rahmen dieser Arbeit neu entwickelte photolabile Schutzgruppen mit einem (Cumarin-4-yl)methyl- bzw. einem 2-Nitrobenzyl-Gerüst eingesetzt. Entsprechende Syntheseverfahren wurden erarbeitet. Anschließend erfolgte eine umfassende physikalisch-chemische sowie photochemische Charakterisierung der erhaltenen caged Verbindungen. Dabei wurde besonders auf gute Löslichkeit in Wasser bei physiologischer Ionenstärke, schnelle und effiziente Photoreaktivität, hohe Extinktion bei Wellenlängen von 350-430 nm und gute solvolytische Stabilität bei geringer Toxizität der freigesetzten Schutzgruppe geachtet. Ein Schwerpunkt bei der photochemischen Charakterisierung bildeten die Untersuchungen zur Quantifizierung der 2-Photonen-Anregung, uncaging action cross-sections, der Cumarinylmethyl-caged Verbindungen, aufgrund ihrer Bedeutung für die Photofreisetzung von Biomolekülen, da die gleichzeitige Absorption von 2 IR-Photonen eine höhere dreidimensionale Auflösung und eine wesentlich tiefere Gewebepenetration erlaubt. Mit Hilfe von Kooperationspartnern wurden zeitaufgelösten Fluoreszenz- und IR-Messungen an verschiedenen (Cumarin-4-yl)methoxycarbonyl-caged Modellverbindungen durchgeführt, mit denen die Geschwindigkeitskonstanten k1 und kdecarb des Photolysemechanismus ermittelt wurde. Am Ende folgten die Anwendungserprobungen ausgewählter caged Verbindungen in einem Translationsassay bzw. in Zelluntersuchungen.
In this thesis entitled “Saccharide Recognition - Boronic acids as Receptors in Polymeric Networks” different aspects of boronic acid synthesis, their analysis and incorporation or attachment to different polymeric networks and characterisation thereof were investigated. The following key aspects were considered: • Provision of a variety of different characterised arylboronic acids and benzoboroxoles • Attachment of certain derivatives to nanoparticles and the characterisation of saccharide binding by means of isothermal titration calorimetry and displacement assay (ARS) to enhance the association constant to saccharides at pH 7.4 • Enhancement of selectivity in polymeric systems by means of molecular imprinting using fructose as template and a polymerisable benzoboroxole as functional monomer for the recognition at pH 7.4 (Joined by a diploma thesis of F. Grüneberger) • Development of biomimetic saccharide structures and the development of saccharide (especially glucose and fructose) binding MIPs by using these structures as template molecules. In the first part of the thesis different arylboronic acid derivatives were synthesised and their binding to glucose or fructose was investigated by means of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). It could be derived, which is in parallel to the literature, that derivatives bearing a methylhydroxyl-group in ortho-position to the boron (benzoboroxole) exhibit in most cases a two-fold higher association constant compared to the corresponding phenylboronic acid derivative. To gain a deeper understanding NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry with the benzoboroxole and glucose or fructose was performed. It could be shown that the exchange rate in terms of NMR time scale is quite slow since in titration experiments new peaks appeared. Via mass spectrometry of a mixture between benzoboroxole and glucose or fructose, different binding stoichiometries could be detected showing that the binding of saccharides is comparable with their binding to phenylboronic acid. In addition, the use of Alizarin Red S as an electrochemical reporter was described for the first time to monitor the saccharide binding to arylboronic acids not only with spectroscopy. Here, the redox behaviour and the displacement were recorded by cyclic voltammograms. In the second part different applications of boronic acids in polymeric networks were investigated. The attachment of benzoboroxoles to nanoparticles was investigated and monitored by means of isothermal titration calorimetry and a colourimetric assay with Alizarin Red S as the report dye. The investigations by isothermal titration calorimetry compared the fructose binding of arylboronic acids and benzoboroxoles coupled to these nanoparticles and “free” in solution. It could be shown that the attached derivatives showed a higher binding constant due to an increasing entropy term. This states for possible multivalent binding combined with a higher water release. Since ITC could not characterise the binding of glucose to these nanoparticles due to experimental restrictions the glucose binding at pH 7.4 was shown with ARS. Here, the displacement of ARS by fructose and also glucose could be followed and consequently these nanoparticles can be used for saccharide determination. Within this investigation also the temperature stability of these nanoparticles was examined and after normal sterilisation procedures (121°C, 20 min.) the binding behaviour was still unchanged. To target the selectivity of the used polymeric networks, molecular imprinting was used as a technique for creating artificial binding pockets on a molecular scale. As functional monomer 3-methacrylamidobenzoboroxole was introduced for the recognition of fructose. In comparison to polymers prepared with vinylphenylboronic acid the benzoboroxole containing polymer had a stronger binding at pH 7.4 which was shown for the first time. In addition, another imprinted polymer was synthesised especially for the recognition of glucose and fructose employing biomimetic saccharide analogues as template molecule. The advantage to use the saccharide analogues is the defined template-functional monomer complex during the polymerisation which is not the case, for example, for glucose-boronic acid interaction. The biomimetic character was proven through structural superimposition of crystal structures of the analogues with already described crystal structures of boronic acid esters of glucose and fructose. A molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesised with vinylphenylboronic acid as the functional monomer to show that both glucose and fructose are able to bind to the polymer which was predicted by the structural similarity of the analogues. The major scientific contributions of this thesis are • the determination of binding constants for some, not yet reported saccharide – boronic acid / benzoboroxole pairs, • the use of ARS as electrochemical reporter for saccharide detection, • the thermodynamic characterisation of a saccharide binding nanoparticle system containing benzoboroxole and functioning at pH 7.4, • the use of a polymerisable benzoboroxole as functional monomer for saccharide recognition in neutral, aqueous environments • and the synthesis and utilisation of biomimetic saccharide analogues as template molecules especially for the development of a glucose binding MIP.
The stem extract of Tephrosia purpurea showed antiplasmodial activity against the D6 (chloroquine-sensitive) and W2 (chloroquine-resistant) strains of Plasmodium falciparum with IC(50) values of 10.47 +/- 2.22 mu g/ml and 12.06 +/- 2.54 mu g/ml, respectively. A new prenylated flavone, named terpurinflavone, along with the known compounds lanceolatin A, (-)-semiglabrin and lanceolatin B have been isolated from this extract. The new compound, terpurinflavone, showed the highest antiplasmodial activity with IC(50) values of 3.12 +/- 0.28 mu M (D6) and 6.26 +/- 2.66 mu M (W2). The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.