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Published on: February 7, 2017
Poly(p-phenylene ethynylene)s with facially amphiphilic pendant groups: solvatochromism and supramolecular assemblies
Yan Li1, Guangtao Li, Xinyan Wang
1Department of Chemistry, Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering and Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Novel functionalized poly(p-phenylene ethynylene)s (PPEs) bearing facially amphiphilic cholic and deoxycholic acid units are synthesized by a Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. Some interesting properties, particularly their optical and self-assembly characteristics, are unraveled. The PPEs that carry bile acid substituents exhibit remarkable solvatochromism in a wide range of solvent systems, and judicious choice of the solvents can adjust the size and morphology of the formed nanoscale supramolecular aggregates. The incorporation of these naturally occurring building blocks can also impart biocompatibility to the conjugated system and stimulate the growth of living cells.
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A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
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