Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Characterization of Tandem Triblock BPOSS-PDI-X Shape Amphiphiles

In this article, we report the facile synthesis, self-assembly, and characterization of shape amphiphiles (BPOSS-PDI-X) based on isobutyl-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (BPOSS), perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI), and (60)fullerene (C₆₀) moieties. Firstly, an asymmetrically functionalized diblock shape amphiphile precursor (BPOSS-PDI-OH) was obtained through the one-pot reaction between perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and two different amines, namely BPOSS-NH₂ and 3-amino-1-propanol. It was further conjugated with C₆₀-COOH to give a tri-block shape amphiphile (BPOSS-PDI-C₆₀). Their chemical structures were thoroughly characterized by NMR, IR and MALDI-TOF MS spectrometry. In order to gain insights on the structure-property relationship, their self-assembly in gas phase, in solution, and in solid state were characterized using traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS), UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence emission spectrophotometer, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. It was found that BPOSS-PDI-OH formed more complicated dimers than BPOSS-PDI-C₆₀. Both samples showed unique aggregation behaviors in solution with increasing concentration, which could be attributed neither to H- nor to J-type and might be related to the discrete dimers. While BPOSS-PDI-C₆₀ could hardly crystalize into ordered structures, BPOSS-PDI-OH could form nanobelt-shaped single crystals, which may hold potential applications in microelectronics.