Dynamics of small molecules within the F127 PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer gel and sol phases studied at the molecular scale

The dynamics of naphthalene derivatives with different hydrophobicities bound to F127 polyethyleneoxide-polypropyleneoxide-polyethyleneoxide (PEO-PPO-PEO) micelles in the gel and sol phases were studied using a quenching methodology for the triplet excited states of the naphthalenes. Studies with triplet excited states probe a larger reaction volume than the volumes accessible when using fluorescent singlet excited states. The use of triplet excited states enables the determination of the dynamics between different compartments of a supramolecular system, which in the case of F127 micelles are the micellar core, the micellar corona and the aqueous phase. This report includes laser flash photolysis studies for the four naphthalene derivatives in the F127 gel and sol phases. The triplet excited states were quenched using the nitrite anion as the quenchers. The association and dissociation rate constants of the naphthalenes from the micelles and the quenching rate constants for the naphthalenes bound to the micelles were determines from the curved quenching plot (observed decay rate constant vs. nitrite concentration).

BN-Embedded Perylenes

Transition metal catalyzed coupling reaction strategy has been utilized in the synthesis of two novel BN-perylenes starting from halogenated BN-naphthalene derivatives. The molecular structures and packing modes of BN-perylenes were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray single-crystal diffraction experiments. Their photophysical properties were further investigated using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Interestingly, the isosteric BN-insertion in perylene system resulted in stronger π-π stacking interaction both in solid and solution phases. The synthesized BN-perylenes are proved to be highly stable and thus provide a new valuable platform for novel organic materials applications which is otherwise inaccessible to date.

Design and synthesis of novel orexin 2 receptor agonists based on naphthalene skeleton

A novel series of naphthalene derivatives were designed and synthesized based on the strategy focusing on the restriction of the flexible bond rotation of OX2R selective agonist YNT-185 (1) and their agonist activities against orexin receptors were evaluated. The 1,7-naphthalene derivatives showed superior agonist activity than 2,7-naphthalene derivatives, suggesting that the bent form of 1 would be favorable for the agonist activity. The conformational analysis of 1,7-naphthalene derivatives indicated that the twisting of the amide unit out from the naphthalene plane is important for the enhancement of activity. The introduction of a methyl group on the 2-position of 1,7-naphthalene ring effectively increased the activity, which led to the discovery of the potent OX2R agonist 28c (EC50 = 9.21 nM for OX2R, 148 nM for OX1R). The structure-activity relationship results were well supported by a comparison of the docking simulation results of the most potent derivative 28c with an active state of agonist-bound OX2R cryo-EM SPA structure. These results suggested important information for understanding the active conformation and orientation of pharmacophores in the orexin receptor agonists, which is expected as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of narcolepsy.

Crystal Structure and Magnetism of Potassium-Intercalated 2,7-Dimethylnaphthalene

The rich physical properties of metal-intercalated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon materials have recently attracted considerable attention. Crystals of potassium-intercalated 2,7-dimethylnaphthalene were synthesized via solid phase reaction. The combination of XRD measurements and first-principles calculations indicated that each unit cell contains two potassium atoms and four organic molecules. Magnetization measurements revealed that the samples show a Curie paramagnetism. Theoretical calculations showed that the intercalated structure becomes metallic and has local magnetic moment. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the migration of electron from potassium 4s to carbon 2p orbital, which is the source of magnetism. Our research on naphthalene derivatives is helpful for expanding the range of novel organic magnetic materials and organic superconducting materials.

Synthesis of Reusable Cyclodextrin Polymers for Removal of Naphthol and Naphthylamine from Water

As one group of important naphthalene derivatives, naphthol and naphthylamine, are diffusely employed as dye intermediates. The presence of naphthol and naphthylamine in water systems may pose risks to the environment and public health due to their carcinogenicity. In this study, four mesoporous polymers prepared by β-cyclodextrin derivatives and tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile were obtained, and applied to deal with 1-naphthylamine, 2-naphthylamine, 1-naphthol, and 2-naphthol from water. The impact of adsorption time, initial concentration of naphthol and naphthylamine, and temperature on the adsorption efficiency of the four polymers were explored separately. The four polymers present fast adsorption kinetics towards naphthol and naphthylamine, attaining 93%~100% of adsorption equilibrium uptake for 1-naphthol, 1-naphthylamine, 2-naphthylamine in 15 min, and 87%~90% of equilibrium uptake for 2-naphthol in 15 min. The kinetics could be depicted well by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption isotherms of the four polymers towards naphthol and naphthylamine accord with Redlich-Peterson or Sips model. The adsorption ratio increases fast with reducing the initial concentration of naphthol and naphthylamine, which suggest that these polymers are applicable to removing low concentration of naphthol and naphthylamine from water. The adsorption ratio of naphthol and naphthylamine in 5 mg/L, can achieve over 95% in 25 oC. In addition, the four polymers can be effortlessly recovered by a gentle and simple washing procedure with little reduction in performance. The adsorption performance of the four polymers towards the four naphthalene derivatives can be improved by increasing the adsorption temperature. In conclusion, the prepared β-cyclodextrin polymers exhibit rapid water treatment in removing the four low-concentration naphthalene derivatives with convenient regeneration and good reusability.

Formation of boundary lubricating films during friction in synthetic oil modified with naphthalene derivatives

The influence of additives of naphthalene derivatives on the formation of boundary lubricating layers during friction in a dioctyl sebacate synthetic oil is considered. It is determined, that the activity of the additives is determined by the presence of acidic groups in their molecules and the ability to form complex compounds with metals. Keywords: boundary film, dioctyl sebacate, naphthalene derivatives, complex formation, lubricating properties [email protected]