Nobuhiko Hosono

Orthogonal self-assembly in folding block copolymers

We herein report the synthesis and characterization of ABA triblock copolymers that contain two complementary association motifs and fold into single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) via orthogonal self-assembly. The copolymers were prepared using atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and possess different pendant functional groups in the A and B blocks (alcohols in the A block and acetylenes in the B block). After postfunctionalization, the A block contains o-nitrobenzyl-protected 2-ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) moieties and the B block benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) moieties. While the protected UPy groups dimerize after photoinduced deprotection of the o-nitrobenzyl group, the BTA moieties self-assemble into helical aggregates when temperature is reduced. In a two-step thermal/photoirradiation treatment under dilute conditions, the ABA block copolymer forms both BTA-based helical aggregates and UPy dimers intramolecularly. The sequential association of the two self-assembling motifs results in single-chain folding of the polymer, affording nanometer-sized particles with a compartmentalized interior. Variable-temperature NMR studies showed that the BTA and UPy self-assembly steps take place orthogonally (i.e., without mutual interference) in dilute solution. In addition, monitoring of the intramolecular self-assembly of BTA moieties into helical aggregates by circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that the stability of the aggregates is almost independent of UPy dimerization. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and small-angle X-ray scattering analysis provided evidence of significant reductions in the hydrodynamic volume and radius of gyration, respectively, after photoinduced deprotection of the UPy groups; a 30-60% reduction in the size of the polymer chains was observed using SEC in CHCl(3). Molecular imaging by atomic force microscopy (AFM) corroborated significant contraction of individual polymer chains due to intramolecular association of the BTA and UPy groups. The stepwise folding process resulting from orthogonal self-assembly-induced supramolecular interactions yields compartmentalized SCPNs comprised of distinct microdomains that mimick two secondary-structuring elements in proteins.

Forced Unfolding of Single-Chain Polymeric Nanoparticles

Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) is applied to single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) to acquire information about the internal folding structure of SCPNs and inherent kinetic parameters of supramolecular self-assembling motifs embedded into the SCPNs. The SCPNs used here are polyacrylate-based polymers carrying 2-ureido-4-[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) or benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) pendants that induce an intramolecular chain collapse into nanoparticles consisting of one polymer chain only via internal supramolecular cross-linking. The SCPN is stretched by an AFM cantilever to unfold mechanically, which allows measuring of force-extension profiles of the SCPNs. Consecutive peaks observed in the force profiles are attributed to rupture events of self-assembled UPy/BTA units in the SCPNs. The force profiles have been analyzed statistically for a series of polymers with different UPy/BTA incorporation densities. The results provide insights into the internal conformation of SCPNs, where the folding structure can be changed with the incorporation density of UPy/BTA. In addition, dynamic loading rate analysis allows the determination of kinetic parameters of BTA self-assembly, which has not been accessible by any other method. This study offers a rational tool for understanding the folding structure, kinetics, and pathway of two series of SCPNs.

Metal–Organic Polyhedral Core as a Versatile Scaffold for Divergent and Convergent Star Polymer Synthesis

We herein report the divergent and convergent synthesis of coordination star polymers (CSP) by using metal-organic polyhedrons (MOPs) as a multifunctional core. For the divergent route, copper-based great rhombicuboctahedral MOPs decorated with dithiobenzoate or trithioester chain transfer groups at the periphery were designed. Subsequent reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of monomers mediated by the MOPs gave star polymers, in which 24 polymeric arms were grafted from the MOP core. On the other hand, the convergent route provided identical CSP architectures by simple mixing of a macroligand and copper ions. Isophthalic acid-terminated polymers (so-called macroligands) immediately formed the corresponding CSPs through a coordination reaction with copper(II) ions. This convergent route enabled us to obtain miktoarm CSPs with tunable chain compositions through ligand mixing alone. This powerful method allows instant access to a wide variety of multicomponent star polymers that conventionally have required highly skilled and multistep syntheses. MOP-core CSPs are a new class of star polymer that can offer a design strategy for highly processable porous soft materials by using coordination nanocages as a building component.

The effect of pendant benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamides in the middle block of ABA triblock copolymers: synthesis and mechanical properties

The synthesis and mechanical properties of ABA triblock copolymers containing benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) moieties in the middle block are described. The triblock architecture was achieved by sequential polymerization of different monomers by atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The ABA triblock copolymer has a soft–hard–soft block sequence, in which the “A” block consists of soft poly(methyl acrylate), while the “B” block is a random copolymer of isobornyl methacrylate with 20 mol% of propargyl methacrylate partially functionalized with peripheral BTA groups. The pendent BTAs self-assemble into helical aggregates through lateral hydrogen-bond formation. Thermal and mechanical analyses indicated that the Youngs modulus is enhanced by the BTAs. AFM images revealed that BTA self-assembly has dramatic influence on the nanoscopic ordered structure. The morphology of the triblock copolymer without BTAs consisted of hard, isolated domains embedded in a soft matrix. The copolymer containing BTAs appears as a continuous, disorganized morphology with nanoscopic domain sizes. This morphological difference presumably influences the Youngs modulus. Ductility (i.e., necking) was only observed in the polymer containing BTAs. From these investigations, we conclude that introducing BTA in the hard-midblock results in intermolecular physical crosslinks, and the morphological characteristics translate to improved strength as reflected by the modulus.

Development of a Porous Coordination Polymer with a High Gas Capacity Using a Thiophene-Based Bent Tetracarboxylate Ligand

A new porous coordination polymer (PCP) based on a ligand with a unique bent angle bearing a thiophene-bridged bent carboxylate ligand and the Cu2+ ion was synthesized and structurally characterized. The structure has a pillared-layer framework based on a kagomé-like layer with aromatic partition groups. It exhibits a high CO2 uptake of 180 mL(STP)/g at 1 bar, and 400 mL(STP)/g at 30 bar at 273 K. The uptakes of C2H2 and C2H4 reach 164 and 160 mL(STP)/g at 298 K and 1 bar, with good selectivity of C2H2 and C2H4 over CH4, both of which are among the highest levels of reported PCPs.

Reversible Switching between Highly Porous and Nonporous Phases of an Interpenetrated Diamondoid Coordination Network that Exhibits Gate‐Opening at Methane Storage Pressures

Herein, we report that a new flexible coordination network, NiL2 (L=4-(4-pyridyl)-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid), with diamondoid topology switches between non-porous (closed) and several porous (open) phases at specific CO2 and CH4 pressures. These phases are manifested by multi-step low-pressure isotherms for CO2 or a single-step high-pressure isotherm for CH4 . The potential methane working capacity of NiL2 approaches that of compressed natural gas but at much lower pressures. The guest-induced phase transitions of NiL2 were studied by single-crystal XRD, in situ variable pressure powder XRD, synchrotron powder XRD, pressure-gradient differential scanning calorimetry (P-DSC), and molecular modeling. The detailed structural information provides insight into the extreme flexibility of NiL2 . Specifically, the extended linker ligand, L, undergoes ligand contortion and interactions between interpenetrated networks or sorbate-sorbent interactions enable the observed switching.

Fine-tuning optimal porous coordination polymers using functional alkyl groups for CH4 purification

Nano-porous coordination polymers (nano-PCPs), as a new class of crystalline material, have become a lucrative topic in coordination chemistry due to the facile tunability of their functional pore environments. However, elucidating the pathways for the rational design and preparation of nano-PCPs with various integrated properties for feasible gas separation remains a great challenge. Here, we demonstrate a new route to achieve nano-PCPs with an integrated pore system and physical properties using a reticular chemistry strategy. By optimizing the position and length of the shortest two alkyl groups in the channels, unprecedented phenomena of improved surface area, gas uptake, gas selectivity, thermal stability and chemical stability were observed in the PCPs, especially in NTU-14, the structure with a pendant ethyl group. Furthermore, the high performance of adsorption- and membrane-based separation makes NTU-14 a promising medium for CH4 purification from a mixture at room temperature.

Readily accessible shape-memory effect in a porous interpenetrated coordination network

An interpenetrated flexible metal-organic material exhibits only the second example of a shape-memory effect in a porous material. Shape-memory effects are quite well-studied in general, but there is only one reported example in the context of porous materials. We report the second example of a porous coordination network that exhibits a sorbate-induced shape-memory effect and the first in which multiple sorbates, N2, CO2 and CO promote this effect. The material, a new threefold interpenetrated pcu network, [Zn2(4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate)2(1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)benzene)]n (X-pcu-3-Zn-3i), exhibits three distinct phases: the as-synthesized α phase; a denser-activated β phase; and a shape-memory γ phase, which is intermediate in density between the α and β phases. The γ phase is kinetically stable over multiple adsorption/desorption cycles and only reverts to the β phase when heated at >400 K under vacuum. The α phase can be regenerated by soaking the γ phase in N,N′-dimethylformamide. Single-crystal x-ray crystallography studies of all three phases provide insight into the shape-memory phenomenon by revealing the nature of interactions between interpenetrated networks. The β and γ phases were further investigated by in situ coincidence powder x-ray diffraction, and their sorption isotherms were replicated by density functional theory calculations. Analysis of the structural information concerning the three phases of X-pcu-3-Zn-3i enabled us to understand structure-function relationships and propose crystal engineering principles for the design of more examples of shape-memory porous materials.

Efficient CO2 Removal for Ultra-Pure CO Production by Two Hybrid Ultramicroporous Materials

Removal of CO2 from CO gas mixtures is a necessary but challenging step during production of ultra-pure CO as processed from either steam reforming of hydrocarbons or CO2 reduction. Herein, two hybrid ultramicroporous materials (HUMs), SIFSIX-3-Ni and TIFSIX-2-Cu-i, which are known to exhibit strong affinity for CO2 , were examined with respect to their performance for this separation. The single-gas CO sorption isotherms of these HUMs were measured for the first time and are indicative of weak affinity for CO and benchmark CO2 /CO selectivity (>4000 for SIFSIX-3-Ni). This prompted us to conduct dynamic breakthrough experiments and compare performance with other porous materials. Ultra-pure CO (99.99 %) was thereby obtained from CO gas mixtures containing both trace (1 %) and bulk (50 %) levels of CO2 in a one-step physisorption-based separation process.

Finely Controlled Stepwise Engineering of Pore Environments and Mechanistic Elucidation of Water-Stable, Flexible 2D Porous Coordination Polymers

Two porous coordination polymers (PCPs) with different topologies (NTU-19: sql and NTU-20: dia) underwent finely controlled, stepwise crystal conversions to yield a common water-stable, flexible 2D framework (NTU-22: kgm). The crystal conversions occurred directly at higher temperature via the 3D intermediate (NTU-21: nbo), which could be observed at lower temperature. The successful isolation of the intermediate product of NTU-21, characterization with in situ PXRD and UV/Vis spectra were combined with DFT calculations to allow an understanding of the dynamic processes at the atomic level. Remarkably, breakthrough experiments demonstrate NTU-22 with integral structural properties allowed significant CO2 /CH4 mixture separation.