Benzimidazole-Based Fluorophores and Noncovalent Organic Frameworks

The previous studies of molecular cruciforms based on distyrylbis(arylethynyl)benzenes, tetrakis(arylethynyl)benzenes, tetrakis(alkynyl)ethenes, and benzobisoxazole cruciforms, and their use as chemical sensors will be introduced and summarized. We construct a simpler "half cruciform" architecture with benzimidazole core, namely L-shaped benzimidazole fluorophores. These fluorophores showed separate frontier molecular orbitals in donor–acceptor systems, similar to benzobisoxazole cruciforms. They display change in their fluorescent emission upon exposure to bases, acids and small anions. The preparation of other benzimidazole-based sensor precursors and initial study is also included. A new class of cruciform based on the benzobisimidazole central motif is introduced together with their synthesis and computational evaluation. These benzobisimidazole cruciforms exhibit strong optical responses to bases, albeit negligible to acids. A representative cruciform was examined and showed pronounced colorimetric response to anions. Noncovalent organic frameworks are porous materials; their porosity results from noncovalent interactions. The series of perfluorinated precursors was synthesized and crystalized to obtain desired noncovalent organic frameworks. The porous framework was analyzed by porosity measurement, single and powder X-ray diffractions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Houston

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Le, Ha Tuyet Mai 1987-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Miljanić, Ognjen Š.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Daugulis, Olafs
• May, Jeremy A.
• Xu, Shoujun
• Brankovic, Stanko R.

• Cruciform molecules
• Noncovalent organic frameworks
• Fluorescence
• Sensing

Statement dc:rights

• The author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. UH Libraries has secured permission to reproduce any and all previously published materials contained in the work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10657/5376

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uh-ir.tdl.org:10657/5376