Journal article

Authors list: Strauss, MA; Wegner, HA

Publication year: 2019

Pages: 18552-18556

Journal: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Volume number: 58

Issue number: 51

ISSN: 1433-7851

eISSN: 1521-3773

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201910734

Publisher: Wiley

Abstract: 
Interactions on the molecular level control structure as well as function. Especially interfaces between innocent alkyl groups are hardly studied although they are of great importance in larger systems. Herein, London dispersion in conjunction with solvent interactions between linear alkyl chains was examined with an azobenzene-based experimental setup. Alkyl chains in all meta positions of the azobenzene core were systematically elongated, and the change in rate for the thermally induced Z -> E isomerization in n-decane was determined. The stability of the Z-isomer increased with longer chains and reached a maximum for n-butyl groups. Further elongation led to faster isomerization. The origin of the intramolecular interactions was elaborated by various techniques, including H-1 NOESY NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that there are additional long-range interactions between n-alkyl chains with the opposite phenyl core in the Z-state. These interactions are most likely dominated by attractive London dispersion. This work provides rare insight into the stabilizing contributions of highly flexible groups in an intra- as well as an intermolecular setting.

Harvard Citation style: Strauss, M. and Wegner, H. (2019) Exploring London Dispersion and Solvent Interactions at Alkyl-Alkyl Interfaces Using Azobenzene Switches, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 58(51), pp. 18552-18556. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201910734

APA Citation style: Strauss, M., & Wegner, H. (2019). Exploring London Dispersion and Solvent Interactions at Alkyl-Alkyl Interfaces Using Azobenzene Switches. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 58(51), 18552-18556. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201910734