Ferro-self-assembly: magnetic and electrochemical adaptation of a multiresponsive zwitterionic metalloamphiphile showing a shape-hysteresis effect. Issue 1 (3rd November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bitter, Stefan; Schlötter, Moritz; Schilling, Markus; Krumova, Marina; Polarz, Sebastian; Winter, Rainer F.
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 12:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2020-11-03
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d0sc05249c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : The self-organization properties of a stimuli responsive amphiphile can be altered by subjecting the paramagnetic oxidized form to a magnetic field of 0.8 T and monitored in real time by coupling optical birefringence with dynamic light scattering. Abstract : Metallosurfactants are molecular compounds which combine the unique features of amphiphiles, like their capability of self-organization, with the peculiar properties of metal complexes like magnetism and a rich redox chemistry. Considering the high relevance of surfactants in industry and science, amphiphiles that change their properties on applying an external trigger are highly desirable. A special feature of the surfactant reported here, 1-( Z )-heptenyl-1′-dimethylammonium-methyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ferrocene (6 ), is that the redox-active ferrocene constituent is in a gemini-position. Oxidation to 6 + induces a drastic change of the surfactant's properties accompanied by the emergence of paramagnetism. The effects of an external magnetic field on vesicles formed by 6 + and the associated dynamics were monitored in situ using a custom-made optical birefringence and dual dynamic light scattering setup. This allowed us to observe the optical anisotropy as well as the anisotropy of the diffusion coefficient and revealed the field-induced formation of oriented string-of-pearls-like aggregates and their delayed disappearance after the field is switched off.