A New, Simple and Versatile Strategy for the Synthesis of Short Segments of Zigzag-Type Carbon Nanotubes.

Short segments of zigzag single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were obtained from a calixarene scaffold by using a completely new, simple and expedited strategy that allowed fine-tuning of their diameters. This new approach also allows for functionalised short segments of zigzag SWCNTs to be obtained; a prerequisite towards their lengthening. These new SWCNT short segments/calixarene composites show interesting behaviour in solution. DFT analysis of these new compounds also suggests interesting photophysical behaviour. Along with the synthesis of various SWCNTs segments, this approach also constitutes a powerful tool for the construction of new, radially oriented π systems.

Glycoconjugated porphyrin dimers as robust ratiometric temperature sensors.

We report the properties of glycoconjugated porphyrin dimers behaving as highly sensitive ratiometric temperature sensors in water. This effect results from interactions between carbohydrate and water altering molecular relaxation kinetics leading to temperature sensitive dual emission. These dimers are robust ratiometric fluorescent probes over a large temperature window (20-90 °C).