Synthesis and encapsulation of N,N,N′,N′ tetrakis[p-di(n-butyl)aminophenyl]-p-benzoquinone-bis(imonium hexafluoroantimonate)

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis[p-di(n-butyl)aminophenyl]-p-benzoquinone-bis(imonium hexafluoroantimonate). The crystals of this compound were rendered water dispersible by exposure to an alternating sequence of cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes, thus forming a multilayered polymeric shell around the crystalline cores. The semipermeable hollow polymer multilayer shells were obtained by removal of the templated core after exposure to ethanol or dimethylformamide. With confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning force microscopy we show that the dye crystals can be used as templates for capsule formation with shape preservation.