Kinetic Study of Peroxidase‐Catalyzed Coupling of Benzene‐1,4‐diamine and N‐(2‐Aminoethyl)naphthalen‐1‐amine: Development of Micromolar Hydrogen Peroxide Reaction System

A novel chromogenic method to measure the peroxidase activity using para‐phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (=benzene‐1,4‐diamine hydrochloride; PPDD) and N‐(1‐naphthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (=N‐(2‐aminoethyl)naphthalen‐1‐amine; NEDA) is presented. The PPDD entraps the free radical and gets oxidized to electrophilic diimine, which couples with NEDA to give an intense red‐colored chromogenic species with maximum absorbance at 490 nm. This assay was adopted for the quantification of H₂O₂ between 20 and 160 μM . Catalytic efficiency and catalytic power of the commercial peroxidase were found to be 4.47×10⁴ M ^?1 min^?1 and 3.38×10^?4 min^?1, respectively. The catalytic constant (k_cat) and specificity constant (k_cat/K_m) at saturated concentration of the co‐substrates were 0.0245×10³ min^?1 and 0.0445 μM ^?1 min^?1, respectively. The chromogenic coupling reaction has a minimum interference from the reducing substances such as ascorbic acid, L ‐cystein, citric acid, and oxalic acid. The method being simple, rapid, precise, and sensitive, its applicability has been tested in the crude vegetable extracts that showed peroxidase activity.     

Synthesis of 1‐Methyl‐3‐aryl‐substituted Titanocene and Zirconocene Dichlorides and Crystal Structure of Bis[η5‐1‐methyl‐3‐(α, α‐dimethylbenzyl) cyclopentadienyl] titanium Dichloride

The syntheses of a series of l‐methyl‐3‐aryl‐substituted titanocene and zirconocene dichlorides are reported. These complexes are synthesized by the reaction of 2‐ and 3‐methyl‐6, 6‐dimethylfulvenes (1:4) with aryllithium, followed by the reaction with TiCl₄·2THF, ZrCl₄ and (CpTiCl₂)₂O respectively, to give complexes 1–5. The complex [η⁵‐1‐methyl‐3‐(α, α‐dimethylbenzyl) cyclopentadienyl] titanium dichloride has been studied by X‐ray diffraction. The red crystal of this complex is monoclinic, space group P2_t/C with unit cell parameters: a =6.973(6) × 10^?1 nm, b =36.91(2) × 10^?1 nm, c = 10.063(4) × 10^?1 nm, α=β= γ = 93.35(5)°, V = 2584(5) × 10^?3 nm³ and Z = 4. Refinement for 1004 observed reflections gives the final R of 0.088. There are four independent molecules per unit cell.     

Syntheses and self‐assembly of poly(benzyl ether)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) dendritic–linear diblock copolymers

This article describes the syntheses and solution behavior of model amphiphilic dendritic–linear diblock copolymers that self‐assemble in aqueous solutions into micelles with thermoresponsive shells. The investigated materials are constructed of poly(benzyl ether) monodendrons of the second generation ([G‐2]) or third generation ([G‐3]) and linear poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). [G‐2]‐PNIPAM and [G‐3]‐PNIPAM dendritic–linear diblock copolymers have been prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerizations of N‐isopropylacrylamide with a [G‐2]‐ or [G‐3]‐based RAFT agent, respectively. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) of [G‐3]‐PNIPAM₂₂₀, determined by surface tensiometry, is 6.3 × 10^?6 g/mL, whereas [G‐2]‐PNIPAM₂₃₅ has a cmc of 1.0 × 10^?5 g/mL. Transmission electron microscopy results indicate the presence of spherical micelles in aqueous solutions. The thermoresponsive conformational changes of PNIPAM chains located at the shell of the dendritic–linear diblock copolymer micelles have been thoroughly investigated with a combination of dynamic and static laser light scattering and excimer fluorescence. The thermoresponsive collapse of the PNIPAM shell is a two‐stage process; the first one occurs gradually in the temperature range of 20–29 °C, which is much lower than the lower critical solution temperature of linear PNIPAM homopolymer, followed by the second process, in which the main collapse of PNIPAM chains takes place in the narrow temperature range of 29–31 °C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1357–1371, 2006     

Electrochemical Determination of 2‐Nitrophenol in Water Samples Using Mg‐Al‐SDS Hydrotalcite‐Like Clay Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with Mg‐Al‐SDS hydrotalcite‐like clay (SDS‐HTLC) was used for the sensitive voltammetric determination of 2‐nitrophenol (2‐NP) utilizing the oxidation process. The results indicate the prepared modified electrode has an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward 2‐NP oxidation, lowering the oxidation overpotential and increasing the oxidation current. Under optimal conditions, the oxidation current was proportional to 2‐NP concentration in the range from 1.0×10^?6 to 6.0×10^?4 M with the detection limit of 5.0×10^?7 M by DPV (S/N=3). The fabricated electrode was applied for 2‐NP determination in water samples and the recovery for these samples was from 95.6 to 103.5%.     

Effect of polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) on self‐assembly of polystyrene‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous solution

Mixed micelles of polystyrene‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PS‐b‐PNIPAM) and two polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymers (PS‐b‐PEO) with different chain lengths of polystyrene in aqueous solution were prepared by adding the tetrahydrofuran solutions dropwise into an excess of water. The formation and stabilization of the resultant mixed micelles were characterized by using a combination of static and dynamic light scattering. Increasing the initial concentration of PS‐b‐PEO in THF led to a decrease in the size and the weight average molar mass (〈M_w〉) of the mixed micelles when the initial concentration of PS‐b‐ PNIPAM was kept as 1 × 10^?3 g/mL. The PS‐b‐PEO with shorter PS block has a more pronounced effect on the change of the size and 〈M_w〉 than that with longer PS block. The number of PS‐b‐PNIPAM in each mixed micelle decreased with the addition of PS‐b‐PEO. The average hydrodynamic radius 〈R_h〉 and average radius of gyration 〈R_g〉 of pure PS‐b‐PNIPAM and mixed micelles gradually decreased with the increase in the temperature. Both the pure micelles and mixed micelles were stable in the temperature range of 18 °C–39 °C. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1168–1174, 2010     

Synthesis and Spin‐Trapping Properties of a Trifluoromethyl Analogue of DMPO: 5‐Methyl‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐1‐pyrroline N‐Oxide (5‐TFDMPO)

The 5‐diethoxyphosphonyl‐5‐methyl‐1‐pyrroline N‐oxide superoxide spin adduct (DEPMPO?OOH) is much more persistent (about 15 times) than the 5,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrroline N‐oxide superoxide spin adduct (DMPO?OOH). The diethoxyphosphonyl group is bulkier than the methyl group and its electron‐withdrawing effect is much stronger. These two factors could play a role in explaining the different half‐lifetimes of DMPO?OOH and DEPMPO?OOH. The trifluoromethyl and the diethoxyphosphonyl groups show similar electron‐withdrawing effects but have different sizes. We have thus synthesized and studied 5‐methyl‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐1‐pyrroline N‐oxide (5‐TFDMPO), a new trifluoromethyl analogue of DMPO, to compare its spin‐trapping performance with those of DMPO and DEPMPO. 5‐TFDMPO was prepared in a five‐step sequence by means of the Zn/AcOH reductive cyclization of 5,5,5‐trifluoro‐4‐methyl‐4‐nitropentanal, and the geometry of the molecule was estimated by using DFT calculations. The spin‐trapping properties were investigated both in toluene and in aqueous buffer solutions for oxygen‐, sulfur‐, and carbon‐centered radicals. All the spin adducts exhibit slightly different fluorine hyperfine coupling constants, thereby suggesting a hindered rotation of the trifluoromethyl group, which was confirmed by variable‐temperature EPR studies and DFT calculations. In phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, the half‐life of 5‐TFDMPO?OOH is about three times shorter than for DEPMPO?OOH and five times longer than for DMPO?OOH. Our results suggest that the stabilization of the superoxide adducts comes from a delicate balance between steric, electronic, and hydrogen‐bonding effects that involve the β group, the hydroperoxyl moiety, and the nitroxide.     

Kinetics and mechanism of hydrolysis of N‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)phthalamic acid (1) and N‐(2′‐methoxyphenyl)phthalamic Acid (2) in a highly alkaline medium

A kinetic study on hydrolysis of N‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)phthalamic acid ( 1 ), N‐(2′‐methoxyphenyl)phthalamic acid ( 2 ), and N‐(2′‐methoxyphenyl)benzamide ( 3 ) under a highly alkaline medium gives second‐order rate constants, k_OH, for the reactions of HO^? with 1, 2 , and 3 as (4.73 ± 0.36) × 10^?8 at 35°C, (2.42 ± 0.28) × 10^?6 and (5.94 ± 0.23) × 10^?5 M^?1 s^?1 at 65°C, respectively. Similar values of k_OH for 3 , N‐methylbenzanilide, N‐methylbenzamide, and N,N‐dimethylbenzamide despite the difference between pK_a values of aniline and ammonia of ～10 pK units are qualitatively explained. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 1–11, 2009     

Synthesis and self‐assembling of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐block‐poly(L‐lactide)‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) triblock copolymers prepared by combination of ring‐opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

Novel thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(l ‐lactide)‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacylamide) (PNIPAAm‐b‐PLLA‐b‐PNIPAAm) triblock copolymers were successfully prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization of NIPAAm with Br‐PLLA‐Br macroinitiator, using a CuCl/tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl) amine (Me₆TREN) complex as catalyst at 25 °C in a N,N‐dimethylformamide/water mixture. The molecular weight of the copolymers ranges from 18,000 to 38,000 g mol^?1, and the dispersity from 1.10 to 1.28. Micelles are formed by self‐assembly of copolymers in aqueous medium at room temperature, as evidenced by ¹H NMR, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The critical micelle concentration determined by fluorescence spectroscopy ranges from 0.0077 to 0.016 mg mL^?1. ¹H NMR analysis in selective solvents confirmed the core‐shell structure of micelles. The copolymers exhibit a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) between 32.1 and 32.8 °C. The micelles are spherical in shape with a mean diameter between 31.4 and 83.3 nm, as determined by TEM and DLS. When the temperature is raised above the LCST, micelle size increases at high copolymer concentrations due to aggregation. In contrast, at low copolymer concentrations, decrease of micelle size is observed due to collapse of PNIPAAm chains. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3274–3283     

H‐transfer reaction during decomposition of N‐(2‐methylpropyl)‐ N‐(1‐diethylphosphono‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)‐N‐oxyl (SG1)‐based alkoxyamines

Thermal decomposition of four tertiary N‐(2‐methylpropyl)‐N‐(1‐diethylphosphono‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)‐N‐oxyl (SG1)‐based alkoxyamines (SG1‐C(Me)₂‐C(O)‐OR, R = Me, tBu, Et, H) has been studied at different experimental conditions using ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies. This experiment represents the initiating step of methyl methacrylate polymerization. It has been shown that H‐transfer reaction occurs during the decomposition of three alkoxyamines in highly degassed solution, whereas no products of H‐transfer are detected during decomposition of SG1‐MAMA alkoxyamine. The value of the rate constant of H‐transfer for alkoxyamines 1 (SG1‐C(Me)₂‐C(O)‐OMe) and 2 ( SG1‐C(Me)₂‐C(O)‐OtBu) has been estimated as 1.7 × 10³ M^?1s^?1. The high influence of oxygen on decomposition mechanism is found. In particular, in poorly degassed solutions, nearly quantitative formation of oxidation product has been observed, whereas at residual pressure of 10^?5 mbar, the main products originate from H‐atom transfer reaction. The acidity of the reaction medium affects the decomposition mechanism suppressing the H‐atom transfer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Synthesis of linear and star‐like poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly{γ‐2‐[2‐(2‐methoxy‐ethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy‐ε‐caprolactone} amphiphilic block copolymers using zinc undecylenate

Linear and star‐like amphiphilic diblock copolymers were synthesized by the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and γ‐2‐[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy‐ε‐caprolactone monomers using zinc undecylenate as a catalyst. These polymers have potential applications as micellar drug delivery vehicles, therefore the properties of the linear and 4‐arm star‐like structures were examined in terms of their molecular weight, viscosity, thermodynamic stability, size, morphology, and drug loading capacity. Both the star‐like and linear block copolymers showed good thermodynamic stability and degradability. However, the star‐like polymers were shown to have increased stability at lower concentrations with a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 5.62 × 10^?4 g L^?1, which is less than half the concentration of linear polymer needed to form micelles. The star‐like polymeric micelles showed smaller sizes when compared with their linear counterparts and a higher drug loading capacity of doxorubicin, making them better suited for drug delivery purposes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3601–3608     

Interaction of slightly cross-linked gels of poly(diallyldimethylammonium bromide) with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Diffusion of surfactant ions in gel

The dynamics of the changing microenvironment of the fluorescent probe pyrene in slightly cross-linked networks of poly(diallyldimethylmmonium bromide) during diffusion of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the gel phase has been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Values of the spectral ratio I₃/I₁ for pyrene monomer included in SDS micelles in the swollen networks fall between the corresponding values for pyrene in water and for pyrene dissolved in SDS micelles in aqueous solution. In the narrow interval of the surfactant concentrations in the gel phase, the formation of pyrene excimers is observed. The values of the critical micelle concentration in the gel phase (ca. 5 × 10^?4 to 8 × 10^?4 mol/L) are tenfold lower than in aqueous solutions of the surfactant. The effective micellar diffusion coeffecient D in the gel phase increases with increasing swelling of the network. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Association of hydrophobically α,ω‐end‐capped poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) in water

The α,ω‐end‐capped poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (C_n‐POXZ‐C_n) have been synthesized by a one‐pot process using cationic ring‐opening polymerization with an appropriate initiator and terminating agent. The polymers bearing different alkyl groups C₁₂ and C₁₈ have molecular weight in the range of 2.4 × 10³ to 14 × 10³ with a small polydispersity index. The solution behavior of the free chains has been analyzed in a nonselective solvent, dichloromethane, by small‐angle neutron scattering and dynamic light scattering. These amphiphilic polymers associate in water to form flower‐like micellar structures. Critical micelle concentrations, investigated by fluorescence technique, are in the range of 0.03–0.5 g L^?1 and are dependent on the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance. The structural properties of the aggregates have also been investigated by viscometry. Intrinsic viscosities of these polymers are in the same range as that of the precursors poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (POXZ) and mono‐functionalized polymers. Large viscosity increase corresponding to intermicellar bridging was observed in the vicinity of the micelle overlap concentration. Addition of hydroxypropyl β‐cyclodextrin (HβCD) has dissociated the aggregates and the intrinsic viscosities of the HβCD‐end‐capped chains have become comparable with the ones of POXZ precursor chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2477–2485, 2010     

Free‐radical copolymerization of styrene and m‐isopropenyl‐α,α′‐dimethylbenzyl isocyanate studied by 1H NMR kinetic experiments

The free‐radical copolymerization of m‐isopropenyl‐α,α′‐dimethylbenzyl isocyanate (TMI) and styrene was studied with ¹H NMR kinetic experiments at 70 °C. Monomer conversion vs time data were used to determine the ratio k_p × k_t^?0.5 for various comonomer mixture compositions (where k_p is the propagation rate coefficient and k_t is the termination rate coefficient). The ratio k_p × k_t^?0.5 varied from 25.9 × 10^?3 L^0.5 mol^?0.5 s^?0.5 for pure styrene to 2.03 × 10^?3 L^0.5 mol^?0.5 s^?0.5 for 73 mol % TMI, indicating a significant decrease in the rate of polymerization with increasing TMI content in the reaction mixture. Traces of the individual monomer conversion versus time were used to map out the comonomer mixture composition drift up to overall monomer conversions of 35%. Within this conversion range, a slight but significant depletion of styrene in the monomer feed was observed. This depletion became more pronounced at higher levels of TMI in the initial comonomer mixture. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1064–1074, 2002     

Nucleophilic Fluoroalkylation of α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds with α‐Fluorinated Sulfones: Investigation of the Reversibility of 1,2‐Additions and the Formation of 1,4‐Adducts

A detailed investigation of the reactions of PhSO₂CF₂H and PhSO₂CH₂F with (E)‐chalcone (=(E)‐1,3‐diphenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one) at low temperatures revealed that these two reactions were kinetically controlled, and the ratios of 1,2‐ vs. 1,4‐adducts, which did not change much over time at these temperatures, reflect the relative rates of the two reaction pathways. The controlled experiments of converting the PhSO₂CF₂‐ and PhSO₂CHF‐substituted 1,2‐adducts to 1,4‐adducts showed that these isomerizations are not favored due to the low stability and hard‐soft nature of PhSO₂CF and PhSO₂CHF^? anions. Moreover, taking advantage of the remarkable stability and softness of (PhSO₂)₂CF^? anion, an efficient thermodynamically controlled isomerization of (PhSO₂)₂CF‐substituted 1,2‐adduct to 1,4‐adduct was achieved for the first time.     

Controlled radical polymerization of styrene mediated by the C‐phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone/AIBN pair: Kinetics and electron spin resonance analysis

Kinetics of the free radical polymerization of styrene at 110 °C has been investigated in the presence of C‐phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone (PBN) and 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) after prereaction in toluene at 85 °C. The effect of the prereaction time and the PBN/AIBN molar ratio on the in situ formation of nitroxides and alkoxyamines (at 85 °C), and ultimately on the control of the styrene polymerization at 110 °C, has been investigated. As a rule, the styrene radical polymerization is controlled, and the mechanism is one of the classical nitroxide‐mediated polymerization. Only one type of nitroxide (low‐molecular‐mass nitroxide) is formed whatever the prereaction conditions at 85 °C, and the equilibrium constant (K) between active and dormant species is 8.7 × 10^?10 mol L^?1 at 110 °C. At this temperature, the dissociation rate constant (k_d) is 3.7 × 10^?3 s^?1, the recombination rate constant (k_c) is 4.3 × 10⁶ L mol^?1 s^?1, whereas the activation energy (E_a,diss.), for the dissociation of the alkoxyamine at the chain‐end is ～125 kJ mol^?1. Importantly, the propagation rate at 110 °C, which does not change significantly with the prereaction time and the PBN/AIBN molar ratio at 85 °C, is higher than that for the thermal polymerization at 110 °C. This propagation rate directly depends on the equilibrium constant K and on the alkoxyamine and nitroxide concentrations, as well. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1219–1235, 2007     

Novel Ytterbium(III) Selective Membrane Sensor Based on N‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐N′‐(2‐Methoxyphenyl)‐Thiourea as an Excellent Carrier and Its Application to Determination of Fluoride in Mouth Wash Preparation Samples

The construction, performance, and applications of a novel ytterbium(III) sensor based on N‐(2‐pyridyl)‐N′‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐thiourea (PMT), as an excellent carrier, in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) PVC matrix, is described. The influences of membrane composition and pH on the potentiometric response of the sensor were investigated. The sensor exhibits a nice Nernstian response for Yb(III) ion over a wide concentration range of 4 decades of concentration (1.0×10^?6–1.0×10^?2 M), and a detection limit of 5.0×10^?7 M. The response time of the electrodes is between 8 and 10 s, depending on the concentration of ytterbium(III) ions. The proposed sensor can be used for about 8 weeks without any considerable divergence in potential. The sensor revealed very good selectivity for Yb(III) in the presence of several metal ions. The best performance was observed for the membrane containing; 30% PVC, 59% o‐nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE) as solvent mediator, 7% PMT, and 4% sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB). It was successfully applied as indicator electrodes in the potentiometric titration of Yb(III) with EDTA and for the determination of fluoride ion in two mouth wash formulations. The proposed La(III) sensor was found to work well under laboratory conditions. It was also used as an indicator electrode in titration of a 1.0×10^?4 M of Yb(III) with a standard EDTA solution (1.0×10^?2 M). It was also used for determination of Yb(III) ion in Xenotime .     

Ester Hydrolysis by a Cyclodextrin Dimer Catalyst with a Tridentate N,N′,N′′‐Zinc Linking Group

A new β‐cyclodextrin dimer, 2,6‐dimethylpyridine‐bridged‐bis(6‐monoammonio‐β‐cyclodextrin) (pyridyl BisCD, L), is synthesized. Its zinc complex (ZnL) is prepared, characterized, and applied as a catalyst for diester hydrolysis. The formation constant (log K_ML=7.31±0.04) of the complex and deprotonation constant (pK_a1=8.14±0.03, pK_a2=9.24±0.01) of the coordinated water molecule were determined by a potentiometric pH titration at (25±0.1)°C, indicating a tridentate N,N′,N′′‐zinc coordination. Hydrolysis kinetics of carboxylic acid esters were determined with bis(4‐nitrophenyl)carbonate (BNPC) and 4‐nitrophenyl acetate (NA) as the substrates. The resulting hydrolysis rate constants show that ZnL has a very high rate of catalysis for BNPC hydrolysis, yielding an 8.98×10³‐fold rate enhancement over uncatalyzed hydrolysis at pH 7.00, compared to only a 71.76‐fold rate enhancement for NA hydrolysis. Hydrolysis kinetics of phosphate esters catalyzed by ZnL are also investigated using bis(4‐nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) and disodium 4‐nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP) as the substrates. The initial first‐order rate constant of catalytic hydrolysis for BNPP was 1.29×10^?7 s^?1 at pH 8.5, 35 °C and 0.1 mM catalyst concentration, about 1600‐fold acceleration over uncatalyzed hydrolysis. The pH dependence of the BNPP cleavage in aqueous buffer was shown as a sigmoidal curve with an inflection point around pH 8.25, which is nearly identical to the pK_a value of the catalyst from the potentiometric titration. The k_BNPP of BNPP hydrolysis promoted by ZnL is found to be 1.68×10^?3 M ^?1 s^?1, higher than that of NPP, and comparatively higher than those promoted by its other tridentate N,N′,N′′‐zinc analogues.     

Polymerization and copolymerization of functionalized 2‐alkoxy‐1‐methylenecyclopropanes to form new polymers having alkoxy substituents

The polymers with functionalized alkoxy groups and with narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n < 1.12) are obtained from the living polymerization of 2‐alkoxy‐1‐methylenecyclopropanes using π‐allylpalladium complex, [(PhC₃H₄)Pd(μ‐Cl)]₂, as the initiator. The polymers with oligoethylene glycol groups in the alkoxy substituent are soluble in water, and hydroboration of the C?C double bond and ensuing addition of the OH groups to C?N bond of alkyl isocyanate produce the polymers with urethane pendant groups. The reaction decreases solubility of the polymer in water significantly. Di‐ and triblock copolymers of the 2‐alkoxy‐1‐methylenecyclopropanes are prepared by consecutive addition of the two or three 2‐alkoxy‐1‐methylenecyclopropane monomers to the Pd initiator. The polymers which contain both hydrophobic butoxy or tert‐butoxy group and hydrophilic oligoethylene glycol group dissolve in water and/or organic solvents, depending on the substituents. The ¹H NMR spectrum of poly( 1a ‐b‐ 1h ) (? (CH₂C(?CH₂)CHOBu)_n? (CH₂C(?CH₂)CH(OCH₂CH₂)₃OMe)_m? ) in D₂O solution exhibits peaks because of the butoxy and ?CH₂ hydrogen in decreased intensity, indicating that the polymer forms micelle particles containing the hydrophilic segments in their external parts. Aqueous solution of the polymer with a small amount of DPH (DPH = 1,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐hexatriene) shows the absorbance due to DPH at concentration of the polymer higher than 5.82 × 10^?5 g mL^?1. Other block copolymers such as poly( 1b ‐b‐ 1h ) and poly( 1a ‐b‐ 1g ) also form the micelles that contain DPH in their core. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 959–972, 2009     

Spin Trapping of Radical Intermediates Generated by the Oxidation of Substituted 4‐Methylphenols

A series of substituted 4‐methylphenols 1 and 2 was oxidized with PbO₂ in the presence of nitroso compounds 3 – 10 . The formation of adducts of benzyl radicals with the nitroso spin traps in the reaction mixture was established, suggesting the abstraction of an H‐atom from the methyl substituent of 1 or 2 . In the consecutive steps, the adducts underwent a further rearrangement to the corresponding nitrones. When the starting phenol contained bulky ^tBu groups in ortho‐position (see 2,6‐di(tert‐butyl)‐4‐methylphenol ( 1a )), the stable 2,6‐di(tert‐butyl)‐4R‐phenoxy radicals (R=? CH?N⁺(O^?)? X) were detected as the final radical products. The indirect evidence of nitrones in the reaction mixture was performed in one case by the reaction with a RO radicals.     

Hierarchically organized micellization of thermoresponsive rod‐coil copolymers based on poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] and poly(ε‐caprolactone)

A series of amphiphilic triblock copolymers, poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate]_x‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate]_x, POEGMA_Co(x), were synthesized. Formation of hydrophobic domains as cores of the micelles was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The critical micelle concentrations in aqueous solution were found to be in the range of circa 10^?6 M. A novel methodology by modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry was developed to determine critical micelle temperature. A significant concentration dependence of cmt was found. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed a bidispersed size distribution. The micelles showed reversible dispersion/aggregation in response to temperature cycles with lower critical solution temperature between 75 and 85 °C. The interplay of the two hydrophobic and one thermoresponsive macromolecular chains offers the chance to more complex morphologies. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010