Studies on Macromolecular Complexing Agents. II. Effects of Polypropylene Oxide on the Copolymerization Reaction between Butadiene and Styrene

ABSTRACT

Ultra-high-molecular-weight poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate](P(3HB)) was biosynthesized from glucose by a recombinant Escherichia coli XL-1 Blue (pSYL105) harboring Alcaligenes eutrophus PHB biosynthesis phbCAB genes. Six kinds of P(3HB) samples with differ-ent weight-average molecular weight (M_w ) from 1.1 × 10⁶ to 11 × 10⁶ measured by multi-angle laser light scattering were respectively produced at pH values of 7.0 to 6.5 in culture media. Solvent-cast P(3HB) films of high-molecular-weights over M_w of 3.3 × 10⁶ were stretched easily and reproducibly at 160°C to a draw ratio of 400-650%. Mechanical properties of the stretched P(3HB) films were markedly improved relative to those of solvent-cast film. The elongation to break, Young's modulus, and tensile- strength of stretched film (M_w = 11 × 10⁶) were 58%, 1.1 GPa, and 62 MPa, respectively. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that the stretched film was highly oriented and had a high crystallinity over 80%. When the stretched film was annealed at 160°C for 2 hours, the mechanical properties were further improved (elongation to break = 67%, Young's modulus = 1.8 GPa and tensile strength = 77 MPa). The mechanical properties of the stretched-annealed film remained almost unchanged for 6 months at room temperature, suggesting that a high crystallinity of the stretched-annealed film avoids a progress of secondary crystallization.

     

Stereochemicai study of 7-aryl-1,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-3(2H)indolizinones by1H and13C NMR

Stereochemistry of 7-aryl-1,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-3(2H)-indolizinones was studied by¹H and¹³C NMR. Complete assignment of¹H NMR signals and analysis of¹H-¹H coupling constants were performed using the iterative PANIC program. Values of³ J _6,7,³ J _7,8endo, and⁴ J _5,7 allow one to unambiguously identify the correspondingexo- andendo-stereoisomers. For stereoisomers with exo-orientation of H(7), complete assignment of¹³C NMR signals was performed on the basis of analysis of the¹³C-¹H coupling constants using two dimensional heteronuclear shift-correlating spectroscopy.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 591–593, March, 1996.     

Expression Profile of pha Gene Cluster of Pseudomonas putida KT2442

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polymers that many bacteria accumulate as carbon and energy storage when growth conditions are unbalanced. Pseudomonas strains belonging to the rRNA homology group I such as P. putida can accumulate medium-chain-length-PHA from monomers in the C8 to C10 range. Regulation of PHA synthesis and degradation in P. putida KT2442 has been studied using different molecular approaches. In this study six promoter regions located upstream of each pha gene were identified. The expression of the pha cluster have been analysed in the presence of octanoic acid versus glucose in the culture medium. Results demonstrated that the system is activated in the presence of octanoic acid as PHA precursor.     

NMR-spektroskopische Untersuchungen zurE/Z-Isomerie von substituierten Dithiocarbazinsäurederivaten

Summary NMR-spectroscopic investigations of substituted dithiocarbacinic acid derivatives show the existence of configurational isomers relative to the C=N double bond, but no tautomerism. We applied chemical shift differences in the¹H-,¹³C- and¹⁵N-NMR-spectra, N - H and C - H coupling constants and NOE difference measurements in the solvents CDCl₃,DMSO-d ₆ and partly CD₃OD in order to discriminate between the isomers and to determine the configurational composition. Compounds4 and5 exist asE-isomers in all solvents, compounds1, 2 and3 as a mixture ofE/Z-isomers. InDMSO-d ₆ theE-form is the preferred isomer.

     

NMR characterization of biodegradable polyesters

Biodegradable polyesters obtained by fermentation of Alcaligenes eutrophus are characterized with the aid of H, D, C NMR spectroscopy. Copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyvalerate are Bernoullian or mixture of two Bernoullian copolymers depending on fermentation conditions. The reverse reaction was found in the reaction catalyzed by beta-ketothiolase during biosynthetic pathway. The fractional population of gauche and trans conformers around the skeletal CH-CH₂ bond is 0.6:0.4 for both poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) in chloroform. This result suggests the possibility of formation of isomorphic crystals between copolymers with different composition ratios.     

EPR studies of phosphine photofragments in cancrinite matrix at 77K

The far-uv photolysis of phosphine sorbed in cancrinite matrix at 77 K has been studied by epr spectroscopy. Cancrinite is demonstrated to stabilise the photolytically generated radicals ·PH₂, ·P and ·H. Computer simulation of the entire lineshapes has been employed to assess the spin Hamiltonian parameters for both ·PH₂ and ·P. The intensity distribution pattern of the ·PH₂ spectrum at 77 K is indicative of a thermally-equilibrated population of rotational states of this radical in its matrix environment. The similarity of the epr data of ·PH₂ trapped in cancrinite to that isolated in rare gas matrices, as well as theisotropic nature of the³¹P and¹H hyperfine couplings in the former situation, suggest that ·PH₂ is trapped in pseudospherical cavities of cancrinite with minimal matrix perturbations. Marked departures are observed for theg- andA- values of cancrinite-trapped P atoms as compared with the gasphase counterparts.     

Structure of lilidine

The new alkaloid lilidine, isolated for the first time from the epigeal part ofLilium martagon has been studied by special methods. It has the composition B₅H₆NO₂, mp 118–110°C, [α]_D-26.3°. The¹H and¹³C NMR spectra were studied in detail. The values of the direct and long-range spin-spin coupling constants between the¹³C carbon nuclei and the¹H nuclei of the alkaloid molecule were measured with the aid of¹³C-[{su1}H] selective heteronuclear double resonance. The structure of 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one is suggested for lilidine.     

Infrared Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction Studies of C?H…O Hydrogen Bonding and Thermal Behavior of Biodegradable Poly(hydroxyalkanoate)

Infrared (IR) spectra and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and its copolyester, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), P(HB-co-HHx) (HHx = 12 mol%) were measured over a temperature range of 20 °C to higher temperatures (PHB, 185 °C, HHx = 12 mol%, 140 °C) to explore their structure change and thermal behavior and molecular interaction. The WAXD measurements revealed that the a lattice parameter increases significantly with temperature, while the b lattice parameter varies a little in the crystalline PHB and P(HB-co-HHx). It seems that the intermolecular interaction between the CO group of one helical structure and the CH₃ group of the other helical structure decreases along the a axis of crystalline PHB and P(HB-co-HHx) with temperature. The temperature-dependent IR spectral variations were analyzed for the CH stretching, CO stretching, CH₃ deformation, and C O C stretching variation regions, and bands characteristic of crystalline and amorphous parts were identified in each region. It was found from the anomalous frequencies of the CH₃ asymmetric stretching and CO stretching bands of PHB and P(HB-co-HHx) and the X-ray crystallographic structure of PHB that there is an intermolecular interaction (C H…OC hydrogen bond) between the CO group and the CH₃ group combining two helical structures in PHB and P(HB-co-HHx). In this review paper we discuss the role of the C H…OC hydrogen bonding and the crystal and lamella structure of PHB and P(HB-co-HHx) (HHx = 12 mol %) in comparison with the structure of Nylon.     

Yeasts as Producers of Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Genetic Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The genes of the poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) synthesis pathway in Ralstonia eutropha and Methylobacterium extorquens were successfully established in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expression of just the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase gene in some experiments, and all three PHB genes (i.e., the genes encoding β-ketothiolase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase, and PHA synthase) in others, were detected in S. cerevisiae. Thus, it can be used as a “cell factory” for the production of PHB. The maximum amount of polyester accumulated was 6.7% (wt./wt.) when all three genes were expressed. The amount of polymer accumulated in the transgenic yeast harboring just the PHA synthase gene was similar (5.2%), but slightly lower, indicating the necessity of expressing all three genes for high PHB contents in the cells. For viable production of the polymer in yeasts, more needs to be learned about the metabolism of the yeast, especially about the pathways and intermediates competing with formation of the biopolymer. Another host probably needs to be chosen.

Bacteria (on the top) with PHB inclusions and yeasts with storage compounds (on the bottom).     

Structure of lilidine

The new alkaloid lilidine, isolated for the first time from the epigeal part ofLilium martagon has been studied by special methods. It has the composition B₅H₆NO₂, mp 118–110°C, []_D-26.3°. The¹H and¹³C NMR spectra were studied in detail. The values of the direct and long-range spin-spin coupling constants between the¹³C carbon nuclei and the¹H nuclei of the alkaloid molecule were measured with the aid of¹³C-[{su1}H] selective heteronuclear double resonance. The structure of 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one is suggested for lilidine.Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances of the Uzbek SSR Academy of Sciences, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 692–696, September–October, 1987.     

Friessche Verschiebung vonortho- undpara-Methoxyphenylacetaten. Die Bildung von Ketoestern

During theFries rearrangement ofo- andp-methoxy phenyl acetates with AlCl₃ in nitromethane at 20°C substitution occurs mainly in thep-position of the phenolic residue to yieldp-acylphenols. Larger quantities ofo-acylphenols are obtained only, if thisp-position is already substituted. Witho-methoxy phenyl acetates the substitution of the acid residue to yield ketoesters is observed as a side reaction. Those ketoesters are obtained as main products if TiCl₄ is taken as a catalyst.

     

19F NMR study ofcis- andtrans- effects of substituted triphenylphosphine ligands intrans-(4-fluorophenyl)triarylphosphine-tri(4-fluorophenyl)phosphineplatinum 4-fluorothiophenoxides

A number of compounds of the type oftrans-4-FC₆H₄Pt(PAr₃)₂SC₆H₄F-4, where Ar is a substituted phenyl group, have been prepared starting from the corresponding chlorides. By exchange reactions oftrans-4-FC₆H₄Pt[P(C₆H₄F-4)₃]₂SC₆H₄F-4 with the above-mentioned compounds or Ar₃P,trans-4-FC₆H₄Pt[P(C₆H₄F-4)₃][PAr₃]SC₆H₄F-4 have been generated in solution. For the latter compounds, the effect of Ar₃P oncis- andtrans-ligands has been studied by the¹⁹F NMR technique. It has been shown that thecis- andtrans-effects of Ar₃P run parallel and are well described by pK _a values and ionization potentials of the unshared electron pair in Ar₃P, as well as by ⁰ constants of the aryl groups.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1359–1363, July. 1995.     

Estimation of244Cm intake by bioassay measurements following a contamination incident

An employee was contaminated with radioactive material consisting primarily of²⁴⁴Cm and²⁴⁶Cm as a consequence of handling a curium nitrate solution at a reprocessing facility.In vivo gamma analysis andin vitro (urine and fecal) analysis were initiated soon after the incident. Furtherin vivo measurements were performed regularly through hour 528, andin vitro bioassay measurements were obtained through day 74. A sample of the curium solution from the workplace was obtained to confirm that the nitrate was the chemical form in question and to identify the isotopes of curium present. The mass ratio of²⁴⁴Cm/²⁴⁶Cm was determined to be 91 to 7. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) was administered on hours 33 and 71. Observed excretion rates were consistent with available information on curium. In this paper, the results of thein vivo andin vitro measurements are presented and intake estimates for the incident are developed using various excretion rate functions.     

13C and19F NMR study of α,β-difluorostyryl derivatives of transition metal carbonylates. A method of signal assignment based on the carbon—fluorine spin-spin coupling constants

The¹³C and¹⁹F NMR spectra ofZ- andE-isomers of β-X-substituted α,β-difluorostyrenes (X=F, Cl, CpFe(CO)₂, Re(CO)₅, Re₂(CO)₉Na) were studied. Direct and long-range (across 1–5 bonds) spin-spin coupling constants and the (¹³C−¹²C) isotope shifts in the¹⁹F NMR spectra were determined. The study of the¹³C satellites in the¹⁹F NMR spectra of substituted difluorostyrenes permitted assignment of the¹³C NMR signals of the vinylic carbon atoms. Similarly, the signals in¹⁹F NMR spectra were assigned based on coupling constants of fluorine withipso-carbon. These assignments were found to be in good agreement with the data available from the literature (X=F, Cl). The developed approach was applied to the elucidation of the structure ofZ−PhCF=CClFe(CO)₂Cp. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya. No. 8, pp. 1575–1579, August, 1998.     

Bilayer studies in mixedn-decanol/n-tetradecanol complexes ofn-decylammonium beidellite

Complexes have been prepared by treatment ofn-decylammonium beidellite with mixtures ofn-decanol andn-tetradecanol with different concentrations. Measurements of the basal spacings of the obtained complexes have been performed in a wide range of temperatures. Three different bilayer phases have been established between (20 and 70°C: the _i(C₁₀) phases (=bilayers ofn-decyl chains); the _i(C₁₀/C₁₄) phases (=mixed bilayers ofn-decyl andn-tetradecyl chains in molar ratio approximately 1:1) and the _i(C₁₄) phases (=bilayer ofn-tetradecy 1 chains with then-decylammonium ions included). In all bilayer phases the chains stand perpendicular to the silicate interfaces. In definite concentration ranges two of the phases coexist, i.e., miscibility gaps occur, which disappear at temperatures higher than the temperature of the _i/ transition. The miscibility gaps are reversible with temperature. The composition of the intercalated bilayers has been studied by HPLC of the excess alkanol mixture separated from the beidellite complexes after the equilibrium has been reached. There is preferential adsorption of one of two alkanols from the mixture, which is in agreement with the observed miscibility gaps. The space filling problem as well as the structure of the three bilayer phases observed have been discussed.     

Engineering of pha operon on Cupriavidus necator chromosome for efficient biosynthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) from vegetable oil

Cupriavidus necator H16C_Ac, previously constructed for production of poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate) [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] from soybean oil, was further engineered aiming to increase 3HHx composition in the copolyester. PHA synthase gene derived from Aeromonas caviae on the H16C_Ac chromosome was replaced by a gene encoding the N149S/D171G mutant and this recombination enhanced PHA productivity as well as slightly increased 3HHx composition. Manipulation of phaA_Cn locus partially reduced the amount of 3HB unit concomitantly with relative increase of 3HHx composition, whereas deletion of phaB1_Cn resulted in drastic decline of 3HB unit in P(3HB-co-3HHx). Insertion of phaJ_Ac encoding (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase from A. caviae into pha operon significantly enlarged 3HHx fraction without negative effects on the cell growth and polyester accumulation. Consequently, efficient production of P(3HB-co-3HHx) with 3HHx composition of 5.7-9.9 mol% was successfully achieved from soybean oil by the engineered strains.     

On the methods of pore size distribution and the multilayer thickness

Summary Pore-volume-area distribution was achieved for a wide variety of silica gels, employing six computational procedures, and using botht-estimates ofCranston andInkley, andButt. The mathematical induction procedure outlined byRoberts proved to be as good as the more exact procedures. S _eum values evaluated by employing theButt estimate of multilayer thickness were exclusively higher than SBET data. The tabulatedt-values ofCranston andInkley yielded relatively reasonableS _eum results than those obtained above but are also higher thanS _BET. An overlooked parameter was suggested to be partly the cause of the divergence between the varioust-evaluations, namely: the thickness of a monolayer. Recalculation of all data, and using a value of 4.132 Å for the adsorbed monolayer, in botht-estimates ofLippens andButt, resulted in an excellent agreement betweenS _eum andS _BET in most of the cases. It is suggested that the multilayer thickness, as determined from adsorption data on non-porous solids, might not necessarily be of value in pore-size distribution analysis.     

Hydrogen Evolution from L-Lactate and L-Malate with the Combination of Lactate Dehydrogenase or Malate Dehydrogenase and Hydrogenase from A. Eutrophus H16

Hydrogen evolution system from L-lactate and L-malate consisting of lactate dehydrogenase or malate dehydrogenase and hydrogenase from cell free extracts of Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 was established. When the solution containing L-lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, NAD and hydrogenase was incubated at 30°C hydrogen evolution was observed. Similarly, the hydrogen evolution was also observed from the L-malate incubated at 30°C.     

Functional Expression of phaCAB Genes from Cupriavidus taiwanensis Strain 184 in Escherichia coli for Polyhydroxybutyrate Production

Polyhydroxyalkanoates are polyesters synthesized by numerous microorganisms. These polyesters are biodegradable and have similar properties to those of conventional plastics. Cupriavidus taiwanensis strain 184 is phylogenetically related to the well-known polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) producer Ralstonia eutropha (Cupriavidus necator) and is also shown to be able to accumulate significant amounts of PHB. In this study, we cloned the PHB synthesis genes (phaCAB) from C. taiwanensis 184 into Escherichia coli for biosynthesis of PHB. The recombinant E. coli strains were able to synthesize significant amounts of PHB. The PHB amounted to about 66∼70% of total cell material of these recombinant strains.