Crystal structure and IR spectrum of 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol–ethanol (2/1)

1-O-α- -Glucopyranosyl- -mannitol–ethanol (2/1), (C₁₂H₂₄O₁₁)₂–C₂H₅OH, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with unit cell dimensions a=11.4230(8) Å, b=9.525(4) Å, c=15.854(2) Å, β=102.751(7)° and V=1682.4(7) ų, Z=2, D_x=1.45 Mg m⁻³, λ (Mo-K_α)=0.71069 Å, μ=0.128 mm⁻¹, F(000)=788 and T=293(2) K. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least-squares calculations on F² to R₁=0.0371[I>2σ(I)], and 0.0930 (all data, 3542 independent reflections, R_int=0.021). There are two molecules of glucopyranosylmannitol (GPM) and one ethanol molecule in the asymmetric unit, and the glucopyranosyl ring adopts a chair conformation in both GPM molecules. Bond lengths and angles accord well with the mean values of related structures. The conformation along the mannitol side chain for one of the GPM molecules was the same as for the known polymorphs of -mannitol, while the conformation of the other molecule was different, indicating different conformational arrangements in the terminal carbon atoms of the mannitol side chains of the two GPM molecules. The structure in 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol–ethanol (2/1) is held together by a very complex hydrogen bonding system, which consists of an infinte chain propagating along the b-axis and a discontinuous chain, which binds the ethanol molecule to the structure. The FTIR spectra for anhydrous GPM, GPM dihydrate and GPM–ethanol (2/1) were recorded. Both IR and X-ray results indicate the extensive hydrogen bonding in crystalline state.     

New mixed-halide, boron-centered zirconium cluster phases with different cation distributions within a cluster framework: syntheses and structures of A[(Zr6B)ClxI14−x] (A=Na or Cs, 0x4)

Two new mixed-halide zirconium cluster phases have been synthesized by solid-state reactions in sealed tantalum containers from the Zr(IV) halides, elemental Zr and B, and NaI or CsCl, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray data were used to determine the crystal structures of Na[(Zr₆B)Cl_3.9I_10.1], and Cs[(Zr₆B)Cl_2.2I_11.8]. Both phases crystallize in a stuffed version of the [Nb₆Cl₁₄] structure type, orthorhombic, space group Cmca (Na[(Zr₆B)Cl_3.87(5)I_10.13]: a=15.787(2) Å, b=14.109(2) Å, c=12.505(2) Å, Z=4, R1(F)=0.0322 and wR2(F²)=0.0842; Cs[(Zr₆B)Cl_2.16(5)I_11.84]: a=15.696(4) Å, b=14.156(4) Å, c=12.811(4) Å, Z=4, R1(F)=0.0404 and wR2(F²)=0.1031). This structure type is constructed of clusters which contain centered (Zr₆Z) octahedra of the type [(Zr₆Z)X₁₂ⁱX₆^a] with Z=B and X=Cl and/or I. In both structures, chlorine and iodine atoms are randomly (to X-rays) distributed on the inner non-cluster-interconnecting ligand positions, whereas those sites which bridge metal octahedra are solely occupied by iodine. The phase widths for both phases have been found to cover 0x4 for A^I[(Zr₆B)Cl_xI_14−x]. Whereas the sodium cations in Na[(Zr₆B)Cl_xI_14−x] occupy 25% of a site which is octahedrally surrounded by halogen atoms, the larger cations in the cesium-containing phase occupy a 12-coordinate site within the cluster network.     

A high-performance fluorosensor for pH measurements between 6 and 9

This study presents a high-performance ratiometric pH optode based on the fluorophore 6,8-dihydroxypyrene-1,3-disulfonic acid (DHPDS). The two pH-sensitive terminal hydroxy groups of DHPDS facilitated dual excitation/dual emission (F₁: λ_1,ex = 420 nm, λ_1,em = 462 nm; F₂: λ_2,ex = 470 nm, λ_2,em = 498 nm) properties for ratiometric (R_F1,F2 = F₁/F₂) normalization of sensor signal. The sensor demonstrated an exponentially decreasing ratiometric response with increasing pH, with a linear correlation (R² = 0.9936) between ¹⁰log(R_F1,F2) and pH within the pH interval 6-9. Precision determined as the IUPAC pooled standard deviation for the pH values 6.00, 7.01 and 9.01, was 0.0057 pH units for the fluorosensor and 0.0054 for a commercially available pH electrode used for comparison. Between the end-points of calibration at pH 7.01, the precision of the sensor was 0.0037 pH units. Effects from changes in ionic strength (I_tot, 10-700 mM) were more pronounced for the electrode, with a linear (R² = 0.9976) increase in response (δE/δpH) with increasing I_tot. The DHPDS-based fluorosensor, however, retained sensitivity (δ¹⁰log(R_F1,F2)/δpH = 0.8024 ± 0.0145), though with an overall increase in ratiometric signal with increasing I_tot. The preserved sensitivity despite changes in ionic strength was possibly a consequence from the dual photo-acidic properties of DHPDS. Analytical characteristics of immobilized DHPDS therefore not only facilitated high-performance measurements over a wide pH range, but also opened for straightforward simultaneous measurements of pH and ionic strength.     

新颖有机/无机杂化配位聚合物[(DBU-H)(PbI3)]n的合成、晶体结构和量子化学研究

The coordination polymer [（DBU-H）（PbI3）]n（DBU=catena-（1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]-undec-7-ene） was synthesized by self-assembly reaction of DBU and PbI2 at room temperature with pH=6.0 and structurally characterized by means of X-ray single crystal diffraction. It crystallizes in monoclinic system with space group P21/c and crystal parameters a = 1.1940（2） nm, b = 1.7409（4） nm, c = 0.81347（16） nm, β= 100.32（3）°, chemical formula C9H17N213Pb and Mr=741.15, V= 1.6635（6） nm^3, Z=4, Dc=2.959 g/cm^3, F（000）= 1304,μ（Mo Kα）= 15.687 mm^-1, the final R=0.0389 and wR=0.0635 for 2279 observed reflections with 1〉2σ（I）. Structure analysis shows that the inorganic anion chain consists of distorted PbI6 octahedra, which shares the same faces with adjacent PbI6 units to form one-dimensional infinite chains along the c-axis. Anion chains are surrounded by protonated （DBU-H）^＋ cations. Anion chains and cations are in combination with each other by static attracting forces in the crystal to form so-called organic-inorganic hybrid structure. According to the crystal structure data, quantum chemical calculation with DFT at B3LYP level was used to reveal the electronic structure of title compound.     

Monitoring the traceability of the pH of a primary tetraborate buffer: comparison of results from primary and secondary apparatus

This paper reports evaluation of the behaviour of different combined glass electrodes applied to measurement of the pH of a primary, 0.01 mol kg⁻¹, tetraborate buffer. Measurements were first performed by use of a primary Harned cell (at 15, 25, and 37 °C); these results were then compared with those obtained for the same solution by use of three combined glass electrodes (25 °C) with different membranes and liquid-junction designs, calibrated by use of commercial pH-metric buffers. The pH of the same solution was also measured in terms of the molal concentration of hydrogen ions, using acid–base titration to evaluate the formal potential difference K of each cell at fixed ionic strength, I, adjusted by addition of KCl or Et₄NI (tetraethylammonium iodide). The reference value from primary measurement, paH = 9.171, was slightly closer to the mean value obtained by determination of concentration, rather than that obtained by direct measurement of activity; the differences were smaller than the extended uncertainty characteristics of the secondary measurements. The importance of evaluation of the ionic strength of the solution under study is emphasised. We verified that for tetraborate buffer slight modification of the value of I used to calculate γ _i (the activity coefficient of a single ion) in the calculation of paH from the acidity function at zero molality of chloride can significantly affect the reference value of the calibrator tool. This is true, in general, for low values of the ionic strength, such as those considered in this work; an approximate value of I can then cause distortions along the pH traceability chain. Application of the concepts of thermodynamics to this traceability chain is discussed.     

Synthesis of poly(cystine bisamide)‐PEG block copolymers grafted with 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole and their phase transition behaviors

New biodegradable and pH‐sensitive block copolymers were prepared by grafting 1‐(3‐aminopropyl) imidazole onto a backbone polymer formed via condensation polymerization between l ‐cystine and EDTA‐dianhydride. The copolymer with a graft ratio of 79% exhibited a good buffering capacity and pH sensitivity. These are attributed to protonation–deprotonation of the imidazole ring at around pH 7. The copolymers with less imidazole content did not show any apparent responses to changes in pH. The particle size of the copolymer aggregate formed under basic conditions was around 200 nm and increased with decreasing pH. The critical aggregation values at pH 6.0 and 8.0, derived from the changes of intensity ratios (I₁/I₃) in the emission spectrums of pyrene, were approximately 0.17 and 0.05 mg/ml, respectively. The surface charge of the aggregates increased with the decreasing pH as a result of the increase in protonation of imidazole and the tertiary amine in the polymer chain. The microviscosity of hydrophobic domains was estimated using 1,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐hexatriene. The decrease of the anisotropy value under acidic conditions reflects a disruption of hydrophobic interaction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Systematic Investigation of Coinage Metal Carbonyl Complexes Stabilized by Fluorinated Alkoxy Aluminates

The reaction of Cu^I, Ag^I, and Au^I salts with carbon monoxide in the presence of weakly coordinating anions led to known and structurally unknown non‐classical coinage metal carbonyl complexes [M(CO)_n][A] (A=fluorinated alkoxy aluminates). The coinage metal carbonyl complexes [Cu(CO)_n(CH₂Cl₂)_m]⁺[A]^? (n=1, 3; m=4?n), [Au₂(CO)₂Cl]⁺[A]^?, [(OC)_nM(A)] (M=Cu: n=2; Ag: n=1, 2) as well as [(OC)₃Cu???ClAl(OR^F)₃] and [(OC)Au???ClAl(OR^F)₃] were analyzed with X‐ray diffraction and partially IR and Raman spectroscopy. In addition to these structures, crystallographic and spectroscopic evidence for the existence of the tetracarbonyl complex [Cu(CO)₄]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) is presented; its formation was analyzed with the help of theoretical investigations and Born–Fajans–Haber cycles. We discuss the limits of structure determinations by routine X‐ray diffraction methods with respect to the C? O bond lengths and apply the experimental CO stretching frequencies for the prediction of bond lengths within the carbonyl ligand based on a correlation with calculated data. Moreover, we provide a simple explanation for the reported, partly confusing and scattered CO stretching frequencies of [Cu^I(CO)_n] units.     

Achiral Dichroic Dyes-mediated Circularly Polarized Emission Regulated by Orientational Order Parameter through Cholesteric Liquid Crystals

It is noteworthy that cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) platforms have been witnessed in high-performance circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) behaviors through the highly organized chiral co-assembled arrangement of achiral dyes. However, most CPL-active design strategies are closely relative to the helix co-assembly structure of CLC rather than achiral dyes. Herein, we developed an intriguing regulation strategy for CPL-active CLC materials. They were regulated using the orientational order parameter (S_F) of achiral dichroic dyes as an incisive probe for the order arrangement degree of achiral dyes in CLC media. The I-shaped phenothiazine derivative PHECN dye (S_F=0.30) emitted a strong CPL signal (|g_lum|=0.47). In contrast, the T-shaped derivative (PHEBen) dye (S_F=0.09) showed a weak circular polarization level (|g_lum|=0.07) at similar CLC textures. Most interestingly, this kind of dichroic PHECN dye with a higher S_F could greatly improve the contrast ratio of CPL (Δg_lum=0.47) and emission intensity (ΔFL=46.0 %) at direct-current electric field compared with the T-shaped PHEBen (Δg_lum=0.07 and ΔFL=1.0 %) in CLC. This work demonstrates that an induced CPL emission can be mediated using achiral dichroic dye, which will open a new avenue for developing excellent CPL-active display materials.     

Fluorescence study for the electrostatic interaction and aggregation in dilute polar solution of polyelectrolytes

Fluorescence decay and quenching of pyrene labels on copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid (AMPS) and N,N-dimethylacryl-amide (DMAA) were observed in dilute salt-free aqueous solutions as a function of the mole fraction F_AMPS of AMPS from 0 to 0.896. Monoexponential and biexponential decays were found for the samples of F_AMPS < 0.35 and samples of FAMPS > 0.35, respectively. The fast decay component is 80% and the averaged lifetime <τ> and lifetime τ₁ of the fast decay decreased with increasing F_AMPS. Quenching efficiency of Cu²⁺, CH₃NO₂, and dinitrobenzene to the pyrene label was investigated in the framework of Stern-Volmer plot. The quenching effects of Cu²⁺ included both of dynamic and static ones, the latter was due to the condensed Cu²⁺. For the neutral quenchers, the quenching rate constant k_q increased when F_AMPS < 0.449 then decreased, showing a decline of accessibility to the pyrene label. I₁/I₃ value in salt-free dilute aqueous solution and in DMSO solution decreased obviously with an increase in F_AMPS, indicating that the labeled fluorophore experienced a decrease in polarity of its microenvironment with increasing charge density of the polymer. This I₁/I₃ decrease was enhanced with increasing the polymer concentration and adding salt NaCl up to 0.75 mol/L showed no effect on the appearance of this decrease. These results were interpreted consistently with the counterion condensation concept, where condensed counterions induced the “temporal” aggregation of less-polar in the polyelectrolyte solutions surrounding the pyrene labels.     

Thermodynamic Calculation in Elimination of Water Pollutants at Hydro‐geo‐chemical Barriers

Thermodynamic saturation coefficients (K_s) and transformation indices (I_t) can be used to evaluate the possibility of forming hydro‐geo‐chemical precipitation barriers and assess the solid phase (rock) stability in aquifers. Calculations are made on the basis of data on water pH, E_h, conductivity (x) and some relevant ion concentrations. The dependencies of K₂ and I_t on water pH and E_h values can be expressed graphically to estimate the barriers parameters. Barrier generation leads to a decrease in concentrations of pollutants due mainly to precipitation, co‐precipitation and/or sorption processes. Using the diagram K_s, I_t= f (pH, E_h), supplemented with representative data on concentrations of pollutants before and after the barrier, the elimination and migration of pollutants can be roughly evaluated (predicted) only on the basis of determining pH and E_h values of water and concentrations of ions participating in the barrier formation. The proposed method is applied to assess the migration and elimination of pollutants (U, ²²⁶Ra, β‐emitters, SO₄²) in Bulgarian uranium mine surroundings.     

Dansyl-Modified γ-Cyclodextrin as a fluorescent sensor for molecular recognition

The crystal structure of thiamine iodide sesquihydrate has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods as a host-guest model for coenzyme-substrate interactions. The asymmetric unit contains two chemical units. Both the thiamine molecules A and B, which are crystallographically independent, assume the usualF conformation and have a disordered hydroxyethyl side chain. An iodide anion (or a water molecule) bridges the pyrimidine and thiazolium rings of molecule A (or B) by forming a hydrogen bond with the amino group and an electrostatic contact with the thiazolium ring to stabilize the molecular conformation. In the crystal the thiamine molecules self-associate to form a pipe-like polymeric structure, in which four thiamine hosts surround an iodide guest and hold it through C(2)-H...I hydrogen bonds and thiazolium...I electrostatic interactions. Crystal data: C₁₂H₁₇N₄OS⁺·I^– · 1.5 H₂O, monoclinic,P2₁/c, a=12.585(2), b=25.303(5), c=12.030(2) Å, =115.15(1)°,V=3468(1) ų,Z=8,D _c=1.606 g cm^–3,R=0.045 for 3328 observed reflections. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP. 82156 (13 pages).     

Crystal and molecular structure of 2,3-benzo-1,4,7,13-tetraoxa-10-selenacyclopentadeca-2-ene

The crystal structure of 2,3-benzo-1,4,7,13-tetraoxa-10-selenacyclopentadeca-2-ene was de-termined,C_(14)H_(20)O_4Se,M_r:331.27,orthorhombic,Pbca,a=18.445(3),b=16.334(4),c9.232(2),V=2781.3 ~3,Z=8,Dx=1.582 Mg m~(-3),λ(Mo K_α)=0.71073 ,μ=26.77 cm~(-1),F(000)=1360,T=297 K,R=0.0329,R_w=0.0438 for 2192 reflections with I>3 σ(I).The crystal structure is closelyrelated to that of benzo-15-crown-5(at 123 K),whereas the molecular geometry of the two coronandsis different according to their torsion angles calculated and the shapes exhibited.     

The Effects of pH and Ionic Strength on the Aggregation of Bacteriochlorophyll c in Aqueous Organic Media: The Possibility of Two Kinds of Aggregates

The aggregation behavior of two homologs of bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c) in various media was investigated for the effects of pH and salt, and the corresponding structures were analyzed by Fourier transform (FT)-IR spectroscopy. R-[P, E] BChl c_F (3¹-R-form of BChl c with a propyl group at the C-8 position and an ethyl group at the C-12 position) and R-[E, E] BChl c_F (3¹-R-form of BChl c with two ethyl groups at positions C-8 and C-12) were isolated from the green sulfur bacterium Chloro-bium limicola. Aggregates of each homolog showed a pH-dependent shift of the absorption maximum; at low pH, the peak moved to the red. This tendency was also revealed by circular dichroic spectra. A similar red shift of the peak was also induced by a high concentration of salt (NaCl) or buffer for both homologs. The FT-IR spectrum indicates that at low pH, both homologs formed a rather amorphous aggregate. On the other hand, a regular structure of R-[P, E] BChl c_F was indicated in an acetone-water mixture. This structure was stabilized by a triangular interaction among three pigment molecules through the Mg-OH (3>) O = C (13¹) linkage. This structure was not found for R-[E, E] BChl c_F. These results indicate that the replacement of the side chain at the C-8 position on the macrocycle induces a change in aggregation behavior. A possible heterogeneity of the in vivo rod structure of chlorosomes in green sulfur bacteria is discussed based on the above results.     

Rubidium Tetrachlorocadmate: X-Ray Diffraction Measurements and an Electronic Structure Study

The structure of Rb₂CdCl₄single crystal at room temperature has been determined from X-ray diffraction of the MoKαline (λ=0.7107 Å). After refinement through blocked least-squares methods, the reliability factorRin the final cycle is 3.07%. The following results have been obtained: tetragonal system, space groupI4/mmm,a=b=5.195(1) Å,c=16.130(1) Å;F(000)=380;Dm=3.243 g/cm³;Z=2. The structure can be viewed as made of layers of CdCl₆octahedra chains (Cd–Cl(1)=2.597(1) Å and Cd–Cl(2)=2.572(1) Å) separated by double slabs of rubidium atoms perpendicular to thecdirection. First-principles density functional theory calculations have been carried out to determine the electronic density distribution. The calculated equilibrium structure is in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data. Electronic density maps have been drawn from ab initio wavefunctions calculated both at the experimental and theoretical equilibrium geometries. Analysis of the calculated atomic populations confirms the highly ionic character of the electronic charge distribution in the crystal.     

Tetraphenylene molecular inclusion complexes. Crystal structures of 2(tetraphenylene)·X,with X=benzene cyclohexane

The crystal structures of two compounds belonging to the isomorphous series of clathrate inclusion complexes of tetraphenylene, 2C₂₄H₁₆·X (with X=benzene (I) and X-cyclohexane (II), were solved. For (I),a=10.0691(1),c=18.431(5) Å, space groupP4₂/n,Z=2; (II) has a very similar cell.Crystal structure analyses (Nicolet R3m four-circle diffractometer, graphite-monochromated MoK; (I) 926 reflections,R _F =12.8%; (II) 1180 reflections,R _F =10%) showed that the tetraphenylene molecules use crystallographicC ₂ symmetry in the construction of a nearly spherical cavity of point symmetry 4 located about 1/4 1/4 1/4. The geometry of the tetraphenylene molecule agrees well with that reported earlier for the crystals of neat tetraphenylene. The enclosed benzene and cyclohexane guests are necessarily disordered. Thedisorder found for the cyclohexane guest is consistent with its expectedchair conformation. Analysis of the cell dimensions of a number of complexes shows that the tetraphenylene framework adjusts itself according to the steric requirements of the guests. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82003. To obtain copies, see page ii of this issue.Also known as N. Z. Huang.     

Cationic Platinum(II) σ‐SiH Complexes in Carbon Dioxide Hydrosilation

The low‐electron‐count cationic platinum complex [Pt(ItBu’)(ItBu)][BAr^F], 1 , interacts with primary and secondary silanes to form the corresponding σ‐SiH complexes. According to DFT calculations, the most stable coordination mode is the uncommon η¹‐SiH. The reaction of 1 with Et₂SiH₂ leads to the X‐ray structurally characterized 14‐electron Pt^II species [Pt(SiEt₂H)(ItBu)₂][BAr^F], 2 , which is stabilized by an agostic interaction. Complexes 1 , 2 , and the hydride [Pt(H)(ItBu)₂][BAr^F], 3 , catalyze the hydrosilation of CO₂, leading to the exclusive formation of the corresponding silyl formates at room temperature.     

Sorption of Am(III) on natural sediment: experiment and modeling

Release of long-lived radioactivity to the aquatic bodies from various nuclear fuel cycle related operations is of great environmental concern in view of their possible migration into biosphere. This migration is significantly influenced by various factors such as pH, complexing ions present in aquatic environment and sorption of species involving radionuclides on the sediments around the water bodies. ^241/243Am are two major radionuclides which can contribute a great deal to radioactivity for several thousand years. In the present study, ²⁴¹Am sorption on natural sediment collected from site near a nuclear installation in India, has been investigated under the varying conditions of pH (3–10) and ionic strength [I = 0.01–1 M (NaClO₄)]. The sorption of Am increased with pH of the aqueous medium [10% (pH 2) to ~100% (pH 10)], which was explained in terms of the increased negative surface charge on the sediment particles. There was marginal variation in Am(III) sorption with increased ionic strength (within error limits) of the aqueous medium suggesting inner-sphere complexation/sorption process. Sediment was characterized for its elemental composition and structural phases using Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. Zeta-potential measurement at I = 0.1 M (NaClO₄) suggested that Point of Zero Charge (pH_PZC) was ~2, indicating the presence of silica as major component in the sediment. Kurabtov plot using sorption data as a function of pH at fixed I = 0.1 M (NaClO₄) indicated the presence of multiple Am(III) species present on the surface. Potentiometric titration of the suspension indicated the presence of mineral oxide like behavior and assuming a generic nature (≡XOH) for all types of surface sites, protonation–deprotonation constants and total number of sites have been obtained. The sorption data has been modeled using 2-pK Diffuse Double Layer Surface Complexation Model (DDL-SCM). ≡XOAm²⁺ has been identified as the main species responsible for the sorption profile.     

Structure and photoelectron spectral properties of I(-)·nCO2 clusters: an ab initio study

Structures and photoelectron spectral properties of I^??nCO₂ (n=1–7) clusters are presented at the level of second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory with relativistic corrections. Triple split‐valence 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set functions are employed herein. It is observed that the CO₂ molecules approach the I^? anion from one side in all the clusters and that I^??nCO₂ clusters prefer the surface structure. The calculated vertical detachment energy of these clusters is in excellent agreement with the reported experimentally measured values (within 4 %). Efforts are also made to extract vertical detachment energy of large size of clusters, including the bulk. The extracted vertical detachment energy values for larger clusters (n=8–13) by employing the microscopic theory‐based expression are also close (within 4 %) to that of the experimentally measured values.     

Aggregation behaviour of hydrophobically modified poly(allylammonium) chloride

 The behaviour of hydrophobically modified poly(allylammonium) chloride having octyl, decyl, dodecyl and hexadecyl side chains has been studied in aqueous solution using fluorescence emission techniques. Micropolarity studies using the I ₁/I ₃ ratio of the vibronic bands of pyrene show that the formation of hydrophobic microdomains depends on both the length of the side chain and the polymer concentration. The I ₁/I ₃ ratio of the polymers with low hydrophobe content (less than 5% mol) changes substantially when reaching a certain concentration. These changes are assigned to aggregation originating from interchain interactions. This behaviour is also confirmed by the behaviour of the monomer/excimer emission intensities of pyrenedodecanoic acid used as a probe. For polymers having dodecyl side chains and hydrophobe contents higher than 10%, aggregates are formed independently of the polymer concentration. Anisotropy measurements show that microdomains resulting from the inter- and/or intramolecular interactions are similar to those observed for cationic surfactants. Viscosity measurements show that the coil dimensions are substantially decreased for the polymers having high hydrophobe contents, indicating intramolecular associations. Received: 10 November 1999/Accepted: 7 April 2000     

Serum Albumin Targeted,pH‐Dependent Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Agents

The objective of this work was the synthesis of serum albumin targeted, Gd^III‐based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents exhibiting a strong pH‐dependent relaxivity. Two new complexes ( Gd‐glu and Gd‐bbu ) were synthesized based on the DO3A macrocycle modified with three carboxyalkyl substituents α to the three ring nitrogen atoms, and a biphenylsulfonamide arm. The sulfonamide nitrogen coordinates the Gd in a pH‐dependent fashion, resulting in a decrease in the hydration state, q, as pH is increased and a resultant decrease in relaxivity (r₁). In the absence of human serum albumin (HSA), r₁ increases from 2.0 to 6.0 mM ^?1 s^?1 for Gd‐glu and from 2.4 to 9.0 mM ^?1 s^?1 for Gd‐bbu from pH 5 to 8.5 at 37 °C, 0.47 T, respectively. These complexes (0.2 mM ) are bound (>98.9 %) to HSA (0.69 mM ) over the pH range 5–8.5. Binding to albumin increases the rotational correlation time and results in higher relaxivity. The r₁ increased 120 % (pH 5) and 550 % (pH 8.5) for Gd‐glu and 42 % (pH 5) and 260 % (pH 8.5) for Gd‐bbu . The increases in r₁ at pH 5 were unexpectedly low for a putative slow tumbling q=2 complex. The Gd‐bbu system was investigated further. At pH 5, it binds in a stepwise fashion to HSA with dissociation constants K_d1=0.65, K_d2=18, K_d3=1360 μM . The relaxivity at each binding site was constant. Luminescence lifetime titration experiments with the Eu^III analogue revealed that the inner‐sphere water ligands are displaced when the complex binds to HSA resulting in lower than expected r₁ at pH 5. Variable pH and temperature nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) studies showed that the increased r₁ of the albumin‐bound q=0 complexes is due to the presence of a nearby water molecule with a long residency time (1–2 ns). The distance between this water molecule and the Gd ion changes with pH resulting in albumin‐bound pH‐dependent relaxivity.