Hydrophilic CO2‐based biodegradable polycarbonates: Synthesis and rapid thermo‐responsive behavior

Common CO₂‐based biodegradable polycarbonates like poly(propylene carbonate) or poly(cyclohexene carbonate) are generally hydrophobic, leading to slow biodegradation rate and poor cell adhesion, which limit their applications in the biomedical field. Here hydrophilic polycarbonates were prepared by one‐pot terpolymerization of CO₂, propylene oxide (PO), and 2‐((2‐(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)methyl)oxirane (ME₃MO) using binary Salen Co(III)‐Cl/PPNCl catalyst system. The resultant terpolymers showed one glass transition temperature (T_g), which decreased with the increase of ME₃MO units in the terpolymers (F_ME3MO). Water contact angles of the resultant terpolymers with F_ME3MO of 4.2?23.6% were 68?25°, while that of poly(propylene carbonate) was 90°, indicating that the terpolymers became hydrophlilic. Furthermore, the terpolymers with F_ME3MO more than 25.8% exhibited reversible and rapid thermo‐responsive property in water, and the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was highly sensitive to F_ME3MO. In particular, aqueous solution of the terpolymer with F_ME3MO of 72.6% showed a LCST around 35.2 °C, close to body temperature, which was promising for biomedical applications, especially for in vivo applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2834–2840.     

Design of Weak‐Donor Alkyl‐Functionalized Push–Pull Pyrene Dyes Exhibiting Enhanced Fluorescence Quantum Yields and Unique On/Off Switching Properties

We designed, synthesized, and evaluated environmentally responsive solvatochromic fluorescent dyes by incorporating weak push–pull moieties. The quantum yields of the push (alkyl)–pull (formyl) pyrene dyes were dramatically enhanced by the introduction of alkyl groups into formylpyrene (1‐formylpyrene: Φ_F=0.10; 3,6,8‐tri‐n‐butyl‐1‐formylpyrene: Φ_F=0.90; in MeOH). The new dyes exhibited unique sensitivity to solvent polarity and hydrogen‐bond donor ability, and specific fluorescence turn‐on/off properties (e.g., 3,6,8‐tri‐n‐butyl‐1‐formylpyrene: Φ_F=0.004, 0.80, 0.37, and 0.90 in hexane, chloroform, DMSO, and MeOH, respectively). Here, the alkyl groups act as weak donors to suppress intersystem crossing by destabilizing the HOMOs of 1‐formylpyrene while maintaining weak intramolecular charge‐transfer properties. By using alkyl groups as weak donors, environmentally responsive, and in particular, pH‐responsive fluorescent materials may be developed in the future.     

4‐Amino‐7‐(2‐de­oxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐d‐arabinofuranos­yl)‐5‐fluoro‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine: a bis‐fluorinated analogue of 2′‐deoxy­tubercidin

The title compound, C₁₁H₁₂F₂N₄O₃, exhibits an anti glycosylic bond conformation, with a torsion angle χ = −117.8 (2)°. The sugar pucker is N‐type (C4′‐exo, between ³T₄ and E₄, with P = 45.3° and τ_m = 41.3°). The conformation around the exocyclic C—C bond is −ap (trans), with a torsion angle γ = −177.46 (15)°. The nucleobases are stacked head‐to‐head. The crystal structure is characterized by a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network involving N—H⋯O, O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Thermal Behavior of 4,5‐Diacetoxyl‐2‐(dinitromethylene)‐imidazolidine

A new energetic material, 4,5‐diacetoxyl‐2‐(dinitromethylene)‐imidazolidine (DADNI), was synthesized by the reaction of 4,5‐dihydroxyl‐2‐(dinitromethylene)‐imidazolidine (DDNI) and acetic anhydride, and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Crystal data for DADNI are monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=15.9167(3) Å, b=8.6816(4) Å, c=8.5209(3) Å, β=103.294(9)°, V=1145.9(3) ų, Z=4, µ=0.150 mm⁻¹, F(000)=600, D_c=1.682 g·cm⁻³, R₁=0.0565 and wR₂=0.1649. Thermal decomposition behavior of DADNI was studied and an intensely exothermic process was observed. The kinetic equation of the decomposition reaction is: dα/dT=(10^16.64/β)×4α^3/4exp(−1.582×10⁵/RT). The critical temperature of thermal explosion is 163.76°C. The specific heat capacity of DADNI was studied with micro‐DSC method and theoretical calculation method. The molar heat capacity is 343.30 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ at 298.15 K. The adiabatic time‐to‐explosion of DADNI was calculated to be 87.7 s.     

Intermetallic Phases in the Ca‐Cu‐Sn System

Twelve ternary alloys in the Ca‐Cu‐Sn system were synthesized as a test on the existing phases. They were prepared from the elements sealed under argon in Ta crucibles, melted in an induction furnace and annealed at 700 °C or 600 °C. Four ordered compounds were found: CaCuSn (YbAuSn type), Imm2, a = 4.597(1) Å, b = 22.027(2) Å, c = 7.939(1) Å, Z = 12, wR2 = 0.080, 1683 F² values; Ca₃Cu₈Sn₄ (Nd₃Co₈Sn₄ type), P6₃mc, a = 9.125(1) Å, c = 7.728(1) Å, Z = 2, wR2 = 0.087, 704 F² values; CaCu₂Sn₂ (new structure type), C2/m, a = 10.943(3) Å, b = 4.222(1) Å, c = 4.834(1) Å, β = 107.94(1)°, Z = 2, wR2 = 0.051, 343 F² values; CaCu₉Sn₄ (LaFe₉Si₄ type), I4/mcm, a = 8.630(1) Å, c = 12.402(1) Å, Z = 4, wR2 = 0.047, 566 F² values. In all phases the shortest Cu‐Sn distances are in the range 2.59‐2.66Å, while the shortest Cu‐Cu distances are practically the same, 2.53‐2.54Å, except CaCuSn where no Cu‐Cu contacts occur.     

Silicon‐modified surfactants and wetting: III. The spreading behaviour of equimolar mixtures of nonionic trisiloxane surfactants on a low‐energy solid surface

The spreading behaviour of binary and ternary equimolar mixtures of siloxane surfactants of general formula [(CH₃)₃SiO]₂CH₃Si(CH₂)₃ (OCH₂CH₂) _nOCH₃, n = 3–9, has been investigated. The mixtures show a pronounced temperature dependence on the initial spreading rate. Mixtures imitating the average oligoethylene glycol chain length n = 5 are the fastest spreaders at 15 °C. At 23 °C and 40 °C these mixtures spread fastest sucking n = 6 and n = 8, respectively. For a given average chain length an increasing length difference between the components of the binary mixtures reduces the initial spreading rate. Nevertheless, substantial differences between the phase transition temperature T_c from the lamellar phase (L_α) into the two‐phase state (2Φ) and the actual spreading temperature are tolerated. A clear relation between phase transition temperature T_c and initial spreading rate does not exist. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mapping Grape Berry Photosynthesis by Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging: The Effect of Saturating Pulse Intensity in Different Tissues

Grape berry development and ripening depends mainly on imported photosynthates from leaves, however, fruit photosynthesis may also contribute to the carbon economy of the fruit. In this study pulse amplitude modulated chlorophyll fluorescence imaging (imaging‐PAM) was used to assess photosynthetic properties of tissues of green grape berries. In particular, the effect of the saturation pulse (SP) intensity was investigated. A clear tissue‐specific distribution pattern of photosynthetic competence was observed. The exocarp revealed the highest photosynthetic capacity and the lowest susceptibility to photoinhibition, and the mesocarp exhibited very low fluorescence signals and photochemical competence. Remarkably, the seed outer integument revealed a photosynthetic ability similar to that of the exocarp. At a SP intensity of 5000 μmol m^?2 s^?1 several photochemical parameters were decreased, including maximum fluorescence in dark‐adapted (F_m) and light‐adapted (F'_m) samples and effective quantum yield of PSII (Φ_II), but the inner tissues were susceptible to a SP intensity as low as 3200 μmol m^?2 s^?1 under light‐adapted conditions, indicating a photoinhibitory interaction between SP and actinic light intensities and repetitive exposure to SP. These results open the way to further studies concerning the involvement of tissue‐specific photosynthesis in the highly compartmentalized production and accumulation of organic compounds during grape berry development.     

Cyclic Amine/Borane Lewis Pairs by the Reaction of N,N‐Diallylaniline with Lancaster′s H2B‐C6F5 Reagent

Twofold hydroboration of N,N‐diallylaniline with the C₆F₅BH₂?SMe₂ reagent gave the respective hetero‐bicyclo[3.3.0]octane and hetero‐methylbicyclo[3.2.0]heptane compounds 4 and 5 as the major products, both showing strong internal N‐B amine Lewis base/borane Lewis acid adduct formation. A DFT analysis indicated their formation (and that of a small amount of several isomeric five‐membered heterocyclic products) under thermodynamic control. Compound 5 underwent fragmentation with propene liberation to form compound 7 with a formal N=B bond at 100 °C. This product was also obtained from the isomer 4 at much higher temperature (300 °C).     

Thermodynamic analysis of the phase separation during the polymerization of a thermoset system into a thermoplastic matrix. I. Effect of the composition on the cloud‐point curves

The cloud‐point curves of polystyrene (PS) mixed with reactive epoxy monomers based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A with stoichiometric amounts of 4,4′‐methylenebis(2,6‐diethylaniline) were experimentally studied. A thermodynamic analysis of the phase‐separation process in these epoxy‐modified polymers was performed that considered the composition dependence of the interaction parameter, χ(T,Φ₂) (where T is the temperature and Φ₂ is the volume fraction of polystyrene), and the polydispersity of both polymers. In this analysis, χ(T,Φ₂) was considered the product of two functions: one depending on the temperature [D(T)] and the other depending on the composition [B(Φ₂)]. For mixtures without a reaction, the cloud‐point curves showed upper critical solution temperature behavior, and the dependence of χ(T,Φ₂) on the composition was determined from the threshold point, that is, the maximum cloud‐point temperature. During the isothermal reactions of mixtures with different initial PS concentrations, the dependence of χ(T,Φ₂) on the composition was determined under the assumption that, at each conversion level, the D(T) contribution to the χ(T,Φ₂) value had to be constant independently of the composition. For these mixtures, it was demonstrated that the changes in the chemical structure produced by the epoxy–amine reaction reduced χ(T,Φ₂). This effect was more important at lower volume fractions of PS. Nevertheless, the decrease in the absolute value of the entropic contribution to the free energy of mixing was the principal driving force behind the phase‐separation process. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1351–1360, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of wholly aromatic poly(azomethine)s containing donor–acceptor triphenylamine moieties

N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐4′,4″‐bisformyl‐diphenylamine was synthesized from N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐diphenylamine by the Vilsmeier‐Haack reaction. Soluble aromatic poly(azomethine)s (PAMs) were prepared by the solution polycondensation of N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐4′,4″‐bisformyl‐diphenylamine and aromatic diamine in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) at room temperature under reduced pressure. All the PAMs are highly soluble in various organic solvents, such as N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), chloroform (CHCl₃), and tetrahydrofuran (THF). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that these PAMs had glass‐transition temperatures (T_gs) in the range of 170–230 °C, and a 10% weight‐loss temperatures in excess of 490 °C with char yield at 800 °C in nitrogen higher than 60%. These PAMs in NMP solution showed UV‐Vis charge‐transfer (CT) absorption at 405–421 nm and photoluminescence peaks around 462–466 nm with fluorescence quantum efficiency (Φ_F) 0.10–0.99%. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels of these PAMs can be determined from cyclic voltammograms as 4.86–5.43 and 3.31–3.34 eV, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4921–4932, 2007     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Thermal Behavior of GZTO·H2O

Guanidimium‐4,4‐azo‐1‐hydro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐one (GZTO·H₂O) was synthesized from 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐one as a starting material by two‐step including oxidation coupling using acid KMnO₄ and reaction with (NH₂)₂CNH·HNO₃ (GN) in KOH solution. The single crystal of the title compound was obtained by slow evaporation method at room temperature, and its structure was firstly determined with X‐ray single‐crystal diffractometer. It is a orthorhombic crystal, space group Pbca with cell dimensions of a=1.0459(2) nm, b=1.3584(3) nm, c=1.6103(3) nm, α=90.00(10)°, β=90.00(11)°, γ=90.00(11)°, V=2.2878(8) nm³, Z=8, D_c=1.587 g·cm⁻³, F(000)=1136, µ=0.132 mm⁻¹, R₁=0.0455, wR₂=0.1397. The thermal behavior of GZTO·H₂O was studied under a non‐isothermal condition by DSC‐TGA method, and its thermal decomposition process can be divided into three stages, and the first stage is an intense exothermic decomposition process. The second stage and the third stage are slow exothermic decomposition processes. The critical temperature of thermal explosion is 237.74°C.     

Influence of a Second Cation (M = Ca2+, Mg2+) on the Phase Evolution of (BaxM1–x)F2 Starting from Amorphous Deposits

A second type of cation (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) was introduced into BaF₂ by low‐temperature atomic beam deposition. The structure evolution from low‐temperature (–150 °C) amorphous deposits to high‐temperature (< 1000 °C) annealed crystalline phases was studied by in‐situ transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Amorphous (Ba_0.5, Ca_0.5)F₂ crystallizes in a first step to metastable solid solution phase (fluorite‐type), which then decomposes into the pure phases of CaF₂ and BaF₂ at higher temperature. The crystallization behavior of amorphous (Ba_xMg_1–x)F₂ is completely different. When the Mg/Ba atomic ratio is around 1:1, the mixture transforms to the ternary compound BaMgF₄ at annealing, and no decomposition occurs by further heating up to 1000 °C. When the Ba concentration is below 15 % in atomic ratio (x < 0.15), the mixture forms a solid solution phase (rutile type) with the lattice expanded by +1 % compared to rutile type MgF₂. The difference between the phase evolutions of the two mixture systems is discussed.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Explosive Properties of 1,3‐Dimethyl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazolium 5‐Nitrotetrazolate

1,3‐Dimethyl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazolium 5‐nitrotetrazolate ( 5b ) was synthesized in high yield from 1,4‐dimethyl‐5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazolium iodide ( 5a ) and silver 5‐nitrotetrazolate. Both new compounds ( 5a and 5b ) were characterized using vibrational (IR and Raman) and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N), elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. 5a crystallizes in an orthorhombic cell: Pbca, a = 11.5016(4), b = 13.7744(5), c = 13.7744(5) Å, V = 1638.2(1) ų, Z = 8, ρ = 1.955 g cm^?3, R₁ = 0.0210 (F > 4σ(F)), wR₂ (all data) = 0.0542; whereas 5b crystallizes in a monoclinic cell: C1c, a = 14.5228(8), b = 5.0347(2), c = 13.7217(7) Å, β = 112.11(1)°, V = 929.6(2) ų, Z = 4, ρ = 1.630 g cm^?3, R₁ = 0.0279 (F > 4σ(F)), wR₂ (all data) = 0.0585. The sensitivity of 5b to classical stimuli was determined by using standard BAM tests and its thermal stability was assessed by DSC measurements. In addition, its heat of combustion was determined by bomb calorimetry measurements. The EXPLO5 was used to calculate the detonation pressure (P) and velocity (D) of 5b (P = 13.3 GPa and D = 6379 m s^?1), as well as those of its mixtures with ammonium nitrate (P = 23.2 GPa and D = 7862 m s^?1) and ammonium dinitramide (P = 29.6 GPa and D = 8594 m s^?1). Compound 5b is a hydrolytically stable solid with a high melting point (160 °C) and thermally stable to 190 °C with a very low sensitivity to friction (>360 N) and impact (>30 J) and good performance in combination with an oxidizer making it of interest in new environmentally friendly, insensitive explosive formulations.     

Fluoroalkyl end‐capped oligomers possessing nonflammable characteristic in calcium carbonate nanocomposites

Calcium chloride reacted with sodium carbonate in the presence of a variety of fluoroalkyl end‐capped oligomers such as fluoroalkyl end‐capped acrylic acid oligomer (R_F‐[ACA]_n‐R_F), 2‐methacryloyloxyethanesulfonic acid oligomer (R_F‐[MES]_n‐R_F), N,N‐dimethylacrylamide oligomer (R_F‐[DMAA]_n‐R_F) and acryloylmorpholine oligomer (R_F‐[ACMO]_n‐R_F) to afford the corresponding fluorinated oligomers/calcium carbonate composites. Each fluorinated oligomer/calcium carbonate composite thus obtained is nanometer size‐controlled very fine particles (25–114 nm) possessing a good dispersibility and stability in a variety of solvents including water. Thermal stability of these fluorinated calcium carbonate nanocomposites was studied by thermogravimetic analyses measurements. Fluorinated oligomes, in which the theoretical oligomer content in the composites is 19%, were able to give no weight loss corresponding to the content of oligomer in each case even after calcination at 800 °C. On the other hand, a slight weight loss corresponding to the contents of oligomers in the composites after calcination at 800 °C was observed in R_F‐(MES)_n‐R_F/, R_F‐(DMAA)_n‐R_F/ and R_F‐(ACMO)_n‐R_F/calcium carbonate nanocomposites, in which the theoretical contents of the oligomers were 36–53%, although R_F‐(ACA)_n‐R_F/calcium carbonate nanocomposites gave a clear weight loss corresponding to the contents of oligomer under similar conditions. Fluorinated oligomers/calcium carbonate nanocomposites possessing no weight loss at 800 °C were applied to the surface modification of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to exhibit a good oleophobicity imparted by fluorines on the surfaces. Interestingly, these fluorinated calcium carbonate nanocomposites after calcination at 800 °C were found to exhibit the similar oleophobic characteristic on the modified PMMA surfaces as well as that of the nanocomposites before calcination. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal and pH responsive high molecular weight poly(urethane‐amine) with high urethane content

Aliphatic poly(urethane‐amine) (PUA) was synthesized from copolymerization of CO₂ and 2‐methylaziridine (MAZ) using Y(CCl₃COO)₃‐ZnEt₂‐glycerine coordination catalyst, the urethane content of PUA was over 80%, and its yield could reach 90%. PUA with molecular weight as high as 31.0 kg/mol was obtained when the copolymerization reaction was carried out in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), mainly due to the good solubility of PUA in DMAc. PUA exhibited reversible thermo‐responsive property in deionized water, and the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was highly sensitive to its urethane content and molecular weight, which was observed in a broad window from 37 to 90 °C. Furthermore, the phase transition behavior could also be controlled by change of pH value. When the pH value of the PUA aqueous solution changed from 9.2 to 13, the LCST value of the solution decreased from 48.4 °C to 30 °C. Therefore, the PUA showed thermo‐ and pH‐ dual responsive performance in water. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

The X‐ray Crystal Structures of Hg(C6F4X‐p)2 (X = NH2, OMe,or Me) – Two Examples of Supramolecular Lewis Acid/Base Complexes

The X‐ray crystal structures of Hg(C₆F₄X‐p)₂ (X = NH₂, OMe, or Me) show the compounds to have almost linear C–Hg–C stereochemistry (X = NH₂, 176.3(4)°; X = OMe, 179.5(2)°; X = Me, 176.3(2)°), and the two tetrafluoroaryl rings rotated ca. 52–62° with respect to each other. Substantial conjugation of NH₂ and OMe groups with the aromatic rings is evident from N–C and O–C(Ar) distances. For X = NH₂ or OMe, two weak N(O)–Hg coordination interactions per mercury lead to a two dimensional supramolecular chain structure containing pairs of π‐stacked aromatic rings at near van der Waals contact distances rotated at 62.2° (X = NH₂) or 52.9° (X = OMe) to each other. In Hg(C₆F₄Me‐p)₂, which does not have potential donor atoms, no supramolecular structure is obtained, the molecules being laterally displaced from one another.     

Difluorotetrakis(2‐oxypyridine)dirhenium(III) – Preparation,Crystallographic Structure,and Electrochemical Properties

The solid‐state‐melt reaction of (NH₄)₂[Re₂F₈] · 2H₂O with 2‐hydroxypyridine (2‐HOpy) produced dark‐red Re₂(2‐Opy)₄F₂ ( 1 ). This air‐stable compound was obtained in crystalline form as 1· CHCl₃. It was characterized in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and in solution by UV/Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. 1· CHCl₃ forms triclinic crystals with α = 8.3254(5) Å, b = 8.5563(5) Å, c = 11.6784(8) Å, α = 82.723(3)°, β = 75.769(3) °, γ = 64.407(2) °. The Re–Re and Re–F distances were 2.2091(7) and 2.115(6) Å, respectively. The molecule is isostructural with the corresponding chloro derivative.     

Preparation of a variety of fluoroalkyl end‐capped N‐(1,1‐dimethyl‐3‐oxobutyl)acrylamide oligomer/silica nanocomposites possessing no weight loss characteristic at 800°C

A variety of fluoroalkyl end‐capped N‐(1,1‐dimethyl‐3‐oxobutyl)acrylamide oligomer [R_F‐(DOBAA)_n‐ R_F]/silica nanocomposites, in which the oligomer contents are 18–96%, were prepared by reactions of the corresponding fluorinated oligomer with tetraethoxysilane and silica nanoparticles under alkaline conditions. Each fluorinated oligomer/silica composite thus obtained is nanometer size‐controlled very fine particles (22–68 nm) possessing a good dispersibility and stability in a variety of solvents including water. Interestingly, the weight loss of R_F‐(DOBAA)_n‐R_F/silica nanocomposites, in which the oligomer contents are 18–72%, were not observed at all even at 800°C, as well as the original silica nanoparticles, although the corresponding sub‐micrometer size‐controlled R_F‐ (DOBAA)_n‐R_F/silica composites (particle size: 359 nm) decomposed completely at 800°C to afford the weight loss in proportion to the content of R_F‐(DOBAA)_n‐R_F oligomer in composites. On the other hand, a slight weight loss of R_F‐(DOBAA)_n‐R_F/silica nanocomposites, in which the oligomer contents are 75–94%, was observed at 800°C compared to that of the original silica nanoparticles. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ionic thermo‐responsive copolymer with multi LCST values: easy and fast LCST‐change through anion exchange

An ionic thermo‐responsive copolymer with multiple lower critical solution temperatures (multi‐LCSTs) has been developed, and the multi‐LCSTs were easily changeable according to the various counter anion types. The multi‐LCST values were achieved by introducing an ionic segment with an imidazolium moiety within the p‐NIPAAm polymer chain to produce poly(NIPAAm‐co‐BVIm) copolymers, [p‐NIBIm]⁺[Br]^?, and changing the counter anion type to produce [p‐NIBIm]⁺[X]^? (X = Cl, AcO, HCO₃, BF₄, CF₃SO₃, PF₆, SbF₆). The as‐prepared temperature‐responsive copolymers were physicochemically characterized via proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H‐NMR), Fourier‐transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Their various LCST values, micelle sizes, and surface charges were determined using an Ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometer and a Zeta (ξ) sizer, which were fitted with temperature and stirring control. The copolymers showed a broad LCST spectrum between 39°C and 52°C. The Zeta (ξ) potential values at a pH = 7 decreased from about +9.7 for [p‐NIBIm]⁺[X]^? (X = Cl ≈ Br) to about +2.0 mV for [p‐NIBIm]⁺[X]^? (X = PF₆ ≈ SbF₆). The micelle size (or volume) of the copolymers with different anionic species gradually increased from 181.2 nm (or 2.49 × 10^?17 cm^?3) for [p‐NIBIm]⁺[Br]^? to 229.2 nm (or 5.04 × 10^?17 cm^?3) for [p‐NIBIm]⁺[CF₃SO₃]^?, showing a clear effect of the anion on the micelle size (or volume) at a constant temperature, such as body temperature. The fact that the most important physicochemical properties for the thermo‐responsive copolymers, such as the LCST value, micelle size (or volume), and surface charge, could be easily controlled only through the anion exchange suggests these are highly applicable as ionic thermo‐responsive copolymers in a drug (or gene, protein) delivery system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of fluorine substitution on the molecular conformation of 3′‐deoxy‐3′‐fluoro‐5‐methyluridine

Fluorine substitutions on the furanose ring of nucleosides are known to strongly influence the conformational properties of oligonucleotides. In order to assess the effect of fluorine on the conformation of 3′‐deoxy‐3′‐fluoro‐5‐methyluridine (^RT^F), C₁₀H₁₃FN₂O₅, we studied its stereochemistry in the crystalline state using X‐ray crystallography. The compound crystallizes in the chiral orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ and contains two symmetry‐independent molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. The furanose ring in molecules A and B adopts conformations between envelope (²E, 2′‐endo, P = 162°) and twisted (²T₃, 2′‐endo and 3′exo, P = 180°), with pseudorotation phase angles (P) of 164.3 and 170.2°, respectively. The maximum puckering amplitudes, ν_max, for molecules A and B are 38.8 and 36.1°, respectively. In contrast, for 5‐methyluridine (^RT^OH), the value of P is 21.2°, which is between the ³E (3′‐endo, P = 18.0°) and ³T₄ (3′‐endo and 4′‐exo, P = 36°) conformations. The value of ν_max for ^RT^OH is 41.29°. Molecules A and B of ^RT^F generate respective helical assemblies across the crystallographic 2₁‐screw axis through classical N—H…O aand O—H…O hydrogen bonds supplemented by C—H…O contacts. Adjacent parallel helices of both molecules are linked to each other via O—H…O and O…π interactions.