Oxazoline‐terminated macromonomers by the alkylation of 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline

Well‐defined macromonomers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate) were obtained by anionic polymerization induced directly by the carbanion issued from 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline. When ethylene oxide was added to this carbanion with lithium as the counterion, a new compound able to initiate the polymerization of ε‐caprolactone in an anionically coordinated way was synthesized, and this led to well‐defined poly(ε‐caprolactone) macromonomers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2440–2447, 2005     

Γ-Lakton-cis-anellierung an Δ2- und Δ3- Cholesten

γ-Lactone-cis-annulation to Δ²- and Δ³- Cholestene. From Δ²- and Δ³- cholestene the γ-lactones 11a , 11b , 12a , and 12b are synthesized through the dibromocarbene adducts 3 and 4 , the bromohydrines 5 and 6 , the oxapiropentanes 7 and 8 , and the cyclobutanones 9a , 9b and 10a , 10b , respectively. The ¹³C-NMR.-spectra of 1–8 and 11 as well as the ORD.-spectra of the cyclobutanones 9 and 10 are reported.     

NMR spectra of Δ3- and Δ4-pyrrolin-2-one

The spectra of Δ³- and Δ⁴-pyrrolin-2-one were analysed and the sign of all the coupling constants determined by tickling and triple resonance experiments. A positive allylic interaction (J_xz in 2 ) is reported and four-bond couplings are discussed in particular. Deuterium exchange affords evidence for the tautomeric equilibrium between 1 and 2 .     

Tuning the LCST of poly(2‐cyclopropyl‐2‐oxazoline) via gradient copolymerization with 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline

Poly(2‐propyl‐oxazoline)s can be prepared by living cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐oxazolines and represent an emerging class of biocompatible polymers exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature in aqueous solution close to body temperature. However, their usability is limited by the irreversibility of the transition due to isothermal crystallization in case of poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline) and the rather low glass transition temperatures (T_g < 45 °C) of poly(2‐n‐propyl‐2‐oxazoline)‐based polymers. The copolymerization of 2‐cyclopropyl‐2‐oxazoline and 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline presented herein yields gradient copolymers whose cloud point temperatures can be accurately tuned over a broad temperature range by simple variation of the composition. Surprisingly, all copolymers reveal lower T_gs than the corresponding homopolymers ascribed to suppression of interchain interactions. However, it is noteworthy that the copolymers still have T_gs > 45 °C, enabling convenient storage in the fridge for future biomedical formulations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3118–3122     

Concentration effects in the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline in N,N‐dimethylacetamide

The monomer concentration for the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline in N,N‐dimethylacetamide was optimized utilizing high‐throughput experimentation methods. Detailed ¹H‐NMR spectroscopic investigations were performed to understand the mechanistic aspects of the observed concentration effects. Finally, the improved polymerization concentration was applied for the synthesis of higher molecular weight (> 10,000 Da) poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline)s. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1487–1497, 2005     

Synthesis of Racemic Δ3‐2‐Hydroxybakuchiol and Its Analogues

The first synthetic approach to (±)‐Δ³‐2‐hydroxybakuchiol (=4‐[(1E,5E)‐3‐ethenyl‐7‐hydroxy‐3,7‐dimethylocta‐1,5‐dien‐1‐yl]phenol; 14 ) and its analogues 13a – 13f was developed by 12 steps (Schemes 2 and 3). The key features of the approach are the construction of the quaternary C‐center bearing the ethenyl group by a Johnson–Claisen rearrangement (→ 6 ); and of an (E)‐alkenyl iodide via a Takai–Utimoto reaction (→ 11 ); and an arylation via a Negishi cross‐coupling reaction (→ 12e – 12f ).     

Synthesis and properties of gradient copolymers based on 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline and 2‐nonyl‐2‐oxazoline

In this study, the structure–property relationships for a series of statistical 2‐nonyl‐2‐oxazoline (NonOx) and 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline (PhOx) copolymers were investigated for the first time. The copolymerization kinetics were studied and the reactivity ratios were calculated to be r_NonOx = 7.1 ± 1.4 and r_PhOx = 0.02 ± 0.1 revealing the formation of gradient copolymers. The synthesis of a systematical series of NonOx–PhOx copolymers is described, whereby the amount of NonOx was increased in steps of 10 mol %. The thermal and surface properties were investigated for this series of well‐defined copolymers. The thermal properties revealed a linear decrease in glass transition temperature for copolymers containing up to 39 wt % NonOx. Furthermore, the melting temperature of the copolymers containing 0 to 55 wt % PhOx linearly decreased most likely due to disturbance of the NonOx crystalline domains by incorporation of PhOx in the NonOx part of the copolymer. The surface energies of spincoated polymer films revealed a strong decrease in surface energy upon incorporation of NonOx in the copolymers due to strong phase separation between NonOx and PhOx allowing the NonOx chains to orient to the surface. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6433–6440, 2009     

Initiator effect on the cationic ring‐opening copolymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline and 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline

The aim of this research was to study the effect of the initiator on the resulting monomer distribution for the cationic ring‐opening copolymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline (EtOx) and 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline (PhOx). At first, kinetic studies were performed for the homopolymerizations of both monomers at 160 °C under microwave irradiation using four initiators. These initiators have the same benzyl‐initiating group but different leaving groups, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, and OTs^?. The basicity of the leaving group affects the ratio of covalent and cationic propagating species and, thus, the polymerization rate. The observed differences in polymerization rates could be correlated to the concentration of cationic species in the polymerization mixture as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In a next‐step, polymerization kinetics were determined for the copolymerizations of EtOx and PhOx with these four initiators. The reactivity ratios for these copolymerizations were calculated from the polymerization rates obtained for the copolymerizations. This approach allows more accurate determination of the copolymerization parameters compared to conventional methods using the composition of single polymers. When benzyl chloride (BCl) was used as an initiator, no copolymers could be obtained because its reactivity is too low for the polymerization of PhOx. With decreasing basicity of the used counterions (Br^? > I^? > OTs^?), the reactivity ratios gradually changed from r_EtOx = 10.1 and r_PhOx = 0.30 to r_EtOx = 7.9 and r_PhOx = 0.18. However, the large difference in reactivity ratios will lead to the formation of quasi‐diblock copolymers in all cases. In conclusion, the used initiator does influence the monomer distribution in the copolymers, but for the investigated system the differences were so small that no difference in the resulting polymer properties is expected. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4804–4816, 2008     

Δ-2 thiazoline et alkyl-2 Δ-2 thiazolines: etude vibrationnelle infrarouge et Raman.conformation

Raman spectra (liquid state) and infrared spectra of 2-Δ thiazoline and its 2-alkyl derivatives (vapor, liquid, solution and solid states) have been analysed between 4000 and 200 cm⁻¹. The assignments proposed for the fundamental vibrations of these heterocycles agree with a planar or a very little distorted conformation of the cycle.     

One‐pot synthesis of 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline‐containing quasi‐diblock copoly(2‐oxazoline)s under microwave irradiation

The microwave‐assisted statistical copolymerization of 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline with 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline or 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline is discussed in this contribution. Kinetic studies of these statistical copolymerizations as well as reactivity ratio determinations were performed to investigate the monomer distribution in these copoly(2‐oxazoline)s, demonstrating the formation of quasi‐diblock copolymers. In addition, the synthesis of copolymer series with monomer concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 mol % is described. These copolymer series were characterized with ¹H NMR spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and gel permeation chromatography. Moreover, the glass‐transition temperatures and solubility of these copolymers were studied, and this revealing better mixing of poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (pMeOx) with poly(2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline) (pPhOx) than poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) (pEtOx) with poly(2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline) (pPhOx). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 416–422, 2007.     

Microwave Accelerated Polymerization of 2‐Phenyl‐2‐oxazoline

Summary: We studied the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline under microwave irradiation. A comparison with thermal heating shows a great enhancement in the reaction rates while the living character of the polymerization is conserved. The polymerizations were performed at the temperature of boiling butyronitrile (123 °C). The polymerization of 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline under microwave conditions, described herein for the first time, is shown to be a rapid and environmentally friendly alternative to the classical methods.

Schematic of the activation of the reactive site by microwave irradiation.     

Synthesis,characterization, and cross‐linking of a library of statistical copolymers based on 2‐“soy alkyl”‐2‐oxazoline and 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline

The synthesis of statistical copolymers consisting of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline (EtOx) and 2‐“soy alkyl”‐2‐oxazoline (SoyOx) via a microwave‐assisted cationic ring‐opening polymerization procedure is described. The majority of the resulting copolymers revealed polydispersity indices below 1.30. The reactivity ratios (r_EtOx 1.4 ± 0.3; r_SoyOx = 1.7 ± 0.3) revealed a clustered monomer distribution throughout the polymer chains. The thermal and surface properties of the pEtOx‐stat‐SoyOx copolymers were analyzed before and after UV‐curing demonstrating the decreased chain mobility after cross‐linking. In addition, the cross‐linked materials showed shape‐persistent swelling upon absorption of water from the air, whereby as little as 5 mol % SoyOx was found to provide efficient cross‐linking. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5371,–5379, 2007     

Asymmetric Synthesis of 2,4,5‐Trisubstituted Δ2‐Thiazolines

Δ²‐Thiazolines are interesting heterocycles that display a wide variety of biological characteristics. They are also common in chiral ligands used for asymmetric syntheses and as synthetic intermediates. Herein, we present asymmetric routes to 2,4,5‐trisubstituted Δ²‐thiazolines. These Δ²‐thiazolines were synthesized from readily accessible/commercially available α,β‐unsaturated methyl esters through a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and an O→N acyl migration reaction as key steps. The final products were obtained in good yields with up to 97 % enantiomeric excess.     

Synthesis and in vitro activity of platinum containing 2‐oxazoline‐based glycopolymers

We report the synthesis of glyco(poly(2‐oxazoline)s) functionalized with Pt(II) units for targeted tumor applications. To this end, poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline‐block‐2‐(3‐butenyl)‐2‐oxazoline) is modified with thiol‐modified acetyl protected glucose and galactose, respectively, and terpyridine (tpy) units using thiol‐ene photoaddition. Deprotection of the sugars with sodium methoxide and treatment with Pt(COD)Cl₂ applying a mild synthesis route yields polymers with monosaccharide targeting moieties and cytotoxic Pt(II) units. The polymers and intermediates are characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. Subsequently, the hemolytic activity, induction of erythrocyte aggregation as well as the cytotoxicity against mouse fibroblast L929 cells, human embryonic kidney cells HEK 293, and human hepatocytes HepG2 are studied. The comparison to cisplatin, the standard for cancer therapy, demonstrates the potential of the presented system. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2703–2714     

Water‐Insensitive Synthesis of Poly‐β‐Peptides with Defined Architecture

Biocompatible and proteolysis‐resistant poly‐β‐peptides have broad applications and are dominantly synthesized via the harsh and water‐sensitive ring‐opening polymerization of β‐lactams in a glovebox or using a Schlenk line, catalyzed by the strong base LiN(SiMe₃)₂. We have developed a controllable and water‐insensitive ring‐opening polymerization of β‐amino acid N‐thiocarboxyanhydrides (β‐NTAs) that can be operated in open vessels to prepare poly‐β‐peptides in high yields, with diverse functional groups, variable chain length, narrow dispersity and defined architecture. These merits imply wide applications of β‐NTA polymerization and resulting poly‐β‐peptides, which is validated by the finding of a HDP‐mimicking poly‐β‐peptide with potent antimicrobial activities. The living β‐NTA polymerization enables the controllable synthesis of random, block copolymers and easy tuning of both terminal groups of polypeptides, which facilitated the unravelling of the antibacterial mechanism using the fluorophore‐labelled poly‐β‐peptide.     

Living Anionic Polymerization of 2‐Methyl‐4‐ phenyl‐1‐buten‐3‐yne

The anionic polymerization behavior of 2‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1‐buten‐3‐yne (2) was investigated to get information on the effect of substituent at the 2‐position. The polymerization of 2 did not proceed in tetrahydrofuran at –78°C by lithium initiators, while sodium initiators can conduct the polymerization smoothly to give polymers consisting of a specific 1,2‐polymerized unit. The living nature of the polymerization of 2 by diphenylmethylsodium was supported by the post‐polymerization experiment.     

Novel approach for the conversion of natural Δ3 cephalosporin derivatives into corresponding Δ2 cephalosporin derivatives

A simple one pot synthetic method for the isomerization of cephem double bond from the natural 3‐position to 2‐cephem positions is affected by silylation. Thus cephalosporin acids are treated with Ntrimethylsilylacetamide (MSA) or N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA) and the resulting silyl esters are treated with triethylamine at ambient temperature in the same pot to afford Δ²‐cephalosporins, which are potentially related compounds in cephalosporin antibacterial compounds.