Synthesis of poly(vinyl alcohol) containing asymmetric nucleic acid base derivatives as grafted pendants

The preparations of new model polymers of polynucleotides with linear poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) backbones and an optically active nucleic acid base derivative as a pending side chain are described. (±)-, (+)-, and (?)-2-(thymin-1-yl)propionic acid were grafted onto PVA through ester bonds by direct coupling with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in the presence of highly active catalyst 4-pyrrolidinopyridine (PPY) to give optically active graft polymers. The corresponding monomer and dimer models have been prepared.     

Spectroscopic studies of poly(vinylamine) containing optically active thymine derivatives as grafted pendants

The optical properties of poly(vinylamine) containing optically active (+)- or (?)-2-(thymin-1-yl) propionyl groups as grafted pendants (PT) and the related monomer (MT) and dimer models (DT) were investigated by UV, circular dichroism (CD), and NMR spectroscopy. Highly syndiotactic PT has a smaller hypochromicity versus MT and a larger optical rotation than the less syndiotactic PT in various solutions. These results are attributed to an interaction between the configurational arrangement of thymines, the conformation of the polymers, and base stacking between thymines. The interactions of these polymers with poly(adenylic acid) (polyA) were also studied and the results compared with other vinyl-type nucleic acid model polymers. The isomers of the optically active dimer models [prepared from meso and (dl)-2,4-diaminopentane] were separated. The CD spectra of (+)-D(?)T in CHCl₃ and trifluoroethanol (TFE) displayed extremely solvent-dependent exciton coupling of the π–π^* (B_2u) transition of the base chromophore, which was not observed in the other models or polymers, except the meso-type dimer model (meso)-D-(?)T. This coupling decreased with increasing solvent dielectric constant, while UV hypochromicity increased. This behavior as well as the 360-MHz NMR spectra suggest that (+)-D(?)T exists in an extended form in solvents of low dielectric constant and gradually assumes a stacked conformation as the dielectric constant increases.     

Syntheses of polyethylenimine containing asymmetric nucleic acid base derivatives as grafted pendants

Preparations of new model polymers of polynucleotides with linear polyethylenimine (PEI) backbones and optically active nucleic acid base derivatives as pending side chains are described. (±)-2-(Thymin-1-yl)propionic acid (II) and (±)-2-(adenin-9-yl)propionic acid (IV) were synthesized. These carboxylic acid derivatives were grafted onto PEI at the imino nitrogen by the p-nitrophenyl active ester method. The enantiomeric pairs of II were optically resolved with quinine to yield (?) and (+)-2-(thymin-1-yl)propionic acid (VII and VIII). VII and VIII were grafted onto PEI through amide bond by direct coupling with diethylphosphoryl cyanide to give optically active graft polymers. The related monomer and dimer model compounds were also prepared by the same method from diethylamine and dimethylethylene diamine, respectively.     

Circular dichroism of polyethylenimine containing optically active thymine derivatives as grafted pendants

Optical properties of linear polyethylenimine containing optically active (+)- or (?)-2-(thymin-1-yl)propionyl group as grafted pendant were investigated by circular dichroism (CD) and compared with those of the related monomer and dimer model compounds. CD spectra of the polymer in neutral aqueous solution were different from those of related model compounds, which suggest that the polymer exists in some ordered conformation (at least locally) to allow exciton coupling of π–π^* (B_2u) transition in the base chromophores along the polymer chain. This ordered conformation tends to be randomized on heating. The effects of complementary base pairing on the CD spectra have also been studied by using a linear polyethylenimine containing (±)-2-(adenin-9-yl) propionyl grafts and its related monomer and dimer models.     

Synthetic analogues of polynucleotides—XIII: The resolution of dl-β-(thymin-1-yl)alanine and polymerisation of the β-(thymin-1-yl)alanines

dl-β-(Thymin-1-yl)alanine has been resolved into d(+) and l(?) forms. The pure d(+) form was obtained by fractional crystallisation of the (+)α-methylphenylethylamine salts of the α-N-formyl derivatives. The pure l(?) isomer was obtained on a small scale by chromatography of the same salts. The optically active amino acids and the dl-mixture were polymerised by the mixed anhydride procedure to give polymers which showed no evidence of base stacking or of interaction with polyadenylic acid. The molecular weights of the polymers were in the range 2–4 × 10³. These were determined by end group assay which involved the synthesis of α-N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-dl-β-(thymin-1-yl)alanine as a standard.     

Synthesis of optically active polynucleotide analogs with polytrimethylenimine backbones and thymine moieties

Polynucleotide analogs with polytrimethylenimine backbones and optically active 2-(thymin-1-yl)propionic acids as pendants were prepared. Linear polytrimethylenimines were obtained by ring-opening polymerization of 2-phenyl-5,6-dyhydro-4H-1,3-oxazine and subsequent hydrolysis of the resulting polymers. 2-(Thymin-1-yl)propionic acids were reacted with N-hydroxy succinimide to form active esters. Optical purities of active esters were determined by NMR with chiral chemical shift reagents. The polynucloetide analogs and related monomer and dimer model compounds were prepared by grafting reactions using active esters.     

Synthesis of copoly(vinylamine-vinylalcohol) containing two kinds of asymmetric nucleic acid base derivatives as grafted pendants

Preparation of new model polymers of polynucleotides with poly(vinylamine-vinylalcohol) [P(Vam-Val)] backbones and different kinds of nucleic acid base derivatives as grafted pendants is described. At first, the grafting of (?) and (±)-2-(thymin-1-yl)propionic acid [(?) and (±)TPA] onto linear P(Vam-Val) at the amino group via an amide bond was carried out in a mixed solvent of ethanol-dimethylformamide by selective N-acylation of the active ester of N-hydroxy-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboximide (HONB) or N-hydroxysuccinimide (HOSu). This procedure gave the corresponding hydroxyl polymers P[Vam(?)T-Val] and P[Vam(±)T-Val]. In addition, direct, low temperature esterification was used to graft (?), (±)TPA, and (±)-2-(uracil-1-yl)propionic acid, [(±)UPA], onto the hydroxyl polymer at the hydroxyl group via an ester bond. This process gave the corresponding copoly(Vam-Val) with different or the same kinds of nucleic acid base derivatives. P[Vam(?)-Ve(?)T], P[Vam(±)T-Ve(±)T], P[Vam(?)T-Ve(±)U], and P[Vam(±)T-Ve(±)U] are representative examples. The related monomer and segmental model compounds were also prepared by this method; 3-aminopentane, 3-pentanol, 3-amino-1-propanol, and threo-2-amino-4-pentanol were employed in the syntheses. The segment models were separated and purified using HPLC techniques.     

Asymmetric selective polymerization of racemic 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate with the ethylmagnesium bromide-(−)-sparteine complex

Asymmetric selective (or stereoelective) polymerization of racemic 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate (DPEMA) with ethylmagnesium bromide (EtMgBr)-(?)-sparteine catalyst was studied in toluene at ?78°C. In the polymerization (S) enantiomer was consumed preferentially and the enantiomeric excess of initially polymerized (S) enantiomer was consumed preferentially and the enantiomeric excess of initially polymerized DPEMA was greater than 90%. Optically pure (R) monomer was recovered at about 70% polymer yield. Poly(DPEMA) obtained with EtMgBr-(?)-sparteine complex was highly isotactic. It was found in the polymerization of optically active DPEMA that optical rotation of poly(DPEMA) was dependent on the tacticity and that isotactic and syndiotactic poly(DPEMA)s showed opposite optical rotations. Circular dichroism spectra of the optically active polymers were measured.     

Photophysical investigations of interpolymer interactions in solutions of a pyrene substituted poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl amine), poly(1-aminoacrylic acid), and poly(1-acetylaminoacrylic acid)

Photophysical properties of the pyrene chromophore covalently bound to poly(acrylic acid) were used to investigate the interactions of a pyrene substituted poly(acrylic acid) (1) with poly(vinyl amine hydrochloride) (PVAm), poly(1-aminoacrylic acid) (PDA), and poly(1-acetylaminoacrylic acid) (PADA) in aqueous solutions. A number of photophysical parameters were obtained from fluorescence emission and excitation spectra, the deconvolution of decay curves for pyrene monomer, and excited state complex fluorescence and the quenching of pyrene monomer fluorescence by nitromethane in polymer solutions. These photophysical parameters were considered to reflect the inter- and intrapolymer interactions in solutions of 1 , PVAm, PDA, and PADA. The formation of interpolymer complexes between 1 and PVAm was noticed at low (< 4) as well as high (> 8) values, whereas PDA and 1 formed interpolymer complexes at low pH only. No interpolymer complex formation was detected in solutions of 1 and PADA under low or high pH conditions. The structures of interpolymer complexes formed between 1 and PVAm under low and high pH conditions were found to be determined by the conformation of 1 . There were significant differences in the interpolymer interactions of 1 and PDA in comparison to those of 1 and PVAm; in particular, the fluorescence from the excited state complex was enhanced in solutions of 1 and PVAm but quenched in solutions of 1 and PDA. The investigations of terpolymer solutions of 1 , PVAm, and PADA indicated that the nature of interpolymer complexes formed in terpolymer solutions was determined by Coulombic interactions of the amino and carboxylic group containing polymers.     

Synthesis and conformation of asymmetric rigid polyamides

Asymmetric polyamides from the reaction of either optically active trans-1,2-cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid (C3) or trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (C6) with 2,7-diazaspiro[4,4]nonane(DSN) were synthesized. The possible conformations of these polymers and their model compounds in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), water, methanesulfonic acid (MSA), and sulfuric acid were examined by circular dichroism (CD), NMR, viscosity, and dipole moment measurements. The racemic polyamides (±)C3·(±)DSN and (±)C6·(±)DSN exist in extended forms. No intrinsic viscosity changes were observed for these two polymers in TFE and MSA. Certain viscosity and spectral changes have been observed for the optically active polyamides, although no specific ordered conformations can be assigned. The optically active diacid units incorporated into the polymer give a conformation unique from the totally extended chain. CD studies seem to evidence some conformational differences among the polyamide derived from (+)C6 diacid and the optically active DSN. By changing the solvent from TFE to MSA a blue shift of the trough was observed for (+)C6·(±)DSN, a red shift for (+)C6·(?)DSN, and an inversion of the CD spectrum for (+)C6·(+)DSN polyamides. The results of the work with (+)C6·(?)DSN in dilute acid solution suggest that the rotation around the C–N bond is a relatively low-energy process. The spectral and intrinsic viscosity data are consistent with this suggestion. No drastic spectral changes have been observed for the C3·DSN polyamides by changing the solvent from TFE to MSA. The amide group in the C3·DSN polyamide and the corresponding model compound prefer a similar conformation with the carbonyl group bisecting the cyclopropane ring. The C3·DSN polyamide seems to exist in an extended form.     

Helical chirality of π‐conjugated main‐chain induced by polymerization of phenylacetylene with chiral bulky pinanyl groups: Effects of the flexible spacer and polymerization catalyst

Three optically active phenylacetylene polymers with chiral bulky pinanyl groups, (?)‐poly[4‐(dimethylpinanylsilyl)phenylacetylene] [(?)‐poly(PSPA)], (+)‐poly{4‐[3‐(10‐pinanyl)tetramethyldisiloxy]phenylacethylene} [(+)‐poly(PDSPA)], and their copolymer [(?)‐copoly(PSPA/PDSPA)], were synthesized. We observed high chirality in the main‐chain chromophore of (?)‐poly(PSPA), due to the presence of a chiral helix, with circular dichroism spectroscopy. In contrast, (+)‐poly(PDSPA),with flexible SiOSi spacers between the chiral pinanyl group and the main chain, had lower chirality. (?)‐Poly(PSPA), with large circular dichroism signals, was prepared by polymerization with a rhodium catalyst and had a highly stereoregular main chain (high cis‐configuration percentage). However, (?)‐poly(PSPA) prepared with a tungsten catalyst had lower chirality and lower stereoregularity in the main chain. A membrane from (?)‐poly(PSPA) showed enantioselective permeability for tryptophan in an aqueous solution. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1689–1697, 2002     

Synthesis and polymerization of N-[N′-(α-methylbenzyl)aminocarbonyl-n-alkyl]maleimide

Two types of optically active N-[N′-(α-methylbenzyl)amino/carbonyl-n-alkyl]maleimides (MBAC) were synthesized from maleic anhydride, 6-amino-n-caproic acid (or 12-amino-n-dodecanoic acid), and (R)-(+)-α-methylbenzylamine. Radical homopolymerizations of MBAC were performed in several solvents at 60 and 110°C for 24 h to give optically active polymers. Radical copolymerizations of MBAC were performed with styrene (ST) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in dioxane at 60°C. The monomer reactivity ratios and the Alfrey-Price Q-e values were determined. Chiroptical properties of the polymers and copolymers were investigated. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Asymmetric radical polymerization and copolymerization of N‐(1‐phenyldibenzosuberyl)methacrylamide and its derivative leading to optically active helical polymers

N‐(1‐Phenyldibenzosuberyl)methacrylamide (PDBSMAM) and its derivative N‐[(4‐butylphenyl)dibenzosuberyl]methacrylamide (BuPDBSMAM) were synthesized and polymerized in the presence of (+)‐ and (?)‐menthols at different temperatures. The tacticity of the polymers was estimated to be nearly 100% isotactic from the ¹H NMR spectra of polymethacrylamides derived in D₂SO₄. Poly(PDBSMAM) was not soluble in the common organic solvents, and its circular dichroism spectrum in the solid state was similar to that of the optically active poly(1‐phenyldibenzosuberyl methacrylate) (poly(PDBSMA)) with a prevailing one‐handed helicity, indicating that the poly(PDBSMAM) also has a similar helicity. Poly(BuPDBSMAM) was optically active and soluble in THF and chloroform. Its optical activity was much higher than that of the poly[N‐(triphenylmethayl)methacrylamide], suggesting that one‐handed helicity may be more efficiently induced on the poly(BuPDBSMAM). The copolymerization of BuPDBSMAM with a small amount of optically active N‐[(R)‐(+)‐1‐(1‐naphthyl)ethyl]methacrylamide, particularly in the presence of (?)‐menthol, produced a polymer with a high optical activity. The prevailing helicity may also be efficiently induced. The chiroptical properties of the obtained polymers were studied in detail. The chiral recognition by the polymers was also evaluated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1304–1315, 2007     

Spectroscopic Studies of Polyethylenimine with Pyrimidine or Purine Grafts

Hypochromic effects of 2-(thymin-1-yl)propionyl graft polyethylenimine (P-T) and its related monomer (M-T) and dimer model (D-T), and 2-(adenin-9-yl)propionyl graft polyethylenimine (P-A) and its monomer (M-A) and dimer model (D-A) have been systematically investigated, and the base-stacked conformation in comparison with corresponding polynucleotides and dinucleotides has been discussed. The results suggest that the graft polymers and even their dimer models may have a particular preference for a stacked conformation compared with the corresponding poly- and dinucleotides. A study of solvent effect on the NMR spectra of the dimer model suggests the existence of a preferred base-stacked conformation. Base pairing effects between the complementary bases have also been studied for various combinations among the model systems. Only the combination P-T/P-A showed a considerable hypochromic effect.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyethylenimine backbone polynucleotide models

Nucleic acid analogs with a PEI backbone and uracil- and thymine-containing pendants and their monomer and dimer models have been synthesized and characterized by means of 360-MHz ¹H-NMR as well as 90- and 20-MHz ¹³C-NMR. ¹³C-NMR was particularly useful in characterizing the primary structures of the polymers. While data from the monomer and dimer models can be assumed transferable to the polymers, some unique features of the ¹H and ¹³C spectra of the polymers compared to the model compounds, give insight to the polymer structures.     

Spectroscopic studies of poly(N-acyldehydroalanines) containing asymmetric nucleic acid base derivatives as pendant groups

Water-soluble polynucleotide analogs having a poly(N-acyldehydroalanine) {poly(α[–(N-acylamino)acrylate])} backbone were studied by 360-HMz ¹H-NMR, UV, and CD spectroscopies. Significant UV hypochromicity values for the polymers versus monomer model compounds as well as peak shifts in the NMR spectra implied a high degree of base stacking in these systems. The CD spectrum of poly{(-)-2-[2-(thymin-l-yl) propanoamido] propenoic acid} (p(-)TDHA), having an optically active side chain, was remarkably insensitive to the degree of neutralization of the polymer, but was very sensitive to the ionic strength of the solution. Continuous variation mixing experiments revealed no base-pairing interactions between complementary charged polymers, and weak interactions between charged and uncharged polymers and model compounds. These results suggest that the polymers are conformationally restricted in solution.     

Control of the stereochemical structure of silicon‐containing polymers

Various optically pure organosilicon compounds were synthesized or separated on HPLC. Stereoregular silicon‐containing polymers, poly(carbosilane)s, poly(carbosiloxane)s and poly(siloxane)s were synthesized from these compounds as monomer. Stereochemistry of the elementary reactions to give stereoregular polymers was elucidated.     

Extracellular matrix-like surfactant polymers containing arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides

We report on a novel series of biomimetic polymers exhibiting interfacial properties similar to the extracellular matrix. A series of well-defined surfactant polymers were synthesized by simultaneously incorporating arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide, dextran oligosaccharide, and hexyl ligands with controlled feed ratios onto a poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) backbone. The peptide sequence was H-GSSSGRGDSPA-NH(2) (Pep) having a hydrophilic extender at the amino terminus and capped carboxy terminus. The peptide-to-dextran (Pep:Dex) ratios were varied to create surfactants having 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mol-% peptide relative to dextran. The surfactants were characterized by IR, NMR and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for composition and surface active properties. AFM confirmed full surface coverage of PVAm(Pep)(100%) on graphite, and supported the mechanism of interdigitation of hexyl ligands between surfactant molecules within a specified range of hexyl chain densities. the attachment and growth of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells on the PVAm(Pep)(100%) surface was identical to the fibronectin positive control. Cell adhesion decreased dramatically with decreasing peptide density on the surfactant polymers. Molecular model of a peptide surfactant polymer, consisting of poly(vinyl amine) backbone with peptide, dextran oligosaccharide and hexyl branches coupled to the polymer chain.     

Synthese von optisch aktiven,natürlichen Carotinoiden und strukturell verwandten Verbindungen. III. Synthese von (+)-Abscisinsäure, (−)-Xanthoxin, (−)-Loliolid, (−)-Actinidiolid und (−)-Dihydroactinidiolid

Synthesis of optically active natural carotenoids and structurally related compounds. III. Synthesis of (+)-abscisic acid, (?)-xanthoxin, (?)-loliolide, (?)-actinidiolide, and (?)-dihydroactinidiolide The syntheses of (+)-abscisic acid ( 1 ), (?)-xanthoxin ( 2 ), (?)-loliolide ( 3 ), (?)-actinidiolide ( 4 ), and of (?)-dihydroactinidiolide ( 5 ) from one common starting material are reported. The syntheses yield also some enantiomeric or diastereomeric analogues.     

Synthesis of optically active polynucleotide analogs with poly(vinyl alcohol)s as backbones and adenine and 5-bromouracil derivatives as pendants

The optically active polynucleotide analogs were prepared by grafting nucleic acid base derivatives onto poly(vinyl alcohol). The (R)-ethyl 2-(5-bromouracil-1-yl)propanoate was obtained either by reaction of 5-bromouracil sodium salt with (S)-ethyl 2-[(methylsulfonyl)oxy]propanoate or reaction of 5-bromouracil with (S)-ethyl lactate in the presence of triphenyl phosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate. Subsequent hydrolysis of the ester is aqueous acid provided the optically pure (R)-bromouracilypropanoic acid. The monomer model compounds were prepared by an esterification reaction of the pendant groups with 3-pentyl alcohol in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and a catalytic amount of 4-pyrrolidinopyridine. Poly(vinyl alcohol) underwent reaction with the (R)-bromouracilylpropanoic acid or the (R)-adeninylpropanoic acid in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and a catalytic amount of 4-pyrrolidinopyridine. The resulting polymers were optically active and percents grafting were almost quantitative.