Grafting polymerization on cellulose based textiles: A C solid state NMR characterization

Grafting of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate onto cellulose chains of textiles with oxidized sites has been carried out. To this aim, carboxyl and carbonyl groups have been introduced by oxidation of the cellulose and used as photosensitive agents, allowing the formation of radical sites. The copolymerization has been started irradiating the substrate with ultraviolet light for a short time. With the grafting of acrylic monomers the mechanical strength and the thermal stability of cellulose based textiles may be improved, as well as the resistance to chemical and biological agents. The method has been successfully tested performing the grafting on a naturally aged cotton sample. It is worth to note that the grafting does not affect the aspect of the material.All samples have been characterized with ¹³C solid state NMR spectroscopy. A semi-quantitative evaluation of the grafting has been performed either studying the cross-polarization dynamic process, or by direct integration of resonances in ¹³C single pulse excitation spectra.     

Measuring the crystallinity index of cellulose by solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance

The crystallinity index of cellulose is an important parameter to establish because of the effect this property has on the utilization of cellulose as a material and as a feedstock for biofuels production. However, it has been found that the crystallinity index varies significantly depending on the choice of instrument and data analysis technique applied to the measurement. We introduce in this study a simple and straightforward method to evaluate the crystallinity index of cellulose. This novel method was developed using solid state ¹³C NMR and subtraction of the spectrum of a standard amorphous cellulose. The crystallinity indexes of twelve different celluloses were measured and the values from this method were compared with the values obtained by other existing methods, including methods based on X-ray diffraction. An interesting observation was that the hydration of the celluloses increased their crystallinity indexes by about 5%, suggesting that addition of water increased cellulose order for all the cellulose samples studied.     

NMR spectroscopic studies on dissolution of softwood pulp with enhanced reactivity

N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) is a known cellulose solvent used in industrial scale (LyoCel process). We have studied interactions between pretreated softwood pulp fibers and aqueous NMMO using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods, including solid state cross polarisation magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) ¹³C and ¹⁵N spectroscopies, and ¹H high resolution MAS NMR spectroscopy. Changes in both cellulose morphology and in accessibility of solvents were observed after the pulp samples that were exposed to solvent species were treated at elevated temperature. Evidence about interactions between cellulose and solvent components was observed already after a heat treatment of 15 min. The crystalline structure of cellulose was seen to remain intact for the first 30 min of heat treatment, at the same time there was a re-distribution of solvent species taking place. After a 90 min heat treatment the crystalline structure of cellulose had experienced major changes, and potential signs of regeneration into cellulose II were observed.     

Synthesis and solid state 13C-NMR studies of some cellulose derivatives

Several cellulose derivatives were synthesized and characterized by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The positions of substitution in these derivatives were confirmed using solid state ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy techniques.     

A physico-chemical characterisation of new raw materials for microcrystalline cellulose manufacturing

A detailed physico-chemical characterisation of potential new cellulose sources (rice husk, hemp stalk, and coniferous needles), and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) manufactured from them, was made in this work. The length and the width of the cellulose crystallites were determined by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), crystallinities were studied by means of WAXS and solid state cross polarisation magic angle spinning ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and the packing and the cross-sectional shape of the microfibrils were determined by small-angle X-ray scattering. When MCC was prepared from rice husks and hemp stalks an acceptable yield was obtained. Crystallinities obtained with solid state NMR spectroscopy and WAXS were highest for MCC prepared from hemp stalks, and lowest for rice husk MCC. The crystallite sizes of MCC samples studied in this work varied more than in those MCC samples which were prepared from conventional plant sources, and crystallite size and cellulose crystallinity were related. When taking into account rather high values of specific surface, hemp stalks and rice husks appear as a promising raw materials for MCC production.     

Structure and tautomerism of 4-substituted 3(5)-aminopyrazoles in solution and in the solid state: NMR study and Ab initio calculations

Annular tautomerism of 3(5)-aminopyrazoles containing a cyano, thiocyanato, or aryl substituent in the 4-position has been studied by ¹H and ¹³C NMR in solution, cross-polarization and magic-angle spinning ¹³C NMR in the solid state, and ab initio quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP/6-31G**). The title compounds in the solid state exist as 3-amino tautomers. A rare case of slow (on the NMR time scale) annular prototropic tautomerism has been observed in DMSO-d ₆: signals of particular tautomers (3- and 5-aminopyrazoles) have been detected in the NMR spectra. 4-Cyano and 4-thiocyanato derivatives exist preferentially as 5-amino tautomers, whereas 4-methoxy analog is represented mainly by the 3-amino tautomers. Ab initio calculations (B3LYP/6-31G**) for the gas phase and DMSO solution (in terms of the polarizable continuum model) have shown increase of the relative stability of more polar 5-amino tautomer in going to DMSO.     

Inorganic Molten Salts as Solvents for Cellulose

Inorganic molten salts can be used as efficient solvents for cellulose in a wide range of degrees of polymerization. Furthermore, molten salts can be applied as reaction medium for the derivatization of cellulose. For both dissolution and derivatization of cellulose, knowledge of the solution state as well as information about chemical interactions with the solvent system is essential. Using the melts of LiClO₄·3H₂O, NaSCN/KSCN/LiSCN·2H₂O and LiCl/ZnCl₂/H₂O as cellulose solvents, factors which determine the dissolving ability will be discussed. Besides the specific structure of the molten salt hydrate, the cation and the water content of the melt are the most important factors for the dissolving capability of a molten salt hydrate system. FT-Raman spectroscopy, ⁷Li and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy were applied to describe solvent–cellulose interactions and the state of cellulose dissolved in the molten salts. Using Raman and solid state NMR spectroscopy it was proved that cellulose is amorphous in the frozen solvent system. The application of inorganic molten salts as a medium for cellulose functionalization is demonstrated for cellulose carboxymethylation and acetylation.     

The synthesis and structural study of five-coordinate triorganotin(IV) tropolonates and dibenzoylmethanates

The complexes [1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedionato]tricyclohexyltin(IV), (tropolonato)triphenyltin(IV), and (tropolonato)tricyclohexyltin(IV) have been prepared for the first time and have been found to be five-coordinate in the solid state. These and related five-coordinate complexes prepared previously have been studied by a variety of physical methods; ¹³C NMR, UV, IR, Raman, dipole moments and the Kerr effect. While all structures are demonstrably five-coordinate, and all chelates bidentate in the solid state, the geometries of two of the complexes in solution appear to vary somewhat from the expected fac or mer. There is evidence from the solution Kerr effect and ¹³C NMR that cyclohexyl derivatives may disproportionate.     

13C CPMAS NMR investigations of cellulose polymorphs in different pulps

In order to obtain information about the crystallinity and polymorphs of cellulose, and the occurrence of hemicelluloses in pulp fibers, wood cellulose, bacterial cellulose, cotton linters, viscose, and celluloses in different pulps were investigated by solid state ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy. A mixed softwood kraft pulp and a dissolving-grade pulp were treated under strongly alkaline and acidic conditions and the effect on cellulose crystallinity was studied. The presence of different crystalline polymorphs of cellulose and the amounts of hemicelluloses are considered.     

Regioselective Dendritic Functionalization of Cellulose

Summary: A series of regioselectively dendronized cellulose derivatives has been prepared by the treatment of cellulose in a N,N‐dimethylacetamide/LiCl solvent system with dendrons possessing isocyanate focal substituents. These new materials were characterized using FT‐IR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, and thermogravimetric analysis; the products were highly soluble in a wide range of organic solvents.

Substitution pattern of the dendronized cellulose.     

The Synthesis and Characteristics of Vanadoaluminosilicate MCM-41 Mesoporous Molecular Sieves

A series of vanadoaluminosilicate MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves with various compositions have been hydrothermally synthesized. Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide was used as a surfactant in the synthesis. The samples were characterized with nitrogen sorption, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform-Infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and solid state NMR. The solid products had the MCM-41 structure and contained only atomically dispersed vanadium and aluminum consistent with framework vanadium and aluminum. The samples were hydrophobic and contained large amount of surfactant in the as-synthesized samples. The surfactant could be removed upon calcination at 450°C. N₂ sorption measurements and TEM demonstrate the high mesoporosity of [V, Al]-MCM-41. The incorporation of vanadium and aluminum into MCM-41 decreased the surface area to some extent. The morphologies of all the samples were the agglomerate of plates. ²⁹Si MAS NMR shows that the pore wall is amorphous. ²⁷Al MAS NMR shows that all of aluminum species were tetrahedrally coordinated even after calcination at 550°C.     

New polyurethane foams modified with cellulose derivatives

New polyurethane foams were elaborated with different cellulose derivatives as raw material, by the one-shot process. The foams were submitted to soxhlet extraction in order to quantify the amount of cellulose derivative incorporated in the foam by chemical bonding. The foams were characterized by means of FTIR, solid state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The FTIR- and solid state ¹³C NMR showed characteristic peaks for cellulose derivatives and polyurethane. DMA measurements indicated that storage modulus increased with increasing content of cellulose derivatives. The highest value was obtained for foams prepared with cellulose sulphate.     

31P Solid state NMR study of structure and chemical stability of dichlorotriphenylphosphorane

Solid state ³¹P NMR spectroscopy was used to examine, monitor and quantify the compound integrity of the chemical reagent dichlorotriphenylphosphorane. Comparison was also made with solution ³¹P NMR spectra which showed that this highly reactive species could be observed in dry benzene prior to conversion to the hydrolyzed product. This is the first reported solid state NMR study of the stability and reactivity of dichlorotriphenylphosphorane and the first account of its observation and comparison in the solution state. In the solid state, the ionic and covalent forms for dichlorotriphenylphosphorane were observed along with hydrolyzed products, however, the degree of hydrolysis was dependent upon the rotor packing conditions. Calculation of the relative percent composition of dichlorotriphenylphosphorane with hydrolyzed product was made for samples prepared in air versus under nitrogen atmosphere. This information was critical in adjusting the amount of reagent used in chemical development syntheses and scale up laboratories. All hydrolyzed products were identified, based upon chemical comparisons with spectra of pure materials. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies on Non-natural Deoxyammonium Cellulose

Summary: Ammonium group containing cellulose derivatives are prepared from homogeneously synthesized cellulose p-toluenesulfonic acid esters (tosyl cellulose) by conversion with sodium azide and subsequent reduction of the azido moiety applying NaBH₄/CoBr₂/2,2′-bipyridine as reagent. Regarding the tosylation, cellulose samples of different degree of polymerization and hemicellulose content possess a different reactivity. The deoxyamino cellulose is water soluble in the protonated state. Elemental analysis, FTIR- and NMR spectroscopy were carried out to analyze the degree of substitution and functionalization pattern. It was also studied to synthesize deoxyazido celluloses without isolation of the tosyl cellulose. However, a predominant formation of deoxychloro moieties occurs.     

Synthesis and Characterizations of Keplerate Nanocapsules Incorporating L- and D-Tartrate Ligands

Five new tartrate-containing Keplerate compounds have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state and in solution. These characterizations evidenced the total replacement of inner sulfate ligands by L- or D-tartrate ligands in aqueous medium under heating during several days. To our knowledge these compounds correspond to the first Keplerate molecules incorporating chiral ligands. The ¹H NMR studies supported by X-ray crystallographic analysis are consistent with the coordination of 24–30 tartrates within the Mo₁₃₂ capsule which are located in close vicinity. The NMR signals of the encapsulated ligands appear particularly broad which precludes the use of advanced NMR methodologies but the solid state NMR provided further characterization of ligand substitution within the capsule by carboxylates. To our knowledge it is the first time that a solid state NMR study of a Keplerate is reported in the literature.     

Molecular parameters of sodium cellulose xanthate in dilute solution

Molecular parameters of sodium cellulose xanthate in NaOH solution have been determined by means of light scattering and viscometry. The effect of the degree of substitution on the molecular configuration of sodium cellulose xanthate has been studied for three series of samples of varying degree of substitution. The expansion factor has been determined from the expression due to Orofino and Flory. The effective bond length b and the ratio of the unperturbed dimension to the dimension assuming free rotation of the chain units (R?_o²/R?_f²)^1/2, have also been determined. It is concluded that sodium cellulose xanthate in dilute solution is a loosely coiled molecule, comparable to other cellulose derivatives in chain stiffness.     

Characterization of modified clinoptilolite

Samples of clinoptilolite were modified using insoluble hexacyanoferrate from aqueous solution. The modified samples were characterized by elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, solid state NMR and vibrational spectroscopy. The sorption properties of modified clinoptilolite were studied, too. Higher affinity for¹³⁷Cs sorption in comparison with the natural clinoptilolite has been proved.     

Heating and temperature gradients of lipid bilayer samples induced by RF irradiation in MAS solid‐state NMR experiments

The MAS solid‐state NMR has been a powerful technique for studying membrane proteins within the native‐like lipid bilayer environment. In general, RF irradiation in MAS NMR experiments can heat and potentially destroy expensive membrane protein samples. However, under practical MAS NMR experimental conditions, detailed characterization of RF heating effect of lipid bilayer samples is still lacking. Herein, using ¹H chemical shift of water for temperature calibration, we systematically study the dependence of RF heating on hydration levels and salt concentrations of three lipids in MAS NMR experiments. Under practical ¹H decoupling conditions used in biological MAS NMR experiments, three lipids show different dependence of RF heating on hydration levels as well as salt concentrations, which are closely associated with the properties of lipids. The maximum temperature elevation of about 10 °C is similar for the three lipids containing 200% hydration, which is much lower than that in static solid‐state NMR experiments. The RF heating due to salt is observed to be less than that due to hydration, with a maximum temperature elevation of less than 4 °C in the hydrated samples containing 120 mmol l^?1 of salt. Upon RF irradiation, the temperature gradient across the sample is observed to be greatly increased up to 20 °C, as demonstrated by the remarkable broadening of ¹H signal of water. Based on detailed characterization of RF heating effect, we demonstrate that RF heating and temperature gradient can be significantly reduced by decreasing the hydration levels of lipid bilayer samples from 200% to 30%. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of radiation induced degradation in FPC-461 fluoropolymers by variable temperature multinuclear NMR

Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance techniques have been used to investigate aging mechanisms in a vinyl chloride:chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer, FPC-461, due to exposure to γ-radiation. Solid state ¹H MAS NMR spectra revealed structural changes in the polymer upon irradiation under both air and nitrogen atmospheres. Considerable degradation is seen with ¹H NMR in the vinyl chloride region of the polymer, particularly in the samples irradiated in air. ¹⁹F MAS NMR was used to investigate speciation in the chlorotrifluoroethylene blocks, though negligible changes were seen. ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR at elevated temperature revealed increased segmental mobility and decreased structural heterogeneity within the polymer, yielding significant resolution enhancement over room temperature solid state detection. The effects of multi-site exchange are manifested in both the ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectra as a line broadening and change in peak position as a function of temperature.     

Characterizing mixed phosphonic acid ligand capping on CdSe/ZnS quantum dots using ligand exchange and NMR spectroscopy

The ligand capping of phosphonic acid functionalized CdSe/ZnS core–shell quantum dots (QDs) was investigated with a combination of solution and solid‐state ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Two phosphonic acid ligands were used in the synthesis of the QDs, tetradecylphosphonic acid and ethylphosphonic acid. Both alkyl phosphonic acids showed broad liquid and solid‐state ³¹P NMR resonances for the bound ligands, indicative of heterogeneous binding to the QD surface. In order to quantify the two ligand populations on the surface, ligand exchange facilitated by phenylphosphonic acid resulted in the displacement of the ethylphosphonic acid and tetradecylphosphonic acid and allowed for quantification of the free ligands using ³¹P liquid‐state NMR. After washing away the free ligand, two broad resonances were observed in the liquids' ³¹P NMR corresponding to the alkyl and aromatic phosphonic acids. The washed samples were analyzed via solid‐state ³¹P NMR, which confirmed the ligand populations on the surface following the ligand exchange process. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.