Evaluation of selectivity for l-glutamide-derived highly ordered assemblies in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Two dioctadecyl l-glutamic acid derivatives with amide and ester type bondings have been synthesized and immobilized from 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) grafted silica (Sil-APS) to be used in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Subsequent studies showed that dioctadecyl-l-glutamide derivative (GLN) can self-assemble into highly ordered structures by forming three-dimensional fibrillar aggregates as observed in scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM). Variable temperature ¹H NMR and FT-IR spectra of organogel revealed that the special aggregation morphology shown by GLN was stabilized by inter and or intra molecular hydrogen bonding among amide moieties. However, such ordered aggregated or self-assembled structures were not observed for the dioctadecyl-l-glutamate (GLU) derivative. The stationary phases Sil-GLN and Sil-GLU were characterized by DRIFT, elemental analysis, TGA, and ¹³C and ²⁹Si CP-MAS NMR spectroscopic measurements. The chromatographic selectivity for both stationary phases was evaluated from the retention studies of different size and shape polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The chromatographic experiment for PAHs and geometrical isomers in RP-HPLC showed that Sil-GLN demonstrated extremely enhanced selectivity than Sil-GLU. The higher selectivity attributed by Sil-GLN has been brought by multiple π-π interactions among the π-electrons of the grafted organic phase and π-electrons of the guest PAHs molecules. Thermodynamic studies for linear and nonlinear PAHs revealed that the retention behavior does not change over a temperature range from 10 to 60 °C for both stationary phases.     

Supramolecular separation mechanism of pentafluorophenyl column using ibuprofen and omeprazole as markers: LC‐MS and simulation study

The pentafluorophenyl (PFP) column is emerging as a new advancement in separation science to analyze a wide range of analytes and, thus, its separation mechanism at supramolecular level is significant. We developed a mechanism for the separation of ibuprofen and omeprazole using different combinations (ranging from 50:50 to 60:40) of water–acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase. The column used was Waters Acquity UPLC HSS PFP (75 × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm). The reverse order of elution was observed in different combinations of the mobile phases. The docking study indicated hydrogen bonding between ibuprofen and PFP stationary phase (binding energy was −11.30 kJ/mol). Separation at PFP stationary phase is controlled by hydrogen bonding along with π–π interactions. This stationary phase may be used to analyze both aromatic and aliphatic analytes. The developed mechanism will be useful to separate various analytes by considering the possible interactions, leading to saving of energy, time and money. In addition, this work will be highly useful in preparative chromatography where separation is the major problem at a large scale. Moreover, the developed LC‐MS‐QTOF method may be used to analyze ibuprofen and omeprazole in an unknown sample owing to the low value of detection limits.     

Construction of Hetero‐Four‐Layered Tripalladium(II) Cyclophanes by Transannular π⋅⋅⋅π Interactions

A synthetic strategy for the generation of new molecular species utilizing a provision of nature is presented. Nano‐dimensional (23(2)×21(1)×16(1) ų) hetero‐four‐layered trimetallacyclophanes were constructed by proof‐of‐concept experiments that utilize a suitable combination of π???π interactions between the central aromatic rings, tailor‐made short/long spacer tridentate donors, and the combined helicity. The behavior of the unprecedented four‐layered metallacyclophane system offers a landmark in the development of new molecular systems.     

“Sock-Ball” Chromatographic Separation of High Molecular Weight Fullerenes with Sock-Shaped Stationary Phase

A method for “Sock-Bail” chromatographic separation of high molecular weight fullerenes is described. A prepared sock-shaped stationary phase (Sock-SAF-phase) was used for HPLC separation of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fullerenes. Fullerenes, as ball-shaped molecules, are much more strongly retained than PAHs on this stationary phase and have the eluted order C₅₀ < C₇₀ < C₇₆ < C₇₈ < C₈₄ in the mobile phase of n-hexane/dichloromethane (100/0 ～ 80/20). In contrast, chromatography on the corresponding unmodified silica phase or SC-3OH-phase (an intermediate phase of Sock-SAF-phase) gave no separation of fullerenes. This fact indicated that the separation of fullerenes on Sock-SAF-phase was related to the selective interaction with the sock moiety.     

Preparation of a high performance liquid chromatography column based on N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-aminoundecyl silica for the resolution of liquid crystal mixtures

A bonded silica stationary phase (SP 1) was prepared by connecting N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl) aminoundecylsilane to silica gel. The stationary phase was applied in resolving a liquid crystal mixture with a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) mode and the chromatographic resolution results were compared with those on an octadecylsilane (ODS) column. From the comparison of the resolution results on SP 1 and the ODS column, we found the new stationary phase was better than the ODS column in resolving a liquid crystal mixture and the elution orders of some liquid crystal were changed. The better resolution and the change in the elution orders on the new column might be originated from additional π–π interaction between the π-acidic 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl group of the stationary phase and the π-basic aromatic group of liquid crystals.     

pi-Electron interaction of PAHs with anion-exchange silica gels modified with anionic metal-porphine and -phthalocyanine derivatives as HPLC stationary phase for preparative column in organic solvents

To develop easy-to-prepare stationary phases for HPLC, we investigated anion-exchange silica gels, Nucleosil 5SB (Nuc), modified with metal-porphines and -phthalocyanines (M-P). The modified silica gels (M-P_N) were evaluated for the availability as a stationary phase of HPLC for the separation of π-electron-rich polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polar and non-polar eluents. Separation ability of silica gels modified with Cu-phthalocyanine derivative (Cu-PCS_N) was comparable to that of the silica gels binding Cu-PCS through sulfonamide bonds; however, the latter requires troublesome procedures for the preparation. The PAHs tested interact with Cu-PCS_N in non-polar organic eluents through their π-electrons similarly as in the case of the PYE column^®, in which interaction with PAHs was reported to be only the π-π-electron interaction.     

Effect of analyte lipophilicity on the resolution of α‐ and β‐amino acids on liquid chromatographic ligand exchange chiral stationary phases

Separation of the two enantiomers of racemic α‐ and β‐amino acids on two ligand exchange chiral stationary phases (CSPs) prepared previously by covalently bonding sodium N‐((S)‐1‐hydroxymethy‐3‐methylbutyl)‐N‐undecylaminoacetate or sodium N‐((R)‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylethyl)‐N‐undecylaminoacetate on silica gel was studied with variation of the organic modifier (methanol) concentration in the aqueous mobile phase. In particular, the variation of retention factors with changing organic modifier concentration in the aqueous mobile phase was found to be strongly dependent on both the analyte lipophilicity and the stationary phase lipophilicity. In general, the retention factors of relatively lipophilic analytes on relatively lipophilic CSPs tend to increase with increasing organic modifier concentration in the aqueous mobile phases while those of less lipophilic or hydrophilic analytes tend to increase. However, only highly lipophilic analytes show decreasing retention factors with increasing organic modifier concentration in the aqueous mobile phase on less lipophilic CSPs. The contrasting retention behaviors on the two CSPs were rationalized by the balance of the two competing interactions, viz. hydrophilic interaction of analytes with polar aqueous mobile phase and the lipophilic interaction of analytes with the stationary phase.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New Oxalato‐bridged Lead(II) Polymer: {[Pb(phen)2(ox)]·5H20}n (phen = 1, 10‐phenanthroline,ox = oxalate)

A new one‐dimensionally neutral coordination polymer, namely {[Pb(phen)₂(ox)]·5H₂0}_n (phen = 1, 10‐phenanthroline, ox = oxalate) ( 1 ), has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Complex 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pban (No. 50) with a = 19.358(2), b = 6.8135(6), c = 9.7015(8)Å, V = 1279.6(2)ų, and Z = 2. Each Pb(II) atom is eight‐coordinated in a square‐antiprismatic D_4d geometry by four nitrogen atoms from two phen groups and four oxygen atoms from two ox ligands. The polymeric chains further constructed into a three‐dimensional network via strong π—π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds. The complex exhibits intense blue photoluminescence with an emission maximum at 403 nm at room temperature.     

Variability in the Coordination Modes of 2‐Pyridineformamide Thiosemicarbazone (HAm4DH) in some Zinc(II), Cadmium(II), and Mercury(II) Complexes

The reduction of 2‐cyanopyridine by sodium in dry methanol in the presence of thiosemicarbazide produces 2‐pyridineformamide thiosemicarbazone, HAm4DH. The reactions of the potentially tridentate ligand HAm4DH with salts of Zn, Cd, and Hg gave a variety of metal‐ligand complexes. The complexes were characterized by mass spectrometry as well as IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹³C CP/MAS, ¹¹³Cd, ¹⁹⁹Hg) spectroscopy. The crystal structures of [Zn(Am4DH)(OAc)]₂·H₂O, [Hg(HAm4DH)₂Br₂]·C₂H₅OH and [Hg(μ‐S‐Am4DH)Br] were obtained. Coordination of anionic Am4DH^? occurs through the pyridyl nitrogen, imine nitrogen and thiolato sulfur atoms, while the neutral ligands in [Hg(HAm4DH)₂Br₂] coordinate as monodentate ligands through their thione sulfur atoms. One of the acetate ligands in [Zn(Am4DH)(OAc)]₂·H₂O is bridging monodentate and the other bridging bidentate. [Hg(μ‐S‐Am4DH)Br] features five‐coordinate mercury centers with bridging thiolato sulfur atoms. The intermolecular arrangement is dictated by hydrogen bonding from the amino groups and by π‐π stacking of the pyridine rings.     

A novel octadecylsilane functionalized graphene oxide/silica composite stationary phase for high performance liquid chromatography

An octadecylsilane functionalized graphene oxide/silica stationary phase was fabricated by assembling graphene oxide onto the silica particles through an amide bond and subsequent immobilization of octadecylsilane. The chromatographic properties of the stationary phase were investigated by reversed-phase chromatography with alkylbenzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, amines, and phenolic compounds as the analytes. All the compounds achieved good separation on the column. The comparison between a C18 commercial column and the new stationary phase indicated that the existence of π-electron system of graphene oxide allows π-π interaction between analyte and octadecylsilane functionalized graphene oxide/silica stationary phase except for hydrophobic interaction, while only hydrophobic interaction presented between analyte and C18 commercial column. This suggests that some analytes can be better separated on the octadecylsilane functionalized graphene oxide/silica column.     

Synthesis and characterization of diorganotin(IV) complexes of Schiff bases with ONO‐type donors and crystal structure of [N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐ethoxysalicylideneiminato]diphenyltin(IV)

A series of neutral complexes, namely, [N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐hydroxysalicylideneiminato]‐ diphenyltin(IV) ( Ia ), [N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐methoxysalicylideneiminato]diphenyltin(IV) ( IIa ) and [N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐ethoxysalicylideneiminato]diphenyltin(IV) ( IIIa ) were prepared by the reaction of diphenyltin dichloride on the corresponding Schiff bases. The Schiff bases were the reaction products of 2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitroaniline and appropriate salicylaldehydes. All the compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy. Compound IIIa was also characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction and shows a C₂NO₂ coordination geometry nearly half‐way between a trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal arrangement. In the solid state, π? π interactions exist between the aniline fragments of neighbouring molecules. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Density functional study of indole–pyrrole heterodimer potential energy hypersurface

A density‐functional study of indole–pyrrole heterodimer potential energy hypersurface (PES) was performed. Eight stationary points were located on the B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) PES, three of which correspond to real minima, all of them being characterized with an N? H … π type hydrogen bonding. In two of these minima (the local ones), pyrrole subunit acts as a hydrogen bond proton donor, while the global minimum corresponds to indole–H … π(‐pyrrole) arrangement. Besides the interaction and dissociation energies corrected for BSSE and the monomer relaxation energies and the relevant structural parameters, anharmonic N? H and N? H … π vibrational frequencies were calculated for various N? H oscillators involved in this interaction from the 1‐D DFT vibrational potentials. On the basis of anharmonic vibrational frequency analysis, it was concluded that the two types of N? H … π hydrogen bonded dimers (indole vs. pyrrole being a proton donor) should be distinguishable with spectroscopic methods. Various contributions to the overall anharmonic frequency shifts upon hydrogen bonding were calculated and discussed as well. The charge field perturbation (CFP) technique was employed to study the electrostatic + polarization influence of the proton accepting unit on the N? H(… π) vibrational potential. The second‐order perturbation theory analysis (SOPT) of the Fock matrix (i.e., its Kohn–Sham analog) within the natural bond orbital (NBO) basis, as well as various NBO deletion analyses revealed an essentially one‐directional charge transfer (CT) of a π(C? C) → σ*(N? H) type in the case of all three minima. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003     

On the statistical independence of various column contributions to band broadening. Part 3: Independent treatment of longitudinal diffusion in the plate model

It is shown theorectically that the classical formula for calculating the theoretical plate number from squared first central moment, t , and second central moment, σ², according to n _theor = t /σ² is valid only when the capacity ratio, k approaches infinity. The general relation between the classical experimental HETP value, H = L/nm _theor, and the underlying true theoretical plate height, ΔL, is found to be when (σ′)² is the total column contribution to band broadening, L is the column length, D _m is the average diffusion coefficient of the sample component in the mobile phase, D _s is its value in the stationary phase, and u is the average linear velocity of the mobile phase. The mobile phase displacement, as well as the mass exchange process, is assumed to be continuous, but the application of the plate concept conditions leads to a mass balance equation that can be interpreted as belonging to a modified discontinuous plate model. The contributions 2D _m/u and k 2 D _s/u from longitudinal sample diffusion in the mobile and stationary phases, respectively, are consistent with the assumption that the processes are statistically independent, although the common solution technique of the differential equations does not take full account of this independence.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a [Mo8O26]4– Cluster Derivative with 4‐MePyH+. First β‐Octamolybdate Derivative with π–π Stacking

Dioxobis(pyridine‐2‐thiolate‐N, S)molybdenum(VI) (MoO₂(Py‐S)₂), reacts with of 4‐methylpyridine (4‐MePy) in acetonitrile, by slow diffusion, to afford the title compound. This has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The X‐ray single crystal structure of the complex is described. Structural studies reveal that the molecular structure consists of a β‐Mo₈O₂₆ polyanion with eight MoO₆ distorted edge‐shared octahedra with short terminal Mo–O bonds (1.692–1.714 Å), bonds of intermediate length (1.887–1.999 Å) and long bonds (2.150–2.473 Å). Two different types of hydrogen bonds have been found: N–H···O (2.800–3.075 Å) and C–H···O (3.095–3.316 Å). The presence of π–π stacking interactions and strong hydrogen bonds are presumably responsible for the special disposition of the pyridinic rings around the polyanion cluster.     

Suitability of ionic liquids as mobile‐phase additives in HPLC with fluorescence and UV detection for the determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines

The effects of several ionic liquids (ILs) as mobile‐phase additives in HPLC with fluorescence and UV–Vis detection for the determination of six heterocyclic aromatic amines were evaluated using two different C₁₈ stationary phases with moderate silanol activity. The studied ILs were 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The optical behaviour of heterocyclic aromatic amines in presence of ILs was studied and the silanol‐suppressing potency of ILs was evaluated for the two stationary phases studied. Several chromatographic parameters were evaluated in the presence or absence of ILs, or using triethylamine, the most common mobile‐phase additive. The best results were achieved using 1 mM 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as mobile‐phase additive and NovaPak^® column. In these conditions and with 18% of ACN in the mobile phase, analytical performance of the chromatographic methods using fluorescence and UV–Vis were evaluated, obtaining good precision in all cases (RSD lower than 6.6%) and low LOD (0.001–0.147 μg/mL with UV–Vis and 0.001–0.006 ng/mL with fluorescence detection).     

Correlation between local mobility and mechanical properties of high‐speed melt‐spun nylon‐6 fibers

This article establishes the processing–microstructure–motion–property relationship of high‐speed melt‐spun nylon‐6 fibers. From solid‐state ¹H NMR T_1ρ (spin–lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame) relaxation studies, all nylon‐6 fibers spun at 4500–6100 m/min showed three‐component exponential decay with the time constants T_1ρ,I, T_1ρ,II, and T_1ρ,III, indicating that there existed three different motional phases. These phases were assigned to immobile crystalline, intermediate rigid amorphous, and mobile amorphous regions. The determination of the correlation time (τ_c) of the respective phases provided information about the local molecular mobility of each phase with respect to the spinning speed. As the spinning speed increased, τ_c of the crystalline region increased (4500–5200 m/min) and then reached a plateau. However, τ_c for the rigid amorphous region increased from 5200 m/min onward, indicating that the rigid amorphous chains were more oriented and constrained in the spinning speed range of 5500–6100 m/min. The drastic increase of the maximum thermal stress for all fibers from 5500 to 6100 m/min was coincident with the τ_c characteristics of the rigid amorphous region. The significant increase in tenacity and Young's modulus and the large decrease in elongation at break at 5500–6100 m/min were also in good agreement with the local molecular motion of the intermediate rigid amorphous phase in the nylon‐6 fibers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 993–1000, 2001     

Impact of the anion and chalcogen on the crystal structure and properties of 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐pyrimido(thio)nium halides

By the reaction of urea or thiourea, acetylacetone and hydrogen halide (HF, HBr or HI), we have obtained seven new 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐pyrimido(thio)nium salts, which were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, namely, 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium bifluoride, C₆H₉N₂O⁺·HF₂^? or (dmpH)F₂H, 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium bromide, C₆H₉N₂O⁺·Br^? or (dmpH)Br, 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium iodide, C₆H₉N₂O⁺·I^? or (dmpH)I, 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium iodide–urea (1/1), C₆H₉N₂O⁺·I^?·CH₄N₂O or (dmpH)I·ur, 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐sulfanylidene‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium bifluoride–thiourea (1/1), C₆H₉N₂S⁺·HF₂^?·CH₄N₂S or (dmptH)F₂H·tu, 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐sulfanylidene‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium bromide, C₆H₉N₂S⁺·Br^? or (dmptH)Br, and 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐sulfanylidene‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium iodide, C₆H₉N₂S⁺·I^? or (dmptH)I. Three HCl derivatives were described previously in the literature, namely, 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium chloride, (dmpH)Cl, 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐sulfanylidene‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium chloride monohydrate, (dmptH)Cl·H₂O, and 4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐sulfanylidene‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium chloride–thiourea (1/1), (dmptH)Cl·tu. Structural analysis shows that in 9 out of 10 of these compounds, the ions form one‐dimensional chains or ribbons stabilized by hydrogen bonds. Only in one compound are parallel planes present. In all the structures, there are charge‐assisted N⁺—H…X^? hydrogen bonds, as well as weaker C_Ar⁺—H…X^? and π⁺…X^? interactions. The structures can be divided into five types according to their hydrogen‐bond patterns. All the compounds undergo thermal decomposition at relatively high temperatures (150–300 °C) without melting. Four oxopyrimidinium salts containing a π⁺…X^?…π⁺ sandwich‐like structural motif exhibit luminescent properties.     

Crystal Structures of [Cu2(bpy)2(H2O)(OH)2(SO4)]·4H2O and [Cu(bpy)(H2O)2]SO4 with bpy = 2, 2′‐Bipyridine

Two sulfato Cu^II complexes [Cu₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)(OH)₂(SO₄)]· 4H₂O ( 1 ) and [Cu(bpy)(H₂O)₂]SO₄ ( 2 ) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X—ray diffraction. Complex 1 consists of the asymmetric dinuclear [Cu₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)(OH)₂(SO₄)] complex molecules and hydrogen bonded H₂O molecules. Within the dinuclear molecules, the Cu atoms are in square pyramidal geometries, where the equatorial sites are occupied by two N atoms of one bpy ligand and two O atoms of different μ₂—OH groups and the apical position by one aqua ligand or one sulfato group. Through intermolecular O—H···O and C—H···O hydrogen bonds and intermolecular π—π stacking interactions, the dinuclear complex molecules are assembled into layers, between which the hydrogen bonded H₂O molecules are located. The Cu atoms in 2 are octahedrally coordinated by two N atoms of one bpy ligand and four O atoms of two H₂O molecules and two sulfato groups with the sulfato O atoms at the trans positions and are bridged by sulfato groups into ¹[Cu(bpy)(H₂O)₂(SO₄)_2/2] chains. Through the interchain π—π stacking interactions and interchain C—H···O hydrogen bonds, the resulting chains are assembled into bi—chains, which are further interlinked into layers by O—H···O hydrogen bonds between adjacent bichains.     

Phenylcarbamoylated β‐CD: π‐Acidic and π‐basic chiral selectors for HPLC

Two types of chiral stationary phases for HPLC based on π‐acidic or π‐basic perphenylcarbamoylated β‐CDs were synthesized. The relative structural features of the two effective chiral selectors are discussed and compared in both normal‐phase and RP modes. In addition, the nature and concentration of alcoholic modifiers were varied for optimal separation in normal phase and the structural variation of the analytes was also examined. The results showed that hydrogen bonding, steric effect and π‐acidic–π‐basic interaction contributed greatly to enantioseparation. Upon comparison, some of the differences in the separation behavior of the two types of chiral stationary phases might be due to the π‐acidic or π‐basic phenylcarbamate groups.     

Microstructural investigation of high‐speed melt‐spun nylon 6 fibers produced with variable spinning speeds

The structural details of high‐speed melt‐spun nylon 6 fibers at spinning speeds ranging from 4500 to 6100 m/min were investigated by solid‐state proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy, density and birefringence measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The analyses of the proton spin‐lattice relaxation times in the rotating frame and correlation times confirmed the existence of three different phases, the immobile crystalline, intermediate rigid amorphous, and mobile amorphous regions, in the fiber sample. At spinning speeds lower than 5200 m/min, the portion of the crystalline phase increased at the expense of the rigid amorphous region and then reached a plateau afterward, from which the mobile amorphous portion increased. Combined analyses of density and birefringence measurements, DSC, and XRD in conjunction with NMR results indicated that the formation of the γ crystal became predominant compared to that of the α crystal. The orientation factor of the crystalline phase increased slightly with increasing spinning speed, whereas the amorphous orientation factor decreased because of the increase of the purely amorphous region. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1285–1293, 2000