Investigation of the chemical modifications of beech wood lignin during heat treatment

Holocellulose, Klason lignin and milled wood lignin (MWL) of beech wood were extracted before and after heat treatment and analysed using CP MAS ¹³C NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Experimental results showed that the thermal treatment degrades hemicelluloses and affects lignin polymer through depolymerisation due mainly to cleavage of β-aryl-ether linkages and recondensation reactions. The spectroscopic analysis of MWL demonstrated that these recondensation reactions involved mainly guaiacyl units through formation of 5,5′-biphenolic and diarylmethane structures.Analysis of molecular weight distribution of MWL by SEC indicated that average molecular weights of heat treated milled wood lignin were lower than those of native milled wood lignin.     

Solid-state C NMR and molecular modeling studies of acetyl aleuritolic acid obtained from Croton cajucara Benth

Solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR) with magic-angle spinning (MAS) and with cross-polarization and magic-angle spinning (CP/MAS) spectra, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were used to obtain structural data from a sample of acetyl aleuritolic acid (AAA) extracted from the stem bark of Croton cajucara Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) and recrystallized from acetone. Since solid-state ¹³C NMR results suggested the presence of more than one molecule in the unitary cell for the AAA, DSC analysis and molecular modeling calculations were used to access this possibility. The absence of phase transition peaks in the DSC spectra and the dimeric models of AAA simulated using the semi-empirical PM3 method are in agreement with that proposal.     

ENZYMATICALLY SYNTHESIZED POLYANILINE IN THE PRESENCE OF A TEMPLATE POLY(VINYLPHOSPHONIC ACID): A SOLID STATE NMR STUDY

Template guided enzymatic synthesis of conducting polyaniline (PANI) is a one-step reaction and more importantly, it is an environmentally friendly process. Understanding of the reaction and coupling mechanism at the molecular level is of paramount significance to improve its processability and conductivity. Solid-state NMR techniques are useful to investigate molecular structures of enzymatically synthesized polyaniline (PANI). The PANI sample in three different forms i.e., (a) as-synthesized, self-doped conducting form; (b) dedoped, base form and; (c) redoped, conducting form, are investigated by solid-state ¹³C and ¹⁵N CP/MAS NMR techniques. Solid-state NMR data analysis shows that the structural features of enzymatically synthesized PANI are similar to that of chemically synthesized PANI. The solid-state ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectrum of the base form of PANI confirmed that benzenoid-quinoid repeating units are present in the backbone of the PANI polymer chain. The poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVP) template provides charge compensation during the chain growth of linear polyaniline. After the completion of template-guided synthesis of PANI, it is now possible that the PVP template can be completely removed from the complex by dedoping with aqueous NH₄OH. The detached PANI from the PANI-PVP complex can then be redoped to conducting form without the presence of the template. The conductivity of the PANI and PANI-PVP complex are of the same order of magnitude. The solid-state ¹⁵N CP/MAS NMR chemical shifts are sensitive to charge distribution on the nitrogens in the backbone. The solid-state ¹⁵N CP/MAS NMR spectrum of the base form of the enzymatically derived PANI sample showed the clear signature for benzenoid-quinoid repeating units in the polymer backbone.

     

Solid-state Na and C NMR characterization of Na3C60

Two separate samples of Na₃C₆₀ were prepared by direct reaction of C₆₀ with sodium metal vapor, and subjected to different annealing times of 10 days and 16 days. Solid-state ¹³C and ²³Na NMR, along with elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, were used to characterize both samples. The Raman spectra of both materials have a single peak at 1447 cm⁻¹ which correspond to the A_g peak of C₆₀³⁻, consistent with the stoichiometry of Na_xC₆₀ with x=3. The powder XRD patterns are also virtually identical for both samples. However, solid-state ²³Na and ¹³C NMR spectra of the two samples are significantly different, suggesting a relationship between annealing times and the final structure of the alkali fulleride. Variable-temperature ²³Na magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR experiments reveal the existence of two or three distinct sodium species and reversible temperature-dependent diffusion of sodium ions between octahedral and tetrahedral interstitial sites. ¹³C MAS NMR experiments are used to identify resonances corresponding to free C₆₀ and fulleride species, implying that the samples are segregated-phase materials composed of C₆₀ and non-stoichiometric Na₃C₆₀. Variable-temperature ¹³C MAS NMR experiments reveal temperature-dependent motion of the fullerides.     

Pre-irradiation induced grafting of styrene into crosslinked and non-crosslinked polytetrafluoroethylene films for polymer electrolyte fuel cell applications. II: Characterization of the styrene grafted films

Crosslinked and non-crosslinked polytetrafluoroethylene films (RX-PTFE and V-PTFE films, respectively) were irradiated by γ-ray and then grafted with styrene in liquid phase. Microscope FT-IR spectroscopy, TGA, solid state ¹³C CP/MAS and high resolution HS/MAS NMR spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) study were used to get the structural information of the styrene grafted RX-PTFE and V-PTFE films. From microscope FT-IR spectra of the grafted RX-PTFE films, the “grafting front mechanism” was proved. TGA analysis showed that the grafted films have a small degradation step and two main degradation steps. In the ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectra of the non-grafted films, there are no signal due to the absence of the hydrogen atom. While in the spectra of the grafted films, there are signals attributed to the polystyrene grafts. In the ¹³C HS/MAS NMR spectra of the grafted films, the relative intensity of the peaks attributed to the polystyrene grafts increased while the relative intensity of the peak attributed to PTFE matrix decreased with the increase in the DOG. From WAXD patterns, the intensity of the crystalline peak decrease with the increase in the DOG. The grafted films were sulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid and the results of highest IEC value exceeded 3.0. Those results will be reported in the near future.     

Solid state13C NMR spectra of metal carbonyl clusters

The solid state¹³C NMR spectra of four¹³CO enriched carbonyl clusters having a tri-iron metallic core have been analyzed to provide structural and dynamic information. In Fe₃(CO)₁₂ (1), the high temperature spectra suggest the occurrence of large amplitude motions of the CO groups around their position at the vertexes of the coordination polyhedron in addition to the motion involving the Fe₃-triangle previously detected in the VT-¹³C MAS spectra.¹³C and³¹P NMR data of Fe₃(CO)₁₁PPh₃ (2) indicates the presence of one molecule in the asymmetric unit in apparent disagreement with the previously reported X-ray data. Furthermore, we show that structural information can be obtained from the chemical shift tensor components readily available from the analysis of the spinning sideband manifold.     

Epsin Mimetic UPI Peptide Delivery Strategies to Improve Endothelization of Vascular Grafts

Endothelialization of engineered vascular grafts for replacement of small-diameter coronary arteries remains a critical challenge. The ability for an acellular vascular graft to promote endothelial cell (EC) recruitment in the body would be very beneficial. This study investigated epsins as a target since they are involved in internalization of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. Specifically, epsin-mimetic UPI peptides are delivered locally from vascular grafts to block epsin activity and promote endothelialization. The peptide delivery from fibrin coatings allowed for controlled loading and provided a significant improvement in EC attachment, migration, and growth in vitro. The peptides have even more important impacts after grafting into rat abdominal aortae. The peptides prevented graft thrombosis and failure that is observed with a fibrin coating alone. They also modulated the in vivo remodeling. The grafts are able to remodel without the formation of a thick fibrous capsule on the adventitia with the 100 µg mL⁻¹ peptide-loaded condition, and this condition enabled the formation of a functional EC monolayer in the graft lumen after only 1 week. Overall, this study demonstrated that the local delivery of UPI peptides is a promising strategy to improve the performance of vascular grafts.     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of methylaminocellulose

Homogeneously prepared tosylcelluloses (TC) with degrees of substitution (DS) of DS_Tos 0.1–1.8 were used as intermediates for the synthesis of methylaminocelluloses (MAC) by nucleophilic substitution with methylamine. TC with DS_Tos up to 1.1 were shown to be valuable intermediates for selective synthesis of MAC with DS_MA varying from 0.1 to approximately 1. No nucleophilic substitution was observed at higher DS_Tos. At the chosen reaction conditions (60 °C, 48 h) residual tosyl moieties remained unchanged and little hydrolysis took place. The samples obtained were characterized by means of elemental analysis, FTIR and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy was found to be an efficient tool for quantification of DS_MA. Furthermore, the swelling behaviour in water was investigated and preliminary tests concerning the bilirubin adsorption capacity of MAC were carried out.     

Studies of silicon nanocluster ligand coating by solid-state NMR

Silicon nanoclusters were studied by ²⁹Si and ¹³C MAS NMR (magic angle spinning) spectroscopy. We for the first time confirmed the cleavage of ordinary ether C—O bonds of the solvent in the process of the synthesis of nanoclusters and the “binding” of the decomposition products to the surface of silicon nanoparticles as ligands. The applicability of MAS NMR spectroscopy in the studies of silicon nanocluster ligand coating and in the determination of the processes leading to the formation of the nanoparticle ligand shell was demonstrated.     

New synthesis of mullite. Structural evolution study by 17O, 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy

Mullite has been prepared from a new combination of precursors. An aluminum alkoxide, aluminium isopropoxide, and silicon tetrachloride, are hydrolysed in tetrahydrofuran solution by ¹⁷O enriched water. The resulting powder is chemically homogeneous, crystallizing into mullite at 980°C. The structural evolution has been studied by DTA, TGA, XRD and ¹⁷O, ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopy.     

Application of cationic polymerization to grafting and coating of silica particles

The cationic polymerization of electron rich monomers such as vinyl ethers, vinyl furane, and cyclopentadiene on silica surfaces can be initiated by aryl methyl halides. The reactions yield always soluble polymers (by heterogeneous catalysis) and novel polymer/silica hybrid materials. The link between polymer and solid is caused by covalent Si-O-C bonds, by network formation of the polymers during the chain growth, or by a combination of both of them. The analysis of the polymer structures on the surface by ¹H MAS NMR spectroscopy in suspension and by solid state ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy is described. Proof of Si-O-C bonds via DRIFT spectroscopy and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy is given. The most effective method of irreversibly linking the polymer to the silica surface is the network formation. Polyvinyl ethers are bound strongly to the surface, as can be shown by FTIR measurements, but the linkage is not stable due to the Si-O-C bonds' susceptibility to hydrolysis. Poly-cyclopentadienes (PCPD) are linked to the surface by Si-O-C bonds, which show an extraordinary high resistance to acids and bases. Si-O-C bond formation of poly-2-vinyl furane could not yet be detected by ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy and DRIFT spectroscopy. In this case the high degree of coating derives from the bifunctionality of 2-vinyl furane: it may undergo Friedel-Crafts-alkylation at the 5-position of the furane ring as well as chain polymerization via the vinyl group at the 2-position.     

13C, 15N and 113Cd NMR and Molecular Orbital Studies of Novel Bile Acid N-(2-aminoethyl)amides and Their Cd2+-complexes

Lithocholic acid N-(2-aminoethyl)amide (1) and deoxycholic acid N-(2-aminoethyl)amide(2) have been prepared and characterized by¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR. The accurate molecular masses of 1 and 2 have been determined by ESI MS. The formation of the Cd²⁺-complexes (1+Cd and 2+Cd) in CD₃OD solution have been detected by ¹H,¹³C, ¹⁵N and ¹¹³Cd NMR. The ¹³C NMR chemical shift assignments of 1 and 2 and their Cd²⁺-complexes are based on DEPT-135 and z-GS ¹H,¹³C HMQC experiments as well as comparison with the assignments of the related structures. The ¹⁵N NMR chemical shiftassignments of the ligands and theirCd²⁺-complexes are based on z-GS¹H,¹⁵N HMBC experiments. ¹³C NMR chemical shift differences between 1and its 1:1 Cd²⁺-complex based on ab initiocalculations at Hartree-Fock SCI-PCM level using3-21G(d) basis set are in agreement with theexperimental shift changes observed onCd²⁺-complexation.     

New synthetic methods for the formation of basic,polyvalent, hyperbranched grafts

A practical synthetic route to polybasic, polyamine, hyperbranched grafts using commercially available polyethyleneimine (PEI) and cyanuric chloride as a coupling agent is described. The grafting process was followed by XPS spectroscopy, TGA analysis, ATR‐IR spectroscopy, acid–base titration, and by ¹³C CP‐MAS NMR spectroscopy. In the case of silica gel, thermal gravimetric analyses showed that a 35 wt % loading of graft could be obtained. Acid–base titration of hyperbranched PEI grafts on silica gel and oxidized polyethylene powder showed the ion‐exchange capacities of these PEI‐grafted substrates were 1.00 and 0.17 mmol of base/g of solid, respectively. Although the focus of the paper is on grafting on silica gel, the influence of the kind of support and solvent on the grafting process and the ion‐exchange capacity was examined. Water was a good solvent for PEI grafting onto silica gel, but a more hydrophobic polyethylene support required the use of dichloromethane as a solvent for PEI graft synthesis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4654–4665. 2005     

Enzymatic ring-opening polyaddition for chitin synthesis: A cationic mechanism in basic solution?

The in vitro synthesis of chitin via a nonbiosynthetic path has been achieved for the first time by enzymatic ring-opening polyaddition of a chitobiose oxazoline monomer ( C2O ). Chitinase, a hydrolysis enzyme of chitin, recognized and polymerized the monomer regio- and stereoselectively. The structure of artificial chitin was confirmed by comparison with an authentic natural chitin sample with the use of CP/MAS ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction as well as NMR analysis showed its crystal structure of α-chitin. Characteristic features of the present polymerization are described.     

Rapid and novel discrimination and quantification of oleanolic and ursolic acids in complex plant extracts using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy—Comparison with HPLC methods

A novel strategy for NMR analysis of mixtures of oleanolic and ursolic acids that occur in natural products is described. These important phytochemicals have similar structure and their discrimination and quantification is rather difficult. We report herein the combined use of proton-carbon heteronuclear single-quantum coherence (¹H-¹³C HSQC) and proton-carbon heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (¹H-¹³C HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, in the identification and quantitation of oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA)in plant extracts of the Lamiaceae and Oleaceae family. The combination of ¹H-¹³C HSQC and ¹H-¹³C HMBC techniques allows the connection of the proton and carbon-13 spins across the molecular backbone resulting in the identification and, thus, discrimination of oleanolic and ursolic acid without resorting to physicochemical separation of the components. The quantitative results provided by 2D ¹H-¹³C HSQC NMR data were obtained within a short period of time (∼14 min) and are in excellent agreement with those obtained by HPLC, which support the efficiency of the suggested methodology.     

Substitution clustering in a non-stoichiometric celsian synthesized by the thermal transformation of barium exchanged zeolite X

The thermal transformation of Ba exchanged zeolite X to celsian has been studied by ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopy. Evidence for the degradation of the zeolite framework is present in the ²⁹Si NMR spectra after thermal treatment at 850 °C. Confirmation is provided by the ²⁹Si NMR data that synthesis of celsian via the decomposition of Ba exchanged zeolite leads to a single defect phase. Clustering of the isomorphous replacement of aluminium by silicon must occur to explain the observed ²⁹Si chemical shifts. The ²⁷Al NMR data show distorted aluminium co-ordination sites upon the thermal transformation of Ba exchanged zeolite X. The distortions present in the amorphous matrix are greater than those present in the monoclinic and hexagonal crystalline phases of celsian.     

Solid state N and C NMR study of dioxomolybdenum (VI) complexes of Schiff bases derived from trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine

The ¹³C, ¹⁵N CP MAS NMR and FT-IR spectra of dioxomolybdenum (VI) complexes of trans-N,N′-bis-(R-salicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (R=H, R=3,5-diCl, R=3,5-diBr, R=4,6-diOCH₃), trans-N,N′-bis-(2-OH-naphthylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine and trans-N-(salicylidene)-N′-(2-OH-naphthylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine have been measured. Comparative analysis of the NMR and IR spectra of the complexes with those of the corresponding ligands has shown that the complexation of the di-Schiff bases leads to changes in the conformation of the ligands and the charge redistribution. The asymmetric structure and non-planar structure of the complexes have been suggested.     

Quality control of solid-phase synthesis: C PST/MAS NMR analysis on non-destructed SynPhase lantern

Pulse saturation transfer (PST)/MAS was highly effective for enhancing a magic angle spinning (MAS) ¹³C NMR of the inter-mobile region of polymer supported organic compounds. Direct monitoring of solid-phase synthesis on non-destructed SynPhase lantern was demonstrated using a 7 mm probe on the ¹³C PST/MAS NMR study.     

1H, 13C,and 14N NMR study of 3-methylfurazans with nitrogen-containing substituents at position 4

3-Methylfurazans with nitrogen-containing substituents at position 4 were studied by ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁴N NMR spectroscopy. A correlation between the chemical shifts in ¹³C NMR spectra of these furazans and monosubstituted benzenes with the same substituents was found. The increments for a number of furazan-containing substituents were determined for the first time.     

Accurate Backbone 13C and 15N Chemical Shift Tensors in Galectin-3 Determined by MAS NMR and QM/MM: Details of Structure and Environment Matter

Chemical shift tensors obtained from solid-state NMR spectroscopy are very sensitive reporters of structure and dynamics in proteins. While accurate ¹³C and ¹⁵N chemical shift tensors are accessible by magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR, their quantum mechanical calculations remain challenging, particularly for ¹⁵N atoms. Here we compare experimentally determined backbone ¹³C^α and ¹⁵N^H chemical shift tensors by MAS NMR with hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics/molecular dynamics (MD-QM/MM) calculations for the carbohydrate-binding domain of galectin-3. Excellent agreement between experimental and computed ¹⁵N^H chemical shift anisotropy values was obtained using the Amber ff15ipq force field when solvent dynamics was taken into account in the calculation. Our results establish important benchmark conditions for improving the accuracy of chemical shift calculations in proteins and may aid in the validation of protein structure models derived by MAS NMR.