Self-assembled supramolecular gels of reverse poloxamers and cyclodextrins

A series of supramolecular aggregates were prepared using a poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) (PPO-PEO-PPO) block copolymer and β- or α-cyclodextrins (CD). The combination of β-CD and the copolymer yields inclusion complexes (IC) with polypseudorotaxane structures. These are formed by complexation of the PPO blocks with β-CD molecules producing a powder precipitate with a certain crystallinity degree that can be evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). In contrast, when combining α-CD with the block copolymer, the observed effect is an increase in the viscosity of the mixtures yielding fluid gels. Two cooperative effects come into play: the complexation of PEO blocks with α-CD and the hydrophobic interactions between PPO blocks in aqueous media. These two combined interactions lead to the formation of a macromolecular network. The resulting fluid gels were characterized using different techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry, and XRD measurements.     

A Multifunctional Bichromophoric Nanoaggregate for Fluorescence Imaging and Simultaneous Photogeneration of RNOS and ROS

We report the design, preparation, and properties of a nanoaggregate formed in phosphate buffer solution by a porphyrin–β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) conjugate and a nitric oxide photodonor tailored to fit the β‐CD cavity. The small nanoassembly with a diameter of about 13 nm exhibits the typical red fluorescence of the porphyrin chromophore. The empty cavity of the β‐CD unit in the nanoaggregate is able to accommodate the NO photodonor, thereby forming a supramolecular bichromophoric aggregate with diameter of about 16 nm. This nanoconstruct preserves the fluorescence of the porphyrin core and is able to generate nitric oxide and singlet oxygen under illumination with visible light. The nanoassembly internalizes in melanoma cells, can be mapped therein by fluorescence microscopy, and induces a significant level of cell mortality, probably due to the combined action of reactive nitrogen oxide species (RNOS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).     

Fabrication and modulation of magnetically supramolecular hydrogels

For the fabrication of magnetically supramolecular hydrogels, the aqueous colloidal dispersion of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles was first stabilized by an amphiphilic poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL) block copolymer and then mixed with an aqueous solution of a cyclic oligosaccharide. Due to the host-guest interaction between the used block copolymer and the cyclic oligosaccharide in the aqueous mixed system, such a fabrication process could result in the formation of a novel hydrogel nanocomposite with superparamagnetic property, as confirmed by the analyses from rheology and X-ray diffraction as well as magnetization curve measurements. For the resultant magnetically supramolecular hydrogel, its formation kinetics and mechanical strength could be modulated by the amount of the used PEG-PCL block copolymer, the cyclic oligosaccharide, or the incorporated iron oxide nanoparticles.     

Aggregation in aqueous media of tri-block copolymers tuned by the molecular selectivity of cyclodextrins

The water + cyclodextrin + poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) mixtures have been investigated to explore the temperature effect on the aggregation of the copolymer in the presence of cyclodextrins (CDs). The CDs with different cavity sizes were chosen because they may include either the hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxides) block or both kinds of blocks. The differential scanning calorimetry and viscosity experiments straightforwardly evidenced that the critical micellar temperature is shifted to larger values by adding a CD which is able to include the middle poly(propylene oxide) block while it is not influenced by the presence of CD which is selective to the poly(ethylene oxide) block. The enthalpy of aggregation decreases upon the CD addition for all the investigated systems.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel,Mesoporous Organosilica with Additional Cyclodextrin‐Based Micropores

Summary: A novel mesoporous organosilica with additional cyclodextrin‐based micropores has been synthesized from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and cyclodextrin‐based silane monomer precursors and triblock PEO‐PPO‐PEO (poly(ethylene oxide)‐poly(propylene oxide)‐ poly(ethylene oxide)) copolymer P123 as the structure‐directing template with the aid of sodium chloride and the supramolecular assembly of cyclodextrins with P123.

The synthesis of CD‐Si‐2%.     

树状碳水化合物Ⅱ——液晶性的研究

以基于单糖为内核,楔形液晶基元DOBOB酸(3,4,5-三[对-(十二烷氧基)苄氧基]苯甲酸)为分枝的树状碳水化合物液晶为研究对象,利用DSC、热台偏光显微镜、XRD和CD/UV光谱等手段研究该类化合物的液晶性.研究发现分枝的数目对该类化合物的液晶性有显著影响,以2-乙酰氨基葡萄糖为内核的包含四个分枝的树状分子具有最高的液晶结构有序性,清亮点也显著高于另两种单糖内核(含五个分枝)的树状分子.此外,该类碳水化合物液晶形成的液晶相都具备超分子手性,为探索碳水化合物手性液晶相提供了一条新的思路.     

烷氧基苯基卟啉与环糊精的超分子体系研究

合成了5种非水溶性烷氧基苯基卟啉, 以荧光光谱法、紫外可见分光光度法和1H NMR法研究了其与环糊精相互作用形成的超分子体系. 并以荧光光谱法测定了超分子体系的包结常数和包结比, 对其包结机理进行了初步研究. 在此基础上, 探讨了不同取代位置、不同链长的烷氧基对非水溶性烷氧基苯基卟啉与不同空腔直径的环糊精的超分子体系的影响.     

Effects of the structure and morphology of zinc glutarate on the fixation of carbon dioxide into polymer

Zinc glutarates were synthesized from zinc oxides with varying purities via different stirring routes. The particle size and structure of these zinc glutarates were determined by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and the laser particle size analyzer technique. The results demonstrated that the crystallinity and crystalline perfectness of zinc glutarate are the crucial factors that affect the catalytic activity for the copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and propylene oxide (PO). Additionally, the catalyst with a small particle size dramatically increased the yield of the copolymerization between CO₂ and PO. High‐molecular‐weight and regular molecular structure poly(propylene carbonate)s (PPC)s were obtained from CO₂ and PO with the synthesized zinc glutarates. Very high catalytic activity of 160.4 g polymer/g catalyst was afforded. The NMR technique revealed that the PPC copolymer exhibits an exact alternating copolymer structure. The relationships between the crystallinity and the particle size of catalyst with the catalytic activity are correlated and discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3579–3591, 2002     

Construction of Chemical‐Responsive Supramolecular Hydrogels from Guest‐Modified Cyclodextrins

A methodology for preparing supramolecular hydrogels from guest‐modified cyclodextrins (CDs) based on the host–guest and hydrogen‐bonding interactions of CDs is presented. Four types of modified CDs were synthesized to understand better the gelation mechanism. The 2D ROESY NMR spectrum of β‐CD‐AmTNB (Am=amino, TNB=trinitrobenzene) reveals that the TNB group was included in the β‐CD cavity. Pulsed field gradient NMR (PFG NMR) spectroscopy and AFM show that β‐CD‐AmTNB formed a supramolecular polymer in aqueous solution through head‐to‐tail stacking. Although β‐CD‐AmTNB did not produce a hydrogel due to insufficient growth of supramolecular polymers, β‐CD‐CiAmTNB (Ci=cinnamoyl) formed supramolecular fibrils through host–guest interactions. Hydrogen bonds between the cross‐linked fibrils resulted in the hydrogel, which displayed excellent chemical‐responsive properties. Gel‐to‐sol transitions occurred by adding 1‐adamantane carboxylic acid (AdCA) or urea. ¹H NMR and induced circular dichroism (ICD) spectra reveal that AdCA released the guest parts from the CD cavity and that urea acts as a denaturing agent to break the hydrogen bonds between CDs. The hydrogel was also destroyed by adding β‐CD, which acts as the competitive host to reduce the fibrils. Furthermore, the gel changed to a sol by adding methyl orange (MO) as a guest compound, but the gel reappeared upon addition of α‐CD, which is a stronger host for MO.     

Supramolecular micellization and pH‐inducible gelation of a hydrophilic block copolymer by block‐specific threading of α‐cyclodextrin

A poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(L ‐lysine) diblock copolymer (PEG‐b‐PLL) was synthesized. Micellization of this hydrophilic copolymer due to the block‐specific threading of α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) molecules onto the polyethylene glycol (PEG) block yielded supramolecular‐structured nanoparticles, which undergoes pH‐inducible gelation in aqueous media. The pH‐inducible gelation of supramolecular micelle in water appeared to be completely reversible upon pH changes. The synergetic effect of selective complexation between PEG block and α‐CD and the pH‐inducible hydrophobic interaction between PLL blocks at pH 10 was believed to be the driving force for the formation of the supramolecular hydrogel. ¹H NMR and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) were employed to confirm the inclusion complexation between α‐CD and PEG block. Meanwhile, the morphology of the micellized nanoparticles was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal stability of inclusion complexes (ICs) was investigated and the rheologic experiment was conducted to reveal the micelle‐gel transition. Such pH‐induced reversible micelle‐gel transition of the supramolecular aggregates may find applications in several fields, for example as advanced biomedical material possessing stimulus‐responsiveness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 782–790, 2008     

EFFECTS OF SOLVENT TREATMENT ON SURFACE MORPHOLOGY AND COMPOSITION OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)-g-POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE)

Surface morphology and composition of solution-cast films of poly(methyl methacrylate)-g-poly(ethylene oxide)(PMMA-g-PEO) were investigated by using XPS, DSC, SEM and contact angle measurement. The microphase separatedstructure of the copolymers was studied by TEM. Generally, for the same graft copolymer, the surface content of PEO orhydrophilicity can be as follows: Surface treated with petroleum ether or cyclohexane>surface untreated with solvent>surface treated with water or ethyl alcohol. Graft copolymer having longer PEO side chains and higher PEO content shows aseparated PEO phase with even a certain degree of crystallinity on the surface. PEO crystallinity was destroyed by water orethyl alcohol treatment, however, surface treatment with petroleum ether or cyclohexane favors the growth of PEO crystal.TEM shows that graft copolymers with longer PEO side chains (M_n of PEO, 3200) may readily undergo microphase separation and the shape and size of domains depend on the copolymer's composition.     

长序列乙烯-丁二烯共聚物的合成

研究了稀土催化剂催化乙烯-丁二烯的共聚合。结果表明,在封管条件下用稀土催化剂可以使乙烯-丁二烯共聚,产生高分子量聚合物。产物的溶液性质表明,不含聚乙烯均聚物,含约8％的聚丁二烯均聚物。DSC、X-射线衍射、电子显微镜和~(13)C-NMR等实验表明,所得聚合物是含长乙烯-乙烯序列的乙烯-丁二烯共聚物,其中聚丁二烯链段的微观结构以顺-1,4构型为主。共聚物中乙烯单元增加,乙烯-乙烯链段的熔点和结晶度增高,晶粒尺寸变大,晶胞参数基本不变。共聚物的力学性能表明,其生胶强度可达20—30kg/cm~2,远比聚丁二烯的强度大。     

Reversible Metallo‐Supramolecular Block Copolymer Micelles Containing a Soft Core

An amphiphilic metallo‐supramolecular poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer containing a bis(2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine)ruthenium(II) complex as a supramolecular connection between the two constituting blocks was used to prepare stable aqueous micelles. The micelles were characterized by dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy. Individual micelles were observed together with aggregates of micelles. Only the addition of a large excess of competitive ligand caused the cleavage of the very stable ruthenium complex.     

Predicting the Morphology of Metallo‐Supramolecular Block Copolymers with Bulky Counter Ions

Summary: The phase behavior of metallo‐supramolecular block copolymers with bulky counter ions is theoretically studied within the framework of a mean‐field dynamic density functional theory and compared with recent experiments on a polystyrene–poly(ethylene oxide) metallo‐supramolecular diblock copolymer, PS₂₀‐[Ru]‐PEO₇₀, with tetraphenylborate counter ions. The copolymer is modeled as a triblock polyelectrolyte, in which the metal complex is treated as the polyelectrolyte block. The topology and kinetics of the formation of the observed three‐domain lamellar morphology in which the polyelectrolyte blocks and bulky counter ions are located together to form electroneutral complexes, are in good agreement with experimental results. In addition, the model predicts the existence of core–shell morphologies. The agreement with and variations from the experimental phase diagram are discussed in detail.

Morphological transformations in a metallo‐supramolecular block copolymer with bulky counter ions upon increasing the temperature.     

Shorter and modular synthesis of hemicryptophane-tren derivatives

Hemicryptophanes are host molecules with many applications as supramolecular catalysts or in ion selective recognition. A very convenient and efficient modular approach for the synthesis of hemicryptophane-tren (tren, tris(2-aminoethyl)-amine) derivatives has been developed. For instance, hemicryptophane 1 was synthesized at the gram scale in four steps from vanillyl alcohol compared to the previous seven-step procedure. The size, shape, and functionalities of the molecular cavity were also easily modified.     

Homochiral supramolecular polymerization of an "S"-shaped chiral monomer: translation of optical purity into molecular weight distribution

An "S"-shaped chiral motif of a p-xylylene-bridged bis(cyclic dipeptide) (1), having four hydrogen-bonding amide functionalities, formed a homochiral supramolecular polymer in solution. X-ray crystallography of a slightly modified version of 1 for an enhanced crystallinity showed one-dimensional columnar assemblies via four double hydrogen-bonding interactions. Model studies with half-protected analogues of 1 indicated a nearly perfect enantioselectivity in hydrogen-bonding dimerization. When 1 was not racemic but enriched in either of the enantiomers, a supramolecular polymer with a bimodal molecular weight distribution resulted, due to the formation of two homochiral polymers with different molecular weights. By taking advantage of this, separation of optically pure 1 from an enantiomerically unbalanced mixture was possible by means of size-exclusion chromatography.     

Crystallinity dependence of free-volume size and its distribution of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer evaluated by positronium lifetime measurement

The size distribution of free-volume (<~0.1 nm³) of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer with various crystalline degrees was estimated by positronium lifetime measurement. With increasing degree of crystallinity, the size distribution significantly narrowed and the intensity of positronium decreased. This indicates that the inhomogeneity reduces with the increase of the degree of crystallinity. It is found that the free-volume fraction estimated is reflected by the fraction of the amorphous region.     

Tuneable side-chain supramolecular polymer

[reaction: see text] A random copolymer containing 1,5-dialkyloxynaphthalene moieties has been synthesized using atom-transfer radical polymerization. We have shown that this polymer has the ability to form complexes with the tetracationic cyclophane cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT(4+)) and that electrochemical reduction of the cyclophane or the addition of a competing guest for the cavity of the cyclophane results in disassembly of the supramolecular polymer.     

Supramolecular aggregation of block copolymers in the solid state as assisted by the selective formation of inclusion crystals

Supramolecular self-assembly of a host molecule with selected blocks of triblock copolymers enabled the formation of inclusion 2D nanocrystals that connect consecutive copolymer chains. Indeed, the selective inclusion of ethylene oxide (EO) blocks in inclusion crystals and the phase segregation of PO blocks of poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) (EO(n)PO(m)EO(n)) triblock copolymers provide an efficient route to create alternated crystalline lamellae and amorphous layers, forming a well-organized material. The spontaneous formation of the supramolecular architectures was realized by a solvent-free mechanochemical approach or by thermal treatment of the copolymer and host (tris-o-phenylenedioxycyclotriphosphazene), as demonstrated by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The driving force for the fabrication of crystalline inclusion compounds with selected EO segments is based on the establishment of cooperative noncovalent intermolecular interactions, while steric effects prevent the formation of the inclusion crystal with the remaining PO blocks. The 2D (1)H-(13)C solid state and fast-(1)H MAS NMR provide direct evidence of the intimate interactions between the host and EO block and the topology of the block copolymer in the material. The large magnetic susceptibility generated by the aromatic host nanochannels surrounding the included EO chains was interpreted by ab initio calculations (HF-GIAO/DGDZVP) that carefully reproduce the chemical shifts associated with the effects of guest-host interactions. The theoretical calculations enable the measurement of short intermolecular distances between the host and the target block, demonstrating the existence of a diffuse network of multiple CH···π host-guest interactions that improve the robustness of the supramolecular architecture. The overall evidence enforces the strategy of combining the use of block copolymers and clathrate-forming molecules to fabricate organized materials through noncovalent interactions.     

Size-exclusion separation of proteins using a biocompatible polymeric monolithic capillary column with mesoporosity

Biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate-co-polyethylene glycol diacrylate) monoliths were prepared for size exclusion chromatography (SEC) of proteins in the capillary format using Brij 58P in a mixture of hexanes and dodecanol as porogens. The monolithic columns provided size separation of four proteins in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 0.15 M NaCl, and there was a linear relationship between the retention times and the logarithmic values of the molecular weights. Compared to SEC monoliths previously synthesized using a triblock copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, an increase in mesoporosity was confirmed by inverse size exclusion chromatography. As a result, improved protein separation in the high molecular weight range and reduced column back-pressure were observed.