Formation of crystalline inclusion compounds of poly (vinyl chloride) of different stereoregularity with γ-cyclodextrin

This work reports the formation and detailed characterization of the γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) inclusion compounds (ICs) formed with two poly (vinyl chloride) samples with different isotactic content. The ICs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, solid state ¹³C-NMR, solution ¹H-NMR, FT-infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Experimental evidence of the inclusion of the guest polymer chains into the narrow channels created by the γ-CD crystalline host lattice has been obtained. Examination of coalesced poly (vinyl chlorides) (PVCs) obtained after the host γ-CD is removed reveals different characteristics specifically for the coalesced PVC sample with higher isotactic content. An increase in T_g was observed by DSC for this PVC. To the contrary, the T_g of the coalesced PVC sample with lower isotactic content is almost the same as that of the as-synthesized sample. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that coalesced PVC with higher isotactic content acquires a degree of stabilization after modification by threading into and being extracted from its γ-CD IC. The results suggest that an irreversible conformational change takes place when PVC forms ICs with a solid host lattice like γ-CD. The PVC molecules extend and reorganize into a more stable conformation in the IC, consequently improving the properties of the coalesced sample. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2503–2513, 2007     

pH-responsive pseudorotaxane between comblike PEO-grafted triblock polymer and α-cyclodextrin

The pH-responsive inclusion complexation of comblike triblock polymer, P2VP-b-PPEOMA-b-P2VP, with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) was studied. The triblock polymer was prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) and formed inclusion complexes (ICs) after selective threading of the PEO segment of the triblock polymer through the cavities of α-CD units. For comparison, PPEOMA homopolymer was prepared, and the inclusion complexation with α-CD was also studied. The formed ICs were characterized by XRD and ¹H NMR. The results revealed that P2VP-b-PPEOMA-b-P2VP can form ICs with α-CD even when forming micelles, and the introduction of P2VP had a great influence on the solution property and the stoichiometry of EO to CD of the inclusion complexes depending on the concentration and the pH of the solution.     

Supramolecular hydrogels formed by pyrene-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) star polymers through inclusion complexation of pyrene dimers with γ-cyclodextrin

Novel supramolecular hydrogels were formed between pyrene-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) star polymers and γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), through the inclusion complexation of dimers of the pyrene terminals with γ-CD, where γ-CD was directly used as a supramolecular cross-linking reagent without any modification.     

Synthesis of polyrotaxanes consisting of multiple α-cyclodextrin rings threaded on reverse Pluronic PPO-PEO-PPO triblock copolymers based on block-selected inclusion complexation

New polyrotaxanes, in which multiple α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) rings were threaded and imprisoned on a reverse Pluronic PPO-PEO-PPO triblock copolymer chain and capped by two 2,4-dinitrophenyl groups at the two ends, were synthesized based on the block-selected inclusion complexation between the PPO-PEO-PPO triblock copolymers and α-CD. The polyrotaxanes were isolated and purified through size exclusion chromatography, and the chromatograms showed that the polyrotaxanes had high molecular masses as compared with their respective components. The polyrotaxanes were further characterized by using ¹³C and ¹H 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the threading PPO-PEO-PPO triblock copolymers became more thermally stable because they were complexed by the imprisoned α-CD. The studies demonstrated that the numbers of α-CD rings imprisoned in the polyrotaxanes were directly related to the PEO block length, rather than to the PPO block length. In all the three polyrotaxanes synthesized in this work, the central PEO block was fully covered and complexed by α-CD stoichiometrically, while the flanking PPO bocks remained free and uncomplexed. Therefore, the new polyrotaxanes took a PPO-polyrotaxane-PPO triblock architecture. The polyrotaxanes with such block architecture may be interesting supramolecular precursor for designing novel functional materials.     

Synthesis of Cyclodextrin and Sugar-Based Oligomers for the Efavirenz Drug Delivery

Summary: In the present work water-soluble lactose based oligomers of β-cyclodextrin were synthesized by a simple and efficient condensation polymerization process. Proposed water-soluble β-cyclodextrin oligomers were prepared by controlled reaction between β-cyclodextrin and a triazine linker and purification by an ultrafiltration process. Similarly, lactose based β-cyclodextrin oligomers were synthesized for enhanced water solubility. The physical and chemical properties of the synthesized polymers were characterized by FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and aqueous solubility determination.. Molecular weights of these β-cyclodextrin based oligomers were measured by ESI technique. These β-cyclodextrin based water-soluble oligomers polymers were used as supramolecular carriers for efavirenz (an anti HIV drug), improving the inclusion property and aqueous solubility properties of this drug. These synthesized oligomers were found to improve stability and aqueous solubility of efavirenz on their (1:1) inclusion complex through phase solubility and dissolution studies. Reduced cytotoxicity than the parent β-CD was observed in hemolysis test.     

Photocontrolled transparent–opaque transition of a thermosensitive homopolymer solution based on an azobenzene–cyclodextrin system

A solution displaying photocontrolled transparent–opaque transition was prepared through combination of a thermosensitive polymer, poly(N-(3-ethoxypropyl)acrylamide) (PEPAAm), with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and a water-soluble azobenzene compound, Azo-Py⁺. α-CD increased the cloud point of an aqueous solution of PEPAAm through formation of inclusion complexes between α-CD and the side groups of PEPAAm. After Azo-Py⁺ was added, the cloud point of the solution decreased because most of the α-CD formed complexes with Azo-Py⁺. The concentration of free α-CD was changed by photocontrolled inclusion of Azo-Py⁺ in α-CD or exclusion of Azo-Py⁺ from α-CD, allowing the cloud point of PEPAAm/α-CD/Azo-Py⁺ solution to be changed up and down. Consequently, the transparent–opaque transition of this solution was realised by alternating irradiation with UV and visible light at 38°C.     

Supramolecular polymers based on cyclodextrins

Two types of supramolecular polymers based on cyclodextrins were prepared. One was a host–guest type, and the other was a polyrotaxane type. When a guest part was covalently attached to cyclodextrin, they formed supramolecular dimers, a cyclic daisy chain, supramolecular oligomers, and polymers. t-Boc-cinnamamide-α-cyclodextrin was found to form chiral supramolecular polymers in aqueous solutions. Supramolecular poly[2]rotaxane polymers and supramolecular α,β-cyclodextrin copolymers were obtained. Polyrotaxanes containing β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin were prepared. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5113–5119, 2006     

Effects of solvent,casting temperature,and guest/host stoichiometries on the properties of shape memory material based on partial α‐CD‐PEG inclusion complex

A series of supramolecular inclusion complex (IC) films were formed by threading α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) molecules over poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), according to the designed ratio of α‐CD/PEG. Because of containing α‐CD‐PEG inclusion crystallites as physical crosslinks and uncovered PEG crystallites as “switch phase”, the resulting supramolecular α‐CD‐PEG partial ICs displayed a shape memory effect. The properties of the materials were investigated by ¹H‐NMR, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and swelling measurement. It was found that the casting temperature, solvent, and the ratio of α‐CD‐PEG inclusion/PEG had great influence on the formation and properties of α‐CD‐PEG partial ICs. The modes of complexes on different conditions were proposed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 951–957, 2010     

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     

Pyrrole/macrocycle/MOF supramolecular co-assembly for flexible solid state supercapacitors

Supramolecular assemblies constructed through the encapsulation of conductive polymers (CPs) by macrocyclic molecules have attracted increasing interest in the fields of supramolecular chemistry and electrochemistry. In this work, an effective strategy was reported to improve the stability and conductivity of CPs by electrochemically constructing different supramolecular assemblies composed of macrocycles and CPs. Typically, we uploaded zinc-based MOF (ZIF-8) onto carbon nanotube film (CNTF) and further electrically deposited macrocycles and CPs to gain the flexible conductive electrodes. Herein, five different supramolecular macrocycles, including α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), sulfato-β-cyclodextrin (SCD), sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC[4]), cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) were utilized and the electrochemical performances of the assembly electrodes increased in an order of α-CD < SCD < SC[4] < CB[6] < CB[7], significantly improving the areal capacitance up to 1533 mF/cm². This strategy may provide a new way for the application of macrocyclic supramolecules in electrochemical systems.     

Study on the Supramolecular System of TAPP and Cyclodextrins by Spectroscopy

The ability of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), γ-CD, hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HP-β-CD), trimethyl-β-CD (TM-β-CD), sulfurbutylether-β-CD (SBE-β-CD) and carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (CM-β-CD) to break the aggregate of the meso-tetrakis(4-N-trimethylaminobenzyl)porphyrin (TAPP) and to form 2:1 inclusion complexes has been studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The formation constants are calculated, respectively, by fluorimetry, from which the inclusion capacity of different CDs is compared and the inclusion mechanism of charged-β-CD (SBE-β-CD and CM-β-CD) is quite different from that of the parent β-CD. At lower pH, the complexation between TM-β-CD and H²TAPP²⁺ (the form of the diprotonated TAPP) hampers the continuous protonation of the pyrrole nitrogen of TAPP and the hydrophobic cavity may prefer to bind an apolar neutral porphyrin molecule. ¹HNMR data support the inclusion conformation of the porphyrin–cyclodextrin supramolecular system, indicating the interaction of the meso-phenyl groups of TAPP with the cavity of CDs. For this host–guest inclusion model, cyclodextrin being regarded as the protein component, which acts as a carrier enveloping the active site of heme prosthetic group within its hydrophobic environment, provides a protective sheath for the porphyrin, creating artificial analogues of heme-containing proteins. However, for TAPP, encapsulated within this saccharide-coated barrier, its photophysical and photochemical properties changed strongly.     

meso-四(4-甲氧基-3磺酸基苯)卟啉与环糊精超分子体系的研究

采用极谱法、紫外可见光谱法及荧光光谱法研究了水溶性卟啉T(4-Mop)PS4与α-CD、-βCD、γ-CD、Hp-β-CD及SBE--βCD 5种环糊精的相互作用,结果表明T(4-Mop)PS4分别与这5种环糊精形成了T(4-Mop)PS4-CD s超分子体系。此外,本研究还采用极谱法、紫外可见光谱法及荧光光谱法测定了T(4-Mop)PS4-CD s超分子体系的包结常数和包结比,比较了T(4-Mop)PS4与5种环糊精的包结能力,并由此推测了包结机理,为T(4-Mop)PS4卟啉、环糊精的进一步应用提供了理论信息。     

Cloud point of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) synthesized in the presence of cyclodextrin

Polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) was performed in the presence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) [or hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HOP-β-CD)]. The formation of an inclusion complex between PNIPAAm and β-CD was confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H NMR and 2D-NOESY NMR. It was found that the cloud point (CP) of poly(N-isopropylamide) (PNIPAAm) in the PNIPAAm/β-CD complex in aqueous solution increased up to about 57°C whereas that in the PNIPAAm/β-CD blend is about 33°C. The CP of PNIPAAm in the PNIPAAm/β-CD complex is higher than that in the PNIPAAm/HOP-β-CD inclusion complex. IR and NMR results suggest that PNIPAAm chains are included in CD cavities.     

Novel supramolecular gelation route to in situ entrapment and sustained delivery of plasmid DNA

In this work, cationic block copolymer (F-68-PLL) composed of Pluronic F-68 and poly(L-lysine) segments was first prepared for the binding with plasmid DNA due to the electrostatic interaction between poly(L-lysine) segments and plasmid DNA, and subsequently used to interact with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) in aqueous system for the supramolecular gelation by the inclusion complexation between Pluronic F-68 segments and α-CD. It was found that such a fabrication process could lead to the in situ entrapment of plasmid DNA into the supramolecular hydrogel matrix under mild conditions. Depending on the amounts of F-68-PLL and α-CD, the resultant hybrid hydrogel was found to have adjustable gelation time and mechanical strength. For the plasmid DNA complexes released from the supramolecular hydrogel, controlled release and sustained gene transfection were confirmed.     

Supramolecular end-group separation of linear polymers with different terminals through host–guest interaction

By increasing the hydrophobicity of end group, the complexation rate between α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivative speeds up greatly. Based on such a huge difference of complexation kinetics, the PEG derivative with palmityloxy terminal (PEG-C16) can be successfully separated from a carboxylic acid end-functionalized analogue (PEG-COOH) by once supramolecular purification. Adding α-CD into the aqueous solution of PEG-C16/PEG-COOH mixture, PEG-C16 is encapsulated into α-CD cavity to form the crystalline inclusion complex in a very short time, while almost all of PEG-COOH molecules are still reserved in the aqueous solution. After dichloromethane extraction, the pure PEG-C16 is obtained. Moreover, the host CD can be recycled. Thus, it is an efficient green way to separate and purify the linear polymers with different terminal functionality.     

Preparation,characterization, and dilute solution properties of four-branched cage-shaped poly(ethylene oxide)

A four-branched cage-shaped poly(ethylene oxide) (4C-PEO) was prepared by a coupling reaction at very dilute condition between two kinds of end-functional four-armed star-shaped PEOs having amino and N-hydroxysuccinimide groups on their four ends, followed by purification using α-cyclodextrin (α-CD). The raw coupling reaction product shows multiple peaks including various high molecular weight multimeric products in size-exclusion chromatography measurements, while the product after α-CD purification shows a single peak eluted slightly earlier than the precursor star PEOs. Moreover, the final product obtained has about twice higher molecular weight than the star precursors. These results suggest that the targeted 4C-PEO polymer was successfully isolated through the α-CD purification. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements of the final product in dilute solution were conducted, and its chain conformation was evaluated from the scattering profile in comparison with linear and star polymers. It has been found that the cage-shaped sample exhibits a distinct peak at lower q-region in the Kratky plot, which is in strong contrast with the linear counterpart. This result must be originated from the characteristic cage-shaped architecture, that is, having branched and closed-loop configurations, and hence having higher segmental density than simple linear and star molecules. In fact, the present experimental result is consistent with the recent Monte Carlo simulation reported by Uehara and Deguchi.     

邻-甲氧基苯酚和α-,β-环糊精包合现象的理论与实验研究

通过紫外可见光谱法考察了水溶液中邻-甲氧基苯酚(o-Mop)和α-与β-环糊精(CD)的分子间相互作用, 利用Hildebrand-Benesi方程给出了两个包合物的稳定常数(K_s). 采用半经验PM3方法研究了α-,β-CD和o-Mop及其类似物苯酚(Phe)、丁香酚(Eug)之间的包络作用, 阐述了这些主客体包合作用过程中体系能量随主客体相对位置改变而变化的细节, 据此推断出主-客体包合物可能的分子结构, 计算了包合物的稳定化能(ΔE_s). 研究结果表明, 本文所选主客体体系而言, 当客体和同一种主体分子作用时, 超分子包合物的ΔE_s随着客体分子苯环上取代基团数目的增多而增加. 基于PM3方法优化得到的主-客体包合物在真空中的分子结构和通过实验方法在水溶液中测定的结构一致.     

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry analysis of poly(vinyl acetate), poly(methyl methacrylate) and their blend coalesced from inclusion compounds formed with γ-cyclodextrin

Direct insertion probe pyrolysis mass spectrometry (DIP-MS) analyses of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and binary PMMA/PVAc guests, coalesced from their inclusion compounds (ICs) formed with host γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) through removal of the γ-CD host, have been performed. A slight increase in the thermal stabilities of the coalesced polymers were recorded both by TGA and DIP-MS compared to the corresponding as-received polymers. The DIP-MS observations pointed out that the thermal stability and degradation products of these polymers are affected once they are included inside the IC channels created by the stacked host γ-CDs. DIP-MS observations suggested that the degradation mechanisms for PMMA and PVAc chains in their coalesced blend were significantly altered from those observed in their as-received and solution blended samples. This was attributed to the presence of specific molecular interactions between the intimately mixed PMMA and PVAc chains in their coalesced blend.     

Preparation of PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO/α-cyclodextrin supramolecular hydrogels hybridized with exfoliated graphite nanoplates

Abstract

In this work, an effective method was developed to prepare novel PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO (EPE)/α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) supramolecular hydrogels containing exfoliated graphite nanoplates (xGNPs) by mixing an aqueous solution of α-CD with an aqueous dispersion of xGNPs at the presence of amphiphilic EPE copolymer. The EPE copolymer played three important roles in the preparation process: (1) as an exfoliating agent to break expanded graphites into xGNPs under ultrasonication, (2) as a dispersant to stabilize xGNPs in the aqueous solution, and （3）as a component to form the inclusion complexes with α-CD. The resultant xGNPs/EPE/α-CD hybridized hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which confirmed not only the formation of supramolecular hydrogel structure but also the homogenous dispersion of xGNPs in the hydrogel matrix. It was found that the existence of xGNPs can accelerate the speed of gel formation in comparison with that of the native EPE/α-CD hydrogel. Additionally, the water-retention ability and the release behavior of vancomycin hydrochloride for the xGNPs/EPE/α-CD hybridized hydrogels were investigated.     

Supramolecular inclusion complexes of star‐shaped poly(ε‐caprolactone) with α‐cyclodextrin

Both star‐shaped poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) having 4 arms (4sPCL) and 6 arms (6sPCL) and linear PCL having 1 arm (LPCL) and 2 arms (2LPCL) were synthesized and then investigated for inclusion complexation with α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD). The supramolecular inclusion complexes (ICs) were in detail characterized by ¹H NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, wide angle X‐ray diffraction, solid‐state carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using cross‐polarization and magic‐angle spinning, and Fourier transform infrared, respectively. The stoichiometry (CL:CD, mol:mol) of all ICs increased with the increasing branch arm of PCL polymers, and it was in the order of α‐CD‐6sPCL1 ICs > α‐CD‐4sPCL ICs > α‐CD‐2LPCL ICs > α‐CD‐LPCL ICs. All analyses indicated that the branch arms of star‐shaped PCL polymers were included into the hydrophobic α‐CD cavities and their original crystalline properties were completely suppressed. Moreover, the ICs of star‐shaped PCL with α‐CD had a channel‐type crystalline structure similar to that formed between the linear PCL and α‐CD. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the free PCL polymers probably controlled that of the guest polymers included in the ICs. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4721–4730, 2005