Synthesis and characterization of different types of epoxide-based Mannich polyols from low-cost cashew nut shell liquid

Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) is a natural aromatic organic oil consisting of phenolic compounds with interesting structures. Extraction of CNSL was performed in a Soxhlet apparatus. The major (90 %) component of CNSL is anacardic acid, which is easily decarboxylated to cardanol (10 %) by use of conventional methods. In this paper we describe a three-step synthesis of Mannich polyols for rigid foams. The first step is synthesis of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3-oxazolidine (the Mannich precursor) by condensation of paraformaldehyde and diethanolamine. The second step involves synthesis of the Mannich base phenolic ring of cardanol by reaction with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3-oxazolidine. The third step is alkoxylation. The synthesized polyols were characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography.     

Valorization of Madagascar’s CNSL via the synthesis of one advanced intermediate (3-Pentadecylcyclohexanone)

A unique advanced intermediate: 3-Pentadecylcyclohexanone was synthetized from the crude product which contained a mixture of cardanol, cardol and 2-methylcardol, which was hydrogenated onto Pd/C at 80 °C. From this alkylated cyclohexanone: C15 alkylated adipic acid, caprolactam, caprolactone, were synthetized in high yields, such products may have many potentially applications in polymer chemistry. The condensation of the 3-pentadecyl-cyclohexanone and triethylene glycol in oxidative or reductive conditions gave aryl ether and cyclohexyl ether, this may be a way to prepare intermediate for surfactant chemistry. Therefore we show that Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) may lead to numerous useful compounds thank to the preparation of a unique advanced intermediate.     

Amphiphilic antioxidants from "cashew nut shell liquid" (CNSL) waste

Hydrogenated cardanol and cardols, contained in industrial grade cardanol oil and obtained by distillation of the raw "cashew nut shell liquid" (CNSL), are easily transformed into efficient 4-thiaflavane antioxidants bearing a long alkyl chain on A ring and a catechol group on B ring.     

Micellization study and adsorption properties of an ionic surfactant synthesized from hydrogenated cardanol in air–water and in air–brine interfaces

A sulfonate (2,4-sodium dissulfonate-5-n-pentadecylphenol) was synthesized from hydrogenated cardanol and the micellization study was carried out using temperature and electrolyte concentration as variables. The adsorption parameters were obtained using surface tension data by the Frumkin adsorption model and the Simplex Nelder–Mead method. Values of critical micelle concentration (cmc) and surface excess (Γ) were obtained in three different temperatures (303 K, 313 K, and 323 K) and two electrolyte concentrations (NaCl solution—0.1 M and 0.25 M). It was verified that cmc decreased with increasing electrolyte concentration and temperature. The Gibbs free energy showed that the micellization process was spontaneous for all studied systems and temperatures, and also that the presence of several CH₂ groups was significant for micelle formation.     

A highly sensitive GC–MS method for simultaneous determination of anacardic acids in cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shell oil in the presence of other phenolic lipid derivatives

The commercial value of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) has become a cornerstone of the agrowaste industry. It is the by‐product of the cashew industry and has an 1/8 inch thickness of soft honeycomb structure. CNSL contains phenolic lipids with aliphatic chains such as anacardic acid, cardanol, cardol and methyl cardol, and their derivatives. The developed GC–MS method is rapid, accurate and selective using a selected derivatizing reagent, namely N‐methyl‐N‐(trimethylsilyl)‐trifluoroacetamide that was previously diluted 1:1% with anhydrous pyridine. The proposed GC–MS method was applied for the analysis of different CNSL samples. The results showed that all classes of CNSL compounds were detected. The four alkyl phenols were detected with their different alkyl sidechains without any interference. This method is also specified for the detection of fatty acids of saturated and unsaturated chains. Silylation did not cause any alteration in the chemical structure of CNSL compounds regardless of esterification action. Silylation is considered a safe derivatizing agent compatible with GC chromatography and specific for all volatile and nonvolatile polar and nonpolar CNSL compounds that could be detected in CNSL samples.     

Phosphonylation of a polypentenamer and preparation of its hydrogenated derivatives

Phosphonylated derivatives of a polypentenamer (PP) containing 82% trans and 17% cis double bonds have been prepared by the free-radical addition of dimethylphosphite to the double bonds and subsequent hydrogenation of the residual unsaturation. In this way derivatives were prepared containing approximately 5 and 10 mole % dimethylphosphonate side groups. These side groups were further reacted by hydrolysis or neutralization to form phosphonic acid and cesium phosphonate salts. Reaction conditions were so chosen that no backbone degradation occurred, and side reactions leading to crosslinking were avoided. The derivatives were characterized by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was found that increasing substituent concentration decreases the melting point T_m in the case of the hydrogenated derivatives and increases the glass transition temperature T_g in the case of the unhydrogenated derivatives. The free acid derivatives are the least thermally stable of all those studied and the hydrogenated derivatives are generally more stable than the unhydrogenated derivatives.     

Carboxylation of a polypentenamer and preparation of its hydrogenated derivatives

Carboxylated three-membered ring derivatives of a polypentenamer (PP) that contained 82% trans and 17% cis double bonds were prepared by carbene addition of ethyldiazoacetate with a copper catalyst to the double bonds and subsequent hydrogenation of the residual unsaturation. In this way derivatives that contained approximately either 5 or 10 mole % three-membered rings with ester side groups were obtained. These side groups were further reacted by hydrolysis or neutralization to form carboxylic acid and cesium salts of carboxylic acid. Reaction conditions were chosen so that no backbone degradation occurred and side reactions that led to crosslinking were avoided. The derivatives were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. It was found that an increase in substituent concentration decreased the melting point (T_m) in hydrogenated derivatives and increased the glass transition temperature (T_g) in unhydrogenated derivatives. The cesium salts of carboxylic acid were the least thermally stable among those studied and the hydrogenated derivatives were generally more stable than the unhydrogenated.     

Influence of process parameters on the size distribution of PLA microcapsules prepared by combining membrane emulsification technique and double emulsion-solvent evaporation method

Relatively uniform-sized biodegradable poly(lactide) (PLA) microcapsules with various sizes were successfully prepared by combining a glass membrane emulsification technique and water-in-oil-in-water (w₁/o/w₂) double emulsion-solvent evaporation method. A water phase was used as the internal water phase, a mixture solvent of dichloromethane (DCM) and toluene dissolving PLA and Arlacel 83 was used as the oil phase (o). These two solutions were emulsified by a homogenizer to form a w₁/o primary emulsion. The primary emulsion was permeated through the uniform pores of a glass membrane into the external water phase by the pressure of nitrogen gas to form the uniform w₁/o/w₂ double emulsion droplets. Then, the solid polymer microcapsules were obtained by simply evaporating solvent. The influence of process parameters on the size distribution of PLA microcapsules was investigated, with an emphasis on the effect of oil-soluble emulsifier. A unique phenomenon was found that a large part of emulsifier could adsorb on the interface of internal water phase and oil phase, which suppressed its adsorption on the surface of glass membrane, and led to the successful preparation of uniform-sized double emulsion. Finally, by optimizing the process parameters, PLA microcapsules with various sizes having coefficient of variation (CV) value under 14.0% were obtained. Recombinant human insulin (rhI), as a model protein, was encapsulated into the microcapsules with difference sizes, and its encapsulation efficiency and cumulative release were investigated. The result suggested that the release behavior could be simply adjusted just by changing precisely the diameters of microcapsule, benefited from the membrane emulsification technique.     

Plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) from cardanol as a renewable resource material

The present work is aimed to the preliminary analysis of the applicability of cardanol derivatives as renewable plasticizers for soft PVC. Two different plasticizers were studied, obtained by esterification of the cardanol hydroxyl group (cardanol acetate) and further epoxidation of the side chain double bonds (epoxidated cardanol acetate). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the miscibility between PVC and cardanol derived plasticizers. The miscibility was correlated to the chemical structure of plasticizer by means of the Hansen solubility parameter analysis. Results obtained indicated that esterification of cardanol yields a partial miscibility with PVC, whereas esterification and subsequent epoxidation yield a complete miscibility with PVC. Therefore cardanol acetate, obtained by solvent-free esterification of cardanol, was used as a secondary plasticizer of PVC. Mechanical and rheological analysis showed that the cardanol acetate can partially replace DEHP in PVC formulation.     

Acetonitrile covalent adduct chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry of non-methylene-interrupted pentaene fatty acid methyl esters

Acetonitrile covalent adduct chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (CACIMS/MS) has shown to be an efficient method for the identification of double‐bond position in homoallylic, conjugated and several polyene non‐methylene‐interrupted (NMI) fatty acid methyl esters. However, it has not been thoroughly evaluated for NMI highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) with more than four double bonds. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)‐rich single cell oil (DHASCO^®; Martek Biosciences, Corp.) was partially hydrogenated (partially hydrogenated DHASCO; PHDO) producing ten novel 22:5 and 22:6 HUFA isomers. In single‐stage MS, the ratio of [M+54]⁺/[M+54‐32]⁺ for the 22:5 and 22:6 isomers indicated the presence of homoallylic or partially conjugated double‐bond systems. The CACIMS/MS spectra revealed six 22:5 isomers with diagnostic ions corresponding to the homoallylic 22:5n‐6 and 22:5n‐3 isomers, and four distinct NMI 22:5 isomers. Diagnostic ions for four 22:6 isomers were identical to the native DHA illustrating that CACIMS/MS is sensitive to double‐bond position but not geometry. Three gas chromatography (GC) peaks for partially conjugated 22:6 isomers were also detected and clearly distinguishable from homoallylic 22:6 isomers, but their CACIMS/MS spectra did not yield prominent ions indicative of double‐bond position, possibly due to co‐elution. Overall, CACIMS/MS was effective for determining double‐bond position in NMI 22:5 isomers. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate and determine fragmentation patterns for partially conjugated and NMI 22:6 HUFA. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thiophosphate esters of cashew nutshell liquid derivatives as new antioxidants for poly(methyl methacrylate)

In this work, poly(methyl methacrylate) films 1% additivated with new thiophosphate esters antioxidants derived from technical Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL), a byproduct of the cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) industry, were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements under inert (N₂) and oxidative (synthetic air) atmospheres. Three new products were synthesized and characterized by GC/MS, ¹H and ³¹P NMR. The analyses were focused on the onset (T _e) and offset temperature (T _o) of degradation of the films, and on the maximum degradation temperature (T _MAX). It was observed that the thermal stability of the films increased with the addition of the thiophosphate ester antioxidants, which indicates that CNSL could be used as a natural source of phenolic material for the synthesis of antioxidants.     

Hydrogenation of nitrobenzonitriles using Raney nickel catalyst

2-, 3-, 4-Nitrobenzonitriles were hydrogenated using Raney nickel catalyst in the environment of two different solvents (methanol and dioxane). The position of the nitro group relative to the nitrile group plays the dominant role in the course of hydrogenation. The nearer the substituent to the nitrile group is, the larger is its effect. 3- and 4-nitrobenzonitriles were hydrogenated to their primary amines, in contrast to 2-nitrobenzonitrile, which was transformedvia intramolecular oxidation to 2-aminobenzamide. During hydrogenation, numerous intermediates were formed. The choice of the solvent is another significant parameter affecting the course of hydrogenation.     

Conjugated Additions in Hydrogen Fluoride

Fluorine and another substituent can be added in a single step to compounds having CC double bonds in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. It is possible in this way to obtain e.g. α-fluorinated β-halogeno, β-alkyl, β-nitro, and β-amino compounds, and also (in some cases by secondary reactions) fluorinated ethers, alcohols, esters, and carboxylic acids, β-fluoro alcohols can be obtained by conjugated “hypofluorination” in the presence of oxenium ions.     

Novel ultrasound contrast agents

As a novel ultrasound diagnostic contrast agent, the preparation, characterization and ultrasound imaging in the body of dog about poly(lactic acid) (PLLA) microcapsules have been studied. The behavior of this kind of contrast agent in the microcirculation was also investigated. Prepared by (water/oil/water) emulsion-solvent evaporation protocol, the PLLA microcapsules with hollow structure can enhance the ultrasound image both in vitro and in vivo, and the enduring time can last as long as 3 h. The microcirculation examination shows that the PLLA microcapsules with a diameter ranging from 2 to 8 μm could pass through the pulmonary capillaries without retention. All the results prove the PLLA microcapsules for potential use for the clinical application.     

Physicochemical properties of series of cardanol polyoxyethylene ether carboxylates with different ethoxylation unit at the interface

Series of cardanol polyoxyethylene ether carboxylates were synthesized with biomass cardanol as material to study their physicochemical properties at the interface. The surface tensions of the cardanol nonionic-anionic surfactants were measured at 25?°C and the thermodynamic parameters of adsorption were also calculated. The surface activity and thermodynamic properties of the cardanol nonionic-anionic surfactants were correlated to their chemical structures. With increasing of the number of the ethoxylation unit in the hydrophilic group, a decrease in adsorption efficiency and an increase in surface tension at critical micelle concentration and thermodynamic free energy of adsoption were observed and were attributed to a decrease in adsorption of the cardanol nonionic-anionic surfactants at the interface. Series of the cardanol nonionic-anionic surfactants have good wettability and foaming property. The foaming capacity and the foaming stability of the solution of the cardanol nonionic-anionic surfactants increase by decreasing in the ethoxylation unit and by increasing the double bond of the hydrophobic group. The physicochemical properties of the cardanol nonionic-anionic surfactants at the interface are correlated to the chemical structures of the investigated surfactants, and there is the synergy effect between the nonionic hydrophilic group and the anionic hydrophilic group at the interface.     

Preparation and properties of thermosensitive hydrogel microcapsules

Temperature-sensitive hydrophilic gel microcapsules have been newly prepared. That is, poly ( -lysineisopropylamide–terephthalic acid) microcapsules containing water have been obtained by an interfacial polymerization at a water/oil interface between -lysineisopropylamide and terephthaloyldichloride. The microcapsule changes its size between 33 and 35°C. Under 33°C, the microcapsules are fully spherical and can be redispersed in distilled water, while are aggregated above 35°C. The microcapsules, which are observed to show aggregation above 33°C, can be redispersed by decreasing temperature within a few second. The thermosensitive morphological changes of the microcapsules are thus reversible. Also, it has been shown that the permeability of sodium chloride through the microcapsule membrane changes remarkably between 33 and 35°C, while it is kept almost constant independent of temperature between 25 and 33°C or between 35 and 55°C. The permeability of solutes is higher under 33°C than that above 35°C. Such thermosensitive properties result from the fact that the polymer membrane has isopropylamide groups. That is, -lysineisopropylamide has a chemical structure similar to N-isopropylacrylamide, the polymer of which, poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), is a thermosensitive hydrogel having its phase transition temperature around 33°C.     

Thermal evaluation of cashew nutshell liquid as new bioadditives for poly(methyl methacrylate)

In this study, the thermal-oxidative stability of poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, 1 % additivated with replenishable phenolic lipids is evaluated by thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) analyses and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. Since technical cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), a byproduct from the cashew industry, is composed basically of two phenolic lipids, cardanol and cardol, the utilization of this industrial waste and its main components as a new source of bioadditives for use as antioxidants is evaluated. The TG analyses revealed that addition of the phenolic constituent of CNSL increased the thermal stability of PMMA films considerably. The results obtained were also confirmed by DSC analyses.     

DNA Origami Nanoplate‐Based Emulsion with Nanopore Function

Bio‐inspired functional microcapsules have attracted increasing attention in many fields from physical/chemical science to artificial‐cell engineering. Although particle‐stabilised microcapsules are advantageous for their stability and functionalisation potential, versatile methods for their functionalisation are desired to expand their possibilities. This study reports a water‐in‐oil microdroplet stabilised with amphiphilic DNA origami nanoplates. By utilising DNA nanotechnology, DNA nanoplates were designed as a nanopore device for ion transportation and to stabilise the oil–water interface. Microscopic examination revealed the microcapsule formed by the accumulation of amphiphilic DNA nanoplates at the oil–water interface. Ion current measurements revealed the nanoplate pores functioned as channel to transport ions. These findings provide a general strategy for the programmable design of microcapsules to engineer artificial cells and molecular robots.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric identification of four triene monoepoxides of arachidonic acid in human plasma

Four triene monoepoxides of arachidonic acid have been identified as endogenous components of human plasma, the epoxy groups being in the 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12- and 14,15-positions. Prior to trimethylsilylation and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis, both the expoxy and ester functions were reduced to hydroxy groups and the double bonds were hydrogenated catalytically. Saturation of the double bonds gave diagnostic spectra that were suitable for elucidating the position of the epoxy group. The shift in the fragmentation of a deuteriated sample verified the presence of the intact epoxides prior to chemical reduction. The presence of the double bonds in the epoxy molecules was demonstrated by reduction using homogeneous catalysis with tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I) chloride and deuterium.