Side‐chain crystallization behavior of graft copolymers consisting of an amorphous main chain and crystalline side chains. II. Poly(n‐hexyl methacrylate)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol)

The phase behavior and crystallization of graft copolymers consisting of poly(n‐hexyl methacrylate) (PHMA) as an amorphous main chain and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as crystallizable side chains (HMAx with 15 ≤ x ≤ 73, where x represents the weight percentage of PEG) were investigated. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering profiles measured above the melting temperature of PEG suggested that a microdomain structure with segregated PHMA and PEG domains was formed in HMA40 and HMA46. This phase behavior was qualitatively described by a calculated phase diagram based on the mean‐field theory. Because of the segregation of PEG into microdomains, the crystallization temperature of the PEG side chains in HMAx was higher than that in poly(methyl acrylate)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol) having a similar value of x, which was considered to be in a disordered state above the melting temperature. In HMAx with x ≤ 40, PEG crystallization was strongly restricted, probably because the PEG microdomains were isolated in the PHMA matrix. As a result, the growth of PEG spherulite was not observed because the PEG crystallization occurred after vitrification of the PHMA segregated domains. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 129–137, 2007     

Basic study of the gelation of dimethacrylate‐type crosslinking agents

An investigation was made of the gelation of dimethacrylate‐type crosslinking agents in view of an application for separation media. The study mainly centered on a crosslinking agent, glycerol dimethacrylate (GDMA), which is relatively hydrophilic because of a hydroxyl group in the middle of its structure. The gelation of GDMA was compared with that of other hydrophobic crosslinking agents such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 1,6‐hexanediol dimethacrylate. The diluents used in the study were toluene, toluene with methanol, and cyclohexanol. The gelation was observed in real time with a charge coupled device camera and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Also, the separated dry gels were extensively characterized with scanning electron microscopy, BET (N₂ absorption and desorption isotherm), and Fourier transform infrared. DLS analysis showed a stronger molecular interaction of GDMA gelation in toluene, whereas this interaction was much weaker in an alcoholic solvent such as toluene with methanol or cyclohexanol. This indicated that GDMA gelation might proceed through hydrogen bonding as well as a crosslinking reaction of vinyl groups. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 949–958, 2006     

Adsorption Behavior of Amino Acids on a Stainless Steel Surface

The adsorption behavior of various amino acids on a stainless steel surface was investigated at 30 degrees C and over a pH range of 3-10. Acidic and basic amino acids except histidine adsorbed remarkably at pH 3-4 and 7-10, respectively, and showed Langmuir-type adsorption isotherms. The effects of pH and ionic strength on the adsorption isotherms were investigated to analyze the interactions between amino acids and adsorption sites on the stainless steel. Hydrophobic amino acids and glycine showed only small adsorbed amounts at all pHs tested. For the acidic and basic amino acids, reversibility of the absorption and the influence of the ionic strength on the adsorption behavior were examined. The adsorption isotherms of the derivatives of aspartic acid were also measured in order to examine the contribution of the carboxylic groups of acidic amino acids to the adsorption. Furthermore, a Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis and semiempirical molecular orbital calculation were carried out to analyze the ionization states and the configuration of the amino acids adsorbed on a stainless steel surface. These investigations suggest that the acidic and basic amino acids adsorb through two electrostatic interactions of two ionized groups in the amino acid with a stainless steel surface. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

A hexacyclic ent-trachylobane diterpenoid possessing an oxetane ring from Mitrephora glabra

[chemical reaction: see text]. Three new ent-trachylobane diterpenoids (1-3) were isolated and structures elucidated from Mitrephora glabra Scheff. (Annonaceae). Mitrephorone A (1) possesses a hexacyclic ring system with adjacent ketone moieties and an oxetane ring, both of which are unprecedented among trachylobanes. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cells, where 1 displayed the most potent and broadest activity, and against a battery of antimicrobial assays, where all compounds were approximately equipotent.     

Influence of nonionic emulsifier included inside carboxylated polymer particles on the formation of multihollow structure by the alkali/cooling method

The influence of nonionic emulsifier, included inside styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer [P(S-MAA)] particles during emulsion copolymerization, on the formation of multihollow structure inside the particles via the alkali/cooling method (proposed by the authors) was examined in comparison to emulsifier-free particles. It was clarified that the nonionic emulsifier included inside the P(S-MAA) particles eased the formation of multihollow structure.Part CCL of the series studies on suspension and emulsion     

Rapid ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of pyranopyrandiones by reconstructive carbonylation of cyclopropenones involving C[bond]C bond cleavage

Pyranopyrandiones were prepared by a novel ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylative dimerization of cyclopropenones via C-C bond cleavage. For example, treatment of dipropylcyclopropenone with a catalytic amount of Ru3(CO)12 and NEt3 in THF under 15 atm of carbon monoxide at 140 degrees C for 20 h gave a novel functional monomer, 3,4,7,8-tetrapropylpyrano[6,5-e]pyran-2,6-dione, in an isolated yield of 81%. Unsymmetrically substituted pyranopyrandiones were also obtained by ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of cyclopropenones with alkynes under similar reaction conditions.     

Adsorption characteristics of bisphenol A onto carbonaceous materials produced from wood chips as organic waste

A single-chain amphiphile containing a rigid Schiff base segment, 3-cyano-N-benzylidene hexadecylamine (CNBHB) in the polar head group was synthesized and studied for its vesicle-forming properties. The dependence of the aggregation behavior of the vesicles as such and in the presence of manganese ions were studied as a function of temperature using differential scanning calorimetry and turbidity measurements. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to analyze the morphology of the vesicles, showed interesting features with fusion of regular structures, and were quite stable. In the presence of manganese ions, fusion of vesicles takes place. This could be due to the metal ions that are bound to the surface of the vesicles that cause a partial destruction of the hydration shell on the surface of the vesicles. The reduction in the hydration force could thus be responsible for the fusion.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of exchanging systems : The line shape analysis of the inversion of 9,10-dihydro-4,5-dimethylphenanthrene by the density matrix method

9,10-Dihydro-4,5-dimethylphenanthrene has two rotational isomers around the pivot bond. This compound shows a complex signal pattern of an AA′BB′ type for the four methylene protons in the NMR spectrum. The inversion process is analysed using the density matrix method, and at various temperatures the calculated line shapes are fitted to the observed spectra to obtain the life-time τ of the inversion. From the logarithmic plot of the life time versus 1/T, the kinetic parameters of this intramolecular inversion process are obtained as follows: E_a = 25·3 ± 1·0 Kcal/mole ΔG3 = 24°1 ± 1·0 Kcal/mole at 25·0° ΔH3 = 24·7 ± 1·0 Kcal/mole ΔS3 = 2·1 ± 0·8 e.u.