Facile syntheses of surface-functionalized micelles and shell cross-linked nanoparticles

Block copolymer micelles and shell cross-linked nanoparticles (SCKs) presenting Click-reactive functional groups on their surfaces were prepared using two separate synthetic strategies, each employing functionalized initiators for the controlled radical polymerization of acrylate and styrenic monomers to afford amphiphilic block copolymers bearing an alkynyl or azido group at the α-terminus. The first route for the synthesis of the azide-functionalized nanostructures was achieved via sequential nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMP) of tert-butyl acrylate and styrene, originating from a benzylic chloride-functionalized initiator, followed by deprotection of the acrylic acids, supramolecular assembly of the block copolymer in water and conversion of the benzylic chloride to a benzylic azide. In contrast, the second strategy utilized an alkynyl-functionalized reversible addition fragmentation transfer (RAFT) agent directly for the RAFT-based sequential polymerization of tetrahydropyran acrylate and styrene, followed by selective cleavage of the tetrahydropyran esters to give the α-alkynyl-functionalized block copolymers. These Click-functionalized polymers, with the functionality located at the hydrophilic polymer termini, were then self-assembled using a mixed-micelle methodology to afford surface-functionalized “Clickable” micelles in aqueous solutions. The optimum degree of incorporation of the Click-functionalized polymers was investigated and determined to be ca. 25%, which allowed for the synthesis of well-defined surface-functionalized nanoparticles after cross-linking selectively throughout the shell layer using established amidation chemistry. Functionalization of the chain ends was shown to be an efficient process under standard Click conditions and the resulting functional groups revealed a more “solution-like” environment when compared to the functional group randomly inserted into the hydrophilic shell layer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5203–5217, 2006     

Diastereoselective Photochemical Synthesis of α-Amino-β-hydroxyketones by Photocycloaddition of Carbonyl Compounds to 2,5-Dimethyl-4-isobutyloxazole

Summary. The photocycloaddition of aldehydes and α-ketoesters to 2,5-dimethyl-4-isobutyloxazole leads to bicyclic oxetanes with high to moderate (exo) diastereoselectivity that can be easily ring-opened to give α-amino-β-hydroxyketones.     

Radiation induced decomposition of halogenated organic compounds in water

Decomposition by ionizing radiations of p-chlorophenol and tetrachloroethylene in synthetic water samples at about 2 mg Cl L⁻¹, has been studied on laboratory-scale experiments. Bicarbonate/carbonate and nitrate ions, at two concentration levels (20 and 200 mg HCO₃⁻¹ and 1 and 50 mg NO₃⁻L⁻) were added to synthetic samples in order to evaluate their influence on decomposition yield. At 5 kGy γ dose level, a quantitative degradation of p-chlorophenol is obtained whereas only qualitative consideration can be drawn on tetracholoroethylene. Comparative study with respect to degradation of p-cholophenol solutions (about 2 mg Cl L⁻¹) by γ-rays and electron beam irradiation treatment at 0.5 kGy dose level, are in progress; preliminary results indicate that irradiation with γ-rays seems to be more efficient in terms of removal efficiency respect to electron beams source.     

Recent studies on phosphorus-bridging carbonyl derivatives: organophosphorus analogs of aldehydes and ketones

Reactions of disodium tetracarbonylferrate, Na₂Fe(CO)₄, with sterically hindered dialkylaminodichlorophosphines, R₂NPCl₂ (R₂N=diisopropylamino, dicyclohexylamino, and 2,2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidino) in diethyl ether lead to the air-stable phosphorus-bridging carbonyl derivatives (R₂NP)₂COFe₂(CO)₆ as the major products. The phosphorus-bridging carbonyl group in (i-Pr₂NP)₂COFe₂(CO)₆ has been found to undergo the following types of reactions: 1)Reduction, 2)Acylation, 3)Extrusion of the carbonyl group. The mechanisms of the reactions have been considered.This work was presented at the Workshop «The Modern Problems of Heteroorganic Chemistry» held on the ship «Nikolai Bauman» during the period May 8–13, 1993.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 1858–1867, November, 1993.     

Ansa macrolides as molecular workbenches for stereoselective additions to achiral (E) olefins

Highly stereocontrolled additions to achiral acyclic (E) olefins are achieved via incorporation into an ansa macrolide with a non-racemic stilbene diol (molecular workbench approach).