Internal plasticization of poly(vinyl) chloride using glutamic acid as a branched linker to incorporate four plasticizers per anchor point

Internal plasticization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) using thermal azide‐alkyne Huisgen dipolar cycloaddition between azidized PVC and electron‐poor acetylenediamides incorporating a branched glutamic acid linker resulted in incorporation of four plasticizing moieties per attachment point on the polymer chain. A systematic study incorporating either alkyl or polyethylene glycol esters provided materials with varying degrees of plasticization, with depressed T_g values ranging from ?1 °C to 62 °C. Three interesting trends were observed. First, T_g values of PVC bearing various internal plasticizers were shown to decrease with increasing chain length of the plasticizing ester. Second, branched internal plasticizers bearing triethylene glycol chains had lower T_g values compared to those with similar length long‐chain alkyl groups. Finally, thermogravimetric analysis of these internally plasticized PVC samples revealed that these branched internal plasticizers bearing alkyl chains are more thermally stable than similarity branched plasticizers bearing triethylene glycol units. These internal tetra‐plasticizers were synthesized and attached to PVC‐azide in three simple synthetic steps. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 1821–1835     

Electrochemical Monitoring of Methotrexate Anticancer Drug in Human Blood Serum by Using in situ Solvothermal Synthesized Fe3O4/ITO Electrode

Here, we reported on a one‐step fabrication of magnetite Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles/indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode based on the direct growing of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on the ITO surface by using a solvothermal process. The modified electrode was used as electrochemical methotrexate (MTX) biosensor with high sensitivity based on cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. The results demonstrated a linear relationship between the MTX concentration and its oxidation current peak over a wide range from 10^?5 to 10^?14 mole/L with a limit of detection of 0.4×10^?15 M based on the square wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. In addition, Fe₃O₄/ITO electrode showed a good capability for measuring very low concentrations of MTX drug dissolved in human serum solution. Also, Fe₃O₄/ITO electrode was used for detecting MTX in blood serum samples collected from patients after their treatment with MTX. The prepared electrode showed the higher sensitivity that higher than the Viva‐E instrument, which opens the door for developing a cheap, simple and higher sensitive MTX sensor.     

Phosphorylation of pyridoxal azomethines. Synthesis of phosphorus containing azomethines and furopyridines

New O-phosphorylated pyridoxal derivatives have been synthesized through the reaction of azomethines with Р^V acid chlorides. 2-Chloro-2-thioxo-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinanes and diethylchlorothiophosphate have been employed as phosphorylating agents. Regardless of the nature of the phosphorylating agent, the reaction is regioselective at phenolic hydroxyl group. The structure of final products is determined by the nature of the substituent at the nitrogen atom. If R is alkyl or cycloalkyl group, the products of the reaction represent phosphorylated pyridoxal imines, whereas phosphorylated furopyridines are formed in the case R is aryl substituent.     

Asymmetric synthesis of novel spirocycles via a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed desymmetrization

A straightforward method for the asymmetric preparation of novel lactone and lactam spirocycles is described. An initial desymmetrization via a chiral Brønsted acid yields enantioenriched lactones which readily undergo a second cyclization to give the desired spirocycle.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylboration of Alkynes: Synthesis of Highly Versatile Multifunctional Building Blocks

The first copper‐catalyzed enantioselective allylboration of alkynes is reported. The method employs a multitasking chiral NHC‐Cu catalyst and provides access to densely functionalized molecules from simple starting materials with excellent levels of chemo‐, regio‐, and enantioselectivity. These multifunctional products display highly versatile reactivity as shown by the synthesis of a variety of non‐racemic molecular scaffolds. DFT calculations were conducted to gain insight into the high selectivity levels of this catalytic process.     

Synthetic Humic Acids Solubilize Otherwise Insoluble Phosphates to Improve Soil Fertility

Artificial humic acids (A‐HA) made from biomass in a hydrothermal process turn otherwise highly insoluble phosphates (e.g. iron phosphate as a model) into highly available phosphorus, which contributes to the fertility of soils and the coupled plant growth. A detailed electron microscopy study revealed etching of the primary iron phosphate crystals by the ‐COOH and phenolic groups of humic acids, but also illustrated the importance of the redox properties of humic matter on the nanoscale. The combined effects result in the formation of then bioavailable phosphate nanoparticles stabilized by humic matter. Typical agricultural chemical tests indicate that the content of total P and directly plant‐available P improved largely. Comparative pot planting experiments before and after treatment of phosphates with A‐HA demonstrate significantly enhanced plant growth, as quantified in higher aboveground and belowground plant biomass.     

15‐Hydroperoxy‐PGE2: Intermediate in Mammalian and Algal Prostaglandin Biosynthesis

Arachidonic‐acid‐derived prostaglandins (PGs), specifically PGE₂, play a central role in inflammation and numerous immunological reactions. The enzymes of PGE₂ biosynthesis are important pharmacological targets for anti‐inflammatory drugs. Besides mammals, certain edible marine algae possess a comprehensive repertoire of bioactive arachidonic‐acid‐derived oxylipins including PGs that may account for food poisoning. Described here is the analysis of PGE₂ biosynthesis in the red macroalga Gracilaria vermiculophylla that led to the identification of 15‐hydroperoxy‐PGE₂, a novel precursor of PGE₂ and 15‐keto‐PGE₂. Interestingly, this novel precursor is also produced in human macrophages where it represents a key metabolite in an alternative biosynthetic PGE₂ pathway in addition to the well‐established arachidonic acid‐PGG₂‐PGH₂‐PGE₂ route. This alternative pathway of mammalian PGE₂ biosynthesis may open novel opportunities to intervene with inflammation‐related diseases.