Determination of site-site distance and site concentration within polymer beads: a combined swelling-electron paramagnetic resonance study

This work proposes a combined swelling-electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) approach aiming at determining some unusual polymer solvation parameters relevant for chemical processes occurring inside beads. Batches of benzhydrylamine-resin (BHAR), a copolymer of styrene-1% divinylbenzene containing phenylmethylamine groups were, labeled with the paramagnetic amino acid 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-4-amine-4-carboxylic acid (TOAC), and their swelling properties and EPR spectra were examined in DCM and DMF. By taking into account the BHARs labeling degrees, the corresponding swelling values, and some polymer structural characteristics, it was possible to calculate polymer swelling parameters, among them, the volume and the number of sites per bead, site-site distances and site concentration. The latter values ranged from 17 to 170 A and from 0.4 to 550 mM, respectively. EPR spectroscopy was applied to validate the multistep calculation strategy of these swelling parameters. Spin-spin interaction was detected in the labeled resins at site-site distances less than approximately 60 A or probe concentrations higher than approximately 1 x 10(-2) M, in close agreement with the values obtained for the spin probe free in solution. Complementarily, the yield of coupling reactions in different resins indicated that the greater the inter-site distance or the lower the site concentration, the faster the reaction. The results suggested that the model and the experimental measurements developed for the determination of solvation parameters represent a relevant step forward for the deeper understanding and improvement of polymer-related processes.     

Langmuir films of (alpha-amino) phosphorus amphiphiles on various ion-containing subphases

Monolayers of amphiphilic (alpha-amino)phosphonocarboxylic and (alpha-amino)phosphonic acids have been formed by adsorption at the air/water interface. The influence of both the ionic strength and the pH of the subphase on the stability and compactness of the monolayers have been studied. The stability and the compactness of the Langmuir films are enhanced by introduction of metallic ions such as Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) in the subphases. These effects are more pronounced with Ca(2+). These metal ions can form dimeric complexes with the phosphorus moieties of the surfactant polar heads and therefore bring the amphiphiles closer. For the less hydrophobic derivative, complexation with Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) is required to ensure the formation of a stable monomolecular film. For both phosphonocarboxylic and phosphonic compounds, models have been proposed to represent the complexation phenomenon at the air/water interface.     

Comparative investigation of the cleavage step in the synthesis of model peptide resins: implications for Nalpha-9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl-solid phase peptide synthesis

Based on our studies of the stability of model peptide-resin linkage in acid media, we previously proposed a rule for resin selection and a final cleavage protocol applicable to the Nalpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)-peptide synthesis strategy. We found that incorrect choices resulted in decreases in the final synthesis yield, which is highly dependent on the peptide sequence, of as high as 30%. The present paper continues along this line of research but examines the Nalpha-9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-synthesis strategy. The vasoactive peptide angiotensin II (AII, DRVYIHPF) and its [Gly8]-AII analogue were selected as model peptide resins. Variations in parameters such as the type of spacer group (linker) between the peptide backbone and the resin, as well as in the final acid cleavage protocol, were evaluated. The same methodology employed for the Boc strategy was used in order to establish rules for selection of the most appropriate linker-resin conjugate or of the peptide cleavage method, depending on the sequence to be assembled. The results obtained after treatment with four cleavage solutions and with four types of linker groups indicate that, irrespective of the circumstance, it is not possible to achieve complete removal of the peptide chains from the resin. Moreover, the Phe-attaching peptide at the C-terminal yielded far less cleavage (50-60%) than that observed with the Gly-bearing sequences at the same position (70-90%). Lastly, the fastest cleavage occurred with reagent K acid treatment and when the peptide was attached to the Wang resin.     

Synthese stereoselective d'esters α,β- ethyleniques α-methyles Z ou E par la reaction de wittig-horner a partir de phosphonates ou d'oxydes de phosphine

The reaction of α-branched aldehydes with diethyl 1-carbomethoxyethyl phosphonate 1b in THF/nBuLi at low temperature leads stereoselectively to Z α-methyl α,β-unsaturated esters. From a linear aldehyde, the reaction is less stereoselective, while from α,β-unsaturated ones, the E isomers are predominantly formed in good yields. From diphenyl 1-carbomethoxyethyl phosphine oxide 2b, E α-methyl α,β-unsaturated esters are stereoselectively formed either in DMF/tBuOK or in phase transfer conditions, whatever the starting aldehyde is, also in good yields. This reagent can thus advantageously replace the corresponding P-ylid. In all cases, the reaction conditions are determined so that by-products formation is minimized.     

Isomerisation de composes du phosphore hexacoordine optiquement actifs : mise en evidence d'un processus irregulier

The synthesis, with asymmetric induction, of chiral hexacovalent phosphorus anions, allows a polarimetric kinetic study of epimerization or racemization mechanism of these compounds which is shown to be irregular (acid catalyzed).     

Cationic ring opening of functionalized diphosphiranes

The functionalized diphosphiranes 1 a–c, in presence of Lewis acid, undergo two kinds of reaction:the ring opening leading to the phosphenium-phosphonium ion 2a–c obtained according to an electrocyclic reaction and the fragmentation giving phosphaalkene 3a–c and phosphonium ion 4. The deprotonation reaction of 2a–c in hexane leads to phosphino-phosphaalkenes 6a–c.     

Preparation and characterization of new hybrid organic/inorganic systems derived from calcium (alpha-aminoalkyl)-phosphonates and -phosphonocarboxylates

We have studied the phenomenon of calcium complexation by lab synthesized amphiphilic (alpha-aminoalkyl)-phosphonocarboxylic or -phosphonic acids. The electrical conductivity of aqueous solutions of sodium salts of all these acids was measured versus the volume of a calcium salt solution added. It appeared that calcium complexes are formed in a Ca/P atomic ratio close to 1. Calcium phosphonocarboxylates and calcium phosphonates were also precipitated by mixing aqueous solutions of disodium salts of phosphorus amphiphiles and calcium nitrate solutions. Before chemical analysis, these complexes were calcined to remove the organic part. In the mineralized products, calcium and phosphate were assayed: the Ca/P atomic ratio was equal to 1. X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy showed that they are made entirely of beta pyrophosphate (Ca2P2O7), a result in agreement with previous chemical analysis. The chemical formula of the starting calcium complexes could be written as CaL2H2O (L=ligand). The SEM micrographs of these complexes show plate-like structures. XRD patterns are characteristic of layered structures. These facts suggest that calcium complexes are composed of alternating bimolecular layers of calcium alkylphosphonocarboxylates or calcium alkylphosphonates, the chains being tilted and partially interdigitated.     

Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of E-α,β-Uksaturated Nitriles from Diphenyl Cyanomethyl Phcsphine Oxide.

The Wittig-Horner reaction from diethyl cyanomethyl phosphonate 1a and aldehydes is seldom highly stereoselective¹. The use of diiscpropyl cyanomethyl phosphonate 1b has been recently proposed to improve the stereoselectivity of the reaction towards the E-α, β- unsatured nitriles 2E².