The Effect of Water upon Deep Eutectic Solvent Nanostructure: An Unusual Transition from Ionic Mixture to Aqueous Solution

The nanostructure of a series of choline chloride/urea/water deep eutectic solvent mixtures was characterized across a wide hydration range by neutron total scattering and empirical potential structure refinement (EPSR). As the structure is significantly altered, even at low hydration levels, reporting the DES water content is important. However, the DES nanostructure is retained to a remarkably high level of water (ca. 42 wt % H₂O) because of solvophobic sequestration of water into nanostructured domains around cholinium cations. At 51 wt %/83 mol % H₂O, this segregation becomes unfavorable, and the DES structure is disrupted; instead, water–water and DES–water interactions dominate. At and above this hydration level, the DES–water mixture is best described as an aqueous solution of DES components.     

Isolation of Ferulic Acid from Wheat Bran with a Deep Eutectic Solvent and Modified Silica Gel

Five deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were synthesized with choline chloride and glycerol at ratios from 1:1 to 1:5 and used to extract ferulic acid from wheat bran. The DES with choline chloride:glycerol at a 1:2 molar ratio (DES-2) provided the highest extraction yield. The optimal extraction conditions for DES-2 were obtained using response surface methodology with a yield of 5.86?mg?·?g^?1 ferulic acid. The DES-2 was used to modify silica gel and purify ferulic acid from wheat bran by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The yields were compared for silica gel and silica gel modified with ionic liquid. The recoveries for ferulic acid were 64.1, 89.7, and 80.3%, respectively. Silica gel modified with DES-2 provided the highest recovery. The materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The DESs were used as extraction solvents and to modify silica gel for SPE, expanding their use in the isolation of ferulic acid from wheat bran.     

AOT water-in-oil microemulsions as a penetration enhancer in transdermal drug delivery of 5-fluorouracil

In vitro transdermal permeation of 5-fluorouracil (antineoplastic), a hydrophilic drug encapsulated in AOT/water/isopropylmyristate water-in-oil microemulsions (MEs), were studied using a modified Keshary and Chien diffusion cell. AOT (aerosol-OT or sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) is an anionic surfactant, which forms 'water-in-oil' ME in non-aqueous medium. The effect of water and AOT concentrations in MEs to the transdermal permeation of 5-fluorouracil through hairless mouse skin was investigated. MEs with 5:95 weight ratio of AOT:isopropylmyristate, containing 0.9, 1.8, 2.7 and 3.6% w/w of water have showed 1.68-, 2.36-, 3.58- and 3.77-fold increases in the skin flux of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) respectively, compared to the aqueous solution of drug. The MEs with 5:95, 9:91 and 13:87 weight ratio of AOT:isopropyl myristate at fixed water content W0=15 (W0=[H2O]/AOT]) gave 3.58-, 5.04- and 6.3-fold enhancement of drug. In addition, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to examine the effect of ME on lipid alkyl chain, hydration level, and corneocyte cells of the stratum corneum (SC). Results reveal that the ME interacts with a component of the SC and perturbs its architectural structure. The extent of perturbation in the SC depends on the concentration of water and AOT in the ME. Preliminary dermal toxicity studies indicate that the AOT/water/isopropylmyristate ME be safe for the transdermal permeation of 5-FU.     

Regenerated protein fibers. I. Research and development of a novel solvent for silk fibroin

An alcoholic–aqueous solution of LiBr·H₂O is a useful solvent for silk fibroin, if the ratio of alcohol content to water content therein is 1 or more. The mixed solvents consisting of ethanol, water, and LiBr·H₂O showed a higher solubility if they contained a lesser amount of water. They further proved able to easily dissolve more than 20% by weight of silk fibroin. Solvents poorer in water content and richer in LiBr·H₂O showed a higher value of [η]; Huggins' coefficient of said solutions varied within a range 0.5–1.0, the minimum appearing at a water content of about 10% weight. Fibroin molecules remained stable in those solutions. The novel solvents for silk fibroin that have been developed by us are named “MU solvents,” by taking the initials in the names of Matumoto/Uejima. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 1949–1954, 1997     

Penetration of drugs through skin,a complex rate-controlling membrane

Penetration of molecules and particles inside and through skin has long been well documented but it now merits renewed attention as a result of new areas of concern such as transdermal therapies, safety of cosmetic products, penetration of environmental compounds and skin decontamination.The topic is complex as skin structure is heterogeneous and because there are a number of penetration routes through the stratum corneum barrier: the intercellular, intracellular and follicular pathways. Recent advances in the study of penetration mechanisms deal with the control of the intercellular penetration route by the crystalline state of lipids, and the penetration through skin appendages (the follicular pathway) that appears to contribute much more than was previously thought.Applications dependent on skin penetration that have received special attention include transdermal delivery of nano- and microparticles by hair follicles, targeting of the skin immune system in order to develop new vaccination strategies, and problems relating to the risk assessment of nanoparticles and skin decontamination.     

Effect of Bulkiness on Reversible Substitution Reaction at MnII Center with Concomitant Movement of the Lattice DMF: Observation through Single‐Crystal to Single‐Crystal Fashion

The porous coordination polymer ({[Mn(L)H₂O](H₂O)_1.5(dmf)}_n, 1 ) (DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide) exhibits variety of substitution reactions along with movement of lattice DMF molecule depending upon bulkiness of the external guest molecules. If pyridine or 4‐picoline is used as a guest, both lattice and coordinated solvent molecules are simultaneously substituted (complexes 6 and 7 , respectively). If a bulky guest like aniline is used, a partial substitution at the metal centers and full substitution at the channels takes place (complex 8 ). If the guest is 2‐picoline (by varying the position of bulky methyl group with respect to donor N atom), one Mn^II center is substituted by 2‐picoline, whereas the remaining center is substituted by a DMF molecule that migrates from the channel to the metal center (complex 9 ). Here, the lattice solvent molecules are substituted by 2‐picoline molecules. For the case of other bulky guests like benzonitrile or 2,6‐lutidine, both the metal centers are substituted by two DMF molecules, again migrating from the channel, and the lattice solvent molecules are substituted by these guest molecules (complex 10 and 11 , respectively). A preferential substitution of pyridine over benzonitrile (complex 12 ) at the metal centers is observed only when the molar ratio of PhCN:Py is 95:5 or less. For the case of an aliphatic dimethylaminoacetonitrile guest, the metal centers remain unsubstituted (complex 13 ); rather substitutions of the lattice solvents by the guest molecules take place. All these phenomena are observed through single crystal to single crystal (SC–SC) phenomena.     

Bis[diaquabis(2,2‐bipyridine N,N′‐dioxide‐κ2O,O′)cobalt(II)] ξ‐octamolybdate dihydrate

The title organic–inorganic hybrid compound, [Co(C₁₀H₈N₂O₂)₂(H₂O)₂]₂[Mo₈O₂₆]·2H₂O, consists of [Co(bpdo)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ (bpdo is 2,2‐bipyridine N,N′‐dioxide) and ξ‐[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ groups in a 2:1 ratio, plus two water solvent molecules. The independent Co atom in the cation is coordinated by four O atoms from two bpdo ligands and two water molecules, in a distorted octahedral geometry. The counter‐anions, built up around a symmetry center, are linked by solvent water molecules through O—H...O hydrogen bonds to generate two‐dimensional layers, which are in turn linked by coordinated water molecules from the cationic units through further O—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure.     

Penetration Study of Formulated Nanosized Titanium Dioxide in Models of Damaged and Sun‐Irradiated Skins

Inorganic ultraviolet filters such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂), safe to use on healthy skin, are often applied on compromised and irradiated skin. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the cutaneous penetration of TiO₂ nanoparticles (≥ 20 nm primary size), included in a sunscreen, in intact, damaged, irradiated, and damaged/irradiated pigskin. Cutaneous penetration and localization of TiO₂ after a 24‐h sunscreen application were investigated quantitatively using inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry, and qualitatively using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Elemental identity of the nanoparticles was evaluated by TEM‐coupled Energy Dispersive X‐ray analysis (TEM‐EDX). In intact and damaged/irradiated skins, 102.35 ± 4.20% and 102.84 ± 5.67% of the titanium deposited, respectively, were found at the surface and stratum corneum (SC), whereas only 0.19 ± 0.15% and 0.39 ± 0.39% were found in the viable epidermis and dermis and no titanium was detected in the receptor fluid. TEM‐EDX analysis confirmed the presence of titanium in the aggregates formed by TiO₂ at the SC surface, as already characterized in the sunscreen formulation. TiO₂ nanoparticles included in a sunscreen thus remain in the uppermost layers of the SC, whether in intact skin or in compromised and/or skin exposed to simulated solar radiation.     

Poly[[aqua(μ7‐ethylenediaminetetraacetato)dicadmium(II)] monohydrate]

The title compound, {[Cd₂(C₁₀H₁₂N₂O₈)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n, consists of two crystallographically independent Cd^II cations, one ethylenediaminetetraacetate (edta) tetraanion, one coordinated water molecule and one solvent water molecule. The coordination of one of the Cd atoms, Cd1, is composed of five O atoms and two N atoms from two tetraanionic edta ligands in a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry. The other Cd atom, Cd2, is six‐coordinated by five carboxylate O atoms from five edta ligands and one water molecule in a distorted octahedral geometry. Two neighbouring Cd1 atoms are bridged by a pair of carboxylate O atoms to form a centrosymmetric [Cd₂(edta)₂]⁴⁻ unit located on the inversion centre, which is further extended into a two‐dimensional layered structure through Cd2—O bonds. There are hydrogen bonds between the coordinated water molecules and carboxylate O atoms within the layer. The solvent water molecules occupy the space between the layers and interact with the host layers through O—H...O and C—H...O interactions.     

Increasing the efficiency of silicon and aluminum extraction from Volclay by a water iteration treatment for the synthesis of MCM-41 nanomaterials

This work aims to reduce the prices of a wide range of nanomaterials which are unreachable in the industry by using natural sources as silicon and aluminum precursors. In a previous work, silicon and aluminum have been extracted from Volclay after applying the alkaline fusion process at 550 °C, and a water treatment of this fused clay by adopting a weight ratio (1:4, fusion mass:H₂O) to synthesize Al-MCM-41 nanomaterials. In this study, the weight ratio of fusion mass:H₂O was increased to 1:8 to synthesize a highly structurally ordered MCM-41 under the same reaction conditions. The Al-MCM-41 nanomaterials are investigated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements and scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). As a result, the increase in the weight ratio fusion mass:H₂O generates more silica and aluminum, which allows the formation of well-ordered MCM-41 nanomaterials with high pore volume (0.70 cm³/g), high surface area (1044 m²/g), and uniform mesoporous diameter (3.67 nm); as a consequence, the increase in the weight ratio fusion mass:H₂O leads to an increase in the mass of Al-MCM-41 (9.3 g for 1:8 compared to 5 g for 1:4), whereas the yield of production of mesoporous materials increases to 86%.     

2,6‐Diamino‐9H‐purine monohydrate and bis(2,6‐diamino‐9H‐purin‐1‐ium) 2‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)acetate heptahydrate: two simple structures with very complex hydrogen‐bonding schemes

Two structures presenting an uncomplexed 2,6‐diaminopurine (dap) group are reported, namely 2,6‐diamino‐9H‐purine monohydrate, C₅H₆N₆·H₂O, (I), and bis(2,6‐diamino‐9H‐purin‐1‐ium) 2‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)acetate heptahydrate, 2C₅H₇N₆⁺·C₉H₆O₄²⁻·7H₂O, (II). Both structures are rather featureless from a molecular point of view, but present instead an outstanding hydrogen‐bonding scheme. In compound (I), this is achieved through a rather simple independent unit content (one neutral dap and one water molecule) and takes the form of two‐dimensional layers tightly connected by strong hydrogen bonds, and interlinked by much weaker hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions. In compound (II), the fundamental building blocks are more complex, consisting of two independent 2,6‐diamino‐9H‐purin‐1‐ium (Hdap⁺) cations, one homophthalate [2‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)acetate] dianion and seven solvent water molecules. The large number of hydrogen‐bond donors and acceptors produces 26 independent interactions, leading to an extended and complicated network of hydrogen bonds in a packing organization characterized by the stacking of interleaved anionic and cationic planar arrays. These structural characteristics are compared with those of similar compounds in the literature.     

Regenerated protein fibers. II. Viscoelastic behavior of silk fibroin solutions

The dynamic viscoelastic behavior of a concentrated solution of silk fibroin dissolved in the “MU” solvent is measured. The dynamic viscosity η′ and dynamic elasticity G′ increase with increasing concentration of silk fibroin at constant frequency; however, the increasing frequency decreases η′ and G′ at a constant concentration of silk fibroin. When the mixing ratio of C₂H₅OH/H₂O in the “MU” solvent is increased at a constant concentration of LiBr·H₂O, η′ and G′ sharply increase at constant frequency. If the LiBr·H₂O concentration is varied in the “MU” solvents whose ratio of C₂H₅OH/H₂O is kept constant at 100 : 0, both η′ and G′ are greater for LiBr·H₂O concentrations of 50% by weight compared to concentrations of 40% by weight. The dependence of η′ on the temperature of the solution can be predicted by Andrade's viscosity equation. Spinnability improves when the SF concentration is increased. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 1955–1959, 1997     

Vibrational analysis of free and hydrogen bonded complexes of nicotinamide and picolinamide

Harmonic and anharmonic vibrations of free nicotinamide (NIA) and picolinamide (PIA) molecules together with their hydrogen bonded complexes H₂O–NIA and H₂O–PIA have been studied by means of density functional method. The calculation results of the vibrational spectra of free molecules have been investigated and are compared to the available experimental spectra. The vibrational wavenumbers of both molecules have also been calculated by polarizable continuum model (PCM) that represents the solvent as a polarizable continuum and places the solute in a cavity within the solvent (water is chosen as the solvent in this study). The results of PCM calculations and the H₂O–NIA, H₂O–PIA complexes, are used to investigate the H-bonding interactions of both molecules with the water molecule. The harmonic wavenumbers have been scaled by proper factors obtained by comparing the observed versus calculated wavenumbers and it is shown that anharmonic corrections on the vibrational spectra provided a better agreement between the observed and calculated wavenumbers compared to the results obtained by scaling factor method.     

Micellization and morphological characterization of Ag-micelles prepared by poly(vinyl acetate)–silver nitrate in solvent/nonsolvent system

The inducing method for preparing Ag-micelle solution with the use of mixed solvent/nonsolvent, and the morphological characterization of the generated metal–micelles were investigated and reported in this paper. In this method, an Ag containing metal chelate polymer (MCP) raw solution was preprepared by dissolving poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)–silver nitrate (AgNO₃) MCP in conc. formic acid, and a mixed solvent of HCOOH/H₂O with specific water composition was then added to induce the micellization of the MCP chain. The critical water concentration (CWC) that was needed for inducing the formation of the Ag-micelles, and the water concentration at which the flocculation of the Ag-micelles occurred in micellar solution, were studied by measuring the transmittance of the dilute MCP solution; the results showed that a long-lasting MCP solution with stable micelles might be prepared by using a H₂O/HCOOH solvent of specific weight ratio 1:1.2. The effect of the AgNO₃ concentration on the morphology of the Ag-micelles was also investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At AgNO₃ concentration below 0.5 wt%, the Ag-micelles displayed a variety of core-shell structure; but as the AgNO₃ concentration was increased to 1.0–2.0 wt%, micelles that had Ag-solid embedded in the micellar core were observed.     

Tetraaqua(4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine‐κ2N,N′)nickel(II) sulfate monohydrate: a simple molecule with an extremely complex hydrogen‐bonding scheme

The title ionic compound, [Ni(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)(H₂O)₄]SO₄·H₂O, is composed of an Ni^II cation coordinated by a chelating 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine ligand via its two N atoms [mean Ni—N = 2.056 (2) Å] and by four aqua ligands [mean Ni—O = 2.073 (9) Å], the net charge being balanced by an external sulfate anion. The whole structure is stabilized by a solvent water molecule. Even though the individual constituents are rather featureless, they generate an extremely complex supramolecular structure consisting of a central hydrogen‐bonded two‐dimensional hydrophilic nucleus made up of complex cations, sulfate anions and coordinated and solvent water molecules, with pendant hydrophobic 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine ligands which interact laterally with their neighbours viaπ–π interactions. The structure is compared with closely related analogues in the literature.     

Poly[[tetraaqua(μ7‐pyridine‐2,3,5,6‐tetracarboxylato)dicadmium(II)] monohydrate]

The title compound, {[Cd₂(C₉HNO₈)(H₂O)₄]·H₂O}_n, consists of two crystallographically independent Cd^II cations, one tetrabasic pyridine‐2,3,5,6‐tetracarboxylate (pdtc) anion, four coordinated water molecules and one solvent water molecule. The Cd^II cations have distorted square‐antiprismatic (one pyridine N, six carboxylate O and one water O atom) and octahedral (three carboxylate O and three water O atoms) coordination environments. Each pdtc ligand employs its pyridine and carboxylate groups to chelate and bridge seven Cd^II cations. The square‐antiprismatic coordinated Cd^II cations are linked by pdtc ligands into a lamellar framework structure, while the octahedral coordinated Cd^II cations are bridged by the μ₂‐carboxylate O atoms and the pdtc ligands into a chain network that further joins neighbouring lamellae into a three‐dimensional porous network. The cavities are filled with solvent water molecules that are linked to the host through complex hydrogen bonding.     

Effect of temperature and water as additive on the MW and thermal properties of copoly(p-phenylene/biphenylene sulfide)s

Copoly(p-phenylene/biphenylene sulfide)s, PPBS were prepared from sodium sulfide trihydate(Na₂S·3H₂O), p-dichlorobenzene (DCB), and 4,4′-dibromobiphenyl (DBB) comonomers in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) solvent using an autoclave. The molecular weights of PPBS copolymers were determined by high temperature (210°C) GPC in 1-chloronaphthalene solvent. The reaction temperature had little effect on the molecular weights of PPBS copolymers with water as additive at the level of 3 mol H₂O per 1 mol Na₂S. PPBS copolymer, however, showed maximum molecular weight of M_w = 24.1 × 10³ with the total water content of 9 mol H₂O per 1 mol Na₂S at an optimum polymerization temperature of 270°C. The resulting PPBS copolymer sample showed higher T_g (by 30°C) and lower T_m (by 10°C) than PPS homopolymer prepared under similar conditions. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Epilobium angustifolium L. Essential Oil—Biological Activity and Enhancement of the Skin Penetration of Drugs—In Vitro Study

Epilobium angustifolium L. is a popular medicinal plant found in many regions of the world. This plant contains small amounts of essential oil whose composition and properties have not been extensively investigated. There are few reports in the literature on the antioxidant and antifungal properties of this essential oil and the possibility of applying it as a potential promoter of the skin penetration of drugs. The essential oil was obtained by distillation using a Clavenger type apparatus. The chemical composition was analyzed by the GC-MS method. The major active compounds of E. angustifolium L. essential oil (EOEa) were terpenes, including α-caryophyllene oxide, eucalyptol, β-linalool, camphor, (S)-carvone, and β-caryophyllene. The analyzed essential oil was also characterized by antioxidant activity amounting to 78% RSA (Radical Scavenging Activity). Antifungal activity against the strains Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus, A. parasiticum, and Penicillium cyclopium was also determined. The largest inhibition zone was observed for strains from the Aspergillus group. The EOEa enhanced the percutaneous penetration of ibuprofen and lidocaine. After a 24 h test, the content of terpene in the skin and the acceptor fluid was examined. It has been shown that the main compounds contained in the essential oil do not penetrate through the skin, but accumulate in it. Additionally, FTIR-ATR analysis showed a disturbance of the stratum corneum (SC) lipids caused by the essential oil application. Due to its rich composition and high biological activity, EOEa may be a potential candidate to be applied, for example, in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries. Moreover, due to the reaction of the essential oil components with SC lipids, the EOEa could be an effective permeation enhancer of topically applied hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs.     

Study of Complex Formation Between 18-Crown-6 and Pb2+, Tl+ and Cd2+ Cations in Binary Aqueous/Non-aqueous Solvents Using Polarographic Techniques (DPP and SWP)

The complexation of Pb²⁺, Tl⁺ and Cd²⁺ cationsby 18-crown-6 was studied in water/propanol (H₂O/PrOH),water/acetonitrile (H₂O/AN) and water/dimethylformamide(H₂O/DMF) binary systems at 20 °C using squarewave polarography (SWP) and differential pulse polarography (DPP).It was confirmed that the stoichiometry of each of the complexes formed between 18C6 and the respective cations is 1 : 1. The formation constants of the complexes were found to increase with increasing concentration of the non-aqueous solvent. In all cases, a stability order of Pb²⁺ > Tl⁺ > Cd²⁺ was observed. In general,the stabilities of individual complexes were found to decrease as the binary solvent mixture varied from H₂O/AN to H₂O/PrOH to H₂O/DMF.     

Dodecanuclear water cluster in bowl: microwave-assisted synthesis of a heptanuclear cobalt(II) cluster

A heptanuclear double-bowl-like cluster [Co₇(mmp)₆(OH)₆]₂·(ClO₄)₂·12H₂O (1·12H₂O, Hmmp is 2-methoxy-6-methyliminomethyl-phenol) has been synthesized through the microwave-assisted reaction of Co(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde (Hhmb) and methylamine in mixed solvent (acetonitrile : distilled water = 9 : 1) for 29 min. 1·12H₂O was heated until 180 °C and it formed a non-water complex [Co₇(mmp)₆(OH)₆]₂·(ClO₄)₂ (1). The core of 1·12H₂O can be described as a double bowl, while the dodecanuclear water cluster stands on the bowl. Magnetic investigations show that 1·12H₂O and 1 display ferromagnetic interaction between cobalt ions. Moreover, 1 shows single molecular magnet behavior under 2 K. Magnetic studies indicate that hydrogen bond plays a vital role in transferring magnetic exchange effects.