Synthesis of poly(propylene imine) dendrimers via homogeneous reduction process using lithium aluminium hydride: Bioconjugation with folic acid and doxorubicin release kinetics

The heterogeneous reduction process for synthesis of poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimer has been replaced by a novel and homogeneous process. Accordingly, to prepare half generations, acrylonitrile was added to amine groups via Michael addition reaction. Then, nitrile groups were reduced via homogeneous hydrogenation using lithium aluminium hydride to synthesize fifth‐generation PPI dendrimers with ethylenediamine core. Also, peripheral primary amine groups were conjugated with folic acid (FA). Fourier transform infrared and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies and gel permeation chromatograph y were used to prove the synthesis of the various structures. Finally fifth‐generation and FA‐conjugated fifth‐generation PPI dendrimers were loaded with doxorubicin and exposed to environments with different pH values to examine the release properties of the structures. Also, drug release kinetics was investigated by fitting experimental data with various release models. The synthesized dendritic structures showed Higuchi model release behaviour due to better solubility of drug in release media with respect to dendrimer cavities.     

The influence of densely organized maltose shells on the biological properties of poly(propylene imine) dendrimers: new effects dependent on hydrogen bonding

Maltose-modified poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimers were synthesized by reductive amination of unmodified second- to fifth-generation PPI dendrimers in the presence of excess maltose. The dendrimers were characterized by using (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and IR spectroscopies; laser-induced liquid beam ionization/desorption mass spectrometry; dynamic light scattering analyses; and polyelectrolyte titration. Their scaffolds have enhanced molecular rigidity and their outer spheres, at which two maltose units are bonded to the former primary amino groups on the surface, have hydrogen-bond-forming properties. Furthermore, the structural features reveal the presence of a dense shell. Experiments involving encapsulation (1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid) and biological properties (hemolysis and interactions with human serum albumin (HSA) and prion peptide 185-208) were performed to compare the modified with the unmodified dendrimers. These experiments gave the following results: 1) The modified dendrimers entrapped a low-molecular-weight fluorescent dye by means of a dendritic box effect, in contrast to the interfacial uptake characteristic of the unmodified PPI dendrimers. 2) Both low- and high-generation dendrimers containing maltose units showed markedly reduced toxicity. 3) The desirable features of bio-interactions depended on the generation of the dendrimer; they were retained after maltose substitution, but were now mainly governed by nonspecific hydrogen-bonding interactions involving the maltose units. The modified dendrimers interacted with HSA as strongly as the parent compounds and appeared to have potential use as antiprion agents. These improvements will initiate the development of the next platform of glycodendrimers in which apparently contrary properties can be combined, and this will enable, for example, therapeutic products such as more efficient and less toxic antiamyloid agents to be synthesized.     

On distance dependent entropy measures of poly propylene imine and zinc porphyrin dendrimers

A key paradigm in contemporary research is the use of graphs to represent physical systems, molecular structures, or particularly metal frameworks. Graphs are increasingly widely used in a variety of fields, including the study of quantum and molecular systems, macromolecules and their interactions, socioeconomic and ecological systems, and technical and infra-structural systems. Understanding how these systems function, are robust, and are stable begins with structural characterization. The use of entropies and entropy-like measurements of graphs/structures of molecules/networks is crucial from both a mathematical and physical standpoint. Several entropy measures of graphs have been defined and studied extensively during the last few decades. The current paper is devoted to investigation of distance dependent entropy measures of Poly Propylene Imine (PPI) dendrimers and Zinc Porphyrin dendrimers. The analytical formulae of distance dependent entropy measures have been developed and their patterns have been presented through graphical tools.     

Metallodendrimers: homo- and heterogeneous tier construction by bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridinyl)Ru(II) complex connectivity

A convenient combinatorial-style route for the incorporation of multiple, differing functional groups, in a controllable ratio, onto a dendritic poly(propylene imine) scaffolding is described. Attachment of the functionality is accomplished by the connective formation of bis(2,2′:6′,2-terpyridine)Ru(II) complexes via reaction of a terpyridine-modified dendritic surface with 1→3 branched monomers each possessing a focal terpyridine moiety. This synthetic approach produces a heterogeneous surface coating that is compared and contrasted to that of analogous homogeneous surfaced constructs. UV-vis absorption and TGA data for the metallodendrimers are also reported.     

Synthesis of on resin poly(propylene imine) dendrimer and its use as organocatalyst

Solid phase synthesis of poly(propylene imine) dendrimer is described. An iterative synthesis including double Michael addition of acrylonitrile to the primary amino groups on crosslinked polystyrene support followed by reduction of nitrile groups to amino groups give poly(propylene imine) dendrimers up to third generation attached to the polystyrene support. The supported dendrimer is used as an organocatalyst to Knoevenagel condensations. The supported catalyst showed good selectivity and the product was obtained in excellent yield under green reaction conditions. Densely packed amino groups enhance catalysis by a co-operative effect. The catalyst is recoverable and reusable.     

Transition metal compatibilization of poly(vinylamine) and poly(ethylene imine)

Poly(vinylamine), PVA, complexes with cobalt chloride hexahydrate exhibit a 45 °C enhancement in the glass‐transition temperature per mol % of the d‐block metal cation. Poly(ethylene imine), PEI, complexes with CoCl₂(H₂O)₆ exhibit a 20 °C enhancement in T_g per mol % Co²⁺. Since the basicities of primary and secondary amines are comparable (i.e., pK_b,PVA ≈ 3.34 vs. pK_b,PEI ≈ 3.27) and the rates at which each polymeric ligand displaces waters of hydration in the coordination sphere of Co²⁺ are similar, transition metal compatibilization is operative in blends of both polymers with CoCl₂(H₂O)₆. These two polymers are immiscible in the absence of the inorganic component. Infrared spectroscopy suggests that nitrogen lone pairs in PVA and PEI coordinate to Co²⁺. The stress–strain response of a 75/25 blend of PVA and PEI with 2 mol % Co²⁺ reveals a decrease in elastic modulus from 4.4 × 10⁹ N/m² to 5.7 × 10⁷ N/m², a decrease in fracture stress from 3.7 × 10⁷ N/m² to 2.0 × 10⁶ N/m², and an increase in ultimate strain from 1.3 to 12% relative to the 75/25 immiscible polymer–polymer blend. A plausible explanation for this effect is based on the fact that cobalt chloride hexahydrate compatibilizes both polymers by forming a coordination bridge between nitrogen lone pairs in dissimilar chains. Hence, poly(ethylene imine), which is very weak with a T_g near −40 °C, is integrated into a homogeneous structure with poly(vinylamine) and the mechanical properties of the individual polymers are averaged in the compatibilized ternary complex. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 552–561, 2000     

Preparation,characterization and catalytic application of PdPt bimetallic nanoparticles stabilized by 15‐membered triolefinic macrocycle‐terminated poly(propylene imine) dendrimer

PdPt bimetallic nanoparticles stabilized by 15‐membered triolefinic macrocycle‐stabilized poly(propylene imine) dendrimer (G3‐M(Pd_x Pt_10−x ) DSNs) have been prepared via synthesis of a 15‐membered triolefinic macrocycle‐modified third‐generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimer (G3‐M) and then synchronous ligand exchange with Pd(PPh₃)₄/Pt(PPh₃)₄ complexes. The structure and catalytic activity of the DSNs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray and X‐ray photoelectron analyses. As a novel catalyst system, it can be concluded that the composition of the bimetallic nanoparticles has an influence on the catalytic activity of the hydrogenation reaction of acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber, which can be related to synergistic effect. Furthermore, the selectivity and recyclability of G3‐M(Pd_x Pt_10−x ) DSN catalyst are also discussed.     

Poly(propylene imine) dendrimers as hydrogen donor in Type II photoinitiated free radical polymerization

Three generations of poly(propylene imine) dendrimers, namely (PPI-16, PPI-32 and PPI-64; 16, 32 and 64 for generations 3, 4 and 5, respectively) were used as hydrogen donors in photoinitiated free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate by using one of the following photosensitizers; benzophenone and thioxanthone. The effect of generation number of the dendrimer on photoinitiation efficiency and molecular weight of the resulting polymers was investigated. Glass transition temperatures and particle size measurements of the resulting polymers indicated the presence of nearly stretched polymer chains around the dendrimers. The location of hydrogen donating sites was evaluated by photolysis studies in the absence of monomer by using a stable radical namely, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl free radical (TEMPO) and showed that hydrogen abstraction occurs from the inner tertiary amino groups. The TEMPO attached dendrimers were further used in the nitroxide mediated radical polymerization (NMP) of styrene to yield star polymers.     

Ionic conductivity and compatibility studies of blends of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(propylene glycol) complexed with LICF3SO3

Stable to atmospheric moisture, adhesive and transparent polymer electrolytes have been prepared by blending poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with poly(propylene glycol)-425/LiCF₃SO₃ complexes. The blending of the polymers has been achieved by a method developed in our laboratory: free radical polymerization of methylmethacrylate in the polyether/salt matrix. A series of polymer blend complexes varying in PMMA content (up to 20% by weight) and oxygen/metal ratios (25, 16, and 8) have been synthesized and their properties studied. All the samples prepared in this study were found to be optically clear unlike the higher molecular weight poly(propylene glycol)-2000 (PPG-2000) system which required a minimum salt concentration to compatibilize a specific amount of PMMA with PPG. The mechanisms by which the salt holds the otherwise incompatible polymers together in a single phase have been investigated by FT-IR. Our studies show a weak coupling of the ether oxygens in the PPG with the ester groups of the PMMA through the lithium cations. Discrete changes has been observed in the FT-IR spectrum of PMMA when doped with the lithium salt hitherto unnoticed with other dopants. Gel permeation chromatography results of the PMMA samples isolated from the solid electrolytes indicate the molecular weight to vary between 43000 and 121000 with relatively narrow distributions, 1.6?2.0. The ionic conductivities of the polymer blend electrolytes were fairly high (10^?5 S/cm) at room temperature. The PMMA neither significantly influenced the T_g of the blend complexes nor effected the ionic conductivities drastically. The ionic conductivity as a function of temperature followed the empirical Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher equation. The blending of PMMA with PPG/LiCF₃SO₃ complexes was found to impart good adhesiveness to the solid electrolytes while making them stable to atmospheric moisture. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Neopenthyl glycol containing poly(propylene terephthalate)s: structure–properties relationships

Poly(propylene/neopenthyl terephthalate) random copolymers (PPT‐PNT) and poly(neopenthyl terephthalate) (PNT) were synthesized and subjected to molecular characterization. Afterwards, the polyesters were examined by TGA, DSC, andX‐ray. The copolymers, which displayed a good thermal stability, at room temperature appeared as semicrystalline materials: the main effect of copolymerization was a lowering in the amount of crystallinity and a decrease of the melting temperature with respect to homopolymer PPT. XRD measurements allowed the identification of the PPT crystalline structure in all cases. Amorphous samples were obtained after melt quenching, with the exception of PPT‐PNT5, and an increment of T_g as the content of NT units is increased was observed due to the effect of the side methylene groups in the polymeric chain. The Wood equation described well T_g‐composition data. Lastly, the presence of a rigid‐amorphous phase was evidenced in the copolymers, whose amount depended on composition and on thermal treatment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 170–181, 2008     

聚碳酸丙烯酯中碳酸丙烯酯含量的测定

建立了气相色谱分析聚碳酸丙烯酯中碳酸丙烯酯含量的方法,该方法操作简单,准确度高,可满足工业检测需求.     

Antibacterial poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) fibrous membranes containing quaternary ammonium salts

In this study, antimicrobial membranes based on biodegradable material poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB‐4HB)] and quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) by two methods have been performed. Three QASs with varied alkyl chain lengths have been synthesized successfully and characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared. The synthesized QASs were blended with P(3HB‐4HB) and electrospun into composite fibrous membranes or casted into conventional membranes. Electrospun fibrous membranes with large surface areas are a superior type of antimicrobial biomaterials, and they exhibit preferable properties than solution casting membranes. Specifically, electrospun fibrous membranes are tougher and can inactivate both Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram‐negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a contact time of 30 min, whereas the solution casting membranes cannot. The length of alkyl chain in the quaternary ammonium groups on the modified P(3HB‐4HB) membranes is able to influence the antimicrobial activity. This type of antimicrobial material may have potential applications in biomaterial field. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of spherical and hemispherical sugar‐containing poly(ornithine) dendrimers

A novel sugar‐containing poly(ornithine) dendrimer is synthesized for possible antigen delivery and related applications. The dendrimer contains an ornithine dendron as interior scaffolding and oligosaccharides on the periphery, which provide an attachment site for a peptide antigen. Maltose or lactose is bound to both hemispherical and spherical poly(ornithine) dendrimer generation 3 (G3) by reductive amination between its reducing end and the peripheral amino group of the dendrimer using a borane‐pyridine complex in a buffer solution at 50 °C. The degree of substitution of sugar is changed by varying the molar ratio of sugar to dendrimer. When the surface of spherical poly(ornithine) dendrimer G3 is modified by binding β‐alanine to the 16 amino groups, highly substituted maltose‐ or lactose‐β‐alanine‐poly(ornithine) dendrimer G3 is obtained in high yield after 7 days of reaction. The structures of these sugar‐containing dendrimers are characterized by NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analyses. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1400–1414, 2004     

Tripolyphosphate-sensitive egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes incorporating hydrophobically modified poly(ethylene imine)

Liposomes, which release their contents in answer to tripolyphosphate (TPP, a penta-anion), were prepared by immobilizing hydrophobically modified poly(ethylene imine) (HmPEI) on the surface of egg phosphatidylcholine (egg PC) liposome. HmPEI was prepared by covalently attaching decanoyl chloride to PEI through a condensation reaction. According to the ¹H NMR spectrum, the number of decanoyl chloride per one molecule of PEI was about 21, and HmPEI was air/water interface-active. HmPEI could readily complex with TPP in HEPES buffer (30 mM, pH 7.0), confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared spectrophotometer spectroscopy. The complexation increased with increasing the concentration of HmPEI and TPP, investigated through the measurement of optical density and light scattering intensity. Liposomes incorporating HmPEI were prepared by a film hydration and sonication method. The liposomes were multi-lamellar vesicles, observed on transmission electron microscope. Liposomes free of HmPEI did not release calcien when they were mixed with TPP. Liposomes whose egg PC/HmPEI was relatively low (e.g., 20:1 and 20:2) released calcein but not extensively (less than 10%) when mixed with TPP. Liposomes whose egg PC/HmPEI was relatively high (e.g., 20:4 and 20:20) released calcein extensively. For example, when the liposomes with lager amount of HmPEI were mixed with TPP so that HmPEI/TPP weight ratio was 8:1, the release degree in 60 sec was more than 70%. HmPEI can complex with TPP through electrostatic interaction and the complexation was thought to cause perturbation in the liposomal membranes and trigger the release.     

The degree of crystallinity of monoclinic isotactic poly(propylene)

The degree of crystallinity of a set of monoclinic (alpha) isotactic poly(propylenes), prepared by a metallocene‐type catalyst, were determined at room temperature. Three different methods were used: density, enthalpy of fusion, and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, and the results compared. The relation between the heat of fusion and the specific volume of these poly(propylenes) was found to be nonlinear, thus precluding any linear extrapolation to obtain the heat of fusion of the pure crystal (ΔH_u). The value of ΔH_u obtained from depression of the melting temperature by diluents is used. Based on the unit cell density of monoclinic crystals formed from a low defected fraction, the density obtained crystallinity levels were found to be between 0.l5–0.25 higher than those calculated from the heat of fusion. This relatively large difference holds for the isothermally crystallized and quenched isotactic poly(propylenes), and reflects the contribution of the interphase to the density determined crystallinity, which does not contribute to the heat of fusion. Paralleling results found in other systems, the crystallinity levels obtained from wide‐angle X‐ray scattering agree with those obtained from density, indicating a significant contribution of the partially ordered phase to the total diffraction. Emphasis is given on the need to account for the large differences in the crystallinities of poly(propylene) measured by different techniques when evaluating the dependence of properties on this quantity. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 323–334, 1999     

Isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(propylene terephthalate)

The kinetics of crystallization of poly(propylene terephthalate) (PPT) samples of different molecular weights were studied under both isothermal and nonisothermal conditions. The Avrami and Lauritzen–Hoffmann treatments were applied to evaluate kinetic parameters of PPT isothermal crystallization. It was found that crystallization is faster for low‐molecular‐weight samples. The modified Avrami equation, and the combined Avrami–Ozawa method were found to successfully describe the nonisothermal crystallization process. Also, the analysis of Lauritzen–Hoffmmann was tested and it resulted in values close to those obtained with isothermal crystallization data. The nonisothermal kinetic data were corrected for the effect of the temperature lag and shifted alone with the isothermal kinetic data to obtain a single master curve, according to the method of Chan and Isayev, testifying to the consistency between the isothermal and corrected nonisothermal data. A new method for ranking of polymers, referring to the crystallization rates, was also introduced. This involved a new index that combines the maximum crystallization rate observed during cooling with the average crystallization rates over the temperature range of the crystallization peak. Furthermore, the effective energy barrier of the dynamic process was evaluated with the isoconversional methods of Flynn and Friedmann. It was found that the energy barrier is lower for the low‐molecular‐weight PPT. The effect of the catalyst remnants on the crystallization kinetics was also investigated and it was found that this is significant only for low‐molecular‐weight samples. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3775–3796, 2004     

Synthesis and non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate)‐co‐poly(propylene glycol) copolymers

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)‐co‐poly(propylene glycol) (PET‐co‐PPG) copolymers with PPG ratio ranging from 0 to 0.90 mol% were synthesized by the melt copolycondensation. The intrinsic viscosity, structure, non‐isothermal crystallization behavior, nucleation and spherulitic growth of the copolymers were investigated by Ubbelohde viscometer, Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H‐NMR), differential scanning calorimetry, and polarized optical microscopy, respectively. The non‐isothermal crystallization process of the copolymers was analyzed by Avrami, Ozawa, Mo's, Kissinger, and Dobreva methods, respectively. The results showed that the crystallizability of PET was apparently enhanced with incorporating a small amount of PPG, which first rose and then reduced with increasing amount of PPG in the copolymers at a given cooling rate. The crystallization mechanism was a three‐dimensional growth with both instantaneous and sporadic nucleation. Particularly, PET‐co‐PPG containing 0.60 mol% PPG exhibited the highest crystallizability among all the copolymers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

共混方法对聚氯乙烯/聚丙撑碳酸酯相容性影响

本文分别用溶液法和熔融法制得聚氯乙烯（PVC）与聚丙撑碳酸酯（PPC）共混试样，用DSC证明PVC／PPC共混物不相容，但它们不相容的程度受分子量、共混比例等因素的影响，并根据玻璃化转变温度（Tg）计算出溶液共混试样PPC富相中PVC的重量百分含量。NBR／PPC弹性体作偶联剂对PVC／PPC共混体系具有较好的增容作用，共混物中PPC的用量及分子量对共混体系性能有一定的影响。     

Thermosensitive behavior of amphiphilic triblock copolymers based on poly(acrylic acid) and poly(propylene oxide)

Self‐association in aqueous solution of amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid)‐b‐poly(propylene oxide)‐b‐poly(acrylic acid) (PAA‐b‐PPO‐b‐PAA) copolymers having various outer PAA block lengths are presented. These copolymers show two thermosensitive behaviors. The first one, due to hydrogen bonds between PAA and PPO resulting in large aggregates, was observed by visible spectroscopy. The second one, due to the association of PPO middle block into aggregates, was evidenced by dynamic light scattering and pyrene fluorescence. These critical temperatures both depend on the ionization and the length of PAA blocks. The characterization of the aggregates above the critical aggregation concentration by fluorescence quenching experiments showed a very low aggregation number corresponding to dimers or trimers association depending on the conditions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1507–1514