New approaches to stimuli-responsive polymeric micelles and hollow spheres

This article briefly describes some new approaches to stimuli-sensitive polymeric micelles and hollow spheres, which were developed in the authors’ laboratory in recent years. (1) Self-assembly of component polymers to non-covalently connected micelles (NCCM) driven by specific interactions. For example, in water, PCL and PAA formed core-shell nanospheres due to interpolymer hydrogen bonding. After crosslinking the PAA shell and removing the PCL core, “nanocages” made of PAA network were obtained. This hollow structure shows perfect reversible size-pH dependence. (2) Simultaneous in-situ polymerization of monomers and self-assembly of the polymers. In this approach, PNIPAM network was formed by radical polymerization covering PCL particles. Hollow spheres of PNIPAM network were then obtained by biodegradation of the PCL core. Both the core-shell spheres and hollow spheres show reversible size dependence on temperature change because of the phase transition of PNIPAM around 32°C. (3) Complexation-induced micellization and transition between the micelles and hollow spheres. Graft copolymers of hydroxylethyl cellulose (HEC) and PAA were prepared by free radical polymerization. The copolymers showed pH dependent micellization, i.e., micelles formed when pH of the graft copolymer solution decreased to around 3. The micellar structure could be locked by crosslinking the PAA grafts. The resultant cross-linked micelles undergo pH-dependent transition between the micelles and hollow spheres, which accompanies a remarkable particle size change. Both the micellization and the structure transition were found to be reversible and associated with H-bonding complexation between the main chain and grafts. __________ Translated from Acta Polymerica Sinica, 2005, 650(5) (in Chinese)     

Building block approach to nanostructures: step-by-step assembly of large lanthanide-containing polytungstoarsenate aggregates

Three large cerium-containing polytungstoarsenate aggregates have been synthesized via a step-by-step assembly process. Reaction of Na(9)[AsW(9)O(33)] precursors, ceric sulfate and potassium citrate in an acidic aqueous solution at pH = 3 led to the isolation of a new dimeric sandwich-type compound K(9)Na(7)[{Ce(2)O(H(2)O)(5)}{WO(H(2)O)}{AsW(9)O(33)}(2)](2). approximately 48H(2)O. The presence of the citrate anion prevents precipitation of simple lanthanide salts with polyoxometalates. The reaction of compound with alpha-alanine at pH = 2 resulted in the formation of a new alanine-decorated cryptand compound K(2)Na(10)[Ce(4)As(4)W(44)O(151)(ala)(4)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(10)]. approximately 40H(2)O. The reaction between compound and MnCl(2) at pH = 5 yielded the other inorganic cryptate Mn(0.5)K(5)Na(18)[Ce(4)As(4)W(41)O(149)]. approximately 50H(2)O. All compounds are characterized by elemental analyses, TG analyses, IR, UV-Vis absorption spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), single crystal X-ray diffraction and electrochemical analyses. The crystal data for these compounds: , triclinic, P1[combining macron], a = 12.314(3) A, b = 17.953(4) A, c = 22.355(5) A, alpha = 90.18(3) degrees , beta = 101.97(3) degrees, gamma = 91.08(3) degrees , Z = 1; monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 23.4483(15) A, b = 21.8764(13) A, c = 23.6930(14) A, beta = 111.0560 degrees , Z = 2; , triclinic, P1[combining macron], a = 20.636(4) A, b = 23.000(4) A, c = 25.039(4) A, alpha = 81.991(3) degrees , beta = 73.333(3) degrees, gamma = 74.835(3) degrees, Z = 2. Electrochemical analyses of compounds suggest that tetravalent cerium ion can be stabilized by the polyanions with high negative charges.     

Effect of Confinement on the Properties of Sequestered Mixed Polar Solvents: Enzymatic Catalysis in Nonaqueous 1,4‐Bis‐2‐ethylhexylsulfosuccinate Reverse Micelles

The influence of different glycerol, N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and water mixtures encapsulated in 1,4‐bis‐2‐ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT)/n‐heptane reverse micelles (RMs) on the enzymatic hydrolysis of 2‐naphthyl acetate by α‐chymotrypsin is demonstrated. In the case of the mixtures with DMF and protic solvents it has been previously shown, using absorption, emission and dynamic light‐scattering techniques, that solvents are segregated inside the polar core of the RMs. Protic solvents anchor to the AOT, whereas DMF locates to the polar core of the aggregate. Thus, DMF not only helps to solubilize the hydrophobic substrate, increasing its effective concentrations but surprisingly, it does not affect the enzyme activity. The importance of ensuring the presence of RMs, encapsulation of the polar solvents and the corrections by substrate partitioning in order to obtain reliable conclusions is highlighted. Moreover, the effect of a constrained environment on solvent–solvent interactions in homogenous media and its impact on the use of RMs as nanoreactors is stressed.     

Amplification of chirality in dynamic supramolecular aggregates

The quest to understand the origin of chirality in biological systems has evoked an intense search for nonlinear effects in catalysis and pathways to amplify slight enantiomeric excesses in racemates to give optically pure molecules. The amplification of chirality in polymeric systems as a result of cooperative processes has been intensely investigated. Ten years ago, this effect was shown for the first time in noncovalent dynamic supramolecular systems. Since then, it has become clear that a subtle interplay of noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen-bonding, pi-pi stacking, and hydrophobic interactions is also sufficient to observe amplification of chirality in small molecules. Here we summarize the results obtained over the past decade and the general guidelines we can deduce from them. Predicting amplification of chirality is still impossible, but it appears to be a balance between different types of interactions, the formation of an intrinsically chiral object, and cooperative aggregation processes.     

Stearic Acid and Glyceryl Monostearate Based Self-Assembled Vesicles: Preparation and In vitro Evaluation

The objective of the present investigation was to study the spontaneous self-assembling behavior of stearic acid in the presence of its monoglyceride and to evaluate its potential to be used as drug delivery vehicle. The interesting feature of this system lies in spontaneous formation of vesicles on hydration of molten mixture of stearic acid (SA) and glyceryl monostearate (GMS) without using any solvent. The 1H NMR spectrum of a sample was devoid of signals from fatty acid side chain protons, suggesting that upon interaction between SA and GMS, it adopts an orientation in which fatty acid side chains exists in hydrophobic domains separated from hydrophilic headgroup. A single endothermic event of optimized formulation was obtained as the inflection point of the jump heat capacity at 57°C. To evaluate its feasibility to be used as drug delivery vehicle, ciprofloxacin HCl (CFn) was chosen as a model drug. The entrapment efficiency of CFn was found to be 13 ± 3% and 32 ± 4.2% when the formulation was prepared at pH 5.5 and 9.5, respectively. When viewed through polarizing filter, discernible Maltese cross was observed describing bilayer structure. The viscosity profile demonstrates that the both of the formulation follow Newtonian flow. The size of the vesicles was found to be in the range of 1–3 µm. In a 24 hours study period the VES-1c and VES-2c formulation released 95.8% and 82.3% of the drug, respectively. The formulation was found to be resistant towards osmotic stress. These formulations were found to be biocompatible when studied against J774 macrophages.     

Nanometer‐Scaled Hollow Spherical Micelles with Hydrophilic Channels and the Controlled Release of Ibuprofen

PS‐b‐PAA spherical micelles with a liquid core and a PAA shell are prepared with the assistance of 1,2‐dichloroethane. During the process of adding a mixture of PNIPAM‐b‐P4VP and PEG‐b‐P4VP, multi‐layered micelles with a mixed corona that consists of both PNIPAM and PEG chains are constructed through the electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding between the PAA block and the P4VP block. When heating above the LCST, the PNIPAM chains collapse onto the PAA/P4VP complex layer while the PEG chains still stretch into the solution through the collapsed PNIPAM layer, which leads to the formation of hydrophilic channels around the PEG chains. The ibuprofen encapsulated in the hollow space can diffuse through the channels and its release rate can be controlled by changing the ratio of PEG chains to PNIPAM chains in the corona.

     

Composite Worm‐Like Aggregates Formed from a Pair of Block‐Copolymers Containing Hydrogen‐Bonding Donor and Acceptor

Worm‐like aggregates with a PAA/P4VP complex core and a PEG/PNIPAM mixed shell were prepared in ethanol by the comicellization of poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) (PEG‐b‐PAA) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PNIPAM‐b‐P4VP) through hydrogen‐bonding. The formed aggregates were studied by dynamic light scattering, static light scattering, ¹H NMR, and transmission electron microscopy. The length of worm‐like aggregates could be adjusted by changing the weight ratio of W(PNIPAM‐b‐P4VP)/W(PEG‐b‐PAA). When the ratio changed from 20 to 150%, the length changed from about 100 nm to several microns, and the diameter stayed almost unchanged at about 15 nm.

     

Functional Systems Derived from Nucleobase Self-assembly

Dynamic and reversible non-covalent interactions endow synthetic systems and materials with smart adaptive functions that allow them to response to diverse stimuli, interact with external agents, or repair structural defects. Inspired by the outstanding performance and selectivity of DNA in living systems, scientists are increasingly employing Watson−Crick nucleobase pairing to control the structure and properties of self-assembled materials. Two sets of complementary purine-pyrimidine pairs (guanine:cytosine and adenine:thymine(uracil)) are available that provide selective and directional H-bonding interactions, present multiple metal-coordination sites, and exhibit rich redox chemistry. In this review, we highlight several recent examples that profit from these features and employ nucleobase interactions in functional systems and materials, covering the fields of energy/electron transfer, charge transport, adaptive nanoparticles, porous materials, macromolecule self-assembly, or polymeric materials with adhesive or self-healing ability.     

Rotaxanes and Catenanes Derived from Tetra-Urea Calix[4]arenes

Summary: Calix[4]arenes, substituted by four urea groups at their wide rim, form dimeric capsules in apolar solvents, which are held together by a seam of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The heterodimerisation of tetra-aryl and tetratosyl ureas was used to synthesize various derivatives, in which adjacent urea residues are connected to form two, three or four loops. The aliphatic connections were tied by olefin metathesis between adjacent alkenyl residues followed by hydrogenation. Heterodimers of tetra-alkenyl substituted tetra-ureas and bis- or tetraloop derivatives were converted analogously to multiple catenanes. Tetra[2]rotaxanes were obtained in a similar manner. In addition to the spectroscopic evidence (NMR, MS) several compounds were confirmed by crystal structures.     

Reconstruction of Block Copolymer Micelles to Long‐Range Ordered Dense Nanopatterns Via Light‐Tunable Hydrogen‐Bonding Association

Controlling the orientation and long‐range order of nanostructures is a key issue in the self‐assembly of block copolymer micelles. Herein, a versatile strategy is presented to transform one‐component oxime‐based block copolymer micelles into long‐range ordered dense nanopatterns. Photoisomerization provides a straightforward and versatile approach to convert the hydrogen‐bonding association from inward dimerization (E‐type oxime motifs, slightly desolvated in ethyl acetate) into outward interchain association (Z‐type ones, highly desolvated in ethyl acetate). This increases the glass transition temperature in bulk and converts swollen micelles into compact spherical micelles in solution. The reconstruction of these micelles on various substrates demonstrates that the phase transformation enables reconstruction of spherical micelles into mesoscopic sheets, nanorods, nanoworms, nanowires, networks, and eventually into long‐range ordered and densely packed textile‐like and lamellar nanopatterns on a macroscopic scale by adjusting E/Z‐oxime ratio and solvent‐evaporation rate.

     

交联度对原位聚合法制备聚合物胶束性质的影响及相应的空心球制备

用原位聚合法成功地制备出不同响应温度的温敏性聚乳酸/聚(异丙基丙烯酰胺-co-丙烯酰胺)[P(D,L-LA)/P(NIPAM-co-AM)]核壳胶束. 实验中发现, 壳层的交联剂含量对粒子的尺寸有很大的影响, 当交联剂的摩尔分数从5%提高到15%时, 粒子在25 ℃时的流体力学直径从170.2 nm增加到886.5 nm. 通过对胶束粒子的核进行生物降解, 方便地得到了相应的空心球. 用FTIR监测核的降解过程, 用SEM和AFM检测核降解完全后粒子的外在形貌和内在结构变化. DLS结果表明, 空心球粒子同样具有良好的温度响应性, 其响应温度可通过改变原位聚合时单体AM的含量加以调节.     

Molecular and supramolecular ionic aggregates HxOyz in organic and organometallic crystalline hydrates

Ionic aggregates of the form H_xO_y^z (z≠ 0) have been characterized during an analysis of 245 crystal structures extracted from the Cambridge Structural Database [Allen (2002). Acta Cryst. B 58 , 380–388]. A systematic nomenclature is proposed for these species. Three modes of hydrogen bonding are described, characterized in part by the distance between contiguous O atoms: normal (NHB; O...O = 2.6–3.0 Å), charge assisted (CAHB; O...O = 2.5 Å) and molecular (MHB; O...O = 2.4 Å). The three modes are consistent with previous reports, our experimental results, and quantum‐chemical‐optimized geometries and energetics. No evidence is presented concerning the possible existence or stability of these aggregates in solution. Rather, emphasis is placed on the necessity in crystal structure analysis to develop thoroughly existing hydrogen‐bonded networks, ignorance of which can lead to erroneous crystal structure models and other physico‐chemical data associated with composition and charge balance.     

Anion Templated Supramolecular Structures Assembled using 1,2,3-Triazole and Triazolium motifs

The use of 1,2,3-triazole and triazolium motifs to construct anion templated supramolecular structures has grown rapidly over the past decade and has enabled a range of complex structures to be synthesised. In this Minireview we highlight the significant advances that have been made in areas such as foldamers, polymers and interlocked systems.     

Preparation of conjugated polymeric columns with a hexagonal symmetry from star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals

New conjugated polymeric columns with a hexagonal symmetry were prepared via topochemical polymerisation of star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals formed by hydrogen bonding between a phloroglucinol core and pyridine derivatives containing a diacetylenic group in the alkyl chain. The mesomorphic properties of the supramolecular monomer and its photopolymerisation behaviour were investigated. The supramolecular liquid crystal exhibited a rectangular columnar mesophase. Photopolymerisation of supramolecular monomer along the column axis in the liquid crystalline state provided well-ordered conjugated polydiacetylenic columns with a two-dimensional hexagonal symmetry. Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy affirmed that conjugated polydiacetylenes were produced by 1,4-polymerisation of the supramolecular monomer along the column axis. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that a two-dimensional columnar order in the supramolecular monomer was maintained after photopolymerisation, and that the resulting polydiacetylene had a hexagonal array of conjugated columns. Our controlled methodology provides a new route to conjugated polymeric columns with highly ordered structures by self-assembly and polymerisation of star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals.