Confined lamella formation in crystalline-crystalline poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ɛ-caprolactone) diblock copolymers

The real time and in situ investigation of the crystallization process and structure transitions of asymmetric crystalline-crystalline diblock copolymers from the melt was performed with synchrotron simultaneous SAXS/WAXS. The asymmetric poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) diblock copolymers were chosen for the present study. It was shown that the short blocks crystallized later than the long blocks and final lamellar structure was formed in all of the asymmetric diblock copolymers. The final lamellar structure was confirmed by AFM observation. The SAXS data were analyzed with different methods for the early stage of the crystallization. The Guinier plots indicated that there were no isolated domains formed before the formation of lamellae in the asymmetric diblock copolymers during the crystallization process. Debye-Bueche plots implied the formation of correlated domains during crystallization.     

Selective assembly of cyclodextrins on poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide) block copolymers

This paper presents a computational study on the formation of a molecular necklace formed by specific threading of cyclodextrins (CDs) on block copolymers. Structural as well as energetic principles for the selective complexation of - and -cyclodextrin with poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide) block copolymers (PEO–PPO) are elucidated considering a diblock copolymer of equimolecular composition (PEO)4–(PPO)4 as guest. A non-statistical distribution of CDs, i.e. -CDs primarily located on the PEO chain and -CDs on PPO blocks of the polymer, is based on a variety of structural features and energetic preferences considering both potential as well as solvation energies. This selectivity becomes already obvious considering 1:1 complexes between PEO and PPO monomers and the two CDs, but is increasingly evident when calculating higher order ensembles. Besides the host–guest interaction, docking between CDs themselves is an important, also non-statistical, prerequisite for the self-assembly of highly ordered tubes. The formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between adjacent CDs in a tubular aggregate gives an important contribution to the overall stability of the molecular necklace. The net effect, based on the preferential interaction between host and guest as well as between the host molecules themselves, results in the formation of a stable, highly ordered macromolecular, multicomponent aggregate.     

Thermal degradation of two classes of block copolymers based on poly(lactic-glycolic acid) and poly(ϵ-caprolactone) or poly(ethylene glycol)

Thermodegradative investigations of two classes of multi-block copolymers containing poly(D,L-lactic-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and either poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or poly(ϵ-caprolactone) diol-terminated (PCDT) segments were performed. In particular, the influence of the type and length of the segments as well as of the molar ratio between the D,L-lactic acid (LA) and glycolic acid (GA) residues was investigated at 180°C in air by viscometry, FT-IR analysis and isothermal thermogravimetry. The thermal oxidative degradation of these materials is largely affected by the LA/GA ratio, a higher LA content generally imparting higher stability. The FT-IR analysis suggests that, depending on the composition of the PLGA segments, degradative processes are triggered which can lead to a preferential degradation of the blocks.     

Synthesis and micellar characterization of thermosensitive amphiphilic poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) block copolymers

Poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PCL-b-PVCL) block copolymers were synthesized as new biocompatible, thermosensitive, amphiphilic block polymers by a combination of ring-opening polymerization and reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and their thermosensitive micellar behavior was examined. The PCL macro-chain-transfer agent was first synthesized by converting the end group of PCL-OH to O-ethyl xanthate, which was subsequently used for the RAFT polymerization of N-vinylcaprolactam. The critical micelle concentration of PCL-b-PVCL (M _n,NMR?=?56,300?g/mol, polydispersity index?=?1.18) was 0.026?mg/mL. The mean diameter of the PCL-b-PVCL micelles determined by transmission electron microscopy was 55?±?25?nm. The PCL-b-PVCL micelles exhibited repetitive aggregation and dispersion during reversible cooling and heating cycles between 20 and 40?°C due to the thermosensitive behavior of the PVCL shell. Overall, the PCL-b-PVCL block copolymers have potential applications in thermosensitive drug delivery applications.     

A photophysical study of the interactions in poly(styrene-4-sulphonate)–n-butylvinylether block and random copolymers

Interactions between the moieties responsible for the conformations and hydrophobic microdomains in poly(styrene-4-sulphonate) (PSS) and its copolymers with n-butylvinylether (BVE) were studied by their emission spectra and the lifetimes of the phenyl groups and pyrene used as a photochemical probe. The emission spectra of PSS shows bands due to dimers and higher aggregates as well as the characteristic excimer band. At low concentrations, the random copolymers have spectra similar to that of the free monomer, whereas the block copolymers have spectra like that of PSS. At higher concentrations, the random copolymer also shows these excimer bands, due to interchain interactions. Results from the emission of pyrene prove that the behaviour of the copolymers with approximately 40% BVE seems to be relatively independent of having random or block configurations. Except at low concentrations (<0.05 g/dl), where the block copolymer already has a conformation with “stable” hydrophobic microdomains, both types of copolymers behave similarly. There is an initial aggregate equilibrium between individual chains and aggregates, associated with a relocation of the probes. At higher concentrations, both copolymers suffer a severe change in conformation, due to the formation of “stable” hydrophobic microdomains, resulting from interchain interactions. In both cases the lifetimes of pyrene are of the order of 240 ± 10 ns. Received: 27 August 1998 Accepted: 11 January 1999     

Solubility of naphthalene in aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(propylene glycol)–poly(ethylene glycol) triblock copolymers and (2-hydroxypropyl)cyclodextrins

The solubility of naphthalene was investigated in aqueous solutions of triblock copolymers poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(propylene glycol)–poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG–PPG–PEG) and (2-hydroxypropyl)cyclodextrins. The results with solutions of the individual solubilizers were as expected: the solubility enhancement was much higher with a micelle-forming copolymer than with the non-micellizing one and with (2-hydroxypropyl)--cyclodextrin (HPBCD) than with (2-hydroxypropyl)--cyclodextrin (HPACD). Although the formation of inclusion complexes between HPACD and PEG and between HPBCD and PPG is well established, the naphthalene solubility in mixed solutions does not significantly deviate from that predicted for a mixture of independent solubilizers. Thus the interactions between HPCD and PEG–PPG–PEG copolymers are not strong enough to disrupt micelles and aggregates formed by those copolymers. In fact, slight synergetic deviations were observed with the micellizing copolymer, indicating the existence of ternary naphthalene/HPCD/copolymer interactions. For pharmaceutical applications, it is important that the solubilization efficacy of PEG–PPG–PEG copolymers and that of cyclodextrins modified by the 2-hydroxypropyl group would not be compromised if these two types of solubilizers were co-administered.     

Voltammetric reduction of 2-(4′-N,N-dimethylaminostyryl)-1-ethyl pyridinium iodide inDMF

The voltammetric reduction mechanism of 2-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-1-ethyl pyridinium iodide at the hanging dropping mercury electrode has been studied in N,N-dimethylformamide solution containing 0.1 mol dm^–3 tetraethylammonium perchlorate. The depolarizer is reduced via a single diffusion-controlled irreversible two-electron cyclic voltammetric wave. The wave is attributed to the reduction of the azomethine bond of the pyridinium nucleus. Cyclic voltammetric studies indicate that the cv wave follows an ECE mechanism. The chemical reaction is proposed to be a protonation.

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Voltammetrische Reduktion von 2-(4-N,N-Dimethylaminostyryl)-1-ethyl-pyridiniumjodid inDMF

Zusammenfassung Es wurde der voltammetrische Reduktionsmechanismus von 2-(4-N,N-Dimethylaminostyryl)-1-ethyl-pyridiniumjodid in Dimethylformamid-Lösung mit einem Tetraethylammoniumperchlorat-Gehalt von 0.1 mol dm^–3 an der tropfenden Quecksilberelektrode untersucht. Der Depolarisator wird über eine einzige diffusionskontrollierte irreversible Zweielektronenwelle reduziert. Diese Welle wird der Reduktion der Azomethinbindung des Pyridinium-Kerns zugeordnet. Cyclische voltammetrische Untersuchungen zeigen, daß die CV-Welle einem ECE-Mechanismus folgt. Als chemische Reaktion tritt Protonierung ein.

     

The combination of fluctuation-assisted crystallization and interface-assisted crystallization in a crystalline/crystalline blend of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(ε-caprolactone)

The nucleation and crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) in the PEO/PCL blends have been investigated by means of optical microscopy (OM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). During the isothermal or nonisothermal crystallization process, when the adjacent PEO is in the molten state, PCL nucleation preferentially occurs at the PEO and PCL interface; after the crystallization of the adjacent PEO, much more PCL nuclei form on the surface of the PEO crystal. However, PEO crystallizes normally and no interfacial nucleation occurs in the blend. The concentration fluctuation caused by liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) induces the motion of PEO and PCL chains through interdiffusion and possible orientation of chain segments. The oriented PEO chain segments can assist PCL nucleation, and the heterogeneous nucleation ability of PEO increases with the orientation of PEO chains. Oriented PCL chain segments have no heterogeneous nucleation ability on PEO. It is postulated that the interfacial nucleation of PCL in the PEO/PCL blend follows the combination of “fluctuation-assisted crystallization” and “interface-assisted crystallization” mechanisms.

Crystal and molecular structures of (3Z)-(±)-4-(2′-hydroxypropyl)amino-and (3Z)-4-(2′-hydroxyethyl)amino-pent-3-en-2-ones

An X-ray study of (3Z)-(±)-4-(2′-hydroxypropyl)amino-and (3Z)-4-(2′-hydroxyethyl)amino-pent-3-en-2-ones is reported. The bond lengths inside the H ring are equalized due to the classical N-H...O hydrogen bond between the carbonyl oxygen and the amino group. In the 4-(2′-hydroxyethyl)amino-pent-3-en-2-one crystal, due to the classical N-H...O bonds, infinite zigzag chains are formed along the 0b axis and arranged into a layered structure due to the weak C-H...O interactions. In (±)-4-(2′-hydroxypropyl)aminopent-3-en-2-one crystal, however, centrosymmetric dimers are formed, which are then linked by weak C-H...O intermolecular interactions to form a layered structure along the a0b plane.     

Poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(ethylene imine) block copolymers as templates and catalysts for the in situ formation of monodisperse silica nanospheres

Block copolymers based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) are efficient catalysts/templates for the formation of uniform silica nanoparticles. Addition of tetraethylorthosilicate to a solution of PEO–PEI or PEI–PEO–PEI block copolymers results in the formation of silica particles with a diameter of ca. 30 nm and narrow size distribution. The particles precipitated with the diblock copolymers can be redispersed in water after isolation as individual nanoparticles. Evidently, block copolymers based on PEO and PEI serve as excellent templates for the biomimetic and “soft” synthesis of silica nanoparticles.

Complexation and eutectic crystallization in poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) and pentadecylphenol mixtures

Crystallization behavior via hydrogen bonding interaction in amphiphilic block copolymer/surfactant mixtures consisting of poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (P2VP-PCL) and 3-pentadecylphenol (PDP) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The P2VP-PCL/PDP mixtures exhibit eutectic crystallization behavior; the eutectic composition is approximately at 70 wt.% PDP. Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) observation revealed the microphase structure in the P2VP-PCL/PDP mixtures and the unique eutectic morphology at the eutectic composition, which was further confirmed by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) results. To our knowledge, this is the first example of eutectic crystallization observed in amphiphilic block copolymer/surfactant systems. The FTIR study proved that there are competitive hydrogen bonding interactions between P2VP block/PDP and PCL block/PDP pairs in the P2VP-PCL/PDP mixtures. On the basis of the SPM results and FTIR study, a model describing the microstructure of the P2VP-PCL/PDP eutectic mixtures is proposed. The amorphous P2VP blocks are expelled from the ordered eutectic lamellae formed by the crystalline PCL blocks and PDP, which deviates remarkably from the existing structural model proposed by other authors for poly(vinyl pyridine)/PDP and poly(styrene-block-4-vinyl pyridine)/PDP mixtures.     

Studies on core–shell structural nano-micelles based on star block copolymer of poly(lactide) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)

Inorganic/polymer hybrid star-shaped block copolymer nano-micelles were synthesized. In the synthetic route, multi-hydroxyl polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane(POSS-(OH)₃₂) was employed as the starting molecule to initiate ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide. 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate was found to polymerize at the end of polylactic acid chains, following mechanism of atom transfer radical polymerization. The well-defined star block copolymer core–shell nano-micelles were finally obtained. The structures of the copolymer and the micelles were characterized extensively. The micelles exhibited a regular spherical shape with an average diameter of 170 nm which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic laser scattering. The sizes of both the core and the shell were controlled by adjusting the feed ratios during the syntheses. The micelles demonstrated pH- and temperature-sensitive behaviors.     

Synthesis of poly(ε-caprolactone) diols and EO-CL block copolymers and their characterization by liquid chromatography and MALDI-TOF-MS

Polymers of ε-caprolactone were synthesized by microwave-assisted polymerization initiated with polyethylene glycols (PEG 200 and PEG 300) and monodisperse diols (mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- and hexaethylene glycol) and tin octoate as catalyst. These polymers were characterized by different chromatographic techniques (SEC, LAC and LCCC) and MALDI-TOF-MS. A comparison with commercially available polycaprolactone diols with molecular weight 530 and 830 showed that the new polymers had a much higher content of triblock structures, while the commercial samples contained considerable amounts of diblocks.     

P2(2-) and P(3-) units in the [Rh8P9]δ- polyanion of La4Rh8P9

The phosphide La(4)Rh(8)P(9) was synthesized from the elements in a bismuth flux. The structure was refined from single crystal diffractometer data: space group Cmcm, a = 1303.1(2), b = 1893.2(2), c = 576.70(6) pm, wR2 = 0.0277, 1380 F(2) values, 65 variables. The rhodium and phosphorus atoms build up a three-dimensional [Rh(8)P(9)] polyanion which leaves larger cages for the three crystallographically independent lanthanum sites. The rhodium atoms have between four and six phosphorus neighbors at Rh-P distance ranging from 229 to 254 pm. Three of the four crystallographically independent phosphorus atoms are isolated (P(3-) units), while the P4 atoms form dimers with double bond character (208 pm P-P). The P(2)(2-) diphosphenide units bond side-on to a Rh3 and end-on to four Rh5 atoms. (31)P magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy is able to resolve three of the four crystallographically distinct phosphorus sites. The doubly bonded phosphorus site P4 is characterized by an axially symmetric shielding tensor of moderate anisotropy Δσ = σ(33) - σ(iso) = 257 ppm. Electronic band structure calculations prove the metallic character and reveal the significant difference between the isolated P(3-) and the phosphorus atoms of the P(2)(2-) units. Magnetic susceptibility measurement reveals Pauli paramagnetism.     

Transition metal(II) complexes of 1-(α-hydroxynaphthyl)-2-(3′-methyl-5′-mercapto-1′,2′,4′-triazole)-2-aza-ethane

Summary Binuclear metal complexes of the type [M(HMTE)-(H₂O)₂]₂, where HMTE=1-(-hydroxynaphthyl)-2-(3-methyl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazolc)2-aza-ethane and M-Cu^II, Co^II, Ni^II and Mn^II have been prepared and characterized. An octahedral geometry around the metals is proposed. The complexes have been screened as possible fungicides.     

Investigations in the region of 2,3′-biquinoline. 3. Synthesis of 2′-alkyl(aryl)-1′,2′-dihydro-2,3′-biquinolines and 2′-alkyl(aryl)-2,3′-biquinolines

A method was developed for the synthesis of 2-alkyl(aryl)-1,2-dihydro-2,3-biquinolines, based on the addition of organolithium compounds to 2,3-biquinoline in the presence of tetramethylethylenediamine. Their oxidation with manganese dioxide led to 2-alkyl(aryl)-2,3-biquinolines.For Communication 2, see [1].Stavropol State University, Stavropol 355009, Russia. Russian Chemical-Technology University, Moscow 125190. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 350–354, March, 1998.     

Eine Synthese des 3-(N′-Methyl-2′-piperidyl)-chinolizidins

Zusammenfassung Im Anschluß an kürzlich erschienene Arbeiten über Synthesen von 3-(N-Methyl-2-piperidyl)-chinolizidin, einer Verbindung von der gleichen Struktur wie sie dem Alkaloid Pusillin zukommen soll, wird über eine eigene Synthese zweier stereoisomerer Verbindungen dieser Konstitution berichtet.     

Synthesis and Structure Determination of (2S, 2′S)-3-Phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-2′-yl)- propionic Acid

Abstract

Aβ²,β³-homoproline derivative, (2S, 2′S)-3-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-2′-yl)propionic acid, was synthesized starting from l-proline. After preparation of the (4S, 4aS)-4-benzyl-4a,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo-[1,2-c]pyrimidine-1,3-dione under a mild condition, the absolute configuration of target compound was assigned using 2D H-H COSY and H-H NOESY technologies.