Synthesis of amphiphilic diblock copolymers poly[2-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-poly(stearyl methacrylate) and their self-assembly in mixed solvent

Amphiphilic diblock copolymers consisting of 2-(N, N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA, abbreviated as DMA) and stearyl methacrylate (SMA) with different degrees of polymerization and compositions were prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization. The composition and chemical structures of (co)polymers were confirmed by the measurements of ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The self-aggregating structures of amphiphilic diblock copolymers with the concentration of 0.1~0.3 wt.% in THF/water mixed solvent was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found that both the morphologies and aggregating particle size resulted from the amphiphilic diblock copolymers depended on the variation of pH values, the lengths of the hydrophobic PSMA chains, and the weight ratio of THF/water mixed solvent.     

Effects of ionization on the phase behavior of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) and poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) in water

Phase transitions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PiPA-AA) and poly(N,N- diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PdEA-AA) in water have been investigated by means of turbidimetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The phase transition temperatures (T_p) of these copolymers increase with the degree of ionization () of the acrylic acid (AA) units, which in turn is dependent on the pH of the solutions. Apparent values of pK_a for the AA units, determined from the pH dependencies of T_p, are 4.7 and 5.4 for PiPA-AA and PdEA-AA, respectively. Differences between T_p for PiPA-AA and T_p for PiPA homopolymer (T_p) are +1.5 and –0.2 °C/mol% of AA at =1 and 0, respectively. The values of T_p for PdEA-AA are +2.6 (ionic) and –0.5 (nonionic)°C/mol%, indicating that the incorporated AA units have a larger effect on PdEA than on PiPA. DSC measurements performed with each of these copolymers at different pH values show a linear relationship between T_p and the enthalpy of transition (H). IR measurements of PiPA-AA show that the profiles of IR bands from both iPA and AA units exhibit critical changes at T_p of the copolymer. Heating the solution above T_p leads to shifts of the amide II, C–H stretch, and C–H bend bands from the iPA units toward lower wavenumbers, as well as a shift of the amide I band from the iPA units toward higher wavenumbers. A decrease in the intensity of the symmetric C=O stretch IR band from carboxylate anions (1560 cm^–1), and an increase in the intensity of the C=O stretch band from COOH groups (1705 cm^–1) suggest that a partial protonation of the carboxylate groups (COO^–+H⁺COOH) takes place upon the phase transition.     

Synthesis and properties of (thieno[2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]pyridin-3-yl)iminotriphenylphosphoranes. Molecular structure of (2-benzoyl-4-methoxymethyl-6-methylthieno[2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]pyridin-3-yl)iminotriphenylphosphorane

Iminophosphoranes containing a thieno[2,3-b]pyridine fragment were obtained through a sequence of reactions: 1) alkylation of 3-cyano-2(1H)-pyridinethiones in alkaline medium by an -halocarbonyl compound with subsequent Thorpe-Ziegler cyclization of the resultant 2-thioalkylpyridines to give 3-aminothieno[2,3-b]pyridines, 2) diazotization of the amino group and nucleophilic substitution of the diazonium group by an azido group without isolation of the diazonium salts, and 3) reaction of the 3-azidothieno[2,3-b]pyridines with triphenylphosphine.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 12, pp. 1853–1862, December, 2004.     

Synthesis and micelle formation of triblock copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) in aqueous solution

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-b-PEO-b-PMMA) with well-defined structure were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by the PEO macroinitiator. The macroinitiator and triblock copolymer with different PMMA and/or PEO block lengths were characterized with ¹H and ¹³C NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The micelle formed by these triblock copolymers in aqueous solutions was detected by fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of pyrene probe. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) ranged from 0.0019 to 0.016 mg/mL and increased with increasing PMMA block length, while the PEO block length had less effect on the CMC. The partition constant K_v for pyrene in the micelle and in aqueous solution was about 10⁵. The triblock copolymer appeared to form the micelles with hydrophobic PMMA core and hydrophilic PEO loop chain corona. The hydrodynamic radius R_h,app of the micelle measured with dynamic light scattering (DLS) ranged from 17.3 to 24.0 nm and increased with increasing PEO block length to form thicker corona. The spherical shape of the micelle of the triblock copolymers was observed with an atomic force microscope (AFM). Increasing hydrophobic PMMA block length effectively promoted the micelle formation in aqueous solutions, but the micelles were stable even only with short PMMA blocks.     

Self-assembled films of cellulose nanofibrils and poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-ethoxyaniline)

Nanostructured films of poly(o-ethoxyaniline) (POEA) alternated with cellulose nanofibrils (CnF) were successfully produced by self assembly (SA) at different pH values and investigated by atomic force microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Results show that it was possible to build up films by alternating POEA and CnF layers with relatively precise architectural control by controlling the number of layers and pH. Film thickness had a dependence on pH which is a combination of the effects of the deposited amount for each POEA layer and the pH at which the absorption of the cellulose nanofibrils was carried out. Comparison of alternated layers of POEA and CnF with multi-immersions of POEA at different pH values, as measured by the ratio between slopes of the straight lines of deposited amount of polymer versus the number of self-assembled layers, shows that alternate deposition at pH 2 has a fourfold increase in the slope. Alternatively, at pH 5, there is no significant difference whether the deposition is alternated (POEA–CnF) or not (POEA).     

Synthesis of graft copolymers of wood and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylpyrrolidone

Lignocellulose copolymers with grafted lactam rings were prepared by graft copolymerization of wood with N-vinylpyrrolidone initiated by Fe²⁺-H₂O₂. The principal features of their formation were investigated as functions of reactant concentrations, temperature, and polymerization time. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 174–176, March–April, 2008.     

Preparation and polymerization mechanism of dihydroxy-capped PCL,poly(CL-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-PEG-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-CL) and poly(DTC-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-CL-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-DTC)

The ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) was initiated by glycol and yttrium tri(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate)s (Y(OAr)₃), preparing dihydroxy-capped poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with controllable molecular weight. ¹H NMR and SEC analyses indicate that two kinds of active species and corresponding PCL with different structures exist in the system. Increasing the ratio of glycol to Y(OAr)₃ benefits the formation of monofunctional active species. However, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/Y(OAr)₃ system only contains sole bifunctional active species to synthesize copolymer of CL with PEG (poly(CL-b-PEG-b-CL)). Dihydroxycapped PCL as macroinitiator can further initiate the polymerization of 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC). Thus, triblock copolymer of CL with DTC (poly(DTC-b-CL-b-DTC)) has been prepared.     

A new strategy to prepare temperature-sensitive poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide) microgels

In this study, a new method was developed to prepare temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels by free radical precipitation polymerization using siloxane coupling agent as the new crosslinker. Ammonium persulfate acted as the initiator for the radical copolymerization as well as the catalyst for the hydrolysis/condensation of the siloxane groups. The particle diameter and polydispersity of the microgels were measured by photon correlation spectroscopy and the results display that the microgels are monodisperse. The microgels exhibit temperature sensitivity and the phase transition temperature is approximately 31 °C. Furthermore, the diameter of the microgels changes upon heating and cooling processes. These were observed to be reversible. The novel crosslinking method described herein is the condensation of siloxane groups, which is totally different from the traditional double-vinyl crosslinkers. This innovative approach offers an alternative path to prepare functional core–shell particles and inorganic/organic hybrid materials.     

Magnolol entrapped ultra-fine fibrous mats electrospun from poly(ethylene glycol)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-poly(L-lactide) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> release

Ultra-fine fibrous mats with magnolol entrapped have been prepared by electrospinning biodegradable copolymer poly(ethylene glycol) blocked poly(L-lactide). Drug entrapment was perfect which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. According to in vitro drug release investigation by high performance liquid chromatography, it was found that fibers with 10%, 20% and 30% drug entrapped respect to polymer (mass ratio) presented dramatically different drug release behavior and degradation behavior under the effect of proteinase K. The reason may be that fibers with 10% drug entrapped was more easily affected by enzyme while, to some degree, magnolol in fibers with 20% and 30% entrapped prevented polymer from being degraded by enzyme.     

Crystallization behavior and hydrophilicity of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA)/poly(styrene-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-acrylonitrile) (SAN) ternary blends

Compatibilization of the partially miscible poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) pair by a third homopolymer, i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), was investigated in relation to cross section morphology, crystallization behaviors and hydrophilicity of the polyblends. Scanning electron microscopy showed a more regular and homogeneous morphology when more than 15 wt.% PMMA was incorporated. The samples presented only α phase regardless of PMMA content in the blend. As the PMMA content increased in the blends, the interactions between each component were enhanced, and the crystallization of PVDF was limited, leading to a decreasing of the crystallinity and the crystallite thickness. Besides, the hydrophilicity of PVDF was further improved by PMMA addition. The sample containing 15 wt.% PMMA showed a more hydrophilic property due to the more polar part of surface tension induced by PMMA addition. Observed from the cross section of the blends, the miscibility of partially miscible PVDF/SAN blends were efficiently improved by PMMA incorporation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-bridged heterocycles: regiospecific synthesis of 2-methyl-4H-pyrimido[2,1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]benzothiazol-4-ones

N-bridged heterocycles, 2-methyl-4H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazol-4-ones, have been synthesized in quantitative yield by the reaction of 2-aminobenzothiazoles with ethylacetoacetate in the presence of polyphosphoric acid involving dehydrative condensation followed by cyclization. The possibility of the formation of 4-methyl-2H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazol-2-ones has been excluded on the basis of spectral studies.     

Crystal and molecular structure of new tetrahydrobenzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>]pyrano[4,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]pyridines

Three tetrahydrobenzo[e]pyrano[4,3-b]pyridines formed in a diethyl 2,4,6-trioxoheptanedicarboxylic ether-substituted salicylic aldehyde-ammonium acetate system were studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. After the introduction of a methoxy group in the tricyclic system, the tetrahydropyridine and pyrane rings adopted the half-chair conformation, while in the unsubstituted compound, the tetrahydropyridine ring has a distorted boat conformation, and the pyrane ring has a C-envelope conformation. In the compounds, the N-H?O and O-H?O intermolecular hydrogen bonds give rise to the development of chain structures. In two of the three compounds examined, the hydrogen atoms at the chiral centers are in the trans-position, as in the structure of natural tetrahydrocannabinols.     

Preparation of nanoparticle colloids of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">D</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">L</Emphasis>-lactide): effects of surfactant and organic solvent

Nanoparticle colloids of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(D,L-lactide) (MPEG-b-PDLL) diblock copolymer were prepared by a modified spontaneous emulsification solvent diffusion method using acetone/ethanol as the mixture organic solvents. The MPEG-b-PDLL was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide using stannous octoate and MPEG with molecular weight of 5,000 g/mol as the initiating system. The MPEG-b-PDLL obtained was an amorphous polymer with molecular weight of 73,600 g/mol. Influences of acetone/ethanol (v/v) ratios and Tween 80 surfactant concentrations on characteristics of the colloidal nanoparticles were investigated and discussed. Light-scattering analysis showed that average diameters of the surfactant-free colloidal nanoparticles were in the range of 86–124 nm. The nanoparticle sizes decreased as the ethanol ratio increased. The Tween 80 did not show the significant effect on the nanoparticle sizes. Scanning electron micrographs of dried nanoparticles that demonstrated the aggregation of most particles suggested they were the soft nanoparticles. However, the dried nanoparticle morphology can be observed from scanning electron microscopy as having a spherical shape and smooth surfaces.     

Temperature- and pressure-responsive properties of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>- and<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps"> dl</Emphasis>-forms of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(1-hydroxymethyl)propylmethacrylamide) in aqueous solutions

The structural transition of the l- and dl forms of poly(N-(1- hydroxymethyl)propylmethacrylamide (PHMPMA) in aqueous solution was studied by measuring the pressure dependence of the apparent scattering intensity, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and circular dichroism (CD). The thermodynamic implications of the results are discussed in relation to the chiral structure of the side chain, and differences in the thermal and barometric transitions. T-P diagrams of the transition showed characteristic ellipsoid features. Antagonism of the temperature and pressure effects was observed only for P(dl-HMPMA). For P(l-HMPMA), the transition temperature (T _tr) decreased with increasing pressure, and the highest T _tr was observed at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa). For both polymers, the highest P _trs were observed at the lowest temperatures. The l polymer showed a specific negative peak in its CD spectrum at around 220 nm in the lower temperature region and the temperature dependence was reproduced by a single-step transition, with the midpoint corresponding to the T _tr obtained from the scattering measurements. Coupled with the results from the DSC, the different behavior between the P(l-HMPMA) and P(dl-HMPMA) could be explained in terms of the chain states before and after the transition. The cooperative factors derived from the DSC measurement revealed that about 4 to 5 polymers of the present size were necessary to perform a thermal transition for P(l-HMPMA), and that P(dl-HMPMA) underwent its transition as an almost single molecular event.This revised version was published online in June 2005 with correction to the article category.     

Micelle formation of a nonamphiphilic poly(vinylphenol)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">block</Emphasis>-polystyrene diblock copolymer in ethyl acetate

The micelle formation of a poly(vinylphenol)-block-polystyrene diblock copolymer was studied in ethyl acetate, a nonselective solvent using α,ω-diamine. The copolymer formed micelles in ethyl acetate in the presence of a small amount of the α,ω-diamine. Light scattering studies demonstrated that the micellization was dependent on the grade, the bulkiness, and the conformation of the diamines. The copolymer needed more diamine with the increasing grade of the diamine, due to a decrease in the basicity of the diamine. The bulkiness of the diamines also reduced the efficiency of the micellization by hindering the formation of the hydrogen bond cross-linking. Similarly, the conformation of the diamine affected the micellization, since the conformation determined the intramolecular spatial distance between the animo groups. Trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine was more effective than the cis-isomer to produce the micelles. Furthermore, (1S,2S)-(+)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine, one of the mirror image isomers composing the trans-isomer, was more effective in producing the micelles than the trans-isomer. The interaction between the mirror image isomers also obstructed the micellization. The micellization, coupled with the thermoresponsivity of the micelles, were influenced by the solvent quality. The dissociation of the micelles into unimers was suppressed in ethyl acetate, while the reconstruction was promoted, in comparison with those in 1,4-dioxane and THF.     

Synthesis and transformations of 3-acetylpyridine-2(1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>)-thiones

Reactions of substituted 3-cyanopyridine-2(1H)-thiones with methyllithium gave 3-acetylpyridine-2(1H)-thiones. The best results were achieved by adding a solid-state thione to a solution of methyllithium in ether (thione: MeLi = 1: 3). The compounds obtained and their 3-pentanoyl analogs were used to synthesize a number of fused heterocyclic systems. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1504–1507, July, 2008.     

Relationship between electrical resistivity and particle dispersion state for carbon black filled poly (ethylene-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-vinyl acetate)/poly (<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">L</Emphasis>-lactic acid) blend

It is known that the electrical volume resistivity of insulating polymers filled with conductive fillers suddenly decreases at a certain content of filler. This phenomenon is called percolation. Therefore, it is known that controlling resistivity in the semi-conductive region for carbon black (CB) filled composites is very difficult. When poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) is used as a matrix, the percolation curve becomes gradual because CB particles disperse well in EVA. In this study, the relationship between the dispersion state of CB particles and electrical resistivity for EVA/poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) filled with CB composite was investigated. The apparent phase separation was seen in the SEM photograph. It was predicted that the CB particles located into the EVA phase in the light of thermodynamical consideration, which was estimated from the wetting coefficient between polymer matrix and CB particles. The total surface area per unit mass of dispersed CB particles in the polymer blend matrix was estimated from small-angle X-ray scattering and the volume resistivity decreased with increasing CB content. The values of the surface area of CB particles in CB filled EVA/PLLA (25/75 wt%) and EVA/PLLA (50/50 wt%) polymer blends showed a value similar to that of the CB filled EVA single polymer matrix. In electrical volume resistivity measurement, moreover, the slopes of percolation curves of EVA/PLLA (25/75 wt%) and EVA/PLLA (50/50 wt%) filled with CB composite are similar to that of EVA single polymer filled with CB composite. As a result, it was found that CB particles selectively locate in the EVA phase, and then the particle forms conductive networks similar to the networks in the case of EVA single polymer used as a matrix.     

Electrooxidation of undiluted organic liquids swelling<Emphasis Type="Italic"> N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide-based copolymers

Polyacrylate gels such as: N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA), ionic copolymer NIPA-co-sodium acrylate (NIPA-co-SA) and ionic copolymer NIPA-co-[2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (NIPA-co-XCl) were swollen by methanol, ethanol and N,N-dimethylformamide. These solvents were oxidized voltammetrically in the gels at platinum microelectrodes. The blocking coefficients, defined as the ratio of the currents observed in the presence and absence of the polymeric chains, were different for the solvents in the charged and uncharged polymers and did not differ for the electroactive probe, ferrocene, present in the solvents at millimolar level. This may mean that the micro ionic layer that is formed at microelectrodes at the plateau of the voltammetric solvent waves leads to a kind of collapse/phase transition of the polymer in the depletion layer. For methanol, the gel structure was found to prevent occasionally the formation of large gas bubbles at the potentials positive versus the first wave and then three one-electron waves could be obtained. Experiments done with a capillary cell and an optical microscope indicated that before formation of large bubbles at the Pt microelectrode a very dynamic, dense stream of microbubbles leaves the electrode surface.Dedicated to Zbigniew Galus on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Synthesis and characterization of thermoresponsive poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide-co-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-hydroxymethylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels

Thermoresponsive hydrogels based on N-isopropylacrylamide, N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, poly(NIPAM–co-NHMAAm–co-HEMA), have been synthesized and their swelling—deswelling behavior studied as a function of NIPAM concentration, NIPAM/NHMAAm and NIPAM/HEMA mole ratio, and total monomer concentration. Copolymers varying in composition have been obtained by redox copolymerization of these three monomers. Temperature has been changed in the ranges from 4 to 70 °C at fixed pH and total ionic strength. Equilibrium swelling ratio, dynamic swelling ratio, and dynamic deswelling ratio were evaluated for all hydrogel systems. The equilibrium swelling ratios of the copolymeric gels decrease with increasing NHMAAm and HEMA content. The formation of the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl and amido groups decreases the hydrophilic group numbers of the gel and the affinity of the gel towards water decreases. The copolymer gels also showed rapid volume transitions with time. The time required for equilibrium shrinking increased with increasing NHMAAm and HEMA content in the gel.     

Dynamics studies on thermoresponsive poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel in tetrahydrofuran/water mixtures

The properties of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel in tetrahydrofuran/H₂O mixtures were studied. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images demonstrate that the hydrogel changes from homogeneous to heterogeneous microstructure upon the addition of tetrahydrofuran to water. This heterogeneous PNIPAAm hydrogel in the mixture solvent exhibits a very slow response rate at temperatures above its lower critical solution temperature. The decreased response rate is attributed to the formation of special ternary complexes including the polymer and the two solvents in the tetrahydrofuran/H₂O mixture. Factors controlling the thermoresponse rate are discussed further and several suggestions are provided for designing and developing fast-response PNIPAAm hydrogels in the future.