Preparation and properties of thermosensitive hydrogel microcapsules

Temperature-sensitive hydrophilic gel microcapsules have been newly prepared. That is, poly ( -lysineisopropylamide–terephthalic acid) microcapsules containing water have been obtained by an interfacial polymerization at a water/oil interface between -lysineisopropylamide and terephthaloyldichloride. The microcapsule changes its size between 33 and 35°C. Under 33°C, the microcapsules are fully spherical and can be redispersed in distilled water, while are aggregated above 35°C. The microcapsules, which are observed to show aggregation above 33°C, can be redispersed by decreasing temperature within a few second. The thermosensitive morphological changes of the microcapsules are thus reversible. Also, it has been shown that the permeability of sodium chloride through the microcapsule membrane changes remarkably between 33 and 35°C, while it is kept almost constant independent of temperature between 25 and 33°C or between 35 and 55°C. The permeability of solutes is higher under 33°C than that above 35°C. Such thermosensitive properties result from the fact that the polymer membrane has isopropylamide groups. That is, -lysineisopropylamide has a chemical structure similar to N-isopropylacrylamide, the polymer of which, poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), is a thermosensitive hydrogel having its phase transition temperature around 33°C.     

Catalytic activity and stability of anionic and cationic water soluble cobalt(II) tetraarylporphyrin complexes in the oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol by molecular oxygen

The catalytic activity and stability of anionic cobalt(II) porphyrin complexes: 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-dichloro-3-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinatocobalt(II), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethyl-3,5disulfonatophenyl)porphyrinatocobalt(II) and the cationic cobalt(II) porphyrin: 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(diethylmethylammonio)phenyl]porphyrinatocobalt(II) tertraiodide have been investigated in the oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol by dioxygen. All complexes were efficient catalysts for the auto-oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol. The cationic cobalt(II) porphyrin has been found to be the most reactive catalyst. The rate of auto-oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol catalysed by 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethyl-3,5disulfonatophenyl)porphyrinatocobalt(II) has been found to increase with increasing the pH from 7 to 9 then decreased at higher pH. The rate constants of auto-oxidation reaction showed linear dependence on catalyst concentration and saturation kinetics in both 2-mercaptoethanol concentrations and dioxygen pressure. Anionic cobalt(II) porphyrin complexes showed higher stability than the cationic catalyst in repeat oxidation reactions. Immobilizing the anionic catalysts on ion exchange resin and supporting the cationic catalyst on clay mineral montmorillonite improved their stabilities towards oxidation.     

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/poly[(N-acetylimino)ethylene] thermosensitive block and graft copolymers

Block and graft copolymers with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly[(N-acetylimino)ethylene] (PNAI) sequences were synthesized via PNAI derivatives (macroinitiators or macromers). The polymerization yields for block copolymers synthesized in ethanol, using the PNAI macroinitiator, were low (<10%), except where photochemical polymerization was applied. By contrast, for the copolymerizations of N-isopropylacrylamide with the PNAI macromers, performed in alcoholic solution, quite high polymerization yields, around 80-90%, were reached. ¹H-NMR and IR spectral and differential scanning calorimeter thermal data confirmed the copolymer formation. Thermosensitivity of the copolymers was investigated by means of turbidimetric technique as a function of their nature, average molecular weight and composition. It was found that the length of the chain of the PNAI macromer and the content in hydrophilic PNAI units of the resulted copolymer affected this behavior.     

Synthesis of a PEG-PNIPAm thermosensitive dendritic copolymer and investigation of its self-association

A Novel thermosensitive dendritic copolymer based on polyethylene glycol(PEG) and poly(Nisopropylacrylamide)(PNIPAm) with a cloud point(CP) around 36 ?C was successfully synthesized by preparation of a dendritic polyol and followed by atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP) of N-isopropylacrylamide. The dendritic copolymer was characterized using gel-permeation chromatography(GPC), FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The selfassociation behavior of the copolymer in aqueous medium was investigated by dynamic light scattering(DLS) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). These investigations confirmed that the dendritic copolymer showed different association behaviors at various temperatures.     

pH- and temperature-dependent release from cationic vesicles coexisting with copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and methacrylic acid

Vesicles containing rhodamine B were prepared by evaporation and hydration method using N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-octadecanamide (DMAPODA) and stearic acid (SA). The vesicles were multi-lamellar on optical and electron micrographs. The mean size of vesicle was 807.9 nm and the values markedly increased by the addition of copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and methacrylic acid (MAA) (P(NIPAM-co-MAA)), possibly due to electrostatic interactions between the cationic vesicle and the anionic copolymer. The release of rhodamine B from the vesicles for 20 h was 50–60% at neutral pHs and the values increased up to 93.1% when pH decreased to 3. The increased release is possibly because the salt bridge formed between DMAPODA and SA was broken down at the acidic pH, leading to the disintegration of the vesicles. On the other hand, the release was not as sensitive to temperature as it was to pH. The salt bridge seemed to be stable at the temperatures of the release experiments (23 °C, 33 °C and 43 °C). P(NIPAM-co-MAA) was added to the suspension of the vesicle and the release was investigated with varying pHs and temperatures. The copolymer was pH- and temperature-sensitive in terms of the turbidity change of its solution. Nevertheless, the copolymer was found to have little effect on the pH- and temperature-dependent release of the vesicles.     

Drying dissipative structures of the thermosensitive gels of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) on a cover glass

Drying dissipative structural patterns of the thermosensitive gels of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) were studied on a cover glass. As the temperature of suspension and room rose from 25 to 50 °C, the small size of drying pattern area extended to the beautiful flickering spoke-like ones transitionally at the critical temperature ca. 35 °C. The principal patterns at 25 °C were the single or multiple broad rings of the hill accumulated with the gels. At 50 °C, on the other hand, the flickering spoke-like patterns were observed at the inner area of the broad ring especially at the gel concentrations higher than 1 × 10⁻³ g/ml. These observations support that the extended gels at low temperatures apt to associate weakly to each other, whereas the gels at high temperatures shrink and move rather freely with the convectional flow of water, though the very weak intergel attractions still remain. In the presence of sodium chloride at high temperatures, the cooperative patterns formed between the gel spheres and the salt. The gravitational and Marangoni convectional flow of the gels and the very weak interactions between the gels and substrate (cover glass) are important for the flickering spoke-like pattern formation.     

Lower critical solution temperature control and swelling behaviour of physically crosslinked thermosensitive copolymers based on N-isopropylacrylamide

In this contribution we have developed thermosensitive polymer matrices based on N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm). Preparation of the hydrogels involved photopolymerisation of a combination of NIPAAm, 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NVP) and distilled water, in appropriate amounts and contained a UV-light sensitive initiator called 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenylketone. As NIPAAm monomer could be readily dissolved in mixtures of liquid NVP and distilled water, the use of organic solvents was not required in the polymerisation process. Furthermore, chemical crosslinking agents are not needed in the synthesis. By alternating the feed ratio, hydrogels were synthesised to have lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) in the vicinity of 37 °C. This ability to shift the phase transition temperature of the gels provides excellent flexibility in tailoring transitions for specific uses. The transition temperature of the pseudo gels was established using cloud point measurement and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The chemical structure of the xerogels was characterised by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Ftir), while swelling experiments in distilled water indicate that the swelling and dissolution behaviour of the gels is strongly temperature dependent.     

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.     

UiO-66-NH2负载铜催化剂的制备及其对醇的催化氧化

通过溶剂热法成功制备了一种基于金属有机骨架(MOF)的复合材料Cu-Cu₂O/UiO-66-NH₂,采用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对材料进行全面表征。在空气作氧化剂条件下,以苯甲醇氧化为苯甲醛作为模型反应,系统地考察了溶剂、温度、催化剂各组分用量等因素对催化效果的影响。研究结果表明,该复合催化剂在醇选择性氧化反应中表现出优异的催化性能,60℃下反应5 h便可将苯甲醇定量转化为苯甲醛,并对其他苄基醇、烯丙基醇和杂芳基醇等底物也展现出良好活性。此外,循环利用3次后,该催化剂活性几乎不变,表明其具有良好的稳定性和重复使用性。     

Syntheses based on anabasine. Preparation and transformations of N-oxides

The oxidation of N-acetyl-and N-benzoylanabasine with the tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)— MoCl₅ system or MCPBA proceeds selectively at the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring. The oxidation of N-methylanabasine under similar conditions gives a mixture of stereo-isomeric N-oxides at the piperidine nitrogen atom, their ratio depending on the reagent used. The oxidation of anabasine by TBHP— MoCl₅ or MCPBA is accompanied by dehydrogenation and results in anabaseine N-oxide. The reactions of anabasine and anabaseine pyridine N-oxides with acetic anhydride were investigated. The substituted 1H-3-pyridin-2-ones were prepared. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 322—328, February, 2006.     

UiO-66-NH2负载铜催化剂的制备及其对醇的催化氧化

通过溶剂热法成功制备了一种基于金属有机骨架(MOF)的复合材料Cu-Cu₂O/UiO-66-NH₂,采用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对材料进行全面表征。在空气作氧化剂条件下,以苯甲醇氧化为苯甲醛作为模型反应,系统地考察了溶剂、温度、催化剂各组分用量等因素对催化效果的影响。研究结果表明,该复合催化剂在醇选择性氧化反应中表现出优异的催化性能,60℃下反应5 h便可将苯甲醇定量转化为苯甲醛,并对其他苄基醇、烯丙基醇和杂芳基醇等底物也展现出良好活性。此外,循环利用3次后,该催化剂活性几乎不变,表明其具有良好的稳定性和重复使用性。     

钴酞菁功能化聚合物整体柱的制备及用于转铁蛋白糖肽的富集

建立了一种新型的聚合物整体柱制备方法,将四羧基钴酞菁（CoPcTc）引入聚（甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯-乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯）（Poly（GMA-EDMA））整体柱,用于转铁蛋白糖肽的富集。由于四羧基钴酞菁和糖肽之间的氢键和金属配位作用,制备的整体材料在用于糖肽富集时具有高效性和选择性。转铁蛋白经过功能化整体柱富集后,通过电喷雾四极杆飞行时间质谱分析,共捕获到17条糖肽。当转铁蛋白浓度降至8.8×10^-10mol/L时,仍然可以得到3条糖肽,说明合成的聚合物整体材料对微量蛋白样品分析具有很高的应用潜力。     

An efficient aerobic oxidation for p -xylene to p -toluic acid catalyzed by cobalt (II) hydroxamates with benzo-15-crown-5

Cobalt (II) hydroxamates with the benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) pendant have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes were successfully employed to the oxidation of p-xylene to p-toluic acid with air at 110°C under normal atmospheric pressure. The effects of the B15C5 pendant, the length of chain bonding of B15C5 in these complexes and the addition of alkali metal ions on the oxidation for p-xylene are also investigated by the comparison with the crown-free analogue.     

Synthesis,characterization, and ascorbic acid oxidase biomimetic catalytic activity of cobalt(III) oxime complexes

A new tetradentate tetraaza ligand was prepared via Schiff-base condensation of 3,4-diaminotoluene with 2,3-butandione monoxime in aqueous solution. This ligand coordinates cobalt(III) through nitrogen donors in equatorial positions with loss of one oxime proton with concomitant formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond. A series of cobalt(III) complexes, [CoLX₂] (X?=?Cl^?, Br^?, or I^?), [SCNCoLBr], [CNCoLBr], [BF₂CoLBr], and [YCoLBr]ClO₄ (Y?=?pyridine, thiophene, triphenylphosphine, or n-pentylamine), was synthesized. The compounds were characterized based on the elemental analysis (C, H, N), electrical conductance, magnetic moment measurements, and spectral studies (IR, ¹H NMR, and UV-Vis). Thermal stabilities of representative complexes were examined by using thermal analysis (TGA and DTG). The reported complexes are d⁶ low-spin diamagnetic and a distorted octahedral environment was proposed. All complexes undergo tetragonal distortion as evidenced by splitting of ¹T_1g and ¹T_2g levels of the pseudo-octahedral symmetry. The ligand field parameters such as Dq^E , Dq^A , and the tetragonal splitting D_t have been computed and correlated with the nature of the coordinated axial ligands. The reported cobalt(III) complexes exhibit promising catalytic activity toward aerobic oxidation of ascorbic acid to the corresponding dehydroascorbic acid. The oxidase catalytic activity is linked to both the tetragonal splitting parameter D_t and the Lewis-acidity of cobalt(III) created by the nature of the coordinated axial ligands. The probable mechanistic implications of the catalytic oxidation reactions are discussed.     

Thermosensitive aggregates self-assembled by an asymmetric block copolymer of dendritic polyether and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

An asymmetric linear-dendritic block copolymer of polyether dendrimer and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was prepared by an atom transfer radical polymerization method. The self-assembly behavior and thermosensitive property of this copolymer in water were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence probe spectroscopy. It was found that the thermosensitive phase transition takes place at the temperature of 37.5 °C; simultaneously the spherical aggregates grow into larger entangled nanotubules. The unique temperature-sensitive supramolecular aggregates may make them especially useful as intelligent capsules for drug delivery systems and as chemical sensors.     

Preparation of a thermosensitive and biodegradable microgel via polymerization of macromonomers based on diacrylated Pluronic/oligoester copolymers

A novel biodegradable and thermosensitive hydrogel microparticle was prepared via suspension polymerization of a kind of block copolymer macromonomers. According to the molecular design, the macromonomer is composed of a thermosensitive triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) and two oligomers of biodegradable polyester such as oligo(lactic acid) or oligo(ε-caprolactone), and end-capped with acryloyl groups. Microgels were obtained by inverse suspension polymerization of the macromonomer aqueous droplets initiated by a redox initiator. Thermosensitivity and in vitro biodegradation of the resultant microgels were confirmed. The gel microparticles in an aqueous solution were swollen at low temperature and shrunken at high temperature (human body temperature). Degradation rate could be adjusted by controlling the composition and the degree of polymerization of oligoester. Thus, the microgels exhibit combinatory and tunable properties.     

Rapid deswelling of sodium alginate/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) semi-interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels in response to temperature and pH changes

In this study, temperature-/pH-responsive semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels based on linear sodium alginate (SA) and cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) were prepared. The semi-IPN hydrogels reached an equilibrium deswelling state within 6 h in response to temperature or pH stimuli. Compared with the conventional PNIPAAm hydrogel, their dewelling rate in response to temperature was improved significantly, owing to the formation of a porous structure within the hydrogels in the presence of ionized SA during the polymerization process. Moreover, the deswelling process could be well described with a first-order kinetics equation and it is possible to design any hydrogel with the desired deswelling behavior through the control of the SA content in the semi-IPN hydrogels.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermosensitive copolymers for oral controlled drug delivery

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) copolymers were synthesized in order to obtain co-polymers with a phase transition temperature slightly higher than the physiological temperature, as required by a new drug delivery concept described in a previous paper. Six hydrophilic comonomers bringing about a rise of the phase transition temperature were evaluated. The synthesized copolymers were characterized and the influence of the type and of the amount of the used comonomer on the phase transition temperature was discussed. Among the comonomers, Acrylamide (AAm), N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide (MVA), N-vinylacetamide (NVA), and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone (VPL) were found to be capable to raise the phase transition temperature to a value slightly higher than 37 °C and to have adequate phase transition behavior. The selected four copolymers were subjected to an additional purification step that should make them fit to use as a controlling agent in drug delivery systems.