Synthesis of thermo- and pH-sensitive star-shaped poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) and its properties in aqueous its properties in aqueous solutions with varying medium acidity

Abstract

pH-sensitive eight-arm star-shaped polymer with calix[8]arene core and block copolymer of poly(2-methoxycarbonylethyl-2-oxazoline) and poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) arms was synthesized for the first time. The block composition was 1:1 and molar mass was 24000?g?mol^?1. The behavior of synthesized star in aqueous solutions was analyzed by turbidity and light scattering at the pH values from 2 to 12.2. It is shown that in an organic solvent, the polymer molecule has a low shaped asymmetry. In aqueous solutions, the synthesized star exhibits thermosensitivity with a lower critical solution temperature. It was found that at low temperature in solutions, there were macromolecules and aggregates which were formed due to interaction of hydrophobic cores. The phase separation temperatures did not depend on pH in basic media and decreased strongly at pH <5.     

Influence of core configuration and arm structure on solution properties of new thermosensitive star-shaped poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazolines)

New thermoresponsive star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPrOx) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) with arm grafting to upper rim of calix[8]arene core were synthesized and studied in aqueous solutions by light scattering and turbidimetry methods. The solution behavior was compared with that for polyoxazoline stars with varying positions of arm grafting, i.e., to lower rim of calix[8]arene. The observed growth of the phase separation temperature for PiPrOx as compared to PEtOx is explained by different dehydration temperatures of ethyl- and isopropyloxazoline units. The phase separation temperatures decrease after the changeover from lower rim grafting to upper rim one due to varying configurations of calix[8]arene.     

Behavior of aqueous solutions of polymer star with block copolymer poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) arms

Eight-arm star-shaped poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) (M?≈?21,000?g?·?mol^?1) was studied by turbidimetry and light scattering in aqueous solutions within concentration ranging from 0.00038 to 0.0276?g?·?cm^?3. The arms were the block copolymers of poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPrOx) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx). Calix[8]arene core was connected with poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline). The behavior of investigated polymer differed from that of thermosensitive stars with poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) homopolymer arms. At low temperatures, the aggregates were formed due to interaction of hydrophobic cores. The phase separation temperatures T₁ and T₂ of studied star were higher than those for star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) and lower than for poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline). T₁ and T₂ increased with dilution.     

Influence of arm length and number on star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) aggregation in aqueous solutions near cloud point

Four-arm star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazolines) (PiPrOx₄) are synthesized by cationic polymerization on t-butylcalix[4]arene macroinitiator. The obtained samples differ by polymerization degree of arms N_PiPrOx = 9 and 25 and are characterized in chloroform. The behavior in aqueous solutions is studied by light scattering methods and compared with the results of investigation of eight-arm star with similar structure. Three types of particles are observed in solution of short-arm PiPrOx₄ at room temperature, whereas only two particle types are present in long-arm star solution. Arm shortening leads to widening of the phase transition interval. The arm number decreasing reduces the phase transition temperature by 1°C.     

Behavior of thermosensitive graft copolymer with aromatic polyester backbone and poly-2-ethyl-2-oxazoline side chains in aqueous solutions

Thermoresponsive graft copolymers with alkylene-aromatic polyester main chain and poly-2-ethyl-2-oxazoline side chains were synthesized. Two copolymer samples which differed in grafting density (0.5 and 0.7) were studied using dynamic and static light scattering and turbidimetry in aqueous solutions at concentration 0.0053?g?cm^?3. Hydrodynamic radii of scattering objects and their contribution to light scattering were obtained as a function of temperature in a wide temperature interval. Temperatures of phase separation were found out. Effect of grafting density on the copolymer behavior in aqueous solutions upon heating was determined. In particular, the phase separation temperature reduces with the decreasing grafting density.     

Influence of molecular architecture on behavior of thermoresponsive poly-2-ethyl-2-oxazine in saline media

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Temperature-dependent interfacial properties of hydrophobically end-modified poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)s assemblies at the air/water interface and on solid substrates

We describe herein the properties at the air/water (A/W) interface of hydrophobically end-modified (HM) poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)s (PiPrOx) bearing an n-octadecyl chain on both termini (telechelic HM-PiPrOx) or on one chain end (semitelechelic HM-PiPrOx) for different subphase temperatures and spreading solvents using the Langmuir film balance technique. The polymer interfacial properties revealed by the π–A isotherms depend markedly on the architecture and molecular weight of the polymer. On cold water subphases (14 °C), diffusion of PiPrOx chains onto water takes place for all polymers in the intermediate compressibility region (5 mN m⁻¹). At higher subphase temperatures (36 and 48 °C), the HM-PiPrOx film exhibited remarkable stability with time. Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) imaging of the A/W interface showed that the polymer assembly was not uniform and that large domains formed, either isolated grains or pearl necklaces, depending on the polymer structure, the concentration of the spreading solution and the subphase temperature. The Langmuir films were transferred onto hydrophilic substrates (silica) by the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique and onto hydrophobic substrates (gold) by Langmuir–Schaefer (LS) film deposition, resulting in the formation of adsorbed particles ranging in size from 200 to 500 nm, depending on the polymer architecture and the substrate temperature. The particles presented “Janus”-like hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics.     

Uni‐molecular nanoparticles of poly(2‐oxazoline) showing tunable thermoresponsive behaviors

Herein, cylindrical molecular bottlebrushes grafted with poly(2‐oxazoline) (POx) as a shaped tunable uni‐molecular nanoparticle were synthesized via the grafting‐onto approach. First, poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) backbones with azide pendant units were prepared via reversible addition fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization followed by post‐modification. The degree of polymerization (DP) of the backbones was tuned in a range from 20 to 800. Alkynyl‐terminated POx side chains were synthesized by living cationic ring opening polymerization (LCROP) of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline (EtOx) and 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline (MeOx), respectively. The DP of side chains was varied between 20 and 100. Then, the copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkynyl cycloaddition (CuAAC) click chemistry was conducted with a feed ratio of [alkynyl]:[azide] = 1.2:1 to yield a series of brushes. Depending on the DP of side chains, the grafting density ranged between 47 and 85%. The resulting brushlike nanoparticles exhibited shapes of sphere, rod and worm. Aqueous solutions of PEtOx brushes demonstrated a thermoresponsive behavior as a function of the length of backbones and side chains. Surprisingly, it was found that the lower critical solution temperature of PEtOx brushes increased with a length increase of backbones. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 174–183     

Interpolymer complexes of poly(acrylic acid) with poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) in aqueous solutions

Complexes formed from poly(acrylic acid) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) were studied in aqueous solutions by viscometric, turbidimetric, FTIR spectroscopic, and thermogravimetric analysis methods. The formation of interpolymer complexes stabilized by hydrogen bonds was observed. It was found that the compositions of these interpolymer complexes are strongly dependent on the concentration of polymers, the order of mixing the solutions, and the pH. It was demonstrated that the complexation ability of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) is relatively low compared to other known nonionic water-soluble polymers. However, it can be significantly increased via hydrophobic modification of the poly(acrylic acid) using cetyl pyridinium bromide.     

Self-organization in aqueous solutions of thermosensitive statistical copolymers based on N-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate

Thermo- and pH-responsive statistical copolymers of N-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate were synthesized by free radical copolymerization. Obtained samples differed in content of hydrophobic components (3 and 6?mol. %). Their molar masses were close to 30,000?g/mol. Self-organization in buffer solutions of copolymers were studied using light scattering and turbidimetry. It was found that copolymers as well as of poly(N-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) were thermosensitive at pH?>?7. Phase separation temperatures of investigated solutions decreased with dilution and pH increasing. Growth of lauryl methacrylate content in copolymers caused the decrease in phase separation temperatures.     

Poly(2-oxazoline)-Based Polyplexes as a PEG-Free Plasmid DNA Delivery Platform

The present study expands the versatility of cationic poly(2-oxazoline) (POx) copolymers as a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-free platform for gene delivery to immune cells, such as monocytes and macrophages. Several block copolymers are developed by varying nonionic hydrophilic blocks (poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (pMeOx) or poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (pEtOx), cationic blocks, and an optional hydrophobic block (poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (iPrOx). The cationic blocks are produced by side chain modification of 2-methoxy-carboxyethyl-2-oxazoline (MestOx) block precursor with diethylenetriamine (DET) or tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN). For the attachment of a targeting ligand, mannose, azide-alkyne cycloaddition click chemistry methods are employed. Of the two cationic side chains, polyplexes made with DET-containing copolymers transfect macrophages significantly better than those made with TREN-based copolymer. Likewise, nontargeted pEtOx-based diblock copolymer is more active in cell transfection than pMeOx-based copolymer. The triblock copolymer with hydrophobic block iPrOx performs poorly compared to the diblock copolymer which lacks this additional block. Surprisingly, attachment of a mannose ligand to either copolymer is inhibitory for transfection. Despite similarities in size and design, mannosylated polyplexes result in lower cell internalization compared to nonmannosylated polyplexes. Thus, PEG-free, nontargeted DET-, and pEtOx-based diblock copolymer outperforms other studied structures in the transfection of macrophages and displays transfection levels comparable to GeneJuice, a commercial nonlipid transfection reagent.     

Poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) grafted poly(vinyl chloride)s synthesized via ATRP process and their membranes for dye separation

To functionalize poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC) for various applications, monomers containing tertiary amine group are incorporated into PVC via atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP) initiated by the labile chlorines in their backbones. The kinetics of synthesis was carefully investigated, and it is proven that the grafting polymerization process can be effectively controlled by regulating the reaction time. The membranes are fabricated using PVC and copolymers by non-solvent induced phase separation(NIPS) process. The hydrophilicity and pore structure of copolymer membranes were enhanced as well, these membranes are endowed with positive charge. When PDMA%(i.e., the PDMA weight percentage in copolymer) is 31.1%, the flux and Victoria blue B rejection are 26.0 L?m?2?h?1(0.5 MPa) and 91.2%, respectively. Thus, the newly synthesized polymer is proven to be a promising material for dye separation with positive charges.     

Behavior of thermo- and pH-responsive copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and maleic acid in aqueous solutions

A thermo- and pH-responsive copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide with maleic acid was studied using light scattering and turbidimetry methods. Aqueous solutions with pH values from 1.8 to 10.9 and in the concentration range from 0.001 to 0.015 g/cm³ were investigated. At all pH values and concentrations, phase separation was observed at temperatures T > 33°C. The temperatures of the start and the width of the phase separation interval increased with decrease of copolymer concentration and increase in pH. The redistribution of scattering entities, namely, macromolecular unimers, micelle-like structures, and loose aggregates, and growth of aggregate hydrodynamic radius took place during heating.     

聚(2-甲基-2-噁唑啉)在毛细管电泳分离蛋白质中的应用

毛细管电泳作为一种常见的液相分离技术,因其分析速度快、分离效率高、样品消耗量少等特点,在蛋白质分离分析领域有广泛应用。然而,常用的熔融硅毛细管容易吸附蛋白质,导致电渗流不稳定,分离结果重现性变差;此外,商用毛细管电泳中常用的紫外检测器由于光程短,使得毛细管电泳的检测灵敏度往往不能达到低丰度蛋白质的直接分析要求。因此寻找能够阻止蛋白质吸附、同时能够提高检测灵敏度的涂层是毛细管电泳分离分析蛋白质的重要课题之一。聚（2-甲基-2-噁唑啉）（PMOXA）作为一种类肽类亲水性聚合物,具有与抗蛋白质吸附聚合物聚乙二醇类似的亲水性、抗蛋白质吸附性和生物相容性,而且其类肽结构使之具有较聚乙二醇更好的稳定性,因此近年来在生物质传递、药物载体和阻抗蛋白质吸附等领域得到越来越多的应用。该文主要从两个方面对聚（2-甲基-2-噁唑啉）在毛细管电泳中的应用进行了阐述。一是利用多巴胺作为黏合层将其涂覆在毛细管内壁作为抗蛋白质吸附涂层,这种涂层不仅能成功分离多种蛋白质的混合物（如溶菌酶、细胞色素C、核糖核酸酶A和α-胰凝乳蛋白酶原A）,而且在定量检测奶粉中三聚氰胺、乳铁蛋白的过程中,能阻抗其他蛋白质的非特异性吸附,提高了毛细管电泳对奶粉中三聚氰胺、乳铁蛋白的检测效率。二是将其与具有刺激响应性的聚合物（如聚丙烯酸）构成二元混合刷涂层,在一定的pH和离子强度条件下,涂层可吸附目标蛋白质（如牛血清白蛋白、溶菌酶）,在另一pH和离子强度条件下可将吸附的目标蛋白质全部释放,同时在释放过程中,处于涂层表面的聚（2-甲基-2-噁唑啉）会进一步阻止蛋白质的吸附,释放的蛋白质在电渗流和电泳的双重作用下快速迁移,到达检测器的蛋白质瞬时浓度大大增加,使目标蛋白质得到富集,目标蛋白质的检测信号得到放大,从而达到了提高低丰度蛋白质检测灵敏度的目的。此外,该文还对聚（2-甲基-2-噁唑啉）在毛细管电泳分离蛋白质中的未来发展趋势进行了展望。     

Thermoresponsive copolymers of methacrylic acid and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate

Copolymers of methacrylic acid (MAA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) were prepared and their cloud points in aqueous solution were studied as a function of comonomer ratio, solution pH, and presence of hydrophobic comonomers. Under acidic conditions, the cloud point falls below 0 °C for copolymers with between 25% to 60% ether content, because of the formation of hydrophobic H‐bonded ether–acid complexes. The cloud point also decreases with solution pH. For equivalent ether to acid ratios, the cloud point decreases with decreasing PEG chain length, because of the presence of a larger number of hydrophobic methyl and methacrylate groups. Similarly, the cloud point decreases upon incorporation of hydrophobic comonomers such as butyl, lauryl, or glycidyl methacrylates. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6095–6104, 2005     

Effects of salt on the temperature and pressure responsive properties of poly(N-vinylisobutyramide) aqueous solutions

 We examined the effects of salt on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and lower critical solution pressure (LCSP) of aqueous solutions of poly (N-vinylisobutyramide), polyNVIBA, and compared them with those on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), polyNIPAAm. We found that the addition of salt (such as Na₂SO₄, NaCl, or KCl) decreased the LCST of aqueous polyNVIBA from 45 °C to below 20 °C, almost linearly with the salt concentrations and dependent on the type of salt. We observed a similar concentration-dependent decrease in LCST for polyNIPAAm. When KI or NaSCN was added to each aqueous polymer solution, some smaller increases in LCST were observed at relatively low salt concentrations; higher concentrations of salt gave an almost linear decrease in LCST. As for LCSP, the addition of most types of salt lowered the transition pressure, but the effects were much more dependent on the type and the valence of the salt (especially of anion) in both polymers. Salt with divalent anion showed a larger decrease in LCSP, but those with mono valent anion showed a relatively small decrease, even showed a slight increase at lower salt concentrations in the case of polyNVIBA. Salt with I^- or SCN^- showed evident increases in LCSP up to 1 M and was maintained higher than the control even at 2 M. We discuss the interactions of the amide group in the side chains of polymers and water and their perturbation by ions. Received: 13 November 1997 Accepted: 22 January 1998     

Deuterium Isotope Effect on Solution Behavior of Thermoresponsive Star-Shaped Poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)

Thermosensitive star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (molar mass M≈21000 g mol^?1) in D₂O solution was studied by the static and dynamic light scattering methods. The behavior of the polymer investigated in deuterated water is similar qualitatively to that observed previously in undeuterated water. At the same time, the considerable quantitative changes of polymer behavior in D₂O were seen. Deuterium substitution of solvent affects the phase transition temperature by decreasing its value by 1°C. The temperature interval of phase transition in D₂O solution expands (by about 1°C) in comparison with that in H₂O solution.     

Influence of hydrophilic and hydrophobic low-molecular-weight additives on the thermoresponsiveness of star-shaped poly-2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline in solution

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