2H NMR spin relaxation study of the soft segment motion in alternating ethylene–propylene copolymers

We synthesized three partially deuterated polymer samples, namely a poly(ethylene‐alt‐propylene) (EP) alternating copolymer, a poly(styrene‐b‐EP) diblock copolymer (SEP) and a poly(styrene‐b‐EP‐b‐styrene) triblock copolymer (SEPS). The ²H spin–lattice relaxation time, T₁, of EP soft segments above their glass transition temperature was measured by solid‐state ²H NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the block copolymers had a fast and a slow T₁ component whereas EP copolymer had only a fast component. The fast T₁ components for SEP and SEPS are similar to the T₁ value of EP above ca 20°C. The slow T₁ component for SEP and SEPS exhibited a minimum at 60°C and approached the value of the fast component near the T_g of polystyrene. The motional behavior of the EP units for SEP is similar to that of SEPS over the entire range of temperature. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NMR and FTIR investigation of the solution imidization kinetics of model compounds of PMDA/ODA polyamic ethyl ester

Meta- and para-diethyl-p,p-oxydiphenylene pyromellitamide (DOP), the model compounds of the meta and para PMDA/ODA polyamic ethyl ester, were synthesized and characterized by NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Investigation of the imidization in d₆-DMSO solution using NMR and FTIR techniques has shown that both the half imide and imide were formed. Quantitative analysis of the curing rates and degrees of conversion of the isomers in dilute d₆-DMSO solution as a function of time under isothermal conditions or as function of temperature at fixed time (1 h) indicated that the kinetics of the ring closure reaction of the meta and para isomers were the same within 10%. This suggests that intrinsic reactivity differences between the isomers do not have much effect on the imidization process and do not account for the differences in rate that have been observed for the meta and para polymers in the solid state. No interconversion between the two isomeric forms occurred below 180°C, as has been observed for polyamic acids and their model compounds. The degree of conversion strongly depended on the reaction temperature and increased quickly after 170°C. The rate constant of the second ring closure reaction was found to be approximately three to four times the rate constant of the first ring closure reaction. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

New hydrocarbon side chain liquid crystalline polysiloxane polymers: Synthesis,characterization, and thermotropic behavior

A series of new and high-purity hydrocarbon liquid crystal monomers were synthesized through the acylation reaction, deoxygenation reaction, and Grignard reaction. ¹H-NMR spectra and elemental analyses were used to examine their purity. The liquid crystalline polysiloxane polymers were obtained by grafting the monomers onto poly(methylhydrosiloxane). The thermal transition temperature, mesomorphic properties, and mesophase textures of the monomers and the polymers were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (dsc), polarized optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, we observed the even–odd effect of the smectic/isotropic transition temperature with the length variation of the substituents. In this study, we found by X-ray diffraction that the liquid crystalline polysiloxane polymers undergo a transition from smectic B to smectic E mesophase. However, dsc has difficulty detecting the phase transition process. By considering the spin–lattice relaxation time (T₁), we can systematically explain the relation between the flexibility of the substituent with the smectic/isotropic transition temperature. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2849–2863, 1998     

Combined use of nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy for studying recognition processes between amphenicolic antibiotics and albumin

Biological reactions are mostly concerned with selective interactions between small ligands and macromolecular receptors. The same ligands may activate responses of different intensities and/or effects in the presence of different receptors. Many approaches based on spectroscopic and non‐spectroscopic methods have been used to study interactions between small ligands and macromolecular receptors, including methods based on NMR and IR spectroscopic analysis of the solution behaviour of the ligand in the presence of receptors. In this work, we investigated the interaction between ovine serum albumin with two amphenicolic antibiotics [chloramphenicol (CAP) and thiamphenicol (TAP)], using a combined approach based on NMR and IR methodologies, furnishing complementary information about the recognition process occurring within the two systems. The two ligands, despite their similar structures, showed different affinities towards albumin. NMR methodology is based on the comparison of selective ( ) and non‐selective ( ) spin–lattice relaxation rates of the ligands in the presence and absence of macromolecular receptors and and temperature dependence analysis. From these studies, the ligand–receptor binding strength was evaluated on the basis of the ‘affinity index.’ The derivation of the affinity index from chemical equilibrium kinetics for both the CAP–albumin and TAP–albumin systems allowed a comparison of the abilities of the two amphenicolic antibiotics to interact with the protein. IR methodology is based on the comparison of the ligand–protein ‘complex’ spectra with those of the non‐interacting systems. On the basis of the differences revealed, a more thorough IR analysis was performed in order to understand the structural changes which occurred on both ligand and protein molecules within the interacting system. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of binding affinities in a chromatographic system by suspended state HR/MAS NMR spectroscopy

In the current work a racemate of (R)‐ and (S)‐benzylmandelate was separated with a stereoselective polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phase by HPLC. To elucidate the occurring chiral molecular recognition processes in the heterogeneous system used, NMR spectroscopy was chosen under high resolution/magic angle spinning (HR/MAS) NMR conditions in the suspended state. Therefore, and as a proof of concept, a combination of several NMR methods such as spin–lattice relaxation time (T₁) measurements (T₁), the saturation transfer difference, and the 2D experiment of the transferred nuclear overhauser enhancement spectroscopy technique were applied. With HR/MAS NMR it is feasible to combine NMR and chromatography to achieve further insights into the separation process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure elucidation and conformational analysis of a fused cyclopentanopyrazolidinol

From the reaction of 2‐acetylcyclopentanone with benzoylhydrazine, the cyclopentanopyrazole derivative 4 was obtained as the only product. The structural assignment of this compound and also of the hydroxypyrazoline 3 , used as a model compound, was established by analysis of their NMR spectra (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, NOESY, HETCOR and COLOC). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tryptophan-derived peptides. 1: Crystal structure and solution conformation of Boc-Gly-Trp-Ala-OtBu

The solid-state structure of Boc-Gly-Trp-Ala-OBu^t was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The tripeptide gave crystals belonging to the orthorhombic systemP2₁2₁2₁ and at 122.0(5) K:a=11.0663(12),b=14.107(2),c=17.275(2) Å,V=2697.0(5) ųZ=4,R(F)=0.0259, andR _w(F)=0.0695. The peptide adopts a type-I-turn in the solid state with a single, rather weak, intramolecular hydrogen bond between the Boc-CO and Ala-NH groups (NO 3.082(1) Å, <NHO 167(1)°). The conformation of the Boc-Gly-Trp-Ala-OBu^t peptide has also been studied by¹H NMR spectroscopy. The solvent and temperature dependencies of NH chemical shifts suggests that this hydrogen bond is broken and that all amide protons are solvent exposed in CDCl₃ and (CD₃)₂SO.     

Hexamethyl-1,2,3-tristanna-[3]ferrocenophane – Molecular Structure and Cleavage of the Tin–Tin Bonds by Iodine,Sulfur, Selenium,and Tellurium

Hexamethyl-1,2,3-tristanna-[3]ferrocenophane ( 1 ) was prepared by the reaction of 1,1′-bis(dimethylstannyl)ferrocene ( 3 ) with bis(diethylamino)dimethylstannane. The molecular structure of 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography. The monoclinic unit cell (space group P2₁/c; a = 18.659(4), b = 17.311(3), c = 13.719(3) Å; β = 111.02(3)°) contains two independent molecules which differ slightly in their conformation. The cyclopentadienyl rings are almost parallel, but the positions of the substituted carbon atoms are twisted by τ £ 62° with respect to the ecliptic positions. The reactivity of 1 towards iodine and chalcogens E (E = S, Se, Te) was studied. Iodine reacts to give 1,1′-bis[iodo(dimethyl)stannyl]ferrocene ( 6 ) and dimethyltin diiodide. In the case of the chalcogens, the detectable and isolated products are 1,3-distanna-2-chalcogena-[3]ferrocenophanes (E = S ( 7 ), Se ( 8 ), Te ( 9 )) in addition to trimeric dimethyltin chalcogenides, (Me₂SnE)₃. Crystals suitable for X-ray structural analysis could be obtained of 1,3-distanna-2-thia-[3]ferrocenophane ( 7 ); the triclinic unit cell (space group P 1) has the dimensions a = 6.538(2), b = 9.013(2), c = 15.442(2) Å; α = 92.15(2), β = 91.89(2), γ = 109.43(2)°. The molecular structures of 1 and 7 are compared with those of other 1,3-distanna-[3]ferrocenophanes. All compounds were studied by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se, ¹¹⁹Sn and ¹²⁵Te NMR) in order to establish the presence of the [3]ferrocenophanes 7 – 9 and of the cycles (Me₂SnE)₃ in solution.     

Characterization and degradation of the poly(methylphenylsiloxane)–poly(methyl methacrylate) graft copolymer

Poly(methylphenylsiloxane)–poly(methyl methacrylate) graft copolymers (PSXE-g-PMMA) were prepared by condensation reaction of poly(methylphenylsiloxane)-containing epoxy resin (PSXE) with carboxyl-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and they were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), infrared (IR), and ²⁹Si and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The microstructure of the PSXE-g-PMMA graft copolymer was investigated by proton spin–spin relaxation T₂ measurements. The thermal stability and apparent activation energy for thermal degradation of these copolymers were studied by thermogravimetry and compared with unmodified PMMA. The incorporation of poly(methylphenylsiloxane) segments in graft copolymers improved thermal stability of PMMA and enhanced the activation energy for thermal degradation of PMMA. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2521–2530, 1998     

35Cl NQR studies of 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene and 1,2‐dichloro‐3‐nitrobenzene as a function of pressure and temperature

The temperature and pressure dependences of ³⁵Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) frequency and spin–lattice relaxation time (T₁) were investigated for 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene and 1,2‐dichloro‐3‐nitrobenzene. T₁ was measured in the temperature range 77–300 K. Furthermore, the NQR frequency (ν) and T₁ for these compounds were measured as a function of pressure up to 5.1 kbar at 300 K. Relaxation was found to be due to the torsional motion of the molecule and the reorientation motion of the nitro group. By analysing the temperature dependence of T₁, the activation energy for the reorientation motion of the nitro group was obtained. The temperature dependence of the average torsional lifetimes of the molecules and the transition probabilities W₁ and W₂ for the Δm = ±1 and Δm = ±2 transitions, were also obtained. Both compounds showed a non‐linear variation of NQR frequency with pressure. The pressure coefficients were observed to be positive. A thermodynamic analysis of the data was carried out to determine the constant‐volume temperature coefficients of the NQR frequency. The spin–lattice relaxation time T₁ for both the compounds was found to be weakly dependent on pressure, showing that the relaxation is mainly due to the torsional motions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complete assignment of the NMR spectra of [D‐Leu1]‐microcystin‐LR and analysis of its solution structure

[D ‐Leu¹]‐microcystin‐LR is a recently discovered microcystin. We report the isolation of this microcystin analogue from a Microcystis aeruginosa strain isolated from the Lagoa de Iquipari, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were completely assigned in both MeOH‐d₄ and DMSO‐d₆. Further, the solution structure of this compound was investigated with the use of two‐dimensional NMR and the amide proton temperature dependence, and was compared with those of its analogs, microcystin‐RR and microcystin‐LR. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational analysis of some 1R,4S‐2‐arylidene‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones by 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular simulation

Based on ¹H NMR spectral analysis combined with molecular simulation, conformational states of the cyclohexanone ring were studied for some 1R,4S‐2‐(4‐X‐benzylidene)‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones (X = COOCH₃ or C₆H₅) in CDCl₃ and C₆D₆. The co‐existence of chair conformers with an axial orientation of both alkyl substituents and twist‐boat forms was established for the compounds studied at room temperature (22–23° C). The substituent X does not influence appreciably the ratio of these conformers, but the fraction of twist‐boat forms increases noticeably in benzene solutions as compared with CDCl₃ solutions. Rotameric states of the isopropyl fragment were also characterised for the compounds studied. Distinctions in conformational states for the 1R,4S‐2‐arylidene‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones and (?)‐menthone were revealed and are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure elucidation and 3D solution conformation of the antibiotic enduracidin determined by NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics

Enduracidin and ramoplanin belong to the large family of cyclodepsipeptide antibiotics, highly effective against Gram-positive bacteria. The primary and 3D solution structure of ramoplanin is already well known, and the primary structure of enduracidin has been determined by a combination of chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods. Both antibiotics share a similar peptide core of 17 amino acids and differ mainly in the length of the acyl chain and the presence of two D-mannose moieties in ramoplanin. Based on the high sequence homology with ramoplanin, the structure in solution of enduracidin is modeled as a cyclic peptide. The tertiary structure thus obtained was refined through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, in which the interatomic NOE-derived distance restraints were imposed. MD simulations yielded a family of representative 3D structures (RMSD = 0.89), which highlighted a backbone geometry similar to that of ramoplanin in its beta-hairpin arrangement. In contrast, enduracidin displays a different arrangement of the side-chain and of the residues forming the hydrophobic core.     

Comparative study of net analyte signal-based methods and partial least squares for the simultaneous determination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid by stopped-flow kinetic analysis

A comparative study about advantages and limitations of net analyte signal (NAS)-based methods (NBMs) and partial least squares (PLS) calibration in kinetic analysis has been performed. The different multivariate calibration methods were applied to the determination of binary mixtures of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid, by stopped-flow kinetic analysis. The reactions of oxidation of these compounds with cerium(IV), in sulphuric acid medium, were monitored by following the changes on the fluorescence of the oxidation products, in stopped-flow mode. The differences on the kinetic profiles obtained at λ_ex=256 nm and λ_em=351 nm, were used to determine mixtures of both compounds by multivariate calibration of the kinetic data, using PLS-1, a modification of hybrid linear analysis (HLA) and net analyte pre-processing combined with classical least squares (NAP/CLS) methods. The NBMs allowed the selection of optimal time data regions by calculating the minimum error indicator function (EIF), improving the results and making NBMs very convenient for the analysis. In addition, the use of the net analyte signal concept allows the calculation of the analytical figures of merit, limit of detection (LOD), sensitivity and selectivity, for each component.     

Synthesis and Molecular Structure of a C3‐chiral Triaminodistannane

Reaction of the chiral lithium stannate [HC{SiMe₂N[(S)–CH(Me)Ph]}₃SnLi(thf)] ( 1 ) with Me₃SnCl gave the corresponding distannane [HC{SiMe₂N[(S)–CH(Me)Ph]}₃Sn–SnMe₃] ( 2 ) in good yield. Its [2,2,2]bicyclooctane‐related cage structure, comprising the trisilylsilane unit and the triamido‐tin fragment, as well as the Sn–Sn bond (2.7978(15)–2.8020(15) Å in the three crystallographically independent molecules) were established by a single crystal X‐ray structure analysis: Space proup P3, Z = 3, lattice dimensions at 293(2) K: a = 17.724(3), c = 10.597(2) Å, R = 0.0374.     

Exploring the Electronic Structure of an Organic Semiconductor Based on a Compactly Fused Electron Donor–Acceptor Molecule

A Mott‐type semiconductor based on a compactly fused and partially oxidized electron donor–acceptor (D–A) molecule was recently prepared and identified to exhibit a large room‐temperature conductivity of 2 S cm^?1. In a marked contrast to the organic conductors characterized by relatively well decoupled and segregated uniform stacks of D and A moieties, the formally half‐oxidized tetrathiafulvalene donors of the actual compound are organized in columnar π stacks only, whereby the coplanar electron‐acceptor units, namely benzothiadiazole, are closely annulated along their ridges. Herein, we present a theoretical study that explores the electronic structure of this novel type of organic semiconductor. The highly symmetric‐solid state material behaves as a one‐dimensional electronic system with strong antiferromagnetic interactions (coupling constant>200 cm^?1). The unique shape and local dipole of this redox‐active fused electron D–A molecule lays the basis for further investigations of the collective electronic structure, mainly in the function of different counterions embedded in the crystalline lattice.     

Structure and dynamics at the surface of a concentrated aqueous solution of CsF

A molecular dynamics simulation of a liquid layer of a concentrated CsF solution in water has been performed in order to compare the results with those obtained in an experimental study of our group. The main result of the experiment was the existence of a monolayer of nearly pure water constituting the surface and a homogeneous mixture constituting the bulk of the system. The simulation reveals the same phenomena which can be explained by the circumstance that the ions near the surface mostly keep their first solvation shell intact. The water molecules belonging to these shells and being placed on the vapor side constitute this monolayer. The density profiles of the ions indicate that the Cs ions penetrate further into the surface than the F ions. The orientational structure of the first shell of water molecules around an ion is the same for ions in the surface and ions in the bulk in contrast to the dynamics which is altered. The spectra of the librational motion are shifted to lower frequencies. In addition to that the spectra belonging to libration which involves motion of the dipole moment develop a peak in the low frequency range irrespective of whether the water molecules are bonded to Cs or to F ions. This can be correlated with an overall preferred orientation of the water molecules in the surface which is most pronounced for the dipole moment. The calculation of the diffusion coefficients shows that the top surface layer of nearly pure water is a region of enhanced and extremely anisotropic mobility. The mean residence time of water molecules in the surface in the first shell of an ion is reduced according to the enhanced mobility.