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.     

Behavior of thermoresponsive ionogenic poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) stars and their mixture in aqueous solutions

Star-shaped eight-arm poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)s with basic and acidic groups were synthesized using a “grafting from” approach. Molar masses were 13,700 and 14,900?g mol^?1 for polybase and polyacid, respectively. The aqueous solutions of synthesized polymers and their mixture were investigated by the light scattering and turbidimetry methods within wide range of temperatures and pH values. It was shown that the studied polymers separately do not exhibit pH-sensitivity due to the low content of ionogenic groups. For the solutions of mixture, one phase transition was detected, the onset temperature T₁ of which lies between the phase separation temperatures for polymers. The value of T₁ for mixture decreases with increasing acidity of the medium.     

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 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.     

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.     

Thermoresponsive Star-Shaped Poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) in Aqueous Solution

Thermoresponsive star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) with t-butylcalix[8]arene core was studied by light scattering methods in aqueous solution. The sample under investigation has M_w = 19600 g mol^?1 and PDI of arms 1.41. The bimodal distribution of scattering objects was observed even at room temperature. The redistribution of these two kinds of particles takes place at T = 27°–36°C. At higher temperatures the growth of large particles, disappearance of the small component, and appearance-disappearance of “middle-size” aggregates were observed. Only the large particles with the hydrodynamic radius 95 nm exist in proximity to LCST (37.5°C).     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis of novel macromonomers and telechelics of poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s

Novel macromonomers and telechelics of poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) (PROZO) were syn-thesized by utilizing termination of propagating species (2-oxazolinium ions) in the living polymerization of 2-alkyl-2-oxazoline (ROZO) with suitable nucleophiles. Two types of p-vinylbenzyl–type macromonomers were obtained by terminating living PROZO with sodium p-vinylbenzyl alkoxide or with sodium p-vinylbenzyl mercaptide. The synthesis of telechelics having a functional group (SH, COOH) on both ends of PROZO was achieved by using a bis(2-oxazolinium salt) initiator. The PROZO dithiol was synthesized by two methods: (1) termination of the living species on both ends with NaSH, and (2) aminolysis of PROZO bis(O-ethyldithiocarbonate) given by treatment of the living PROZO with potassium O-ethyldithiocarbonate. Termination of the living PROZO with the sodium salt of di-t-butyl malonate yielded a PROZO with di-t-butyl malonate moieties on both polymer ends, from which the PROZO dicarboxylic acid was derived via free tetracarboxylic acid. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and properties of poly(alkyl vinyl ether-2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) diblock copolymers

A method for the synthesis of well-defined poly(alkyl vinyl ether–2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) diblock copolymers with hydrolytically stable block linkages has been developed. Monofunctional poly(alkyl vinyl ether) oligomers with nearly Poisson molecular weight distributions were prepared via a living cationic polymerization method using chloroethyl vinyl ether together with HI/ZnI₂ as the initiating system and lithium borohydride as the termination reagent. Using the resultant chloroethyl ether functional oligomers in combination with sodium iodide as macroinitiators, 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline was polymerized in chlorobenzene/NMP to afford diblock copolymers. A series of poly(methyl vinyl ether–2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) diblock materials were found to have polydispersities of ≈ 1.3–1.4 and are microphase separated as indicated by two T_g's in their DSC thermograms. These copolymers are presently being used as model materials to study fundamental parameters important for steric stabilization of dispersions in polar media. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation of micron-size monodisperse polymer particles by dispersion copolymerization of styrene with poly(2-oxazoline) macromonomer

This article describes the preparation of micron-size monodisperse polymer particles by dispersion copolymerization of styrene with a poly(2-oxazoline) macromonomer in an aqueous ethanol solution. The macromonomer acted as a comonomer as well as a stabilizer. The diameter of the particles increased as the concentration of the macromonomer decreased. The higher the molecular weight of the macromonomer, the smaller the particle size. The copolymerization in the solvent containing higher water content gave smaller polymer particles. Under the condition giving the monodisperse particles, the particles volume increased linearly with the yield of the particles. From ESCA analysis of the particle surface, poly(2-oxazoline) chains were enriched on the surface. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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.     

Multiarm star nanocarriers containing a poly(ethylene imine) core and polylactide arms

Star polymers (SPs) containing a hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) (PEI; number‐average molecular weight = 10,000) core and polylactide arms were synthesized via the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide. PEI was used as a multifunctional macroinitiator for the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide. Different lactide monomer/amino‐functional group (LA/NH_n; n = 1 or 2) ratios were used for preparing SPs with different molecular weights. SPs were able to encapsulate small guest molecules such as Rose Bengal; they also transported small, hydrophilic molecules from water to the organic phase. The transport capacity of all the nanocarriers depended on the LA/NH_n ratio used for synthesizing the SPs. Nanocarriers with a higher LA/NH_n ratio had higher transport capacities. The size of all the nanocarriers depended on the type of solvent. In chloroform, these nanoparticles had several sizes that were related to the self‐assembly of these nanocarriers, but in acetone, they were monodisperse, and their size was smaller than that in chloroform. Also, the transport of polar dyes from water to the chloroform phase was possible. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5740–5749, 2006     

Recent approaches for clickable poly(2-oxazoline)-based functional stimuli-responsive polymers and related applications

Abstract

Poly(2-oxazoline)s (POxs) are well-known thermo-responsive polymers that exhibit reversible hydrophilic–hydrophobic phase transitions at the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Using living cationic ring-opening polymerisation, various functional groups can be introduced into POxs. Several clickable POxs with propargyl or azide end groups have been designed and subsequently reacted with various functional groups to prepare multifunctional POxs that respond to stimuli such as temperature, pH, chemicals and light. In this article, we briefly review recent approaches for clickable POx-based functional stimuli-responsive polymers and related applications.     

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。     

聚乙烯唑啉作用下甲烷水合物分解的分子动力学模拟

利用分子动力学模拟系统研究了不同质量浓度下(1.25%、2.50%、6.06%)聚乙烯唑啉(PEtO)对甲烷水合物的分解作用. 模拟体系为甲烷水合物2′2′2的超胞和聚合物对接体系. 模拟发现水分子间氢键构架的水合物笼型结构在PEtO的作用下出现扭曲, 最终导致水合物笼型结构完全坍塌. 通过氧原子径向分布函数、均方位移以及扩散系数比较不同浓度PEtO的作用, 证实在一定浓度范围内, PEtO的浓度越高, 其水合物分解作用越强. 此外, PEtO 具有一定的可生物降解性. PEtO 对水合物的作用为: PEtO 吸附在水合物表面, 其中的酰胺基(N―C＝O)与成笼的水分子形成氢键, 破坏邻近的笼形结构, 令水合物分解; PEtO不断分解表面的水合物, 直到水合物笼完全分解.     

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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Full Thermal Switching of Enzymes by Thermoresponsive Poly(2-oxazoline)-Based Enzyme Inhibitors

Controlling the activity of enzymes is an important feature for many processes in medicine, bioanalytics, and biotechnology. So far, it has not been possible to fully switch biocatalysts on and off by thermoresponsive enzyme inhibitors. Herein, we present poly(2-oxazoline)s with iminodiacetic acid end groups (POx-IDA) that are lower critical solution temperature (LCST) polymers and thus thermosensitive. They are capable of reversibly inhibiting the activity of horse radish peroxidase and laccase by more than 99 %. Increasing the temperature makes the POx-IDA precipitate, which leads to 100 % recovery of the enzyme activity. This switching cycle is fully reversible. The LCST of the POx-IDA can be tuned by varying the polymer composition to generate a wide range of switching windows.     

Formation of poly(ethylene glycol) inclusion complexes in aqueous solutions of mixed cyclodextrins

Even though the addition of modified cyclodextrins (modified CDs) accelerates the precipitation in aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) the final amount of formed solid complex remains unchanged, with no significant presence of modified CDs detected by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Thus unsuitability of kinetic turbidity measurements for determination of binding parameters was confirmed. On the other hand, theoretical calculations based on a model of a chain of freely accessible binding sites demonstrated that the results do not necessarily contradict the finding that individual modified CD molecules can thread onto PEG chains with the efficiency comparable to that of natural (unmodified) α-CD.