RNA-sensitive N-isopropylacrylamide/vinylphenylboronic acid random copolymer

Random copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) and 4-vinylphenylboronic acid (VPBA) were obtained by solution polymerization using 2,2′-azobisizobutyronitrile as the initiator in ethanol at 65 °C. NIPA-co-VPBA copolymer exhibited both temperature- and pH-sensitivity. Thermally reversible phase transitions were observed both in the acidic and alkaline pH region for the copolymers produced with different VPBA/NIPA feed ratios. The pH dependency of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was stronger for the copolymers produced with higher VPBA feed concentrations. RNA was selected as a model biomolecule having vicinal-diol and amino groups that were potentially reactive with the boronic acid groups of NIPA-co-VPBA copolymer. The effect of RNA concentration on the LCST of NIPA-co-VPBA copolymer was investigated in aqueous media at different pHs. Although no significant effect was observed at pH 4, 7 or 10.5, the LCST decreased linearly with increasing RNA concentration at a pH approximately equal to the pK_a of boronic acid. This behavior was explained by considering the binding of RNA onto the copolymer chains to occur via two types of complex formation. For the formation of these complexes, the amino and vicinal-diol groups of RNA should react with the boronic acid groups of the copolymer in the tetrahedral anionic form. The results indicated that NIPA-co-VPBA copolymer could be utilized as a new reagent for the determination of RNA concentration in aqueous media. The proposed method was valid for the RNA concentration range of 0–4 g · mL⁻¹.

The schematical representation of the possible interactions between NIPA-co-VPBA copolymer and RNA. (A) A typical structure of single-stranded RNA. (B) Tetrahedral anionic form of boronic acid groups. (C) The interaction between the amino groups of the unpaired bases of RNA and the boronic acid groups of the copolymer. (D) Cyclic borate ester formation by the interaction between vicinal diol groups located at the 3′-end of RNA and boronic acid groups of the copolymer.     

Synthesis,characterization, and evaluation of enzymatically degradable poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) hydrogels for colon‐specific drug delivery

The enzymatically degradable poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) hydrogels were prepared using 4,4^′‐bis(methacryloylamino)azobenzene (BMAAB) as the crosslinker. It was found that the incorporated N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomer did not change the enzymatic degradation of hydrogel, but remarkably enhanced the loading of protein drug. The hydrogels exhibited a phase transition temperature between 4°C (refrigerator temperature) and 37°C (human body temperature). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model drug was loaded into the hydrogels by soaking the gels in a pH 7.4 buffer solution at 4°C, where the hydrogel was in a swollen status. The high swelling of hydrogels at 4°C enhanced the loading of BSA (loading capability, ca. 144.5 mg BSA/g gel). The drug was released gradually in the pH 7.4 buffer solution at 37°C, where the hydrogel was in a shrunken state. In contrast, the enzymatic degradation of hydrogels resulted in complete release of BSA in pH 7.4 buffer solution containing the cecal suspension at 37°C (cumulative release: ca. 100 mg BSA/g gel after 4 days). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hysteresis in the glucose permeability versus pH characteristic for a responsive hydrogel membrane

A side-by-side diffusion cell was used to study the permeability of glucose through a temperature- and pH-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) hydrogel membrane. At fixed temperature (37°C), lowering pH in one side of the cell induced hydrogel volume collapse and strongly attenuated glucose permeation across the membrane. Hysteresis was observed in the glucose permeability versus pH characteristic.     

Bioengineering functional copolymers. III. Synthesis of biocompatible poly[(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐maleic anhydride)‐g‐poly(ethylene oxide)]/poly(ethylene imine) macrocomplexes and their thermostabilization effect on the activity of the enzyme penicillin G acylase

Stimuli‐responsive poly[(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐maleic anhydride)‐g‐poly(ethylene oxide)]/poly(ethylene imine) macrobranched macrocomplexes were synthesized by (1) the radical copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide and maleic anhydride with α,α′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator in 1,4‐dioxane at 65 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere, (2) the polyesterification (grafting) of prepared poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐maleic anhydride) containing less than 20 mol % anhydride units with α‐hydroxy‐ω‐methoxy‐poly(ethylene oxide)s having different number‐average molecular weights (M_n = 4000, 10,000, or 20,000), and (3) the incorporation of macrobranched copolymers with poly(ethylene imine) (M_n = 60,000). The composition and structure of the synthesized copolymer systems were determined by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and chemical and elemental analyses. The important properties of the copolymer systems (e.g., the viscosity, thermal and pH sensitivities, and lower critical solution temperature behavior) changed with increases in the molecular weight, composition, and length of the macrobranched hydrophobic domains. These copolymers with reactive anhydride and carboxylic groups were used for the stabilization of penicillin G acylase (PGA). The conjugation of the enzyme with the copolymers significantly increased the thermal stability of PGA (three times at 45 °C and two times at 65 °C). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1580–1593, 2003     

METAL ADHESIVE PROPERTIES OF POLYAMIDES HAVING 4,5-DI(1,4-PHENYLENE)-IMIDAZOLEDIYL STRUCTURE

Polyamides were synthesized by the direct polycondensation of aromatic diamines containing 4,5-imidazolediyl structure with aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, and the metal adhesive properties of these polymaides were studied. The inherent viscosity of the obtained polyamides was in the range of 0.28 to 0.71 dl g^?1. The decomposition temperatures (T _ds) of the obtained polyamides were above 400°C and their glass transition temperatures (T _gs) were from 168 to 198°C. These polyamides also showed good solubilities in polar solvents, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and formic acid. A standard tensile test was performed in order to examine the adhesive property of these polyamides for stainless steel, and the obtained polyamides showed excellent tensile strengths, e.g. polyamide P1s derived from 4,5-di(4-aminophenyl)imidazole (DAPI) and sebasic acid had values of 212 kgf cm^?2 at 20°C, 183 kgf cm^?2 at 120°C, and 133 kgf cm^?2 at 180°C. A commercially available epoxy resin was also examined, and showed great tensile strength at 20°C. However, the strength of the epoxy resin was found to decrease with increasing temperature, whereas polyamide having 4,5-imidazolediyl structure retains its strength at temperatures of up to 180°C. In addition, the polyamide was also derived from 4,4″-diamino-o-terphenyl(DAOT) (rather than DAPI) and sebasic acid, and the properties of the polyamides derived, respectively from DAPI and DAOT were compared.     

Preparation and characterization of polybenzimidazole membranes prepared by gelation in phosphoric acid

Phosphoric acid doped poly (2, 2′‐(m‐phenylene)‐5, 5′‐bibenzimidazole) (PBI) membranes were prepared by dissolving PBI powders in 85% phosphoric acid at 190–200°C and then promoting gelation of the PBI by cooling the solutions to ?18°C. The extent of acid doping of the PBI membranes was controlled by immersing the membrane in aqueous phosphoric acid solutions of different concentrations (acid de‐doping). The process of the acid de‐doping was faster than acid doping of membrane cast from N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc). The de‐doping process caused shrinkage of the PBI membrane and thus an increase in the membrane strength due to the packing of PBI chains according to the X‐ray diffraction analysis. The tensile stress and proton conductivity of the obtained PBI membranes with different acid doping levels were measured. For a PBI (η_IV: 0.58 dL · g^?1) membrane with an acid doping level of 7.0 (molar number of doped acid per mole repeat unit of PBI), the stress at break and proton conductivity at 120°C without humidification were 2.6 MPa and 5.1 × 10^?2 S · cm^?1, respectively. These results were comparable to those of the membranes cast from PBI solutions in DMAc. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polymer electrolyte membranes by in situ polymerization of poly(ethylene carbonate‐co‐ethylene oxide) macromonomers in blends with poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene)

Salt‐containing membranes based on polymethacrylates having poly(ethylene carbonate‐co‐ethylene oxide) side chains, as well as their blends with poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP), have been studied. Self‐supportive ion conductive membranes were prepared by casting films of methacrylate functional poly(ethylene carbonate‐co‐ethylene oxide) macromonomers containing lithium bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt, followed by irradiation with UV‐light to polymerize the methacrylate units in situ. Homogenous electrolyte membranes based on the polymerized macromonomers showed a conductivity of 6.3 × 10^?6 S cm^?1 at 20 °C. The preparation of polymer blends, by the addition of PVDF‐HFP to the electrolytes, was found to greatly improve the mechanical properties. However, the addition led to an increase of the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the ion conductive phase by ～5 °C. The conductivity of the blend membranes was thus lower in relation to the corresponding homogeneous polymer electrolytes, and 2.5 × 10^?6 S cm^?1 was recorded for a membrane containing 10 wt % PVDF‐HFP at 20 °C. Increasing the salt concentration in the blend membranes was found to increase the T_g of the ion conductive component and decrease the propensity for the crystallization of the PVDF‐HFP component. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 79–90, 2007     

NOTE: Synthesis and Characterization of a Poly(acrylamide) with Pendant 1,4-piperazine-2,5-dione Moieties via Post-polymerization Cyclization

A poly(acrylamide) was synthesized from N ^α -Boc-N ^? -acrolyl-l-lysylglycine methyl ester via radical polymerization. This polymer typically had Mn ～ 100,000 g/mol, Mw ～ 300,000 g/mol, and a T_g of 93°C. Removal of Boc with TFA and cyclization with DABCO? in DMSO at 65°C afforded a soluble piperazinedione-containing polymer that had a T_g of 157°C and thermal stability up to 300°C. These results demonstrate a viable and efficient synthetic route to piperazinedione-containing polyacrylamides of high molecular weight. Related polymers that incorporate substituted indane moieties could be useful high T_g materials for fabrication of LC and NLO devices.     

Aminolysis kinetics of model and polymer-bound anhydride moieties in low- and high-viscosity media

This study examines the legitimacy of using the reaction kinetics of low molecular weight model compounds in solution to predict the chemical kinetics of polymer-bound species in a homogeneous melt. The reaction under study takes place between an aliphatic secondary amine, diisooctadecylamine (DiOA), and a 5-membered anhydride ring, saturated maleic anhydride (MA), forming an amic acid product. The MA species was present as a pendant graft on either a model compound, dodecane-g-(maleic anhydride) (dodecane-g-MA), or a polymer chain, linear low-density polyethylene-g-(maleic anhydride) (LLDPE-g-MA). Pseudo-second-order kinetics of the anhydride consumption are followed by infrared spectroscopy, either in situ in dodecane solution or by scanning frozen film samples taken from a linear low-density polyethylene melt. It was found that the LLDPE-g-MA/DiOA system reacted at a slightly slower rate than the dodecane-g-MA/DiOA system in the low-viscosity solution at 140°C. In the melt, the dodecane-g-MA/DiOA system experienced a small decrease in the overall reaction rate compared to the same reaction carried out in dodecane. However, the LLDPE-g-MA/DiOA system underwent a 65% decrease in the observed second-order rate constant on going from a solution to the melt. To explain these phenomena, the effects of diffusion, miscibility, and chain entanglements in the melt are examined here. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1573–1582, 1998     

Synthesis and properties of amphoteric copolymer of 5‐vinyltetrazole and vinylbenzyl phosphonic acid

Amphoteric polymers have been studied for various applications such as separation of low molecular weight organic molecules from inorganic salt mixtures, selective ion transport, drug delivery through membranes of biological interest, separation of ionic drugs and proteins, and separation of alcohol and water. Typical amphoteric polymers consist of weak base and weak acid groups. In present study, the copolymerization of 5‐vinyltetrazole (VT) and diisopropyl‐p‐vinylbenzyl phosphate (DIPVBP) via free radical polymerization is studied. The reactivity ratio of VT and DIPVBP, which is calculated from Kelen‐Tudos plot, is 0.251 and 0.345, respectively. The amphoteric copolymer of VT and diisopropyl‐p‐vinylbenzyl phosphonic acid (poly(VT‐co‐VBPA)) is obtained from hydrolysis of the copolymer of VT and DIPVBP (poly(VT‐co‐DIPVBP)). Poly(VT‐co‐VBPA) is thermally stable under 190 °C. The anhydrous proton conductivity of amphoteric poly(VT‐co‐VBPA) can reach 1.54 × 10^‐4 S cm^?1 at 170 °C with an activation energy of 114.7 kJ mol^?1. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3486–3493     

Novel polyimides obtained from a new aromatic diamine (BAPO) containing pyridine and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole moieties for removal of Co(II) and Ni(II) ions

Novel, thermally stable polyimides (PIs) containing a 1,3,4‐oxadiazole and pyridine moieties based on a new aromatic diamine 2,5‐bis‐(aminopyridine‐2‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole, BAPO, were synthesized. The prepared polymers were soluble in dimethysulfoxide (DMSO) and concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature as well as in polar and aprotic solvents, such as, N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at elevated temperature. Thermal behaviors of the PIs were studied by thermogravimetric analysis/dynamic thermal analysis (TGA‐DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The inherent viscosities of the PI solutions were in the range of 0.38–0.61 dl/g (in DMSO with a concentration of 0.125 g/dl at 25 ± 0.5°C). The removal of Co(II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions was performed using polymer 6, which was obtained from BAPO and 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA). The maximum adsorption capacity was observed for Co(II) ion at pH = 7.0 (110.4 mg g^?1, 1.87 mmol g^?1). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Melt processing of maleic anhydride grafted poly(lactic acid) and its compatibilizing effect on poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-terephthalate) blend and their composite

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends were prepared using melt processing. The effects of maleic anhydride grafted PLA (PLA-g-MA) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) content on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the blends were investigated. PLA-g-MA was synthesized by varying monomer and initiator contents using a reactive melt-grafting process. Tensile properties of PLA/PBAT blend were enhanced with adding 2 phr of PLA-g-MA. SEM micrographs exhibited the improvement of interfacial adhesion between PLA and PBAT in the compatibilized blend. Moreover, thermal stability of the blends improved with presence of PLA-g-MA. With increasing CaCO₃ content, Young’s modulus of the composites increased.     

Partially bio‐based poly(amide imide)s by polycondensation of aromatic diacylhydrazides based on lignin‐derived phenolic acids and aromatic dianhydrides: Synthesis,characterization, and computational studies

Two new bio‐based diacylhydrazide monomers, namely, 4,4′‐(propane‐1,3‐diylbis(oxy))bis(3‐methoxybenzohydrazide) and 4,4′‐(propane‐1,3‐diylbis(oxy))bis(3,5‐dimethoxybenzohydrazide) were synthesized starting from lignin‐derived phenolic acids, namely, vanillic acid and syringic acid. A series of poly(amide imide)s was synthesized by polycondensation of these diacylhydrazide monomers with commercially available aromatic dianhydrides. Poly(amide imide)s showed inherent viscosity in the range 0.44–0.56 dL g^?1 and exhibited good solubility in organic solvents. Poly(amide imide)s could be cast into transparent, flexible, and tough films from their N ,N‐dimethylacetamide solutions. Poly(amide imide)s showed 10% weight loss in the temperature range 340–364 °C indicating their good thermal stability. Glass transition temperature (T _g) of poly(amide imides)s were measured by DSC and DMA which were in the range 201–223 °C and 214–248 °C, respectively. The T _g values of poly(amide imide)s were dependent on the number methoxy substituents on aromatic rings of diacylhydrazide monomers. Molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that chain rigidity is the dominant factor for observed trends in T _g. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 3636–3645     

Thermoresponsive hydrogel of poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) as a nanoreactor of gold nanoparticles

The synthesis of a thermoresponsive hydrogel of poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PGMA‐co‐PNIPAM) and its application as a nanoreactor of gold nanoparticles are studied. The thermoresponsive copolymer of PGMA‐co‐PNIPAM is first synthesized by the copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate and N‐isopropylacrylamide using 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) as an initiator in tetrahydrofuran at 70 °C and then crosslinked with diethylenetriamine to form a thermoresponsive hydrogel. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the thermoresponsive hydrogel is about 50 °C. The hydrogel exists as 280‐nm spheres below the LCST. The diameter of the spherical hydrogel gradually decreases to a minimum constant of 113 nm when the temperature increases to 75 °C. The hydrogel can act as a nanoreactor of gold nanoparticles because of the coordination of nitrogen atoms of the crosslinker with gold ions, on which a hydrogel/gold nanocomposite is synthesized. The LCST of the resultant hydrogel/gold nanocomposite is similar to that of the hydrogel. The size of the resultant gold nanoparticles is about 15 nm. The hydrogel/gold nanocomposite can act as a smart and recyclable catalyst. At a temperature below the LCST, the thermoresponsive nanocomposite is a homogeneous and efficient catalyst, whereas at a temperature above the LCST, it becomes a heterogeneous one, and its catalytic activity greatly decreases. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2812–2819, 2007     

PVC matrix membrane sensor for potentiometric determination of dodecylsulfate

The construction and performance characteristics of a new potentiometric PVC membrane sensor for the determination of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) are described. The sensor was based on the use of an N-cetyl-N,N,N trimethyl ammonium (CTA) dodecyl sulfate (DS) ion pair as ion exchange sites in PVC matrix in the presence of o-nitrophenyl octylether as plasticiser. The sensor exhibited a fast, stable, and near-Nernstian response for SDS over the concentration range of 1 × 10^?3 to 10^?6 M at 25°C and the pH range 4–8.5 with anionic slope of 52.5 ± 0.5 mV decade^?1. The lower detection limit was 3 × 10^?6 M, and the response time was 25 s. Selectivity coefficients of SDS with respect to a number of different species were investigated. There were negligible interferences caused by most of the investigated anions. The determination of 1.0–280.0 µg mL^?1 of SDS in aqueous solutions showed an average recovery of 99.1%, and the mean relative standard deviation was 1.4 at 100 µg mL^?1. The results obtained in the determination of SDS in liquid soap, water and in some pharmaceutical preparations compared favourably with those obtained by the Methylene Blue active substance method (MBAS). In the present investigation, the DS sensor has been used as an end-point indicator electrode for some precipitation titration reactions, e.g. titration of SDS with CTMABr and cetylpyridinium chloride with SDS.     

Novel Hydrogels for Rhythmic Pulsatile Drug Delivery

Summary: We are investigating an autonomous glucose-driven hydrogel/enzyme-based device prototype for rhythmic, pulsed delivery of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). The device employs a pH-sensitive hydrogel membrane in conjunction with the enzyme glucose oxidase. This system delivers GnRH in rhythmic pulses when exposed to a constant level of glucose. These pulses result from autonomous pH oscillations inside the device that are created by an unstable nonlinear feedback between hydrogel permeability to glucose and production of acid by glucose oxidase. Previous versions of this prototype utilized p(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methylacrylic acid) p(NIPA-co-MAA) hydrogels, with 10 mol% MAA incorporated. With this membrane, which undergoes a volume transition (VT) near pH 5, pH oscillations centered around pH 5 are observed. This range is too low to sustain oscillations in physiologically buffered media. To shift the operating pH of oscillations closer to physiologic pH, we have sought ways to increase the pH of the volume transition. In this study we show that increasing the side chain length of the α-alkylacrylic acid (RAA) comonomer enhances the overall hydrophobicity of the copolymer, and shifts the VT pH closer to physiological pH values. We also demonstrate the ability of such membranes to affect an alkaline shift in the range of oscillations in the prototype oscillator device.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(ester‐carbonate)s by copolymerization of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐L‐proline with cyclic carbonate

The melt ring‐opening/condensation reaction of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L‐proline (N‐CBz‐Hpr) with cyclic carbonate [trimethylene carbonate (tri‐MC) or tetramethylene carbonate (tetra‐MC)] at a wide range of molar fractions in the feed produced new degradable poly(ester‐carbonate)s. The influence of reaction conditions such as polymerization time and temperature on the yield and inherent viscosity of the copolymers was investigated. The polymerizations were carried out in bulk at 140 °C with 1.5 wt % stannous octoate as a catalyst for 30 h. The poly(ester‐carbonate)s obtained were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, and Ubbelohde viscometry. The copolymers synthesized exhibited moderate molecular weights with rather narrow molecular weight distributions. The values of the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of the copolymers depend on the molar fractions of cyclic carbonate. For the poly(N‐CBz‐Hpr‐co‐tri‐MC) system, with a decreased tri‐MC content from 93 to 16 mol %, the T_g increased from ?10 to 60 °C. Similarly, for the poly(N‐CBz‐Hpr‐co‐tetra‐MC) system, when the tetra‐MC content decreased from 80 to 8 mol %, the T_g increased from ?18 to 52 °C. The relationship between the poly(N‐CBz‐Hpr‐co‐tri‐MC) T_g and the compositions was in approximation with the Fox equation. In vitro degradation of these poly(N‐CBz‐Hpr‐co‐tri‐MC)s was evaluated from weight‐loss measurements. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1435–1443, 2003     

THERMAL BEHAVIOR AND IONIC CONDUCTIVITY OF POLY[LITHIUM-N(4-SULFO-PHENYL) MALEIMIDE -CO-METHOXY OLIGO(OXYETHYLENE) METHACRYLATE]

Poly[lithium-N(4-sulfophenyl) maleimide -co- methoxy oligo-(oxyethylene) methacrylates] [P(LiSMOE_n)s] with three different oligoether side chains and different salt concentrations were synthesized. The copolyelectrolytes are essentially random in structure, with blocks of methoxy oligo(oxyethylene) meth-acrylate (MOE_nM) recurring sporadically in between the salt units of N(4-sulfophenyl) maleimide. They all show two glass transitions in the temperature range of ?100 to 100°C. The first one below ?30°C is assigned to the oligo(oxyethylene) side chain (T _g1), while the second one located between 20 and 50°C is attributed to the main chain of the polymer host (T _g2). The maximum ionic conductivity of the copolymer electrolytes, 1.6 × 10^?7 S cm^?1 at 25°C, occurs at lithium salt concentration [Li⁺]/[EO] = 2.2 mol%. The ionic conductive behavior of the copolyelectrolytes follows the Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher (VTF) equation. Moreover, a special VTF behavior exists in the copolymers with shorter oligoether side chain and higher salt concentration. Sweep voltammetric results indicate that these copolyelectrolytes have a good electrochemical stability window.     

Synthesis of photosensitive and thermosetting poly(phenylene ether) based on poly[2,6‐di(3‐methyl‐2‐butenyl)phenol‐co‐2,6‐dimethyl‐phenol] and a photoacid generator

A chemically amplified photosensitive and thermosetting polymer based on poly[2,6‐di(3‐methyl‐2‐butenyl)phenol (15 mol %)‐co‐2,6‐dimethylphenol (85 mol %)] ( 3c ) and a photoacid generator [(5‐propylsulfonyloxyimino‐5H‐thiophen‐2‐ylidene)‐(2‐methylphenyl)acetonitrile] was developed. Poly[2,6‐bis(3‐methyl‐2‐butenyl)phenol]‐co‐2,6‐dimethylphenol)] ( 3 ) with high molecular weights (number‐average molecular weight ～ 24,000) was prepared by the oxidative coupling copolymerization of 2,6‐di(3‐methyl‐2‐butenyl)phenol with 2,6‐dimethylphenol in the presence of copper(I) chloride and pyridine as the catalyst under a stream of oxygen. The structures of 3 were characterized with IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. 3 was crosslinked by a thermal treatment at 300 °C for 1 h under N₂. The 5% weight loss temperatures and glass‐transition temperatures of the cured copolymers reached around 420 °C in nitrogen and 300 °C, respectively. The average refractive index of the cured copolymer ( 3c ) film was 1.5452, from which the dielectric constant at 1 MHz was estimated to be 2.6. The resist showed a sensitivity of 35 mJ cm^?2 and a contrast of 1.6 when it was exposed to 436‐nm light, postexposure‐baked at 145 °C for 5 min, and developed with toluene at 25 °C. A fine negative image featuring 8‐μm line‐and‐space patterns was obtained on a film exposed to 100 mJ cm^?2 with 436‐nm light in the contact‐printed mode. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 149–156, 2005     

Determination of arsenic species in a freshwater crustacean Procambarus clarkii

The arsenic species present in samples of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii caught in the area affected by the toxic mine‐tailing spill at Aznalcóllar (Seville, Southern Spain) were analyzed. The total arsenic contents ranged between 1.2 and 8.5 µg g^?1 dry mass (DM). With regard to the different species of arsenic, the highest concentrations were for inorganic arsenic (0.34–5.4 µg g^?1 DM), whereas arsenobetaine, unlike the situation found in marine fish products, was not the major arsenic species (0.16 ± 0.09 µg g^?1 DM). Smaller concentrations were found of arsenosugars 1a (0.18 ± 0.11 µg g^?1 DM), 1b (0.077 ± 0.049 µg g^?1 DM), 1c (0.080 ± 0.089 µg g^?1 DM), and 1d (0.14 ± 0.13 µg g^?1 DM). The presence of two unknown arsenic species was revealed (U1: 0.058 ± 0.058 µg g^?1 DM; U2: 0.12 ± 0.12 µg g^?1 DM). No significant differences were seen with respect to the total arsenic contents between the sexes. However, significant differences in the total arsenic contents were revealed between the area affected by the spill and the area not affected, the contents being greater in the affected area. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.