Microencapsulation of dichromate and paracetamol with Eudragit Retard polymers using phase separation by nonsolvent addition

A coacervation technique for microencapsulation using Eudragit Retard polymers [poly(methyl methacrylates) substituted by quaternary ammonium groups] as wall material is described, based upon phase separation using a cold chloroform-cyclohexane mixture together with polyisobutylene as a stabilizer. The effect of various parameters on the nature and properties of the microcapsules of potassium dichromate and paracetamol has been studied, in particular the alteration in wall content and structure and release rate of contents. The microcapsules are discrete, their properties are reproducible, and various degrees of sustained release are obtained.     

Miscibility and phase behavior in atactic polystyrene and poly(o-chlorostyrene-co-p-chlorostyrene) blends: Effect of polystyrene molecular weight and copolymer composition

Miscibility in blends of random copolymers of o-chlorostyrene and p-chlorostyrene [P(oClSy-co-pClS_1-y)] with 8 atactic polystyrene (aPS) fractions has been studied at temperatures ranging from 150°C to 300°C. Miscibility windows whose size depends on the molecular weight of the PS and on the copolymer composition, y, were observed for each blend. From these data, the temperature dependence of the three segmental interaction parameters required to describe this system were obtained.     

Models for the active site in galactose oxidase: Structure, spectra and redox of copper(II) complexes of certain phenolate ligands

Galactose oxidase (GOase) is a fungal enzyme which is unusual among metalloenzymes in appearing to catalyse the two electron oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes and H₂O₂. The crystal structure of the enzyme reveals that the coordination geometry of mononuclear copper(II) ion is square pyramidal, with two histidine imidazoles, a tyrosinate, and either H₂O (pH 7.0) or acetate (from buffer,pH 4-5) in the equatorial sites and a tyrosinate ligand weakly bound in the axial position. This paper summarizes the results of our studies on the structure, spectral and redox properties of certain novel models for the active site of the inactive form of GOase. The monophenolato Cu(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L1)X][H(L1) = 2-(bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)aminomethyl)-4-nitrophenol and X⁻ = Cl⁻ 1, NCS⁻ 2, CH₃COO⁻ 3, ClO₄ ⁻ 4] reveal a distorted square pyramidal geometry around Cu(II) with an unusual axial coordination of phenolate moiety. The coordination geometry of 3 is reminiscent of the active site of GOase with an axial phenolate and equatorial CH₃COO⁻ ligands. All the present complexes exhibit several electronic and EPR spectral features which are also similar to the enzyme. Further, to establish the structural and spectroscopic consequences of the coordination of two tyrosinates in GOase enzyme, we studied the monomeric copper(II) complexes containing two phenolates and imidazole/pyridine donors as closer structural models for GOase. N,N-dimethylethylenediamine and N,N’-dimethylethylenediamine have been used as starting materials to obtain a variety of 2,4-disubstituted phenolate ligands. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes [Cu(L5)(py)], (8) [H₂(L5) = N,N-dimethyl-N’,N’-bis(2-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzyl) ethylenediamine, py = pyridine] and [Cu(L8)(H₂O)] (11), [H₂(L8) = N,N’-dimethyl-N,N’-bis(2-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzyl)ethylenediamine] reveal distorted square pyramidal geometries around Cu(II) with the axial tertiary amine nitrogen and water coordination respectively. Interestingly, for the latter complex there are two different molecules present in the same unit cell containing the methyl groups of the ethylenediamine fragmentcis to each other in one molecule andtrans to each other in the other. The ligand field and EPR spectra of the model complexes reveal square-based geometries even in solution. The electrochemical and chemical means of generating novel radical species of the model complexes, analogous to the active form of the enzyme is presently under investigation.     

Persistence of regions with high segment density in polyethylene melts

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-spin relaxation measurements were made on three commercial-grade polyethylenes in the melt state, free of solvent. All samples exhibit a three-component relaxation behavior, with components being assigned to amorphous low-molecular weight material (non-network fraction), amorphous entangled network fraction, and an ordered or high-segmental-density fraction, in order of decreasing relaxation times. Sample thermal history is shown to have a considerable effect on the overall relaxation behavior, and therefore on the relative amounts of each of the three components in the melt. An adequate thermal treatment of samples produces an equilibrium melt with invariant composition of the three fractions. The effects of thermal history on the relative amount of high-segment-density regions in the melt parallels its effect on the fraction of crystalline material in the solid polymer. These results are evidence for the persistence of ordered regions in polyethylene at temperatures well above the crystalline melting point of the polymer. We further comment on the nature of the two slower relaxing components and present examples of how the components manifest themselves in other polymer characterization techniques. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Determination of molecular orientation distribution of a stable paramagnetic probe in oriented 4-cyano-4’-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-pentylbiphenyl

The molecular orientation distribution function of a stable radical 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl in magnetic-field oriented 4-cyano-4’-n-pentylbiphenyl was determined from the angular dependence of the ESR spectra. The preferred molecular orientation of radical species in the liquid crystal matrix was determined. The temperature evolution of the orientation distribution function was studied.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 190–195, January, 2005.     

A study of phase separation of crystalline and miscible polymer blends. Poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)

The phase separation of a crystalline and miscible polymer blend, poly(ε-caprolactone) /poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PCL/SAN), has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), using a SAN containing 28.3% of acrylonitrile units. Several phenomena can be associated with the occurrence of phase separation depending upon the composition of the mixture. Following annealing at high temperatures, below and above the phase separation temperature T_c, three cases can be distinguished. In Case I, there is no sign of crystallization during quenching and DSC scanning, but a melting peak is observed at T_c, and above. In Case II, there is no crystallization on quenching but it does occur during the DSC run; the shift of the crystallization peak can then be related to T_c. In Case III, there is crystallization on quenching, and additional crystallization during the DSC run; the change of area of the crystallization peak is indicative of T_c. From these observations, the phase diagram of the system was determined. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Microphase separation in poly(acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene) (ABS) studied with paramagnetic spin probes. II. Simulation of electron spin resonance spectra

We recently presented electron spin resonance spectra of poly(acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene) (ABS) doped with 10‐doxylnonadecane (10DND) and 5‐doxyldecane (5DD) as spin probes. The spectra were measured in three types of ABS that differed in their butadiene contents and methods of preparation. Results for the ABS polymers were evaluated by comparison with similar studies on the homopolymers polybutadiene (PB) and polystyrene (PS) and the copolymers poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN) and poly(styrene‐co‐butadiene) (SB). Only one spectral component was detected for 10DND in PB, PS, SAN, and SB. In contrast, two spectral components differing in their dynamic properties were detected in the ABS samples and were assigned to spin probes located in butadiene‐rich domains (the fast component) and SAN‐rich domains (the slow component). The presence of two spectral components was taken as an indication of microphase separation. In this study, we present details on the dynamics and microphase separation by simulating spectra of 10DND in ABS, PB, PS, and SAN. The simulations are based on a dynamic model defined by the components of the rotational diffusion tensor and the diffusion tilt angle between the symmetry axis of the rotational diffusion tensor and the direction of the nitrogen 2p_z atomic orbital. The jump diffusion model led to good agreement with experimental spectra. In this model, the spin probe has a fixed orientation for a given time and then jumps instantaneously to a new orientation. The temperature variation of the rotational correlation time in PB and PS consisted of two dynamic regimes, with different activation energies. The transition temperature at which the change in dynamics occurs (T_tr) is 380 K for PS and 205 K for PB, essentially the same as the corresponding glass‐transition temperatures measured by differential scanning calorimetry. We suggest that T_tr is a better indicator of the glass transition than the temperature at which the total spectral width is 50 G, especially for large probes. The simulation program allowed the determination of the relative intensities of the fast and slow spectral components as a function of temperature; this information was used to clarify the redistribution of the probe above the glass transition of the SAN‐rich component in ABS systems. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 424–433, 2002; DOI 10.1002/polb.10110     

Synthesis,crystal structure and spectral characterization of Co(II) complexes with acylpyrazolone ligands

The three new Cobalt(II) complexes [Co(L¹)₂(H₂O)₂] (1), [Co(L²)₂(H₂O)₂] (2), and [Co(L³)₂(H₂O)₂] (3) have been synthesized by interaction of acyl pyrazolone ligands, 4-(4-chlorobenzoyl)3-methyl1-phenyl1H-pyrazole5(4H)-one (HL¹), 4-(4-chlorobenzoyl)1-(3-chlorophenyl)3-methyl1H-pyrazole5(4H)-one (HL²) and 5-methyl4-(4-methylbenzoyl)2-phenyl2,4-dihydro3H-pyrazole3-one (HL³) with CoCl₂.6H₂O. The complexes were screened using FTIR, UV–Vis, TGA, and Single Crystal X-ray diffraction spectroscopic techniques. A relative study of the ligands’ FTIR spectra and their metal complexes reveal the formation, sifting, and disappearance of several bands during complexation. Other interpretations stipulated that these three complexes are mononuclear and exhibited octahedral geometry around Co²⁺.Triclinic crystal system, Distortion in Octahedral geometry, and Intermolecular hydrogen bonding confirmed by Single-crystal XRD analysis of [Co(L³)₂(EtOH)₂] complex.     

Study of the phase transition of poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) in water by rheology and dynamic light scattering

Poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) (PDEA) possesses a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in aqueous media. The solution properties of PDEA at various temperatures have been characterized with techniques such as rheology and dynamic light scattering. There is a decrease in the coil size before the phase transition due to a coil‐to‐globule transition. At the LCST, rheological and dynamic light scattering studies have also confirmed an aggregation phenomenon. This aggregation modifies the rheological properties of the polymer solutions. High frequencies hinder the phase‐transition process and reduce the LCST of the polymers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1627–1637, 2003     

A rheological,optical, and x-ray study of the relaxation of orientation of nematic PBZT

The ultimate properties of liquid crystalline polymers depend upon the achievement of high orientation, usually by means of flow fields. The properties are limited by disorientation which can occur before the product is solidified. Such cooperative orientation and disorientation phenomena also underlie the complex fluid rheology and product microstructure of these materials. The orientation and subsequent disorientation can be followed dynamically by optical and x-ray techniques. Normally, monitoring of orientation is possible only by “fast” techniqes, such as birefringence, these are not applicable to opaque and strongly scattering liquid-crystalline systems. To enable examination of the full dynamic response of concentrated nematic solutions of poly(1,4-phenylene-2,6 benzobisthiazole) (PBZT) the Daresbury Synchrotron Radiation Source was used. PBZT is among the most rigid macromolecules and serves as a good model for other materials of its class. The orientation process determined optically and from x-rays is correlated with fluid rheology and availabel theoretical approaches. During relaxation from near perfect mesogen alignment three principal stages of the disorientation process were identified corresponding to solvent disorientation (first stage of stress relaxation), banding (slow stress relaxation and mesogen disorientation), and finally a very slow banding to polydomain transition. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

NMR study of the propagation center in cationic polymerization of N-benzoyl-8-octanelactam. I. The structure of model living oligomers

Model living oligomers of N-benzoyl-8-octanelactam initiated by the model octanoylium hexachloroantimonate, SbCl₅, and by Ph₃C⁺ AsF₆^?, were studied by ¹H and ¹³C one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance using the COSY, S-INEPT, COLOC, and ROESY methods. If prepared in the more solvating mixture of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCE) with 1,2-dichlorobenzene, the oligomers were found to be linear with the acylium ion as a living group on one end; in TCE only, the oligomers are highly branched. In both cases, the propagation center appears to be strongly coordinated to the nearest benzoylamide chain group. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

ChemInform Abstract: Interplay of Orbital and Relativistic Effects in Bismuth Oxyhalides: BiOF,BiOCl, BiOBr,and BiOI.

Study by using hybrid DFT with explicit treatment of spin—orbit coupling effects and dispersion interactions.     

Substituent Effect on the Electronic Properties and Nature of the W≡C Bond in trans‐Cl(OC)(H3P)3W(≡C‐para‐C6H4X) (X = H,F, SiH3, CN,NO2, SiMe3, CMe3, NH2, NMe2) Complexes: A Computational Quantum Chemistry Study

In this investigation, we describe substituent effect on the dipole moment, ionization potential, electron affinity, structure, frontier orbitals energy, in the trans‐Cl(OC)(H₃P)₃W(≡C‐para‐C₆H₄X) (X = H, F, SiH₃, CN, NO₂, SiMe₃, CMe₃, NH₂, NMe₂) complexes using MPW1PW91 quantum chemical calculations. The nature of chemical bond between the [Cl(OC)(H₃P)₃W]⁻ and [C‐para‐C₆H₄X]⁺ fragments was illustrated with energy decomposition analysis (EDA). Percentage composition in terms of the defined groups of frontier orbitals for these complexes was inspected to investigate the character in metal–ligand bonds. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was used for illustration of metal–ligand bonds in these complexes.     

Speciation and detection of arsenic in aqueous samples: A review of recent progress in non-atomic spectrometric methods

Inorganic arsenic (As) displays extreme toxicity and is a class A human carcinogen. It is of interest to both analytical chemists and environmental scientists. Facile and sensitive determination of As and knowledge of the speciation of forms of As in aqueous samples are vitally important. Nearly every nation has relevant official regulations on permissible limits of drinking water As content. The size of the literature on As is therefore formidable. The heart of this review consists of two tables: one is a compilation of principal official documents and major review articles, including the toxicology and chemistry of As. This includes comprehensive official compendia on As speciation, sample treatment, recommended procedures for the determination of As in specific sample matrices with specific analytical instrument(s), procedures for multi-element (including As) speciation and analysis, and prior comprehensive reviews on arsenic analysis. The second table focuses on the recent literature (2005–2013, the coverage for 2013 is incomplete) on As measurement in aqueous matrices. Recent As speciation and analysis methods based on spectrometric and electrochemical methods, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, neutron activation analysis and biosensors are summarized. We have deliberately excluded atomic optical spectrometric techniques (atomic absorption, atomic fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry) not because they are not important (in fact the majority of arsenic determinations are possibly carried out by one of these techniques) but because these methods are sufficiently mature and little meaningful innovation has been made beyond what is in the officially prescribed compendia (which are included) and recent reviews are available.     

Environmental application of elemental speciation analysis based on liquid or gas chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry—A review

In recent years the number of environmental applications of elemental speciation analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as detector has increased significantly. The analytical characteristics, such as extremely low detection limits (LOD) for almost all elements, the wide linear range, the possibility for multi-elemental analysis and the possibility to apply isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) make ICP-MS an attractive tool for elemental speciation analysis. Two methodological approaches, i.e. the combination of ICP-MS with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC), dominate the field. Besides the investigation of metals and metalloids and their species (e.g. Sn, Hg, As), representing “classic” elements in environmental science, more recently other elements (e.g. P, S, Br, I) amenable to ICP-MS determination were addressed. In addition, the introduction of isotope dilution analysis and the development of isotopically labeled species-specific standards have contributed to the success of ICP-MS in the field. The aim of this review is to summarize these developments and to highlight recent trends in the environmental application of ICP-MS coupled to GC and HPLC.     

Application of HPLC to measure vanadium in environmental,biological and clinical matrices

Vanadate and vanadium compounds exist in many environmental, biological and clinical matrices, and despite the need only limited progress has been made on the analysis of vanadium compounds. The vanadium coordination chemistry of different oxidation states is known, and the result of the characterization and speciation analysis depends on the subsequent chemistry and the methods of analysis. Many studies have used a range of methods for the characterization and determination of metal ions in a variety of materials. One successful technique is high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that has been used mainly for measuring total vanadium level and metal speciation. Some cases have been reported where complexes of different oxidation states of vanadium have been separated by HPLC. Specifically reversed phase (RP) HPLC has frequently been used for the measurement of vanadium. Other HPLC methods such as normal phase, anion-exchange, cation-exchange, size exclusion and other RP-HPLC modes such as, ion-pair and micellar have been used to separate selected vanadium compounds. We will present a review that summarizes and critically analyzes the reported methods for analysis of vanadium salts and vanadium compounds in different sample matrices. We will compare various HPLC methods and modes including sample preparation, chelating reagents, mobile phase and detection methods. The comparison will allow us to identify the best analytical HPLC method and mode for measuring vanadium levels and what information such methods provide with regard to speciation and quantitation of the vanadium compounds.