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.     

Thermodynamics of Swelling of Poly(NIPAM-co-NTBA-co-HEAAm) Hydrogels

In the present study, poly(N-Isopropylacrylacrylamide-co-N-tertiarybutylacrylamide-co-hydroxyethylcrylamide) (NIPAM-co-NTBA-co-HEAAm) hydrogels are prepared with variation of molar ratio of hydrophilic HEAAm and hydrophobic NTBA. The prepared hydrogels are characterized with elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The thermodynamics of swelling properties of poly(NIPAM-co-NTBA-co-HEAAm) hydrogels have also been discussed. The experimental C/N ratios are comparable with the theoretical value. The enthalpy change of mixing ∆H_mix, entropy change of mixing ∆S_mix, free energy change of mixing ∆G_mix are determined for swelling of hydrogels at 25 °C. The value of total free energy of hydrogel swelling is found to be negative which confirms the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) exhibited in all hydrogels and the volume change transition shows the thermoresponsive behavior. The values of ∆S_mix increase and ∆G_mix decrease with increasing amount of hydrophobic NTBA content in the hydrogels. The values of free energy change of elasticity (∆G_el) are found to be increased with increasing the hydrophobic NTBA content followed by decrease in swelling percentage. Also, the transition temperature of the hydrogel is found to be decreased with increasing the hydrophobic NTBA.     

Fast responsive poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-diethylacrylamide) hydrogels with interconnected microspheres and bi-continuous structures

We prepared thermo-responsive polymer hydrogels by γ-ray irradiation of aqueous solutions of N, N-diethylacrylamide at different temperatures below and above its lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Poly(N, N-diethylacrylamide) gel had a transparent and homogeneous structure when the radiation-induced polymerization and crosslinking were carried out below the LCST (25 °C) of the polymer. On the other hand, cloudy and heterogeneous gels were formed at temperatures above the LCST of the polymer (>35 °C). From environmental scanning electron microscopy observations, the gels prepared at 35 and 40 °C were seen to show sponge-like bi-continuous porous structures, while those prepared at 50 °C showed a porous structure consisting of interconnected microspheres. For temperature changes between 10 and 40 °C, gels with porous structures showed rapid volume transitions on a time scale of about a minute, not only for shrinking but also for swelling processes, which is in remarkable contrast to the porous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels.     

1‐Methyl‐4‐nitraminopyridinium nitrate and 4‐nitraminopyridinium methanesulfonate

In the title compounds, C₆H₈N₃O₂⁺·NO₃^? and C₅­H₆­N₃­O₂⁺·­CH₃SO₃^?, respectively, the cations are almost planar; the twist of the nitr­amino group about the C—N and N—N bonds does not exceed 10°. The deviations from coplanarity are accounted for by intermolecular N—H?O interactions. The coplanarity of the NHNO₂ group and the phenyl ring leads to the deformation of the nitr­amino group. The C—N—N angle and one C—C—N angle at the junction of the phenyl ring and the nitr­amino group are increased from 120° by ca 6°, whereas the other junction C—C—N angle is decreased by ca 5°. Within the nitro group, the O—N—O angle is increased by ca 5° and one O—N—N angle is decreased by ca 5°, whereas the other O—N—N angle remains almost unchanged. The cations are connected to the anions by relatively strong N—H?O hydrogen bonds [shortest H?O separations 1.77 (2)–1.81 (3) Å] and much weaker C—H?O hydrogen bonds [H?O separations 2.30 (2)–2.63 (3) Å].     

Versatile Pectin Grafted Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide); Modulated Targeted Drug Release

This study describes synthesis and optimization of pectin grafted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels as vehicles for colon-targeted theophylline model drug release. The gels were prepared in the presence of N, N′–methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA) crosslinker and ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) initiator under N₂ atmosphere. Optimum conditions, in terms of percent of grafting (%G), were determined as follows: pectin = 1.0 g, [NIPAAm] = 26.51 mM, [MBAA] = 0.65 mM, [CAN] = 0.073 mM, polymerization temperature = 30°C and time = 4.0 h. Hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, TGA, DSC, XRD and SEM. The formed hydrogel did not have a thermo-sensitivity behavior. The in vitro percent drug release was studied in terms of different percent of grafting and different polymerization temperatures under two pH values namely 5.5 and 7.4. Conclusively, the optimum colon-targeted vehicle properties that provide the least drug release at pH5.5 and the most drug release at pH7.4 were as follows: [NIPAAm] = 26.51 mM and [MBAA] = 0.56 mM, polymerization temperature = 30°C and %G = 55.5.     

The effect of the trifluoropropyl group in polysiloxane stationary phases used for capillary gas chromatography

Four poly(methyl 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl siloxanes) with trifluoro-propyl group content (group substitution) between 8 and 35 percent have been synthesized and characterized as stationary phases for gas chromatography in borosilicate glass capillary columns. Results are compared with those from two commercial stationary phases–a polydimethylsiloxane and a poly(methyl 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl siloxane) with a fifty percent trifluoropropyl group content (group substitution). Retention index values, McReynolds constants, polarity (as defined by McReynolds) and retention polarity (as defined by Takács) increase regularly with the trifluoropropyl group content of the stationary phase. The temperature coefficient of the retention indices of the McReynolds probes, and that of the polarities, have been determined at temperatures between 60 and 180 °C. Specific retention volumes do not follow the linear dependence on trifluoropropyl group content observed for retention indices or polarities. Substances with electron-donor groups show maximum retention for a trifluoropropyl group content of ca 30%, whereas the retention of hydrocarbons, halogenated compounds, and alcohols decreases as the degree of trifluoropropyl group substitution increases from 0 to 50%. It is felt that a polysiloxane with a trifluoropropyl group content of ca 30 to 35% would be the best choice for the separation of ketones, nitro compounds or amines.     

Retention study on silica gel in high-temperature liquid chromatography (HTLC)

Summary Retention volumes (V _N) of different kinds of test compound have been measured on silica gel as a function of column temperature (T) in the range 20 to 210°C.n-Heptane and mixtures ofn-heptane and polar modifiers were used as mobile phases. With nC7 and nC7-1,4-dioxane mixtures, there was a good linear relationship between InV _N and 1/T for column temperatures above 100 °C. When more polar modifiers such as butanol, ethanol and acetic acid were used, ‘N’-shaped curves were obtained for the plots of InV _N against 1/T. Possible explanations of this retention behavior have been proposed on the basis of related studies and common physical chemistry relationships. Column equilibration time after alteration of water content or column temperature is greatly reduced at elevated temperatures. This will benefit the application of LSC on silica gel.     

β‐Cyclodextrin hydrogel incorporating hydrophobically modified poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) for a temperature‐dependent release

Hydrogels exhibiting a temperature‐dependent release were prepared by incorporating hydrophobically modified poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (HmPNIPAM) into β‐cyclodextrin hydrogels (β‐CD hydrogels). The specific loading of HmPNIPAM was about 0.0069 g HmPNIPAM/g β‐CD hydrogels. The incorporation of the polymer was qualitatively conformed by FT‐IR spectroscopy and SEM. The percent release of blue dextran in 24 hr at 20°C (about 77%) was markedly higher than those obtained at 35°C and 45°C (about 53 and 55%, respectively). At the higher temperatures, the volume of the hydrogel could decrease upon the thermal contraction of HmPNIPAM, leading to a smaller mesh and a suppressed release. In fact, the swelling ratio in 24 hr at 35°C and 45°C (about 396% and 405%, respectively) was obviously lower than that obtained at 20°C (about 465%). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermally reversible macroporous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels

Macroporous hydrogels are characterized by large pore sizes, high pore volumes, and high specific surface area. Besides these characteristics, macroporous hydrogels based on thermally reversible polymers respond to temperature changes much faster than hydrogels prepared by a conventional method. Crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (polyNIPAAm) forms a thermally reversible hydrogel which shows a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) ca. 33°C in aqueous solutions. We have synthesized thermally reversible polyNIPAAm hydrogels having macroporous structures by a new method. These macroporous hydrogels have large pore volumes, large average pore sizes, and faster macromolecule permeation rates in comparison to conventional polyNIPAAm hydrogels synthesized by a conventional method. Compared with conventional polyNIPAAm hydrogels, the macroporous polyNIPAAm hydrogels have higher swelling ratios at temperatures below the LCST and exhibit faster deswelling and reswelling rates. The deswelling rates are especially rapid. These thermally reversible macroporous hydrogels may be very useful in controlled active agent delivery and toxin removal, as well as dewatering of solutions. Peptides or proteins may behave as if they were in bulk solution within the large aqueous pores, and this may reduce their inactivation when such gels are used for their storage and later release. The gels may also be useful in microrobotic devices due to their fast response to temperature. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis,characterization, and drug release behaviors of a novel thermo‐sensitive poly(N‐acryloylglycinates)

In this study, a novel thermo‐sensitive poly(N‐acryloylglycinates) was prepared in order to get a potential drug release carrier. The corresponding monomers and the polymers were characterized with Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and ¹H NMR. The thermo‐sensitivity of the poly(N‐acryloylglycinates) was evaluated by measuring their lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) in water, inorganic salt solution, and different pH solutions. The results indicated that poly(N‐acryloylglycine methyl ester) (NAGME) and poly(N‐acryloylglycine ethyl ester) (NAGEE) exhibit a reversible thermo‐sensibility in their aqueous solutions at 61.5 and 12.5°C, respectively. However, no thermo‐sensitive behavior of poly(N‐acryloylglycine propyl ester) (NAGPE) was found due to its over hydrophobicity. The swelling studies on hydrogels were carried out at different temperatures, in different pH, and inorganic salt solutions. The hydrogels showed a remarkable phase transition at about 35°C with changing temperature. The release rate of caffeine from the thermo‐sensitive hydrogel was apparently decreased as the crosslinker content increased and temperature decreased. Seventy five percent caffeine from the polymeric hydrogel with 5% NMBA (N, N‐methylenebis(acrylamide)) was released at room temperature within 240 min, whereas 95.4% caffeine diffused into the medium at 37°C. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvated and solvent‐free forms of N,N′‐di­thio­diphthal­imide

N,N′‐Di­thio­diphthal­imide, C₁₆H₈N₂O₄S₂, crystallizes from ethyl acetate with two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit, in which the N—S—S—N torsion angles are ?83.59 (19) and 92.9 (2)°. The mol­ecules are linked by C—H?O hydrogen bonds and aromatic π–π‐stacking interactions into a three‐dimensional framework. When crystallized from either di­chloro­methane or ethanol, solvates are formed in which the mol­ecules of the title compound lie across twofold rotation axes in space group C2/c, with N—S—S—N torsion angles of 93.54 (7) and 96.14 (11)°. There are no hydrogen bonds in these solvates, but the mol­ecules are linked by aromatic π–π‐stacking interactions into chains, between which there are continuous channels. Disordered solvent mol­ecules occupy these channels, which account for ca 20% of the unit‐cell volume.     

Poly(arylene ether)s and poly(arylene thioether)s containing the 1,2-dihydro-4-phenyl(2H)- phthalazinone moiety

A series of new high molecular weight poly(arylene ether)s containing the 1,2-dihydro-4-phenyl(2H)phthalazinone moiety have been synthesized. The inherent viscosities of these polymers are in the range of 0.33–0.64 dL/g. They are amorphous and readily soluble in chloroform, DMF, and DMAc. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers range from 241 to 320°C and the 5% weight loss temperatures in nitrogen atmosphere range from 473 to 517°C. The hydroxy group in the monomer 1,2-dihydro-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)(2H)phthalazin-1-one has been selectively transformed into the N,N′-dimethylthiocarbamate group, which was then rearranged to give the S-(N,N′-dimethylcarbamate) group via the Newman–Kwart rearrangement reaction. A series of poly(arylene thioether)s containing the 1,2-dihydro-4-phenyl(2H)phthalazinone moiety have also been synthesized via two types of reactions, a N C coupling reaction and a one-pot reaction between the S-(N,N′-dimethylcarbamate) and activated dihalo compounds, in diphenyl sulfone in the presence of a cesium carbonate and calcium carbonate mixture. These poly(arylene thioether)s also have high glass transition temperatures (ranging from 217–303°C) and high thermal stabilities. Compared with their poly(ether) analogs, the poly(arylene thioether)s have glass transition temperatures several degrees lower, which is attributed to the more flexible C S C bonds. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36 : 455–460, 1998     

Novel thermooxidatively stable poly(ether-imide-benzoxazole) and poly(ester-imide-benzoxazole)

4-Hydroxy-5-nitrophthalimides were produced via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (NAS) of 4,5-dichloro phthalimide substituents by potassium nitrite. The use of a N-phenyl-phthalimide having a protected 4′-hydroxyl group allows concurrent deprotection and nitro reduction to amine to give the 4-hydroxy-5-amino-N-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) phthalimide. This key intermediate is the precursor to a poly (ether-imide-benzoxazole), and is the condensable monomer for a poly (ester-imide-benzoxazole). Benzoxazole monomer formation via condensation with p-fluorobenzoyl chloride afforded 2-(4′-fluorophenyl)-5,6,-N-[4′(-hydroxyphenyl) imide]-benzoxazole, which was polymerized under NAS conditions to produce a poly(ether-imide-benzoxazole) having an endothermic transition at 454°C with weight retention of 90% at 500°C in both air and nitrogen. Solution polycondensation of the 4-hydroxy-5-amino-N-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) phthalimide monomer with isophthaloyl chloride afforded a poly(ester-amide-imide) which was isolated and thermally cyclodehydrated in the solid state under vacuum to give a poly(ester-imide-benzoxazole) having 95% weight retention at 500°C in both air and nitrogen, with no detectable DSC transitions up to 500°C. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Evaluation of the Temperature Responsive Stationary Phase Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in Aqueous LC for the Analysis of Small Molecules

Liquid chromatography columns were packed with a temperature responsive stationary phase based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) attached to aminopropyl silicagel. This polymer shows hydrophilic properties below 32 °C and becomes hydrophobic above that temperature. The temperature responsive properties of the coupled phase are demonstrated using only water as mobile phase, whereby an increase in retention is observed with raising temperature. Mixtures of compounds covering a wide polarity range and including phenones, alkylbenzenes, phenols, alkylated benzoic acids, anilines, sulfonamides and carbamates were analyzed and the retention, peak shapes and plate counts were compared under identical conditions. For retained solutes, an increase in retention as a function of the temperature between 25 and 55 °C could be noted, whereby this was higher for the analytes containing a longer hydrophobic chain. Compounds with similar hydrophobic chains, but containing additional polar functions showed increased retention and improved peak shapes, suggesting a mixed mode interaction mechanism also at temperatures well above the transition temperature of the polymer. Weak acids and bases could be analyzed by pH adjustment. This is demonstrated for mixtures of benzoic acid derivatives and sulfamide drugs. A carbamate pesticide mixture was analyzed at 55 °C with water (pH 5.5) as mobile phase and ESI-MS detection. Temperature responsive stationary phases open perspectives for green chromatography.     

Formation and thermal decomposition of adducts of phthalimidonitrene with spiro(1-pyrazolinecyclopropanes)

Oxidation ofN-aminophthalimide with lead tetraacetate in the presence of spiro(1-pyrazolinecyclopropanes) at temperature from −20°C to −30°C resulted in the formal generation of phthalimidonitrene followed by its addition at the N=N bond of the pyrazoline ring to form 5(3)-substitutedN-{spiro[1-pyrazolinio-3(5),1′-cyclopropane]}-N-phthalimidoamides (azimines), whose regioisomeric compositions were determined to a large extent by the nature of the substituents in the pyrazoline ring. The structures of phthalimidoazimines were established based on the NMR spectra and X-ray diffraction data. Thermal conversions of the resulting adducts, which proceeded either with retention or with opening of the spiro-fused cyclopropane ring, were studied. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1328–1333, July, 1999.     

Bis(triphenylphosphin)iminium-bis(methoxo)phthalocyaninato(2–)ferrat(III) – Synthese und Kristallstruktur

Bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium Bis(methoxo)phthalocyaninato(2–)ferrate(III) – Synthesis and Crystal Structure Chlorophthalocyaninato(2–)ferrate(III) reacts with bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium hydroxide in methanol/acetone solution to yield blue crystals of bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium bis(methoxo)phthalocyaninato(2–)ferrate(III). The complex salt crystallizes as an acetone/methanol solvate (^bPNP)[Fe(OCH₃)₂pc^2–] · (CH₃)₂CO · 1.5 CH₃OH in the triclinic space group P 1 (no. 2) with the cell parameters a = 13.160(5) Å, b = 15.480(5) Å, c = 17.140(5) Å, α = 97.54(5)°, β = 91.79(5)°, γ = 95.44(5)°. The Fe atom is located in the centre of the pc^2– ligand coordinating four isoindole N atoms (N_iso) of the pc^2– ligand and two O atoms of the methoxo ligands in a mutual trans arrangement. The average Fe–O and Fe–N_iso distances are 1.887 and 1.943 Å, respectively. The cation adopts the bent conformation (< P–N–P = 140.4(2)°) with P–N distances of 1.579(3) and 1.575(3) Å.     

Partial Molar Volumes of Cobalt(III) Complexes. Part 3: Homologous Series of Aminopentaamminecobalt(III) Complexes

Partial molar volumes (V ₂°) have been determined at infinite dilution in aqueous solution at 20 °C for a series of octahedral N₆-coordinated cobalt(III) species having five-coordinated ammonia ligands along with an N-coordinated linear alkyl amine whose alkyl chain was varied from ethylamine to octylamine. The experimental values for V ₂° are consistent with the relative sizes of the ligands but show increasing deviations from those predicted by computer modeling, as the size of the cation increases, presumably due to the void space of the cation that increases with the size of the amine ligand. The value of the partial molar volume at infinite dilution increased by about 16 mL⋅mol⁻¹ with each added methylene group.     

Synthesis and characterization of temperature-sensitive and biodegradable hydrogel based on N-isopropylacrylamide

Based on a biodegradable cross-linker, N-maleyl chitosan (N-MACH), a series of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide) [P(NIPAAm-co-Am)] hydrogels were prepared, and their lower critical solution temperature (LCST), swelling kinetics, equilibrium swelling ratio in NaCl solution, and enzymatic degradation behavior in simulated gastric fluids (SGF) were discussed. The LCST did not change with different cross-linker contents. By altering the NIPAAm/Am molar ratio of P(NIPAAm-co-Am) hydrogels, the LCST could be increased to 39°C. The LCST of the hydrogel was significantly influenced by the monomer ratio of the NIPAAm/Am but not by the cross-linker content. In the swelling kinetics, all the dry hydrogels exhibited fast swelling behavior, and the swelling ratios were influenced by the cross-linker content and NIPAAm/Am molar ratios. Equilibrium swelling ratio of all the hydrogels decreased with increasing NaCl solution concentration. In enzymatic degradation tests, the weight loss of hydrogels was dependent on the cross-linker contents and the enzyme concentration.      

Thermo‐ and pH‐Responsive Micelles of Poly(acrylic acid)‐block‐Poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide)

Summary: The bis‐hydrophilic block copolymer, poly(acrylic acid)₄₅‐block‐poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide)₃₆₀, was obtained after hydrolysis of poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)₄₅‐block‐poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide)₃₆₀, synthesized by sequential anionic polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) and N,N‐diethylacrylamide (DEAAm) in the presence of Et₃Al. The polymer is stimuli‐sensitive with respect to both pH and temperature in aqueous solution, reversibly forming spherical crew‐cut micelles with PDEAAm‐core (〈R_h〉_z = 21.5 nm) under alkaline conditions for T > 35 °C as well as inverse star‐like micelles with an expanded PAA‐core (〈R_h〉_z = 43.8 nm) under acidic conditions for T < 35 °C, as indicated by dynamic light scattering.

Modes of micelle formation for poly(acrylic acid)₄₅‐block‐poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide)₃₆₀ in aqueous solution depending on the pH and temperature.     

Synthesis and characterization of N -(alky(aryl)carbamothioyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide derivatives and their Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

N-(R-carbamothioyl)cyclohexanecarboxamides (R: diethyl, di-n-propyl, di-n-butyl, diphenyl and morpholine-4) and their Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and NMR methods. N-(diethylcarbamothioyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, HL¹, C₁₂H₂₂N₂OS, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁, with Z = 4, and unit cell parameters, a = 6.6925(13) Å, b = 9.0457(18) Å, c = 22.728(5) Å. The conformation of the HL¹ molecule with respect to the thiocarbonyl and carbonyl moieties is twisted, as reflected by the torsion angles O1–C6–N2–C5, C6–N2–C5–N1 and S1–C5–N2–C6 of 1.68°, ?67.47° and 115.50°, respectively. The structure of HL¹ also shows a delocalization of the π electrons of the thiocarbonyl group over the C–N bonds. The ring puckering analysis shows that the cyclohexane ring has a chair conformation. The bis(N-(morpholine-4-carbonothioyl)cyclohexane carboxamido)nickel(II) complex, Ni(L⁵)₂, C₂₄H₃₈N₄NiO₄S₂, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with Z = 4, and unit cell parameters, a = 16.919(3) Å, b = 8.3659(17) Å, c = 19.654(4) Å, β = 107.43(3)°. Ni(L⁵)₂ is a cis-complex with a slightly distorted square-planar coordination of the central nickel by two oxygen and two sulfur atoms.