Oxidation of wood cellulose using 2-azaadamantane N-oxyl (AZADO) or 1-methyl-AZADO catalyst in NaBr/NaClO system

A wood cellulose was oxidized with catalytic amounts of 2-azaadamantane N-oxyl (AZADO) or 1-methyl-AZADO, in an NaBr/NaClO system, in water at pH 10. The oxidation efficiency, carboxylate/aldehyde contents, and degree of polymerization (DP_v) of the oxidized celluloses thus obtained were evaluated in terms of the amount of AZADO or 1-methyl-AZADO catalyst added, in comparison with those prepared using the TEMPO/NaBr/NaClO system. When the AZADO/NaBr/NaClO and 1-methyl-AZADO/NaBr/NaClO oxidation systems were applied to wood cellulose using the same molar amount of TEMPO, the oxidation time needed for the preparation of oxidized celluloses with carboxylate contents of 1.2–1.3 mmol/g was reduced from ≈80 to 10–15 min. Moreover, the molar amounts of AZADO and 1-methyl-AZADO that had to be added for the preparation of oxidized celluloses with carboxylate contents of 1.2–1.3 mmol/g were reduced to 1/32 and 1/16 of the amount of TEMPO added, respectively. The DP_v values for the AZADO- and 1-methyl-AZADO-oxidized celluloses after NaBH₄ treatment were in the range of 600–800. This indicated that not only C6-carboxylate groups but also C2/C3 ketones were formed to some extent on the crystalline cellulose microfibril surfaces during the AZADO- and 1-methyl-AZADO-mediated oxidation. When the AZADO-oxidized wood cellulose, which had a carboxylate content of 1.2 mmol/g, was mechanically disintegrated in water, an almost transparent dispersion consisting of individually nano-dispersed oxidized cellulose nanofibrils was obtained, with a nanofibrillation yield of 89 %.     

Synthesis of divinyl sulfide via addition of the hydrogen sulfide anion to acetylene in an alkaline metal hydroxide/DMSO superbasic system: A quantum-chemical insight

A mechanism for the synthesis of divinyl sulfide via nucleophilic addition of the hydrogen sulfide anion to acetylene in the MOH (M = Na, K)/DMSO superbasic media has been studied using a quantum chemical approach. A comparative analysis of the consecutive stages of hydrogen sulfide and hydroxide anion addition to acetylene in the same catalytic systems is presented.     

A one-pot synthesis and mild cleavage of 2-[2- or 5-(alkylsulfanyl)pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl vinyl ethers by t-BuOK/DMSO: a novel and facile approach to N-vinylpyrroles

Substituted N-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl]pyrroles, prepared in good yield through an allenic or acetylenic carbanion/isothiocyanate one-pot methodology from 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl isothiocyanate and allyloxyallene, methoxyallene, N,N-dimethyl-2-propyn-1-amine, and 3-methoxy-1-(methylsulfanyl)-1-propyne, are smoothly converted into the corresponding N-vinylpyrroles using t-BuOK/DMSO (room temperature). The reaction proceeds via elimination of vinyl alcohol from the N-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl] substituent and represents a novel approach to N-vinylpyrroles.     

Influence of solvent environment using the CPCM model on the H-bond geometry in the complexes of phosphorus acids with DMSO

Quantum chemical calculations of structure and energies of various H-bonded complexes of phosphoric, phosphorous and methylphosphonic acids and their dimers with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), i.e., (acid) _n –DMSO and acid–(DMSO) _m for n = 1, 2 and m = 2, 3 have been carried out. The polar solvent effect is taken into account by using the CPCM model. It has been found that in DMSO environment the H-bonds in all complexes of investigated acid with DMSO are sizably stronger than the ones in the gas phase. At B3LYP-CPCM computation, the H-bonds between all investigated acid dimers and DMSO are significantly shorter than those found for complexes of corresponding acids with other compositions. The H-bonding interaction in acid–(DMSO) _m for m = 1–3 becomes slightly weaker with increasing number DMSO molecules. The strength of the H-bond in all investigated complexes increases in the series of acids: (HO)₂MePO < (HO)₂P(O)H < H₃PO₄. Additionally, quantum theory of ‘atoms in molecules’ and natural bond orbitals method have been applied to analyze H-bond interactions.     

Conductance Determination of the Ion Association of Tris-(ethylenediamine)chromium(III) Chloride in Dimethyl Sulfoxide–Water Mixtures at Various Temperatures

The electrical conductances of tris-(ethylenediamine)chromium chloride, ([Cr(en)₃]Cl₃; en = ethylenediamine) were measured as functions of temperature and concentration in 20–80 wt% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)–water mixtures. Conductance data were analyzed by the Kraus–Bray and Shedlovsky models. Also, density and viscosity values for 20–80 wt% DMSO–water mixtures have been determined experimentally at temperatures varying from (288.15 to 318.15) K. The limiting molar conductance, Λ ⁰, and the association constant, K _A, for ([Cr(en)₃]Cl₃ were computed by using Shedlovsky’s equation. The Λ ⁰ values decrease with increase in the percentage of DMSO in the mixed solvent. The K _A values increase with increasing temperature and increasing percentage of DMSO in the mixed solvent at all temperatures. This may be attributed to the increase in association constant with the decrease in the relative permittivity of the mixed solvent. Thermodynamic parameters (Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy changes) were determined from the temperature dependence of K _A for ([Cr(en)₃]Cl₃. The results of the study have been interpreted in terms of ion–solvent interactions and solvent properties.     

Effect of Increasing Concentration of Each of Three Polar Solvents (1,4-Dioxane, Dimethyl Sulfoxide, N,N-Dimethylformamide) on Changes in the Shape of Polysorbate 20 Micelles

The effect of increasing concentration of each of three polar solvents [0–40 % (v/v) 1,4-dioxane, 0–40 % (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and 0–60 % (v/v) N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)] on changes in the shape of the surfactant polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) micelles in the aqueous, polar solvent, sodium phosphate buffer solutions (pH = 7.2, ionic strength 2.44 mmol·L^?1) were investigated by using small-angle X-ray scattering. The effect of increasing concentration of 1,4-dioxane is that the micelle shape changed from core–shell cylindrical micelles to core–shell disc micelles between concentrations of 10 and 20 % (v/v) 1,4-dioxane, and then from core–shell disc micelles to core–shell elliptic disc micelles between concentrations of 30 and 40 % (v/v) 1,4-dioxane. The effect of increasing concentration of DMSO is that the micelles changed from core–shell cylindrical micelles to core–shell disc micelles between concentrations of 0 and 10 % (v/v) DMSO. The effect of increasing concentration of DMF is that it changed the core–shell cylindrical micelles to core–shell disc micelles between concentrations of 30 and 40 % (v/v) DMF. The common effect is that the solvents shortened the height of the micelle, that is, they squashed the micelle. Moreover, the specific effect of 1,4-dioxane is that this solvent squashed and squeezed the micelle.     

SEC–MALLS analysis of ethylenediamine-pretreated native celluloses in LiCl/<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylacetamide: softwood kraft pulp and highly crystalline bacterial,tunicate, and algal celluloses

Softwood and hardwood bleached kraft pulps (SBKP and HBKP, respectively) and highly crystalline native celluloses such as algal, tunicate, bacterial and cotton lint celluloses were dissolved in 8 % (w/v) LiCl/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) after ethylenediamine (EDA) pretreatment. Complete dissolution of SBKP and other highly crystalline native celluloses in 8 % LiCl/DMAc was achieved after solvent exchange from EDA to DMAc through methanol. Neutral sugar composition analysis showed no significant differences between the original and EDA-treated pulps. A combination of size-exclusion chromatography and multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC–MALLS) was used to analyze the cellulose solutions after dilution to 1 % (w/v) LiCl/DMAc. The 0.05 % (w/v) solutions of highly crystalline cellulose in 1 % (w/v) LiCl/DMAc contained entangled molecules, and therefore 0.025 % (w/v) cellulose solutions in 1 % (w/v) LiCl/DMAc were used in the SEC–MALLS analysis to obtain reliable conformation plots (or double-logarithmic plots of molecular mass vs. root-mean-square radius). All the cellulose samples except SBKP gave conformation plots with slope values of 0.56–0.57, showing that these cellulose molecules had random-coil conformations. In contrast, SBKP gave a slope value of 0.35, indicating that some branched structures were present in the high-molecular-mass fraction. Double-logarithmic plots of the reduced viscosities of the cellulose solutions in 1 % (w/v) LiCl/DMAc versus the molecular mass were linear, except for SBKP, also suggesting the presence of anomalous cellulose structures in SBKP.     

Unimolecular and hydrolysis channels for the detachment of water from microsolvated alkaline earth dication (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+) clusters

We examine theoretically the three channels that are associated with the detachment of a single water molecule from the aqueous clusters of the alkaline earth dications, [M(H₂O) _n ]²⁺, M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, n ≤ 6. These are the unimolecular water loss (M²⁺(H₂O) _n?1 + H₂O) and the two hydrolysis channels resulting the loss of hydronium ([MOH(H₂O) _n?2]⁺ + H₃O⁺) and Zundel ([MOH(H₂O) _n?3]⁺ + H₃O⁺(H₂O)) cations. Minimum energy paths (MEPs) corresponding to those three channels were constructed at the Møller–Plesset second order perturbation (MP2) level of theory with basis sets of double- and triple-ζ quality. We furthermore investigated the water and hydronium loss channels from the mono-hydroxide water clusters with up to four water molecules, [MOH(H₂O) _n ]⁺, 1 ≤ n ≤ 4. Our results indicate the preference of the hydronium loss and possibly the Zundel-cation loss channels for the smallest size clusters, whereas the unimolecular water loss channel is preferred for the larger ones as well as the mono-hydroxide clusters. Although the charge separation (hydronium and Zundel-cation loss) channels produce more stable products when compared to the ones for the unimolecular water loss, they also require the surmounting of high-energy barriers, a fact that makes the experimental observation of fragments related to these hydrolysis channels difficult.     

Vinyl Ethers Containing an Epoxy Group: XXII. Synthesis and Base-Catalyzed Transformations of 1-(Allyloxy)- and 1-[2-(Vinyloxy)ethoxy]-3-(2-propynyloxy)propan-2-ols

Reactions of 2-(allyloxymethyl)- and 2-[2-(vinyloxy)ethoxy]methyloxiranes with 2-propynol (～3 wt % of t-BuOK, 75–85°C, 5–10 h) lead to formation of new 1-organyloxy-3-(2-propynyloxy)propan-2-ols (yield 65–95%). On heating to 45–100°C in the presence of bases (KOH, t-BuOK), 1-allyloxy- and 1-[2-(vinyloxy)ethoxy]-3-(2-propynyloxy)propan-2-ols are transformed into the corresponding 2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane, 6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxine, 6-methylene-1,4-dioxane, and 2,3-dihydro-5H-1,4-dioxepine derivatives, whose yield and ratio strongly depend on the solvent nature, catalyst, and substituent at the hydroxy group. 2-Vinyl-1,3-dioxolane and 6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxine derivatives are formed as the major products (yield 70–99%) in the presence of t-BuOK in aprotic media (toluene, THF, DMSO) or in the absence of a solvent as a result of prototropic isomerization followed by intramolecular heterocyclization. Intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization of 3-(2-propynyloxy)propan-2-ols to 6-methylene-1,4-dioxane is the predominant process in water in the presence of KOH. In all cases, the fraction of 2,3-dihydro-5H-1,4-dioxepine derivatives among the cyclization products ranges from 0 to 5% (KOH) or to 14% (t-BuOK).     

Base‐Catalyzed Stereoselective Vinylation of Ketones with Arylacetylenes: A New C(sp3)?C(sp2) Bond‐Forming Reaction

Alkylaryl‐ and alkylheteroarylketones, including those with condensed aromatic moieties, are readily vinylated with arylacetylenes (KOH/DMSO, 100 °C, 1 h) to give regio‐ and stereoselectively the (E)‐β‐γ‐ethylenic ketones ((E)‐3‐buten‐1‐ones) in 61–84 % yields and with approximately 100 % stereoselectivity. This vinylation represents a new C(sp³)? C(sp²) bond‐forming reaction of high synthetic potential.     

Molecular complex formation between l-phenylalanine and 18-crown-6 in H2O–DMSO solvents studied by titration calorimetry at T = 298.15 K

The standard thermodynamic parameters (Δ_r G°, Δ_r H°, TΔ_r S°) of the reaction of molecular complex formation between 18-crown-6 ether (18C6) and l-phenylalanine (Phe), [Phe18C6], have been obtained from calorimetric titration experiments carried out by means of the microcalorimetric system TAM III (TA Instruments, USA) at T = 298.15 K in water–dimethylsulfoxide (H₂O–DMSO) solvents. Results show that the increase of the DMSO concentration in the mixed solvents brings about an increase of the [Phe18C6] complex stability and of the exothermicity of the reaction of complex formation.     

Amorphous celluloses stable in aqueous media: Regeneration from SO2–amine solvent systems

Amorphous celluloses were prepared by regeneration of cellulose from its solutions in the SO₂–diethylamine–dimethylsulfoxide (SO₂–DEA–DMSO) solvent system, and other selected SO₂–amine–organic solvents. The celluloses were amorphous whether regenerated in water or in alcohols or other organic solvents; in this respect the observations differ from all prior experience in the regeneration of cellulose. These celluloses retain their amorphous character even after extended soaking in water at room temperature. Viscosity measurements have shown that little or no depolymerization occurs during the dissolution, regeneration, and drying processes. Thus the procedures allow the preparation of amorphous celluloses of a wide range of molecular weights for use to model the behavior of amorphous domains in fibrous celluloses. The unusual stability of the amorphous cellulose structures prepared by these procedures is attributed to very rapid decomposition of the SO₂–amine complex with the cellulosic hydroxyl groups which is believed to occur in the solvated state. The rate of decomposition of this complex appears to be sufficiently high so that the cellulose chains aggregate in an amorphous state before they have any opportunity to realign into crystalline domains.     

Dissolution Properties of 3,6-Bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl-amino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine in N-Methyl Pyrrolidone and Dimethyl Sulfoxide

The molar enthalpies of dissolution for 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl-amino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (BTATz) were measured in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) using an RD496-2000 Calvet microcalorimeter at 298.15 K under atmospheric pressure. Empirical formulae for the calculation of the molar enthalpies of dissolution (Δ_diss H), relative partial molar enthalpies (Δ_diss H _partial), and relative apparent molar enthalpies (Δ_diss H _apparent) were obtained from the experimental results of the dissolution processes of BTATz in NMP or DMSO. Furthermore, the corresponding kinetic equations describing the two dissolution processes are dα/dt = 10^?3.55(1 ? α)^0.57 for the dissolution of BTATz in NMP, and dα/dt = 10^?3.74(1 ? α)^0.63 for the dissolution of BTATz in DMSO, respectively.     

Consecutive Reactions of Dialkyl Ethynyl Carbinols with Acetylene in Superbase KOH/DMSO Suspension

2-Methylbut-3-yn-2-ol, a tertiary propargylic alcohol, reacts with acetylene under pressure in superbase KOH/DMSO suspension (80 °C, 1 h) to afford, along with the expected vinyl ether, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-5-methylidene-1,3-dioxolane, 2,5-dimethyl-5-(vinyloxy)hex-3-yn-2-ol and (Z)-2-methyl-4-(2-methylbut-3-yn-2-yloxy)but-3-en-2-ol.     

Cationic wood cellulose films with high strength and bacterial anti-adhesive properties

In this work, periodate oxidized birch wood pulp and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were cationized using Girard’s reagent T or aminoguanidine. Cationic celluloses were used to obtain films via solvent-casting method, and the effects of the cationization route and the cellulose fiber source on the properties of the films were studied. Thermal and optical properties of the films were measured using differential scanning calorimetry and UV–Vis spectrometry, and the morphology of the films was examined using an optical microscope and a field emission scanning electron microscope. Bacterial anti-adhesive properties of the films were also studied using a modified leaf print method and against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Both cationizing agents exhibited similar reactivity with periodate oxidized celluloses, however, MFC had significantly higher reactivity compared to birch pulp. The films with high tensile strength (39.1–45.3 MPa) and modulus (3.5–7.3 GPa) were obtained from cationized birch pulp, aminoguanidine modification producing a film with slightly better mechanical properties. Modulus of the films was significantly increased (up to 14.0 GPa) when MFC was used as a cellulose fiber source. Compared to the unmodified MFC films, the cationic MFC films were less porous and significantly more transparent; however, they had slightly lower tensile strength values. It was found that aminoguanidine modified celluloses had no culturable bacteria on its surface and also exhibited resistance to microbial degradation, whereas there were culturable bacteria on the surface of Girard’s reagent modified films and they were partially degraded by the bacteria.     

Dissolution properties of N-guanylurea dinitramide (GUDN) in dimethyl sulfoxide and N-methyl pyrrolidone

The enthalpies of dissolution of N-guanylurea dinitramide (GUDN) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) were measured using an RD496-2000 Calvet microcalorimeter at 298.15 K under atmospheric pressure, respectively. Empirical formulae for the calculation of the enthalpy of dissolution (Δ_diss H), relative partial molar enthalpy (Δ_diss H _partial), and relative apparent molar enthalpy (Δ_diss H _apparent) were obtained from the experimental data of the dissolution processes of GUDN in DMSO and NMP. Furthermore, the corresponding kinetic equations describing the two dissolution processes were dα/dt = 10^?3.39(1 ? α)^0.70 for the dissolution of GUDN in DMSO, and dα/dt = 10^?4.06(1 ? α)^1.11 for the dissolution of GUDN in NMP.     

Mechanism of structure formation of microbial cellulose during nascent stage

The structure of microbial cellulose (MC) produced by Acetobacter xylinum was studied in presence of Fluorescent Brightener, Direct Blue 1, 14, 15, 53, Direct Red 28, 75 and 79, as probe. X-ray diffraction pattern of the product showed that it was a crystalline complex of dye and cellulose. The product has the structure in which the monomolecular layer of the dye molecule is included between the cellulose sheets corresponding to the ( $ 1\bar{1}0 $ ) planes of microbial cellulose. As a result of dye inclusion, d-spacing of lower angle plane (100) of products becomes 8.0–8.8 Å instead of 6.1 Å of MC. The d-spacing for the higher angle plane must be (010) plane due to stronger van der Waals forces between the pyranose rings which reduced 5.3 Å space of (110) plane of MC to 3.9–4.5 Å in the product. However, cellulose regenerated from FB, DR28 products was cellulose I and IV, respectively, and that from each DB1, 14, 15, 53, DR75 and 79 products was cellulose II. Solid state ¹³C NMR and deuteration-IR showed the product was non-crystalline which was contrasted to X-ray results. The regenerated celluloses were cellulose I_β, IV_I and II, respectively. Thus the structure of the product depends on the characteristics of dye which affects the conformation of cellulose at the nascent stage by the direct interaction with cellulose chains. The different regenerated celluloses as well as different fine structure in the same cellulose allomorph were produced depending mainly on number and position of the sulfonate groups in the dye.     

Inclusion complexes of Schiff bases as phytogrowth inhibitors

This article details the preparation, characterization and phytotoxic evaluation of several Schiff base inclusion complexes obtained from β-cyclodextrin and p-sulfonic acid calix[6]arene. The inclusion complexes (1:1 molar ratio) were prepared by mixing a 5 mmol L^?1 aqueous solution (containing 1 % DMSO) of Schiff bases (guests) with aqueous solution (containing 1 % DMSO) of 5 mmol L^?1 of β-cyclodextrin or p-sulfonic acid calix[6]arene (hosts). The host–guest systems were characterized via a series of NMR experiments. The ability of the complexes to interfere with the radicle elongation of Sorghum bicolor (dicotyledonous species) and Cucumis sativus (monocotyledonous species) was evaluated. After 48 h, the inclusion complexes inhibited the radicle elongation of both species from 11 to 56 %. The formation of inclusion complexes was also investigated theoretically by molecular dynamics simulations in aqueous solution through implicit approach. Based on the experimental observation, the phytotoxic activity evaluated can be attributed to the formation of host–guest systems. This was supported by the theoretical findings based on stable interaction energy analyses for all the studied supramolecular systems.     

Functional Magnetic Mesoporous Nanoparticles for Efficient Purification of Laccase from Fermentation Broth in Magnetically Stabilized Fluidized Bed

A magnetically stabilized fluidized bed (MSFB) with the Cu²⁺-chelated magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSNPs-Cu²⁺) was established to purify laccase directly from the fermentation broth of Trametes versicolor. The MMSNPs-Cu²⁺ particles in the MSFB maintained a stable bed expansion of two to threefold at a flow rate of 120–180 cm/h. At the optimal magnetic field intensity of 120 Gs, both the maximal Bodenstein number and the smallest axial dispersion coefficient were achieved, which resulted in a stable fluidization stage. The dynamic binding capacity of laccase in the MSFB decreased from 192.5 to144.3 mg/g when the flow velocity through the bed increased from 44.2 to 69.8 cm/h. The MSFB with MMSNPs-Cu²⁺ achieved efficient laccase purification from the fermentation broth with 62.4-fold purification of laccase and 108.9 % activity yield. These results provided an excellent platform for the application of these magnetic mesoporous nanoparticles integrated with the MSFB in developing novel protein purification process.     

Structure of a Hydrated Sulfonatotitanyl(IV) Complex in Aqueous Solution and the Dimethylsulfoxide Solvated Titanyl(IV) Ion in Solution and Solid State

The coordination chemistry of oxotitanium(IV) or titanyl(IV), TiO²⁺, has been studied in solution by X-ray methods. The titanyl(IV) ion hydrolyzes easily in aqueous systems to solid titanium dioxide as long as it is not stabilized through complexation. In this study the structures of the hydrated bissulfatotitanyl(IV) complex and the dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solvated titanyl(IV) ions have been determined. In isolated monomeric titanyl complexes titanium(IV) binds strongly to a doubly bound oxo group at ca. 1.64 Å, to four ligands in the equatorial plane almost perpendicular to the Ti=O bond at ca. 2.02 Å, and there is one weakly bound ligand, trans to the Ti=O bond, at ca. 2.22 Å, for oxygen donor ligands; the O=Ti–O_eq bond angles are 95°–100°. The structure of the DMSO solvated titanyl(IV) ion in the solid state is maintained in DMSO solution.