The Implications of (2S,4S)‐Hydroxyproline 4‐O‐Glycosylation for Prolyl Amide Isomerization

The conformations of peptides and proteins are often influenced by glycans O‐linked to serine (Ser) or threonine (Thr). (2S,4R)‐4‐Hydroxyproline (Hyp), together with L ‐proline (Pro), are interesting targets for O‐glycosylation because they have a unique influence on peptide and protein conformation. In previous work we found that glycosylation of Hyp does not affect the N‐terminal amide trans/cis ratios (K_trans/cis) or the rates of amide isomerization in model amides. The stereoisomer of Hyp—(2S,4S)‐4‐hydroxyproline (hyp)—is rarely found in nature, and has a different influence both on the conformation of the pyrrolidine ring and on K_trans/cis. Glycans attached to hyp would be expected to be projected from the opposite face of the prolyl side chain relative to Hyp; the impact this would have on K_trans/cis was unknown. Measurements of ³J coupling constants indicate that the glycan has little impact on the C^γ‐endo conformation produced by hyp. As a result, it was found that the D ‐galactose residue extending from a C^γ‐endo pucker affects both K_trans/cis and the rate of isomerization, which is not found to occur when it is projected from a C^γ‐exo pucker; this reflects the different environments delineated by the proline side chain. The enthalpic contributions to the stabilization of the trans amide isomer may be due to disruption of intramolecular interactions present in hyp; the change in enthalpy is balanced by a decrease in entropy incurred upon glycosylation. Because the different stereoisomers—Hyp and hyp—project the O‐linked carbohydrates in opposite spatial orientations, these glycosylated amino acids may be useful for understanding of how the projection of a glycan from the peptide or protein backbone exerts its influence.     

Stereospecific control of peptide gas‐phase ion chemistry with cis and trans cyclo ornithine residues

We report non‐chiral amino acid residues cis‐ and trans‐1,4‐diaminocyclohexane‐1‐carboxylic acid (cyclo‐ornithine, cO) that exhibit unprecedented stereospecific control of backbone dissociations of singly charged peptide cations and hydrogen‐rich cation radicals produced by electron‐transfer dissociation. Upon collision‐induced dissociation (CID) in the slow heating regime, peptide cations containing trans‐cO residues undergo facile backbone cleavages of amide bonds C‐terminal to trans‐cO. By contrast, peptides with cis‐cO residues undergo dissociations at several amide bonds along the peptide ion backbone. Diastereoisomeric cO‐containing peptides thus provide remarkably distinct tandem mass spectra. The stereospecific effect in CID of the trans‐cO residue is explained by syn‐facially directed proton transfer from the 4‐ammonium group at cO to the C‐terminal amide followed by neighboring group participation in the cleavage of the CO―NH bond, analogous to the aspartic acid and ornithine effects. Backbone dissociations of diastereoisomeric cO‐containing peptide ions generate distinct [b_n]⁺‐type fragment ions that were characterized by CID‐MS³ spectra. Stereospecific control is also reported for electron‐transfer dissociation of cis‐ and trans‐cO containing doubly charged peptide ions. The stereospecific effect upon electron transfer is related to the different conformations of doubly charged peptide ions that affect the electron attachment sites and ensuing N―C_α bond dissociations.     

Stereochemistry of alkyl 3-substituted 4-halotetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furancarboxylates: 2—1H and 13C NMR spectra

The ¹H NMR parameters of methyl 3-substituted cis-4-halotetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furancarboxylates are reported, with assignments of the ring protons based on solvent-induced changes in the vicinal trans coupling constants, ³J(H-4, H-5). Preferred conformations, ce with a pseudo-equatorial halogen for the cis isomers and ta with a pseudo-axial halogen for the trans isomers, have been suggested on comparison of the magnitudes of J(trans) and J(gem) in both series. The ³J(¹³CH₃, H-4) values measured for methyl cis-4-bromotetrahydro-3-methyl-3-furancarboxylate, methyl trans-4-bromotetrahydro-3-methyl-3-furancarboxylate and trans-3,4-dibromodihydro-3-methyl-2(3H)-furanone have confirmed the stereochemical assignments.     

Syntheses, structures and ligand conformations of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ag(I) complexes containing the phosphinic amide ligands

The syntheses, structures and ligand conformations of the complexes trans-Cu(L1)₂(ClO₄)₂, (L1 = N-(2-pyrimidinyl)-P,P-diphenyl-phosphinic amide), 1, [trans-Co(L1)₂(CH₃OH)₂](ClO₄)₂·O(C₂H₅)₂, 2, [trans-Co(L2)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃OH, (L2 = N-(2-pyridinyl)-P,P-diphenyl-phosphinic amide), 3, [cis-Co(L2)₂(NO₃)](NO₃), 4, and [Ag(L3)(NO₃)(CH₃CN)]_∞, (L3 = N-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)-P,P-diphenyl-phosphinic amide), 5, are reported. The L1 and L2 ligands in the monomeric complexes 1-4 chelate the metal centers through the pyrimidyl/pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the phosphinic amide oxygen atoms, whereas the L3 ligands in complex 5 bridge the metal centers, forming a 1-D zigzag chain. The chelating L2 ligands in complexes 3 and 4 adopt cis conformations and the bridging L3 ligand in complex 5 adopts a trans conformation, respectively.     

Synthesis, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra,crystal structure and ring openings of 1-methyl-6,9-epoxy-9-aryl-5,6,9,10-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo [3,2-e] [2H-1,5] oxazocinium methanesulfonate

The methanesulfonic acid catalyzed reaction of 1-(4-chloro- and 2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1-methyl-2-imida-zolyl)ethanones 1a and 1b with glycerol produced cis- and trans-{2-haloaryl-2-[(1-methyl-2-imidazolyl)methyl]-4-hydroxymethyl}-1,3-dioxolanes 2a and 2b with a 2:1 cis/trans ratio. Besides these five-membered ketals, the reaction of 1a with glycerol afforded a small amount of trans-{2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[(1-methyl-2-imidazolyl)methyl]-5-hydroxy}-1,3-dioxane ( 3a , 7%). The reaction of methanesulfonyl chloride with cis-1 formed the corresponding methanesulfonates, cis- 4 , which rapidly cyclized to the title compounds 5 . Base-catalyzed ring opening of 5 furnished 1-methyl-5,6-dihydro-6-hydroxymethyl-8-(4-chloro- and 2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1H-imidazo[3,2-d][1,4]oxazepinium methanesulfonates 7 . Acid-catalyzed hydrolyses of 5 or 7 provided 1-methyl-2-[(4-chloro- and 2,4-dichloro)phenacyl]-3-[(2,3-dihydroxy)-1-propyl]imidazolium salts 12 . Structure proofs were based on extensive ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts and coupling constants and structures of 3a and 5a were confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis, reactions and X-ray crystal structures of metallacrown ethers with unsymmetrical bis(phosphinite) and bis(phosphite) ligands derived from 2-hydroxy-2′-(1,4-bisoxo-6-hexanol)-1,1′-biphenyl

Chlorodiphenylphosphine and 2,2′-biphenylylenephosphorochloridite react with 2-hydroxy-2′-(1,4-bisoxo-6-hexanol)-1,1′-biphenyl to yield the new α,ω-bis(phosphorus-donor)-polyether ligands, 2-Ph₂PO(CH₂CH₂O)₂–C₁₂H₈-2′-OPPh₂ (1) and 2-(2,2′-O₂C₁₂H₈)P(CH₂CH₂O)₂–C₁₂H₈-2′-P(2,2′-O₂C₁₂H₈) (2). These ligands react with Mo(CO)₄(nbd) to form the monomeric metallacrown ethers, cis-Mo(CO)₄{2-Ph₂PO(CH₂CH₂O)₂–C₁₂H₈-2′-OPPh₂} (cis-3) and cis-Mo(CO)₄{2-(2,2′-O₂C₁₂H₈)P(CH₂CH₂O)₂–C₁₂H₈-2′-P(2,2′-O₂C₁₂H₈)} (cis-4), in good yields. The X-ray crystal structures of cis-3 and cis-4 are significantly different, especially in the conformation of the metal center and the adjacent ethylene group. The very different ¹³C-NMR coordination chemical shifts of this ethylene group in cis-3 and cis-4 suggest that the solution conformations of these metallacrown ethers are also quite different. Both metallacrown ethers undergo cis–trans isomerization in the presence of HgCl₂. Although the cis–trans equilibrium constants for the isomerization reactions are nearly identical, the isomerization of cis-3 is more rapid. Phenyl lithium reacts with cis-3 to form the corresponding benzoyl complexes but does not react with either trans-3 or cis-4. Both the slower rate of cis–trans isomerization of cis-4 and its lack of reaction with PhLi are consistent with weaker interactions between the hard metal cations and the carbonyl oxygens in both trans-3 and cis-4.     

1,3‐Thiazolidine‐dicarboxylates from Thioketones and Thermally Generated Azomethine Ylides

The reaction of 9H‐fluorene‐9‐thione ( 1 ) with the cis‐ and trans‐isomers of dimethyl 1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)aziridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate (cis‐ and trans‐ 2 , resp.) in xylene at 110° yielded exclusively the spirocyclic cycloadduct with trans‐ and cis‐configurations, respectively (trans‐ and cis‐ 3 , resp.; Scheme 1). Analogously, less‐reactive thioketones, e.g., thiobenzophenone ( 5 ), and cis‐ 2 reacted stereoselectively to give the corresponding trans‐1,3‐thiazolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylate (e.g., trans‐ 8 ; Scheme 2). On the other hand, the reaction of 5 and trans‐ 2 proceeded in a nonstereoselective course to provide a mixture of trans‐ and cis‐substituted cycloadducts. This result can be explained by an isomerization of the intermediate azomethine ylide. Dimethyl 1,3‐thiazolidine‐2,2‐dicarboxylates 14 and 15 were formed in the thermal reaction of dimethyl aziridine‐2,2‐dicarboxylate 11 with aromatic thioketones (Scheme 3). On treatment of 14 and 15 with Raney‐Ni in refluxing EtOH, a desulfurization and ring‐contraction led to the formation of azetidine‐2,2‐dicarboxylates 17 and 18 , respectively (Scheme 4).     

Formation and isomerization of cis,cis-Ir(H)2(--Ph)(CO)(PPh3)2 and cis,cis-Ir(H)(--Ph)2(CO)(PPh3)2 in oxidative addition of hydrogen and phenylacetylene to trans-Ir(CO)(--Ph)(PPh3)2

Oxidative addition of H–R (H--Ph and H₂) to trans-Ir(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2) gives the initial products, cis, cis-Ir(H)(--Ph)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3a) and cis, cis-Ir(H)₂(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3b), respectively. Both cis-bis(PPh₃) complexes, 3a and 3b undergo isomerization to give the trans-bis(PPh₃) complexes, trans, trans-Ir(H)(--Ph)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4a) and cis, trans-Ir(H)₂(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4b). The isomerization, 3b→4b is first order with respect to 3b with k₁=6.37×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ at 25°C under N₂ in CDCl₃. The reaction rate (k₁) seems independent of the concentration of H₂. A large negative entropy of activation (ΔS^≠=−24.9±5.7 cal deg⁻¹ mol⁻¹) and a relatively small enthalpy of activation (ΔH^≠=14.5±3.3 kcal mol⁻¹) were obtained in the temperature range 15∼35°C for the isomerization, 3b→4b under 1 atm of H₂.     

Determination of the geometric structure of three substituted polyacetylenes: Polymethylacetylene,polypentylacetylene, and poly(tbutylacetylene)

The geometric structure of polymethylacetylene (PMA), polypentylacetylene (PPA), and poly(t-butylacetylene) (PTA) was investigated by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopies. It was shown that both NMR techniques can be used to determine the trans isomer content of PPA and PTA, whereas the ¹H NMR and IR methods can be used for PMA. A calibration curve was constructed by using the 965- and 720-cm^?1 bands of the IR spectrum of PPA, and could be used in future work for the same purpose if the samples had molecular weights similar to that of the one used in this study. The isomerization kinetics of PTA was investigated and cis^→ trans activation energies of 88 and 121 kJ/mol were calculated in solution and in the solid state, respectively. Heat treatment of the PMA and PPA samples always leads to a cis^→ trans isomerization with a 100% trans content under extreme conditions. Moreover, a cis^→ trans isomerization of PTA was induced in CCl₄, CDCl₃, toluene, and benzene, but a trans^→ cis isomerization was induced in decalin. The reversible isomerization of PTA covered a trans isomer concentration ranging form 25 to 60%.     

trans-chloro(N,N-dimethyl-d-phenylglycine)-(3-methyl-1-phenylpent-1-ene)platinum(II) complexes. HPLC separation and identification of all the diastereomers

The diastereomeric trans-chloro(N,N-dimethyl-d-phenylglycine)(3-methyl-1-phenylpent-1-ene)platinum(II) complexes, derived by coordination of the enantiomeric and geometric isomers of 3-methyl-1-phenylpent-1-ene (2), were separated by HPLC. Four trans- and two cis-olefin complexes were recognized in the chromatogram. The configuration of all chiral centers of the olefin in the six complexes were assigned. Under the conditions of preparation, the pairs of diastereomers 1R,2R,3S/1S,2S,3S and 1S,2S,3R/1R,2R,3R were formed in a ratio > 1 for the trans-isomer, whereas the cis-isomer gave the 1R,2S,3S and 1S,2R,3R epimers only. The complexes do not epimerize on standing at room temperature in solution; similar behaviour of the corresponding complexes of trans-stilbene (4C) indicates that the conjugated aromatic double bond is coordinated more strongly than those aliphatic and cycloaliphatic olefins.The efficient HPLC separation of the diasteromeric complexes 2C, permits the enantiomeric analysis of 2, as well as the preparative resolution of the olefin.     

Cyclic Heptapeptides Axinastatin 2, 3, and 4: Conformational analysis and evaluation of the biological potential

The conformational analysis of naturally occurring cytostatic cyclic heptapeptides axinastatin 2, 3, and 4 was carried out by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy in combination with distance-geometry (DG) and molecular-dynamics (MD) calculations in explicit solvents. The synthesized secondary metabolites were examined in (D₆)DMSO. Axinastatin 2 was also investigated in CD₃OH. In all structures, Pro² is in the i + 1 position of a βI turn and Pro⁶ occupies the i + 2 position of a βVIa turn about the cis amide bond between residue 5 and Pro^6. In all peptides, a bifurcated H-bond occurs between residue 4 CO and the amide protons of residue 1 and 7. For axinastatin 2 and 3, an Asn I_g turn was found about Asn¹ and Pro^2. We compared these structures with conformations of cyclic heptapeptides obtained by X-ray and NMR studies. A β-bulge motif with two β turns and one bifurcated H-bond is found as the dominating backbone conformation of cyclic all-L-heptapeptides. Axinastatin 2, 3, and 4 can be characterized by six trans and one cis amide bond resulting in a β/βVI(a)-turn motif, a conformation found for many cyclic heptapeptides. Detailed biological tests of the synthetic compounds in different human cancer cell lines indicates these axinastatins to be inactive or of low activity.     

Isomerization of substituted tricyclic 4,5-dihydropyrazoles

Summary The acid and base catalyzed isomerization of some tricyclic 2-pyrazolines with N-Carbamoyl-,N-thiocarbamoyl-and N-phenyl substituents was investigated. Starting fromcis ortrans 3-H, 3a-H diastereomers, equilibrium mixtures ofcis andtrans diastereomers were prepared which were separated and subsequently studied by¹H NMR and¹³C NMR spectroscopy. A mechanism for the isomerization of the pyrazolines is suggested, supported by a deuterium exchange at C-3a.

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Isomerisierung von einigen substituierten 4,5-Dihydropyrazolen

Zusammenfassung Die Isomerisierung einiger tricyclischer 2-Pyrazoline mit N-Carbamoyl-, N-Thiocarbamoyl-und N-Phenyl-substituenten unter saurer und basischer Katalyse wurde untersucht. Ausgehend von dencis odertrans 3-H,3a-H-Diastereomeren wurdencis- undtrans Gleichgewichtsgemische gewonnen, die getrennt und durch¹H- und¹³C-NMR-Spektroskopie untersucht wurden. Ein Mechanismus für die Isomerisierung von Pyrazolinen wird vorgeschlagen, der durch den Deuteriumaustausch in Position 3a-C unterstützt wird.

     

3-Aminoacetylthiazolidine-4-carboxylate esters and their l-thia-4-azaspiro[4.5]decane-3-carboxylate derivatives. Synthesis and stereochemical properties

Dimethyl thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate 2 and ethyl l-thia-4-azaspiro[4.5]decane-3-carboxylates 3-5 were obtained as a diastereoisomeric mixture while their 3-aminoacetyl derivatives were isolated in only one isomeric form. These reactions of N-acylation were stereoselective, which can be explained by an interconversion of the diastereoisomers via a seco intermediate. The ¹H nmr analysis of amides 6 and 11 exhibited the presence of both cis and trans amide bond conformations, whereas only one cis conformation was observed for spiro amides 8-10 and 13-15.     

Light-Responsive Oligothiophenes Incorporating Photochromic Torsional Switches

We present a quaterthiophene and sexithiophene that can reversibly change their effective π-conjugation length through photoexcitation. The reported compounds make use of light-responsive molecular actuators consisting of an azobenzene attached to a bithiophene unit by both direct and linker-assisted bonding. Upon exposure to 350 nm light, the azobenzene undergoes trans-to-cis isomerization, thus mechanically inducing the oligothiophene to assume a planar conformation (extended π-conjugation). Exposure to 254 nm wavelength promotes azobenzene cis-to-trans isomerization, forcing the thiophenic backbones to twist out of planarity (confined π-conjugation). Twisted conformations are also reached by cis-to-trans thermal relaxation at a rate that increases proportionally with the conjugation length of the oligothiophene moiety. The molecular conformations of quaterthiophene and sexithiophene were characterized by using steady-state UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and quantum-chemical modeling. Finally, we tested the proposed light-responsive oligothiophenes in field-effect transistors to probe the photo-induced tuning of their electronic properties.     

All-electron SCF LCAO MO calculations on various conformations of cis- and trans-stilbene

Ab initio SCF calculations of cis- and trans-stilbene at different conformations were performed using two program systems. Minimal energy is obtained for cis-stilbene when the phenyl rings are rotated by 52 ° out of the molecular plane. The deviation from planarity due to steric hindrance is smaller for the trans isomer yielding a rotational angle of 19 °. The trans isomer is calculated to be more stable by 5.7 kcal/mole than the cis isomer, confirming the experimental estimate according to which the energy of isomerization is about 3 kcal/mole. This is an improvement over semiempirical calculations which predict a lower energy for the trans configuration.     

Investigation on the isomerization of 2-amino-3-aziridino-1,4-naphthoquinones to benzo[g]quinoxalines

The course of the hydriodic acid-catalysed and iodide-catalysed isomerization of various 2-amino-3-substituted-aziridino-1,4-naphthoquinones (I) to 1,2,3,4,5,10-hexahydrobenzo[g]-quinoxaline-5,10-diones (III) is investigated, and steric aspects of the reaction are also considered. Only in the case of the phenylaziridino derivative (Ie) does hydriodic acid afford direct cyclization to the corresponding benzoquinoxalinedione (IIIe); in all other cases the hydriodides (V) of the cleavage products (II) are obtained, and liberation of the free bases (II) results in cyclization to the corresponding benzoquinoxalinediones (III) when the aziridine ring is monosubstituted or trans disubstituted, with retention of configuration in the latter case. In contrast, the free bases (II) obtained from cis disubstituted (I) are relatively stable and cyclize with excess iodide yielding trans disubstituted (III). Correspondingly, monosubstituted and trans disubstituted I undergo iodide-catalysed isomerization to III whereas cis disubstituted I do not react.     

A new class of azobenzene chelators for Mg and Ca in buffer at physiological pH

A new class of azobenzene-based chelators, trans-3a and trans-3b (3a and 3b), were designed and synthesized in two steps. Both 3a and 3b were readily dissolved in a buffer solution at physiological pH. The values of the dissociation constant of 3a and 3b for Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were determined by the Hills plot; K_d^Mg=1.12 mM and K_d^Ca=660 μM for 3a and K_d^Mg=158 μM and K_d^Ca=200 μM for 3b, respectively. On irradiation at 489 nm light, 3a isomerized to give cis-form, which underwent cis-to-trans thermal isomerization in darkness at room temperature. The change in the absorption spectrum of the irradiated solution of 3a in the presence of Mg²⁺, showing the cis-to-trans thermal isomerization, indicates that the affinity of cis-3a for Mg²⁺ is lower than that of 3a.     

Configurations and conformations of cis- and trans-N-methyl- and -N-benzyl-4,5- and -5,6-tetramethylenetetrahydro-1,3-oxazines

The configurations and conformations of cis- and trans-N-methyl- and -N-benzyl-4,5- and -5,6-tetramethylenetetrahydro-1,3-oxazines were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The cis isomers are conformationally homogeneous, having the hetero atom attached to the cyclohexyl ring, in the axial and equatorial positions, respectively, in the 5,6- and 4,5-tetramethylene compounds, similar to the case of the 2-p-nitrophenyl-substituted analogues investigated previously.     

Cis–trans isomerization and spin multiplicity dependences on the static first hyperpolarizability for the two-alkali-metal-doped saddle[4]pyrrole compounds

Doping two alkali-metal atoms (Li and Na) into the saddle-shaped saddle[4]pyrrole forms four new two-alkali-metal-doped compounds with alkalide or electride characteristic. They are cis-LiNa(saddle[4]pyrrole) isomers 1(singlet) and 2(triplet), and trans-Li(saddle[4]pyrrole)Na isomers 3(singlet) and 4(triplet). The four structures with all-real frequencies are obtained at the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level. All calculations of electric properties have been carried out at the second order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) level. The order of the β ₀ values is 3.54 × 10³ for trans-4(triplet) <1.51 × 10⁴ for cis-1(singlet) <3.57 × 10⁴ for cis-2(triplet) <2.34 × 10⁵ a.u. for trans-3(singlet). The static first hyperpolarizability (β ₀) depends on the cis–trans isomerization and spin multiplicity. The result demonstrates that the cis–trans isomerization and spin multiplicity controls of the second-order NLO response are possible.     

Stimuli-responsive polymers. III. Poly(aryl ether ketone amide)s with reversible trans- ↔ cis-4,4′-azobenzene and fixed 2,2′-binaphthyl kinking elements in the main chain

The low-temperature polycondensation of trans-azobenzene-4,4′-dicarbonyl chloride with (S)-(−)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine and/or 1,4-bis(3-aminophenoxy-4′-benzoyl)benzene afforded a new series of poly(aryl ether ketone amide)s with both fixed and photoinducible kinking elements positioned randomly along the main chain. In their lower energy, trans-azobenzene configurations, the orange, film-forming materials were amorphous, highly tractable, and thermally stable under air or nitrogen up to about 420°C. Variants endowed with higher loadings of the bent binaphthyl monomer were soluble in a variety of organic solvent media including THF and acetone. The introduction of cis-azobenzene backbone kinks into these materials was carried out by irradiating the polymer solutions with near-UV light. Up to 70% of the azobenzene moieties in these polymers were capable of assuming the higher energy cis-configuration, thus greatly increasing the number of bent or kinked sites positioned along each polymer backbone. In solution, reverse cis → trans isomerization reactions were triggered thermally and were quantitatively tracked by both optical absorbance and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. Activation parameters calculated for cis → trans reorganization of the polymer backbone were not dependent upon the chemical composition or molecular weight of the polymers but did exhibit a small dependence upon the nature of the solvent medium used to conduct the isomerization experiment. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2827–2837, 1998