Synthesis and Characterization of α,ω‐bi[2,4‐dinitrophenyl (DNP)] poly(2‐methoxystyrene) Functional Polymers. Initial Evaluation of the Interaction of the Functional Polymers with RBL Mast Cells

Two series of functional polymers, α,ω‐bi[2,4‐dinitrophenyl][poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(2‐methoxystyrene)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide)] (DNP‐PEO‐P2MS‐PEO‐DNP) and α,ω‐bi[2,4‐dinitrophenyl caproic][poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(2‐methoxystyrene)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide)] (CDNP‐PEO‐P2MS‐PEO‐CDNP), were synthesized by anionic living polymerization. The polymers were characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). The molecular weight distributions for the lower molecular weight functional polymers were slightly broad (1.3–1.5). However, the molecular weight distributions for higher molecular weight polymers were narrower (1.1–1.2). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies showed thermal transitions indicative of the presence of microphases in the polymer solid state. The polymers were white powders and soluble in tetrahydrofuran. The binding affinity of DNP‐PEO‐P2MS‐PEO‐DNP ligands towards anti DNP IgE was determined by titrations with fluorescently labeled FITC‐IgE. A water soluble CDNP‐PEO‐P2MS‐PEO‐CDNP/DMEG (dimethoxyethylene glycol) complex binds and achieves steady state binding with solution IgE within a few seconds. This strongly suggests that CDNP functional polymers with improved water solubility have potential in therapeutics. Higher molecular weight (water insoluble) CDNP‐PEO‐P2MS‐PEO‐CDNP polymers were electrosprayed as fibers (500 nm) on silicon surface. Fluorescence spectroscopy clearly showed that RBL mast cells were interacting with the fibers suggesting that the cell‐surface receptors were clustered along the fiber surface. These observations suggest that the functional polymers hold promise for developing an antibody detection device.     

HPLC Analysis of Oligomeric Ethylene Glyccl Mixtures Via bis(2,4-Dinitrophenylation)

Abstract

Bis(2,4-dinitrophenylation) of oligomeric ethylene glycols of the formula HO-(CH₂CH₂O)_n-H (n=4–16)to the corresponding DNP-C(CH₂CH₂-O) -DNP (where DNP stands for 2,4-dinitrophenyl) provides chromophoric derivatives, which are separated chromatographically on HPLC column.

The bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) glycols are stable in presence of triethylamine, but undergo ethanolysis in presence of hydroxide ions. The quantitative removal of the DNP groups allows an integrated scheme to pure glycols from commercially available polyethylene glycol mixtures, by bis(2,4-dinitrophenylation), chromatographic separation, end-group removal, using HPLC of the bis-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) glycols for purity monitoring.     

Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-maleic anhydride-styrene) grafted terpolymer: Synthesis,characterization, and bactericidal property evaluation against E. coli and S. epidermidis

Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-maleic anhydride-styrene) terpolymer was prepared using AIBN initiator with acetone as solvent. The terpolymer was grafted with anti-bacterial agents para-aminobenzoic acid and 2,4-dichlorophenol to introduce bactericidal activity to the terpolymer. The terpolymer and the grafted polymers were characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic methods. Thermal properties were determined by differential scanning calorimetric technique and thermogravimetric analysis. The glass transition temperature was found to be 111°C (terpolymer), 150°C (VMS-G-PABA) and 130°C (VMS-G-DCP). Terpolymer starts degradation at 288°C and grafted terpolymers at 104°C (VMS-G-PABA) and 129°C (VMS-G-DCP), respectively. The anti-bacterial activity of grafted terpolymers were evaluated by the shake flask method against gram positive and gram negative bacteria E. coli and S. epidermidis. The grafted terpolymers showed effective inhibition against both the bacteria, the minimum inhibition concentration was observed to be 75 µg/mL and 80 µg/mL for VMS-G-PABA and 50 µg/mL for VMS-G-DCP against E. coli and S. epidermidis, respectively. The new polymers showed 90% bacterial growth inhibition at 200 µg/mL.     

Reactive polythiophenes with zincke salt structure: Synthesis,polymer reactions,and chemical properties

Polythiophenes with reactive Zincke salt structure, such as PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th , were synthesized by the oxidation polymerization of 3′‐(4‐N‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)pyridinium chloride)‐2,2′:5′,2″‐terthiophene ( ThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th ) with iron(III) chloride or copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate. The reaction of PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th with R‐NH₂ (R = n‐hexyl (Hex) and phenyl (Ph)) substituted the 2,4‐dinitrophenyl group into the R group with the elimination of 2,4‐dinitroaniline to yield PThThPy⁺R(Cl^?)Th . Similarly, model compounds, ThThPy⁺R(Cl^?)Th (R = Hex and Ph), were also synthesized. In contrast to the photoluminescent ThThPyTh and PThThPyTh , the compounds PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th , PThThPy⁺R(Cl^?)Th , and ThThPy⁺R(Cl^?)Th showed no photoluminescence because their internal pyridinium rings acted as quenchers. Cyclic voltammetry measurements suggested that PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th received an electrochemical reduction of the pyridinium and 2,4‐dinitrophenyl groups and oxidation of the polymer backbone. PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th was electrically conductive (ρ = 2.0 × 10^?6 S cm^?1) in the non‐doped state. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Reactive regioregular oligothiophenes and polythiophenes with Zincke salt structure: Synthesis,reactions, and chemical properties

Polythiophenes with reactive Zincke salt structure, P4ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)‐a and P5ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)‐a , were synthesized by the oxidation polymerization of oligothiophenes, such as 3'‐(4‐N‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)pyridinium chloride)?2,2':5',2'';5'',2'''‐quarterthiophene ( 4ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?) ) and 4''‐(4‐N‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)pyridinium chloride)?2,2';5',2'';5'',2''';5''',2''''‐quinquethiophene ( 5ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?) ), with iron(III) chloride. The reaction of P5ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)‐a with R‐NH₂ [R = n‐hexyl (Hex) and phenyl (Ph)] substituted the 2,4‐dinitrophenyl group into the R group with the elimination of 2,4‐dinitroaniline to yield P5ThPy⁺R(Cl^?) . Similarly, model compounds, 4ThPy⁺R(Cl^?) and 5ThPy⁺R(Cl^?) (R = Hex and Ph), were also synthesized. In contrast to the photoluminescent 4ThPy and 5ThPy , the compounds P4ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)‐a , P5ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)‐a , and P5ThPy⁺R(Cl^?) showed no photoluminescence because their internal pyridinium rings acted as quenchers. Cyclic voltammetry measurements suggested that P4ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)‐a , P5ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)‐a , and P5ThPy⁺R(Cl^?) received an electrochemical reduction of the pyridinium and 2,4‐dinitrophenyl groups and oxidation of the polymer backbone. P4ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)‐a and P5ThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)‐a were electrically conductive (ρ = 3.0 × 10 ^{? 6} S cm ^{? 1} and 2.1 × 10 ^{? 6} S cm ^{? 1}, respectively) in the nondoped state. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 481–492     

Preparation and characterization of graft terpolymers with controlled molecular structure

Segmented terpolymers, poly(alkyl methacrylate)‐g‐poly(D ‐lactide)/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PLA/PDMS), were prepared with a combination of the “grafting through” technique (macromonomer method) and controlled/living radical polymerization (atom transfer radical polymerization or reversible addition–fragmentation transfer polymerization). Two synthetic pathways were used. The first was a single‐step approach in which a low‐molecular‐weight methacrylate monomer (methyl methacrylate or butyl methacrylate) was copolymerized with a PLA macromonomer and a PDMS macromonomer. The second strategy was a two‐step approach in which a graft copolymer containing one macromonomer was chain‐extended by a copolymerization of the second macromonomer and the low‐molecular‐weight methacrylate. The kinetics of both synthetic approaches were investigated, showing that the polymerizations exhibited a controlled/living behavior. Furthermore, the molecular structure of the terpolymers (composition, molecular weight distribution, and microstructure) was investigated by two‐dimensional liquid chromatography. Well‐defined terpolymers with controlled branch distribution, composition (F_w,PMMA/F_w,PLA/F_w,PDMS ～ 50/30/20) molecular weight (M_n ～ 50,000 g · mol^?1), and a narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n ～ 1.3) were prepared via both pathways. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1939–1952, 2004     

Reactions of bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) phosphate with hydroxylamine

For dephosphorylation of bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) phosphate (BDNPP) by hydroxylamine in water, pH region 4-12, the observed first-order rate constant, k(obs), initially increases as a function of pH, but is pH-independent between pH 7.2 and pH 10. The initial BDNPP cleavage by nonionic NH(2)OH (<0.2 M) involves attack by the OH group and follows first-order kinetics, but the overall initial reaction of BDNPP liberates ca. 1.7 mol of 2,4-dinitrophenoxide ion (DNP). This initial reaction generates a short-lived O-phosphorylated hydroxylamine, 2, followed by three possible reactions: (1) reaction of 2 with hydroxylamine, generating 2,4-dinitrophenyl phosphate (DNPP, 3), which subsequently forms DNP; (2) intramolecular displacement of the second DNP group and rapid decomposition of the cyclic intermediate to form phosphonohydroxylamine and eventually inorganic phosphate; (3) a novel rearrangement with intramolecular aromatic nucleophilic substitution involving a cyclic intermediate and migration of the 2,4-dinitrophenyl group from O to N. Values of k(obs) increase modestly with pH > 10, the reaction is biphasic, and the yield of DNP increases. An increase in [NH(2)OH] also increases the yield of DNP, due largely to accelerated hydrolysis of DNPP.     

Synthesis and physical properties of N-substituted polyimides based on imidazole

AB-type monomers based on imidazole for the preparation of polyimides were synthesized by carrying out a substitution at the 1-position of 2-amino-4,5-dicyanoimidazole, followed by hydrolysis. Thus, pendant groups such as hexyl and 2,4-dinitrophenyl as an aliphatic long chain and an electron-withdrawing group, respectively, were introduced at the 1-position of the imidazole monomer. A solid-state polymerization was employed to prepare the poly(imidazoleimide)s in the form of a film from poly(imidazoleamic acid chloride)s by heating up to 180–200°C. The carbonyl stretching peaks of the imide ring appear at 1808 (sym) cm^?1 and 1756 (antisym) cm^?1. The effects of monomer structure on reactivity and the degree of imidization were investigated by comparing the viscosity of the resultant polymers and intensity of carbonyl peak at 1808 cm^?1. The difference in the hydrolysis rate between polyimides having short or long aliphatic pendant groups at the 1-position was observed using FT-IR. The inherent viscosity of the N-hexyl polyimide was 1.26 dL/g in N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP) and 0.22 dL/g in the case of N-2,4-dinitrophenyl poly(amic acid) in methanesulfonic acid at 30°C. The structural, physical, and material properties of the polyimides were characterized by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, luminescence, viscosimetric methods, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, optical microscopy, and wide angle x-ray scattering. Solution properties were also investigated by monitoring the viscosity as a function of time at 30°C. Luminescence spectroscopy of the poly(1-methyl imidazole imide) and poly(1-methyl imidazoleamic acid) films shows an emission band centered at 535 and 505 nm, respectively. Thermal properties are described comparing the weight loss and decomposition temperature as a function of the polymer structure and the degree of imidization. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of phosphonated copolymers with tailored architecture by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT)

The synthesis by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of three phosphonated terpolymers with tailored architecture has been studied. A phosphonated methacrylate (MAUPHOS) was copolymerized with vinylidene chloride (VC₂) and methyl acrylate (MA) to prepare a gradient terpolymer poly(VC₂‐co‐MA‐co‐MAUPHOS). Besides, hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) was used as a functional monomer in RAFT polymerization to prepare a statistical poly(VC₂‐co‐MA‐co‐HEA) terpolymer and a diblock poly(VC₂‐co‐MA)‐b‐poly(HEA) terpolymer. The HEA‐containing polymers were then modified with a phosphonated epoxide to introduce the phosphonated group. The control of the polymerization was proven by kinetic studies (evolution of molecular weight vs. conversion) and by a successful block copolymerization. The architecture of the terpolymers was determined by the reactivity ratios of the monomers: terpolymerization of VC₂, MA, and HEA leading to an ideal statistical terpolymer (no composition drift) whereas terpolymerization of VC₂, MA, and the phosphonated methacrylate led to a gradient terpolymer. These terpolymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography, ³¹P NMR and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 13–24, 2006     

Vibrational Sum‐Frequency Generation Activity of a 2,4‐Dinitrophenyl Phospholipid Hybrid Bilayer: Retrieving Orientational Parameters from a DFT Analysis of Experimental Data

The vibrational nonlinear activity of films of 2,4‐dinitrophenyl phospholipid (DNP) at the solid interface is measured by sum‐frequency generation spectroscopy (SFG). Hybrid bilayers are formed by a Langmuir–Schaefer approach in which the lipid layer is physisorbed on top of a self‐assembled monolayer of dodecanethiol on Pt with the polar heads pointing out from the surface. The SFG response is investigated in two vibrational frequency domains, namely, 3050–2750 and 1375–1240 cm^?1. The first region probes the CH stretching modes of DNP films, and the latter explores the vibrational nonlinear activity of the 2,4‐dinitroaniline moiety of the polar head of the lipid. Analysis of the CH stretching vibrations suggests substantial conformational order of the aliphatic chains with only a few gauche defects. To reliably assign the detected SFG signals to specific molecular vibrations, DFT calculations of the IR and Raman activities of molecular models are performed and compared to experimental solid‐state spectra. This allows unambiguous assignment of the observed SFG vibrations to molecular modes localized on the 2,4‐dinitroaniline moiety of the polar head of DNP. Then, SFG spectra of DNP in the 1375–1240 cm^?1 frequency range are simulated and compared with experimental ones, and thus the 1,4‐axis of the 2,4‐dinitrophenyl head is estimated to have tilt and rotation angles of 45±5° and 0±30°, respectively.     

Quinolinium‐Based Fluorescent Probes for the Detection of Thiophenols in Environmental Samples and Living Cells

A new type of fluorescent probes for thiophenols, 6HQM‐DNP and 7HQM‐DNP, containing 6‐ or 7‐hydroxy quinonlinium as fluorophore and 2,4‐dinitrophenoxy (DNP) as nucleophilic recognition unit were constructed. As ethers, these non‐fluorescent probe molecules can release the corresponding fluorescent quinolinium (6HQM and 7HQM) through aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr) by thiolate anions from thiophenols. The sensing reaction is highly sensitive (detection limit of 8 nM for 7HQM‐DNP) and highly selective to thiophenols over aliphatic thiols and other nucleophiles under neutral conditions (pH 7.3). The probes respond rapidly to thiophenols, with second‐order rate constants k=45 M ^?1 s^?1 for 7HQM‐DNP and 24 M ^?1 s^?1 for 6HQM‐DNP. Furthermore, the selective detection of thiophenols in living cells by 7HQM‐DNP was demonstrated by confocal fluorescence imaging. In addition, these quinolinium salts show excellent chemical and thermal stability. In conclusion, this type of probes may find use in the detection of thiophenols in environmental samples and biosystems.     

pH‐Responsive ampholytic terpolymers of acrylamide,sodium 3‐acrylamido‐3‐methylbutanoate,and (3‐acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride. I. Synthesis and characterization

Low-charge-density ampholytic terpolymers composed of acrylamide, sodium 3-acrylamido-3-methylbutanoate (NaAMB), and (3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride were prepared via free-radical polymerization in 0.5 M NaCl to yield terpolymers with random charge distributions. NaOOCH was used as a chain-transfer agent during the polymerization to eliminate the effects of the monomer feed composition on the degree of polymerization (DP) and to suppress gel effects and broadening of the molecular weight distribution. The terpolymer compositions were obtained via ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and the residual counterion content was determined via elemental analysis for Na⁺ and Cl⁻. The molecular weights (MWs) and polydispersity indices (PDIs) were determined via size exclusion chromatography/multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC–MALLS); the terpolymer MWs ranged from 1.3–1.6 × 10⁶ g/mol, corresponding to DPs of 1.6–1.9 × 10⁴ repeat units, with all terpolymers exhibiting PDIs of less than 2.0. Intrinsic viscosities determined from SEC–MALLS data and the Flory–Fox relationship were compared to intrinsic viscosities determined via low-shear dilute-solution viscometry and were found to agree rather well. Data from the SEC–MALLS analysis were used to analyze the radius of gyration/molecular weight (R_g–M) relationships and the Mark–Houwink–Sakurada intrinsic viscosity/molecular weight ([η]–M) relationships for the terpolymers. The R_g–M and [η]–M relationships revealed that most of the terpolymers exhibited little or no excluded volume effects under size exclusion chromatography conditions. Potentiometric titration of terpolymer solutions in deionized water showed that the apparent pK_a value of the poly[acrylamide-co-sodium 3-acrylamido-3-methylbutanoate-co-(3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride] terpolymers increased with increasing NaAMB content in the terpolymers and increasing ratios of anionic monomer to cationic monomer at a constant terpolymer charge density. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3236–3251, 2004     

Cathodic Electrochemical Detection of Nitrophenols at a Bismuth Film Electrode for Use in Flow Analysis

The bismuth film electrode (BiFE) is presented for use in both batch voltammetric and flow injection (FI) amperometric detection of some nitrophenols (2‐nitrophenol, 2‐NP; 4‐nitrophenol, 4‐NP; 2,4‐dinitrophenol, 2,4‐DNP). The bismuth film was deposited ex situ (batch measurements) and in‐line (FI) onto a glassy carbon substrate electrode. Batch analysis of the nitrophenols was carried out in 0.04 M Britton Robinson (BR) buffer pH 4, while for FI measurements, a carrier/electrolyte solution composed of 0.1 M BR buffer pH 4 mixed with methanol (20+80, v/v%) was employed to resemble media used in preconcentration/clean‐up and flow separation sample pretreatment procedures. Under batch conditions, the voltammetric behavior of the nitrophenols was examined for dependence on medium pH in the range of 2 to 10. Employing the square‐wave voltammetry mode, the limits of detection were 0.4 μg L^?1, 1.4 μg L^?1, and 3.3 μg L^?1 for 2‐NP, 4‐NP, and 2,4‐DNP, respectively. Under flow conditions, a simple in‐line electrochemical bismuth film renewal procedure was tested and shown to provide very good inter‐ and intra‐electrode reproducibility of the current signals at low μg L^?1 analyte concentrations. The limits of detection for 2‐NP, 4‐NP and 2,4‐DNP obtained using FI and amperometric detection at ?1.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) were 0.3 μg L^?1, 0.6 μg L^?1 and 0.7 μg L^?1, respectively, with linear ranges extending up to 20 μg L^?1. The attractive performance of the BiFE under flow analysis conditions offers great promise with respect to its detection capability and to its use for a prolonged period of time with no need for inconvenient removal of the electrode from the system for mechanical surface treatment.     

Controlled synthesis and functionalization of PEGylated methacrylates bearing cyclic carbonate pendant groups

Homopolymer bearing cyclic carbonate (CC) group, ABA type triblock copolymers, and (AC)B(AC) type terpolymers with statistical arrangement of A and C monomers bearing side chain CC groups are reported here. Difunctional poly(ethylene glycol) macroinitiators (PEGMIs) were prepared from PEG of three different molecular weights. PEGMIs were subsequently used for the preparation of polymers bearing CC pendant groups from cyclic carbonate methacrylate (CCMA) under atom transfer radical polymerization to yield polymers with low polydispersity index. Homopolymer and ABA type triblock copolymers were obtained by polymerizing CCMA monomer and (AC)B(AC) type statistical terpolymers were obtained when methyl methacrylate was included as a comonomer. No polymer was obtained when styrene was used as comonomer. The cyclic carbonate groups were subjected to ring‐opening reaction with monoamine to yield side chain hydroxyurethane polymers with increased solubility and diamines to yield crosslinked insoluble materials. Changes in wettability characteristics were studied by following the water contact angle of the polymers before and after ring‐opening reaction involving the cyclic carbonate pendant group. The polymers which composed of electrolyte in the form of PEG and coordinating species in the form of pendant cyclic carbonate groups showed conductivity in the range of 2–5 × 10^?6 Scm^?1 at 23 °C after doping with lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide as characterized by impedance spectroscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1622–1632, 2010     

Functionalized surface arrays for spatial targeting of immune cell signaling

The effect of surface topography and chemistry on cellular response is of fundamental importance, especially where living systems encounter device surfaces as in medical implants, tissue engineering, and cell-based sensors. To understand these biological processes on surfaces, there is a widespread interest in tailored surface-active materials produced by a combination of surface chemistry coupled to advanced patterning processes. We utilize self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as molecular templates with submicrometer-scale spatial resolution to engage and cluster IgE receptors on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) mast cells. Bioactive templates consisted of gold arrays on silicon with patterns from 1 mum down to 45 nm. These gold arrays served as molecular tethering sites, enabling covalent binding of functionalized self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiols. The free ends of the monolayers were functionalized with 2,4-dinitrophenyl(DNP)-caproate-based ligands which interact specifically with anti-DNP IgE bound to its high affinity cell surface receptor, FcepsilonRI on RBL mast cells. Present results on structures 1 mum down to 600 nm in size indicate that these ligand-immobilized patterned arrays can function as a powerful tool for visualization and systematic characterization of cell membrane involvement in IgE receptor-mediated immune cell signaling.     

Partially fluorinated and ammonium‐functionalized terpolymers: Effect of aliphatic groups on the properties of anion conductive membranes

Synthesis and properties of a series of ammonium‐containing terpolymers (QPAF‐3) as anion conductive membranes are reported. The QPAF‐3s composed of perfluoroalkylene, alkylene, and ammonium‐functionalized phenylene groups without heteroatom linkages in the main chain were synthesized via nickel‐mediated polycondensation reaction, followed by chloromethylation, quaternization, and ion exchange reactions. Self‐standing, bendable membranes were obtained by solution casting. The QPAF‐3 membrane with optimized terpolymer composition and ion exchange capacity (1.46 meq g^?1) showed high hydroxide ion conductivity (123 mS cm^?1 in water at 80 °C). The alkaline stability test in 1 M KOH for 1000 h at 80 °C and the post‐test analysis with IR spectra and tensile strength suggested that ammonium groups were likely to be decomposed while the polymer main chain was chemically more robust. The presence of the alkylene groups in the terpolymers lowered solubility, glass transition temperature, and elongation property of the resulting membranes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 1442–1450     

Novel terpolymers of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-dioxanone-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-trimethylene carbonate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-L-phenylalanine): Synthesis,characterization, thermal properties and copolymerization mechanism

In order to exploit the biological functions of materials, a series of new random terpolymers were synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of p-dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, and L-phenylalanine N-carboxyanhydride (L-Phe- NCA) in the presence of stannous octoate. The terpolymers were characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, FTIR, and gel permeation chromatography. The effects of the reactant ratio, catalyst dosage, reaction temperature and time on the copolymerization were investigated, and were found to regulate the composition of the terpolymer. Increases in the reaction temperature, polymerization time, L-Phe-NCA monomer amount, and catalyst content generated a product with a slightly decreased molecular weight. The crystallinity of the terpolymer was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. A reasonable mechanism for the polymerization was proposed based on the obtained results.     

Anion binding behavior of heterocycle-strapped calix[4]pyrroles

A comparative study of the halide and benzoate anion binding properties of a series of phenyl, pyrrole, and furan-strapped calix[4]pyrroles has been carried out. These receptors, which have previously been shown to bind the chloride anion (Yoon et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 47(27):5038–5042, 2008), were found to bind bromide and benzoate anion (studied as the corresponding tetrabutylammonium salts) with near equal affinity in acetonitrile, albeit less well than chloride, as determined from ITC measurements or NMR spectroscopic titrations. This stands in marked contrast to the parent octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole, where the carboxylate anion affinities are substantially higher than those for bromide anion under identical conditions. This finding is rationalized in terms of tighter binding cavity present in the strapped systems. For all three anions for which quantitative data could be obtained (i.e., Cl^?, Br^?, PhCO₂ ^?), the pyrrole-strapped system displayed the highest affinity, although the relative enhancement was found to depend on the anion in question. In the specific case of fluoride anion binding to the pyrrole-strapped receptor, two modes of interaction are inferred, with the first consisting of binding to the calix[4]pyrrole via NH-anion hydrogen bonds, followed by a process that involves deprotonation of the strapped pyrrolic NH proton. A single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis provides support for the first of these modes and further reveals the presence of a methanol molecule bound to the fluoride anion.     

Preparation and characterization of soluble terpolymers from m‐phenylenediamine,o‐anisidine,and 2,3‐xylidine

A series of terpolymers were synthesized by the chemical oxidative polymerization of m‐phenylenediamine (MPD), o‐anisidine (AS), and 2,3‐xylidine (XY) in hydrochloride aqueous medium. The yield, intrinsic viscosity, and solubility of the terpolymers were studied by changing the MPD/AS/XY molar ratio from 100/0/0 to 53/39/8 to 0/100/0. It was discovered that the MPD/AS/XY terpolymers exhibit a higher polymerization yield and better solubility than MPD/AS and MPD/XY bipolymers having the same MPD molar content. The as‐prepared MPD/AS/XY terpolymer bases were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible, ¹H NMR, and high‐resolution solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopies; wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction; and thermogravimetry. The results suggested that the oxidative polymerization from MPD, AS, and XY is exothermic, and the resulting terpolymers are more easily soluble in some organic solvents than MPD homopolymer. The copolymer obtained was a real terpolymer containing MPD, AS, and XY units, and the actual MPD/AS/XY molar ratio calculated by solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectra of the polymers is very close to the feed ratio, although the AS content calculated on the basis of the ¹H NMR spectrum of the soluble part of the polymer is higher than the feed AS content. The terpolymers and MPD homopolymer exhibit a higher polymerization yield and much higher intrinsic viscosity and are more amorphous than the AS homopolymer. At a fixed MPD content of 70 mol %, the terpolymers exhibit an increased thermostability and activation energy of the major degradation in nitrogen and air with an increasing AS content. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3989–4000, 2001     

Screen‐Printed Disposable Sensors Modified with Bismuth Precursors for Rapid Voltammetric Determination of 3 Ecotoxic Nitrophenols

This work reports the application of screen‐printed electrodes bulk‐modified with bismuth precursors to the voltammetric determination of 2‐nitrophenol (2‐NP), 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) and 2,4‐dinitrophenol (2,4‐DNP) in water samples. A bismuth film was formed at the electrode surface via in situ reduction of the precursor compound contained in the electrode matrix by cathodic polarization at ?1.20 V. The formation of bismuth layer at the precursor‐modified electrodes was assessed by cyclic voltammetric (CV) at different pH values and by optical techniques. The target nitrophenols were voltammetrically determined by recording their reduction peaks in the differential pulse (DP) mode. The composition and content of the precursor compounds in the printed ink and the effect of the pH of the supporting electrolyte on the DP reduction currents of the 3 target nitrophenols were studied. The limits of quantification (LOQs) in three water matrices (distilled water, tap water and surface water) were in the range 1.1–2.2 µmol L^?1_. Using a simple solid‐phase extraction (SPE) procedure with Lichrolut EN cartridges and elution with methanol, a preconcentration factor of 100 was achieved; the LOQs were 0.021, 0.027 and 0.025 µmol L^?1 for 2‐NP, 4‐NP and 2,4‐DNP, respectively. The recoveries of samples spiked with the 3 target nitrophenols at two concentration levels (0.04 and 0.1 µmol L^?1) were always >87 %.