Cation template assisted oligoethylene glycol desymmetrization by intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction of topologically remote aldehydes

Oligoethylene glycol chains containing 2-5 ethylene glycol units, and possessing a benzyl alcohol and a benzoic acid end groups, can be quantitatively obtained by intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction of the corresponding remote benzaldehyde end groups. The process is quite effective if a complex with an appropriate cation is formed to allow the two aldehyde groups to be spatially confined near enough each other for the intramolecular redox process.     

Formal Total Synthesis of Ipomeamarone via the [2+3] Dihydrofuran Annulation

A formal synthesis of (2R-cis)-4-methyl-1-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-5-methyl-[2,3′-bifuran]-2-pentanone, or ipomeamarone (1) [494-23-5] was accomplished from 3-furaldehyde 5 and ethyl-2-bromocrotonate 4. The key step involved the formation of the dihydrofuran ring in 2 via a vinyloxirane rearrangement of 3 in the [2+3] dihydrofuran annulation. Mechanistic duality of reactions of those tetrahydrofurans possessing acidic hydrogens adjacent to the ring is addressed.     

Preparative regioselective acylation of glycols by enzymatic transesterification in organic solvents

Porcine pancreatic lipase can catalyze transesterification reac tions in organic solvents in a highly regioselective manner. Lipase powder was suspended in solutions of various diols in ethyl carboxylates, and the mixtures were shaken at 30°C; as a result, pri mary monoesters of glycols were produced on a preparative scale.     

Synthesis of nonsymmetric chain end functionalized polyisobutylenes

We present the synthesis of nonsymmetric α‐ω‐functionalized polyisobutylenes (PIBs) bearing different functional moieties on their chain ends. Thus, on one chain end either, a short tri‐ethylene oxide chain (TEO) or a phosphine oxide ligand is attached, whereas the other chain end is substituted by hydrogen bonding moieties (thymine/2,6‐diaminotriazine). The nonsymmetric PIBs were synthesized via living cationic polymerization using methyl‐styrene epoxide as initiator, followed by quenching reaction with 3‐bromopropyl‐benzene. Subsequent bromide/azide exchange and the use of the azide/alkyne click reaction allowed the synthesis of (a) (α)‐TEO‐(ω)‐thymine‐telechelic PIB ( 7a ), (b) (α)‐triethyleneoxide‐(ω)‐triazine telechelic PIB ( 7b ), and (c) (α)‐phosphinoxide‐(ω)‐thymine‐telechelic PIB ( 13 ) with molecular weights M_n ～ 4000 g mol^?1 and low polydispersities (M_w/M_n = 1.3). The chemical identity of the final structures was proven by extensive ¹H NMR investigations and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectroscopy (MALDI). The presented method for the first time offers a simple and highly versatile approach toward supramolecular nonsymmetric α‐ω‐functionalized PIB. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Comparison of column properties in reversed-phase chromatography: monolithic, cholesterolic and mixed bonded stationary phases

A commercial Chromolith C18 column and two new stationary phases with mixed ligands bonded on the Kromasil silica gel support, SG-MIX and SG-Chol, were characterized using simple tests based on the retention of non-polar, basic and acidic compounds. Polar and methylene selectivity tests in acetonitrile-water and methanol-water mobile phases revealed lower hydrophobicities of the SG-MIX and SG-Chol columns in comparison to the Chromolith column. The columns were further characterized using new test criteria - gradient oligomer capacity and isomeric selectivity and peak symmetry of naphthalene di-sulphonic acids in aqueous mobile phases. The cholesterolic column shows greater gradient oligomer selectivity for the separation of oligoethylene glycol samples than the SG-MIX and the Chromolith columns. Increased retention and peak tailing, but decreased isomeric selectivity for naphthalene-di-sulphonic acids was observed with the SG-MIX column, because of interactions with various polar bonded groups.     

Mechanism and prediction of retention of oligomers in normal-phase and reversed-phase HPLC

Summary The simultaneous dependence of the retention in oligomeric series on the number of repeat structural units and on the mobile phase composition may be described by very similar equations for reversed-phase and for normal-phase systems.In reversed-phase systems, the separation selectivity of the individual oligomers is determined mainly by the size and by the polarity of the repeat structural unit, but the influence of a bulky and polar structural residue may also become important so that even reversed order of elution may be observed for oligomeric series with the same oligomeric units but significantly different end groups. For example, oligoethylene glycols are eluted in the order of increasing size of the oligomers, whereas ethoxylated nonylphenols are eluted in the order of decreasing size.In normal-phase systems, the separation selectivity in oligomeric series depends on the adsorption energy and on the adsorbed area of the oligomeric unit. If the oligomeric unit is small, the concentration of the polar solvent in the binary organic mobile phase has only a minor effect on retention and selectivity, which may be controlled by taking account of the nature of the adsorbent and of the polar solvent or by varying the proportion of two polar solvents in a ternary mobile phase.     

Recent advances in the bioanalytical methods of polyethylene glycols and PEGylated pharmaceuticals

Polyethylene glycols are synthetic polymers composed of repeating oxyethylene subunits, which have been known for non‐toxic, non‐immunogenic, non‐antigenic, good solubility in water and therefore approved for pharmaceutical applications. Recently, attachment or amalgamation of polyethylene glycols to therapeutic small molecules, peptides, proteins, or nanoparticles has become a mature technology for the sake of improving their pharmacokinetic and pharmacological profiles, also referred to as PEGylation. By comparison, there are only a few PEGylated pharmaceuticals have been registered for further clinical trials and even less was approved for marketing. High failure rate of PEGylated pharmaceuticals in pre‐clinical and clinical trials could be majorly attributed to their unclear pharmacokinetic behaviors. Therefore, the in vivo fate of the PEGylated pharmaceuticals for the various routes of administration needs to be thoroughly investigated An accurate in vivo pharmacological study thereof highly depends on the precise detection of polyethylene glycols as well as their fragments in biological matrixes. The goal of this review is to highlight the analytical methods that were developed and applied to evaluate the polyethylene glycols in pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients, which bring us closer to bridging the gap between the development of polyethylene glycol‐based drug delivery systems and their clinical application.     

Synthesis of glycol diesters through the depolymerization of polyethylene glycols with carboxylic acids using a proton-exchanged montmorillonite catalyst

A convenient and sustainable method for the synthesis of glycol diesters was developed through the depolymerization of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with carboxylic acids using proton-exchanged montmorillonite as an efficient solid acid catalyst. Several functionalized glycol diesters were obtained in good yields from PEGs and readily available carboxylic acids. Upon reaction completion, the catalyst could be easily separated by filtration and reused with its activity remaining unchanged.     

Empirical equations of state for adsorption layer: Alkylthiopolyoxyethylene glycols

Surface tension isotherms ofn-alkylthiopolyoxyerhylene glycols:n-C _x H_2x+1S(CH₂CH₂O) _y H, wherex=5 to 8,y=3 or 4, were approximated with orthogonal polynomials to get good quality values of surface pressure (II) and molar area of the adsorbed layer (). The modified Volmer (*(–₀)=Z*R*T) van der Waals and virial equations of state were used to correlate and in terms of real two-dimensional gas. The combination of Volmer and van der Waals equations of state made it possible to determine the interaction energy, , which was prescribed to cohesion of hydrophobic chains in the adsorption layer. The value of for the amphiphiles in question was in the range 0.97–1.91R*T and the average contribution per methylene group was ca. 0.21R*T.The Lennard-Jones potentials calculated from second virial coefficient were of the same range as , but no clear relation was found between their values and number of structure elements of the alkylthiopolyoxyethlene glycols.Presented during 7th International Conference: Surface and Colloid Science, July 7–13, 1991, Compiegne, France     

Wide-bore capillary column for the direct analysis of ethanolamines and ethylene glycols

Summary The GC separation of a mixture of three ethanolamines and four ethylene glycols without any preliminary derivatization, on a wide-bore capillary column coated with Carbowax 20M is described. These high-boiling and polar compounds elute giving simmetrical peaks and show good resolution. The analysis is completed in less than 14 minutes.     

Cubic equations of state for adsorption layer: alkylthiopolyoxyethylene glycols

The van der Waals, Redlich-Kwong, Peng-Robinson and an equation of state derived by Smith were applied to approximate the run of surface pressure () — area () curves of the adsorption layer ofn-pentyl ton-octyl thioethers of tri- and tetraoxyethylene glycols. The equation parameters: excluded molar area (_oi) and an interaction energy term (a _i) were determined by simplex method for values in the range of 2–23.5 mN/m. The equations parameters were found to be related to the structure of the amphiphile. The _oi decreased with the length of hydrocarbon thioether chain and was nearly uniform for equations of state in question except for Smith equation. The value ofa _i was dependent on the amphiphile structure. It was used to obtain the interaction energy _i between amphiphiles in the adsorption layer. The values of _i determined as an increment per methylene group was in the range of ca. 0.2–0.32R*T, depending on the equation of state used.     

Electrooxidation and adsorption of oligoelthylene glycols on platinized platinum electrode

The trends in adsorption and oxidation of oligoethylene glycols (OEG), namely, di-, tri-, and tetraethylene glycol, on a Pt/Pt electrode are studied. Using a combination of methods of open-circuit potential shifts at the adsorption of organic species and anodic voltammetric curves, it is established that the OEG adsorption on a Pt/Pt electrode is accompanied by hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, and partial destruction of molecules and also that the amount and composition of accumulated adsorbate depend on the initial adsorption potential and the polymer structure. The OEG oxidation on a platinum electrode is considerably hindered as compared with ethylene glycol. The reaction rate decreases with an increase in the OEG molecular mass and is largely limited by the adsorption of molecules on the electrode surface, which is evidenced by the weak dependence of the rate on the potential in the double layer region.     

Gas chromatographic separation of ethanolamines and ethylene glycols without preliminary derivatization

Summary An effective and rapid GC separation of ethanolamines, even in the presence of ethylene glycols, using short glass capillary columns is developed. No preliminary derivatisation of the sample is necessary. The separation is completed in 6 minutes.     

The interfacial conformation of polypropylene glycols and foam behaviour

The foam behaviour of low molecular weight polypropylene glycols (PPG) was investigated as a function of concentration and molecular weight (190–2000 g mol⁻¹). For each polypropylene glycol, foam stability increases with concentration and passes through a maximum, beyond which foamability is suppressed as the solubility limit of the glycol is exceeded and droplets of glycol form. Light-scattering data as well as static and dynamic surface tension results provide the key information leading to these interpretations. A maximum in foamability was observed for the PPG molecules with increasing molecular weight (caused by a change in molecular conformation at the interface). This suppresses the Marangoni effect and leads to a decrease in foam stability.     

Organocatalysis of nucleophilic substitution reactions by the combined effects of two promoters fused in a molecule: oligoethylene glycol substituted imidazolium salts

Oligoethylene glycol substituted imidazolium salts were synthesized as promoters for a range of S_N2 reactions, and their efficiency was examined. These tailor-made organic promoters enhanced the nucleophilicity of alkali metal salts significantly through the combined effects of two promoters (oligoethylene glycols and imidazolium salts) in a single molecule. The effects of the oligoethylene glycol side chain length, ionic liquid anions, nucleophiles, and substrates were investigated systematically. [hexaEGmim][OMs] and [dihexaEGim][OMs] showed the highest efficiency for S_N2 reactions using alkali metal salts. The role of the terminal hydroxyl groups of the oligoethylene glycol moiety was assessed by examining the relative S_N2 yields of chlorination and bromination. The results showed that the hydrogen bonding strength of the hydroxyl groups with the nucleophile is very important. The mechanism for the excellent promotion of S_N2 reactions by oligoEGILs was examined by quantum chemical calculations. The results showed that the oxygen atoms in the oligoethylene glycol portion and the ionic liquid anion act on the counter cation K⁺ or Na⁺ as a Lewis base, to enhance the reactivity of the metal salts significantly.     

Reaction of benzaldehyde with various aliphatic glycols in the presence of hydrophobic Al-MCM-41: A convenient synthesis of cyclic acetals

The reaction of benzaldehyde with aliphatic glycols was performed over Al-MCM-41 with various Si/Al ratios. The effects of various parameters like temperature, mole ratio, reaction time and catalyst amount on the formation of acetals were optimized. The mesoporous Al-MCM-41 (Si/Al ratio 36, 57, 81 and 108) were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm (BET), thermo gravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA) and TEM techniques. The acidity of the catalysts was measured by pyridine adsorption followed by FT-IR analysis. TEM analysis showed that the honeycomb-like regular arrangement of hexagonal pores on the molecular sieves. The highly hydrophobic Al-MCM-41 (108) showed higher activity than the other Si/Al ratios. The activity of the catalysts showed the following order Al-MCM-41 (108) > Al-MCM-41 (81) > Al-MCM-41 (57) > Al-MCM-41 (36). The hydrophobicity and nucleophilicity of the glycols highly influences the conversion of benzaldehyde, it followed the order; hexylene glycol (HG) > propylene glycol (PG) > ethylene glycol (EG). The results showed that mole ratio of 1:3 (aldehyde:glycol) gave higher yield than the other mole ratios.     

Increased sensitivity of autoantibody determination by coupled-particle light-scattering assay by poly(ethylene glycols)-modified beads

New kinds of coatings by using polyethylene glycols were studied and were applied to a qualitative homogeneous immunoassay that exploits the agglutination reaction for the detection of autoimmune antibodies in a complex matrix. We used a piece of new technology, the Copalis^™, which uses a special optical-sizing flow particle analysis and a semiconductor laser as a light source.

Polystyrene microbeads coated with the antigen were used as markers and were put in contact with the serum sample. Different polyethylene glycols were synthesised and tested, optimising the experimental parameters. Human serum specimens were evaluated and we obtained a higher sensitivity with good discrimination between negative and positive samples. All the experimental steps are easy, rapid and enable us to process many samples in a short period of time.     

Synthesis and characterization of functionalized amphiphilic polymers for utilization as surfactants

Eight novel PEG-based amphiphilic block copolymers having self-assembling properties has been reported in the present study. The polymers have been synthesized by reacting Poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) of different molecular weights viz. 600, 1000, 1500 and 2000 and dimethyl-5-hydroxyisophthalate in presence of concentrated H₂SO₄ as catalyst in solventless condition at 80–90°C and further alkylating the resulting polymers by attaching octyl and hexadecanyl chains to phenolic hydroxyl group. The resulting functionalized amphiphilic polymers have been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. These polymers, when dissolved in water, aggregate to form micelles, giving sizes ranging from 13.00 to 87.24 nm as determined by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) instrument. The molecular weights have been also calculated from the DLS and are in the range 3.5×10⁴ to 1.8×10⁶ KDa (Kilo Daltons). Critical Micelle Concentrations (CMC) of the synthesized polymers was determined using electrical conductivity meter with values in the range of 105 to 138 mg L^?1 (milligrams per litre).