Fabrication of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-1,4-polyisoprene nanofibers by electrospinning and its crystallization behavior and mechanism

Trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPI) nanofibers have been fabricated successfully through electrospinning technology. Through the control of electrospinning parameters, highly crystallized TPI fresh fibers composed mainly by β phase were produced. Morphology and diameter of TPI nanofibers can be controlled by adjusting the electrospinning conditions. The in situ observations of FTIR spectra revealed that the crystallinity of the TPI fibers decreased with aging. While for TPI nanofibers aging at 45 °C for 24 h, a decrease in crystallinity as well as β to α transformation was observed with aging and these changings happened in the first 50 h during aging. The mechanism for β-TPI formation during electrospinning process and the reduced crystallinity with aging were proposed.     

STUDIES ON THE PORE FORMATION MECHANISM OF β-CRYSTALLINE POLYPROPYLENE UNDER STRETCHING*

The pore formation mechanism of,β-crystalline polypropylene under stretching was investigated. The porosity of the samples increases rapidly with stretching, having a maximum at draw ratios around 2 and then decreases monotonically. An abrupt formation process of initial micropores at very low draw ratios was evidenced by in situ SAXS measurements. At the same time the phase transition from ,β-crystal to α-crystal proceeds slowly in the whole deformation process up to large draw ratios around 5. Comparative studies of α- and ,β-crystalline polypropylene samples before stretching indicate that in addition to difference in crystal forms the α- and β-crystalline polypropylene samples exhibit quite different morphological features. There are a lot of interfaces in ,β-crystalline polypropylene samples, which may have a lower density value and can be easily etched by argon ions and penetrated by small molecules. It was concluded from these experimental facts that the pore formation and crystal transition are two independent phenomena during the deformation of β-crystalline polypropylene samples, and phase transition from ,β-crystal to α-crystal could hardly be the origin of pore formation. A defect initiation mechanism was proposed to understand the pore formation behavior of β-crystalline polypropylenes.     

Miscible blends prepared from two crystalline polymers

Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the miscibility behavior of several polyester/Saran blends, the two polymers forming these blends being semicrystalline. It was found that Saran is miscible with polycaprolactone (PCL), polyvalerolactone, poly(butylene adipate), and poly(hexamethylene sebacate) since a single glass transition temperature T_g was observed at each composition. However, immiscibility was found between Saran and poly(ethylene adipate), poly-(ethylene succinate), poly(β-propiolactone), and poly(α-methyl-α-n-propyl-β-propiolactone) since two T_g's were recorded at several compositions. Blends were then obtained containing, over a wide range of composition, a miscible amorphous phase and two different types of crystals. From melting-point depression data on PCL and Saran crystals, thermodynamic interaction parameters χ were calculated and found to be different for PCL-rich blends and for Saran-rich blends. This result suggests a variation of χ with composition. Saran is a polymer which does not contain α-hydrogens and its miscibility with polyesters may result from a β-hydrogen bonding interaction or a C?O/C? Cl dipole-dipole interaction.     

Effects of temperature and water on the γ → α crystalline transition of nylon 6 caused by stretching in the chain direction

The effects of temperature and water on the crystal transition of nylon 6 from the γ phase to the α phase, which is caused by stretching along the chain direction, were investigated. The γ-phase fibers with high crystallite orientation were stretched at constant load under various conditions. An inversion of the effect of water on the transition occurs at about ?60°C. Stretching in the wet state is more effective for the transition at higher temperature. In contrast, at low temperatures water in the crystalline regions actsasa cohesive agent for the chains and increases the activation energy for the transition. Thus, dry stretching is more effective than wet stretching at very low temperature. The fraction of transformed α-phase crystallites increases abruptly over a narrow range of stress. Thus the critical stress can be determined for the transition. The critical stress changes appreciably with temperature; the higher the temperature, the lower the critical stress. The relation between stretching temperature and critical stress was analyzed by Flory's equation for the shift of transition temperature by stress. About 220°C. was estimated as the zero-stress transition temperature. The heat content of the γ-phase crystal was estimated to be smaller by 500 cal./mole than that of the α-phase crystal. This result suggests that the free energy of the γ-phase crystal is lower than that of the α-phase crystal at temperatures lower than the transition point. The irreversible strain of a sample in which the crystal transition has taken place is very small at low temperature. This small extension of the sample is evidence that the γ → α transition produced by stretching along the chain axis is a crystal-crystal transition.     

STRUCTURE AND THERMAL MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ORIENTED POLYIMIDE (PEI-E)

The strain induced crystallization behaviour in polyimide from 1,4-bis (3', 4'- dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene and 4,4'-oxydianiline (PEI-E)has been investigated by WAXD, DSC and FTIR. The results obtained show that crystallization in PEI-E did take place just after tensile yielding. Meanwhile, the effect of strain induced crystallization on the thermomechanical properties was studied by DMA and TMA, the results of which indicate that the crystallization and hot stretching have a certain influence on the dynamic mechanical properties, such as weakening the βrelaxation and decreasing the glass transition temperature. The TMA results confirm the shifting of glass transition temperature to lower temperature region after hot stretching. This phenomenon could be well explained by the effect of residual stress according to Eyring's theory.     

Novel dammarane-type saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum and their neuroprotective effect

Abstract

Three novel dammarane-type saponins, 2α,3β,12β,20(S),24(S)-pentahydroxydammar-25-ene-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1, namely gypenoside J1), 2α,3β,12β,20(S),25-pentahydroxydammar-23-ene-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2, namely gypenoside J2) and 2α,3β,12β,20(S)-tetrahydroxydammar-25-en-24-one-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3, namely gypenoside J3) along with one known gypenoside (gypenoside LVII) were isolated from the aerial parts of G. pentaphyllum using various chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of IR, 1D- (¹H and ¹³C), 2D-NMR spectroscopy (HSQC, HMBC and COSY), and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Their activity was tested using CCK-8 assay. These four compounds showed little anti-cancer activity with IC₅₀ values more than 100?μM against four types of human cancer lines. The effects of them against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were evaluated and they all showed potential neuroprotective effects with 3.64–18.16% higher cell viability than the H₂O₂-induced model group.     

Structural characterisation of a water-soluble polysaccharide from tissue-cultured Dendrobium huoshanense C.Z. Tang et S.J. Cheng

A water-soluble polysaccharide TC-DHPA4 with a molecular weight of 8.0 × 10⁵ Da was isolated from tissue-cultured Dendrobium huoshanense by anion exchange and gel permeation chromatography. Monosaccharide analysis revealed that the homogeneous polysaccharide was made up of rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, glucose, galactose and glucuronic acid with a molar ratio of 1.28:1:1.67:4.71:10.43:1.42. The sugar residue sequence analysis based on the GC-MS files and NMR spectra indicated that the backbone of TC-DHPA4 consisted of the repeated units:→6)-β-Galp-(1→6)-β-Galp-(1→4)-β-GlcpA-(1→6)-β-Glcp-(1→6)-β-Glcp-(→. The sugar residue sequences β-Glcp-(1→)-α-Rhap-(1→3)-β-Galp-(1→, β-Glcp-(1→4)-α-Rhap-(1→3)-β-Galp-(1→, β-Galp-(1→6)-β-Manp-(1→3)-β-Galp-(1→, and α-l-Araf-(1→2)-β-Manp-(1→3)-β-Galp-(1→ were identified as the branches attached to the C-3 position of (1→6)-linked galactose in the backbone.     

Two new triterpenoid glycosides from the stems of Camellia oleifera Abel

Two new oleanane-type triterpenoid glycosides, 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-22α-angeloyloxyolean-12-ene-15α,16α,28-triol(1) and 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-21β-acetyl-22α-angeloyloxyolean-12-ene-16α,28-diol (2) were isolated from the stems of Camellia oleifera Abel. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods and chemical evidence. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1–2 were evaluated against five human tumour cell lines (HCT-8, BGC-823, A5049, and A2780). Compounds 1–2 showed cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.15 to 7.32 μM.     

Les melanges polyester/poly(bromure de vinyle)

DSC measurements indicate that poly(vinyl bromide) (PVB) is miscible with several polyesters [poly(caprolactone), poly(valerolactone), poly(butylene adipate) and poly(hexamethylene sebacate)] but immiscible with others [poly(α-methyl-α-n-propyl-β-propiolactone), poly(α-methyl-α-ethyl-β-propiolactone) and poly(ethylene adipate (PEA)]. However, it is known that poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) is miscible with all these polyesters but PEA. The more limited degree of miscibility of PVB with polyesters, as compared with the case of PVC, is surprising in view of the similar properties of the bromine and chlorine atoms.     

Synthesis of Four Spacer-Containing Trisaccharides with the 4-0-(β-L-Rhamnopyranosyl)-D-glucopyranose Unit in Common,Representing Fragments of Capsular Polysaccharides from Streptococcus Pneumoniae Types 2, 7F, 22F,and 23F

Abstract

The synthesis is reported of 3-aminopropyl 3-O-[4-O(β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (34), 3-aminopropyl 2-acetamido-3-O-[4-0-(β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranoside (37), 3-aminopropyl 3-O-[4-O-(β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-α-D-glucopyranosyl]-α-D-galactofuranoside (41), and 3-aminopropyl 4-O-[4-O-(β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-β-D-galactopyranoside (45). These are spacer-containing fragments of the capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 2, 7F, 22F, and 23F, respectively, which are constituents of Pneumovax^© 23. 2,3,4-Tri-O-benzyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl bromide was coupled to l,6-anhydro-2,3-di-(O-benzyl-β-D-glucopyranose (3). Opening of the anhydro ring, removal of AcO-1, and imidation of l,6-anhydro-2,3-di- O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranose (4β) afforded 6-O-acetyl-2,3-di-O-ben-zyl-4-O-(2,3,4-tri- O-benzyl-β-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-αβ-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacet-imidate (7αβ). Condensation of 7αβ with 3-N-benzyloxycarbonylaminopropyl 2-O-ben-zyl-5,6-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranoside (26), followed by deprotection gave 41 Opening of the anhydro ring of 4 p followed by debenzylation, acerylauon, removal of AcO-1, and imidation yielded 2,3,6-tri-(9-aceryl-4-O-(2,3,4-tri-0-acetyl-P-L-rharnnopyran-.-osyl)-α-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (11). Condensation of 11 with 3-N-bcn-zyloxycarbonylaminopropyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (18), with 3-N-bcn-zyloxycarbonylaminopropyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyran-oside (21), or with 3-N -benzyloxycarbonylaminopropyl 2-O-acetyl-3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (31), followed by deprotection afforded 34, 37, and 45, respectively.     

Two new triterpenoids from Nauclea officinalis

Two new triterpenoids and three 27-nor-triterpenoids were isolated from the stems (with bark) of Nauclea officinalis. Their structures were identified to be 2β,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (1), 2β,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl (1-2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (2), pyrocincholic acid 3β-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (3), pyrocincholic acid 3β-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosy1-28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (4), pyrocincholic acid 3β-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosy1-28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (5) by spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR and HR-MS analyses. The cytotoxic activity of 1–5 against lung cancer A-549 cells was also investigated.     

Structure elucidation and NMR assignment of two new eudesmane derivatives from Merremia yunnanensis

Two new eudesmane derivatives, 1α,6β,9β-trihydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-1-O-β-d -glucopyranoside ( 1 ) and 1α,6β,9β-trihydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-1-(6-cinnamoyl)-O-β-d -glucopyranoside ( 2 ) were discovered from Merremia yunnanensis. The structures were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data including HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR. It should be noted that this is the first report about structure elucidation and NMR assignment of compounds from M. yunnanensis.     

Synthesis of some amino-substituted furanopyrimidines and styrylpyrimidines

5-p-Chlorophenyl-6,6-dimethyl-5,6-dihydro-3H-furano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4-one is readily converted to 4,6-dichloro-5-β-β-dimethyl-α- (p-chlorostyryl)pyrimidine by warming in phosphorus oxychloride and acetic acid, behavior which is in strong contrast to that of the analogous 5-phenyl derivative. The reaction provides a convenient source of 4-amino-6-chloro-5β,β-dimethyl-α- (p-chlorostyryl)pyrimidines and 4,6-diamino-5-β,β-dimethyl-α- (p-chlorostyryl)pyrimidines, compounds of potential biological interest.     

New Triterpene Saponins from Herniaria glabra

Three new saponins 1–3 were isolated from Herniaria glabra by means of prep. HPLC and TLC. The structures were established mainly by a combination of 2D-NMR techniques (COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC) as O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D -glucopyranosyl-(1-→6)-O-[β-D -glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D -glucopyranosyl medicagen-28-ate (herniaria saponin 4; 1 ), O-β-D -glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-(3R)-D -apiofuranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D -4-O-acetylfucopyranosyl 3-O-(β-D -glucuronopyranosyl)-16α-hydroxymedicagen-28-ate (herniaria saponin 5; 2 ), and O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D -glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-[β-D -6-O-acetylglucopyra nosyl-(1→2)]-β-D -glucopyranosyl medicagen-28-ate (herniaria saponin 6; 3 ).     

A novel dimeric flavonol glycoside from Cynanchum acutum subsp. sibiricum

A novel dimeric flavonol glycoside, Cynanflavoside A (1), together with six analogues, kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-xylopyranoside (4), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-xylopyranoside (5), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (6), and quercetin-3-O-galactoside (7) were isolated from the n-butyl alcohol extract of Cynanchum acutum subsp. sibiricum. Their structures were determined spectroscopically and compared with previously reported spectral data. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-complementary activity in vitro, and only compound 5 exhibited anti-complement effects with CH₅₀ value of 0.33 mM.     

Effects of crystallization temperature and blend ratio on the crystal structure of poly(butylene adipate) in the poly(butylene adipate)/poly(butylene succinate) blends

The effects of crystallization temperature and blend ratio on the polymorphic crystal structures of poly(butylene adipate)(PBA) in poly(butylene succinate)(PBS)/poly(butylene adipate)(PBS/PBA) blends were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction(XRD) and atomic force microscopy(AFM). It was revealed that the polymorphism of PBA can be regulated by the blend ratio even in a non-isothermal crystallization process. The results demonstrate that high temperature favors flat-on α crystals, while low temperature contributes to edge-on β crystals. It was also found that the effect of blend ratio on the crystallization mechanism of PBA is well coincident with that of the crystallization temperature. The increment of PBS content in the PBS/PBA blend gives rise to more β-form crystals of PBA. For those PBS/PBA blends with low PBA content, the interlamellar phase segregation of PBA makes its molecular chains so difficult to diffuse from one isolated microdomain to another that high crystallization temperature and sufficiently long crystallization time will be required if the PBA α-type crystals are targeted.     

Structure Evolution upon Uniaxial Drawing Skin‐ and Core‐Layers of Injection‐Molded Isotactic Polypropylene by In Situ Synchrotron X‐ray Scattering

The structure evolution of the oriented layer (skin) and unoriented layer (core) from injection‐molded isotactic polypropylene samples upon uniaxial drawing is probed by in situ synchrotron X‐ray scattering. The X‐ray data analysis approach, called “halo method”, is used to semiquantitatively identify the transformation process of crystal phase upon uniaxial drawing. The results verify the validation of the stress‐induced crystal fragmentation and recrystallization process in the deformation of the injection‐molded samples under different temperatures. Furthermore, the end of strain softening region in the engineering stress‐strain curves explicitly corresponds to the transition point from the stress‐induced crystal fragmentation to recrystallization process. Basically, the skin and core layers of the injection‐molded parts share the similar deformation mechanism as aforementioned. The stretching temperature which dramatically affects the relative strength between the entanglement‐induced tie chains and the adjacent crystalline lamellae determines the crystal structural evolution upon drawing. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1618–1631     

Synthesis of Per- and Poly-Substituted Trehalose Derivatives: Studies of Properties Relevant to Their Use as Excipients for Controlled Drug Release

Per- and poly-substituted oligosaccharide derivatives, with trehalose cores, have been prepared and assessed for their potential for use as excipients in controlled-release formulations. The synthesized compounds, generally with acyl and amido substituents, included 6,6′-N,N′ -diamido-6,6′ -dideoxy-α,α -trehalose derivatives, 6,6′ -bis(1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-β -D-glucopyranuronyl)-α, α -trehalose derivatives, 2,2′,3,3′ -tetra-O-acetyl-6,6′ -bis-(1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranuronyl)-4,4′ -di-O-acyl-α,α-trehalose, 2, 2′, 3, 3′ -tetra-O-acetyl-6-(1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranuronyl)-4,4′,6′ -tri-O-acyl-α,α-trehalose, and 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′ -hexa-O-acetyl-6,6′ -bis-(1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-6-O-succinyl-β-D-glucopyranuronyl)-α,α-trehalose. Compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, MS and optical rotations; elemental analyses; or HRMS. The compounds formed amorphous materials either on fast quenching of melts or on spray drying. Properties, used in the initial assessment of the potential as controlled-release excipients, were log₁₀ P and glass transition, T_g, values.     

Crystallization of trans-1,4-polyisoprene

Crystals of fractionated trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPI) were grown from amyl acetate solution at two weight fractions, 5.7 × 10^?4 and 0.011; for the lower concentration a precooling followed by heating and then crystallization at temperatures in the 10–32°C range was used, while for the higher concentration this method and direct crystallization at a temperature T_C in the 0–32°C range were employed. The precooling method yielded samples crystallized in the α form, while direct crystallization led to formation of β-TPI at low T_C and α at higher T_C. The value for the DSC endotherm, characteristic of α-form melting, increased with increasing T_C, with a shift to lower values with increasing concentration for precooled samples. A β to α transformation was found to occur for synthetic unfractionated TPI when swollen with amyl acetate at 35°C for 17h. Swelling in n-butyl acetate for one day at 25°C or 17 h at 35°C also led to this transformation. From experimental results 74°C is chosen as the temperature at which the α and β forms coexist in the bulk, and this is used to calculate the enthalpy of fusion of β-TPI, yielding a value of 8.6 kJ mol^?1.     

Studies of polylactone/poly(vinyl chloride), polylactone/poly(vinyl fluoride), and polylactone/poly(vinylidene fluoride) blends

It is shown that polyvalerolactone/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVL/PVC) blends are miscible over all compositions since a single glass transition temperature T_g is observed, intermediate between those of pure PVL and pure PVC. Melting points, enthalpies of fusion and morphologies of PVL/PVC blends are also reported. It is also shown that polyvalerolactone, poly(α-methyl-α-n-propyl-β-propiolactone), poly(α-methyl-α-ethyl-β-propiolactone), and poly(caprolactone) are immiscible with poly(vinyl fluoride) and poly(vinylidene fluoride), despite the fact that all these polylactones are miscible with PVC. Differences in electronegativity, in atomic radius, and in molar attraction between the fluoride and the chlorine atoms are probably responsible for this difference in behavior.