Determination of butoxyacetic acid in urine by capillary gas chromatography

Summary A simple, rapid and reliable method is presented for the determination of butoxyacetic acid (BAA), the main metabolite of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (Butyl Cellosolve). The urine is acidified with hydrochloric acid and passed through a cation-exchange column. BAA which is quantitatively found in the filtrate is subsequently adsorbed on XAD-4 resin. After desorption with diethyl ether an aliquot of the eluate is evaporated in a nitrogen stream and methylated with diazomethane in diethyl ether. A forty-fold enrichment is achieved by this procedure. The gas-chromatographic separation is performed on a 60 m fused silica capillary column DB-1 (100% dimethyl-polysiloxane). Flame ionization is used for detection. Pentoxyacetic acid (PAA) serves as internal standard. The detection limit of BAA in urine is 0.02 mg/l. Linearity has been tested up to 50 mg/l. The losses by the clean-up steps are between 10.0% and 22.7%. The average recovery is 100.9%. Within-series imprecision (n=10) has been determined for three concentrations and ranges between 4.8% and 12.6%.

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Capillar-gas-chromatographische Bestimmung von Butoxyessigsäure in Harn

     

Observation of a sequence of wetting transitions in the binary water+ethylene glycol monobutyl ether mixture

A homemade pendant drop/bubble tensiometer was assembled and applied to perform the surface-interfacial tension measurements for the binary water+ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (C4E1) mixture over the temperature range from 50 to 128 degrees C at 10 bar. The symbol CiEj is the abbreviation of a nonionic polyoxyethylene alcohol CiH2i+1(OCH2CH2)jOH. The wetting behavior of the C4E1-rich phase at the interface separating the gas and the aqueous phases was systematically examined according to the wetting coefficient calculated from the experimental results of surface/interfacial tensions. It was found that the C4E1-rich phase exhibits a sequence of wetting transitions, nonwetting-->partial wetting-->complete wetting, at the gas-water interface in the water+C4E1 system along with increasing the temperature, consistent with the conjecture of Kahlweit and Busse [J. Chem. Phys. 91, 1339 (1989)]. In addition, the relationship of the mutual solubility and the interfacial tension of the interface separating the C4E1-rich phase and the aqueous phase is discussed.     

Thermoresponsive copolymers of methacrylic acid and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate

Copolymers of methacrylic acid (MAA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) were prepared and their cloud points in aqueous solution were studied as a function of comonomer ratio, solution pH, and presence of hydrophobic comonomers. Under acidic conditions, the cloud point falls below 0 °C for copolymers with between 25% to 60% ether content, because of the formation of hydrophobic H‐bonded ether–acid complexes. The cloud point also decreases with solution pH. For equivalent ether to acid ratios, the cloud point decreases with decreasing PEG chain length, because of the presence of a larger number of hydrophobic methyl and methacrylate groups. Similarly, the cloud point decreases upon incorporation of hydrophobic comonomers such as butyl, lauryl, or glycidyl methacrylates. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6095–6104, 2005     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether endcapped poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Linear and branched poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) copolymers with polyethylene glycol) (PEG) methyl ether (700 or 2000 g/mol) end groups were synthesized using conventional melt polymerization. DSC analysis demonstrated that low levels of PEG end groups accelerated PET crystallization. The incorporated PEG end groups also decreased the crystallization temperature of PET dramatically, and copolymers with a high content of PEG (>17.6 wt%) were able to crystallize at room temperature. Rheological analysis demonstrated that the presence of PEG end groups effectively decreased the melt viscosities and facilitated melt processing. XPS and ATR-FTIR revealed that the PEG end groups tended to aggregate on the surface, and the surface of compression molded films containing 34.0 wt% PEG were PEG rich (85 wt% PEG). PEG end-capped PET (34.0 wt% PEG) and PET films were immersed into a fibrinogen solution (0.7 mg/mL BSA) for 72 h to investigate the propensity for protein adhesion. XPS demonstrated that the concentration of nitrogen (1.05%) on the surface of PEG endcapped PET film was statistically lower than PET (7.67%). SEM analysis was consistent with XPS results, and revealed the presence of adsorbed protein on the surface of PET films.     

Terpolymerization of methyl methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate or poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate with methacrylic acid and sodium styrene sulfonate: determination of the reactivity ratios

Materials bearing ionic monomers were obtained through free radical terpolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PMEM) or poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate (PEEM) with methacrylic acid (MA) and sodium styrene sulfonate (NaSS). The reactions were carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide using azobis(isobutyronitrile) as initiator. The reactivity ratios of the different couple of monomers were calculated according to the general copolymerization equation using the Finnemann-Ross, Kelen-Tüdos and Tidwell-Mortimer methods. The values of the reactivity ratios indicate that the different monomer units can be considered as randomly distributed along the chains for terpolymerizations of MMA, PMEM or PEEM with MA and NaSS. The average composition of the comonomers in the different terpolymers were calculated, showing a good agreement between the experimental and theoretical compositions. The instantaneous compositions are constant until about 70% of conversion. For higher conversions, the insertion of ionic monomers increases or decreases according to the system studied.     

Potentiometric titration behavior of poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether)-b-poly(ethylenimine)

Poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether)-b-poly(ethylenimine hydrochloride) was characterized using potentiometric and viscosimetric titration methods. The average chemical compositions of the polyamine hydrochloride salts estimated by the acid-base titration,¹H-NMR, and elemental analysis were compared. The apparent dissociation constant, pK, and the inherent viscosity of the polyamine hydrochloride were found to be highly dependent on the degree of neutralization. Very strong coulombic interactions among the charged sites were observed at low pH's for this polymer.     

Gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry determination of phthalic acid in human urine as a biomarker of folpet exposure

Agricultural workers are exposed to folpet, but biomonitoring data are limited. Phthalimide (PI), phthalamic acid (PAA), and phthalic acid (PA) are the ring metabolites of this fungicide according to animal studies, but they have not yet been measured in human urine as metabolites of folpet, only PA as a metabolite of phthalates. The objective of this study was thus to develop a reliable gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method to quantify the sum of PI, PAA, and PA ring-metabolites of folpet in human urine. Briefly, the method consisted of adding p-methylhippuric acid as an internal standard, performing an acid hydrolysis at 100 °C to convert ring-metabolites into PA, purifying samples by ethyl acetate extraction, and derivatizing with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoro acetamide prior to GC–MS analysis. The method had a detection limit of 60.2 nmol/L (10 ng/mL); it was found to be accurate (mean recovery, 97%), precise (inter- and intra-day percentage relative standard deviations <13%), and with a good linearity (R ² > 0.98). Validation was conducted using unexposed peoples urine spiked at concentrations ranging from 4.0 to 16.1 μmol/L, along with urine samples of volunteers dosed with folpet, and of exposed workers. The method proved to be (1) suitable and accurate to determine the kinetic profile of PA equivalents in the urine of volunteers orally and dermally administered folpet and (2) relevant for the biomonitoring of exposure in workers.     

Micellization and Thermogelation of Poly(ether urethane)s Comprising Poly(ethylene glycol) and Poly(propylene glycol)

A series of multiblock poly(ether urethane)s comprising poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) segments were synthesized. Their aqueous solutions exhibited thermogelling behavior at critical gelation concentrations (CGC) ranging from 8 to 12 wt%. The composition and structural information of the copolymers were studied by GPC and ¹H NMR. The critical micellization concentration (CMC) and thermodynamic parameters for micelle formation were determined at different temperatures. The temperature response of the copolymer solutions were studied and found to be associated with the composition of the copolymers.     

Composite proton-conducting membranes based on poly(ethylene glycol vinyl glycidyl ether)

Composite proton-conducting membranes in the form of interpolymer films are prepared in an aqueous medium from sulfo-acid-modified poly(ethylene glycol vinyl glycidyl ether) and poly(vinyl alcohol). The initial poly(hydroxysulfo acid) is synthesized through the radical polymerization of ethylene glycol vinyl glycidyl ether followed by modification with sodium sulfite via epoxy groups and treatment with a cationite in the H form. The proton-conducting membranes feature improved thermal stability (200–250°C), a breaking strength of 1.0–8.9 MPa, elasticity (a relative elongation at break of 1.0–8.2%), chemical resistance, and specific proton conductivity attaining 10^?1 S/cm after doping with orthophosphoric acid.     

Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) and Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Based Semi-Interpenetrating Network Membranes for Fuel Cells

Polymer electrolyte membranes are prepared from novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network material where the sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) is the linear polymer and the poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) is the cross-linking constituent. The semi-IPN is prepared by in situ polymerization of PEGDA in the presence of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone). SPEEK is prepared by direct sulfonation of commercial PEEK (Gatone? 1100) by reported procedures. SPEEK with degree of sulfonation 63% (calculated from FT-NMR) is selected as the base membrane and different semi-IPN membranes were prepared by varying the PEGDA and SPEEK ratio. The degree of sulfonation of SPEEK and the formation of semi-IPN were confirmed by spectroscopy studies. The various semi-IPN membranes were characterized for ion-exchange capacity, water uptake, hydrolytic stability, proton conductivity and thermal stability for evaluating the suitability of these membranes for fuel cells. The proton conductivity of the membranes decreased with increasing PEGDA content. The Semi-IPN membranes exhibited conductivities (30°C) from 0.018 S/cm to 0.006 S/cm. These interpenetrating network membranes showed higher hydrolytic stability than the pure SPEEK membrane. This study shows that semi-IPN membranes based on PEGDA and SPEEK can be viable candidates for electrolyte membranes.     

叶酸和聚乙二醇接枝作基因载体用壳聚糖的合成与表征

本研究将叶酸和聚乙二醇接枝到四种不同分子量的壳聚糖氨基侧链上,以改善壳聚糖的靶向性和水溶性作基因载体。用FTIE、1HNMR、UV-Vis、DSC和TEM对产物进行了表征,结果表明,叶酸和聚乙二醇被成功地接枝到壳聚糖上,所制得的载体有望作为潜在的肿瘤细胞靶向基因载体。     

Human urine certified reference material CZ 6009: creatinine,styrene metabolites (mandelic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid)

The reference material was prepared by freeze-drying pooled urine samples obtained from healthy persons occupationally exposed to styrene. The concentrations of mandelic acid (MA), phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA), and hippuric acid (HA) in urine were determined by three modes of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For isochronous stability testing the urinary mandelic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid concentrations were followed over a 24-month period for a preliminary batch by use of HPLC. No changes of the concentration values were found. The creatinine concentration was stable for more than five years. Standard Reference Material NIST 914a Creatinine was used for traceability purposes for creatinine. Pure chemicals MA and PGA were used for traceability purposes. Control material ClinChek-Urine Control (Recipe) was analyzed simultaneously. The mean values of MA and PGA compare well with the means and fall within the control range of control samples. Results from homogeneity, stability, and traceability testing were evaluated using the statistical program ANOVA. The certified values and their uncertainties were evaluated from the results of interlaboratory comparisons, and homogeneity and stability tests. The values are unweighed arithmetical averages of accepted results and their uncertainties are combined uncertainties (coverage factor=1).Abbreviations MA Mandelic acid - HA Hippuric acid - PGA Phenylglyoxylic acid - 3-HBA 3-Hydroxybenzoic acid - ANOVA Analysis of variance - CV Coefficient of variance - NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology - HPLC High-performance liquid chromatography     

Identification of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether as a source of contamination in an ion trap mass spectrometer

Tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled to online radioactive material detection (LC/RAM/MS/MS) is a technique that is used routinely for in vivo and in vitro drug metabolism studies and allows for a simultaneous correlation between radiochemical peaks and mass spectral data. The compound diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE), a component of a commercially available scintillation cocktail for RAM analysis, was identified as a source of overwhelming chemical noise in a mass spectrometer which was used in an LC/RAM/MS/MS configuration. In this report, we describe the identification of DGBE as the source of the chemical noise and the methods that were used to minimize the exposure of the mass spectrometer to volatile components of the scintillation cocktail.     

Well-defined Poly(lactic acid)s Containing Poly(ethylene glycol) Side-chains

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side-chain functionalized lactide analogues have been synthesized in four steps from commercially available L-lactide. The key step in the synthesis is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between PEG-azides and a highly strained spirolactide-heptene monomer, which proceeds in high conversions. The PEG-grafted lactides analogues were polymerized via ring-opening polymerization using triazacyclodecene as organocatalyst to give well-defined tri- and hepta-(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactide)s (PLA) with molecular weights above 10 kDa and polydispersity indices between 1.6 and 2.1. PEG-poly(lactide) (PLA) with PEG chain M(n) 2000 was also prepared but GPC analysis showed a bimodal profile indicating the presence of starting macromonomer. Cell adhesion assays were performed using MC3T3 E-1 osteoblast-like cells demonstrating that PEG-containing PLA reduces cell adhesion significantly when compared to unfunctionalized PLA.     

Photopolymerized injectable RGD-modified fumarated poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether hydrogels for cell growth

In this study, photopolymerized hydrogels of fumarated poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl-co- poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate have been synthesized and modified with cell adhesion peptide, Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD). The structural and mechanical properties of the hydrogels are found to be poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) dependent. The percentage of gelation is increased from 72 to 89 wt.-% when the amount of the crosslinker co-monomer (PEGDA) in the hydrogel formulation is increased from 20 to 40 wt.-%. In the present case, the equilibrium mass swelling is decreased from 216 to 93%. The viscosities of the uncured formulations have also been measured and likewise, the results were influenced by the increasing amount of PEGDA that reduced the value from 83 to 36 cP. The compressive modulus of the prepared hydrogels was improved with the addition of the PEGDA. Cell growth experiments have been performed by comparing the properties of the hydrogels with and without RGD units. The results show that RGD units enhance the adhesion of cells to the surface of the hydrogels. SEM-EDS studies reveal that nitrogen and calcium are produced on the osteoblast-seeded surface of the scaffold within the culture time period. [Figure: see text].     

Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic diblock copolymers of methyl tri(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether and isobutyl vinyl ether

Water-soluble diblock copolymers of methyl tri(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether (hydrophilic block) and isobutyl vinyl ether (hydrophobic block) of different molecular weights and composition were synthesized by living cationic polymerization. The molecular weight and comonomer composition of these copolymers were determined by GPC and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, respectively. Aqueous solutions of the copolymers were characterized in terms of their micellar behavior using dynamic light scattering, aqueous GPC, and dye solubilization. All the copolymers formed aggregates with the exception of a diblock copolymer with only two hydrophobic monomer units. The micellar hydrodynamic size scaled with the 0.61 power of the number of hydrophobic units, in good agreement with a theoretical exponent of 0.73. An increase in the length of the hydrophobic block at constant hydrophilic block length or an increase in the overall polymer size at constant block length ratio both resulted in lower critical micelle concentrations (cmcs). The cloud points of 1% w/w aqueous solutions of the polymers were determined by turbidimetry. An increase in the length of the hydrophobic block at constant hydrophilic block length caused a decrease in the cloud points of the copolymers. However, an increase in the overall polymer size at constant block length ratio led to an increase in the cloud point. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Purification of folic acid candidate reference material by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography

An effective process for the purification of folic acid candidate reference material with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (Pre-HPLC) was developed in this study. During the process of experimental operation, parameters including the influences of mobile phase, flow rate, and injection volume on the purity and yield were investigated, and the optimized conditions were as follows: the mobile phase was acetonitrile and water in a gradient mode with flow rate of 16?mL/min and injection volume of 2.0?mL at concentration of 10?mg/mL. Under the conditions, the purity and yield of folic acid product were up to 99.4% and 21.0%, respectively, whereas the purity of folic acid raw material was 95.2%. The purified folic acid product was characterized by LC–MS, HPLC, Karl Fischer coulometer, and quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR). Results proved that the main component of the product was folic acid and the purities determined by HPLC and qNMR were consistent. Two impurities including N-(4-aminobenzoyl)-L-glutamic acid and pteroic acid were further quantified by LC–MS. Compared with the recrystallization approach, the purity of folic acid obtained by Pre-HPLC increased from 98.2% to 99.4%.     

Bioactive mesoglobules of poly(di(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate)–peptide conjugate

This study describes the synthesis and aggregation behavior of thermosensitive poly(di(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate) (P(DEGMA‐ME)) conjugated with the fluorescently labeled pentapeptide glycine‐arginine‐lysine‐phenylalanine‐glycine‐dansyl (GRKFG‐Dns). The GRKFG‐Dns was obtained using Fmoc solid‐phase peptide synthesis and was modified with 2‐bromopropionic acid to initiate an atom transfer radical polymerization of di(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate (DEGMA‐ME). The polymerization led to a well‐defined P(DEGMA‐ME)–GRKFG‐Dns conjugate with a number average molar mass of 108,000 g/mol. The pentapeptide acted as a hydrophilic moiety that increased the phase transition temperature compared to the P(DEGMA‐ME) homopolymer of similar molar mass. The bioconjugate macromolecules aggregated in dilute aqueous solution into spherical particles (mesoglobules). The sizes of aggregates were easily controlled by changing the concentration and heating rate of the P(DEGMA‐ME)‐GRKFG‐Dns solution. The weight average molar masses and sizes of mesoglobules were determined based on light scattering measurements. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the bioconjugate in dilute solution was performed at temperatures below and above the cloud point temperature of the bioconjugate. The peptides were fully accessible to enzymatic digestion even when the macromolecules were aggregated to mesoglobules, indicating that the peptide segments in mesoglobules formed the external shell of the nanoparticles and could be easily released by enzymes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012