Amino‐Claisen Rearrangements and Diels‐Alder Reactions of Ketene N,O‐Acetals: Reactivity Studies. On the Way to a Novel Tandem Process?

We report the synthesis of N‐benzyl‐N‐[(E)‐buta‐1,3‐dienyl]propanamide ( 6 ) and its corresponding O‐silyl‐substituted ketene N,O‐acetal 7 and their Diels‐Alder reaction. Propanamide 6 reacted smoothly, whereas the yield obtained from 7 was low, probably due to polymerization of the dienophile induced by electron transfer. The ketene N,O‐acetals 27a – g were synthesized starting from the corresponding benzamides 25a – e (Scheme 9). The ketene N,O‐acetals 27a – g showed increased stabilities and underwent amino‐Claisen rearrangements under thermal conditions. Using catalysts, interesting side reactions leading either to the annulated systems rac‐ 35 – 37 or to a β‐lactam rac‐ 34 were observed.     

Well-defined backbone degradable polymer–drug conjugates synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization

Despite the recent advances of controlled polymerization methods over the last decades, the lack of backbone degradability of well-defined polymers remains a major synthetic challenge that limits the full exploitation of polymer–drug conjugates (PDCs) in clinical practice. Here, we report the copolymerization of a cyclic ketene acetal (CKA) and a vinyl-based drug-monomer as a proof-of-concept approach to prepare model polyester-based prodrugs via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. We demonstrate the versatility of the system toward backbone degradability and control over the chain length while maintaining both low dispersity (Đ_M) and homogenous distribution of degradation points along the main polymer chain. The resulting PDCs exhibit unique self-assembly properties and potent cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells. A methacrylate prodrug is copolymerized with a CKA co-monomer using RAFT polymerization producing a backbone degradable PDC with well-defined molecular structure. The resulting PDC undergoes controlled backbone degradation and produces by-products of narrow dispersity and low toxicity. In addition, it is demonstrated that the insertion of degradation segments does not affect the cytotoxic properties of the PDC under in vitro conditions.     

Surface‐Initiated Ring‐Opening Polymerization of ϵ‐Caprolactone from a Patterned Poly(hydroxymethyl‐ p‐xylylene)

A new strategy toward patterned polymer brushes combining the spatially controlled deposition of poly[(hydroxymethyl‐p‐xylylene)‐co‐(p‐xylylene)] ( 1 ) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) polymerization of 4‐(hydroxymethyl)[2.2]paracyclophane and surface‐initiated ring‐opening polymerization was developed. Patterns of polymer brushes with thicknesses between 53 and 538 Å were created. The approach does not require photolithographic tools and has potential applicability to a wide range of different substrates, such as glasses, polymers, metals or composites.     

The multieffects of DMF and DBU on the [5 + 1] benzannulation of nitroethane and α‐alkenoyl ketene‐(S,S)‐acetals: Hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions

A density functional theory (DFT) study was performed to elucidate the mechanism for the [5 + 1] benzannulation of nitroethane and α‐alkenoyl ketene‐(S,S)‐acetals. The calculation results are consistent with experimental findings, showing that the reaction proceeds via deprotonation of nitroethane, nucleophilic addition, intramolecular cyclization, elimination of HNO₂, and the keto‐enol tautomerization sequence. It was disclosed that N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) act as not only solvent and nonnucleophilic base, respectively, but also catalysts in the reaction by stabilizing the transition states (TSs) and intermediates via intermolecular hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. Besides, the effective orbital interaction of the reaction site in TS also contributes to the intramolecular cyclization step. The new mechanistic insights obtained by DFT calculations highlight that the hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions are key factors for the [5 + 1] benzannulation of nitroethane and α‐alkenoyl ketene‐(S,S)‐acetals. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Polyesters by a Radical Pathway: Rationalization of the Cyclic Ketene Acetal Efficiency

Radical ring‐opening polymerization (rROP) of cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) combines the advantages of both ring‐opening polymerization and radical polymerization thereby allowing the robust production of polyesters coupled with the mild polymerization conditions of a radical process. rROP was recently rejuvenated by the possibility to copolymerize CKAs with classic vinyl monomers leading to the insertion of cleavable functionality into a vinyl‐based copolymer backbone and thus imparting (bio)degradability. Such materials are suitable for a large scope of applications, particularly within the biomedical field. The competition between the ring‐opening and ring‐retaining propagation routes is a major complication in the development of efficient CKA monomers, ultimately leading to the use of only four monomers that are known to completely ring‐open under all experimental conditions. In this article we investigate the radical ring‐opening polymerization of model CKA monomers and demonstrate by the combination of DFT calculations and kinetic modeling using PREDICI software that we are now able to predict in silico the ring‐opening ability of CKA monomers.     

Vapor‐Based Polymer Gradients

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) co‐polymerization was used to fabricate polymer coatings, which comprise of reactive surface composition gradients. Two functionalized derivatives of [2.2]paracyclophane were fed into a two‐source CVD system at a 180 ° angle, then copolymerized and deposited as a polymer gradient. Infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the compositional changes within the bulk polymer and at the surface. By manipulating process parameters, gradients of tailored compositional slope can be deposited on a wide range of substrates. We also were able to selectively immobilize fluorescence‐labeled ligands onto the reactive polymer gradients, making CVD‐based gradient surfaces a flexible platform for fabricating biomolecular substrates.

     

Ring opening during the cationic polymerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane: Cyclic ketene acetal initiation with sulfuric acid supported on carbon

The stable cyclic ketene acetal, 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane, 7, has been polymerized cationically in pentane, CH₂Cl₂ and THF at 25°C to form a polymer which is composed of both ring-opened (40–50%) and ring-retained (50–60%) structures. Initiation was catalyzed by using H₂SO₄-supported on activated carbon black. This unique outcome differs significantly from the cationic polymerization of several other five- and six-membered ring cyclic ketene acetals which gave 100% 1,2-vinylpolymerization under these conditions. As the polymerization temperature increased in cationic polymerization of 7 the ring-opened content increased and the molecular weight of the polymers decreased in such solvents as cyclohexane, 1,2-dichloroethane, dimethoxyethane, and bis-(2-methoxyethyl) ether. The mechanism of this polymerization is discussed. This research also illustrated the ability to initiate the cationic polymerization of cyclic ketene acetals by acidified carbon black while avoiding subsequent polymer decomposition. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The use of carbon black-supported sulfuric acid to initiate the cationic polymerization of cyclic ketene acetals

Stable polymers were made by the cationically initiated 1,2-polymerization of cyclic ketene acetals employing heterogeneous, activated carbon-supported sulfuric acid catalysts. A methodology has been established for the preparation of the carbon black of different acidic strengths. By adjusting either the acid strength or the amount of carbon black used, cyclic ketene acetals with different activities can be polymerized efficiently to form stable high molecular weight polymers. This methodology will be a useful tool for polymerization, copolymerization, and studies of the relative reactivities of the cyclic ketene acetals. The polymer structures were determined by FTIR, ¹³C-NMR, and ¹H-NMR studies. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of [m.n]Cyclophanes: Regiochemistry Transfer from Vinyl Halides to Cyclophanes via Fischer Carbene Complexes

The double benzannulation of bis‐carbene complexes of chromium with α,ω‐diynes generates [m.n]cyclophanes in which all three rings are generated in a single reaction. This triple annulation process is very flexible allowing for the construction of symmetrical [n.n]cyclophanes and unsymmetrical [m.n]cyclophanes as well as isomers in which the two benzene rings are both meta bridged or both para bridged, and isomers that contain both meta and para bridges. The connectivity patterns of the bridges in the cyclophanes can be controlled by regioselectivity transfer from the bis‐vinyl carbene complexes in which the substitution pattern of the vinyl groups in the carbene complexes dictate the connectivity pattern in the [m.n]cyclophanes. This synthesis of [n.n]cyclophanes is quite flexible with regard to ring size and can be used with tether lengths ranging from n=2 to n=16 and thus to ring sizes with up to 40 member rings. The only limitation to regioselectivity transfer from the carbene complexes to the [m.n]cyclophanes was found in the synthesis of para,para‐cyclophanes with four carbon tethers for which the loss of fidelity occurred with the unexpected formation of meta,para‐cyclophanes.     

Indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐Based [2,2]Cyclophanes with 4n/4n and 4n/[4n+2] π Electrons: Syntheses,Structural Analyses,and Excitonic Coupling Properties

Indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐based [2,2]cyclophanes with 4n/4n and 4n/[4n+2] π‐electron systems were prepared, and their structures were identified by X‐ray crystallography. With short π–π distances around 3.0 Å, [2.2](5,11)indeno[1,2‐b]fluorenophane and its precursor [2.2](5,11)indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐6,12‐dionophane exhibit remarkable transannular interactions, leading to their unusual electrochemical and photophysical properties. With the aid of femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, the transition from the monomeric excited state to the redshifted H‐type dimeric state was first observed, correlating to the calculated excitonic energy splitting and the steady‐state absorption spectra induced by charge‐transfer‐mediated superexchange interaction.     

Recent Advances in Free-Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization

Although cyclic ketene acetals, such as 2-methylene-1, 3-dioxepane, undergo quantitative free-radical ring-opening polymerization, their reactivity in copolymerization is rather low. In order to find a series of monomers that have high reactivities in copolymerization and still undergo free radical ring-opening polymerization, a series of cyclic acrylates was synthesized and polymerized. For example, β-bromolactic acid condensed with benzaldehyde to give a cyclic acetal lactone which on treatment with base gave the cyclic acrylate. Free-radical solution polymerization at 140°C of the cyclic acrylate, which produced a benzyl radical upon ring opening, gave quantitative ring opening. However, in bulk at 120°C, only 20% of the rings were opened during poiymerization. The resulting polymers containing the pyruvate ester units were shown to be highly biodegradable with microorganisms. Vesicles containing these cyclic acrylates on the end of one of the hydrophobic chains of the lipidlike molecules were shown to undergo free-radical ring-opening polymerization to give polymerized vesicles which were biodegradable. In order to discover groups other than carbonyl groups and strained rings that would promote free-radical ring-opening polymerization, a series of spiromethylenecyclohexadienes were prepared and polymerized. Thus, 3-methylenespiro [5,5] undeca-1,4-diene in bulk at 130°C gave a polymer in which 79% of the rings had opened and in solution at 130°C gave a polymer in which nearly all of the rings had opened. A benzo derivative, 3-methylene-8,9-benzo [5,5] undeca-1,4,8-triene, gave a polymer that is essentially an alternating copolymer of p-xylylene and o-xylylene and has a very high thermal decomposition temperature. A tricyclic dispirocyclohexadiene derivative was shown to undergo double free-radical ring-opening polymerization to give a polymer with expansion in volume containing a p-phenylene group in the backbone.     

Indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐Based [2,2]Cyclophanes with 4n/4n and 4n/[4n+2] π Electrons: Syntheses,Structural Analyses,and Excitonic Coupling Properties

Indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐based [2,2]cyclophanes with 4n/4n and 4n/[4n+2] π‐electron systems were prepared, and their structures were identified by X‐ray crystallography. With short π–π distances around 3.0 Å, [2.2](5,11)indeno[1,2‐b]fluorenophane and its precursor [2.2](5,11)indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐6,12‐dionophane exhibit remarkable transannular interactions, leading to their unusual electrochemical and photophysical properties. With the aid of femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, the transition from the monomeric excited state to the redshifted H‐type dimeric state was first observed, correlating to the calculated excitonic energy splitting and the steady‐state absorption spectra induced by charge‐transfer‐mediated superexchange interaction.     

Hyperbranched aliphatic polyether esters by ring‐opening polymerization of epoxidized 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate

A series of biocompatible and degradable hyperbranched polyether esters, poly(2‐hydroxyethyl 2‐methyloxirane‐2‐carboxylate) (pHEMOC) with controlled molecular weight (MW) and polydispersity (PD), have been synthesized via oxyanionic ring‐opening polymerization of HEMOC that was prepared by the epoxidation of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate. pHEMOCs of their MWs ranging from about 500 to 20,000 with their PD values less than 1.5 are obtained simply by controlling 1,1,1‐tris‐hydroxymethylpropane initiator to HEMOC ratio. The pHEMOCs comprised of ether and ester backbones and multiple hydroxyl groups on the core and periphery results in materials that exhibit good degradability and low cytotoxicity, enabling them to be an ideal candidate material for biomedical applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1643–1651     

[2.2.2.2](2,7)‐1‐Bromonaphthalenophane from a Desymmetrized Building Block Bearing Electrophilic and Masked Nucleophilic Functionalities

In search of 2,7‐ethylene‐bridged naphthalenophanes with desymmetrized naphthalene cores as inherently chiral cyclophanes, nucleophilic substitution of 1‐bromo‐7‐(bromomethyl)‐2‐[(trimethylsilyl)methyl]naphthalene, a desymmetrized building block bearing an electrophilic group (CH₂Br) and a masked nucleophilic functionality (CH₂TMS) which can be activated by fluoride anion, was examined. As a result, in contrast to the case of parent naphthalenophanes wherein the smallest [2.2]naphthalenophane was obtained as the major product, only [2.2.2.2](2,7)‐1‐bromonaphthalenophane was obtained albeit in low yields, whereas the corresponding [2.2]‐ or [2.2.2]naphthalenophanes were not obtained. Though the [2.2.2.2]‐1‐bromonaphthalenophane can adopt four idealized geometries of different symmetry, among which three are inherently chiral, theoretical calculations predict that three conformers have almost equal energy and may equilibrate in solution. The X‐ray crystallographic study shows that it adopts a C₂ conformation with anti,anti,anti orientation of the C?Br bonds at least as a major component in crystal.     

Polyesters by a Radical Pathway: Rationalization of the Cyclic Ketene Acetal Efficiency

Radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP) of cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) combines the advantages of both ring-opening polymerization and radical polymerization thereby allowing the robust production of polyesters coupled with the mild polymerization conditions of a radical process. rROP was recently rejuvenated by the possibility to copolymerize CKAs with classic vinyl monomers leading to the insertion of cleavable functionality into a vinyl-based copolymer backbone and thus imparting (bio)degradability. Such materials are suitable for a large scope of applications, particularly within the biomedical field. The competition between the ring-opening and ring-retaining propagation routes is a major complication in the development of efficient CKA monomers, ultimately leading to the use of only four monomers that are known to completely ring-open under all experimental conditions. In this article we investigate the radical ring-opening polymerization of model CKA monomers and demonstrate by the combination of DFT calculations and kinetic modeling using PREDICI software that we are now able to predict in silico the ring-opening ability of CKA monomers.     

Facile Access to Versatile Polyaromatic Building Blocks: Selectively Protected Benzocyclobutenedione Derivatives via Regioselective [2+2] Cycloaddition of α‐Alkoxybenzyne and Ketene Silyl Acetal

A facile, divergent access to highly oxygenated benzocyclobutene derivatives was developed via the regioselective [2+2] cycloaddition of α‐alkoxybenzynes and ketene silyl acetals. The cycloadducts could be converted to selectively protected alkoxybenzocyclobutenediones, an attractive class of compounds for the synthesis of polyaromatic compounds. As one possible application, divergent access to a regioisomer pair of sulfonylphthalides for the Hauser approach to polyaromatic compounds is described.     

Vapor deposition polymerization of heteroatom-bridged [2.2]paracyclophanes: 1,9-dithia[2.2]paracyclophane and 1,9-dithia[2.2]paracyclophane-1,1,9,9-tetroxide

1,9-Dithia[2.2]paracyclophane-1,1,9,9-tetroxide ( 3 ) was synthesized as white needles in a high yield from 1,9-dithia[2.2]paracyclophane ( 2 ) by oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid, and its molecular structure was determined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Vapor deposition polymerizations of 2 and 3 gave amorphous and brittle polymer films along with considerable amounts of nonpolymeric byproducts. A polymer film from 2 was a copolymer of p-(phenylene-methylenesulfide) with p-(phenylene-methylene) units, and a polymer film from 3 was a homopolymer of p-(phenylene-methylene) units with head-to-tail, head-to-head, and tail-to-tail placements. The elimination of sulfur atoms in 2 and sulfone units in 3 took place during their pyrolysis reactions. Plausible mechanisms for vapor deposition polymerizations of both cyclophanes are proposed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1892–1900, 2001     

Persistance of the Cyclopnane Radical Anions and its Relation to Structure

Reactions of [2_N]cyclophanes (N = 2, ?6) with solvated electrons in 1,2-di-methoxyethane at 193 K have been studied by ESR. and ENDOR. spectroscopy. All but the two most highly bridged cyclophanes (N = 5 and 6) are reduced to paramagnetic species under these conditions. Whereas the radical anions of [2.2]-paracyclophane and [2₃](1,2,4)- and [2₄](l,2,4,5)cyclophanes are sufficiently persistent to be characterized by their hyperfine data, those of the remaining five cyclophanes undergo a rapid cyclization to the radical anions of 4,5,9,10-tetrahydropyrenes. These have been identified as the unsubstituted tetrahydropyrene (from [2.2]-metacyclophane and [2₃](l,2,3)cyclophane), the 2,7-dimethyl-derivative (from [2₃](1,3,5)- and [2₄](l,2,3,5)cyclophanes) and the 1,8-dimethyl-derivative (from (2₄l,2,3,4)cyclophane). The persistence of the cyclophane radical anions seems to depend on the numbers, n_meta and n_para, of the meta-and para-positions of the bridging ethano groups in the two benzene rings. The prerequisite for the radical anion to be persistent is n_meta?n_para.     

Copolyesters of hydroxyphenylalkanoic acids: Synthesis,properties, and in vitro degradation of poly(4‐oxybenzoate‐co‐4‐oxyphenylacetate)

Hydrolytically degradable copolyesters of the naturally occurring monomer 4‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HPAA) with 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) were synthesized for the first time by the acidolysis melt polymerization of their acetoxy derivatives. The HPAA/HBA copolyesters prepared by acidolysis melt polycondensation had higher yields and molecular weights than those obtained by a one‐pot method. The high‐temperature solvent Dowtherm® improved the color of the polyester. Although catalysts did not affect the inherent viscosity and yield of the polymer, they did reduce the polymerization time. A higher degree of polymerization was achieved with postpolymerization and annealing techniques. Copolyesters prepared in different molar ratios were analyzed by elemental analysis, IR, NMR, and inherent viscosity and were further characterized for their thermal and phase properties by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and polarized light microscopy. The composition of the copolyesters affected the yield, solubility, and inherent viscosity. The NMR data indicated comparatively high randomization for the copolyester obtained by acidolysis melt polymerization. The 60/40 HPAA/HBA copolyester formed a birefringent melt with a grainy texture above 175 °C with isotropization at 297 °C and thermal stability above 350 °C. The occurrence of birefringence with a grainy texture in the melt indicates a layered smectic phase; this was supported by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction powder patterns. The in vitro hydrolytic degradability of the copolyester was studied by the measurement of the water absorption of the film samples in buffer solutions of pH 7 and 10 at 30 and 60 °C. The copolyester showed considerable hydrolytic degradation, enough to be called biodegradable, compared with the commercial polyester Vectra®, thereby demonstrating prospects for syntheses of copolyesters with tailor‐made degradability. The degradation of the copolyester was identified by Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. These polyesters with controlled crystallinity and degradability should be considered for possible applications in biomedical areas (e.g., bone fixation devices in fracture treatment) in which high strength with biodegradability is an essential requirement. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 693–705, 2001     

Towards Multipotent Coatings: Chemical Vapor Deposition and Biofunctionalization of Carbonyl‐Substituted Copolymers

Future advances in designing bioactive materials, such as antithrombotic coatings for cardiovascular stents, will require widely applicable and robust methods of surface modification. In this paper, we report on the development of multifunctional polymer coatings made by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) copolymerization. Polymer coatings of various [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives were co‐deposited in controlled ratios and their chemical composition verified by FT‐IR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Furthermore, preliminary biocompatibility of these coatings was assessed using human umbilical vein endothelial cells and 3T3 murine fibroblasts. The parallel immobilization of two different antithrombotic biomolecules onto a CVD‐based copolymer is also demonstrated by orthogonal immobilization strategies.