13C-NMR spectral studies on the distribution of substituents in water-soluble cellulose acetate

The degree of substitution (DS) and distribution of O-acetyl groups of water-soluble cellulose acetate (CA) were investigated by ¹³C-NMR. For this purpose, three different series of CA samples with low DS were prepared by respective homogeneous reaction, i.e., (1) deacetylation of cellulose triacetate (CTA) in acetic acid—water solution (D-series), (2) reaction of CTA with hydrazine (H-series), and (3) acetylation of cellulose with acetic anhydride in a 10% LiCl-dimethylacetamide solution (A-series). It was found that (i) water-soluble CA can be obtained only from D-series products, (ii) the DS value of water-soluble CA ranges from 0.5 to 1.1, (iii) the D-series products exhibit little difference between the relative DS values at C-2, C-3 and C-6 hydroxyl groups, and (iv) the relative DS at C-6 hydroxyl groups is very high compared to those at C-2 and C-3 hydroxyl groups in H- and A-series products. Aqueous solution of water-soluble CA (D-series sample) showed no gel—sol transition, even when the temperature was raised to 95°C. X-ray diffraction observations revealed that the water-soluble D-series samples were essentially noncrystalline, but the water-insoluble A-series samples were crystalline. It was also found that the relative ease of acetylation is C-6 > C-2 > C-3.     

Polymerization of coordinated monomers. XV. 13C-NMR study on the alternating copolymers of methyl methacrylate with styrene

By the use of various metal halides methyl methacrylate and styrene were copolymerized to produce equimolar alternating sequences and different cotacticities. The ¹³C-NMR spectra of these copolymers were simple in comparison to those of random copolymers because of the fixed monomer sequence which yielded sharply split triplets for carbonyl, methoxy, and quaternary carbons. The relative intensities in these split peaks varied according to the metal halide used. A comparison of the intensities made it possible to obtain clear-cut and quantitative information on the methyl methacrylate-centered triad cotacticity of the copolymers. The spectral assignment with respect to the methoxy carbon was definitely justified by the combined use of partly relaxed Fourier transform and selective decoupling techniques. The spectrum of aromatic C₁ carbon in styrene units also split into three main peaks. From their relative intensities the splitting was attributed to styrene-centered triad cotacticity. The assignment of this carbon was compared with two other assignments made for random copolymers of methyl methacrylate with styrene; they were contradictory, however. Furthermore, an apparent discrepancy was observed between methyl methacrylate-and styrene-centered tactic triads of these alternating copolymers. The origin of this discrepancy suggests a close relationship with the copolymerization mechanism.     

13C-NMR spectral studies on the distribution of substituents in some cellulose derivatives

¹³C-NMR spectra of trityl cellulose (Tr-Cell), tosyl cellulose (Ts-Cell), cellulose S-methyl xanthate (Cell-M-Xan), and cellulose formate (CF) in dimethylsulfoxide-d₆ were analyzed at 50.4 MHz. It was found that the distribution of substituents in the anhydroglucose units of these cellulose derivatives can be estimated from their ring carbon spectra. The results showed that (i) in Tr-Cell having degree of substitution (DS) lower than 1, the hydroxyl groups at C-6 carbon position are selectively tritylated, (ii) in the case of Ts-Cell, the difference in the relative DS value among three different types of hydroxyl groups is not large, although the relative reactivities of hydroxyl groups toward tosylation decrease in the order C-6 > C-2 > C-3, (iii) in Cell-M-Xan, the hydroxyl groups at C-3 carbon position are mainly substituted, and (iv) the ease of formylation is C-6 > C-2 > C-3. The 100.8 MHz ¹³C-NMR spectra of O-methyl cellulose (MC) revealed that the reactivity order in commercial MC prepared from alkali cellulose is C-6 ? C-2 > C-3. Concerning MC, its water solubility was also discussed in terms of the distribution of substituents along the cellulose chain.     

Microstructural study of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-n-propyl acrylate) by 13C NMR

Analysis of carbonyl and β-CH₂ signals in the 100?MHz ¹³C NMR spectra of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-n-propyl acrylate) (PMMA/nPrA), provided distribution of configurational-compositional sequences for a series of the copolymer samples of different composition at pentad level for carbonyl signal and hexad level for the backbone methylene carbons. Computer simulation of the spectra based on incremental calculation of the chemical shifts for individual sequences provided very good agreement with the experimental spectra.     

13C?C13 coupling constants in dimethyl phthalate and phthalic anhydride. Determination of signs—III

Relative signs of ¹³C? ¹³C coupling constants between ring carbons and carbonyl carbons in dimethyl phthalate and phthalic anhydride, ¹³C-labelled in both carbonyl groups, have been determined. The two-and three-bond coupling constants are shown to be positive, whereas four-bond coupling constants are negative. Substituent effects on carbon-carbon couplings due to a carboxyl group have been determined and effects of 5-membered ring formation in phthalic anhydride have been observed.     

13C chemical shifts of symmetrically substituted biphenyls: Unambiguous signal assignment for the carbons ortho and para to an aryl group

The natural abundance ¹³C NMR spectra of 2,2′-dimethyl-, 2,2′-dimethoxy- and 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyls, and a series of 2,2′-dimethoxy-5,5′-disubstituted biphenyls were recorded. Unambiguous signal assignments of the carbons ortho and para to an aryl ring in biphenyls were made by selective deuteration and/or the graphical method for ¹H single frequency off-resonance decoupled spectra. Contrary to the reported assignments, it was shown that the signal for C-6 in 2,2′-dimethylbiphenyl clearly appears at lower field than that for C-4. The signals for the ortho carbons (C-6) of 2,2′-dimethoxy-5,5′-disubstituted biphenyls generally appeared at lower fields than those for the para carbons (C-4). The validity of applying deuterium isotope shifts to the assignments of ¹³C chemical shifts of di- and tetra-substituted biphenyls is also discussed.     

Assessment of historic Tilia codrata wood by solid-state C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy

Historic lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) wood samples, differing by their provenance, conservation status and period have been investigated by solid-state carbon-13 cross polarization magic angle sample spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C CPMAS NMR) spectroscopy. Structural and chemical modifications were assessed by comparing the historic samples with a reference wood sample. The conventional NMR measurements followed by the ¹³C resonance integral intensities of the wood samples have been carried out in order to acquire information of the chemical changes due to the natural ageing process taking place over the years. The main results concern the decrease of the carbohydrates moiety, especially the decrease of the hemicelluloses and amorphous cellulose signals, while the signals for aliphatic and methoxyl carbons from lignin present and increase of the intensity up to 120 years then start to decrease. At the same time a slight widening of the amorphous carbohydrate signals was observed, which may evidence the occurring of some chemical rearrangements, with the formation of new chemical species. These lead in the ¹³C NMR spectra to the line broadening of the signals induced by their chemical shifts dispersion.     

The carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of some α-spirocyclopropyl ketones and related cyclohex-2-en-1-ones and 2-ethylidenecyclohex-3-en-1-ones

The ¹³C NMR spectra of a series of β,γ-unsaturated α-spirocyclopropylcyclohexanones and saturated α-spirocyclopropylcycloalkanones have been analyzed and compared with the spectra of diethyl cyclopropanedicarboxylate and a corresponding spiro acylal. The chemical shifts of the cyclopropane methylene carbons are correlated with spiroactivation of the cyclopropane ring to nucleophilic attack. In the case of the saturated spiro ketones these chemical shifts can also be correlated with their photochemistry. In the SFORD spectra of the spiro ketones the signals of the cyclopropane methylene carbons appear as complex multiplets: this is attributed to second-order coupling resulting from strong coupling between the vicinal cyclopropane protons. The ¹³C NMR spectra of a series of related cyclohex-2-en-1-ones and 2-ethylidenecyclohex-3-en-1-ones have also been analyzed; the chemical shift assignments for the latter corroborate the configurational assignments made on the basis of ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Studies on the homogeneous acetylation of cellulose in the novel solvent dimethyl sulfoxide/tetrabutylammonium fluoride trihydrate

The novel solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/tetrabutylammonium fluoride trihydrate (TBAF . 3H(2)O) was studied for acetylation of linters cellulose. In order to control the degree of substitution (DS), acetylation of the macromolecule was carried out at different reaction time and temperature, molar ratio of reactants, as well as under variation of the concentration of TBAF . 3H(2)O in solution. Cellulose acetate (CA) was accessible with DS ranging from 0.43 to 2.77. The change in concentration of TBAF . 3H(2)O in DMSO showed a strong influence on DS. The most appropriate reaction conditions for acetylation of linters cellulose regarding maximal DS were evaluated. The structure of the CA was characterized by means of FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The solubility of the CA depends not only on the DS but also on the reaction conditions applied, indicating a different distribution of acetate moieties both within and between polymer chains.     

Sequence Distribution of Poly(methyl acrylate) by Incremental Calculation

The carbonyl signal in the 100 MHz ¹³C NMR spectra of poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) recorded in benzene-d₆ exhibits configurational sensitivity up to pentads, and the signal of backbone β-CH₂ carbons shows splitting up to configurational hexads with traces of octads. Assignment of the sequences to respective signals was confirmed by computer simulation of both carbonyl and methylene signals applying a method of incremental calculation of chemical shifts of individual sequences and second-order Markov statistics for sequence probabilities.     

Preparation and characterization of cellulose β-ketoesters prepared by homogeneous reaction with alkylketene dimers: comparison with cellulose/fatty acid esters

Cellulose was dissolved in lithium chloride/1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (LiCl/DMI), and reacted with alkylketene dimers (AKDs) under non-aqueous and homogeneous conditions to prepare cellulose/AKD β-ketoesters with high degrees of substitution (DS). Six AKDs synthesized from octanoic, decanoic, dodecanoic, tetradecanoic, hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acids via their fatty acid chlorides were used in this study. The cellulose/AKD β-ketoesters obtained were gummy solid at room temperature, and had DS values ranging from 1.9 to 2.9. Cellulose/fatty acid esters with DS 2.5–2.9 were also prepared as references. ¹³C-NMR spectra of the cellulose/AKD β-ketoesters showed that cellulose carbons and substituent carbons close to cellulose chains were restricted in motion and behaved like solid in solutions. In contrast, the cellulose/fatty acid esters did not demonstrate such anomalous ¹³C-NMR spectra. The unique ¹³C-NMR patterns are characteristic for the cellulose/AKD β-ketoesters, which have long and branched alkyl substituents in each anhydroglucose unit. Size-exclusion chromatography furnished with multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS) revealed, on the other hand, that all cellulose/AKD β-ketoesters and cellulose/fatty acid esters prepared had flexible or random-coil conformations in tetrahydrofuran (THF). There were no clear differences in conformation or stiffness of cellulose chains between cellulose/AKD β-ketoesters and cellulose/fatty acid esters.     

Comprehensive 2D NMR analysis: Acrylonitrile/ethyl methacrylate copolymers synthesized by ATRP at ambient temperature

Copolymerization of acrylonitrile and ethyl methacrylate using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) at ambient temperature was carried out under optimized reaction conditions using 2‐bromopropionitrile as initiator and CuBr/2,2′‐bipyridine as the catalyst system. The copolymer composition, obtained from ¹H NMR spectra, were used to determine the monomer reactivity ratios (r_A = 0.68 and r_E = 1.75) involved in ATRP. Two‐dimensional NMR (heteronuclear single quantum correlation and total correlated spectroscopy) experiments were employed to resolve the highly overlapping and complex ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra of copolymers. The complete spectral assignments of the quaternary carbons viz. carbonyl and nitrile carbons were done with the help of heteronuclear multiple bond correlation spectra. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2955–2971, 2006     

Determination of aromaticity indices of thiophene and furan by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of their anilides

A series of m‐ and p‐substituted anilides of benzoic acid, 2‐thienoic acid, and 2‐furoic acid were prepared and their ¹H and ¹³C nmr spectroscopic characteristics were examined. In general, good correlations were observed between the chemical shifts of proton and carbon signals of the acyl aromatic rings and the Hammett σ. Plots of the chemical shift values of the carbonyl carbons of the benzanilides against those of the 2‐thienamides and 2‐furamides gave an excellent correlation and the values of the slopes are 0.79 and 0.52, respectively, in dimethyl sulfoxide‐d₆. The slopes could be considered as a set of aromaticity index.     

Quantification of cellulose forms in complex cellulose materials: a chemometric model

In this paper, we present a chemometric model for quantifying the cellulose forms with different states of order found within cellulose I fibrils. The relative amounts of the different cellulose forms, that is crystalline cellulose I, para-crystalline cellulose and cellulose at accessible and inaccessible cellulose surfaces, were determined by non-linear least squares fitting of the C4-region in CP/MAS ¹³C-NMR (Cross-Polarisation Magic Angle Spinning Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectra. By correlating these results from the C4-region with the full spectral data we obtained a model which is able to provide an assessment of the relative amounts of the different cellulose forms directly from NMR-spectra of complex lignocellulosic samples. Furthermore, this model enabled new assignments to be made in the C1-region for signals from cellulose at accessible fibril surfaces.     

A 13C NMR study of actinomycin D and related model peptides

¹³C n.m.r. pulsed Fourier transform spectra were measured and interpreted for actinomycin D and for two related peptide derivatives: BOC-Pro-Sar-OCH₃ and BOC-Sar-Meval-OCH₃. Actinomycin D, specifically enriched with ¹³C in the chromophoric C-methyl and in the peptide N-methyl carbons, was produced biosynthetically. Enrichment of specific N-methyl carbons in the model peptides was effected synthetically. Spectral assignments relied on the use of the enriched samples and particularly on off-resonance and selective low power ¹H decoupling experiments. Poor correlation was observed between some of the ¹³C chemical shifts in the model compounds and those of the analogous carbons in actinomycin D. Ten of our ¹³C assignments for actinomycin D differ from those published by Hollstein, Breitmaier and Jung.     

The synthesis conditions, characterizations and thermal degradation studies of an etherified starch from an unconventional source

Starch isolated from an under-utilized legume plant (pigeon pea) was carboxymethylated. Influences of reaction parameters were investigated on the degree of substitution (DS) and the reaction efficiency (RE). Studies showed that optimal DS of 1.12 could be reached at reaction efficiency of 80.6% in isopropanol-water reaction medium (40 °C, 3 h). Scanning electron microscopy showed that after carboxymethylation, the granular appearance of the native starch was distorted. Wide-angle X-ray diffractometry revealed that crystallinity was reduced significantly after carboxymethylation. The infrared spectra revealed new bands in the carboxymethyl starch at ν = 1600, 1426 and 1324 cm⁻¹ which were attributed to carbonyl functional groups vibration, -CH₂ scissoring and OH bending vibration, respectively. Broad-band ¹³C NMR of carboxymethyl starch showed an intense peak at δ = 180.3 ppm which was assigned to carbonyl carbon on the carboxymethyl substituent on the AGU (Anhydroglucose Unit). DEPT (Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer) 135 NMR showed negative signals which correspond to methylene carbons on the AGU. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) suggests loss of crystallinity after carboxymethylation. Thermogravimetry (TG), Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) show that thermal stability improved after carboxymethylation. The study provides information on the preparation and characterization of a biomaterial from a new source which could be used alone or in the preparation of other functional polymers for diverse polymer applications.     

Thermal behavior of cellulose acetate produced from homogeneous acetylation of bacterial cellulose

Cellulose acetate (CA) is one of the most important cellulose derivatives and its main applications are its use in membranes, films, fibers, plastics and filters. CAs are produced from cellulose sources such as: cotton, sugar cane bagasse, wood and others. One promissory source of cellulose is bacterial cellulose (BC). In this work, CA was produced from the homogeneous acetylation reaction of bacterial cellulose. Degree of substitution (DS) values can be controlled by the acetylation time. The characterization of CA samples showed the formation of a heterogeneous structure for CA samples submitted to a short acetylation time. A more homogeneous structure was produced for samples prepared with a long acetylation time. This fact changes the thermal behavior of the CA samples. Thermal characterization revealed that samples submitted to longer acetylation times display higher crystallinity and thermal stability than samples submitted to a short acetylation time. The observation of these characteristics is important for the production of cellulose acetate from this alternative source.     

Polymerization of coordinated monomers. XVI. Stereoregulation in the alternating copolymerization of methyl methacrylate with styrene in the presence of metal halides

Triad cotacticities of alternating copolymers of methyl methacrylate with styrene prepared in the presence of zinc chloride, ethylaluminium sesquichloride, and ethylboron dichloride are investigated from the mechanistic point of view by means of ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. The cotacticities from ¹H-NMR spectra are obtained accurately by using α-d-styrene in the place of styrene and by measuring the spectra on the copolymer in o-dichlorobenzene at 170°C. The relative intensities of three peaks of the splitting signal for the methoxy protons in the nonalternating copolymers obtained by the use of benzoyl peroxide in the absence of metal halides agree well with the cotacticity distribution calculated theoretically by the Lewis-Mayo mechanism with the stereoregulation following Bernoullian statistics. The splitting signals in the ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra of the alternating copolymers prepared in the presence of metal halides cannot be explained by the same mechanism. The relative intensities of three peaks of the splitting signals for the methoxy protons and for the carbonyl carbon in the methyl methacrylate unit (the contents of cotactic triads centered by the methyl methacrylate unit) are not equal to those for the aromatic C₁ carbon in the styrene unit (the contents of cotactic triads centered by styrene unit). The value of f²Y - 4fxfz is not equal to zero, where fx, fy, and fz are the cosyndiotactic, coheterotactic, and coisotactic triad contents, respectively, in the alternating copolymer. Copolymers obtained in the presence of zinc chloride are not exactly equimolar alternating but always contain a methyl methacrylate unit in excess, and the relative intensities of the three peaks for the aromatic C₁ carbon change with the copolymer composition. These results are explained by a proposed mechanism: the alternating copolymerization proceeds through the homopolymerization of a ternary molecular complex composed of a metal halide, methyl methacrylate, and styrene, accompanied with the stereoregulation following first-order Markovian statistics; the increase of methyl methacrylate content in the copolymer prepared in the presence of zinc chloride is caused by the participation of the binary molecular complex composed of a metal halide and methyl methacrylate in addition to the ternary molecular complex.     

Substituent and solvent effects on tautomeric equilibria of barbituric acid derivatives and isoterically related compounds

N-Mono and N,N-dialkyl/diarylbarbituric acids exist in solution as a single tautomer. The ¹³C nmr spectroscopy shows that they are present in the triketo form in a number of polar and non-polar solvents. 2-Thiobarbituric acid derivatives, however, show extensive tautomerization. Their ¹³C chemical shift assignments were achieved by utilizing models 11a , 11c , 12b and 12d and from which relative tautomer distribution ratios were determined. These ratios were correlated with the dielectric constant of the various solvents (?). Thio-barbituric acids also formed adducts with solvents having carbonyl groups, characteristic observed only with barbiturates possessing the thione or thiophenolic group. 6-Amino and 6-methyluracils and thiouracils exist in DMSO solution as stable “ene” forms as do orotic acid, 24 , and its thio analogue 25. Compound 25 undergoes disproportionantion and tautomerization when heated or on prolonged standing in solution. Literature contradictions regarding the structure of “4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine,” 26 , were resolved and its tautomers in solution correctly assigned by ¹³C nmr. Anions of barbiturics and related systems exist in one of the two possible types A and B, depending on whether ring nitrogens are substituted (type A), or not (type B). Rapid H/D exchange at C₅ was evident from C-deuterium coupling. The redistribution of charge through C₄(C₆) carbonyl groups shown by ¹³C shifts of carbonyl carbon atoms of up to 10 ppm as compared to the CO carbons of the neutral species was evident.     

Assignment of the carbon-13 chemical shifts of quinacrine,chloroquine and related compounds in D2O solution

The carbon resonances of quinacrine, chloroquine, acranil, 4-aminopyridine and 9-aminoacridine in D₂O solution have been assigned. Resonance assignments were made using empirical shift parameters, partial proton decoupling, selective proton decoupling and by interpretation of the fully coupled spectra. The effect of pD on the carbon chemical shifts for quinacrine and chloroquine over the range of about 4.5 to 8.5 was observed. Characteristic chemical shifts for the aromatic ring carbons for deprotonation of the heteroaromatic nitrogen were observed.