Acrylate nanolatex via self‐initiated photopolymerization

The use of UV light to initiate emulsion polymerization processes is generally overlooked, whilst extensive literature exists on photocuring of monomer films. In this study, the unique potential of UV light to produce at ambient temperature polyacrylate latexes without initiator was exploited. Although radical initiators are utilized at low concentration, their cost, toxicity, and odor provide incentives for finding alternatives. Starting with concentrated (30 wt %) and low scattering acrylate miniemulsions (droplet diameter <100 nm), it was demonstrated that acrylate self‐initiation can promote an efficient and fast photopolymerization in micrometer‐scale reactor (spectrophotometric cell) and lab‐scale photoreactor. Herein, all kinetic, colloidal, and mechanistic aspects involved in the self‐initiation of acrylate miniemulsion were extensively examined to provide a complete picture. In particular, the effects of droplet size, initiating wavelength, optical path, and irradiance on the course of the polymerization were thoroughly discussed. A diradical self‐initiation pathway is the most likely mechanism. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1843–1853     

Synthesis of glycopeptides from glucosaminic acid

We report on the synthesis of polypeptides with saccharide side chains starting from d ‐glucosaminic acid. The hydroxyl groups were first protected by benzylation, followed by N‐carboxyanhydride formation, which was polymerized by ring opening to form a high molecular weight polyamide. De‐protection of the benzyl groups yields a polypeptide with fully de‐protected saccharide side chains. The resulting new non‐ionic, water soluble, and optically active polymers possessing the properties of both peptides and saccharides have potential use as scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug carriers. The method described here may be extended to any saccharide α‐amino acid. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2657–2662     

Mannose‐based graft polyesters with tunable binding affinity to concanavalin A

Glycopolymers have been widely used to understand the interactions between carbohydrates and lectins, which facilitate the diagnosis and detection of disease and pathogens as well as the development of vaccines. While studies have been focused on the correlation of glycopolymer structure and their binding to lectins, graft‐type glycopolyesters are uncommon. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of mannose‐based graft polyesters by “grafting‐from” method and investigate their interactions with Concanavalin A (Con A). As confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and sulfuric acid‐UV method, graft polyesters with different lengths of mannose graft were successfully synthesized. Our results from turbidimetry binding assay showed that graft polyesters with longer mannose graft exhibit higher initial binding rate (k_i). Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements of these graft polyesters with Con A showed that polymers exhibit higher binding affinity (k_a) with the number of side chain mannose. This study provides understanding of the interaction between Con A and mannose‐based graft polyesters, which can be employed for the development of glycopolymeric therapeutics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3908–3917     

SOME REACTIONS OF ALIPHATIC AMIDES WITH SULFUR AND SODIUM POLYSULFIDES

Abstract

Some reactions of the aliphatic amides, CH₃CONH₂, CH₃CONHCH₃, CH₃CON(CH₃)₂ and CH₃CON(C₂H₅)₂ with elemental S and sodium sulfides, Na₂S _n , n ≥ 1, have been studied. The initial reaction product with elemental sulfur appears to be a substituted polysulfane, CH₃COS _n NR, formed by the insertion of the sulfur chain into the C[sbnd]N bond. This product decomposes on further heating, forming COS as the major gas product. In solutions of Na₂S _n in the amides, the reactive material appears to be elemental S, present in equilibrium with S _n ^?2. In the N-dialkyl substituted amides, CH₃CON(CH₃)₂ and CH₃CON(C₂H₅)₂, the tetrasulfide is uniquely stabilized by solvent coordination so that solutions of Na₂S₄ in these amides are stable for long periods of time at 130°C.     

Integrated Ion Exchange and Liquid-Liquid Extraction Process for the Separation of Platinum Group Metals (PGM)

A process for concentration and separation of platinum group metals (PGM) by a combination of ion exchange and liquid-liquid extraction is presented. First the PGM metals are dissolved by HC1/C1₁ and then passed through an isothiouronium anion exchange resin, where specific absorption occurs. The thiourea eluate from the resin is converted to the chloride complexes. Further hydrolysis (conditioning) yields an aqueous feed to a liquid-liquid extraction step, with Alamine-336. Platinum and palladium are very well extracted, while most of the other PGM are rejected in the aqueous phase. The liquid-liquid extraction can be used by itself, if the level of the base metals does not exceed the concentration of the PGM ions.

Platinum and palladium are now separated from each other by the selective stripping of palladium with thiourea, and platinum with thiocyanate.

The paper discusses the extraction chemistry of all the steps, and provides also experimental pilot-plant results.     

Ligand-supported palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of (hetero) aryl chlorides

The introduction of electron rich and sterically hindered ligands has made otherwise inert aryl chlorides and hetero aryl chlorides viable coupling partners in palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira, Stille and other types of cross-coupling reactions. This review gives highlights of cross-coupling of aryl chlorides employing in situ generated palladium catalytic systems.     

Correlation of the Solubilizing Abilities of 1-Butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium Tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate, 1-Butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium Triflate and 1-Methoxyethyl-1-methylmorpholinium Tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate

Chromatographic retention data were measured for a wide range of organic solutes on 1-butyl-1-methylpyrolidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate ([BMPyrr]⁺[FAP]^?), 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium triflate, ([BMPyrr]⁺[Trif]^?), and 1-methoxyethyl-1-methylmorpholinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate, ([MeoeMMorp]⁺[FAP]^?), stationary phases at (323, 353 and 383) K. The measured retention factors were combined with published infinite dilution activity coefficient and gas-to-water partition coefficient data to yield gas-to-anhydrous ionic liquid (IL) and water-to-anhydrous IL partition coefficients. The three sets of partition coefficients were analyzed using the Abraham model. The derived Abraham model correlations describe the observed gas-to-IL (log₁₀ K) and water-to-IL (log₁₀ P) partition coefficient data to within average standard deviations of about 0.11 and 0.15 log₁₀ units, respectively.     

Protein-Polysaccharide Interactions for Stabilization of Food Emulsions

Proteins, polysaccharides and their blends, as examples of natural biopolymers, are surface active materials. Biopolymers may be considered as amphiphilic macromolecules that play an essential role in stabilizing food formulations (foams, emulsions and dispersions). Under specific conditions (such as protein-to-polysaccharide ratio, pH, ionic strength, temperature, mixing processing), it has been stated that proteins and polysaccharides form hybrids (complexes) with enhanced functional properties in comparison to the proteins and polysaccharides alone. Different protein-polysaccharide pairs are reviewed with particular attention to the emulsification capability of their mixtures. In the case of uncomplexed blends of biopolymers, competitive adsorption onto hydrophobic surfaces is generally reported. Conversely, electrostatic complexation between oppositely charged proteins and polysaccharides allows better anchoring of the new-formed macro-molecular amphiphile onto oil-water interfaces. Moreover, improved thermal stability and increased resistance to external treatment (high pressure) involved in food processing are obtained. This review presents basic and applied knowledge on protein-polysaccharide interactions in aqueous medium and at the oil-water interface in food emulsion systems. Electrostatic interactions and thermodynamic incompatibility in mixed biopolymer solutions are correlated to the functional properties (rheology, surface hydrophobiciry, emulsification power) of these interesting blends. Basic and industrial selected systems of different families of hydrocolloids (as gum Arabic, galactomannans, pectins) and protein (caseins, whey, soya, gelatin) mixtures are reviewed.     

Crystallization of Celecoxib in Microemulsion Media

Celecoxib belongs to a new NSAID family specifically inhibiting cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). The present formulations require high dosage since the transmembrane transport fluctuates and is very difficult to control. We solubilized celecoxib in micelles of nonionic microemulsions and hydrophilic surfactant. The supersaturated solubilized drug was precipitated from the nano‐droplets to form a new solid structure with improved dissolution properties. The selected microemulsion systems loaded with celecoxib were characterized by SAXS, SD‐NMR, viscosity, and electrical conductivity techniques. Precipitation was conducted from W/O as well as from O/W U‐type microemulsions. The crystals obtained by the precipitation were characterized by x‐ray powder scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, FTIR measurements, and microscopic scans.