Transfer and Termination Reactions in “Living” Carbocationic Polymerizations

Abstract

The available data concerning the polymerization of three classes of monomers deemed to yield living polymers, vinyl ethers, styrenic monomers and isobutylene, are discussed from the point of view of transfer and termination reaction. In the case of vinylethers, linearity of [Mbar]_n with a yield up to 30,000 has been obtained, but when higher [Mbar]_n are planned, there is evidence for the occurrence of transfer reactions. In the case of isobutylene, indene, and p-Me-styrene, the linearity (up to [Mbar]_n ～ 10⁵) of [Mbar]_n with the amount of monomer polymerized which has been observed (but only at low temperature) is compatible with values of transfer constants to monomer measured in “conventional” systems. In these living systems, irreversible terminations are often not very important but may become significant toward the end of monomer consumption. The main termination process is reversible termination which may lead to narrow molecular weight distributions. The linearity of [Mbar]_n with yield is not conclusive evidence for the absence of transfer and termination and for the presence of particular active centers. The control of the polymerizations achieved up to now can be accounted for by the mechanisms of conventional cationic polymerizations, transfer reactions included.     

Kinetic Study on Models of the Noncatalyzed Reaction Between α, ω -Dicarboxypolyamide-11 and α, ω -Dihydroxypolyoxyalkylenes

The kinetics of the noncatalyzed reaction between α, ω -dicarboxypoly-amide-11 and α, ω -dihydroxypolyoxyalkylenes is investigated by using the reactions of 11-dodecylamidoundecanoic acid with 1-dodecanol, 2-tridecanol, α-dodecyl-ω-hydroxypolyoxyethylene or α-dodecyl-ω;-hydroxypolyoxypropylene as models. Kinetic data fit a 3rd overall order (2 in acid and 1 in alcohol). Rate constants and activation parameters are determined and compared.     

Identification and functional characterization of a novel α-conotoxin (EIIA) from Conus ermineus

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are one of the most important families in the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily due to their involvement in primordial brain functions and in several neurodegenerative pathologies. The discovery of new ligands which can bind with high affinity and selectivity to nAChR subtypes is of prime interest in order to study these receptors and to potentially discover new drugs for treating various pathologies. Predatory cone snails of the genus Conus hunt their prey using venoms containing a large number of small, highly structured peptides called conotoxins. Conotoxins are classified in different structural families and target a large panel of receptors and ion channels. Interestingly, nAChRs represent the only subgroup for which Conus has developed seven distinct families of conotoxins. Conus venoms have thus received much attention as they could represent a potential source of selective ligands of nAChR subtypes. We describe the mass spectrometric-based approaches which led to the discovery of a novel α-conotoxin targeting muscular nAChR from the venom of Conus ermineus. The presence of several posttranslational modifications complicated the N-terminal sequencing. To discriminate between the different possible sequences, analogs with variable N-terminus were synthesized and fragmented by MS/MS. Understanding the fragmentation pathways in the low m/z range appeared crucial to determine the right sequence. The biological activity of this novel α-conotoxin (α-EIIA) that belongs to the unusual α4/4 subfamily was determined by binding experiments. The results revealed not only its selectivity for the muscular nAChR, but also a clear discrimination between the two binding sites described for this receptor.     

Comparison of various silica‐based monoliths for the analysis of large biomolecules†

In the present study, three types of silica‐based monoliths, i.e. the first and second generations of commercial silica monolithic columns and a wide‐pore prototype monolith were compared for the analysis of large biomolecules. These molecules possess molecular weights between 1 and 66 kDa. The gradient kinetic performance of the first‐generation monolith was lower than that of the second generation, for large biomolecules (>14 kDa) but very close with smaller ones (1.3–5.8 kDa). In contrast, the wide‐pore prototype column was particularly attractive with proteins larger than 19 kDa (higher peak capacity). Among these three columns, the selectivity and retention remained quite similar but a possible larger number of accessible and charged residual silanols was noticed on the wide‐pore prototype material, which led to unpredicted small changes in selectivity and slightly broader peaks than expected. The peak shapes attained with the addition of 0.1% formic acid in the mobile phase remained acceptable for MS coupling, particularly for biomolecules of less than 6 kDa. It was found that one of the major issues with all of these silica‐based monoliths is the possible poor recovery of large biomolecules (principally with monoclonal antibody fragments of more than 25 kDa).     

Site-specific C content by quantitative isotopic C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometry: A pilot inter-laboratory study

Isotopic ¹³C NMR spectrometry, which is able to measure intra-molecular ¹³C composition, is of emerging demand because of the new information provided by the ¹³C site-specific content of a given molecule. A systematic evaluation of instrumental behaviour is of importance to envisage isotopic ¹³C NMR as a routine tool. This paper describes the first collaborative study of intra-molecular ¹³C composition by NMR. The main goals of the ring test were to establish intra- and inter-variability of the spectrometer response. Eight instruments with different configuration were retained for the exercise on the basis of a qualification test. Reproducibility at the natural abundance of isotopic ¹³C NMR was then assessed on vanillin from three different origins associated with specific δ¹³C_i profiles. The standard deviation was, on average, between 0.9 and 1.2‰ for intra-variability. The highest standard deviation for inter-variability was 2.1‰. This is significantly higher than the internal precision but could be considered good in respect of a first ring test on a new analytical method. The standard deviation of δ¹³C_i in vanillin was not homogeneous over the eight carbons, with no trend either for the carbon position or for the configuration of the spectrometer. However, since the repeatability for each instrument was satisfactory, correction factors for each carbon in vanillin could be calculated to harmonize the results.     

Atypical Oxidation Reaction by Thionyl Chloride: Easy Two‐Step Synthesis of N‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dithiines

Easy two‐step synthesis of a series of dithiines was performed from succinic anhydride via cyclization of the corresponding 4‐(alkylamino)‐4‐oxobutanoic acids (succinamic acids). The reaction, carried out in polar aprotic solvents, gave 4,8‐dithiine‐indacene‐1,3,5,7‐tetraones (diimides 3) via 3,7‐bis‐4,8‐dithia‐indacene‐1,5‐diones (diisoimides 2), which could be isolated. Surprisingly, in this reaction, thionyl chloride appeared as an oxidant, and this process seemed to be useful for the syntheses of S‐containing heterocyclic compounds such as 1,4‐dithiins. A mechanistic pathway was considered.     

Dioxane and Dioxine Heterocycles Obtained Simultaneously on a Same Substrate from the Condensation Reaction Between p-Hydroxyacetophenone and Polymerised Formaldehyde

The condensation reaction between polymerised formaldehyde and a ketone possessing a methylene group α to the carbonyl function, in the presence of a polystyrene (1) or fluorinated (2) ion-exchange catalyst, leads to the corresponding 1,3-dioxane and is characterized by excellent yield and selectivity.     

Synthesis of a New C-15 Phosphorus Ylide Used for the Preparation of Some β-End-Group Retinoid Derivatives

A synthesis of a new C-15 phosphorus ylide from a C-14 enaminone is reported. This reagent, which undergoes selective 1,2- or 1,4-additions with saturated and unsaturated aldehydes, may find some synthetic use for the preparation of β-end-group retinoid derivatives.     

Lipase from Carica papaya latex presents high enantioselectivity toward the resolution of prodrug (R,S)-2-bromophenylacetic acid octyl ester

Besides the well-known papain, lipolytic activity is another interesting enzymatic activity present in latex from Carica papaya. This lipolytic activity is strongly attached to the latex solid phase, resulting in a naturally immobilized biocatalyst. In this work we describe the kinetic resolution of (R,S)-2-bromophenylacetic acid octyl ester by Carica papaya crude latex and two partially purified latex fractions. Several parameters, such as substrate concentration and solvent effects were studied. The best results were obtained using decane as solvent with 50 mM of substrate and 50 mg/mL enzyme/reaction medium; under these conditions, a high enantioselectivity (E >200) was obtained with crude latex. A twofold increase of the initial rate maintaining E >200 was obtained using purified fractions without protease and without esterase. Lipase from Carica papaya latex is the most enantioselective wild-type enzyme ever described for the studied reaction.     

Coexpression of CPR from Various Origins Enhances Biotransformation Activity of Human CYPs in S. pombe

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs or P450s) are the most important enzymes involved in the phase I metabolism of drugs (and other xenobiotics) in humans, and the corresponding drug metabolites are needed as reference substances for their structural confirmation and for pharmacological or toxicological characterization. We have previously shown that biotechnological synthesis of such metabolites is feasible by whole-cell biotransformation with human CYPs recombinantly expressed in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. It was the aim of this study to compare the activity of seven human microsomal CYPs (CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP3A7, CYP17, and CYP21) upon coexpression with NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductases (CPRs) from various origins, namely, human CPR (hCPR) and its homologues from fission yeast (ccr1) and the bishop’s weed Ammi majus (AmCPR), respectively. For this purpose, 28 recombinant strains were needed, with five of them having been constructed previously and 23 strains being newly constructed. Bioconversion experiments showed that coexpression of a CPR does not only influence the reaction rate but, in some cases, also exerts an influence on the metabolite pattern. For CYP3A enzymes, coexpression of hCPR yielded the best results, while for another two, hCPR was equally helpful as ccr1 (both CYP17 and CYP21) or AmCPR (CYP17 only), respectively. Interestingly, CYP2D6 displayed its highest activity when coexpressed with ccr1 and CYP2C9 with AmCPR. These results corroborate the view of CPR as a well-suited bio-brick in synthetic biology for the construction of artificial enzyme complexes.