Perfluoromethacrylate-styrene statistical copolymers synthesized in CO2-expanded monomers

Statistical copolymers of perfluoroalkyl ethyl methacrylate (Zonyl-TM) and styrene (S) were synthesized in CO₂-expanded monomer medium at a low initial pressure of 25 MPa. Different Zonyl-TM/S feed ratios were used during copolymerizations, and it was determined that the increase in the Zonyl-TM content and decrease of the CO₂ amount in the comonomer feed resulted in a decrease of the molecular weights of copolymers due to earlier precipitation of copolymers giving shorter chains. The cloudy CO₂-expanded liquid monomer phase was found to be the main loci of copolymerization. In addition, the increase in the Zonyl-TM feed ratio resulted in an increase in the critical degree of the polymerization time (J _crit) as the time when the copolymer chains start to precipitate. The higher the Zonyl-TM content used in the feed, the higher the J _crit time and the lower the weight-average molecular weight (M _w) of the copolymer obtained. Thermal analysis results of the copolymer indicated that the copolymers are stable up to 387–403 °C.     

DNA Aptamers are Functional Molecular Recognition Sensors in Protic Ionic Liquids

The function and structural changes of an AMP molecular aptamer beacon and its molecular recognition capacity for its target, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), was systematically explored in solution with a protic ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN). It could be proven that up to 2 M of EAN in TBS buffer, the AMP molecular aptamer beacon was still capable of recognizing AMP while also maintaining its specificity. The specificity was proven by using the guanosine monophosphate (GMP) as target; GMP is structurally similar to AMP but was not recognized by the aptamer. We also found that in highly concentrated EAN solutions the overall amount of double stranded DNA formed, as well as its respective thermal stability, diminished gradually, but surprisingly the hybridization rate (k_h) of single stranded DNA was significantly accelerated in the presence of EAN. The latter may have important implications in DNA technology for the design of biosensing and DNA‐based nanodevices in nonconventional solvents, such as ionic liquids.     

Preparation of Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Materials Using Agregates of Poly{2-methyl-N-[2-(phenylthio)phenyl] Acrylamide-co-2-(Trimethylsyloxy)Ethyl Methacrylate} as Precursor and Vibrational Investigation of the Polymerization

Acrylamide based monomer, 2-methyl-N-[2-(phenylthio)phenyl]acrylamide (MPPA) was synthesized by reacting 2-(phenylthio) aniline with methacryloylchloride. The copolymerization of MPPA, with 2-(trimethylsyloxy)ethyl methacrylate(TSEM) was carried out with different monomer-to-monomer ratios in the feed. All the compounds were characterized by IR, Raman and ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR techniques and SEM analysis. The elemental analysis of the copolymer composition led to the determination of reactivity ratios employing Fineman-Ross, Kelen-Tüdös and Extended Kelen-Tüdös linearization methods. These parameters were also estimated using a non-linear computational fitting procedure, known as reactivity ratio errors in variable model. The molecular weights and polydispersity index of polymers was determined by gel permeation chromatography. Thermal stability of the copolymers were found to increase with increasing mole fraction of MPPA from thermogravimetric analysis. The vibrational analysis of MPPA and poly(MPPA) were also performed to explain the vibrational spectra and to confirm the polymerization on the basis of a theoretical and experimental aproach.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Phlomis leucophracta,an endemic species from Turkey

Abstract

The chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of the essential oils of the endemic Phlomis leucophracta P. H. Davis et Hub.-Mor. was investigated. The major compounds of the essential oil were linalool (36.4%), spathulenol (8.4%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.4%). The composition of the oil differs with published data, suggesting other chemotype. Moreover, the oil of this species was analysed for its antioxidant activity for the first time and results indicate it possess strong antioxidant activity comparable with already known antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, BHT, or Trolox. Presented results suggest that this endemic species has strong potential to be used in food and pharmacological industries, and therefore they need to be further investigated.     

Surface characterization of flat and rough films of perfluoromethacrylate-methylmethacrylate statistical copolymers synthesized in CO2-expanded monomers

Statistical copolymers of perfluoroalkyl ethyl methacrylate (Zonyl-TM) and methylmethacrylate were synthesized in CO₂-expanded monomer mixture at a low pressure of 10–13 MPa for the first time. M _w of the copolymers was found to decrease with the increase of Zonyl-TM content. Flat films of these copolymers were obtained by dip coating from their chloroform solutions and were characterized using contact angle measurements, optical microscopy, and 3D profilometry. The increase in the Zonyl-TM content of the copolymers resulted in a decrease of the total surface free energy. Superhydrophobic and oleophobic rough copolymer films were also prepared by applying a phase-separation process where THF was used as the solvent and ethanol as the non-solvent. Surface roughness increased with the increase in the nonsolvent ratio resulting in an increase in the water contact angle from 103° to 151° and hexadecane contact angle from 49° to 73°.