Synthesis of green organogelators with a sulfide linkage via solvent-free Michael addition: soft templates for the preparation of size-controlled gold nanoparticles

Green organogelators with a sulfide linkage and free amino groups were synthesized via phase transfer catalysis using a N-benzylcinchonidinium bromide catalyst. Their self-assemblies in various common solvents were examined. These compounds exhibit high gelation ability especially in aromatic and highly polar solvents with a low critical gelation of 0.1 wt %. The organogels were analyzed by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and Fourier transfer-infrared spectroscopies (FT-IR), and their phase transition temperatures were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The homogeneity of the gel networks was examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A lamellar structure was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The organogels were employed as soft-templates for the in situ generation of stable gold nanoparticles dispersed in the gel matrix, and the resulting GNP dispersions were studied by ¹H NMR and UV–vis absorption. Transmission electron microscopy showed that GNPs assemble into a thin membrane-like structure.     

Formulation of Cannabidiol in Colloidal Lipid Carriers

In this study, the general processability of cannabidiol (CBD) in colloidal lipid carriers was investigated. Due to its many pharmacological effects, the pharmaceutical use of this poorly water-soluble drug is currently under intensive research and colloidal lipid emulsions are a well-established formulation option for such lipophilic substances. To obtain a better understanding of the formulability of CBD in lipid emulsions, different aspects of CBD loading and its interaction with the emulsion droplets were investigated. Very high drug loads (>40% related to lipid content) could be achieved in emulsions of medium chain triglycerides, rapeseed oil, soybean oil and trimyristin. The maximum CBD load depended on the type of lipid matrix. CBD loading increased the particle size and the density of the lipid matrix. The loading capacity of a trimyristin emulsion for CBD was superior to that of a suspension of solid lipid nanoparticles based on trimyristin (69% vs. 30% related to the lipid matrix). In addition to its localization within the lipid core of the emulsion droplets, cannabidiol was associated with the droplet interface to a remarkable extent. According to a stress test, CBD destabilized the emulsions, with phospholipid-stabilized emulsions being more stable than poloxamer-stabilized ones. Furthermore, it was possible to produce emulsions with pure CBD as the dispersed phase, since CBD demonstrated such a pronounced supercooling tendency that it did not recrystallize, even if cooled to −60 °C.     

CATALYSE INTRAMOLECULAIRE DE L'AMINOLYSE DES HETEROCYCLES PHOSPHORES DERIVES DES α AMINOAMIDES. II: ETUDE DE LA CYCLISATION DES PHOSPHORDIAMIDES INCORPORANT UN RESIDU DE β AMINOACIDE,REACTIVITE VIS A VIS DE NUCLEOPHILES DES HETEROCYCLES FORMES

Abstract

Derivatives of β aminoacids in form of esters 1 or nitrile 4 (table I) undergo in an alcohol-ate/alcohol medium a rearrangement (Fig. 2), with formation of a β peptide link, resulting in the formation of esters 6 (table II). According to the experimental conditions the six membered ring heterocycles 5 are detected or isolated. They are also synthetized by cyclisation of acids 2 or hydrazide 3 (Fig. 5). While phosphorus easily reacts with alcohols and water, leading respectively to esters 6 and acids 9 (Fig. 7), it remains unaffected by amines. These results are discussed in term of mechanisms of the phosphorylation. The applications for β peptide synthesis and the participation of the p amide group in phosphorylation are limited.     

CdS and Cd carboxylate nanoclusters dispersed in polymer matrix produced by a freeze drying method

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoclusters were prepared by a freeze drying method from two types of cadmium carboxylates. One was cadmium methacrylates that were part of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) ionomer. The other was cadmium acetates that were dispersed in PMMA. X-ray diffraction was mainly used to study the formation and the size of nanoclusters. The size of CdS made from the ionomer was 0.9 nm, whereas that from the composite of cadmium acetate and PMMA was 2 nm. This was consistent with the size difference of the precursors of CdS: i.e., Cd carboxylate nanoclusters (ionic aggregates) were smaller in the ionomer than in the PMMA mixture, because ionic groups in the ionomer were constrained due to their connectivity to backbone chains and thus forming smaller ionic aggregates. Once stabilized, however, CdS nanocluster sizes were unchanged despite thermal treatments at up to 220 °C for 24 h for both systems. Structural transformations from a freeze dried cadmium carboxylate powder, to a CdS-containing powder, and to a heat-treated CdS-containing sample are speculated for both types of systems.     

Annealing of silver nanolayers sputtered on polytetrafluoroethylene

Silver nanolayers sputtered on polytetrafluoroethylene and their changes induced by post‐deposition annealing at 100–300 °C are studied. Changes in surface morphology and roughness are examined by atomic force microscopy and by measurement of electrical sheet resistance by two‐point technique. Chemical composition was determined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrokinetic analysis in dependence on the gold layer thickness. The annealing at 300 °C leads to significant rearrangement of the silver layer, and the transition threshold increases to 35 nm. The presence of oxidized structures on silver‐coated samples is observed in XPS spectra and by electrokinetic analysis, too. Annealing of pristine and silver‐coated poly(tetrafluoroethylene) at 300 °C results in significant change of the sample surface morphology and chemistry. There is observed formation of isolated silver islands on the surface, which could be connected with silver melting. Later, the silver agglomeration takes place. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.