Molecular Recognition of Imidazole Derivatives by Co(III)-Porphyrins in Phosphate Buffer (pH = 7.4) and Cetylpyridinium Chloride Containing Solutions

By means of spectrophotometric titration and NMR spectroscopy, the selective binding ability of the Co(III)-5,15-bis-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-10,20-bis-(4-sulfophenyl)porphyrin (Co(III)P1) and Co(III)-5,15-bis-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-10,20-bis-(4-sulfophenyl)porphyrin (Co(III)P2) towards imidazole derivatives of various nature (imidazole (L1), metronidazole (L2), and histamine (L3)) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) has been studied. It was found that in the case of L2, L3 the binding of the “first” ligand molecule by porphyrinates Co(III)P1 and Co(III)P2 occurs with the formation of complexes with two binding sites (donor–acceptor bond at the center and hydrogen bond at the periphery of the macrocycle), while the “second” ligand molecule is added to the metalloporphyrin only due to the formation of the donor–acceptor bond at the macrocycle coordination center. The formation of stable complexes with two binding sites has been confirmed by density functional theory method (DFT) quantum chemical calculations and two-dimensional NMR experiments. It was shown that among the studied porphyrinates, Co(III)P2 is more selective towards to L1-L3 ligands, and localization of cobalt porphyrinates in cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) micelles does not prevent the studied imidazole derivatives reversible binding. The obtained materials can be used to develop effective receptors for recognition, delivery, and prolonged release of drug compounds to the sites of their functioning. Considering that cetylpyridinium chloride is a widely used cationic biocide as a disinfectant, the designed materials may also prove to be effective antimicrobial agents.     

Solid-like states of a dendrimer liquid displayed by scanning force microscopy

Adsorption and aggregation of carbosiloxane dendrimers on mica and pyrolytic graphite were investigated by scanning force microscopy (SFM). The aggregation process started from (i) single molecules which coagulated to (ii) clusters and (iii) fluid droplets followed by formation of (iv) a complete layer on the solid substrate. The molecules were displayed as a globular particle with a diameter of about 2.5 nm. Tapping SFM of the liquid was possible due to the fact that the dendrimer undergoes a transition to a viscoelastic state below the tapping frequency of about 360 kHz. Dynamic shear compliance experiments have shown a plateau of 5 · 10⁻⁷ Pa⁻¹ around this frequency. Dendrimer droplets slowly spread into polygonal lamellae with a thickness of two molecular layers. The structures indicate a rather regular dense packing of the globular molecules.     

Electrochemical traditions in Eastern Europe

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry -     

Off‐lattice long‐range percolation modelling of a network polymerisation

A system involving homopolymerisation of a 3‐functional monomer has been studied by using an off‐lattice long‐range percolation model. The elementary reaction steps were controlled by substitution effects and by local concentrations of units. The latter were controlled by setting a constant value to a range‐of‐reaction parameter called the capture radius. The critical conversion at gelation in the system turned to the classical one as the value of capture radius increased.     

Redox‐Initiated Radical Polymerisation of Acrylamide in Moderately Frozen Water Solutions

The radical polymerisation of acrylamide initiated with a persulfate/tertiary amine redox pair was performed in liquid (+5 to +35°C) and moderately frozen (–10 to –30°C) aqueous solutions. The reaction in frozen systems resulted in the pronounced increase in the molecular weight of the polymer. The temperature dependence of the yield and molecular weight of cryogenically produced polyacrylamide were of extreme character with a maximum for both parameters in the vicinity of –12.5°C.     

Synthesis of ONO-Ligated Tetrylenes Based on 2,6-bis(2-Hydroxyphenyl)pyridines: Influence of Ligand Sterics on the Structure of the Products

A series of novel tetrylenes based on three 2,6-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyridines 4 a – 4 c have been obtained by the reaction of Lappert's tetrylenes E[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (E=Ge, Sn) with corresponding tridentate pyridine-linked phenol-based ligands. It was found that the structure of the ligand and the size of the atom of the group 14 element drastically affect the structure of the reaction product. Ligand 4 c with a bulky tert-butyl group leads to monomeric tetrylenes, while ligands with less bulky groups lead to bis-ligand derivatives of M(IV) (M=Ge, Sn) and a coordination polymer. Also, derivatives of germanium (IV) and tin (IV) were obtained by the metathesis reaction of MCl₄ (M=Ge, Sn) with lithium phenoxides. The compositions and structures of the novel compounds were established by elemental analysis and ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn ( 5 – 7 ), ¹H DOSY ( 6 ) NMR spectroscopy, in the solid state by X-ray diffraction analysis (germylene 10 , stannylene 6 , Ge⁴⁺ compound 8 , Sn⁴⁺ compound 7 ) and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectrum of tin complex 6 . All the synthesized tetrylenes are monomeric. Tetrylenes 6 and 10 were characterized by cyclic voltammetry. A study of the redox behavior of 6 , 10 by cyclic voltammetry on a glassy carbon working electrode in acetonitrile solution of 0.1 M Bu₄NPF₆ as a supporting electrolyte showed that these compounds can be both oxidized and reduced electrochemically in the accessible potential range.     

Theoretical study of chain transfer in anionic polymerization, 2. Copolymerization accompanied by chain transfer to solvent

The main factors determining molar mass characteristics of copolymers formed in nonterminating copolymerization under the conditions of chain transfer to solvent are studied theoretically. The dependences of the mean polymerization degrees on conversion and monomer feed composition for various values of reactivity ratios are obtained. The results obtained greately differ from those for homopolymerization. This is explained by the contribution of cross-propagation reactions. In particular, it is shown that at ≪ and ≪ the azeotropic copolymerization proceeds like the living one even if homopolymerization of each monomer is accompained by extensive chain transfer to solvent.     

New consideration of the mechanism of chain transfer to monomer in anionic polymerization

A new kinetic scheme for chain transfer to monomer in the anionic polymerization of hydrocarbon monomers is presented. The scheme agrees with generally accepted views on the chemical mechanism of carbanionic reactions better than the one used previously. It is suggested that the most probable path of the transfer reaction is the proton abstraction from the side group of the monomer, the terminal double bond of the monomer molecule remains unchanged, and therefore the intermediate species can participate in succeeding reactions as a macromonomer. The discrepancy between the predictions of the proposed scheme and of the previous one concerning the molar characteristics of polymers are discussed and the ways to establish the true mechanism of transfer in particular systems are suggested.     

Percolation model of hyperbranched polymerization

Computer simulations of the step-growth homopolymerization of an AB₂ monomer have been carried out on a square lattice. No rearrangements of units were made between reaction events. Instead, the capture radius, i.e., the maximum distance between the randomly selected unit and its reaction partner was changed. The reaction was considered as controlled either by diffusion and local concentration fluctuations or by the law of mass action (classical limit). The size distribution of polymer species and the extent of cyclization reactions in the polymerization are discussed.     

Morphology and Properties of Poly(oxymethylene) Engineering Plastics

Comparative WAXD/SAXS/SEM/DSC structural studies of a series of semi-crystalline poly(oxymethylene) (POM) engineering plastics, including the commercial products, homopolymer Delrin^® and typical poly(oxymethylene-co-oxyethylene)s, and a few lab-made POM compositions, were performed. The latter differed in their content of functional additives (present in low concentrations) and POM molecular weight characteristics. In parallel, their densities, thermal behavior/laser-interferometric creep rate spectra (DSC/CRS) at 20-180 °C, as well as long-term creep resistance (LTCR) at 20 °C were studied. It has been found that introducing the nucleating agents and oxyethylene units resulted in formation of more fine spherulitic or practically non-spherulitic structure with close- or loose-packed lamellar stacks. The presence of both “thick” (5-10 nm) and “thin” (1.5-3 nm) lamellae in the weight ratio of ∼3:1 was shown in all cases. Close values of real POM crystallinities, not exceeding 50%, were obtained by WAXD and DSC. A predominant role of “straightened out” or slightly bent tie chains in disordered layers of isotropic POMs was presumed, resulting in segmental dynamics differently constrained by crystallites (DSC/CRS data). As a result, certain morphology - density - creep resistance correlations were found.