Comparison of electron spin resonance probe and dielectric relaxation in physically and chemically crosslinked polymers

Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy in the frequency range from 10⁻² Hz to 10⁶ Hz and electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments are employed to study the dynamics in chemically and physically crosslinked networks. As examples for physically crosslinked networks ortho- and para-cresol novolacs were investigated. Dielectrically these materials show low-temperature β- and high-temperature α-relaxation. Both relaxation regions differ for both types of novolacs. This is also reflected by the ESR measurements and is discussed in terms of different hydrogen bonds found to be stronger in para-cresol novolac. For the chemically crosslinked poly(triallyl isocyanurate) only a β-peak is found by the dielectric measurements. Also in the ESR experiment the slow motion regime is characterized up to high temperatures. This means that the segmental motion is strongly suppressed by chemical crosslinking. Nevertheless the obtained change in the formal T_50G value can be used to characterize the glass transition in highly crosslinked systems by the ESR method.     

Mikrobieller Abbau organischer Fremdstoffe im Boden

Im Prinzip kann fast jede organische Industriechemikalie durch die Mikroorganismen des Bodens abgebaut werden.     

Chemoselective Preparation of New Families of Phenolic-Organoselenium Hybrids—A Biological Assessment

Being aware of the enormous biological potential of organoselenium and polyphenolic compounds, we have accomplished the preparation of novel hybrids, combining both pharmacophores in order to obtain new antioxidant and antiproliferative agents. Three different families have been accessed in a straightforward and chemoselective fashion: carbohydrate-containing N-acylisoselenoureas, N-arylisoselenocarbamates and N-arylselenocarbamates. The nature of the organoselenium framework, number and position of phenolic hydroxyl groups and substituents on the aromatic scaffolds afforded valuable structure–activity relationships for the biological assays accomplished: antioxidant properties (antiradical activity, DNA-protective effects, Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mimicry) and antiproliferative activity. Regarding the antioxidant activity, selenocarbamates 24–27 behaved as excellent mimetics of GPx in the substoichiometric elimination of H₂O₂ as a Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) model. Isoselenocarbamates and particularly their selenocarbamate isomers exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against non-small lung cell lines (A549, SW1573) in the low micromolar range, with similar potency to that shown by the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin (cis-diaminodichloroplatin, CDDP) and occasionally with more potency than etoposide (VP-16).     

The Concept of Docking/Protecting Groups in Biohydroxylation

A general principle for biohydroxylation , in which time-consuming screening and enrichment techniques are avoided, is demonstrated by the introduction of a docking/protecting group into the substrate. This facilitates acceptance by the microorganism and allows the use of a narrow range of microorganisms, for example Beauveria bassiana ATTC 7159 (B. b.), for the hydroxylation of compounds with diverse structures. After the biohydroxylation, the docking/protecting group is removed (see scheme).     

Intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated terminal epoxides and chlorohydrins

Lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LTMP)-induced intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated terminal epoxides provides an efficient and completely stereoselective entry to bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ols and bicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-ols. Further elaboration of C-5 and C-6 stannyl-substituted bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ols via Sn-Li exchange/electrophile trapping or Stille coupling generates a range of substituted bicyclic cyclopropanes. An alternative straightforward cyclopropanation protocol using a catalytic amount of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TMP) allows for a convenient (1 g-7.5 kg) synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ol and other bicyclic adducts. The synthetic utility of this chemistry has been demonstrated in a concise asymmetric synthesis of (+)-beta-cuparenone. The related unsaturated chlorohydrins also undergo intramolecular cyclopropanation via in situ epoxide formation.     

Trinuclear thiocyanate-bridged compounds of the type [ML]2[Mn(NCS)4](ClO4)2 (where M = Cu(II), Ni(II); L = N-dl-5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,11-diene)

The complexes of general formula [ML]2[Mn(NCS)4](ClO4)2 (where M = Cu(II), Ni(II); L = N-dl-5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,11-diene) were obtained and the crystal structures of both heteronuclear compounds were determined at 173 K. Complex [CuL]2[Mn(NCS)4](ClO4)2 (1) crystallizes in a monoclinic space group, C2/c, with a = 41.297(9) A, b = 7.571(2) A, c = 16.417(4) A, beta = 96.97(15) degrees, Z = 8, whereas complex [NiL]2[Mn(NCS)4](ClO4)2.H2O (2) crystallizes in a monoclinic space group, P2/c, with a = 21.018(5) A, b = 7.627(2) A, c = 16.295(4) A, beta = 104.47(1) degrees, Z = 4. The magnetic behaviour of (1) and (2) has been investigated over the temperature range 1.8-300 K. Complex (1) displays ferromagnetic coupling inside the trinuclear core of CuMnCu and compound (2) behaves like a mononuclear Mn(II) system. The magnetic properties of the second compound (2) with a similar trinuclear structure shows that Ni(II) ions have a diamagnetic character and a rather weak zero-field splitting at the central Mn(II) ion occurs. Finally, the magnitudes of the Cu(II)-M(II) interactions with M = Ni and Mn have been compared and qualitatively justified.     

Second SH3 domain of ponsin solved from powder diffraction

Determination of protein crystal structures is dependent on the growth of high-quality single crystals, a process that is not always successful. Optimum crystallization conditions must be systematically sought for, and microcrystalline powders are frequently obtained in failed attempts to grow the desired crystal. In materials science, structures of samples ranging from ceramics, pharmaceuticals, zeolites, etc., can nowadays be solved, almost routinely, from powdered samples, and there seems to be no fundamental reason, except the sheer size and complexity of the structures involved, why powder diffraction should not be employed to solve structures of small proteins. Indeed, recent work has shown that the high-quality powder diffraction data can be used in the study of protein crystal structures. We report the solution, model building, and refinement of a 67-residue protein domain crystal structure, with a cell volume of 64 879 A3, from powder diffraction. The second SH3 domain of ponsin, a protein of high biological significance due to its role in cellular processes, is determined and refined to resolution limits comparable to single-crystal techniques. Our results demonstrate the power and future applicability of the powder technique in structural biology.     

Phase morphology of hydrolysable polyurethanes derived from aqueous dispersions

Biodegradable polyurethanes are an interesting alternative to many applications that involve plastics since they can minimize environmental problems caused by the low rates of natural degradation of synthetic polymers. In addition, since waterborne polyurethanes are based on aqueous dispersions, they restrict the use of organic solvents during processing and application of the polymer, thus contributing furthermore to reduce environmental damage. In this work, aqueous anionic polyurethane dispersions (PUD) with tailorable susceptibility for hydrolysis were synthesized by progressively replacing polypropylene glycol (PPG) with a biodegradable polycaprolactone diol (PCL) as soft segments. The hard segments were formed by extending isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) with hydrazine (HZ). Dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) was used as ionic center and triethyl amine (TEA) as neutralizer. The degree of phase separation was evaluated mainly by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results indicated that phase separation between hard and soft segments of poly(ester-urethane) is more significant than that of poly(ether-urethane). Data obtained from SAXS experiments indicated that phase separation within soft domains can also be present in samples containing both polyester and polyether soft segments. Hydrolytic degradation of the polymers in buffer solution of pH 7.4 and alkaline solution was performed as an initial test. The results showed that the fraction of polyester soft segments in the polyurethanes can be used to tailor the susceptibility of the materials to hydrolytic attack. Polyurethanes having higher contents of polyester were more promptly hydrolytically degraded than polyurethanes containing only polyether segments.     

The use of multivariate modelling of near infra-red spectra to predict the butter fat content of spreads

In order to obtain a rapid method that can detect adulteration of butter fats with cheaper vegetable fats, the use of NIR spectroscopy and multivariate modelling was explored. For model building and validation, an extensive set of samples was collected, consisting of 152 butter samples, 42 oils and 200 blends thereof. Variations in butter fat composition are reflected in distinct NIR spectral regions. Principal components analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis was used to inspect the variation within the sample set. As reference values for training partial least squares models, butter fat levels as declared by suppliers were taken, as well as C4:0 fatty acid levels as measured directly by GC. All samples were used for training, except for 100 blends, which were used later for validation. Different pre-processing and PLS approaches were explored, resulting in models that had a RMSEPs for butter fat and C4:0 fatty acid level in the range of 4.3-8.2 and 0.33-0.38% (w/w), respectively. The performance of NIR in assessment of C4:0 fatty acid levels is lower as for GC, but this disadvantage is outweighed by shorter measurement times and the lower skill levels required. Furthermore NIR is able to assess overall levels of butter fat, in addition to the indirect indicator provided by the C4:0 fatty acid level.