Synthesis of transparent block copolymers consisting of poly(diisopropyl fumarate) and poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) segments by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization using trithiocarbonates as the chain transfer agents

The reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF) was carried out using ethyl 2-[[(dodecylthio)thioxymethyl]thio]-2-methylpropionate (T1) and 1,1′-(1,2-ethanediyl) bis[2-[[(dodecylthio)thioxymethyl]thio]-2-methylpropionate] (T2) as the monofunctional and difunctional chain transfer agents (CTAs) to synthesize poly(diisopropyl fumarate) (PDiPF) with a rigid chain conformation. The obtained PDiPF had a well-controlled molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and structure of the chain ends. Size exclusion chromatography and NMR measurements revealed an excellent introduction efficiency (84–98%) of the terminal trithiocarbonate group into the polymer chain end. They were available as the monofunctional and difunctional macro-CTAs to synthesize the AB and ABA block copolymers, respectively. While the well-controlled block copolymers were solely obtained by the polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate as the second monomer in the presence of PDiPF as the macro-CTA, the block copolymerization of DiPF using poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) as the macro-CTA failed. The trithiocarbonate group at the chain end was completely removed by the reaction with n-butylamine and it was valid for the improvement of the coloration and other optical properties of the transparent polymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2584–2594     

Crystal structures of AgAF6 (A = P, As, Sb, Nb, Ta) at ambient temperatures

Structures of AgAF₆ (A=Sb, Ta) have been determined by X-ray single crystal studies at ambient temperatures. AgSbF₆ crystallizes in space group Ia with a=979.85(4) pm, V=9.4076(12)×10⁸ pm³, z=8, and AgTaF₆ crystallizes in space group P4₂/mcm with a=499.49(4) pm, c=960.51(8) pm, V=2.3964(6)×10⁸ pm³, z=2. Only the crystal system and cell parameters were obtained for the isomorphic AgNbF₆; primitive tetragonal, a=497.80(10) pm, b=960.40(10) pm, V=2.3799(12)×10⁸ pm³, z=2. The results of the Raman spectroscopy of AgAF₆ support the obtained structures. The structures are discussed by comparing with that of AgPF₆ and AgAsF₆ which have recently been determined in a series of our study.     

Preparation of rapidly disintegrating tablet using new types of microcrystalline cellulose (PH-M series) and low substituted-hydroxypropylcellulose or spherical sugar granules by direct compression method

To decrease the sensation of roughness when a tablet, which is rapidly disintegrated by saliva (rapidly disintegrating tablet), is orally taken, we prepared rapidly disintegrating tablets using microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-M series), a new type of pharmaceutical excipient that is spherical and has a very small particle size (particle size, 7-32 microm), instead of conventional microcrystalline cellulose (PH-102) used in the formulation of tablets containing acetaminophen or ascorbic acid as model drugs for tableting study. Tablets (200 mg) prepared using spherical microcrystalline cellulose, PH-M-06, with the smallest particle size (mean value, 7 microm) had sufficient crushing tolerance (approximately, 8 kg) and were very rapidly, disintegrated (within 15 s) when the mixing ratio of PH-M-06 to low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC) was 9:1. Sensory evaluation by volunteers showed that PH-M-06 was superior to PH-102 in terms of the feeling of roughness in the mouth. Consequently, it was found that particle size is an important factor for tablet preparation using microcrystalline cellulose. It is possible to prepare drugs such as acetaminophen and ascorbic acid (concentration of approximately 50%) in the tablet form using PH-NM-06 in combination with L-HPC as a good disintegrant at a low compression force (1-6 kN). To solve the problem of poor fluidity in the preparation of these tablets, we investigated the use of spherical sugar granules (Nonpareil, NP-101 (sucrose and starch, composition ratio of 7:3), NP-103 (purified sucrose), NP-107 (purified lactose) and NP-108 (purified D-mannitol)). Rapidly disintegrating tablets can be prepared by the direct compression method when suitable excipients such as fine microcrystalline cellulose (PH-M-06) and spherical sugar granules (NP) are used.     

Application of ion-exchange cartridge clean-up in food analysis IV. Confirmatory assay of benzylpenicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, nafcillin and dicloxacillin, in bovine tissues by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A multiresidue analytical method was developed for the confirmation of benzylpenicillin (PCG), phenoxymethylpenicillin (PCV), oxacillin (MPIPC), cloxacillin (MCIPC), nafcillin (NFPC) and dicloxacillin (MDIPC) in bovine tissues using electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS) with a product ion scan mode. All penicillins gave [M-H]-, [M-H-CO2]- and [M-H-141]- as the product ion, when [M-H]- was selected as the precursor ion. Combination of an ion-exchange cartridge clean-up and the LC-ESI-MS-MS method can reliably identify all of these penicillins fortified at a concentration of 0.05 mg/kg in bovine tissues, including liver, kidney and muscle. The limits of confirmation satisfy the maximum residue limits for each of the penicillins established by the World Health Organization, US Food and Drug Administration, European Union and Japan.     

Survey of residual tetracyclines in kidneys of diseased animals in Aichi Prefecture, Japan (1985-1997)

A survey was conducted to determine the incidence of tetracycline antibiotic (TCAs) residues in the kidneys of slaughtered animals that did not pass inspection for human consumption by the Japanese Food Sanitation Law and the Meat Inspection Law at the slaughterhouses in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from April 1985 to March 1998. The kidneys were analyzed by the AOAC Official Method 995.09. Among 424 animals (147 cattle and 277 pigs), 131 (30.9%) were contaminated with TCAs, including 69 (16.3%) with chlortetracycline (CTC), 61 (14.4%) with oxytetracycline (OTC), 3 (0.7%) with tetracycline (TC), and 1 (0.2%) with doxycycline (DC). One sample (cattle kidney) was contaminated with both OTC and DC. The frequencies of OTC and TC residues were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cattle than in pigs, whereas, the frequency of CTC was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in pigs. Pig kidney samples collected in 1991-1997 had significantly higher incidences of TCAs and CTC (p < 0.01) residues than those in 1985-1986.     

One-way EZ-isomerization of bis(n-butylammonium) (Z,Z)-muconate under photoirradiation in the crystalline state

One-way EZ-isomerization of bis(n-butylammonium) (Z,Z)-muconate [(Z,Z)-hexa-2,4-diene-1,6-dioate] to the corresponding (E,E)-isomer quantitatively proceeded in the crystalline state under photoirradiation with a high-pressure mercury lamp, being a new type of crystal-to-crystal reaction.     

Benz[c]octalen

An expedient new synthesis of benzo[c]octalene starting from the Diels-Alder adduct of benzocyclobutadiene to 7,8-dimethylenecycloocta-1,3,5-triene is described. This octalene derivative, in solution, exists as an equilibrating mixture of the double bond isomers (2) and (3) whereas in its crystalline state only the isomer (2) is present.     

Total synthesis of (+)-pederine. A simple synthetic method for N-(1-methoxyalkyl)amides

A mild one-pot method for the synthesis of acyclic N-(1-methoxyalkyl)amides starting from carboxylic acids and methyl imidates had been developed and applied to the total synthesis of the insect poison pederine $\text{1}$.     

Molecular structure of 1,1-dichloroethylene as studied by gas electron diffraction and microwave data. Estimation of equilibrium structure by an extended anharmonic model analysis

The r_z structure of 1,1-dichloroethylene has been determined by a joint analysis of the electron diffraction intensity and the rotational constants as follows: $\text{r}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>z</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{CH}\text{) = 1.088 ± 0.011, r}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>z</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{CC}\text{) = 1.329 ± 0.003, r}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>z</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{CCl}\text{) = 1.725 ± 0.002}\text{A}\text{?}\text{, ∠}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>z</mtext>}}\text{HCH}\text{= 121.4 ± 0.7}\text{and}\text{∠}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>z</mtext>}}\text{ClCCl}\text{= 114.1 ± 0.2°}$. The uncertainties represent estimated limits of error. The observed structural parameters are compared with those for related compounds and the systematic trends in the bond lengths and bond angles are discussed. The effective constants representing anharmonicity have been obtained from an analysis of the isotopic differences in the r_z structure. By using the r_z parameters and the effective constants, the equilibrium structure has been estimated as follows: $\text{r}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>e</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{CH}\text{) = 1.079 ± 0.012, r}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>e</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{CC}\text{) = 1.324 ± 0.005, r}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>e</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{CCl}\text{) = 1.721 ± 0.003}\text{A}\text{?}\text{, ∠}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>e</mtext>}}\text{HCH}\text{= 120.5 ± 0.8}\text{and}\text{∠}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>e</mtext>}}\text{ClCCl}\text{= 114.0 ± 0.3°}$.