Biocompatible hydrogels based on chitosan,cellulose/starch,PVA and PEDOT:PSS with high flexibility and high mechanical strength

Fabricating mechanically strong hydrogels that can withstand the conditions in internal tissues is a challenging task. We have designed hydrogels based on multicomponent systems by combining chitosan, starch/cellulose, PVA, and PEDOT:PSS via one-pot synthesis. The starch-based hydrogels were homogeneous, while the cellulose-based hydrogels showed the presence of cellulose micro- and nanofibers. The cellulose-based hydrogels demonstrated a swelling ratio between 121 and 156%, while the starch-based hydrogels showed higher values, from 234 to 280%. Tensile tests indicated that the presence of starch in the hydrogels provided high flexibility (strain at break?>?300%), while combination with cellulose led to the formation of stiffer hydrogels (elastic moduli 3.9–6.6 MPa). The ultimate tensile strength for both types of hydrogels was similar (2.8–3.9 MPa). The adhesion and growth of human osteoblast-like SAOS-2 cells was higher on hydrogels with cellulose than on hydrogels with starch, and was higher on hydrogels with PEDOT:PSS than on hydrogels without this polymer. The metabolic activity of cells cultivated for 3 days in the hydrogel infusions indicated that no acutely toxic compounds were released. This is promising for further possible applications of these hydrogels in tissue engineering or in wound dressings.

Graphical abstract

     

Metathetical reactions of carbonylate anions with dichlororuthenium complexes: Preparation and characterization of ruthenium—molybdenum and ruthenium—manganese complexes

The possibility of making metal—metal bonded heterobimetallic species by metathesis of ruthenium dichlorides with anionic carbonylates is demonstrated by the isolation of MoRu(μ-Cl)(μ-CO)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅) (1) and MnRuCl(μ-CO)₂(CO)₃(μ-dppm)₂ (2), obtained by action of [Mo(CO)₃(η-C₅H₅]^? on RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ and of Mn(CO)₅^? on RuCl₂(dppm)₂, respectively. In contrast, reaction of Mn(CO)₅^? with RuCl₂(PMe₃)₄ yielded an ionic species 3 containing the diruthenium cation Ru₂Cl₃(PMe₃)₆⁺. More interestingly, the action of Mn(CO)₅^? on RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ resulted in the formation of the unexpected complex MnRu(μ-PPh₂)(CO)₆(PPh₃)₂ (4) in which the phosphido group PPh₂ bridges the two metals; this process is shown to involve a hydride intermediate, and elimination of a molecule of benzene, both identified in the reaction mixture.     

Palladium-catalyzed hydrophosphinylation of alkenes and alkynes

Various palladium catalysts promote the addition of hypophosphorous derivatives ROP(O)H(2) to alkenes and alkynes in good yields and under mild conditions. Particularly, Cl(2)Pd(PPh(3))(2)/2 MeLi, and Pd(2)dba(3)/xantphos allow for phosphorus-carbon bond formation instead of transfer hydrogenation. Commercial aqueous solutions of hypophosphorous acid can be employed successfully at ambient temperature. With styrene and terminal alkynes, the regioselectivity (linear versus branched products) can be controlled to some extent with the catalytic system employed. The methodology considerably extends upon previous routes for the preparation of H-phosphinic acids and other organophosphorus compounds.     

Emploi d'une méthode de perturbation-variation pour l'étude de la polarisation de spin dans les radicaux libres aromatiques

A perturbation method has been used to deal with the problem of the interaction of configuration in the free aromatic radicals. We have considered only the mono-excitated configurations which are responsible for the specific effects due to the spin polarization; the corresponding wave functions are built up with the set of molecular orbitals LCAO SCF (occupied and virtual) of the ground-state configuration. We thus obtain a good distribution of spin densities on the rings of the studied radicals: the benzyl and the methylene-naphthyls radicals. The spin density on the extracyclic carbon remains too large as in the case of the SCF representation. This may be explained by the shape of the molecular orbital occupied by the unpaired electron in the SCF configuration, and the structure of the method used which disregards the excitated configurations involving this orbital.     

Structure de la gouregine,alcaloïde orginal apparente aux cularines

The structure of guoregine, a new isoquinoline alkaloid from $\text{G}$$\text{u}$$\text{a}$$\text{t}$$\text{t}$$\text{e}$$\text{r}$$\text{i}$$\text{a}$$\text{o}$$\text{u}$$\text{r}$$\text{e}$$\text{g}$$\text{o}$$\text{u}$, Annonaceae, has been deduced by spectral analysis and confirmed by an X-ray structure determination. It is the first member of a new class of cularine-related alkaloids (α-$\text{g}$$\text{e}$$\text{m}$-dimetyltetradehydrocularines).     

Molecular recognition of avidin on biotin-functionalized gold surfaces detected by FT-IRRAS and use of metal carbonyl probes

Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (FT-IRRAS) was successively used to monitor the covalent immobilization of biotin molecules onto a planar gold substrate covered with a self-assembled monolayer of cystamine and to transduce the molecular recognition of avidin and biotin. This detection was greatly facilitated and made selective by the labeling of avidin and of biotin with various transition metal carbonyl probes. The binding of avidin to the surface was optimized by blocking the nonspecific binding sites by adsorption of an unrelated protein, bovine serum albumin. This work exemplifies the feasibility of detecting biomolecular associations involving molecules of any size at a liquid/solid interface by using a simple and accessible surface analysis technique.     

Heterocyclisation of Unsaturated Phenylsulfides. Synthesis of a Novel Series of 2 Substituted-2,3-dihydrobenzothiazoles

Aminoarylhydroxy thioalkenes react with tosyl derivatives to provide mainly N substituted -2 vinyl -2,3 dihydrobenzothiazoles. A different regiochemistry of cyclization depending on whether a methyl or a phenyl susbtituent was used, was observed Formation of -2H-3,4-dihydrobenzothiazines and dienes was observed.