Side-chain crystallinity. II. Heats of fusion and melting transitions on selected copolymers incorporating n-octadecyl acrylate or vinyl stearate

The heats of fusion and the melting transitions of the crystallinity present in the side chains were determined for selected copolymers incorporating n-octadecyl acrylate or vinyl stearate. A major purpose of this investigation was to ascertain the effect of interrupting the long ordered 18-carbon side chains by randomly interspersed amorphous side chains of various lengths. For this purpose the lower acrylate homologs (C₁ through C₈ and including oleyl, C₈) were copolymerized over the composition range with n-octadecyl acrylate. It was found that simple dilution of the crystalline component (from comonomer b) by the amorphous component (from comonomer a) governed the decline in the heats of fusion and the fraction of crystallinity present. High crystallization rates were encountered because equilibrium crystallinity was nearly achieved for most of the copolymers. Melting point depression was less than theory in copolymers having short amorphous comonomer side chain lengths, but approached the theoretical depression as these side chains became very long. Thus the outer methylene sequences (the crystalline sequences) of the fatty co-units could bridge the smaller amorphous a units, giving rise to larger crystal sizes than theory specified. Main-chain stiffness, when present in the melt, had a small effect on the distribution of crystallite sizes but exhibited a much larger influence in preventing the attainment of equilibrium crystallinity, especially at high amorphous comonomer compositions. However, crystallinity was still high compared with that of copolymers described in the literature crystallizing through their main-chain units. When long blocks of crystalline segments were present (as in compositionally heterogeneous vinyl stearate copolymers), melting point depression was small and followed the theoretical probability sequence function.     

Intermetallic interactions in face-to-face homo- and heterodinuclear bismacrocyclic complexes of copper(II) and nickel(II)

New face-to-face heterodinuclear complexes containing copper(II) and nickel(II) in identical tetraazamacrocyclic environments have been synthesized and characterized using ESI mass-spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic methods, and elemental analysis. These new bismacrocyclic systems were compared with the respective mono- and bismacrocyclic and [2]catenane homonuclear complexes. Interactions between the metal centers were monitored by magnetic and electrochemical measurements. Magnetic data indicate that all copper compounds studied behave as weakly interacting magnets. In the case of copper [2]catenane, the extent of magnetic interactions decreased when a benzocrown moiety was introduced between the macrocyclic units. On the basis of electrochemical data, the interactions between the metal centers were found to be substantially larger for the nickel complexes than for the corresponding copper ones. Interlocking of a benzocrown ether to form [2]catenane led to a nonequivalence of the metal centers and to the increase of donor abilities of the catenane compared to the respective bismacrocyclic complex. This is reflected by the shift of the first formal potential to less positive values. Intermetallic interactions for the heteronuclear nickel/copper complexes were found intermediary compared to the homonuclear ones. They were strengthened by shortening the spacer between the two tetraazamacrocyclic subunits which is a convenient way of fine-tuning the interactions. The increase of intermetallic interactions led to the increased stability of the intermediate mixed-valence states indicated by the higher values of comproportionation constants.     

Adducts of rhodium(II) tetraacylates with methionine and its derivatives: 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chiral recognition

Complexation of rhodium(II) dimeric tetraacylates: tetraacetate Rh₂AcO₄, tetratrifluoroacetate Rh₂TFA₄ , and (S)-Mosher’s acid salt Rh₂MTPA₄ with both enantiomerically pure and racemic methionine and its derivatives: hydrochloric salt of methionine, hydrochloric salt of methionine methyl ester, N-formyl methionine, N-phthaloyl methionine, N-phthaloyl methyl ester of methionine, and methyl ester of N,N-dimethylmethionine has been investigated by means of ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C NMR) and absorption electronic spectroscopy in the visible range. Complexation processes were investigated in D₂O or CDCl₃ solutions, depending on the ligands’ and rhodium salts’ solubilities. Some supporting measurements were performed in the solid phase, using ¹³C and ¹⁵N CPMAS NMR techniques.All ligands investigated form 1:1 and 1:2 adducts in the solution, depending on the rhodium salt to ligand molar ratios. The complexation site in the ligands (S atom) was deduced on the basis of the NMR parameter adduct formation shift (Δδ = δ_adduct ? δ_ligand) and calculated chemical shifts (DFT, NMR GIAO). In the cases of the Rh₂TFA₄ and Rh₂MTPA₄ adducts, decreasing the temperature within the range 220–254 K slowed down the ligand exchange and allowed us to observe the signals of all diastereoisomers in the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra.     

Cobalt-catalyzed versus uncatalyzed intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloadditions

The intramolecular [4+2] cycloadditions of dienynes was investigated using cobalt-based catalysts. Substrates without substitution on alkyne moiety were found to react under thermal activation. The use of a cobalt salt as catalyst made reactions cleaner by limiting the formation of byproducts. Cycloadditions with dienynes possessing a substituent on the alkyne pattern occurred only in presence of a cobalt catalyst which displayed a moderate to good activity depending on the substrate patterns.     

Adducts of nitrogenous ligands with rhodium(II) tetracarboxylates and tetraformamidinate: NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

Complexation of tetrakis(μ₂‐N,N'‐diphenylformamidinato‐N,N')‐di‐rhodium(II) with ligands containing nitrile, isonitrile, amine, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, isocyanate, and isothiocyanate functional groups has been studied in liquid and solid phases using ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR, ¹³C and ¹⁵N cross polarisation–magic angle spinning NMR, and absorption spectroscopy in the visible range. The complexation was monitored using various NMR physicochemical parameters, such as chemical shifts, longitudinal relaxation times T₁, and NOE enhancements. Rhodium(II) tetraformamidinate selectively bonded only unbranched amine (propan‐1‐amine), pentanenitrile, and (1‐isocyanoethyl)benzene. No complexation occurred in the case of ligands having hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, isocyanate, and isothiocyanate functional groups, and more expanded amine molecules such as butan‐2‐amine and 1‐azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Such features were opposite to those observed in rhodium(II) tetracarboxylates, forming adducts with all kind of ligands. Special attention was focused on the analysis of Δδ parameters, defined as a chemical shift difference between signal in adduct and corresponding signal in free ligand. In the case of ¹H NMR, Δδ values were either negative in adducts of rhodium(II) tetraformamidinate or positive in adducts of rhodium(II) tetracarboxylates. Experimental findings were supported by density functional theory molecular modelling and gauge independent atomic orbitals chemical shift calculations. The calculation of chemical shifts combined with scaling procedure allowed to reproduce qualitatively Δδ parameters. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

13C and 15N CP/MAS, 1H–15N SCT CP/MAS and FTIR spectroscopy as tools for qualitative detection of the presence of zwitterionic and non‐ionic forms of ansa‐macrolide 3‐formylrifamycin SV and its derivatives in solid state

¹³C, ¹⁵N CP/MAS, including ¹H–¹³C and ¹H–¹⁵N short contact time CP/MAS experiments, and FTIR methods were applied for detailed structural characterization of ansa‐macrolides as 3‐formylrifamycin SV (1) and its derivatives (2–6) in crystal and in powder forms. Although HPLC chromatograms for 2/CH₃OH and 2/CH₃CCl₃ were the same for rifampicin crystals dissolved in respective solvents, the UV–vis data recorded for them were different in 300–375 nm region. Detailed solid state ¹³C and ¹⁵N CP/MAS NMR and FTIR studies revealed that rifampicin (2), in contrast to 3‐formylrifamycin SV (1) and its amino derivatives (3–6), can occur in pure non‐ionic or zwitterionic forms in crystal and in pure these forms or a mixture of them in a powder. Multinuclear CP/MAS and FTIR studies demonstrated also that 3–6 derivatives were present exclusively in pure zwitterionic forms, both in powder and in crystal. On the basis of the solid state NMR and FTIR studies, two conformers of 3‐formylrifamycin SV were detected in powder form due to the different orientations of carbonyl group of amide moiety. The PM6 molecular modeling at the semi‐empirical level of theory, allowed visualization the most energetically favorable non‐ionic and zwitterionic forms of 1–6 antibiotics, strongly stabilized via intramolecular H‐bonds. FTIR studies indicated that the originally adopted forms of these type antibiotics in crystal or in powder are stable in standard laboratory conditions in time. The results presented point to the fact that because of a possible presence of two forms of rifampicin (compound 2), quantification of the content of this antibiotic in relevant pharmaceuticals needs caution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tris-(thiocyanato)-bis-(hexamethylenetetramine)-nona-(aquo) lanthanum(III): synthesis, crystal structure, IR and Raman characterization

The title compound (LaC₁₅H₄₂N₁₁O₉S₃) was prepared and characterized by means of X-ray, IR and Raman measurements. The crystals are orthorhombic: Pnma (No. 62), a = 21.117(2), b = 14.736(2), c = 10.082(1) Å, and Z = 4. The structure consists of polyhedra with a La(III) ion in the center of them and hexamethylene molecules, which link these polyhedra. Each La(III) ion coordinates seven molecules of water and two thiocyanate ions via nitrogen atoms. The IR and Raman spectra, which have been obtained and interpreted, are in good agreement with X-ray results.     

Reference material for radionuclides in sediment IAEA-384 (Fangataufa Lagoon sediment)

A reference material designed for the determination of anthropogenic and natural radionuclides in sediment, IAEA-384 (Fangataufa Lagoon sediment), is described and the results of certification are presented. The material has been certified for 8 radionuclides (⁴⁰K, ⁶⁰Co, ¹⁵⁵Eu, ²³⁰Th, ²³⁸U, ²³⁸Pu, ^239+240Pu and ²⁴¹Am). Information values are given for 12 radionuclides (⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Pb (²¹⁰Po), ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²³²Th, ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁹Pu, ²⁴⁰Pu and ²⁴¹Pu). Less reported radionuclides include ²²⁸Th, ²³⁶U, ²³⁹Np and ²⁴²Pu. The reference material may be used for quality management of radioanalytical laboratories engaged in the analysis of radionuclides in the environment, as well as for the development and validation of analytical methods and for training purposes. The material is available from IAEA in 100 g units. Retired from IAEA in 2003.     

Structure and interactions in homopolymers and blends as studied by the methods of vibrational and nmr spectroscopy

The combination of IR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy was used in the study of the blends of semicrystalline and amorphous polymers with considerably different strength of intermolecular interactions: poly(ϵ-caprolactam)/polystyrene (PCL/PS), poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PEO/PMMA) and poly(N-methyllaurolactam)/poly(4-vinylphenol) (PNMLL/PVPh). In the vibrational and NMR spectra of the blends composed of non-interacting polymers (PCL/PS) and weakly interacting polymers (PEO/PMMA), no band changes were observed which would indicate changes of the conformational structures. ¹H NMR relaxation of the PCL and PS components in the blends is the same as in the respective homopolymers similarly treated. In the blends of weakly interacting polymers (PEO/PMMA), the crystallinity of PEO is influenced by the presence of PMMA and is negligible in the blends with less than 30 wt.-% of PEO. The rotating-frame spin-lattice relaxation time for protons T^H_1p of PMMA indicates close contact of the PMMA and PEO chains. In the blends PNMLL/PVPh with strong hydrogen-bonding interactions, both components are intimately mixed on a scale of 3–4 nm and significant shifts of some bands both in vibrational and in NMR spectra reveal changes of structure.     

Ergodicity and Parameter Estimates for Infinite-Dimensional Fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck Process

Existence and ergodicity of a strictly stationary solution for linear stochastic evolution equations driven by cylindrical fractional Brownian motion are proved. Ergodic behavior of non-stationary infinite-dimensional fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes is also studied. Based on these results, strong consistency of suitably defined families of parameter estimators is shown. The general results are applied to linear parabolic and hyperbolic equations perturbed by a fractional noise. This work was partially supported by the GACR Grant 201/04/0750 and by the MSMT Research Plan MSM 4977751301.