The preparation and x-ray structure of [P(C2H5)4]+[N3]− and the attempted preparation of [PH4]+[N3]−

Tetraethylphosphonium azide, [P(C₂H₅)₄ ]⁺[N₃ ]⁻, was prepared from tetraethyl phosphonium bromide and silver azide. Single crystals of [P(C₂H₅)₄ ]⁺[N₃ ]⁻ were grown from dichloromethane/THF (10:1) solution. The structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. [P(C₂H₅)₄ ]⁺[N₃ ]⁻ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C 2/c with Z = 4 and unit cell dimensions a = 12.961(6), b = 6.835(3), c = 12.378(6) Å, and β = 100.57(4)°. The attempted preparation of phosphonium azide [PH₄]⁺[N₃]⁻ from phosphonium iodide and silver azide lead instead to the formation of PH₃ and HN₃. The instability of [PH₄]⁺[N₃]⁻ with respect to PH₃ and HN₃ is in accord with thermodynamic considerations according to which the reaction PH₃(g) and HN₃(g) to yield [PH₄ ]⁺[N₃ ]⁻ is thermodynamically unfavorable. (Non SI units employed: kcal ≈ 4.184 J, Å = 10⁻¹⁰ m.) © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 9:129–132, 1998     

The effect of network architecture on the thermal and mechanical behavior of epoxy resins

The effects of crosslink functionality (f_c), molecular weight between crosslinks (M_c), and chain stiffness display on the thermal and mechanical behavior of epoxy networks are determined. Both f_c and M_c are controlled by blending different functionality amines with a difunctional epoxy resin. Chain stiffness is controlled by changing the chemical structure of the various amines. In agreement with rubber elasticity theory, the rubbery moduli are dependent on f_c and M_c, but independent of chain stiffness. The glassy moduli and secondary relaxations of these networks are relatively independent of f_c, M_c, and chain stiffness. However, the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of these networks are dependent on all three structural variables. This trend is consistent with free volume theory and entropic theories of T_g. f_c, M_c, and chain stiffness control the yield strength of these networks in a manner similar to that of T_g and is the result that both properties involve flow or relaxation processes. Fracture toughness, as measured by the critical stress intensity factor (K_Ic), revealed that f_c and M_c are both critical parameters. The fracture behavior is the result of the fracture toughness being controlled by the ability of the network to yield in front of the crack tip. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1371–1382, 1998     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Sialyl Lewisa Antigen and the Effective Anticancer Activity of Its Bacteriophage Qβ Conjugate as an Anticancer Vaccine

Sialyl Lewis^a (sLe^a), also known as cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), is a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen. The overexpression of sLe^a on the surface of a variety of cancer cells makes it an attractive target for anticancer immunotherapy. However, sLe^a-based anticancer vaccines have been under-explored. To develop a new vaccine, efficient stereoselective synthesis of sLe^a with an amine-bearing linker was achieved, which was subsequently conjugated with a powerful carrier bacteriophage, Qβ. Mouse immunization with the Qβ-sLe^a conjugate generated strong and long-lasting anti-sLe^a IgG antibody responses, which were superior to those induced by the corresponding conjugate of sLe^a with the benchmark carrier keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Antibodies elicited by Qβ-sLe^a were highly selective toward the sLe^a structure, could bind strongly with sLe^a-expressing cancer cells and human pancreatic cancer tissues, and kill tumor cells through complement-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, vaccination with Qβ-sLe^a significantly reduced tumor development in a metastatic cancer model in mice, demonstrating tumor protection for the first time by a sLe^a-based vaccine, thus highlighting the significant potential of sLe^a as a promising cancer antigen.     

ChemInform Abstract: Boron Cluster Cations: Transition from Planar to Cylindrical Structures.

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