Dioxadiazuliporphyrin: a near-IR redox switchable chromophore

The synthesis of dioxadiazuliporphyrinogen 7 and its oxidized forms: dioxadiazuliporphyrin 8 and dication 8(2+), is reported. These compounds were characterized in solution using UV-vis and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic means and in the solid state via single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Dioxadiazuliporphyrin is a nonaromatic porphyrinoid, readily and reversibly oxidizable to its cation radical and to the aromatic carbaporphyrinoid dication, which can be viewed as a 21,23-dicarba-22,24-dioxaporphyrin with two fused tropylium rings. Further insight into the geometric and magnetic manifestations of aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the case of the redox couple 8, 8(2+) is obtained using density functional calculations and nucleus-independent chemical shifts.     

Photobleaching of melanosomes from retinal pigment epithelium: II. Effects on the response of living cells to photic stress

Melanosomes of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are long lived organelles that may undergo photobleaching with aging, which can diminish the antioxidant efficiency of melanin. Here, isolated porcine RPE melanosomes were experimentally photobleached with visible light to simulate aging and compared with untreated granules or control particles (black latex beads) for their effects on the survival of photically stressed ARPE-19 cultures. Particles were delivered to cultures for uptake by phagocytosis then cells were exposed to violet light and analyzed by a new live cell imaging method to identify the time of apoptotic blebbing as a dynamic measure of reduced cell survival. Results indicated that untreated melanosomes did not decrease photic injury to ARPE-19 cells when compared with cells lacking particles or with cells containing control particles, as might be expected if melanin performed an antioxidant function. Instead cells with untreated melanosomes showed reduced survival indicated by an earlier onset of blebbing and a lower fraction of surviving cells after photic stress. Cell survival was reduced even further in stressed cells containing melanosomes that were photobleached, and survival decreased with increasing photobleaching time. Photobleaching of RPE melanosomes therefore makes cells containing them more sensitive to light-induced cytotoxicity. This observation raises the possibility that aged melanosomes increase RPE cell photic stress in situ, perhaps contributing to reduced tissue function and to degeneration of the adjacent retina that the RPE supports. How melanosomes (photobleached or not) interact with their local subcellular environment to modify RPE cell survival is poorly understood and is likely determined by the physicochemical state of the granule and its constituent melanin. The live cell imaging method introduced here, which permitted detection of a graded effect of photobleaching, provides a sensitive bioassay for probing the effects of melanosome modifications.     

Structure and properties of single complex macromolecules and of related bulk systems

Structure and dynamics of complex macromolecules in computer simulated systems is analyzed. The algorithm based on cooperative molecular rearrangements is applied to various macromolecular structures represented in a simplified form on the lattice. Various macromolecular architectures such as linear chains, stars, dendrimers, bottle‐brush polymers as well as cyclic chains and catenane are considered both as single molecules and as dense systems corresponding to polymer melts. A broad range of structural parameters characteristic for each system is taken into account. In some cases, the simulation results are compared with the behavior of real systems in which the structure and dynamics has been studied by X‐ray scattering and mechanical spectroscopy, respectively.     

Simple and effective one‐pot synthesis of (meth)acrylic block copolymers through atom transfer radical polymerization

The synthesis of di‐ and triblock copolymers using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of n‐butyl acrylate (BA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) is reported. In particular, synthetic procedures that allow for an easy and convenient synthesis of such block copolymers were developed by using CuBr and CuCl salts complexed with linear amines. Polymerizations were successfully conducted where the monomers were added to the reactor in a sequential manner. Poor cross‐propagation between poly(n‐butyl acrylate) (PBA) macroinitiators and MMA was minimized, and therefore control of molecular weights and distributions was realized, by using halogen exchange—a technique involving the addition of CuCl to the MMA during the chain extension of the PBA macroinitiator. High molecular weight (M_n ∼ 90,000) and low polydispersity (M_w /M_n < 1.35) ABA triblock copolymers were also prepared and their structure and properties in bulk have been preliminary characterized indicating the potential of ATRP for the production of all‐acrylic thermoplastic elastomers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2023–2031, 2000     

New trends in chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) by nonconventional transesterification and ammonolysis/aminolysis methods are discussed on the basis of literature and own experimental data. The obtained products of deep PET degradation using allylamine (N,N′-diallylterephthaldiamide), triethanolamine and other alkanolamines were prepared and characterized by DSC and elemental analysis.     

Polymeric bis(phosphonomethyl­carboxylato)calcium(II) at 85 K

In the crystal structure of the title compond, alternatively called poly[calcium(II)‐di‐μ‐carboxymethylphosphonato], [Ca(C₂H₄O₅P)₂]_n or [Ca(H₂AP)₂]_n, one of the phosphonate O atoms of the phosphonocarboxylate monoanion lies nearly antiperiplanar (ap) to the carboxylic acid C atom. The phosphonate P atom is located −sc and +ac relative to the carboxylic acid O atoms. The overall structure has a layered architecture. The Ca²⁺ cations lie on a twofold axis and are bridged by the phosphonate O atoms to form chains along the c axis, giving layers parallel to (100). There are medium‐strength O—H⃛O and C—H⃛O hydrogen‐bonding interactions stabilizing the layers, and O—H⃛O hydrogen bonds connect adjacent layers.     

Branched polyether with multiple primary hydroxyl groups: polymerization of 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane

Cationic polymerization of 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane gives branched, soluble macromolecules with multiple glycolic end groups. There are approximately 3–4 “normal” units per one branched unit.     

Synthesis of block copolymers by atom transfer radical polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate with poly(oxyethylene) macroinitiators

Poly(oxyethylene)s terminated at both ends with 2‐bromopropionate end‐groups were prepared and characterized by means of MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. It was shown, that atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate with a poly(oxyethylene) macroinitiator in bulk proceeds with low initiation efficiency while polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate proceeds with practically quantitative initiation, leading to ABA block copolymers. Originally formed tert‐butyl acrylate blocks contain terminal bromine, as expected for the ATRP mechanism. MALDI TOF analysis indicates, however, that in the later stages of polymerization side reactions lead to elimination of terminal bromine.     

5,5‐Di­methoxy‐2‐phenoxy‐1,3,2‐dioxaphosphorinane 2‐oxide

In the title compound, C₁₁H₁₅O₆P, the six‐membered dioxa­phospho­rinane ring of the cyclic phosphate triester exists in a distorted chair conformation, with the phenoxy group in an axial position. The phenyl ring and both methoxy groups are in a trans–gauche orientation with respect to the 1,3,2‐di­oxa­phospho­rinane ring. In the phosphate group, a significant deformation from the ideal tetrahedral shape is observed. The crystal structure is stabilized by a three‐dimensional network of C—H⋯O interactions.     

Synthesis of aryliminoacetonitriles under FVT conditions or by dehydrogenation of arylaminoacetonitriles: an NMR and UV-photoelectron spectroscopy study

The synthesis of [(E)-arylimino]-acetonitriles 3 has been described. It was found that the title compounds can be obtained on the three ways, namely by: (i) dehydrogenation of arylaminoacetonitriles 1, (ii) thermal fragmentation of 1-aryl-4-cyano-β-lactams 4 and (iii) retro-ene reaction of (allyl-p-methoxyphenyl-amino)-acetonitrile (7a) under FVT conditions. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of compounds 3, 5 and 6, and all their precursors 1 and 4, were recorded and analysed in detail using chemical shifts δ_H and δ_C [from GIAO DFT B3LYP/6-31(d) calculations] and J-couplings predicted at the DFT B3LYP/IGLO-II level. Also, UV-photoelectron spectra of 4a,d and 3a,d were measured and analysed considering the theoretical evaluation of their ionisation potentials.