Inclusion of cinnamaldehyde in modified γ-cyclodextrins

This work deals with the formation of inclusion complexes between cinnamaldehyde and two synthetic alkylcarbonates of γ-cyclodextrin, namely ethylcarbonate-γ-CD and octylcarbonate-γ-CD. Complexation was monitored by phase-solubility studies, by FT-IR spectroscopy and by DSC and TG analysis. The diffusion of cinnamaldehyde through a cellulose membrane was investigated in the absence and in the presence of each of the two γ-CD alkylcarbonates. Studies on photostability and stability over time were carried out on different cosmetic formulations containing pure cinnamaldehyde or an equivalent amount of cinnamaldehyde complexed with the two alkylcarbonates. Phase-solubility diagrams, DSC, FTIR and TGA analysis suggested the formation of inclusion complexes. The diffusion of cinnamaldehyde through the cellulose membrane decreased in the presence of the two alkylcarbonates confirming the interaction of this molecule with the inclusion agents. Moreover the stability of cinnamaldehyde to light and heat resulted increased by complexing this fragrance material with the two alkylcarbonates.     

Potentiometric studies on the complexation of copper(II) by phenolic acids as discrete ligand models of humic substances

Studies on the complexation of copper(II) by phenolic acids, as ligand models of humic substances were done by potentiometry. The acids under study were: 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid or hydrocaffeic acid (1), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (2) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid or protocatechuic acid (3). Acidity constants of the ligands and the formation constants of metal-ligand complexes were evaluated by computer programs. The carboxylic group of the phenolic acids has different pK_a1 values, being the dissociation constants intrinsically related with the distance between the function and the aromatic nucleus. The results obtained allow concluding that acidity constants of the catechol moiety of the compounds are similar with pK_a2 and pK_a3 values between 9.47-9.41 and 11.55-11.70. The complexation properties of the three ligands towards copper(II) ion are quite similar, being the species found not different either in nature or stability. Although the model ligands have some structural differences no significant differences were found in their complexation properties towards copper(II). So, it can be postulated that complexation process is intrinsically related with the presence of a catechol group.     

Unusual reactivity of ortho-carbonylphenylboronic acids with diethanolamine

The reaction of carbonyl-substituted phenylboronic acids with diethanolamine has been investigated. For compounds containing carbonyl groups at the meta or para positions the reaction occurs exclusively at the boronic acid. Different reactivities were observed for ortho-substituted acetyl- and formylphenylboronic acids where the reaction occurred at both the boronic acid and at the carbonyl group. X-ray studies revealed the presence of a polycyclic structure with tetravalent boron and nitrogen atoms.     

The transformations of fluoroalkyl-containing 2-arylhydrazono-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with methylamine

Fluoroalkylated 1,2,3-triketone 2-arylhydrazones and 2-arylhydrazono-3-oxo esters react variously with methylamine depending on the structure of the fluorinated substituent. 2-Arylhydrazono-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds having “short” fluoroalkyl substituents condense with methylamine at the carbonyl group attached to the non-fluorinated substituent whereas ones containing a lengthy polyfluoroalkyl substituent undergo haloformic cleavage as a result of the amine addition at the carbonyl group bearing such a substituent. The resulting 2-arylazo-3-(N-methyl)amino-1-polyfluoroket-2-en-1-ones and 1-(N-methyl)amino-2-arylhydrazono-3-fluoroalkyl-3-oxopropanamides have complexing properties, and they can bind to nickel(II) and copper(II) ions. Nickel chelates can be obtained by a three-component condensation of 2-arylhydrazono-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and methylamine in the presence of nickel(II) cations.     

Complexation of well-controlled low-molecular weight polyelectrolytes with antisense oligonucleotides

The influences of polymer-related properties such as molecular weight, charge density, counter ion, and hydrophilic block on the complexation of polyelectrolytes and a fluorescein-labeled oligonucleotide (ON) were investigated. A series of well-defined and well-controlled 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) polymers and block copolymers were prepared using living anionic and radical polymerization methods. Fluorescence measurement was used to reveal the effects of polymer molecular weight, charge density, and counter ion type on the complexation. PolyDMAEMA samples having double molecular weights of the chosen oligonucleotide gave the optimal complexation performance. Kinetic studies showed that high-molecular weight/high-charge density polymer samples produced very stable complexes. The fully charged polyDMAEMA displayed the strongest binding with the ON. These complexes were therefore less sensitive to the changes in the environment. PolyDMAEMA–DMSQ samples had slightly higher complexation ability than polyDMAEMA–MCQ (DMSQ: dimethylsulfate quat; MCQ: methylchloride quat). Both poly(DMAEMA-b-HEMA) and poly(DMAEMA–MCQ-b-PEG) block copolymers showed good complexation ability and steric stability [HEMA: 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate; PEG: poly(ethylene glycol)]. PEG, but not HEMA block, enhanced the effectiveness of polyDMAEMA–MCQ binding with the ON.     

嵌段离聚物的制备及其络合和缔合性质

报道了一种氢化ＳＢＳ（ＳＥＢＳ）的化学改性方法，由此得到了一种基于ＳＥＢＳ的离聚物，其中ＰＳ嵌段接有少量羧酸盐基．用动态光散射和粘度法表征了基于ＳＥＢＳ的不同配对离子的磺酸离聚物在非极性溶剂中的缔合行为，给出了缔合物存在的证据和缔合物尺寸的定量数据．ＳＥＢＳ磺酸盐离聚物与含吡啶基的无规共聚物在稀溶液和本体中能形成分子间的络合物，这从共混物溶液粘度的反常增大和本体Ｔｇ的显著增加得到了证明．用粘度法、透射电子显微镜表征和证实了ＳＥＢＳ羧酸钠离聚物在水中可以形成稳定的胶体分散．疏水粒子为表面的离子基团所稳定．     

多组分聚合物体系中的相容和络合

在含可控特殊相互作用的多组分聚合物体系中，随着体系中的相互作用密度的增强，体系在本体中可经历由不相容到相容直至络合的不同物理状态。本文概述了相容、络合研究的进展，着重讨论了相容和络合的区别和联系，提出了含氢键相互作用的高分子共混体系中相容－络合转变存在的普遍性。     

Acetylenic/cyanoacetylenic complexes: simulation of the Titan’s atmosphere chemistry

The structures and energies of the 1:1 acetylene/cyanoacetylene, acetylene/dicyanoacetylene and cyanoacetylene/dicyanoacetylene complexes in solid argon matrices have been investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory. For the three complexes, predicted frequency shifts for the L shaped structures, characterized by a hydrogen bond between the nitrogen of the cyano group and the acetylenic proton, were found to be in good agreement with those experimental. Only in the case of acetylene/cyanoacetylene complex, we obtained a second minimum with a T shaped structure characterized by an interaction between the proton of cyanoacetylene and the Π system of acetylene. It appears clearly that HC₃N acts as an electrophile or as a nucleophile in these complexes.     

Development of a formulation of Pirodavir using 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

Pirodavir, 4-[2-[1-(6-Methyl-3-pyridazinyl)-4-piperidinyl]ethoxy]benzoic acid ethyl ester, is an antiviral compound which has low aqueous solubility (<0.01 mg/ml). The compound is a weak base (pKa 5.8) with high lipophicity (logP 4.44). Ionization of the compound increases the solubility in acidic medium to 2.3 mg/ml at pH 2.4. However, a low pH is not acceptable for nasal application as this would induce irritation. Extensive solubility studies were performed using different types of substituted cyclodextrins in order to select an appropriate derivate capable of increasing solubility to an acceptable level for formulations for nasal application. Aqueous solubility of pirodavir increased in a linear fashion with increasing concentration of most of the substituted cyclodextrins. However, using 2-hydropropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) the solubility increased in a non-linear fashion. Based on these studies HPBCD was selected as the most appropriate excipient. To support a clinical study on the treatment of rhinovirus cold by intranasal Pirodavir formulations were developed containing up to 5 mg/ml of pirodavir and up to 10% of HPBCD. Stability of the formulations was studied and found to be acceptable.     

Metal speciation measurement by diffusive gradients in thin films technique with different binding phases

Since its invention in the mid-1990s, the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique has rapidly become one of the most promising in situ sampling techniques for trace metal measurement in natural waters. We investigated here the possibility of using DGT devices with different binding phases to determine different DGT labile fractions of Cd and Cu in laboratory solutions and in natural waters. Several binding phases were studied, including conventional Chelex 100 resin imbedded polyacrylamide hydrogel (Chelex) and several recently developed binding phases, poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PAM-PAA) gel, poly(acrylamidoglycolic acid-co-acrylamide) (PAAG-PAM) gel, Whatman P81 cellulose phosphate ion-exchange membrane (P81), and poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) aqueous solution. Laboratory testing in metal solutions spiked with EDTA or humic acid suggested that all the DGT devices measured only free metal ions and inorganic metal complexes. Upon field testing at both freshwater and seawater sites it was found that the DGT labile metal concentrations measured by different binding phases can be significantly different, suggesting that the DGT labile metal fractions were dependent on binding strength of the binding phase. By designing binding phases that can compete with different natural water complexing ligands to varying extents, it is possible to use these different DGT devices to measure metal speciation in natural waters.