Hygrometric Determination of Water Activities and Osmotic and Activity Coefficients of NH4Cl–LiCl–H2O at 25°C

The mixed aqueous electrolyte system of ammonium and lithium chlorides has been studied by the hygrometric method at 25°C. The relative humidities of this system are measured at total molalities from 0.3 to 6 mol-kg^{– 1} for different ionic-strength fractions y of NH₄Cl with y = 0.33, 0.50, and 0.67. The data obtained allow the deduction of new water activities and osmotic coefficients. The experimental results are compared with the predictions of the ECA (extended composed additivity) law proposed in our previous work. The Zdanovskii–Stokes–Robinson (ZSR), the Robinson–Stokes (RS), Reilly–Wood–Robinson (RWR), the Pitzer, and the Lietzke–Stoughton (LS II) models are also compared with our results. Predictions made using these models are, in general, consistent with our results. From these measurements, new Pitzer mixing ionic parameters are determined and used to predict the solute activity coefficients in the mixture for different ionic-strength fractions.     

Terphen[n]arenes and Quaterphen[n]arenes (n=3–6): One‐Pot Synthesis,Self‐Assembly into Supramolecular Gels,and Iodine Capture

Herein, two new classes of macrocyclic compounds, terphen[n]arenes (TPns) (n=3–6) and quaterphen[n]arenes (QPns) (n=3–6), were designed and synthesized by a one‐step condensation reaction in relatively high yields. They comprise 2,2′′‐dimethoxy terphenyl and 2,2′′′‐dimethoxy quaterphenyl monomers, respectively, linked by methylene bridges. Given their long and rigid monomers, TPns and QPns have much larger cavities and better self‐assembly properties than classic macrocycles. More interestingly, the cyclic pentamers and hexamers TP5, TP6, QP5, and QP6 formed supramolecular organogels, which were composed of interwoven fibers, nanosheets, or entangled macropore networks formed by multiple face‐to‐face and edge‐to‐face π???π stacking interactions. The xerogel materials effectively captured volatile iodine, not only in aqueous media but also in the gaseous state, and could be recycled multiple times without obvious loss in performance.     

Self-assembly, optical behavior, and permeability of a novel capsule based on an azo dye and polyelectrolytes

A novel capsule composed of an azo dye, Congo red (CR), and different polymers, including poly(styrenesulfonate, sodium salt) (PSS), poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), have been successfully fabricated by the layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. The stepwise linear deposition process was monitored by means of UV-visible absorption measurements. The formation of hollow capsules was verified by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning force microscopy (SFM). The resulting hollow PSS/PAH/CR/PDDA capsules displayed a sensitive response to visible light. Optical changes of the hollow capsules prior to and after the photoreaction were investigated in detail by means of UV-visible spectroscopy, CLSM, and SFM. It was found that the photochemical reaction of the assembled hollow capsules depends strongly on the matrix. Qualitative results on the permeability of the hollow capsule walls with CR as one component indicate that the permeability of the walls can be easily photo-controlled at varying irradiation time intervals without addition of external chemicals.     

Rate and Product Studies in the Solvolyses of Two Cyclic Phosphorochloridate Esters

Kinetic and product studies of the solvolyses of acyclic phosphorochloridates are extended to two cyclic diesters, 2-chloro-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane-2-oxide (1) and 2-chloro-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane-2-oxide (2). Slightly faster solvolyses are observed for 1 than for the acyclic dimethyl phosphorochloridate (3), and 2 solvolyzes somewhat slower than 3. An extended Grunwald–Winstein equation treatment shows similar sensitivities to changes in solvent nucleophilicity and solvent ionizing power for 1, 2, and 3, and a concerted S_N2 attack is proposed in each case. Product studies for the solvolyses of 2 in aqueous alcohols are presented.

     

AB CROSSLINKED POLYURETHANES THROUGH IONIC CROSSLINKING: INFLUENCE OF CROSSLINKING NETWORKS ON PHYSICO CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Isocyanate-terminated prepolymers were synthesized using poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol of molecular weight 1000 (PTMG₁₀₀₀) with tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI). The prepolymers were chain extended with N-methyldiethanolamine (N-MDEA) to form polyurethanes containing tertiary nitrogen. These polyurethanes were crosslinked with bromine terminated polyurethane, poly(urethane-imide), and poly(urethane-siloxane) through the formation of cationomers at tertiary nitrogen sites across the backbone polyurethanes.

The crosslinked cationomeric polyurethanes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), mechanical analyses, (static and dynamic), and static contact angles measurements. FTIR spectral studies confirms the formation of bromine terminated poly(urethane-imide) and poly(urethane-siloxane), as well as quaternization of the tertiary nitrogen which leads to crosslinking. A comparison of thermal stabilities of crosslinked polymers with respect to the chemical nature of bromine terminated prepolymers (BTP) indicates improved thermal stability for poly(urethane-imide) based ABCP. Stress-strain analysis shows high elongation values for poly(urethane-siloxane) and poly(urethane-imide) based ABCPs. Dynamic mechanical analysis reveals better damping for poly(urethane- siloxane) based AB crosslinked polymers.     

Metallic Particles from Complexing Microcapsules Dispersed in a Silica Gel

A new process to control the distribution of metal nanoparticles is proposed. It involves the use of complexing microcapsules obtained by interfacial polycondensation. The latter are hollow spheres constituted of a polymer membrane, containing an insoluble active ingredient, such as a polyacrylic acid, which can complex Co²⁺ ions. These capsules are dispersed in a silica sol followed by thermal treatments and reduction under H₂ which results in metallic Co nanoparticles confined in the capsules domains. The particles do not diffuse in the matrix.     

Capsule–Capsule Conversion by Guest Encapsulation

Guest‐induced M₁₈L₆–M₂₄L₈ capsule–capsule conversion is reported. Both capsules are composed of Pd^II ethylenediamine units (M) and 1,3,5‐tris(3,5‐pyrimidyl)pyrimidine (L), and form trigonal bipyramidal (M₁₈L₆) and octahedral (M₂₄L₈) closed‐shell structures with huge hydrophobic inner spaces. The M₁₈L₆ trigonal bipyramid is converted to the M₂₄L₈ octahedron through encapsulation of large aromatic guests, with the latter capsule possessing a cavity volume three times larger than the former. Despite the dynamic properties of the capsule host, the encapsulated guests are difficult to extract and are thus isolated from the external environment.     

Anticancer Potencies of PtII‐ and PdII‐linked M2L4 Coordination Capsules with Improved Selectivity

Pt^II‐ and Pd^II‐linked M₂L₄ coordination capsules, providing a confined cavity encircled by polyaromatic frameworks, exhibit anticancer activities superior to cisplatin against two types of leukemic cells (HL‐60 and SKW‐3) and pronounced toxicity against cisplatin‐resistant cells (HL‐60/CDDP). Notably, the cytotoxic selectivities of the Pt^II and Pd^II capsules toward cancerous cells are up to 5.3‐fold higher than that of cisplatin, as estimated through the non‐malignant/malignant‐cells toxicity ratio employing normal kidney cells (HEK‐293). In addition, the anticancer activity of the coordination capsules can be easily altered upon encapsulation of organic guest molecules.