Radical polymerization in the presence of peroxide and reducing agent monomer for branched polymers

In this article, we report the radical polymerization in the presence of peroxide and commercially available or designed reducing agent monomer (RAM) for the preparation of branched poly(methyl methacrylate)s (PMMAs). The reaction behavior of the RAM was studied by NMR. Triple‐detection SEC (TD‐SEC) analysis was used to confirm the branching structure of the prepared PMMAs and to investigate the influence of peroxide concentration and RAM concentration on molecular weight and branched structure. The obtained branched PMMAs exhibited high molecular weights and relatively narrow polydispersities at high conversion of MMA. Interestingly, a significant increase in molecular weight and degree of branching of the obtained polymers are observed in higher BPO concentration, these results are quite different from that reported in the literature. The unique radical polymerization mechanism in the RAM/BPO redox‐initiated radical polymerization system resulted in branched PMMAs with high molecular weights at relatively high RAM and BPO concentrations. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 833–840     

Nanocrystalline cellulose/fluorinated polyacrylate latex via RAFT‐mediated surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization and its application as waterborne textile finishing agent

A simple method for nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)/fluorinated polyacrylate was developed by RAFT‐mediated surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization, in which the nanocomposites formed a core‐shell spherical morphology. The influence of the content of NCC‐g‐(PAA‐b‐PHFBA) (AA was acrylic acid, HFBA was hexafluorobutyl acrylate) on the properties of latex and film were systematically studied. The monomer conversion, the tensile strength, and water–oil repellency of film increased first and then decreased, the latex particle size decreased first and then decreased, when the content of NCC‐g‐(PAA‐b‐PHFBA) increased from 1 to 6 wt %. Elongation at break and thermal stability distinctly decreased when the content of NCC‐g‐(PAA‐b‐PHFBA) gradually increased. XPS showed that the fluorine‐containing groups well concentrated at the film–air interfaces during the annealing process. SEM analysis revealed that the treated fiber had a rugged surface, and the treated fabric had an excellent water repellency. In addition, this green grafting method in water offered a new perspective for the fabrication of exceptional NCC‐based nanocomposites with NCC as the core and also helped to promote the potential applicability of NCC in a range of multipurpose applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1305–1314     

Synthesis of Pure Silica MWW Zeolite in Fluoride Medium by Using an Imidazolium-Based Long Dication

As the spacer length in 1,2-dimethylimidazolium-based dications increases beyond a specific point (six methylene units), they fail in structure-directing towards STW zeolites in any synthetic conditions. These dications can instead produce, under fluoride concentrated conditions, either *BEA [in the case of the eight-methylene-unit structure-directing agent (SDA)] or MWW (ten methylene units) zeolites. For any length of the dication, the default zeolite (MTW) is a relatively dense zeolite containing a unidimensional channel, whereas the zeolite demanding most specificity (STW, *BEA or MWW) is more porous, affording a larger concentration of the dication to be occluded. This work provides the first reported fluoride synthesis of pure silica MWW zeolites. Charge balance of the organic dications in this zeolite was achieved by combining “structural” silanolates, regular “connectivity defects” and occluded fluoride. Molecular mechanics calculations showed a perfect fit of the decamethylenebis(dimethylimidazolium) dication in the sinusoidal intralayer pore system of MWW. The calculations showed also that the dication is able to stabilize the interlayer space without disturbing the hydrogen-bonding system that holds the layers together in the as-made material. The ¹⁹F magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR presented two distinct resonances at −71 and −83 ppm, which, on the basis of DFT calculations, we tentatively assigned to fluoride occluded in [4⁶6²] and [4¹5²6²] cages of the MWW structure, respectively. The same DFT study determines a different chemical shift of one methyl ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance according to the imidazolium ring residing in the sinusoidal channels or in the large cup cavities, thus explaining an experimentally observed splitting of that resonance.     

Synthesis of 3′-fluoro-4′-amino-hexitol nucleosides with a pyrimidine nucleobase as building blocks for oligonucleotides

The synthesis of 3′-fluoro-4′-amino-hexitol nucleosides with a uracil and cytosine nucleobase was performed. The synthesis started from 1,5:2,3-dianhydro-4,6-benzylidene-allitol and afforded the target compounds in 15 steps. These protected hexitol nucleosides are valuable building blocks for the preparation of a new class of oligonucleotides.     

Full physicochemical characterization of malic acid: Emphasis in the potential as food ingredient and application in pectin gels

Malic acid, a carboxylic acid most found in fruits, is a smooth taste substance used as flavoring and preservative agent in foods, although not as used as citric acid. There are no studies focusing in quantitative results or investigations on its physicochemical properties, useful to the food industry, or even the confirmation of its calcium chelating, buffer texturizer and antioxidant alleged properties. Thus, the aim of this work was the assessment of most physicochemical properties of malic acid, solid and in solution, that could be useful to the food industry understand its real potential. The following analyses were carried out: melting point; structure (NMR, XRD, FTIR and SEM/EDS); TGA/DTG; solubility, hygroscopicity; antioxidant activity, iron chelating and antibacterial activities and stability of pectin gels. The melting temperature found was 129.71 °C. TGA/DTG exhibited first loss of mass around 140 °C. In the temperature range of 10 to 55 °C, it exhibited a high solubility in water, from 48.12 to 61.49 (100w), respectively. The tested bacteria, related to food spoilage, were inhibited by DL-malic acid 10% or higher. Chelating and antioxidant activities showed expressive results even in 1% solution. Pectin gels with malic acid had stronger structure and less syneresis than citric acid gels. In addition, calcium chelating, buffer texturizer and antioxidant properties were confirmed. Thus, malic acid has potential to be applied in a wide variety of food products as fortified beverages, frozen and refrigerated items, oils, pectin gels, hard and soft candies, and biofilms, due to all the characteristics quantified.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization,thermal behaviour,in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer activities of novel ruthenium tricarbonyl complexes containing monodentate V‐shaped Schiff bases

The interaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with a novel family of monodentate V‐shaped Schiff base ligands (L^1–4; L¹: (E)‐1‐(4‐((4‐bromobenzylidene)amino)phenyl)ethanone, L²: (E)‐1‐(3‐(4‐(dimethylamino)benzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone, L³: (E)‐1‐(4‐(4‐(dimethylamino)benzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone, L⁴: (E)‐1‐(3‐(3,4‐dimethoxybenzylideneamino)phenyl)ethanone) in air under atmospheric pressure afforded the novel complexes [Ru(CO)₃(L^1–4)₂]. The parent ligands and their complexes were characterized using elemental analyses and spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the structure of the representative ligand L¹ was determined using single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The stereochemistry and theoretical optimization of the three‐dimensional geometry of the ligands and their complexes were justified. In vitro antimicrobial screening against bacterial stains Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and fungus Candida albicans was conducted. Cytotoxicity of the compounds as anti‐tumour agents was evaluated against liver carcinoma (HepG2), breast carcinoma (MCF7) and colon carcinoma (HCT‐116) cell lines relative to cisplatin and doxorubicin. The complexes showed variable in vitro cytotoxic activities against the three studied cell lines, with IC₅₀ values less than those of cis‐platin, and thus appear to be building blocks for promising anti‐tumour agents.     

Purification of hyaluronidase as an anticancer agent inhibiting CD44

Hyaluronidase (Hyal) can be employed to accomplish a diversity of complications related to hyaluronic acid (HA). Hyal contains some classes of catalysts that cleave HA. This enzyme is detected in several human tissues as well as in animal venoms, pathogenic organisms and cancers. Destructive cancer cells regularly increase the CD44 receptor existing in a cell membrane. This receptor acts as an exact receptor for HA, and HA is recognized to motivate the migration, spread, attack and metastasis of cancer cells. Nearly all of the methods used to purify Hyal are highly costly and not proper for industrial applications. This survey aims to review different methods of Hyal purification, which acts as an anticancer agent by degrading HA in tissues and thus inhibiting the CD44–HA interaction. Hyal can be successfully employed in the management of cancer, which is associated with HA–CD44. This review has described different methods for Hyal purification to prepare an origin to develop a novel purification technique for this highly appreciated protein. Using multiple columns is not applicable for the purification of Hyal and thus cannot be used at the industrial level. It is better to use affinity chromatography of anti-Hyal for Hyal with one-step purification.     

Half‐sandwich Ruthenium (II) complexes with triphenylamine modified dipyridine skeleton and application in biology/luminescence imaging

Four half‐sandwich ruthenium^II (Ru^II) complexes with triphenylamine‐modifed dipyridine frameworks were synthesized and characterized. The cytotoxicity of target complexes toward A549 (lung cancer cells), HeLa (cervical cancer cells) and HepG2 (hepatoma cells) were obtained by the MTT assay, which were superior to cisplatin with the IC₅₀ values changed from 2.4 ± 0.1 μM to 9.2 ± 2.7 μM. Meanwhile, complexes possess the ability of antimetastasis to cancer cells. Ru^II complexes could be transported by serum albumin, catalyze the conversion of NADH (the reduced state of nicotinamide‐adenine dinucleotide) to NAD⁺ and induce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which confirmed the antineoplastic mechanism of oxidation. Ru^II complexes could enter A549 cells followed by a non‐energy dependent cellular uptake mechanism, target lysosomes with the Pearson's colocalization coefficient of 0.75, lead to lysosomal damage, disturb the cell cycle (S phase), and eventually induce apoptosis. The results demonstrate that these Ru^II complexes are potential anticancer agents with dual functions, including metastasis inhibition and lysosomal damage.     

Microwave chemistry: Synthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides using microwave radiation

Pyrimidine and purine nucleosides have a remarkable and comprehensive impact on medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical industries. They become key parts of the growing interdisciplinary area of antimetabolites. The paramount importance of the nucleoside analogs triggered their broader use in treatment of critical diseases such as cancer, malignancies, microbial infection, and autoimmune diseases. Recent advances in their synthetic strategies through microwave-assisted organic synthesis (MAOS) have been reviewed.     

介孔碳材料抑制锂电池负极枝晶生长

为了解决锂电池负极表面锂枝晶生长带来的性能衰退和安全问题。 以沸石咪唑酯骨架-8(ZIF-8)为前驱体制得介孔碳材料(MCM),用于金属锂负极表面改性。 X射线粉末衍射(XRD)和拉曼光谱表明,退火制得的MCM具有一定的石墨化程度,N₂气吸脱附测试(BET)证明MCM具有典型的介孔特征。 对比不同温度退火样品的XRD、拉曼光谱和BET测试结果,确定900 ℃为最佳退火温度。 优化的MCM作为表面改性剂对金属锂负极进行改性研究。 电池充放电循环后,负极样品的XRD和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)测试表明,MCM能够通过均衡锂负极表面的电荷分布抑制金属锂的取向沉积和锂枝晶的生长。 本研究为制备抑制锂电池负极枝晶生长表面改性剂提供了一种简便而有效的合成方法,有利于锂电池循环寿命的延长和安全性能的提高。