Contributions of restructuring and oxidation to the aging of the surface of plasma polymers containing heteroatoms

The properties and composition of plasma polymer surfaces stored in air can change considerably over time, especially as a result of oxidative reactions. When plasma polymers contain an element other than O, it is possible to probe for mechanisms in addition to oxidation that contribute to the aging of the surface. Plasma polymers containing N were fabricated from either 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP),n-heptylamine (nHA), or allylamine (AA), and studied by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and air/water contact angles (CA). For each of the plasma polymers, a multiexponential increase in the O/C ratio was observed over time using XPS. The N/C ratios remained constant (AA) or decreased somewhat (nHA and DAP). In contrast, the trends in CA values differed, declining for the nHA surfaces, rising for the AA, and changing little for the DAP. Surface roughness, assessed by scanning tunnelling or atomic force microscopy, did not change over time. The diverse adjustments in the polarity of each surface and the similar compositional changes between them are reconcilable if the aging of the plasma polymer surface is a manifestation of the superposition of concurrent oxidative reactions and partial surface reorientation; the former introduce polar groups and the latter transports then from the surface to deeper regions beyond the CA probe depth but within the XPS analysis depth. These processes vary between different plasma polymers. Data for the alkylamine plasma polymers is also compared with that for two plasma polymers fabricated from methanol. The change in composition, but not polarity, of the DAP surface after 4 days of storage demonstrates the importance of using multiple techniques to characterize the aging of plasma polymer surfaces.     

Fluorescence from the second excited singlet state of [18] annulenes

The emission spectra of the second excited singlet state of [18] annulene and of monofluoro [18] annulene (in a 3-methylpentane glass at 4 K) are reported. The large energy gap between the first and second excited singlet states inhibits fast internal conversion and favours the appearance of S₂ → S₀ emission. In addition, fluorescence from the S₁ state can be observed in monofluoro [13] annulene by exciting into the S₂ or directly into the S₁ absorption.     

Method of immobilization of carboxymethyl-dextran affects resistance to tissue and cell colonization

Coatings from carboxymethylated dextrans (CMDs) were fabricated, analyzed by XPS, and investigated for their ability to inhibit corneal epithelial tissue outgrowth and bovine corneal epithelial cell attachment and growth. CMDs with differing degrees of carboxymethyl substitution and various molecular weights were synthesized by the solution reaction of dextrans with bromoacetic acid under different reactant ratios. The CMD compounds thus obtained were attached onto aminated surfaces produced in two ways: by the plasma deposition of a coating from n-heptylamine vapour, and by the plasma deposition of an acetaldehyde coating onto whose surface aldehyde groups the polyamine compounds polylysine, polyethyleneimine and polyallylamine were immobilized to provide platforms for CMD immobilization. XPS spectra showed that the latter route produced thicker coatings than the former approach. CMD molecules attached directly onto the plasma-fabricated amine surface supported some tissue migration; the extent of carboxymethyl substitution and the molecular weight of the CMDs had little influence. For CMDs immobilized via polyamine spacers, on the other hand, tissue outgrowth was completely inhibited, and again there were no discernible effects from the extent of carboxymethyl substitution and the molecular weight of the CMDs. In assays involving cell attachment and growth, analogous observations were found. Thus, the mode of immobilization of these polysaccharide coatings is the dominant factor in their anti-fouling performance, suggesting that optimization of the architecture of polysaccharide coatings may be an important factor for maximizing their cell-repellent abilities.     

Nucleoside 5'-triphosphates: self-association, acid-base, and metal ion-binding properties in solution

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP(4-)) and related nucleoside 5'-triphosphates (NTP(4-)) serve as substrates in the form of metal ion complexes in enzymic reactions taking part thus in central metabolic processes. With this in mind, the coordination chemistry of NTPs is critically reviewed and the conditions are defined for studies aiming to describe the properties of monomeric complexes because at higher concentrations (>1 mM) self-stacking may take place. The metal ion (M(2+)) complexes of purine-NTPs are more stable than those of pyrimidine-NTPs; this stability enhancement is attributed, in accord with NMR studies, to macrochelate formation of the phosphate-coordinated M(2+) with N7 of the purine residue and the formation degrees of the resulting isomeric complexes are listed. Furthermore, the formation of mixed-ligand complexes (including also those with buffer molecules), the effect of a reduced solvent polarity on complex stability and structure (giving rise to selectivity), the use of nucleotide analogues as antiviral agents, and the effect of metal ions on group transfer reactions are summarized.     

Synthesis and acid-base properties of (1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl)phosphonate (Bimp2-). Evidence for intramolecular hydrogen-bond formation in aqueous solution between (N-1)H and the phosphonate group

The synthesis of (1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl)phosphonic acid, H2(Bimp)+/-, is described: 2-chloromethylbenzimidazole was reacted with ethylchloroformate to give 1-carboethoxy-2-chloromethylbenzimidazole which was treated with trimethyl phosphite and after hydrolysis with aqueous HBr H2(Bimp)+/- was obtained. In H2(Bimp)+/- one proton is at the N-3 site and the other at the phosphonate group; both acidity constants were determined in aqueous solution by potentiometric pH titrations (25 degrees C; I = 0.1 M, NaNO3) and this furnished the pKa values of 5.37 +/- 0.02 and 7.41 +/- 0.02, respectively. The acidity constant for the release of the primary proton from the P(O)(OH)2 group of H3(Bimp)+ was estimated: pKa = 1.5 +/- 0.2. Moreover, Bimp2- can be further deprotonated at its neutral (N-1/N-3)H site to give the benzimidazolate residue, but this reaction occurs only in strongly alkaline solution (KOH); application of the H_ scale developed by G. Yagil (J. Phys. Chem., 1967, 71, 1034) together with UV spectrophotometric measurements gave pKa = 14.65 +/- 0.12. Comparisons with acidity constants taken from the literature show that this latter pKa value is far too large and this allows the conclusion that an intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed between the (N-1/N-3)H site and the phosphonate group of Bimp2-; the formation degree of this hydrogen-bonded isomer is estimated to be 98 +/- 2%. The general relevance of this and the other results are shortly discussed and the species distribution for the Bimp system in dependence on pH is provided.     

Acid-base properties of xanthosine 5'-monophosphate (XMP) and of some related nucleobase derivatives in aqueous solution: micro acidity constant evaluations of the (N1)H versus the (N3)H deprotonation ambiguity

The first acidity constant of fully protonated xanthosine 5'-monophosphate, that is, of H3(XMP)+, was estimated by means of a micro acidity constant scheme and the following three deprotonations of the H2(XMP)+/- (pKa=0.97), H(XMP)- (5.30), and XMP2- (6.45) species were determined by potentiometric pH titrations; further deprotonation of (XMP-H)3- is possible only with pKa>12. The most important results are that the xanthine residue is deprotonated before the P(O)2(OH)- group loses its final proton; that is, twofold negatively charged XMP carries one negative charge in the pyrimidine ring and one at the phosphate group. Micro acidity constant evaluations reveal that this latter mentioned species occurs with a formation degree of 88 %, whereas its tautomer with a neutral xanthine moiety and a PO3(2-) group is formed only to 12 %; this distinguishes XMP from its related nucleoside 5'-monophosphates, like guanosine 5'-monophosphate. At the physiological pH of about 7.5 mainly (XMP-H)3- exists. The question, which of the purine sites, (N1)H or (N3)H, is deprotonated in this species cannot be answered unequivocally, though it appears that the (N3)H site is more acidic. By application of several methylated xanthine species intrinsic micro acidity constants are calculated and it is shown that, for example, for 7-methylxanthine the N1-deprotonated tautomer occurs with a formation degree of about 5 %; a small but significant amount that, as is discussed, may possibly be enhanced by metal ion coordination to N7, which is known to occur preferably to this site.     

Allyl sulfides and α‐substituted acrylates as addition–fragmentation chain transfer agents for methacrylate polymer networks

The rapid and uncontrolled nature of network formation from di(meth)acrylate monomers produces high shrinkage stress and results in polymers with oftentimes brittle mechanical properties. Methods for regulating polymerization and network formation are sought. One option is the use of addition–fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) agents, which are well known to control molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of monofunctional (meth)acrylates. A series of novel and previously described AFCT reagents were synthesized and screened with laser flash photolysis to determine reactivity. Well‐performing AFCT reagents were then tested in polymerizations with monofunctional and difunctional methacrylates. With monofunctional monomers, the molecular weight and polydispersity of the resultant linear polymers tend to decrease with the addition of AFCT agent. In copolymerization with dimethacrylate monomers, the AFCT agents were found to substantially lower and sharpen the glass transition. Sharpness of the glass transition is here indicative of a more regular and homogenous network. After coupling of the instruments, photorheology was performed simultaneously with real‐time IR to show an increase in monomer conversion at the time of gelation, which appears to have a positive effect on reducing shrinkage stress. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 394–406     

Xanthone. II. Vibronic coupling analysis from high resolution phosphorescence spectra

High resolved phosphorescence spectra of xanthone have been recorded in four host matrices in order to study vibronic coupling between the lowest tripl origin in all hosts, and the energetically close-lying second triplet state T₂, which is of nπ* orbital origin. In three hosts, there is thermall to phosphorescence from T₁. Vibrational analyses of the two emissions are reported. The vibrational structure of both emissions depends little on t vibronic mixing between the lowest two triplet states is weak, in spite of the small energy separation in some hosts. The importance of the different i ₁ and its sublevels is discussed, and it is concluded that across energy separations smaller than about 200 cm^?1 spin—orbit mixing is more orbital mixing between the ³ππ* and ³nπ* configurations of xanthone.     

The temperature dependence of the fluorescence lifetime of pinacyanol iodide

The fluorescence decay time of pinacyanol (1,1′-diethyl-2,2′-carbocyanine) iodide has been measured in the temperature range 95–225 K. The results indicate that two separate internal-conversion processes are operative. One of these involves torsional relaxation and is viscosity dependent.