Precise Synthesis and Thin Film Self-Assembly of PLLA-b-PS Bottlebrush Block Copolymers

The ability of bottlebrush block copolymers (BBCPs) to self-assemble into ordered large periodic structures could greatly expand the scope of photonic and membrane technologies. In this paper, we describe a two-step synthesis of poly(l-lactide)-b-polystyrene (PLLA-b-PS) BBCPs and their rapid thin-film self-assembly. PLLA chains were grown from exo-5-norbornene-2-methanol via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide to produce norbornene-terminated PLLA. Norbonene-terminated PS was prepared using anionic polymerization followed by a termination reaction with exo-5-norbornene-2-carbonyl chloride. PLLA-b-PS BBCPs were prepared from these two norbornenyl macromonomers by a one-pot sequential ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). PLLA-b-PS BBCPs thin-films exhibited cylindrical and lamellar morphologies depending on the relative block volume fractions, with domain sizes of 46–58 nm and periodicities of 70–102 nm. Additionally, nanoporous templates were produced by the selective etching of PLLA blocks from ordered structures. The findings described in this work provide further insight into the controlled synthesis of BBCPs leading to various possible morphologies for applications requiring large periodicities. Moreover, the rapid thin film patterning strategy demonstrated (>5 min) highlights the advantages of using PLLA-b-PS BBCP materials beyond their linear BCP analogues in terms of both dimensions achievable and reduced processing time.     

Charge-changing cross sections of the neutron-rich isotopes8,9,11Li

Total charge-changing cross sections have been measured for⁸Li on C and Pb targets, for⁹Li on C, Al, Cu, Sn and Pb targets, as well as for¹¹Li on C, Sn and Pb targets at about 80 MeV/nucleon. These data are compared to measured total reaction cross sections and Glauber-type calculations using Hartree-Fock density distributions. These comparisons allow to draw conclusions on the proton density distribution of the neutronrich lithium isotopes. The results show that even for the most exotic nucleus¹¹Li the proton distribution is only very weakly influenced by the long tail in the neutron density distribution already established in several experiments.     

Oxidative deamination of benzylamine by electrogenerated quinonoid systems as mimics of amine oxidoreductases cofactors

The reactions of a new type of quinonoid system with benzylamine have been investigated in methanol in order to mimic the reactions occurring in the course of the enzymatic oxidation of amines by quinone cofactors. Under strictly anaerobic conditions, unstable quinonoid species 1(ox)()-4(ox)() have been selectively electrogenerated using anodic-controlled potential electrolysis. Thus, we have demonstrated that 3,4-quinone 1(ox)() is incapable of deaminating benzylamine, while 3,4-iminoquinone species 3(ox)() and 4(ox)() act as efficient catalysts for the autorecycling oxidation of benzylamine: the reaction efficiency reached 64 turnovers. Additional mechanistic investigations reveal that the oxidation of benzylamine by our quinonoid model cofactors proceeds unambiguously via a transamination mechanism, as suggested for many enzymatic systems.     

Microgels and ionic associations in solutions of cellulose diacetate

Solutions of cellulose diacetate (CDA) from two sources (cotton linters and wood pulp Floranier) were analysed in various solvents by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Without special precautions, the SEC chromatograms presented three peaks — or prehumps — before the main polymer peak. The first prehump which could be eliminated by ultracentrifugation corresponded to microgels whose sugar composition was determined. These microgels were also investigated by electron microscopy, X-ray and electron diffraction analysis. They corresponded mainly to cellulose triacetate (CTA-II) in the case of CDA from cotton linters and a mixture of CTA-II and xylan diacetate (XDA) in the case of CDA from the wood pulp Floranier. The second and third prehumps could be attributed to ionic effects corresponding to the association of remaining sulfate groups on the CDA molecules with residual calcium. It was found that these ionic effects could be eliminated by the addition of LiBr or LiCl to the elution solvents. This led to chromatograms devoid of prehumps.Presented in part at the Cellulose '91 meeting in New Orleans.     

Studies of the reaction of substituted 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones and -3-ones with sodium cyanide in acetonitrile

The reactions of substituted 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones and -3-ones with sodium cyanide, in acetonitrile, afford convenient routes to indolizine, pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine and 4H-1,3-thiazin-4-one species.     

A new route to trinuclear carbocyanines

Amides or vinylogous amides react with tosyl chloride-pyridine to form activated intermediates which condense with Fischer's base or their vinylogs to give carbocyanine structures. Under the same conditions formylated Fischer's base reacts with vinylogous Fischer's bases to give trinuclear carbocyanines in good yields. Their structure and the limitations of this route are discussed.     

Following the aggregation of amyloid-forming peptides by computer simulations

There is experimental evidence suggesting that the toxicity of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease may result from the soluble intermediate oligomers. It is therefore important to characterize extensively the early steps of oligomer formation at atomic level. As these structures are metastable and short lived, experimental data are difficult to obtain and they must be complemented with numerical simulations. In this work, we use the activation-relaxation technique coupled with a coarse-grained energy model to study in detail the mechanisms of aggregation of four lys-phe-phe-glu (KFFE) peptides. This is the shortest peptide known to form amyloid fibrils in vitro. Our simulations indicate that four KFFE peptides adopt a variety of oligomeric states (tetramers, trimers, and dimers) with various orientations of the chains in rapid equilibrium. This conformational distribution is consistent with all-atom molecular-dynamics simulations in explicit solvent and is sequence dependent; as seen experimentally, the lys-pro-gly-glu (KPGE) peptides adopt disordered structures in solution. Our unbiased simulations also indicate that the assembly process is much more complex than previously thought and point to intermediate structures which likely are kinetic traps for longer chains.     

Transition dipole—dipole coupling interactions in the B form of stearic acid single crystals

Raman spectra of the B form of stearic acid single crystals CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH have been recorded for various polarization geometries. Infrared spectra were obtained for the B powder form. A normal coordinate treatment of the crystal has been performed. The group coordinate force field describing the intramolecular potential, a hydroen-bond potential and intermolecular non-bonded atom—atom interactions were used. In addition transition dipole—dipole coupling interactions between the CO bonds in the unit cell were needed in order to explain the observed infrared and Raman bands, contrary to some previous observations concerning the existence of two different conformations of this dimeric carboxylic acid.     

Reaction of hydroxylamine with 5-aminooxazoles. A new route to isoxazoles

The nucleophilic attack of hydroxylamine at the 5 position of 2-aryl-4-trifluoroacetyl-5-amino-oxazoles leads to a mixture of stereoisomeric isoxazolines. Dehydration of these isomeric isoxazolines in the presence of trifluoroacetic anhydride gives 3-amino-4-acylamino-5-trifluoromethylisoxazoles. The structures and spectroscopic data of these compounds are discussed.