Thermally reversible polymer linkages. II. Linear addition polymers

The stepwise addition polymerization reactions of bisazlactones [bis(2-oxazolin-5-one)s] and a variety of 4,4′-bisphenols have been studied for the purpose of making thermally reversible linear polymers. Thus polymerization occurs at or near room temperature, while depolymerization yielding the two monomer species occurs at elevated temperatures. The synthesis of oligomers in solution without the use of catalyst occurs for the reaction of bisazlactones with bisphenols containing an electron-withdrawing moiety between the two phenol groups of the bisphenol. These oligomers regenerate the bisphenol and bisazlactone monomers upon heating to 165–200°C for several hours under dry box conditions. In many cases, these reactions follow the same patterns of reactivity observed in model studies. This chemistry may be useful for forming degradable or recyclable polymers, where shortchain prepolymers, or macromonomers, endcapped with azlactone and phenol moieties could be used to form high molecular weight polymers that are thermoreversible. Such a reaction system might also be used for preventing reactions of bisphenols and/or bisazlactones at low temperatures, with the desired reaction initiated by formation of the reactive species at elevated temperatures. Envisioned uses in this case might be thermally triggered crosslinking or polymerization reactions, or temperature controlled drug release. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Tuning the parameters of the suspension polymerization of styrene,divinylbenzene, and N‐(p‐vinylbenzyl)‐ 4,4‐dimethylazlactone

Azlactone‐functionalized microporous polystyrene resins were synthesized by suspension polymerization of styrene, divinylbenzene and N‐(p‐vinylbenzyl)‐4,4‐dimethylazlactone (VBM). A fractional factorial design of experiments (DOE) has been used to evaluate the influence of several parameters (factors) on the physical and chemical properties (responses) of the resins. Six factors were considered: (i) the organic/aqueous phase ratio, (ii) the amount of the functional monomer N‐(p‐vinylbenzyl)‐4,4‐dimethylazlactone, (iii) the amount of stabilizer, (iv) the amount of initiator, (v) the stirring speed, and (vi) the equilibration time. The process responses were the yield of polymerization, the diameter of the beads and their polydispersity, their swelling ratio in dichloromethane and the accessibility ratio of the immobilized azlactone sites. This methodology enables the determination of an optimal combination of the six factors to synthesize beads in high yield (92%) with remarkable properties for SPOS applications (azlactone sites loading = 1.57 mmol/g, swelling ratio in dichloromethane = 5.0 mL/g and 100% accessibility ratio). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3677–3686, 2007     

Molecular design of polymer coatings capable of photo-triggered stress relaxation via dynamic covalent bond exchange

Polymer coatings are frequently used to modify surface properties of inorganic substrates. However, the disparity in physical properties between polymer film and substrate often leads to residual stress development, which can be deleterious to the overall performance of coated materials. This work reports the molecular design of polymer films that dissipate stress upon irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light. These polymers are synthesized by post-polymerization modification of the reactive polymer, poly(2-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl azlactone), to introduce dynamic crosslinks capable of light-initiated addition transfer fragmentation chemistry. Using a custom-built optical cantilever, contrasting film stress responses are observed between films containing dynamic bonds and analogous control films after UV light irradiation, which indicate successful stress relaxation. Further experiments demonstrate the complete relaxation of residual stress in dynamic films after an extended exposure, thereby generating a “stress-free” film. Films fabricated using this approach can be easily tailored to incorporate additional moieties to introduce desired surface properties for future application in a wide array of coatings.     

Immobilization of manganese peroxidase fromLentinula edodes on azlactone-functional polymers and generation of Mn3+ by the enzyme-polymer complex

Manganese peroxidase (MnP) purified fromLentinula edodes was covalently immobilized on 3M’s azlactone-functional copolymer, 3M EmphazeTM AB1 Biosupport Medium. Tethered MnP is capable of generating Mn³⁺ from Mn²⁺ and H₂O₂. Mn₃₊, properly chelated, can be used as a nonspecific oxidant of organopollutants. A variety of conditions designed to maximize coupling efficiency while maintaining Mn³⁺ -generating catalytic activity were tested. Biochemical characteristics of the MnP enzyme, including amino acid composition, pH and temperature stability, and concentration of its Mn²⁺ substrate, influenced chemical conditions necessary for the coupling reaction. The physical parameters of immobilization reaction time, protein concentration, ionic conditions, pH, and temperature were examined. Results of these experiments indicated maximum coupling efficiency and enzyme activity were achieved by immobilizing at MnP concentrations < 2 mg/mL for at least 2 h using pH 7.0 buffer containing 1.0M sodium sulfate and 1.0 mM Mn²⁺. Increasing coupling reaction temperature also improved coupling efficiency. A synthesis of these optimized immobilizations yielded MnP coupling efficiencies of 40–50% with 35% of the coupled protein retaining enzymatic activity. Results of MnP immobilizations on nonporous azlactone-functional dispersion polymers more hydrophobic than Emphaze are also reported, and coupling efficiencies > 65% with 100% of the coupled enzyme active have been measured.     

Use of N-trifluoroacetyl-protected amino acid chlorides in peptide coupling reactions with virtually complete preservation of stereochemistry

The use of protected amino acid chlorides for peptide coupling reactions has long been avoided due to the extensive racemization that commonly occurs during either the acid chloride formation or the coupling reaction itself. Conditions are described which allow N-trifluoroacetyl-protected amino acid chlorides to be generated in high purity and with high retention of stereochemical integrity. Control of temperature is the predominant factor in controlling racemization, and rapid formation of acid chlorides under low temperature can be conveniently achieved using Vilsmeier reagent. Stereochemical integrity is further maintained when coupling of N-trifluoroacetyl acid chlorides is carried out with amino acid esters under Schotten-Baumann conditions using specific controls on pH, temperature, and agitation. Second order rate constants for coupling and the azlactone formation associated with racemization were measured to be 4260 and 3.6 L/mol s, respectively. This high rate differential allows for the reaction to be run with a minimum excess of amine ester, and makes it suitable for continuous processing. The applicability of the preferred coupling conditions to a range of amino acid couplings is described.     

Structure of 2-acetoxy-3-(3-methoxy-4-acetoxy-5-chlorophenyl)-propenoic acid

2-Acetoxy-3-(3-methoxy-4-acetoxy-5-chlorophenyl)-propenoic acid 2 was synthesized from the azlactone of 5-chlorovanillin and its structure confirmed by X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance methods. Compound 2 crystallized with a molecule of acetic acid in the P-1(#2) space group (Z = 2) and with cell dimensions a = 6.303(2), b = 9.779(1), c = 15.528(3) Å, = 101.46(2), = 100.71(2) and = 90.21(2)°. This study reveals the formation of an -acetoxy propenoic acid with a trans extended side acid side chain conformation. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral values of 2 also show the existence of the enolic ester in solution.     

Immobilization of manganese peroxidase fromLentinula edodes on alkylaminated emphazeTM AB 1 polymer for generation of Mn3+ as an oxidizing agent

Manganese peroxidase (MnP) is secreted by white-rot fungi and participates in the degradation of lignin by these organisms. MnP uses H₂O₂ as an oxidant to oxidize Mn^II to Mn^III as the manganic ion Mn³⁺. The Mn³⁺ stabilized by chelation, is a highly reactive nonspecific oxidant capable of oxidizing a variety of toxic organic compounds. Previous attempts at immobilization of MnP, purified fromLentinula edodes through reactive amino groups, have been hindered by the protein’s low lysine content of only 1% and its instability above pH 6.0. As an alternative to amine coupling, the enzyme has now been covalently immobilized through its carboxyl groups, using an azlactonefunctional copolymer derivatized with ethylenediamine and 2-ethoxy-1-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) as a coupling reagent. The immobilization reaction was performed under acidic (pH 5.25) conditions, and 90% coupling efficiency was achieved within 2 h. Net immobilization efficiencies, expressed as the product of protein coupling efficiency and enzyme activity, have been measured at > 95% within 4 h. The MnP-NH-polymer and the free soluble protein were characterized and compared for their pH, temperature, and storage stabilities, as well as their H₂O₂ dependence and kinetics. The tethered MnP, employed in an immobilized enzyme bioreactor for generation of chelated Mn₃₊ may have industrial applications as a nonspecific oxidant of organopollutants.     

Synthetic studies of carzinophilin. Part 3: Synthetic approach toward carzinophilin and successful synthesis of 13-O-desacetyl-12,13-di-O-benzyl-4-O-methylcarzinophilin

The synthetic procedures of the title compound (2), a protected form of carzinophilin (1), were developed. While efforts toward the total synthesis of 1 failed, comparison of the ¹H NMR spectra of 2 and some other related compounds with that of 1 provided definite support for the absolute stereochemistry of 1 which has a complicated history regarding its structure.     

Fabrication,chemical modification,and topographical patterning of reactive gels assembled from azlactone‐functionalized polymers and a diamine

The work reported here demonstrates an approach to the fabrication of chemically reactive and topographically patterned hydrogels using the azlactone‐functionalized polymer poly(2‐vinyl‐4,4'‐dimethylazlactone) (PVDMA) and the hydrophilic diamine Jeffamine®. Gels were initially assembled in DMSO but can be subsequently transferred into aqueous media to form hydrogels. Spectroscopic characterization of assembled gels demonstrated that variation in the stoichiometric ratio of azlactones to amines during gel synthesis permits control over the extent of crosslinking in the gels. Residual azlactones not consumed during crosslinking can be exploited to further functionalize these gels with hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and macromolecular amines that influence the physicochemical properties of these materials in aqueous solvents. The surface and bulk of these gels can be differentially functionalized (i.e., different functional groups on the gel surface relative to the bulk) by taking advantage of different rates of diffusion of macromolecular amines versus small molecule amines into assembled gels. Finally, these azlactone‐functionalized gels can be topographically patterned with microwell arrays using a replica molding technique and chemically modified postfabrication with amine nucleophiles. This reactive approach to the fabrication of topographically patterned and chemically functionalized hydrogels offers a straightforward method for the rapid synthesis of micropatterned scaffolds of interest in a broad range of applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3185–3194