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Several series of symmetrical triblock copolymers were synthesized by the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer method. They consist of a long block of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) as hydrophilic, thermoresponsive middle block, which is end-capped by two small strongly hydrophobic blocks made from five different vinyl polymers. The association of the amphiphilic polymers was studied in dilute and concentrated aqueous solution. The polymer micelles found at low concentrations form hydrogels at high concentrations, typically above 30-35 wt.%. Hydrogel formation and the thermosensitive rheological behavior were studied exemplarily for copolymers with hydrophobic blocks of polystyrene, poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate), and poly(n-octadecyl acrylate). All systems exhibited a cloud point around 30 A degrees C. Heating beyond the cloud point initially favors hydrogel formation but continued heating results in macroscopic phase separation. The rheological behavior suggests that the copolymers associate into flower-like micelles, with only a small share of polymers that bridge the micelles and act as physical cross-linkers, even at high concentrations.
Rubidium and strontium partitioning experiments between haplogranitic melts and aqueous fluids (water or 1.16- 3.56 m (NaCl + KCl) +/- HCl) were conducted at 750-950 degrees C and 0.2-1.4 GPa to investigate the effects of melt and fluid composition, pressure, and temperature. In addition, we studied if the applied technique (rapid and slow quench, and in-situ determination of trace element concentration in the fluid) has a bearing on the obtained data. There is good agreement of the data from different techniques for chloridic solutions, whereas back reactions between fluid and Melt upon cooling have a significant effect on results from the experiments with water. The Rb fluid-melt partition coefficient shows no recognizable dependence on melt composition and temperature. For chloridic Solutions, it is similar to 0.4, independent of pressure. In experiments with water, it is one to two orders of magnitude lower and increases with pressure. The strontium fluid-melt partition coefficient does not depend on temperature. It increases slightly with pressure in Cl free experiments. In chloridic fluids, there is a sharp increase in the Sr partition coefficient with the alumina saturation index (ASI) from 0.003 at an ASI of 0.8 to a maximum of 0.3 at an ASI of 1.05. At higher ASI, it decreases slightly to 0.2 at an ASI of 1.6. It is one to two orders of magnitude higher in chloridic fluids compared to those found in H2O experiments. The Rb/Sr ratio in non-chloridic solutions in equilibrium with metaluminous melts increases with pressure, whereas the Rb/Sr ratio in chloridic fluids is independent of pressure and decreases with fluid salinity. The obtained fluid-melt partition coefficients are in good agreement with data from natural cogenetic fluid and melt inclusions. Numerical modeling shows that although the Rb/Sr ratio in the residual melt is particularly sensitive to the degree of fractional crystallization, exsolution of a fluid phase, and associated fluid-melt partitioning is not a significant factor controlling Rb and Sr concentrations in the residual melt during crystallization of most granitoids.
Recent calculations on the hydrogen-exchange reaction [Bouakline et al., J. Chem. Phys. 128, 124322 (2008)], have found strong geometric phase (GP) effects in the state-to-state differential cross-sections (DCS), at energies above the energetic minimum of the conical intersection (CI) seam, which cancel out in the integral cross-sections (ICS). In this article, we explain the origin of this cancellation and make other predictions about the nature of the reaction mechanisms at these high energies by carrying out quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) calculations. Detailed comparisons are made with the quantum results by splitting the quantum and the QCT cross-sections into contributions from reaction paths that wind in different senses around the CI and that scatter the products in the nearside and farside directions. Reaction paths that traverse one transition state (1-TS) scatter their products in just the nearside direction, whereas paths that traverse two transition states (2-TS) scatter in both the nearside and farside directions. However, the nearside 2-TS products scatter into a different region of angular phase-space than the 1-TS products, which explains why the GP effects cancel out in the ICS. Analysis of the QCT results also suggests that two separate reaction mechanisms may be responsible for the 2-TS scattering at high energies.
Terephthalic acid reacts with alkyl halides under Birch conditions to substituted 1,4-cyclohexadienes in high yields and good stereoselectivities. Electrophiles containing ester or nitrile groups undergo a surprising fragmentation under the reaction conditions. Subsequent treatment with chlorosulfonic acid proceeds by an interesting tandem decarbonylation/decarboxylation, affording 1,4-dialkylbenzenes in excellent regioselectivity. Thus our new method is superior to classical Friedel-Crafts alkylations.
Synthesis of stimuli-responsive and switchable inorganic nanoparticles for biomedical applications
(2010)
An abacavir-targeted fluorosensor based on the carbazole moiety has been synthesised and characterised. Recognition of abacavir is by base pairing between a uracil moiety present in the fluorosensor and the guanine moiety of abacavir. The fluorosensor exhibits five-fold quenching in the presence of 50M abacavir. Its sensitivity to abacavir is superior to that of other reverse transcriptase inhibitors: zidovudine, lamivudine and didanosine. Due to its high sensitivity, this fluorosensor has the potential to be used in multi-analyte array-based detection platforms as well as in microfluidics systems.
Through-space NMR shieldings were calculated for trinuclear metal-carbonyl compounds [M-3(CO)(12)] (M = Fe, Ru, Os), employing the nucleus-independent chemical shift approach. The through-space shieldings were visualized as a contour plot of iso-chemical shielding surfaces, and were applied to quantify the overall anisotropic effect of the carbonyl groups, as well as to identify the influence of the transition metal on the scopes of the corresponding anisotropy cones. The shielding surfaces show that the anisotropic effect of the carbonyl groups at equatorial positions changes depending on the metal. This effect was associated with pi-backdonation from the metal to the carbonyl groups in that position, in agreement with geometric data as well as calculated NMR parameters. Therefore, visualization of the through-space NMR shieldings of trinuclear metal-carbonyl compounds of group 8 is able to reflect the distinct arrangements of the carbonyl groups in these organometallic compounds.
An alpha,omega-diene containing hydroxyl groups was prepared from plant oil-derived platform chemicals. The acyclic diene metathesis copolymerization (ADMET) of this monomer with a phosphorus-containing alpha,omega-cliene (DOPO II), also plant oil derived, afforded a series of phosphorus containing linear polyesters, which have been fully characterized. The backbone hydroxyls of these polyesters have been acrylated and radically polymerized to produce crosslinked polymers. The thermomechanical and mechanical properties, the thermal stability, and the flame retardancy of these phosphorus-based thermosets have been studied. Moreover, methyl 10-undecenoate has been used as chain stopper in selected ADMET polymerizations to study the effect of the prepolymers' molecular weights on the different properties of the final materials.
Narrow channels with polar walls are the structural and functional features responsible for the high capacity of a zinc-organic framework based on an imidazolate-amide-imidate ligand for the uptake of H2 and CO2 (see structure: orange Zn, blue N, red O, dark gray C, light gray H). The rigid and stable chelating ligand was synthesized in situ by partial hydrolysis of a dicyanoimidazole compound.
The kinetics of the crystallization of thermoresponsive poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) in water and the time- dependent evolution of the morphology were examined using wide-angle X-ray scattering and conventional and cryogenic scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that a temperature-induced phase separation produces a bicontinuous polymer network-like structure, which with the onset of crystallization collapses into individual particles (1-2 mu m in diameter) composed of a porous fiber mesh. Nanofibers then preferentially form at the particle surface, thus wrapping the microspheres like a ball of wool. The particle morphology is severely affected by changes in temperature and less by the initial polymer concentration.
New amphiphilic block copolymers consisting of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate were synthesized via controlled radical polymerization using a reversible addition/fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)/macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates (MADIX) system. The synthesis was carried out in 1,4-dioxane as process solvent. In order to get conclusions on the mechanism of the polymerization the molecular structure of formed copolymers was analysed by means of different analytical techniques. C-13 NMR spectroscopy was used for the determination of the monomer ratios. End groups were analysed by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This technique was also used to determine possible fragmentations of the RAFT end groups. By means of a combination of size exclusion chromatography, C-13 NMR and static light scattering molar mass distributions and absolute molar masses could be analysed. The results clearly show a non-ideal RAFT mechanism.
PVP-block-PVAc block copolymers were synthesized by controlled radical polymerization applying a RAFT/MADIX system and were investigated by HPLC and by coupling of chromatography to FT-IR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF MS. Chromatographic methods (LACCC and gradient techniques) were developed that allowed a separation of block copolymers according to their repeating units. The results of the spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis clearly showed transfer between radicals and process solvent. With the use of hyphenated techniques differences between main and side products were detected. In agreement with previously published results, obtained by NMR, SEC, static light scattering and MALDI- TOF MS, our data proved a non-ideal RAFT polymerization.
Aqueous solutions of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and poly(N,N'-diallyl-N,N'-dimethyl-alt-maleamic carboxylate) (PalH), a synthetic pH-tuneable polyelectrolyte (PEL), have been investigated by various techniques at different pH-values in absence and presence of NaCl. Potentiometric measurements using a surfactant-selective electrode indicate a quite complex interaction mechanism, which can be subdivided into different regions, where non-cooperative, electrostatic and cooperative hydrophobic interactions are of relevance. It was concluded, that in dependence on pH, conformational changes are responsible for the different interaction behavior in the NaCl-free system. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) suggests that early stage hydrophobic binding is an exothermic process followed by electrostatic interactions, which are endothermic in nature and entropy driven. After NaCl addition the interaction mechanism becomes independent of pH due to a screening of (i) attractive interactions between the surfactant head groups and oppositely charged binding sites and (ii) repulsive forces between the surfactant head groups. Furthermore, the ITC investigations have revealed that after salt-addition surfactant micelles interact with the polymer instead of separated SDS molecules due to a depression of the CMC.
Lectin-bound conformations and non-covalent interactions of glycomimetic analogs of thiochitobiose
(2010)
The bound conformations of five S-glycoside analogs of N,N'-diacetylchitobiose as well as their non- covalent interactions with two lectins, Phytolacca americana lectin (PAL) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), are reported. The conformations of the ligands were examined by trNOESY experiments and compared with the free, solution-state conformations and molecular modeling data obtained by force field calculations. In the case of S-aryl, S-glycosides with exclusively S-glycosidic linkages, similar free and lectin-bound conformations and non-covalent interactions were found, whereas they differed for mixed glycosides and for a thiazoline derivative. In addition, STD (saturation transfer difference) NMR magnetization transfer efficiencies at three different temperatures were determined and assessed with respect to the structural differences of these pseudosaccharides. The binding epitopes of each substrate with PAL and WGA were also determined.
Olefin isomerization side reactions that occur during ADMET polymerizations were studied by preparing polyesters via ADMET and subsequently degrading these polyesters via transesterification with methanol. The resulting diesters, representing the repeating units of the previously prepared polyesters, were then analyzed by GC-MS. This strategy allowed quantification of the amount of olefin isomerization that took place during ADMET polymerization with second generation ruthenium metathesis catalysts. In a second step, it was shown that the addition of benzoquinone to the polymerization mixture prevented the olefin isomerization. Therefore, second generation ruthenium metathesis catalysts may now be used for the preparation of well-defined polymers via ADMET with very little isomerization, which was not possible before.
Herein we demonstrate how the photoreaction between anthracenes and singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) is employed for applications either as photoswitch or as photoresist. Thin Films of the diaryl-alkyl anthracene 1 and the analogous oligomeric species 2 were it-radiated under photomasks to generate pattern structures composed of 1/1-O-2 and 2/2-O-2. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) provided a powerful and nondestructive method to image the pattern information. The following studies based on AFM, KPFM and contact angle measurements unfold that the two species 1 and 2 underwent different progressions after the imaging step. Degrading is observed for the monomeric compound 1 and the pattern eventually becomes recognizable in topography. In the oxidized state (1-O-2) the monomeric species remains physically stable. In consequence, the unreacted portion is removable and the remaining oxygenated form 1-O-2 is sufficiently stable to protect in underlying substrate (e.g., silver) from etching. Thus, the system 1/1-O-2 operates as photoresist. Oil the other hand, both states of the oligomier 2 remain stable. The Film is stable up to temperatures > 120 degrees C required to erase the pattern within acceptable time by cycloreversion. Anthracene 2 therefore acts as erasable and rewritable photochromic switch. The different behavior between 1 and 2 is explained by phase transitions which cause crystallization and finally ablation. Such transitions affect only the monomeric system 1/1-O-2 and not the oligomeric system 2/2-O-2. In conclusion, we designed two very similar materials based on diarylanthracenes, which can act either as a photoresist or as a rewritable photochrornic switch.
Stochastic approach to laser-induced ultrafast dynamics : the desorption of H-2/D-2 from Ru(0001)
(2010)
The desorption of molecular hydrogen and deuterium induced by femtosecond-laser pulses is studied theoretically for the so-called DIMET (Desorption Induced by Multiple Electronic Transitions) process. These investigations are based on nonadiabatic classical Monte Carlo trajectory (CMCT) simulations on a ground and an excited state potential energy surface, including up to all six adsorbate degrees of freedom. The focus is on the hot-electron mediated energy transfer from the surface to the molecule and back, and the energy partitioning between the different degrees of freedom of the desorbing molecules. We first validate for a two-mode model comprising the desorption mode and the internal vibrational coordinate, the classical Monte Carlo trajectory method by comparing with Monte Carlo wavepacket (MCWP) calculations arising from a fully quantum mechanical open-system density matrix treatment. We then proceed by extending the CMCT calculations to include all six nuclear degrees of freedom of the desorbing molecule. This allows for a detailed comparison between theory and experiment concerning isotope effects, energy partitioning (translational, vibrational, and rotational energies and their distributions), and the dependence of these properties on the laser fluence. The most important findings are as follows. (i) CMCT agrees qualitative with the MCWP scheme. (ii) The basic experimental features such as the large isotope effect, the non-linear increase of yield with laser fluence, translationally hot products (in the order of several 1000 K) and non-equipartitioning of translational and internal energies (E-trans > E- vib > E-rot) are well reproduced. (iii) Predictions concerning a strong angular dependence of translational energies at large observation angles are also made.
Nanofibrous mats are interesting scaffold materials for biomedical applications like tissue engineering due to their interconnectivity and their size dimension which mimics the native cell environment. Electrospinning provides a simple route to access such fiber meshes. This thesis addresses the structural and functional control of electrospun fiber mats. In the first section, it is shown that fiber meshes with bimodal size distribution could be obtained in a single-step process by electrospinning. A standard single syringe set-up was used to spin concentrated poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) solutions in chloroform and meshes with bimodal-sized fiber distribution could be directly obtained by reducing the spinning rate at elevated humidity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury porosity of the meshes suggested a suitable pore size distribution for effective cell infiltration. The bimodal fiber meshes together with unimodal fiber meshes were evaluated for cellular infiltration. While the micrometer fibers in the mixed meshes generate an open pore structure, the submicrometer fibers support cell adhesion and facilitate cell bridging on the large pores. This was revealed by initial cell penetration studies, showing superior ingrowth of epithelial cells into the bimodal meshes compared to a mesh composed of unimodal 1.5 μm fibers. The bimodal fiber meshes together with electrospun nano- and microfiber meshes were further used for the inorganic/organic hybrid fabrication of PCL with calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate, two biorelevant minerals. Such composite structures are attractive for the potential improvement of properties such as stiffness or bioactivity. It was possible to encapsulate nano and mixed sized plasma-treated PCL meshes to areas > 1 mm2 with calcium carbonate using three different mineralization methods including the use of poly(acrylic acid). The additive seemed to be useful in stabilizing amorphous calcium carbonate to effectively fill the space between the electrospun fibers resulting in composite structures. Micro-, nano- and mixed sized fiber meshes were successfully coated within hours by fiber directed crystallization of calcium phosphate using a ten-times concentrated simulated body fluid. It was shown that nanofibers accelerated the calcium phosphate crystallization, as compared to microfibers. In addition, crystallizations performed at static conditions led to hydroxyapatite formations whereas in dynamic conditions brushite coexisted. In the second section, nanofiber functionalization strategies are investigated. First, a one-step process was introduced where a peptide-polymer-conjugate (PLLA-b-CGGRGDS) was co-spun with PLGA in such a way that the peptide is enriched on the surface. It was shown that by adding methanol to the chloroform/blend solution, a dramatic increase of the peptide concentration at the fiber surface could be achieved as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Peptide accessibility was demonstrated via a contact angle comparison of pure PLGA and RGD-functionalized fiber meshes. In addition, the electrostatic attraction between a RGD-functionalized fiber and a silica bead at pH ~ 4 confirmed the accessibility of the peptide. The bioactivity of these RGD-functionalized fiber meshes was demonstrated using blends containing 18 wt% bioconjugate. These meshes promoted adhesion behavior of fibroblast compared to pure PLGA meshes. In a second functionalization approach, a modular strategy was investigated. In a single step, reactive fiber meshes were fabricated and then functionalized with bioactive molecules. While the electrospinning of the pure reactive polymer poly(pentafluorophenyl methacrylate) (PPFPMA) was feasible, the inherent brittleness of PPFPMA required to spin a PCL blend. Blends and pure PPFPMA showed a two-step functionalization kinetics. An initial fast reaction of the pentafluorophenyl esters with aminoethanol as a model substance was followed by a slow conversion upon further hydrophilization. This was analysed by UV/Vis-spectroscopy of the pentaflurorophenol release upon nucleophilic substitution with the amines. The conversion was confirmed by increased hydrophilicity of the resulting meshes. The PCL/PPFPMA fiber meshes were then used for functionalization with more complex molecules such as saccharides. Aminofunctionalized D-Mannose or D-Galactose was reacted with the active pentafluorophenyl esters as followed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and XPS. The functionality was shown to be bioactive using macrophage cell culture. The meshes functionalized with D-Mannose specifically stimulated the cytokine production of macrophages when lipopolysaccharides were added. This was in contrast to D-Galactose- or aminoethanol-functionalized and unfunctionalized PCL/PPFPMA fiber mats.
Homopolymers of N-acryloyl glycinamide were prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in water. The formed macromolecules exhibit strong polymer-polymer interactions in aqueous milieu and therefore form thermoreversible physical hydrogels in pure water, physiological buffer or cell medium.
Oil-in-water (o/w) Pickering emulsions stabilized with silica nanoparticles were prepared. Droplets of diethyl phthalate (oil phase) act as reservoirs for 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ), which is used as (a) the hydrophobizing agent for the silica particles and (b) an encapsulated corrosion inhibitor for application in active feedback coatings. The hydrophobization of silica nanoparticles with 8-HQ is determined by the amount of this agent adsorbed on the nanoparticle surface. The latter is governed by the 8-HQ concentration in the aqueous phase, which in turn depends on the degree of protonation and fir ally on the pH. We observe three ranges of 8-HQ adsorption value with respect to nanoparticle hydophobization: (I) insufficient, (2) sufficient, and (3) excessive adsorption by the formation of an 8-HQ bilayer, where only case 2 leads to the necessary nanoparticle hydrophobization. Hence emulsions stable in a narrow pH window between pH 5.5 and 4.4 follow. Here functional molecules are sufficiently charged to compensate for the charges on silica nanoparticles to make them interfacially active and thus able to stabilize an emulsion but they are still to a large extent uncharged and thereby remain in the oil phase. The emulsification is reversible upon changing the pH to a value beyond the stability region.
The free volume in thin films of poly(N-isopropylacrylamid) end-capped with n-butyltrio-carbonate (nbc-PNIPAM) is probed with positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The PALS measurements are performed as function of energy to obtain depth profiles of the free volume of nbc-PNIPAM films. The range of nbc-PNIPAM films with thicknesses from 40 to 200 nm is focused. With decreasing film thickness the free volume increases in good agreement with an increase in the maximum swelling capability of the nbc-PNIPAM films. Thus in thin hydrogel films the sorption and swelling behavior is governed by free volume.
Die Inline-Bestimmung von Teilchengroeßen in Emulsionen und Suspensionen stellt besondere Anforderungen an die Messtechnik, da auch bei sehr hohen Teilchenkonzentrationen im Prozess verduennungsfreie Analytik betrieben werden soll. Neben einer Klaerung der Begriffe atline, online und in-line gibt der Beitrag eine Einfuehrung in die mathematische Beschreibung von Groeßenverteilungen. Als Inline-Techniken werden Photonendichtewellen-Spektroskopie, Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement und Ultraschallextinktion-Spektroskopie diskutiert und ihre sehr unterschiedlichen physikalischen Messprinzipien erlaeutert. Auch wird kurz erklaert, wie Teilchengroeßen aus den Messresultaten erhalten werden. Die wesentlichen Charakteristika dieser drei Methoden werden abschließend im ueberblick dargestellt.
The clerodane diterpenoids trans-kolavenolic acid, 18-oxocleroda-3,13(E)-dien-15-oic acid, ent-(18- hydroxycarbonyl)-cleroda- 3,13(E)-dien-15-oate, 2-oxo-ent-cleroda-3,13(Z)-dien-15-oic acid and trans-2-oxo-ent-cleroda- 13(Z)-en-15-oic acid, and the chlorobenzenoid O-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxycarbonyl-5-pentylphenyl)-3-chloro-4-methoxy-6-pentyl- 2-oxybenzoic acid were isolated from Tessmannia martiniana var pauloi and T. martiniana var matiniana. Structures were established based on interpretation of spectroscopic data. Some of the compounds exhibited significant antimosquito, antifungal and antibacterial activities.
The first conformational analysis of 3-silathiane and its C-substituted derivatives, namely, 3,3-dimethyl-3- silathiane 1, 2,3,3-trimethyl-3-silathiane 2, and 2-trimethylsilyl-3,3-dimethyl-3-silathiane 3 was performed by using dynamic NMR spectroscopy and B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) quantum chemical calculations. From coalescence temperatures, ring inversion barriers ;G; for 1 and 2 were estimated to be 6.3 and 6.8;kcal/mol, respectively. These values are considerably lower than that of thiacyclohexane (9.4;kcal/mol) but slightly higher than the one of 1,1- dimethylsilacyclohexane (5.5;kcal/mol). The conformational free energy for the methyl group in 2 (;;G°;=;0.35;kcal/mol) derived from low-temperature 13C NMR data is fairly consistent with the calculated value. For compound 2, theoretical calculations give ;E value close to zero for the equilibrium between the 2-Meax and 2-Meeq conformers. The calculated equatorial preference of the trimethylsilyl group in 3 is much more pronounced (;;G°;=;1.8;kcal/mol) and the predominance of the 3-SiMe3 eq conformer at room temperature was confirmed by the simulated 1H NMR and 2D NOESY spectra. The effect of the 2-substituent on the structural parameters of 2 and 3 is discussed.
The push-pull characters of a large series of donor-acceptor substituted azo dyesù71 structures in allùhave been quantified by the NN double bond lengths, dNN, the 15N NMR chemical shift differences, ;;15N, of the two nitrogen atoms and the quotient, ;*/;, of the occupations of the antibonding ;*, and bonding ; orbitals of this partial NN double bond. The excellent correlation of the occupation quotients with the bond lengths strongly infers that both ;*/; and dNN are excellent parameters for quantifying charge alternation in the push-pull chromophore and the molecular hyperpolarizability, ;0, of these compounds. By this approach, selected compounds can be appropriately considered as viable candidates for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications.
The through space NMR shieldings (TSNMRS) of dodecahedrane C20H20, of the isomeric hydrocarbons C20H12, of the ions C20H122+ and C20H122- of the fluxional fullerene C20 and of its dication C202+ have been ab initio calculated employing the NICS concept on basis of MP2/6-31G* geometries and visualized as iso-chemical-shielding/deshielding surfaces (ICSSs). TSNMRS values were employed to study the exohedral magnetic properties of the compounds studied. Hereby, the curved It-conjugation in the compounds studied could be quantified.
Identification of benzenoid and quinonoid structures by through-space NMR shieldings (TSNMRS)
(2010)
A new approach to analyze multi-component Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR spectra by combining the STD and the DOSY experiment is proposed. The resulting pulse sequence was successfully used to simplify an exemplary multi- component protein/substrate system by means of standard DOSY processing methods. Furthermore, the same experiment could be applied to calculate the ratio of saturated substrate molecules and its saturation rate in the case of competitive interactions. This ratio depends on the strength of this interaction between the substrates and the protein, so that this kind of information could be extracted from the results of our experiment.
Intramolecular deactivation processes in complexes of salicylic acid or glycolic acid with Eu(III)
(2010)
The complexation of Eu(III) by 2-hydroxy benzoic acid (2HB) or glycolic acid (GL) was investigated using steady- state and time-resolved laser spectroscopy. Experiments were carried out in H2O as well as in D2O in the temperature range of View the MathML source. The Eu(III) luminescence spectra and luminescence decay times were evaluated with respect to the temperature dependence of (i) the luminescence decay time ;, (ii) the energy of the View the MathML source transition, (iii) the width of the View the MathML source transition, and (iv) the asymmetry ratio calculated from the luminescence intensities of the View the MathML source and View the MathML source transition, respectively. The differences in ligand-related luminescence quenching are discussed. Based on the temperature dependence of the luminescence decay times an activation energy for the ligand-specific non-radiative deactivation in Eu(III)-2HB or Eu(III)-GL complexes was determined. It is stressed that ligand-specific quenching processes (other than OH quenching induced by water molecules) need to be determined and considered in detail, in order to extract speciation- relevant information from luminescence data (e.g., estimation of the number of water molecules nH2O in the first coordination sphere of Eu(III)). In case of 2HB, conclusions drawn from the evaluation of the Eu(III) luminescence are compared with results of a X-ray structure analysis.
4-Alkyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1,4,2,6-oxaazadisilinanes RN[CH2Si(Me)2]2O [R = Me (1), i-Pr (2)] were synthesized by two methods which provided good yields up to 84%. Low temperature NMR study of compounds (1) and (2) revealed a frozen ring inversion with the energy barriers of 8.5 and 7.7 kcal/mol at 163 and 143 K, respectively, which is substantially lower than that for their carbon analog, N-methylmorpholine. DFT calculations performed on the example of molecule (1) showed that N-Meax conformer to exist in the sofa conformation with the coplanar fragment C-Si-O-Si-C, and its N-Meeq conformer in a flattened chair conformation.
Um Prozesse in biologischen Systemen auf molekularer Ebene zu untersuchen, haben sich vor allem fluoreszenzspektroskopische Methoden bewährt. Die Möglichkeit, einzelne Moleküle zu beobachten, hat zu einem deutlichen Fortschritt im Verständnis von elementaren biochemischen Prozessen geführt. Zu einer der bekanntesten Methoden der Einzelmolekülspektroskopie zählt die Fluoreszenz-Korrelations-Spektroskopie (FCS), mit deren Hilfe intramolekulare und diffusionsgesteuerte Prozesse in einem Zeitbereich von µs bis ms untersucht werden können. Durch die Verwendung von sog. Fluoreszenzsonden können Informationen über deren molekulare Mikroumgebung erhalten werden. Insbesondere für die konfokale Mikroskopie und die Einzelmolekülspektroskopie werden Fluoreszenzfarbstoffe mit einer hohen Photostabilität und hohen Fluoreszenzquantenausbeute benötigt. Aufgrund ihrer hohen Fluoreszenzquantenausbeute und der Möglichkeit, maßgeschneiderte“ Farbstoffe in einem breiten Spektralbereich für die Absorption und Fluoreszenz zu entwickeln, sind Cyaninfarbstoffe von besonderem Interesse für bioanalytische Anwendungen. Als Fluoreszenzmarker finden diese Farbstoffe insbesondere in der klinischen Diagnostik und den Lebenswissenschaften Verwendung. Die in dieser Arbeit verwendeten Farbstoffe DY-635 und DY-647 sind zwei typische Vertreter dieser Farbstoffklasse. Durch Modifizierung können die Farbstoffe kovalent an biologisch relevante Moleküle gebunden werden. Aufgrund ihres Absorptionsmaximums oberhalb von 630nm werden sie insbesondere in der Bioanalytik eingesetzt. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die spektroskopischen Eigenschaften der Cyaninfarbstoffe DY-635 und DY-647 in biomimetischen und biologischen Modellsystemen untersucht. Zur Charakterisierung wurden dabei neben der Absorptionsspektroskopie insbesondere fluoreszenzspektroskopische Methoden verwendet. Dazu zählen die zeitkorrelierte Einzelphotonenzählung zur Ermittlung des Fluoreszenzabklingverhaltens, Fluoreszenz-Korrelations-Spektroskopie (FCS) zur Beobachtung von Diffusions- und photophysikalischen Desaktivierungsprozessen und die zeitaufgelöste Fluoreszenzanisotropie zur Untersuchung der Rotationsdynamik und Beweglichkeit der Farbstoffe im jeweiligen Modellsystem. Das Biotin-Streptavidin-System wurde als Modellsystem für die Untersuchung von Protein-Ligand-Wechselwirkungen verwendet, da der Bindungsmechanismus weitgehend aufgeklärt ist. Nach Bindung der Farbstoffe an Streptavidin wurde eine erhebliche Veränderung in den Absorptions- und Fluoreszenzeigenschaften beobachtet. Es wird angenommen, dass diese spektralen Veränderungen durch Wechselwirkung von benachbarten, an ein Streptavidintetramer gebundenen Farbstoffmolekülen und Bildung von H-Dimeren verursacht wird. Für das System Biotin-Streptavidin ist bekannt, dass während der Bindung des Liganden (Biotin) an das Protein eine Konformationsänderung auftritt. Anhand von zeitaufgelösten Fluoreszenzanisotropieuntersuchungen konnte in dieser Arbeit gezeigt werden, dass diese strukturellen Veränderungen zu einer starken Einschränkung der Beweglichkeit des Farbstoffes DY-635B führen. Liegt eine Mischung von ungebundenem und Streptavidin-gebundenem Farbstoff vor, können die Anisotropieabklingkurven nicht nach einem exponentiellen Verlauf angepasst werden. Es konnte im Rahmen dieser Arbeit gezeigt werden, dass in diesem Fall die Auswertung mit Hilfe des Assoziativen Anisotropiemodells möglich ist, welches eine Unterscheidung der Beiträge aus den zwei verschiedenen Mikroumgebungen ermöglicht. Als zweites Modellsystem dieser Arbeit wurden Mizellen des nichtionischen Tensids Tween-20 eingesetzt. Mizellen bilden eines der einfachsten Systeme, um die Mikroumgebung einer biologischen Membran nachzuahmen. Sind die Farbstoffe in den Mizellen eingelagert, so kommt es zu keiner Veränderung der Mizellgröße. Die ermittelten Werte des Diffusionskoeffizienten der mizellar eingelagerten Farbstoffe spiegeln demzufolge die Translationsbewegung der Tween-20-Mizellen wider. Die Beweglichkeit der Farbstoffe innerhalb der Tween-20-Mizellen wurde durch zeitaufgelöste Fluoreszenzanisotropiemessungen untersucht. Neben der „Wackelbewegung“, entsprechend dem wobble-in-a-cone-Modell, wird zusätzlich noch die laterale Diffusion der Farbstoffe entlang der Mizelloberfläche beschrieben.
Gesunde sowie qualitativ hochwertige Nahrungsmittel sind wichtige Voraussetzungen, um einerseits die Lebensmittelsicherheit entlang der Wertschöpfungskette (Wachstum, Verarbeitung, Lagerung und Transport) und andererseits einen vorbeugenden Verbraucherschutz zu gewährleisten. Die Belastung der Nahrung mit Rückständen jeglicher Art war in letzter Zeit häufig Mittelpunkt heftiger öffentlicher Diskussionen. Zahlreiche Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass unter bestimmten Bedingungen durch Pilze gebildete Giftstoffe, so genannte Mykotoxine, die Ernteprodukte belasten und es bei deren Verzehr durch Menschen oder Tiere zu Vergiftungen kommen kann. Die FAO schätzt, dass etwa 25% der Weltproduktion von Nahrungsmitteln mit Mykotoxinen kontaminiert und in 20% der Getreideernte der Europäischen Union messbare Konzentrationen an Mykotoxinen detektierbar sind. Damit die Lebensmittelsicherheit weiterhin gewährleistet bleibt, werden neben den Routinemethoden schnellere und zerstörungsfreie Methoden benötigt, um die Lebensmittel direkt vor Ort auf Schimmelpilze und deren Mykotoxine zu untersuchen. In dieser Arbeit wird das Potenzial von ausgewählten optisch-basierten spektroskopischen Methoden für die in-situ bzw. in-line Detektion von Schimmelpilzen sowie Mykotoxinen in Getreide(produkten) untersucht. Es werden Absorptions- und Reflexionsmethoden einerseits und Fluoreszenztechniken andererseits eingesetzt. Die spektroskopischen Methoden werden dabei auf Proben unterschiedlicher Komplexität angewandt - beginnend mit der Untersuchung der photophysikalischen Eigenschaften der reinen Mykotoxine in Lösung über künstlich mit verschiedenen Mykotoxinen kontaminierten Getreideproben bis hin zu mit Pilzen befallenem Getreide und hochveredelte Lebensmittel (Wein und Bier) als Proben höchster Komplexität.
3,4-Dihydro-2-H-pyran and oxalyl chloride react, depending on the conditions, to keto esters, a pyran-3- carboxylic acid or derivatives thereof, or to an hitherto unknown bicyclic acetal containing a vinyl chloride moiety. The structure of the latter product has been unambiguously elucidated by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. A mechanism for its formation is proposed.
Near edge X-ray absorption. ne structure and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been employed to follow the reversible trans to cis isomerization of tetra-tert-butyl-azobenzene (TBA) adsorbed on Au(111). For one monolayer the molecules adopt an adsorption geometry characteristic of the trans-TBA isomer. The azo-bridge (N = N) is aligned nearly parallel to the surface and the phenyl rings exhibit a planar orientation with a small tilt angle <= 4 degrees with respect to the surface normal. Illumination of the molecular layer at 455 nm triggers the trans to cis isomerization which is associated with a pronounced change of the geometrical and electronic structure. The N1s to pi* transition of the central azo-bridge shifts by 0.45 +/- 0.05 eV to higher photon energy and the transition dipole moment (TDM) is tilted by 59 +/- 5 degrees with respect to the surface normal. The pi-system of one phenyl ring is tilted by about 30 degrees with respect to the surface normal, while the second ring plane is oriented nearly perpendicular to the surface. This reorientation is supported by a shift and broadening of the C-H resonances associated with the tert-butyl legs of the molecule. These findings support a configuration of the photo-switched TBA molecule on Au(111) which is comparable to the cis-isomer of the free molecule. In the photo-stationary state 53 +/- 5% of the TBA molecules are switched to the cis configuration. Thermal activation induces the back reaction to trans-TBA.
Metal-ion-induced self-assembly in aqueous solution of the rigid ligand 1,4-bis(2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine-4'-yl)benzene (1) with Fe(OAc)(2) and Ni(OAc)(2) is investigated with viscosimetry, SANS, and AFM. Ligand 1 forms extended, rigid-rod like metallo-supramolecular coordination polyeectrolytes (MEPEs) with a molar mass of up to 200 000 g mol(-1) under the Current experimental conditions. The molar mass depends oil concentration, stoichiometry, and time. By spin-coating MEPEs oil a solid surface, we call image the MEPEs in real space by AFM. Both AFM and SANS confirm the extended rigid-rod-type structure of the MEPEs. As a control experiment, we also studied the flexible ligand 1,3-bis[4'-oxa(2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridinyl)]propane (2). Ligand 2 does not form extended macro-assemblies but likely ringlike structures with three 10 four repeat units. Finally, we present it protocol to control the stoichiometry during self-assembly using conductometry, which is of paramount importance to obtain meaningful and reproducible results.
Metal ion induced self-assembly of the rigid ligand 1,4-bis(2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine- 4'-yl) benzene (1) with Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) acetate in aqueous solution results in extended, rigid- rod like metallosupramolecular coordination polyelectrolytes (MEPE-1). Under the current experimental conditions the molar masses range from 1000 g mol(-1) up to 500 000 g mol(-1). The molar mass depends on concentration, stoichiometry, metal-ion and time. In addition, we present viscosity measurements, small angle neutron scattering and AFM data. We introduce a protocol to precisely control the stoichiometry during self-assembly using conductometry. The protocol can be used with different terpyridine ligands and the above-mentioned metal ions and is of paramount importance to obtain meaningful and reproducible results. As a control experiment we studied the mononuclear 4'- (phenyl)2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine (3) complex with Ni(II) and Zn(II) and the flexible ligand 1,3- bis[4'-oxa(2,2': 6',2 ''-terpyridinyl)] propane (2) with Ni(II) acetate (Ni-MEPE-2). This ligand does not form extended macroassemblies but likely ring-like structures with 3 to 4 repeat units. Through spin- coating of Ni-MEPE-1 on a solid surface we can image the MEPEs in real space by AFM. SANS measurements of Fe-MEPE-1 verify the extended rigid-rod type structure of the MEPEs in aqueous solution.
Fluoroionophores of fluorophore-spacer-receptor format were prepared for detection of PdCl2 by fluorescence enhancement. The fluorophore probes 1-13 consist of a fluorophore group, in alkyl spacer and a dithiomaleonitrile PdCl2 receptor. First, varying the length of the alkylene spacer (compounds 1-3) revealed, dominant through-space pathway for oxidative photoinduced electron transfer (PET) in CH2-bridged dithiomaleonitrile fluoroionophores. Second. fluorescent probes 4-9 containing two anthracene or pyrene fragments connected through CH2 bridges to the dithiomaleonitrile unit were synthesized. Modulation of the oxidation potential (E-Ox) through electron-withdrawing or -donating groups on the anthracene moiety regulates file thermodynamic driving force for oxidative PET (Delta G(PET)) in bis(anthrylmethylthio)maleonitriles and therefore the fluorescence quantum yields (Phi(f)), too. The new concept was confirmed and transferred to pyrenyl ligands, and fluorescence enhancements (FE) greater than 3.2 in the presence of PdCl2 were achieved by 7 and 8 (FE=5.4 and 5.2). Finally, for comparison, monofluorophore ligands 10-13 were synthesized.
Fluoroionophores of fluorophore-spacer-receptor format were prepared for detection of PdCl2 by fluorescence enhancement. The fluorescent probes 1-13 consist of a fluorophore group, an alkyl spacer and a dithiomaleonitrile PdCl2 receptor. First, varying the length of the alkylene spacer (compounds 1-3) revealed a dominant through-space pathway for oxidative photoinduced electron transfer (PET) in CH2-bridged dithiomaleonitrile fluoroionophores. Second, fluorescent probes 4-9 containing two anthracene or pyrene fragments connected through CH2 bridges to the dithiomaleonitrile unit were synthesized. Modulation of the oxidation potential (EOx) through electron-withdrawing or -donating groups on the anthracene moiety regulates the thermodynamic driving force for oxidative PET (GPET) in bis(anthrylmethylthio)maleonitriles and therefore the fluorescence quantum yields (f), too. The new concept was confirmed and transferred to pyrenyl ligands, and fluorescence enhancements (FE) greater than 3.2 in the presence of PdCl2 were achieved by 7 and 8 (FE=5.4 and 5.2). Finally, for comparison, monofluorophore ligands 10-13 were synthesized.
The report shows that simple LbL deposition of positively charged chitosan and negatively charged heparin can be used to efficiently modify the native surface of both NiTi and Ti without any previous treatments. Moreover, mineralization of the polymer multilayers with calcium phosphate leads to surfaces with low contact angles around 70 and 20 degrees for NiTi and Ti, respectively. This suggests that a polymer multilayer/calcium phosphate hybrid coating could be useful for making NiTi or Ti implants that are at the same time antibacterial (via the chitosan), suppress blood clot formation (via the heparin), and favor fast endothelialization (via the improved surface hydrophilicity compared to the respective neat material).
Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the search for synthetic methods leading to functionalized porphyrins, especially for modification of either the beta- or meso positions. For the latter, total synthesis based on condensation methods or partial synthesis through functionalization of preformed porphyrin have emerged as possible methods. The increasing number of possible technical and medicinal applications for unsymmetrically meso-substituted porphyrins requires straightforward methods for the preparation of the so-called ABCD-porphyrins, i.e., porphyrins with up to four different meso substituents. Here, we describe new strategies for the synthesis of ABCD-type porphyrins based on porphyrin reactions with organolithium reagents and the use of Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions. With the whole repertoire of contemporary functionalization methods, a comprehensive analysis and comparison of the various strategies for A-, AB-, A(2)B-, ABC-, A(2)BC- and ABCD-type porphyrins is given. In addition, we report on the synthesis of new functionalized derivatives for some of these porphyrin classes. In practical terms and taking an applied-science- oriented approach, the synthesis of unsymmetrically meso-substituted porphyrins is best accomplished by a combination of well-developed condensation methods with subsequent functionalization. by organolithium compounds or transition-metal- catalyzed coupling protocols. The methods described are suitable for the preparation of porphyrins for many divergent applications ranging over amphiphilic porphyrins for photodynamic therapy, push-pull systems for optical applications and chiral systems useful in catalysis to donor-acceptor systems suitable for electron-transfer studies.
The reaction of styrene with trifluoromethanesulfonyl nitrene generated from trifluoromethanesulfonamide in the system (t-BuOCl+NaI) results in the formation of trifluoro-N-[2-phenyl-2-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) aminoethyl]methanesulfonamide, 1-pheny1-2-iodo-ethanol, and 2,5-diphenyl-1,4-bis(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)piperazine rather than the expected product of aziridination, 2-phenyl-1-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) aziridine. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed.
Individual rate coefficients for 1H,1H,2H,2H-tridecafluorooctyl methacrylate radical polymerizations
(2010)
Kinetic data for radical polymerizations of 1H,1H,2H,2H-tridecafluorooctyl methacrylate (TDFOMA) in bulk is reported. Pulsed laser initiated polymerizations yield propagation rate coefficients, k(p), which are by a factor of 1.9 higher than methyl methacrylate k(p). The activation energy of TDFOMA k(p) is not significantly different from that of alkyl methacrylates. Chain-length averaged termination rate coefficients were estimated from chemically initiated polymerizations with in-line FT-NIR spectroscopic monitoring of monomer conversion. Up to 30% of monomer conversion TDFOMA termination rate coefficients are only slightly below MMA low conversion values. The result is suggested to be due to less interactions between the macroradicals compared to nonfluorinated systems.
Propagation and chain-length averaged termination rate coefficients, k(p) and <k(t)>, for radical polymerizations of methacrylates carrying poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units are reported. kp derived from pulsed laser initiated polymerizations in bulk, in organic solvents, and in ionic liquids follows the methacrylate-type family behavior. Contrary, diffusion controlled k(t) values obtained from chemically initiated polymerizations with in-line FT- NIR monitoring of monomer conversion are strongly affected by the PEG units in the ester group. Compared to alkyl methacrylates <k(t)> is unexpectedly high. Moreover, <k(t)> of poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate shows a significant reduction in k(t) already at 15% conversion, whereas dodecyl methacrylate <k(t)> is constant up to at least 70% conversion.
Linear amphiphilic diblock and ternary triblock copolymers were synthesized by the RAFT method in three Successive Steps, using oligo(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether acrylate, butyl or 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyl acrylate. The diblock and the triblock copolymers, which consist of a hydrophilic, a lipophilic, and a fluorophilic block, self-assemble in water into spherical micellar aggregates. Imaging by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) revealed that the cores of the micellar aggregates made from these "triphilic" copolymers undergo local phase separation to form various ultrastructures, which depend sensitivity on the given block sequence. While the sequence hydrophilic-lipophilic-fluorophilic resulted in multicompartment cores with core-shell-corona morphology, the sequence lipophilic-hydrophilic-fluorophilic provided new "patched double micelle" and larger "soccer ball" structures.
A series of nitrogen ligand (L)/copper complexes of the type [(CuL)-L-I](+), [(CuL)-L-II(X)](+) and [(CuL2)-L- I](+) (X = Cl-, BF4-, acac(-), CH3COO- and SO3CF3-) was studied in the gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The following ligands (L) were employed: 1,12-diazaperylene (dap), 1,1'-bisiso-quinoline (bis), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,11-disubstituted 1,12-diazaperylenes (dap), 3,3'- disubstituted 1,1'-bisisoquinoline (bis), 5,8-dimethoxy-substituted diazaperylene (meodap), 6,6'-dimethoxy- substituted bisisoquinoline (meobis) and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen). Collision-induced decomposition measurements were applied to evaluate the relative stabilities of the different copper complexes. The influence of the spatial arrangement of the ligands, of the type of substituents and of the counter ion of the copper salts employed for the complexation was examined. Correlations were found between the binding constants of the [ML2](+) complexes in solution and the relative stabilities of the analogous complexes in the gas phase. Furthermore, complexation with the ligands 2,11-dialkylated 1,12-diazaperylenes [alkyl = ethyl (dedap) and isopropyl (dipdap)] was studied in the solvents CH3OH and CH3CN.
The polarity of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids containing hexafluorophosphate, tetrafluoroborate, dicyanoimide, or bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide as anions and a variation of the alkyl-chain length of the cation are investigated by both solvatochromic dyes and spin probes. Two different polarity scales are used for discussion of the polarity of these ionic liquids. These polarity scales are the empirical Kamlet-Taft parameters alpha, beta, and pi* and the hyperfine coupling constants A(iso)(N-14) obtained for spin probes substituted either with an ammonio or a sulfate group at 4-position. The results show that both polarity scales are valid for description of the ionic liquid polarity although differences are found between the two polarity scales. The most clear trend is found in all ionic liquids investigated for the hydrogen-bond accepting ability (beta) and the hyperfine- coupling constant of the anionic spin probe, where both parameters increase for all ionic liquids investigated until an alkyl chain length of eight carbon atoms and keep constant at longer alkyl chains.
New spin probes bearing the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-yloxyl covalently bound to the imidazolium ion via a methylene spacer and an amide group are synthesized. If the anion is bis(trifluoromethylsulfonylimide) instead of iodide, the new spin probe has a similar structure as that of an ionic liquid. Nevertheless, the new spin probes are useful tools to investigate ionic liquids.
The influence of the alkyl chain length in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonylimide)s is studied to explore the rotation of piperidine-1-yloxyl derivatives substituted with either hydrogen bonding hydroxy group or ionic substituents, such as the cationic trimethylammonium or the anionic sulfate group placed at the 4 position. Structural variation of the ionic liquids results in differences of their viscosity influencing the rotation of the spin probes. The size of the average rotational correlation times of the spin probes dissolved in the ionic liquids depends further on the additional substituent in 4-position at these spin probes. The rotational correlation time exhibits a linear dependence on the ionic liquid viscosity in the case of the spin probe forming hydrogen bonding with the ionic liquids. In contrast to this, a deviation from the Stokes-Einstein behavior is found in the case of rotation of the charged spin probes in the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis( trifluoromethylsulfonylimide) s substituted with a longer alkyl chain. This effect may be explained by phase separation on a molecular level between the charged part of the ionic liquid and the longer alkyl chains bound at the imidazolium ion. Although the neutral and the cationic spin probes show only a slight dependence between ionic liquid structure variation and the hyperfine coupling constants, structural effects cause changes in the hyperfine coupling constants in the case of the anionic spin probes. These probes strongly interact with the imidazolium ion.
The stable 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-yloxyl and its derivatives with hydrogen-bond-forming (-OH, -OSO3H), anionic (-OSO3- bearing K+ or [K(18-crown-6)](+) as counter ion), or cationic (-N+-(CH3)(3) bearing I-, BF4-, PF6- or N- (SO2CF3)(2) as counter ion) substituents are investigated in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide over a wide temperature range. The temperature dependence of the viscosity of the ionic liquid is well described by the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation. Interestingly, the temperature dependence of the rotational correlation time of the spin probes substituted with either a hydrogen-bond-forming group or an ionic substituent can be described using the Stokes-Einstein equation. In contrast, the temperature dependence of the rotational correlation time of the spin probe without an additional substituent at the 4-position to the nitroxyl group does not follow this trend. The activation energy for the mobility of the unsubstituted spin probe, determined from an Arrhenius plot of the spin-probe mobility in the ionic liquid above the melting temperature, is comparable with the activation energy for the viscous flow of the ionic liquid, but is higher for spin probes bearing an additional substituent at the 4-position. Quantum chemical calculations of the spin probes using the 6-31G+d method give information about the rotational volume of the spin probes and the spin density at the nitrogen atom of the radical structure as a function of the substituent at the spin probes in the presence and absence of a counter ion. The results of these calculations help in understanding the effect of the additional substituent on the experimentally determined isotropic hyperfine coupling constant.
With the rise of nanotechnology in the last decade, nanofluidics has been established as a research field and gained increased interest in science and industry. Natural aqueous nanofluidic systems are very complex, there is often a predominance of liquid interfaces or the fluid contains charged or differently shaped colloids. The effects, promoted by these additives, are far from being completely understood and interesting questions arise with regards to the confinement of such complex fluidic systems. A systematic study of nanofluidic processes requires designing suitable experimental model nano – channels with required characteristics. The present work employed thin liquid films (TLFs) as experimental models. They have proven to be useful experimental tools because of their simple geometry, reproducible preparation, and controllable liquid interfaces. The thickness of the channels can be adjusted easily by the concentration of electrolyte in the film forming solution. This way, channel dimensions from 5 – 100 nm are possible, a high flexibility for an experimental system. TLFs have liquid IFs of different charge and properties and they offer the possibility to confine differently shaped ions and molecules to very small spaces, or to subject them to controlled forces. This makes the foam films a unique “device” available to obtain information about fluidic systems in nanometer dimensions. The main goal of this thesis was to study nanofluidic processes using TLFs as models, or tools, and to subtract information about natural systems plus deepen the understanding on physical chemical conditions. The presented work showed that foam films can be used as experimental models to understand the behavior of liquids in nano – sized confinement. In the first part of the thesis, we studied the process of thinning of thin liquid films stabilized with the non – ionic surfactant n – dodecyl – β – maltoside (β – C₁₂G₂) with primary interest in interfacial diffusion processes during the thinning process dependent on surfactant concentration 64. The surfactant concentration in the film forming solutions was varied at constant electrolyte (NaCl) concentration. The velocity of thinning was analyzed combining previously developed theoretical approaches. Qualitative information about the mobility of the surfactant molecules at the film surfaces was obtained. We found that above a certain limiting surfactant concentration the film surfaces were completely immobile and they behaved as non – deformable, which decelerated the thinning process. This follows the predictions for Reynolds flow of liquid between two non – deformable disks. In the second part of the thesis, we designed a TLF nanofluidic system containing rod – like multivalent ions and compared this system to films containing monovalent ions. We presented first results which recognized for the first time the existence of an additional attractive force in the foam films based on the electrostatic interaction between rod – like ions and oppositely charged surfaces. We may speculate that this is an ion bridging component of the disjoining pressure. The results show that for films prepared in presence of spermidine the transformation of the thicker CF to the thinnest NBF is more probable as films prepared with NaCl at similar conditions of electrostatic interaction. This effect is not a result of specific adsorption of any of the ions at the fluid surfaces and it does not lead to any changes in the equilibrium properties of the CF and NBF. Our hypothesis was proven using the trivalent ion Y3+ which does not show ion bridging. The experimental results are compared to theoretical predictions and a quantitative agreement on the system’s energy gain for the change from CF to NBF could be obtained. In the third part of the work, the behavior of nanoparticles in confinement was investigated with respect to their impact on the fluid flow velocity. The particles altered the flow velocity by an unexpected high amount, so that the resulting changes in the dynamic viscosity could not be explained by a realistic change of the fluid viscosity. Only aggregation, flocculation and plug formation can explain the experimental results. The particle systems in the presented thesis had a great impact on the film interfaces due to the stabilizer molecules present in the bulk solution. Finally, the location of the particles with respect to their lateral and vertical arrangement in the film was studied with advanced reflectivity and scattering methods. Neutron Reflectometry studies were performed to investigate the location of nanoparticles in the TLF perpendicular to the IF. For the first time, we study TLFs using grazing incidence small angle X – ray scattering (GISAXS), which is a technique sensitive to the lateral arrangement of particles in confined volumes. This work provides preliminary data on a lateral ordering of particles in the film.
Mit Seitenkettenpolystyrenen wurde ein neues Synthesekonzept für phosphoreszente polymere LED-Materialien aufgestellt und experimentell verifiziert. Zunächst erfolgten auf Grundlage strukturell einfacher Verbindungen Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Spacern zwischen aktiven Seitengruppen und dem Polystyrenrückgrat. Es wurden Synthesemethoden für die Monomere etabliert, durch die aktive Elemente - Elektronen- und Lochleiter - mit und ohne diesen Spacer zugänglich sind. Durch Kombination dieser Monomere waren unter Hinzunahme von polymerisierbaren Iridium-Komplexen in unterschiedlicher Emissionswellenlänge statistische Terpolymere darstellbar. Es wurde gezeigt, dass die Realisierung bestimmter Verhältnisse zwischen Loch-, Elektronenleiter und Triplettemitter in ausreichender Molmasse möglich ist. Die Glasstufen der Polymere zeigten eine deutliche Strukturabhängigkeit. Auf die Lage der Grenzorbitale übten die Spacer nahezu keinen Einfluss aus. Die unterschiedlichen Makromoleküle kamen in polymeren Licht emittierenden Dioden (PLEDs) zum Einsatz, wobei ein deutlicher Einfluss der Spacereinheiten auf die Leistungscharakteristik der PLEDs festzustellen war: Sowohl Effizienz, Leuchtdichte wie auch Stromdichte waren durch den Einsatz der kompakten Makromoleküle ohne Spacer deutlich höher. Diese Beobachtungen begründeten sich hauptsächlich in der Verwendung der aliphatischen Spacer, die den Anteil im Polymer erhöhten, der keine Konjugation und damit elektrisch isolierende Eigenschaften besaß. Diese Schlussfolgerungen waren mit allen drei realisierten Emissionsfarben grün, rot und blau verifizierbar. Die besten Messergebnisse erzielte eine PLED aus einem grün emittierenden und spacerlosen Terpolymer mit einer Stromeffizienz von etwa 28 cd A-1 (bei 6 V) und einer Leuchtdichte von 3200 cd m-2 (bei 8 V). Ausgehend von obigen Ergebnissen konnten neue Matrixmaterialien aus dem Bereich verdampfbarer Moleküle geringer Molmasse in das Polystyrenseitenkettenkonzept integriert werden. Es wurden Strukturvariationen sowohl von loch- wie auch von elektronenleitenden Verbindungen als Homopolymere dargestellt und als molekular dotierte Systeme in PLEDs untersucht. Sieben verschiedene lochleitende Polymere mit Triarylamin-Grundkörper und drei elektronendefizitäre Polymere auf der Basis von Phenylbenzimidazol konnten erfolgreich in den Polymeransatz integriert werden. Spektroskopische und elektrochemische Untersuchungen zeigten kaum eine Veränderung der Charakteristika zwischen verdampfbaren Molekülen und den dargestellten Makromolekülen. Diese ladungstransportierenden Makro-moleküle wurden als polymere Matrizes molekular dotiert und lösungsbasiert zu Einschicht-PLEDs verarbeitet. Als aussichtsreichstes Lochleiterpolymer dieser Reihe, mit einer Strom-effizenz von etwa 33 cd A-1 (bei 8 V) und einer Leuchtdichte von 6700 cd m-2 (bei 10 V), stellte sich ein Triarylaminderivat mit Carbazolsubstituenten heraus. Als geeignetstes Matrixmaterial für die Elektronenleitung wurde ein meta-verknüpftes Di-Phenylbenzimidazol ausfindig gemacht, das in der PLED eine Stromeffizienz von etwa 20 cd A-1 (bei 8 V) und eine Leuchtdichte von 7100 cd m-2 (bei 10 V) erzielte. Anschließend wurden die geeignetsten Monomere zu Copolymeren kombiniert: Die lochleitende Einheit bildete ein carbazolylsubstituiertes Triarylamin und die elektronen-leitende Einheit war ein disubstituiertes Phenylbenzimidazol. Dieses Copolymer diente im Folgenden dazu, PLEDs zu realisieren und die Leistungsdaten mit denen eines Homopolymer-blends zu vergleichen, wobei der Blend die bessere Leistungscharakteristik zeigte. Mit dem Homopolymerblend waren Bauteileffizienzen von annähernd 30 cd A-1 (bei 10 V) und Leuchtdichten von 6800 cd m-2 neben einer Verringerung der Einsatzspannung realisierbar. Für die abschließende Darstellung bipolarer Blockcopolymere wurde auf die Nitroxid-vermittelte Polymerisation zurückgegriffen. Mit dieser Technik waren kontrollierte radikalische Polymersiationen mit ausgewählten Monomeren in unterschiedlichen Block-längen durchführbar. Diese Blockcopolymere kamen als molekular dotierte Matrizes in phosphoreszenten grün emittierenden PLEDs zum Einsatz. Die Bauteile wurden sowohl mit statistischen Copolymeren, wie auch mit Homopolymerblends in gleicher Zusammensetzung aber unterschiedlichem Polymerisationsgrad hinsichtlich der Leistungscharakteristik verglichen. Kernaussage dieser Untersuchungen ist, dass hochmolekulare Systeme eine bessere Leistungscharakteristik aufweisen als niedermolekulare Matrizes. Über Rasterkraft-mikroskopie konnte eine Phasenseparation in einem Größenbereich von etwa 10 nm für den hochmolekularen Homopolymerblend nachgewiesen werden. Für die Blockcopolymere war es nicht möglich eine Phasenseparation zu beobachten, was vorwiegend auf deren zu geringe Blocklänge zurückgeführt wurde.
Zeolites NaY and ZSM-5 were used as hosts for styrene polymerization after ion-exchange with europium ions. The parent and hybrid, polystyrene coated Eu-NaY (Eu-NaY/PS) and Eu-ZSM-5 (Eu-ZSM-5/PS) zeolites were investigated by using thermal analysis, SEM, PXRD, FT-IR, DR-UV/Vis, steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. FT-IR spectra evidenced for the interaction between the zeolitic hosts and polystyrene while the PXRD spectra supported for the presence of the polymer inside the channels/pores of Eu-NaY/PS and Eu-ZSM-5/PS materials. The optical properties of Eu-NaY/PS and Eu-ZSM-5/PS were significantly changed relative to those of the parent zeolites, giving further evidence for the presence of polymer inside zeolites. An interesting case is presented by NaY zeolite: following styrene polymerization, the polymer interacted selectively with one of the two main species co-existing inside zeolite while for ZSM-5 a similar effect was not observed.
Two different types of mesoporous silicon-phosphate supports using different surfactants (a mixture of (CH3)(3)C13H27NBr with an organophosphorus coupling molecule (HO-PO(i-C3H7)(2)) and with a co-surfactant ((C2H5)(3)(C6H5)PCl), respectively) were synthesized. Trivalent europium (Eu) ions were immobilized via ion-exchange on these supports. The resulting materials were characterized using nitrogen adsorption isotherms at -196 degrees C, thermogravimetric analysis, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, PXRD, CP/MAS. (HSi)-H-1-Si-29 and P-31 NMR, DR-UV-vis as well as steady- state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results evidenced that the co-polymerization of silicon and phosphorous yielded a unique morphology in these materials. Following calcination at 450 and 900 degrees C europium- exchanged silicon-phosphates with great surface area (BET=600-705 m(2) g(-1)) and 3.4 nm sized mesopores were obtained. The differences among the optical properties of the non-calcined europium materials such as the emission lifetimes, local environment at the europium sites or the relative contribution of the upper excited levels to the total photoluminescence were assigned to the surfactants used in the synthesis. Calcination of the silicon-phosphates at higher temperatures than 450 degrees C did not induce major changes in the structural properties: in contrast, photoluminescence properties of europium were markedly improved in terms of intensity and average lifetime.
Interactions of the antimicrobial peptide Arenicin with amphiphiles at planar and curved interfaces
(2010)
We present a systematic study of the influence of energy and phase relaxation on dynamic polarizability simulations in the linear response regime. The nonperturbative approach is based on explicit electron dynamics using short laser pulses of low intensities. To include environmental effects on the property calculation, we use the time- dependent configuration-interaction method in its reduced density matrix formulation. Both energy dissipation and nonlocal pure dephasing are included. The explicit treatment of time-resolved electron dynamics gives access to the phase shift between the electric field and the induced dipole moment, which can be used to define a useful uncertainty measure for the dynamic polarizability. The nonperturbative treatment is compared to perturbation theory expressions, as applied to a simple model system, the rigid H-2 molecule. It is shown that both approaches are equivalent for low field intensities, but the time-dependent treatment provides complementary information on the phase of the induced dipole moment, which allows for the definition of an uncertainty associated with the computation of the dynamic polarizability in the linear response regime.
The nonadiabatic coupling of an adsorbate close to a metallic surface leads to electronic damping of adsorbate vibrations and line broadening in vibrational spectroscopy. Here, a perturbative treatment of the electronic contribution to the lifetime broadening serves as a building block for a new approach, in which anharmonic vibrational transition rates are calculated from a position-dependent coupling function. Different models for the coupling function will be tested, all related to embedding theory. The first two are models based on a scattering approach with (i) a jellium-type and (ii) a density functional theory based embedding density, respectively. In a third variant a further refined model is used for the embedding density, and a semiempirical approach is taken in which a scaling factor is chosen to match harmonic, single-site, first-principles transition rates, obtained from periodic density functional theory. For the example of hydrogen atoms on (adsorption) and below (subsurface absorption) a Pd(111) surface, lifetimes of and transition rates between vibrational levels are computed. The transition rates emerging from different models serve as input for the selective subsurface adsorption of hydrogen in palladium starting from an adsorption site, by using sequences of infrared laser pulses in a laser distillation scheme.
Gelatin is a non-immunogenic and degradable biopolymer, which is widely applied in the biomedical field e. g. for drug capsules or as absorbable hemostats. However, gelatin materials present limited and hardly reproducible mechanical properties especially in aqueous systems, particularly caused by the uncontrollable partial renaturation of collagen-like triple helices. Therefore, mechanically demanding applications for gelatin-based materials, such as vascular patches, i.e. hydrogel films that seal large incisions in vessel walls, and for induced autoregeneration, are basically excluded if this challenge is not addressed. Through the synthesis of a defined chemical network of gelatin with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) in DMSO, the self-organization of gelatin chains could be hindered and amorphous gelatin films were successfully prepared having Young's moduli of 60-530 kPa. Transferring the crosslinking reaction with HDI and, alternatively, ethyl lysine diisocyanate (LDI), to water as reaction medium allowed the tailoring of swelling behaviour and mechanical properties by variation of crosslinker content while suppressing the formation of helices. The hydrogels had Young's moduli of 70-740 kPa, compressive moduli of 16-48 kPa, and degrees of swelling of 300-800 vol%. Test reactions investigated by ESI mass spectrometry allowed the identification and quantification of reaction products of the crosslinking reaction. The HDI crosslinked networks were stabilized by direct covalent crosslinks (ca. 10 mol%), supported by grafting (50 mol%) and blending of hydrophobic oligomeric chains. For the LDI- based networks, less crosslinked (3 mol%) and grafted species (5 mol%) and much higher amounts of oligomers were observed. The adjustable hydrogel system enables the application of gelatin-based materials in physiological environments.
Thiol-ene additions of methyl 10-undecenoate, a castor oil derived renewable platform chemical, were studied with the goal of preparing a set of renewable monomers. Good to excellent yields were obtained for these solvent and initiator free thiol-ene additions. The resulting monomers were then polymerized using TBD as a catalyst, to linear as well as hyperbranched polyesters that also contain thio-ether linkages. All thus prepared polymers were fully characterized (NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA) and the results of these investigations will be discussed within this contribution. The thermal analysis of these polymers revealed melting points in the range from 50 to 71 degrees C. Moreover, no significant weight loss was observed below 300 degrees C.
Recently, we introduced a thermoresponsive copolymer that consists of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA) and 2-(2- methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate (MEO(2)MA). The polymer exhibited an LCST at 35 degrees C in PBS buffer and was anchored onto gold substrates using disulfide polymerisation initiators. It allows the noninvasive detachment of adherent cells from their substrate. As the mechanisms that determine the interaction of cells with such polymers are not well understood, we employed Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy in order to monitor the detachment process of cells of two different types. We identified contact area and average cell-substrate distance as crucial parameters for the evaluation of the detachment process. The sensitivity of TIRF microscopy allowed us to correlate the specific adhesion pattern of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with the morphology of cell deposits that may serve as fingerprints for a nondestructive characterisation of live cells.
The surface of carbon black (CB) nanoparticles was functionalized with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) either by trapping of macroradicals or by cycloaddition. PVDF with two iodine end groups (I-PVDF-I) obtained from iodine transfer polymerization in supercritical CO2 was heated in the presence of CB and the C-I bond was cleaved resulting in a reaction between the macroradical and the CB surface. To allow for cycloaddition of PVDF to the CB surface for a number of polymers, the iodine end groups were replaced by azide end groups. In addition, microwave irradiation was applied to the functionalization. The influence of temperature, time, polymer concentration, and polymer molar mass on the functionalization reaction was examined.
Swelling and switching kinetics of gold coated end-capped poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) thin films
(2010)
Thin thermoresponsive hydrogel films of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) end-capped with n-butyltrithiocarbonate(nbc- PNIPAM) oil si I icon supports with a gold layer on top, causing an asymmetric confinement, are investigated. For two different gold layer thicknesses (nominally 0.4 and 5 rim), the swelling and switching kinetics are probed with in situ neutron reflectivity. With a temperature jump from 23 to 40 degrees C the film is switched from a swollen into a collapsed state. For the thin gold layer this switching is faster as compared to the thick gold layer. The switching is a two-step process of water release and a subsequent structural relaxation. fit swelling and deswelling cycles, aging of the films is probed. After five cycles, the film exhibits enhanced water storage capacity. Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) shows that these gold coated nbc-PNIPAM films do not age with respect to the inner structure but slightly roughen at the gold surface. As revealed by atomic force microscopy, the morphology of the gold layer is changed by the water uptake and release.
Polymer libraries offer straightforward opportunities for the investigation of structure property relationships and for a more thorough understanding of certain research problems. Furthermore, if combined with high-throughput methods for their preparation as well as screening, they offer the additional advantage of time savings and/or the reduction of experimental efforts. Thus, the herein discussed methods of polymer library preparation and selected literature examples of polymer libraries describe efficient and state-of-the-art methods to tackle difficult research challenges in polymer and materials science.
An efficient route from myo- to neo-inositol is described. The key steps of the sequence are oxidation of the hydroxy group at C-5 to the corresponding ketone, followed by a highly (dr = 7.8:1) stereoselective reduction. The route includes nine steps with an overall yield of 51% and is therefore superior to all hitherto reported methods for the preparation of neo-inositol.
Smart bioactive surfaces
(2010)
The purpose of this highlight is to define the emerging field of bioactive surfaces. In recent years, various types of synthetic materials capable of "communicating'' with biological objects such as nucleic acids, proteins, polysaccharides, viruses, bacteria or living cells have been described in the literature. This novel area of research certainly goes beyond the traditional field of smart materials and includes different types of sophisticated interactions with biological entities, such as reversible adhesion, conformational control, biologically-triggered release and selective permeation. These novel materials may be 2D planar surfaces as well as colloidal objects or 3D scaffolds. Overall, they show great promise for numerous applications in biosciences and biotechnology. For instance, practical applications of bioactive surfaces in the fields of bioseparation, cell engineering, biochips and stem-cell differentiation are briefly discussed herein.
Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) is the key enzyme of the Calvin cycle, catalyzing the fixation of inorganic carbon dioxide to organic sugars. Unlike most enzymes, RuBisCO is extremely slow, substrate unspecific, and catalyzes undesired side-reactions, which are considered to be responsible for the slow deactivation observed in vitro, a phenomenon known as fallover. Despite the fact that amino acid sequences and the 3D structures of RuBisCO from a variety of species are known, the precise molecular mechanisms for the various side reactions are still unclear. In the present study, we investigate the kinetic properties of RuBisCO using mathematical models. Initially, we formulate a minimal model that quantitatively reflects the kinetic behavior of RuBisCOs from different organisms. By relating rate parameters for single molecular steps to experimentally determined K-m and V-max values, we can examine mechanistic differences among species. The minimal model further demonstrates that two inhibitor producing side reactions are sufficient to describe experimentally determined fallover kinetics. To explain the observed kinetics of the limited capacity of RuBisCO to accept xylulose 1,5-bisphosphate as substrate, the inclusion of other side reactions is necessary. Our model results suggest a yet undescribed alternative enolization mechanism that is supported by the molecular structure. Taken together, the presented models serve as a theoretical framework to explain a wide range of observed kinetic properties of RuBisCOs derived from a variety of species. Thus, we can support hypotheses about molecular mechanisms and can systematically compare enzymes from different origins.
The iron-containing ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate(III) [Bmim][FeCl4] has been used as a building block in the synthesis of transparent, ion-conducting, and paramagnetic ionogels. UV/Vis spectroscopy shows that the coordination around the Fe(III) ion does slightly change upon incorporation of the IL into PMMA. The thermal stability of the PMMA increases significantly with IL incorporation. In particular, the onset weight loss observed at ca. 265 degrees C for pure PMMA is completely suppressed. The ionic conductivity shows a strong temperature dependence and increases with increasing IL weight fractions. The magnetic properties are similar to those reported for the pure IL and are not affected by the incorporation into the PMMA matrix. The resulting ionogel is thus an interesting prototype for soft, flexible, and transparent materials combining the mechanical properties of the matrix with the functionality of the metal-containing IL, such as magnetism.
Amphiphilic dual brush block copolymers as "giant surfactants" and their aqueous self-assembly
(2010)
Amphiphilic dual brush diblock as well as symmetrical triblock polymers were synthesized by the overlay of the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer and the nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) techniques. While poly(ethylene glycol) brushes served as hydrophilic block, the hydrophobic block was made of polystyrene brushes. The resulting "giant surfactants" correspond structurally to the established amphiphilic diblock and triblock copolymer known as macrosurfactants. The aggregation behavior of the novel "giant surfactants" in aqueous solution was studied by dynamic light scattering, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) over a large range in reciprocal space. Further, the self-assembled aggregates Were investigated by scanning force microscopy (SFM) after deposition on differently functionalized ultraflat solid substrates. Despite the high fraction of hydrophobic segments, the polymers form stable mesoscopic, spherical aggregates with hydrodynamic diameters in the range of 150-350 nm. Though prepared from well-defined individual polymers, the aggregates show several similarities to hard core latexes. They are stable enough to he deposited without much changes onto surfaces, where they cluster and show Spontaneous sorting according to their size within the clusters, with the larger aggregates being in the center.