In-situ FTIR study on adsorption and oxidation of native and thermally denatured calf thymus DNA at glassy carbon electrodes

In-situ Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra of native and thermally denatured calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) adsorbed and/or oxidized at a glassy carbon (GC) electrode surface are reported. The adsorption of native DNA occurs throughout the potential range (-0.2 similar to 1.3 V) studied, and the adsorbing state of DNA at electrode surface is changed from through the C=O band of bases and pyrimidine rings to through the C=O of cytosine and imidazole rings while the potential shifts negatively from 1.3 V to -0.2 V. An in-situ FTIR spectrum of native CT DNA adsorbed at GC electrode surface is similar to that of the dissolved DNA, indicating that the structure of CT DNA is not distorted while it is adsorbed at the GC electrode surface. In the potential range of -0.2 similar to 1.30 V, the temperature-denatured CT DNA is adsorbed at the electrode surface first, then undergoes electrochemical oxidation reaction and following that, diffuses away from the electrode surface. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides from 2,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)cycloalkane derivatives

New aromatic diamines [(1) and (2)] containing polycycloalkane structures between two benzene rings were synthesized by HCl-catalyzed condensation reaction of aniline hydrochloride and corresponding polycycloalkanone derivatives. The structures of diamines were identified by H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The polyimides were synthesized from the obtained diamines with various aromatic dianhydrides by one-step polymerization in m-cresol. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polyimides were in the range of 0.34-1.02 dL/g. The polyimides showed good thermal stabilities and solubility. All the polymers were readily soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, m-cresol, tetrachloroethane, etc. Some of them were soluble even in chloroform at room temperature. The glass transition temperatures were observed in the range of 323-363 degrees C, and all of the polymers were stable up to 400 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Polyimide structure-property relationships - I. Polyimide properties vs dianhydride configuration

X-ray crystal structures of 2,2',3,3'-and 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (2,2',3,3'- and 3,3',4,4'-BPDA) were determined. The dianhydride isomers have different symmetry caused by difference in two anhydride group positions and the dihedral angles between the two phenyl rings are 62.9 degrees for 2,2',3,3',-BPDA and 0 degrees for 3,3',4,4'-BPDA respectively. The polyimides from 2,2',3,3'-BPDA exhibit enhanced solubility, higher thermal stability, and higher glass transition temperature (T-g) compared with those from 3,3',4,4'-BPDA.

Metallocene polyethylenes with broad or bimodal molecular weight distribution

Seven new binuclear titanocenes with different linking bridges, unsubstituted or substituted on the Cp rings, were synthesized and tested for their effect on ethylene polymerization in the presence of MAO. The polyethylenes thus obtained had broad MWD or even bimodal GPC curves, as compared with that from two reference mononuclear titanocenes. This is explained by the difference in degree of steric hindrance around the active center sites imposed by the bulky substituted ligands assuming different configurations in the rotation of the catalyst molecules. Lower polymerization temperatures alleviate the effect of these configuration differences, as reflected in change in MW and (M) over bar(w)/(M) over bar(n). This effect is not caused by decomposition or disproportionation of the binuclear titanocenes as evidenced by the stability of the catalyst.

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of neutral C-60 with alkyl methyl ethers under chemical ionization conditions

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of buckminsterfullerene (C-60) with the ion systems generated from the self-chemical ionization of alkyl methyl ethers (CH3OR, R = n-C2H5, n-C3H7, n-C4H9) were studied in the ion source of a mass spectrometer. The adduct cation [C60C2H5O](+) and protonated molecule [C60H](+) were observed as the major products. The former adduct ion was produced by the reactions of C-60 with the methoxymethyl ion [CH3OCH2](+), and the latter resulted from the proton transfer reactions from protonated alkyl methyl ethers to C-60 It is suggested that the [3+2] cycloadduct to a 6-6 bond of C-60 (a C-C bond common to two annulated six-membered rings) is the most favorable structure among the probable isomers of [C60C2H5O](+). (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The formation of ring-banded spherulites of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) in its miscible mixtures with poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)

Ring-banded spherulites in polymer blends of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) were investigated by optical microscopy equipped with a digital image analysis system. PCL/SAN blends exhibit not only spherulites with a Maltese cross, but also distinct extinction rings. The periodic distance of rings changes with blend ratio and crystallization temperature and was plotted as a function of the undercooling and overall mobility of the mixtures, respectively. It was found that the overall mobility of chain segments in the mixtures could be mainly attributed to the origin of the formation of ring-banded spherulites. It was believed that for the first time a quantitative experimental result was obtained about the relationship of periodic distance of rings and the overall mobility of the mixtures. This relationship may be useful to explain the formation mechanism of ring-banded spherulites in polymer blends or even in homopolymers in the future. (C) 1977 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Relationship between structure and gas permeation properties of polyimides prepared from oxydiphthalic dianhydride

Gas permeability coefficients of a series of aromatic polyimides, which were prepared from oxydiphthalic dianhydride (ODPA) with various aromatic diamines, with respect to H-2, CO2, O-2, N-2, and CH4 were measured under 10 atm and in the temperature range from 30 to 150 degrees C. A significant change in gas permeability and permselectivity resulting from systematic variation of the chemical structure of the polyimides was found. Among the polyimides which were prepared from phenylenediamine and its derivatives as well as bridged diamines without side groups on the benzene rings of the diamine residues, the increase of the gas permeability is accompanied by a decrease of the permselectivity. However, both the gas permeability and the permselectivity of the polyimides which were prepared from bridged diamines with methyl or methoxy groups on the benzene rings of the diamine residues simultaneously increase.

Isolation, spectra, structure, and ring-opening polymerization of strained macrocyclic aryl(ether ketone) dimer

Macrocyclic arylene ether ketone dimer was isolated from a mixture of cyclic oligomers obtained by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of bisphenol A and 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone and easily polymerized to high molecular weight linear poly(ether ketone). The cyclic compound was characterized by FTIR, H-1- and C-13-NMR, and single-crystal x-ray diffraction. Analysis of the spectral and crystal structure reveals extreme distortions of he phenyl rings attached to the isopropylidene center and of the turning points of the molecular polygons. The release of the ring strain on ring-opening combined with entropical difference between the linear polymer chain and the more rigid macrocycle at temperatures of polymerization may be the proposed motivating factors in the polymerization of this precursor to high molecular weight poly(ether ketone). (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

NMR study of doped poly(2,5-dimethylaniline)

Structure changes and charge transfer in the doping process of poly(2,5-dimethylaniline) (PDMA) were studied by NMR technique. It was shown that not only the polymer chain but also the hydrogen atoms and methyl groups on the aromatic rings were involved in the charge transfer process. A ''four ring BQ derivatives'' model was proposed to explain the NMR results.

Gas permeation properties of cardo polyaryletherketones containing different alkyl substituents

The gas permeation properties of a series of cardo polyaryletherketone materials are reported, In this series, the hydrogen atoms of benzene rings on the backbone are systematically replaced with different alkyl substituents. The effects of temperature and structure variation on gas permeability and selectivity are discussed in detail. The experimental results revealed that the polyetherketone obtained by the introduction of dimethyl and diisopropyl substituents to phenolphthalein unit is 3 similar to 6 times more permeable than the unmodified one for the gases studied.

Study on the beta relaxation mechanism of thermosetting polyimide thermoplastic polyimide blends

The thermosetting polyimide PMR-I5 and its blends with thermoplastic polyimides have been studied by dynamic mechanical analysis. The results obtained indicate that the level of beta relaxations in PMR-15 are increased with an increase in cross-linking density. This phenomenon is interpreted as a change of chemical structure during the cross-linking process. Addition of thermoplastic polyimide makes the magnitude of beta relaxations increase when PMR-15 is the major component. This might be due to the strong intermolecular charge-transfer interaction between PI and PI or PMR-15 and PMR-15 molecular chains being partly replaced by the weak intermolecular interaction between PI and PMR-15 in PMR-15/PI blends, resulting in some phenylene rings or imide groups in PIs and PMR-15 chains being able to participate in beta relaxation. However, this increment in beta relaxation magnitude can be reduced by heat treatment of the sample, as a result of phase separation. Hence, it is concluded that the beta relaxation magnitude is determined by the number of groups which can participate in relaxation per unit length, i.e. the magnitude of beta relaxation increases with decreasing interaction between the molecular chains. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd

Chlorination and oxidation of aromatic polyamides .2. Chlorination of some aromatic polyamides

The effects of chlorine on three kinds of aromatic polyamides: those not containing a substituent, those containing substituents, and those containing heterocyclic aromatic rings, were studied. The correlations between the chemical structures of polyamides and the reactivity to hypochlorous acid were examined by IR and C-13 solid-state NMR spectra before and after chlorination. It was found that the chlorination of polyamides depends not only on their chemical structures but also on chlorination conditions such as pH value and reaction time. Their response to chlorination corresponds to four types: ring-chlorination, no reaction, N-chlorination, and chain cleavage. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Chlorination and oxidation of aromatic polyamides .1. Synthesis and characterization of some aromatic polyamides

The synthesis is described of some aromatic polyamides based on unsubstituted, and methyl-, carboxy-, and sulfo-substituted diamines by interfacial polycondensation. Some of them are crosslinked and some of them contain heterocyclic aromatic rings. Their chemical structures are characterized by IR and C-13 solid-state NMR spectra and the spectra are interpreted. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Structure/permeability and permselectivity relationship of polyetherimides from 1,4-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy) benzene dianhydride .1.

Gas permeability coefficients of a series of aromatic polyetherimides, which were prepared from 1,4-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy) benzene dianhydride (HQDPA) and various aromatic diamines, to H-2, CO2, O-2, N-2 and CH4 have been measured under 7 atm pressure and over the temperature range 30-150 degrees C. A significant change in permeability and permselectivity, which resulted from a systematic variation in chemical structure of the polyetherimides, was found. Generally, increases in permeability of the polyetherimides are accompanied by decreases in permselectivity. The order of decrease of the permeability coefficients is as follows: HQDPA-IPDA > HQDPA-DDS > HQDPA-MDA > HQDPA-ODA > HQDPA-DABP > HQDPA-BZD. However, HQDPA-DMoBZD and HQDPA-DMoMDA, with bulky methoxy side-groups on the aromatic rings of the diamine residue, display both high permeability coefficients and high permselectivity. The favourable gas separation property, excellent thermal and chemical stability, and high mechanical strength make HQDPA-DMoBZD and HQDPA-DMoMDA promising candidates for membrane-based gas separation applications.

Chromatographic separation and C-13 NMR characterization of aromatic diester-diacids isomers

Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to separate and quantify aromatic diester-diacids isomers which arise from the opening selectivity of anhydride rings towards methanol. C-13 NMR spectroscopy was a supplementary tool to characterize the isomer structure. It was found that a meta-position attack is slightly preferred in pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), while the preferred position of an attack in bridged dianhydrides is determined by the chemical nature (donors or accepters) of the bridged group. The stronger its electron-withdrawing abilities, the lower the probability of a meta-position attack.