Polymer nanoparticles containing 2,4,6-triiodophenol: a potential contrast medium for medical imaging.

Contrast agents have been utilized for x-ray imaging to visualize blood vessels. Triiodobenzene derivatives are known contrast agents yet have not been formulated in a nanoparticle form for the purpose of enhancing the contrast of cancer tissues. In this study, experiments to encapsulate 2,4,6-triiodophenol in a polymer matrix were designed. Spherical NPs made of PLA, PLGA, PLA-TPGS, PLGA-TPGS and TPGS-FOL, were synthesized and characterized. Using the oil-in-water single-emulsion technique, the effect of several experimental parameters such as sonication power, ratio of 2,4,6-triiodophenol/polymer, type and concentration of emulsifier, and polymer type has been studied. A good morphology of polymer NPs with entrapped 2,4,6-triiodophenol was successfully obtained however the encapsulated iodine was in the range of 5 to 26%.

Stereocomplex Formation of Densely Grafted Brush Polymers.

In this report, we explore the capability of macromolecules to interdigitate into densely grafted molecular brush copolymers. We demonstrate that by using the tendency for stereocomplexation between poly(l-lactide) and poly(d-lactide) as a driving force complementary linear polymers and brush copolymers can form a stereocomplex. However, stereocomplex formation between complementary brush copolymers is restricted and only partially observed when the side chains are of a critical molecular weight.

Wittig reactions in water media employing stabilized ylides with aldehydes. Synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters from mixing aldehydes, alpha-bromoesters, and Ph3P in aqueous NaHCO3.

Water is demonstrated to be an effective medium for the Wittig reaction over a wide range of stabilized ylides and aldehydes. Despite sometimes poor solubility of the reactants, good chemical yields normally ranging from 80 to 98% and high E-selectivities (up to 99%) are achieved, and the rate of the reactions in water is unexpectedly accelerated. The efficiency of water as a medium in the Wittig reaction is compared to conventional organic solvents ranging from carbon tetrachloride to methanol. The aqueous Wittig reaction works best when large hydrophobic entities are present, such as aromatic, heterocyclic aromatic carboxaldehydes, and long-chain aliphatic aldehydes with triphenylphosphoranes. The E/Z-isomeric ratio of the Wittig products appears dependent on the electron-accepting/donating capacity and the location of the substituents present in the aromatic ring. The effect of additives, such as benzoic acid, LiCl, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), on the Wittig reaction has been explored. The Wittig reaction can also be conducted in the presence of acidic entities, such as phenols and carboxylic acids. In addition, large alpha-substituents in the aliphatic aldehydes do not jeopardize the reaction. It is also demonstrated that hydrates of aldehydes can be used directly in the aqueous Wittig reaction as substrates. The scope of the aqueous Wittig reaction is extended to 24 examples of one-pot mixtures of Ph3P, alpha-bromoesters, and aldehydes in sodium bicarbonate solution (at 20 degrees C for 40 min to 3 h) to provide Wittig products of up to 99% yield and up to 98% E-selectivity. Since water is inexpensive, extremely easy to handle, and represents no environmental concerns, it should be considered a possible medium for new organic reactions.

Direct copper(I) iodide dimethyl sulfide catalyzed conjugate addition of alkenyl groups from vinylzirconocene reagents.

[reaction: see text] CuI.0.75DMS complex is an excellent catalyst for the direct conjugate addition of alkenyl groups from vinylzirconocene reagents to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. The presence of the catalyst with an alkenylzirconocene, at +40 degrees C in THF, circumvents the need for making discrete alkenylcopper reagents. The catalyst is superior in terms of product yields and alkene flexibility in comparison to other copper(I) sources as well as the nickel(II)-catalyzed conjugate addition. This simple one-pot procedure shows that only 1 equiv of the vinylzirconocene is needed.