Nitric oxide release from a cucurbituril encapsulated NO-donor.

Controlling S-nitrosothiol decomposition, with the consequent release of nitric oxide, is a topic of great research interest. The incorporation of nitrosomercaptopyridine (SNO+) into the cucurbit[7]uril cavity results in a large increase of its nitrosation equilibrium constant. This effect being a consequence of the preferential stabilization of organic cations by the formation of host : guest complexes with CB7 results in a drastic reduction of the SNO+ denitrosation rate constant. Moreover, SNO+ encapsulation also prevents its decomposition yielding disulfide and nitric oxide. The expulsion of SNO+ from the cucurbituril cavity through the application of a chemical stimulus (competitive binding) results in controlled nitric oxide release as was confirmed by using a NO selective electrode.

γ-Cyclodextrin modulates the chemical reactivity by multiple complexation.

Multiple complexation by γ-CD has been studied by self-diffusion coefficients (DOSY) and chemical kinetics experiments in which 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride (MBSC) solvolysis was used as a chemical probe. The addition of a surfactant as a third component to the reaction mixture induced a very complex reactivity pattern that was explained on the basis of multiple complexation phenomena and surfactant self-assembly to form micelles. A cooperative effect that yielded a ternary complex formed by cyclodextrin-surfactant-MBSC was observed. The larger cavity of γ-CD in comparison with ß-CD is responsible for the change from the competitive complexation mechanism predominant with ß-CD to a cooperative/competitive mixed mechanism operating for the larger derivative. The cavity size in γ-CD is large enough to bind two surfactant alkyl chains with a cooperative effect. Water molecules released by the formation of 1:1 host-guest complexes made the cavity more hydrophobic and promoted further inclusion. A reduction in the available volume of the cavity should be considered on binding a second guest.

Electrostatic repulsion between cucurbit[7]urils can be overcome in [3]pseudorotaxane without adding salts.

The host-guest chemistry between cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and a series of bolaform (Bn) surfactants with different chain lengths, n = 12-22, was the target of our study. [3]Pseudorotaxanes are formed when the alkyl chain of the bolaform has more than 14 carbon atoms. In these cases, two CB7 molecules can be accommodated between the two head groups of the bolaform without addition of electrolytes to the medium. In the case of a bolaform with 12 carbon atoms, the electrostatic repulsion between the carbonyl groups of the CB7 molecules avoids the threading of a second CB7 molecule yielding a mixed structure formed by a [2]pseudorotaxane and an external host-guest complex. The assembly behavior was investigated using NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and kinetic measurements.

Competition between surfactant micellization and complexation by cyclodextrin.

Supramolecular property systems composed of alkyltrimethylammonium surfactants and ß-cyclodextrin were studied by means of a chemical probe. Solvolysis of 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride (MBSC) was used in the mixed systems with the aim of being able to determine the concentration of uncomplexed cyclodextrin in equilibrium with the micellar system. The surfactants used enabled us to vary the length of the hydrocarbon chain between 6 and 18 carbon atoms. In all cases the existence of a significant concentration of uncomplexed CD was observable in equilibrium with the micellar system. The percentage of uncomplexed cyclodextrin increases both on increasing and decreasing the surfactant alkyl chain length, being minimal for alkyl chains between 10-12 carbon atoms. This behavior is a consequence of two simultaneous processes: complexation of surfactant monomers by the cyclodextrin and surfactant self-assembly to form micellar aggregates. By using Gibbs free energies for micellization and surfactant complexation by ß-CD, we can quantitatively explain the observed behavior.

Evidence of higher complexes between cucurbit[7]uril and cationic surfactants.

The host-guest assembly of CB7 with a series of alkyl(trimethyl)ammonium (C(n)TA(+)) surfactants of different chain lengths (n=6-18) has been studied. The complexation behaviour was investigated by NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry and kinetics measurements. The combined results of these techniques provided evidence for the formation of 1:1 inclusion and 2:1 external complexes in the cases of C(n)TA(+) with n=12-18. The binding constants for the 1:1 complexes are independent of the alkyl chain length of the surfactant, whereas a relationship between K(2:1) and the chain length of the surfactant was found for the 2:1 complexes.

Supramolecular catalysis by cucurbit[7]uril and cyclodextrins: similarity and differences.

To understand the analogies and differences between the cucurbituril and cyclodextrin cavities different solvolytic reactions have been studied in the presence of cucurbit[7]uril, CB7, and beta-CD or its methylated derivative, DM-beta-CD. Solvolysis of 1-bromoadamantane has been used as a test to evaluate the ability of the cavities to solvate the Br(-) leaving group. Obtained results show that in both cases the polarity inside the cavity is similar to that of a 70% ethanol:water mixture. Solvolysis of substituted benzoyl chlorides shows a great difference between the CB7 and DM-beta-CD cavity. Solvolysis of electron withdrawing substituted benzoyl chlorides (associative mechanism) is catalyzed by DM-beta-CD and inhibited by CB7. However, solvolysis of electron donating substituted benzoyl chlorides (dissociative mechanism) is catalyzed by CB7 and inhibited by DM-beta-CD. These experimental behaviors have been explained on the basis of different solvolytic mechanisms. Participation of the hydroxyl groups of the cyclodextrin as a nucleophile can explain the catalytic effect observed for solvolysis of benzoyl chlorides reacting by an associative mechanism. Solvolysis of benzoyl chlorides reacting by a dissociative mechanism is catalyzed by CB7 due to the ability of the CB7 cavity to stabilize the acylium ion developed in the transition state by electrostatic interactions.

Fully uncomplexed cyclodextrin in mixed systems of vesicle-cyclodextrin: solvolysis of benzoyl chlorides.

In this contribution the influence of beta-cyclodextrin (CD) on the behavior of aqueous systems containing vesicles of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) has been studied by determining the kinetics of the solvolysis reaction of substituted benzoyl chlorides whose solvolysis reactivity entails a high sensitivity on media properties. The application of the pseudophase formalism allowed us to obtain the thermodynamic and kinetic coefficients characteristic of the reaction, which are essentially independent of the concentration of CD. We were able to determine the percentages of uncomplexed cyclodextrin in equilibrium with the vesicular system which were in all cases compatible with 100%. The obtained results led us to conclude that the properties of DPPC vesicles are not affected by the presence of CD in the medium and there is no type of interaction between the CD and the vesicular surfactant monomers and, therefore, all cyclodextrin is present in the mixed system as uncomplexed cyclodextrin.

Different kinetic behaviors for unimolecular and bimolecular ester hydrolysis reactions in strongly acidic microemulsions.

Replacing the counterion in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate with H(+) allows strongly acidic microemulsions to be obtained. These systems are the only known colloidal medium in which it is possible to reach local concentrations of acid, expressed as Hammett acidity function (H(0)), lower than H(0) = -0.2, which corresponds to a concentration of acid above 1 M in aqueous solution. In the present work, there has been analyzed the influence of this type of microemulsion on the acid hydrolysis of two esters derived from picolinic acid: 4-nitrophenylpicolinate (NPP) and 2,4-dinitrophenylpicolinate (DNPP). The reaction rate for NPP and DNPP increases up to 16 times on increasing the size of the aqueous nanocore of the microemulsion, which supposes an experimental behavior opposed to the one observed for the hydrolysis of nitrophenylacetate (NPA). The key to this differentiated behavior of NPP and DNPP resides in the fact that the rate-determining step for the acid hydrolysis mechanism is the water addition to the protonated ester. The reaction rate increases on increasing the nucleophilicity of water; that is, on increasing W (W = [H(2)O]/[surfactant]). Therefore, the acid hydrolysis of esters in strongly acidic microemulsions presents an A2 mechanism when reactivity increases with W, and an A1 mechanism if it decreases with W.

Interfacial tension measurements using a new axisymmetric drop/bubble shape technique.

This paper introduces a new mathematical model that is used to compute either the interfacial tension of quiescent axisymmetric pendant/sessile drops and pendant/captive bubbles. This model consists of the Young-Laplace equation, that describes interface shape, together with suitable boundary conditions that guarantee a prescribed volume of drops/bubbles and a fixed position in the capillary. In order to solve the problem numerically, the Young-Laplace equation is discretized by using numerical differentiation and the numerical solutions are obtained applying the well-know Newton method. The paper contains a validation of the new methodology presented for what theoretical bubble/drops are used. Finally, some numerical results are presented for both drops and bubbles of water as well as several surfactant solutions to demonstrate the applicability, versatility and reproducibility of the proposed methodology.

Influence of n-alkyl acids on the percolative phenomena in AOT-based microemulsions.

A study was carried out on the influence of the n-alkyl acid addition on the electric percolation of AOT/iso-octane/water microemulsions ([AOT] = 0.5 M and W= [H(2)O]/[AOT] = 22.2). The observed influence has been explained taking into account the organic nature of these molecules and, hence, their capacity of disturbing the structure of the AOT-film. For these reasons, relationships with their molecular structure (chain length) were analysed.

Simultaneous effect of microemulsions and phase-transfer agents on aminolysis reactions.

The catalytic effect of triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (glyme) on the butylaminolysis of 4-nitrophenylcaprate (NPC) in water/AOT/chlorobenzene microemulsions has been studied. Experimental results show the existence of four simultaneous reaction pathways. One of them takes place at the microemulsion interphase where the rate-determining step of butylaminolysis is the formation of the addition intermediate, T+/-. The locus of the other three pathways is the continuous medium of the microemulsion. These three pathways consist of the decomposition of the addition intermediate catalyzed by butylamine, by glyme, and by both of them. The kinetic model allows us to obtain the value of every rate and distribution constant involved in the overall reaction mechanism. We must emphasize that the reactions located in the continuous medium exhibit a kinetic behavior similar to the corresponding one found in pure chlorobenzene. On the basis of the pseudophase model, the percentage of reaction in each of the microdomains of the microemulsion has been calculated. Likewise, changes in the loci of reaction from the interphase to the continuous medium as a function of catalyst concentration have been proved.

Change in the acid hydrolysis mechanism of esters enforced by strongly acid microemulsions.

A kinetic study was carried out on the acid hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenylacetate and 4-nitrophenyllaurate in water/HOT/isooctane microemulsions. The substitution of Na+ in the sodium salt of bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate by H+ has permitted us to obtain a functionalized surfactant (HOT) and, consequently, strongly acid microemulsions. The use of HOT-based microemulsions allows us to reach concentrations of H+ in the aqueous core corresponding to a Hammett acidity function of H0 = -2. The rate constant at the interface and the distribution constants of the carboxylic esters throughout the different microenvironments of the microemulsion have been quantified by application of the pseudophase formalism. The results obtained show that the hydrolysis rate constant at the interface increases as the water content of the system decreases. The correlation of the rate constants at the interface of the microemulsion with the Hammett acidity function, H0 (on the basis of the Bunnett-Olsen criterion), has allowed us to confirm that the hydrolysis process takes place via an A2 mechanism for high water contents and through an A1 mechanism for values of W

Influence of changes in water properties on reactivity in strongly acidic microemulsions.

Replacing the counterion in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (NaOT, usually known as AOT or Aerosol OT) with H+ (HOT) allows strongly acidic microemulsions to be obtained through the effect of a change in the solvation mechanism of the surfactant, where the Na+...OH2 interaction is displaced by a stronger H+...OH2 interaction. This raises the proportion of water bound to the counterion, which is reflected in the FT-IR spectrum for water trapped in the microemulsion and the 1H NMR spectrum for the hydrogen atoms in the water molecules. In NaOT microemulsions, the resonance signal for hydrogen atoms in the water molecules increases from delta approximately 3.9 ppm at W = 2 (with W = [H2O]/[NaOT]) to delta approximately 4.8 ppm at W = 50. In HOT microemulsions, the disparate strength of Na+...OH2 and H+...OH2 interactions results in a decrease in the resonance signal for the hydrogen atoms in the water molecules from delta approximately 8.6 ppm at W = 2 to delta approximately 4.9 ppm at W = 50. These changes in the physical properties of water alter chemical reactivity in a way that is clearly apparent in solvolytic processes in NaOT and HOT microemulsions. Thus, the rate constants of reactions involving an associative mechanism increase with decreasing W in NaOT microemulsions, but decrease with decreasing W in HOT microemulsions. The disparate behavior is a result of a decreased nucleophilicity of interfacial water in HOT microemulsions relative to NaOT microemulsions. For a dissociative process the rate constants are greater in HOT microemulsions than in NaOT ones, and increase with increasing W in both types of microemulsions, which can be ascribed to an increased electrophilicity of interfacial water in HOT microemulsions.

New insights in cyclodextrin: surfactant mixed systems from the use of neutral and anionic cyclodextrin derivatives.

The kinetics of the hydrolysis of 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride (MBSC) have been studied in mixed systems made up of surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTABr), and cyclodextrin, beta-CD or SBE-beta-CD(Captisol). The use of SBE-beta-CD instead of beta-CD allowed us to indicate certain characteristics of the mixed cyclodextrin-surfactant system: (a) The percentage of uncomplexed cyclodextrin is higher for SBE-beta-CD than for beta-CD when we use SDS, but the opposite effect was observed when we use TTABr. This behavior can be explained by taking into account the increase in salinity when we add SBE-beta-CD, and the electrostatic forces between the SBE-beta-CD and the surfactant that have influence on the complexation. (b) The presence or even the charge of cyclodextrin has no effect on the properties of surfactant micelles once they have been formed; in particular, it does not alter K(s)(m) or k(m), parameters very sensitive to the micellar system structure. Therefore, we can conclude that for surfactants concentrations lower than the micellization point, the charge of cyclodextrin modifies the cyclodextrin-surfactant interactions but once the micelles have been formed there is no interaction between them and the cyclodextrins.

Degree of counterion binding on water in oil microemulsions.

An ion-exchange process has been used to prepare HOT from NaOT (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate), where the Na(+) counterion has been replaced by H(+). The acidity function, H(0), of the aqueous core of HOT-based microemulsions decreases with W from H(0) approximately 0.6 at W>20 to H(0)=-1.4 at W=2. On the basis of the H(0) acidity function of the aqueous core and the dependence of H(0) on acid concentration, we have been able to determine the degree of counterion binding (beta) in microemulsions with a value of beta approximately 0.92 which is practically independent of the water content of the system.

Determination of pyridine-2-azo-p-dimethylaniline acidity constants by spectra resolution methodology.

The influence of acidity upon the pyridine-2-azo-p-dimethylaniline (PADA) absorption spectrum has been studied. The obtained results allowed us to calculate the acidity constants of PADA. The spectra resolution method has been used to determinate the constants. The absorption spectrum was decomposed in two sub-bands for the neutral form of the indicator, one for the monoprotonated molecule and another more for the diprotonated structure. The quantitative analysis of relative areas variation with the medium acidity allows us to obtain the equilibrium constants of PADA prolongation. The obtained values are in good agreement with the values reported in the literature.

Effects of zwitterionic vesicles on the reactivity of benzoyl chlorides.

A systematic study on the solvolysis reaction of substituted benzoyl chlorides in the presence of zwitterionic vesicles of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) has been performed. Size, shape, surface charge, and polarity of the interface of the vesicular aggregates were determined using various techniques. The application of the pseudophase formalism allowed us to obtain the thermodynamic and kinetic coefficients characteristic of the reaction. The effects of vesicular aggregates on the solvolysis of benzoyl chlorides, which are known to be sensitive to the physical properties of the medium, depend on the nature of the substrate. For benzoyl chlorides with electron-donating groups, which react predominantly through a dissociative mechanism which is strongly affected by medium properties, the rate constant decreases as the vesicle concentration increases. On the other hand, for benzoyl chlorides with electron-withdrawing groups, which react mainly via an associative pathway, DPPC vesicles catalyze the solvolysis reaction.

In search of fully uncomplexed cyclodextrin in the presence of micellar aggregates.

The chemical behavior of beta-cyclodextrin/nonionic surfactant mixed systems has been investigated using the basic hydrolysis of N-methyl-N-nitroso-p-toluenesulfonamide as a chemical probe. The experimental results prove that at the cmc, there are significant quantities of uncomplexed beta-CD in equilibrium with the micellar aggregates. In contrast to the expected situation, the percentage of uncomplexed beta-CD in equilibrium with the micellar system increases on increasing the hydrophobicity of the surfactant molecule. This behavior is due to the existence of two simultaneous processes: complexation of surfactant monomers by cyclodextrin and the process of self-assembly to form micellar aggregates. The autoaggregation of surfactant monomers is expected to be more important than the complexation process in this mixed system. Varying the hydrophobicity of the surfactant monomer enabled us to determine that the percentages of uncomplexed cyclodextrin in equilibrium with the micellar system were in the range of 5-95%.

Ester aminolysis by morpholine in AOT-based water-in-oil microemulsions.

A kinetic study of the aminolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate (NPA) by morpholine (MOR) in AOT/isooctane/water (w/o) microemulsions was conducted. Based on the solubilities of NPA and MOR in water and isooctane, both compounds partition between the continuous medium, interface and water microdroplets of the microemulsion. Because the rate of the aminolysis reaction decreases with decreasing polarity of the solvent, the reaction must take place to a negligible extent in the continuous medium relative to the interface and the aqueous microdroplets. We used the pseudo-phase model to determine the rate constants at the interface, k(2)(i), and in the water microdroplets, k(2)(w). Both k(2)(i) and k(2)(w) were found to be independent of W in the aminolysis of NPA by MOR. This is a result of the expected increase in k(2)(w) on decreasing W being offset by the decrease in k(2)(i) with increase in the water content of the system. Based on the results, the reaction takes place to an extent of only 16% in the water microdroplets at W=40, the proportion decreasing with decreasing water content.

Influence of aza crown ethers on the electric percolation of AOT/isooctane/water (w/o) microemulsions.

A study was carried out on the influence of different aza crown ethers on the electric percolation of AOT/isooctane/water microemulsions. A dual behavior of the aza crown ethers with regard to the percolative phenomenon was observed: low additive concentration causes an increase in the percolation temperature, whereas at high additive concentration a reduction in the percolation temperature of the system was observed. This dual behavior allowed us to define the compensation concentration, which corresponds the aza crown ether concentration at which there is no effect on the percolative phenomenon. We observed a correlation between the effect exerted by the aza crown ethers and the size of the cavity. This shows the importance of the capacity to complexate Na(+) and solubilize it in the interface and the continuous medium on the electric percolation. We also observed a correlation between the effect of the aza crown ethers on the percolation temperature and their external size. This shows the importance of their inclusion in the interface on the percolative phenomenon. Such an inclusion modifies the properties of the AOT film, facilitating the exchange of matter between droplets. A satisfactory multiparametric correlation between the compensation concentration, the distribution of the aza crown ether between water and 1-octanol, and the number of electron-donor atoms (O and N) in the crown ether was obtained. The effects have been compared with those corresponding to the crown ethers.