Synthesis and characterization of azomethine polymers containing ether and ester groups

Study the effect of different concentrations of polydopamine as a secure and bioactive crosslinker on dual crosslinking of oxidized alginate and gelatin wound dressings

Alginate hydrogels are commonly used in wound care due to their ability to maintain a moist environment, absorb fluids, and aid wound healing. However, their stability and mechanical properties can sometimes limit their effectiveness. This study explores a new approach by creating a dual network system of oxidized alginate and gelatin hydrogel crosslinked with polydopamine in a single step, with the goal of improving the mechanical properties of these hydrogels. The unique aspect of this research is the comprehensive examination of different polydopamine concentrations in dual crosslinking systems. First, alginate was modified with sodium periodate to create additional active groups on its backbone, and various polydopamine concentrations were then tested to assess their impact on the dual crosslinking network and hydrogel properties. The study involved a range of tests, including FTIR, H-NMR, SEM, gelation time, rheology, adhesion, antioxidant activity, swelling ratio, weight loss, drug release, and cell viability. The addition of polydopamine was found to enhance the crosslinking density (0.859 × 109 mol.cm-3). Additionally, the results indicated improvements in properties such as reduced weight loss, enhanced antioxidant and adhesive qualities, and better mechanical properties (2240 kPa). However, the optimal concentration of polydopamine must be determined to achieve the best properties for a wound dressing. Excessive polydopamine can increase the space between polymer chains, leading to a reduction in crosslinking density and storage modulus. Nevertheless, it can also increase the swelling ratio, degradation rate, pore size, porosity, antioxidant activity, and dopamine release. Therefore, identifying the optimal concentration for a functional hydrogel is crucial. Notably, the hydrogel containing 0.5 mg.mL-1 polydopamine exhibited outstanding cell viability (108 % on the third day), swelling capacity (480 %), storage modulus (2240 kPa), gelation time (3 min), antioxidant activity (42.27 %), and skin adherence (11 kPa), making it an optimal choice for advanced wound management. According to the findings, it is emphasized that the application of this particular hydrogel expedites wound healing, as indicated by wound closure and histological studies. ABBREVIATIONS.

Designed to Degrade: Tailoring Polyesters for Circularity

A powerful toolbox is needed to turn the linear plastic economy into circular. Development of materials designed for mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and/or biodegradation in targeted end-of-life environment are all necessary puzzle pieces in this process. Polyesters, with reversible ester bonds, are already forerunners in plastic circularity: poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is the most recycled plastic material suitable for mechanical and chemical recycling, while common aliphatic polyesters are biodegradable under favorable conditions, such as industrial compost. However, this circular design needs to be further tailored for different end-of-life options to enable chemical recycling under greener conditions and/or rapid enough biodegradation even under less favorable environmental conditions. Here, we discuss molecular design of the polyester chain targeting enhancement of circularity by incorporation of more easily hydrolyzable ester bonds, additional dynamic bonds, or degradation catalyzing functional groups as part of the polyester chain. The utilization of polyester circularity to design replacement materials for current volume plastics is also reviewed as well as embedment of green catalysts, such as enzymes in biodegradable polyester matrices to facilitate the degradation process.

The enhanced photocatalytic performance of CPAA doping with different concentrations of Titanium oxide nanocomposite against MB dyes under simulated sunlight irradiations

The pure conjugated polyarylene azomethine (CPAA) and its nanocomposites (CPAA-TiO2) with different concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by in-situ technique and analyzed by different advanced techniques. XRD has confirmed the structural properties and crystallinity of (CPAA) and nanocomposites. The SEM clearly shows that the (CPAA) is uniform and homogeneous, with tightly connected aggregate layers in shape. However, the amount of TiO2 in the nanocomposites greatly affects their morphology, revealing structural differences and indicating a reaction between (CPAA) and TiO2, especially at a higher concentration of 5% TiO2. A new composite of (CPAA) was introduced and the photocatalytic effect for MB was studied. The removal efficiency of (pure-CPAA) over MB dye under simulated sunlight was 62%. However, (CPAA-TiO2 1%) destroyed 90% of MB dyes. It was discovered that the low band gap of (CPAA-TiO2 1% (2.84 eV)) accelerates high electron-hole recombination, increasing photocatalytic activity.

Synthesis, characterization, theoretical investigations and fluorescent sensing behavior of oligomeric azine-based Fe3+Chemosensors

Three azine oligomeric esters were synthesized, characterized by IR, UV, 1H, 13C{1H} and GPC technique, and applied to chemosensor application. The sensitivity response of the oligomers towards the metal ion was evaluated for a metal ion series. The results have shown selective and sensitive “turn off” fluorescence response towards Fe3+ ion in DMF/H2O (1:1, pH: 7.4, fluorophore: 5 μM) solution. The binding stoichiometry and binding constant of the fluorophores were calculated using the Stern–Volmer equation and Benesi–Hildebrand plots, respectively. The quenching of fluorophores on the addition of Fe3+ ion indicates the capability of fluorophore towards quantitative analysis of Fe3+. The dimer of oligomers was theoretically studied using DFT, B3LYP/6-311G level basic set to support and explain the quenching mechanism of LMCT, PET process and to explain the DC, AC electrical studies results. The electrical conductivity measurements of solid-state, I2 doped and undoped oligomers were carried out and the conductivity gradually increases with increase in iodine vapor contact time of oligomers. The electrical conductivity was related with band gap and charge density values of imine nitrogen obtained by Huckel calculations. The dielectric measurements at different temperatures and frequencies were made by two probe method. Among the oligomers, EBHAP has recorded a high dielectric constant at the low applied frequency of 50 Hz at 373 K due to loosely attached π bonds resulting good polarization.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Enzymatic and Oxidative Polymerization of 2,6-Diaminopyridine

Enzymatic polymerization of 2,6-diaminopyridine (DAP) compound in the presence of HRP (Horse radish peroxidase) and H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) with Poly(DAP-en) with the structures of two different types of polymers obtained by the oxidative polymerization of Poly(DAP-ox) using H₂O₂ in an aqueous basic environment was illuminated by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectral methods. GPC (gel permeation chromatography), TGA (thermal gravimetric analysis), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), CV (cyclic voltammetry), fluorescence analysis and conductivity measurements to characterize the compounds and their electronic structure were examined. SEM analyzes were performed for the morphological properties of the compounds. As a result of the analysis, it was observed that the polymer obtained by enzymatic polymerization was better than the polymer obtained by oxidative method. It was observed that the results of the fluorescence measurements were better than Poly(DAP-en) in Poly(DAP-ox) emitting blue and green light. According to TGA analysis, the first decay temperatures for Poly (DAP-en) and Poly (DAP-ox) were calculated as 342 °C and 181 °C, respectively. The higher value of glass transition temperature for poly (DAP-en) confirms that the average molar mass is higher than 8650 Da for Poly (DAP-en) according to GPC analysis.

Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Spectroscopic Characterization of Bis-aldehyde Monomers and Their Electrically Conductive Pristine Polyazomethines

Bis-aldehyde monomers 4-(4′-formyl-phenoxy)benzaldehyde (3a), 3-methoxy-4-(4′-formyl-phenoxy)benzaldehyde (3b), and 3-ethoxy-4-(4′-formyl-phenoxy)benzaldehyde (3c) were synthesized by etherification of 4-fluorobenzaldehyde (1) with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (2a), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (2b), and 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (2c), respectively. Each monomer was polymerized with p-phenylenediamine and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether to yield six poly(azomethine)s. Single crystal X-ray diffraction structures of 3b and 3c were determined. The structural characterization of the monomers and poly(azomethine)s was performed by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. Physicochemical properties of polymers were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), viscometry, UV–vis, spectroscopy and photoluminescence. These polymers were subjected to electrical conductivity measurements by the four-probe method, and their conductivities were found to be in the range 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 6.4 × 10⁻⁵ Scm⁻¹, which was significantly higher than the values reported so far.

Two New Fluorinated Phenol Derivatives Pyridine Schiff Bases: Synthesis, Spectral, Theoretical Characterization, Inclusion in Epichlorohydrin-β-Cyclodextrin Polymer, and Antifungal Effect

It has been reported that the structure of the Schiff bases is fundamental for their function in biomedical applications. Pyridine Schiff bases are characterized by the presence of a pyridine and a phenolic ring, connected by an azomethine group. In this case, the nitrogen present in the pyridine is responsible for antifungal effects, where the phenolic ring may be also participating in this bioactivity. In this study, we synthesized two new pyridine Schiff Bases: (E)-2-[(3-Amino-pyridin-4-ylimino)-methyl]-4,6-difluoro-phenol (F1) and (E)- 2-[(3-Amino-pyridin-4-ylimino)-methyl]-6-fluoro-phenol (F2), which only differ in the fluorine substitutions in the phenolic ring. We fully characterized both F1 and F2 by FTIR, UV-vis, ¹H; ¹³C; ¹⁹F-NMR, DEPT, HHCOSY, TOCSY, and cyclic voltammetry, as well as by computational studies (DFT), and NBO analysis. In addition, we assessed the antifungal activity of both F1 (two fluorine substitution at positions 4 and 6 in the phenolic ring) and F2 (one fluorine substitution at position 6 in the phenolic ring) against yeasts. We found that only F1 exerted a clear antifungal activity, showing that, for these kind of Schiff bases, the phenolic ring substitutions can modulate biological properties. In addition, we included F1 and F2 into in epichlorohydrin-β-cyclodextrin polymer (βCD), where the Schiff bases remained inside the βCD as determined by the k_i, TGA, DSC, and S_BET. We found that the inclusion in βCD improved the solubility in aqueous media and the antifungal activity of both F1 and F2, revealing antimicrobial effects normally hidden by the presence of common solvents (e.g., DMSO) with some cellular inhibitory activity. The study of structural prerequisites for antimicrobial activity, and the inclusion in polymers to improve solubility, is important for the design of new drugs.

Structural and electrochemical studies of TiO2 complexes with (4,4′-((1E,1′E)-(2,5-bis(octyloxy)-1,4-phenylene)bis(ethene-2,1-diyl))bis-(E)-N-(2,5-bis(octyloxy)benzylidene)) imine derivative bases towards organic devices

The structural, thermal, optical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties were investigated to check the influence of TiO₂ on the imine properties.

Silylated oligomeric poly(ether-azomethine)s from monomers containing biphenyl moieties: synthesis and characterization

In this study, four new silicon-containing poly(ether-azomethine)s with linear structures were prepared using original silicon and biphenyl moiety-containing monomers: two diamines and two dialdehydes. The oligomeric natures of the samples were established by GPC analysis, which showed chains containing 3 to 5 repetitive units. The monomers and the oligomeric samples were structurally characterized by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The solubilities of the samples in common organic solvents and their thermal behavior enable improvement of their industrial and technological processability. The optical band gaps of the oligomeric samples were estimated from optical measurements (UV-vis), and their electrical behavior in films was determined using the four-point method. The surface arrangements and morphological characteristics of the films were determined via atomic force microscopy measurements. The roughness, area increase percentage and layer stiffness of the films were also measured using this technique.

In this study, four new silicon-containing poly(ether-azomethine)s with linear structures were prepared using original silicon and biphenyl moiety-containing monomers: two diamines and two dialdehydes.