Synthesis of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) and copolymers with methacrylic acid initiated by the photo-Fenton reaction

New Nanosized Systems Doxorubicin-Amphiphilic Copolymers of N-Vinylpyrrolidone and (Di)methacrylates with Antitumor Activity

Nanosized systems of DOX with antitumor activity on the base of micelle-like particles of amphiphilic thermosensitive copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDM), and N-vinylpyrrolidone and methacrylic acid (MAA) with TEGDM were explored. They were investigated in aqueous solutions by electron absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and cyclic voltammetry. Experimental data and quantum-chemical modeling indicated the formation of a hydrogen bond between oxygen-containing groups of monomer units of the copolymers and H-atoms of OH and NH₂ groups of DOX; the energies and H-bond lengths in the considered structures were calculated. A simulation of TDDFT spectra of DOX and its complexes with the VP and TEGDM units was carried out. Electrochemical studies in PBS have demonstrated that the oxidation of encapsulated DOX appeared to be easier than that of the free one, and its reduction was somewhat more difficult. The cytotoxicity of VP-TEGDM copolymer compositions containing 1, 5 and 15 wt% DOX was studied in vitro on HeLa cells, and the values of IC₅₀ doses were determined at 24 and 72 h of exposure. The copolymer compositions containing 5 and 15 wt% DOX accumulated actively in cell nuclei and did not cause visual changes in cell morphology.

Molecular structure of physiologically-responsive hydrogels controls diffusive behavior

Polymeric networks and the ensuing hydrogels of MAA and NVP were successfully synthesized using a UV-initiated free radical polymerization and characterized to assess their applicability as carriers for directed drug delivery. FT-IR spectroscopy revealed shifts in peak absorbances that indicated the presence of hydrogen bonding complexes between functional groups, while SEM imaging showed that the different comonomers affect the surface morphology of the microparticles. Dynamic pH swelling studies demonstrated the pH responsiveness of the carriers in gastric and intestinal conditions and revealed that systems containing higher concentrations of MAA experienced the highest degree of hydrogen bonding complexation in gastric conditions. The presence of NVP in the systems enhanced swelling. Equilibrium swelling studies revealed that the mesh size was sufficiently large to allow drug diffusion across the networks.

Formation of chlorinated biphenyls, diphenyl ethers and benzofurans as a result of Fenton-driven oxidation of 2-chlorophenol

Homogeneous catalytic Fenton oxidation proved to be very efficient in the degradation of high concentrations (3.9 mM) of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) in aqueous matrices. When using [H(2)O(2)](0)/[2-CP](0) substoichiometric molar ratios of 4 and 16, the detected aromatic intermediates included mainly chlorinated benzenediols, with the virtual absence of condensation products of higher molecular weight. At even lower substoichiometric ratios of [H(2)O(2)](0)/[2-CP](0) (< or =2.2), hydroxylated chlorobiphenyls, hydroxylated chlorodiphenyl ethers and hydroxylated chlorinated dibenzofurans were formed in addition to chlorinated benzenediols. The aromatic intermediates were identified as trimethylsilyl ethers and dimethyl-t-butyl silyl ethers. A reaction scheme was proposed to describe the formation of aromatic intermediates based on coupling reactions of resonance-stabilized 2-CP radicals generated by electrophilic attack of reactive hydroxyl radicals. The pattern of aromatic intermediates identified in the Fenton solutions coincided well with that predicted on the basis of oxidative coupling reactions. In addition to coupling of stabilized radicals, aromatic intermediates can be formed by addition of organoradicals onto neutral analyte molecules. The findings presented in this contribution are considered crucial for the design and optimization of Fenton-based remediation devoted either to wastewater treatment under economically feasible conditions or to in situ groundwater treatment where poorly controlled reaction conditions prevail.