Synthesis and biological activities of copolymers of N-glycinyl maleimide with methacrylic acid and vinyl acetate

Copolymerizations of N-glycinylmaleimide (GMI) with methacrylic acid (MA) and vinyl acetate (VAc) were carried out in 2-butanone using lauroylperoxide as an initiator at 70°C. Synthesized GMI, poly(GMI-co-MA), and poly(GMI-co-VAc) were characterized by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and gel permeation chromatography. The in vitro cytotoxicities of poly(GMI-co-MA) and poly(GMI-co-VAc) were evaluated using K-562 human leukemia cells and HeLa cells. From the cytotoxicity data against HeLa cells, the copolymers are less cytotoxic than monomeric GMI at dosage of 0.02, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/mL. Copolymers were very effective at any dosage tested. The in vivo antitumor activities of poly(GMI-co-MA) and poly(GMI-co-VAc) were also evaluated against mice bearing sarcoma 180. Monomeric GMI and its copolymers showed higher antitumor activity than 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) at any dosage tested. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Syntheses and Biological Activities of Polymers Containing 3′-Azido-3′-deoxythymidine

The new monomer, 5′-O-methacryloyl-3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (MAZT), was synthesized by the reaction of methacryloyl chloride and 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT). Poly(MAZT) and copolymers of MAZT with vinyl acetate (VAc) and maleic anhydride (MAH) were synthesized by radical polymerizations. The synthesized MAZT and polymers were identified by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR, elemental analysis and gel permeation chromatography. The quantities of MAZT units in poly(MAZT-co-VAc) and poly(MAZT-co-MAH) were 45 and 27 mol%, respectively. The weight average molecular weights of the polymers synthesized were in the range from 8800 to 17600. The in vitro cytotoxicities of samples against K562 human leukaemia cell line at 100 μg ml^-1 decreased in the following order: poly(MAZT-co-MAH) > poly(MAZT-co-VAc) > poly(MAZT) > MAZT > AZT. The in vivo anti-tumour activities of the polymers synthesized against Balb/C mice bearing sarcoma 180 tumour cells were greater than those of 5-fluorouracil at all concentrations.     

Synthesis,antitumour and DNA replication activities of polymers containing vinyl‐(5‐fluorouracil)‐ethanoate

A new monomer, vinyl‐(5‐fluorouracil)‐ethanoate (VFUE), was synthesized by reaction of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and vinyl iodoacetate. The homopolymer of VFUE and its copolymers with acrylic acid (A, A) and maleic anhydride (MAH) were prepared by photopolymerization. The synthesized VFUE and polymers were identified by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The contents of VFUE unit in poly(VFUE‐co‐AA) and poly(VFUE‐co‐MAH) were 21 mol% and 16 mol%, respectively. The number average molecular weights of the polymers determined by gel permeation chromatography were in the range 9600–17900 g mol^?1. The in vitro cytotoxicities of the samples against a normal cell line decreased as follows: 5‐FU > VFUE > poly(VFUE) > poly(VFUE‐co‐AA) > poly(VFUE‐co‐MAH). The in vivo antitumour activities of the polymers against Balb/C mice bearing the sarcoma 180 tumour cells were greater than those of 5‐FU at all concentrations. The inhibition of simian virus 40 DNA replication by the samples was much greater than that of the control. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of poly(3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐co‐maleic anhydride‐co‐vinyl acetate)

The radical‐initiated terpolymerization of 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran (DHP), maleic anhydride (MA), and vinyl acetate (VA), which were used as a donor–acceptor–donor system, was carried out in methyl ethyl ketone in the presence of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator at 65°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The synthesis and characterization of binary and ternary copolymers, some kinetic parameters of terpolymerization, the terpolymer‐composition/thermal‐behavior relationship, and the antitumor activity of the synthesized polymers were examined. The polymerization of the DHP–MA–VA monomer system predominantly proceeded by the alternating terpolymerization mechanism. The in vitro cytotoxicities of poly(3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐alt‐maleic anhydride) [poly(DHP‐alt‐MA)] and poly(3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐co‐maleic anhydride‐co‐vinyl acetate) [poly(DHP‐co‐MA‐co‐VA)] were evaluated with Raji cells (human Burkitt lymphoma cell line). The antitumor activity of the prepared anion‐active poly(DHP‐alt‐MA) and poly(DHP‐co‐MA‐co‐VA) polymers were studied with methyl–thiazol–tetrazolium testing, and the 50% cytotoxic dose was calculated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2352–2359, 2005     

Synthesis and biological activities of endo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimide and its polymers

Photocopolymerizations of endo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimide (ETPI) with acrylic acid (AA), vinyl acetate (VAc), and maleic anhydride (MAH) were carried out in a mixed solvent of 2-butanone and acetone using 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone as an initiator at 25°C. Synthesized ETPI, poly(ETPI), poly(ETPI-co-AA), poly(ETPI-co-VAc), and poly(ETPI-co-MAH) were characterized by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and gel permeation chromatography. The synthesized polymers have a number-average molecular weight (M_n) in the range of 3500-27,400. The in vitro cytotoxicities of poly(ETPI), poly(ETPI-co-AA), poly(ETPI-co-VAc), and poly(ETPI-co-MAH) against fibroblast and K-562 human leukemia cells were lower than that of monomeric ETPI at a low concentration (0.02 mg/mL). The in vivo antitumor activities of the polymers were evaluated by the survival time with sarcoma 180 tumor-bearing mice. The polymers showed higher antitumor activity and lower toxicity than both monomeric ETPI and 5-fluorouracil at all doses tested. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2605–2612, 1997     

Preparation and oil-absorptivity of crosslinked polymers containing stearylmethacrylate, 4-t-butylstyrene, and divinylbenzene

Summary The crosslinked polymers, poly(stearylmethacrylate-co-divinylbenzene) [CP(SMA-co-DVB)] and poly(t-butylstyrene-co-divinylbenzene) [CP(tBS-co-DVB)], and CP(SMA-co-DVB)/PtBS IPNs, were prepared by the polymerization of corresponding monomer pairs in the presence of BPO. The structures and thermal properties of CP(SMA-co-DVB), CP(tBS-co-DVB), and the IPN were determined by FT-IR, DSC, and TGA. The oil-absorptivities of CP(SMA-co-DVB) and CP(SMA-co-DVB)/PtBS IPN decreased with increasing concentrations of DVB and tBS, respectively. The highest oil-absorptivities of CP(SMA-co-DVB) and the IPN(PtBS: 25%) were 615 % and 330 %, respectively. The toluene absorptivity of the synthesized polymers decreased in following order: CP(tBS-co-DVB) > CP(SMA-co-DVB) > IPN(PtBS: 25 %) > IPN(PtBS: 50 %) > IPN(PtBS: 75 %) at immersion above 60 min. Received: 4 November 1999/Revised version: 13 December 1999/Accepted: 15 December 1999     

Synthesis and antitumour and antiangiogenesis activity of polymers containing methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propane tricarboxylic acid

A new monomer, methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propane tricarboxylic acid (MTCA), was synthesized from citric acid and methacrylic anhydride. Poly(methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propane tricarboxylic acid) and poly(methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propane tricarboxylic acid)‐co‐(maleic anhydride) were prepared by radical polymerizations. Terpoly(methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propane tricarboxylic acid–maleic anhydride–furan) was obtained by in situ terpolymerization of MTCA and exo‐3,6‐epoxy‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalic anhydride. The synthesized samples were identified by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The number‐average molecular weights of the fractionated polymers determined by GPC were in the range 14 900–16 600 and polydispersity indices were less than 1.14. The in vitro IC₅₀ values of the monomer and polymers against cancer and normal cell lines were much higher than those of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). The in vivo antitumour activities of the synthesized samples at a dosage of 0.8 mg kg⁻¹ against mice bearing the sarcoma 180 tumour cell line decreased in the order terpoly(MTCA‐MAH‐FUR) > poly(MTCA‐co‐MAH) > poly(MTCA) > MTCA > 5‐FU. The synthesized samples inhibited DNA replication and angiogenetic activity more than did 5‐FU. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and biological activity of medium molecular weight polymers containing 3,6‐endo‐methylene‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalimidobutanoyl‐5‐fluorouracil

A new monomer, 3,6‐endo‐methylene‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalimidobutanoyl‐5‐fluorouracil (ETBFU), was synthesized by reaction of 3,6‐endo‐methylene‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalimidobutanoyl chloride and 5‐fluorouracil. The homopolymer of ETBFU and its copolymers with acrylic acid (AA) or vinyl acetate (VAc) were prepared by photopolymerization using 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenylacetophenone as an initiator at 25 °C. The synthesized ETBFU and its polymers were identified by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The ETBFU content in poly(ETBFU‐co‐AA) and poly(ETBFU‐co‐VAc) was 43 and 14 mol%, respectively. The apparent number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of the polymers determined by GPC ranged from 8400 to 11 300. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the samples against mouse mammary carcinoma (FM3A), mouse leukaemia (P388), and human histiocytic lymphoma (U937) cancer cell lines decreased in the order 5‐FU ≥ ETBFU > poly(ETBFU) > poly(ETBFU‐co‐AA) > poly(ETBFU‐co‐VAc). The in vivo antitumour activity of the polymers against Balb/C mice bearing sarcoma 180 tumour cells was greater than that of 5‐fluorouracil at all doses tested. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Syntheses and biological activities of 5′-O-methacryloyl-3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine and its polymers

The new monomer, 5′-O-methacryloyl-3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (MAZT), was synthesized from methacryloyl chloride (MAC) and 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT). The homopolymer of MAZT and copolymers of MAZT with acrylic acid (AA) or exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalic glycinylimide (ETGI) were synthesized by radical polymerizations. The structures of MAZT and polymers were confirmed identified by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopies. The number average molecular weights (Mˉn) and polydispersity indices of the synthesized polymers were in the range of 4,400 ∼ 20,400 and 1.2 ∼ 2.0. The in vitro cytotoxicities of polymers against K562 human leukemia and normal cell lines were greater than that of control. Received: 19 August 1997/Accepted: 26 September 1997     

Syntheses and antitumor activities of polymers containing 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid or 5-fluorouracil

Summary The polymers containing 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPA) were prepared by radical polymerizations. The polymers were identified by FT-IR, ¹H-, and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopies. The contents of AMPA unit in poly(AMPA-co-MAH), terpoly(AMPA-MAH-FUR), and poly(AMPA-co-EETFU) were 67, 73 and 49 mol %, respectively. The number average molecular weights of the polymers determined by GPC were in range from 5,600 to 9,200. The IC₅₀ values of the synthesized polymers against cancer cell lines were in the range of 0.02 to 127. The in vivo antitumor activities of polymers against Balb/C mice bearing the sarcoma 180 tumor cells were greater than those of 5-FU. Received: 6 September 2000/Revised version: 12 March 2001/Accepted: 22 March 2001     

Molecular composite of lignin: Miscibility and complex formation of organosolv lignin and its acetates with synthetic polymers containing vinyl pyrrolidone and/or vinyl acetate units

Binary blends and pseudo-complexes of organosolv lignin (OSL) or its acetate (OSL-Ac) with synthetic polymers including poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (P(VP-co-VAc)) were prepared by casting from mixed polymer solutions in N,N-dimethylformamide as good solvent and by spontaneous coprecipitation from solutions in tetrahydrofuran (THF) as comparatively poor solvent. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry showed that OSL was not miscible with PVAc; however, OSL(-Ac) was miscible with PVP to form homogeneous blends irrespective of the degree of acetylation of OSL. OSL formed homogeneous blends with P(VP-co-VAc) with ≥30 mol % of VP contents. Fourier transform infrared spectra measurements for the miscible blends of OSL/PVP revealed the presence of hydrogen bonding interactions between hydroxyls of OSL and carbonyls of VP units. However, there was no evidence for the development of the hydrogen bonding in miscible blends of fully acetylated OSL with PVP. For complexes via THF solutions, its formation was found to be primarily due to a higher frequency of hydrogen bonding interactions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Synthesis and biological activity of phthalimide‐based polymers containing 5‐fluorouracil

The attachment of anticancer agents to polymers is a promising approach towards reducing the toxic side‐effects and retaining the potent antitumour activity of these agents. A new tetrahydrophthalimido monomer containing 5‐fluorouracil (ETPFU) and its homopolymer and copolymers with acrylic acid (AA) and with vinyl acetate (VAc) have been synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The ETPFU contents in poly(ETPFU‐co‐AA) and poly(ETPFU‐co‐VAc) obtained by elemental analysis were 21 mol% and 20 mol%, respectively. The average molecular weights of the polymers determined by gel permeation chromatography were as follows: M_n = 8900 g mol^?1, M_w = 13 300 g mol^?1, M_w/M_n = 1.5 for poly(ETPFU); M_n = 13 500 g mol^?1, M_w = 16 600 g mol^?1, M_w/M_n = 1.2 for poly(ETPFU‐co‐AA); M_n = 8300 g mol^?1, M_w = 11 600 g mol^?1, M_w/M_n = 1.4 poly(ETPFU‐co‐VAc). The in vitro cytotoxicity of the compounds against FM3A and U937 cancer cell lines increased in the following order: ETPFU > 5‐FU > poly(ETPFU) > poly(ETPFU‐co‐AA) > poly(ETPFU‐co‐VAc). The in vivo antitumour activities of all the polymers in Balb/C mice bearing the sarcoma 180 tumour cell line were greater than those of 5‐FU and monomer at the highest dose (800 mg kg^?1). © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and fungicidal activities of polymeric biocides. I. TBZ-containing monomer and polymers

The fungicidal monomer, N-acryloyl-2-(4′-thiazolyl) benzimidazole (AcTBZ) was synthesized from 2-(4′-thiazolyl) benzimidazole (TBZ) and acryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine in dry benzene at 30°C. The synthesized AcTBZ was identified by IR and ¹H-NMR spectra. The homopolymers of AcTBZ were obtained using BPO as a thermal initiator in benzene under different experimental conditions such as various initiator concentrations or polymerization temperatures. The homopolymer of AcTBZ was also prepared using benzophenone as a photo initiator in DMF at 20°C. The average molecular weights (Mw ) of those poly(AcTBZ) s obtained were very low, being in the order of ca. 10³. Copolymer of AcTBZ and polymer of AcTBZ and acrylic acid (AA) was synthesized with thermal or photo initiators. Poly(AcTBZ) and poly(AcTBZ-co-AA) were identified by IR and ¹H-NMR spectra. The fungicidal activities of AcTBZ, poly(AcTBZ), and its polymers as well as TBZ against Aspergillus niger and Chaetomium globusum were very excellent compared to those of control polymers such as poly(AA) and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate). The fungicidal activities were decreased in the order TBZ > AcTBZ > poly(AcTBZ) > poly(AcTBZ-co-AA) against both Aspergillus niger and Chaetomium globusum. The fungicidal activities of TBZ, and the synthesized AcTBZ and polymers containing AcTBZ were better against Chaetomium globusum than against Aspergillus niger. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Studies in water-vapor transmission rate of nonocclusive acrylic adhesive tape

Various homopolymers, copolymers, and terpolymers based on 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA), n-butyl methacrylate (nBMA), and acrylic acid (AA) were synthesized using the well-known free-radical polymerization technique. The polymers were analyzed by ¹HNMR and IR spectroscopy to identify and confirm the presence of the monomers in the copolymer and also to check the absence of monomer impurities. A water-vapor transmission rate (WVTR) study of the synthesized adhesives coated on nonwoven polyester fabric was undertaken using the desiccant method. The water-vapor permeability of the various copolymers changed with the change in monomer concentration. The higher the AA content in the copolymer, the higher was the permeability. The trend shown by various copolymers and terpolymers of 2-EHA with respect to their WVTR is 2-EHA-co-AA > 2-EHA-co-nBMA > 2-EHA-co-AA-co-nBMA. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of copolymers from 3,5-dioxo-4,10-dioxatricyclo-[5.2.02,6]dec-8-ene and vinyl monomers by photopolymerization and their biological activities

Photocopolymerizations of 3,5-dioxo-4,10-dioxatricyclo[5.2.0^2,6]dec-8-ene (DDTD) with methacrylic acid (MA) acrylamide (AAm) and vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) were carried out in 2-butanone using dimethoxy benzoin (DMB) as an initiator at 25°C. The structures of the polymers obtained from photopolymerizations of corresponding monomer pairs were confirmed to be poly(DDTD-co-MA), poly(DDTD-co-AAm) and poly(DDTD-co-VP) by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, and the average molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The weight average molecular weights (M_w) of the polymers were in the range 9500–17300. The polymers were soluble in water, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and dimethyl formamide (DMF). The contents of DDTD units in the copolymers were 19, 37 and 45%. The in vitro cytotoxicities of the polymers were evaluated using mouse mammary carcinoma (FM-3A), mouse leukaemia (P-388) and human histiocytic lymphoma (U-937) cell lines. The in vivo antitumour activities of the polymers were estimated by the survival time of sarcoma 180 tumour-bearing mice. The in vivo antitumour activities of the polymers were greater than those of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and monomeric DDTD at a dose of 0·8mgkg^-1. Poly(DDTD-co-AAm) and poly(DDTD-co-VP) showed higher antitumour activity than 5-FU and monomeric DDTD at all doses tested. © 1998 SCI.     

Grafting behavior of n-butyl acrylate onto poly(butadiene-co-styrene) latexes

The radical-induced grafting of n-butyl acrylate (BA) onto poly(butadiene-co-styrene) [(P(Bd-S)] latexes during seeded emulsion polymerization was studied. This P(Bd-S)/PBA rubber/rubber core/shell latex system exhibited unique grafting behavior as compared to other extensively studied rubber/glass core/shell latex systems, such as poly(butadiene-co-styrene)/poly(methyl methacrylate) [P(Bd-S)/PMMA], poly(butadiene-co-styrene)/polystyrene [P(Bd-S)/PS] and poly(butadiene-co-styrene)/poly(acrylonitrile)[P(Bd-S)/PAN]. These composite latexes were characterized by the formation of a highly grafted/crosslinked P(Bd-S)/PBA interphase zone generated during the seeded emulsion polymerization process. Although both of the individual core and shell polymers studied were “soft” themselves, the resulting P(Bd-S)/PBA composite latex particles were found to be rather “hard.” The formation of the interphase zone was studied by using techniques such as solvent extraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:511–523, 1997     

Environmental degradation and biofouling of ‘green’ plastics including short and medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates

Biopolymers derived from natural resources are potential alternatives to recalcitrant synthetic plastics; however, studies investigating the degradability of these biopolymers in natural environments are relatively few. This study compares the environmental degradation of polymers described as ‘green plastics’ in garden soil in terms of weight loss, topographical changes and biofilm attachment. Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(3‐hydroxyvalerate)] (P(HB‐co‐8HV)), (copolymer containing 8 mol% HV) films degraded rapidly, losing 50% of their initial weight in 50 days. In contrast, after burial for 380 days, the medium chain length polyhydroxyoctanoate (PHO) lost 60% of its weight, poly(D ,L ‐lactide) (PDLL) 18% and poly[(D ,L ‐lactide)‐co‐glycolide] (PDLLG) 35%. Polystyrene (PS) and ethyl cellulose (EC) showed no significant degradation. Both weight loss and biofouling occurred in the following sequence: P(HB‐co‐8HV) = PHB > PHO > PDLLG > PDLL > PS = EC. The surface rugosity and surface areas of PHB and P(HB‐co‐8HV) increased three‐ and twofold, respectively, during degradation, indicating surface erosion. The surface rugosity of PHO increased twofold and the surface area increased by 25%. This in situ study demonstrates a quantifiable relationship between biofilm attachment, surface rugosity and polymer degradation. PHB and P(HB‐co‐8HV) showed greater biofouling and increased surface rugosity, and degraded significantly faster than the other polymers studied. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Syntheses and biological activities of polymers containing methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propanetricarboxylic acid or 5‐fluorouracil

A series of novel copolymers, poly(methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propanetricarboxylic acid‐co‐exo‐3,6‐epoxy‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalic acid) [poly(MTCA‐co‐ETAc)], poly(methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propanetricarboxylic acid‐co‐hydrogenethyl‐exo‐3,6‐epoxy‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalate) [poly(MTCA‐co‐HEET)], and poly(methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propanetricarboxylic acid‐co‐α‐ethoxy‐exo‐3,6‐epoxy‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthaloyl‐5‐fluorouracil) [poly(MTCA‐co‐EETFU)], were prepared from corresponding monomers by photopolymerizations at 25°C for 48 h. The polymers were identified by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopies. The number‐average molecular weights of the fractionated polymers determined by GPC were in the range from 9400 to 14,900 and polydispersity indices were 1.2–1.4. The in vitro IC₅₀ values of polymers against mouse mammary carcinoma (FM3A), mouse leukemia (P388), and human histiocytic lymphoma (U937) as cancer cell lines and mouse liver cells (AC2F) as a normal cell line were much higher compared to that of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). The in vivo antitumor activities of monomers and polymers against mice bearing sarcoma 180 tumor cell line were better than those of 5‐FU. The inhibition of DNA replication and antiangiogenesis activities of MTCA and copolymers were better compared to those of 5‐FU. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 57–64, 2004     

Synthesis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer containing anhydride and imide comonomers - A theoretical study on reversal of LCST

The stimuli sensitive copolymer NIPAM-co-MI was prepared by copolymerizing NIPAM (N-isopropylacrylamide) with varying concentrations of maleimide (MI). The copolymer showed the same ratio of the monomeric components as that of the initial monomer feed ratio, with the two components arranged in the chain in a purely random sequence. Interestingly, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of NIPAM-co-MI was found to decrease with increase in MI loading in the copolymer. This behavior was in drastic contrast to the LCST behavior of a similar copolymer NIPAM-co-MA of NIPAM and maleic anhydride (MA) where the LCST showed an increase with increase in the MA concentration. A theoretical interpretation of the contrasting LCST behavior of both NIPAM-co-MI and NIPAM-co-MA was obtained by quantum mechanical (QM) modeling on small structural units of the polymers as well as molecular dynamic (MD) simulations at LCST and above the LCST on 50-unit oligomer model of the polymers. The QM models showed that the MI based polymer is more inclined towards bend structure, higher hydration, and higher intramolecular hydrogen bond formation between its monomer units when compared to those of the MA based polymer. The results of the large scale MD simulation was in complete support of the QM results as it showed the formation of a more folded and highly hydrated NIPAM-co-MI than NIPAM-co-MA.     

Syntheses,antitumour activities and antiangiogenesis of 1,2,3‐tris(ethoxycarbonyl)‐2‐propyl acrylate and its polymers

A new monomer, 1,2,3‐tris(ethoxycarbonyl)‐2‐propyl acrylate (TPA), was synthesized by reaction of acryloyl chloride and triethyl citrate. The homopolymer of TPA and its copolymers with acrylic acid (AA), vinyl acetate (VAc) and maleic anhydride (MAH) were prepared by polymerization using lauroyl peroxide (LPO) at 70 °C for 24 h. The structures of TPA and its polymers were identified by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, and elemental analysis. The number average molecular weights and polydispersity indices of the synthesized polymers determined by GPC were in the range 4200–23 000 g mol^?1 and 1.1–2.1, respectively. The IC₅₀ values of the synthesized samples against cancer cell lines were greater than those of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). The percentage inhibition values of SV40 DNA replication were 82.2 for TPA, 34.3 for poly (TPA), 81.9 for poly(TPA‐co‐AA), 82.0 for poly(TPA‐co‐VAc), 35.6 for poly(TPA‐co‐MAH) and 12.7 for 5‐FU. The inhibitions of SV40 DNA replication and antiangiogenesis for the synthesized TPA and its polymers are much greater than those of the control. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry