José Ramón Isasi

The Aggregation of Cyclodextrins as Studied by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy

Photon correlation spectroscopy has been used to study theaggregation processes of natural and some modified cyclodextrins (CDs) in diluted aqueoussolutions. α-, β-, and γ-CD form large, polydisperse aggregatesin water, although the aggregation capability is different depending on the macrocycle considered. γ-CD solutions filtered through 0.2~μm give a single-modaldistribution of aggregates of 224 nm in size. The monomeric γ-CD can be isolated by filtering through 0.1 μm. α-CD displays a bimodaldistribution (monomer + aggregates) with both pore sizes. At the concentrations studied (0.012 M) the contribution in mass of the aggregates with both CDs isnegligible. β-CD is much more persistent in its aggregation, even after sievingits solutions through 0.02 μm filters, and time dependent. The aggregation displayed byCDs with partial substitution of the OH groups (Methyl-β-CD and Hydroxypropyl-β-CD) is much weaker, indicating the implication of the hydrophilic rims ofthe CDs in the process. High temperatures, addition of urea or electrolytes andionisation of the OH groups by raising the pH, prevent the aggregation.

The degree of crystallinity of monoclinic isotactic poly(propylene)

The degree of crystallinity of a set of monoclinic (alpha) isotactic poly(propylenes), prepared by a metallocene-type catalyst, were determined at room temperature. Three different methods were used: density, enthalpy of fusion, and wide-angle X-ray scattering, and the results compared. The relation between the heat of fusion and the specific volume of these poly(propylenes) was found to be nonlinear, thus precluding any linear extrapolation to obtain the heat of fusion of the pure crystal (ΔHu). The value of ΔHu obtained from depression of the melting temperature by diluents is used. Based on the unit cell density of monoclinic crystals formed from a low defected fraction, the density obtained crystallinity levels were found to be between 0.l5–0.25 higher than those calculated from the heat of fusion. This relatively large difference holds for the isothermally crystallized and quenched isotactic poly(propylenes), and reflects the contribution of the interphase to the density determined crystallinity, which does not contribute to the heat of fusion. Paralleling results found in other systems, the crystallinity levels obtained from wide-angle X-ray scattering agree with those obtained from density, indicating a significant contribution of the partially ordered phase to the total diffraction. Emphasis is given on the need to account for the large differences in the crystallinities of poly(propylene) measured by different techniques when evaluating the dependence of properties on this quantity.

Sorption models in cyclodextrin polymers: Langmuir, Freundlich, and a dual-mode approach

The classic Langmuir and Freundlich sorption models and a dual-mode approach have been tested to study the sorption of aromatic molecules onto beta-cyclodextrin polymers as well as onto analogous sucrose polymers, obtained using the same crosslinking agents (epichlorohydrin, succinyl chloride, toluene diisocyanate, and hexamethylene diisocyanate). The host-guest interaction of the sorbate within the cyclodextrin cavities corresponds to the hole-filling mechanism considered in the dual-mode approach, while the polymer crosslinking networks are capable of entrapping more sorbate molecules via partition. In some cases, when the sorption is governed by the inclusion within the cyclodextrin moieties, a simple Langmuir isotherm fits the data properly. The classic Freundlich equation is also appropriate when phenol is the sorbate because its interaction with beta-cyclodextrin is less specific than that of 1-naphthol.

Some aspects of the crystallization of ethylene copolymers

Abstract This report presents a continuation of studies from these laboratories that have been concerned with the crystallization behavior of ethylene copolymers. More specifically a comparison is made between the thermodynamic properties of ethylene–norbornene copolymers with those of the 1-alkene copolymers. In addition a detailed comparison is made of the thermodynamic, tensile, morphological and structural properties and the overall crystallization kinetics between the ethylene–1-alkene copolymers that do or do not contain small concentrations of long-chain branches. Except for the crystallization kinetics, the crystallization properties have been found to be essentially the same for both types of copolymers. A correlation has also been developed between the lamellar and supermolecular structures, the chemical nature of the comonomer and its concentration. Supermolecular structures range from spherulitic to micellar, depending on both comonomer type and concentration. Analysis of the overall crystallization kinetics demonstrates that the interfacial free energies that govern nucleation are independent of the lamellar and superstructures that evolve.

Self-Assembled Supramolecular Gels of Reverse Poloxamers and Cyclodextrins

A series of supramolecular aggregates were prepared using a poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) (PPO-PEO-PPO) block copolymer and β- or α-cyclodextrins (CD). The combination of β-CD and the copolymer yields inclusion complexes (IC) with polypseudorotaxane structures. These are formed by complexation of the PPO blocks with β-CD molecules producing a powder precipitate with a certain crystallinity degree that can be evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). In contrast, when combining α-CD with the block copolymer, the observed effect is an increase in the viscosity of the mixtures yielding fluid gels. Two cooperative effects come into play: the complexation of PEO blocks with α-CD and the hydrophobic interactions between PPO blocks in aqueous media. These two combined interactions lead to the formation of a macromolecular network. The resulting fluid gels were characterized using different techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry, and XRD measurements.

Fluorescence quenching investigation of the complexes of dibenzofuran with natural cyclodextrins

The steady-state fluorescence of dibenzofuran (DBF) in aqueous solution is quenched in the presence of natural cyclodextrins (CDs), α, β, and γ-CD. The decrease in the fluorescence is static in nature for all the macrocycles and follows as a result of the formation of inclusion complexes of dominant 1:1 stoichiometry. With γ-CD, excimer emission is detected at high CD concentrations due to the formation of a complex of 2:2 stoichiometry, DBF2:γ-CD2. The binding constants have been determined from the fluorescence intensities through the analysis of the F0/F vs. [CD] plots, resulting in a stronger association for β-CD. The thermodynamic parameters of the binding, enthalpy and entropy, have been calculated from the temperature dependence of the formation constants. The different trend displayed by α-CD, in both the absorption and fluorescence spectra, seems to be related to a shallow inclusion of DBF, stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the oxygen atom of the furan ring and the hydroxyl groups of CD.

Non-covalent hydrogels of cyclodextrins and poloxamines for the controlled release of proteins

Different types of gels were prepared by combining poloxamines (Tetronic), i.e. poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) (PEO/PPO) octablock star copolymers, and cyclodextrins (CD). Two different poloxamines with the same molecular weight (ca. 7000) but different molecular architectures were used. For each of their four diblock arms, direct Tetronic 904 presents PEO outer blocks while in reverse Tetronic 90R4 the hydrophilic PEO blocks are the inner ones. These gels were prepared by combining α-CD and poloxamine aqueous solutions. The physicochemical properties of these systems depend on several factors such as the structure of the block copolymers and the Tetronic/α-CD ratio. These gels were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry and X-ray diffraction measurements. The 90R4 gels present a consistency that makes them suitable for sustained drug delivery. The resulting gels were easily eroded: these complexes were dismantled when placed in a large amount of water, so controlled release of entrapped large molecules such as proteins (Bovine Serum Albumin, BSA) is feasible and can be tuned by varying the copolymer/CD ratio.

Phase behavior of reverse poloxamers and poloxamines in water

The phase behavior of two types of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) (PEO/PPO) copolymers in aqueous solutions was studied by light scattering, viscometry, and infrared spectroscopy. Both the reverse poloxamer (Pluronic 10R5) and the star type poloxamine (Tetronic 90R4) have practically the same PEO/PPO ratio with their hydrophobic blocks (PPO) located in the outer part. The temperature-composition phase diagrams show that both 10R5 and 90R4 tend to form aggregates in water. Up to four different phases can be detected in the case of Tetronic 90R4 for each temperature: unimers, random networks, micellar networks, and macrophase separation. Viscometric and infrared measurements complemented the results obtained by light scattering and visual inspection.

Influence of soluble and insoluble cyclodextrin polymers on drug release from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose tablets

Background: The influence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymers on drug release from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) matrices has not been reported in the literature. Aim: The influence of monomeric β-CD and both soluble and insoluble β‐CD polymers on drug release from tablets containing either 30% or 50% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has been studied using diflunisal (DF) as model drug. Method: The DF-β-CD inclusion complex (1:1 M) was prepared by coevaporation and characterised using X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and IR spectroscopy. The dissolution assays were performed according to the USP paddle method. Results: The incorporation of β-CD in the complexed form increases drug release from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose tablets in comparison with the physical mixture because of the better solubilization of the drug. The soluble polymer promotes drug release to a higher extent than the physical mixture with monomeric β-CD, but the insoluble polymer, which is itself a hydrogel, gives rise to the most retarded release profile, probably by retention of the drug in its structure. The formulations containing physical mixtures with either β‐CD or the soluble polymer present an optimum adjustment to zero-order release kinetics, and the inclusion complex followed non-Fickian diffusion according to the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. Conclusion: The release profile of DF from a HPMC matrix can be modulated in different ways by the use of either monomeric or polymeric β-CD.

The thermal expansion of the monoclinic unit cell of isotactic polypropylene

The lattice parameters of a highly stereoregular metallocene polypropylene crystallized at 145°C were obtained after cooling and heating cycles in a temperature interval between 25°C and 165°C. The b dimension undergoes a large thermal expansion with temperature (0.6 A) while the change of the a axis is relatively small (0.1 A). The unit cell dimension along the molecular ( c ) axis appears less sensitive to temperature than are the intermolecular distances. The difference in dimensions between the a and c axis at low and high crystallization temperatures is small, varying from 2.3 to 3.5%. This small difference allows the formation of daughter, crosshatched lamellae in the complete interval of crystallization temperatures. The thermal expansion coefficient of the unit cell specific volume is also reported.