Complexation in 1-Alkyl-4-vinylpyridinium Ions and Related Polymers

1 Complexation in l-Alkyl-4-vinylpyridinium Ions and Related Polymers 

Homo- and copolymers of 1-alkyl-4-vinylpyridinium ions, 1, are well-known for their ability to form complexes with a wide variety of materials [1, 2]. For example, the interaction of poly(l-alkyl-4-vinylpyridiniums), 2, 3, and 4 with natural and synthetic polyanions has been used to form stable inter-polymer complexes [3-10]. Such complexes have been successfully used to attach redox enzymes or electroactive systems of small molecules to working electrodes. When 2 or 3 is used as a matrix for an anionic enzyme such as glucose oxidase, at pH pKi the enzyme can be effectively wired to an electrode and can contribute to a variety of electroanalytical applications. Heller and associates [11] have utilized such interpolymer complexes to provide a glucose-specific 

Dubin and Park [13] have utilized selective complexation of poly(l-alkyl-4-vinylpyridiniums) with mixtures of proteins to develop a convenient new method for isolation of proteins of interest. For example, they were able to cleanly separate bovine serum albumin (BSA) from ribonuclease (RNase) by a selective coacervation technique. The net negatively charged BSA forms a strong ionic complex with 2 and precipitates to leave only the RNase in solution. 

Kabanov and associates [14,15] have recently investigated the effectiveness of 2 in appropriating natural cellular processes for possible use in medical treatment. They have found that interpolymer complexes of 2 and nucleic acids can be used to enhance incorporation into plasmid DNA of fragments that carry the genetic information for a desired protein [15]. They have also found that interpolymer complexes of 2 and the sodium salt of poly(methacrylic acid) coprecipitate with virus-antibody complexes [16]. The presence of the antibody does not affect coprecipitation of the virus as part of a polycation-polyanion complex. This property has been used to develop a sensitive immunoenzymic method for detection of viruses. 

Kawabata and others [17-20] have explored the usefulness of macroporous resins that contain 1 (R = benzyl or ethyl) copolymerized with styrene and divinylbenzene in water-purification. They have found them to be particularly effective in removing bacteria (e.g. E. Coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and others) from water. They have also successfully used the protein, aspartase, immobiUzed on a resin much like the water purification material to effect quantitative conversion of ammonium fumarate to aspartate in a continuous flow bioreactor [21]. 

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