Macromolecules reactions

A step-growth polymerization (with or without elimination of low-molar-mass products) involves a series of monomer + monomer, monomer + oligomer, monomer or oligomer + macromolecule, and macromolecule + macromolecule reactions. The molar mass of the product grows gradually and the molar mass distribution becomes continuously wider. Functionalities of monomers and the molar ratio between coreactive sites are the main parameters for controlling the polymer structure. 

A chainwise polymerization proceeds exclusively by monomer + macromolecule reactions. When the propagation step is fast compared to the initiation step, long chains are already formed at the beginning of the reaction. The main parameters controlling the polymer structure are the functionalities of the monomers and the ratios between the initiation and propagation rates and between initiator and monomer concentrations. 

Investigations of cooperative macromolecule-macromolecule reactions are of great interest because of the possible difference in the reactivity of functional groups attached to the chain or to a low-molecular weight compound. In the last decade, intensive studies on polymer-polymer complexes have been carried out and many attempts have been made to explain the main regularities and specific features of the cooperative interactions of chemically and structurally complementary macromolecules. 

Aoqing Tang, Statistic Kinetics of Macromolecule Reaction. Science Press. Beijing, China, 366 (1985). 

Limited information is available on the biotransformation of carbon disulfide in humans, and the metabolic products of carbon disulfide are not completely known. In animals and humans the proposed metabolic pathways involved in the metabolism of carbon disulfide (Beauchamp et al. 1983) are depicted in Figure 2-3, reactions i-x. Reaction i has been demonstrated in in vivo animal studies and in in vitro assays. Reactions ii-v are proven by in vitro studies, while products of reactions vi-ix are the results of proposed metabolic pathways of carbon disulfide in animals and humans. Carbon disulfide is metabolized by cytochrome P-450 to an unstable oxygen intermediate (reaction i). The intermediate may either spontaneously degrade to atomic sulfur and carbonyl sulfide (reaction ii) or hydrolyze to form atomic sulfur and monothiocarbonate (reaction iii). The atomic sulfur generated in these reactions may either covalently bind to macromolecules (reaction iv) or be oxidized to products such as sulfate (reaction v). 

Step 3 The product of the second step adds to a third molecule of styrene, then a fourth, and so on to give a macromolecule. Reaction continues imtil all of the styrene is consumed. At this point the polystyrene exists as an organolithium reagent. 

Chemical Abstracts Service Information System Computer Graphics and Molecular Modeling Electronic Publishing of Scientific Manuscripts Factual Information Databases Internet-based Computational Chemistry Tools Molecular Models Visualization Nucleic Acids Qualitative Modeling Online Databases in Chemistry Protein Data Bank (PDB) A Database of 3D Structural Information of Biological Macromolecules Reaction Databases Spectroscopic Databases Structure Databases. 

The successful preparation of polymers is achieved only if tire macromolecules are stable. Polymers are often prepared in solution where entropy destabilizes large molecular assemblies. Therefore, monomers have to be strongly bonded togetlier. These links are best realized by covalent bonds. Moreover, reaction kinetics favourable to polymeric materials must be fast, so tliat high-molecular-weight materials can be produced in a reasonable time. The polymerization reaction must also be fast compared to side reactions tliat often hinder or preclude tire fonnation of the desired product. 

Fast transient studies are largely focused on elementary kinetic processes in atoms and molecules, i.e., on unimolecular and bimolecular reactions with first and second order kinetics, respectively (although confonnational heterogeneity in macromolecules may lead to the observation of more complicated unimolecular kinetics). Examples of fast thennally activated unimolecular processes include dissociation reactions in molecules as simple as diatomics, and isomerization and tautomerization reactions in polyatomic molecules. A very rough estimate of the minimum time scale required for an elementary unimolecular reaction may be obtained from the Arrhenius expression for the reaction rate constant, k = A. The quantity /cg T//i from transition state theory provides... 

In this book, we concentrate largely on methods for the computer manipulation of small and medium-sized molecules, molecules of up to a few hundred or thousand atoms. We do this to develop an understanding of the methods available for the processing of information on chemical compounds and reactions. However, many of these methods can also be applied to macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. 

The wide variety of ketomethylene and amino ketone monomers that could be synthesized, and the abiUty of the quinoline-forming reaction to generate high molar mass polymers under relatively mild conditions, allow the synthesis of a series of polyquinolines with a wide stmctural variety. Thus polyquinolines with a range of chain stiffness from a semirigid chain to rod-like macromolecules have been synthesized. Polyquinolines are most often prepared by solution polymerization of bis(i9-amino aryl ketone) and bis (ketomethylene) monomers, where R = H or C H, in y -cresol with di-y -cresyl phosphate at 135—140°C for a period of 24—48 h (92). 

Polyamides, like other macromolecules, degrade as a result of mechanical stress either in the melt phase, in solution, or in the soHd state (124). Degradation in the fluid state is usually detected via a change in viscosity or molecular weight distribution (125). However, in the soHd state it is possible to observe the free radicals formed as a result of polymer chains breaking under the appHed stress. If the polymer is protected from oxygen, then alkyl radicals can be observed (126). However, if the sample is exposed to air then the radicals react with oxygen in a manner similar to thermo- and photooxidation. These reactions lead to the formation of microcracks, embrittlement, and fracture, which can eventually result in failure of the fiber, film, or plastic article. 

G. Swift, M. B. Freeman, Y. H. Paik, S. Wolk, and K. M. Yocom,MC3 Biotech. SectetariatAhstr. (San Diego) (Spring 1994) 6th International Conference on Poljmer Supported Reactions in Organic Chemistrj (POC), Venice, Italy, June 19—23, 1994,Ahstr, p. 1.13 and 35th lUPAC InternationalSjmposium on Macromolecules, Akron, Ohio, July 11—15, 1994, Abstr. 0-4.4-13, p. 615. 

Laue Method for Macromolecule X-Ray Diffraction. As indicated above it is possible to determine the stmctures of macromolecules from x-ray diffraction however, it normally takes a relatively long period of data collection time (even at synchrotrons) to collect all of the data. A new technique, the Laue method, can be used to collect all of the data in a fraction of a second. Instead of using monochromated x-rays, a wide spectmm of incident x-rays is used. In this case, all of the reflections that ate diffracted on to an area detector are recorded at just one setting of the detector and the crystal. By collecting many complete data sets over a short period of time, the Laue method can be used to foUow the reaction of an enzyme with its substrate. This technique caimot be used with conventional x-ray sources. 

The electrostatic free energy of a macromolecule embedded in a membrane in the presence of a membrane potential V can be expressed as the sum of three separate terms involving the capacitance C of the system, the reaction field Orffr), and the membrane potential field p(r) [73],... 

Another variant that may mrn out to be the method of choice performs the alchemical free energy simulation with a spherical model surrounded by continuum solvent, neglecting portions of the macromolecule that lie outside the spherical region. The reaction field due to the outer continuum is easily included, because the model is spherical. Additional steps are used to change the dielectric constant of that portion of the macromolecule that lies in the outer region from its usual low value to the bulk solvent value (before the alchemical simulation) and back to its usual low value (after the alchemical simulation) the free energy for these steps can be obtained from continuum electrostatics [58]. 

There are two great families of synthetic polymers, those made by addition methods (notably, polyethylene and other polyolefines), in which successive monomers simply become attached to a long chain, and those made by condensation reactions (polyesters, polyamides, etc.) in which a monomer becomes attached to the end of a chain with the generation of a small by-product molecule, such as water. The first sustained programme of research directed specifically to finding new synthetic macromolecules involved mostly condensation reactions and was master-... 

Toxic reactions occur by several mechanisms activation of metabolism, production of reactive intermediates and subsequent reactions with cell macromolecules, changing receptor responses, or through abnormal defence reactions. Several compounds cause toxicity by mimicking the organism s own hormones or neurotransmitters, or activating the body s endogenous receptors in some non-physiological way. ... 

Nitric oxide may induce deleterious effects when airway epithelial or immunological cells are exposed to mineral particles (asbestos, quartz). These particles also stimulate cells to produce NO in large quantities, but pulmonary cells are unable to destroy these particles, and a non-physiologically excess production of NO results, perhaps causing tissue damage due to a reaction of NO with cellular macromolecules. 

Extensive research is currently underway to use biological markers (biomarkers) in exposure and risk assessment. Biomarkers include the reaction products of chemicals or their metabolic products with biological macromolecules, especially with DNA. They also involve indicators of effect, such as chromosomal damage, and indicators of individual genetic susceptibility. 

M. Cates. Reptation of living polymers Dynamics of entangled polymers in the presence of reversible chain-scission reactions. Macromolecules 20 2289-2296, 1987. 

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