Carraher, Charles E.

This research is part of a long-term project aimed at elucidating important structural
features, of both ligands and metals, that are needed to produce effective anti-cancer agents.
The specific goal is the synthesis of organotin polymers containing amino acids, in this
case the diamino acid diglycine. The desired materials were synthesized with percent yields
ranging from 32-99%. The products were synthesized employing the interfacial
polymerization technique. The polymers were then characterized utilizing the following
physical characterization techniques: light scattering photometry (LS), Infrared
spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and matrix assisted
laser desorption mass spectroscopy (MALDI). Physical characterization showed evidence
of formation of desired adducts in addition to data that was consistent with the formation
of materials containing multiple repeat units. The materials were then analyzed for
biological activity. The synthesized materials displayed the ability to inhibit tested cancer
cell lines.

Nitric acid can drive oxidation reactions of paraffins producing nitroparaffins and
other oxidation products. Presented here is a study on the aqueous liquid phase nitric
acid oxidation of paraffin oil supported on PTFE particles. The goals ofthis study
are:
1. To evaluate the effectiveness of nitric acid in removing paraffin oil from
PTFE particle surfaces.
2. To evaluate the effects of nitric acid driven reactions with paraffin oils
under varying reaction conditions.
3. To evaluate FTIR Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, DRIFT, as a tool to
accomplish the quantitative analysis of this process. These goals have been achieved employing analysis by FTIR Diffuse Reflectance,
which provides a ready means of quantifying paraffin removal. Paraffin removal
generally increases with time, temperature and nitric acid concentration and can be
described by known kinetics including activation energy and region of unity
relationship between the log of the rate constant verses Hammett acidity function.

The formation of polymeric derivatives of the cancer drug Cis-dichlorodiaminoplatinum (II), cis-DDP, by the reaction of (1-4)-2-acetamide-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucose (Chitosan) with potassium tetrachloroplatinate is reported. Chelation of (1-4)-2-acetamide-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucose by tetrachloroplatinum (II) occurred through the amine groups leaving the hydroxyls unreacted and free to assist in making the products water soluble. It was hoped that such compounds would retain the anti tumor activity of cis-DDP but produce fewer toxic side effects. Structural characterization involved infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, EDAX analytical methods. Products were also analyzed using light scattering photometry, elemental analysis and solubility studies. Additionally, the biological activity of water-soluble products was tested against selected cell lines.

Tin-containing polymers were synthesized by reaction of amino acids (4-aminobenzoic acid, ampicillin, glycylglycine and glycyl-D-phenylalanine) with organotin dichloride via the interfacial condensation technique. The products were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry, Ultraviolet spectrometry, light scattering photometry and mass spectral analysis. The biological activities of the products were tested against selected microorganisms and human cells.

Poly(magnesium acrylate) and poly(zirconyl acrylate) have been formed by chelating the magnesium ion and the zirconyl ion onto poly(acrylic acid). The PAA is usually neutralized by addition of sodium hydroxide before the synthesis process. The structures and characterisitics of these polymers are studied by various analytical methods such as thermal analysis, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy. The formation of these polymers is verified and their structures are determined. In addition, a preliminary attempt was carried out to make an advanced structural ceramic from a mixture of poly(magnesium acrylate) and poly(zirconyl acrylate).

The synthesis of polymers which contain vanadocene in the polymer backbone is accomplished by interfacial condensation reactions with the appropriate diols, diacids, and diamines. Structural characterization is accomplished by using FTIR and HREI-MS spectroscopic methods. Weight average molecular weights were determined using light scattering photometry for products which are soluble. Molecular weights for the products vary from 3500 to 15,000 Daltons. The structural characterization results are consistent with the proposed structures.

Polyphosphate esters have been synthesized from reaction of the pentaerythritol ester of phosphorochloridic acid with different diols--bisphenol A, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,3-bis(4-hydroxybutyl)-tetramethyldisiloxane and 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine. All products are medium to high molecular weight. The product from bisphenol A gives fibers from concentrated solution. The product from 1,3-bis(4-hydroxybutyl)-tetramethyldisiloxane acts as an adhesive. The products were made for potential flame retardant applications in the electronics industry. The characterizations by MS, NMR and FT-IR are in agreement with the proposed structures.

Ruthenium-containing polymers derived from cis-dichloro-bis(2-2'-bipyridine) ruthenium and selected diamine-containing dyes have been synthesized. These polymeric products were characterized using FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, light scattering photometry, and mass spectral analysis. Thermal degradation studies of these products are also presented.

Ruthenium-containing polymers derived from dichloro-bis(2,2-bipyridine)-ruthenium and selected dithiol or diamines have been synthesized. These polymeric products were characterized using FTIR, ultraviolet spectroscopy, light scattering photometry and mass spectral analysis. Thermal degradation studies of these products are presented.