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Related Concept Videos

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael acceptor.
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...

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Microbial medium chainlength poly[(R)-3-hydroxyalkanoate] shows liquid crystal behaviour.

Robert H Marchessault1, Hongyan Dou, Juliana Ramsay

  • 1Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 3420 University Street, Pulp & Paper Research Centre, Montreal, QC H3A 2A7, Canada. robert.marchessault@mcgill.ca

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
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Medium chainlength polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs) exhibit properties of thermotropic liquid crystals, characterized by conformational disorder and orientational order. These renewable polymers show potential as advanced, elastomeric materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science
  • Organic Chemistry

Background:

  • Medium chainlength polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs) are gaining attention for their renewable, biodegradable, and high-tech properties.
  • Unlike short-chain counterparts, mcl-PHAs possess low crystallinity and elastomeric characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To classify mcl-PHAs as thermotropic liquid crystals based on their broad properties.
  • To highlight the similarities between mcl-PHAs and liquid crystalline elastomers.
  • To categorize this liquid crystal type using the CONDIS (conformational disorder) acronym.

Main Methods:

  • Thermal analysis (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) to determine glass transition temperature (T(g)) and melting peaks (T(m)).
  • (13)C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ((13)C NMR) spectroscopy to confirm polymer composition and identify unsaturation.

Main Results:

  • Thermal analysis indicated a T(g) of -40 to -45°C and multiple T(m) peaks.
  • (13)C NMR confirmed the poly(3-hydroxynonanoate) (PHN) composition.
  • Two additional samples, PHNU-18 and PHNU-31, with varying percentages of double bonds were identified.

Conclusions:

  • mcl-PHAs exhibit characteristics of thermotropic liquid crystals with conformational disorder and orientational order.
  • The elastomeric nature and properties align with liquid crystalline elastomers.
  • The study provides a framework for understanding mcl-PHAs as advanced functional materials.