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Related Concept Videos

Acid-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides02:24

Acid-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides

9.0K
Epoxides that are three-membered ring systems are more reactive than other cyclic and acyclic ethers. The high reactivity of epoxides originates from the strain present in the ring. This ring strain acts as a driving force for epoxides to undergo ring-opening reactions either with halogen acids or weak nucleophiles in the presence of mild acid. The acid catalyst converts the epoxide oxygen, a poor leaving group, into an oxonium ion, a better leaving group, making the reaction feasible. The...
9.0K
Base-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides02:26

Base-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides

10.3K
Due to their highly strained structures, epoxides can readily undergo ring-opening reactions through nucleophilic substitution, either in the presence of an acid or a base. The nucleophilic substitution reactions in the presence of acid are called acid-catalyzed ring-opening reactions, and nucleophilic substitution reactions in the presence of a base are called base-catalyzed ring-opening reactions. Epoxides undergo base-catalyzed ring-opening reactions in the presence of a strong nucleophile...
10.3K
Base-Catalyzed Aldol Addition Reaction01:08

Base-Catalyzed Aldol Addition Reaction

4.6K
As depicted in Figure 1, base-catalyzed aldol addition involves adding two carbonyl compounds in aqueous sodium hydroxide to form a β-hydroxy carbonyl compound.
4.6K
Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration of Alcohols to Alkenes02:35

Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration of Alcohols to Alkenes

24.1K
In a dehydration reaction, a hydroxyl group in an alcohol is eliminated along with the hydrogen from an adjacent carbon. Here, the products are an alkene and a molecule of water. Dehydration of alcohols is generally achieved by heating in the presence of an acid catalyst. While the dehydration of primary alcohols requires high temperatures and acid concentrations, secondary and tertiary alcohols can lose a water molecule under relatively mild conditions.
24.1K
Acid-Catalyzed Aldol Addition Reaction01:15

Acid-Catalyzed Aldol Addition Reaction

3.3K
The aldol reaction of a ketone under acidic conditions successfully forms an unsaturated carbonyl as the final product instead of an aldol. The acid-catalyzed aldol reaction is depicted in Figure 1.
3.3K
Acid-Catalyzed Hydration of Alkenes02:45

Acid-Catalyzed Hydration of Alkenes

17.4K
Alkenes react with water in the presence of an acid to form an alcohol. In the absence of acid, hydration of alkenes does not occur at a significant rate, and the acid is not consumed in the reaction. Therefore, alkene hydration is an acid-catalyzed reaction.
17.4K

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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Caffeine Extraction, Enzymatic Activity and Gene Expression of Caffeine Synthase from Plant Cell Suspensions
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Caffeine Extraction, Enzymatic Activity and Gene Expression of Caffeine Synthase from Plant Cell Suspensions

Published on: October 2, 2018

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Caffeine-catalyzed gels.

Angela M DiCiccio1, Young-Ah Lucy Lee1, Dean L Glettig1

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

Biomaterials
|April 17, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

We developed a novel, green chemistry method to synthesize biocompatible Caffeine Catalyzed Gels (CCGs) using food-grade ingredients. These versatile gels are suitable for direct biomedical applications, offering tunable properties for various uses.

Keywords:
Biocompatible materialsGreen-chemistryShape-changing thermosets

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Staining Proteins in Gels
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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Green Chemistry

Background:

  • Covalently cross-linked gels are crucial for biomedical applications but often involve complex synthesis and harsh conditions.
  • Existing methods can damage sensitive biologics and require extensive post-processing for biocompatibility.
  • There is a need for facile, biocompatible gel synthesis using safe and accessible materials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a novel, green chemistry-based platform for synthesizing covalently cross-linked gels suitable for direct biomedical use.
  • To demonstrate the tunable physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of these novel gels.
  • To establish the potential of these gels for diverse customized engineering applications.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a batch synthesis platform using caffeine as a mild base catalyst.
  • Employed anhydrous carboxylate ring-opening of diglycidyl-ether functionalized monomers with citric acid.
  • Utilized commonly available, food-grade ingredients for a green chemistry approach.

Main Results:

  • Successfully synthesized biocompatible Caffeine Catalyzed Gels (CCGs) via a facile and low-cost method.
  • Demonstrated that CCGs possess dynamic and tailorable properties, including shape, surface texture, and solvent response.
  • Showcased tunable mechanical properties such as shear and tensile strength, and controlled cargo release capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • The novel poly(ester-ether) gel synthesis platform offers a versatile, cost-effective, and green alternative for producing biocompatible materials.
  • The demonstrated tunability and ease of synthesis make CCGs highly suitable for a broad range of customized biomedical engineering applications.
  • Potential applications include drug delivery constructs, tissue engineering scaffolds, and advanced medical devices.