I’m currently modifying PVA with folic acid using a DCC/DMAP activation strategy in anhydrous DMSO. Here’s a brief outline of my procedure:

  • I activated 100 mg of folic acid with 120 mg DCC and 27 mg DMAP in 7 mL anhydrous DMSO, stirred at room temperature for 2 days.
  • After activation, I centrifuged the mixture at 8000 rpm for 15 min and repeated this 9 times until the supernatant was clear.
  • Separately, I dissolved 1 g PVA in 10 mL DMSO at 65 °C with stirring, then cooled to room temperature.
  • The activated folic acid solution was added dropwise to the PVA solution under nitrogen at 850 rpm, and stirred for 2 hours.
  • I dialyzed the mixture using a 3.5 kDa RC membrane in DI water (pH ~11).
  • The issue is: after the first dialysis step, the previously clear solution turned turbid. I’m not sure whether this is due to pH-triggered precipitation, unreacted folic acid, or DCC byproducts like dicyclohexylurea.

    Have you seen something like this before? I'd really appreciate any suggestions or advice on how to troubleshoot or avoid this issue.

    Thank you!

    More Cheng-Wei Li's questions See All
    Similar questions and discussions