Improved derivatization technique for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone in drinking water

The quantification of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (Mutagen X or MX) in drinking water is difficult due to the low concentration of MX in drinking water, its high sensitivity to pH change, and matrix effects that interfere with the derivatization and analysis. Typically, the quantification of MX involves derivatization by methylation. We present a one-step derivatization procedure for MX using N-methyl-bis-trifluoroacetamide (MBTFA) and analysis by ion trap GC/MS/MS. The new method resulted in a significant reduction in analysis time, and improved detection limits. The abundant and selective ions in the mass spectrum of the trifluoroacylated MX (trifluoroacetic acid-4-chloro-3-dichloromethyl-5-oxo-2-hydro-furan-2-yl ester) allowed for a clear identification and quantification of the compound, with a method detection limit of 7.7 ng L⁻¹, and a limit of quantitation of 24.4 ng L⁻¹. The trifluoroacylated MX was shown to be stable for 30 days in an excess of the derivatization reagent. The new method was applied for the determination of MX in several drinking water samples, with a concentration range from not-detected to 517 ng L⁻¹; these values are comparable to those obtained in previous studies. The development of this new simplified analytical method for MX is an important step forward in the field of disinfection by-product (DBP) research, particularly in light of the recent scientific recognition of halogenated furanones as emerging drinking water contaminants. Increased analytical ability may well be a decisive factor in the monitoring of these disinfection by-products.     

A Simple Synthesis of Brominated Analogues of 3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy- 2(5H)-furanone (MX)

Abstract

Three brominated analogues of the highly mutagenic drinking water micropollutant 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) have been synthesized from MX by halogen exchange reaction.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for quantification of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone in chlorinated water samples

A method for the determination of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2[5H]-furanone (MX), in drinking water by GC-MS with a limit of detection of 3.0 microg/l and a limit of quantification of 7.0 microg/l is presented. Clean-up by SPE and extraction of water samples with dichloromethane were carried out before the preconcentration of MX, which was derivatized directly in the injector of the GC, and the MX trimethylsilyl derivative was identified and quantitatively determined by MS.     

Analysis and some chemical properties of MX (3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone), the potent drinking water mutagen

Summary The solubility of the potent drinking water mutagen 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) in water (50.8, 44.7, 43.7, and 51.0 mg/ml at pH values 2, 5, 7, and 9, respectively) was only slightly dependent on pH, on the contrary to octanol/water partition (log P_ow 1.13, 0.84, –0.44, and –1.02 at pH 2, 5, 7, and 9, respectively). MX was stable in ethyl acetate and acidic water solutions. The recovery of MX during isolation from water or urine samples was about 100% but about 73–82% in the methylation process. The alternative isolation and derivatization methods tested for MX did not give better results.     

Matrix effects in the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of brominated analogues of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone

Brominated analogues (BMXs) of the strong drinking water mutagen MX (3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone) were found to be subject to strong matrix induced chromatographic response enhancement effects. We evaluated different ways to reduce errors in quantification including comparison of gas chromatographic inlet systems, improved clean up of sample extracts, and preparation of calibration standards in the sample matrix. The best quantitative accuracy and long term performance were achieved when the calibration standards were prepared in sample matrix, samples were cleaned up with C18-resin in conjunction with solid phase extraction (SPE) with Oasis HLB cartridges, and gas chromatography with PTV splitless injection was used. This method enables the determination of MX and BMXs from 500 ml water sample with quantitation limits of 1 ng/l or less.     

Facile Synthesis of Mutagen X (MX): 3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-one

3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-one (Mutagen X, MX) was synthesized in six steps from commercially-available and inexpensive starting materials (27% overall yield). This synthesis enables the preparation of MX analogs and does not require the use of chlorine gas, as do previously reported methods.     

The coordination behaviour of ferrocene-based pyridylphosphine ligands towards Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II)

The reaction of Group 12 metal dihalides MX(2) with the P,N-ligands [Fe(C(5)H(4)-PPh(2))(C(5)H(4)-2-py)] (1) (2-py = pyrid-2-yl), [Fe(C(5)H(4)-PPh(2))(C(5)H(4)-CH(2)-2-py)] (2) and [Fe(C(5)H(4)-PPh(2))(C(5)H(4)-3-py)] (3) (3-py = pyrid-3-yl) was investigated. For a 1 : 1 molar ratio of MX(2) and the respective ligand, three structure types were found in the solid state, viz. chelate, cyclic dimer and chain-like coordination polymer. The M(II) coordination environment is distorted pseudo-tetrahedral in each case. The P-M-N angle is much larger in the chelates (≥119°) than in the ligand-bridged structures (≤109°). 1 prefers the formation of chelates [MX(2)(1-κ(2)N,P)]. 3 forms coordination polymers [MX(2)(μ-3)](n). With the more flexible 2 all three structure types can occur. Dynamic coordination equilibria were observed in solution for the molecular complexes obtained with 1 and 2. NMR data indicate that the N- and P-donor sites interact most strongly with Zn(II) and Hg(II), respectively. While the formation of bis(phosphine)mercury complexes (soft-soft) was easily achieved, no bis(pyridine)zinc complex (borderline-borderline) could be obtained, which is surprising in view of the HSAB principle.     

氯化消毒副产物2-氯-5-酮-3-烯-己二酰氯的质谱分析

2－氯－4－（二氯甲基）－5－羟基－2（H）－呋喃酮（MX）是饮用水氯化消毒过程中产生的一种具有强致突变性的消毒副产物（DBPs)，在对MX的前驱物模拟氯化过程中，发现在MX峰的附近有一峰，有时干扰MX的测定；作者对该未知峰的质谱图进行了解析，初步推断其结构可能为2－氯－5－酮－3－烯－己二酰氯（2－chloro-5-oxo-3-hexene diacyl chloride,COHC).     

Modification of Synthesis of 3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone(MX)

Addition of chlorine to methyl 3-(dichloromethyl)-4,4-dichlorocrotonate (1), a critical procedure in the total synthesis of the title compound MX, was modified by using novel catalysts. A minor modification in the purification of MX was also described.     

NH2(C2H4)2O]MX5: a new family of morpholinium nonlinear optical materials among halogenoantimonate(III) and halogenobismuthate(III) compounds. Structural characterization, dielectric and piezoelectric properties

This paper presents the structural features of ionic complexes formed by morpholine and metal ions which belong to group VA, namely Sb(III) and Bi(III). A series of target inorganic-organic hybrid compounds of the general formula [NH(2)(C(2)H(4))(2)O](2)MX(5) (where M = Sb, Bi; X = Cl, Br) has been synthesized by incorporating the organic component (morpholine) into the highly polarizable one-dimensional halogenoantimonate(III)/halogenobismuthate(III) chain network. Among the studied compounds, four were found to crystallize in the room temperature phase in the piezoelectric, orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), Z = 4, the feature being confirmed by the powder second harmonic generation of light and piezoelectric measurements. Dielectric dispersion studies between 200 Hz and 2 MHz disclosed a relaxation process below room temperature well described by the Cole-Cole equation. Based on crystal structures available in Cambridge Structural Database (version 5.32, November 2010) we attempt to show a relationship between the acentric symmetry of compounds and the type of anionic network within the R(2)MX(5)-subgroup (where R denotes organic cation) of halogenoantimonates(III) and halogenobismuthates(III).     

Synthetic and theoretical study of the incorporation of metal halides in [{Ti(eta5-C5Me5)(mu-NH)}3(mu3-N)

The capacity of the imido-nitrido organometallic ligand [{Ti(eta5-C5Me5)(mu-NH)}3(mu3-N)] (1) to entrap main group metal halides MXn has been investigated. Treatment of 1 with metal halides in toluene or dichloromethane afforded several soluble adducts [MXn(L)] (L=1) in good yields. The reaction of 1 with one equivalent of Group 1 and 13 monohalides MX afforded single cube-type complexes [XM{(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (M=Li, X=Br (2), I (3); M=Na, X=I (4); M=In, X=I (5); M=Tl, X=I (6)). Analogous treatment of 1 with Group 2 and 14 dihalides MX(2) gave the corresponding adducts [I2M{(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (M=Mg (7), Ca (8), Sr (9)) and [Cl(2)M{(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}] (M=Sn (10), Pb (11)). The treatment of 1 with SnI2 or the reaction of 10 with MeI at 60 degrees C afforded two azametallocubane units linked by two bridging iodine atoms [{ISn(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)}2(mu-I)2] (12). Indium triiodide reacted with 1 in toluene to form the adduct [I3In(mu3-NH)3Ti3(eta5-C5Me5)3(mu3-N)] (13). Density functional theory calculations have been carried out to study these processes and evaluate the influence of the solvent. X-ray crystal structure determinations have been performed for complexes 10, 12, and 13.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in drinking and surface waters from Galicia (N.W. Spain) by constant-wavelength synchronous spectrofluorimetry

We describe a fast, new method for determination of the joint concentration of the six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), designated by current legislation as indicators of the quality of drinking waters and surface waters intended for the abstraction of drinking waters. The limit of detection of the new method was 6 ng l(-1), its limit of quantification 20 ng l(-1), its precision (CV%) 2.48 and its recovery 94.05%. Its speed allowed rapid PAH screening of 404 samples of surface and drinking water from Galicia (N.W. Spain).     

Methyl displacements from cyclopentadienyl ring planes in sterically crowded (C5Me5)3M complexes

The displacements of the methyl substituents away from the metal and out of the cyclopentadienyl ring plane are compared in sterically crowded (C(5)Me(5))(3)M complexes vs sterically normal f-element complexes in an attempt to evaluate the utility of this parameter in predicting unusual (C(5)Me(5))(1-) ring reactivity. The out-of-plane displacements of 16 sterically crowded tris(cyclopentadienyl) complexes of general formula (C(5)Me(5))(3)M, (C(5)Me(4)R)(3)M (R = Et, (i)Pr, (t)()Bu, SiMe(3)), (C(5)Me(5))(3)MX (X = anion), and (C(5)Me(5))(3)ML (L = neutral ligand) are compared with [(C(5)Me(5))(2)U](2)(C(6)H(6)), (C(5)Me(5))(2)Sm(PC(4)H(2)(t)Bu(2)), and 33 representative examples of f-element bis(cyclopentadienyl) complexes with normal cyclopentadienyl behavior and coordination numbers ranging from 6 to 10. In general, the methyl displacement values of sterically crowded complexes overlap with those in the other complexes, which demonstrates that the basis of the structural distortions is complex. However, if the most extreme out-of-plane displacement in each of the sterically crowded complexes is examined vs the analogous maximum out-of-plane displacement in less crowded systems, there appears to be a basis for predicting cyclopentadienyl reactivity.     

An unprecedented mode of ligation for a bridged amido-cyclopentadienide (constrained geometry) ligand; pi-olefinic interactions with gallium and indium

The surprising reaction of GaCl3 or InBr3 with the di-Grignard reagent [Me2Si(C5Me4)(N-t-Bu)](MgCl)2 x THF results in salts of the bimetallic anions of composition [X3M[C5Me4(N-t-Bu)]MX2]- (M = Ga, X = Cl; M = In; X = Br) in which the MX2 moiety undergoes an eta2-interaction with one of the double bonds of the localized cyclopentadienide ring.     

Reactivity of niobium(v) and tantalum(v) halides with carbonyl compounds: synthesis of simple coordination adducts, C-H bond activation, C=O protonation, and halide transfer

The metal halides of Group 5 MX(5) (M = Nb, Ta; X = F, Cl, Br) react with ketones and acetylacetones affording the octahedral complexes [MX(5)(ketone)] () and [TaX(4){kappa(2)(O)-OC(Me)C(R)C(Me)O}] (R = H, Me, ), respectively. The adducts [MX(5)(acetone)] are still reactive towards acetone, acetophenone or benzophenone, giving the aldolate species [MX(4){kappa(2)(O)-OC(Me)CH(2)C(R)(R')O}] (). The syntheses of (M = Ta, X = F, R = R' = Ph) and (M = Ta, X = Cl, R = Me, R' = Ph) take place with concomitant formation of [(Ph(2)CO)(2)-H][TaF(6)], and [(MePhCO)(2)-H][TaCl(6)], respectively. The compounds [acacH(2)][TaF(6)], and [TaF{OC(Me)C(Me)C(Me)O}(3)][TaF(6)], have been isolated as by-products in the reactions of TaF(5) with acacH and 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedione, respectively. The molecular structures of, and have been ascertained by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

MX3(-) superhalogens (M = Be, Mg, Ca; X = Cl, Br): a photoelectron spectroscopic and ab initio theoretical study

Gas-phase alkaline earth halide anions, MgX3(-) and CaX3(-) (X = Cl, Br), were produced using electrospray and investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy at 157 nm. Extremely high electron binding energies were observed for all species and their first vertical detachment energies were measured as 6.60 +/- 0.04 eV for MgCl3(-), 6.00 +/- 0.04 eV for MgBr3(-), 6.62 +/- 0.04 eV for CaCl3(-), and 6.10 +/- 0.04 eV for CaBr3(-). The high electron binding energies indicate these are very stable anions and they belong to a class of anions, called superhalogens. Theoretical calculations at several levels of theory were carried out on these species, as well as the analogous BeX3(-). Vertical detachment energy spectra were predicted to compare with the experimental observations, and good agreement was obtained for all species. The first adiabatic detachment energies were found to be substantially lower (by about 1 eV) than the corresponding vertical detachment energies for all the MX3(-) species, indicating extremely large geometry changes between MX3(-) and MX3. We found that all the MX3(-) anions possess D3h ((1)A1') structures and are extremely stable against dissociation into MX2 and X-. The corresponding neutral species MX3, however, were found to be only weakly bound with respect to dissociation toward MX2 + X. The global minimum structures of all the MX3 neutrals were found to be C2v ((2)B2), which can be described as (X2(-))(MX+) charge-transfer complexes, whereas the MX2...X (C2v, (2)B1) van der Waals complexes were shown to be low-lying isomers.     

Detection of Natural Cr(VI) with Computer Screen Photo-assisted Technology

The combined use of a computer screen and a webcam has been demonstrated in several cases to provide a platform for measuring optical properties of liquid and solid samples. Here the method is utilized to measure the absorbance change in an analytical procedure aimed at determining the amount of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in water. The method calibrated on standard solutions was tested on-field on naturally contaminated spring waters. Results show a sufficient resolution to measure Cr(VI) concentration down to 5 ppb. World Health Organization recommends a maximum concentration of 0.05 mg/l (50 ppb) for chromium (as hexavalent) in drinking waters.     

Synthesis, properties and structures of eight-coordinate zirconium(IV) and hafnium(IV) halide complexes with phosphorus and arsenic ligands

Eight-coordinate [MX(4)(L-L)(2)] (M = Zr or Hf; X = Cl or Br; L-L = o-C(6)H(4)(PMe(2))(2) or o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2)) were made by displacement of Me(2)S from [MX(4)(Me(2)S)(2)] by three equivalents of L-L in CH(2)Cl(2) solution, or from MX(4) and L-L in anhydrous thf solution. The [MI(4)(L-L)(2)] were made directly from reaction of MI(4) with the ligand in CH(2)Cl(2) solution. The very moisture-sensitive complexes were characterised by IR, UV/Vis, and (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy and microanalysis. Crystal structures of [ZrCl(4)[o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2)](2)], [ZrBr(4)[-C(6)H(4)(PMe(2))(2)](2)], [ZrI(4)[o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2)](2)] and [HfI(4)[o-C(6)H(4)(AsMe(2))(2)](2)] all show distorted dodecahedral structures. Surprisingly, unlike the corresponding Ti(iv) systems, only the eight-coordinate complex was found in each system. In contrast, the ligand o-C(6)H(4)(PPh(2))(2) forms only six-coordinate complexes [MX(4)[-C(6)H(4)(PPh(2))(2)]] which were fully characterised spectroscopically and analytically. Surprisingly the tripodal triarsine, MeC(CH(2)AsMe(2))(3), also produces eight-coordinate [MX(4)[MeC(CH(2)AsMe(2))(3)](2)] in which the triarsines bind as bidentates in a distorted dodecahedral structure. There is no evidence for seven-coordination as found in some thioether systems.     

Understanding structure and bonding in early actinide 6d(0)5f0 MX6q (M = Th-Np; X = H, F) complexes in comparison with their transition metal 5d0 analogues

The relationship between structure and bonding in actinide 6d(0)5f(0) MX(6)(q)() complexes (M = Th, Pa, U, Np; X = H, F; q = -2,-1, 0, +1) has been studied, based on density functional calculations with accurate relativistic actinide pseudopotentials. The detailed comparison of these prototype systems with their 5d(0) transition metal analogues (M = Hf, Ta, W, Re) reveals in detail how the 5f orbitals modify the structural preferences of the actinide complexes relative to the transition metal systems. Natural bond orbital analyses on the hydride complexes indicate that 5f orbital involvement in sigma-bonding favors classical structures based on the octahedron, while d orbital contributions to sigma-bonding favor symmetry lowering. The respective roles of f and d orbitals are reversed in the case of pi-bonding, as shown for the fluoride complexes.     

Reactivity of niobium and tantalum pentahalides with cyclic ethers and the isolation and characterization of intermediates in the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran

The complexes MX5(THF) (M = Nb, X = Cl, 2a; M = Ta, X = F, 2c, X = Cl, 2d) and [MX4(THF){O(CH2)4O(CH2)3CH2)}][MX6] (M = Nb, X = Cl, 3a; M = Ta, X = Cl, 3d, X = Br, 3e, X = I, 3f) result from reactions of MX5 with 0.5 and 1.5 equiv of THF, respectively. Compounds 3 contain the unprecedented 4-(tetrahydrofuran-1-ium)-butan-1-oxo ligand and are likely to play a role in the course of THF polymerization catalyzed by MX5. The addition of L (L = 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, 1,4-dioxane) to MX5 results in the formation of the hexacoordinated complexes MX5(L). The molecular structures of 2d, 3d, and NbCl5(dioxane), 6a, have been ascertained by X-ray diffraction studies.