Synthesis of novel bis(β‐cyclodextrin)s linked with aromatic diamine and their molecular recognition with model substrates

Novel β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) dimers with aromatic diamine linkers, 1,3‐(aminomethyl)‐benzylamine‐bridged bis(6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐β‐CD) (2) , 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethano‐bridged bis(6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐β‐CD) (3) , and 4,4′‐ ethylenedianiline‐bridged bis(6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐β‐CD) (4) , were synthesized. The inclusion complexation behaviors of these compounds, together with 4,4′‐aminophenyl ethyl‐bridged bis(6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐β‐CD) (5) , with substrates such as acridine red (AR), neutral red (NR), ammonium 8‐anilino‐1‐naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), sodium 2‐(p‐toluidinyl) naphthalenesulfonate (TNS), rhodamine B (RhB), and brilliant green (BG), were investigated by ultraviolet, fluorescence, circular dichroism, and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The results indicated that the two linked CD units cooperatively bound to a guest, and the molecular binding affinity toward substrates, especially curved guest ANS and linear guests such as NR and AR, was increased. The linker length between two CD units played a crucial role in the molecular recognition of the hosts with guest dyes. The binding constants of the hosts for AR, TNS, ANS, and RhB decreased with increasing linker length in hosts 2‐4 . Moreover, structurally similar hosts 3 and 5 exhibited very different binding behavior for the guests. Host 5 showed much higher Ks values toward positively charged guests and lower Ks toward negatively charged guests than host 3 . The 2D NMR spectra of hosts 3 and 5 with RhB were acquired to understand the binding difference between 3 and 5 . The molecular binding ability and selectivity of model substrates by these hosts were sufficiently investigated to reveal not only the cooperative contributions of the linker group and CD cavities upon inclusion complexation with dye guest molecules, but also the controlling factors for the molecular selective binding. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reflections on Ernest Roy Davidson: the UW years 1962–1984

In the following research acetylation as an unexplored factor in the anomeric effect in carbohydrate chemistry has been examined. Crystallographic data for methyl glycosides and their acetates have been compared and discussed. Some of the methyl glycosides form hydrogen bonding with the participation of acetal oxygen atoms. This seems to have the most significant influence on the structural diagnostic parameters for anomeric effect.

Abbreviations: Me-α-Glc: methyl α-D-glucopyranoside; Me-β-Glc: methyl β-D-glucopyranoside; Me-α-Gal: methyl α-D-galactopyranoside; Me-β-Gal: methyl β-D-galactopyranoside; Me-α-Man: methyl α-D-mannopyranoside; Me-β-Man: methyl β-D-mannopyranoside; Ac-Me-α-Glc: methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranoside; Ac-Me-β-Glc: methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside; Ac-Me-α-Gal: methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranoside; Ac-Me-β-Gal: methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranoside; Ac-Me-α-Man: methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-mannopyranoside; Ac-Me-β-Man: methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-mannopyranoside; GIPAW (Gauge Including Projector Augmented Waves) calculations: a DFT based method used for calculating nuclear magnetic resonance parameters; CP/MAS NMR: cross-polarisation (CP) magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy; δ_ss: chemical shift in ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectrum; δ_t: theoretical chemical shift: as derived from GIPAW DFT; dis: distorted multiplet in ¹H NMR spectrum.     

Inclusion complexes of estrone and estradiol with β‐cyclodextrin: Voltammetric and HPLC studies

The interaction of estrone and estradiol with β‐cyclodextrins (βCD) was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in mixed media. The co‐solvent influence on the tendency of these estrogens to form inclusion complexes with βCD was examined. Thus, acetonitrile (MeCN) and ethanol (EtOH) were used in a mixed aqueous medium containing phosphate buffer. The association constant of the inclusion complexes (K_a) of estrone and estradiol with βCD were determined in two different media by using both voltammetric and chromatographic techniques. Estradiol was found to bind to βCD with higher affinities than estrone, irrespective of the medium. We have also found a clear influence of the co‐solvent on the K_a value, which means a competition of co‐solvent molecules with estrogens for binding to the cavity of βCD. Consequently, interaction between βCD and the steroids is weakened when acetonitrile is used. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Large‐area Ag nanorod array substrates for SERS: AAO template‐assisted fabrication,functionalization, and application in detection PCBs

Highly ordered arrays of thiolated β‐cyclodextrin (HS‐β‐CD) functionalized Ag‐nanorods (Ag‐NRs) with plasmonic antennae enhancement of electrical field have been achieved for encapsulation and rapid detection of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The large‐area ordered arrays of rigid Ag‐NRs supported on copper base were fabricated via porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template‐assisted electrochemical deposition. The inter‐nanorod gaps between the neighboring Ag‐NRs were tuned to sub‐10 nm by thinning the pore‐wall thickness of the AAO template using diluted H₃PO₄. The nearly perfect large‐area ordered arrays of Ag‐NRs supported on copper base render these systems excellent in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance with uniform electric field enhancement, as testified by the SERS spectra and Raman mappings of rhodamine 6 G. Furthermore, the Ag‐NRs were functionalized with HS‐β‐CD molecules so as to capture the apolar PCB molecules in the hydrophobic cavity of the CD. Compared to the ordinary undecorated SERS substrates, the HS‐β‐CD modified Ag‐NR arrays exhibit better capture ability and higher sensitivity in rapid detection of PCBs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvatochromism of catechol derivatives – solute/solvent interactions

The solvatochromism of nine push–pull substituted catechol derivatives has been studied in a set of 39 various solvents. The influence of successive methyl substitution at the catechol OH groups on the extent of the solvatochromic shift has been investigated. The positive solvatochromism of 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxybenzylidene)‐2H‐indene‐1,3‐dione amounts 4360 cm^–1, which ranges from toluene to hexamethyl‐phosphoric triamide. To the best of our knowledge, it is one of the largest positive solvatochromic extent measured for a positive solvatochromic dye, comparable with Brooker's thiobarbituric acid with an extent of 4400 cm^–1. The detailed analyses of the solvatochromism were carried out by alternatively using the Kamlet–Taft and Catalán solvent parameters to achieve information of dipolarity versus polarizability effects of solvent upon solvatochromic properties. In solvents with high β values such as alcohols (0.66 < β < 0.90), amides (0.48 < β < 0.80), dimethyl sulfoxide (β = 0.76), tetramethyl urea (β = 0.80) and hexamethyl‐phosphoric triamide (β = 1.05) UV–Vis absorption spectra show two separate λ_max, which are caused by a deprotonation reaction. The solvatochromic behaviour of the anionic species is compared with those of the catechol derivatives. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and electrochemical study of nitrophenyl derivatives of β‐cyclodextrin

A series of nitrophenyl β‐cyclodextrin derivatives: mono[6‐deoxy‐6‐(4‐nitrobenzamido)]‐per‐ O‐methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (R₁? Ph? NO₂), mono[6‐deoxy‐6‐(3‐nitrobenzamido)]‐per‐O‐methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (R₂? Ph? NO₂) and heptakis[6‐deoxy‐6‐(4‐nitrobenzamido)‐2,3‐di‐O‐methyl]‐β‐cyclodextrin [R₃? (Ph? NO₂)₇] were synthesized. Purity and composition of the obtained substances were checked. Electroreduction of nitro groups of the new synthesized compounds was investigated on mercury electrode using cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry. The parameters of the reduction processes of ? NO₂ groups of the investigated compounds were found not to be comparable to the reduction of nitrobenzene under the same experimental conditions. Moreover, the electroreduction of nitro groups in these nitrophenyl derivatives was dependent on pH, the type of the studied compound, and slightly on the solvent composition. All the reactants were strongly adsorbed on mercury electrode. In the case of R₃? (Ph? NO₂)₇, its seven nitro groups were reduced practically at the same potential, and no radical anion formation was observed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectral Properties of Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes with Nonionic Surfactants and 1‐Bromonaphthalene

Abstract

Steady‐state fluorescence and phosphorescence of inclusion complexes of cyclodextrins (CDs) with fluorescent nonionic surfactant and 1‐bromonaphthalene (BN) are described in detail. The inclusion of the hydrophobic moiety of surfactants inside the cavity of CDs led to enhanced monomer‐like fluorescence with a bathochromic shift of λ_ex and a hypsochromic shift of λ_em. ¹H‐NMR provides additional evidence for deep inclusion of the hydrophobic moiety of surfactants. BN can squeeze into more hydrophobic cavity of β‐CD that has accommodated the hydrophobic moiety of a surfactant and show its phosphorescence and remarkable quenching effect on the fluorescence of a surfactant in aerated aqueous solution. Stern–Volmer quenching depends on the inclusion of the phenyl rings of surfactants and BN into the cavity of CDs. Comparison of molecular sizes reveals that further inclusion of BN into the cavity of β‐CD occupied by a surfactant may force the flexible octyl group of a surfactant to deform to a greater extent, and close‐packing complexes were obtained. In the case of heptakis(2,6‐di‐O‐methyl)‐β‐CD, BN only binds to its cavity opening due to the steric hindrance of methyl substituents at the rim of its cavity.     

Reactivity of the insecticide chlorpyrifos‐methyl toward hydroxyl and perhydroxyl ion. Effect of cyclodextrins

The reactivity of Chlorpyrifos‐Methyl ( 1 ) toward hydroxyl ion and the α‐nucleophile, perhydroxyl ion was investigated in aqueous basic media. The hydrolysis of 1 was studied at 25 °C in water containing 10% ACN or 7% 1,4‐dioxane at NaOH concentrations between 0.01 and 0.6 M ; the second‐order rate constant is 1.88 × 10^?2 M ^?1 s^?1 in 10% ACN and 1.70 × 10^?2 M ^?1 s^?1 in 7% 1,4‐dioxane. The reaction with H₂O₂ was studied in a pH range from 9.14 to 12.40 in 7% 1,4‐dioxane/H₂O; the second‐order rate constant for the reaction of HOO^? ion is 7.9 M ^?1 s^?1 whereas neutral H₂O₂ does not compete as nucleophile. In all cases quantitative formation of 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol ( 3 ) was observed indicating an S_N2(P) pathway. The hydrolysis reaction is inhibited by α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin showing saturation kinetics; the greater inhibition is produced by γ‐cyclodextrin. The reaction with hydrogen peroxide is weakly inhibited by α‐ and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD), whereas γ‐cyclodextrin produces a greater inhibition and saturation kinetics. The kinetic data obtained in the presence of β‐ or γ‐cyclodextrin for the reaction with hydroxyl or perhydroxyl ion indicate that the main reaction pathway for the cyclodextrin‐mediated reaction is the reaction of HO^? or HOO^? ion with the substrate complexed with the anion of the cyclodextrin. The inhibition is attributed to the inclusion of the substrate with the reaction center far from the ionized secondary OH groups of the cyclodextrin and protected from external attack of the nucleophile. Sucrose also inhibits the hydrolysis reaction but the effect is independent of its concentration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and X‐ray structures of unexpected 2‐O‐(5‐deoxy‐1,2‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D‐glucofuranos‐5‐yloxy)quinoxalines

Reaction of 3‐methyl‐2(1H)‐quinoxalinone ( 4) and 2(1H)‐quinoxalinone ( 5) with 5,6‐anhydro‐1,2‐O‐isopropylidene‐ α‐D ‐glucofuranose 6 gives the unexpected O‐glucoquinoxalines derivatives by the intermediary novel intramolecular rearrangement of 5,6‐anhydro‐1,2‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D ‐glucofuranose to the corresponding 3,6‐anhydro form. The obtained O‐glucoquinoxalines 7,8 were identified by NMR spectroscopy. The X‐ray crystal structures have been determined at room temperature. Moreover, a solid–solid phase transition has been detected at 198.9 K for O‐glucoquinoxalines 7 and the structure of the low‐temperature phase has been solved at 188 K. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interaction of water‐soluble triphenylphosphines with β‐cyclodextrin: a quantum chemistry study

The interaction of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) with meta‐trisulfonated triphenylphosphine derivatives bearing one or two methyl (or methoxy) groups on the aromatic rings has been investigated by PM3 calculations. The results show that phosphine molecules interact with β‐CD having either an unsubstituted sulfophenyl group or a substituted sulfophenyl group at the para and/or meta‐position. The presence of one methyl or methoxy group in the ortho‐position on each aromatic ring prevents the formation of an inclusion complex between meta‐trisulfonated triphenylphosphine derivatives and β‐CD. The deeply included phosphines in the β‐CD cavity show significant van der Waals interactions with β‐CD. These interactions are at the origin of the high association constants between these molecules and β‐CD. Phosphines exhibiting small association constants interact with β‐CD by forming H‐bonds and weak (or null) van der Waals interactions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computational study of the mechanism of thermal decomposition of xanthates in the gas phase (the Chugaev reaction)

A theoretical study on the mechanism of the thermal decomposition of a series of xanthates, O‐alkyl S‐methyl and S‐alkyl O‐methyl dithiocarbonates, has been carried out, and the alkyl groups being ethyl, isopropyl, and tert‐butyl. Kinetically, these xanthates can be classified in two groups: those where the oxygen atom is involved in the bonding changes of the transition state (properly the Chugaev reaction), and those where it is not, O‐alkyl S‐methyl and S‐alkyl O‐methyl dithiocarbonates, respectively. We have studied not only the thermal elimination reactions but also the other possible reactions such as the thione‐to‐thiol rearrangement and the nucleophilic substitution to give ethers or thioethers. Two possible mechanisms for the thermal elimination reactions, in one and in two steps, respectively, have been studied. Calculations were made at the MP2/6‐31G(d) level of theory, and the progress of the reactions has been followed by means of the Wiberg bond indices. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stabilization of the pesticide Fenitrothion toward O and N nucleophiles in the presence of cyclodextrins

The reaction of Fenitrothion with O and N nucleophiles (H₂O₂, NH₂OH, n‐butylamine and piperidine) was studied at 25 °C in water containing 2% 1,4‐dioxane in the presence of native cyclodextrins (α‐, β‐, and γ‐CD). For all the nucleophiles, the presence of CD produces reaction inhibition with saturation kinetics. The greatest effect in all cases is observed with β‐CD, and the greatest inhibition was observed for the reaction of Fenitrothion with H₂O₂ (81%), which is the most efficient nucleophile in promoting Fenitrothion degradation in homogeneous media. In the absence of CD, competition between the S_N2(P) and the S_N2(C) pathways was observed with piperidine as was reported before for the reaction with NH₂OH and n‐butylamine. The presence of β‐CD does not modify product distribution in the case of the reaction with NH₂OH and n‐butylamine, whereas there is an increase in S_N2(C) pathway when the nucleophile is piperidine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inclusion of menadione with cyclodextrins studied by calorimetry and spectroscopic methods

Complex formation of menadione with α‐, hydroxypropyl α‐, β‐, hydroxypropyl‐β‐, methyl‐β‐ and hydroxypropyl‐γ cyclodextrins in aqueous solution at 298.15 K was studied by using isothermal titration calorimetry, ¹H NMR, and UV–vis spectrophotometry. The experimental data indicated the partial insertion of menadione into macrocyclic cavity upon formation of two alternative types of 1:1 inclusion complexes, whose thermodynamic parameters (K, Δ_cG⁰, Δ_cH⁰, and Δ_cS⁰) were calculated. The influence of host size on the complex formation process was analyzed. β‐Cyclodextrin and its hydroxypropylated and methylated derivatives were found more effective binders towards menadione than α‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of substitution of oxygen by sulfur in the nonleaving group of a carbonate: kinetics of the phenolysis and benzenethiolysis of S‐methyl aryl thiocarbonates

The phenolysis and benzenethiolysis of S‐methyl 4‐nitrophenyl thiocarbonate ( 1 ) and S‐methyl 2,4‐dinitrophenyl thiocarbonate ( 2 ) in water are studied kinetically. The Brønsted plots (log k _N versus nucleophile basicity) are linear for all reactions. The Brønsted slopes for 1 and 2 are, 0.51 and 0.66 (phenolysis) and 0.55 and 0.70 (benzenethiolysis), respectively. These values suggest a concerted mechanism for these reactions, as found in the corresponding carbonates. Namely, substitution of OMe by SMe in the nonleaving group does not change the mechanism. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogen bonding in homochiral dimers of hydroxyesters studied by Raman optical activity spectroscopy

Spectroscopic analysis of homochiral dimerization is important for the understanding of the homochirality of life and enantioselective catalysis. In this paper, (S)‐methyl lactate and related molecules were studied to provide detailed structural information on hydrogen bonding in homochiral dimers of chiral α‐hydroxyesters through the experimental and theoretical study of Raman optical activity. Different homochiral dimers can be distinguished by comparing their simulated Raman optical activity spectra with the experimental results. Hydrogen bonding motions are decoded with the aid of vibrational motion analysis, which are apparently involved in vibrational motions below 800 cm^–1. A common feature related to the chain‐bending mode also indicates the absolute configuration of methyl lactate and related molecules. The differing behavior of electric dipole–electric quadrupole invariants (β(A)²) compared with the electric dipole–magnetic dipole invariant (β(G′)²), suggests that the intermolecular hydrogen bonding motion behaves differently from the intramolecular one in the asymmetric molecular electric and magnetic fields. These results may help understand hydrogen‐bonded self‐recognition and other dynamical features in chiral recognition. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of the Conformations of Serine‐3′‐ and 5′‐Thymidine Monophosphate Conjugates

The differences in the backbone conformation between O‐thymidine‐3′‐(1) and 5′‐yl O‐alkyl N‐phosphoryl serine methyl esters (2) have been investigated by solution ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The stereo‐sensitive vicinal ³¹P–¹³C coupling constants were measured and used in the conformational analysis for the P–O5′–C5′, P–O3′–C3′, and P–N–C_α bonds. Three‐dimensional structural characteristics of dephosphorylation reactions of Compounds are also discussed.     

Solid phase synthesis of novel α/β‐tetrapeptides,electrospray ionization mass spectrometric evaluation of their metal cation complexation behavior,and conformational analysis using density functional theory (DFT)

Thirty‐four novel α/β‐tetrapeptides ( 1–34 ) have been prepared employing solid‐phase and in‐parallel synthetic protocols. α/β ‐Tetrapeptides 1 – 34 were prepared by a combination of three α‐amino acid residues (alanine (Ala), phenylalanine (Phe), and isoleucine (Ile)) with one β‐amino acid residue (β³‐homophenylglycine). The corresponding complexes of several selected α/β‐tetrapeptides with alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metals, [tP + M⁺], were evaluated using ion electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). According to the results from analysis of mixtures, we can conclude that the position of the β‐amino acid is determinant in the affinity toward different metal cations. Computational modeling (DFT, B3LYP 6‐311++G) provided useful information regarding the most likely coordination sites of the metal ions on the receptor α/β‐tetrapeptide 12 , HO₂C‐α‐Phe‐α‐Phe‐α‐Ile‐β³‐hPhg‐NH₂, as well as the conformational changes induced by the metal upon [tP + M⁺] complex formation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of benzo‐annelation on intermolecular hydrogen bond and proton transfer of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolone in methanol: A TD‐DFT study

Excited‐state intermolecular or intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction has important potential applications in biological probes. In this paper, the effect of benzo‐annelation on intermolecular hydrogen bond and proton transfer reaction of the 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolone (MQ) dye in methanol solvent is investigated by the density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory approaches. Both the primary structure parameters and infrared vibrational spectra analysis of MQ and its benzo‐analogue 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐benzo‐quinolone (MBQ) show that the intermolecular hydrogen bond O₁―H₂?O₃ significantly strengthens in the excited state, whereas another intermolecular hydrogen bond O₃―H₄?O₅ weakens slightly. Simulated electron absorption and fluorescence spectra are agreement with the experimental data. The noncovalent interaction analysis displays that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of MQ are obviously stronger than that of MBQ. Additionally, the energy profile analysis via the proton transfer reaction pathway illustrates that the ESIPT reaction of MBQ is relatively harder than that of MQ. Therefore, the effect of benzo‐annelation of the MQ dye weakens the intermolecular hydrogen bond and relatively inhibits the proton transfer reaction.     

Enantio‐differentiating reactions of a racemic γ‐lactone enolate with chiral esters. A DFT investigation

The acylation of lithium (±)‐spiro‐γ‐lactone enolate 5 by the O‐protected methyl (?)‐(S)‐lactate or the O‐protected methyl (+)‐(S)‐mandelate occurs through enantio‐differentiating reactions. The (S,S)‐enolate 5 is the most reactive with the lactate whereas the (R,R)‐enolate 5 selectively reacts with the mandelate. According to theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G(++)(d,p) level of theory of 40 intermediates of this Claisen condensation, the experimental results are compatible with a previous chelation of the ester by an auxiliary cation lithium arising from the medium. The addition reaction occurs through a chelation process mediated by the counterion of the enolate. More stable tetrahedral intermediates including two lithium cations result from an antiperiplanar transition state. These results clearly demonstrate that the presence of a second lithium cation (the first lithium cation is solvated by di‐isopropylamine and the second one is solvated by a THF molecule or a di‐isopropylamide anion) stabilizes the tetrahedral intermediate and is compatible with an antiperiplanar transition state according to the Felkin–Anh model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

X‐ray fluorescence analysis of Co,Ni, Pd,Ag, and Au in the scrapped printed‐circuit‐board ash

A method for the quantitative analysis of Co, Ni, Pd, Ag, and Au in the scrapped printed‐circuit‐board ash by X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry using loose powder was developed. The printed‐circuit‐board samples were converted to ash pyrolytically in porcelain crucibles by sequential heating using a gas burner and electric furnace, and then were ground with a ball mill. The calibrating standards were prepared by adding the appropriate amounts of NiO powder and aqueous standard solutions containing Co, Pd, Ag, and Au to the base mixtures of Al₂O₃ (5.0 mass%), SiO₂ (49 mass%), CaCO₃ (11 mass%), Fe₂O₃ (3.3 mass%), and CuO (30 mass%) as a matrix. Then, 10 g of the resulting mixtures were dried and homogenized for 90 min with a V‐type mixing machine. Specimens for XRF analysis were prepared from the so‐called loose‐powder method in which powder samples were compacted into a hole (12.0‐mm diameter and 5.0‐mm height) in an acrylic plate and covered with a 6‐µm thickness of polypropylene film. Matrix effects were corrected using the intensity value of Compton scattering for PdKα, AgKα, and AuLβ₂, and that of background scattering at 35.8° (2θ) for CoKα and NiKα. The detection limits corresponding to three times the standard deviation of the blank intensity were 2.5–45 µg g^?1. The proposed method was validated against the pressed‐powder‐pellet method by comparing the calibration curves. Moreover, the concentrations of Co, Ni, Pd, and Ag determined using the proposed XRF method were approximately the same as those resulting from an atomic‐absorption‐spectrometric analysis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.