Negative ion atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry: Ionization of aromatic hydrocarbons

A corona discharge atmospheric pressure ionization source generates the reagent ions, OH^? and O^? ions in addition to better known O₂^? ions, when ambient air is used as the carrier. All three ions are gas-phase bases that could form negative ions from organics via proton abstraction. Ionization of simple aromatic hydrocarbons by O₂^? is thermodynamically not feasible. Simple aromatic hydrocarbons are ionized only by O^? and/or OH^? to form [M ? H]^? ions. However, [M ? H]^? ions do not appear in the mass spectrum as they undergo stabilization via clustering with predominantly oxygen atoms.     

A Bis(p-tert-butyloctahomotetraoxacalix[8]arene) Capsule with [(UO2)2(OH)2] Links and a Disordered [Rb4(H2O)4] Inner Core

p-tert-Butyloctahomotetraoxacalix[8]arene (LH⁸) reacts with uranyl nitrate hexahydrate in the presence of rubidium hydroxide to give a mixed complex that can be viewed as a tetrauranate dimer [(UO²)⁴(LH⁴)²(OH)⁴] containing four disordered rubidium ions and water molecules. Two uranyl ions are complexed in an “external” fashion by each macrocycle, each of them bound to two phenoxide groups and one ether group, as well as to two bridging hydroxide ions. The latter ensure the formation of a dimeric capsule that contains the disordered set of alkali metal ions. Apart from water molecules, the Rb⁺ ions are bound to the uranyl oxo groups directed towards the inner cavity, and to phenol and ether oxygen atoms from the macrocycle. The resulting octanuclear complex presents an unprecedented geometry evidencing the assembling potential of uranyl ions.

p-tert-Butyloctahomotetraoxacalix[8]arene (LH₈) reacts with uranyl nitrate hexahydrate in the presence of rubidium hydroxide to give a mixed complex that can be viewed as a tetrauranate dimer [(UO₂)₄(LH₄)₂(OH)₄] containing four disordered rubidium ions and water molecules. Two uranyl ions are complexed in an “external” fashion by each macrocycle, each of them bound to two phenoxide groups and one ether group, as well as to two bridging hydroxide ions. The latter ensure the formation of a dimeric capsule that contains the disordered set of alkali metal ions. Apart from water molecules, the Rb^+| ions are bound to the uranyl oxo groups directed towards the inner cavity, and to phenol and ether oxygen atoms from the macrocycle. The resulting octanuclear complex presents an unprecedented geometry evidencing the assembling potential of uranyl ions.     

A Simple and Highly Sensitive Electrochemically Reduced p‐Nitrobenzoic Acid Film Modified Sensor for Determination of Mercury

Herein, a simple electrochemical sensor was fabricated for sensing Hg²⁺ ions by using electrochemically reduced p‐nitrobenzoic acid molecules modified (ERpNBA) glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The modified electrode was applied for the determination of Hg²⁺ ions by using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Experimental parameters such as concentration of p‐nitrobenzoic acid used for electrode modification, pH, accumulation time and deposition potential used for the determination of Hg²⁺ ions were optimized. The strong interaction between the Hg²⁺ ions and the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atoms of ERpNBA molecules leads to highly selective adsorption of Hg²⁺ ions on the modified electrode. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the sensor showed higher sensitivity and very low detection limit for Hg²⁺ ions than other metal ions such as Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions. The LOD for Hg²⁺ ions was 240 pM which is below the guideline value given by the World Health Organization and the earlier reports.     

Spectrofluorometric Determination of Mercury and Lead by Colloidal CdS Nanomaterial

Heavy metal ions such as Hg and Pb are hazardous due to very high toxicity, mobility, and ability to accumulate through the food chain or atmosphere in the environment system. Therefore, ultrasensitive determination of mercury and lead is important to provide an evaluation index of ions in aqueous environment. This paper describes the investigation of surface modified quantum dots (QDs) as a sensing receptor for Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ion detection by optical approach. Water-soluble L-cysteine-capped CdS QDs have been synthesized in aqueous medium. These functionalized nanoparticles were used as a fluorescence sensor for Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions, involved in the fluorescence quenching. The effect of foreign ions on the intensity of CdS QDs showed a low interference response toward other metal ions except Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺ ions. The limit of detection (LOD) of this system is found to be 1.0 and 3.0 nM for Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions, respectively.     

Desorption due to charge exchange in low-energy collisions of organofluorine ions at solid surfaces

Collisions of organofluorine ions at a metal surface result in efficient emission of adsorbate species as gas-phase ions. The experiments are done at 120° scattering angle in a hybrid (BQ) mass spectrometer; the primary ions, mass-selected by a magnetic sector (B), are allowed to collide with a target at a selected kinetic energy in the tens of eV range and the emitted ions are mass-analyzed using a quadrupole mass filter (Q). It is proposed that the impinging ions undergo neutralization accompanied by desorption of hydrocarbon ions and that the amount of internal energy deposited in the desorbed ions is strongly dependent on the collision energy and affects their degree of fragmentation. Competing processes include reflection and fragmentation of the colliding particle, along with such ion/adsorbate reactions as hydrogen atom abstraction by the fluorinated ion. Small even-electron ions, such as [CHF₂]⁺ and [C₂H₂F]⁺ are more effective in promoting chemical sputtering of the surface adsorbate as compared to larger ions (e.g. [C₃F₅]⁺) and odd-electron ions (e.g. [C₂F₄]⁺˙ and [C₂HF₂]⁺˙). At low energies some odd-electron fluorinated ions undergo collision without any secondary ions being emitted from the surface. In these cases the parent ions are apparently neutralized, but without sufficient energy transfer to cause hydrocarbon ion desorption. Non-fluorinated organic ions yield fragment ions and ion/surface reaction products under the condition of these experiments, but do not cause significant desorption of hydrocarbon ions.     

Kosmotropic and chaotropic behavior of hydrated ions in aqueous solutions in terms of expansibility and compressibility parameters

Hydrated ions have fundamental applications in chemical and biological processes. Kosmotropic and chaotropic nature of hydrated ions affect the water structure in solutions depending upon their hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity nature. In present study Kosmotropic and chaotropic behavior of hydrated ions have been explained in terms of volumetric and acoustic parameters like apparent molar volume (V_ϕ), expansibility and compressibility factors for aqueous electrolytic solutions provide useful information about interactions among ions and water molecules. Results of V_ϕ showed that SO₄²⁻ ions due to stronger H-bonding with water molecules are termed as kosmotropes while Cl⁻ and HCO₃^– are chaotropes due to their weaker H-bonding with water molecules. More compressible structure of solutions in the presence of SO₄²⁻ ions indicated its kosmotropic behavior and comparatively less compressible structure of solutions in the presence of Cl⁻¹ and HCO₃^– ions renders them chaotropes. Results obtained from expansibility factor showed the dominance of electrostatic interactions over hydrophobic hydration of ions at higher temperatures. Greater values of expansibility factor for SO₄²⁻ ions as compared to Cl⁻¹ and HCO₃^– ions renders them kosmotropic ion while later are termed as chaotropes. Hence, thermo-acoustic parameters could be effectively used to describe the hydrogen bonding character of ionic solutions in terms of kosmotropic and chaotropic behavior of solutions.     

Synthetic Hydroxyapatites as Inorganic Cation-Exchangers; Exchange Characteristics for Pb2+ and Sn2+ Ions in Acidic Solution

Abstract

The cation-exchange characteristics between Pb²⁺ ions of aqueous solutions containing counter-anions (F^?, C1^?) and Ca²⁺ ions of synthetic hydroxyapatite samples have been investigated in detail under the conditions of low pH values (3.0, 4.0 and 5.0) by a normal batch method. Even at the low pH value of 3.0 the apatite structure in a solution containing F^? or C1^? ions was maintained via a concurrent ion-exchange effect of Pb²⁺ ions together with F^? or C1^?ions, which are known to be exchangeable with OH- ions of the apatite. Moreover, it was found that Ca²⁺ ions in the apatite sample can easily be exchanged for Pb²⁺ ions almost without distinction between MI and M2 sites, assisted by the loosening effect of protons even at room temperature. Next, it was found that the hydroxyapatite samples are transformed into amorphous states by the reactions between Ca ²⁺ ions in the samples and Sn ²⁺ ions in the SnC1₂ acidic aqueous solutions with pH of 3.0 or below with a molar ratio of Sn²⁺/Ca²⁺ -1.0. The existence of hydroxyapatite as amorphism in acidic aqueous solutions such as SnC1₂ is quite interesting, because in general the hydroxyapatite has been found to be dissolved in acidic aqueous solutions. Moreover, the obtained amorphism are found to be stable up to at least 500 to 6OO°C but to be unstable in alkaline solutions. The characteristics of Sn²⁺ ions are found to have been found to form crystalline Pb ²⁺ apatite even in be quite different from those of homologous Pb²⁺ ions which have been found to form crystalline pb²⁺ apatite even in such an acidic atmosphere.     

Study of Host-Guest Complexation of Alkaline Earth Metal Ion,Aluminum Ion and Transition Metal Ions with Crown Ethers by Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectrometry

Complexations of crown ethers with alkali metal ions have been investigated extensively by FAB mass spectrometry over the past decade, but very little attention has been paid to reactions of crown ethers with other classes of metal ions such as alkaline earth metal ions, transition metal ions and aluminum ions. Although fast atom bombardment ionization mass spectrometry has proven to be a rapid and convenient method to determine the binding interactions of crown ethers with metal ions, problems in reliabilities for quantitative measurements of” binding strength for the host-guest complexes have been described in the literature. Thus, in this paper, applications of FAB/MS for investigating the complexation of crown ethers with various classes of metal ions is discussed. Extensive fragmentations for neutral losses such as C₂H₄O or C₂H₄ molecules from the host-guest complexes could be observed. The reason is attributed to the energetic bombardment processes of FAB occuring in the formation of these complexes. Complexes of cyclen with metal ions also show neutral losses of C₂H₄NH molecules leading to fragment ions. Transition metal ions usually form (Crown + MCl)⁺ type of ions, alkaline earth metal ions can form both (Crown + MCl)⁺ and (Crown + MOH)⁺ type of ions. But for aluminum ions, only (Crown + Al(OH)₂)⁺ type of ions could he observed.     

Fixation of radioactive isotopes on bentonite as radioactive waste treatment step

Fixation of¹³⁷Cs,¹⁴⁴Ce,⁶⁰Co,⁹⁰Sr,²⁴⁰Th and²³³U from aqueous and phosphate media on bentonite clay was studied. The fixation of the radioactive ions on bentonite surfaces was dependent on the pH behavior of the metal ions. A method was proposed to use bentonite as an absorbent of ions from simulated radioactive waste as a treatment step.     

Nitrate ion transport across TBP-kerosene oil supported liquid membranes coupled with uranyl ions

The role of nitrate ions in uranyl ions transport across TBP-kerosene oil supported liquid membranes (SLM) at varied concentrations of HNO₃ and NaNO₃ has been studied. It has been found that nitrate ions move faster compared to uranyl ions at the uranium feed solution concentrations studied. The nitrate to uranyl ions flux ratio vary from 355 to 2636 under different chemical conditions. At low uranium concentration the nitrate ions transport as HNO₃ · TBP, in addition to as UO₂(NO₃)₂ · 2TBP type complex species. The flux of nitrate ions is of the order of 12.10 · 10^–3 mol · m^–2 · s^–1 compared to that of uranium ions (4.56 · 10^–6 mol · m^–2 · s^–1). The permeability coefficient of the membrane for nitrate ions varies with chemical composition of the feed solution and is in the order of 2.5 · 10^–10 m^–2 · s^–1. The data is useful to estimate the nitrate ions required to move a given amount of uranyl ions across such an SLM and in simple solvent extraction.     

The structures of [C5H5O]+ ions formed from isomers of nitrophenol in the gaseous phase

Translational energy release measurments on metastable ions are used in the comparison of the structures of isomeric ions. Metastable ions, m₂⁺, formed from m₁⁺ ions as the result of a high energy process in the ion source are compared with isomeric metastable ions formed as daughters from fragmentation of metastable m₁⁺ ions in a field. In the case of o-, m- and p-nitrophenol the structure of the [C₅H₅O]⁺ ions formed from [C₆H₅O]⁺ ions by these two independent methods is different as verified by comparison of the behaviour of [C₅H₅O]⁺ ions formed from several other compounds.     

Naphthalene thiourea derivative based colorimetric and fluorescent dual chemosensor for F− and Cu2+/Hg2+ ions

A structurally simple (Z)-2-(naphthalen-2-ylmethylene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (R1) was used as a colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for both F^?  and Cu²⁺/Hg²⁺ ions. R1 selectively recognised F^?  ions as indicated by colour change from colourless to green. Fluorescence spectral data reveal that R1 is an excellent fluorescence chemosensor for Cu²⁺ ions. Finally, R1 was successfully applied to the bioimaging of Cu²⁺ ions in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.     

Advanced oxidation processes for decolorization of aqueous solution containing acid red G azo dye

Some investigations concerning the decolorization of Acid Red G azo dye by photooxidation with hydrogen peroxide were performed. The influences of pH, oxidant concentration, and the presence of Fe²⁺ or other metal ions (Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺) as potential catalysts, were investigated. The best results were obtained in the presence of ferrous ions in acid and neutral media. The other ions are not as effective as Fe²⁺ for dye decolorization. Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions have a catalytic action, at low concentration, within a wide range of pH. Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions have no catalytic effect in photooxidation with hydrogen peroxide at acid Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions have no catalytic effect in photooxidation with hydrogen peroxide at acid pH values, but show a weak action in alkaline media.     

Doubly-charged ethane ions: Solution to the dilemma of stability predicted by theory and instability observed in experiment

Potential energy curves have been computed for [C₂H₆]²⁺ ions and the results used to interpret the conspicuous absence of these ions in 2E mass spectra and in charge-stripping experiments. The energies and structures of geometry-optimized ground-state singlet and excited-state triplet [C₂H₆]²⁺ ions have been determined along with energies for different decomposition barriers and dissociation asymptotes. Although singlet and triplet [C₂H₆]²⁺ ions can exist as stable entities, they possess low energy barriers to decomposition. Vertical Franck-Condon transitions, involving electron impact ionization of ethane as well as charge-stripping collisions of [C₂H₆]⁺ ions, produce [C₂H₆]²⁺ ions which promptly dissociate since they are formed with energies in excess of various decomposition barriers. Appearance energies computed for doubly-charged ethane fragment ions are in accordance with experimental values.     

Fe+ chemical ionization of peptides

Laser-desorbed peptide neutral molecules were allowed to react with Fe⁺ in a Fourier transform mass spectrometer, using the technique of laser desorption/chemical ionization. The Fe⁺ ions are formed by laser ablation of a steel target, as well as by dissociative charge-exchange ionization of ferrocene with Ne⁺. Prior to reaction with laser-desorbed peptide molecules, Fe⁺ ions undergo 20–100 thermalizin collisions with xenon to reduce the population of excited-state metal ion species. The Fe⁺ ions that have not experienced thermalizing collisions undergo charge exchange with peptide molecules. Iron ions that undergo thermalizing collisions before they are allowed to react with peptides are found to undergo charge exchange and to form adduct species [M + Fe⁺] and fragment ions that result from the loss of small, stable molecules, such as H₂O, CO, and CO₂, from the metal ion-peptide complex.     

Exploring LiZnNbO4 as a Host for New Colored Compounds: Synthesis,Structure, and Material Properties of NbZn1-x Mx LiO4 (M=Mn,Co, Ni,Fe) and Nb1-ySby Zn1-x Mx LiO4 (M=Co,Ni)

The non - centrosymmetric tetragonal inverse spinel structure of LiZnNbO₄ has been explored with a view to prepare new colored compounds. The substitution of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions were attempted in the place of Zn²⁺ ions and Sb⁵⁺ ions in place of Nb⁵⁺ ions. The studies indicated that 0.75 Zn²⁺ ions in LiZnNbO₄ can be replaced by Co²⁺ ions and 0.5 Zn²⁺ ions in LiZnNb_0.5Sb_0.5O₄ compound. The substitution of Co²⁺ ions gives rise to different shades of blue color in Li(Zn_1-xCo_x)NbO₄ compounds and from ink blue to blue-green color in Li(Zn_1-xCo_x)(Nb_0.5Sb_0.5)O₄ compounds. The different colors observed in the present study were explained by the traditional allowed d-d transitions as well as the metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) transitions involving Nb⁵⁺ (4d⁰) ions and partially filled 3d electrons. The SHG studies indicate that the prepared compounds are SHG active. All the compounds exhibit reasonable dielectric behavior with low loss. The XPS studies confirm the oxidation states of the different substituted ions. Raman studies indicate variations in the bands due to the substitutions in the parent LiZnNbO₄ phase. Magnetic studies on the Co²⁺ ions substituted compounds suggest antiferromagnetic behavior.     

Selective transport of copper(II) ions across a liquid membrane mediated by Piroxicam

Piroxicam was found to be a highly selective carrier for uphill transport of Cu²⁺ ions through a chloroform liquid membrane. The transport occurs via a counterflow of protons from the receiving phase to the source phase. The effects of several parameters on the transport of Cu²⁺ ions, such as the carrier concentration, pH of the source phase, composition of the receiving phase, and duration are described. A high transport efficiency (98±2%) was provided by the carrier for Cu²⁺ ions in a receiving phase of 0.01 mol l⁻¹ sulfuric acid after 4 h. Different metal ion transport experiments showed that Cu²⁺ ions were selectively transported over other ions, such as Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, UO₂²⁺ and ZrO₂²⁺. In the presence of fluoride ions (used as a suitable masking agent in the source phase), the interfering effects of UO₂²⁺ and ZrO₂²⁺ ions were eliminated. The applicability of the method was tested on a real sample, and the results obtained show that it is potentially useful for solvent extraction of copper.     

Tandem mass spectrometry of lithium-attachment ions from polyglycols

A detailed study has been carried out of the fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) behavior of lithium-attachment ions from three glycol polymers: linear poly(ethylene glycol), linear poly(propylene glycol), and an ethoxylated fatty alcohol. Collisional activation was carried out in the “collision octapole” of a BEoQ hybrid mass spectrometer at a translational energy of 50 eV, with collision gas air. It was found that [M + Li]⁺ ions provide a number of advantages as precursors for practical MS/MS analysis as compared to the use of [M + H]⁺ or [M + Na]⁺ ions. First, [M + Li]⁺ ions are much more intense than the corresponding [M + H]⁺ ions. Second, [M + Li]⁺ ions dissociate to lithiated organic fragments with reasonable efficiency, which is not the case with [M + Na]⁺ precursors. Third, product ions are generally formed over the entire mass range for low molecular weight polyglycols. The most intense product ions are lithiated, linear polyglycol oligomers. These ions are formed via internal hydrogen transfer reactions which are facilitated by lithium (charge-induced). Two series of less intense product ions are formed via charge-remote fragmentations involving l,4-hydrogen elimination. A fourth product ion series consists of lithiated radical cations; these form via homolytic bond cleavages near chain ends. Overall, MS/MS analysis of [M + Li]⁺ polyglycol ions proved to be quite useful for chemical structure elucidation.     

Ions at interfaces: the central role of hydration and hydrophobicity

It is increasingly being accepted that solvation properties of ions and interfaces (hydration of ions, hydrophobic or hydrophilic character of interfaces) play a fundamental role in ion-surface interaction in water. However, a fundamental understanding of the precise role of solvation in ionic specificity in colloidal systems is still missing, although important progress has been made over the last years. We present in this contribution experimental evidences (including also ions not usually included in specific ion studies) together with Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations that highlight the importance of the hydration of ions and surfaces in order to understand the origin of ionic specificity. We first show that both surface polarity and ion hydration determine the sorting of ions according to their ability to induce specific effects (the so-called Hofmeister series). We extend these classical series by considering the addition of the inorganic anions IO₃⁻, BrO₃⁻ and ClO₃⁻, which present unusual properties as compared with the ions considered in classical Hofmeister series. We also consider big hydrophobic organic ions such as tetraphenylborate anion (Ph₄B⁻) and tetraphenylarsonium cation (Ph₄As⁺) that in the context of the Hofmeister series behave as super-chaotropes ions.     

Chemiluminescent Logic Gates Based on Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites

Label‐free logic gates (AND, OR, and INHIBIT) based on chemiluminescence (CL) as new optical readout signal have been developed by taking advantage of the unique CL activity of luminol‐ and lucigenin‐functionalized gold nanoparticles/graphene oxide (luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO) nanocomposites. It was found that Fe²⁺ ions could induce the CL emission of luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO nanocomposites in alkaline solution. On this basis, by using Fe²⁺ ions and NaOH as the inputs and the CL signal as the output, an AND logic gate was fabricated. When the initial reaction system contained luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO nanocomposites and NaOH, either Fe²⁺ ions or Ag⁺ ions could react with the luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO nanocomposites to produce a strong CL emission. This result was used to design an OR logic gate using Fe²⁺ ions and Ag⁺ ions as the inputs and CL signal as the output. Moreover, two INHIBIT logic gates for Fe²⁺ and Ag⁺ were also developed using by NaClO and L ‐cysteine as their CL inhibitors, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed logic gates were successfully used to detect Fe²⁺, Ag⁺, and L ‐cysteine, respectively. The developed logic gates may find future applications in sensing, clinical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.