Gas generation and preconcentration coupled to gas phase molecular absorption spectrometry: a powerful tool for the simultaneous determination of analytes forming volatile compounds

Different methods for a simultaneous determination of several analytes forming volatile compounds at room temperature are described. The main steps of these methods are: continuous generation, collection in a cryogenic trap, revolatilization, measurement of the volatile compounds by Gas Phase Molecular Absorption Spectrometry and resolution by multi-wavelength methods. Several mixtures containing 2, 3 or 4 components have been studied: 1) elements forming covalent hydrides; 2) arsenic organometallic compounds forming volatile gases with a similar structure to arsine; and 3) sulphur species that can evolve volatile compounds. Under the optimum conditions obtained for each mixture, detection limits range from 0.8 ng/mL (dimethylarsinic acid) to 2 microg/mL (SCN(-)).     

Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Biological Activity of Flavone 6-C-Glycosides from Alliaria petiolata

Preparative reversed-phase HPLC analysis of a methanol extract of the seeds of Alliaria petiolata afforded fourflavone 6-C-glycosides: isoorientin, swertiajaponin, swertisin and isoscoparin-2--D-glucopyranoside. The molecular structures were elucidated by UV, ESIMS and comprehensive 1D (¹H and ¹³ C) and 2D (gradient multiple quantum filtered ¹H-¹H COSY, ¹H-¹³C HSQC and ¹H-¹³C HMBC) NMR analyses. The antibacterial and free radical scavenging activity, and general toxicity of these compounds were assessed. While none of these glycosides showed any significant antibacterial activities at test concentrations, all these compounds showed prominent free radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ values: 1.25×10^-2 to 7.69×10^-3 mg/mL) in DPPH assay. In the brine shrimp lethality assay very low levels of general toxicity (LD₅₀ >1.00 mg/mL) were displayed.     

Free and Glycosidically Bound Volatiles of Mentha longifolia Growing in Croatia

The glycosides of volatile compounds and the essential oil were isolated from wild Mentha longifolia. After the enzymatic hydrolysis of glycosides, fourteen volatile aglycones were identified by GC/MS. The main aglycones were eugenol, 2-phenylethanol, benzyl alcohol, lavandulol, trans- and cis-carveol, 3-octanol, and 3-hexen-1-ol. The content of aglycones was 40.85 mg kg^-1 of dried plant material. The main components of the essential oil (yield 0.93 w/w) were carvone, piperitenone oxide, limonene, and -caryophyllene. Eugenol, carveol, 3-octanol, and -terpineol were identified in the aglycones and in the essential oil.     

Determination of Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Beverage and Coffee Samples by Purge-and-Trap On-Line Coupling with a Gas Chromatography-Flame Photometric Detector

A sensitive and fast analytical method using purge-and-trap on-line coupling with gas chromatography was developed for the determination of trace volatile sulfur compounds including dimethyl sulfide (DMS), ethyl-methyl sulfide (EMS), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in beverage and coffee samples. The analytes were purged for 12min from the sample by high purity nitrogen at a flow rate of 35KPa and preconcentrated in the cooled fused-silica capillary trap at –75°C. The NaCl content in the samples was maintained at 10%. The volatile sulfur compounds were separated with an Agilent-6890 gas chromatograph by a suitable temperature program and detected by means of a flame photometric detector (FPD). The detection limits were 80ngL^–1 for DMS, 80ngL^–1 for EMS, and 100ngL^–1 for DMDS, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the determination of volatile sulfur compounds in different beverage and coffee samples.     

Zusammensetzung und Stabilität von Komplexen des Kupfer(II)-Ions mit DL-Threonin in Lösung

The equilibria in Cu(II) ion and DL-threonine (ThrH₂) solutions have been studied. It was found that in the pH interval from 2 to 13.5 the following compounds can exist: CuThrH⁺, Cu(ThrH), Cu(Thr)(ThrH)^? and Cu(Thr). The stoichiometric instability constants of the first two compounds were determined by the spectrophotometric method and by a combination of spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods. In addition, it was established in the same way that the Cu(ThrH) complex behaves like a weak dibasic acid, whose ionisation constants were determined too. Finally, the absorptionspectra of the above complex compounds are given.     

Pseudorotaxanes of β-Cyclodextrin with Diamino End-functionalized Oligo-phenyl and -benzyl Compounds in Solution and in the Solid State

-Cyclodextrin forms a 1:1 host:guest inclusion complex ([2]pseudorotaxane) with 4-[2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyl]-benzenamine (1) in water as determined by 1D and 2D NMRexperiments. In the crystalline state, the structure of the complex has revealed a 2:2 stoichiometry, with two CD molecules forming head-to-head dimers byH-bonds between the secondary O3 hydroxyl groups and enclosing two molecules of the guest. The packing mode of the present complex is encountered for the first time, since it does not belong to any of the four known packing types of the dimeric CD inclusion complexes. On the other hand,N ¹,N ⁴-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1,4-benzenedimethanamine 2), which is longer than 1 by a phenylene diamine unit, has not afforded any crystals, at present, however it threads into CD in aqueous solution forming most probably [2]- and [3]pseudorotaxanes. The solution structures and the equilibria in this system are investigated.     

Polygermoxanes suitable for biochemical purposes: II Linear trigermoxanes (high-viscosity oils)

Linear trigermoxanes, R¹ RGeOGe(R³)₂OGeRR¹, a new series of organogermanium compounds, were synthesized by reaction of a lithium organogermanolate with a suitable organogermanium dihalide. With alkyl or phenyl substituents, these trigermoxanes are structurally unstable viscous oils, due to redistribution reactions. When R³ substituents are bulky groups, such as mesityl, trigermoxanes are thermally and structurally stable oils; depending on the R¹ and R² substituents their viscosities lie in the range 240 to more than 1500 cPo (mPa s) at 20°C. When both terminal germanium atoms are substituted with two mesityl groups, trigermoxanes are stable glassy solids.     

Synthesis and characterization of three new fluorovanadate complexes: N(C2H5)4[VOF4], N(CH3)4[VOF3Cl], N(C4H9)4[VOF3Br] and theoretical calculations of VOF4, VOF3Cl and VOF3Br ions

The reaction of VOF₃ with (C₂H₅)₄NF, (CH₃)₄NCl and (C₄H₉)₄NBr salts in anhydrous CH₃CN produced new complexes with the anion general formula [VOF₃X]⁻ in that (X = F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻). These were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV/Visible and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. The optimized geometries and frequencies of the stationary point are calculated at the B3LYP/6-311G level of theory. Theoretical results showed that the VX (X = F, Cl, Br) bond length values for the [VOF₃X]⁻ in compounds 1-3 are 1.8247, 2.4031 and 2.5595 Å, respectively. Also, the VF₅ bond length values in [VOF₃X]⁻ are 1.824, 1.812 and 1.802 Å, respectively. These results reveal that the bond order for VX bonds decrease from compounds 1 to 3, while for VF₅ bonds, the bond orders increase. It can be concluded that the decrease of VX bonds lengths and the increase of VF₅ bond lengths in compounds 1-3 result from the increase of the hyperconjugation from compounds 1 to 3. Harmonic vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities for VOF₄⁻, VOF₃Cl⁻ and VOF₃Br⁻ are studied by means of theoretical and experimental methods. The calculated frequencies are in reasonable agreement with the experiment values. These data can be used in models of phosphoryl transfer enzymes because vanadate can often bind to phosphoryl transfer enzymes to form a trigonal-bipyramidal structure at the active site.     

The composition of volatile and particulate hydrocarbons in urban air

Summary The hydrocarbon composition of the particle and gas phases in the urban atmosphere has been studied by filtration and parallel adsorption on active charcoal and polyurethane foam (PUF). Gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have been used for the analysis of the organic matter extracts obtained with each system. In the case of the particle and PUF samples these extracts were fractionated into aliphatic and aromatic compounds. This approach has allowed to identify up to 247 hydrocarbon molecules showing that C0–C5 alkylbenzenes are the major compounds in the charcoal extracts whereas C14–C23 n-alkanes, C0–C4 alkylnaphthalenes, C0–C4 alkylbiphenyls and C3–C5 alkylbenzenes are those predominantly found in the PUF materials. The particles essentially contain C17–C38 n-alkanes and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These qualitative differences are paralleled by a progressive concentration decrease from the more to the less volatile hydrocarbons. Thus, the total charcoal extracts average 80 g/m³, the PUF compounds represent 4 /m³ and the particle hydrocarbons 0.7 g/m³. These latter airborne materials are essentially composed of petrogenic residues 0.6 g/m³ (aliphatic fraction) whereas the pyrolytic PAH only involve 0.08 g/m³.     

Determination of organometallics in intra-oral air by LT-GC/ICP-MS

Low temperature gas chromatography (LT-GC) coupled on-line with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used to identify volatile metal and metalloid compounds in human breath. After cryogenic sampling, the gas sample has been separated without any clean-up by increasing the temperature (–100 to +200° C). Simultaneous determination of 11 elements with ICP-MS was used for screening analysis. The detection limits of volatile compounds in intra-oral air are in the range of ng m^–3. Dimethyl selenium has been determined in each gas sample from six test persons in the range of 0.08 to 0.98 g m^–3.     

Determination of Phenolic Antioxidants in Spilled Aviation Fuels by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Summary A gas chromatography-mass spectrometric assay method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP) and 2,4-dimethyl-6-tert-butylphenol (DMTBP) in aviation fuel. Extraction and purification were achieved with a solid phase extraction procedure using silica gel. Elution was performed with 30 mL of methylene chloride: pentane (2:3) following washing with 10 mL of n-pentane. The extract was concentrated to about 100 L and analyzed by GC-MS (SIM). The peaks had good chromatographic properties by using a semi-polar column (Innowax) and the extraction of these compounds from samples gave recoveries of about 87% for DTBP and about 75% for DMTBP with small variations. Method detection limits were 5.0 ng mL^–1 for DBMP and 7.0 ng mL^–1 for DMTBP. The method may be useful for spilled fuel type differentiation between kerosene and JP-8.     

Structure and thermal properties of heterometallic complexes for chemical vapor deposition of Cu–Pd films

Novel volatile heterocomplex compounds based on copper(II) and palladium(II) fluorinated β-diketonates are studied. The crystals of the synthesized compounds are shown to be composed of 1D coordination polymers in the form of chains of alternating molecules of monometallic complexes. The crystallographic data for [Cu(hfa)₂?Pd(zif)₂] are as follows: C₂₆H₂₂F₁₈O₁₀CuPd, P2₁/c, a = 7.9947(18) Å, b = 19.277(4) Å, c = 13.609(3) Å, β = 118.298(15)°, V = 1846.7(7) ų, Z = 2, d = 1.810 g/cm³. The thermal properties of the compounds are examined by TG-DTA and vacuum sublimation. The complexes are studied as the precursors for producing copper-palladium alloy films by chemical vapor deposition. It is demonstrated that bimetallic alloy coatings with a ratio Cu/Pd = 1:1 can be prepared from [Cu(hfa)₂?Pd(zif)₂].     

Subgroup 4 (Ti,Zr, Hf) derivatives of Cobalt Carbonyls

Bimetallic and trimetallic compounds containing unsupported bonds of subgroup 4 metals (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) and Co were prepared by hydride elimination (A) from RM derivatives (R¹ = PhCH₂; RN; R² = Me, Et)) and by salt elimination (B) from RMX (X = Cl, Br; R.¹ = PhCH₂, RN and R³O; R³= i-Pr, n-Bu)) by reaction with HCo(CO)₄ and Na[Co(CO)₄], respectively. Compounds RMCo(CO)₄ with R¹ = PhCH₂, RM[Co(CO)₄]₂ R.¹ = PhCH₂, were prepared both by methods A and B, while (R³O)₄-n Ti[Co(Co)₄]n (n = 1, 2) compounds were obtained by reaction B. Several tertiary phosphine and phosphite derivatives of the former two types were obtained by substitution of a carbonyl group by PR ligand or by A type reaction of HCo(CO)³(PR with RM compounds.     

Photochemical route to unusual tri-tungsten ferrocenylacetylene cluster [W3{μ-η,η- (H)CCFc}2(CO)12] and a dimetallacyclodecatetraene [W2{μ-η,η,η,η- (Fc)CC(H)C(H)C(Fc)C(Fc)C(H)C(H)C(Fc)}(CO)6]

Low temperature photoreaction between tungsten hexacarbonyl and ferrocenylacetylene yielded two unusual metal containing stable compounds, the tritungsten cluster, [W₃(μ-η²,η²- (H)CCFc)₂(CO)₁₂] (1), and ditungsten-1,4,5,8-ferrocenylcyclodecatetraene, [W₂{μ-η²,η²,η²,η²-(Fc)CC(H)C(H)C(Fc)C(Fc)C(H)C(H)C(Fc)}(CO)₆] (2). Both compounds were characterised by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and their molecular structures established by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods.     

A routine method for the determination of the TVOC content in wallcoverings using headspace gas-chromatography

A method for the fast routine analysis of the total content of volatile organic compounds in wallcoverings and paper products was developed, using headspace gas-chromatography for quantification. 57 wallcoverings of different types were investigated. Typical components were toluene, methyl-ethyl ketone, methyl-iso-butyl ketone, n-butyl acetate and iso-butyl acetate, all compounds being used as industrial solvents. The TVOC concentrations are calculated in toluene-carbon equivalents and ranged from 0.31 g/g to 1789 g/g with an average value of 123.22 g/g and a median of 20.37 g/g. To obtain an estimation of VOC-concentrations in indoor air, 10 selected wallcoverings were also analyzed in a 1 m³ climate test chamber. A correlation between headspace data and chamber concentrations could not be observed, which might be a result of increased analytical uncertainties at low emission rates under chamber conditions.     

Structures of three substituted pentacyclo[5.4.0.02, 6.03, 10.05, 9]undecanes and a computational analysis of bond lengths

5-Methyl-2-phenylpentacyclo[5.4.0.0^{2, 6}.0^{3, 10}.0^{5, 9}]undecane-8, 11-dione,5-methyl-2-phenylpentacyclo [5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane-8-one-11-ol,and 5-methyl-2-phenylpentacyclo[5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane-8,11-diol are three cage compounds which differ only in the oxidation state at C(8) and C(11). The three compounds contain a four-membered, a six-membered, and four five-membered rings fused into a cagelike structure. An X-ray structure analysis shows the C(1)-C(7) and C(9)-C(10) bonds in the diketo cage to be 1.606(2) and 1.586(2) Å, which are significantly longer than in the other two molecules. In order to assess the effects of strain, steric, and electronic factors in these compounds, we investigated the unsubstituted parent cage compounds and a series of derivatives by molecular mechanics (MM3), AMPAC (AM1), MOPAC (PM3), and GAUSSIAN 90 calculations. These data suggest that dipolar through space interactions are responsible for the bond elongation and not a _– ^* interaction, which has been postulated in parallel-systems originating from a common bond. A small degree of _– ^* through-bond interaction may contribute to the lengthening in the dimethylene cage analogues.     

Structures of the reduced niobium oxides Nb12O29 and Nb22O54

The crystal structure of Nb₂₂O₅₄ is reported for the first time, and the structure of orthorhombic Nb₁₂O₂₉ is reexamined, resolving previous ambiguities. Single crystal X-ray and electron diffraction were employed. These compounds were found to crystallize in the space groups P2/m (, , , β=102.029(3)^°) and Cmcm (, , ), respectively and share a common structural unit, a 4×3 block of corner sharing NbO₆ octahedra. Despite different constraints imposed by symmetry these blocks are very similar in both compounds. Within a block, it is found that the niobium atoms are not located in the centers of the oxygen octahedra, but rather are displaced inward toward the center of the block forming an apparent antiferroelectric state. Bond valence sums and bond lengths do not show the presence of charge ordering, suggesting that all 4d electrons are delocalized in these compounds at the temperature studied, T=200 K.     

IR spectra simulation as auxiliary tool for gas chromatography/Fourier transform IR spectroscopy/mass spectrometry identification of unknown compounds. 2. PM3, AM1, MNDO and MINDO3 simulations for simple nitriles

A set of the semi-empirical methods (PM3, AM1, MNDO and MINDO3) supplied by the HyperChem™ package has been tested to find the best auxiliary tool for the gas chromatography/Fourier transform IR spectroscopy/mass spectrometry identification of nitriles, taking 23 relatively simple nitriles as test compounds. Of the four methods, MNDO can be considered as the most advantageous since: (1) for 17 compounds of 23 tested, the IR spectra simulated by this method best match the experimental spectra (and in additional 3 cases, the results are as good as those obtained by AM1 method); (2) within the range of experimental wavenumbers of 900–3100 cm⁻¹, MNDO provides the best linearity between the calculated and experimental values (with a correlation coefficient of 0.989). A scaling factor of 0.85 can be used to afford better correspondence between the calculated and experimental wavenumbers. A disadvantage of the MINDO simulations is underestimation of ν_CN (and sometimes ν_CH) band intensities.