Capillary GC Determination of Short-Chain Dicarboxylic Acids in Rain,Fog, and Mist

Abstract

A capillary GC and GC-MS method, employing dibutyl esters is described for determining short-chain dicarboxylic acids in rain, fog and mist samples collected in the Los Angeles area. Approximately twenty dicarboxylic acids (C₂-C₁₀) were identified in the water samples, including cis (maleic) and trans (fumaric) unsaturated, saturated, normal, branched and aromatic. Oxalic acid is the dominant acid, followed by succinic and malonic acids. The total concentrations measured are 2.9–51μM, 64–66 μM and 12 μM for rain, fog and mist samples, respectively. These diacids are probably produced by photooxidation of anthropogenic and possibly biogenic organic compounds in the atmosphere.     

Cyclic ions in the mass spectra of trimethylsilyl derivatives of substituted o-dihydroxybenzenes

The mass spectra of trimethylsilyl (TMS) ethers/methyl esters of phenolic acids containing o-dihydroxybenzene groups have base peaks at [M?119]⁺ instead of the usual [M?15]⁺ and [M?31]⁺ that are characteristic of TMS/methyl esters of monohydroxyphenolic acids. These ions, formed by the loss of 31+88 u from the parent ion, possess a cyclic moiety as proven by substitution of deuterium atoms for hydrogen atoms in the TMS groups of the methyl esters of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic (gallic), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic (protocatechuic) and β-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propenoic (caffeic) acids. Although these cyclic ions are the base peaks in TMS-derivatized o-dihydroxyphenolic acid esters, similar ions represent intense peaks but not necessarily the base peak in other derivatized compounds such as 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, 1,2-dihydroxy-3-methyl- and 1,2-dihydroxy-4-methyl-benzenes and flavan-3-ols that possess o-dihydroxybenzene groups. Compounds possession m- or p-dihydroxybenzene groups do not form these cyclic ions; therefore, this procedure for derivatization and interpretation of mass spectra is valuable for the identification of compounds containing o-dihydroxybenzene groups in complex mixtures of isomeric compounds.     

HPLC–QTOF–MS/MS-based rapid screening of phenolics and triterpenic acids in leaf extracts of Ocimum species and their interspecies variation

Species of genus Ocimum are traditionally used for their medicinal and flavoring properties. These are rich sources of essential oils and found as an ingredient in many Ayurvedic preparations and food products. Phenolics and triterpenic acids are the medicinally active compounds mainly concentrated in the leaves of Ocimum species. This study aimed to develop an efficient and reliable analytical method for the rapid screening and characterization of phenolics and triterpenic acids in the leaf extracts of 6 Ocimum species using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–QTOF–MS/MS). A total of 50 compounds were identified and characterized on the basis of their accurate MS and MS/MS information, out of which 23 compounds were confirmed by authentic standards. Identified compounds include 28 flavonoids, 4 propenyl phenol derivatives, 2 triterpenic acids, 11 phenolic acids, and 5 phenolic acid esters. The developed method was applied to study the interspecies variation of identified compounds. Significant variation in the distribution of identified phenolics and triterpenic acids was observed among studied Ocimum species. Hence, the established method provides an effective and reliable tool for screening and characterization of phytoconstituents in Ocimum species.     

Structural elucidation of natural 2-hydroxy di- and tricarboxylic acids and esters, phenylpropanoid esters and a flavonoid from Autonoë madeirensis using gas chromatographic/electron ionization, electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometric techniques

The chemical composition of Autonoë madeirensis bulbs was characterized as part of a systematic phytochemical study of this species. The compounds reported were mainly identified on the basis of gas chromatography/electron ionization, electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry. The structures of the pure compounds were also characterized by means of other physical and spectroscopic data (m.p., IR, UV, NMR). The compounds identified were 2‐hydroxy di‐ and tricarboxylic acids and esters (malic acid, citric acid and their methyl and ethyl esters), cis‐ and trans‐hydroxycinnamic esters (methyl and ethyl p‐coumarate and methyl ferulate) and a new flavone diglucoside, 7‐O‐[β‐glucosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐β‐glucosyl]apigenin, the interglucosidic linkage (1→2) of which is, to the best of our knowledge, reported for the first time in a diglucoside of apigenin. The results may contribute to the chemotaxonomy of the Autonoë genus and lead to a rapid tool for the systematic characterization of these compounds in plant extracts. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acids and their functionally substituted esters fromAmaranthus cruentus seed oil

The acid composition of seed oil ofAmaranthus cruentus and the synthesis of their glycidyl and pyridinecontaining esters are studied. It is demonstrated that 67% of the total acids are C₁₈-polyunsaturated linoleic and linolenic. A new method for preparing glycidyl esters of C₁₈-unsaturated carboxylic acids is developed by reacting their salts with ECG in an aprotic medium to produce the corresponding glycidyl esters. The reaction of the glycidyl esters and pyridine salts with carboxylic and phosphonic acids produces the propanolpyridine esters of the acids that combine the properties of the acids and pyridinium salts and are promising in the search for biologically active compounds.A. E. Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Kazan' Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 217–219, May–June, 2000.     

Synthesis of non-natural cyclic amino acids from available unsaturated tertiary amines

New approach is developed to the synthesis of cyclic amino acids derivatives. Unsaturated tertiary amines react with ethyl diazoacetate under the catalysis by copper catalyst Cu(F₃acac)₂ leading to the formation of products of [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement which via the metathesis of double bonds undergo a ring closure. The subsequent hydrogenation of compounds obtained furnished esters of 6- and 7-membered cyclic α-amino acids. Besides the racemic also optically active compounds were obtained, in particular, esters of (R)- and (S)-pipecolic acid.     

Neue β-Lactam-Antibiotika. Über die Darstellung und Decarbonylierung von 3-Formylcephem-Verbindungen. Modifikationen von Antibiotica, 12. Mitteilung [1]

Benzhydrylic esters of 3-unsubstituted cephem-4-carboxylic acids of types 9 and 10 (Scheme 2) are prepared by decarbonylation of esters of 3-formylcephem compounds of type 2 with tris-triphenylphosphine-rhodium chloride. The preparation of the starting materials 2 and 5 , as well as of the nucleus 13 is described.     

Synthesis of Saccharose Esters

Di- and triesters of saccharose with aromatic acids are synthesized by transesterification of the methyl esters of the corresponding acids with saccharose. The structures of the resulting compounds are confirmed by IR spectroscopy, PMR, and ¹³ C NMR.     

Thermal Stability and Polarographic Reduction of Peroxy Esters of o(m)-Carborane-1-carboxylic and Benzoic Acids

The thermal stability of some peroxy esters of o(m)-carborane-1-carboxylic and benzoic acids (taken for comparison) was evaluated by thermal analysis. The polarographic reduction of these compounds on a mercury dropping electrode was studied. The parameters of the electrochemical reduction and thermal decomposition of the peroxy esters were analyzed.     

Gas-Chromatographic Determination of Organic Compounds in Water with the Use of Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Procedures were developed for the determination of some organic compounds (n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, Cl,P,N-pesticides, phthalic acid esters, chlorophenols, aliphatic acids, and methyl esters of aliphatic acids) in water on the basis of direct supercritical fluid extraction with the subsequent gas-chromatographic analysis of the entire extract without using organic solvents. The detection limits were 10^–11–10^–7% depending on the nature of the analyte.     

Reaction of Hexamethyldisilazane with Cyclic Anhydrides of Organic Acids: A New Route to N-Trimethylsilylimides of Di- and Tetracarboxylic Acids

Cyclic anhydrides of di- and tetracarboxylic acids react with hexamethyldisilazane to give the corresponding N-trimethylsilylimides in 90-96% yields. However, cyclic anhydrides of succinic, 4-nitrophthalic, and tetrachlorophthalic acids react differently, giving acyclic trimethylsilyl esters of mono-N-trimethylsilylamides of these acids in 90-93% yields. The ¹H NMR, IR, and mass spectra of the compounds synthesized were studied.     

N-phosphoryl amino acids and peptides. Part II: Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of N-di-isopropyloxyphosphoryl and N-dibutyloxyphosphoryl amino acids

The positive ion fast atom bombardment mass spectra of N-di-isopropyloxyphosphoryl (Dipp) and N-dibutyloxyphosphoryl (Dbp) amino acids or amino acid methyl esters are presented; and according to the observation of the metastable ions and the high-resolution accurate mass measurement their fragmentation patterns are postulated. Both types of compounds were found to undergo similar fragmentations to produce (HO)₂P(O)N?CH? R + H⁺, in most cases as the most abundant fragment ion of structural significance. An intrinsical difference between the two types of compounds is that N-Dippamino acids appear to favour the successive losses of two molecules of propylene, while the loss of HCOOH seems to be preferred by the Dbp amino acids. For those compounds containing an extra functional group on the side chain of amino acids such as serine or glutamic acid some other type of fragmentation was observed besides the normal phenomenon.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-substituted vinylgembisphosphonates against Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei

Abstract

A series of 2-substituted vinylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate esters and their acids were synthesized and tested in vitro for activity against Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei. For each compound, % parasite viability in treated wells was calculated relative to untreated controls for both P. falciparum and T. brucei. Fifty percentage inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was also determined for the compounds. Chloroquine and pentamidine were used as positive control drug standards for activity against P. falciparum and T. brucei, respectively. The esters had better antiparasitic activity compared to their corresponding acids. Some of the compounds reduced % parasite viability to as low as 24.3% for P. falciparum and down to 0.602% for T. brucei. Tetraethyl-2-(o-tolyl)-ethene-1,1-bisphosphonate (3b) recorded the best IC₅₀ against T. brucei which was 0.0345?µmol/mL.     

A Study of the Constituents of the Bark of Chamaecyparis Formosensis Matsum

Sixteen compounds were isolated from the bark of Chamaecyparis formosensis Matsum. These compounds include four categories: (a) long-chain alcohols, acids and esters, (b) sterols and their glucosides, (c) o-methoxyphenol and related compounds, (d) diterpenes of abietane, pimarane, secoabietane and totarane.     

3-Hydroxyhydantoine: Eine neue Klasse cyclisch diacylierter Hydroxylamine

3-Hydroxyhydantoins, representing a new class of compounds, are easily accessible from esters of α-isocyanato fatty acids and hydroxylamine via esters of α-hydroxyureido fatty acids. Structural assignment is based on Exner correlations of infrared spectra and other physical data. Chemical properties are as expected from those of hydantoins.     

The synthesis of azatryptophane derivatives

Optically active and racemic isomers of aspartic acid ( 1 ) were transformed into the corresponding N-trifluoroacetyl-5-bromo-4-oxonorvaline methyl esters ( 6 , R = Me) and N-trifluoroacetyl-3-formylalanine methyl esters 13 , which were used as starting compounds in the synthesis of β-heteroaryl substituted-α-amino acids.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Diastereoisomerically Pure Tetracyclo[6.2.1.13,6.02,7]dodec‐9‐ene‐4‐carboxylic Acid Derivatives

The synthesis and detailed NMR analysis of diastereoisomerically pure samples of 4‐methyltetracyclo[6.2.1.1^3,6.0^2,7]dodec‐9‐ene‐4‐carboxylic acid ( 2 ), tetracyclo[6.2.1.1^3,6.0^2,7]dodec‐9‐ene‐4‐carboxylic acid ( 6 ) and their tert‐butyl esters are reported. Mixtures containing two isomers of the methyl esters of these compounds were obtained by a twofold, sequential Diels‐Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene, and methyl methacrylate or methyl acrylate, respectively. Pure diastereoisomers of the acids were prepared by selective hydrolysis of their methyl esters.     

Synthesis of 1,4,5,6-tetrachloro-7,7-dimethoxybicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dienylmethyl esters of p-substituted benzoic acids

The possibility of preparing 1,4,5,6-tetrachloro-7,7-dimethoxybicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dienyl-methyl esters of p-substituted benzoic acids by [4+2]cycloaddition of tetrachlorodimethoxycyclo-pentadine to propargyl esters of the corresponding acids was examined. The optimal synthesis conditions were found. The structure of the compounds synthesized was confirmed by independent synthesis and by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Chemical characterization of ozonated lignin solutions from corn (Zea mays) stalk and poplar (Populus deltoides) wood by capillary gas chromatography

Corn (Zea mays) stalk and poplar (Populus deltoides) wood lignin was converted into monomeric aromatic compounds and short chain aliphatic carboxylic acids. The main reaction products were separated and identified using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on an HP-5 column. The compounds were considered as positively identified when their mass spectra and GC retention times agreed with those of authentic standard samples. The quantitative estimation of the identified reaction products was accomplished on an OV-101 capillary column by gas chromatography-FID using the internal standard method. Among the aromatic compounds, aldehydes (p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillin, and syringaldehyde), acids (p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic, and syringic), and one phenol (hydroquinone) were determined. In addition, the aliphatic carboxylic acids: glycolic, oxalic, malonic, glyoxylic, butanedioic, glyceric, and malic acid were identified. All the calibration curves of the quantified compounds approximated to a straight line. For both corn stalk and poplar wood lignins, the major components were the aromatic aldehydes (71 and 64% of the characterized fraction, respectively), followed by the aliphatic carboxylic acids (20 and 21% of the characterized fraction, respectively).     

Improved Synthesis of Cyclic α-Hydrazino Acids of Five- to Nine-Membered Rings and Optical Resolution of 5,6,7-Membered Ring Hydrazino Acids

Synthesis of cyclic α-hydrazino acids of five- to nine-membered rings has been described. Di-tert-butyl or dibenzyl malonate was used as starting materials instead of diethyl malonate, which was used in our first report. Deprotection of tert-butyl or benzyl ester of the final compounds was much easier than that of ethyl or methyl esters. Overall yield of these acids were 39, 50, 47, 52, and 51%, respectively. These acids were then converted to the diastereomers either via the formation of peptides with L-phenylalanine methyl ester or via the formation of esters (for five- to seven-membered rings) with L-2-phenylalaninol. All diastereomers were separated except the nine-membered ring by flash chromatography. Hydrolysis of diastereomeric esters generated the optically pure five-, six- and seven-membered cyclic α-hydrazino acids. In this process, both the enantiomers have been isolated and the chiral auxiliary L-2-phenylalaninol was recovered. Absolute stereochemistry was determined from x-ray crystallographic analysis.