Comments on the geometric approximation to the second-order perturbed energies

It is shown that the ideas similar to those behind the ordinary geometric approximation can be efficiently used to speed up the convergence of the coupled Hartree-Fock iterative procedure in the density matrix formalism. The formulation of the geometric approximation in the case of multiple perturbation is also considered and an alternative second-order energy formula is proposed. The validity of the upper bound formula for the error of the geometric approximation denied by Burrows, is discussed.     

The Remarkable Structure of Lithium Cyanide/Isocyanide

Electron correlation corrections have a considerable influence on the relative stabilities of lithium isocyanide ( 1 ), lithium cyanide ( 2 ), and the bridged form, 3 . While Hartree-Fock theory finds 1 to be most stable and 3 not to be a minimum, MP2/6-31G* optimization indicates 3 to be the global minimum. At higher levels employing full fourth-order Møller-Plesset theory and a quadruply split valence and polarized basis set (MP4STDQ/6-311+G*), 2 is only about 2 kcal/mol less stable than 1 and 3 , which are indicated to have nearly the same energy. LiNC thus is similar to C(Na)N and C(K)N, both of which are known to prefer T-shaped (bridged) structures in the gas phase. However, to an even greater extent than formerly realized, rotation of the lithium cation around the cyanide anion nucleus should be practically free. ΔH (LiCN) = 32.8 kcal/mol is estimated from the calculated lithium cation affinity of 151.2 kcal/mol. In addition, we find at the MP4SDTQ/6-31+G*//MP2/6-31G* level that the bridged form of NaCN is favored by 2–3 kcal/mol over the corresponding linear forms, which have nearly the same energy.     

3′-Methylsulfinyl-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides

Reactions of 4-methoxy- or 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3′-methylthio-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides 1 and 7 with a nitrating mixture ran as the 3′-methylthio group 5-mono-oxidation followed by C₆- and C₈-nitration and led to the mixture composed of products 3, 4, 5 and 6 (in the case of substrate 1 ) or compounds 5 and 6 (for substrate 7 ). In the reaction with hydrochloric acid 4-methoxy-3′-methylsulfinyl-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides 3 and 4 could be hydrolysed to 3′-methylsulfinyl-4(1H)-quinolinones 5 or 6 respectively, the methylsulfinyl group remaining unaffected.     

Small-volume radial flow cell for all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes

A flow cell with a radial distribution of four all-solid-state ion selective electrodes (ISEs), or alternatively three ISEs and one reference electrode, was designed and optimized for mass production. The radial distribution of the electrodes reduces the cell volume and is expected to minimize cross-contamination between different electrodes. Two different cell prototypes were developed and tested for all-solid-state K⁺-ISEs based on a solvent polymeric ion-selective membrane (ISM) and a conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), as solid internal contact. In the first prototype, PEDOT was electropolymerized from an aqueous solution of the monomer and the doping ion salt, sodium polystyrenesulfonate (NaPSS). The second prototype employed an aqueous dispersion of PEDOT(PSS) that is commercially available (Baytron P, Bayer AG). Compared to electrochemical synthesis, solution casting of the polymer dispersion was found to be a more advantageous method to deposit the conducting polymer layer aiming at mass production. The resulting prototypes of the flow cell had a small volume (ca. 17-37 μl), which makes them suitable for application in clinical analysis.     

Reactions of 4-Methoxy-3-quinolinyl and 1,4-Dihydro-4-oxo-3-quino-linyl Sulfides Aiming at the Synthesis of 4-Chloro-3-Quinolinyl Sulfides

The preparation of 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3′-alkylthio-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides 3 or 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-(alkylthio)quinolines 4 by acid catalysed hydrolysis of 4-methoxy-3′-alkylthio-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides 1 or 4-methoxy-3-(alkylthio)-quinolines 2 is described. The reactions of 4-methoxy-3′-alkylthio-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides 1 or 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3′-alkylthio-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides 3 with phosphoryl chloride in DMF afforded 4-chloro-3′-alkylthio-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides 5 . Treatment of the title compounds 1 or 3 with boiling phosphoryl chloride systems:leads to 4-chloro-3-(alkylthio)quinolines 6 and thioquinanthrene but those of alkoxy- or oxo-quinolines 2 or 4 lead to 4-chloro-3-(alkylthio)quinolines 6 . The reactions of N-methyl-4(1H)-quinolinones 3n and 4n with phosphoryl chloride directed to 4-chloro-3-(alkylthio)quinolines 6 were studied as well.     

Direct assignment of the absolute configuration of a distinct class of deoxyribonucleoside cyclic N-acylphosphoramidites at phosphorus by M-GOESY nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The determination of the absolute configuration of deoxyribonucleoside cyclic N-acylphosphoramidites at phosphorus toward the synthesis of P-stereodifined phosphorothioated oligodeoxyribonucleotides is easily accomplished with computer-assisted molecular modeling and M-GOESY NMR spectroscopy. Specifically, computer-modeling diasteromeric phosphoramidite 3 has identifed a proximal (2.55 A) through-space interaction between benzylic H-5 and sugar H-2' ', which can predictably be detected by M-GOESY NMR in SP-3 but not in RP-3 because of being too distant (5.85 A). Consistent with computer-assisted modeling predictions, M-GOESY NMR spectra of SP-3 and RP-3 revealed NOE signals generated from nuclei near the selectively excited H-2' ' that are common to both SP-3 and RP-3, namely those of H-2', H-4', H-3', and H-1'. In addition, a diagnostic NOE signal at 5.5 ppm (benzylic H-5) is, as predicted, only detected in SP-3 and thus provides an unequivocal assessment of the configuration of the diastereomer at phosphorus. M-GOESY NMR data also confirm that the condensation of deoxyribonucleoside cyclic N-acylphosphoramidites with base-activated nucleosidic or nucleotidic 5'-hydroxyls proceeds via a single nucleophilic event.     

Enantiomerically pure 4-amino-1,2,3-trihydroxybutylphosphonic acids

(1S,2R,3S)-, (1R,2R,3S)- and (1S,2R,3R)-4-amino-1,2,3-trihydroxybutylphosphonic acids were synthesised. The synthetic strategy involved preparation of the respective 4-azido-2,3-O-isopropylidene-l-threose or -d-erythrose, addition of dialkyl phosphites, separation of C-1 epimeric O,O-dibenzyl phosphonates, the reduction of azides and the removal of the protecting groups. The (2R,3S) and (2R,3R) configurations in the final products were secured by employing diethyl l-tartrate and d-isoascorbic acid as starting materials. The stereochemical course of the addition to the carbonyl groups in 4-azido-2,3-O-isopropylidene-l-threose or -d-erythrose followed that established earlier for 2,3-O-isopropylidene-d-glyceraldehyde and similar (3:1-4:1) diastereoselectivities were achieved.     

Passive sampling and/or extraction techniques in environmental analysis: a review

The current state-of-the-art of passive sampling and/or extraction methods for long-term monitoring of pollutants in different environmental compartments is discussed in this review. Passive dosimeters that have been successfully used to monitor organic and inorganic contaminants in air, water, sediments, and soil are presented. The application of new approaches to the determination of pollutants at the sampling stage is discussed. The main milestones in the development of passive techniques for sampling and/or extraction of analytes, and in biomonitors used in environmental analysis, are summarized in this review. Passive samplers and biomonitors are compared.     

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of minerals: Carbonates and silicates

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) provides an alternative chemical analytical technique that obviates the issues of sample preparation and sample destruction common to most laboratory-based analytical methods. This contribution explores the capability of LIBS analysis to identify carbonate and silicate minerals rapidly and accurately. Fifty-two mineral samples (18 carbonates, 9 pyroxenes and pyroxenoids, 6 amphiboles, 8 phyllosilicates, and 11 feldspars) were analyzed by LIBS. Two composite broadband spectra (averages of 10 shots each) were calculated for each sample to produce two databases each containing the composite LIBS spectra for the same 52 mineral samples. By using correlation coefficients resulting from the regression of the intensities of pairs of LIBS spectra, all 52 minerals were correctly identified in the database. If the LIBS spectra of each sample were compared to a database containing the other 51 minerals, 65% were identified as a mineral of similar composition from the same mineral family. The remaining minerals were misidentified for two reasons: 1) the mineral had high concentrations of an element not present in the database; and 2) the mineral was identified as a mineral with similar elemental composition from a different family. For instance, the Ca–Mg carbonate dolomite was misidentified as the Ca–Mg silicate diopside. This pilot study suggests that LIBS has promise in mineral identification and in situ analysis of minerals that record geological processes.