Translational and rotational motions of a diatomic molecule enclosed in a solid matrix

The hamiltonian for a molecule enclosed in a cavity may be written H = H ^R(θ) + H ^T(r) + U ^RT(θ, r), where θ and r denote the molecular orientation and the displacement of the centre of mass. The crystalline potential seen by the guest molecule can be explicitly calculated on the basis of atom-atom and electrostatic multipolar interactions, by using an nth-order gradient formula in the spherical representation. We take a N ₂ molecule encaged in β-quinol clathrate as our model system, and solve variationally the Schrödinger equation for H to clarify the translation-rotation coupling. Energy levels of H are obtained as a function of the height of the hindering potential for rotation, by modifying the strength of the electrostatic multipolar interaction. Three limiting cases of H ^R are important: (a) libration around the Z-axis, (b) free rotation, and (c) an oscillational rotation whose equilibrium orientation is perpendicular to the Z-axis. The constrained translation under consideration is an anharmonic and almost spherically symmetric oscillation. The Pauli principle must be applied to the eigenstate of H. Excepting the case (a), translational states of H are different for different nuclear spin species, and higher-order effects of U ^RT on these states are significant. For p-N₂, some modes of motion interchange if the rotational motion changes from case (a) to case (c). If the constraining potential for translation is steeper, the effect of U ^RT will become smaller. The anharmonicity involved in H ^T is not negligible in discussing this effect.     

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.     

Asymmetric [2,3]‐Wittig Rearrangement of Oxygenated Allyl Benzyl Ethers in the Presence of a Chiral di‐tBu‐bis(oxazoline) Ligand: A Novel Synthetic Approach to THF Lignans

We have accomplished highly enantioselective [2,3]‐Wittig rearrangements of functionalized allyl benzyl ethers in the presence of a chiral di‐tBu‐bis(oxazoline) ligand. In various oxygenated benzylic ethers, the reactions proceeded with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities, although the presence of a methoxy substituent at the ortho‐position on the benzyl group drastically decreased the enantioselectivity. Conversely, o‐ethyl and o‐phenyl substituents had no significant effect on the selectivity. We found that the C2‐substituent of the allylic moiety played an important role in producing high enantioselectivity. Highly enantioselective [2,3]‐Wittig rearrangement in the presence of catalytic amounts of the chiral ligands is also described.     

High-sensitivity capillary and microchip electrophoresis using electrokinetic supercharging preconcentration. Insight into the stacking mechanism via computer modeling

This review discusses recent progress in the application of one of the most effective in-line preconcentration techniques used in electrophoresis in capillaries and microchips, electrokinetic supercharging (EKS). Conventionally considered as a transient isotachophoresis (tITP) step put into effect after the electrokinetic sample injection (EKI), EKS presumes that the electrolyte filled into the capillary (or microchip channel) comprises a co-ion acting as a leading ion to stack the injected analytes. Subsequently, to create the tITP state, one needs an additional injection of a suitable terminating ion. As a resulting increase in sensitivity strongly depends on the performance of both EKS stages, two theoretical sections are focused on hints for proper arrangement of EKI and tITP elaborated by means of computer simulation. In particular, factors affecting the injected amount of analytes, different modes of introducing the sample, suitable combinations of leading and terminating ions, and optimization of supporting electrolyte compositions are discussed with an objective to increase the enrichment factors. A comprehensive coverage of recent EKS applications in capillary and microchip electrophoresis, including metal ions, pharmaceuticals, peptides, DNA fragments, and proteins, demonstrates attainable sensitivity enhancements up to two orders of magnitude. This should make this method exportable to other analytes and facilitate its more widespread use to applications that require low limits of detection.     

Origin of double-peak signals for trace lead, bismuth, silver and zinc in a microamount of steel in atomic-absorption spectrometry with direct electrothermal atomization of a solid sample in a graphite-cup cuvette

Atomic-absorption signals of trace lead, bismuth, silver and zinc in steel, obtained by directly atomizing one sample particle, were found to consist of a small first peak and a large second peak. It was concluded that the first peak was caused by the analyte element existing around the grain-boundaries of the steel and near the sample surface and the second by the fraction of the analyte element existing within the crystal grains of the steel.     

Application of esca to semi-quantitative surface and state analysis of iron oxides

In order to study oxidation states in the surface analysis of solids, a semi-quantitative ESCA (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy-XPS and X-ray-excited Auger-electron spectroscopy-XAES) method was proposed. Taking iron-oxygen compounds as examples, the summation or subtraction technique was utilized in the analysis of ESCA spectra to identify the co-ordination type and crystal structure. The "XAES intensity factors" for the lines Cr L(3)M(2,3)M(4,5), Ti L(3)M(2,3)M(4,5) and from Fe L(3)M(4,5)M(4,5) to Zn L(3)M(4,5)M(4,5) were estimated and their occurrence discussed.     

Coherent forward scattering technique to determine copper in steels,zinc and tin

Coherent forward scattering spectroscopy having the Voigt configuration was applied in the determination of copper in steels, zinc and tin. Copper (0.0005–0.2%) in these metals could be determined without preconcentration procedure. The relative standard deviations were 4.4% for 0.0035% copper and 7.1% for 0.067% copper in steel. The reproducibility of calibration curves for copper in steels (log-log plotting with a slope of about two) was about 18% and the limit of detection was about 0.4 ± 0.07 ng/10 μl.     

Efficient syntheses of novel C2'-alkylated (+/-)-K252a analogues

Recent efforts in our laboratories have resulted in a synthetic approach toward C2'-alkylated K252a analogues via extension of a K252a cyclofuranosylation strategy. The bis-indole-N-glycosidic coupling of 6-N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-staurosporinone (21) with a number of highly functionalized carbohydrates has given access to previously unattainable, biologically relevant analogues.     

Application of an Al-Ti alloy target in surface analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

An X-ray target of an Al-Ti alloy was used in the determination of the composition of the surface layer (0-200 A thick) of a Cu-Zn alloy.     

Trace ion analysis of seawater by capillary electrophoresis: determination of iodide using transient isotachophoretic preconcentration

An improved transient isotachophoresis (tITP) procedure for the preconcentration of iodide from highly saline matrices was developed with the objective to quantify iodide in seawater by capillary electrophoresis (CE). The procedure takes advantage of introducing cetyltrimethylammonium chloride into the high-sodium chloride background electrolyte, which due to a specific interaction with iodide amended placement of the analyte at a large distance from the matrix chloride (the latter performed the role of a leading anion). Computer simulation showed that 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonate could be adopted as a suitable terminating ion to enable isotachophoretic focusing at the beginning of the CE run. Under optimized tITP conditions, the sensitivity response of iodide was improved by a factor of 140 over normal CE mode. This allowed for direct UV detection of as low as 0.6 microg/L iodide and made feasible CE analysis of undiluted surface seawater samples where iodide was found at a 30 microg/L level. The applicability of the proposed tITP-CE method could apparently be extended to the determination of other trace seawater anions (e.g., iodate).