Spins and moments of nuclei far from stability determined by on-line atomic-beam techniques

Hyperfine structure measurements using on-line atomic-beam techniques are of great importance in the systematic study of spins and moments of nuclei far from stability. We will discuss the atomic-beam magnetic resonance (ABMR) method, and laser spectroscopy methods using crossed-beam geometry with a collimated thermal atomic-beam and collinear geometry with a fast atomic-beam. The advantages of the different methods will be compared, and selected results from the extensive measurements at the ISOLDE facility, CERN, will be presented.Fruitful discussions with members of the different hfs groups at ISOLDE, and in particular those with Dr. R. Neugart, are gratefully acknowledged.     

Effective Hamiltonian models and unimolecular decomposition

Partitioning Hilbert space into two subspaces by using orthogonal projection operators yields compact forms for effective Hamiltonians for each of the subspaces. When one (the Q space) contains molecular bound states and the other (the P space) contains dissociative continua, a simple form for the non-Hermitian Q-space effective Hamiltonian, H(eff), can be obtained, subject to reasonable approximations. Namely, H(eff) = H0 - ivariant Planck's/2pi Gamma/2, where H0 is Hermitian, and the width operator variant Planck's/2pi Gamma accounts for couplings of the Q-space levels to the P-space continua. The P/Q partitioning procedure has been applied in many areas of atomic, molecular, and nuclear physics with widespread success. Inputting into this formalism ideas from random matrix theory in order to model independent open channels yields the random matrix H(eff) model. Despite numerous efforts, this model has failed to model satisfactorily the statistical transition-state theory of unimolecular decomposition (hereafter referred to as TST) in the regime of overlapping resonances, where nearly all such reactions occur. All statistical models of unimolecular decomposition are premised on rapid intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) for a given set of good quantum numbers. The phase space thus accessed results in a threshold reaction rate of 1/h rho, and for K independent open channels, the rate is K/h rho. This reaction rate corresponds to a resonance width of K/2pi rho, and when K increases, the resonances (which are rho(-1) apart) overlap. In this regime, the random matrix H(eff) model fails because it does not introduce independent open channels. To illustrate the source of the problem, an analysis is carried out of a simple model that is obviously and manifestly inconsistent with TST. This model is solved exactly, and it is then put in the form of the random matrix H(eff) model, illustrating the one-to-one correspondence. This reveals the deficiencies of the latter. In manipulating this model into the form H0 - ivariant Planck's/2pi Gamma/2, it becomes clear that the independent open channels in the random matrix H(eff) model are inconsistent with TST. Rather, this model is one of gateway states (i.e., bound states that are coupled to their respective continua as well as to a manifold of zero-order bound states, none of which are coupled directly to the continua). Despite the fact that the effective Hamiltonian method is, by itself, beyond reproach, the random matrix H(eff) model is flawed as a model of unimolecular decomposition in several respects, most notably, bifurcations of the distributions of resonance widths in the regime of overlapping resonances.     

Principles for different modes of multiple-injection CZE

This paper introduces four different modes of multiple-injection CZE (MICZE). The validity of these MICZE models was evaluated by the experimental data. Prior to the application of MICZE, the electrophoretic conditions are developed in the single-injection mode by adjusting different experimental parameters such as pH, type and concentration of buffer additives and temperature. Based on the migration time difference (Deltatmig) between the analyte and the internal standard or injection marker, one or more MICZE modes can be employed. The injection marker is added to the sample to compensate for injection-volume fluctuations. The inter-plug distance is regulated by applying an electrical field over the capillary for a short period of time between each injection. After the final injection, the separation is completed by electrophoresis for a time period corresponding to that in the single-injection mode.     

2-Pyridylnitrene from tetrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine and pyrido[2,3-a][1,2,4]oxadiazol-2-one

Flash vacuum thermolyses of tetrazolo[1,5- a]pyridine and pyrido[2,3- a][1,2,4]oxadiazol-2-one generate 2-pyridylnitrene, which was detected by Ar matrix ESR spectroscopy. The thermolysis products are 2-aminopyridine, Z- and E-glutacononitriles, and 2- and 3-cyanopyrroles. The products are formed in the same ratios from the two precursors.     

Reaction of iminopropadienones with amines: mechanistic explanations of zwitterionic intermediate, ketene and ketenimine formation

The complex reaction of thermally generated iminopropadienones with amines in the gas phase and upon matrix deposition and its varying product composition is investigated using density functional theory. In the high energy gas phase addition a single amine molecule reacts readily with iminopropadienone with the decisive step being a 1,3-hydrogen shift and activation barriers of at least 100 kJ/mol. In accordance with the experiment, the formation of ketenes is favored. In the condensed phase of an amine matrix, the utilization of amine dimers both as reagents and as explicit solvents lowers the activation energy required to a feasible 20-30 kJ/mol and predicts ketenimines as the main products, as observed experimentally.     

Carboxyketenes from 4-hydroxy-1,3-oxazin-6-ones and Meldrum's acid derivatives

New 4-hydroxy-1,3-oxazin-6-ones 8 and 16 were prepared from chlorocarbonyl(phenyl)ketene and amides. The flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) reactions of these compounds and the 4-methoxy derivative 17 were investigated by Ar matrix isolation IR spectroscopy and online mass spectrometry including MS/MS analysis. Carboxy(phenyl)ketene 10 is formed as the major product by thermal fragmentation of 4-hydroxy-1,3-oxazin-6-one 8. This takes place via the unstable 6-hydroxy tautomer 9. Another tautomer, the 5H-isomer 12, leads to the formation of benzoyl isocyanate 13 as a minor product together with phenylketene 14. Carboxy(phenyl)ketene 10 remains detectable at high FVT temperatures but undergoes thermal decarboxylation to phenylketene 14. The same carboxy(phenyl)ketene 10 is also produced in significant amounts by FVT of 5-phenyl-Meldrum's acid 18 via the unstable enol tautomer 19. A small amount of the unsubstituted carboxyketene 20 is observable on FVT of Meldrum's acid 1 itself.     

Direct electron transfer reactions between human ceruloplasmin and electrodes

In an effort to find conditions favouring bioelectrocatalytic reduction of oxygen by surface-immobilised human ceruloplasmin (Cp), direct electron transfer (DET) reactions between Cp and an extended range of surfaces were considered. Exploiting advances in surface nanotechnology, bare and carbon-nanotube-modified spectrographic graphite electrodes as well as bare, thiol- and gold-nanoparticle-modified gold electrodes were considered, and ellipsometry provided clues as to the amount and form of adsorbed Cp. DET was studied under different conditions by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Two Faradaic processes with midpoint potentials of about 400 mV and 700 mV vs. NHE, corresponding to the redox transformation of copper sites of Cp, were clearly observed. In spite of the significant amount of Cp adsorbed on the electrode surfaces, as well as the quite fast DET reactions between the redox enzyme and electrodes, bioelectrocatalytic reduction of oxygen by immobilised Cp was never registered. The bioelectrocatalytic inertness of this complex multi-functional redox enzyme interacting with a variety of surfaces might be associated with a very complex mechanism of intramolecular electron transfer involving a kinetic trapping behaviour.     

Measurement of paclitaxel and its metabolites in human plasma using liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry with a sonic spray ionization interface

A quantitative liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of paclitaxel, 6alpha-hydroxypaclitaxel and p-3'-hydroxypaclitaxel in human plasma has been developed and validated. 6alpha-,p-3'-Dihydroxypaclitaxel was also quantified using paclitaxel as a reference and docetaxel as an internal standard. The substances were extracted from 0.500 mL plasma using solid-phase extraction. The elution was performed with acetonitrile and the samples were reconstituted in the mobile phase. Isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography analysis was performed by injecting 50 microL of reconstituted material onto a 100 x 3.00 mm C12 column with a methanol:1% trifluoroacetic acid/ammonium trifluoroacetate in H(2)O 70:30 mobile phase at 350 microL/min. The [M+H](+) ions generated in the sonic spray ionization interface were isolated and fragmented using two serial mass spectrometric methods: one for paclitaxel (transition 854 --> 569 & 551) and the dihydroxymetabolite (transition 886 --> 585 & 567) and one for the hydroxy metabolites (transition 870 --> 585 & 567; transition 870 --> 569 & 551) and docetaxel ([M+Na](+), transition 830 --> 550). Calibration curves were created ranging between 0.5 and 7500 ng/mL for paclitaxel, 0.5 and 750 ng/mL for 6alpha-hydroxypaclitaxel, and 0.5 and 400 ng/mL for p-3'-hydroxypaclitaxel. Adduct ion formation was noted and investigated during method development and controlled by mobile phase optimization. In conclusion, a sensitive method for simultaneous quantification of paclitaxel and its metabolites suitable for analysis in clinical studies was obtained.