Structural transitions under high-pressure in a langasite-type multiferroic Ba3TaFe3Si2O14

The iron containing langasite family compound Ba₃Ta⁵⁷Fe₃Si₂O₁₄ was studied at high pressure up to 30 GPa at room temperature by means of in situ X-ray diffraction, Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopies in diamond anvil cell. Two structural transitions at pressures ∼5 and ∼20 GPa are observed. At ∼5 GPa, the low-pressure trigonal P321 phase undergoes phase transition to the most likely P3 structure as manifested by slight increase in the c/a ratio and by anomalies of the Mössbauer and Raman spectra parameters. At ∼20 GPa, the first order phase transition to monoclinic structure occurred with a drop of unit cell volume by 9%. The appearance of the ferroelectric state at such transitions is discussed in connection with the multiferroic properties.     

Characterizing Pressure‐Induced Uranium CH Agostic Bonds

The diuranium(III) compound [UN′′₂]₂(μ‐η⁶:η⁶‐C₆H₆) (N′′=N(SiMe₃)₂) has been studied using variable, high‐pressure single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, and density functional theory . In this compound, the low‐coordinate metal cations are coupled through π‐ and δ‐symmetric arene overlap and show close metal? CH contacts with the flexible methyl CH groups of the sterically encumbered amido ligands. The metal–metal separation decreases with increasing pressure, but the most significant structural changes are to the close contacts between ligand CH bonds and the U centers. Although the interatomic distances are suggestive of agostic‐type interactions between the U and ligand peripheral CH groups, QTAIM (quantum theory of atoms‐in‐molecules) computational analysis suggests that there is no such interaction at ambient pressure. However, QTAIM and NBO analyses indicate that the interaction becomes agostic at 3.2 GPa.     

Ba3P5N10Br:Eu2+: A Natural‐White‐Light Single Emitter with a Zeolite Structure Type

Illumination sources based on phosphor‐converted light emitting diode (pcLED) technology are nowadays of great relevance. In particular, illumination‐grade pcLEDs are attracting increasing attention. Regarding this, the application of a single warm‐white‐emitting phosphor could be of great advantage. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel nitridophosphate zeolite Ba₃P₅N₁₀Br:Eu²⁺. Upon excitation by near‐UV light, natural‐white‐light luminescence was detected. The synthesis of Ba₃P₅N₁₀Br:Eu²⁺ was carried out using the multianvil technique. The crystal structure of Ba₃P₅N₁₀Br:Eu²⁺ was solved and refined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and confirmed by Rietveld refinement and FTIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, spectroscopic luminescence measurements were performed. Through the synthesis of Ba₃P₅N₁₀Br:Eu²⁺, we have shown the great potential of nitridophosphate zeolites to serve as high‐performance luminescence materials.     

The banded spherulites of iPP induced by pressure vibration injection molding

Isotactic polypropylene(i PP) samples obtained by pressure vibration injection molding(PVIM) and conventional injection molding(CIM) were studied by polarized-light microscopy(PLM), respectively. It was found that the alternating bright and dark banded spherulites were generated in the transitional region of PVIM parts. It is the first time that the banded spherulites of isotactic polypropylene were observed in polymer processing. What's more, the banded spherulites were proved to be constituted of ?-form crystal by hot stage polarized-light microscopy(HT-PLM) and wide angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD). Morphology of the banded spherulites was also studied by scaning electronical microscopy(SEM).     

Rattling in the Quadruple Perovskite CuCu3V4O12

Of particular interest is a peculiar motion of guest atoms or ions confined to nanospace in cage compounds, called rattling. While rattling provides unexplored physical properties through the guest–host interactions, it has only been observed in a very limited class of materials. Herein, we introduce an A‐site‐ordered quadruple perovskite, CuCu₃V₄O₁₂, as a new family of cage compounds. This novel AA′₃B₄O₁₂‐type perovskite has been obtained by a high‐pressure synthesis technique and structurally characterized to have cubic Im$\bar 3$ symmetry with an ionic model of Cu²⁺Cu²⁺₃V⁴⁺₄O₁₂. The thermal displacement parameter of the A‐site Cu²⁺ ion is as large as U_iso≈0.045 Ų at 300 K, indicating its large‐amplitude thermal oscillations in the oversized icosahedral cages. Remarkably, the presence of localized phonon modes associated with rattling of the A‐site Cu²⁺ ion manifests itself in the low‐temperature specific heat data. This work sheds new light on the structure–property relations in perovskites.     

Locating Gases in Porous Materials: Cryogenic Loading of Fuel‐Related Gases Into a Sc‐based Metal–Organic Framework under Extreme Pressures

An alternative approach to loading metal organic frameworks with gas molecules at high (kbar) pressures is reported. The technique, which uses liquefied gases as pressure transmitting media within a diamond anvil cell along with a single‐crystal of a porous metal–organic framework, is demonstrated to have considerable advantages over other gas‐loading methods when investigating host–guest interactions. Specifically, loading the metal–organic framework Sc₂BDC₃ with liquefied CO₂ at 2 kbar reveals the presence of three adsorption sites, one previously unreported, and resolves previous inconsistencies between structural data and adsorption isotherms. A further study with supercritical CH₄ at 3–25 kbar demonstrates hyperfilling of the Sc₂BDC₃ and two high‐pressure displacive and reversible phase transitions are induced as the filled MOF adapts to reduce the volume of the system.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of lipids from linseed with on-line evaporative light scattering detection

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a green alternative method of extraction for neutral lipids in seeds compared to conventional methods utilizing organic solvents. In this work, a novel method where SFE is hyphenated with an evaporative light scattering detector is presented. The method was subsequently applied to determine lipid content in crushed linseed. The new method enables rapid quantification of extracted lipids as well as be ability to continuously monitor the extraction rate in real-time, thus being able to determine the time point of completed extraction.     

Tutorial review on validation of liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry methods: Part I

This is the part I of a tutorial review intending to give an overview of the state of the art of method validation in liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and discuss specific issues that arise with MS (and MS/MS) detection in LC (as opposed to the “conventional” detectors). The Part I briefly introduces the principles of operation of LC–MS (emphasizing the aspects important from the validation point of view, in particular the ionization process and ionization suppression/enhancement); reviews the main validation guideline documents and discusses in detail the following performance parameters: selectivity/specificity/identity, ruggedness/robustness, limit of detection, limit of quantification, decision limit and detection capability. With every method performance characteristic its essence and terminology are addressed, the current status of treating it is reviewed and recommendations are given, how to determine it, specifically in the case of LC–MS methods.     

Analytical capabilities of high performance liquid chromatography – Atmospheric pressure photoionization – Orbitrap mass spectrometry (HPLC-APPI-Orbitrap-MS) for the trace determination of novel and emerging flame retardants in fish

A new analytical method was established and validated for the analysis of 27 brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including so called “emerging” and “novel” BFRs (EBFRs and NBFRs) in fish samples. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometry (Orbitrap-MS) employing atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) interface operated in negative mode was used for the identification/quantitation of contaminants. HPLC-Orbitrap-MS analysis provided a fast separation of selected analytes within 14 min, thus demonstrating a high throughput processing of samples. The developed methodology was tested by intralaboratory validation in terms of recovery, repeatability, linear calibration ranges, instrumental and method limits of quantitation (i-LOQ and m-LOQ), and where possible, trueness was verified by analysis of certified reference materials (CRMs). Recoveries of analytes were between 80 and 119%, while the repeatability in terms of relative standard deviations (RSDs) was in the range from 1.2 to 15.5%. The measured values for both analyzed CRMs agreed with the provided consensus values, revealing the recovery of reference concentrations in 72–119% range. The elaborated method met the sensitivity criterion according to Commission Recommendation 2014/118/EU on monitoring of BFRs in food products for majority of the compounds. The concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in real samples determined by HPLC-APPI-Orbitrap-MS method and validated gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HRMS) method were found to be in a good agreement.     

Profiling monoterpenol glycoconjugation in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Muscat of Alexandria using a novel putative compound database approach,high resolution mass spectrometry and collision induced dissociation fragmentation analysis

In this work we present a novel approach for the identification of plant metabolites using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to accurate mass time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The workflow involves developing an in-house compound database consisting of exact masses of previously identified as well as putative compounds. The database is used to screen accurate mass spectrometry (MS) data to identify possible compound matches. Subsequent tandem MS data is acquired for possible matches and used for structural elucidation. The methodology is applied to profile monoterpene glycosides in Vitis vinifera cv. Muscat of Alexandria grape berries over three developmental stages. Monoterpenes are a subclass of terpenes, the largest class of plant secondary metabolites, and are found in two major forms in the plant, “bound” to one or more sugar moieties or “free” of said sugar moieties. In the free form, monoterpenes are noted for their fragrance and play important roles in plant defense and as attractants for pollinators. However, glycoconjugation renders these compounds odorless, and it is this form that the plant uses for monoterpene storage. In order to gain insight into monoterpene biochemistry and their fate in the plant an analysis of intact glycosides is essential. Eighteen monoterpene glycosides were identified including a monoterpene trisaccharide glycoside, which is tentatively identified here for this first time in any plant. Additionally, while previous studies have identified monoterpene malonylated glucosides in other grapevine tissue, we tentatively identify them for the first time in grape berries. This analytical approach can be readily applied to other plants and the workflow approach can also be used for other classes of compounds. This approach, in general, provides researchers with data to support the identification of putative compounds, which is especially useful when no standard is available.