The Competition of Charge Remote and Charge Directed Fragmentation Mechanisms in Quaternary Ammonium Salt Derivatized Peptides—An Isotopic Exchange Study

Derivatization of peptides as quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) is a promising method for sensitive detection by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (Cydzik et al. J. Pept. Sci. 2011, 17, 445–453). The peptides derivatized by QAS at their N-termini undergo fragmentation according to the two competing mechanisms – charge remote (ChR) and charge directed (ChD). The absence of mobile proton in the quaternary salt ion results in ChR dissociation of a peptide bond. However, Hofmann elimination of quaternary salt creates an ion with one mobile proton leading to the ChD fragmentation. The experiments on the quaternary ammonium salts with deuterated N-alkyl groups or amide NH bonds revealed that QAS derivatized peptides dissociate according to the mixed ChR-ChD mechanism. The isotopic labeling allows differentiation of fragments formed according to ChR and ChD mechanisms.     

Determination of dissolved bromate in drinking water by ion chromatography and post column reaction: interlaboratory study

A collaborative study, International Evaluation Measurement Programme-25a, was conducted in accordance with international protocols to determine the performance characteristics of an analytical method for the determination of dissolved bromate in drinking water. The method should fulfill the analytical requirements of Council Directive 98/83/EC (referred to in this work as the Drinking Water Directive; DWD). The new draft standard method under investigation is based on ion chromatography followed by post-column reaction and UV detection. The collaborating laboratories used the Draft International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/Draft International Standard (DIS) 11206 document. The existing standard method (ISO 15061:2001) is based on ion chromatography using suppressed conductivity detection, in which a preconcentration step may be required for the determination of bromate concentrations as low as 3 to 5 microg/L. The new method includes a dilution step that reduces the matrix effects, thus allowing the determination of bromate concentrations down to 0.5 microg/L. Furthermore, the method aims to minimize any potential interference of chlorite ions. The collaborative study investigated different types of drinking water, such as soft, hard, and mineral water. Other types of water, such as raw water (untreated), swimming pool water, a blank (named river water), and a bromate standard solution, were included as test samples. All test matrixes except the swimming pool water were spiked with high-purity potassium bromate to obtain bromate concentrations ranging from 1.67 to 10.0 microg/L. Swimming pool water was not spiked, as this water was incurred with bromate. Test samples were dispatched to 17 laboratories from nine different countries. Sixteen participants reported results. The repeatability RSD (RSD(r)) ranged from 1.2 to 4.1%, while the reproducibility RSD (RSDR) ranged from 2.3 to 5.9%. These precision characteristics compare favorably with those of ISO 15601. A thorough comparison of the performance characteristics is presented in this report. All method performance characteristics obtained in the frame of this collaborative study indicate that the draft ISO/DIS 11206 standard method meets the requirements set down by the DWD. It can, therefore, be considered to fit its intended analytical purpose.     

Synthesis of high molecular weight polystyrene using AGET ATRP under high pressure

High molecular weight polystyrene (PS) was synthesized by ATRP. Under atmospheric pressure (1 bar), PS with M_n up to 200,000 was prepared using either ARGET or ICAR ATRP. Under high pressure (6 kbar), higher molecular weight PS could be obtained due to accelerated radical propagation and diminished radical termination in polymerization of styrene. Therefore, it was possible to synthesize PS with M_n > 1,000,000 and M_w/M_n < 1.25 using AGET ATRP under a pressure of 6 kbar at room temperature. This is the highest molecular weight linear PS prepared by a controlled radical polymerization.     

A selective chromogenic chemosensor for carboxylate salt recognition

A new heteroditopic chromogenic chemosensor bearing a crown ether substituted at the intraannular position with a nitrophenylthiourea moiety has been synthesized. The binding behavior of this sensor was investigated by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. The receptor binds in a cooperative fashion to both a potassium cation and a carboxylate anion whereas a sodium cation sequesters an anion from the anion-receptor complex. The binding events are confirmed by selective color changes of the chemosensor solution.     

Measurements of heavy-atom isotope effects using 1H NMR spectroscopy

A novel method for measuring heavy-atom KIEs for magnetically active isotopes using (1)H NMR is presented. It takes advantage of the resonance split of the protons coupled with the heavy atom in the (1)H spectrum. The method is validated by the example of the (13)C-KIE on the hydroamination of styrene with aniline, catalyzed by phosphine-ligated palladium triflates.     

Microwave synthesis of bis(tetrazolato)-Pd complexes with PPh3 and water-soluble 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA). The first example of C-CN bond cleavage of propionitrile by a Pd Centre

[2 + 3] Cycloaddition reactions of the di(azido)-Pd^II complex trans-[Pd(N₃)₂(PPh₃)₂] (1) with an organonitrile RCN (2), under heating for 12 h, give the bis(tetrazolato) complexes trans-[Pd(N₄CR)₂(PPh₃)₂] (3) [R = Me (3a), Ph (3b), 4-ClC₆H₄ (3c), 4-FC₆H₄ (3d), 2-NC₅H₄ (3e), 3-NC₅H₄ (3f), 4-NC₅H₄ (3g)]. The reaction of trans-[Pd(N₃)₂(PPh₃)₂] (1) with propionitrile (2h) also affords, apart from trans-[Pd(N₄CEt)₂(PPh₃)₂] (3h), the unexpected mixed cyano-tetrazolato complex trans-[Pd(CN)(N₄CEt)(PPh₃)₂] (3h′) which is derived from the reaction of the bis(tetrazolato) 3h with propionitrile, with concomitant formation of 5-ethyl-1H-tetrazole, via a suggested unusual oxidative addition of the nitrile to Pd^II. The [2 + 3] cycloadditions of [Pd(N₃)₂(PTA)₂] (4) (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) with RCN (2), under heating for 12 h, give the bis(tetrazolato) complexes trans-[Pd(N₄CR)₂(PTA)₂] (5) [R = Ph (5a), 2-NC₅H₄ (5b), 3-NC₅H₄ (5c), 4-NC₅H₄ (5d)]. All these reactions are greatly accelerated by microwave irradiation (1 h, 125 °C, 300 W). Taking advantage of the hydro-solubility of PTA, a simple liberation of 5-phenyl-1H-tetrazole from the coordination sphere of trans-[Pd(N₄CPh)₂(PTA)₂] (5a) was achieved. The complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopies, ESI⁺-MS, elemental analyses and, for 3b, also by X-ray structure analysis. Weak agostic interactions between the CH groups of the triphenylphosphines and the palladium(II) centre were found.     

Quantum fluctuations increase the self-diffusive motion of para-hydrogen in narrow carbon nanotubes

Quantum fluctuations significantly increase the self-diffusive motion of para-hydrogen adsorbed in narrow carbon nanotubes at 30 K comparing to its classical counterpart. Rigorous Feynman's path integral calculations reveal that self-diffusive motion of para-hydrogen in a narrow (6,6) carbon nanotube at 30 K and pore densities below ～29 mmol cm(-3) is one order of magnitude faster than the classical counterpart. We find that the zero-point energy and tunneling significantly smoothed out the free energy landscape of para-hydrogen molecules adsorbed in a narrow (6,6) carbon nanotube. This promotes a delocalization of the confined para-hydrogen at 30 K (i.e., population of unclassical paths due to quantum effects). Contrary the self-diffusive motion of classical para-hydrogen molecules in a narrow (6,6) carbon nanotube at 30 K is very slow. This is because classical para-hydrogen molecules undergo highly correlated movement when their collision diameter approached the carbon nanotube size (i.e., anomalous diffusion in quasi-one dimensional pores). On the basis of current results we predict that narrow single-walled carbon nanotubes are promising nanoporous molecular sieves being able to separate para-hydrogen molecules from mixtures of classical particles at cryogenic temperatures.     

Molecular dynamics of zigzag single walled carbon nanotube immersion in water

The results of enthalpy of immersion in water for finite single-walled carbon nanotubes are reported. Using molecular dynamics simulation, we discuss the relation between the value of this enthalpy and tube diameters showing that the obtained plot can be divided into three regions. The structure of water inside tubes in all three regions is discussed and it is shown that the existence of the strong maximum of enthalpy observed for tube diameter ca. 1.17 nm is due to freezing of water under confinement. The calculations of hydrogen bond statistics and water density profiles inside tubes are additionally reported to confirm the obtained results. Next, we show the results of calculation for the same tubes but containing surface carbonyl oxygen groups at pore entrances. A remarkable rise in the value of enthalpy of immersion in comparison to the initial tubes is observed. We also discuss the influence of charge distribution between oxygen and carbon atom forming surface carbonyls on the structure of confined water. It is concluded for the first time that the presence of surface oxygen atoms at the pore entrances remarkably influences the structure and stability of ice created inside nanotubes, and surface carbonyls appear to be chaotropic (i.e. structure breaking) for confined water. This effect is explained by the pore blocking leading to a decrease (compared to initial structure) in the number of confined water molecules after introduction of surface oxygen groups at pore entrances.     

Hydrophilic polycarbonate for generation of oil in water emulsions in microfluidic devices

This report details the method for rendering hydrophilic surfaces of microchannels fabricated in polycarbonate (PC). We characterize the wetting properties and stability of the hydrophilic character of two coatings--one formed by a layer of poly(allylamine) (PAH*) and the second including an additional layer of poly(styrene-sulfonate) (PSS). This second (PC-PAH/PSS) coating yields highly hydrophilic surface that is stable against weeks of exposure to various fluids including organic oils. This coating allows for stable generation of oil-in-water emulsions of hydrocarbon, silicone and fluorinated oils without the use of surfactants and over days of continuous use.     

New binuclear Mn(II) and Fe(II) complexes supported by 1,4,8-triazacycloundecane

Two new binuclear metal complexes supported by 1,4,8-triazacycloundecane (tacud) are reported. [Fe(2)(tacud)(2)(μ-Cl)(2)Cl(2)] (1) and [Mn(2)(tacud)(2)(μ-Cl)(2)Cl(2)] (2) are isomorphs consisting of bis(μ-chloro) bridged metal centers along with terminal chloro groups and tacud ligands. Both compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the P1 space group. For 1, a = 7.7321(12) ?, b = 7.8896(12) ?, c = 11.4945(17) ?, α = 107.832(2)°, β = 107.827(2)°, γ = 92.642(2)°, V = 627.85(17) ?(3) and Z = 1. For 2, a = 7.7607(12) ?, b = 7.9068(12) ?, c = 11.6111(18) ?, α = 108.201(2)°, β = 108.041(2)°, γ = 92.118(3)°, V = 636.47(17) ?(3) and Z = 1. Variable-temperature and variable-field magnetic susceptibility studies on 1 indicate the presence of weak ferromagnetic interactions between the high-spin iron(ii) centers in the dimer (J = + 1.6 cm(-1)) and the crystalline field anisotropy of the ferrous ion (D = - 2.8, E = - 0.1 cm(-1)). Variable temperature magnetic susceptometry studies on 2 indicate that weak antiferromagnetic coupling exists between the manganese(ii) centers (J = - 1.8 cm(-1)). Compounds 1 and 2 retain their dinuclearity in weakly coordinating or low polarity solvents, while both become mononuclear in solvents such as methanol.