α-氨基酸及其酯化物侧链对其β-环糊精复合物稳定常数的影响

为了探索α-氨基酸及其酯化物的侧链R基团对其与环糊精非共价复合物结合强度的影响, 将一定摩尔比的β-环糊精(β-CD)分别与L型正缬氨酸(n-Val)、 亮氨酸(Leu)、 苯丙氨酸(Phe)、 天冬氨酸(Asp)、 天冬氨酸-4-苄酯(Asp-4-benzyl ester)和天冬氨酸-4-叔丁酯(Asp-4-t-butyl ester)在室温下混合, 反应平衡后采用电喷雾电离质谱进行竞争反应检测, 并以改进的质谱滴定结合曲线拟合法计算结合常数. 结果表明, 它们均可形成摩尔比为1∶1的非共价复合物. 在2组竞争反应中, 复合物的结合强度顺序分别为[β-CD∶Asp-4-benzyl ester+H]⁺>[β-CD∶Asp-4-t-butyl ester+H]⁺>[β-CD∶Asp+H]⁺以及[β-CD∶Phe+H]⁺>[β-CD∶Leu+H]⁺>[β-CD∶n-Val+H]⁺. 质谱滴定曲线拟合法测得[β-CD∶n-Val+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Asp+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Asp-4-t-butyl ester+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Asp-4-benzyl ester+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Leu+H]⁺和[β-CD∶Phe+H]⁺的稳定常数(lgK_st)分别为1.81, 2.54, 3.14, 3.26, 3.36和3.67, 结合强度依次增强. 竞争反应的定性分析结果与质谱滴定定量法测得结合强度结果的趋势一致. 由于所选用的α-氨基酸及其酯化物客体的羧基端(—COOH)和氨基端(—NH₂)均相同, 且都为亲水基团, 仅有侧链R基团不同, 因此在溶液中客体分子受疏水驱动与β-CD主体靠近并结合时, 侧链R基团的疏水力和极性2个因素起重要作用. 由于客体分子体积小, 其碳端的羧基还可与β-CD大口或小口边缘的羟基形成氢键, 使复合物更加稳定.     

Oligomycin A complex structures with some divalent metal cations studied by ESI MS and PM5 semiempirical methods

The ability of Oligomycin A (OLA) to form complexes with monovalent cations was studied by the ESI mass spectrometry and PM5 semiempirical method. At low cone voltage values the ESI MS spectra indicate that OLA formes stable 1:1 complexes with Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Zn²⁺ divalent cations irrespective of the stoichiometry. With increasing cone voltages the formation of the [OLA + M + (ClO₄ or Cl)]⁺ complexes was preferred. This process occurred simultaneously with the formation of fragmentary metal cation complexes with the exception of Pb²⁺ ions which does not form complexes with OLA molecule. PM5 semiempirical calculations allowed the visualizations of all structures of (OLA + M)²⁺ and [OLA + M + (ClO₄or Cl)]⁺ complexes as well as the fragmentary cations.     

脯氨酸与Cu、Cu~+和Cu~(2+)配位体系的计算研究

运用M06-2X和ωB97XD方法分别在6-311++G(2d,p)和TZVP基组水平上,对脯氨酸(Pro)的15种构象与Cu、Cu+和Cu2+形成的多种配合物的几何结构、能量学特征、振动光谱和电子结构等进行计算研究.四种水平得到20种[Pro-Cu]、16种[Pro-Cu]+和16种[Pro-Cu]2+稳定结构.[Pro-Cu]和[Pro-Cu]+体系中出现12种Pro构象,而[Pro-Cu]2+体系中出现11种Pro构象,三种体系中最稳定的结构都不是由能量最低的Pro构象生成的.在结构CI3、CI4、CII7和CII8中,Pro的羧基氢转移到亚氨基氮形成两性离子与Cu双配位结合.[Pro-Cu]0/1+/2+体系四种水平计算相对能差范围逐渐增加,结合能分别在-60.0--5.0 kJ·mol-1、-340.0--170.0 kJ·mol-1和-1100.0--860.0 kJ·mol-1范围,配位体系中Pro的变形能逐渐增加.N―H和O―H键伸缩振动频率普遍发生红移,配位体系中部分电荷从Pro转移到Cu上,在[Pro-Cu]2+体系中单配位结构中电荷转移最多,约为单位负电荷.     

碱金属离子与三肽复合物的气相裂解反应

为了探索侧链R基团对碱金属离子与多肽复合物气相裂解反应的影响, 采用电喷雾电离质谱法研究了碱金属离子Li⁺, Na⁺和K⁺分别与甘氨酸三肽(GGG)、 甘氨酰-苯丙氨酰-甘氨酸三肽(GFG)和甘氨酰-甘氨酰-苯丙氨酸三肽(GGF)形成的复合物的气相裂解反应. 质谱定性实验结果表明, Li⁺, Na⁺和K⁺与GGG, GFG或GGF在气相中可以形成稳定的复合物, 配合比为1∶1或2∶1. 竞争反应质谱图显示, GGG, GFG或GGF与碱金属离子形成的复合物的质谱峰丰度按Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺顺序依次下降, 表明随着碱金属离子半径的增加, 它们与三肽的结合强度依次减弱. 碰撞诱导解离显示, 母体离子[GGG+Na]⁺, [GGF+Na]⁺和[GFG+Na]⁺ 的质心碰撞能量E(CM)₅₀数值分别为1.94, 1.76和1.63 eV. 通过质谱滴定法测得[GGG+Na]⁺, [GFG+ Na]⁺和[GGF+Na]⁺ 的结合常数lg\begin{array}{c}{K}_{a_1}\end{array}分别为5.30, 5.25和5.17. 质谱法定量结果进一步确认复合物的稳定性顺序为[GGG+Na]⁺>[GGF+Na]⁺>[GFG+Na]⁺, 表明由于空间位阻的影响, 侧链R基团含有苄基的GFG或 GGF与Na⁺的键合强度要小于侧链R全部为H的GGG. 串级质谱分析结果显示, 碱金属化的GGG断裂位点较多, 可解离出丰富的金属化a₂, b和y型碎片离子, 而碱金属化的GGF和GFG解离出的金属化y型离子较多, b型离子其次, 金属化a型离子几乎没有. 此外, 双碱金属化的GGF可解离出较多金属化y型离子. 复合物[GGF+Na]⁺的裂解曲线显示, 当碰撞能量为25 eV时, [y₂+Na-H]⁺ 和[b₂+Na+OH]⁺为主要碎片离子, 当碰撞能量>40 eV时, 只有[b₂+Na+OH]⁺ 碎片离子占有优势数量. 根据质子化三肽裂解机理可以推测, 钠化GFG裂解后生成含噁唑酮的[b₂+Na]⁺离子, 该离子经过一系列过渡态生成[a₂+Na]⁺(2-苄基-4-咪唑酮), 而不是常见的亚胺离子.     

Das perfluortriazinium-kation als oxidationsmittel in der metallorganischen synthese—ein neuer weg zur darstellung von [Cp2MCl2](M = Mo

The oxidation of Cp₂MCl₂ (M= Mo, W) with perfluortriazinium tetrafluoroborate, [(FCN)₃F]⁺[BF₄]⁻, in the presence of a flouride ion acceptor (BF₃ or PF₅) in SO₂ solution yielded the cationic metallocene complexes [Cp₂MCl ₂]²⁺[BF₄]⁻ or [C_p2MCl₂] ²⁺[BF₄]⁻[PF₆]⁻ (M = Mo, W), respectively. In these reactions, for the first time the perfluortriazinium cation has proved to be easy to handle and a useful oxidizer in organometallic chemistry. The oxidizer strength of three fluorotriazinium cations, [(XCN)₃F]⁺ (X = F, Cl, H), has been computed ab initio (HF/6 − 31 + G) and calibrated on literature data which were obtained by local density functional calculations. It was anchored to its F⁺ zero point by an experimental value for KrF⁺. ab]Die Oxidation von Cp²MCl₂ mit (M = MO, W) Perfluortriaziniumtetrafluoroborat, [(FCN)₃F]⁺[BF₄]⁻, in Anwesenheit eines Fluoridionenakzeptors (BF₃ oder PF₅) führte in SO₂-Lösung zur Bildung der kationischen Metallocen-Komplexe [Cp₂MCl₂₊]²⁺[BF₄]₂⁻ bzw. [Cp₂MCl₂]²⁺[BF₄]⁻ [PF₆]⁻ (M = Mo, W). In diesen Reaktionen konnte erstmals gezeigt werden, daß Perfluortriazinium-Kationen einfach zu handhabende und nützliche Oxidationsmittel im Bereich der metallorganischen Synthese darstellen. Das (Mdationsvermögen von drei Fluorotriazinium-Kationen, [(XCN)₃F]⁺(X = F, Cl, H), wurde ab initio berechnet (HF/6 − 31 + G) und mit Hilfe von Literaturdaten, die mittels local density functional-Berechnungen erhalten und am experimentellen Wert von KrF ⁺ bezüglich des F⁺ Nullpunktes verankert wurden, kalibriert.     

Raman spectroscopic study of the conformational change of 12-crown-4 due to cation capture

Raman spectra of the Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NH⁺₄, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺ complexes of 12-crown-4 and also 12-crown-4 in various states are observed. The spectra of 12-crown-4 change remarkably by complex formation with cations. Normal vibration calculations of various conformations of 12-crown-4 are carried out. On the basis of the observed spectra and the results of the calculations, the conformation of 12-crown-4 in the Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NH⁺₄, Mg²⁺ complexes is found to have approximate D_2d symmetry, while that in the Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺ complexes is found to have approximate C_2V symmetry.     

Synthesis, structure and nuclease activity of copper complexes of disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridine ligands bearing ammonium groups

A series of Cu(II) complexes of disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridine bearing ammonium groups [Cu(L¹⁻⁴)₂Br]⁵⁺ (1–4, L¹ = [5,5′-(Me₂NHCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L² = [5,5′-(Me₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L³ = [4,4′-(Me₂NHCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L⁴ = [4,4′-(Me₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺ and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl) were synthesized, of which complexes 1 and 4 were structurally characterized. Both coordination configurations of Cu(II) ions can be described as distorted trigonal bipyramid. The interaction between all complexes and CT-DNA was evaluated by thermal-denaturation experiments and CD spectroscopy. Results show that the complexes interact with CT-DNA via outside electrostatic interactions and their binding ability follows the order: 1 > 2 > 3 > 4. In the absence of any reducing agents, the cleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA by these complexes was investigated and the hydrolysis kinetics of DNA was studied in Tris buffer (pH 7.5) at 37 °C. Obtained pseudo-Michaelis–Menten kinetic parameters: 15.0, 13.6, 2.01 and 1.69 h⁻¹ for 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, indicate that complexes 1 and 2 exhibit very high DNA cleavage activities. According to their crystal data, the high nuclease activity may be attributed to the strong interaction of the metal moiety and two ammonium groups with phosphate groups of DNA.     

铂钌团簇及电荷对甲醇活性的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)对钌掺杂的铂团簇阳离子([Pt_nRu_m]⁺, m + n = 3, n ≥ 1)活化甲醇C―H和O―H键反应进行了理论研究;探讨了电荷对[Pt_nRu_m]团簇反应活性的影响。电荷分析表明:(1) [Pt₃]⁺团簇中正电荷在三个Pt原子上均匀分布;掺杂Ru原子后,正电荷主要分布在Ru原子上; (2)首先活化C―H键时[Pt_nRu_m]⁺的反应活性比[Pt_nRu_m]明显提高;首先活化O―H键时只有[Pt₃]⁺比[Pt₃]团簇的反应活性有明显提高。本研究可为金属团簇调控的C―H键和O―H键的活化提供更深入的理解。     

Gas phase hydrogen deuterium exchange reactions of a model peptide: FT-ICR and computational analyses of metal induced conformational mutations

We utilized gas phase hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions and ab initio calculations to investigate the complexation between a model peptide (Arg-Gly-AspRGD) with various alkali metal ions. The peptide conformation is drastically altered upon alkali metal ion complexation. The associated conformational changes depend on both the number and type of complexing alkali metal ions. Sodium has a smaller ionic diameter and prefers a multidentate interaction that involves all three amino acids of the peptide. Conversely, potassium and cesium form different types of complexes with the RGD. The [RGD + 2Cs − H]⁺ species exhibit the slowest H/D exchange reactivity (reaction rate constant of 6 × 10⁻¹³ cm³molecule⁻¹s⁻¹ for the fastest exchanging labile hydrogen with ND₃). The reaction rate constant of the protonated RGD is two orders of magnitude faster than that of the [RGD + 2Cs − H]⁺. Addition of the first cesium to the RGD reduces the H/D exchange reaction rate constant (i.e., D₀) by a factor of seven whereas sodium reduces this value by a factor of thirty. Conversely, addition of the second alkali metal ions has the opposite effect; the rate of D₀ disappearance for all [RGD + 2Met − H]⁺ species (MetNa, K, and Cs) decreases with the alkali metal ion size.     

二苯并噻吩及其氧化物与离子液体相互作用的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论方法比较了DBT/DBTO₂和[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-/[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-的相互作用。对最稳定的[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-、[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^--DBT、[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^--DBTO₂、[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-、[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^--DBT、[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^--DBTO₂进行了NBO和AIM分析。结果表明,DBT和[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-/[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-中的咪唑环彼此相互平行,NBO和AIM分析表明它们之间发生了π-π相互作用。H1'和H9'形成的F…H氢键有利于π-π堆积作用的形成。DBTO₂倾向于趋近C2-H2和甲基基团形成O…H相互作用;DBTO₂优先吸附在[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-/[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-。在模拟油中,[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-和[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-离子液体对DBTO₂的萃取能力大于DBT,其原因是可能是DBTO₂具有较大的极性和O…H与F…H的氢键作用。     

Gezielte Synthese von Kohlenwasserstoff-verbrückten Komplexen. Nucleophile addition von Pentacarbonylrhenat und -manganat an π-gebundene Dien-, Cyclodien-, Trimethylenmethan-, Cycloheptatrienyl- und Alkin-Liganden

Pentacarbonyl-rhenate and -manganate react with the cationic complexes [cpMo(CO)₂(diene)]⁺, [cpMo(CO)₂(cyclopentadiene]⁺, [cpMo(CO)₂(cyclohexadiene)]⁺, [cpMo(CO)₂(trimethylenemethane]⁺, [(OC)₃Mo(η⁷-C₇H₇)]⁺, [cp(OC)-(Ph₃P)Mo(alkyne)]⁺ to give the corresponding heteronuclear hydrocarbon-bridged complexes.     

Interaction of heterocyclic thioamides with tellurium(II) and tellurium(IV). Syntheses and crystal structures of bis[2-(2-thioxo-1,3- thiazolidin-3-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1,3- thiazolium]hexabromotellurate(IV) and tris(1- methylimidazole-2-(3H)-thione)tellurium(II) bromide

Reaction of 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione with tellurium(IV) in hydrobromic acid medium gave the hexabromotellurate, [C₆H₉N₂S₃]₂²⁺[Te^IVBr₆]²⁻ (3). Reaction of 1-methylimidazoline-2-(3H)-thione (L″) with tellurium(IV), in hydrobromic acid medium, gave the mixed-ligand tellurium(II) complex [Te^IIL″₃Br]⁺Br⁻ (4). The structures of [C₆H₉N₂S₃]₂²⁺[Te^IVBr₆]²⁻ (3) and [Te^IIL″₃Br]⁺Br⁻ were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. In 3 the unit cell contains [TeBr₆]²⁻ anions and two [C₆H₉N₂S₃]⁺ cations. There is no direct bonding between the metal atom and the cations. In the anion only slight angular deviations from the perfect octahedral geometry are observed. The lone pair of electrons on tellurium(IV) is found to be stereochemically inert. In the cation the two five-membered heterocyclic rings adopt different conformations. In complex 4, in the solid state, the planar [Te^IIL″₃Br]⁺ cation and Br⁻ anion are held together by ionic interactions. In the cation, L″ is bonded to the central tellurium atom through the sulphur atom.     

构象转换型传感器对汞、铅、锶离子的同时检测

将核酸构象转换与纳米孔膜技术联用设计了一种新型高灵敏电化学传感器, 实现了对Hg ²⁺, Pb ²⁺和Sr ²⁺的分步同时检测. 使用2种分别能与Hg ²⁺及Pb ²⁺, Sr ²⁺结合的核酸适体, 将其固定在氧化铝纳米孔膜孔道内以阻碍铁氰化钾离子传导. 利用核酸适体包裹目标物时的蜷缩状态与目标物被洗脱剂洗脱后核酸适体的伸展状态之间的构象转换, 控制纳米孔通道的“开”和“关”, 使铁氰化钾溶液的氧化还原电流发生改变. 通过监测铁氰化钾溶液的电信号变化值, 可实现同时检测此3种金属离子的目的. 实验结果表明, 该传感器对3种金属离子具有很高的灵敏度和选择性, 检测的线性范围均为0.051.50 nmol/L, 对Hg ²⁺, Pb ²⁺和Sr ²⁺的检出限分别为0.013, 0.017和0.022 nmol/L(S/N=3).     

基于硫代黄素T诱导G-四联体构成的生物传感器检测铅离子

硫代黄素T(ThT)荧光分子在自由状态下荧光强度很弱, 通过在Tris-HCl缓冲液中加入Pb²⁺的适配体即富含G的DNA序列, 可与ThT荧光分子形成G-四联体结构, 使荧光信号迅速增强; 向溶液中加入Pb²⁺, Pb²⁺与其适配体有很好的结合特异性, 可生成更牢固的G-四联体结构, 使ThT分子被释放出来, 导致溶液的荧光强度降低, 基于此可检测溶液中的Pb²⁺离子. 实验中优化了缓冲溶液组成、 ThT荧光分子浓度、 Pb²⁺适配体浓度及反应时间等条件. 结果表明, 在10 mmol/L Tris-HCl(pH=8.3, 含2 mmol/L MgCl₂)缓冲溶液中, ThT荧光分子和Pb²⁺适配体的浓度分别为10 μmol/L和200 nmol/L, 反应10 min时, 随着溶液中Pb ²⁺浓度的增加, 荧光强度减弱. Pb²⁺浓度在20~1000 nmol/L范围内时, 荧光强度与Pb²⁺的浓度呈现良好的线性关系(R²=0.9941), 检出限为1 nmol/L. 实际水样测试结果表明, 该方法的回收率在98.8%~101.3%之间. 该传感器灵敏、 快速、 无需化学修饰荧光分子且成本低.     

Reactivity of tri- and tetra-nuclear ethylidyne cyclopentadienylcobalt clusters towards protonic acids

The bis(μ₃-ethylidyne) tricobalt cluster [(CpCo)₃(μ₃-CCH₃)₂] (1b) is protonated by trifluoroacetic acid to give the dicobalt edge-protonated cation [H(CpCo)₃(μ₃-CCH₃)₂]⁺ [lb + H]⁺. Protonation of the μ₃-ethylidyne tetracobalt cluster hydride [H(CpCo)₄(μ₃-CCH₃)] (3) takes place in two consecutive steps. At low temperature [H₂(CpCo)₄(μ₃-CCH₃)]⁺ [3 + H]⁺ is formed first, and is then slowly converted into [H₃(CpCo)₄(μ₃-CCH₃)]²⁺ [3 + 2H]²⁺ by an excess of acid. As judged by the ¹H NMR data and the crystal structure of [3 + X]⁺[(CF₃COO)₂X]⁻ (X = H or D) the endo hydrogens in [3 + H]⁺ and [3 + 2H]²⁺ occupy μ₃-(Co₃) face capping hydridic positions. The cations [1b + H]⁺ and [3 + H]⁺ show hydride fluxionality in solution, which in the case of [3 + H]⁺ can be frozen out on the NMR timescale at low temperature (ΔG ^≠ (203 K) = 40.8 kJ/mol). The structure of [3 + X]⁺ [(CF₃COO)₂X]⁻ (X = H or D) was determined by X-ray crystallography. One of the hydrides/deuterides is located on the crystallographic mirror plane, capping a tricobalt face of the cluster cation. The other endo hydrogen atom is believed to be disordered between the other two μ₃-(Co₃) sites, which are related by space group symmetry. Deuteronation of 3 shows a strong normal kinetic deuterium isotope effect. From the temperature independence of the ¹H NMR spectrum of [3 + 2D]²⁺ a non-fluxional solution structure can be inferred. In all the systems studied, hydridic (μ₂- or μ₃-) sites are thermodynamically preferred to possible isomeric agostic CoHC or Co₂HC sites for the endo hydrogens. Agostic interactions cannot, however, be ruled out in transient intermediates during the course of the protonations.     

Spectroscopic and quantum chemical studies on proton motion in bifurcated hydrogen-bonded systems

The infrared spectra of crystalline 1,8-bis (N,N-dimethylamino) naphthalene hydrohalides within the proton absorption range have been studied. The spectral features suggest a bifurcated interaction of the [N H N]⁺ cation with the relevant ionic species. Quantum-chemical SCF-MO-LCAO ab initio calculation of the potential energy curves for the proton motion were carried out for the model [H₃N H NH₃]⁺ H⁻ system. Preliminary calculations corroborate the experimental conclusions about the proton motion mechanism.     

Role of the sulfhydryl group on the gas phase fragmentation reactions of protonated cysteine and cysteine containing peptides

The gas phase fragmentation reactions of protonated cysteine and cysteine-containing peptides have been studied using a combination of collisional activation in a tandem mass spectrometer and ab initio calculations [at the MP2(FC)/6-31G*//HF/6-31G* level of theory]. There are two major competing dissociation pathways for protonated cysteine involving: (i) loss of ammonia, and (ii) loss of the elements of [CH₂O₂]. MS/MS, MS/MS of selected ions formed by collisional activation in the electrospray ionization source as well as ab initio calculations have been carried out to determine the mechanisms of these reactions. The ab initio results reveal that the most stable [M + H − NH₃]⁺ isomer is an episulfonium ion (A), whereas the most stable [M + H − CH₂O₂]⁺ isomer is an immonium ion (B). The effect of the position of the cysteine residue on the fragmentation reactions of the [M + H]⁺ ions of all the possible simple dipeptide and tripeptide methyl esters containing one cysteine (where all other residues are glycine) has also been investigated. When cysteine is at the N-terminal position, NH₃ loss is observed, although the relative abundance of the resultant [M + H − NH₃]⁺ ion decreases with increasing peptide size. In contrast, when cysteine is at any other position, water loss is observed. The proposed mechanism for loss of H₂O is in competition with those channels leading to the formation of structurally relevant sequence ions.     

铅-邻菲罗啉络合吸附波的研究

在0.06MHAc-0.14MNaAc(pH=5.1)和2×10^-5M邻菲罗啉(phen)溶液中,用单扫示波极谱法可得到Pb(Ⅱ)-phen络合波,峰电位在-0.49V处。其导数峰高与铅在5×10^-8-5×10^-6M范围内的浓度有线性关系,最低检出限2.5×10^-8M。此波可用于测定铅。研究确定该波为1:1铅-邻菲罗啉络合物的吸附波。     

Conformational features of calix[4]arenes with alkali metal cations: A quantum chemical investigation with density functional theory

A variety of conformations for three model calix[4]arenes with 8 or 12 OH groups have been investigated by calculations at density functional (RI-BP86) and RI-MP2 level of approximation. The calixarenes form stable complexes with the alkali metal cations of lithium up to caesium. For the investigations all-valence electron basis sets as well as various effective core potentials were probed. The stabilities of complexes were analysed in comparison with the corresponding benzene complexes, M⁺·C₆H₆. The formation of the calixarene metal complexes is considered in two steps, (a) in a distortion from the equilibrium conformation of the free calixarenes and (b) subsequent complexation. The distortion energies are small for the ‘crown’ and larger for the ‘boat’ conformations. On the other hand the latter are more stabilized by significant interaction energy of the cation with two adjacent π-systems of the aromatic rings. As a result, these two conformations are of similar stabilities for K⁺ to Cs⁺ complexes with resorc[4]arenes, with a slight advantage for the ‘boat’ structure. The most stable conformation for the coordination products of these cations with the calix[4]arene with 12 OH groups is a slightly flattened ‘crown’ that is derived by maximum hydrogen bonding of the OH-groups and the most effective cation-π interactions. Special cases are complexes of Li⁺ and Na⁺ which in most instances prefer the coordination on the oxygen atoms of the upper rim of the calixarene cavities and thus form ‘boat’-like structures.     

Metal speciation by coupled in situ graphite furnace electrodeposition and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The technique of coupled in situ electrodeposition–electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ED–ETAAS) is applied to the analytes Bi, Pb, Ni and Cu. Bi, Pb, Ni and Cu are deposited quantitatively from their EDTA complexes at E_cell=1.75, 2.0, 3.0 and 2.5 V, respectively (E_cell=E_anode−E_cathode+iR). By varying the cell potential, selective reduction of free metal ions could be achieved in the presence of the EDTA complexes. For Bi³⁺ and Pb²⁺ this utilised the voltage windows E_cell=0.6–1.0 and 1.8–2.0 V, respectively. For Ni, deposition at E_cell=1.7–2.0 V achieved substantial, but not complete, differentiation between Ni²⁺ (ca. 90–100% deposition) and Ni(EDTA)²⁻ (ca. 12–20% deposition). An adequate voltage window was not obtained for Cu. The ability of ED–ETAAS to differentiate between electrochemically labile and inert species was demonstrated by application of both ED–ETAAS and anodic stripping voltammetry to the time-dependent speciation of Pb in freshly mixed Pb²⁺–NaCl media. Application to natural water samples is complicated by adsorption of natural organic matter to the graphite cathode.