Bulk versus interfacial aqueous solvation of dicarboxylate dianions

Solvation of dicarboxylate dianions of varying length of the aliphatic chain in water clusters and in extended aqueous slabs was investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. Photoelectron spectra of hydrated succinate, adipate, and tetradecandioic dianions with up to 20 water molecules were obtained. Even-odd effects were observed as a result of the alternate solvation mode of the two negative charges with increasing solvent numbers. The competition between hydrophilic interactions of the charged carboxylate groups and hydrophobic interactions of the aliphatic chain leads to conformation changes in large water clusters containing dicarboxylates bigger than adipate. It also leads to a transition from bulk aqueous solvation of small dicarboxylates to solvation at the water/vapor interface of the larger ones. Whereas oxalate and adipate solvate in the inner parts of the aqueous slab, suberate and longer dicarboxylate dianions have a strong propensity to the surface. This transition also has consequences for the folding of the flexible aliphatic chain and for the structure of aqueous solvation shells around the dianions.     

Non-covalent interactions of alkali metal cations with singly charged tryptic peptides

The complexes formed by alkali metal cations (Cat(+) = Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+)) and singly charged tryptic peptides were investigated by combining results from the low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) and ion mobility experiments with molecular dynamics and density functional theory calculations. The structure and reactivity of [M + H + Cat](2+) tryptic peptides is greatly influenced by charge repulsion as well as the ability of the peptide to solvate charge points. Charge separation between fragment ions occurs upon dissociation, i.e. b ions tend to be alkali metal cationised while y ions are protonated, suggesting the location of the cation towards the peptide N-terminus. The low-energy dissociation channels were found to be strongly dependant on the cation size. Complexes containing smaller cations (Li(+) or Na(+)) dissociate predominantly by sequence-specific cleavages, whereas the main process for complexes containing larger cations (Rb(+)) is cation expulsion and formation of [M + H](+). The obtained structural data might suggest a relationship between the peptide primary structure and the nature of the cation coordination shell. Peptides with a significant number of side chain carbonyl oxygens provide good charge solvation without the need for involving peptide bond carbonyl groups and thus forming a tight globular structure. However, due to the lack of the conformational flexibility which would allow effective solvation of both charges (the cation and the proton) peptides with seven or less amino acids are unable to form sufficiently abundant [M + H + Cat](2+) ion. Finally, the fact that [M + H + Cat](2+) peptides dissociate similarly as [M + H](+) (via sequence-specific cleavages, however, with the additional formation of alkali metal cationised b ions) offers a way for generating the low-energy CID spectra of 'singly charged' tryptic peptides.     

The structure of the ion pairs of the carbanion of indene with alkali metal cations

NMR spectra have been measured of the Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ ion pairs of the indenyl carbanion in 1,2-dimethoxyethane and tetrahydrofuran as a function of temperature. The changes of the chemical shifts are explained in terms of the detailed structure of the ion pairs. The results in both solvents strongly suggest that in indenyl-Li⁺ the counterion is predominantly located over the six-membered ring. In THF the preferred position of the cations Na⁺ and K⁺ in the contact ion pairs seems to be the five-membered ring.     

Ion-chromatographic behavior of alkali metal cations and ammonium ion on zirconium-adsorbing silica gel

The preparation and evaluation of zirconium-adsorbing silica gel (Zr-Silica) as an ion-exchange stationary phase in ion chromatography for inorganic anions and cations was carried out. The Zr-Silica was prepared by the reaction of silanol groups on the surface of the silica gel with zirconium butoxide (Zr(OCH2CH2CH2CH3)4) in ethanol. The ion-exchange characteristics of the Zr-Silica were evaluated using 10 mM tartaric acid at pH 2.5 as eluent. The Zr-Silica was found to act as a cation-exchanger under the eluent conditions. The retention behavior of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations was then investigated. The Zr-Silica column was proved to be suitable for the simultaneous separation of alkali metal cations and ammonium ion. Excellent separation of the cations on a 15 cm Zr-Silica column was achieved in 25 min using 10 mM tartaric acid as eluent.     

Thermochemistry of 18C6 complexation with alkali,alkaline earth metal cations and ammonium ion

The object of the present study is to examine the factors governing the process of 18C6 complexation in aqueous solution by interpreting of thermodynamic parameters of the reaction in terms of observed selectivity and solvation characteristics under various temperature conditions.     

Study of solvation of alkali cations with poly(ethylene oxide)

The interaction of sodium, potassium and caesium salts with poly(ethylene oxide) in nitromethane is considered as a model for solvation of alkali counterions with a heterochain polymer during the anionic polymerization of heterocycles. The methods of ²³Na and ¹³³Cs n.m.r. and of conductometry sensitive towards the state of the cation have been used for studying the equilibria. It has been shown that poly(ethylene oxide) binds cations much more strongly than monomeric cyclic ethers, a solvation shell being formed involving several (6–12) oxygen atoms of the same macromolecule. The equilibrium constants of the formation of solvate complexes have been evaluated; they increase with increasing chain length and decreasing cation radius. The mechanism of interactions and their role in the processes of anionic polymerization are discussed.     

The interaction of alkali metal cations with oxygen-containing ligands

Ab initio SCF calculations on the interaction of Li⁺ cation with H₂O and H₂CO using two basis sets are presented. Partitioning of SCF energies of interaction into Coulomb-, exchange- and delocalization energies has been performed. Coulomb- and delocalization energies are compared with classical electrostatic and polarization energies. A detailed analysis of the calculated wave functions demonstrates that in the complexes investigated here, charge transfer is of minor importance only. Polarization of the molecules in the strong inhomogeneous field of the cation leads to complicated electron density rearrangements which can be interpreted most easily in terms of polarization of individual localized MO's.     

NMR spectroscopy of bismuth fluoride glasses with alkali cations

Results of the ⁷Li, ¹⁹F, and ²³Na NMR studies of ionic mobility in bismuth fluoride glasses in the systems BiF₃-LiF and BiF₃-MF-ZrF₄ (M = Li, Na, K, Cs) are summarized. Analysis of the ⁷Li, ¹⁹F, and ²³Na NMR spectra made it possible to reveal changes in the nature of ion motions in the fluoride, lithium and sodium sublattices of glasses upon temperature variation and to determine their types. The temperature ranges were found where main types of ion motions in the tested glasses are represented by diffusion of lithium ions, reorientations of fluorine-containing groups constituting the glass network, and diffusion of fluorine ions. The role of alkali cations in the formation of ionic mobility in bismuth fluorozirconate glasses is considered.     

Study of alkali metal cations binding selectivity of beta-cyclodextrin by ESI-MS

Cyclodextrins (CDs), cyclic oligosaccharides commonly composed of six, seven or eight (alpha, beta, and gamma respectively) D-glucopyranosyl units connected by alpha-(1,4)- glycosidic linkages, have the ability to form inclusion complexes with a wide range of substrates in aqueous solution. This property has led to their applications in different areas such as enzyme mimics, catalysis and the encapsulation. of drugs. ESI-MS has begun to be viewed as a useful tool for investigating the general area of molecular recognition thus providing a powerful mean for the analysis of a wide array of host-guest complexes and other non covalent complexes present in solution. The evaluation of the binding selectivity of beta-cyclodextrin towards the first group alkali cations is reported. The estimation of the affinity degrees has been achieved by competition ESI-MS experiments. In these experiments beta-CD was incubated at the presence of two different cations at the same time, and the ratio of the mass peaks corresponding to the two complexes was calculated. In general, it appears a much larger affinity of the beta-cyclodextrin molecule with sodium with respect to all the other alkaline cations, thus giving evidence that it is the size of the beta-cyclodextrin ring in relation with the cationic radius, which drives the formation of what, at this point, could be defined as an inclusion complex.     

Electrochemical studies of ion pairs and triplets formed by alkali metal cations with 1,2-naphthosemiquinone and 1,2-naphthoquinone dianion

The properties of ion associates formed by alkali metal cations with 1,2-naphthosemiquinone radical anions and 1,2-naphthoquinone dianions have been polarographically studied in dimethylsulfoxide solutions. It was established that these radicals and dianions coexist in equilibria with corresponding ion pairs and triple ions. The values of association constants were calculated on the basis of the slightly modified method of De Ford and Hume. Some structural aspects of ion association in the systems investigated are discussed.     

Ultrafine Na-4-mica: uptake of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations by ion exchange

The cation exchange properties of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations at room temperature were investigated on an ultrafine, highly charged Na-4-mica (with the ideal mica composition Na4Mg6Al4Si4O20F4.xH2O). Ultrafine mica crystallites of 200 nm in size led to faster Sr2+ uptake kinetics in comparison to larger mica crystallites. The alkali metal ion (K+, Cs+, and Li+) exchange uptake was rapid, and complete exchange occurred within 30 min. For the alkaline earth metal ions Ba2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, however, the exchange uptake required lengthy periods from 3 days to 4 weeks to be completed, similar to its Sr uptake, as previously reported. Kinetic models of the modified Freundlich and parabolic diffusion were examined for the experimental data on the Ba2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ uptakes. The modified Freundlich model described well the Ba2+ ion uptake kinetics as well as that for the Sr2+ ion, while for the Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions the parabolic diffusion model showed better fitting. The alkali and alkaline earth ion exchange isotherms were also determined in comparison to the Sr2+ exchange isotherm. The thermodynamic equilibria for these cations were compared by using Kielland plots evaluated from the isotherms.     

Salt forms of sulfadiazine with alkali metal and organic cations

The structures of four salt forms of sulfadiazine (SDH) with alkali metal cations are presented. Three contain the deprotonated SD anion (C₁₀H₉N₄O₂S). These are the discrete complex diaqua{4‐[(pyrimidin‐2‐ylazanidyl‐κN¹)sulfonyl‐κO]aniline}lithium(I), [Li(SD)(H₂O)₂], (I), and the coordination polymers poly[{μ₃‐4‐[(pyrimidin‐2‐ylazanidyl)sulfonyl]aniline}sodium(I)], [Na(SD)]_n, (II), and poly[diaqua{μ₃‐4‐[(pyrimidin‐2‐ylazanidyl)sulfonyl]aniline}potassium(I)], [K(SD)(H₂O)₂]_n, (III). Na complex (II) is a three‐dimensional coordination polymer, whilst K complex (III) has two crystallographically independent [K(SD)(H₂O)₂] units per asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2) and gives a two‐dimensional coordination polymer whose layers propagate parallel to the crystallographic ab plane. The different bonding modes of the SD anion in these three complexes is discussed. Structure (IV) contains protonated SDH₂ cations {4‐[(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)sulfamoyl]anilinium, C₁₀H₁₁N₄O₂S} and the Orange G dianion [OG, 7‐oxo‐8‐(phenylhydrazinylidene)naphthalene‐1,3‐disulfonate, C₁₆H₁₀N₂O₇S₂], namely, 4‐[(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)sulfamoyl]anilinium tetraaqua[7‐oxo‐8‐(phenylhydrazinylidene)naphthalene‐1,3‐disulfonato]sodium(I) sesquihydrate, (SDH₂)[Na(OG)(H₂O)₄]·1.5H₂O. The [Na(OG)(H₂O)₄]₂ dimers have antiparallel naphthyl ring structures joined through two Na centres that bond to the hydrazone anions through the O atoms of the ketone and sulfonate substituents. The structures of the salts formed on reaction of SDH with 2‐aminopyridine and ethanolamine are also presented as 2‐aminopyridinium 4‐[(pyrimidin‐2‐ylazanidyl)sulfonyl]aniline, [C₅H₇N₂][SD], (V), and ethanolaminium 4‐[(pyrimidin‐2‐ylazanidyl)sulfonyl]aniline monohydrate, [HOCH₂CH₂NH₃][SD]·H₂O, (VI), respectively. Structure (V) features a heterodimeric R₂²(8) hydrogen‐bond motif between the cation and the anion, whilst structure (VI) has a tetrameric core of two cations linked by a central R₂²(10) hydrogen‐bonded motif which supports two anions linked to this core by R₃³(8) motifs.     

Equivalent temperature and specific ion effects in macromolecule-coated colloid interactions

Ensemble total internal reflection microscopy is used to measure reversible temperature- and specific-ion-mediated interaction potentials between macromolecule-coated colloids and surfaces. Potentials are measured between PEO-PPO-PEO (poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)) block copolymers adsorbed to hydrophobically modified silica colloids and glass or gold planar surfaces. Conditions investigated include temperatures from 20 to 47 degrees C and MgSO4 concentrations from 0.2 to 0.5 M. The solvent-quality-mediated copolymer layer collapse inferred by comparing measured potentials and the predicted van der Waals attraction, including effects of the adsorbed copolymer and surface roughness, displays good agreement with expected limits based on the PEO block contour length and the bulk PEO density. Superposition of all PEO layer collapse measurements onto a single universal curve, via a transformed temperature scale relative to a reference temperature in each case, indicates an equivalence of increasing temperature and increasing MgSO4 concentration when layer interactions and dimensions are mediated. Accurate knowledge of nanometer- and kT-scale interactions of copolymer-coated colloids as a function of temperature and MgSO4 concentration provides the ability to reversibly control the stability, phase behavior, and self-assembly of such particles.     

An ion pair receptor showing remarkable enhancement of anion-binding strengths in the presence of alkali metal cations

An ion pair receptor was prepared by coupling of a diazacrown ether and a rigid biindole scaffold bearing hydrogen bond donors of two indole NHs. The former serves as the cation-binding site and the latter functions as the anion-binding site. The anion-binding affinities to the receptor, determined by ¹H NMR titration experiments in 10% (v/v) DMSO-d₆/CD₃CN at 24 ± 1 °C, have been greatly improved when an alkali metal cation binds to the adjacent diazacrown ether. For example, the association constant between chloride and receptor alone is 7 M⁻¹, but the magnitudes increase into 120 M⁻¹, 14,000 M⁻¹, and 6200 M⁻¹ in the presence of lithium, sodium, and potassium ions, respectively. The enhanced binding affinities must be attributed to electrostatic interactions by possibly forming contact ion pairs.     

Retention behavior of alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal cations in ion chromatography with an unmodified silica gel column

An unmodified silica gel (Develosil 30-5) column (150×4.6 mm I.D.) has been applied to the ion chromatographic separation of alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal cations. The retention behavior of the above cations on the bare substrate was investigated using a number of weak inorganic and organic acid eluents. During this investigation, several separations were achieved and the most suitable eluent conditions were identified. It was concluded that: (a) 1.5 mM HNO₃-0.5mM pyridine-2,6-dicar☐ylic acid eluent was the most effective for the simultaneous separation of common alkali and alkaline earth metal cations, (b) 1.5 mM oxalic acid eluent resulted in the best separation of alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal cations, (c) 0.5 mM CuSO₄ eluent could be used for the separation of alkali metal cations alone and (d) 0.5 mM ethylenediamine-oxalic acid eluent at pH 5.5 resulted in themost efficient separation of both alkaline earth and transition metal cations.     

Selective substitution of alkali cations in mixed alkali glass by solid-state electrochemistry

Electrosubstitution of alkali cations in mixed-alkali glass containing both Na₂O and K₂O for other monovalent metal cations (M⁺=Li⁺, Ag⁺, and Cs⁺) was investigated using a solid-state electrochemical method. The fundamental electrolysis system consists of anode/M⁺-conducting microelectrode/glass/Na-β″-Al₂O₃/cathode, where M⁺ is substituted for the alkali metal ions in the glass under an applied electric field. Li⁺ ions attacked only Na⁺ sites, and Ag⁺ ions replaced Na⁺ sites more readily than K⁺. In contrast, Cs⁺ ions simultaneously substituted for both Na⁺ and K⁺ sites. The substitution behavior appears to depend on the difference in ionic conductivity between K⁺ and Na⁺ and the radius of the dopant. This mechanism was discussed qualitatively.     

Relative binding affinities of alkali metal cations to

The binding affinity and selectivity of a new ionophore, [1(8)]starand (1), toward alkali metal cations in methanol were examined through NMR titration experiments and free energy perturbation (FEP) and molecular dynamics simulations. The preference was determined to be K(+) > Rb(+) > Cs(+) > Na(+) > Li(+) in both FEP simulations and NMR experiments. The FEP simulation results were able to predict the relative binding free energies with errors less than 0.13 kcal/mol, except for the case between Li(+) and Na(+). The cation selectivity was rationalized by analyzing the radial distribution functions of the M-O and M-C distances of free metal cations in methanol and those of metal-ionophore complexes in methanol.