Weak dihydrogen bond interactions in organic crystals

Database analysis on H ? H interactions of the type CH₂ ? H₂C and N-H ? H-N in organic crystals substantiate the occurrence of dihydrogen bonds in the absence of metal atoms.     

Computational study of reaction pathways in the course of interaction of deactivated silylenes with buta-1,3-diene

The PESs of systems including deactivated silylenes (SiHHal, SiHal₂, Hal = F, Cl, and 2-silaimidazol-2-ylidene, SiN₂H₂C₂H₂) and buta-1,3-diene have been studied using G3(MP2)//B3LYP method. Two major reaction channels, (2 + 1) and (4 + 1) cycloaddition reactions, leading to 2-vinylsiliranes and silacyclopent-3-enes, respectively, as well as [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements between 2-vinylsiliranes and the corresponding silacyclopent-3-enes, have been considered in detail. Reactivity of silylenes toward buta-1,3-diene decreases in the following series: SiHHal > SiHal₂ > SiN₂H₂C₂H₂, which is reflected in increase of the reaction barriers for both cycloaddition reactions and in decrease of exothermicity of the formation of the corresponding products. The (4 + 1) cycloaddition is preferable for SiHal₂ and SiN₂H₂C₂H₂ and can compete with (2 + 1) cycloaddition for SiHHal. [1,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangement is important for isomerization of 2-vinylsiliranes to the corresponding silacyclopent-3-enes for all systems studied, except the SiCl₂ system.     

Optimized use of a 50 μm ID secondary column in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The objective of the present research is directed towards the optimized use of a 50 μm ID secondary column, in a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC × GC–qMS) system. The analytical aim was achieved by exploiting a split-flow GC × GC approach, and a rapid-scanning qMS instrument. The stationary phase combination consisted of an apolar (silphenylene polymer) 30 m × 0.25 mm ID column, linked by means of a Y-union, to an MS-connected 1 m × 0.05 mm ID polar one [poly(ethyleneglycol)], and to a 0.20 m × 0.05 mm ID uncoated capillary segment; the latter was connected to a manually operated split-valve. It will be herein demonstrated that the split-flow GC × GC approach, successfully employed in previous H₂-based, flame ionization detection experiments, provides equally satisfactory results using mass spectrometric detection and helium as carrier gas. An optimized split-flow GC × GC–qMS method was developed and exploited for the analysis of a perfume sample. The results attained were compared with those observed using the same analytical column combination, but with no flow-splitting. It was found that it is not convenient to employ a 50 μm ID secondary column in a conventional GC × GC–MS instrument. On the contrary, the use a 50 μm ID secondary column, in a split-flow, twin-oven system, provided a good performance. A recently developed comprehensive chromatography software was used for data processing.     

Theoretical insight into stereodynamics of the O(D) + H2 (v = 0–3, j = 0) → OH + H reaction: A quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) study

In this work, the reaction O(¹D) + H₂ → OH + H has been theoretically studied using the quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) method developed by Han and co-workers. All the quasiclassical trajectory calculations are performed on the DK (Dobbyn and Knowles) potential energy surface (PES). The vector correlation information on the reaction O(¹D) + H₂ → OH + H has been obtained. It has been demonstrated that the product alignment is sensitive to the reactant vibrational quantum number (v) at collision energy of 19 kcal/mol. Moreover, with increasing the value of v, backward scattering becomes weaker and forward scattering becomes stronger.     

Analysis of bacterial fatty acids by flow modulated comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with parallel flame ionization detector/mass spectrometry

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) offers an interesting tool for profiling bacterial fatty acids. Flow modulated GC × GC using a commercially available system was evaluated, different parameters such as column flows and modulation time were optimized. The method was tested on bacterial fatty acid methyl esters (BAMEs) from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia LMG 958^T by using parallel flame ionization detector (FID)/mass spectrometry (MS). The results are compared to data obtained using a thermal modulated GC × GC system. The data show that flow modulated GC × GC-FID/MS method can be applied in a routine environment and offers interesting perspectives for chemotaxonomy of bacteria.     

Comparison of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analysis of tobacco essential oils

A sample of tobacco essential oil was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC/TOFMS), respectively. In the GC/MS analysis, serially coupled columns were used. By comparing the GC/MS results with GC × GC/TOFMS results, many more components in the essential oil could be found within the two-dimensional separation space of GC × GC. The quantitative determination of components in the essential oil was performed by GC × GC with flame ionization detection (FID), using a method of multiple internal standards calibration.     

Synthesis and reactions of silicon containing cyclic α-amino acid derivatives

A simple synthesis of a new amino acid derivative 5,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)indanylglycine via cobalt mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition strategy is described. Co-trimerization of diyne building block containing amino acid moiety with bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene in presence of CpCo(CO)₂ catalyst afforded the silylated indane-based α-amino acid (AAA) derivative. Electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction, ipso to the trimethylsilyl group gave highly functionalised indane-based AAA derivatives.     

Selective electronalysis of peracetic acid in the presence of a large excess of H2O2 at Au(1 1 1)-like gold electrode

Peracetic acid (PAA) has been selectively electroanalyzed in the presence of a large excess of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), about 500 fold that of PAA, using Au (1 1 1)-like gold electrode in acetate buffer solutions of pH 5.4. Au(1 1 1)-like gold electrode was prepared by a controlled reductive desorption of a previously assembled thiol, typically cysteine, monolayer onto the polycrystalline gold (poly-Au) electrode. Cysteine molecules were selectively removed from the Au(1 1 1) facets of the poly-Au electrode, keeping the other two facets (i.e., Au(1 1 0) and Au(1 0 0)) under the protection of the adsorbed cysteine. It has been found that Au(1 1 1)-like gold electrode positively shifts the reduction peak of PAA, while, fortunately, shifts the reduction peak of H₂O₂ negatively, achieving a large potential separation (around 750 mV) between the two reduction peaks as compared with that (around 450 mV) obtained at the poly-Au electrode. This large potential separation between the two reduction peaks enabled the analysis of PAA in the presence of a large excess of H₂O₂. In addition, the positive shift of the reduction peak of PAA gives the present method a high immunity against the interference of the dissolved oxygen.     

Reactivity of [CpRh(η-C6H3NH2-2,6-i-Pr2)](OTf)2 toward phosphines and alkynes

The cationic aniline complex [Cp^∗Rh(η⁶-2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃NH₂)](OTf)₂ (1) was prepared from either [Cp^∗Rh(η²-NO₃)(η¹-OTf)] or [Cp^∗Rh(OH₂)₃](OTf)₂ and 2,6-diisopropylaniline. Complex 1 underwent substitution with phosphines or phosphites, indicating the labile character of the η⁶-aniline ligand. Complex 1 mediated cycloaddition reactions of several alkynes in refluxing ethanol: the [2 + 2] dimerization for PhCCPh and the [2 + 2 + 1] trimerization for PhCCH and CH₃C₆H₄CCH. The unexpected cyclobutadiene complex [Cp^∗Rh(η⁴-C₄(C(O)CH₃)₂H(SiMe₃))] was obtained from complex 1 and Me₃SiCCCCSiMe₃ and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Ternary (liquid + liquid) equilibria of the azeotrope (ethyl acetate + 2-propanol) with different ionic liquids at T = 298.15 K

Experimental (liquid + liquid) equilibria involving ionic liquids {1,3-dimethylimidazolium methyl sulfate (MMIM MeSO₄)}, {2-propanol + ethyl acetate + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM PF₆)} and {2-propanol + ethyl acetate + 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (HMIM PF₆)} were carried out to separate the azeotropic mixture ethyl acetate and 2-propanol. Selectivity and distribution ratio values, derived from the tie-lines data, were presented in order to analyze the best separation solvent in a liquid extraction process. Experimental (liquid + liquid) equilibria data were compared with the correlated values obtained by means of the NRTL, Othmer-Tobias and Hand equations. These equations were verified to accurately correlate the experimental data.     

Experimental (solid + liquid) phase equilibria of (alkan-1-ol + benzonitrile), (amine + benzonitrile) binary mixtures,and (decan-1-ol + decylamine + benzonitrile) ternary mixtures

(Solid + liquid) phase diagrams, SLE have been determined for (octan-1-ol, or nonan-1-ol, or decan-1-ol, or undecan-1-ol + benzonitrile) and for (hexylamine, or octylamine, or decylamine, or 1,3-diaminopropane + benzonitrile) using a cryometric dynamic method at atmospheric pressure. Simple eutectic systems with complete immiscibility in the solid phase and complete miscibility on the liquid phase have been observed. The solubility decreases with an increase of the number of carbon atoms in the alkan-1-ol, or amine chain. The temperature of the eutectic points increases and shifts to lower alkan-1-ol, or amine mole fractions as the alkyl chain length of the alkan-1-ol, or amine increases. The higher intermolecular interaction was observed for the (alkan-1-ol + benzonitrile) systems.     

Surface tension of dimethyl ether + propane from 243 to 333 K

The surface tension of the binary refrigerant mixture dimethyl ether (RE170)(1) + propane (R290)(2) at three mass fraction of w₁=0.3007,0.4975 ??and ??0.6949$w_1=\mathrm{0.3007,0.4975}\text{\hspace{0.17em}??}\text{and}\text{\hspace{0.17em}??}0.6949$ was measured in the temperature range from 243 to 333 K with a differential capillary rise method. The uncertainties of the measurement of the temperature and the surface tension were estimated to be within ±10 mK and ±0.2 mN m⁻¹, respectively. A correlation for the surface tension of the binary refrigerant mixture RE170 + R290 was developed as a function of the composition.     

A pyrazole-based orthogonal ferromagnetically coupled [2 × 2] homoleptic square Cu4 grid: Magnetostructural correlations

The synthesis and structure of a pyrazole-based orthogonal ferromagnetically coupled tetracopper(II) 2 × 2 homoleptic grid complex [Cu₄(PzOAPyz)₄(ClO₄)₂](ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O (1), formed by the reaction between the ditopic ligand PzOAPyz and Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, are described. The ligand contains terminal pyrazole and pyrazine residues bound to a central flexible diazine subunit (N–N) as well as one potentially bridging alkoxo group. The two adjacent metal centers are linked by an alkoxo oxygen forming essentially a square Cu₄(μ-O₄) cluster. In the Cu₄(μ-O₄) core, out of the four copper centers, two copper centers are penta-coordinated and the remaining two are hexa-coordinated. In each case of hexa-coordination, the sixth position is occupied by one of the oxygen atoms of a coordinated perchlorate ion. Complex 1 has been characterized structurally and magnetically. Although the large Cu–O–Cu bridge angles (137–138°) and short Cu–Cu distances (3.964–3.970 Å) are suitable for the transmission of the expected antiferromagnetic coupling, the square-based Cu₄(μ-O₄) cluster exhibits an intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange (J = 7.47 cm⁻¹) between the metal centers with an S = 2 magnetic ground state associated with the quasi orthogonal arrangement of the magnetic orbitals (d_x2-y2${\text{d}}_{x^2-y^2}$). The exchange pathway parameters have been evaluated from density functional calculations.     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria of the (water + acetic acid + dibasic esters mixture) system

(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) data for the {water + acetic acid + dibasic esters mixture (dimethyl adipate + dimethyl glutarate + dimethyl succinate)} system have been determined experimentally at T = (298.2, 308.2, and 318.2) K. Complete phase diagrams were obtained by determining solubility curve and tie-line data. The reliability of the experimental tie-line data was confirmed by using the Othmer-Tobias correlation. The UNIFAC model was used to predict the phase equilibrium in the system using the interaction parameters determined from experimental data between CH₂, CH₃COO, CH₃, COOH, and H₂O functional groups. Distribution coefficients and separation factors were compared with previous studies.     

Carbon monoxide interaction with oxygenated nickel single-crystal surfaces studied by vibrational spectroscopy

High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy has been used to study the coadsorption of CO and O on Ni(1 1 1) and Ni(1 0 0) surfaces at 250 K. These vibrational measurements showed that with increasing surface coverage at 250 K, the preadsorbed O caused changes in the adsorption sites for the after-adsorbed CO molecules revealing, however, dissimilar adsite alterations for the two Ni single crystals. Also, a different behavior towards carbonate formation was found upon CO adsorption at 250 K on Ni(1 0 0) and Ni(1 1 1) surfaces precovered with O at 250 K.     

Novel oxidation reaction of prochlorperazine with bromate in the presence of synergistic activators and its application to trace determination by flow injection/spectrophotometric method

Valve-based comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) is one of the most compact, robust, and inexpensive GC × GC instrument designs. The major drawback of a valve-based modulation configuration lies in diminished detection sensitivity. This loss in sensitivity is because under typical operating conditions the fraction of the first column (i.e., column 1) effluent transferred to the second column (i.e., column 2) is likely to be ∼5-10%. To address this loss in sensitivity, we report the development of a unique total-transfer (i.e., 100%) valve-based GC × GC, without adding complexity to the instrumentation. The new instrument design relies upon simply blocking one of the appropriate ports of the high-speed six-port diaphragm valve that is used as the modulator between columns 1 and 2. The modulation period and difference in head pressure between columns 1 and 2 are found to be the two primary variables that are controlled to provide good detection sensitivity and 100% mass transfer from column 1 to column 2. The detection sensitivity is better with a longer the modulation period. A limit of detection of 0.03 ng/μl was obtained for octane. This sensitive GC × GC configuration is also shown to provide acceptable separation peak capacity, with good separations achieved for real complex samples: gasoline and Eucalyptus oil, where compounds were spread out over much of the two-dimensional separation space. In principle, this total-transfer, valve-based GC × GC is more portable and less expensive than currently available GC × GC instrumentation.     

Trilinearity deviation ratio: A new metric for chemometric analysis of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry data

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC–TOFMS) is a well-established instrumental platform for complex samples. However, chemometric data analysis is often required to fully extract useful information from the data. We demonstrate that retention time shifting from one modulation to the next, Δ²t_R, is not sufficient alone to quantitatively describe the trilinearity of a single GC × GC–TOFMS run for the purpose of predicting the performance of the chemometric method parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). We hypothesize that analyte peak width on second dimension separations, ²W_b, also impacts trilinearity, along with Δ²t_R. The term trilinearity deviation ratio, TDR, which is Δ²t_R normalized by ²W_b, is introduced as a quantitative metric to assess accuracy for PARAFAC of a GC × GC–TOFMS data cube. We explore how modulation ratio, M_R, modulation period, P_M, temperature programming rate, T_ramp, sampling phase (in-phase and out-of-phase), and signal-to-noise ratio, S/N, all play a role in PARAFAC performance in the context of TDR. Use of a P_M in the 1–2 s range provides an optimized peak capacity for the first dimension separation (500–600) for a 30 min run, with an adequate peak capacity for the second dimension separation (12–15), concurrent with an optimized two-dimensional peak capacity (6000–7500), combined with sufficiently low TDR values (0–0.05) to facilitate low quantitative errors with PARAFAC (0–0.5%). In contrast, use of a P_M in the 5 s or greater range provides a higher peak capacity on the second dimension (30–35), concurrent with a lower peak capacity on the first dimension (100–150) for a 30 min run, and a slightly reduced two-dimensional peak capacity (3000–4500), and furthermore, the data are not sufficiently trilinear for the more retained second dimension peaks in order to directly use PARAFAC with confidence.     

Are closed clusters expected from the (n + 1) skeletal electron pairs rule in alanes and gallanes? A DFT structural study of AnHn + 2 (A = Al, Ga, and n = 4-6)

It has been suggested recently that the alanes Al_nH_n + 2 can be treated by the polyhedral skeletal electron pair theory (PSEPT) of Wade and Mingos (W-M) as it was successful for their borane congeners such as B_nH_n + 2, well known as the deprotonated B_nH_n²⁻. To do so, the neutral Al_nH_n + 2 have been considered as Al_nH_n²⁻ + 2H⁺. The additional hydrogens donate their electrons to the Al_nH_n polyhedral framework and according to the n + 1 electron pairs rule; these clusters should have closo-polyhedral structures. In this work the homologous gallanes, the structures and stabilities of Ga_nH_n + 2 are studied at high levels of calculational theory and we investigated the applicability of the W-M rule to the alanes and gallanes A_nH_n + 2 (n = 4-6; A = Al, Ga). It will be shown that the presence of bridging hydrogen atoms reduces the compactness of the corresponding polyhedron and so these species do not have the closed structures. The computations were performed at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), BPW91/6-311G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) levels of theory. Our interest in these compounds includes their potential use as hydrogen storage species and future clean sources of energy.     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography improves separation and identification of anabolic agents in doping control

The application of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) for the analysis of six anabolic agents (AAs) in doping control is investigated in this work. A non-polar–polar column configuration with 0.2 μm film thickness (d_f) second dimension (²D) column was employed, offering much better spread of the components on ²D when compared to the alternative 0.1 μm d_f²D column. The proposed method was tested on the “key” AA that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had listed at the low ng mL⁻¹ levels (clenbuterol, 19-norandrosterone, epimethendiol, 17α-methyl-5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol, 17α-methyl-5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol and 3′-OH-stanozolol). The compounds were spiked in a blank urine extract obtained by solid-phase extraction, hydrolysis and liquid–liquid extraction; prior to analysis they were converted to the corresponding trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives. The limit of detection (LOD) was below or equal to the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) of 2 ng mL⁻¹ defined by WADA, and the correlation coefficient was in the range from 0.995 to 0.999. The method allows choosing an ion from the full mass spectra which shows the least interference from the matrix and/or the best sensitivity; this can only be done if full scan mass spectral data are available. The advantage of GC × GC over classical one-dimensional GC (1D GC), in terms of separation efficiency and sensitivity, is demonstrated on a positive urine control sample at a concentration of 5 ng mL⁻¹. The obtained similarity to the in-house created TOFMS spectra library at this level of concentration was in the range from 822 to 932 (on the scale from 0 to 999). Since full mass spectral information are recorded, the method allows the retro-search of non-target compounds or new “designer steroids”, which cannot be detected with established GC–MS methods that use selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode.     

Density-functional study for the NOx (x = 1, 2) dissociation mechanism on the Cu(1 1 1) surface

Spin-polarized density functional theory calculation is employed to study the adsorption and dissociation of NO₂ molecule on Cu(1 1 1) surface. It is shown that the most favorable adsorption structure is the NO₂ (T,T-O-,O′-nitrito) configuration which has an adsorption energy of −1.49 eV. The barriers for step-wise NO₂ dissociation reaction, NO_2(g) → N_(a) + 2O_(a), are 1.05 (for O–N–O bond activation), and 2.08 eV (for N–O bond activation), respectively, and the entire process is 0.6 eV exothermic. The energetics of single N–O dissociation with and without the presence of N atom or O atom on the surface are also calculated. The results indicate that in the presence of O atom on Cu(1 1 1) surface would raise the N–O dissociation barrier, whereas in the presence of N atom decrease it. The interaction nature between adsorbates and substrate is analyzed by the local density of states (LDOS) calculation.