Phase transfer of large gold nanoparticles to organic solvents with increased stability

In this paper, we describe a new procedure to phase transfer large gold nanoparticles (diameters > 45 nm) from aqueous solution to organic solvents. This is accomplished using a covalent amide coupling reaction that incorporates dicyclohexylamine (DCHA) headgroups on the surface of mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) functionalized gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles are first synthesized in aqueous solution by the citrate-reduction method, and nanoparticle size is controlled by the molar ratio of the reducing agent (sodium citrate) and the gold precursor (KAuCl4). MAA is then adsorbed to the surface of the gold nanoparticles followed by an amide-coupling reaction to covalently attach DCHA to the surface-immobilized MAA. The bulky dicyclohexyl groups entropically stabilize gold nanoparticles in organic solvents. This procedure was used to reliably transfer gold nanoparticles with diameters between 45 and 100 nm from aqueous solution to organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and chloroform.     

15N nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic investigation of differential rates of base-catalyzed N-H proton-exchange reactions of 1-aza-2-cycloheptanone and 1-aza-2-cycloheptanethione

Natural-abundance proton-coupled ¹⁵N NMR spectra of an equimolar solution of the title compounds in dimethyl sulfoxide, to which was added aqueous sodium hydroxide, show that N-H proton exchange of the thiolactam is about 1500 times faster than that of the lactam at 25°C. This rate difference is suggested to arise from a greater contribution of the polar resonance structure for the thiolactam.     

Sulfation of polysaccharides with sodium pyrosulfate in dimethyl sulfoxide

Sulfo esters of cellulose, dextran, starch, and amylopectin with a degree of substitution equal to 0.1–1.1 were prepared in the system constituted by sodium pyrosulfate and dimethyl sulfoxide. The intrinsic viscosity of aqueous solutions of sulfo polysaccharides was determined, and their anticoagulant activity was evaluated.     

An improved method for the analysis of dimethyl sulfoxide in water samples.

An analytical method for dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in aqueous samples at nanomolar levels has been improved. DMSO was reduced to dimethyl sulfide (DMS), concentrated on an adsorbent, and measured by gas chromatography. In the presence of iron chloride, the sodium borohydride (NaBH4) reduction of DMSO proceeded smoothly and efficiently, and the repeatability of this reaction was significantly improved. The detection limit was 0.27 nM for DMSO, and its repeatability of the peak-area measurement was 4.1% as RSD (n = 5).     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of Dimethyl Sulfoxide with Benzoyl Peroxide in Superbasic Media

Oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide with benzoyl peroxide in some dipolar aprotic solvents and superbasic media was studied. The kinetic parameters were correlated with the main physicochemical characteristics of solvents. The oxidation rate grows with increasing donor number and polarizability of the solvent. A two-step scheme of dimethyl sulfoxide oxidation with benzoyl peroxide in superbasic media was suggested, involving preliminary cleavage of the peroxide to perbenzoate with the base. In the reaction, sodium tert-butylate is preferable over sodium hydroxide.     

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection: a case study of comparison with aqueous media

A novel method based on separation by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) combined with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection was developed and compared with classic aqueous modes of electrophoresis in terms of resolution of solutes of interest and sensitivity of the fluorescence detection. Catecholamines derivatized with 4-chloro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-Cl) were chosen as test analytes for their subtle fluorescence properties. In aqueous systems, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was not suitable for the analysis of test analytes due to complete fluorescence quenching of NBD-labeled catecholamines in neat aqueous buffer. The addition of micelles or microemulsion droplets into aqueous running buffer can dramatically improve the fluorescence response, and the enhancement seems to be comparable for micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) and microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC). As another alternative, NACE separation was advantageous when performing the analysis under the optimum separation condition of 20 mM sodium tetraborate, 20 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.1% (v/v) glacial acetic acid, 20% (v/v) acetonitrile (ACN) in methanol medium after derivatization in ACN/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (3:2, v/v) mixed aprotic solvents containing 20 mM ammonium acetate. Compared with derivatization and separation in aqueous media, NACE-LIF procedure was proved to be superior, providing high sensitivity and short migration time. Under respective optimum conditions, the NACE procedure offered the best fluorescence response with 5-24 folds enhancement for catecholamines compared to aqueous procedures. In addition, the mechanisms of derivatization and separation in nonaqueous media were elucidated in detail.     

Elimination of oxidative degradation during the per-O-methylation of carbohydrates

The possible oxidative degradation mechanism occurring during the per-O-methylation of carbohydrates in dimethyl sulfoxide with methyl iodide in the presence of base is described. Evidence is presented that this process occurs only under anhydrous conditions when there is a long reaction time between the carbohydrate dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide and methyl iodide, followed by reaction with the base. Under these specific conditions, the oxidative degradation of alditols, and cyclic carbohydrates, with and without a free hemiacetal group, is observed. The reaction between carbohydrate and methyl iodide in dimethyl sulfoxide can result in a complete oxidative degradation depending on the type of carbohydrate and the time of reaction. The oxidative degradation can be accelerated by replacing methyl iodide with dimethyl sulfate. Mass spectrometric identification of the degradation products of d-glucitol indicates simultaneous oxidation processes at all the hydroxyl groups, with site dependent rates of their reactivity. This oxidative process is not a characteristic of the methylation of carbohydrates in dimethyl sulfoxide with methyl iodide in the presence of solid sodium hydroxide and can be totally avoided by treating the carbohydrate with powdered sodium hydroxide before introduction of methyl iodide under nonanhydrous conditions, or by adding a trace of water in dimethyl sulfoxide before methyl iodide, or by using N,N-dimethylacetamide as the solvent. The degradation of the per-O-methylated carbohydrates in the liquid-liquid extraction process is also taken into account, and it is found that the degradation process can be avoid by neutralization of the base before extraction, by using benzene or tetrachloromethane as extraction solvent, and by drying the final organic extract.     

An Improved Direct Oxidation of Alkyl Halides to Aldehydes

The oxidation of alkyl chlorides and bromides with dimethyl sulfoxide has been performed in the presence of sodium iodide. This method allows a convenient one-step procedure for the preparation of aldehydes from alkyl chlorides and bromides.     

Synthesis of a pyrrolone-type polymer containing anthraquinone units in molten antimony trichloride

1,2,5,6-Tetraaminoanthraquinone and 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride react in molten antimony trichloride to give a soluble polypyrrolone structure with an inherent viscosity of 0.4–0.7. Polymers having the viscosity of 0.7 can be wetspun into fibers from molten antimony trichloride or from methanesulfonic acid; also the polymer can be reduced with sodium dithionite in alkaline aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide to give a viscous solution which can be spun into brittle fibers.     

Investigation of the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide on sodium dodecyl sulfate micellization in aqueous solutions by fluorescence method

The effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and diethyl sulfoxide (DESO) on micellization of sodium dodecyl sulfate in aqueous solutions is studied by fluorescence method using pyrene as a luminescence probe. The critical micellization concentration of the surfactant is found to increase upon the addition of DMSO and DESO. The aggregation numbers and radii of micelles, the hydrophilic group area, and the parameters of critical compaction of micelles are calculated from the data on fluorescence quenching by hexadecylpyridinium bromide. It is shown that the dependence of the aforementioned parameters on the content of DMSO, unlike DESO, is linear throughout the studied concentration range. It is assumed that, in DMSO solutions, polarization effects always prevail, whereas, at low concentrations of DESO, changes in water structure and the interactions of ethyl groups with hydrocarbon chains of sodium dodecyl sulfate also play a significant role.     

Per-O-methylation of neutral carbohydrates directly from aqueous samples for gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis

Per-O-methylation of neutral carbohydrates in one step by adding dimethyl sulfoxide, powdered sodium hydroxide, and methyl iodide directly to aqueous sample is described. The influence of the water on the methylation reaction is investigated. Solid powdered sodium hydroxide is very hygroscopic and can scavenge the water from sample if an additional excess of sodium hydroxide is added. The degree of per-O-methylation of carbohydrates is checked by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of mono- and disaccharides from grape juice is presented.     

Synthesis of poly-3,3-bis(chloromethyl)-oxacyclobutane (penton) derivatives

The derivatives of poly-3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxacyclobutane were prepared by the reaction of the chloromethyl group with organic alkali salts at 100–130°C. in dimethyl sulfoxide. Various reagents were used, including sodium cyanide, sodium acetate, sodium thiophenolate, sodium phenolate, sodium methoxide, sodium diethyl malonate, and potassium phthalimide. For all the substitution reactions, the infrared spectra and elementary analyses substantiated the structures of the designated products. The intrinsic viscosities of the derivatives decreased with increasing the reaction time. It was found that the ions of these salts are strong nucleophiles in dimethyl sulfoxide.     

Bilirubin acidity. Titrimetric and 13C NMR studies.

Acidimetric titration of bilirubin IX-alpha, dissolved in excess aqueous sodium hydroxide, showed that two protons are dissociated with pK values well below 7 and that one or several additional acidic groups titrate with pK around 12.9. Precipitation of the nearly insoluble acid precluded determination of the two lower pK values by titration in aqueous solution. In dimethyl sulfoxide solution, four acidic protons were demonstrated, titrating two by two without precipitation. 13C NMR spectra of bilirubin IX-alpha were recorded and complete assignments were made by comparison with the spectra of bilirubin XIII-alpha and mesobilirubin etc. Such spectra, recorded after addition of 2 and 4 mol of base per mol of bilirubin IX-alpha, showed that both carboxyl groups are titrated by the first 2 mol of base, and both lactams by the following 2 mol of base. Cotitrations of bilirubin IX-alpha with other acids, o- and m-hydroxybenzoic acid and 2-pyridone, were used to determine relative pK values in dimethyl sulfoxide solution, and pK values for the four acidic protons of bilirubin IX-alpha in aqueous solution were calculated from the Born equation. Both carboxyl groups exhibited pK = 4.4, and both lactams pK = 13.0, in good agreement with values expected from the chemical structure of the bilirubin molecule. The implications of these findings for understanding the mechanism of bilirubin neurotoxicity are discussed.     

Solution properties of dendronized poly(hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) polymers

Four generations of dendronized polymers with a methacrylate backbone and hydroxy‐functionalized aliphatic polyester dendrons based on 2,2‐bis(methylol)propionic acid were studied in solutions by rheological measurements, dynamic light scattering, turbidimetry, and ¹H NMR self‐diffusion measurements to reveal the effect of increasing hydrophilicity and molecular size on their solution properties. The studied polymers were interesting new amphiphiles with a hydrophobic main chain and a hydrophilic shell. Evidence of aggregation upon the heating of the first‐generation polymer in an aqueous solution was obtained by dynamic light scattering and turbidimetry, reflecting the effect of the hydrophobic polymer backbone, whereas the higher generation polymers did not show aggregation upon heating. Although the dimensions of the polymers were observed to increase with increasing generation, all the polymers exhibited low viscosities and Newtonian flow behavior in both aqueous and dimethyl sulfoxide solutions. The relative viscosities of the polymers in water and dimethyl sulfoxide showed that the conformation of the polymers was somewhat more open in dimethyl sulfoxide, and this led to higher viscosities than those in water, in agreement with the ¹H NMR diffusion measurements, by which the dimensions were found to be larger for the polymers dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3674–3683, 2006     

Capillary electrophoresis behavior of water-soluble anionic porphyrins in the presence of beta-cyclodextrin and its O-methylated derivatives

The electrophoretic behavior of water-soluble anionic porphyrins, such as meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP), meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TSPP) and its zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes (ZnTSPP and CuTSPP, respectively) has been studied by capillary zone electrophoresis using fused-silica capillaries. The selectivity of the separation is strongly dependent on the type and concentration of betacyclodextrin (betaCD) or the O-methylated derivatives added to the background electrolyte. CuTSPP and TSPP can be separated using a pH 2.5 aqueous sodium phosphate buffer in the presence of 1 mM betaCD. Resolution is poorer or absent employing alkylated betaCDs, such as the heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin or the heptakis(2,3,6-triO-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin, as additives. On the other hand, separation of TSPP from its copper and zinc complexes has been achieved using a pH 7.0 aqueous sodium phosphate buffer, in the presence of 0.75 mM betaCD and 20% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as organic modifier. Under such conditions, the calibration curve for quantitative analysis of copper(II) was obtained. A rationale for the observed behavior will be presented and discussed on the basis of binding and protonation equilibria and a simple mathematical model.     

A study of the hydration of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution

The hydration of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution has been studied by large angle X-ray scattering (LAXS) and double difference infrared spectroscopy (DDIR). The structures of the dimethyl sulfoxide solvated alkali metal ions in solution have been determined to support the studies in aqueous solution. The results of the LAXS and DDIR measurements show that the sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium ions all are weakly hydrated with only a single shell of water molecules. The smaller lithium ion is more strongly hydrated, most probably with a second hydration shell present. The influence of the rubidium and cesium ions on the water structure was found to be very weak, and it was not possible to quantify this effect in a reliable way due to insufficient separation of the O-D stretching bands of partially deuterated water bound to these metal ions and the O-D stretching bands of the bulk water. Aqueous solutions of sodium, potassium and cesium iodide and cesium and lithium hydroxide have been studied by LAXS and M-O bond distances have been determined fairly accurately except for lithium. However, the number of water molecules binding to the alkali metal ions is very difficult to determine from the LAXS measurements as the number of distances and the temperature factor are strongly correlated. A thorough analysis of M-O bond distances in solid alkali metal compounds with ligands binding through oxygen has been made from available structure databases. There is relatively strong correlation between M-O bond distances and coordination numbers also for the alkali metal ions even though the M-O interactions are weak and the number of complexes of potassium, rubidium and cesium with well-defined coordination geometry is very small. The mean M-O bond distance in the hydrated sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium ions in aqueous solution have been determined to be 2.43(2), 2.81(1), 2.98(1) and 3.07(1) ?, which corresponds to six-, seven-, eight- and eight-coordination. These coordination numbers are supported by the linear relationship of the hydration enthalpies and the M-O bond distances. This correlation indicates that the hydrated lithium ion is four-coordinate in aqueous solution. New ionic radii are proposed for four- and six-coordinate lithium(I), 0.60 and 0.79 ?, respectively, as well as for five- and six-coordinate sodium(I), 1.02 and 1.07 ?, respectively. The ionic radii for six- and seven-coordinate K(+), 1.38 and 1.46 ?, respectively, and eight-coordinate Rb(+) and Cs(+), 1.64 and 1.73 ?, respectively, are confirmed from previous studies. The M-O bond distances in dimethyl sulfoxide solvated sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium ions in solution are very similar to those observed in aqueous solution.     

Nitrogen bridgehead compounds. Part 70. Studies on quinolizine derivatives. Part 4. Ultraviolet-visible spectra and chemical properties of some quinolizine derivatives and their monocyclic tautomers

Ultraviolet-visible spectra of 4-oxo 1 and 4-imino 2 quinolizines or their monocyclic tautomers 3, 4 have been studied in neutral, acidic and basic ethanolic solution as well as in dimethyl sulfoxide and chloroform. Ring B of 4-oxo and 6-unsubstituted 4-imino compounds can be cleaved by sodium ethanolate more or less easily. Ring B of 6-methyl-4-iminoquinolizines is very unstable and they are present mainly in the monocyclic form which are partly dissociated in ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide especially in higher dilution or in the presence of sodium ethanolate. In dilute acidic ethanol or chloroform, the dissociation is suppressed and in the latter solvent and in some cases, absorption bands can be observed due to a small amount of the 4-imino-6-methylquinolizines. In acidic solution of compounds 3B=C, 3D, 4E, 4F=G having simultaneously cyano and ethoxycarbonyl groups in 1 and 3 position, not simple reprotonation occurs but irreversible changes can be observed.     

Solid-phase permethylation of glycans for mass spectrometric analysis

A miniaturized approach was developed for quantitative permethylation of oligosaccharides, which involves packing of sodium hydroxide powder in microspin columns or fused-silica capillaries (500 microm i.d.), permitting effective derivatization in less than a minute at microscale. Prior to mass spectrometry, analytes are mixed with methyl iodide in dimethyl sulfoxide solution containing traces of water before infusing through the microreactors. This procedure minimizes oxidative degradation and peeling reactions and avoids the need of excessive clean-up. Picomole amounts of linear and branched, sialylated and neutral glycan samples were rapidly and efficiently permethylated by this approach and analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.     

Reassessment of the methyl derivatization reaction of carbamates with sodium hydride/dimethyl sulfoxide/methyl iodide for their determination by gas chromatography

A deep revision of the carbamate methyl derivatization reaction with sodium hydride/dimethyl sulfoxide/methyl iodide was carried out. Representative carbamates, R(1)-NH-COO-R(2), mainly N-methyl and N-aryl ones, have been studied in order to clarify which carbamates undergo this reaction. Two possible reaction routes are proposed; the route depends on the carbamate substituent (-OR(2) group) more than on the methyl or aryl groups joined to the NH moiety as literature indicates. The classification of carbamates in N-methyl and N-aryl is not suitable to predict the methylation pathway. A laboratory-made closed reactor allows handling the reagents involved, minimizing hazards and simplifying the procedure for rapid analysis.     

Effect of base nature on the oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide with hydrogen peroxide in superbasic media

Kinetic relationships of the dimethyl sulfoxide oxidation to dimethyl sulfone with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an alkali (MOH) or sodium tert-butoxide were investigated. Kinetic parameters of the process were calculated. The process was found to proceed through the intermediate formation of the alkaline salts MeOOH. The effect of the base nature on the stage of salt formation and oxidation was revealed.