Influence of injection parameters on column performance in nanoscale high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary The influence of the injection volume and the sample solvent on column efficiency has been evaluated in packed nano liquid chromatography using columns 150μ i.d. Evaluation of column performance was by means of reduced plate height (h) versus reduced velocity (v) for four polyaromatic hydrocarbon test compounds (PAHs). When compounds are dissolved in a weak solvent (such as MeCN: H₂O, 30∶70), and whatever the injection volume −60 or 200 nL-a gain in efficiency can be observed due to the well-known on-column focusing phenomenon, but keeping constant solute retention factors. Under optimized conditions (flow rate: 150 nLmin⁻¹, solvent sample MeCN: H₂O, 30∶70, injection volume 200 nL), a reduced plate height of 1.83 has been obtained for a 15 μm C₁₈ packing corresponding to 36000 plates m⁻¹, which illustrates the absence of any extracolumn band broadening under nano LC conditions.     

GC–MS analysis of low-molecular-weight dicarboxylic acids in atmospheric aerosol: comparison between silylation and esterification derivatization procedures

This paper describes methods for the determination of low-molecular-weight (LMW) dicarboxylic acids in atmospheric aerosols as important chemical tracers for source apportionment of aerosol organics and for studying atmospheric processes leading to secondary organic aerosol formation. The two derivatization procedures most widely used in GC analysis of dicarboxylic acids were compared: esterification using BF₃/alcohol reagent and silylation using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). The advantages and drawbacks of the two methods are investigated and compared in terms of (1) precision and accuracy of the results and (2) sensitivity and detection limit of the procedure. The comparative investigation was performed on standard solutions containing target C₃–C₉ dicarboxylic acids and on experimental particulate matter (PM) samples. Attention was focused on low-volume sampling devices that collect small amounts of sample for organic speciation. The results show that, overall, both the techniques appear suitable for the analysis of LMW dicarboxylic acids in atmospheric aerosols since they provide low detection limits (≤4 ng m⁻³) and satisfactory reproducibility (RSD% ≤ 15%). Between them, BSTFA should be the reagent of choice under the most limiting conditions of PM filters collected by low-volume air samplers: It provides determination of all the target C₃–C₉ dicarboxylic acids with lower detection limits (≤2 ng m⁻³) and higher reproducibility (RSD% ≤ 10%)      

Pivalates with the M<Superscript>II</Superscript><Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> cubane core (M = Co,Ni): synthesis,structure, magnetic properties,and solid-state thermolysis

Methods were developed for the controlled thermal synthesis of high-spin cubane-like pivalates {M^II ₄(μ₃−OR)₄} (M = Co or Ni; R = H or Me) starting from mono-and polynuclear complexes. The solid-state thermal decomposition of the known pivalate clusters [M^II ₄(μ₃−OMe)₄−(μ₂−OOCBu^t)₂(η²−OOCBu^t)₂(MeOH)₄] and the new clusters [M₄^II(μ₃)−OH₄(η¹−OOCBu^t)₃−(μ−(NH₂)₂C₆H₂Me₂)₃(η¹−(NH₂)₂C₆H₂Me₂)₃]⁺(OOCBu^t)− (M = Co or Ni) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The thermolysis of cubane-like CoII and NiII pivalates is a destructive process. The phase composition of the decomposition products is determined by the nature of coordinated ligands and the structural features of the metal core.     

A novel method for the preparation of C18 ester-bonded RP-HPLC packings

Summary A novel procedure had been developed for the preparation of RP packings. A C₁₈ alkyl-chain was bound onto spherical silica (particle size d_p=5 μm, s=300 m²g⁻¹) with glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as coupling agent. Elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and chromatographic evaluation confirmed the bonding of the packings and their RP behavior.     

Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions at Planar Tetra-coordinate Bis-cationic-platinum(II) Complexes. Kinetics of Displacement of Pyridine from {Pt[2,6-bis(methylthiomethyl)pyridine](py)}2+, {Pt[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] (py)}2+ and {Pt[bis(2-(pyridylmethyl)sulphide](py)}2+ Cations

The kinetics of nucleophilic substitution of pyridine in bis-cationic [Pt(L)(py)]²⁺ complexes (L=SNS, NNN, NSN) [SNS=bis(methylthiomethyl)pyridine, NNN=bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, NSN=bis(2-pyridylmethyl)sulphide] by a series of nucleophiles (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, N₃⁻, (C₂H₅)₂S, NH₃, thiourea (tu), NO₂⁻, C₅H¹0NH, SeCN⁻, SCN⁻, CN⁻ when L=SNS; Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, N₃⁻, (C₂H₅)₂S, SCN⁻, NH₃, NO₂⁻ when L=NNN; Br⁻, N₃⁻, NO₂⁻, NH₃, C₅H₁₀NH when L=NSN) have been measured in MeOH at 25 °C, μ =0.1 mol dm⁻³ (LiClO₄ or LiCF₃SO₃). The logarithms of the second-order rate constants calculated at μ=0, log k° ₂, do not follow the dependence upon the n° _Pt scale. In particular, the reactivity of the biphilic reagents tu, SeCN⁻, SCN⁻ and, to a lesser extent, NO⁻ ₂, towards these doubly charged substrates is largely lower than expected on the basis of the n° _Ptscale. There are good linear relationships between logk° ₂ for the bis-cationic substrate [Pt(SNS)(py)]²⁺, chosen as the standard, and log k° ₂ for the same reactions with [Pt(NNN)(py)]²⁺, [Pt(NSN)(py)]²⁺ and other double charged complexes previously studied. A new wide nucleophilicity scale based on [Pt(SNS)(py)]²⁺, that is appropriate to all the bis-cationic substrates, is here proposed     

Effect of particle size on pyrolysis characteristics of Elbistan lignite

In this study, the relationship between particle size and pyrolysis characteristics of Elbistan lignite was examined by using the thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. Lignite samples were separated into different size fractions. Experiments were conducted at non-isothermal conditions with a heating rate of 10°C min⁻¹ under nitrogen atmosphere up to 900°C. Pyrolysis regions, maximum pyrolysis rates and characteristic peak temperatures were determined from TG/DTG curves. Thermogravimetric data were analyzed by a reaction rate model assuming first-order kinetics. Apparent activation energy (E) and Arrhenius constant (A _r) of pyrolysis reaction of each particle size fraction were evaluated by applying Arrhenius kinetic model. The apparent activation energies in the essential pyrolysis region were calculated as 27.36 and 28.81 kJ mol⁻¹ for the largest (−2360+2000 μm) and finest (−38 μm) particle sizes, respectively.     

Theoretical Study of the Metal–Metal Interaction in Dipalladium(I) Complexes

Correlated ab initio calculations have been performed on three dipalladium(I) complexes. These compounds differ both by the metal–metal interaction and by the metal–ligand interaction. The [Pd₂Cl₂(μ −H₂PCH₂PH₂)₂] complex exhibits a σ overlap between the two binding metallic orbitals and has no bridging ligand. In [Pd₂Cl₄(μ −CO)₂]²⁻, the leading interaction between the two palladium involves a π overlap between the metallic orbitals and goes through the two bridging CO ligands. In [Pd₂Cl₂(μ −CO)(μ −H₂PCH₂ PH₂)₂], a single CO ligand bridges the two palladium atoms which interact through a hybrid σ–δ overlap. The three compounds also differ by the metal–metal distances. Surprisingly enough, while the palladium atoms are formally d ⁹ in all these complexes, none of them is paramagnetic. We propose here a detailed analysis of the electronic structures of these compounds and rationalize their chemical structures as well as the role of back-donation in the CO bridged compounds. Finally, since highly correlated treatments are used to describe these complexes, a detailed study of the role of both non-dynamical and dynamical correlations is performed. Concerning the [Pd₂Cl₄(μ −CO)₂]²⁻ complex, this analysis has revealed that the complex is not bound at the lowest correlated levels of calculation and therefore dynamical correlation is alone responsible for its binding energy.     

Extraction of pertechnetate with tetraphenylphosphonium in the presence of various acids, salts and hydroxides

Solvent extraction of pertechnetate anions from aqueous solutions of some mineral acids (HCl, HNO₃, HClO₄, H₂SO₄), (NaCl, NaNO₃, NaClO₄, K₂CrO₄, NaCO₃), NaOH and NH₄OH by tetraphenylphosphonium chloride in chloroform and nitrobenzene was studied. The results are presented in the form of the dependencies of extraction characteristics of TcO ₄ ⁻ (distribution ratio, percentage of extraction) on the (C₆H₅)₄PCl, H⁺ and competitive anion concentrations. The solvent extraction of sub-and super-stoichiometric ratio of TcO ₄ ⁻ : (C₆H₅)₄P⁺ was performed. The extraction constant values of ion pairs TcO ₄ ⁻ −Cl⁻, TcO ₄ ⁻ −NO ₃ ⁻ , TcO ₄ ⁻ −ClO ₄ ⁻ and of individual anions TcO ₄ ⁻ , Cl⁻, NO ₃ ⁻ , ClO ₄ ⁻ were calculated.     

Reactivity of tetrathiometalates with alkynes. Synthesis and characterisation of dithiolene complexes of Mo,W, and V by ESMS and XRD

The reaction of DMA (C₂(CO₂Me)₂) with MoS₄²⁻, WS₄²⁻, and VS₄³⁻ led to six dithiolene compounds. (NEt₄)₂[Mo₂(X)₂(μ-S) ₂(η²-S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂)₂] 1, (X = O or S), (NEt₄)₂[V(η²-S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂)₃] 2a, (NEt₄)₂[V(O)(η²-S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂)₂] 2b, (NEt₄)₂[W₂(S)₂(μ-S)₂(η²-S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂)₂] 3, (NEt₄)₂[W(O)(η²-S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂)₂] 4 and (NEt₄)₂[W₂(μ-S)₂(η² -S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂)₄] 5 were isolated in the solid state. The structures of 2a, 3, 4 and 5 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The compounds 1 and 2b were characterised in solution by ESMS (Electrospray Mass Spectrometry) and in the solid state by IR spectroscopy. ESMS data also allowed proposal of a reaction scheme which rationalizes the formation of the different species present in solution.     

Application of co-electroosmotic capillary electrophoresis for the determination of inorganic anions and carboxylic acids in soil and plant extract with direct UV detection

Summary Indirect UV detection in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is frequently used for the determination of inorganic anions and carboxylic acids. However, there are few reports on direct UV detection of these solutes in real samples. This paper describes the use of direct UV detection of inorganic anions and organic acids in environmental samples using co-electroosmotic capillary zone electrophoresis (co-CZE) at 185 nm. The best separation and detection of the solutes was achieved using a fused silica capillary with an electrolyte containing 25 mM phosphate, 0.5 mM tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) and 15% acetonitrile (v/v) at pH 6.0. Four common inorganic anions (Cl⁻, NO₂ ⁻, NO₃ ⁻ and SO₄ ²⁻) and 11 organic acids (oxalic, formic, fumaric, tartaric, malonic, malic, citric, succinic, maleic, acetic, and lactic acid), were determined simultaneously in 15 min. Linear calibration plots for the test solutes were obtained in the range 0.02–0.5 mM with detection limits ranging from 1–9 μM depending on the analyte. The proposed method was successfully used to determine inorganic anions and carboxylic acids in soil and plant tissue extracts with direct injection of the sample.     

Recent studies on chemistry of novel μ-CO-containing butterfly Fe/E (E=S,Se,Te) cluster salts

This article describes recent developments in chemical study on a series of butterfly-shaped μ-CO-containing Fe/E (E = S, Se, Te) cluster salts. These salts include eleven novel cluster anions, which are the single butterfly one μ-CO-containing [(μ-RE)(μ-CO)Fe2(CO)6]- (A), the double butterfly two μ-CO-containing {[(μ-CO)Fe2(CO)6]2(μ-EZE-μ)}2- (B, E = S; C, E = Se), the triple butterfly three μ-CO- containing {[(μ-CO)Fe2(CO)6]3[(μ-SCH2CH2)3N]}3- (D), {[(μ-CO)Fe2(CO)6]3[1,3,5-(μ-SCH2)3C6H3]}3- (E), {[(μ- CO)...     

Ionic fullerene compounds containing negatively charged dimers and coordinatively bound anions

The review summarizes the results of investigations of ionic fullerene compounds containing negatively charged dimers and fullerene anions coordinated to metalloporphyrins. Fullerene radical anions were found to form diamagnetic singly bonded (C₆₀ ⁻)₂ and (C₇₀ ⁻)₂ dimers. Dimerization is reversible and leads to paramagnetic—diamagnetic phase transitions or a decrease in the magnetic moment of the complexes. The temperature, at which dissociation of the (C₆₀ ⁻)₂ dimers begins, varies from 140 to 320 K; the corresponding temperature for the (C₇₀ ⁻)₂ dimers varies from 260 to 360 K and higher. We prepared the first doubly bonded (C₆₀ ⁻)₂ dimer. At 300 K, this dimer exists as a biradical. The fullerene radical anions form Co—C coordination bonds with cobalt(II) porphyrinates. The resulting anions are diamagnetic. In some cases, Co—C coordination bonds undergo reversible dissociation, resulting in magnetic transitions from the diamagnetic to the paramagnetic state. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 361–381, March, 2007.     

Reaction of the Heteronuclear Cluster RuOs3(μ − H)2(CO)13 with Diphenylacetylene: An Alkyne Bound to a Tetrahedral Metal Core

Reaction of the heteronuclear cluster RuOs₃(μ−H)₂(CO)₁₃, 1, with diphenylacetylene afforded the tetrahedral cluster RuOs₃(μ−H)₂(μ₃,η¹:η²:η¹−C₂Ph₂)(CO)₁₁, 2, in good yield. Spectroscopic evidence suggests that 2 exist as two isomers in solution.     

Comparison of adsorbents for on-line solid-phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons before liquid chromatography with UV detection

Summary On-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography and UV detection at 254 nm has been used for the determination of trace-level polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soil extracts. Five commercially available adsorbents (C₈, C₁₈, PLRP-S, PRP-1, and Bond-Elut Env) were evaluated. Results showed that recovery of the PAH decreased with increasing molecular weight, because of their poorer solubility. Recovery of high-molecular-weight PAH was significantly improved by addition of 10% (v/v) acetonitrile to the sample before loading of the SPE adsorbent. PAH recovery ranged from 64.0 to 108% when a 50 mL sample spiked with 1 μg L⁻¹ was applied to these adsorbents. Determination of PAH was possible with detection limits below 0.05 μg L⁻¹, which corresponds to 0.2 μg kg⁻¹ soil. The method was successfully used to determine PAH in soil extracts.     

Mono and dinuclear Pd(II) complexes with pyrazole and imidazole-type ligands Synthesis, characterization and thermal behaviour

The cyanate-bridged cyclopalladated compound [Pd(C²,N-dmba)(μ-NCO)]₂ (dmba=N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) reacts in acetone with pyrazole (pz), 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (dmpz), imidazole (imz) and 2-methylimidazole (mimz) to give [Pd₂(C²,N-dmba)₂(μ-NCO)(μ-pz)] (1), [Pd₂(C²,N-dmba)₂(μ-NCO)(μ-dmpz)] (2), [Pd(C²,N-dmba)(NCO)(imz)] (3) and [Pd(C²,N-dmba)(NCO)(mimz)] (4), respectively. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and TG. The thermal decomposition of the compounds occurs in three consecutive steps and the final decomposition products were identified as Pd(0) by X-ray powder diffraction. The thermal stability order of the complexes is 2>3>1>4.     

Simultaneous determination of azelaic and benzoic acids in topical preparations by liquid chromatography

Summary An isocratic, reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (LC) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of azelaic and benzoic acids in pharmaceutical creams. The compounds were separated on a C₁₈ column (4 μm particles); the mobile phase was methanolwater, 40∶60, containing 10mm ammonium acetate and with the pH adjusted to 5.0. Detection was performed at 220 nm. The method was validated for accuracy, linearity, precision, and selectivity. Recoveries at levels corresponding to 80% to 120% of the declared content of the creams ranged from 99.5 to 101.8% and from 100.4 to 102.1% for azelaic and benzoic acids, respectively. The calibration graphs were linear in the ranges 20–1400 μg mL⁻¹ for azelaic acid (correlation coefficient,r ₁>0.99999), and 0.1–7.0 μg mL⁻¹ for benzoic acid (r>0.99998).     

Reaction of cyclopentadienyllutetium anthracenide with azobenzene. Synthesis and molecular and crystal structure of the binuclear complex [C5H5(THF)Lu(μ−η2:η2−PhN—NPh)]2(THF)2 and its dynamic behavior in solution

The reaction of the cyclopentadienyllutetium anthracenide, C₅H₅Lu(C₁₄H₁₀)²⁻(THF)₂ (1), with azobenzene yielded the [C₅H₅(THF)Lu(μ−η²:η²−PhN—NPh)]₂(THF)₂ (2) binuclear complex. The structure of the reaction product was established by X-ray structural analysis. The dynamic behavior of complex2 in a THF-d₈ solution was studied by¹H NMR spectroscopy in the temperature range of 265–330 K. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1667–1671, September, 1997.     

Organosilica composite for preconcentration of phenolic compounds from aqueous solutions

A new adsorbent is proposed for the solid-phase extraction of phenol and 1-naphthol from polluted water. The adsorbent (TX-SiO₂) is an organosilica composite made from a bifunctional immobilized layer comprising a major fraction (91%) of hydrophilic diol groups and minor fraction (9%) of the amphiphilic long-chain nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (polyoxyethylated isooctylphenol) (TX). Under static conditions phenol was quantitatively extracted onto TX-SiO₂ in the form of a 4-nitrophenylazophenolate ion associate with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The capacity of TX-SiO₂ for phenol is 2.4 mg g⁻¹ with distribution coefficients up to 3.4 × 10⁴ mL g⁻¹; corresponding data for 1-naphthol are 1.5 mg g⁻¹ and 3 × 10³ mL g⁻¹. The distribution coefficient does not change significantly for solution volumes of 0.025–0.5 L and adsorbent mass less than 0.03 g; 1–90 μg analyte can be easily eluted by 1–3 mL acetonitrile with an overall recovery of 98.2% and 78.3% for phenol and 1-naphthol, respectively. Linear correlation between acetonitrile solution absorbance (A ₅₄₀) and phenol concentration (C) in water was found according to the equation A ₅₄₀ = (6 ± 1) × 10⁻² + (0.9 ± 0.1)C (μmol L⁻¹) with a detection range from 1 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ (0.9 μL g⁻¹) to 2 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ (19 μL g⁻¹), a limit of quantification of 1 μL g⁻¹ (preconcentration factor 125), correlation coefficient of 0.936, and relative standard deviation of 2.5%. A solid-phase colorimetric method was developed for quantitative determination of 1-naphthol on adsorbent phase using scanner technology and RGB numerical analysis. The detection limit of 1-naphthol with this method is 6 μL g⁻¹ while the quantification limit is 20 μL g⁻¹. A test system was developed for naked eye monitoring of 1-naphthol impurities in water. The proposed test kit allows one to observe changes in the adsorbent color when 1-naphthol concentration in water is 0.08–3.2 mL g⁻¹.     

Binuclear Ruthenium(III) μ-Oxocarboxylates of the Nonelectrolyte Type. Molecular Structure of the Complex [Ru

Binuclear ruthenium μ-oxocarboxylates of the nonelectrolyte type [Ru ₂ ^III (μ-O)(μ-O₂CR)₂Py₄(O₂CR)₂] (R = C(CH₃)₃, CH₃, Ph, CH₂Cl, CCl₃, and CF₃) were obtained and studied by electronic absorption and IR spectroscopy and FAB mass spectrometry. The carboxylate ions RCO ₂ ⁻ are symmetrically arranged (trans with respect to the bridging μ-O atom) and coordinated in a monodentate fashion. According to X-ray diffraction data, the crystals of [Ru ₂ ^III (μ-O)(μ-O₂CCF₃)₂Py₄(O₂CCF₃)₂] ⋅ (CH₃)₂CO are monoclinic; the unit cell parameters are a = 11.705(2) Å, b = 16.166(3) Å, c = 20.917(4) Å, β = 103.47(3)°, space group C2/c, Z = 4. The RCO ₂ ⁻ groups that are trans to the μ-O atom can be easily replaced by pyridine or acetonitrile. __________ Translated from Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 11, 2005, pp. 803–809. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2005 by Eremin, Belyaev, Simanova.     

Formation of p-terphenyl excited states in the ionic liquid methyltributylammonium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide: pulse radiolysis study

Solutions of 80 mM benzophenone (BP) and up to 14 mM p-terphenyl (TP) in the ionic liquid methyltributylammonium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (R₄NNTf₂) have been investigated by nanosecond pulse radiolysis. The resulting transient absorption spectra of pulse-irradiated argon saturated solutions correspond to the formation of several intermediates derived from BP and TP: benzophenone radical anion [(C₆H₅)₂CO]^•− (BP^•−) converted after ~20 μs into ketyl radicals (C₆H₅)₂C^•OH (BP^•H), a hydrogen adduct to the phenyl ring of benzophenone C₆H₅COC₆H₆^•, p-terphenyl triplet excited state ³TP*, and traces of TP radical ions. ³TP* was formed in two steps, the first immediately during the pulse and the second in pseudo-first order process with a second order reaction rate constant calculated from TP concentration dependence: k = ~2 × 10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹.