(Dibenzo-18-crown-6)potassium tetrachloroferrate(III): Synthesis and crystal structure

A new complex [K(Db18C6)]⁺[FeCl₄]^? (I) is synthesized and its structure is studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystals are triclinic: space group P \(\bar 1\), a = 17.998, b = 18.670, c = 19.590 Å, α = 106.61°, β = 104.55°, γ = 113.87°, Z = 8. The structure is solved by a direct method and refined by the full-matrix least-squares method in the anisotropic approximation to R = 0.057 by 13 670 independent reflections (CAD-4 automated diffractometer, λMoK _α). All the four independent complex cations [K(Db18C6)]⁺ are host-guest, and in each complex cation the K⁺ cation is localized in the cavity of the Db18C6 crown ligand. The coordination polyhedron of K⁺ (coordination number nine) is a distorted hexagonal bipyramid with the base of all six O atoms of the Db18C6 ligand, the axial vertex at the Cl atom of the [FeCl₄]^? anion, and another bifurcated axial vertex at two Cl atoms of another [FeCL₄]^? anion. All the four independent [FeCL₄]^? anions are orientationally disordered and have somewhat distorted tetrahedral structure. In crystal I, the alternating complex cations [K(Db18C6)]⁺ and [FeCL₄]^? anions form infinite polymer chains by the K-Cl bonds.     

Lifetime of the 4D 3/2 and 4D 5/2 metastable states in Sr II

Sr⁺ ions were confined in a r.f. quadrupole trap for times of the order of 30 min. The metastable 4D states were populated via laser excitation of the 5P states. The weak quadrupole transition rate into the 5S _1/2 ground state at 674 and 687 nm was deduced from observation of the exponential decay. At background pressures above 10^?7 mbar the radiative decay is dominated by collisional quenching. Extrapolation of the observed decay rate to zero background pressure yields the radiative lifetimes. At pressures around 10^?6 mbar fine structure mixing collisions between the 4D states have been observed, which lead to corrections of the extrapolated lifetimes. As the final result we obtain 395±38 ms for 4D _3/2 and 345±33 ms for 4D _5/2. These results are somewhat higher than theoretical predictions.     

Electron emission in slow collisions of K+ ions with alkalated (K,Cs) W(110) surfaces

We have investigated K⁺ collisions (200 to 1000 eV) under grazing incidence with partially alkalated (K, Cs) W(110) surfaces by energy analysis of the ejected electrons. Three different mechanisms for electron emission could be identified (1) Kinetic emission mainly confined to projectile energies greater than 300 eV, (2) Auger deexcitation of excited projectile valence states yielding electrons with energies up to about 2.9 eV and (3) Creation of inner shell vacancies (Cs(5p ^?1) and K(3p ^?1)) which gives rise to Auger type processes (OVV and MVV) and to the formation of autoionizing states of the type A (np ⁵ n′s n″l) (A=Alkali atom). The relative importance of the three mechanisms is studied as a function of the alkali coverage of the surface and of the projectile's energy.     

KL 2,3 ionization in neon by electron impact in the range 1.5–50 keV: cross sections and alignment

We have measured the ratio of cross sections σ(KL _2,3)/σ(K) for neon for electron impact in the energy range ofE ₀=1.5 ... 50 keV via the intensity ofKL _2,3?LLL _2,3 Auger satellite lines relative to the intensity ofKL ₁ L _2,3 (³ P) diagram line. The experimental ratio decreases over the full range of energyE ₀ which is contrary to an earlier result by Carlson et al. We have also measured the alignment ofKL _2,3 ¹ P and³ P states via the angular distribution of Auger satellite intensity for the energy rangeE ₀=1.5 ... 4 keV, within experimental error we have found a zero alignment. The totalK Auger spectrum, measured forE ₀=40 keV and at the magic angle of emission ?=54.7°, has been decomposed into its components by using appropriate line shapes distorted by postcollision interaction. Finally, we discussed whether the lines observed at the high-energy side ofKL _2,3?LLL _2,3 Auger satellite lines can be interpreted as structures caused by an angular momentum exchange in the postcollision interaction predicted by Niehaus and Zwakhals.     

Analysis of drug interactions with very low density lipoprotein by high-performance affinity chromatography

High-performance affinity chromatography (HPAC) was utilized to examine the binding of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) with drugs, using R/S-propranolol as a model. These studies indicated that two mechanisms existed for the binding of R- and S-propranolol with VLDL. The first mechanism involved non-saturable partitioning of these drugs with VLDL, which probably occurred with the lipoprotein’s non-polar core. This partitioning was described by overall affinity constants of 1.2 (±0.3)?×?10⁶ M^?1 for R-propranolol and 2.4 (±0.6)?×?10⁶ M^?1 for S-propranolol at pH 7.4 and 37 °C. The second mechanism occurred through saturable binding by these drugs at fixed sites on VLDL, such as represented by apolipoproteins on the surface of the lipoprotein. The association equilibrium constants for this saturable binding at 37 °C were 7.0 (±2.3)?×?10⁴ M^?1 for R-propranolol and 9.6 (±2.2)?×?10⁴ M^?1 for S-propranolol. Comparable results were obtained at 20 and 27 °C for the propranolol enantiomers. This work provided fundamental information on the processes involved in the binding of R- and S-propranolol to VLDL, while also illustrating how HPAC can be used to evaluate relatively complex interactions between agents such as VLDL and drugs or other solutes.     

Quantum theory of post-collision interaction in inner-shell photoionization

We have performed fully quantum-mechanical and relativistic calculations of the post-collision-interaction effect in x-ray-induced argonK?L ₂ L ₃(¹ D) Auger and xenonL ₂?L ₃ N ₄(J=3) Coster-Kronig-electron emission. The Dirac-Fock computations include a complete integration over intermediate one-hole continuum states in the lowest-order expression of the resonant double-photoionization cross section. The results are in excellent agreement with synchrotron-radiation measurements of the post-collision-interaction shifts. We have also made nonrelativistic Hartree-Fock test calculations of the argonK?L ₂ L ₃(¹ D) and xenonL ₃?M ₄ M ₅(¹ G ₄) Auger-electron line shapes. The quantum-mechanical results are compared with rigorous semiclassical calculations which have been made without using the stationary-phase approximation. The results of this computational analysis are interpreted in terms of an analytical line-shape formula based on asymptotic Coulomb wave functions. As a consequence the most salient features of the post-collision interaction in inner-shell photoionization are explained.     

Determination of methylisothiocyanate in soil and water by HS-SPME followed by GC–MS–MS with a triple quadrupole

Methylisothiocyanate (MITC) is the main degradation product of metam sodium, a soil disinfectant widely used in agriculture, and is responsible for its disinfectant properties. Because MITC is highly toxic and volatile, metam sodium has to be applied in a manner that tries to reduce atmospheric emissions but still maintains adequate concentration of MITC in soil to ensure its disinfectant effect. Thus, monitoring of MITC concentrations in soil is required, and to this end sensitive, fast, and reliable analytical methods must be developed. In this work, a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method was developed for MITC determination in water and soil samples using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS–MS) with a triple-quadrupole analyzer. Two MS–MS transitions were acquired to ensure the reliable quantification and confirmation of the analyte. The method had linear behavior in the range tested (0.026–2.6 ng mL^?1 in water, 1–100 ng g^?1 in soil) with r ² over 0.999. Detection limits were 0.017 ng mL^?1 and 0.1 ng g^?1 in water and soil, respectively. Recoveries for five replicates were in the range 76–92 %, and RSD was below 7 % at the two spiking levels tested for each matrix (0.1 and 1 ng mL^?1 for water, 4 and 40 ng g^?1 for soil). The potential of using multiple HS-SPME for analyzing soil samples was also investigated, and its feasibility for quantification of MITC evaluated. The developed HS-SPME method was applied to soil samples from experimental plots treated with metam sodium following good agriculture practices. Figure

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Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method using solid-phase extraction and bead-beating-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion to quantify the fungicide tebuconazole in controlled frog exposure study: analysis of water and animal tissue

This paper presents the development, optimization, and validation of a LC-MS/MS methodology to determine the concentration of the antifungal drug and fungicide tebuconazole in a controlled exposure study of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). The method is validated on animal tank water and on tissue from exposed and non-exposed adult X. laevis. Using solid-phase extraction (SPE), the analytical method allows for quantification of tebuconazole at concentrations as low as 3.89 pg mL^?1 in 10 mL water samples. Using bead-beating-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), it was possible to quantify tebuconazole down to 0.63 pg mg^?1 wet weight liver using 150 mg tissue. The deuterated analogue of tebuconazole was used as internal standard, and ensured method accuracy in the range 80.6–99.7 % for water and 68.1–109 % for tissue samples. The developed method was successfully applied in a 4-week X. laevis repeated-exposure study, revealing high levels of tebuconazole residues in adipose and liver tissue, and with experimental bioconcentration factors up to 18,244 L kg^?1.     

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles for the solid-phase extraction of paracetamol from plasma samples,followed its determination by HPLC

We are presenting magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (m-MIPs) for solid-phase extraction and sample clean-up of paracetamol. The m-MIPs were prepared from magnetite (Fe₃O₄) as the magnetic component, paracetamol as the template, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, and 2-(methacrylamido) ethyl methacrylate as a cross-linker. The m-MIPs were then characterized by transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry. The m-MIPs were applied to the extraction of paracetamol from human blood plasma samples. Following its elution from the column loaded with the m-MIPs with an acetonitrile-buffer (9:1) mixture, it was submitted to HPLC analysis. Paracetamol can be quantified by this method in the 1 μg L^?1 to 300 μg L^?1 concentration range. The limit of detection and limit of quantification in plasma samples are 0.17 and 0.4 μg L^?1. The preconcentration factor of the m-MIPs is 40. The HPLC method shows good precision (4.5 % at 50 μg L^?1 levels) and recoveries (between 83 and 91 %) from spiked plasma samples. Figure

We are presenting magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (m-MIPs) for solid-phase extraction and sample clean-up of paracetamol. The m-MIPs were applied to the extraction of paracetamol from human blood plasma samples     

Rapid screening and detection of XOD inhibitors from S. tamariscina by ultrafiltration LC-PDA–ESI-MS combined with HPCCC

Xanthine oxidase (XOD) catalyzes the metabolism of hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid, the overproduction of which could cause hyperuricemia, a risk factor for gout. Inhibition of XOD is a major treatment for gout, and biflavonoids have been found to act as XOD-inhibitory compounds. In this study, ultrafiltration liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection coupled to electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UF-LC-PDA–ESI-MS) was used to screen and identify XOD inhibitors from S. tamariscina. High-performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC) was used to separate and isolate the active constituents of these XOD inhibitors. Furthermore, ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (TQ-MS) was used to determine the XOD-inhibitory activity of the obtained XOD inhibitors, and enzyme kinetics was performed with Lineweaver–Burk (LB) plots using xanthine as the substrate. As a result, two compounds in S. tamariscina were screened as XOD inhibitors: 65.31 mg amentoflavone and 0.76 mg robustaflavone were isolated from approximately 2.5 g?S. tamariscina by use of HPCCC. The purities of the two compounds obtained were over 98 % and 95 %, respectively, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lineweaver–Burk plot analysis indicated that amentoflavone and robustaflavone were non-competitive inhibitors of XOD, and the IC ₅₀ values of amentoflavone and robustaflavone for XOD inhibition were 16.26 μg mL^?1 (30.22 μmol L^?1) and 11.98 μg mL^?1 (22.27 μmol L^?1), respectively. The IC ₅₀ value of allopurinol, used as the standard, was 7.49 μg mL^?1 (46.23 μmol L^?1). The results reveal that the method for systematic screening, identification, and isolation of bioactive components in S. tamariscina and for detecting their inhibitory activity using ultrafiltration LC–ESI-MS, HPCCC, and UPLC–TQ-MS is feasible and efficient, and could be expected to extend to screening and separation of other enzyme inhibitors. Graphical Abstract

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Synthesis and crystal structure of bis(μ-periodato-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O,O′,O″</Emphasis>)bis(18-crown-6)dirubidium

A new binuclear complex, bis(μ-periodato-O,O′,O″)bis(18-crown-6)dirubidium [Rb₂(IO₄)₂(18-crown-6)₂] (I), is synthesized. Its crystal structure is studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (space group P2₁/n, a = 11.942 Å, b = 8.394 Å, c = 19.664 Å, β = 101.08°, Z = 4, direct method, anisotropic full-matrix least-squares approximation, R = 0.030 for 2823 independent reflections, CAD-4 automated diffractometer, λMoK _α radiation). Complex I is binuclear and centrosymmetric, consisting of two cationic monomers [Rb(18-crown-6)]⁺ of the host-guest type linked through two tridentate IO ₄ ^? bridging ligands. The coordination polyhedron of the Rb⁺ cation (coordination number 9) can be described as a distorted hexagonal pyramid with a base of six O atoms of one 18-crown-6 ligand and one threefold vertex at three O atoms of the two IO ₄ ^? bridging ligands. The 18-crown-6 ligand has a usual crown conformation.     

Conductivity and dielectric relaxation in various polyvinyl alcohol/ammonium salt composites

We studied electrical conductivity and dielectric relaxation in polyvinyl alcohol/ammonium chloride and polyvinyl alcohol/ammonium acetate composite films. Infrared absorbance showed the presence of H-bonding interaction between the salt and the polymer. X-ray diffraction showed the reduction of the grain size of ordered regions in the polymer matrix after adding salt. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed water wt% content between 4.2 and 5.8%. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) showed the decrease of the glass transition due to retained water indicating its plasticizer effect. The ac conductivity studied in the frequency range from 10^?1 Hz to 1 MHz and the temperature range from 10 to 150°C is described by the universal law of Jonsher characterizing the charge transport in disordered materials. With NH₄Cl inclusion, the dc conductivity showed a higher value in the vicinity of 4% but with NH₄CH₃CO₂ the dc conductivity decreases monotonically by increasing the salt amount. By using the dielectric permittivity and dielectric modulus we detected three relaxation processes which we attributed to electrode/sample polarization, alpha relaxation and conductivity relaxation respectively.     

Multiple photoionization from 3p excitation of Kr and 4p excitation of Xe

The photoionization cross sections for multiply charged ions produced by 3p excitation of Kr and 4p excitation of Xe have been obtained by means of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and synchrotron radiation. It is found that the main formation of doubly to quadruply charged ions in both Kr and Xe is caused from the each initialp-hole state through a Coster-Kronig transition followed by Auger or double Auger processes. The formation of singly charged ions in these excitation energy regions is caused by direct photoionization from outermost shell electrons in both Kr and Xe. Triply charged ions are prominently produced among the multiply charged ions. The quadruple photoionization cross sections show clearly the structures due to the Rydberg series, 3p ^?1 nl of Kr and 4p ^?1 nl of Xe. Their main structures were assigned to the 3p ^?1 nd series in Kr and the 4p ^?1 nd series in Xe.     

Electron attachment to HCl clusters

Negatively charged cluster ions of hydrogen chloride are formed by electron attachment to HCl clusters, which are produced in a seeded supersonic beam traversing a sustained gas discharge. Cluster ions of (HCl) _n ^? , withn=2, and tentatively withn=3 and 4 are observed. Cluster ions like Cl _n ^? , Cl _n ^? (HCl) _m , and withAr attached to them are also seen. The relevance to radiation chemistry of HCl if briefly discussed. Atoms evaporating from the hot, thoriated tungsten filament of the glow discharge lead to clusters such as Th _n ^? and its oxides.     

Syntheses, crystal structure, and fluorescent properties of a lanthanide complex

A new complex [Dy₂(Pht)₂(HPht)₂(Phen)₂(H₂O)₄] (I), where Pht^2? = dianion of o-phthalic acid; HPht^? = mono-anion of o-phthalic acid; Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, has been synthesized and the crystal structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. The I crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group $P\bar 1$ with lattice parameters a =10.1126(3) Å, b =10.7029(3) Å, c = 11.9360(3) Å, α = 90.2260(10)°, β = 99.5340(10)°, γ = 100.9810(10)°, V = 1249.87(6) ų, Z = 2, ρ_calcd = 1.881 mg m^?3. The photophysical property of I has been studied with excitation and emission spectra.     

Unusual layer structure in an ion-paired compound containing tetra(isothiocyanate) cobalt(II) dianion and 4-nitrobenzylpyridinium: Crystal structure and magnetic properties

A new ion-paired compound [4NO₂BzPy]₂[Co(NCS)₄] (1) ([4NO₂BzPy]⁺ = 1-(4′-nitrobenzyl)pyridinium, NCS^? = isothiocyanate) is synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-Vis spectra, ESI-MS and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, with a = 13.188(2) Å, b = 8.458(1) Å, c = 29.281(4) Å, V = 3266.2(7) ų, D _calc = 1.468 g/cm³, Z = 4, F(000) = 1476, R ₁ = 0.0332. The [Co(NCS)₄]_2? anions form an unusual layer structure by S…N and S…Co interactions, while the [4NO₂BzPy]⁺ cations stack into a 1D column by the p…π stacking interaction in the solid state of 1. A magnetic measurement in the range 2–300 K shows a weak antiferromagnetic exchange with θ = ?2.42 K in 1.     

On the determination of HCl+ (A,v′) vibrational populations from HCl+ (A→X) fluorescence spectra: direct comparison between photoionization and penning ionization

Using a beam apparatus, we have measured the HCl⁺ (A,v′→X,v″) fluorescence spectra of HCl⁺ (A,v′) ions formed in HeI (58.4 nm), and NeI (73.6 nm) photoionization and, for the first time, in He (2³ S) Penning ionization under single collision conditions with a wavelength bandwidth around 1 nm. In addition, we have studied Ne (3s ³ P _{2, 0}) Penning ionization of HCl at three different collision energies. The procedure and the problems in extracting HCl⁺ (A,v′) vibrational populations from the data are discussed in some detail. Thedirect comparison of photoionization and Penning ionization data allows definitive conclusions to be drawn on the question whether final state interactions in the Penning reaction change the “nascent” vibrational population (determined by electron spectrometry); for He (2³ S)+HCl, such changes are shown to be absent within the experimental uncertainty (<±10%). For Ne (3s ³ P _{2, 0})+HCl, the HCl⁺ (A,v′=0, 1) populations are also found to be close to those measured by electron spectrometry and essentially independent of collision energy in the range 34–96 meV. From measurements of the fluorescence intensity as a function of HCl density, we have evidence for a fast loss of HCl⁺ (A,v′) ions in collisions with HCl (rate constant around 5·10^?9 cm³s^?1).     

A photoionization study of the van der Waals molecule C2H4 · HCl

The dissociation energy of the C₂H₄ · HCl van der Waals complex was determined to be 3.18±0.73 kcal mol^?1 by a dissociative photoionization technique. C₂H₄ · HCl was produced by free expansion of a 1:4 mixture of C₂H₄ in HCl and the clusters were ionized with tunable synchrotron radiation. The photoionization efficiency function of (C₂H₄ · HCl)⁺ from C₂H₄ · HCl was determined between 600 and 1,300 Å and the onset for (C₂H₄ · HCl)⁺ was established as 1,163±2 Å = 10.66±0.02 eV; these values give ΔH _f ⁰ (C₂H₄ · HCl) = ?10.7±0.7 kcal mol^?1 and ΔH _f ⁰ (C₂H₄·HCl⁺)=235.1±0.9 kcal mol^?1. A complex ion dissociation energyD ₀(C₂H₄ · HCl⁺) = ?0.3±0.9 kcal mol^?1 was calculated from the results. The major features on the PIE curve for C₂H₄ · HCl⁺ can be analyzed in terms of the known energetic features of C₂H ₄ ⁺ and HCl. An extended energy diagram for the C₂H₄ + HCl system is presented.     

Copper(II) complex with salicylaldehyde <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(2-salicylideneiminoglutaryl)hydrazone: Synthesis and structure

A copper(II) complex with salicylaldehyde N-(2-salicylideneiminoglutaryl)hydrazone (H₄L) of the formula [Cu₂L · 2Py]₂ · 8H₂O (I) was obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁, a = 13.0663 Å, b = 16.5553 Å, c = 17.7650 Å, β = 97.9420°; Z = 4. The complex is tetranuclear with a “dimer-of-dimers” structure in which the copper cations of two binuclear subunits are linked by phenoxy bridges. The EPR spectra of solutions of complex I show a superposition of two signals of four HFS lines (g ₁ = 2.111, a ₁ = 56.8 × 10^?4 cm^?1 and g ₂ = 2.183, a ₂ = 71.0 × 10^?4 cm^?1).     

Synthesis and structure of the rhodium complex [Ph3MeP][RhBr4(DMSO)2-trans]

The ionic complex, methyltriphenylphosphonium(I) trans-bis(dimethylsulfoxido)tetrabromorhodiate, was prepared by the reaction of sodium hexabromorhodiate with methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide in dimethyl sulfoxide and studied by X-ray diffraction. The phosphorus atom in the [Ph₃MeP]⁺ cation has an almost undistorted tetragonal coordination (the CPC angles are 108.3(2)°–110.5(2)°, the P-C bonds are 1.779(6)–1.798(4) Å). In the octahedral complex anion [RhBr₄(DMSO)₂-trans]^?, the dimethyl sulfoxide ligands are coordinated by the sulfur atoms (Rh-S, 2.344(1), 2.336(1); Rh-Br, 2.4839(7)–2.4934(7) Å; SRhS, 179.56(7)°; trans-BrRhBr, 179.30(3)°, 179.56(7)°) (CIF file CCDC no. 978748).