15N-NMR Spectroscopy—New Methods and Applications [New Analytical Methods (28)]

The nitrogen nucleus is the third most important probe (after ¹H and ¹³C) for structural investigations of organic and bioorganic molecules by NMR spectroscopy. For a long time, however, the insufficient sensitivity and low natural abundance of the ¹⁵N isotope hampered detection of the ¹⁵N nucleus, and the quadrupolar ¹⁴N nucleus proved unsuitable for the study of larger molecules with several nonequivalent nitrogen atoms. The advent of new techniques, such as pulse sequences and polarization transfer, in conjunction with the use of high-field magnets and large-sample probe heads largely solved the detection problem. As a result, the last few years have seen a dramatic development of ¹⁵N-NMR spectroscopy as a versatile method for studying molecular structure, both in isotropic (liquid) and anisotropic (solid) phases. The scope of chemical applications extends from inorganic, organometallic, and organic chemistry to biochemistry and molecular biology, and includes the study of reactive intermediates, biopolymers, enzyme-inhibitor complexes, and nitrogen metabolism. Two-dimensional NMR techniques offer additional possibilities for detailed studies of biological systems.     

State of Development of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry [New analytical methods (1)]

Atomic absorption spectrometry has developed extremely rapidly in recent years, and is now used in many analytical laboratories. The purpose of this progress report is to show the present position and to examine critically the possibilities and limitations of atomic absorption methods.     

High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) of Proteins [New Analytical Methods (29)]

The application of high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to proteins has undergone a dramatic development in recent years. Nowadays its many variants expand the repertoire of high-performance analysis methods available to the protein chemist, which, until now, have been dominated by electrophoretic techniques. The advent of gene technology has resulted in a renaissance of protein chemistry. The new analytical and preparative problems that have thereby emerged are often ideally solved by HPLC methods. HPLC has long since ceased to be solely a laboratory technique; HPLC systems are now being developed for the separation of proteins–particularly those of great pharmaceutical interest – on a 100-g scale. The range of applications of analytical and preparative HPLC will be illustrated by two examples of pharmaceutical importance—insulin and interleukin 2.     

High-Resolution Metal NMR Spectroscopy of Organometallic Compounds [New Analytical Methods (30)]

Great advances have been made in the past decade in the field of NMR spectroscopy. Apart from the development of completely new areas of application, such as in solid-state chemistry, in materials science, in physiological chemistry, and in medicine, with the introduction of new pulse spectroscopic methods and the application of high magnetic field strengths important progress has also been made in the traditional field of high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. Thus, among other things, the observation of metal resonances has been facilitated and new areas of application have been opened up in inorganic and organometallic chemistry. In this review, recent detection methods for spin-1/2 and quadrupolar metal nuclei are presented and discussed. The use of metal-NMR spectroscopy with respect to problems of a typical chemical nature, mainly from the field of organometallics, is demonstrated for a number of selected metal nuclei (²⁵Mg, ²⁷Al, ⁴⁹Ti, ⁵⁷Fe, ⁵⁹Co, ⁶¹Ni, ⁹¹Zr, ¹⁰³Rh, and ¹⁹⁵Pt). Relations found empirically between chemical shifts and coordination number, oxidation number, and electronic configuration of a metal bound in a complex are emphasized. Furthermore, cases in which the chemical shifts of metal nuclei can be interpreted in terms of the energy difference of frontier orbitals are presented. This aspect leads to the establishment of a relationship between chemical reactivity and NMR parameters for a series of related compounds.     

Two-Dimensional NMR Spectroscopy: Background and Overview of the Experiments [New Analytical Methods (36)]

An exact knowledge of the structure, dynamics, and reactions of molecules provides the key to understand their functions and properties. NMR spectroscopy has developed, through the introduction of two-dimensional methods, into the most important method for the investigation of these questions in solution. A great variety of different techniques is available. However, for their successful application not only the appropriate equipment is required, but also the right choice of experiments and optimum measurement parameters, as well as a careful evaluation of the spectra. This contribution describes the necessary background for modern NMR spectroscopy. With the aid of the so-called product operator formalism it is possible to understand pulsed Fourier transform NMR spectroscopy both qualitatively and quantitatively. Very few, readily understandable assumptions are sufficient for confident application of these methods. This article attempts to introduce in a simple manner this formalism as well as phase cycles necessary for the understanding of pulse sequences, and to train the reader through the discussion of several 2D NMR techniques. An overview of the most important techniques is given in the second part of this article.     

High-Resolution Solid-State 13C-NMR Spectroscopy of Polymers [New Analytical Methods (37)]

Until a few years ago, solid-state nuclear resonance yielded spectra containing broad lines only. Meanwhile, CP/MAS-NMR spectroscopy has provided a method which gives narrow nuclear resonance lines from a solid-state specimen as well. Using this technique, it is now possible to produce spectra of “rare” nuclei (¹³C, ²⁹Si, ¹⁵N etc.) which are resolved in terms of chemical structure. The analytical capabilities of NMR spectroscopy can be applied to the solid state: it may be that it is necessary to identify compounds in the solid state because, for example, a solvent would alter the coordination sphere, or that it is desired to monitor chemical reactions in the solid state, for example the baking of an enamel. Where a substance in the solid state is concerned, high-resolution ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy provides not only information about the chemical structure, but also about the solid state itself. To mention just a few examples, information on the conformation, crystal structure and molecular dynamics, as well as molecular miscibility is given. This opens up a broad spectrum of applications, from a statement concerning the crystal modification of an active substance in ready-to-use pharmaceutical preparations, e.g. tablets, to the question of whether two polymers are miscible with one another at a molecular level.     

Field Desorption Mass Spectrometry

Field desorption (FD) enables mass-spectrometric investigation of large organic molecules without their vaporization. The present state of our theoretical understanding of the ionization of these molecules in the adsorbed state on organic emitters is described. The special problems of the technique and prospective developments in the apparatus for future analytical problems are outlined. The present progress report concentrates on analytical studies of biochemical model compounds and degradation products from environmental chemicals and drugs. The method is particularly suitable for the detection and identification of submicrogram quantities of underivatized polar substances present in complex mixtures or pre-purified extracts from biological materials.     

ESI Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR-MS): A Rapid High-Resolution Analytical Method for Combinatorial Compound Libraries

The direct determination of the elemental compositions of the components of compound collections from combinatorial chemistry is achieved by ESI-FT-ICR mass spectrometry. Coupling with HPLC opens up a new dimension in high-resolution, informative analysis. The improved resolution of ESI-FT-ICR mass spectrometry in comparison to quadrupole mass spectrometry in the measurement of a compound obtained by solid-phase synthesis is illustrated.     

Pheromones in Nanogram Quantities: Structure Determination by Combined Microchemical and Gas Chromatographic Methods [New Analytical Methods (35)]

What can a chemist do with a few nanograms of valuable organic substance, pure or impure? The answer may be, a great deal. Its components may be quantified, separated, isolated, degraded, derivatized, extracted by solvent partition, as well as the more obvious recording of their mass spectra. Provided a substance is not contaminated by large quantities of solvent, manipulations are possible without much loss or dilution. Necessity is the mother of invention. The examples given in this review show what can be accomplished today in nanochemistry and should act as a stimulus to direct the scientist to discover other applications appropriate to his needs and his circumstances. The examples are largely taken from the field of insect chemistry, but their general applicability is emphasized. This review illustrates how gas chromatography and reaction gas chromatography, alone or combined with mass spectrometry are potent tools in the hands of the chemist to deduce the unique structure of volatile organic substances available only in nanogram quantities.     

Two-Dimensional Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy: New Possibilities for the Investigation of the Structure and Dynamics of Solid Polymers [New Analytical Methods (38)]

NMR spectroscopy is an effective method not only for examining liquid samples but also for characterizing molecular sturcture, order and dynamics in amorphous and ordered solids. Recent developments in the area of solid-state NMR spectroscopy span from model-dependent studies of conventional one-dimensional spectra to the more definitive two-dimensional (2D) spectra which provide more specific information. For example, with 2D-NMR spectroscopy it is possible to determine the orientational distribution functions of molecular segments in drawn polymers and to distinguish different mechanisms of complex molecular motions. Following an introduction to basic NMR spectroscopy, an overview of the current state-of-the-art of 2D methods in solid-state NMR spectroscopy is presented and demonstrated with selected examples.     

Detection of Fragment Genesis in the Mass Spectrometer: DADI Mass Spectrometry as an Aid in the Structure Analysis of Organic Compounds

“Direct Analysis of Daughter Ions” (DADI) can be carried out with commercial mass spectrometers embodying the Nier-Johnson inverse geometry. DADI measurements permit experimental detection of the consecutive formation of molecule fragments (fragment genesis). Knowledge of fragment genesis enables the chemist to clarify the fragmentation processes of molecule-ions and provides information on the structure of fragments formed in the mass spectrometer. In combination with classical mass spectrometry such information makes it easier to determine the structure of compounds, to analyze mixtures, to determine the sequence in periodically constructed molecules, for example oligopeptides, and to study rearrangement reactions occurring in the mass spectrometer.     

Fully Automatic Potentiometric Titrations [New analytical methods (9)]

Fully automatic titration systems consist of at least two units: the sample-changing system and the measuring system, the latter including addition of the reagent. These systems are preferably coupled to a computer. The possibilities of fully automatic titration can be best utilized if the sources of error are taken into account and the evaluation procedure optimal for the specific analysis is selected.     

Chemical Ionization—A Mass-Spectrometric Analytical Procedure of Rapidly Increasing Importance

The mode of ionization of a molecule has a strong influence on its behavior in the mass spectrometer and thus on the information that can be obtained from its mass spectrum. In chemical ionization a reagent gas, e.g. methane, is first ionized by electron impact. The ions formed in ion-molecule reactions, in particular [CH₅]⁺, [C₂H₅]⁺, and [C₃H₅]⁺, then react “chemically” with the substrate M in fast acid/base type reactions to form ions of the type [MH]⁺, [M(C₂H₅)]⁺, etc., which subsequently fragment to various extents. Alternatively, chemical ionization can be effected by charge exchange, in that ions of a reagent gas, e.g. [He]^+?, react with the substrate M to form molecular ions [M]^+·. Chemical ionization can thus be conducted in a more or less mild fashion and the extent of the fragmentation can be controlled over a very wide range.     

Collisional Activation Mass Spectrometry—A New Probe for Determining the Structure of Ions in the Gas Phase

Organic ions with high translational energy colliding inelastically with neutral atoms or molecules become excited electronically at the expense of their translational energy. The excitation energy enables a wide range of dissociation reactions to occur and the intensity relationships yield information about the structure of the ions concerned and also permit conclusions to be drawn about the mechanism of their formation.     

Gene Synthesis [New Synthetic Methods (77)]

Oligonucleotide synthesis, until a few years ago the rather exotic preserve of a few experts, has become an integral part of the arsenal of molecular-biological techniques. The last decade, in particular, has seen unbelievably rapid development in this area. DNA synthesis has been automated and can now produce genes greater than 1000 base pairs in length. Tailor-made synthetic genes also permit the synthesis of altered or even novel proteins (de novo protein design) by gene-technological methods. Together with modern methods of gene isolation, sequencing, and expression, gene synthesis has played a major part in the enormous advances achieved in gene technology.     

Rapid Methods in Analytical Chemistry

This article presents the most recent research in analytical chemistry concerning the development of rapid methodologies covering the period from 2009 up until today. In this context, different useful analytical methods have been developed based mainly on typical techniques such as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, electroanalytical chemistry, and biosensors. The analytical features of these methods have allowed the analysis of samples of different natures, such as environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and biological type, in which wide classes of analytes are promptly determined. The main advantages of these methods are included and discussed in this review regarding novelty, rapidity, sensitivity, selectivity, and costs. It is concluded that the development of rapid methods is still a growing trend in analytical chemistry and that gas- and liquid-chromatography mainly coupled to different modes of mass spectrometry are the most common analytical techniques applied today. Regarding the matrices analyzed, most of the methods have been developed for food analysis, followed by biological and environmental matrices.     

Gas Chromatographic Separation of Enantiomers on Optically Active Metal-Complex-Free Stationary Phases. New Analytical Methods (24)

If a stationary phase A employed in gas chromatography possesses a chemical affinity for substance B, which is to be separated, then the retention behavior is not only determined by the normal physical equilibrium between the gas and liquid phases but also by the chemical equilibrium A + B ? AB. If A and B are chiral and A is present in optically active form while B is a racemic mixture, then it is possible to achieve a gas chromatographic enantiomer resolution without the isolation of diastereomers: the energetically different diastereomeric associates A_R B_R and A_R B_S are formed rapidly and reversibly. This enantiospecific resolution principle was first demonstrated in 1966 by the quantitative resolution of racemic amino acid derivatives on optically active peptide phases in analogy to the well-known stereospecificity of enzymes. The anchoring of the chiral resolving agent to thermally stable polysiloxanes together with the employment of high resolution capillary columns and the use of appropriate derivatization strategies has led to the development of enantiomer resolution into a routine modern method for many classes of substances. The demonstration of enantiospecificity in the gas chromatographic separation process is of fundamental interest, and its systematic study can result in a significant contribution to the understanding of the molecular mechanism of “chiral recognition”. The gas chromatographic separation of enantiomers has also proven to be an accurate and sensitive method for the determination of the enantiomeric composition of natural products and products of enantioselective transformations (asymmetric syntheses, “chiral pool” transformations, kinetic resolutions, biomimetic reactions) and for the quantification of racemization, e.g. in the synthesis and hydrolysis of peptides. In any research program devoted to the phenomenon of chirality, the gas chromatographic separation of the enantiomers of volatile compounds constitutes an indispensable modern instrumental technique.