High-Yield Synthesis of 20-, 24-, and 28-Membered Macropentolide, -hexolide,and -heptolide,Respectively, from (R)- or (S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid under Yamaguchi's macrolactonization conditions

The macrocyclic pentolide 1 , hexolide 2 , and heptolide 3 constitute ca. 80% of the oligomers formed in ca. 50% yield from enantiomerically pure 3-hydroxybutanoic acid under Yamaguchi's macrolactonization conditions. The FAB mass spectra of the MH⁺, M Na⁺, and MCs⁺ are reported (Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 6). No cyclic tetramer is detected. The ¹H-NMR spectra of the cyclic oligomers, of the monomer, and of the polymer (PHB) are very similar (Fig. 4). Directed synthesis of the open-chain dimer and tetramer of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid and attempted cyclization do not lead to the isolation of the cyclic tetramer.     

Preparation and Structure of Oligolides from (R)-3-Hydroxypentanoic Acid and comparison with the hydroxybutanoic-acid derivatives: A small change with large consequences

Cyclic oligomers of (R)-3-hydroxyvaleric acid (3-HV) are prepared from the monomer by three different methods, giving various ratios of the oligomers. The macrocycles containing three to twelve 3-HV units (12- to 48-membered rings) are isolated in pure form by chromatography. The triolide 3 can be separated by distillation and isolated on large scale. Biopol, the copolymer of (R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid (3-HB) and (R)-3-hydroxyvaleric acid (3-HV), is degraded to mixtures of Me- and Et-substituted triolides (‘mixolides’) with high crystallization tendency. The X-ray crystal structures of the tetrolide 4 , pentolide 5 , hexolide 6 , heptolide 7 , and of two ‘mixolides’ (with inclusions of solvent) have been determined (Figs. 3–7, 10, and 11) and are compared with those of the corresponding 3-HB derivatives reported previously. From the structural data, a 3₁ and a 2₁ helix of 3-HV can be modelled, and the latter one compared with helix structures of P9(3-HB) and P(3-HV) derived from stretch-fibre X-ray scattering. Crystals of a water-containing NaSCN complex of the triethyl triolide 3 were obtained in good quality for X-ray analysis. The structure (Figs. 12, 13, and Table 6) contains an interesting array of C?O and H₂O O-atoms around the Na⁺ ions along a channel-type tube (a-axis of the crystal) which may be relevant to the role of P(3-HB) and P(3-HV) as components of cellular ion channels.     

Synthese monodisperser linearer und cyclischer Oligomere der (R)-3-Hydroxybuttersäure mit bis zu 128 Einheiten

Monodisperse Linear and Cyclic Oligo[(R)-3-hydroxybutanoates] Containing up to 128 Monomeric Units Using benzyl ester/(tert-butyl)diphenylsilyl ether protection, (COCl)₂/pyridine esterification conditions, and a fragment-coupling strategy (with H₂/Pd-C debenzylation and HF · pyridine desilylation), linear oligomers of (R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid (3-HB) containing up to 128 3-HB building blocks (mol. weight > 11 000 Da) are assembled (Schemes 1,2,5, and 6). In contrast to the previously employed protecting-group combination, and due to the low-temperature esterifying conditions, this procedure leads to monodisperse oligomers: all steps occur without loss of single 3-HB units. The product oligomers with two, one, and no terminal protecting groups (mostly prepared in multi-gram amounts) are characterized by all standard spectroscopic methods, especially by mass spectroscopy (Figs. 2 and 3), by their optical activity, and by elemental analyses. Cyclization of the oligo[(R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acids] with up to 32 3-HB units, using thiopyridine activation and CuBr₂ for the ring closure, produces oligolides consisting of up to 128 ring atoms (Scheme 7). Mixed oligolides containing 3-HB and (R)-3-hydroxypentanoic units are prepared from the corresponding linear trimers, using Yamaguchi's method for the ring closure (Scheme 8 and Fig.4 (X-ray crystal structures of two folded conformers)). Comparisons of melting points (Table 1), of [α] values (Tables 2 and 3), of ¹H-NMR coupling constants (Table 3), and of molecular volume/hydroxyalkanoate unit (Table 4) of linear and cyclic oligomer derivatives and of the high-molecular-weigh polymer show that the monodisperse oligomers appear to be surprisingly good models for the polymer. Besides this insight, our synthesis is supplying the samples to further test the role of P(3-HB) (ca. 140 units) as a component of complexes forming channels through cell-wall phospholipid bilayers.     

Selective transport of zinc and copper ions by synthetic ionophores using liquid membrane technology

This work highlights the role of synthetic carrier (ionophore) in the separation of heavy metal ions. A new series of ionophores; 4,4′-nitrophenyl-azo-O,O′-phenyl-3,6,9-trioxaundecane-1,10-dioate (R₁), bis[4,4′nitro-phenylazo-naphthyl-(2,2-dioxydiethylether)] (R₂) 1,8-bis-(2-naphthyloxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane (R₃), 1,11-bis-(2-naphthyloxy)-3,6,9-trioxaunde-cane (R₄), 1,5-bis-(2-naphthyloxy)-3-oxa-pentane (R₅) have been synthesized and used as extractant as well as carrier for the transport of various metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) through liquid membranes. Effect of various parameters such as metal ion concentration, ionophore concentration, liquid–liquid extraction, back extraction, comparison of transport efficiency of BLM and SLM and different membrane support (hen’s egg shell and PTFE) have been studied. In BLM ionophores (R₂–R₅) transport Zn⁺ at greater extent and the observed trend for the transport of Zn²⁺ is R₂?>?R₄?>?R₃?>?R₅ respectively. Further transport efficiency is increased in SLM. In egg shell membrane ionophores (R₂–R₅) transport Zn⁺ due to their non-cyclic structure and pseudo cavity formation while ionophore R₁ transports Cu²⁺ ions at greater extent due to its cyclic structure and cavity size. Among the membrane support used egg shell membrane is found best for the transport of zinc ions because of its hydrophobic nature and exhibits electrostatic interactions between positively charged zinc ions and –COOH group of egg shell membrane. Thus structure of ionophores, hydrophobicity and porosity of the membrane support plays important role in separation of metal ions.     

Optically active cyclic poly(ether sulfone)s based on chiral 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol

Optically active cyclic poly(ether sulfone)s are prepared from 4-fluorophenyl sulfone and (R)- or (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol. The measurement of MALDI-TOF MS shows that the product is composed of a series of cyclic and linear oligomers where the repeating unit number (n) is from 2 to 12, from which the cyclic dimers (n=2), and cyclic trimer (n=3) have been separated from their homologous compounds by TLC successfully. Specific optical rotation [α]_D²⁵ is −583.0 for (R)-cyclic dimer, +588.0 for (S)-cyclic dimer, +22.7 for (R)-cyclic trimer, and −20.3 for (S)-cyclic trimer. Their properties are also determined by other methods, such as ¹H NMR and CD etc.     

Einfache Umwandlung von(–)-(R)-3-Hydroxybuttersäure in das (+)-(S)-Enantiomere und dessen Lacton(‒)-(S)-4-Methyloxetan-2-on

Simple Conversion of (R)-3-Hydroxybutanoic Acid to the (S)-Enantiomer and its Lactone (–)-(S)-4-Methylixetan-2-one Condensation of ( R )-3-hydroxybutanoic acid (1) with ethyl orthoacetate gives a 2-ethoxy-substituted (1,3)dioxanone 2 which is thermally labile: at ca. 100°, two competing processes commence, one leading to ethyl ( R )-3-acetoxybutanoate ( 3 ), the other one - with complete inversion of configuration - to the ( S )-4-methylixetan-2-one ( 4 ) and ethyl acetate. These can be readily separated by fractional distillation. Thus, enantiomerically pure ( S )-3-hydroxybutanoic acid (ent- 1 ) and l-2-alkyl-3-hydroxybutanoic-acid derivatives (such as 6 and 8 ) become available from the biopolymer PHB, the precursor to the acid 1 .     

Herstellung enantiomerenreiner Derivate von 3-Amino- und 3-Mercaptobuttersäure durch SN2-Ringöffnung des β-Lactons und eines 1,3-Dixoanons aus der 3-Hydroxybuttersä ure

Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure Derivatives of 3-Amino- and 3-Mercaptobutanoic Acid by S_N2 Ring Opening of the β-Lactone and a 1,3-Dioxanone Derived from 3-Hydroxybutanoic Acid From (S)-4-methyloxetan-2-one ( 1 ), the β-butyrolactone readily available from the biopolymer ( R )-polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and various C, N, O and S nucleophiles, the following compounds are prepared:(s)-2-hydroxy-4-octanone ( 3 ), (R)-3-aminobutanoic acid ( 7 ) and its N-benzyl derivative 5 , (R)-3-azidobutanoic acid ( 6 ) (R)-3-mercaptobutanoic acid ( 10 ), (R)-3-(phenylthio)butanoic acid ( 8 ) and its sulfoxide 9 . The (6R)-2,6-dimethyl-2-ethoxy-1,3-dioxan-4-one ( 4 ) from (R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid undergoes S^N2 ring opening with benzylamine to give the N-benzyl derivative (ent- 5 ) of (S)-3-aminobutanoic acid in 30?40% yield.     

Characterization of synthetic N-acetylcysteine conjugates by positive- and negative-ion 252Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry

N-Acetylcysteine and nine N-acetylcysteine conjugates of synthetic origin were characterized by positive- and negative-ion plasma desorption mass Spectrometry. For sample preparation the electrospray technique and the nitrocellulose spin deposition technique were applied. The fragmentation of these compounds, which are best seen as S-substituted desaminoglycylcysteine dipeptides, shows a similar behaviour to that of linear peptides. In the positive-ion mass spectra intense protonated molecular ion peaks are observed. In addition, several sequence-specific fragment ions (A⁺, B⁺, [Y + 2H]⁺, Z⁺), immonium ions (I⁺) and a diagnostic fragment ion for mercap-turic acids (R_M⁺) are detected. The negative-ion mass spectra exhibit deprotonated molecular ions and in contrast only one fragment ion corresponding to side-chain specific cleavage ([R_XS]^?) representing the xenobiotic moiety. In the case of a low alkali metal concentration on the target, cluster molecular ions of the [nM + H]⁺ or [nM - H]^? ion type (n = 1-3) are observed. The analysis of an equimolar mixture of eight N-acetylcysteine conjugates shows different quasi-molecular ion yields for the positive- and negative-ion spectra.     

Toward total structural analysis of cardiolipins: multiple-stage linear ion-trap mass spectrometry on the [M − 2H + 3Li]<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions

ESI multiple-stage linear ion-trap (LIT) mass spectrometric approaches for a near-complete structural characterization of cardiolipins (CLs), including identification of the fatty acyl substituents, assignment of the fatty acid substituents on the glycerol backbone, and location of the double-bond(s) or cyclopropyl group along the fatty acid chain are described. Upon collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) on the [M − 2H + 3Li]⁺ ions of CL in an ion-trap (MS²), two sets of fragment ions (designated as (a + 136) and (b + 136) ions) analogous to those previously reported for the [M − 2H + 3Na]⁺ ions were observed, leading to assignment of the phosphatidyl moieties attached to 1′- or 3′-position of the central glycerol. Further dissociation of the (a + 136) (or (b + 136)) ions (MS³) gives rise to the (a + 136 − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) (or b + 136 − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) ion pairs that identify the fatty acid moieties and their position on the glycerol backbone. This is followed by MS⁴ on the (a + 136 − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) (or b + 136 − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) ion to eliminate a tricylic glycerophosphate ester residue (136 Da) to yield the (a − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) ion, which is then subjected to MS⁵. The MS5 spectrum contains the structural information that locates the double-bond(s) or cyclopropyl group of the fatty acid substituents. Finally, the subsequent MS⁶ on the dilithiated fatty acid ions generated from MS⁵ also yields feature ions that confirm the assignment.     

Solid-State CP/MAS 13C-NMR Spectra of Oligolides derived from 3-hydroxybutanoic acid

The solid-state CP/MAS ¹³C-NMR spectra (cross-polarization/magic-angle spinning ¹³C-NMR) of eight lower cyclic and one linear oligomers and several polymers of (R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid (3-HB) are reported. The polymeric samples of different origin and molecular weight give remarkably similar and well resolved spectra, indicating considerable similarity in the conformations of the molecules and homegeneity in the solid-state environment. The crystalline cyclic oligomers 1 – 8 containing 3–9 units of 3-HB give very well resolved spectra. The number of nonequivalent positions in the solid state can be identified and is in accord with structures from X-ray diffraction where these were determined. The spectra of the oligolides become increasingly similar to those of the polymer as the ring size increases. This spectral evidence supports the view of a homogeneous and well defined conformation for the polymeric material (as proposed previously, based on other experiments).     

Metastable transitions in the mass spectra of ketals and ketones. Competition between loss of small and large radicals

An investigation of competing metastable transitions in the mass spectra of ethylene ketals R_SR_LC(OCH₂)₂ (where R_L is a larger n-alkyl group than R_S) has established that in most cases R_S is lost with a lower activation energy than R_L. This technique has also been applied to ketones R_SR_LC?O, to show again that R_S is usually lost with the lower activation energy (thus supporting earlier data based on relative daughter ion abundances at the threshold). In the classes of compounds so far investigated, although [M⁺ ? R_S] ions are formed with lower activation energies than [M⁺ ? R_L] ions, the ion yield of [M⁺ ? R_S] ions is anomalously low from ions of high internal energy. Factors which may influence the [M⁺ ? R_S]/[M⁺ ? R_L] ratio of daughter ion intensities are examined. It is suggested that at the threshold [M⁺ ? R_S] and [M⁺ ? R_L] ions may be formed with rearrangement, or from an electronic state that cannot be effectively populated from molecular ions of high internal energies.     

Cationic oligomerization of anethole: Selective synthesis of dimers and trimers

A linear unsaturated dimer of anethole [II, (E)-1,3-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpentene-1], was prepared in 98% yield with an acetyl perchlorate (AcClO₄) catalyst in a nonpolar solvent (C₆H₆) at a high temperature (70°C). At 0°C a linear unsaturated trimer was formed in high yield with dimer II. The geometric structure of the linear unsaturated dimers was determined by analysis of the nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) on their ¹H-NMR spectra. NOE analysis showed that at 0°C with AcClO₄, trans-anethole gives the (E)-form (II), whereas cis-anethole yields the (Z)-form. On the other hand, with a metal-halide catalyst (BF₃OEt₂) a cyclic dimer and a cyclic trimer were produced in high yields in a polar solvent [(CH₂Cl₂)] at 70°C; higher oligomers (≥ tetramer) were scarcely formed. The effect of catalysts on the structure of oligomers was explained in terms of the interaction between a growing carbocation and a counterion.     

Solid-phase synthesis of enantio-controlled lactic acid oligomers

A synthetic method for lactic acid oligomers via solid-phase synthesis under mild reaction conditions with up to 99% yield is presented. The fine control of the chirality on each lactic acid unit of the oligomers was easily achieved by the substitution of (R)-THP-protected lactic acid (R)-2 by (S)-2 without alternating the procedure. The overall synthesis of the trimer and tetramer was completed in one and two days, respectively. Intramolecular cyclizations of enantio-controlled lactic acids were also attempted through the Yamaguchi macrolactonization or the Mitsunobu reaction. However, we were unable to isolate single cyclic oligomers but always obtained a mixture of cyclic oligomers.     

Studies on phosphatidylserine by tandem quadrupole and multiple stage quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization: Structural characterization and the fragmentation processes

Low-energy CAD product-ion spectra of various molecular species of phosphatidylserine (PS) in the forms of [M−H]⁻ and [M−2H+Alk]⁻ in the negative-ion mode, as well as in the forms of [M+H]⁺, [M+Alk]⁺, [M−H+2Alk]⁺, and [M−2H+3Alk]⁺ (where Alk=Li, Na) in the positive-ion mode contain rich fragment ions that are applicable for structural determination. Following CAD, the [M−H]⁻ ion of PS undergoes dissociation to eliminate the serine moiety (loss of C₃H₅NO₂) to give a [M−H−87]⁻ ion, which equals to the [M−H]⁻ ion of a phoshatidic acid (PA) and give rise to a MS³-spectrum that is identical to the MS²-spectrum of PA. The major fragmentation process for the [M−2H+Alk]⁻ ion of PS arises from primary loss of 87 to give rise to a [M−2H+Alk−87]⁻ ion, followed by loss of fatty acid substituents as acids (R_xCO₂H, x=1,2) or as alkali salts (e. g., R_xCO₂Li, x=1,2). These fragmentations result in a greater abundance of [M−2H+Alk−87−R₂CO₂H]⁻ than [M−2H+Alk−87−R₁CO₂H]⁻ and a greater abundance of [M−2H+Alk−87−R₂CO₂Li]⁻ than [M−2H+Alk−87−R₁CO₂Li]⁻; while further dissociation of the [M−2H+Alk−87−R_{2(or 1)}CO₂Li]⁻ ions gives a preferential formation of the carboxylate anion at sn-1 (R₁CO₂⁻) over that at sn-2 (R₂CO₂⁻). Other major fragmentation process arises from differential loss of the fatty acid substituents as ketenes (loss of R_x′CH=CO, x=1,2). This results in a more prominent [M−2H+Alk−R₂′CH=CO]⁻ ion than [M−2H+Alk−R₁′CH=CO]⁻ ion. Ions informative for structural characterization of PS are of low abundance in the MS²-spectra of both the [M+H]⁺ and the [M+Alk]⁺ ions, but are abundant in the MS³-spectra. The MS²-spectrum of the [M+Alk]⁺ ion contains a unique ion corresponding to internal loss of a phosphate group probably via the fragmentation processes involving rearrangement steps. The [M−H+2Alk]⁺ ion of PS yields a major [M−H+2Alk−87]⁺ ion, which is equivalent to an alkali adduct ion of a monoalkali salt of PA and gives rise to a greater abundance of [M−H+2Alk−87−R₁CO₂H]⁺ than [M−H+2Alk−87−R₂CO₂H]⁺. Similarly, the [M−2H+3Alk]⁺ ion of PS also yields a prominent [M−2H+3Alk−87]⁺ ion, which undergoes consecutive dissociation processes that involve differential losses of the two fatty acyl substituents. Because all of the above tandem mass spectra contain several sets of ion pairs involving differential losses of the fatty acid substituents as ketenes or as free fatty acids, the identities of the fatty acyl substituents and their positions on the glycerol backbone can be easily assigned by the drastic differences in the abundances of the ions in each pair.     

Oxidative C-C bond cleavage of N-alkoxycarbonylated cyclic amines by sodium nitrite in trifluoroacetic acid

Oxidative carbon-carbon bond cleavage of N-alkoxycarbonylated cyclic amines was accomplished by NaNO₂ in TFA to afford ω-amino carboxylic acid in high yield. Optically active 3-hydroxypiperidine derivatives and 3-pipecolinate were converted to enantiomerically pure (R)-4-amino-3-hydroxybutanoic acid (GABOB) and (S)-2-pyrrolidone-4-carboxylate, respectively.     

Channel-Forming Activity of 3-Hydroxybutanoic-Acid Oligomers in Planar Lipid Bilayers

Monodisperse and polydisperse oligomers and polymers of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid (3-HB) containing 8, 16, ca. 28, 32, ca. 60, 64, 96, and ca. 3000 monomer units were incorporated into palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidyl choline (POPC) planar bilayers. At concentrations of 0.1–5% of oligo(3-HB), the resulting phospholipid bilayers showed typical single-channel behavior for Rb⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions, using the patch clamp technique. Thus, channel-forming activity of a pure polyester has been demonstrated for the first time (Figs. 1, 3, and 6). Single-channel activity depends upon the following structural parameters of the 3-HB derivatives: unprotected OH and COOH groups on the chain ends; chain length ⩾ 16 monomer units; no high-molecular-weight as in P(3-HB). The results are discussed in view of the Ca²⁺-specific channel formed with the P(3-HP)/Ca · PPi complex from genetically competent Escherichia coli and in view of the ubiquitous occurrence of low-molecular-weight P(3-HB) in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. A simple model for the channel-causing structure is proposed, based on the proven tendency of oligo- and poly(3-HB) to form ca. 50-Å thick lamellar crystallites.     

Reactions of Chiral 2-(tert-Butyl)-2H,4H-1,3-dioxin-4-ones Bearing Functional Groups in the 6-Position and Diastereoselective Catalytic Hydrogenation to cis-2,6-Disubstituted 1,3-Dioxan-4-ones

(R)-5-Bromo-6-(bromomethyl)-2-(tert-butyl)-2H,4H-1,3-dioxin-4-one ( 2 ) derived from (R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid is used for substitutions and chain elongations at the side-chain C-atom in the 6-position of the heterocycle (→ 3–6 , 10–13 ). Subsequent simultaneous reductive debromination and double-bond hydrogenation (Pd/C,H₂)occurs with essentially complete diastereoselectivity (>98% ds), with H transfer from the face opposite to the t-Bu group (→ 15–20 , Table 1). Hydrolytic cleavages of the dioxanones then lead to enantiomerically pure β-hydroxy-acid derivatives (overall self-reproduction of the stereogenic center of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid or alkylation in the 4-position of this acid with preservation of configuration).     

Characterization of Nα-Fmoc-protected ureidopeptides by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS): differentiation of positional isomers

Four pairs of positional isomers of ureidopeptides, FmocNH‐CH(R₁)‐φ(NH‐CO‐NH)‐CH(R₂)‐OY and FmocNH‐CH(R₂)‐φ(NH‐CO‐NH)‐CH(R₁)‐OY (Fmoc = [(9‐fluorenyl methyl)oxy]carbonyl; R₁ = H, alkyl; R₂ = alkyl, H and Y = CH₃/H), have been characterized and differentiated by both positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) ion‐trap tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The major fragmentation noticed in MS/MS of all these compounds is due to ? N? CH(R)? N? bond cleavage to form the characteristic N‐ and C‐terminus fragment ions. The protonated ureidopeptide acids derived from glycine at the N‐terminus form protonated (9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)methyl carbamate ion at m/z 240 which is absent for the corresponding esters. Another interesting fragmentation noticed in ureidopeptides derived from glycine at the N‐terminus is an unusual loss of 61 units from an intermediate fragment ion FmocNH = CH₂⁺ (m/z 252). A mechanism involving an ion‐neutral complex and a direct loss of NH₃ and CO₂ is proposed for this process. Whereas ureidopeptides derived from alanine, leucine and phenylalanine at the N‐terminus eliminate CO₂ followed by corresponding imine to form (9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)methyl cation (C₁₄H₁₁⁺) from FmocNH = CHR⁺. In addition, characteristic immonium ions are also observed. The deprotonated ureidopeptide acids dissociate differently from the protonated ureidopeptides. The [M ? H]^? ions of ureidopeptide acids undergo a McLafferty‐type rearrangement followed by the loss of CO₂ to form an abundant [M ? H ? Fmoc + H]^? which is absent for protonated ureidopeptides. Thus, the present study provides information on mass spectral characterization of ureidopeptides and distinguishes the positional isomers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magic cluster ion distributions: (NO)3+ (N2O)n and (NO)3+ (CO2)n

Supersonic jet expansions of mixtures of nitric oxide with either nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide have been investigated over a wide range of relative concentrations. Mixed molecular cluster ions of the form (NO) _m ⁺ (N₂O)_n and (NO) _m ⁺ (CO₂)_n are detected following non-resonant two-photon ionization. Over a wide range of intermediate concentrations, the cluster ion distributions (NO) ₃ ⁺ (N₂O)_n and (NO) ₃ ⁺ (CO₂)_n with n30 are significantly more intense than clusters containing other numbers of nitric oxide molecules. The extra abundance of these species is attributed to their especially stable structures and several possible forms are discussed. An intriguing possibility involves a stable cyclic nitric oxide trimer (or ion) when combined with nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide clusters.     

Reactions of the trimethylsilyl ion with 1,2-cyclopentanediol isomers in the collision region of a triple quadrupole instrument

Ion-molecule reactions with the trimethylsilyl ion were used to distinguish between cis- and trans-1,2-cyclopentanediol isomers. The ion kinetic energy of [Si(CH₃)₃]⁺ was varied from 0 eV to 15 eV (center of mass frame of reference). At low ion kinetic energies (<4 eV), there are significant differences in the relative stabilities and decomposition behavior of the adduct ions [M + Si(CH₃)₃]⁺. The cis-1,2-cyclopentanediol isomer favors decomposition of [M + Si(CH₃)₃]⁺ to yield the hydrated trimethylsilyl ion [Si(CH₃)₃OH₂]⁺ at m/z 91. For the trans isomer, the formation of the hydrated trimethylsilyl ion is an endothermic process with a definite threshold ion kinetic energy.