The transfer of alkali metal ions across the water-nitrobenzene interface facilitated by neutral macrocyclic ionophores

The alkali metal ions transfer from water to the nitrobenzene phase containing macrocyclic neutral ionophores (crown polyethers, nonactin) has been investigated, applying the electrolysis at the interface of two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) in the single-sweep voltammetry mode. The stability constants of complexes formed in the non-aqueous phase have been determined from the peak voltammograms, as well as value of complex formation enthalpy. It has been concluded that the facilitated ion transfer in the temperature range 5–65°C is a diffusion-controlled process.     

Structural effects on polyether cationization by alkali metal ions in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization

Structural effects on polyether cationization in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) are investigated using three different polyethers: PEG (polyethylene glycol), PPG (polypropylene glycol), and PTHF (polytetrahydrofuran). This study was performed using equimolar cesium and lithium chlorides as the cationizing agent. It was observed that the polyether structure variation led to a substantial change in polyether selectivity for alkali metal ion complexation. Moreover, it was found that like PEG, PPG displays a different selectivity for Cs⁺ and Li⁺ with different matrices. Discussion of these results and their implication in MALDI are given.     

Tautomerization in the formation and collision-induced dissociation of alkali metal cation-cytosine complexes

Noncovalent interactions between alkali metal cations and the various low-energy tautomeric forms of cytosine are investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Threshold collision-induced dissociation (CID) of M(+)(cytosine) complexes with Xe is studied using guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry, where M(+) = Li(+), Na(+), and K(+). In all cases, the only dissociation pathway observed corresponds to endothermic loss of the intact cytosine molecule. The cross-section thresholds are interpreted to yield 0 and 298 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for the M(+)(cytosine) complexes after accounting for the effects of multiple ion-neutral collisions, the kinetic and internal energy distributions of the reactants, and dissociation lifetimes. Ab initio calculations are performed at the MP2(full)/6-31G* level of theory to determine the structures of the neutral cytosine tautomers, the M(+)(cytosine) complexes, and the TSs for unimolecular tautomerization. The molecular parameters derived from these structures are employed for the calculation of the unimolecular rates for tautomerization and the thermochemical analysis of the experimental data. Theoretical BDEs of the various M(+)(cytosine) complexes and the energy barriers for the unimolecular tautomerization of these complexes are determined at MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d,2p) level of theory using the MP2(full)/6-31G* optimized geometries. In addition, BDEs for the Li(+)(cytosine) complexes are also determined at the G3 level of theory. Based upon the tautomeric mixture generated upon thermal vaporization of cytosine, calculated M(+)-cytosine BDEs and barriers to tautomerization for the low-energy tautomeric forms of M(+)(cytosine), and measured thresholds for CID of M(+)(cytosine) complexes, we conclude that tautomerization occurs during both complex formation and CID.     

Unraveling the absorption spectra of alkali metal atoms attached to helium nanodroplets

The absorption spectra of the first electronic exited state of alkali metal atoms on helium nanodroplets formed of both 4He and 3He isotopes were studied experimentally as well as theoretically. In the experimental part new data on the 2p<--2s transition of lithium on 3He nanodroplets are presented. The absorption spectrum changes drastically when compared to 4He droplets, in contrast to sodium where only marginal differences were observed in former studies. To explain these large differences and to answer some still open questions concerning the interaction of alkali metal atoms with helium nanodroplets, a model calculation was performed. New helium density profiles as well as a refined model allowed us to achieve good agreement with the experimental findings. For the first time the red-shifted intensities in the lithium and sodium spectra are explained in terms of enhanced binding configurations in the excited state displaced spatially from the ground state configurations.     

Sputtered metal and silicon cluster ions: collision-induced fragmentation and neutralization

Mass separated metal and silicon cluster ion beams M _n ^{+, ?} are produced by sputtering and undergo fragmenting and/or neutralizing collisions at different kinetic energies (100–1800 eV) in Ar and SF₆. Fragment patterns induced by rare gas collisions open a way to determine ionization potentials and electron affinities of clusters. These values are compared to known experimental and theoretical data. For negatively charged clusters the absorption in gas targets is mainly due to neutralization, the cross sections varying with cluster material, number of atoms and collision partner from 10 Ų to about 50 Ų.     

Fluoride complexes of the alkali metal ions

Measurements by fluoride ion-selective electrode potentiometry on the very weak monofluoride complexes of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution at 25°C and an ionic strength of 1M indicate their stability constants lie in the order Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ ? Cs⁺. Data at varying ionic strengths and temperatures were used to calculate infinite dilution stability constants and enthalpies and entropies of complexation for LiF and NaF.     

Influence of halogenation on the properties of uracil and its noncovalent interactions with alkali metal ions. Threshold collision-induced dissociation and theoretical studies

The influence of halogenation on the properties of uracil and its noncovalent interactions with alkali metal ions is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Bond dissociation energies of alkali metal ion-halouracil complexes, M+(XU), are determined using threshold collision-induced dissociation techniques in a guided ion beam mass spectrometer, where M+ = Li+, Na+, and K+ and XU = 5-fluorouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 6-chlorouracil, 5-bromouracil, and 5-iodouracil. The structures and theoretical bond dissociation energies of these complexes are determined from ab initio calculations. Theoretical calculations are also performed to examine the influence of halogenation on the acidities, proton affinities, and Watson-Crick base pairing energies. Halogenation of uracil is found to produce a decrease in the proton affinity, an increase in the alkali metal ion binding affinities, an increase in the acidity, and stabilization of the A::U base pair. In addition, alkali metal ion binding is expected to lead to an increase in the stability of nucleic acids by reducing the charge on the nucleic acid in a zwitterion effect as well as through additional noncovalent interactions between the alkali metal ion and the nucleobases.     

Direct NMR detection of alkali metal ions bound to G-quadruplex DNA

We describe a general multinuclear (1H, 23Na, 87Rb) NMR approach for direct detection of alkali metal ions bound to G-quadruplex DNA. This study is motivated by our recent discovery that alkali metal ions (Na+, K+, Rb+) tightly bound to G-quadruplex DNA are actually "NMR visible" in solution (Wong, A.; Ida, R.; Wu, G. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2005, 337, 363). Here solution and solid-state NMR methods are developed for studying ion binding to the classic G-quadruplex structures formed by three DNA oligomers: d(TG4T), d(G4T3G4), and d(G4T4G4). The present study yields the following major findings. (1) Alkali metal ions tightly bound to G-quadruplex DNA can be directly observed by NMR in solution. (2) Competitive ion binding to the G-quadruplex channel site can be directly monitored by simultaneous NMR detection of the two competing ions. (3) Na+ ions are found to locate in the diagonal T4 loop region of the G-quadruplex formed by two strands of d(G4T4G4). This is the first time that direct NMR evidence has been found for alkali metal ion binding to the diagonal T4 loop in solution. We propose that the loop Na+ ion is located above the terminal G-quartet, coordinating to four guanine O6 atoms from the terminal G-quartet and one O2 atom from a loop thymine base and one water molecule. This Na+ ion coordination is supported by quantum chemical calculations on 23Na chemical shifts. Variable-temperature 23Na NMR results have revealed that the channel and loop Na+ ions in d(G4T4G4) exhibit very different ion mobilities. The loop Na+ ions have a residence lifetime of 220 micros at 15 degrees C, whereas the residence lifetime of Na+ ions residing inside the G-quadruplex channel is 2 orders of magnitude longer. (4) We have found direct 23Na NMR evidence that mixed K+ and Na+ ions occupy the d(G4T4G4) G-quadruplex channel when both Na+ and K+ ions are present in solution. (5) The high spectral resolution observed in this study is unprecedented in solution 23Na NMR studies of biological macromolecules. Our results strongly suggest that multinuclear NMR is a viable technique for studying ion binding to G-quadruplex DNA.     

Influence of thioketo substitution on the properties of uracil and its noncovalent interactions with alkali metal ions: threshold collision-induced dissociation and theoretical studies

Experimental and theoretical studies are carried out to determine the influence of thioketo substitution on the properties of uracil and its noncovalent interactions with alkali metal ions. Bond dissociation energies of alkali metal ion-thiouracil complexes, M(+)(SU), are determined using threshold collision-induced dissociation techniques in a guided ion beam mass spectrometer, where M(+) = Li(+), Na(+), and K(+) and SU = 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 2,4-dithiouracil, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, and 6-methyl-2-thiouracil. Ab initio electronic structure calculations are performed to determine the structures and theoretical bond dissociation energies of these complexes and provide molecular constants necessary for thermodynamic analysis of the experimental data. Theoretical calculations are also performed to examine the influence of thioketo substitution on the acidities, proton affinities, and A::SU Watson-Crick base pairing energies. In general, thioketo substitution leads to an increase in both the proton affinity and the acidity of uracil. 2-Thio substitution generally results in an increase in the alkali metal ion binding affinities but has almost no affect on the stability of the A::SU base pair. In contrast, 4-thio substitution results in a decrease in the alkali metal ion binding affinities and a significant decrease in the stability of the A::SU base pair. In addition, alkali metal ion binding is expected to lead to an increase in the stability of both single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acids by reducing the charge on the nucleic acid in a zwitterion effect as well as through additional noncovalent interactions between the alkali metal ion and the nucleobases.     

Effect of alkali metal cationization and multiple alkali metal exchange on the collision-induced dissociation of loganic acid studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Under electrospray ionization conditions loganic acid undergoes alkali metal (Li, Na and K) exchange and alkali metal cationization. Multiple exchanges of up to four alkali metal ions are observed. Different populations of metal exchanged species are produced during electrospray ionization. Collision-induced dissociation of ammonium cationized species is compared with that of metal cationized species to study the effect of metal cationization. Glycosidic cleavage and ring cleavages of aglycone and sugar moieties are the major fragmentation pathways observed during collision-induced dissociation. The fragmentations of the highly metal exchanged species indicate the opening of the pyran ring. Collision-induced dissociation of the various metal exchanged and metal cationized species also reveals the nature of the different populations. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Paper chromatographic behaviour of alkali metal ions in phenol-containing solvents

Summary The chromatographic behaviour of all alkali metal ions in phenol saturated with 2M hydrochloric acid has been examined by centrifugal and ascending chromatography. Separation with centrifugal development is about one hundred times more rapid than that obtained by the ascending technique. The shortest separation time achieved in these studies, six minutes, shows that centrifugal chromatography promises to be a useful rapid technique for the separation of short-lived fracium isotopes from a mixture of other alkali metals and for the routine analysis of alkali metals. The different degree of solvation of the cations by phenol, depending upon ionic size, is considered to be mainly responsible for the observed selective distribution of the alkali metal ions on the chromatogram.     

Tracer diffusion of cobalt ions in some alkali metal chlorides

The concentration dependence of experimental diffusion coefficients of cobalt ions in presence of some alkali metal chlorides is examined in the light of the Onsager theory. The diffusion coefficients are measured in 1% agar gel using the zone-diffusion technique. The positive and negative deviations observed at higher and lower concentrations, respectively, are explained in terms of relative contributions of various types of effects occurring in the diffusion medium.     

Complexes of enniatins and other antibiotics with alkali metal ions

Crystalline 1: 1-complexes of enniatins with potassium salts are described. Complex formation constants of different antibiotics with sodium and potassium are given.     

Phototropic molecules. 3. Complexation between alkali metal ions andtrans- andcis p,p′-bis(polyether) azobenzenes

Three polyether complexing agents were prepared whose shapes could be photochemically altered by means of an azobenzene fragment incorporated into the middle of the polyether chain. The compounds are 1, bis-4,4-[2-(methoxyethoxy)acetamido]azobenzene,2, bis-4,4-[2-(1,3-dimethoxy-2-propoxy)acetamido]azobenzene and3,bis-4,4-{2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetamido}azobenzene. Extraction equilibrium constants,K _EXT, for the extraction of Li⁺, Na⁺ K⁺, and Cs⁺ ions from water into an organic solvent were measured for these three agents under irradiation and in the dark. Compounds1 and2 were found to give substantially larger KExT values on irradiation than in the dark. TheK(light)/K(dark) ratios for the three compounds ranged from 0.47 to 16.6.For part 2 see ref. [1]     

Selective exchange of alkali metal ions on EAB zeolite

EAB zeolite was successfully prepared and applied to selective adsorption of Li+,Na+ and K+ ions.The physical and chemical properties of the adsorbent were char...     

Solvent extraction of alkali metal ions with chromium complexes

Solvent extraction of alkali metal ions by batch and counter-current distribution methods was investigated with tetrathiocyanatodiamminechromate(III) and tetrathiocyanatodianilinechromate(III) as reagents and nitromethane and nitrobenzene as organic solvents. The distribution ratios of alkali metal ions in the various systems were measured. Cesium was readily extracted with the aniline compound and nitrobenzene. The separation of sodium from potassium in trace amounts was possible by the counter-current distribution method.     

On collision-induced amplified emission of alkali atoms

The recently discovered amplified emission of alkali atoms resonantly excited to theP _3/2 state by intense laser beam is analyzed theoretically. This effect is caused essentially by collisions with buffer gas atoms building up a population inversion of theP _1/2 state with respect to theS _1/2 ground state. Our theoretical calculations based on dressed-atom density matrix analysis agree with most experimental results.     

Polynuclear coordination compounds of alkali metal ions with organic chromophores

The crystal structures of sodium 4‐({4‐[N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxy­ethyl)­amino]­phenyl}diazenyl)­benzoate 3.5‐hydrate, Na⁺·C₁₇H₁₈N₃O₄^?·3.5H₂O, (I), and potassium 4‐({4‐[N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxy­ethyl)­amino]­phenyl}diazenyl)­benzoate dihydrate, K⁺·C₁₇H₁₈N₃O₄^?·2H₂O, (II), are described. The results indicate an octahedral coordination around sodium in (I) and a trigonal prismatic coordination around potassium in (II). In both cases, coordination around the metal cation is achieved through O atoms of the water mol­ecules and hydroxy groups of the chromophore. The organic conjugated part of the chromophore is approximately planar in (I), while a dihedral angle of 30.7 (2)° between the planes of the phenyl rings is observed in (II).     

Ammonium ions in alkali metal halide crystals: tunnelling and spin relaxation

We have used low energy inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy to examine the tunnelling spectroscopy of the ammonium ion in the (NH4)0.02Rb(x)K(0.98-x)I system. The concentration of different species were varied as x increased, this was followed systematically and the first consistent assignment scheme for these features is given. Differences were also found for the relaxation rate of the spin temperature inversions that could be generated in these species. At a critical concentration--about x = 0.04 mole fraction--the relaxation rates of the species changed dramatically.