Sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds in bovine breath by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A relatively noninvasive method consisting of a face mask sampling device, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers, and a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in bovine breath was developed. Breath of three morbid steers with respiratory tract infections and three healthy steers were sampled seven times in 19 days for 15 min at each sampling. The breath VOCs adsorbed on the divinylbenzene (DVB)-Carboxen-polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) 50/30 microm SPME fibers were transported to a laboratory GC-MS system for separation and identification with an in-house spectral library of standard chemicals. A total of 21 VOCs were detected, many of them for the first time in cattle breath. Statistical analyses using Chi-square test on the frequency of detection of each VOC in each group was performed. The presence of acetaldehyde (P < or = 0.05) and decanal (P < or = 0.10) were associated more with clinically morbid steers while methyl acetate, heptane, octanal, 2,3-butadione, hexanoic acid, and phenol were associated with healthy steers at P < or = 0.10. The results suggest that noninvasive heath screening using breath analyses could become a useful diagnostic tool for animals and humans.     

Structure and Bonding in Organometallic Anions of Heavy Group 14 and 15 Elements

Alkali metal organometallic complexes (containing C–metal bonds) and the frequently structrually related alkali metal amides and alkoxides have been investigated extensively both in the solid state and in solution in the past two decades. However, until recently, the related complexes containing the heavier metallic and semi-metallic p block elements and the alkali and alkaline earth metals had rarely been studied in their own right. Recent solid-state structural studies have illustrated the immense structural diversity and bonding modes to be found within these species. One of the principal focuses of recent studies has been complexes containing organometallic anions of p block metals (e.g., triorganostannates, containing R₃Sn^?) in which metal–metal bonds occur between the heavy p block metal and the alkali or alkaline earth metal and the investigation of the nature of this bonding. The development of new synthetic routes has also allowed the preparation of a variety of anionic ligands with p block metal centers which promise new opportunities in coordination chemistry. In addition, the synthesis of a family of homologous anionic π complexes has given a fresh direction in the chemistry of p block metal metallocene complexes.     

Oxidation of Organometallic Compounds

Stable organometallic compounds, notably of the later transition metals (groups VI–VIII), usually are characterized by closed shell electron configurations (typically 18-electron valence shells) which are destabilized by electron addition or removal. One-electron oxidation of such compounds results in the formation of unstable radical ions, whose characteristic reactivity patterns include susceptibility to nucleophilic attack, disproportionation, and metal-carbon bond dissociation. Two-electron oxidation may result in dissociation or oxidation of the organic ligand. In this review studies on the chemical and electrochemical oxidations of metal carbonyls, metal-olefin complexes, and alkyl transition-metal compounds are described. The studies encompass the following themes: (1) The kinetics and thermodynamics of the initial redox steps; (2) The characterization and reactivity patterns of the resulting oxidation products; (3) The synthetic and catalytic applications of organometallic redox processes.     

Electron‐Deficient Triborane and Tetraborane Ring Compounds: Synthesis,Structure, and Bonding

Electron‐deficient small boron rings are unique in their formation of σ‐ and π‐delocalized electron systems as well as the avoidance of “classical” structures with two‐center‐two‐electron (2c,2e) bonds. These rings are tolerant of several skeletal electron numbers, which makes their redox chemistry highly interesting. In the past few decades, a range of stable compounds have been synthesized with various electron numbers in their B₃ and B₄ cores. The electronic structures were evaluated by quantum‐chemical calculations. On the other hand, the chemistry of these rings is still very much underdeveloped, being generally limited to the protonation and redox reactions of individual systems. The linkage of several B₃ and/or B₄ ring systems should give compounds with attractive electronic properties, thus leading the way to novel boron‐based materials. By summarizing important experimental and theoretical results, this Review intends to provide the basis for the exploration of the chemistry of these rings and, in particular, their integration into larger molecular architectures.     

Synthesis of amine, halide, and pyridinium terminated 2-alkyl-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes

The synthesis of calix[4]arenes with functional groups tethered to a single methylene bridge has been explored. Mono-lithiated calix[4]arenes react with 1,ω-bromochloroalkanes to give 2-(ω-chloroalkyl)-calix[4]arenes, which function as key intermediates in the synthesis of a variety of tether-functionalized calix[4]arenes. Subsequent reactivity of these chloroalkyl species has allowed for successful synthesis of 2-(ω-iodoalkyl)-calix[4]arenes, 2-(ω-pyridiniumalkyl)-calix[4]arenes, and 2-(ω-aminoalkyl)-calix[4]arenes. This latter group of amine-terminated calix[4]arenes are especially significant as they may serve as useful entries to a wide range of subsequent chemistry, including metal coordination or attachment to a solid support. Both alkyl and aryl amines have been incorporated at the end of the tether, and a 2,6-diisopropylaniline derivative has been analyzed by X-ray diffraction.     

Ionic Ferrocenyl Coordination Compounds Derived from Imidazole and 1,2,4‐Triazole Ligands and Their Catalytic Effects During Combustion

Alkylferrocene‐based burning‐rate catalysts (BRCs) show conspicuous migration tendency and volatility during prolonged storage and fabrication process of a composite solid propellant. To enhance anti‐migration ability of the BRCs, forty novel ionic coordination compounds, [M(L)₄(H₂O)₂]_mX_n (M = Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cr³⁺, Bi³⁺, or Cd²⁺; L = ferrocenylmethyl imidazole or ferrocenylmethyl‐1,2,4‐triazole; X = picrate or trinitroresorcinolate), were synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, UV/Vis, and elementary analysis. Additionally, the crystal structures of six compounds were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The TG analyses revealed that the new compounds show high thermal stability. Cyclic voltammetry studies suggested that theyare irreversible redox systems. Their catalytic activities in the thermal degradation of ammonium perchlorate (AP), 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclo‐hexane (RDX) and 1,2,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazacyclooctane (HMX) were examined by DSC technique. The results indicated that all the new compounds exert great effects on the thermal decomposition of AP and RDX, among them some compounds are more active than catocene. Compound 26 has good catalytic ability in the thermal decomposition of HMX, representing a rare example of the reported ferrocene‐based BRCs which show catalytic activity during combustion of HMX.     

Electrochemical study of manganese and iron compounds at carbon paste electrodes with electrolytic binder. Application to the characterization of manganese ferrite

An electrochemical study of several solids, such as MnCl₂ · 4 H₂O_(s), MnF_3(s), Fe₂O_3(s), Fe₃O_4(s) and MnO_2(s), using carbon paste electrodes with electrolytic binders, is described. Results obtained have been compared with results of earlier electrochemical experiments to carry out the characterization of technological material, such as manganese ferrite. The voltammograms obtained represent the “electrochemical spectra” of solid or dissolved substances that can be used to characterize the material without previous solubilization, as charge transfer processes can proceed in the solid or dissolved state, depending on the solubility in the binder used. Received: 9 December 1996 / Accepted: 14 April 1997     

Dehydrotropylium-Co2(CO)6 ion: generation, reactivity and evaluation of cation stability

The dehydrotropylium–Co₂(CO)₆ ion was generated by the action of HBF₄ or BF₃ ? OEt₂ on the corresponding cycloheptadienynol complex, which in turn has been prepared in four steps from a known diacetoxycycloheptenyne complex. The reaction of the cycloheptadienynol complex via the dehydrotropylium–Co₂(CO)₆ ion with several nucleophiles results in substitution reactions with reactive nucleophiles (N>1) under normal conditions, and a radical dimerisation reaction in the presence of less reactive nucleophiles. Competitive reactions of the cycloheptadienynol complex with an acyclic trienynol complex show no preference for generation of the dehydrotropylium–Co₂(CO)₆ ion over an acyclic cation. DFT studies on the dehydrotropylium–Co₂(CO)₆ ion, specifically evaluation of its harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) value (+0.95), its homodesmotic‐reaction‐based stabilisation energy (≈2.8 kcal mol^?1) and its NICS(1) value (?2.9), taken together with the experimental studies suggest that the dehydrotropylium–Co₂(CO)₆ ion is weakly aromatic.     

Solvolytic and Thermolytic Reactions of Heterocyclic Pentacoordinate Silicon Compounds

When cyclic pentacoordinate SiCl compounds of the type A are reacted with methanol or water substitution of the SiCl bond and ring opening with cleavage of the SiN bond takes place with formation of tetracoordinate Si compounds. These compounds undergo an interesting thermal reaction resulting in a partial reformation of the cyclic pentacoordinate starting compounds A .     

Induction of Columnar and Smectic Phases for Spiropyran Derivatives: Effects of Acidichromism and Photochromism

Liquid‐crystalline (LC) properties have been induced in a number of spiropyran derivatives by the addition of methanesulfonic acid. Spiropyran derivatives containing one or two gallic acid moieties with one, two, or three long alkyl chains were prepared. Acid‐induced spiro–protonated‐merocyanine isomerization induced mesomorphism for these materials. Equimolar mixtures of methanesulfonic acid and the spiropyran derivatives with one or two dodecyloxy chains exhibited smectic A phases, whereas the spiropyran derivatives containing the gallic acid moiety with three dodecyloxy chains showed hexagonal columnar phases. On the contrary, photoirradiation of the spiropyran compounds in the bulk liquid state did not lead to the induction of mesomorphism, although the merocyanine form was induced. These results suggest that these merocyanine derivatives with ionic and nonionic moieties cannot simply form nanosegregated LC structures. Complex formation of the merocyanine form with methanesulfonic acid may play a key role in the formation of LC molecular assemblies.     

Atomically Precise Expansion of Unsaturated Silicon Clusters

Small‐ to medium‐sized clusters occur in various areas of chemistry, for example, as active species of heterogeneous catalysis or as transient intermediates during chemical vapor deposition. The manipulation of stable representatives is mostly limited to the stabilizing ligand periphery, virtually excluding the systematic variation of the property‐determining cluster scaffold. We now report the deliberate expansion of a stable unsaturated silicon cluster from six to seven and finally eight vertices. The consecutive application of lithium/naphthalene as the reducing agent and decamethylsilicocene as the electrophilic source of silicon results in the expansion of the core by precisely one atom with the potential of infinite repetition.     

杂多阴离子柱撑水滑石类层柱材料中层柱相互作用研究

合成了具有不同组成的类水滑石层状化合物和杂多酸，据此制备了一系列杂多阴离子柱撑水滑石，用ＩＲ光谱、ＤＴＡ等方法研究了此类层柱材料中层与柱的相互作用，发现类水滑石层状化合物中的Ｍ＾３＋离子的种类和具有Ｋｅｇｇｉｎ结构的杂多阴离子的组成元素，无论处于四面体中、还是位于八面体中，对层柱的相互作用皆有明显影响，此外，这种相互作用还导致杂多阴离子中四面体和八面体对称性及相关性质的改变。     

Comparison of simultaneous distillation extraction and solid-phase microextraction for the determination of volatile flavor components

Traditional simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) techniques were compared for their effectiveness in the extraction of volatile flavor compounds from various mustard paste samples. Each method was used to evaluate the responses of some analytes from real samples and calibration standards in order to provide sensitivity comparisons between the two techniques. Experimental results showed traditional SDE lacked the sensitivity needed to evaluate certain flavor volatiles, such as 1,2-propanediol. Dramatic improvements in the extraction ability of the SPME fibers over the traditional SDE method were noted. Different SPME fibers were investigated to determine the selectivity of the various fibers to the different flavor compounds present in the mustard paste samples. Parameters that might affect the SPME, such as the duration of absorption and desorption, temperature of extraction, and the polarity and structure of the fiber were investigated. Of the various fibers investigated, the PDMS–DVB fiber proved to be the most desirable for these analytes.     

Stimulated by cyclodextrins high yield synthesis of azocrown analogues comprising pyrrole or imidazole residues

The influence of cyclodextrins (CDs) on the formation of azocrown ethers comprising pyrrole, imidazole and substituted imidazole has been studied. Pyrrole, imidazole, 2-methyl-, 4-methyl- and 4-phenylimidazole were coupled with bis-diazonium salts derived from bis-1,5-(2-aminophenoxy)-3-oxapentane or bis-1,8-(2-aminophenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane to form macrocyclic compounds with two azo units. The syntheses were performed under standard conditions in the presence of α-, β- or γ-CDs and the yield of the reaction products was compared with the results of plain experiments, i.e. without CDs. The results are discussed in terms of co-conformation of azole molecules embedded in CD cavity.

Pyrrole or imidazole or imidazole derivatives were coupled with bis-diazonium salts to form macrocycles with two azo units. The syntheses were performed under standard conditions in the presence of α-, β-, or γ-cyclodextrin and the yield of the reaction products was compared with the results of plain experiments, i.e. without CDs. The results are discussed in terms of co-conformation of azole molecules embedded in cyclodextrin cavity.     

On the Volume Chemistry of Solid Compounds: the Legacy of Wilhelm Biltz

For the calculation of the atomic or ionic volumes the Quantum Theory of Atoms In Molecules method was applied. The regions (basins) around the nuclei confined by the zero‐flux surfaces in the electron density gradient are called QTAIM atoms. They are non‐overlapping and completely fill the space. The volume of the basins gives volumes of atoms or ions. The integration of the electron density within the volumina yields effective charges, defining neutral or ionic character of the given QTAIM species. Present investigations refer to metal hydrides, metal nitrides and to intermetallic compounds of the system Al‐Pt. A linear relation between the ionic volumina of hydrogen or nitrogen established according to QTAIM and after Biltz has been found with (homodesmic) binary metal hydrides and binary metal nitrides, but has been observed merely as a trend with stronger deviations for heterodesmic compounds, such as ternary hydrido‐ and nitridometallates A_a[M_mX_x] (A – alkali or alkaline earth metal, M – transition metal and X – H or N). The deviation from linearity for heterodesmic compounds is caused by the different kinds of chemical bonds being present within the [M_mX_x] anions on the one hand and between the anions and the cations on the other hand reflected by the calculated volumes and the QTAIM charges of M and X components. Concerning the intermetallic compounds of the system Al‐Pt, the quantum chemical calculations reveal negative charges for the platinum atoms and positive ones for the aluminium atoms in accordance with their electronegativities. Introducing the variation of the atomic volume with the composition extends the Vegard's approach and gives a non‐linear slope for the concentration dependence of mean atomic volume which explains qualitatively the experimental results.     

The Chemistry of Carbenoids and Other Thermolabile Organolithium Compounds

Organolithium compounds are thermally quite stable, despite their extremely high reactivity. Thermolability, i.e. the property of undergoing irreversible changes at low temperatures without the participation of molecules of a different kind, is associated with additional functional groups, which may be readily eliminated together with the metal cation, may cause intramolecular rearrangements, or may lead to intermolecular additions and substitutions involving several molecules of the same type. Thermolabile organolithium compounds have frequently been postulated or detected as intermediates of important reactions, and are therefore of theoretical and practical interest. If certain precautions are taken, it is occasionally possible (mainly at low temperatures) to prepare them intact, and hence to release them from the constraint of the fate assigned to them as short-lived intermediates. Investigations with this aim have for some time occupied a place of considerable importance in the chemistry of organometallic compounds.     

Aluminum(I) and Gallium(I) Compounds: Syntheses,Structures, and Reactions

By the end of the last century there were already the first indications of the possible existence of Al¹ halides. However, it was only through the pioneering works of W. Klemm, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday on January 6, 1996, that detailed spectroscopic investigations became possible. Since the end of the 1970s the reactivity of AlX and GaX species in solid noble gases has been confirmed by numerous examples. In recent years formally monovalent Al and Ga species have been successfully synthesized on a preparative scale. In addition to the first halides, organometallic compounds with metal–metal bonds have been isolated and investigated with regard to their chemical properties. The fundamental importance of such species has been documented in this journal among others in the form of two highlight articles in which experimental and theoretical aspects have been examined with examples, and parallels and differences with respect to boron chemistry have been illustrated. This review is intended to give an account of the chronological development of this research area over the last few years, but an attempt is also made to categorize the experimental results achieved not only with respect to structure, thermodynamics, and reactivity, but also with the aid of quantum chemical calculations and by comparative considerations.     

Peroxide-initiated grafting of maleic anhydride onto linear and branched hydrocarbons

The structural features of the grafting of maleic anhydride onto low-molecular-weight compounds have been elucidated using several spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Conclusive evidence for the occurrence of singly grafted anhydride residues in multiply grafted products has been established using 2,3-¹³C₂ labeled maleic anhydride. In homogeneous solution, at the low concentrations of maleic anhydride employed, there is little evidence for oligomeric or polymeric grafts to dodecane, pristane, or squalane. The results suggest that isothermal grafting of maleic anhydride to hydrocarbon polymers should also lead to a predominance of single grafts. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3817–3825, 1999     

Evaluation of desulfurization procedures for the elimination of sulfur interferences in the organotin analysis of sediments

Different clean-up and desulfurization procedures were compared in order to check their efficiency in eliminating elemental sulfur and organosulfur compounds from sediment extracts. Adsorption column chromatography cannot remove elemental sulfur or organosulfur compounds. Treatment with activated copper powder only removes elemental sulfur, but organosulfur compounds remain in the extract, and phenyltins are partially lost (up to 50%). Ligand exchange chromatography with AgNO₃-coated silica gel as adsorbent effectively removes elemental sulfur and interfering organosulfur compounds from the sediment extract allowing the quantitation of butyltins with recoveries >80%. Since the phenyltin compounds do not survive the desulfurization step, they should be measured in the untreated extract.     

Discrete and infinite cage-like frameworks with inclusion of anionic and neutral species and with interpenetration phenomena

Complex [Ag(tpba)N(3)] (1) was obtained by reaction of novel tripodal ligand N,N',N"-tris(pyrid-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxamide (TPBA) with [Ag(NH(3))(2)]N(3). While the reactions between 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (TITMB) and silver(I) salts with different anions and solvent systems give six complexes: [Ag(3)(titmb)(2)](N(3))(3).CH(3)OH.4 H(2)O (2), [Ag(3)(titmb)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2)(OH).5 H(2)O (3), [Ag(3)(titmb)(2)][Ag(NO(3))(3)]NO(3).H(2)O (4), [Ag(3)(titmb)(2)(py)](NO(3))(3).H(2)O (py=pyridine) (5), [Ag(3)(titmb)(2)(py)](ClO(4))(3) (6), and [Ag(3)(titmb)(2)](ClO(4))(3).CHCl(3) (7). The structures of these complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. The results of structural analysis of complexes 1 and 2, with the same azide anion but different ligands, revealed that 1 is a twofold interpenetrated 3D framework with interlocked cage-like moieties, while 2 is a M(3)L(2) type cage-like complex with a methanol molecule inside the cage. Entirely different structure and topology between 1 and 2 indicates that the nature of organic ligands affected the structures of assemblies greatly. While in the cases of complexes 2-7 with flexible tripodal ligand TITMB, they are all discrete M(3)L(2) type cages. The results indicate that the framework of these complexes is predominated by the nature of the organic ligand and geometric need of the metal ions, but not influenced greatly by the anions and solvents. It is interesting that there is a divalent anion [Ag(NO(3))(3)](2-) inside the cage 4 and an anion of ClO(4)(-) or NO(3)(-) spontaneously encapsulated within the cage of complexes 5, 6 and 7.