Can cluster structure affect kinetic method measurements? The curious case of glutamic acid’s gas-phase acidity

The gas-phase acidities of aspartic, glutamic, and 2-aminoadipic acid have been determined by the kinetic method in a triple-quadrupole instrument. Although aspartic acid behaves in the conventional way and gives a DeltaH(acid) value of 1340 kJ mol(-1), glutamic and 2-aminoadipic acids give kinetic method plots with two distinct slopes. This leads to DeltaH(acid) values of 1350 and 1366 kJ mol(-1) for glutamic acid, and 1355 and 1369 kJ mol(-1) for 2-aminoadipic acid. The value for aspartic acid and the low collision energy value for glutamic acid are consistent with recent measurements by Poutsma and co-workers in a quadrupole ion trap. The experiments are supported by calculations at the G3(MP2) and OLYP/aug-cc-pVTZ levels. Computational studies of model clusters of the amino acids with trifluoroacetate suggest there are distinct preferences. Glutamic and 2-aminoadipic acid prefer clusters where the amino acid adopts a zwitterion-like structure whereas aspartic acid prefers to adopt a conventional (canonic) structure in its clusters. This result along with the computed stabilities of zwitterion-like conformations of the deprotonated amino acids leads to the following explanation for the presence of two slopes in the kinetic method plots. At low collision energies, the deprotonated amino acid dissociates from the cluster, with rearrangement if necessary, to give its preferred conformation, but at high collision energies, the deprotonated amino acid directly dissociates in the conformation preferred in the cluster. For glutamic and 2-aminoadipic acids, this is a zwitterion-like structure that is about 20 kJ mol(-1) less stable than the global minimum.     

Determination of glucose by a kinetic method on a thin-layer chromatogram using the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine with hydrogen peroxide

The oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine with hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions in the presence of iron(II, III) was studied on the surface of chromatography paper and TLC plates following the general approach to the purposeful selection of indicator reactions in kinetic methods of analysis. Among the 17 studied model analytes, the strongest inhibitory activity was detected for benzoic acid and glucose. The inhibitory effect of substances is likely due to their interaction with hydroxyl radicals forming in the indicator reaction. The most intense signal of glucose was detected on the surface of silica. Glucose was detected as a light spot against the blue background (R _f ∼ 0.5). A procedure for the semiquantitative determination of glucose on a thin-layer chromatogram based on the dependence of the reflectometer-registered value of the reflectance coefficient on the logarithm of the analyte concentration is proposed. In the range 3 × 10⁻⁵–0.01 M, two concentrations of glucose differing by one half order of magnitude can be distinguished. The detection limit is 1 × 10⁻⁵ M. The procedure was applied to the determination of glucose in beverages, saliva samples, and in a fructose preparation.     

Entropy evaluation using the kinetic method: is it feasible?

The kinetic method is one of the most widely used experimental techniques for the measurement of thermochemical parameters by mass spectrometry. Recently it has been realized that it can also be used to determine reaction entropies, but the validity of this approach has not been established. This Perspective evaluates kinetic method plots in cases where there is a significant entropy difference between the competing fragmentation channels (i.e. between sample and reference compounds in the dissociating cluster ion). The concept underlying this study is to calculate mass spectra theoretically, based on known thermochemical parameters and as a function of experimental conditions. This can be done accurately using the RRKM-based MassKinetics software. The resulting mass spectra are then interpreted by the kinetic method, yielding DeltaH and DeltaS values. These values are, in turn, compared with the true values used to generate the calculated mass spectra. The results show that the reaction entropy difference between sample and reference has a very large influence on kinetic method plots. This should always be considered when studying energy-dependent mass spectra (using metastable ions or low- or high-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID)), even if only DeltaH is to be determined. Kinetic method plots are not strictly linear and this becomes a serious issue in the case of small molecules showing a large entropy effect. In such cases, results obtained at a low degree of excitation are more accurate. Energy and entropy effects can be evaluated in a relatively straightforward manner: first, the apparent Gibbs energy (DeltaG(app)) and effective temperature (T(eff)) are determined from kinetic method plots (intercept and slope, respectively), obtained from experiments using various degrees of excitation. Second, the resulting DeltaG(app) is plotted against T(eff), the slope yielding DeltaS while the intercept (extrapolation to zero temperature) yields DeltaH. This data evaluation yields more accurate results than alternative methods used in the literature. The resulting DeltaH values are fairly accurate, with errors, in most cases, <4 kJ mol(-1). On the other hand, DeltaS is systematically underestimated by 20-40%. Empirically scaling DeltaS values determined by the kinetic method by 1.35 results in a DeltaS value within 20% (or 10 J mol(-1) K(-1)) of the theoretical value.     

Accuracy of enthalpy and entropy determination using the kinetic method: are we approaching a consensus?

There is an emerging consensus regarding the applicability of the kinetic method. All parties acknowledge that it is an approximate quantitative technique, capable of yielding not only enthalpy, but also entropy values. Opinions differ mainly on the accuracy of the results but it is agreed that the energy (effective temperature) dependence of kinetic method plots needs to be checked in all but the simplest of cases. When the 'apparent basicity' is found to depend on collision energy (and hence effective temperature), the extended kinetic method must be used. We have performed a large-scale modeling study, involving thousands of randomly selected molecular systems and a variety of experimental conditions, using exact calculations and realistic data sets. The results show that when the measured entropy difference between the two competing reaction channels is less than approximately 35 J mol(-1) K(-1), overall errors (standard deviations) of DeltaH(298) determined by the kinetic method are +/-5 kJ mol(-1); those of DeltaS(298) are +/-10 J mol(-1) K(-1). These include not only inherent errors of the kinetic method, but also errors in ion abundance measurement (5%) and inaccurate knowledge of reference compound thermochemistry (+/-2 kJ mol(-1), on average). We recommend, in general, that these errors be reported in kinetic method studies. When the measured entropy difference between the two competing fragmentation channels is large (>35 J mol(-1) K(-1)), it is likely to be significantly underestimated and errors of the kinetic method increase significantly.     

Determination of Henry’s constant using a photoacoustic sensor

We present a simple method for measuring Henry’s constant k_Hof ethanol using photoacoustic spectroscopy. At T =  298.1 K the measured value fork_H is (0.877  ±  0.039)kPa · kg · mol ^− 1. Our data show that Henry’s law is valid at ethanol molalities between 0.1mol · kg ^− 1 and 1.4 mol · kg ^− 1. The temperature dependence of Henry’s constant was carefully examined by measuring the ethanol vapour pressure of six different aqueous solutions between T =  273.1 K and T =  298.1 K. By analysing the gas phase concentration and applying Henry’s law, an ethanol molality of 0.864 mol · kg ^− 1in the liquid phase can be measured with an error of  ± 0.038mol · kg ^− 1. The detection limit of the photoacoustic sensor is a gaseous ethanol pressure of 10 ^− 3kPa. Ethanol molality changes as low as 1.10 ^− 3mol · kg ^− 1can be measured.     

Determination of the Poisson’s ratio of viscoelastic materials based on the linear rheological model using instrumented indentation

Based on the linear rheological constitutive model that is used to describe viscoelastic-plastic behavior of viscoelastic materials, a formula of the Poisson’s ratio was deduced according to the relationship between the shear creep compliance and tensile compliance. Instrumented indentation under various loading conditions and universal creep tests were performed on polyamide 12 samples to obtain the relevant rheological parameters. Results show that the Poisson’s ratio for a step load indentation can obtain a constant but overrated value. However, the Poisson’s ratio approaches an asymptotic value and an accurate value can be gained at a certain loading rate.     

Ozawa’s kinetic method for analyzing thermoanalytical curves

By reviewing the history of thermal analysis and its application to the kinetic analysis of the solid-state processes, we investigate the theoretical basis and historical perspective of Ozawa’s kinetic method for analyzing thermoanalytical curves. Ozawa’s nonisothermal kinetic method is demonstrated using thermoanalytical data for the thermal decomposition of sodium hydrogencarbonate and the crystallization of anhydrous magnesium acetate glass as examples. Through investigating recent theoretical advancements in nonisothermal kinetic analysis in view of the theoretical fundamentals of Ozawa’s kinetic method, it is indicated that they are in line with Ozawa’s kinetic theory. On the basis of the above investigations, we discuss the role of Ozawa’s kinetic theory in advancing the analysis of complex reaction kinetics.     

Nitrogen doping into titanium dioxide by the sol–gel method using nitric acid

N-doped TiO₂ has been prepared by use of sol–gel systems containing titanium alkoxide, with nitric acid as the nitrogen source. The time needed for gelation of the systems was drastically reduced by ultrasonic irradiation. The peaks assigned to the nitrate and nitrous ions were observed by FT-IR measurement during the sol–gel reaction. The N-doping was confirmed by the observation of N–O peaks in the XPS spectrum of the sample heated at 400 °C. The nitrate ion acted as an oxidizer of the ethanol solvent and titanium species. The TiO₂ became doped with nitrogen oxide species as a result of reduction of nitrate ion incorporated into the dried gel samples. These results indicated that the added nitric acid was reduced during the sol–gel transition and heating process, and the resulting NO species were situated in the titania networks. The UV and visible photocatalytic activity of the samples was confirmed by the degradation of trichloroethylene.     

On the use of ‘shortcuts’ in the method of continuous variation (Job's method)

The use of modified Job plot methodology provides a quick and easy means for evaluating host–guest stoichiometry and requires less material than the original method. In this short paper, the results of a recent anion recognition study using thiourea-functionalised norbornanes and [n]polynorbornanes are presented. A significant difference between the plots constructed using the original and modified method was observed and, as such, caution is advised when the modified Job's method is solely used for the determination of host–guest stoichiometry.     

One-pot method for the synthesis of sulfonated poly(1,3,4-oxadiazoles) based on 4,4’-oxydibenzoic acid

A series of new copolymers of poly(1,3,4-oxadiazole) that contain side protogenic sulfo groups are synthesized by the direct copolycondensation of terephthalic and 4,4’-oxydibenzoic acids and hydrazine sulfate in oleum. Variation in the polycondensation conditions makes it possible to synthesize copolymers containing phenylene moieties with either 4-sulfo-10,10-dioxophenoxatiine or 4,4’-oxybis(3-sulfophenyl) moieties or a combination of the three moieties. This approach permits easy control over the physicochemical properties of the copolymers and the amount of protogenic sulfo groups. It is shown that the introduction of sulfonated moieties into copolymer molecules makes it possible to obtain materials with high values of ionexchange capacity (1.5 mmol/g) and water absorption (110%), while the strength and thermal stability inherent in poly(p-phenylene 1,3,4-oxadiazoles) remain intact.     

Synthesis of monodispersed lithium silicate particles using the sol–gel method

Lithium silicate particles were prepared by the sol–gel process based on the Stöber method using tetraethoxysilane and lithium ethoxide as starting materials; lithium dodecyl sulfate (LDS) was used as a surfactant. Lithium ion concentration of the obtained particles increased with an increase of Li/Si ratios from 1 to 4. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the obtained particles were rather monodispersed with diameter of 100–300 nm, and the particle size was not influenced by the amount of added LDS but the Li/Si ratios. Fourier-transform infrared spectra of the particles showed that the intensity of the peaks due to CO₃ ^2? increased with an increase of the Li/Si ratios. X-ray diffraction patterns and ²⁹Si magic-angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the particles indicated that Q₃ and Q₂ units were present as amorphous state in the particles prepared with Li/Si ratios of 1 and 2, respectively. In the case of Li/Si ratios of more than 3, lithium metasilicate crystals formed, and Q₁ and Q₂ units were dominant.     

Synthesis of europium-doped silica microspheres using the sol–gel microencapsulation method

This paper demonstrates the preparation of europium (Eu³⁺) doped silica microspheres using the W/O microencapsulation method. The water phase (W phase) solution is composed of partially hydrolyzed tetraethyl orthosilicate and acetylsalicylic acid acting as hydrophilic active agents. The Eu(NO)₃·H₂O was added into the W phase solution before mixing with the oil phase solution. Under a controlled stirring treatment, the W/O emulsion is obtained by dispersing the W phase solution in cyclohexene containing Span60 as the surfactant. 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) is used as a gelling agent to encapsulate the micelles and Eu³⁺ doped silica microspheres with a mean size of around 2???m can be obtained. The experimental parameters, such as the W/O ratio, stirring condition, the amount of APTES added and the temperature, are modified and their effects on the morphology and homogeneity of the resulting Eu³⁺ doped silica microspheres are systematically studied. The Eu³⁺ ions are successfully confined inside the silica microcapsules, exhibiting an optimal red emission with a doping concentration of 3?mol%.     

A new method for the derivation of exact vibration-rotational kinetic energy operator in internal coordinates

An efficient angular momentum method is presented and used to derive analytic expressions for the vibration-rotational kinetic energy operator of polyatomic molecules.The vibration-rotational kinetic energy operator is expressed in terms of the total angular momentum operator J,the angular momentum operator J and the momentum operator p conjugate to Z in the molecule-fixed frame Not only the method of derivation is simpler than that in the previous work,but also the expressions ot the kinetic energy operators arc more compact.Particularly,the operator is easily applied to different vibrational or rovibrational problems of the polyatomic molecules by variations of matrix elements Gn of a mass-dependent constant symmetric matrix     

Determination partition coefficients of volatile organic substances in the system liquid–air for the creation of calibration gas-phase samples with trace concentrations of substances

The results of determination of Henry’s coefficients for an equilibrium vapor containing trace concentrations of acetone, benzene, toluene, and xylenes over their aqueous solutions are presented. Continuous gas extraction is used.     

Diastereochemical differentiation of some cyclic and bicyclic β-amino acids, via the kinetic method

Stereochemical differentiation of five diastereomeric pairs of β-amino acids, di-endo- and di-exo-2,3-disubstituted norbornane and norbornene amino acids, cis- and trans-2-aminocyclohexane-, 2-amino-4-cyclohexene-, and 2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acids, was investigated via the kinetic method with metal-bound trimeric complexes. This is the first time that diastereomers (di-endo/di-exo and cis/trans) have been differentiated with metal-bound trimeric complexes and the kinetic method. Moreover, determination of diastereochemical excess by the kinetic method was applied to norbornane β-amino acids and cyclopentane β-amino acids. Experiments showed that a remarkable differentiation of the studied diastereomers was achieved. It was observed that better selectivity values correlated to more rigid structures. The reference compounds for the studied β-amino acids varied from α-amino acids to some β-amino acids. In addition, variation of the metal ion (Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺) had some role in the selectivity values obtained. Ab initio and hybrid density functional theory calculations were performed to clarify the results obtained by mass spectrometry.     

Determination of antiretroviral drugs for buyers’ club in Switzerland using capillary electrophoresis methods

Human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed almost 33 million lives to date. Due to the high cost of antiretroviral treatment, access to these drugs remains difficult for vulnerable populations, such as migrants and people living in prisons, who often do not have health insurance. These factors lead to poorer health outcomes and higher transmission rates. The personal importation scheme for unapproved generics from foreign countries is one option to access affordable human immunodeficiency virus treatment. However, the risk of importing falsified medicine remains high, and the quality control of unapproved drugs is lacking. In this context, three CE methods for the analysis of nine antiviral drugs found in commercial pharmaceutical formulations were evaluated. The selected compounds were emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil, tenofovir alafenamide, rilpivirine, efavirenz, raltegravir, dolutegravir, abacavir, and lamivudine. The developed methods were successfully applied to determine the active pharmaceutical ingredients of commercial formulations and unapproved generics. The quality control of unapproved generics by CE is an attractive approach due to its good standard of quality, low cost, ecofriendliness, and ease of implementation.     

Determination of kinetic triplet of the synthesized Ni3(PO4)2·8H2O by non-isothermal and isothermal kinetic methods

The nickel phosphate octahydrate (Ni₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O) was synthesized by a simple procedure and characterized by FTIR, TG/DTG/DTA, AAS, and XRD techniques. The morphologies of the title compound and its decomposition product were studied by the SEM method. The dehydration process of the synthesized hydrate occurred in one step over the temperature range of 120–250 °C, and the thermal decomposition product at 800 °C was found to be Ni₃(PO₄)₂. The kinetic parameters (E and A) of this step were calculated using the Ozawa–Flynn–Wall and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose methods. The iterative methods of both equations were carried out to determine the exact values of E, which confirm the single-step mechanism of the dehydration process. The non-isothermal kinetic method was used to determine the mechanism function of the dehydration, which indicates the contracting disk mechanism of R₁ model as the most probable mechanism function and agrees well with the isothermal data. Besides, the isokinetic temperature value (T _i) was calculated from the spectroscopic data. The thermodynamic functions of the activated complex (ΔS ^≠, ΔH ^≠, and ΔG ^≠) of the dehydration process were calculated using the activated complex theory of Eyring. The kinetic parameters and thermodynamic functions of the activated complex for the dehydration process of Ni₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O are reported for the first time.     

Determination of chlorogenic acid by flow injection irreversible biamperometry

A flow injection irreversible biamperometric method for the determination of chlorogenic acid is described.The proposedmethod is based on the electrochemical oxidation of chlorogenic acid at pretreated platinum electrode and the reduction ofpermanganate at another electrode to form an irreversible biamperometric detection system.Under the external potential difference(△E)of 0 V,in the 0.05 mol/L sulfuric acid,chlorogenic acid can be determined over the range 0.8-120 mg/L with a samplemeasurement frequency of 80 samples/h.The detection limit is 0.18 mg/L.The proposed method exhibits the satisfactoryreproducibility with a relative standard derivation(R.S.D.)of 2.21%for 19 successive determinations of 40 mg/L.