Molecular mass distribution analysis of ethyl(hydroxyethyl)cellulose by size-exclusion chromatography with dual light-scattering and refractometric detection

Dual low-angle light scattering and refractometric detection coupled to size-exclusion chromatography provided proof for the presence of a low amount of stable aggregates/particles in ethyl(hydroxyethyl)cellulose. Unlike the correct size-exclusion chromatographic behavior of the parent polysaccharide itself, the aggregates exhibit variable size-dependent weak retention as a function of flow-rate and of ionic strength of the aqueous mobile phase. Therefore, determination of the molecular mass of non-aggregated polymer is possible in aqueous mobile phase containing 0.1 M NaCl under conditions at which aggregates are completely adsorbed on the column packing irrespective of the flow-rate used. Flow-rate and ionic strength-dependent variations of aggregate behavior as well as model size-exclusion experiments with latex particles indicate that they partly carry a minute charge and have a compact structure. Their weak retention under the separation conditions used suggests a difference in their surface chemistry when compared with the dissolved polymer coils which exhibit a correct size-exclusion behavior.     

Syntheses of Theaspirone and Vitispirane via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Oxaspirocyclization

Total syntheses of theaspirone (A and B) and vitispirane (A and B) are described. The key step in the syntheses is the palladium(II)-catalyzed intramolecular oxaspirocyclization of diene alcohol 4 to either vitispirane or the allylic alcohol 9. The outcome of the oxaspirocyclization is very much dependent on the solvent employed. In water-acetic acid (4:1) a 1:1 mixture of the diastereomeric alcohols 9A and 9B was exclusively formed. In water with 8 equiv of a strong non-nucleophilic acid, vitispiranes A and B (1:1) were obtained. An alternative procedure to obtain vitispirane with the use of LiCl and K(2)CO(3) is described. In the latter reaction vitispirane B is formed preferentially. This result is explained by an equilibrium between the two possible pi-allyl complexes 5A and 5B, the kinetically favored 5B being transformed into vitispirane 3B before isomerization to 5A occurs.     

The structure of defect Ru4Si3

The nature of the defect structure of Ru₄Si₃ has been studied with electron diffraction and electron microscopy methods. Lattice image pictures, interpreted with histogram analysis, reveal that planar defects of chemical twinning type are common in the crystals.     

New Approaches to Coupling TLC with TOF-SIMS

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A new hyphenated technique that enables coupling of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with time-of-flight secondary-ion mass...     

Asymmetric base-mediated epoxide isomerisation

The base-mediated rearrangement of epoxides into allylic alcohols is a well-known synthetic transformation. The first enantioselective version of the reaction using a chiral base was reported in 1980. Since then, the reaction has received a lot of attention mostly due to the great usefulness of chiral allylic alcohols in organic synthesis. Major breakthroughs in the area were the first report on using a sub-stoichiometric amount of chiral base, and the development of chiral bases for a true catalytic reaction protocol. The present review covers the time from when the first asymmetric epoxide isomerisation reaction was reported (1980) up to now, focusing on the period 1997-2001.     

Peak compression effects in capillary electrochromatography of basic drug substances using a strong cation-exchanger

Peak compression effects in capillary electrochromatography of basic drug substances using a strong cation-exchanger have been studied. Extremely narrow peaks with apparent efficiencies of several million plates per meter could be obtained when the composition of the sample zone differed from that of the mobile phase. The increased efficiencies were predominately observed when the analyte had an elution time similar to that of the electroosmotic flow marker. Peak compression was found to be reproducible and could be obtained for all investigated basic drug substances by altering the composition of the mobile phase in such a way that the analyte co-eluted with the sample zone. An explanation of the observed phenomena is proposed. A sample zone differing in composition from the mobile phase will disturb the equilibrium between the stationary and mobile phase. The elution rate of an analyte will consequently be different when residing inside the sample zone. If the analyte migrates through the sample zone at a higher speed than the rest of the mobile phase and is strongly retained after passing through a boundary in the sample zone, a continuous stacking can be obtained trapping the analyte as a very narrow band.