A Mass-Selective Variable-Temperature Drift Tube Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometer for Temperature Dependent Ion Mobility Studies

A hybrid ion mobility-mass spectrometer (IM-MS) incorporating a variable-temperature (80–400 K) drift tube is presented. The instrument utilizes an electron ionization (EI) source for fundamental small molecule studies. Ions are transferred to the IM-MS analyzer stages through a quadrupole, which can operate in either broad transmission or mass-selective mode. Ion beam modulation for the ion mobility experiment is accomplished by an electronic shutter gate. The variable-temperature ion mobility spectrometer consists of a 30.2 cm uniform field drift tube enclosed within a thermal envelope. Subambient temperatures down to 80 K are achievable through cryogenic cooling with liquid nitrogen, while elevated temperatures can be accessed through resistive heating of the envelope. Mobility separated ions are mass analyzed by an orthogonal time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. This report describes the technological considerations for operating the instrument at variable temperature, and preliminary results are presented for IM-MS analysis of several small mass ions. Specifically, mobility separations of benzene fragment ions generated by EI are used to illustrate significantly improved (greater than 50%) ion mobility resolution at low temperatures resulting from decreased diffusional broadening. Preliminary results on the separation of long-lived electronic states of Ti⁺ formed by EI of TiCl₄ and hydration reactions of Ti⁺ with residual water are presented.     

Oxidatively robust monophenolate-copper(II) complexes as potential models of galactose oxidase

Cupric complexes of a novel phenanthroline-phenolate ligand have strongly distorted coordination geometries and electrochemical properties conducive to modeling the spectroscopy and reactivity of the enzyme galactose oxidase.     

Self‐Assembly of MXene‐Surfactants at Liquid–Liquid Interfaces: From Structured Liquids to 3D Aerogels

2D transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes), a class of emerging nanomaterials with intriguing properties, have attracted significant attention in recent years. However, owing to the highly hydrophilic nature of MXene nanosheets, assembly strategies of MXene at liquid–liquid interfaces have been very limited and challenging. Herein, through the cooperative assembly of MXene and amine‐functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane at the oil–water interface, we report the formation, assembly, and jamming of a new type MXene‐based Janus‐like nanoparticle surfactants, termed MXene‐surfactants (MXSs), which can significantly enhance the interfacial activity of MXene nanosheets. More importantly, this simple assembly strategy opens a new platform for the fabrication of functional MXene assemblies from mesoscale (e.g., structured liquids) to macroscale (e.g., aerogels), that can be used for a range of applications, including nanocomposites, electronic devices, and all‐liquid microfluidic devices.     

Synthesis and characterization of two novel organic–inorganic hybrid solids from Keggin ions and metal coordination complexes

Two new hybrid compounds, [Co(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₄][(4,4′-bpyH₂]₂[CoW₁₂O₄₀]·8H₂O (1) and [Fe(2,2′-bpy)₃]₃[H₂W₁₂O₄₀]·6H₂O (2), (4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been hydrothermally synthesized. These solids were characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, UV–Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The hydrogen-bonding interactions in 1 lead to the formation of a three dimensional network consisting of [CoW₁₂O₄₀]⁶⁻ anionic clusters, [Co(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cations and lattice water molecules, while the discrete Keggin ion [H₂W₁₂O₄₀]⁶⁻ in compound 2 is surrounded by 14 [Fe(2,2′-bpy)₃]²⁺ complexes through CH?O interactions (2.24–2.56 Å).     

Ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of oligonucleotides: retention prediction

An ion-pair reversed-phase HPLC method was evaluated for the separation of synthetic oligonucleotides. Mass transfer in the stationary phase was found to be a major factor contributing to peak broadening on porous C18 stationary phases. A small sorbent particle size (2.5 microm), elevated temperature and a relatively slow flow-rate were utilized to enhance mass transfer. A short 50 mm column allows for an efficient separation up to 30mer oligonucleotides. The separation strategy consists of a shallow linear gradient of organic modifier, optimal initial gradient strength, and the use of an ion-pairing buffer. The triethylammonium acetate ion-pairing mobile phases have been traditionally used for oligonucleotide separations with good result. However, the oligonucleotide retention is affected by its nucleotide composition. We developed a mathematical model for the prediction of oligonucleotide retention from sequence and length. We used the model successfully to select the optimal initial gradient strength for fast HPLC purification of synthetic oligonucleotides. We also utilized ion-pairing mobile phases comprised of triethylamine (TEA) buffered by hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). The TEA-HFIP aqueous buffers are useful for a highly efficient and less sequence-dependent separation of heterooligonucleotides.     

Tributylgermanium hydride as a replacement for tributyltin hydride in radical reactions

Tributylgermanium hydride (Bu(3)GeH) can be used as an alternative to tributyltin hydride (Bu(3)SnH) as a radical generating reagent with a wide range of radical substrates. Tributylgermanium hydride has several practical advantages over tributyltin hydride, e.g. low toxicity, good stability and much easier work-up of reactions. The reagent can be easily prepared in good yield and stored indefinitely. Suitable substrates include iodides, bromides, activated chlorides, phenyl selenides, tert-nitroalkanes, thiocarbonylimidazolides and Barton esters. Alkyl, vinyl and aryl radicals can be generated in radical reactions including reduction and cyclisation processes. Common radical initiators such as ACCN and triethylborane can be used. The slower rate of hydrogen abstraction by carbon-centred radicals from Bu(3)GeH as compared to Bu(3)SnH facilitates improved cyclisation yields. Polarity reversal catalysis (PRC) with phenylthiol can be used in reactions which generate stable radical intermediates which will not abstract hydrogen from Bu(3)GeH.     

Toward understanding the ionization of biomarkers from micrometer particles by bio-aerosol mass spectrometry

The appearance of informative signals in the mass spectra of laser-ablated bio-aerosol particles depends on the effective ionization probabilities (EIP) of individual components during the laser ionization process. This study investigates how bio-aerosol chemical composition governs the EIP values of specific components and the overall features of the spectra from the bio-aerosol mass spectrometry (BAMS). EIP values were determined for a series of amino acid, dipicolinic acid, and peptide aerosol particles to determine what chemical features aid in ionization. The spectra of individual amino acids and dipicolinic acid, as well as mixtures, were examined for extent of fragmentation and the presence of molecular ion dimers, which are indicative of ionization conditions. Standard mixtures yielded information with respect to the significance of secondary ion plume reactions on observed spectra. A greater understanding of how these parameters affect EIP and spectra characteristics of bio-aerosols will aid in the intelligent selection of viable future biomarkers for the identification of bio-terrorism agents.     

Seven‐Step Continuous Flow Synthesis of Linezolid Without Intermediate Purification

Herein, the blockbuster antibacterial drug linezolid is synthesized from simple starting blocks by a convergent continuous flow sequence involving seven (7) chemical transformations. This is the highest total number of distinct reaction steps ever performed in continuous flow without conducting solvent exchanges or intermediate purification. Linezolid was obtained in 73 % isolated yield in a total residence time of 27 minutes, corresponding to a throughput of 816 mg h^?1.     

Chiral aminocyclopentene-based cycloaddition strategies to bicyclic [3.3.0] rings

Two cycloaddition methods were applied to chiral protected aminocyclopentenes 2 and 9 and provided novel bicyclic products 3 and 4 in good yields. The explanation for the observed stereochemistry was based on the sterically encumbered β-face forcing the cycloadditions to occur on the α-face of the cyclopentene ring. The stereochemistry of 4 was confirmed by X-ray of the fumarate salt 10 and showed the trans-relationship between the newly formed ring and the chiral –NHBoc group.