A simple route to the 7H-cyclopenta[a]pentalene system: preparation of the 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-derivative.

Reaction of octachlorofulvene (3) with diazomethane leads to the formation of the tricyclic tetraene (4), which on dechlorination with tin(II) chloride gives 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-7$\text{H}$-cyclopenta[a]pentalene¹ (2).     

Application of high resolution-ICP-MS (sector field-ICP-MS) to the fast and sensitive quality control of process chemicals in semiconductor manufacturing

For fast routine analysis of process chemicals used in semiconductor technology such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), ammonium fluoride/hydrofluoric acid mixtures, phosphoric, sulphuric or peroxodisulphuric acid (PDSA) low blanks are the paramount requirement for reliable sector field ICP-MS ultratrace analysis. When solutions containing a high amount of dissolved solids e.g. seawater samples have been analysed before, a thorough cleaning procedure and an adapted element menu is essential to lower the instrument blanks where possible or to achieve sufficient limits of detection (LoD) even at high blank levels. Due to its improved transmission and its ability to resolve spectral interferences inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry is capable of detecting 1 ng/g of all metal impurities even K, Ca, and Fe in every matrix used for semiconductor production. LoDs range from < 1 to 30 pg/mL in diluted chemicals corresponding to 5 to 800 pg/mL in the original. This work describes the experiences with instrument cleaning and maintenance, sample preparation and introduction. The interface region between torch and lenses was seen to be the main source of blanks for elements such as Na. All sample manipulation has to be carried out under clean room conditions. The use of an inert sample introduction system (ISIS), platinum cones and at least medium resolution for elements between 24 and 80 amu creates a very robust method. High efficiency sample introduction systems such as USN and MCN have been studied alternatively.     

Intelligent automation of high-performance liquid chromatography method development by means of a real-time knowledge-based approach

We describe the development, attributes and capabilities of a novel type of artificial intelligence system, called LabExpert, for automation of HPLC method development. Unlike other computerised method development systems, LabExpert operates in real-time, using an artificial intelligence system and design engine to provide experimental decision outcomes relevant to the optimisation of complex separations as well as the control of the instrumentation, column selection, mobile phase choice and other experimental parameters. LabExpert manages every input parameter to a HPLC data station and evaluates each output parameter of the HPLC data station in real-time as part of its decision process. Based on a combination of inherent and user-defined evaluation criteria, the artificial intelligence system programs use a reasoning process, applying chromatographic principles and acquired experimental observations to iteratively provide a regime for a priori development of an acceptable HPLC separation method. Because remote monitoring and control are also functions of LabExpert, the system allows full-time utilisation of analytical instrumentation and associated laboratory resources. Based on our experience with LabExpert with a wide range of analyte mixtures, this artificial intelligence system consistently identified in a similar or faster time-frame preferred sets of analytical conditions that are equal in resolution, efficiency and throughput to those empirically determined by highly experienced chromatographic scientists. An illustrative example, demonstrating the potential of LabExpert in the process of method development of drug substances, is provided.     

Separation of structurally related synthetic peptides by capillary zone electrophoresis

The separation of two different sets of synthetic peptides has been investigated by high-performance capillary zone electrophoresis utilising naked, fused silica capillaries. The effects of electrolyte pH, buffer concentration, capillary length and electric field strength on the separation efficiency and selectivity were systematically varied, with the highest resolution achieved with buffer electrolytes of low pH and relatively high ionic strength. Under optimised separation conditions utilising the "short end injection" separation approach with negative electric field polarity, a series of eight structurally-related synthetic peptides were baseline resolved within 4 min without addition of any modifier of the background electrolyte with separation efficiencies in the vicinity of 600000 theoretical plates/m. Further significant enhancement of separation efficiencies could be achieved by taking advantage of the "long end injection" approach with positive electric field polarity. The outcome of these experimental variations parallels the "sweeping" effect that has been observed in the capillary electrochromatographic and micellar electrokinetic separations of polar molecules and permits rapid resolution of peptides with focusing effects. In addition, small changes in the electrolyte buffer pH and concentration were found to have a significant impact on the selectivity of synthetic peptides of similar intrinsic charge. These observations indicate that multi-modal separation mechanisms operated under these conditions with the unmodified fused silica capillaries. This study, moreover, documents additional examples of peptide-specific multi-zoning behaviour in the high-performance capillary zone electrophoretic separation of synthetic peptides.     

Coordination chemistry of a novel tetramacrocyclic ligand derived from 1,4,7-triazacyclononane: synthesis,structure, and properties of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes

A new polynucleating ligand, 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-ylmethyl)benzene (Ldur), has been prepared and characterized as its dodecahydrobromide salt. Addition of base to an aqueous solution of this salt and 4 molar equivalents (m.e.) of a Ni(II) salt produces a mixture of bi- and trinuclear complexes, which can be separated by cation-exchange chromatography (CEC) and crystallized as [Ni2Ldur](ClO4)(4).2H2O (1) and [Ni3Ldur(H2O)6](ClO4)(6).9H2O (2). The "full capacity" tetranuclear complex, [Ni4Ldur(H2O)12](ClO4)(8).8H2O (3), is obtained by slow addition of Ldur to a refluxing aqueous solution of excess Ni2+ ions, followed by CEC purification. Treatment of Ldur with 4 m.e. of a copper(II) salt produces exclusively the tetranuclear complex, [Cu4Ldur(H2O)8](ClO4)(8).9H2O (4), while reaction with only 2 m.e. of Cu2+ ions yields the binuclear complex, [Cu2Ldur](ClO4)(4).4H2O (5). The X-ray structures of complexes 1,2,4, and [Cu2Ldur](ClO4)(4).3H2O (5') have been determined; all are monoclinic, P2(1)/c: for 1, a = 9.497(3) A, b = 13.665(5) A, c = 19.355(6) A, beta = 100.57(2) degrees, V = 2469(1) A3, and Z = 2; for 2, a = 22.883(7) A, b = 15.131(6) A, c = 20.298(8) A, beta = 97.20(3) degrees, V = 6973(4) A3, and Z = 4; for 4, a = 16.713(7) A, b = 16.714(6) A, c = 14.775(11) A, beta = 108.24(5) degrees, V = 3920(4) A3, and Z = 2; and for 5', a = 9.5705(1) A, b = 13.0646(1) A, c = 20.1298(2) A, beta = 103.1618(8) degrees, V = 2450.81(4) A3, and Z = 2. The metal centers in 1 and 5' lie in distorted octahedral environments, each facially coordinated by two of the triamine rings of Ldur, the cation in each case being centrosymmetric. In 2, one of the nickel(II) centers is similarly sandwiched by two triamine rings, while the other two nickel(II) centers are each coordinated by a single triamine ring from the ligand, with their distorted octahedral coordination spheres each being completed by three water molecules. In 4, the four triamine rings of Ldur bind to separate copper(II) centers, with two water molecules occupying the remaining two sites of the distorted square pyramidal (SP) coordination spheres, the cation again being centrosymmetric.     

International comparison of the determination of the mass fraction of cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead in polypropylene: the Comité Consultatif pour la Quantité de Matière pilot study CCQM-P106

The CCQM-P106 pilot study was organized by the inorganic working group of the Comité Consultatif pour la Quantité de Matière (CCQM) as a feasibility comparison to study the applicability of different analysis methods to the polypropylene sample and test the abilities of the participants for measuring the Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in polypropylene. National Institute of Metrology P.R. China (NIM) acted as the coordinating laboratory of this pilot study. There were 21 laboratories that submitted the final results. The median values of the mass fraction of Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb were 36.12 mg kg^?1 (the median absolute deviation about the median (MADe) = 0.46 mg kg^?1), 252.5 mg kg^?1 (MADe = 3.4 mg kg^?1), 387.0 mg kg^?1 (MADe = 10.1 mg kg^?1) and 466.2 mg kg^?1 (MADe = 8.9 mg kg^?1), respectively. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurement methods were used, and microwave digestion was used by the most of the participants. In general, very good agreement of the results was observed. Moreover, compared to the results of other methods, the results of IDMS still showed less spread amongst laboratories and had a smaller uncertainty. In addition, the results of some analytes used by XRF and INAA also got satisfactory agreement with the median value.     

Isotope dilution quantification of ultratrace gamma-glutamyl-Se-methylselenocysteine species using HPLC with enhanced ICP–MS detection by ultrasonic nebulisation or carbon-loaded plasma

A method for the accurate determination of ultratrace selenium species of relevance to cancer research, such as gamma-glutamyl-Se-methylselenocysteine (γ-glutamyl-SeMC), using species-specific double isotope dilution analysis (IDA) with HPLC–ICP–MS is reported for the first time. The ⁷⁷Se-enriched γ-glutamyl-SeMC spike was produced in-house by collecting the fraction at the retention time of the γ-glutamyl-SeMC peak from a chromatographed aqueous extract of ⁷⁷Se-enriched yeast, pooling the collected fractions and freeze-drying the homogenate. The Se content of this spike was characterised using reverse isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) and the isotopic composition of this spike was checked prior to quantification of the natural abundance dipeptide species in garlic using speciated IDA. The extraction of the γ-glutamyl-SeMC species in water was performed in a sonication bath for 2 h after adding an appropriate quantity of ⁷⁷Se-enriched γ-glutamyl-SeMC to 50 mg of garlic to give optimal ⁷⁸Se/⁷⁷Se and ⁸²Se/⁷⁷Se ratios of 1.5 and 0.6, respectively. The effect of ultrasonic nebulisation, in comparison with the loading of the ICP with carbon (through the addition of methane gas on-line), on the detection of Se associated with γ-glutamyl-SeMC using collision/reaction cell ICP–MS with hydrogen as collision gas was investigated. Sensitivity enhancements of approximately fourfold and twofold were achieved using USN and methane mixed plasma, respectively, in comparison with conventional nebulisation and conventional Ar ICP–MS. However, an approximately twofold improvement in the detection limit was achieved using both approaches (42 ng kg⁻¹ for ⁷⁸Se using peak height measurements). The use of species-specific IDMS enabled quantification of the dipeptide species at ng g⁻¹ levels (603 ng g⁻¹ Se) in the complex food matrix with a relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 4) of 4.5%, which was approximately half that obtained using standard addition as a confirmatory technique. Furthermore, good agreement was found between the γ-glutamyl-SeMC species concentrations obtained using both calibration methods.     

The BIOREMA project—Part 2: International interlaboratory comparison for biodiesel test methods

The results of an interlaboratory comparison, using various measurement methods to carry out biodiesel testing, are presented and the findings are discussed. The interlaboratory comparison was organised within the framework of an EU-funded project called BIOREMA. A general overview of the project and results of an interlaboratory comparison on bioethanol are published as Part 1 and 2 of this series of papers. In the study presented here, reference values, provided by national metrology institutes and expert laboratories, were used for evaluating the results. Consensus values, derived from the results of all participants, were used to assess any bias between the results from the national metrology institutes and testing laboratories. The emphasis in this interlaboratory comparison was not the performance rating of the individual laboratories, but recognising and interpreting differences caused by the measurement methods applied. For most biodiesel parameters, a good agreement of measurement results was found among different methods, and between the consensus and reference values. The study material was a rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester, for which it was demonstrated that it is feasible to prepare and characterise reference materials for biodiesel with well-established reference values for many parameters.     

Characterization and applications of etched chemically modified capillaries for open-tubular capillary electrochromatography

In this article, the effects of the stationary phase, buffer pH, organic modifier type, organic modifier composition, applied voltage, and temperature on the migration of several synthetic peptides in etched chemically modified open-tubular capillaries are discussed. With these solutes, migration is due to two effects: electrophoretic mobility and solute/bonded phase interactions. In addition, relative migration rates are evaluated for the peptide samples as a function of these experimental variables in order to determine which parameters might be useful for optimizing separations in open-tubular capillary electrochromatography (OTCEC). Some examples of synthetic peptide separations are presented where the sample contains a major component and several minor species, demonstrating how the resolution of these mixtures can be affected by the appropriate choice of experimental variables.     

Impact of organic solvents on the resolution of synthetic peptides by capillary electrophoresis

The effect of variations in the concentrations of different organic solvents, including acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol, with aqueous buffer electrolytes of defined composition and pH on the electroosmotic flow velocity, v(EOF), of uncoated fused silica capillaries and on the electrophoretic mobility, mu(e), of synthetic peptides in high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) has been systematically investigated. In these experiments, the volume fractions of the organic solvent in the aqueous buffer electrolyte were changed from psi = 0.0 to 0.80. The addition of these organic solvents to the aqueous buffer electrolyte reduced the electroosmotic flow (EOF) of the system, but to significantly different extents. For the protic solvents as the alkyl chain of the alcohol increased, at the same volume fraction the greater was the influence on the electroosmotic flow. However, for the aprotic solvent, acetonitrile, the EOF did not change substantially as the volume fraction was varied. The electrophoretic mobility of synthetic peptides under the different buffer electrolyte conditions showed similar trends, confirming that the content and type of the organic modifier can be rationally employed to subtly manipulate the separation selectivity of synthetic peptides. These results, therefore, provide fundamental insight into the experimental options that can be used to maximise resolution of synthetic peptides in HPCE with aqueous buffer-organic solvent mixtures as well as a basis to select optimal binary or ternary buffer electrolyte compositions for the analysis of peptides when hyphenated techniques, such as HPCE-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), are contemplated for the analysis of peptide samples of low abundance as can often be experienced in proteomic investigations.