Investigations of cluster ions formed between cesium cations and benzoic, salicylic and phthalic acids by electrospray mass spectrometry and density-functional theory calculations. Toward a modeling of the interaction of Cs+ with humic substances

A concerted theoretical (density-functional theory) and experimental electrospray mass spectrometry study was conducted on the formation of cesium cation adducts with small molecules taken as models of specific interactions sites in humic substances. Electrospray experiments with phenol, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, and phthalic acid, in methanolic solution containing cesium nitrate, were performed using a quadrupole ion trap. The formation of positively charged mixed clusters, [Cs(CsNO3)(n)(CsA1)(m)(Cs2A2)(p)]+ (A1 = benzoate, salicylate, and hydrogenophthalate, A2 = phthalate), was observed. Calculations of structures and bonding energetics of Cs+ in simple adducts formed with NO3-, CsNO3, A-, AH, and CsA are reported. The observation of variable cluster stoichiometry (n, m and p values) was interpreted in terms of more or less favorable interaction energies between Cs+ and the neutral species constituting the clusters. Phenol did not form clusters in significant abundances, despite a strong calculated interaction between Cs+ and cesium phenolate. This was attributed to its weak acid dissociation in the electrospray solution.     

Qualitative and quantitative end-group analysis of a small molecular weight polyester by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was used for qualitative and quantitative end-group analysis of a small molecular weight polyester, poly(2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propylene phthalate). The presence of carboxyl-terminated linear and cyclic polyester oligomers was confirmed with the help of simple sample preparation methods. The presence of carboxyl end-groups in the polyester chains was verified through their formation of carboxylate salts with alkali metal cations. Cyclic oligomers were identified through deuterium exchange of the exchangeable protons of the polyester. Various inorganic salts were tested for salt formation of the carboxyl end-groups, but only the alkali metal salts proved effective. The influence of the alkali metal salts on the results of the quantitative end-group analysis was also studied. The relative amounts of differently terminated and cyclic oligomers were calculated when the alkali metal salts were used with different matrices. The results showed that both the salts and the matrices used in sample preparation can have a marked effect on the quantitative results of the end-group analysis. The measurements were carried out using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), 1,8, 9-trihydroxyanthracene (dithranol), and 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid (HABA) as matrix compounds. Dithranol and HABA repeatably exhibited similar results, and these results differed from those obtained with DHB probably because of the different ionization mechanisms in the MALDI process. Copyright-Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acid strength distributions in the Mo?Al?Si and the Ni?Mo?Al oxide systems determined by ammonia adsorption

Acid strength distributions of Mo–Al–Si and Ni–Mo–Al oxide systems have been found by means of a relationship that gives pK_a values from amounts of ammonia adsorption. Molybdenum is suggested to cause a homogenization in the acid strength distribution of alumina but a heterogenization in silicaalumina, whereas nickel is found to neutralize strong acid sites inherent to molybdenum.

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Mo–Al–Si Ni–Mo–Al , . , , .

     

Determination of linkage position and anomeric configuration in Hex-Fuc disaccharides using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Fixed-energy sequential tandem mass spectrometry (MS(n)) capabilities offered by quadrupole ion trap instruments have been explored in a systematic study of six isomers of Gal-Fucalpha-OBenzyl disaccharides. Under collision-induced dissociation (CID), sodiated molecular species generated in the positive-ion electrospray ionization mode yield simple and predictable mass spectra. Information on interglycosidic linkages and configurations can be deduced from the relative intensities of the selected diagnostic fragments arising from the glycosidic bond cleavages and corroborated by the fragments arising from cross-ring cleavages. As the CID patterns are not dependent on the number of prior tandem mass spectrometric steps, structures can be unambiguously assigned by matching the spectra with a library. The rules governing the fragmentation behavior of this class of oligosaccharides were tested for a representative isomeric disaccharide, Glcbeta1,3Fucalpha-OAllyl. The findings establish a basis for using MS(n) with a quadrupole ion trap instrument to elucidate structures of hexose-fucose subunits from more complicated oligosaccharides. Energy-resolved mass spectra were also acquired by CID tandem triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. The breakdown behavior of the molecular ions revealed patterns which could differentiate stereoisomers of Gal-Fuc disaccharides over a range of collision energy from 20 to 50 eV.     

The sesquiterpenoid nootkatone and the absolute configuration of a di­bromo derivative

Nootkatone, or (4R,4aS,6R)‐4,4a,5,6,7,8‐hexa­hydro‐4,4a‐di­methyl‐6‐(1‐methyl­ethenyl)­naphthalen‐2(3H)‐one, C₁₅H₂₂O, a sesquiterpene with strong repellent properties against Formosan subterranean termites and other insects, has the valencene skeleton. The di­bromo derivative (1S,3R,4S,4aS,6R,8aR)‐1,3‐di­bromo‐6‐iso­propyl‐4,4a‐di­methyl‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octa­hydro­naphthalen‐2‐one, C₁₅H₂₄Br₂O, has two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit, which differ in the rotation of the iso­propyl group with respect to the main skeleton. The C—Br distances are in the range 1.950 (4)–1.960 (4) Å. Both independent molecules form zigzag chains, with very short intermolecular carbonyl–carbonyl interactions, having the perpendicular motif and O⋯C distances of 2.886 (6) and 2.898 (6) Å. These chains are flanked by intermolecular Br⋯Br interactions of distances in the range 4.067 (1)–4.218 (1) Å. The absolute configuration of the di­bromo derivative was determined, from which that of nootkatone was inferred.     

Heck coupling of haloaromatics with octavinylsilsesquioxane: solution processable nanocomposites for application in electroluminescent devices

A new solution processable nanocomposite material has been prepared via the Heck coupling of octavinylsilsesquioxane with a selected bromoaromatic hole transport compound. Resultant electroluminescent devices show an 18% improvement in external quantum efficiencies over their small molecule analogues.