Structure elucidation of β-carotene isomers by HPLC-NMR coupling using a C30 bonded phase

The separation of cis/trans isomers of β-carotene has been performed with a C₃₀ stationary phase employing ¹H NMR spectroscopy as an on-line detection technique. 1D as well as 2D NMR spectra have been recorded in the stopped-flow mode for the predominant chromatographic peaks. Structural assignment of the five identified isomers was performed via comparison of simulated 1D ¹H NMR spectra on the basis of the structures of β-carotene cis/trans isomers with the experimental data, and also by the analysis of the proton-proton connectivities in the 2D NMR spectra of three isomers with the highest concentration. The chromatographic retention behaviour of the isomers agreed well with previously reported data. The advantage of the applied hyphenated coupling technique compared to conventional off-line techniques lies in the fact that chromatographic separation and NMR detection are performed in a closed system, so that reisomerization of the separated compounds is inhibited. Received: 29 May 1996 / Revised: 1 July 1996 / Accepted: 4 July 1996     

Le Groupe de Recherche du C.R.N.S. Application des Reactions Nucleaires a l'Analyse Chimique G.A.R.N.A.C.

In this article the research topics dealt with at Research Group for Applications of Nuclear Reactions to Chemical Analysis (GARNAC) are described. Particular emphasis is laid on the main contribution of the GARNAC to the development and the evolution of charged particle activation analysis, evolving with the analytical studies performed and with the scientific and technical progress realized in material and semiconductors science.      

Aspects of the Reduction of Double Bonds Using Cob (I)alamin as Catalys

The olefinic system in 3β-methoxy-4-cholesten-6 a-ol ( 2 ) is reduced using cob (I)alamin ( 1 ( I ); see Scheme 1) as catalyst, aqueous acetic acid as solvent and metallic zinc as electron source (cf. Schemes 2 and 3). Experimental evidence for an attack of 1 ( I ) on both faces of the double bond is presented. By the same catalyst (1 R)-10, 10-dimethyl-2-pinene- 10-carbonitrile ( 9 ) is first transformed to the menthene derivative 11 (see Schemes 4 and 5). The ring opening is then followed by a fast saturation of the disubstituted olefinic system in 11 , and ultimately the remaining double bond is reduced in a slow reaction. The cis-configurated saturated menthane derivative 16 is the main final product ( 16 / 17 ≈ 10:1).     

Specific determination of 20 primary aromatic amines in aqueous food simulants by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

A multi-analyte method without any pre-treatment steps using reversed-phase liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed and applied for the determination of 20 primary aromatic amines (PAA) associated with polyurethane (PUR) products or azo-colours. The method was validated in-house for water and 3% acetic acid food simulants using spiked migrates from plastic laminates. Detection limits ranged from 0.27 to 3 microg amine/L food simulants, and RSD values of within-laboratory reproducibility at the 2 microg PAA/L level ranged from 3.9 to 19%. PAA migration from plastic laminates and black nylon cooking utensils were determined with the method, and high levels of 4,4'-methylenedianiline and aniline were found in migrates from about half of the tested cooking utensils. The method fulfils present legislative demands in the EU for screening and verification of PAA migration from food contact materials.     

A boxmodel development to study the relationships between the photo-oxidants and the particles formation in the troposphere

The model BAGS (Boxmodel for Aerosol and Gasphase Simulations) has been developed. It is composed of two major modules: the first one describes the system of the chemical reactions in the gaseous phase, the second one calculates the aerosol chemical composition and the dimensional distribution of the particles. The boxmodel has been developed with the introduction of new chemical and physical processes, not previously included, in particular the formation of Secondary Organic Aerosol. The other implemented processes are a module for the dynamic of the particle population, nucleation, coagulation and dry deposition. The last phase of the work has been a check of the BAGS capabilities by a series of tests, that have permitted to compare it with other models (MAPS and MADM). The tests in particular have concerned the aerosol water content prediction, the photochemistry, the condensation of the inorganic compounds and the formation of Secondary Organic Aerosol.     

Anomalous dehydration of 2-phenylindole-3-carboxamide to 2-phenylindole-3-carbonitrile by lithium aluminum hydride

Steric factors have been shown to be responsible for the anomalous dehydration of 2-phenylindole-3-carboxamide (1) to 2-phenylindole-3-carbonitrile (3) by lithium aluminum hydride. This steric effect was also reflected in the reactions of 2-phenylindole (4) and its derivatives.

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Anomale Dehydratisierung von 2-Phenylindol-3-carbonsäureamid zu 2-Phenyl-indol-3-carbonitril mit Lithiumaluminiumhydrid (Kurze Mitteilung)

Zusammenfassung Es wird gezeigt, daß für die anomale Dehydratisierung von 2-Phenylindol-3-carbonsäureamid (1) zum entsprechenden Nitril3 durch Lithiumaluminiumhydrid sterische Faktoren verantwortlich sind. Dieser sterische Effekt zeigt sich auch bei Reaktionen von 2-Phenylindol (4) und seiner Derivate.

     

The asymmetric syntheses of the C-1 sidechains of zaragozic acid A and zaragozic acid C

The asymmetric syntheses of the C-1 sidechains of zaragozic acid A and C are described. Aldol reaction defines the chirality at C-4′and C-5′in two independent routes. Multigram preparation as well as a route amenable to derivatization are highlights of these approaches.     

Novel Chiral Aminophosphine Ligand:Synthesis and Application in Saymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation Reaction

A new chiral aminophosphine ligand 6,6′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphinoamino)biphenyl(DMBDPPABP) was prepared and its rhodium complex was found to be an effective catalyst for the asymmetric hydrogenation of amidoacrylic acid and its dervatives.The effects of solvent and reaction temperature on enantioselectivity were also studied.     

Equilibrium of the reaction between dissolved sodium sulfide and biologically produced sulfur

The equilibrium of the heterogeneous reaction between dissolved sodium sulfide and biologically produced sulfur particles has been studied. Biologically produced sulfur was obtained from a bioreactor of a hydrogen sulfide removal process in which the dominating organism is Thiobacillus sp. W5. Detailed knowledge of this reaction is essential to understand its effect on the process. The results were compared with the equilibrium of the reaction of sulfide with ‘inorganic’ elemental sulfur. The equilibrium between dissolved sodium sulfide and biologically produced sulfur particles can be described by an equilibrium constant, K_x, which consists of a weighted sum of constants for polysulfide ions of different chain length, rather than a true single equilibrium constant. For biologically produced sulfur pK_x = 9.10 ± 0.08 (21 °C) and 9.17 ± 0.09 (35 °C) with an average polysulfide chain length x = 4.91 ± 0.32 (21 °C) and 4.59 ± 0.31 (35 °C). The pK_x value for biologically produced sulfur is significantly higher than for reaction of dissolved sodium sulfide with inorganic sulfur (pK_x = 8.82; 21 °C). This difference is probably caused by the negatively charged polymeric organic layer, which is present on biologically produced sulfur but absent with “inorganic” sulfur. Specific binding of polysulfide ions to the organic layer results in a higher polysulfide concentration at the reaction site compared to the bulk concentration. This results in an apparent decrease of the measured equilibrium constant, K_x.     

A robust multisyringe system for process flow analysis. Part II. A multi-commuted injection system applied to the photometric determination of free acidity and iron(III) in metallurgical solutions

A new software-controlled volume-based system for sample introduction in process flow injection analysis was developed. By using a multi-syringe burette coupled with one or two additional commutation valves, the multi-commuted injection of precise sample volumes was accomplished. Characteristics and performance of the injection system were studied by injecting an indicator in a buffered carrier. Three configurations were implemented in order to achieve two different tasks: the single injection of a sample in a two- or three-channels manifold, and the dual injection into different streams. The two channel flow system using the single injection was applied to the determination of free acidity in diluted samples containing high levels of iron(III), by employing the single point titration methodology. The precipitation of ferric hydroxide was prevented using the ammonium and sodium salts of oxalate and acetate as buffer titrant. Methyl Red was employed as indicator. The procedure allows determination of acid concentration in solutions with a Fe(III)/H+ molar ratio up to 0.2. Samples with higher Fe(III)/H+ molar ratios were spiked with a known strong acid at dilution. The three-channel configuration was applied to the determination of ferric ions, using, as reagent, a merging mixture of sulfuric acid and potassium thiocyanate. The double injection system was implemented in series in a single (three-channel) manifold in such a way that a different injection volume and a changed reagent were used for each analyte. It was applied to the separated or sequential determination of free acidity and ferric ions. In this configuration, iron(III) was determined using 0.5-0.7% (w/v) sodium salicylate solution as reagent. The systems can operate at up to 100, 84 and 78 injections per hour, respectively. Determinations on synthetic and process samples compared well with the reference values and procedures. Recoveries of 95-102% with a maximum RSD value of 5.4% were found for acidity. The respective values obtained for iron determinations were 96-105% and 4.3%.