Novel stereoselective molecularly imprinted polymers via ring-opening metathesis polymerisation

Stereoselective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been synthesised via ring-opening metathesis polymerisation, in essentially, quantitative yield. A covalent imprinting strategy was followed during the network formation of the chiral sorbent. Recognition of the substrate however involved non-covalent interactions; a combination of hydrogen bonding and the chiral environment presented by the imprinted cavities. The enantiomeric excess achievable with these new MIPs is solvent dependent and stereoselectivities of up to 20% e.e. (separation factor α=2.2) were found in batch equilibrations.     

Synthesis of 5-alkylidene-2,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones and their ring-transformation into 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]chromones, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromones and pyran-4-ones

Acid-mediated ring-transformations of 5-alkylidene-2,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones, available by cyclization of 1,3-diketone dianions with bis(imidoyl) dichlorides of oxalic acid, resulted in formation of functionalized pyran-4-ones, such as 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]chromones and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromones.     

Quantitative depth profiling in glow discharge spectroscopies – A new deconvolution technique to separate effects of an uneven erosion crater shape

An algorithm is presented as a concept for the quantification in direct current and radiofrequency glow discharge (GD) modes for GD optical emission spectroscopy. The algorithm is divided into excitation and sputtering part and thus it is possible to distinguish between the different excitation processes and to consider equivalent sputtering crater formations in both modes. Intensity-time profiles are affected corresponding to the method by several effects. One important effect is that sputtering occurs at a single time in different depths because of curved crater bottoms, this is usually called crater effect. The main purpose is to introduce an iterative deconvolution technique which for the quantification numerically takes into account the curved sputtering crater bottom. Input data for the deconvolution technique are the calibrated mass-time profile, the partial densities of the sample constituents and the measured final shape of the sputtering crater. Using a relatively simple model for ion sputtering the deconvolution technique improves iteratively the calculated layer structure by means of information on crater formation. The mathematical handling is illustrated for the quantification of a depth profile of a multilayer sample of ten 100 nm layers. The resulting concentration-depth profile reflects excellently the real elemental distribution of the multilayer system.     

Analytical Detectors Based on Microplasma Spectrometry

Miniaturizing all dimensions of apparatus, such as electronics and computers, is the current trend followed by scientists in various fields. The idea of Lab-on-a-Chip has significantly expanded and found its broad applications in analytical chemistry. Microplasmas can act as a sample excitation source and are the miniaturized versions of full-sized plasmas. These can be created in various forms, such as direct current, microwave induced, capacitively coupled and inductively coupled plasmas. Scaling down the size would reduce the amount of gases, liquids and consumables required, as well as the sample analysis time, which in turn would decrease the operating costs. Therefore, several research groups are involved in the development of microplasmas for utilisation in analytical instruments.     

On-line electrolytic dissolution of alloys in flow-injection analysis : Part 1. Principles and application in the determination of soluble aluminium in steels

A fast system for steel analysis is described. Immediately after collection, the solidified sample is polished and placed on a small electrochemical dissolution unit. The dissolution step is accomplished in a few seconds, and the dissolved material is passed directly “on line” to a flow-injection manifold. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated by determining soluble aluminium in steels (0.01–0.13% w/w) spectrophotometrically. Dissolution conditions such as current density, electrolysis duration, composition and flow rate of the electrolyte carrier stream are described. The proposed system is very stable and the consumption of reagents is low; 20–40 samples per hour can be handled. The results compare well with the values for reference standard steels.     

Phase Transition and Crystal Structure of the Monomeric Europium(II) Thiolate Eu(SC36H49)2

Single crystal X‐ray diffraction of Eu(SC₃₆H₄₉)₂ has revealed a first order phase transition at a temperature of 119 K, that involves a reduction of the specific volume by 1 %. The transition corresponds to a doubling of the unit cell, as it is the result from reorientations of isopropyl groups that appear at peripheral sites of the organic ligands. It is argued that a denser packing is achieved at the expense of a less favourable conformation of one of the two crystallographically‐independent complexes in the low‐temperature phase. The Bond‐Valence method is used to show that interactions of equal strengths are present between europium and both sulphur atoms and both coordinating phenyl rings.     

Comprehensive chemical derivatization for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based multi-targeted profiling of the major phytohormones

In the present investigation we report selection of the N-methyl-N-(tert.-butydimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) reagent as the most comprehensive derivatization protocol among 17 tested reactions covering trifluoroacetylation, pentafluorobenzylation, methylations, and trimethylsilylations. MTBSTFA allowed easy and robust tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivatization of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, (+/-)-jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, (+/-)-abscisic acid, meta-topolin, and trans-zeatin. Detection limits as analysed by selected ion monitoring quadrupole GC-MS were 0.2, 0.01, 1.0, 0.02, 0.3, 0.3, and 0.9 pmol of injected substance, respectively. Analysis of gibberellic acid A3, trans-zeatin riboside and (+/-)-abscisic acid-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester was best when coupled by splitting extracts and trimethysilylation. The MTBSTFA derivatization protocol was optimised, and validated. The preparation was insensitive to 2% residual water and to < or = 1 day storage at room temperature. The final scheme was highly reproducible and successfully applied to extracts from approximately 300 mg (fresh mass) of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) root and Arabidopsis thaliana seedling.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASH) in diesel fuel by high performance liquid chromatography and photodiode-array detection

An oxidation method (sulfone method) for the determination of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASH) in diesel fuel is presented. The aromatic fraction of a diesel fuel, isolated by solid phase extraction, is oxidized under controlled conditions with hydrogen peroxide. The oxidation products, mainly methylated dibenzosulfone, are determined and quantified directly, without further clean-up, by HPLC with photodiode-array detection.     

Optisch aktive übergangsmetall-komplexe : XXXIX. Stereospezifische phenyl-addition an das C5H5(CO)2 Mo-Pyridin-Carbaldimin-Kation

The addition of C₆H₅^? to the NN' ligand (NN' = Schiff base of pyridine carbaldehyde-(2) and (S)-(—)-α-phenylethylamine) in [C₅H₅ Mo(CO)₂ NN'] PF₆ occurs stereospecific from the side opposite to the C₅H₅-ring.