Topographical properties of polymer films deposited in capillaries for electrophoretic separations of large organic molecules

Topography and thickness of hydrophilic polymer coatings of fused-silica capillaries for capillary electrophoresis (CE) were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and profilometry. Three hydrogels, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(HEMA)], poly(diethylene glycol monomethacrylate) [poly(DEGMA)], and poly(triethylene glycol monomethacrylate) [poly(TEGMA)], were deposited using two procedures, either by simple physical sorption of the polymers, or by derivatization of the capillary wall surface with glycidyl methacrylate (EPMA) followed by polymerization of the appropriate monomers. The performance of the modified capillaries was tested under CE conditions (decrease in the electroosmotic flow, EOF dependence on pH, separation of milk and standard proteins). It has been found that the most important property of the polymer coating is its thickness, whereas its topography and the degree of its hydrophobicity are less significant. Film deposition by physical adsorption is preferable to polymerization on the derivatized surface.     

Amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide with a manganese dioxide film-modified screen printed carbon electrode

A carbon thick film electrode modified with an MnO₂-film is investigated as an amperometric detector for hydrogen peroxide in flow-injection analysis (FIA). At an operating potential of +0.48 V vs. Ag/AgCl catalytic oxidation of the analyte is exploited for amperometric monitoring. Experimental parameters, such as pH of the carrier, working potential, flow rate and injection volume, are optimized. The amperometric signals are linearly proportional to the concentration of H₂O₂ in the range from 0.005 to 10 mg/L, showing a detection limit (3σ) of 2.3 μg/L. The method is applied to the determination of H₂O₂ in rain water and to a simple assay to quantify glucose in human plasma.     

Strong acidic ion exchangers structure by inverse steric exclusion chromatography

A number of strongly acidic ion exchangers, both of the standard gel and of the macroreticular type, were investigated by inverse steric exclusion chromatography in an aqueous medium, using D₂O, sugars, and dextrans as standard solutes. Their structure was characterized as an assembly of isoporous fractions by using Ogston's model of the porous medium. The data thus obtained were correlated with those on the catalytic activity of ion exchangers for the hydrolysis of saccharose.     

Correction procedure for the electron microprobe analysis of porous materials

A correction method is proposed for the quantitative determination of stoichiometric ratios in porous materials by electron microprobe analysis. Analysis of this kind of material is complicated by an imperfect surface that can only be improved to some extent. The correction is based on a linear dependence (different for each element) of the analyses on a sum of weight concentrations of oxides. With this correction it is possible to use analyses affected by the imperfection of the surface with much better confidence compared to common normalisation. An example is presented for a series of ceramic superconductors Bi_2.1(SrCa)_2.9Cu₂O₈₊.     

On the stereochemistry of photoaddition between α,β-unsaturated ketones and olefins—II

Some years ago an empirical rule, which allows the prediction of product stereochemistry in cis-photocycloaddition reactions of α,β-unsaturated ketones and olefins was tentatively proposed. Several additional examples, both selected from the literature and synthesized in our laboratory, seem to strengthen the validity of the rule.     

Chalcogenide derivatives of imidotin cage complexes

Reaction of the secocubane [Sn3(mu2-NHtBu)2(mu2-NtBu)(mu3-NtBu)] (1) with dibutylmagnesium produces the heterobimetallic cubane [Sn3Mg(mu3-NtBu)4] (4) which forms the monochalcogenide complexes of general formula [ESn3Mg(mu3-NtBu)4] (5a, E = Se; 5b, E = Te) upon reaction with elemental chalcogens in THF. By contrast, the reaction of the anionic lithiated cubane [Sn3Li(mu3-NtBu)4]- with the appropriate quantity of selenium or tellurium leads to the sequential chalcogenation of each of the three Sn(II) centres. Pure samples of the mono- or dichalcogenides are, however, best obtained by stoichiometric redistribution reactions of [Sn3Li(mu3-NtBu)4]- and the trichalcogenides [E3Sn3Li(mu3-NtBu)4]- (E = Se, Te). These reactions are conveniently monitored by using 119Sn NMR spectroscopy. The anion [Sn3Li(mu3-NtBu)4]- also acts as an effective chalcogen-transfer reagent in reactions of selenium with the neutral cubane [{Snmu3-N(dipp)}4] (8) (dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) to give the dimer [(thf)Sn{mu-N(dipp)}2Sn(mu-Se)2Sn{mu-N(dipp)}2Sn(thf)] (9), a transformation that results in cleavage of the Sn4N4 cubane into four-membered Sn2N2 rings. The X-ray structures of 4, 5a, 5b, [Sn3Li(thf)(mu3-NtBu)4(mu3-Se)(mu2-Li)(thf)]2 (6a), [TeSn3Li(mu3-NtBu)4][Li(thf)4] (6b), [Te2Sn3Li(mu3-NtBu)4][Li([12]crown-4)2] (7b') and 9 are presented. The fluxional behaviour of cubic imidotin chalcogenides and the correlation between NMR coupling constants and tin-chalcogen bond lengths are also discussed.     

Ionene–surfactant complexes: temperature and humidity sensitive materials

Solid stoichiometric complexes of [3,12]-ionene and dodecyl sulfate form upon reaction of the bromide of the ionene and the silver salt of dodecyl sulfate in methanol. IR, DSC, and TG investigations indicated that the solid complexes are stable between 30 and 120 °C. TG and DSC also showed that the complexes easily take up water at ambient conditions. These samples are optically isotropic. When exposed to an increased humidity they exhibit optical anisotropy, i.e., birefringence, which is caused by the formation of a hexagonal mesogenic phase. Mesogenicity is necessarily accompanied by a further uptake of water (4–5 H₂O molecules per ionic unit), which is dependent on the relative humidity. The phase behavior as a function of temperature and controlled relative humidity was studied using birefringence measurements and polarizing microscopy.     

Configuration and E/Z interconversion mechanism of O(S)-allyl-S(O)-methyl-N-(acridin-9-yl) iminothiocarbonate

The configuration and dynamic behavior of O-allyl-S-methyl-N-(acridin-9-yl)iminothiocarbonate (1) and its S-allyl-O-methyl regioisomer (2) were studied using quantum chemical calculations and by applying a novel graphical method to scatter maps obtained from MD simulations for evaluation of an NOE-weighted internuclear distance (r(NOE)). Energy calculations indicated that the Z configuration was predominant for each compound and, further, this was supported both by the calculated chemical shifts and the r(NOE). Both N-inversion- and rotation-type transition-state structures were also calculated for the E/Z isomerization process, the results indicating that the preferred interconversion mechanism for 1 is N-inversion, but contrastingly, interconversion via rotation is equally as probable as N-inversion for 2. This supports the notion that one or the other or both pathways can be active and each system needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.     

New chiral porphyrin-brucine gelator characterized by methods of circular dichroism

Herein, we report the first use of chiral alkaloid brucine to synthesize novel porphyrin-brucine conjugate capable of acting as a gelator of methanol and acetonitrile at extremely low level of concentration. The synthesis, characterization and spectral properties of gelator based on a novel structural motif, quaternized alkaloid conjugates, are described. Different spectroscopic methods (¹H NMR spectroscopy, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, and spectroscopy of electronic and vibrational circular dichroism) were used for characterization of the prepared organogel. The aggregation of the gelator studied by UV-vis spectroscopy and electronic circular dichroism showed the formation of chiral J-aggregates in water and water-methanol (1:1) mixture. A new methodology for the determination of functional groups involved in gel formation based on vibrational circular dichroism is presented.