Accurate Quantification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Environmental Samples Using Deuterium-labeled Compounds as Internal Standards

For the accurate quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental samples by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we used deuterium-labeled PAHs (D-PAHs) as internal standards for microg g(-1)-level certified reference materials and corresponding calibration solutions. Although pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) causes significant biases in the analytical results for ng g(-1)-level samples (2.4 - 15%), biases in the analytical results by PLE (190 degrees C, 20 MPa, 2 cycles) were small (<2.3%) and negligible for microg g(-1)-level samples when expanded uncertainty (coverage factor k = 2) was considered.     

Thermal decomposition of poly(sec-amyl methacrylate)

The thermal decomposition of poly(sec-amyl methacrylate) is studied by simultaneous thermogravimetry–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and by pyrolysis–gas chromatography. The TG curve has four distinct breaks and a plateau. Results of the identification of the evolved gas at the individual breaks by GC–MS techniques lead to the conclusion that these breaks correspond to the individual processes in the decomposition mechanism like that of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate): the first break, the depolymerization initiated at the unsaturated chain ends; the second break, the depolymerization initiated at the saturated chain ends; the third break, the ester decomposition; the plateau, the inhibition of decomposition by the formation of poly(methacrylic anhydride); the fourth break, the decomposition of poly(methacrylic anhydride). The extent of ester decomposition is related to the substituent constants based on Hammett equation. The ester decomposition product is separated into three pentene isomers by pyrolysis–gas chromatography: trans-2-pentene, cis-2-pentene, and 1-pentene. As raising decomposition temperature, the composition ratio of trans-2-pentene decreases and becomes constant above 620 K, and the composition ratios of cis-2-pentene and 1-pentene increase and also become constant above 620 K. These results are accounted for by mobility of atoms included in the substituent at forming a ring transition state.     

An intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of oxetanes

The intramolecular attack of carbanions to oxetanes were examined and several three, five, and six membered carbocyclic compounds were synthesized.     

The effect of divinylsulfone on the irradiation crosslinking of polypropylene

Polypropylene films were irradiated with ⁶⁰Co γ-rays in divinylsulfone (DVS) or butadiene (BD) gases. The variations of the intrinsic viscosities of the samples irradiated in vacuum or in DVS with dose showed usual patterns but the variation of the latter was somewhat more rapid. The intrinsic viscosity of the sample irradiated in BD could not be measured due to the early appearance of gel. The gel fraction of the sample irradiated in DVS appeared at lower dose than that irradiated in vacuum, but the former did not increase as much as the latter. The gel fraction of the sample irradiated in BD increased remarkably. The concentrations of the two kinds of double bonds increased in the sample irradiated in BD but levelled off gradually with dose. ESR study showed that the polypropylene radical reacted with DVS to form anisotropic radicals. The mechanisms of the effects of both reagents on irradiation of polypropylene were discussed.     

Site-specific alkylation of tetra-alkylpyrroles

Intramolecular cyclisation of the trifluoromethanesulphonate esters of the β-(4-hydroxy-n-butyl)-pyrroles (5a) and (5b) in each case yields a mixture of the α- and β-alkylated products whereas exclusive β-alkylation is observed for the β-(5-hydroxy-n-pentyl)-pyrrole (5c).     

Silver(I) coordination polymers of fluorescent oligo(phenylenevinylene) with pi-pi stackings: luminescence and conductivity

Three luminescent silver(I)-oligo(phenylenevinylene) complexes, [Ag2(bmsb)(ClO4)2] (1), [Ag2(bmsb)(H2O)4](BF4)2 (2), and [Ag2(bdb)(CF3SO3)2] (3) (bmsb = 1, 4-bis(methylstyryl)benzene, bdb = 4,4'-bis(2, 5-dimethylstryryl)biphenyl), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 are 2D networks with unique metallocyclophane motifs. Complex 3 affords a 2D zigzag sheet, in which silver triflates form tubelike double chains and bdb molecules act as linkages. Complex 2 exhibits high electric conductivity because of columnar aromatic stackings formed through intra- and intermolecular pi-pi interactions. Complexes 1-3 in the solid state exhibit luminescence, of which excitation and emission maxima are shifted to longer wavelength as compared to those of the corresponding metal-free ligands.     

Size-specific reactions of copper cluster ions with a methanol molecule

Chemisorption of a methanol molecule onto a size-selected copper cluster ion, Cu(n)+ (n = 2-10), and subsequent reactions were investigated in a gas-beam geometry at a collision energy less than 2 eV in an apparatus based on a tandem-type mass spectrometer. Mass spectra of the product ions show that the following two reactions occur after chemisorption: dominant formation of Cu(n-1)+(H)(OH) (H(OH) formation) in the size range of 4-5 and that of Cu(n)O+ (demethanation) in the size range of 6-8 in addition to only chemisorption in the size range larger than 9. Absolute cross sections for the chemisorption, the H(OH) formation, and the demethanation processes were measured as functions of cluster size and collision energy. Optimized structures of bare copper cluster ions, reaction intermediates, and products were calculated by use of a hybrid method (B3LYP) consisting of the molecular orbital and the density functional methods. The origin of the size-dependent reactivity was explained as the structural change of cluster, two-dimensional to three-dimensional structures.