Study of the ESI-mass spectrometry ionization mechanism of Fischer carbene complexes

By means of deuterium-labeling experiments, we have carried out a systematic ESI-MS study to determine the mechanism of ESI ionization of alkenyl and alkynyl group 6 Fischer carbene complexes. These compounds can be ionized under ESI conditions only in the presence of additives such as hydroquinone (HQ) or tetrathiafulvalene (TTF). Our results demonstrate that in the ESI source an anion-radical is formed after the initial HQ- or TTF-mediated electron transfer to the metallic carbene complex. For alkenyl carbene complexes, this species evolves by extrusion of a hydrogen radical to form an allenylchromium anion that is detected as the [M - H](-) ion in the mass spectrum. The preference for this mechanistic pathway could be rationalized by DFT calculations. In the case of alkynyl carbene complexes, experiments combining deuterated substrate, additive, and solvent demonstrate that the previously proposed allene-anion carbene complex is not formed. Instead, the H transfer from the ethoxy group in the anion radical, followed by extrusion of a hydrogen radical, leads to an allenyl anion that is detected in the ESI-MS as [M - H - CO](-).     

Ab initio excited-state dynamics of the photoactive yellow protein chromophore

The photoisomerization mechanism of the neutral form of the photoactive yellow protein (PYP) chromophore is investigated using ab initio quantum chemistry and first-principles nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (ab initio multiple spawning or AIMS). We identify the nature of the two lowest-lying excited states, characterize the short-time behavior of molecules excited directly to S2, and explain the origin of the experimentally observed wavelength-dependent photoisomerization quantum yield.     

Comparison of different derivatization approaches for mercury speciation in biological tissues by gas chromatography/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A novel interface design for coupling gas chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC/ICP-MS) was used to perform mercury speciation in biological tissues. Three derivatization approaches were optimized and compared for this purpose: anhydrous butylation using a Grignard reagent, aqueous ethylation by means of NaEt(4)B and aqueous propylation with NaPr(4)B. The last reagent was synthesized in the laboratory as it is not commercially available. Detection limits obtained by GC/ICP-MS ranged between 100 and 200 fg (as absolute mass) for methylmercury and between 500 and 600 fg for inorganic mercury using a 1 microl injection. Quantification of methyl- and inorganic mercury was carried out by resorting to aqueous calibration, using ethylmercury as internal standard for both propylation and butylation derivatization techniques. For ethylation procedures, a methylpropylmercury solution was used as internal standard. The absence of transmethylation during sample preparation was checked using a 97% enriched (202)Hg inorganic standard. The accuracy of the three derivatization approaches was evaluated by the analysis of the certified reference material DOLT-2 (dogfish liver) from the National Research Council of Canada and certified for methylmercury, with satisfactory results.     

Sensitive spectrophotometric determination of vanadium with hydrogen peroxide and 2-(5-chloro-2-pyridylazo)-5-dimethylaminophenol after extraction with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine

A selective and precise spectrophotometric determination of vanadium(V) is performed after preceding extraction with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine (BPHA). The color is developed in a water-ethanol solution with hydrogen peroxide and 2-(5-chloro-2-pyridylazo)-5-dimethylaminophenol (5-Cl-DMPAP). The molar absorptivity at 588 nm is (6.57 ± 0.05) × 10⁴ L mol^–1 cm^–1 at pH 2.1. The method permits the determination of vanadium (V) at trace levels in the presence of large amounts of other ions. It is applied to the determination of vanadium in aluminium (analytical reagent grade) and in human hair. High accuracy and precision is obtained.     

Thermal Cyclodimerization of Aliphatic Secondary C,N-Dilithioallylamine Derivatives

beta-Nitrogen-functionalized vinylic organolithium compounds derived from secondary aliphatic allylamines have been found to undergo upon heating (reflux of THF) either a dimerization or a regio- and stereoselective cyclodimerization reaction affording diamino 1,4-dienes or cis-2,3-disubstituted 4-methylenepyrrolidines, respectively, according to reaction time. In contrast, the corresponding dianions derived from aromatic allylamines underwent protonation by the solvent under analogous thermal treatment. A mechanism accounting for all these results has been proposed, which involves a spontaneous beta-elimination of lithium hydride and an intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization by addition of a lithium amide to an alkene group as critical steps. In addition, experimental evidence is provided about the formation of 3-lithio-1-aza 1,3-dienes as intermediates in these unusual thermal transformations.     

Cross section for the photochemical formation of the NaZn (22Π) excimer

We studied the conditions for the photochemical formation of the NaZn excimer in the excited 2²Π state using Na₂(2¹Π _u )+Zn→NaZn(2²Π)+Na reaction. The Na-Zn vapor mixture was prepared in the heat-pipe oven with the well defined column density and temperature. The Na and Zn atom densities in the vapor mixture were controlled by the preparation of the alloy with different mole fraction ratios of the relevant components in the solid phase. The Na densities were determined from the total absorption coefficient at Na₂ X-B and X-A bands. The cross section for photochemical formation of the NaZn in the 2²Π state is estimated to be 17·10^?16 cm² for the laser excitation at 308 nm, measured relative to the cross section of 470·10^?16 cm² for collisional energy transfer Na₂(2¹Π _u )+Na→Na₂(2³Π _g )+Na published by Mehdizadeh et al. [2].     

Analytische Aspekte der Oxydation organischer Stickstoffverbindungen mit Chromsäure. XXIII

Zusammenfassung Die früher beschriebene Halbmikromethode zur Bestimmung von Isonitrosogruppen in organischen Verbindungen wurde in den Mikromaßstab übergeführt. Sie beruht auf der Reaktion der Substanz mit Eisen(III)-sulfat in verd. Schwefelsäure. Dabei wird der Oximstickstoff als Distickstoffoxid frei, das mit Kupfer zu elementarem Stickstoff reduziert und im Mikroazotometer gemessen wird. Für die Berechnung des Oximstickstoffgehaltes aus den abgelesenen Gasvolumina wurden Werte für die konstante und proportionale Volumenkorrektur mit Hilfe der Methode der Regressionsgeraden experimentell festgestellt. Beide Werte sind den bei der N-N-Gruppenbestimmung benützten Volumenkorrekturen fast gleich. Die Bestimmung von Oximgruppen ist durch die Anwesenheit von Nitro- oder Aminogruppen nicht gestört. Diese Gruppen können aus derselben Einwaage durch nachfolgende Oxydation mit Chromsäure bestimmt werden.

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Analytical aspects of the oxidation of organic nitrogen compounds with chromic acid. XXIII

Summary The semimicro method previously described for the determination of isonitroso groups in organic compounds has been converted to the microscale. It is based on the reaction of the material with iron(III)-sulfate in dilute sulfuric acid. The oxime nitrogen is thus liberated as dinitrogen oxide, which is reduced to elementary nitrogen by copper and measured in the mieroazotometer. To calculate the oxime nitrogen content from the read-off gas volume, values for the constant and proportional volume correction with the aid of the regression lines were established experimentally. Both values are almost equal in the case of the determination of the volume corrections employed in the determination of the N-N-groups. The presence of nitro-or amino groups does not interfere with the determination of oxime groups. These groups may be determined from the same sample by subsequent oxidation with chromic acid.

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XXII. Mitteilung s.¹.     

Prediction of chromatographic parameters for some anilines by molecular connectivity

Summary The possible relation existing between R_F values obtained by thin-layer chromatography for a group of anilines with connectivity indices proposed by Kier and Hall has been studied. Using multivariable regression the corresponding connectivity functions, selected for their respective correlation coefficients, standard deviations, Snedecor's F and Student's t were obtained. Regression analysis of the connectivity functions gives a correct prediction of the experimental elution sequence for this group of substances on silica gel stationary phases and various mobile phases of different polarity. The corresponding random and stability studies of the different prediction models selected were carried out, showing good stability and null randomness in all cases.     

Studies of iron,cobalt and chromium distribution in some continental aquatic ecosystems and biological materials

The aim of the present work was to investigate iron, cobalt and chromium distribution in samples of living and non-living matter by using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Investigations were carried out starting with water systems components, such also specias living in these systems and biological tissues from rat and human organs. The following conclusions have been drawn for elements distribution in the relation enviromment/living matter: (1) iron, cobalt and chromium contents in plankton are very close to these found in suspended materials; (2) among all the investigated living organisms, the highest contents of investigated elements have been found in fish; (3) inspite of the contents of iron, cobalt and chromium being somewhat lower in bentos and crustacea than in suspended materials, all the obtained values are very close, and (4) human liver has somewhat higher iron- and cobalt-contents than rat liver, which, however, has higher chromium concentration. Of all the investigated living organisms chromium content was the lowest in human liver.     

Polarized basis sets of Slater-type orbitals: H to Ne atoms

We present three Slater-type atomic orbital (STO) valence basis (VB) sets for the first and second row atoms, referred to as the VB1, VB2, and VB3 bases. The smallest VB1 basis has the following structure: [3, 1] for the H and He atoms, [5, 1] for Li and Be, and [5, 3, 1] for the B to Ne series. For the VB2 and VB3 bases, both the number of shells and the number of functions per shell are successively increased by one with respect to VB1. With the exception of the H and Li atoms, the exponents for the VB1 bases were obtained by minimizing the sum of the Hartree-Fock (HF) and frozen-core singles and doubles configuration interaction (CISD FC) energies of the respective atoms in their ground state. For H and Li, we minimized the sum of the HF and CISD FC energies of the corresponding diatoms (i.e., of H(2) or Li(2)) plus the ground-state energy of the atom. In the case of the VB2 basis sets, the sum that was minimized also included the energies of the positive and negative ions, and for the VB3 bases, the energies of a few lowest lying excited states of the atom. To account for the core correlations, the VBx (x = 1, 2, and 3) basis sets for the Li to Ne series were enlarged by one function per shell. The exponents of these extended (core-valence, CV) basis sets, referred to, respectively, as the CVBx (x = 1, 2, and 3) bases, were optimized by relying on the same criteria as in the case of the VBx (x = 1, 2, and 3) bases, except that the full CISD rather than CISD FC energies were employed. We show that these polarized STO basis sets provide good HF and CI energies for the ground and excited states of the atoms considered, as well as for the corresponding ions.