Two-dimensional on-line detection of brominated and iodinated volatile organic compounds by ECD and ICP-MS after GC separation

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was coupled to a gas chromatographic (GC) system with electron capture detector (ECD), which enables relatively easy characterization and quantification of brominated and iodinated (halogenated) volatile organic compounds (HVOCs) in aquatic and air samples. The GC-ECD system is connected in series with an ICP-MS by a directly heated transfer line and an outlet port-hole for elimination of the ECD make-up gas during ignition of the plasma. The hyphenated GC-ECD/ICP-MS system provides high selectivity and sensitivity for monitoring individual HVOCs under fast chromatographic conditions. The ECD is most sensitive for the detection of chlorinated and brominated but the ICP-MS for iodinated compounds. The greatest advantage of the use of an ICP-MS is its element-specific detection, which allows clear identification of compounds in most cases. The absolute detection limits for ICP-MS are 0.5 pg for iodinated, 10 pg for brominated, and 50 pg for chlorinated HVOCs with the additional advantage that calibration is almost independent on different compounds of the same halogen. In contrast to that detection limits for ECD vary for the different halogenated compounds and lie in the range of 0.03-11 pg. The two-dimensional GC-ECD/ICP-MS instrumentation is compared with electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS) and microwave induced plasma atomic emission detection (MIP-AED). Even if EI-MS has additional power in identifying unknown peaks by its scan mode, the detection limits are much higher compared with GC-ECD/ICP-MS, whereas the selective ion monitoring mode (SIM) reaches similar detection limits. The MIP-AED detection limits are at the same level as EI-MS in the scan mode.     

Massenspektrometrische Untersuchung Organischer Stickstoffverbindungen. XIV—Mechanismus der Piperidin-Eliminierung aus N.N′-(o-Xylylen)-Dipieridin

The electron-impact-induced elimination of piperidine from the title compound could be established by investigation of the unsymmetrically ²H-labelled compound. The mechanism of a 1,1-elimination can be excluded be unequivocally.     

Preparation and partial characterization of a soluble site-to-site directed enzyme complex composed of alcohol dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase

A soluble, bifunctional enzyme complex has been prepared by crosslinking lactate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase with glutaraldehyde. The crosslinking was performed on a solid phase while the active sites of alcohol dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase were held adjacent to one another with the aid of a bis-NAD analog. Subsequently, the enzyme complex was released from the solid phase. The soluble enzyme complex was then purified by using NAD-Sepharose as an affinity adsorbent. Based on gel filtration experiments, the complex was estimated to consist of one of each dehydrogenase. By using a third enzyme, lipoamide dehydrogenase, which competes with lactate dehydrogenase for NADH produced by alcohol dehydrogenase, the effect of site-to-site orientation was studied. It was found that about 83% of the NADH produced by alcohol dehydrogenase was oxidized by site-to-site oriented lactate dehydrogenase compared to a figure of only about 61% obtained in an identical system of separate enzymes. This indicates that given two alternative routes, the preference for the one to lactate dehydrogenase over the one to lipoamide dehydrogenase is enhanced when lactate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase are site-to-site oriented.     

Synthese der Stannatetraphospholane (tBuP)4SnR2 (R = tBu,nBu, C6H5) und (tBuP)4Sn(Cl)nBu Molekül- und Kristallstruktur von (tBuP)4Sn(tBu)2

Synthesis of the Stannatetraphospholanes (tBuP)₄SnR₂ (R = tBu, nBu, C₆H₅) and (tBuP)₄Sn(Cl)nBu Molecular and Crystal Structure of (tBuP)₄Sn(tBu)₂ The reaction of the diphosphide K₂[tBuP-(tBuP)₂-PtBu] 4 with the halogenostannanes (tBu)₂SnCl₂, (nBu)₂SnCl₂, (C₆H₅)₂SnCl₂ or nBuSnCl₃ in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 leads via a [4 + 1]-cyclocondensation reaction to the stannatetraphospholanes (tBuP)₄SnR₂ 3 b–3 d and (tBuP)₄Sn(Cl)nBu 3 e , respectively, with the binary 5-membered P₄Sn ring system. 3 b was characterized by a single crystal structure analysis; the 5-membered ring exists in a planar conformation. The compounds 3 b–3 e were identified by NMR and also by mass spectroscopy; the ³¹P{¹H}-NMR spectra of 3 b–3 d showed an AA′MM′ (AA′MM′X), 3 e on the other hand an ABCD (ABCDX) spin system.     

Die gravimetrische Phosphorbestimmung in wolframhaltigen St?hlen

Zusammenfassung Einige der üblichen Methoden zur Phosphorbestimmung in wolframlegierten Stählen werden unter Anwendung von ¹⁸⁵W und ³²P einer Nachprüfung unterzogen. Dabei erweisen sich die Phosphorverluste durch Adsorption an dem Wolframsäureniederschlag als gering, so daß sie bei weniger anspruchsvollen Bestimmungen unberücksichtigt bleiben können. Erheblich größer sind dagegen die Fehler, die durch Mitfällung von Wolframsäure mit dem Ammoniummolybdatophosphatniederschlag entstehen können. Es werden zwei Methoden angegeben, nach denen eine quantitative Abtrennung des Wolframs und damit eine sichere Bestimmung des Phosphors möglich ist.Herr Prof. Dr.-Ing. K. Schwabe ermöglichte es uns freundlicherweise, die Untersuchungen mit radioaktivem Wolfram und Phosphor im Zentralinstitut für Kernphysik Rossendorf, Bereich Radiochemie, durchzuführen. Ihm sei auch an dieser Stelle herzlichst gedankt.     

Photobiological characteristics and photosynthetic UV responses in two Ulva species (Chlorophyta) from southern Spain

The effect of different wavebands of artificial UV (UVB and UVA) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was assessed in two species of the genus Ulva, U. olivascens and U. rotundata, from southern Spain in order to test for possible differences in acclimation of photosynthesis. Both species share similar morphology but are subject to different light environments: U. rotundata is an estuarine alga, inhabiting subtidal locations, while U. olivascens is an intertidal, sun-adapted organism. Algae were exposed to three different UV conditions, PAR+UVA+UVB, PAR+UVA and PAR for 7 d. Short-term exposure (6 h) was also carried out, using two PAR levels, 150 and 700 micromolm(-2)s(-1). Pigment contents and photosynthesis vs. irradiance curves from oxygen evolution were used to contrast sun- and shade adaptation between these species. O2-based net photosynthesis (Pmax) and PAM-chlorophyll fluorescence (optimal quantum yield, Fv/Fm) were used as parameters to evaluate photoinhibition of photosynthesis in the experiments. The results underline different photobiological characteristics among species: the subtidal U. rotundata had higher contents of pigments (Chl a, Chl b and carotenoids) than the sun-adapted U. olivascens, which resulted in higher thallus absorptance and P-I parameters characterized by higher photosynthetic efficiency at limiting irradiances (alpha) and lower saturating points for photosynthesis (Ek). After 7 d exposure, photoinhibition of Fv/Fm was close to 40-45% in both species. Differences between UV treatments were seen in U. rotundata after 5 d and after 7 d in U. olivascens, in which PAR+UVA impaired strongly photosynthesis (80%). Such patterns were correlated with a progressive decrease in pigment contents, specially chlorophylls. In short-term (6 h) exposures, combinations of UVA+UVB and high PAR level resulted in high rates of photoinhibition of chlorophyll fluorescence (68-92%) in U. rotundata, whereas in U. olivascens photoinhibition ranged between 42% and 53%. Photoinhibition under low PAR combined to UV radiation was lower than observed under high PAR. Net O2-Pmax revealed similar response among the species, with maximal photoinhibition rates close to 60% in algae incubated under high PAR+UVA+UVB. In the case of UV exposure in combination with low PAR, the highest photoinhibition rates were measured in U. rotundata.