Influence of temperature on the behaviour of small linear peptides in capillary electrochromatography

The influence of temperature, T, on the retention times, peak widths, peak symmetry coefficients and theoretical plate numbers of two small linear peptides, [Met5]enkephalin and [Leu5]enkephalin, has been studied with capillary electrochromatography (CEC) capillary columns of 100 microm I.D. and 250 mm packed length with a total length of 335 mm, containing 3 microm Hypersil n-octadecyl bonded silica. With increasing column temperature from 15 to 60 degrees C, the electroosmotic flow (EOF) and the column efficiencies increased, whereas the retention coefficients (Kcec) of both peptides decreased. A linear relationship was found between the EOF value and the square root of the temperature over this temperature range, with a linear regression correlation of 0.998. Non linear Van 't Hoff plots (In Kcec versus 1/T) were observed for these peptides between 15 and 60 degrees C, suggesting that a phase-transition occurred with the n-octadecyl chains bonded on the silica surface, affecting the CEC retention behaviour of these peptides. In CEC systems, the Kcec values of peptides incorporate contributions from both electrophoretic migration and chromatographic retention. Positive and negative Kcec values can, in principle, thus arise with these charged analytes. However, the Kcec values of the enkephalin peptides under all temperature conditions studied were positive with an eluent composed of water-50 mM NH4OAc/AcOH, pH 5.2-acetonitrile (5:2:3, v/v) and therefore the chromatographic component dominates the retention process with these small peptides under these conditions.     

Comparative study of capillary electroendosmotic chromatography and electrically assisted gradient nano-liquid chromatography for the separation of peptides

Capillary electroendoendosmotic chromatography (CEC), being a hybrid of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis, offers considerable changes to enhance column efficiency, speed of analysis and additional selectivity as compared to the parent methods. The analytes are driven by the electroendosmotic flow (EOF) and separated by surface-solute interactions as well as by differences in electromigration. In this paper on the separation of peptides on C18 reversed-phase and mixed-mode (sulphonic acid-n-alkyl) packings in CEC and electrically assisted reversed-phase gradient nano-LC are investigated. It is shown that mixed mode packings generate a higher EOF than reversed-phase packings that is scarcely dependent on the pH of the eluent. Applying a potential in gradient elution reversed-phase nano-LC of peptides shortens the analysis time as compared to separations without a potential. Electrically assisted reversed-phase gradient elution nano-LC is a powerful separation tool for analysis of tryptic digests. Peptides can be successfully resolved in acidic organic mobile phase at pH 2-3 with and without trifluoroacid as ion pairing reagent under isocratic conditions. It is demonstrated that CEC with mixed mode packing and an eluent of pH 2.3 with varying acetonitrile content can be applied to monitor impurities in a synthetic peptide.     

Packings and stationary phases for biopolymer separations by HPLC

Summary Packings and stationary phases applied to high resolution separations of proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids must satisfy a series of distinct criteria that are different from those usually required by HPLC of low molecular weight non-biologically active analytes. These requirements have been met through substantial improvements in classical gel media together with novel developments in silica supports, and have led to a family of products with tailor-made and reproducible properties. Supports consisting of cross-linked organic gels, and inorganic materials (mostly silicas) are now available with graduated particle sizes, pore sizes, porosities and surface areas as well as non-porous beads. A whole range of stationary phases, such as reversed phase, hydrophobic interaction, ion exchanger and affinity packings, were designed for application as chemical sensors for biopolymer recognition in adsorptive chromatography. The phase systems are operated in the gradient mode, giving high resolution and high peak capacities. In addition, aqueous liquid-liquid partitioning systems have been developed for the fractionation of proteins and nucleic acids. Size exclusion media complete the set of HPLC variants enabling a discrimination of proteins according to their size and shape in an isocratic elution mode. Basically, protein purification and isolation is a multistage process where-by the HPLC variants are combined in a logistic sequence, utilizing the different selectivities of the phase systems and thus maximising resolution, speed and throughput.     

Untersuchungen an 1,2-Komplexen der Nickel(II)-halogenide mit N-substituierten Aminoäthylpyridinen-(2)

In the solid state complexes of the type MiL₂X₂ (L = N-substituted β-aminoethyl-pyridine; X = Cl, Br, J) have a cis-octahedral (X = Cl, Br) or a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure (X = J). In solutions in acetone a partial dissociation occurs with the formation of NiLX₂, L, NiL₂X⁺, and X^?. Using a spectrophotometric method stability constants K_2S of the complexes NiL₂X₂ are determined. A correlation exists between log K_2s and the pK- values of the quarternary ammonium ions derived from the ligands L. Sterical factors cause the exeptional position of the chelates of β-methylaminoethylpyridine-(2).     

The PV-Researcher's Siren: Hybrid metal halide perovskites

Metal-halide perovskite semiconductors are certainly one of the hottest topic in solar energy conversion. Optimization of both the absorber material and device architecture has led to an astoundingly rapid increase in the reported device efficiencies. Initially developed in the context of dye-sensitized solar cell research, metal-halide perovskite devices now reach efficiency values and hence need to be compared to more conventional photovoltaic technologies such as silicon, copper indium gallium diselenide and cadmium telluride. Strong direct band gap absorption, long charge carrier diffusion length, ease and flexibility in processing at low temperatures and facile tunability makes these materials ideal for solar energy conversion applications. This review will both reflect on favorable properties of these hybrid and ionic semiconductors as well as reflecting on lead toxicity, material and device stability as the most critical issues that need to be solved in order for these materials to become technologically viable.     

The Photodecomposition of 1,l-Dichloro-2,2-bis(5′-chloro-2′-methoxyphenyl)ethylene (MPE), an Analogue of DDE

The solution-phase photodecomposition of l, l-dichloro-2,2-bis(5′-chloro-2′-methoxy-phenyl)ethylene (MPE) has been studied at an excitation wavelength of 313 nm in the presence of O₂ as well as in vacuum-degassed solutions. Only two non-volatile compounds are produced: 2,5-dichloro-3-(5′-chloro-2′-methoxyphenyl)benzofuran (BFD) and a minor product which was not identified. The BFD represents approximately 90% of the total non-volatiles. The volatile products were identified as CH₃Cl, CH₄ and HC1, with CH₃C1 being approximately 99.9 % of the total volatiles. Photolyses were carried out in C₆H₁₂ and CCI₄ solvents, the same products being observed in both solvents. Variation of MPE concentration has little or no effect on the relative quantum yield of decomposition. The photodecomposition of MPE does not follow the same pathway as the photodecomposition of DDE.     

Synthesis of 1,6-dihydropyrimidines via copper-catalyzed multistep cascade reactions between O-propargylic aldoximes and isocyanates

Multi-step cascade reactions of O-propargylic oximes with isocyanates were carried out in the presence of copper catalysts to afford the corresponding 1,6-dihydropyrimidines in good yields. The multi-step reactions consisted of a 2,3-rearrangement, a [3+2] cycloaddition, decarboxylative ring opening involving a 1,4-hydrogen shift, and a 6π-electrocyclization.     

The Surface Analysis Working Group at the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance,Metrology in Chemistry and Biology: A successful initiative by Martin Seah

Dr Martin Seah, NPL, was the initiator, founder, and first chairman of the Surface Analysis Working Group (SAWG) at the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance, Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM) at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), the international organization established by the Metre Convention. This tribute letter summarizes his achievements during his chairmanship and his long-running impact on the successful work of the group after his retirement.