Programmable gate delayed ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry: a study with low concentrations of dipropylene-glycol-monomethyl-ether in air

The concept of using a short ionisation event, in this case a pulsed corona discharge, in conjunction with programmed gate delay is described. This technique is proposed for the selective study of different ionisation processes within the reaction region of an ion mobility spectrometer. The utility of such an approach was tested in a study of the ionisation of dipropylene-glycol-monomethyl-ether (DPM); a compound commonly used to test the operation of ion mobility spectrometers. Dipropylene-glycol-monomethyl-ether at a concentration of 113 microg m(-3) in air, with a water level of 75 mg m(-3) in air, was analysed using a switchable, high resolution ion mobility spectrometer, operating in the positive mode at 40 degrees C at ambient pressure. The ion mobility spectrometer was fitted with a pulsed corona discharge ionisation source, doped with ammonia at a concentration of 1.3 mg m(-3) in the reaction region, and interfaced to a mass spectrometer. Synchronisation of the ionisation event to the operation of the shutter grids for the drift region enabled different parts of the product ion population to be injected into the drift tube, and programming the gate delays produced a map of the gate delay verses drift time response surface. Ammonium bound dipropylene-glycol-monomethyl-ether was observed, [(DPM)NH4]+ (m/z 166) as well as the ammonium bound dimer [(DPM)2NH4]+ (m/z 314), the same as those observed with a 63Ni source. Two other species were also observed, but their molecular identity was not elucidated. One of them m/z 146, also observed with 63Ni, formed ammonium bound ions [(m/z 146)NH4]+ (K0= 1.49 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)), ammonium bound dimer ions [(m/z 146)2NH4]+(K0= 1.18 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)) and a mixed cluster ion with DPM [(m/z 146)(DPM)NH4]+(K0= 1.18 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)); while the other, m/z 88 a decomposition product, formed ammonium bound monomer [(m/z 88)NH4]+(K0= 1.68 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)), dimer ions [(m/z 88)2NH4]+(K0= 1.40 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)) and a mixed cluster ion containing DPM and ammonium, [(DPM)(m/z 88)2NH4]+(K0= 1.40 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)). The assignment of responses to these ions required the additional dimensionality in the data provided from the gate delay studies. The relationships evident in the programmable gate delay data enabled these ions to be differentiated from alternative assignments of possible nitrogen clusters, formed at the interface of the mass spectrometer.     

Molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations and cone angles of phosphine ligands

Molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations were performed on 54 conformations of 18 phosphines (PH₃; PH_3−nR_n, where n = 1,…3, and R = Me and Et, n = 1 or 2 and R =ⁱPr, and n = 1 and R =^tBu, PMe₂Et, PMeEt₂, and PPhMe₂, and PPh₂R where R = Me, Et, ⁱPr, ^tBu and Ph). The results are compared to those previously obtained from MINDO/3 and MNDO calculations, and to experimental data. Single conformer cone angles and weighted average cone angles were calculated from MM2 optimized geometries employing Tolman's general definition, and they are compared to Tolman's values, MINDO/3 results, and T.L. Brown's E_R values. Of the cone angle definitions used, the weighted average values are suggested as the best single representation of phosphine ligand sizes. The steric parameters (cone angle and E_R values) alone, and in conjunction with electronic parameters, are correlated with experimental data.     

TRANSFER OF EXCITATION ENERGY BETWEEN PORPHYRIN CENTERS OF A COVALENTLY-LINKED DIMER*

Abstract— Three covalently-linked porphyrin hybrid dimers were synthesized, each containing a metallotetraarylporphyrin [Zn(II), Cu(II), or Ni(II)], and a free base tetraarylporphyrin. Transfer of singlet excitation energy from the metalloporphyrin center to the free base porphyrin center was determined by measuring fluorescence properties. The Zn hybrid dimer displayed excellent intramolecular transfer of energy ( 85%) from the excited singlet state of the Zn(II) chromophore to the free base chromophore. No evidence for such transfer of the excited singlet state energy was found in the Ni(II) or Cu(II) analogues. From our experimental data, the fluorescence quantum yield of the Zn hybrid dimer was the same as for the free base monomer porphyrin (0.11; Seybold and Gouterman, 1969). Thus, the covalent attachment of another fluorescent porphyrin center effectively doubled the antenna size without decreasing the quantum yield even though the fluorescence quantum yield of the Zn(II) containing monomer was substantially less (0.03, according to Seybold and Gouterman, 1969) than that of the free base porphyrin. The donor-acceptor distance and the rate constant for energy transfer were calculated using the Forster equation. Assuming random orientation, a donor-acceptor distance of 15 Å was calculated with an associated rate constant (k_ci) for energy transfer of 1.9 ± 10₉ s_–1.     

Nucleophilic Substitution in Dipolar Aprotic Solvents: Hexamethylphosphoric triamide

The rate of the reaction between ethyl tosylate and chloride as well as bromide ion has been measured in hexamethylphosphoric triamide in the presence of several counterions. Rate constants for the free ions at 25.0° are 14.4 mole^?1 for chloride and 2.0 mole^?1min^?1 for bromide, both independent of the cation used. The equilibrium constants for ion pair dissociation of lithium-, ammonium- and tetra-n-butylammonium chloride are 3.97 × 10^?2, 1.52 × 10^?3 and 6.36 × 10^?3 mole, and for the corresponding bromides 3.30 × 10^?2, 9.65 × 10^?3, and 9.62 × 10^?3 mole.     

Spin-dimensionality dependence of critical parameters

High-temperature series expansions for the susceptibility of isotropic classicaln-vector models are examined with special emphasis on the global dependence on the dimensionalityn of the spin field. The usual fixed-spin model and an incomplete-Gaussian model, which allows for analytic continuation to arbitrary negativen, are considered. A method of examining trends in successive estimates is employed which allows to obtain improved estimates for the extremely slowly setteling sequences as obtained for highn-values. The estimates for the two models obey the universality principle. An approximate function for the critical exponent(n) is obtained in the range –4<n. Reasonable agreement with-expansion results and 1/n-expansion values is found.     

Minimal paramount matrices

A real symmetric matrix of order n, n ? 2, is said to be paramount if each proper principal minor is not less than the absolute value of any other minor built from the same rows. A paramount matrix is minimal ¹ if reducing any of the diagonal entries removes the matrix from the paramount class. Minimal paramount matrices arise in the n-port realization problem of circuit theory. A condition is found that is equivalent to the minimality of a paramount matrix. Conditions are also found that guarantee that the inverse of an invertible minimal paramount matrix is itself minimal.     

On bounds for the range of ordered variates II

Letx ₁, ,x _n be real numbers with ₁ ⁿ x _j =0, |x ₁ ||x ₂ ||x _n |, and ₁ ⁿ f(|x _i |)=A>0, wheref is a continuous, strictly increasing function on [0, ) withf(0)=0. Using a generalized Chebycheff inequality (or directly) it is easy to see that an upper bound for |x _m | isf ^–1 (A/(n–m+1)). If (n–m+1) is even, this bound is best possible, but not otherwise. Best upper bounds are obtained in case (n–m+1) is odd provided either (i)f is strictly convex on [0, ), or (ii)f is strictly concave on [0, ). Explicit best bounds are given as examples of (i) and (ii), namely the casesf(x)=x ^p forp>1 and 0<p<1 respectively.     

Aqueous electrochemically-triggered atom transfer radical polymerization

Simplified electrochemical atom transfer radical polymerization (seATRP) using Cu^II–N-propyl pyridineimine complexes (Cu^II(NPPI)₂) is reported for the first time. In aqueous solution, using oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA), standard electrolysis conditions yield POEGMA with good control over molecular weight distribution (Đ_m < 1.35). Interestingly, the polymerizations are not under complete electrochemical control, as monomer conversion continues when electrolysis is halted. Alternatively, it is shown that the extent and rate of polymerization depends upon an initial period of electrolysis. Thus, it is proposed that seATRP using Cu^II(NPPI)₂ follows an electrochemically-triggered, rather than electrochemically mediated, ATRP mechanism, which distinguishes them from other Cu^IIL complexes that have been previously reported in the literature.

Simplified electrochemical atom transfer radical polymerization (seATRP) using Cu^II-pyridineimine complexes is reported and follows a previously unreported electrochemically triggered mechanism.     

Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles for CO2 Adsorption at Standard Temperature and Pressure

(1) Background: Due to human activities, greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere are constantly rising, causing the greenhouse effect. Among GHGs, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is responsible for about two-thirds of the total energy imbalance which is the origin of the increase in the Earth’s temperature. (2) Methods: In this field, we describe the development of periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (PMO NPs) used to capture and store CO₂ present in the atmosphere. Several types of PMO NP (bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTEE) as matrix, co-condensed with trialkoxysilylated aminopyridine (py) and trialkoxysilylated bipyridine (Etbipy and iPrbipy)) were synthesized by means of the sol-gel procedure, then characterized with different techniques (DLS, TEM, FTIR, BET). A systematic evaluation of CO₂ adsorption was carried out at 298 K and 273 K, at low pressure. (3) Results: The best values of CO₂ adsorption were obtained with 6% bipyridine: 1.045 mmol·g⁻¹ at 298 K and 2.26 mmol·g⁻¹ at 273 K. (4) Conclusions: The synthetized BTEE/aminopyridine or bipyridine PMO NPs showed significant results and could be promising for carbon capture and storage (CCS) application.