Caps and Colouring Steiner Triple Systems

Hill [6] showed that the largest cap in PG(5,3) has cardinality 56. Using this cap it is easy to construct a cap of cardinality 45 in AG(5,3). Here we show that the size of a cap in AG(5,3) is bounded above by 48. We also give an example of three disjoint 45-caps in AG(5,3). Using these two results we are able to prove that the Steiner triple system AG(5,3) is 6-chromatic, and so we exhibit the first specific example of a 6-chromatic Steiner triple system.     

Coupled reversed-phase and ion chromatographic system for the simultaneous identification of inorganic and organic explosives

There are many methods available to detect and positively identify either organic or inorganic explosives separately, however no one method has been developed which can detect both types of explosive species simultaneously from a single sample. In this work, a unique coupled-chromatographic system is reported for the simultaneous determination of both organic and inorganic explosive species and is used for pre-blast analysis/identification purposes. This novel approach is based on the combination of reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography which allows trace levels of organic and inorganic explosives to be determined simultaneously from a single sample. Using this procedure, a 20 min reversed-phase separation of organic explosives is coupled to a 16 min ion-exchange separation of anions present in inorganic explosives, providing a complete pre-blast analysis/identification system for the separation and detection of a complex mixture containing organic and/or inorganic explosive species. The total analysis time, including sufficient column re-equilibration between runs, was <25 min using the coupled system. By this method, the minimum resolution for the organic separation was 1.16 between nitroglycerin and tetryl and the detection limits ranged from 0.31 mg L(-1) for cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) and 1.54 mg L(-1) for pentaerythrite tetranitrate (PETN), while the minimum resolution for the inorganic separation was 0.99 between azide and nitrate, and the detection limits ranged from 7.70 μg L(-1) for fluoride and 159.50 μg L(-1) for benzoate.     

Interprotein Electron Transfer between FeS-Protein Nanowires and Oxygen-Tolerant NiFe Hydrogenase

Self-assembled redox protein nanowires have been exploited as efficient electron shuttles for an oxygen-tolerant hydrogenase. An intra/inter-protein electron transfer chain has been achieved between the iron-sulfur centers of rubredoxin and the FeS cluster of [NiFe] hydrogenases. [NiFe] Hydrogenases entrapped in the intricated matrix of metalloprotein nanowires achieve a stable, mediated bioelectrocatalytic oxidation of H₂ at low-overpotential.     

Diamond-related materials as potential new media in separation science

Recent progress in the development of various diamond-related materials (DRMs) has induced a strong interest in their use as a stationary phase in various separation techniques. DRMs meet many requirements for use as a stationary phase in chromatography, including excellent mechanical and chemical stability, high thermal stability, low chemical reactivity of the surface, and biocompatibility. The general physicochemical properties of diamond and the preparation of different types of DRMs are reviewed, and an overview is provided of current and possible future applications in solid-phase extraction and various separation technologies.     

The Role of Hydrogen Bonding and Halogen Bonding in the Polymorphic Structures of 3,5-Dibromo-2,6-diaminopyridinium Bromide

Abstract  

An analysis is made of the supramolecular interactions in the two polymorphic structures of 3,5-dibromo-2,6-diaminopyridinium bromide, with particular emphasis on the roles of hydrogen and halogen bonding. Because of the extensive hydrogen bonding capabilities, hydrogen bonding interactions dominate in both phases. This causes a competition between C–Br···Br–C and C–Br···Br⁻ halogen bonding interactions, with the former dominating in the orthorhombic Pbca phase and the latter in the monoclinic P2₁/c phase. For Pbca phase a = 5.5197(11) ?, b = 15.040(3) ?, c = 23.2555(5) ?, and for P2₁/c phase a = 8.1143(19) ?, b = 14.226(3) ?, c = 8.9005(18) ?, β = 113.18(2)°.     

Direct colorimetric detection of copper(II) ions in sampling using diffusive gradients in thin-films

A novel binding phase was developed for use in diffusive gradients in thin-film (DGT) sampling for Cu(II) by employing methylthymol blue as a chelating and chromogenic agent. Methylthymol blue was adsorbed onto beads of Dowex 1 × 8 resin (200-400 mesh) and the resin beads were then immobilised onto an adhesive disc. Analysis of exposed binding discs by either UV-vis spectrophotometry or computer imaging densitometry provided robust quantification of adsorbed Cu(II) in the 0.2-1 μg cm⁻² range, allowing detection at μg L⁻¹ concentrations in the test solution (ca. 17 μg L⁻¹ for a 24 h deployment), and in good agreement with established DGT theory. The method was shown to be a potential replacement for binding phases based on Chelex 100 where a colorimetric response to a specific metal is desired.     

Ruthenium(II) 2,2′-bipyridine complexes incorporating substituted phenylazo-(2-(phenylthio))phenylmethine ancillary ligands. Synthesis,crystal structure,spectroscopic and redox properties

Abstract  

Five ruthenium complexes bearing phenylazo-(2-(phenylthio))phenylmethine ligands of the general type trans-[Ru^II(bpy)(L)(Cl)₂] (C1–C5) {L = YC₆H₄N=NC(COCH₃)=NC₆H₄(2-SC₆H₅), H (L1), Cl (L2), OCH₃ (L3), Br (L4), or NO₂ (L5)} have been synthesized. The crystal structure of trans-[Ru(bpy)(L1)(Cl)₂] (C1) is reported and shows no direct metal–S interaction. The complexes have been characterized through spectroscopic (IR, UV/vis and NMR) and electrochemical (CV) techniques. The electrochemical parameters (E _L(L)) of the azoimine ligands are reported.     

Preparation and characterisation of dual-layer latex-coated columns for open-tubular capillary electrochromatographic preconcentration of cations combined in-line with their separation by capillary electrophoresis

A dual-layer ion-exchange latex-coated column was prepared and characterised for on-capillary preconcentration of cations using an open-tubular ion-exchange CEC format. After preconcentration, the analyte cations were eluted with a transient isotachophoretic gradient and separated by CE. The latex double layer was established by first coating the negatively charged wall of the capillary with a layer of cationic quaternary ammonium anion-exchange Dionex AS5A latex particles (60 nm diameter), and then coating a layer of anionic sulphonated cation-exchange Dionex CS3 latex particles (300 nm diameter) onto the underlying AS5A layer. The adhesion of layers is based on electrostatic attractions. Several dual-layer capillaries were characterised for their EOF and ion-exchange capacity and this showed that coatings could be prepared reproducibly by a simple flushing procedure. The dual-layer columns exhibited a moderate, pH-independent EOF (ca. 26 x 10(-9 )m2V(-1)s(-1)) and an ion-exchange capacity of 57 microequiv./g (or 2.69 nequiv./column). Using an 8 cm length of coated capillary combined with a 72 cm length of untreated capillary, a method for on-line preconcentration and separation of monovalent organic bases, alkali metal ions and alkaline earth metal ions by CE was developed. Recoveries for the preconcentration step were 48% for 4-methylbenzylammonium, 43% for benzylammonium, 30-32% for alkali metal ions and 71-75% for alkaline earth cations. In all cases, recoveries were reproducible with RSDs being less than 6.2%. The influences of the ion-exchange selectivity coefficient of the analyte and the sample-loading rate on analyte recovery were also examined. The proposed method was utilised for the determination of alkaline earth cations and low microM detection limits were obtained.     

Preparation and characterisation of anion-exchange latex-coated silica monoliths for capillary electrochromatography

Silica monoliths coated with functionalised latex particles have been prepared for use in monolithic ion-exchange capillary electrochromatography (IE-CEC) for the separation of inorganic anions. The ion-exchange monoliths were prepared using 70 nm quaternary ammonium, anion-exchange latex particles, which were bound electrostatically to a monolithic silica skeleton synthesised in a fused silica capillary. The resulting stationary phases were characterised in terms of their chromatographic performance and capacity. The capacity of a 50 microm diameter 25 cm latex-coated silica monolith was found to be 0.342 nanoequivalents and 80,000 theoretical plates per column were typically achieved for weakly retained anions, with lower efficiency being observed for analytes exhibiting strong ion-exchange interaction with the stationary phase. The electroosmotic flow (EOF) was reversed after the latex-coating was applied (-25.96 m2 V(-1) s(-1), relative standard deviation (RSD) 2.8%) and resulted in anions being separated in the co-EOF mode. Ion-exchange interactions between the analytes and the stationary phase were manipulated by varying the ion-exchange selectivity coefficient and the concentration of a competing ion (phosphate or perchlorate) present in the electrolyte. Large concentrations of competing ion (greater than 1M phosphate or 200 mM perchlorate) were required to completely suppress ion-exchange interactions, which highlighted the significant retention effects that could be achieved using monolithic columns compared to open tubular columns, without the problems associated with particle-packed columns. The latex-coated silica monoliths were easily produced in bulk quantities and performed reproducibly in acidic electrolytes. The high permeability and beneficial phase ratio makes these columns ideal for micro-LC and preconcentration applications.