Determination of the pH of binary mobile phases for reversed-phase liquid chromatography

The measurement of pH in chromatographic mobile phases has been a constant subject of discussion during many years. The pH of the mobile phase is an important parameter that determines the chromatographic retention of many analytes with acid-base properties. In many instances a proper pH measurement is needed to assure the accuracy of retention-pH relationships or the reproducibility of chromatographic procedures. Three different methods are common in pH measurement of mobile phases: measurement of pH in the aqueous buffer before addition of the organic modifier, measurement of pH in the mobile phase prepared by mixing aqueous buffer and organic modifier after pH calibration with standard solutions prepared in the same mobile phase solvent, and measurement of pH in the mobile phase prepared by mixing aqueous buffer and organic modifier after pH calibration with aqueous standard solutions. This review discusses the different pH measurement and calibration procedures in terms of the theoretical and operational definitions of the different pH scales that can be applied to water-organic solvent mixtures. The advantages and disadvantages of each procedure are also presented through chromatographic examples. Finally, practical recommendations to select the most appropriate pH measurement procedure for particular chromatographic problems are given.     

Dissociation constants of phenols in methanol--water mixtures

A preferential solvation model that relates solute properties with solvent composition in binary mixtures has been applied to the dissociation pKa values of a set of 28 substituted phenols in methanol-water mixtures. The parameters of the model allow estimation of the pKa value of each phenol for any methanol-water composition. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the pKa values of the whole set of phenols at any methanol-water composition are linearly related to the pKa values of the phenols in water. Equations that relate the correlations' slope and intercept values with the solvent composition have been derived and tested with the set of phenols. The general parameters obtained for these equations allow an accurate calculation of the pKa value of any phenol, even of those not included in the original set, at any methanol-water composition solely from the pKa value of the phenol in water. These calculated pKa values can be used for quantitative structure-HPLC retention relationships. The method is tested by comparison of the calculated pKa values with the HPLC determined pKa values of 26 phenols in a polymeric column with a 50% methanol as mobile phase.     

Stéréochimie des réactions de substitution des alcoxygermanes par les organolithiens et par les réactifs de Grignard

The reactions of organolithium reagents and Grignard reagents with optically active alkoxygermanes R₃GeOR′ have been studied [R₃GeOR′ = ()-i-PrPhNpGeOCH₃, ()-i-PrPhNPGeOMen and ()-MePhNpGeOMen]. Saturated reagents (e.g. butyllithium) give retention of configuration at germanium whilst unsaturated reagents (e.g. allyl- or benzyllithium) lead to inversion.     

Fluoroalkyl-s-triazines

A series of symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted s-triazines was synthesized by condensation of fluorocarbon nitriles (Scheme II, compounds 1a-c ) and by cyclodehydration of a fluorocarbon imidoylamidine utilizing a fluorocarbon anhydride (Scheme III, compounds 2a-e ). Among the new nitriles prepared for incorporation in these reaction paths were 11-H-4,9-dioxahexadecylfluoroundecanenitrile ( 3 ) and 6-chloro-6-H-4-oxaheptafluorohexanenitrile ( 4 ), prepared by Scheme 1.     

A field theoretical approach to calculate electronic Born-Oppenheimer coupling terms

In this paper we suggest to consider the spatial distribution of the Born-Oppenheimer nonadiabatic coupling terms as fields which are created by sources, located at degeneracy points, and which can be derived using the ordinary mathematical tools of field theory. It is shown that the curl-divergence equations as formed within a given Hilbert space [M. Baer, Chem. Phys. Lett. 35, 112 (1975)] can be converted into a set of inhomogeneous coupled Poisson equations which are solved for a given set of boundary conditions. The method is applied to the three-state Hilbert subspace of the H(3) system. The numerical results are compared with ab initio calculations for which a very encouraging fit is found.     

Mechanosynthesis of zinc ferrite in hardened steel vials: Influence of ZnO on the appearance of Fe(II)

Nanocrystalline ZnFe₂O₄ spinel powders are synthesized by high-energy ball milling, starting from a powder mixture of hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) and zincite (ZnO). The millings are performed under air using hardened steel vials and balls. X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectrometry are used to characterize the powders. A spinel phase begins to appear after 3 h of milling and the synthesis is achieved after 9 h. Phase transformation is accompanied by a contamination due to iron coming from the milling tools. A redox reaction is also observed between Fe(III) and metallic iron during milling, leading to a spinel phase containing some Fe(II). The mechanism for the appearance of this phase is studied: ZnO seems to have a non-negligeable influence on the synthesis, by creating an intermediate wüstite-type phase solid solution with FeO.     

Molecular orbital studies on the conformation of GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)

In distinction to Extended Hückel Theory which predicts as the most stable conformation of free zwitterionic GABA a totally extended form, PCILO and SCF ab initio studies show that the intrinsically preferred conformation of the isolated molecule is a highly folded one, resulting from strong interactions between the two charged ends. Computations are also carried out for hydrated GABA in the supermolecule approach allowing moreover for the flexibility of binding of some of the water molecules of the first hydration shell. They predict the coexistence in solution of a large number of conformations showing different degrees of folding (or extension), a result confirmed by recent NMR studies. This and a number of similar results show that we have to adapt our thinking on the role of conformations in pharmacological activity to this situation, which was frequently obscured by the more abundant results of X-ray crystallography yielding a single conformation.     

Darstellung und Struktur von Pyrazolyl-Kationen mit Polymethin- und Methan-Gerüst

The 4-pyrazoline-3-one1 reacts with 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde to yield the stable asymmetric cyanine dye2b which reacts with1 to give the colorless (aryl) (dipyrazolyl) methane3b. Using aldehydes with less cationstabilizing groups the polymethines2 are not isolated but only the methanes3. The structures of2b and3 are discussed by¹ H,¹³C and Hetero NMR spectra.     

Analyse de la fraction monophénolique des condensats de fumée de cigarettes par association de méthodes chromatographiques

Résumé Les monophénols sont isolés des condensats de fumées de cigarette par chromatographie sur couche mince de Kieselgel G avec un mélange (31) de cyclohexane et d'acétate d'éthyle extraits du support, puis séparé et dosés par chromatographie en phase gazeuse sur colonne capillaire. Le rendement de l;opération est de 80±2% pour le triméthyl 3,4,5 phénol, de 65% pour le triméthyl 2,3,5 phénol. Les teneurs obtenues sont de 8g de phénol, 3g de (para + méta) crésol et 0,5 g de diméthyl 2,6 phénol par mg de condensat. De nombreux autres alkylphénols ont été identifiés.

---

Analysis of the monophenolic fraction of tobacco smoke condensates by a combination of chromatographic methods

Summary Monophenols are separated from tobacco smoke condensates by thin-layer chromatography on Kieselgel G using a 31 mixture of cyclohexane and ethylacetate. The monophenolic fraction is recovered from the support and analyzed by GC on a capillary column. The yield is 80±2% for 3,4,5 trimethylphenol and 65% for 2,3,5 trimethylphenol. The concentration determined for phenol, (para+meta) cresol and 2,6 dimethylphenol are 8,3 and 0.5 g per mg of condensate respectively. Numerous other alkyl phenols have been identified.

     

Monitoring degradation processes of explosives by HPLC analysis with UV- and amperometric detection

 The impact of spilled explosives, their by-products and degradation products on human beings and the environment has been recognised as a serious problem at areas of existing and former ammunition plants. In nature, aerobic and anaerobic degradation processes of explosives and their accompanying compounds yield polar contaminants with relatively high water solubilities. Most are potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic. An HPLC method applying UV-detection for nitroaromatic compounds and amperometric detection for aminoaromatic and phenolic compounds was used for monitoring the degradation of explosives in a polluted groundwater sample under natural conditions. Analysis was performed by direct injection of aliquots of the sample after exposition to daylight for different periods of time. Received: 6 January 1996/Revised: 7 March 1996/Accepted: 13 March 1996