Liquid analysis dielectric capillary barrier discharge

In this study a simple micro-tube-based system for analysis of metal-containing liquids is introduced and its analytical performance is evaluated. It is based on a miniaturised dielectric barrier discharge driven at atmospheric pressure. The emission lines of various elements are observed. The system is developed for quantitative measurements and the limits of detection are determined. Because of very low flow rates of just μL min⁻¹ the approach requires extremely low sample volumes.     

Sonic spray ionization interface for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A sonic spray ionization (SSI) interface for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis was optimized for analysis of 2-[(1R)-3-[bis(1-methylethyl)amino]-1-phenylpropyl]-4-methyl-phenol (tolterodine), used as a model drug substance, and the influence of different parameter settings was evaluated using factorial design. A comparison between SSI and electrospray ionization (ESI) was made for tolterodine, tolterodine metabolites, and a set of steroids.SSI was found to give slightly poorer repeatability and broader peaks for tolterodine compared to ESI. However, there was no significant difference in chromatographic peak shape, and the repeatability using SSI was similar to that obtained using ESI if a ratio (area of tolterodine/area of metabolite) was used. In this study, the sensitivity was higher using SSI. For the analysis of pregnanolone, less water loss was obtained using SSI, probably due to less energy being transferred to the analyte upon ionization.     

Rearrangement of 2-aryl-3,3-dichloroazetidines: intermediacy of 2-azetines

An easy synthesis of 2-aryl-3,3-dichloroazetidines, a rather unexplored class of azaheterocycles, is described. The title compounds were easily obtained by reduction of the corresponding 4-aryl-3,3-dichloro-2-azetidinones with monochloroalane, which in turn were synthesized by a ketene-imine [2 + 2] cycloaddition. The reactivity of 3,3-dichloroazetidines with bases was investigated, yielding 2-[dimethoxy(aryl)methyl]aziridines by ring contraction when treated with sodium methoxide. Furthermore, reacting the 3,3-dichloroazetidines with sodium hydride in DMSO, followed by aqueous workup, afforded 1-alkyl-2-aroylaziridines, by hydrolysis of the intermediate 2-azetines and ring closure of the transient 3-amino-2-chloro-1-phenyl-1-propanone derivatives. Monitoring this reaction in an NMR tube, using sodium hydride in DMSO-d(6), allowed the characterization of the intermediate strained heterocyclic enamines, i.e., 2-azetines, by (1)H and (13)C NMR.     

GnRH binding RNA and DNA Spiegelmers: a novel approach toward GnRH antagonism

Mirror-image oligonucleotide ligands (Spiegelmers) that bind to the pharmacologically relevant target gonadotropin-releasing hormone I (GnRH) with high affinity and high specificity have been identified using the Spiegelmer technology. GnRH is a decapeptide that plays an important role in mammalian reproduction and sexual maturation and is associated with several benign and malignant diseases. First, aptamers that bind to D-GnRH with dissociation constants of 50-100 nM were isolated out of RNA and DNA libraries. The respective enantiomers of the DNA and RNA aptamers were synthesized, and their binding to L-GnRH was shown. These Spiegelmers bind to L-GnRH with similar affinity to that of the corresponding aptamers that bind to D-GnRH. We further demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of GnRH-induced Ca(2+) release in Chinese hamster ovary cells that were stably transfected with the human GnRH receptor.     

Über Chalkogenolate. 194 [1]: S-Bis(trimethylsilyl)aminoester von Dithiocarbamidsäuren 3. Kristall- und Molekülstruktur vom Methyl-und i-Propylderivat [1]

Inhaltsübersicht. Die Titelverbindungen R₂N–CS–S–N[Si(CH₃)₃]₂ mit Ii = CH₃ bzw. CH(CH₃)₂ kristallisieren orthorhombisch bzw. monoklin: Gitterkonstanten für R = CH₃ (bei ?165°C) a = 8,397(4) Å, b = 11,917(4) Å, c = 31,966 (11) Å, Pbca (Nr. 61), Z = 8. R = CH(CH₃)₂ (bei ?80°C) a =13,183(3) Å, b = 10,873(11) Å, c = 14,865(2) Å, β = 105,86(2)° P2₁/n (Nr. 14), Z = 4. Die Kristallstrukturen wurden unter Verwendung von 4227 bzw. 3 433 symmetrieunabhängigen Reflexen (gemessen bei ?165 bzw. ?80 °C) bestimmt und bis auf Zuverlässigkeitsfaktoren von R = 0,081 bzw. 0,082 verfeinert (R_w = 0,084 bzw. 0,114). Bei beiden Verbindungen ist der C₂N–CS–S–N-Teil des Moleküls nahezu planar. Zwischen dem Thiocarbonyl-S-Atom und dem N-Atom der silylierten Aminogruppe bestehen Wechselwirkungen. On Chalcogenolates. 194. S-Bis (trimethylsilyl) amino Esters of Dithiocarbamic Acids. 3. Crystal and Molecular Structure of the Methyl and i-Propyl Derivative The title compounds R₂N–CS–S–N[Si(CH₃)₃]₂ with R = CH₃ and CH(CH₃)₂, respectively, crystallize orthorhombic and monoclinic, resp.; cell dimensions and space group see “Inhaltsübersicht”. The structures of both compounds have been determined from single crystal X-ray data measured at ?165°C and ?80°C, resp., and refined to R's of 0.081 and 0.082, resp., (R_w = 0.084 and 0.114, resp.) using 4227 and 3433, resp., independent reflections. In both compounds the C₂N–CS–S–N core of the molecule is nearly plane. Between the thiocarbonyl sulfur atom and the nitrogen atom of the amino group interactions exist. In Fortführung unserer Untersuchungen [1, 2] über N, N-Dialkyldithiocarbamidsäure-S-bis(trimethylsilyl)aminoester R₂N–CS–S–N[Si(CH₃)₃]₂ haben wir die Kristall- und Molekülstrukturen der Verbindungen mit R = CH₃ und CH(CH₃)₂ bestimmt. Dabei sollte untersucht werden, welchen Einfluß sterisch anspruchsvollere Alkylgruppen (R = CH₃ → CH(CH₃)₂) auf die Molekülgeo-metrie haben. Eine strukturchemische Charakterisierung dieser Verbindungs-klasse ist bis jetzt noch nicht erfolgt; vgl. die Literaturzusammenstellung bei [3].     

Nucleation of Organic Crystals—A Molecular Perspective

The outcome of synthetic procedures for crystalline organic materials strongly depends on the first steps along the molecular self‐assembly pathway, a process we know as crystal nucleation. New experimental techniques and computational methodologies have spurred significant interest in understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms by which nuclei form and develop into macroscopic crystals. Although classical nucleation theory (CNT) has served well in describing the kinetics of the processes involved, new proposed nucleation mechanisms are additionally concerned with the evolution of structure and the competing nature of crystallization in polymorphic systems. In this Review, we explore the extent to which CNT and nucleation rate measurements can yield molecular‐scale information on this process and summarize current knowledge relating to molecular self‐assembly in nucleating systems.     

Silica-Based and Transition Metal-Based Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials—A Comparison

Organically substituted metal alkoxides can be prepared by reaction of the parent alkoxides with complexing organic compounds. The chemical and structural consequences of such substitutions are discussed in this article. Examples are given showing how functional organic moieties, such as polymerizable groups, can be incorporated into sol-gel materials via the complexing ligands. Major structural differences between silica-based and metal-based hybrid materials originate from the different charge/coordination number ratios of silicon and most metals. This results in a high tendency for the molecular building blocks to aggregate. In many cases, metal oxide clusters are formed which are capped by the organic ligands. Such surface-modified clusters are themselves very valuable condensed matter units for materials syntheses.     

Evaluation of a new multiple-layer spotting technique for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of synthetic polymers

A new multiple-layer matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) sample-spotting technique is described. This fast and easy technique was evaluated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) standards and optimized conditions for these synthetic polymers were obtained. PEGs up to 35 kDa were detectable with this approach and single monomer resolution was observed up to 20 kDa. The spotting was performed using a multiple-layer approach, which offers the capability of complex sample preparation without the requirement of premixing the different matrix, analyte and doping salt solutions. The technique reduces the time required for sample preparation and offers high flexibility with respect to sample composition and solvents utilized for the crystallization of the compounds. The technique is thus perfectly suited for applications in combinatorial material research.     

Automated Scanning Probe Microscopy as a New Tool for Combinatorial Polymer Research: Conductive Carbon Black/Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Composites

A systematic investigation into the surface properties of siloxane rubber/carbon black (CB) nanocomposites has been performed, using an automated scanning probe microscope. In this way the influence of CB concentration and curing rate of the siloxane rubber matrix on roughness and conductivity of the composites was studied. Decreasing the curing rate while keeping the CB concentration resulted in a decrease in both roughness and surface conductivity, which can be explained by an additional siloxane‐rubber layer formed during curing.

     

The Reactivity of Cr‐Te Superlattice Reactants and of Co‐deposited Cr‐Te Films: Studies with in‐situ X‐ray Diffractometry

The reactivity of a Cr‐Te multilayer film consisting of 326 Cr/Te double‐layers with about 88(3) at% Te was investigated with in‐situ X‐ray diffraction. The occurrence of a superstructure reflection caused by the multilayer system is observed. During the annealing procedure between 80 and 90 °C the layer‐by‐layer arrangement is destroyed and elemental Te crystallizes. After 6 h isothermal annealing at 140 °C CrTe₃ starts to crystallize. The amount and the crystal size of CrTe₃ increase with raising temperature and Te is consumed during the growth process. At 220 °C the formation of crystalline Cr₂Te₃ is observed and between 220 and 260 °C CrTe₃ is completely decomposed into Cr₂Te₃. The two Cr tellurides grow as highly textured materials. The size of CrTe₃ crystals is significantly larger than that of Cr₂Te₃. For a co‐deposited Cr‐Te film with composition 77(3) at% Te the tri‐telluride and elemental Te crystallize simultaneously. The texture of CrTe₃ is less pronounced and different reflections of the tri‐telluride occur besides the (h00)‐reflections. Up to 160 °C a pronounced increase of the crystallite size is observed and the crystals are significantly larger than those obtained with the multifilm sample. At 130 °C the crystallization kinetics seem to be controlled by nucleation.