Gas phase charged aggregates of bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and divalent metal ions: first evidence of AOT solvated aggregates

Assembling and chelating properties of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOTNa) towards divalent metal ions have been investigated in the gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. A variety of positively charged monometallated and mixed metal aggregates are formed. Interestingly, several ions contain solvent (MeOH, H(2)O) molecules and constitute the most abundant AOT cationic aggregates not containing sodium. These species are the first example of solvated AOT-metal ion aggregates in the gas phase. By increasing the surfactant aggregation number, the abundance of solvated species becomes lower than that of unsolvated ones. Decompositions of ionic species have been studied by tandem mass spectrometry, and their stability has been determined through energy resolved mass spectrometry. In contrast with positively charged AOT-alkaline metal ion aggregates, whose decompositions are dominated by the loss of individual surfactant molecules, AOTNa-divalent ion aggregates mainly dissociate through the cleavage of the AOT H(2)C-O bond followed by further intramolecular fragmentations. This finding, that is consistent with an enhanced chelation of divalent ions with AOT(-) head groups, has been taken as an indication that such aggregates are characterized by a reverse micelle-like organization with a ionic core formed by the metal cations interacting with the negatively charged surfactant polar heads, whereas the surfactant alkyl chains point outside.     

Nitrogen heteroaromatic cations by [2+2+2] cycloaddition

A modular approach to the construction of monocationic quaternary N-heteroaromatic frameworks was developed capitalizing on a direct pyridine-type nitrogen quaternization followed by metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition with gaseous acetylene. The flexibility of the route is demonstrated on 12 diverse scaffolds based on pyridinium, quinolinium, thiazolium, benzothiazolium, imidazolium, and pyrimidinium. Electrochemical study revealed a quinolinium redox system with two electrochemically distinct forms that are interconverted by a homogeneous chemical reaction triggered by fast electron transfers (reduction at -0.7 V and oxidation at -0.05 V).     

Synthesis of novel deoxynucleoside S-methylphosphonic acids using S-(diisopropylphosphonomethyl)isothiouronium tosylate, a new equivalent of mercaptomethylphosphonate

The synthesis of the novel nucleotide analogues 5'-deoxynucleoside-5'-S-methylphosphonates, starting from 5'-deoxy-5'-haloribonucleosides, 5'-O-tosylribonucleosides, and 2'-O-triflylnucleosides, is described. The phosphonothiolation of these compounds was achieved using S-(diisopropylphosphonomethyl)isothiouronium tosylate, a new, odourless, and efficient equivalent of mercaptomethylphosphonate. The thiolate anion of mercaptomethylphosphonate was generated in situ from the isothiouronium salt in both protic and aprotic solvents using two equivalents of sodium iso-propoxide. The prepared nucleoside 5'-S-methylphosphonates were deprotected, and the free phosphonic acids were transformed into diphosphoryl derivatives (the NTP analogues). Both mononucleotides and NTP analogues were studied as substrates/inhibitors of several enzymes that are involved in the nucleoside/nucleotide metabolism.     

Chiral phosphinoferrocene carboxamides with amino acid substituents as ligands for Pd-catalysed asymmetric allylic substitutions. Synthesis and structural characterisation of catalytically relevant Pd complexes

An extensive series of chiral amino acid amides prepared from 1'-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid (Hdpf) or its planar-chiral isomer, 2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid, have been tested as ligands for Pd-catalysed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions. In alkylation of 1,3-diphenylallyl acetate as a model substrate with dimethyl malonate the ligands performed well in terms of both reaction rate and enantioselectivity, achieving up to 98% ee. In contrast, the reactions of the same substrate with other nucleophiles proceeded either slowly and with poor ee's (amination with benzylamine) or not at all (etherification with benzyl alcohol). In order to rationalise the influence of the ligand structure on the reaction course, three model complexes, viz. [(η(3)-methallyl)PdCl(L-κP)], [(η(3)-methallyl)Pd(L-κ(2)O,P)]ClO(4) and [(η(3)-methallyl)Pd(L-κP)(2)]ClO(4) have been prepared from the achiral amide Ph(2)PfcCONHCH(2)CO(2)Me (L; fc = ferrocene-1,1'-diyl) and structurally characterised. The coordination study showed that the amido-phosphines readily form 1?:?1 complexes as O,P-chelates where the amino acid chirality is brought close to the Pd atom. At higher ligand-to-metal ratios, however, simple P-monodentate coordination prevails, minimising the influence of the chiral amino acid pendant.     

Native polyacrylamide electrophoresis in the presence of Ponceau Red to study oligomeric states of protein complexes

Native polyacrylamide electrophoresis in the presence of two reversible protein anionic stains (Ponceau S and Ponceau 2R) was used to study the oligomeric states of soluble proteins. A mild binding of the used protein stains to nondissociated protein oligomers imposed a charge shift on the proteins resulting into separation of protein species according to their size under physiological conditions. Adsorbed stains could be easily removed after electrophoresis by washing of polyacrylamide gel with buffer and protein complexes could be visualized either by the detection of their enzyme activity or by using a nonspecific protein stain. The specific detection of enzyme activity of glycosidases, lactate dehydrogenase, or phosphatases was shown as an example.     

Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Lager Beers of Different Origin: A Contribution to Potential Determination of the Authenticity of Czech Beer

Beer contains a wide range of polyphenolic compounds originating mainly from malt and hops. In this work newly modified on-line coupled HPLC–photodiode-array (PDA)–MS methods were used for analysis of characteristic phenolic compounds in several Czech lager beers, in comparison with some foreign lager beers. After optimization of column type, elution mode, and gradient steepness, chromatography was performed with a Restek Ultra Aqueous, C₁₈ (5 μm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm) column at 30 °C and gradient elution using an optimized linear gradient of aqueous acetonitrile acidified with 1% acetic acid, at a flow rate 0.4 mL min^?1. In total, 49 compounds were identified. Eleven individual compounds, predominantly malt phenolics (gallic acid, (?)-catechin, epicatechin, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, morin, rutin, quercetin, caempherol, naringenin, and luteolin) were quantified by use of two detection techniques: MS with electrospray ionization and UV detection. Compared with foreign beers, Czech beers contained higher levels of most of the phenolic compounds; specific distributions of individual compounds were also observed. Experimental PDA results for individual polyphenols were evaluated statistically by modified cluster analysis. Because of very tight covariance of the data a new procedure was devised for correlation analysis. The set of beers analyzed can be divided into four clusters closely related to the origin of the and the technology used. It seems that some of the flavonoids have potential use in beer authenticity analysis.     

Ions Can Move a Proton‐Coupled Electron‐Transfer Reaction into Tunneling Regime

The effects of charged species on proton‐coupled electron‐transfer (PCET) reaction should be of significance for understanding/application of important chemical and biological PCET systems. Such species can be found in proximity of activated complex in a PCET reaction, although they are not involved in the charge transfer process. Reported here is the first study of the above‐mentioned effects. Here, the effects of Na⁺, K⁺, Li⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Me₄N⁺ observed in PCET reaction of ascorbate monoanions with hexacyanoferrate(III) ions in H₂O reveal that, in presence of ions, this over‐the‐barrier reaction entered into tunneling regime. The observations are: a) dependence of the rate constant on the cation concentration, where the rate constant is 71 (at I = 0.0023), and 821 (at 0.5M K⁺), 847 (at 1.0M Na⁺), and 438 M ^?1 s^?1 (at 0.011M Ca²⁺); b) changes of kinetic isotope effect (KIE) in the presence of ions, where k_H/k_D=4.6 (at I = 0.0023), and 3.4 (in the presence of 0.5M K⁺), 3.3 (at 1.0M Na⁺), 3.9 (at 0.001M Ca²⁺), and 3.9 (at 0.001M Mg²⁺), respectively; c) the isotope effects on Arrhenius pre‐factor where A_H/A_D=0.97 (0.15) in absence of ions, and 2.29 (0.60) (at 0.5M Na⁺), 1.77 (0.29) (at 1.0M Na⁺), 1.61 (0.25) (at 0.5M K⁺), 0.42 (0.16) (at 0.001M Ca²⁺) and 0.16 (0.19) (at 0.001M Mg²⁺); d) isotope differences in the enthalpies of activation in H₂O and in D₂O, where ΔΔH^?(D,H)=3.9 (0.4) kJ mol^?1 in the absence of cations, 1.3 (0.6) at 0.5M Na⁺, 1.8 (0.4) at 0.5M K⁺, 1.5 (0.4) at 1.0M Na⁺, 5.5 (0.9) (at 0.001M Ca²⁺), and 7.9 (2.8) (at 0.001M Mg²⁺) kJ mol^?1; e) nonlinear proton inventory in reaction. In the H₂O/dioxane 1 : 1, the observed KIE is 7.8 and 4.4 in the absence and in the presence of 0.1M K⁺, respectively, and A_H/A_D=0.14 (0.03). The changes when cations are present in the reaction are explained in terms of termolecular encounter complex consisting of redox partners, and the cation where the cation can be found in a near proximity of the reaction‐activated complex thus influencing the proton/electron double tunneling event in the PCET process. A molecule of H₂O is involved in the transition state. The resulting ‘configuration’ is more ‘rigid’ and more appropriate for efficient tunneling with Na⁺ or K⁺ (extensive tunneling observed), i.e., there is more precise organized H transfer coordinate than in the case of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ (moderate tunneling observed) in the reaction.     

Headspace-solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometer and to enantioselective gas chromatography for strawberry flavoured food quality control

Authenticity assessment of flavoured strawberry foods was performed using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS). An authenticity range was achieved, investigating on the carbon isotope ratio of numerous selected aroma active volatile components (methyl butanoate, ethyl butanoate, hex-(2E)-enal, methyl hexanoate, buthyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, hexyl acetate, linalool, hexyl butanoate, octyl isovalerate, γ-decalactone and octyl hexanoate) of organic Italian fresh strawberries. To the author's knowledge, this is the first time that all these components were investigated simultaneously by GC-C-IRMS on the same sample. The results were compared, when applicable, with those obtained by analyzing the HS-SPME extracts of commercial flavoured food matrices. In addition, one Kenyan pineapple and one fresh Italian peach were analyzed to determine the δ(13)C(VPDB) of the volatile components common to strawberry. The δ(13)C(VPDB) values are allowed to differentiate between different biogenetic pathways (C(3) and CAM plants) and more interestingly between plants of the same CO(2) fixation group (C(3) plants). Additional analyses were performed on all the samples by means of Enantioselective Gas Chromatography (Es-GC), measuring the enantiomeric distribution of linalool and γ-decalactone. It was found that GC-C-IRMS and Es-GC measurements were in agreement to detect the presence of non-natural strawberry aromas in the food matrices studied.     

Mn2+ complexes with 12-membered pyridine based macrocycles bearing carboxylate or phosphonate pendant arm: crystallographic, thermodynamic, kinetic, redox, and 1H/17O relaxation studies

Mn(2+) complexes represent an alternative to Gd(3+) chelates which are widely used contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. In this perspective, we investigated the Mn(2+) complexes of two 12-membered, pyridine-containing macrocyclic ligands bearing one pendant arm with a carboxylic acid (HL(1), 6-carboxymethyl-3,6,9,15-tetraazabicyclo[9.3.1] pentadeca-1(15),11,13-triene) or a phosphonic acid function (H(2)L(2), 6-dihydroxyphosphorylmethyl-3,6,9,15-tetraazabicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-1(15),11,13-triene). Both ligands were synthesized using nosyl or tosyl amino-protecting groups (starting from diethylenetriamine or tosylaziridine). The X-ray crystal structures confirmed a coordination number of 6 for Mn(2+) in their complexes. In aqueous solution, these pentadentate ligands allow one free coordination site for a water molecule. Potentiometric titration data indicated a higher basicity for H(2)L(2) than that for HL(1), related to the electron-donating effect of the negatively charged phosphonate group. According to the protonation sequence determined by (1)H and (31)P pH-NMR titrations, the first two protons are attached to macrocyclic amino groups whereas the subsequent protonation steps occur on the pendant arm. Both ligands form thermodynamically stable complexes with Mn(2+), with full complexation at physiological pH and 1:1 metal to ligand ratio. The kinetic inertness was studied via reaction with excess of Zn(2+) under various pHs. The dissociation of MnL(2) is instantaneous (at pH 6). For MnL(1), the dissociation is very fast (k(obs) = 1-12 × 10(3) s(-1)), much faster than that for MnDOTA, MnNOTA, or the Mn(2+) complex of the 15-membered analogue. It proceeds exclusively via the dissociation of the monoprotonated complex, without any influence of Zn(2+). In aqueous solution, both complexes are air-sensitive leading to Mn(3+) species, as evidenced by UV-vis and (1)H NMRD measurements and X-ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetry gave low oxidation peak potentials (E(ox) = 0.73 V for MnL(1) and E(ox) = 0.68 V for MnL(2)), in accordance with air-oxidation. The parameters governing the relaxivity of the Mn(2+) complexes were determined from variable-temperature (17)O NMR and (1)H NMRD data. The water exchange is extremely fast, k(ex) = 3.03 and 1.77 × 10(9) s(-1) for MnL(1) and MnL(2), respectively. Variable-pressure (17)O NMR measurements have been performed to assess the water exchange mechanism on MnL(1) and MnL(2) as well as on other Mn(2+) complexes. The negative activation volumes for both MnL(1) and MnL(2) complexes confirmed an associative mechanism of the water exchange as expected for a hexacoordinated Mn(2+) ion. The hydration number of q = 1 was confirmed for both complexes by (17)O chemical shifts. A relaxometric titration with phosphate, carbonate or citrate excluded the replacement of the coordinated water molecule by these small endogenous anions.     

Theoretical modeling of ionization energies of argon clusters: nuclear delocalization effects

Temperature dependence of vertical ionization energies is modeled for small argon clusters (N ≤ 13) using classical parallel-tempering Monte Carlo methods and extended interaction models based on the diatomics-in-molecules approach. Quantum effects at the zero temperature are also discussed in terms of zero-point nuclear vibrations, either at the harmonic approximation level or at the fully anharmonic level using the diffusion Monte Carlo calculations. Both approaches lead to a considerable improvement of the theoretical predictions of argon clusters ionization energies and represent a realistic way of modeling of ionization energies for weakly bound and floppy complexes in general. A thorough comparison with a recent electron-impact experiment [O. Echt et al., J. Chem. Phys. 123, 084313 (2005)] is presented and a novel interpretation of the experimental data is proposed.