Optimisation and robustness analysis of a hydrophobic interaction chromatography step

Process development, optimisation and robustness analysis for chromatography separations are often entirely based on experimental work and generic knowledge. The present study proposes a method of gaining process knowledge and assisting in the robustness analysis and optimisation of a hydrophobic interaction chromatography step using a model-based approach. Factorial experimental design is common practice in industry today for robustness analysis. The method presented in this study can be used to find the critical parameter variations and serve as a basis for reducing the experimental work. In addition, the calibrated model obtained with this approach is used to find the optimal operating conditions for the chromatography column. The methodology consists of three consecutive steps. Firstly, screening experiments are performed using a factorial design. Secondly, a kinetic-dispersive model is calibrated using gradient elution and column load experiments. Finally, the model is used to find optimal operating conditions and a robustness analysis is conducted at the optimal point. The process studied in this work is the separation of polyclonal IgG from BSA using hydrophobic interaction chromatography.     

The crystal structure of Hf3As

Hf₃As has a monoclinic unit cell of dimensions a = 15.3898(14) Å, b = 5.3795(5) Å, c = 15.330(14) Å, β = 90.291(6)°. A structure proposal based on space group $\text{C2}\text{c}$ (No. 15) has been refined by the least-squares method using a Rietveld-type fullprofile analysis of Guinier-Hägg X-ray powder film intensity data. The Hf₃As structure is an intermediate between the Fe₃P and the Ti₃P types. The atomic coordination follows rules formulated earlier for representatives of the Fe₃PTi₃PV₃S family of structures.     

Molar volumes and ion pairing of lithium halides in alcohols

The concentration dependence of the apparent molar volumes of lithium halides (and electrolytes in general) in alcohols (and solvents permitting association in general) is, in the first instance, due to changes in the degree of association and to the inherent difference between the apparent molar volumes of the ions and of the ion pairs. Previous publications on the molar volumes of electrolytes in organic solvents, disregarding altogether ion pairing, appear to be incorrect. Data from the literature for lithium chloride and lithium bromide in normal primary alcohols and several branched alcohols from C₁ to C₈ and data from our laboratory for lithium halides in 1-hexanol and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol served for the determination of φ _V and φ _E . Electrical and structural contributions to the values of these functions for the ions and for the ion pairs are discussed.     

Separation and identification of organic and organometallic compounds by use of a liquid chromatography-particle beam-glow discharge mass spectrometry combination

Evaluation of the particle beam glow discharge mass spectrometry (PB-GDMS) system as a detector for liquid chromatography (LC) is described for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, selenoamino acids, and alkyllead compounds. A particle beam interface is used to introduce analyte species from the LC into a glow discharge source for subsequent vaporization and ionization. Mass spectra display classic EI fragmentation patterns for the organic compounds, as well as elemental and molecular information for the organometallic compounds. Chromatographic separations display good temporal correlation between UV and PB-GDMS detection modes. Detection limits for Pb in lead nitrate, triethyllead, and triphenyllead fall in the sub-ppb (ng) range.     

Stereoselective synthesis of optically active bicyclic beta-lactam carboxylic acids that target pilus biogenesis in pathogenic bacteria

Optically active bicyclic beta-lactams were synthesized, starting from 2-H-delta 2-thiazolines and Meldrum's acid derivatives. Several methods to accomplish an ester hydrolysis without damaging the beta-lactam framework were investigated. A rapid CsOH saponification of the beta-lactam methyl esters was developed and protonation of the Cs-carboxylates by Amberlite (IR-120 H+) afforded a series of bicyclic beta-lactam carboxylic acids. Moreover, a convenient method for the synthesis of 2-H-delta 2-thiazolinecarboxylic acid methyl ester 2 was developed. Bicyclic beta-lactam carboxylic acids 7a-g and aldehydes 4a-d were screened for their affinity to the bacterial periplasmic chaperone PapD using a surface plasmon resonance technique. beta-Lactams substituted with large acyl substitutents showed better binding to the chaperone than the native C-terminal peptide PapG 8, demonstrating that bicyclic beta-lactams constitute a new class of potential bacterial chaperone inhibitors.     

Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy of amino acids adsorbed on metal surfaces

Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (FT-IRAS) has been used to study the orientation and coordination of glycine, L-phenylalanine and L-histidine on gold and copper surfaces. It was found that glycine and L-histidine were weakly adsorbed (physisorbed) in the zwitterionic form on gold. The surface chemical bonding of L-histidine and L-phenylalanine to copper were chemical rather than physical by nature. Conclusive evidence was obtained for coordination to copper through both the amino-nitrogen and carboxylate-oxygen atoms.     

Synthesis and properties of niobia films derived from niobium pentaethoxide

The hydrolysis of niobium pentaethoxide precursor in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) is discussed. Three precursors with TEA/Nb(OEt)₅ mole ratios of 0.25, 0.4 and 0.8 were prepared. Niobia colloids with different appearance were obtained after autoclaving the above precursors at 250°C during 12 h. The surface roughness and microstructure of niobia films prepared with the colloids by spread coating method are strongly dependent on the TEA/Nb(OEt)₅ mole ratio. At a value of 0.4 TEA/Nb(OEt)₅ mole ratio, a niobia film with large surface roughness can be achieved. It is opaque and mechanically stable and has differently ordered needle microstructure. The crystalline structure and photoelectrochemical property of niobia film with the largest surface roughness were examined. The effect of CO₂ gas bubbling, reflux and addition of 2-methoxyethanol on the hydrolysis of Nb(OEt)₅ and the nature of the Nb₂O₅ films is also discussed.     

Resolution of seven-coordinate complexes

The crystal structures of [Pr(dbm)3H2O] (1), [Sm(dbm)3H2O] (2), and [Er(dbm)3H2O] (3) have been determined (dbm=dibenzoylmethane). They display seven-coordinate propeller-shaped molecules, which are chiral and crystallize as conglomerates in space group R3. Analysis of the crystal structures reveals supramolecular interactions, including formation of a quadruple helix, which explain how stereochemical information can be transferred between stacks of molecules. A method to quantify the ee in bulk samples of stereochemically labile compounds by using solid-state CD spectroscopy is described. Using this method, it has been shown that compounds 1-3 undergo total spontaneous resolution directly after synthesis, forming a microcrystalline reaction product that is essentially enantiopure. The resolution of bulk quantities of seven-coordinate complexes (without chiral or polydentate ligands) is thus reported for the first time. Because the crystallization starts without seeding, the overall preparation may be regarded as absolute asymmetric synthesis.     

Mechanisms of reduced human vascular cell migration after photodynamic therapy

Restenosis results from intimal hyperplasia and constrictive remodeling following cardiovascular interventions. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to inhibit intimal hyperplasia in vivo by preventing neointimal repopulation of the treated vessel. This study was undertaken in an attempt to further dissect the mechanisms by which PDT acts on secreted and extracellular matrix proteins to inhibit migration of cultured human vascular cells. PDT of three-dimensional collagen gels inhibited invasive human smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration, whereas cell-derived matrix metalloproteinase production remained unaltered. Additionally, PDT generated cross-links in the collagen gels, a result substantiated in an ex vivo model whereby PDT rendered the treated vessels resistant to pepsin digestion and inhibited invasive migration of SMC and fibroblasts. These data support the premise that by inducing matrix protein cross-links, rendering the vessel resistant to degradation, in vivo PDT inhibits repopulation of the vessel and therefore intimal hyperplasia.     

On-line coupling of supercritical fluid extraction with high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of explosives in vapour phases

An investigation into the selectivity of an iminodiacetic acid (IDA) modified silica gel column for transition and heavy metal ions using non-chelating inorganic eluents has been carried out. A number of eluent parameters were investigated to determine the exact retention mechanism taking place and to control selectivity. The parameters studied were eluent ionic strength and the nature of the inorganic salt used, eluent pH and eluent temperature. The results obtained showed how despite certain metal ions exhibiting similar stability constants with the bonded IDA groups, careful control of each of the above parameters, in particular eluent chloride ion concentration and eluent temperature, could result in large changes in selectivity. Optimal conditions for the isocratic and gradient separation of Mg(II), Ca(II), Mn(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) were determined. An isocratic method using a 0.035 M KCl, 0.065 M KNO3 (pH 2.5) eluent was successfully applied to the determination of Mn(II), Cd(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) at concentrations between 20 and 121 microg/l in a freshwater certified reference material (NIST 1640).