In search of covalently bound tetra- and penta-oxygen species: a photoelectron spectroscopic and Ab initio investigation of MO4- and MO5- (M = Li,Na, K,Cs)

Although neutral and ionic O4(0/-/+) species have been observed experimentally and considered for energetic materials, O4(2-) and O5(2-) dianions have not yet been explored. O4(2-) is valent isoelectronic to the well-known ClO3- and SO3(2-) anions, and O5(2-) is valent isoelectronic to ClO4- and SO4(2-). All are stable, common anions in solutions and inorganic salts. In this article, we explore the possibility of making covalently bound O4(2-) and O5(2-) species stabilized in the forms of M+O4(2-) and M+O5(2-) (M = Li, Na, K, Cs) in the gas phase. Laser vaporization experiments using M-containing targets and an O2-seeded carrier gas yielded very intense mass peaks corresponding to MO4- and MO5-. To elucidate the structure and bonding of the newly observed MO4- and MO5- species, we measured their photoelectron spectra and then compared them with ab initio calculations and the spectra of ClO3-, Na+SO3(2-), ClO4-, and Na+SO4(2-). Careful analyses of the experimental and ab initio results showed, however, that the observed species are of the forms, O2-M+O2- and O2-M+O3-. The more interesting M+O4(2-) and M+O5(2-) species were found to be higher-energy isomers, but they are true minima on the potential energy surfaces, which suggests that it might be possible to synthesize bulk materials containing covalently bound tetra- and pentatomic oxygen building blocks.     

The phenomenon of conglomerate crystallization. Part 40: The crystallization behavior oftrans- Co(III) amines (+)546-trans-[Co(3,2,3-tet)(NO2)2]Cl·3H2O (I), (−)589 -trans-[Co(3,2,3-tet)Cl2]NO3 (II), and of (+)546-trans-[Co(3,2,3-tet)(NO2)2]NO3 (III)

A racemic solution of (I) crystallizes as a conglomerate from which a crystal we selected was found to be (+)₅₄₆-trans-[Co(3,2,3-tet)(NO₂)₂]Cl·3H₂O (I), CoClO₇N₆C₈H₂₈. It crystallizes in the enantiomorphic space groupP2_l2_l2_l, with lattice constantsa=18.501(15) å,b=14.433(2) å, andc=6.441(3) å;V=1720.07 å³ andd(calc. M.W.=414.73,Z=4)=1.601 g cm^?3. A total of 2305 data were collected over the range of 4?≤2θ ≤55?; of these, 1724 (independent and withI > 3σ(I)) were used in the structural analysis. Data were corrected for absorption (Μ=11.920 cm^?1), and the relative transmission coefficients ranged from 0.8258 to 0.9565. Refinement was carried out for both lattice enantiomorphs, and at this stage theR(F) andR _w (F) residuals were, respectively, 0.0381 and 0.0479 for (+ + +) and 0.0448 and 0.0532 for (? ? ?). Thus, the former was selected as correct for our specimen, and the final cycle of refinement with the (+ + +) model converged toR(F) andR _w (F) of 0.0315 and 0.0365. A racemic solution of (II) crystallizes as a conglomerate from which a crystal we selected was found to be (?)₅₈₉-trans-[Co(3,2,3-tet)Cl₂]NO₃ (II), CoCl₂O₃N₅C₈H₂₂. It crystallizes in the enantiomorphic space groujp,P2_l with lattice constantsa=6.395(2) å,b=8.886(2) å,c=13.185(2) å, andΒ=99.24(2)?;V=739.59 å³ andd(calc. M.W.=366.14,Z=2)=1.646 g cm ^?3. A total of 2912 data were collected over the range of 4?<2θ<64?; of these, 2147 (independent and withI≥3σ(I)) were used in the structural analysis. Data were corrected for absorption (Μ =15.424 cm^?1), and the relative transmission coefficients ranged from 0.9632 to 0.9985. Refinement was carried out for both lattice enantiomorphs, and the finalR(F) andR _w (F) residuals were, respectively, 0.0326 and 0.0328 for (+ + +) and 0.0347 and 0.0348 for (? ? ?). Thus, the (+ + +) was selected as correct for our specimen. A racemic solution of (III) crystallizes as a conglomerate from which a crystal we selected was found to be (+)₅₈₉-trans-[Co(3,2,3-tet)(NO₂)₂]NO₃ (III), CoO₇N₇C₈H₂₂. It crystallizes in the enantiomorphic space group,P2_l with lattice constantsa=6.295(1) å, b=15.108(3) å,c=8.029(1) å, andΒ=100.28(2)?;V=751.35 å³ andd(calc. M.W.=387.24,Z=2)=1.712 g cm^?3. A total of 2393 data were collected over the range of 4?≤2θ≤60?; of these, 1869 (independent and withI≥3σ(I)) were used in the structural analysis. Data were corrected for absorption (Μ=11.859 cm^?1), and the relative transmission coefficients ranged from 0.8814 to 0.9976. Refinement was carried out for both lattice enantiomorphs and the finalR(F) andR _w (F) residuals were, respectively, 0.0463 and 0.0482 for (+ + +) and 0.0441 and 0.0442 for (? ? ?). Thus, the latter was selected as correct for our specimen, and the final cycle of refinement with the (? ? ?) model converged toR(F) andR _w (F) of 0.0436 and 0.0421. For all three compounds, the six-membered rings are chairs; the secondary nitrogens are chiral centers, and the five-membered rings are ordered and conformationally dissymmetric, as expected. Coincidentally, in (I), (II), and (III) the central rings are right-handed helices withδ(+50.0?),δ(+53.3?), andδ(+48.3?), respectively. Thus, the secondary nitrogens of all three cations are (R), rendering the cations chiral. The incidence of conglomerate crystallization intrans coordination compounds is rare, and those known are asymmetrically substituted (see Ref. 4 for the four known cases). Thus, the incidence of such crystallization mode in a new series of [trans- Co(amine ligands)X₂]⁺ cations bearing symmetrical pairs oftrans ligands was an unexpected and welcomed event. In all three cases, the counteranions are bonded to the hydrogens of the terminal -NH₂ moieties, thus forming an overall entity which resembles a macrocycle. In fact, parallels between the crystallization behavior of our compounds and that of macrocycles bearing related fragments is discussed. Finally, in the three compounds, homochiral cations are linked into infinite strings by hydrogen bonds between the axial ligands and amino hydrogens on adjacent cations of the string. In turn, strings are stitched together by the counteranions which form bonds with amino hydrogens on cations of adjacent strings.     

Flow injection-mini-column technique with ICP-AES detection for the isolation and preconcentration of the fast reactive aluminium fraction in waters

A flow injection mini-column system based on short reaction times with 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) with ICP-AES detection is described for the isolation and preconcentration of the “fast reactive” or “toxic” aluminium fraction in water samples. Using a 3 s reaction time with oxine (5 × 10^–4 mol/l) at pH 5.0, the “fast reactive” aluminium fraction is shown not to include the non-toxic AlF²⁺ species at low F^–: Al³⁺ molar ratios (0.3 : 1). The complexed aluminium is isolated in a stable and recoverable form on mini-columns of Amberlite XAD-2 (0.3 cm × 5.0 cm, resin particle size range 0.08 mm–0.16 mm)). The retained aluminium is recovered by “back-flushing” the analytical column with 1 mol/l HCl for final element specific detection by ICP-AES. Detection limits (after preconcentration) of 2 μg/l, a linear range of 0–500 μg/l, and possible preconcentration factors of up to 18 times are demonstrated with the present system. Implications for the possible solution of sample stability problems encountered with labile aluminium species analysis and the development of a “field sampling” technique are discussed, where the desired Al fraction is quantitatively retained in a stable form on mini-columns.     

Structural and process controls of AIEgens for NIR-II theranostics

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is a cutting-edge fluorescence technology, giving highly-efficient solid-state photoluminescence. Particularly, AIE luminogens (AIEgens) with emission in the range of second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000–1700 nm) have displayed salient advantages for biomedical imaging and therapy. However, the molecular design strategy and underlying mechanism for regulating the balance between fluorescence (radiative pathway) and photothermal effect (non-radiative pathway) in these narrow bandgap materials remain obscure. In this review, we outline the latest achievements in the molecular guidelines and photophysical process control for developing highly efficient NIR-II emitters or photothermal agents with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) attributes. We provide insights to optimize fluorescence efficiency by regulating multi-hierarchical structures from single molecules (flexibilization) to molecular aggregates (rigidification). We also discuss the crucial role of intramolecular motions in molecular aggregates for balancing the functions of fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy. The superiority of the NIR-II region is demonstrated by fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging of blood vessels and the brain as well as photothermal ablation of the tumor. Finally, a summary of the challenges and perspectives of NIR-II AIEgens for in vivo theranostics is given.

Structural and process controls of NIR-II AIEgens realize manipulating of radiative (R) and nonradiative (NR) decay for precise theranostics.     

Indirect bromometric microdetermination of nitrate and perchlorate,using nitron as reagent

Summary An indirect bromometric method for the determination of nitrate or perchlorate is described. A known excess of standard nitron acetate solution is added to the sample solution to precipitate the anion to be determined; the excess of reagent is then determined in the supernatant liquid by bromatometric titration. The relative standard deviation of the method is 0.7% for nitrate and 0.5% for perchlorate. Sulphate, phosphate and fluoride do not interfere and chloride does not interfere up to a concentration of 0.1 M. Bromide, iodide, chromate, nitrite and chlorate interfere but can be eliminated.

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Zusammenfassung Ein indirektes bromatometrisches Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Nitrat oder Perchlorat wurde beschrieben. Ein gemessener Überschuß einer Nitronacetatlösung bekannter Konzentration wird zur Fällung des Anions der Probe zugesetzt und im Überstand bromatometrisch zurücktitriert. Die rel. Standardabweichung beträgt 0,7% für Nitrat und 0,5% für Perchlorat. Sulfat, Phosphat und Fluorid stören nicht; Chlorid stört nicht bis zu 0,1-m Konzentration. Bromid, Jodid, Chromat, Nitrit und Chlorat stören zwar, können aber eliminiert werden.

     

Limitations and perspectives in the determination of carbofuran with various liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry interfacing systems

Column liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS) has been widely accepted as the preferred technique for the identification and quantification of polar and thermally labile compounds at trace levels. Over the last decade many different types of LC-MS interfacing techniques have been used for the determination of carbamate pesticides and especially for the N-methylcarbamate carbofuran. This article addresses the difficulties encountered with the various types of LC-MS interface and discusses recent alternatives for the determination of carbofuran. With thermospray and particle beam interfaces the quantification of carbofuran is affected by both the ion source pressure and temperature, whereas quantification using the recently developed atmospheric pressure ionization interfaces, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, electrospray, and ionspray, is less dependent on these parameters.     

Characterisation of botulinum toxins type C, D, E, and F by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation and electrospray mass spectrometry

In a follow-up of the earlier characterisation of botulinum toxins type A and B (BTxA and BTxB) by mass spectrometry (MS), types C, D, E, and F (BTxC, BTxD, BTxE, BTxF) were now investigated. Botulinum toxins are extremely neurotoxic bacterial toxins, likely to be used as biological warfare agent. Biologically active BTxC, BTxD, BTxE, and BTxF are comprised of a protein complex of the respective neurotoxins with non-toxic non-haemagglutinin (NTNH) and, sometimes, specific haemagglutinins (HA). These protein complexes were observed in mass spectrometric identification. The BTxC complex, from Clostridium botulinum strain 003-9, consisted of a 'type C1 and D mosaic' toxin similar to that of type C strain 6813, a non-toxic non-hemagglutinating and a 33 kDa hemagglutinating (HA-33) component similar to those of strain C-Stockholm, and an exoenzyme C3 of which the sequence was in full agreement with the known genetic sequence of strain 003-9. The BTxD complex, from C. botulinum strain CB-16, consisted of a neurotoxin with the observed sequence identical with that of type D strain BVD/-3 and of an NTNH with the observed sequence identical with that of type C strain C-Yoichi. Remarkably, the observed protein sequence of CB-16 NTNH differed by one amino acid from the known gene sequence: L859 instead of F859. The BTxE complex, from a C. botulinum isolated from herring sprats, consisted of the neurotoxin with an observed sequence identical with that from strain NCTC 11219 and an NTNH similar to that from type E strain Mashike (1 amino acid difference with observed sequence). BTxF, from C. botulinum strain Langeland (NCTC 10281), consisted of the neurotoxin and an NTNH; observed sequences from both proteins were in agreement with the gene sequence known from strain Langeland. As with BTxA and BTxB, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) MS provided provisional identification from trypsin digest peptide maps and liquid chromatography-electrospray (tandem) mass spectrometry (LC-ES MS) afforded unequivocal identification from amino acid sequence information of digest peptides obtained in trypsin digestion.     

Correction: New stiff matter solutions are really not stiff

Four new solutions in general relativity have recently been derived as representing static spherically symmetric stiff matter,=p. It is pointed out that the equation of state is, in fact,+p=0. It is further shown that two of the solutions are physically reasonable, turning out to represent the vacuum, one of them with a term.     

Synthesis, Structure and Conductivity of the New Charge-transfer Salt (ET)_2(CH_2=CH-CH_2-SO_3)·H_2O

ET is one of the most famous electron-donor molecules, which forms charge-transfer complexes (abbr. CT-complexes) with various types of counterions. These complexes have received intense attention because a wide range of physical properties such as conductivity and superconductivity1, ferromagnetism2-4 and nonlinear optical properties5 was found in these materials. Although the majority of the ET-based CT-complexes were prepared by combining with inorganic counterions, CT-complexes with o…