Phase-transfer catalysis in analytical chemistry

Phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) has been a well-established technique on the synthesis of organic chemicals for more than three decades. Its scope and underlying mechanistic features have been the subject of numerous studies and appear to be recognized and understood.

This review is intended to approach the subject by focusing on the extraction–preconcentration–derivatization/reaction prior to analysis and to chronicle recent progress made. We present the salient aspects of PTC modes followed by a brief review of mechanistic considerations including reaction mechanisms, selectivity, rates and kinetics pointing out to the potency of PTC in analytical chemistry. Specific guidelines are given on how to optimize a PTC-based analysis with respect to catalyst, solvent, reaction conditions and more, based on reaction characteristics.

Finally, using the PTC principles as a framework, selected real-life applications are provided, the capabilities and limitations of PTC are addressed for the purpose of direct analysis of organic analytes and certain advantages are highlighted.     

The wavefunction of non-stationary states in terms of complex coordinates and a related variational principle

The wavefunction of a decaying state is expressed in terms of complex coordinates as ψ(p) = a(θ)ψ _o(p) + b(θ)x(p), where the square integrable θ_o(p) and x(p) contain the localized and asymptotic information respectively. From Fano theory, we derive the relationship of a(?) and b(?) to the energy and width of the resonance state. This forms the basis for a new variatfonal principle for optimization of trial functions in the complex coordinate—energy plane.     

Phase-transfer catalytic determination of phenols as methylated derivatives by gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass-selective detection

A microemulsion electrokinetic chromatographic (MEEKC) method was developed for the separation of six catechins, specific marker phytochemicals of Cistus species. The MEEKC method involved the use of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as surfactant, heptane as organic solvent and butan-1-ol as co-solvent. In order to have a better stability of the studied catechins, the separation was performed under acidic conditions (pH 2.5 phosphate buffer). The effects of SDS concentration and of the amount of organic solvent and co-solvent on the analyte resolution were evaluated. The optimized conditions (heptane 1.36% (w/v), SDS 2.31% (w/v), butan-1-ol 9.72% (w/v) and 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) 86.61% (w/v)) allowed a useful and reproducible separation of the studied analytes to be achieved. These conditions provided a different separation profile compared to that obtained under conventional micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MECK) using SDS. The method was validated and applied to the determination of catechin and gallocatechin in lyophilized extracts of Cistus incanus and Cistus monspeliensis.     

A systematic investigation of the CuCl2/H2mal/phen reaction system (H2mal = malonic acid): Solution and solid state studies of its products

The systematic investigation of the parameter space of the CuCl₂/H₂mal/phen reaction system in MeOH resulted in the isolation of seven different complexes either as mixtures or in pure form, six of which have been structurally characterized. The molar ratios of the reactants and the crystallization methods have been systematically varied, leading to the isolation of compounds [Cu(H₂O)(phen)(mal)] (1), [Cu(MeOH)(phen)(mal)] (2), [Cu₂Li₂Cl₂(phen)₂(mal)₂(MeOH)₄] (3), [Cu₂(phen)₄(mal)][CuCl(phen)(mal)](OH) (4), [CuCl(phen)₂]Cl (5), and [CuCl(phen)(mal)][CuCl(phen)₂][Cu(phen)₂(Hmal)]Cl (6). The coordination versatility of the malonato ligand has been confirmed by the presence of three different coordination modes and its two deprotonation states in compounds 1–6. Solution studies on methanolic solutions of 2–4 and 6 by mass spectrometry revealed the absence of parent ion peak and the presence of fragment ions of low relative abundance not previously found in their crystal structure, thus indicating decomposition and rearrangement/reorganization of the complexes in solution and confirming the dynamic character of their solutions. Compounds 3 and 4 have been also studied in the solid state by EPR spectroscopy and magnetic measurements.     

A family of enneanuclear iron(II) single-molecule magnets

Complexes [Fe₉(X)₂(O₂CMe)₈{(2‐py)₂CO₂}₄] (X^?=OH^? ( 1 ), N₃^? ( 2 ), and NCO^? ( 3 )) have been prepared by a route previously employed for the synthesis of analogous Co₉ and Ni₉ complexes, involving hydroxide substitution by pseudohalides (N₃^?, NCO^?). As indicated by DC magnetic susceptibility measurements, this substitution induced higher ferromagnetic couplings in complexes 2 and 3 , leading to higher ground spin states compared to that of 1 . Variable‐field experiments have shown that the ground state is not well isolated from excited states, as a result of which it cannot be unambiguously determined. AC susceptometry has revealed out‐of‐phase signals, which suggests that these complexes exhibit a slow relaxation of magnetization that follows Arrhenius behavior, as observed in single‐molecule magnets, with energy barriers of 41 K for 2 (τ₀=3.4×10^?12 s) and 44 K for 3 (τ₀=2.0×10^?11 s). Slow magnetic relaxation has also been observed by zero‐field ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Characteristic integer‐spin electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals have been observed at X‐band for 1 , whereas 2 and 3 were found to be EPR‐silent at this frequency. ¹H NMR spectrometry in CD₃CN has shown that complexes 1 – 3 are stable in solution.     

Reversible core-interconversion of an iron(III) dihydroxo bridged complex

Complexes [Fe(Hhbi)(2)(NO(3))].2EtOH (1.2EtOH) and [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(Hhbi)(4)].2H(2)O.8EtOH (2.2H(2)O.8EtOH) crystallize in the orthorhombic Fdd2 and P4(2)2(1)2 space groups, respectively (Hhbi(-) = the monoanion of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl benzimidazole). Complex 1 exhibits paramagnetic relaxation as evidenced by Mossbauer spectroscopy, and significant axial zero-field splitting (1.5 cm(1) 相似文献