Competition between Monovalent and Divalent Counterions in Surfactant Systems

Competition between mono- and divalent ions in the association of counterions to the headgroups of amphiphiles was studied in one surfactant system with organic counterions (piperidine⁺/piperazine²⁺octanesulfonate) and one with inorganic counterions (Na⁺/Ca²⁺octyl sulfate). By conductivity and¹³C NMR chemical shift measurements the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was found to decrease drastically when small amounts of divalent counterions were present in the system. Self-diffusion coefficients of surfactant ions and organic counterions were measured in the micellar phase by the Fourier transform pulsed-gradient spin-echo (FT-PGSE) NMR method. The degree of counterion binding in the micellar system with piperidine⁺/piperazine²⁺counterions was obtained from FT-PGSE NMR measurements. It was observed that the divalent counterions were more strongly bound than the monovalent counterions. The experimental results were compared with theoretical Poisson–Boltzmann calculations. The cell model was used to study the electrostatic effects. Good agreement between electrostatic theory and experiment was observed; however, an attractive force exists between the monovalent piperidine counterions and the micelle, probably because of hydrophobic interactions.     

Laser-induced fluorescence of formaldehyde in combustion using third harmonic Nd:YAG laser excitation

Formaldehyde (CH2O) is an important intermediate species in combustion processes and it can through laser-induced fluorescence measurements be used for instantaneous flame front detection. The present study has focussed on the use of the third harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser at 355 nm as excitation wavelength for formaldehyde, and different dimethyl ether (C2H6O) flames were used as sources of formaldehyde in the experiments. The investigations included studies of the overlap between the laser profile and the absorption lines of formaldehyde, saturation effects and the potential occurrence of laser-induced photochemistry. The technique was applied for detection of formaldehyde in an internal combustion engine operated both as a spark ignition engine and as a homogenous charge compression ignition engine.     

Advantages of Monodisperse and Chemically Robust “SpheriCal” Polyester Dendrimers as a “Universal” MS Calibrant

The utilization of dendrimer calibrants as an alternative to peptides and proteins for high mass calibration is explored. These synthetic macromolecules exhibited a number of attractive advantages, including exceptional shelf-lives, broad compatibility with a wide range of matrices and solvents, and evenly spaced calibration masses across the mass range examined, 700–30,000 u. The exceptional purity of these dendrimers and the technical simplicity of this calibration platform validate their broad relevance for high molecular weight mass spectrometry.

Harmonization of methods for analysis of cholesterol oxides in foods--the first portion of a long road toward standardization: interlaboratory study

A compilation of literature data on the content of cholesterol oxidation products (COP) in various food products and in blood demonstrates a large variation in content in products or tissues of very similar nature when analyzed in different laboratories according to a large number of methods. The lack of validated, internationally recognized methodology with published accuracy and precision has so far hindered such assessments. Hence an interlaboratory comparision of methodologies of COP analysis was undertaken on egg yolk powders (EYP), whole milk powders (WMP), skim milk powders (SMP), and lard (L). Each product type had one fresh sample (low) and one aged (high) in COP contents. A total of 17 sets of results on WMP, 15 on SMP and EYP, and 13 on L were compared. Overall results (mg/kg sample) varied extensively: Fresh EYP 0.72-265, aged EYP 2.51-361; fresh WMP 0.02-18.1, aged WMP 0.02-26.9; fresh SMP 0.02-6.51, aged SMP <0.01-6.51; fresh L 0.18-97, aged L 4.15-452. Some results were questioned, viz., those from laboratories not indicating substantial differences between samples "low" and "high" in total COP. Others were excluded because of lack of verification of identity of gas chromatographic peaks by mass spectrometry. Then a more narrow range of core results (mg/kg sample) was observed: Fresh EYP 5.69-29.5 sample, aged EYP 11.8-79.0; fresh WMP 0.12-1.76, aged WMP 1.17-13.7; fresh SMP <0.30-<1.21, aged SMP 0.30-2.26; fresh L 0.18-5.07, aged L 94.4-231. At a workshop discussing the results, numerous recommendations were made toward more reliable methodology for determination of COP in foods.     

Identification of the sex pheromone of the lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula, using sequential SPME auto-sampling

The identification of the sex pheromone of the lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula (Meyrick) was based on GC-MS analysis of volatiles released by virgin females using sequential SPME auto-sampling of headspace and by synthesis of the key component, (4Z,7Z)-4,7-decadien-1-yl acetate. Substantial capture of males in a date palm plantation using a bait consisting of the key component and 5Z-decen-1-yl acetate in a ratio of 1:2 indicated that these are the essential components of the sex pheromone. Addition of 4Z-decen-1-yl acetate and decan-1-yl acetate, which were also identified, did not affect trap-capture. The lesser date moth is the first member of the Batrachedridae whose sex pheromone has been identified. (4Z,7Z)-4,7-Decadien-1-yl acetate is a novel compound among moth sex pheromones.     

Syntheses of O-(2-Acetamido-2-Deoxy-α-D-Galactopyranosyl)-Myo-Inositols

ABSTRACT

The structure of an O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranosyl)-myo-inositol isolated from human pregnancy urine has previously been identified as that of 1-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranosyl)-myo-inositol. In order to ascertain the absolute configuration in the inositol part of the compound, the 1D- and 1L- isomers were synthesised. Since none of these two stereoisomers corresponded to the natural product, the corresponding 2-O-, the mixture of the two 1DL-4-O-, and 5-O- isomers were also synthesised. None of these gave ¹H NMR spectra corresponding to the natural product, the structure of which therefore remains unresolved.     

Hyperfine structure measurements of103Rh

Hyperfine structure has been measured in 28 states of¹⁰³Rh below 34,000 cm^?1. The magnetic dipole interactionA constants in the metastable states 4d ⁸ 5s ⁴ P _5/2,3/2,² P _3/2,1/2,² D _5/2,3/2,² G _9/2,7/2 and 4d ⁷ 5s ^{2 4} F _{9/2,7/2,5/2,3/2} have been determined using the laser radio-frequency double-resonance method and in the states 4d ⁸ 5p ⁴ D _{7/2,5/2,3/2,1/2},⁴ G _7/2,5/2,⁴ F _{9/2,7/2,5/2,3/2},² G _9/2,7/2,² F _7/2,5/2 and² D _5/2,3/2 by high-resolution laser spectroscopy.     

Trace metal ion preconcentration for Flame Atomic Absorption by an Immobilized N,N,N′-tri-(2-pyridyl-methyl)ethylene diamine (TriPEN) chelate ion exchanger in a flow injection system

Summary Trace Metal Ion P reconcentration for Flame Atomic Absorption by an Immobilized N,N,N-tri-(2-pyridylmetkyl)ethylene diamine (TriPEN) Chelate Ion Exchanger in a Flow Injection System Chelating groups of N,N,N-tri-(2-pyridyl-methyl)ethyIene diamine (TriPEN) were synthesized on the surface of porous glass. A 100l column of the chelate ion exchanger was incorporated into a flow injection manifold with a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Metal ions from samples (<1 ml to>80 ml) were retained on the chelate ion exchanger until an injection of acid displaced them into the flame. A peak-shaped absorbance curve was recorded. The use of immobilized TriPEN for preconcentration of metals from dilute solution and for matrix modifications was demonstrated.