Simultaneous dynamic thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry of the evaporation of alkali metal nitrates and nitrites

Six alkali metal nitrates and nitrites were evaporated in vacuum at a constant heating rate in a combined mass spectrometric and thermogravimetric apparatus. Time resolved profiles of decomposition gases and kinetics were obtained for LiNO₃, NaNO₃, KNO₃, Na/KNO₃, NaNO₂ and KNO₂. Activation energies for the evaporation of these salts were calculated and compared to previous results of isothermal experiments. In the temperature range 650–850 K, the decomposing nitrates released NO, N₂ and O₂ while the nitrites released only NO and N₂.

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Zusammenfassung Sechs Alkalimetallnitrate und -nitrite wurden in Vakuum, bei konstanter Erwärmungsgeschwindigkeit in einer kombinierten massenspektroskopischen und thermogravimetrischen Vorrichtung verdampft. Für LiNO₃, NaNO₃, KNO₃, Na/KNO₃, NaNO₂ und KNO₂ wurden die zeitzerlegten Profile der Zersetzungsgase, sowie die Kinetik erhalten. Für die Verdampfung dieser Salze wurden die Aktivationsenergien berechnet, und mit früheren Ergebnissen der isothermischen Versuche verglichen. In dem Temperaturbereich 650 bis 850 K wird von den zerfallenden Nitraten NO, N₂ und O₂ befreit, die Nitrite entwickeln dagegen nur NO und N₂.

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- . - LiNO₃, NaNO₃, KNO₃, Na/KNO₃, NaNO₂ KNO₂. . 650–850 , , — .

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This work is based in part on a thesis submitted by C. M. Kramer in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Division of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of California at Davis. The work was performed at the Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA.     

Improved identification of conjugated linoleic acid isomers using silver-ion HPLC separations

Silver-ion high-performance liquid chromatography (Ag+-HPLC) has been shown to be effective in the resolution of most of the isomers of conjugated octadecadienoic acids (18:2), also known as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The CLA isomers identified in natural fats from ruminants are a mixture of numerous positional and geometric isomers from 7,9- to 12,14-18:2. Ag+-HPLC separates both geometric (trans,trans < cis/trans < cis,cis) and positional CLA isomers using the mobile phase hexane/acetonitrile (99.9:0.1). The elution volumes for the CLA isomers were not only affected by the concentration of acetonitrile (in the prepared mobile phase) but also with successive runs during the day using a prepared mobile phase batch, due to the partial solubility of acetonitrile in hexane. However, this drift does not affect the relative resolution of the CLA isomers. The addition of diethyl ether to the mobile phase partly stabilizes the solvent mixture. In order to facilitate the interpretation of Ag-+HPLC chromatograms, the relative retention volumes (RRV) were calculated for each CLA isomer. Toluene was added to all the test portions and served as an estimator of dead volume, whereas the elution of the ubiquitous 9c,11t-CLA isomer was chosen as unity (1.00). Expressing the elution of all the CLA isomers as their RRV greatly helped to standardize each CLA isomer, resulting in relatively small coefficients of variation (% CV) for the trans,trans (<1.5%) and cis/trans (<0.5%) CLA isomers. The identification of the CLA isomers was further facilitated by synthesis of authentic CLA isomers. All the geometric CLA fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from positions 6,8- to 13,15-CLA were commercially available or synthesized by a combination of partial hydrazine reduction of known polyunsaturated fatty acids followed by alkali isomerization, isolation of products, and further iodine-catalyzed geometric isomerization. Based on expressing the elution volume as RRV and the availability of the synthetic CLA isomers, a unique reversal of the elution order of the c/t CLA isomers was found. It is also proposed that the retention times of CLA isomers by gas chromatography (GC) should be expressed as their relative retention times (RRT) relative to methyl gamma-linoleneate. The availability of CLA reference materials and the application of RRV and RRT to Ag+-HPLC and GC separations, respectively, will greatly improve in the identifications of CLA isomers.     

Thin films of bicontinuous cubic mesostructured silica templated by a nonionic surfactant

Thin films ofbicontinuous cubic mesostructured silica were formed using the nonionic poly(oxyethylene)-alkyl ether surfactant Brij-56 as a structure-directing agent. The synthesis conditions were chosen such that the estimated volume fraction of surfactant in the silica/surfactant films corresponded approximately to the composition at which the bicontinuous cubic phase occurs in the water/surfactant phase diagram. Small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy measurements reveal that the cubic phase corresponds to the Ia3(-)d double-gyroid structure, with some distortion due to anisotropic film shrinkage. The cubic structure grows as faceted domains that are well-oriented with respect to the substrate and often occur in coexistence with a lamellar phase. By adjusting the temperature at which the films are aged, it is possible to create films with 2D hexagonal, cubic, or lamellar structures at a single composition.     

Circular dichroism spectrum of the infrared band of nickel sulphate. Manifestation of an orthorhombic splitting in the E3T2g state

The axial CD spectrum of the infrared band of the α-Ni(H₂O)₆SO₄ crystal exhibits a complex vibronic structure at low temperatures. The lowest energy vibronic component consists of two oppositely signed bands which arise from the orthorhombic splitting of the E(³T_2g) state.     

Methods for analysis of conjugated linoleic acids and trans-18:1 isomers in dairy fats by using a combination of gas chromatography, silver-ion thin-layer chromatography/gas chromatography, and silver-ion liquid chromatography

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are octadecadienoic acids (18:2) that have a conjugated double-bond system. Interest in these compounds has expanded since CLA were found to be associated with a number of physiological and pathological responses such as cancer, metastases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, immunity, and body fat/protein composition. The main sources of these conjugated fatty acids are dairy fats. Rumen bacteria convert polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and linolenic acids, to CLA and numerous trans- containing mono- and diunsaturated fatty acids. It has been established that an additional route of CLA synthesis in ruminants and monogastric animals, including humans, occurs via delta9 desaturation of the trans-18:1 isomers. To date, a total of 6 positional CLA isomers have been found in dairy fats, each occurring in 4 geometric forms (cis,trans; trans,cis; cis,cis; and trans,trans) for a total of 24. All of these CLA isomers can be resolved only by a combination of gas chromatography (GC), using 100 m highly polar capillary columns, and silver-ion liquid chromatography, using 3 of these 25 cm columns in series. Complete analysis of all the trans-18:1 isomers requires prior isolation of trans monoenes by silver-ion thin-layer chromatography (TLC), followed by GC analysis using the same 100 m capillary columns operated at low temperatures starting from 120 degrees C. These analytical techniques are required to assess the purity of commercial CLA preparations, because their purity will affect the interpretation of any physiological and/or biochemical response obtained. Prior assessment of CLA preparations by TLC is also recommended to determine the presence of any other impurities. The availability of pure CLA isomers will permit the evaluation and analysis of individual CLA isomers for their nutritional and biological activity in model systems, animals, and humans. These techniques are also essential to evaluate dairy fats for their content of specific CLA isomers and to help design experimental diets to increase the level of the desired CLA isomers in dairy fats. These improved techniques are further required to evaluate the CLA profile in monogastric animals fed commercial CLA preparations for CLA enrichment of animal products. This is particularly important because absorption and metabolism will alter the ingested-CLA profile in the animal fed.     

C45- and C50-Carotinoide. 1. Mitteilung. Synthese von (R)- and (S)-Lavandulol

C₄₅- and C₅₀-Carotenoids, 1st Communication. Synthesis of (R)- and (S)-Lavandulol Starting with methyl (3 R)-3-hydroxybutanoate ((R)-7) and ethyl (3 S)-3- hydroxybutanoate ((S)- 11 ), respectively, (R)- and (S)-lavandulol ((R)- 1 and (S)- 1 ) were synthesized with high optical purity. The synthesized key intermediates (R)- 6 and (S)- 6 are suitable compounds for the synthesis of optically active acyclic C₄₅- and C₅₀-carotenoids.     

Electrochemical processes in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Editorial Comment Last month we presented, as a Special Feature, a set of five articles that constituted a Commentary on the fundamentals and mechanism of electrospray ionization (ESI). These articles produced some lively discussion among the authors on the role of electrochemistry in ESI. Six authors participated in a detailed exchange of views on this topic, the final results of which constitute this month's Special Feature. We particularly hope that younger scientists will find value in this month's Special Feature, not only for the science that it teaches but also what it reveals about the processes by which scientific conclusions are drawn. To a degree, the contributions part the curtains on these processes and show science in action. We sincerely thank the contributors to this discussion. The give and take of intellectual debate is not always easy, and to a remarkable extent this set of authors has maintained good humor and friendships, even when disagreeing strongly on substance. Graham Cooks and Richard Caprioli Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Derivatization for electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. 4. Alkenes and alkynes

A survey of derivatization strategies and prospective derivatization reactions for conversion of simple alkenes and alkynes to 'electrospray-active' species is presented. General synthetic strategies are discussed and illustrative examples of prospective derivatives prepared from model compounds are presented along with their electrospray ionization (ES) mass spectra. The identified derivatives of these neutral, nonpolar analytes are either ionic or are ionizable in solution through Bronsted acid/base chemistry, by Lewis acid/base chemistry, or by chemical or electrochemical electron-transfer chemistry. Once ionized, the derivatives are expected to be amenable to detection by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Derivatives are identified for positive and negative ion analysis of both alkenes and alkynes. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nukleophile Addition von Lithiumorganylen an das N,N-Diethyl-10-(trimethylsilyl)-1, 6-methano[10]annulen-2-carboxamid

Nucleophilic Addition of Lithiumorganyles to N,N-Diethyl-10-(trimethylsilyl)-1,6-methano[10]annulene-2-carboxamide Reaction of lithiumorganyles with N,N-diethyl-10-(trimethylsilyl)-1,6-methano[10]annulene-2-carboxamide followed by quenching with H₂O or MeI yields 2,3-dihydro derivatives of 1,6-methano[10]annulene.