Characterization of Electron Transfer Dissociation in the Orbitrap Velos HCD Cell

Electron transfer dissociation (ETD) is commonly employed in ion traps utilizing rf fields that facilitate efficient electron transfer reactions. Here, we explore performing ETD in the HCD collision cell on an Orbitrap Velos instrument by applying a static DC gradient axially to the rods. This gradient enables simultaneous three dimensional, charge sign independent, trapping of cations and anions, initiating electron transfer reactions in the center of the HCD cell where oppositely charged ions clouds overlap. Here, we evaluate this mode of operation for a number of tryptic peptide populations and the top-down sequence analysis of ubiquitin. Our preliminary data show that performing ETD in the HCD cell provides similar fragmentation as ion trap-ETD but requires further optimization to match performance of ion trap-ETD.      

Interfacial synthesis of bisphenol A tetrachlorocyclotriphosphazene from bisphenol A and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene

The effect of solvent purity on the synthesis and yield of bisphenol A tetrachlorocyclotriphosphazene (BATCCP) has not been described in the literature. The purpose of this research was to synthesize BATCCP hybrid monomers and to evaluate the effect of solvent purity on the BATCCP production. BATCCP monomers were prepared by an interfacial procedure in a water/toluene system as a function of time with the assistance of a phase transfer catalyst, tetraoctylammonium bromide. ¹H and ³¹P NMR confirmed the production of BATCCP monomer by the appearance of chemical shifts at 7.18 and 5.35 ppm in the ¹H NMR and 23.4 and 13.9 ppm in the ³¹P NMR, respectively. Distillation of the toluene, not suggested in previous reports of HCCP hybrid synthesis, resulted in an improvement of actual % yield to 40% and stability of the product throughout the 1440 min reaction as confirmed by MALDI, compared with an 11% actual yield at 15 min, decaying to 2% over a 1440 min reaction when the synthesis was performed with ‘anhydrous toluene’ as provided commercially without further distillation.     

Application of magnetic nanoparticles for the extraction of radium-226 from water samples

Bare (unmodified) and crown ether (CE)-modified Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were investigated for the rapid extraction of ²²⁶Ra from water samples. It involved synthesizing the MNPs, introducing them into the sample solutions, ultrasonicating and agitating the suspension, magnetically separating the nanoparticles from solution, and measuring the ²²⁶Ra content in the supernatant. Experimental parameters such as salt choice, salt concentration and pH were optimized to achieve maximum extraction of ²²⁶Ra onto the MNPs. ²²⁶Ra content was determined using a Hidex 300SL liquid scintillation counter with α/β separation capability, or a gamma spectrometric detection system. The bare Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles showed significant pH dependence for the extraction of ²²⁶Ra from an aqueous solution over a pH range of 2–10. They gave an extraction of 95 ± 1 and 98 ± 1 % at pH 9 in 0.1 M NaCl and 0.1 M NaClO₄, respectively, whereas an extraction of 8–24 % was obtained, over the pH ranges from 2 to 5. The CE-modified MNPs yielded extraction efficiencies as high as 99 ± 1 % in the presence of 0.01 M picric acid at pH 4. This study demonstrates that the surface functionalization of Fe₃O₄ MNPs with suitable ligand modification can offer a selective mode of extraction for ²²⁶Ra in the presence of its daughter progenies.     

Synthesis and evaluation of N6-substituted azide- and alkyne-bearing N-mustard analogs of S-adenosyl-l-methionine

The synthesis of a family of N-mustard analogs of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) containing azides and alkynes at the N6-position of the adenosine base has been accomplished from commercially available inosine. Further biochemical analysis of these analogs indicates successful modification of pUC19 plasmid DNA in an enzyme-dependent fashion with DNA methyltransferases M.TaqI and M.HhaI.     

Stable nitrogen isotopes in essential versus non-essential amino acids of different plankton size fractions

The stable nitrogen isotope values (delta(15)N) of the essential amino acid (EAA) leucine and the delta(15)N values of six non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) from plankton size fractions from the South China Sea (SCS) were analysed. Data from the SCS were collected during two cruises in July 2003 and 2004 onboard of RV Nghien Cuu Bien. The delta(15)N values of alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and leucine increased with size at all sites. The delta(15)N of glycine did not increase with size, the delta(15)N of tyrosine increased with size only at offshore stations and the delta(15)N of proline increased with size only at inshore stations. We found highly significant correlations between the delta(15)N ratios of leucine to the delta(15)N ratios of glutamic acid, proline, alanine, tyrosine and aspartic acid at oligotrophic sites of enhanced nitrogen fixation. In contrast thereto these correlations were less distinct or absent at more eutrophic sites of low nitrogen fixation. A comparison with an independent data set from the tropical North Atlantic revealed intriguing similar patterns. We interpret these patterns as result of the connected metabolism of EAA and NEAA in zooplankton at sites of nitrogen limitation.     

A Strategy for the Preparation of Thioantimonates Based on the Concept of Weak Acids and Corresponding Strong Bases

By following a new synthetic approach, which is based on the in situ formation of a basic medium by the reaction between the strong base Sb(V)S₄^3? and the weak acid H₂O, it was possible to prepare three layered thioantimonate(III) compounds of composition [TM(2,2′‐bipyridine)₃][Sb₆S₁₀] (TM=Ni, Fe) and [Ni(4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)₃][Sb₆S₁₀] under hydrothermal conditions featuring two different thioantimonate(III) network topologies. The antimony source, Na₃SbS₄ ? 9 H₂O, undergoes several decomposition reactions and produces the Sb^IIIS₃ species, which condenses to generate the layered anion. The application of transition‐metal complexes avoids crystallization of dense phases. The reactions are very fast compared to conventional hydrothermal/solvothermal syntheses and are much less sensitive to changes of the reaction parameters.     

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Multichromophoric Carbonyl‐Bridged Triarylamines

The synthesis and photophysical properties of two novel multichromophoric compounds is presented. Their molecular design comprises a carbonyl‐bridged triarylamine core and either naphthalimides or 4‐(5‐hexyl‐2,2′‐bithiophene)naphthalimides as second chromophore in the periphery. The lateral chromophores are attached to the core via an amide linkage and a short alkyl spacer. The synthetic approach demonstrates a straightforward functionalization strategy for carbonyl‐bridged triarylamines. Steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopic investigations of these compounds, in combination with three reference compounds, provide clear evidence for energy transfer in both multichromophoric compounds. The direction of the energy transfer depends on the lateral chromophore used. Furthermore, the compound bearing the lateral 4‐(bithiophene)naphthaimides is capable of forming fluorescent gels at very low concentrations in the sub‐millimolar regime whilst retaining its energy transfer properties.