Transport efficiency in femtosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry applying ablation cells with short and long washout times

Relative mass transport efficiencies of near infrared (λ = 795 nm) femtosecond laser generated brass aerosols in helium were measured by ICP-MS applying different ablation cells with short and long washout times. It was found that the transport efficiencies are independent of the cell used within the mutual experimental uncertainties. This finding was confirmed by additional measurements providing the absolute particle mass transport efficiencies of femtosecond laser ablation in He. Here, the transport efficiencies were determined by weighing the samples before and after ablation with a micro-balance, collecting the particles by low-pressure impaction, and evaluating the impacted masses quantitatively by total reflection X-ray fluorescence. Within the experimental uncertainties (± 9–19%) the same absolute transport efficiency (about 77%) was found for all cells applied. This efficiency value can be regarded as a lower limit of the absolute mass transport efficiency since mass losses in the impactor are difficult to quantify.     

Negatively charged hyperbranched polyether-based polyelectrolytes

The preparation of carboxylated hyperbranched polyglycerols of narrow polydispersity was achieved by modification (78–90%) of the hydroxyl end groups via Michael addition of acrylonitrile, followed by hydrolysis. High conversion could only be achieved for low molecular weight starting materials (520 and 1,030 g mol⁻¹). The solution properties of the resulting materials were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), showing the formation of large aggregates with size depending on the pH value. After deposition on a negatively charged mica surface, the structures observed by atomic force microscope (AFM) show the coexistence of aggregates and single macromolecules. Most interesting, in the case of the lower molecular weight sample (PG 520 g mol⁻¹), extended and ordered terrace structures were formed, which are unprecedented for hyperbranched polymers and are of interest for surface modification in general.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of [PhE(BNMe2)2]2 (E = P or As): Six-Membered P2B4 and As2B4 Rings with Unusual Structures

The reaction of either Li₂PPh or Li₂AsPh with the diborane(4) derivative B₂(NMe₂)₂Br₂ affords the compounds [PhP(BNMe₂)₂]₂ ( 1 ) or [PhAs(BNMe₂)₂]₂ ( 2 ) in good yield. Both 1 and 2 have cyclic structures featuring non-planar P₂B₄ or As₂B₄ six-membered rings which have chair configurations. Although all four borons in each ring have planar coordination, the two phosphorus or arsenic centers have different degrees of pyramidalization. Bond distances within the rings indicate that the B? B, B? P or B? As bonds are single, whereas the exo-B? N bond lengths are consistent with significant π-bonding. The ring structures of 1 and 2 are in sharp contrast to the related boron-nitrogen species (t-BuN)₂N₄Me₄ which has a nido-N₂B₄ framework. The attempted synthesis of the nitrogen analogue of 1 or 2 by using a similar approach did not result in the isolation of [PhN(BNMe₂)₂]₂, instead the tetramino diborane(4) species [B(NMe₂)NHPh]₂ ( 3 ), which has a structure similar to other tetramine diborane(4) compounds, was isolated.     

液-液萃取电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定天然水中痕量稀土元素

建立了以单、二（2－乙基己基）磷酸酯混合螯合剂的庚烷溶液作为萃取剂，6.0mol/L HCl反萃取预分离富集，In和Rh做内,ICP-MS测定天然水中15种稀土元素的分析方法。方法的富集倍数为200倍，各元素的检出限范围在0.01-1.8ng/L之间，相对标准偏差RSD＜5％，萃取回收率＞93％。     

Density functional theory study of the mechanism of the proline-catalyzed intermolecular aldol reaction

Transition structures associated with the C-C bond-formation step of the proline-catalyzed intermolecular aldol reaction between acetone and isobutyraldehyde have been studies using density functional theory methods at the B3LYP/6-31G** computational level. A continuum model has been selected to represent solvent effects. For this step, which is the stereocontrolling and rate-determining step, four reactive channels corresponding to the syn and anti arrangement of the active methylene of the enamine relative to the carboxylic acid group of l-proline and the re and si attack modes to both faces of the aldehyde carbonyl group have been analyzed. The B3LYP/6-31G** energies are in good agreement with experiment, allowing us to explain the origin of the catalysis and stereoselectivity for these proline-catalyzed aldol reactions. Received: 2 April 2002 / Accepted: 18 July 2002 / Published online: 11 October 2002 Acknowledgements. This work was supported by research funds provided by the Ministerio de Educación y Cultura of the Spanish Government by DGICYT (project PB98–1429). All the calculations were performed on a Cray–Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 of the Servicio de Informática de la Universidad de Valencia. We are most indebted to this center for providing us with computer capabilities. Correspondence to: L. R. Domingo e-mail: domingo@utopia.uv.es     

Cis‐trans Isomerism in Copper(II) Complexes with N‐acyl Thiourea Ligands

The N‐acyl thiourea complexes bis[N,N‐diethyl‐N′‐(p‐nitrobenzoyl)‐thioureato]copper(II) ( 1a,1b ) and bis(N,N‐diphenyl‐N′‐benzoylthioureato)copper(II) ( 2a,2b ) crystallize in each case in two modifications. X‐ray structural analysis shows that 1a and 1b are cis‐trans isomers. This is very unusual for N‐acyl thioureato complexes because with exception of one platinum(II) complex up to now only cis complexes have been found. In contrast X‐ray structural analysis of both forms 2a and 2b of the other complex shows no cis‐trans pair. Both modifications are cis complexes. In solution both isomers of the copper(II) complexes are observable by EPR spectroscopy.     

Slurry nebulization ICP-AES spectrometry method for the determination of tin in organotin(IV) complexes

This paper proposes a quick, novel method for tin determination in organotin chemicals by slurry nebulization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission (ICP-AES) spectrometry. The method was tested by the measurement of five organotin carboxylate complexes of known composition for obtaining simple stoichiometric data. The slurries were prepared by first dissolving the organotins in an adequate solvent (methanol, pyridine or acetone) well miscible with water and then adding this solution drop-by-drop to a 0.005% TX-100 tenzide solution while maintaining intensive mixing. Dynamic laser light scattering experiments showed that the average equivalent particle size in the resulting slurry was ≈0.3 μm for all samples and solvents. Under suitable ICP-AES measuring conditions, the signal recoveries were found to be between 101.8 and 106.6%, which allowed direct nebulization and calibration against aqueous solutions. Typically, 70 μg l⁻¹ detection limit and 1–5% relative S.D. on five replicates can be achieved by the described method.     

Determination of boron in boron-alloyed steels by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

An inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) procedure has been developed and examined for the determination of boron content (0.01 up to about 2% B) in boron-alloyed steels such as POLDI ATA BOR (65% Fe, 19%Cr, 12% Ni, 1.5% Mn, 1% B), POLDI ATA BOR EXTRA (62% Fe, 18% Cr, 13% Ni, 2.5% Mo, 1.5% Mn, 1% B) and POLDI ATA BOR-R (75% Fe, 18% Cr, 3.5% Ti, 1.8% B). The steel sample is dissolved with a mixture of hydrochloric, nitric, sulfuric and phosphoric acids in a quartz vessel. Borides of alloyed metals, especially of iron and chromium, are quantitatively decomposed. The presence of phosphoric acid in a sample solution reduces the volatility of boric acid with water vapour.Presented in part at the 1989 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Reutte, Austria     

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of new fluorinated N-phenyl- and N-benzyl-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane- and [4.5]decane-1,3-dione derivatives: Part III

A series of N-phenyl- and N-benzyl-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane- and [4.5]decane-1,3-diones containing a fluoro or trifluoromethyl substituents at the aryl ring was synthesized and tested for their anticonvulsant activity in the maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous metrazole (sc.Met) tests. Among them, the most active were N-benzyl derivatives with fluoro and trifluoromethyl substituents especially at position-2 of the aryl moiety. The introduction of the phenyl ring at the imide nitrogen atom resulted in less active compounds. The results obtained showed that incorporation of fluoro or trifluoromethyl substituents increased the anticonvulsant activity in comparison to respective chloro, methoxy or methyl analogues. Crystallographically obtained conformation for one active and two inactive derivatives with trifluoromethyl substituents at position-2 or -3 of phenyl ring were initially used for molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP) calculation. The MEP distribution at carbonyl oxygen atoms was different for active and inactive molecules.     

MENTHOR,a database system for the storage and retrieval of three-dimensional molecular structures and associated data searchable by substructural,biologic, physical,or geometric properties

Summary MENTHOR is a database system for the storage and retrieval of three-dimensional coordinate and charge information on molecules as well as of traditional biological and physical properties. Our molecular graphics system retrieves from MENTHOR structural information in individual molecules and receptor map/macromolecular binding site hypotheses. Substructural searches of MENTHOR are used to find starting coordinates for molecular modeling and traditional database searches of MENTHOR identify compounds for which modeling is needed. It also forms the data to be searched with ALLADDIN, our substructure/geometric search program. MENTHOR expedites molecular modeling by organizing previous work and facilitating transmission of information between individuals. Examples from modeling of D-2 receptor agonists are shown.