A−H…σ Hydrogen Bonds: Dihydrogen and Cycloalkanes as Proton Acceptors

ωB97XD/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations were performed for complexes of dihydrogen, cyclopropane, cyclobutane and cyclopentane, with simple proton donating species such as hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, water, hydrogen cyanide and acetylene. Numerous dependencies between geometrical, energetic and topological parameters of complexes considered were found, since various theoretical approaches were applied: Quantum Theory of ‘Atoms in Molecules’ (QTAIM), Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) method and energy decomposition analysis (EDA). It was confirmed that complexes of dihydrogen and cyclopropane are linked through the A−H…σ interactions that may be classified as hydrogen bonds. In the case of complexes of cyclobutane such hydrogen bonds are rather weak. Other type and also weak A−H…C hydrogen bonds are formed for complexes with cyclopentane.     

Theoretical ab Initio Study on Cooperativity Effects between Nitro π-hole and Halogen Bonding Interactions

This article analyzes the interplay between nitro's π-hole and halogen–bonding (XB) interactions in nitroarenes. Remarkable cooperativity effects are observed when π–hole and XB interactions coexist in the same complex. The nitroarene presents two π-holes, one approximately over the N atom of the nitro group and the other over the aromatic ring, being the former more positive. The interplay between both interactions has been analyzed in terms of energetic and geometric features of the complexes, which are computed at the RI-MP2/def2-TZVPD level of theory. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface calculations have been used to explore the variation of the MEP values at the π-hole upon the formation of halogen bonding interactions between the nitroarene and CF₃X (X=Cl, Br and I) molecules. In addition, the Bader's theory of atoms in molecules” (AIM) is used to characterize the interactions by means of the distribution of bond critical points and bond paths and to analyze their strengthening or weakening depending upon the variation of charge density at critical points. The aforementioned computational methods are adequate to examine how these interactions mutually influence each other. Natural bond orbital (NBO) and noncovalent interaction plot (NCIPlot) computational tools have been also used in some representative complexes to further analyze cooperativity effects. Finally, the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) is used to provide some experimental evidence.     

Validation of quartz crystal rheometry in the megahertz frequency regime

The utility of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) as a high‐frequency rheometer operating at 15 MHz was demonstrated. High‐frequency data obtained from a series of rubbery materials were compared with results obtained from traditional dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) at much lower frequencies. The high‐frequency data enable meaningful shift factors to be obtained at temperatures much further above glass‐transition temperature (T _g) than would otherwise be possible, giving a more complete picture of the temperature dependence of the viscoelastic properties. The QCM can also be used to quantify mass uptake and changes in viscoelastic properties during sample oxidation. The viscoelastic response spanning the full range of behaviors from the rubber to glassy regimes was found to fit well with a six‐element model consisting of three power‐law springpot elements. One of these elements is particularly sensitive to the behavior in the transition regime where the phase angle is maximized. The value of this quantity is obtained from the maximum phase angle, which can be obtained from a temperature sweep at fixed frequency, proving a means for more detailed frequency‐dependent rheometric information to be obtained from a fixed‐frequency measurement at a range of temperatures. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 1246–1254     

Bare polyprolylene hollow fiber as extractive phase for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction to determine estrogens in water samples

Polypropylene hollow fibers as the adsorbent were directly filled into a polyetheretherketone tube for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction. The surface properties of hollow fibers were characterized by a scanning electron microscope. Combined with high performance liquid chromatography, the extraction tube showed good extraction performance for five environmental estrogen hormones. To achieve high analytical sensitivity, four important factors containing sampling volume, sampling rate, content of organic solvent in sample, and desorption time were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, an online analysis method was established with wide linear range (0.03–20 µg/L), good correlation coefficients (≥0.9998), low limits of detection (0.01–0.05 µg/L), low limits of quantitation (0.03–0.16 µg/L), and high enrichment factors (1087–2738). Relative standard deviations (n = 3) for intraday (≤3.6%) and interday (≤5.1%) tests proved the stable extraction performance of the material. Durability and chemical stability of the extraction tube were also investigated, relative standard deviations of all analytes were less than 5.8% (n = 3), demonstrating the satisfactory stability. Finally, the method was successfully applied to detect estrogens in real samples.     

Carbonized cotton fibers via a facile method for highly sensitive solid‐phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Cotton fiber is an environmentally friendly and natural material with a certain extraction capacity, while its enrichment ability is poor. In order to improve the extraction efficiency of cotton fibers, it was carbonized to form a layer of amorphous carbon as the sorbent by a simple carbonization method. Carbonized cotton fibers were filled into a polyetheretherketone tube for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction. The carbonization time was investigated to obtain high extraction efficiency. Coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography, the extraction tube was evaluated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, estrogens and phthalates, and it exhibited best extraction efficiency for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Under the optimum conditions, an online analysis method for several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was established with large linear ranges (0.016–0.20 μg/L), low limits of detection (0.005–0.020 μg/L), and high enrichment factors (948–2874). Analysis method was successfully applied to the detection of targets in the real samples and shown satisfactory durability and chemical stability. Moreover, the relative recoveries ranged from 82 to 119.2%, which demonstrated the applicability of carbonized cotton fibers in sample preparation. Compared with other reported methods, the proposed method provided shorter extraction time, higher enrichment factors, comparable limits of detection, and recoveries.     

Exploration and optimization of conditions for quantitative analysis of lignans in Schisandra chinensis by an online supercritical fluid extraction with supercritical fluid chromatography system

An online supercritical fluid extraction with supercritical fluid chromatography system could provide sequential extraction and quantitative analysis of lignans in Schisandra chinensis. Supercritical fluid extraction conditions were optimized at 15 MPa, 50°C, and 4 min with supercritical CO₂ adding 1% methanol; the elution volume and flow rate were set at 6 mL and 2 mL/min to blow extract out of the tank completely. The split‐flow rate was confirmed at 2.5%, which determines injection volume and accuracy of quantitative detection. The factors having negative influences on supercritical fluid chromatography retention in the online system, including sample loading forms and backpressure settings, are discussed in the paper. At last, an extraction‐quantitative method for lignans in Schisandra chinensis was developed, which could be finished within 19.5 min. The total content percentage of four lignans (Schisandrin, Schisandrin A, Schisandrin B and Schisandrol B) in four batches was respectively measured to be 1.42, 1.54, 1.62, and 1.90%.     

Nano‐MoO3 for highly selective enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction

Nano‐molybdenum trioxide was prepared from nano‐molybdenum disulfide by simple firing in muffle furnace. Nano‐molybdenum trioxide was used as the extraction coating on the stainless steel wire. Four wires were filled in a polyetheretherketone tube to get an extraction tube. The tube was connected to the six‐port valve of a high performance liquid chromatograph, and the online analysis system was constructed. Extraction selectivity of the tube for different types of compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plasticizers, estrogens, anilines and neonicotinoids, was studied. Good enrichment ability for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, but the extraction efficiency of others was not satisfactory. Using eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as the targets, an analytical method was established after optimizing main factors such as sampling volume, sampling rate, methanol content, and desorption time. The established method exhibited wide linear range to 0.016–20.00 μg/L and low limits of detection to 0.005 μg/L, and the enrichment factors can be up to 2443. The method was applied to the detection of trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tap water and river water, and a good recovery was obtained. The tube showed good durability and chemical stability, and it still remained good extraction effect after more than 140 run.     

Simultaneous quantitation of 23 bioactive compounds in Tanreqing capsule by high‐performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Tanreqing capsule (TRQC) is a formulation frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pyrexia, cough, expectoration and pharyngalgia. Since the pharmacological action of traditional Chinese medicines is closely related to their complex and diverse constituents, understanding the exact composition of TRQC is important to elucidate its clinical effectiveness and mechanism of action as well as to establish quality control methods and resolve safety issues. Herein, we employed high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous quantitation of 23 bioactive compounds in five batches of TRQC; the analytes could be categorized into five types: organic acids (seven compounds), flavonoids (10 compounds), iridoids (two compounds), phenylethanoid glycosides (two compounds) and bile acids (two compounds). The calibration curves for all analytes showed good linearity (r > 0.9953), and the inter‐ and intra‐day precisions did not exceed 4.94 and 4.97%, respectively. The recoveries varied from 90.47% to 109.80%; the corresponding relative standard deviations (RSDs) did not exceed 4.94%; and the repeatability (RSD < 4.72%) and stability (RSD < 4.88%) were also within acceptable limits. Thus, this study can be viewed as a fundamental reference for setting comprehensive TRQC quality standards.     

[2.2.2.2](2,7)‐1‐Bromonaphthalenophane from a Desymmetrized Building Block Bearing Electrophilic and Masked Nucleophilic Functionalities

In search of 2,7‐ethylene‐bridged naphthalenophanes with desymmetrized naphthalene cores as inherently chiral cyclophanes, nucleophilic substitution of 1‐bromo‐7‐(bromomethyl)‐2‐[(trimethylsilyl)methyl]naphthalene, a desymmetrized building block bearing an electrophilic group (CH₂Br) and a masked nucleophilic functionality (CH₂TMS) which can be activated by fluoride anion, was examined. As a result, in contrast to the case of parent naphthalenophanes wherein the smallest [2.2]naphthalenophane was obtained as the major product, only [2.2.2.2](2,7)‐1‐bromonaphthalenophane was obtained albeit in low yields, whereas the corresponding [2.2]‐ or [2.2.2]naphthalenophanes were not obtained. Though the [2.2.2.2]‐1‐bromonaphthalenophane can adopt four idealized geometries of different symmetry, among which three are inherently chiral, theoretical calculations predict that three conformers have almost equal energy and may equilibrate in solution. The X‐ray crystallographic study shows that it adopts a C₂ conformation with anti,anti,anti orientation of the C?Br bonds at least as a major component in crystal.     

Metal Olefin Complexes: Revisiting the Dewar−Chatt−Duncanson Model and Deriving Reactivity Patterns from Carbon‐13 NMR Chemical Shift

Metal olefin complexes that are ubiquitous intermediates in catalysis are investigated by a detailed analysis of their ¹³C‐NMR chemical shift tensors. This analysis allows evidencing specific electronic features, namely the olefin‐to‐metal σ‐donation and the metal‐to‐olefin π‐backdonation as proposed in the Dewar?Chatt?Duncanson model. Apart from these interactions, the chemical shift tensor analysis reveals an additional ligand‐to‐metal π‐donation of the olefin σ(C=C) orbital in systems with suitably oriented vacant d‐orbitals. This interaction which is not accounted for in the Dewar?Chatt?Duncanson model explains the reactivity of this type of metal olefin complexes towards oxidative cyclization (olefin insertion) and protonolysis.