The Elucidation of Peroxyl Radical Reactions in Aqueous Solution with the Help of Radiation-Chemical Methods

Whenever free radicals are formed, independent of whether this occurs thermally, is induced by UV or ionizing irradiation, or takes place in redox reactions, they are converted rapidly into the corresponding peroxyl radicals in the presence of oxygen. Peroxyl radical reactions in aqueous environments are observed not only in aquatic systems (e.g., rivers, lakes and oceans) but also in the living cell and to a considerable degree even in the atmosphere (in water droplets). The peroxyl radical chemistry occurring in this medium is often very different from that observed in the gas phase or in organic solvents. In spite of the great importance of these reactions in medicine (for example in anti-cancer irradiation therapy and ischaemia) there have been comparatively few studies of peroxyl reactions in aqueous media. Radiation-chemical techniques such as pulse radiolysis offer the best means for carrying out such studies, so that it is not surprising that the majority of the information available in this area has been obtained with the help of radiation-chemical methods. The radiation chemistry of water can be con trolled in such a manner that the main products are ^˙OH radicals (90 % yield), which react with substrate molecules to give substrate radicals and in the presence of oxygen to give substrate peroxyl radicals. The experimental conditions can also be varied in such a way that HO/O radicals can be formed in 100 % yield and caused to react with substrates. We therefore have a simple access to these intermediates, which are extremely important in biological systems. A detailed product analysis, supported by kinetic studies carried out with the help of pulse radiolysis, has been used to clarify the chemistry of a series of peroxyl radicals, so that sufficient material is now available to justify a review of the variety of the peroxyl radical reactions studied by means of radiation-chemical methods. A more general survey of the physical properties of the peroxyl radicals and their unimolecular and bimolecular reactions will be followed by a discussion of selected examples of various classes of substance. Because of the great biological importance of radical-induced DNA damage this area will also be treated briefly.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of ceramic components for solid oxide fuel cells

For the determination of trace impurities in ceramic components of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), some mass spectrometric methods have been applied such as spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS), laser ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Due to a lack of suitable standard reference materials for quantifying of analytical results on La _x Sr _y MnO₃ cathode material a matrix-matched synthetic standard-high purity initial compounds doped with trace elements-was prepared in order to determine the relative sensitivity coefficients in SSMS and LA-ICP-MS. Radiofrequency glow discharge mass spectrometry (rf-GDMS) was developed for trace analysis and depth profiling of thick non-conducting layers. Surface analytical techniques, such as secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and sputtered neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS), were used to determine the element distribution on surfaces (homogeneity) and the surface contaminants of SOFC ceramic layers.Dedicated to Professor Dr. rer. nat. Hubertus Nickel on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Comparative studies of MCs+-SIMS and e–-beam SNMS for quantitative analysis of bulk materials and layered structures

For the quantification of heterostructure depth profiles the knowledge of relative sensitivity factors (RSF) and the influence of matrix effects on the measured profiles is necessary. Matrix dependencies of the measured ion intensities have been investigated for sputtered neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) and MCs(+)-SIMS. The use of Cs as primary ions for SNMS is advantageous compared to Ar because the depth resolution is improved without changing RSFs determined under Ar bombardment. No significant amount of molecules has been found in the SNMS spectra under Cs bombardment. Using MCs(+)-SIMS the RSFs are matrix dependent. An improvement of depth resolution can be achieved by biasing the sample against the primary ion beam for SNMS due to a reduction of the net energy of the primary ions and a resulting more gracing impact angle.     

TEM and SNMS studies of protective alumina scales on NiCrAlY-alloys

The effect of Si addition on the oxidation behaviour of NiCrAlY alloys in the temperature range 950 bis 1100 degrees C has been investigated. During isothermal oxidation oxide growth rates were practically independent of the Si-content. However during cyclic oxidation Si additions were beneficial. Si additions of 1-2(m)/(0) appeared to shift the onset for spallation to longer times. It was found that Si stabilizes the beta-phase and probably it suppresses the formation of metastable Al(2)O(3) modifications.     

The synthesis of shihunine and related compounds from ortho-carboxyphenyl cyclopropyl ketone

Reaction of dicyclopropyl cadmium and phthalic acid monochloride monomethyl ester gives o-carboxyphenyl cyclopropyl ketone (2). Reaction of the methyl ester of 2 with methylamine gives 2 - methyl - 3 - hydroxy-3-cyclopropyl-1-isoindolinone (4b), which is converted by hydrogen halides in chloroform to the rearranged homoallylic halides 5a–c. Thionyl chloride in chloroform converts 2 to 3-(3-chloropropylidene) phthalide (7) which upon reaction with methylamine gives isoshihunine (8). Heating of keto acid 2 with aniline leads to N-phenyl-N-norshihunine (9), while upon heating of 2 with methylamine spiro [(1 - methylpyrrolidine) - 2 - 3′ - (2′ - methyl - 1′ - isoindolinone)] (10) is obtained. 10 is converted to shihunine (1) by 48% HBr solution. The mechanisms of the reactions are discussed.