Solubility and Ionic Processes in the Cu X 2? MX ?H2O ( X ?=Cl?, Br?; M +=Li+, Na+, K+, NH4+, Cs+) Systems

Summary.  Solubility isotherms in the CuBr₂−MBr−H₂O (M ⁺ = Li⁺, Na⁺, Cs⁺) systems at 298.15 K were measured. The results together with other available literature data for copper chloride and bromide systems were treated by hydration analysis, and comparative discussion of ionic processes taking place in the respective saturated solutions was performed. Corresponding author. E-mail: jitka@prfdec.natur.cuni.cz Received August 6, 2002; accepted (revised) November 29, 2002 Published online April 3, 2003     

On-line coupling of sequential injection extraction with restricted-access materials for sample clean-up and analysis of drugs in biological matrix

In this contribution, the on-line coupling of solid phase extraction (SPE), based on a restricted-access material (RAM), with sequential injection technique (SIA) for the analysis of biological samples, is described. The SIA-RAM system was tested with a new potential antileucotrienic drug (VUFB-19363 (Quinlukast)) for serum analysis. The method is based on SPE with the novel internal-surface reversed-phase column packing material-alkyl-diol silica (ADS). The supports tolerate direct and repetitive injection of proteinaceous fluids (plasma, serum) and allow reversed-phase partitioning at the internal surface. A column packed with a 25 microm C18 alkyl-diol support was used for direct serum injection. Using a 6-port selection valve and the system of three mobile phases, the polar matrix compounds and metabolites are removed by sequentially aspirated mobile phases with lower content of the organic part (methanol-water (2:98) and following acetonitrile-water (20:80)) to the waste, and then, the analyte enriched on the column is eluted by a strong mobile phase (acetonitrile-methanol-water (40:20:40)) to the UV detector without transfer loss. With the fully automated SIA system, a total analysis time of less than 10 min was achieved. The only off-line sample pre-treatment step required to remove particulate matter was centrifugation. The studies showed a range of linearity (2-40 microg ml(-1)) and a high recovery (93.6-96.8%) of drug from the biological matrix with coefficients of variation (RSD) less than 5.0% (n = 6). This paper introduces a new, simple and robust analytical technique suitable for screening determination and direct analysis of drugs in biological materials.     

Determination of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in human urine by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection and confirmation with electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry

γ-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a minor metabolite or precursor of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acts as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator via binding to GABA receptors and to specific presynaptic GHB receptors. Based upon the stimulatory effects, GHB is widely abused. Thus, there is great interest in monitoring GHB in body fluids and tissues. We have developed an assay for urinary GHB that is based upon liquid–liquid extraction and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with indirect UV absorption detection. The background electrolyte is composed of 4 mM nicotinic acid (compound for indirect detection), 3 mM spermine (reversal of electroosmosis) and histidine (added to reach a pH of 6.2). Having a 50 μm I.D. capillary of 40 cm effective length, 1-octanesulfonic acid as internal standard, solute detection at 214 nm and a diluted urine with a conductivity of 2.4 mS/cm, GHB concentrations ≥2 μg/ml can be detected. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were determined to be dependent on urine concentration and varied between 2–24 and 5–60 μg/ml, respectively. Data obtained suggest that LOD and LOQ (both in μg/ml) can be estimated with the relationships 0.83 κ and 2.1 κ, respectively, where κ is the conductivity of the urine in mS/cm. The assay was successfully applied to urines collected after administration of 25 mg sodium GHB/kg body mass. Negative electrospray ionization ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry was used to confirm the presence of GHB in the urinary extract via selected reaction monitoring of the m/z 103.1→m/z 85.1 precursor–product ion transition. Independent of urine concentration, this approach meets the urinary cut-off level of 10 μg/ml that is required for recognition of the presence of exogenous GHB. Furthermore, data obtained with injection of plain or diluted urine indicate that CZE could be used to rapidly recognize GHB amounts (in μg/ml) that are ≥ 4 κ.     

Solubility and Ionic Processes in the Cu X 2? MX ?H2O ( X ?=Cl?, Br?; M +=Li+, Na+, K+, NH4+, Cs+) Systems

 Solubility isotherms in the CuBr₂−MBr−H₂O (M ⁺ = Li⁺, Na⁺, Cs⁺) systems at 298.15 K were measured. The results together with other available literature data for copper chloride and bromide systems were treated by hydration analysis, and comparative discussion of ionic processes taking place in the respective saturated solutions was performed.     

Recycling and screen-segmented column isotachophoresis, two free-fluid approaches for fractionation of proteins.

Recycling and screen-segmented column isotachophoresis (ITP), two approaches for the milligrams to grams preparative-scale purification of proteins, are discussed and compared. Recycling ITP was performed in a recycling free-flow focusing apparatus. In this process, fluid flows rapidly through a narrow channel and the effluent from each channel is reinjected into the electrophoresis chamber through the corresponding input port. The residence time in the cell is of the order of 1 s per single pass, which does not allow complete separation, so recycling is essential to attain the steady state. Immobilization of the advancing zone structure is obtained via a controlled counterflow. Thirty fractions of about 4 ml each are obtained. Column ITP was executed in a Rotofor apparatus and in a similar column operated vertically and without rotation. These instruments feature a screen-segmented annular separation space with twenty subcompartments of about 2 ml each. With both approaches, the collected fractions were analysed separately for conductivity, pH and UV absorbance. Selected fractions were characterized by analytical electrophoretic methods. Examples presented include the cationic and anionic ITP behaviour of model proteins, including bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin and ribonuclease A, and the ITP removal of the major impurities from a commercial ovalbumin sample. These examples revealed that the screen-segmented column is suitable for ITP protein purification and operates optimally in a horizontal rotating mode and without internal cooling. The recycling experiments showed that counterflow improves separation and the steady-state patterns are dependent on the fluid layer thickness in the separation cell but, with a given gap, essentially independent of applied current and recycling pump rate.     

Stannic oxide as a combustion aid in elemental analysis for carbon,hydrogen and nitrogen

Summary The properties of stannic oxide as a combustion aid in elemental analysis for carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, and its modification with silver for the retention of halogens and oxides of sulphur are described. The optimum combustion temperature with stannic oxide is 1000±50° C. It is suitable as a combustion tube packing for automated methods. A universal packing for analysis of various types of compounds is shown.

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Zinn(IV)oxid als Oxydationsmittel für die Elementaranalyse von C, H und N

Zusammenfassung Die Eigenschaften des Zinnoxids als Katalysator für die Bestimmung von C, H und N und seine Modifikation mit Silber für die Retention der Halogene und der Schwefeloxide wurden beschrieben. Die Optimaltemperatur für die Verbrennung mit Zinnoxid ist 1000±50° C. Es eignet sich als Rohrfüllung für automatisierte Methoden. Eine Universalfüllung für Analysen verschiedener Verbindungstypen wurde angegeben.

     

A two-step supercritical fluid extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from roadside soil samples

A two-step procedure for the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soil samples was developed. The procedure consists of a static supercritical fluid treatment in a closed extraction cell at a high temperature (T=250 or 340degreesC for 20 min) and an SFE with a solvent trapping. During the static phase, the sample is exposed to a supercritical organic solvent (methanol, toluene, dichloromethane, ACN, acetone, and hexane). The solvent penetrates particles of the matrix to substitute strongly bonded molecules and dissolves the analytes in the supercritical phase. At ambient temperature, supercritical fluids became liquid and lost their solvation abilities. Most of the analytes condense on the surface of the particles or on the extraction cell walls without forming strong bonds or penetrating deep into the matrix. Thus, the pretreatment liberates the analytes and they behave similar to those in freshly spiked samples. The common SFE with toluene-modified CO2 as an extraction fluid follows the static phase. With the use of the most suitable extraction phases (toluene, ACN), the extraction efficiency of the combined procedure is much higher (approximately100%). The results of the combined procedure are compared to the SFE procedure of the same untreated sample (difference less than 5%) and to the Soxhlet extraction. The extracts were analyzed using a GC with the flame ionization detection.     

A new platinum–bromine cyclohexanediamine complex from the family of cancer cytostatics

Another new substance from the family of Pt‐based coordination complexes with potential use in cancer chemotherapy has been synthesized, crystallized and structurally characterized. In this compound {systematic name cis‐dibromido[(1R,2R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine‐κ²N,N′]platinum(II)}, cis‐[PtBr₂(C₆H₁₄N₂)], there are two molecules with very similar conformations in the asymmetric unit. The component species interact by way of N—H...Br and C—H...Br hydrogen bonds to give two‐dimensional networks which lie parallel to the (100) plane.     

Aggregation Effects in Visible‐Light Flavin Photocatalysts: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Activity of 10‐Arylflavins

A series of 10‐arylflavins (10‐phenyl‐, 10‐(2′,6′‐dimethylphenyl)‐, 10‐(2′,6′‐diethylphenyl)‐, 10‐(2′,6′‐diisopropylphenyl)‐, 10‐(2′‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐, and 10‐(2′,6′‐dimethylphenyl)‐3‐methylisoalloxazine ( 2 a – f )) was prepared as potentially nonaggregating flavin photocatalysts. The investigation of their structures in the crystalline phase combined with ¹H‐DOSY NMR spectroscopic experiments in CD₃CN, CD₃CN/D₂O (1:1), and D₂O confirm the decreased ability of 10‐arylflavins 2 to form aggregates relative to tetra‐O‐acetyl riboflavin ( 1 ). 10‐Arylflavins 2 a – d do not interact by π–π interactions, which are restricted by the 10‐phenyl ring oriented perpendicularly to the isoalloxazine skeleton. On the other hand, N3? H???O hydrogen bonds were detected in their crystal structures. In the structure of 10‐aryl‐3‐methylflavin ( 2 f ) with a substituted N3 position, weak C? H???O bonds and weak π–π interactions were found. 10‐Arylflavins 2 were tested as photoredox catalysts for the aerial oxidation of 4‐methoxybenzyl alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde (model reaction), thus showing higher efficiency relative to 1 . The quantum yields of 4‐methoxybenzyl alcohol oxidation reactions mediated by arylflavins 2 were higher by almost one order of magnitude relative to values in the presence of 1 .