p-Tolyl isocyanate derivatization for analysis of CWC-related polar degradation products by mass spectrometry.

Most of the precursors and/or degradation products related to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) are polar. Identification of these molecules in environmental samples provides clues regarding the alleged usage and/or synthesis of the parent toxic chemicals. Such polar compounds need to be derivatized in order to analyze them by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In this study, we developed a new derivatizing reagent, para-tolyl isocyanate (PTI), for derivatization of polar CWC-related compounds. The PTI reagent selectively derivatizes the -OH and/or-SH functional groups with high efficiency, but does not react with carboxylic acid (-COOH) or phosphonic acid (-(O)P(OH)2) groups. The PTI derivatives of dialkyl aminoethanols, dialkyl aminoethanol-N-oxides, and 3-quinuclidinol were successfully eluted through GC, and their electron ionization (EI) mass spectra were distinct and provided the structure information by which the isomeric compounds can be easily distinguished. We also calculated the GC-retention index values that can be used for further confirmation of the target compounds. All the studied PTI derivatives can be analyzed by EI-MS with direct insertion probe and/or by direct electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) together with the MS-MS data; both sets of data provide full structure information. The PTI reagent was found to be better in some respects than the conventional bistrimethylsilyl trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), a trimethyl silylating reagent. The PTI reagent is commercially available, and the PTI derivatives are highly stable for months and are not sensitive to moisture. The applicability of the PTI derivatization for trace-level determination of the target CWC-related polar compounds in environmental matrices and in human plasma samples is also evaluated.

Magnetocurrent of charge-polarizable C60-diphenylaminofluorene monoadduct-derived magnetic nanocomposites.

We demonstrated the strategy of a nanocomposite design by the incorporation of both a delocalized π-electrons system in a closely bound acceptor-donor analogue chromophore, based on charge-polarizable C(60)(>DPAF-C(9)) nanostructure 1, and spin-polarized d-electrons in the form of γ-FeO(x) nanoparticles. Facile intramolecular electron transfer from the DPAF-C(9) donor moiety to the C(60) acceptor cage of 1 upon activation to the excited state with a long lifetime of the charge-separated state forms a possible mechanism to integrate semiconducting and magnetic properties in a single system. We observed an appreciable magnetocurrent (MC) of C(60)(>DPAF-C(9))-encapsulated magnetic γ-FeO(x) nanoparticles in PMMA matrix upon applying a magnetic field from 0 to 300 mT at either 77 K (12% MC) or 300 K (4.5% MC). Interestingly, the detailed analysis of magnetocurrent curve profiles taken at 77 K allowed us to conclude that the measured magnetocurrent may be attributed to the contributions from magnetic field-dependent excited-state populations in semiconducting structure (density-based MC), magnetism from magnetic structure (mobility-based MC), and product of density and mobility-based MC components (π-d electronic coupling). At the higher temperature region up to 300 K, the semiconducting mechanism dominated the determining factor of measured magnetocurrent. This experimental observation indicated the feasibility of combining delocalized π electrons and spin-polarized d electrons through charge transfer to induce internally coupled dual mobility- and density-based MC through the modulation of spin polarization and excited states in semiconducting/magnetic hybrid materials.

Photoinduced magnetism and random magnetic anisotropy in organic-based magnetic semiconductor V(TCNE){x} films, for x approximately 2.

The V(TCNE){x}, x approximately 2 is an organic-based amorphous ferrimagnet, whose magnetic behavior is significantly affected in the low field regime by the random magnetic anisotropy. It was determined that this material has thermally reversible persistent change in both magnetization and conductivity driven by the optical excitation. Here, we report results of a ferrimagnetic resonance study of the photoinduced magnetism in V(TCNE){x} film. Upon optical excitation (lambda approximately 457.9 nm), the ferrimagnetic resonance spectra display substantial changes in their linewidths and line shifts, which reflect a substantial increase in the random magnetic anistropy. The results reflect the role of magnetic anisotropy in disordered magnets and suggest a novel mechanism of photoinduced magnetism in V(TCNE){x} induced by the increased structural disorder in the system.

Multiple photonic responses in films of organic-based magnetic semiconductor V(TCNE)x, x approximately 2.

Concomitant photoinduced magnetic and electrical phenomena are reported for the organic-based magnetic semiconductor V(TCNE)x (x approximately 2; TCNE=tetracyanoethylene; magnetic ordering temperature Tc approximately 400 K). Upon optical excitation (457.9 nm), the system can be trapped in a thermally reversible photoexcited state, which exhibits reduced magnetic susceptibility and increased conductivity with a simultaneous change in IR absorption spectrum. The multiple photonic effects in V(TCNE)x are proposed to originate from structural changes induced by internal excitation in (TCNE)- anions, which lead to relaxation to a long-lived metastable state.

5-Ethyl-2-mercaptothiazole as matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization of a broad spectrum of analytes in positive and negative ion mode.

A preliminary investigation of the use of 5-ethyl-2-mercaptothiazole as matrix in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) of a broad spectrum of analytes is reported. The analytes studied are substance P, insulin, beta-cyclodextrin, triacylglycerols of coconut oil and polypropylene glycol 2000 (PPG 2000). In the positive ion mass spectra of the matrix/analyte combinations, the formation of [M + H]+ and [M + cation]+ species were observed and compared with those obtained by using well-established matrices such as alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, genticic acid, sinapinic acid and dithranol. In addition, the usefulness of this new matrix for MALDI in negative ion mode is also described using substance P and beta-cyclodextrin as examples.

Tigerinins: novel antimicrobial peptides from the Indian frog Rana tigerina.

Four broad-spectrum, 11 and 12 residue, novel antimicrobial peptides have been isolated from the adrenaline-stimulated skin secretions of the Indian frog Rana tigerina. Sequences of these peptides have been determined by automated Edman degradation, by mass spectral analysis and confirmed by chemical synthesis. These peptides, which we have named as tigerinins, are characterized by an intramolecular disulfide bridge between two cysteine residues forming a nonapeptide ring. This feature is not found in other amphibian peptides. Conformational analysis indicate that the peptides tend to form beta-turn structures. The peptides are cationic and exert their activity by permeabilizing bacterial membranes. Tigerinins represent the smallest, nonhelical, cationic antimicrobial peptides from amphibians.

Copper and Bismuth Complexes Containing Dipyridyl gem-Diolato Ligands: Bi(III)(2)[(2-Py)(2)CO(OH)](2)(O(2)CCF(3))(4)(THF)(2), Cu(II)[(2-Py)(2)CO(OH)](2)(HO(2)CCH(3))(2), and Cu(II)(4)[(2-Py)(2)CO(OH)](2)(O(2)CCH(3))(6)(H(2)O)(2), a Ferromagnetically Coupled Tetranuclear Copper(II) Chain.

The reactions of the singly deprotonated di-2-pyridylmethanediol ligand (dpmdH(-)) with copper(II) and bismuth(III) have been investigated. A new dinuclear bismuth(III) complex Bi(2)(dpmdH)(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(4)(THF)(2), 1, has been obtained by the reaction of BiPh(3) with di-2-pyridyl ketone in the presence of HO(2)CCF(3) in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The reaction of Cu(OCH(3))(2) with di-2-pyridyl ketone, H(2)O, and acetic acid in a 1:2:2:2 ratio yielded a mononuclear complex Cu[(2-Py)(2)CO(OH)](2)(HO(2)CCH(3))(2), 2, while the reaction of Cu(OAC)(2)(H(2)O) with di-2-pyridyl ketone and acetic acid in a 2:1:1 ratio yielded a tetranuclear complex Cu(4)[(2-Py)(2)CO(OH)](2)(O(2)CCH(3))(6)(H(2)O)(2), 3. The structures of these complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Three different bonding modes of the dpmdH(-) ligand were observed in compounds 1-3. In 2, the dpmdH(-) ligand functions as a tridentate chelate to the copper center and forms a hydrogen bond between the OH group and the noncoordinating HO(2)CCH(3) molecule. In 1 and 3, the dpmdH(-) ligand functions as a bridging ligand to two metal centers through the oxygen atom. The two pyridyl groups of the dpmdH(-) ligand are bound to one bismuth(III) center in 1, while in 3 they are bound two copper(II) centers, respectively. Compound 3 has an unusual one dimensional hydrogen bonded extended structure. The intramolecular magnetic interaction in 3 has been found to be dominated by ferromagnetism. Crystal data: 1, C(38)H(34)N(4)O(14)F(12)Bi(2), triclinic P&onemacr;, a = 11.764(3) Å, b = 11.949(3) Å, c = 9.737(1) Å, alpha =101.36(2) degrees, beta = 105.64(2) degrees, gamma = 63.79(2) degrees, Z = 1; 2, C(26)H(26)N(4)O(8)Cu/CH(2)Cl(2), monoclinic C2/c, a = 25.51(3) Å, b = 7.861(7) Å, c = 16.24(2) Å, beta = 113.08(9) degrees, Z = 4; 3, C(34)H(40)N(4)O(18)Cu(4)/CH(2)Cl(2), triclinic P&onemacr;, a = 10.494(2) Å, b = 13.885(2) Å, c = 7.900(4) Å, alpha =106.52(2) degrees, beta = 90.85(3) degrees, gamma = 94.12(1) degrees, Z = 1.