Structural analysis of ionic organotin(IV) compounds using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A novel electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometric approach for the structure elucidation of ionic organotin(IV) compounds or complexes with weakly bonded ligands as for example monodentate carboxylates or sulfonates is proposed using both positive-ion and negative-ion ESI tandem mass spectra. The ionization mechanism of organotin(IV) compounds involves the cleavage of the most labile bond with an ionic character yielding two complementary ions, [Cat]+ and [An]-. Positively charged species containing tin atom, [Cat]+, are analyzed in the positive-ion mode and negatively charged species without the tin atom, [An]-, in the negative-ion mode. Fragmentation patterns of [C24H29N2Sn]+, [C21H22NSn]+, and [C17H30NSn]+ ions are proposed based on the detailed interpretation of MSn spectra, which is simplified by an easy recognition of characteristic tin isotopic clusters in particular fragment ions. Proposed fragmentation mechanisms are supported by comparison with MSn spectra of deuterium-labeled analogues. The applicability of this method is illustrated on two sets of organotin(IV) compounds, including seven [2,6-bis(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl]diphenyltin(IV) derivatives with small inorganic counteranions X (Br, NO3, SCN, BF4, SeCN, CN, PF6), six organotin(IV) complexes containing two C,N-chelating ligands with azo dyes, and the identification of unknown hydrolysis products.     

Optimal conditions for determination of zinc bacitracin, polymyxin B, oxytetracycline and sulfacetamide in animal feed by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

A separation technique for zinc bacitracin, polymyxin B, oxytetracycline and sulfacetamide in animal feedstuffs by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) was developed. The running buffer was 20 mmol l^-1 borate, 20 mmol l^-1 phosphate, pH 8.4, containing 20 mmol l^-1 sodium dodecylsulphate and 10% (v/v) methanol. MEKC was performed at 25°C; the applied voltage was 25 kV with a running pressure of 10 mbar. Simultaneous UV detection for all analytes was at 215 nm. The method was validated for specificity, accuracy, linearity, precision and robustness. It was shown to be specific, accurate (recoveries were 99.7 ± 0.3, 99.9 ± 0.9, 99.8 ± 1.0 and 99.5 ± 0.4, respectively, for oxytetracycline-, sulfacetamide-, polymyxin B- and zinc bacitracin-spiked samples of feed for cow, pigs, chicken and cattle), linear over the tested range (correlation coefficients ≥0.9987) and precise (RSDs below 1.8% for each analyte). The method was applied to determine zinc bacitracin, polymyxin B, oxytetracycline and sulfacetamide as additives in animal feed.     

Synthesis and Application of Hexaallylamino-cyclo-triphosphazene as Flame Retardant in Latex Coatings

The paper deals with a novel flame retardant and its application in waterborne coatings. The flame retardant was synthesized from hexachloro-cyclo-triphosphazene by nucleophilic substitution with allylamine. Functionalized emulsion copolymers bearing in the structure hexaallylamino-cyclo-triphosphazene were prepared by the semicontinuous emulsion polymerization. The latexes were used as the main component of transparent coating systems cured by melamine formaldehyde resin. The incorporation hexaallylamino-cyclo-triphosphazene did not affect transparency, flexibility, and toughness of resulting coatings and increased their flame stability in terms of the amount of smoke release and maximum average rate of heat emission indicating a slower flame spread during the material combustion.     

Synthesis, In vitro Antifungal and Antitumour Activity of Some Triorganotin(IV) N,C,N-Chelates

The in vitro antifungal activity of compounds 1-3 ({[(CH3)2NCH2]2C6H3}R2SnX; (where X=Cl, R=n-Bu for 1, X=Br, R=n-Bu for 2 and x=PF6, R=n=Bu for 3)) was estimated with the help of a modified microdilution format of the M27-A guidelines and was compared with in vitro activity of their diphenyltin(IV) analogues 4 and 5 (where X=Br, R=Ph for 4 and X=PF6, R=Ph for 5), and of drugs currently in clinical use (ketoconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B). It was found that in coordinating solvents the more soluble derivative 2 is less active than the phenyl one (4), and compounds 1 and 3 are even inactive.In this paper, the in vitro antitumour activity of ionic diphenyltin(IV) complexes 4 and 5 against seven tumoural cell lines of human origin is also reported. The preparation and characterization (H1, C13 and Sn119 NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry) of the novel compound 3 is mentioned too.     

Investigation and remediation of houses affected by radon phenomena connected with earlier exploration of silver and uranium ore

The sources of gamma radiation inside buildings affected by earlier silver and uranium mining activities are discussed. Possibilities how to reduce gamma dose rates from building materials were studied on several houses located in the old mining town Jáchymov. Results of the efficiency analysis are presented. Experience obtained up to now indicates that it is almost impossible to reduce the gamma dose rates in such buildings to the level corresponding with the natural background, because some of the gamma radiation sources cannot be completely removed from the building structures.     

Structural Characterization of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes by GC/MS is Dependent upon Ionization Method

alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes are toxic products of lipid peroxidation. Detection and characterization of these aldehydes is important in many human disease states as well as in the food industry. Our study shows that electron ionization-mass spectrometry (EI-MS) and positive-ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (PICI-MS), but not electron capture negative ionization-mass spectrometry (ECNI-MS), can be used to detect the C4-hydroxylation state of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes derivatized with pentafluorobenzyl hydroxylamine alone. EI-MS and PICI-MS spectra of 4-hydroxy-2-alkenals contained a fragment with m/z 252, whereas spectra of 2-alkenals contained a fragment with m/z 250. These fragments are consistent with fragmentation between C3 and C4 with transfer of two hydrogens from C4 and the C4 hydroxyl group in the case of 4-hydroxy-2-alkenals. In addition, EI-MS and PICI-MS were able to distinguish 4-hydroxy-2-alkenals and 2-alkenals from 4-keto-2-alkenals and 4-hydroxyalkanals. On the other hand, ECNI-MS provided complex spectra regarding C4-hydroxylation state. Furthermore, the syn- and anti-configurations of PFB-oximes had different resultant spectra using ECNI-MS, but not with EI-MS or PICI-MS. These data indicate that EI-MS and PICI-MS are more amenable for structural analysis of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes than ECNI-MS.     

Mo6S9-xIx nanowire recognitive molecular-scale connectivity

We report on a new highly reproducible route to recognitive self-assembly of molecular-scale circuits using sulfur-terminated subnanometer diameter Mo6S9-xIx (MoSIx) molecular nanowires. We demonstrate solution-processed attachment of MoSIx connecting leads to gold nanoparticles (GNPs). We also show that naked nanowires have the potential to bind thiolated proteins such as green fluorescent protein directly, thus providing a universal construct to which almost any protein could be attached. We further demonstrate three-terminal branched circuits with GNPs, opening a self-assembly route to multiscale complex molecular-scale architectures at the single-molecule level.     

Multiple Roles of SMC5/6 Complex during Plant Sexual Reproduction

Chromatin-based processes are essential for cellular functions. Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMCs) are evolutionarily conserved molecular machines that organize chromosomes throughout the cell cycle, mediate chromosome compaction, promote DNA repair, or control sister chromatid attachment. The SMC5/6 complex is known for its pivotal role during the maintenance of genome stability. However, a dozen recent plant studies expanded the repertoire of SMC5/6 complex functions to the entire plant sexual reproductive phase. The SMC5/6 complex is essential in meiosis, where its activity must be precisely regulated to allow for normal meiocyte development. Initially, it is attenuated by the recombinase RAD51 to allow for efficient strand invasion by the meiosis-specific recombinase DMC1. At later stages, it is essential for the normal ratio of interfering and non-interfering crossovers, detoxifying aberrant joint molecules, preventing chromosome fragmentation, and ensuring normal chromosome/sister chromatid segregation. The latter meiotic defects lead to the production of diploid male gametes in Arabidopsis SMC5/6 complex mutants, increased seed abortion, and production of triploid offspring. The SMC5/6 complex is directly involved in controlling normal embryo and endosperm cell divisions, and pioneer studies show that the SMC5/6 complex is also important for seed development and normal plant growth in cereals.     

Wavelet analysis for gear crack identification

There are many typical damages and faults that can cause problems in relation to gear unit operation, a crack in the tooth root being probably the least desirable among them. It often results in failure of gear unit operation. Fault analyses presented in this article are based on gear units with real damages or faults, produced on the basis of real operating conditions. A test plant has been used. A possible damage can be identified by monitoring vibrations. The influences of a crack in a single-stage gear unit on produced vibrations are presented. A fatigue crack in the tooth root causes significant changes in tooth stiffness, whereas, in relation to other faults, changes of other dynamic parameters are more expressed. Different methods are used to analyse signals acquired by experiments. Signal analysis has been carried out in relation to a non-stationary signal, using the family of Time Frequency Analysis tools, such as Wavelets Analyses. Typical spectrogram and scalogram patterns resulting from reactions to faults or damages indicate the presence of damages in a very reliable way.