Rapid identification of trimethyl and triethyl amines using sulphonic acidic ionic liquids: A time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry study of fragmentation reactions

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of chitosan-treated viscose fibres

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was employed to analyse cellulose viscose fibres treated with different chitosan-based solutions. The analysis reports several new features in the TOF-SIMS spectra for systems with various forms of chitosan-treated surfaces. The characteristic positive ion TOF-SIMS signals for chitosan are reported at m/z 147.90, 207.07, and 221.09, and characteristic signals for trimethyl chitosan are present at m/z 58.03 and 102.09. Furthermore, new fragments were suggested to characterise acetylated chitosan molecules. The relative surface concentrations of different species were obtained based on the specific signal ratios (originating from a specific fragment and cellulose). SIMS imaging was then performed in order to investigate the surface distribution of chitosan, trimethyl chitosan, and Na-containing nanoparticles. In order to perform TOF-SIMS imaging, the above-mentioned characteristic signals were employed and m/z 22.99 was used for Na nanoparticles.

Influence of electronic and molecular structure on the fragmentation dynamic of even-electron carbocationic triangulenes and helicenes in the gas phase

Stable, long-lived organic cations are directly transferred by electrospray ionization (ESI) from solution into the gas phase where their collision-induced dissociations (CID) are studied by tandem mass spectrometry. Three related types of triphenyl carbenium ions are investigated, in which the meta positions are either substituted by methoxy groups or tertiary nitrogen bridges, including tetramethoxyphenylacridinium (TMPA⁺ ), dimethoxyquinacridinium (DMQA⁺ ), and triazatriangulenium (TATA⁺ ) cations. These ions are triangular in shape with increasing degrees of planarity. Fragmentation occurs at the periphery of the triangular molecule, involving the methoxy groups and the substituent of the nitrogen bridge. Each initial precursor cation is an even electron (EE) system and shows competing dissociations into both even (EE) and odd electron (OE) fragment ions. The latter reaction is a breach of the classic 'even-electron rule' in mass spectrometry. While the EE fragment dissociates similar to the precursor, the OE fragment ion shows a rich radical-induced fragmentation pattern. Two driving forces direct the fragmentation of the EE precursor ion toward OE fragment ions, including the release of stabilized radicals and the extension of the π-system by increasing planarization of the triangulene core. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A novel graphene-based label-free fluorescence 'turn-on' nanosensor for selective and sensitive detection of phosphorylated species in biological samples and living cells

A novel label-free fluorescence 'turn-on' nanosensor has been developed for highly selective and sensitive detection of phosphorylated species (Ps) in biological samples and living cells. The design strategy relies on the use of Ti(4+)-immobilized polydopamine (PDA) coated reduced graphene oxide (rGO@PDA-Ti(4+)) that serves as an attractive platform to bind riboflavin 5'-monophosphate molecules (FMNs) through ion-pair interactions between phosphate groups and Ti(4+). The as-prepared rGO@PDA-Ti(4+)-FMNs (nanosensor), fluoresce only weakly due to the ineffective Förster resonance energy transfer between the FMNs and rGO@PDA-Ti(4+). The experimental findings revealed that the microwave-assisted interaction of the nanosensor with α-, β-casein, ovalbumin, human serum, non-fat milk, egg white, and living cells (all containing Ps) releases FMNs (due to the high formation constant between phosphate groups and Ti(4+)), leading to an excellent fluorescence 'turn-on' response. The fluorescence spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, and MALDI-TOF MS spectrometry were used to detect Ps both qualitatively and quantitatively. Under the optimized conditions, the nanosensor showed a detection limit of ca. 118.5, 28.9, and 54.8 nM for the tryptic digests of α-, β-casein and ovalbumin, respectively. Furthermore, the standard addition method was used as a bench-mark proof for phosphopeptide quantification in egg white samples. We postulate that the present quantitative assay for Ps holds tremendous potential and may pave the way to disease diagnostics in the near future.

A highly selective phenothiazine-based fluorescence ‘turn-on’ indicator based on cyanide-promoted novel protection/deprotection mechanism

A CN⁻-triggered selective cleavage of the N–C bond is described using (E)-10-(10H-phenothiazin-3′-yl)propenal to produce a selective fluorescence ‘turn-on’ response for CN⁻.

Graphene-based nanomaterials as heterogeneous acid catalysts: a comprehensive perspective

Acid catalysis is quite prevalent and probably one of the most routine operations in both industrial processes and research laboratories worldwide. Recently, “graphene”, a two dimensional single-layer carbon sheet with hexagonal packed lattice structure, imitative of nanomaterials, has shown great potential as alternative and eco-friendly solid carbocatalyst for a variety of acid-catalyzed reactions. Owing to their exceptional physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, graphene-based nanomaterials (G-NMs) offer highly stable Brønsted acidic sites, high mass transfer, relatively large surface areas, water tolerant character, and convenient recoverability as well as recyclability, whilst retaining high activity in acid-catalyzed chemical reactions. This comprehensive review focuses on the chemistry of G-NMs, including their synthesis, characterization, properties, functionalization, and up-to-date applications in heterogeneous acid catalysis. In line with this, in certain instances readers may find herein some criticisms that should be taken as constructive and would be of value in understanding the scope and limitations of current approaches utilizing graphene and its derivatives for the same.