Equilibrium analysis of reactions between aromatic anions and nonionic surfactant micelles by capillary zone electrophoresis

Development of a sensitive MEKC-LIF method for synthetic cathinones analysis

Synthetic cathinones are phenylalkylamine compounds related to natural cathinone from Catha edulis leaves. Due to their sympathomimetic effects comparable to common illicit drugs, these substances are mainly drugs of abuse and constitute the second most frequently seized group of new psychoactive substances. In order to ensure their regulation and to promote public health, reliable analytical tools are required to track these substances. In the present study, we developed a CE hyphenated to laser-induced fluorescence detection method to demonstrate its suitability to perform fast and cost-effective synthetic cathinones analysis. Fourteen compounds including isobaric compounds and position isomers were selected to encompass the large panel of chemical structures. To separate the FITC-labeled analytes (presenting the same negative charge and close mass to charge ratios), MEKC separation mode was selected. Method selectivity was not suitable using common surfactants. In this context, alkyl polyethylene glycol ether surfactants were successfully used as neutral surfactant to overcome this analytical challenge. The effect of surfactant nature on separation performances and migration behaviors of the analytes was also studied. Optimal BGE composition included 75 mM borate buffer at pH 9.3 and 0.4 mM of C12E10 surfactant. Final MEKC separation conditions were proposed to analyze a large panel of synthetic cathinones. This method helped to reach a sensitivity with LOD from 0.1 to 0.4 nM (pg/mL order).

Gradient-free determination of isoelectric points of proteins on chip

The isoelectric point (pI) of a protein is a key characteristic that influences its overall electrostatic behaviour. The majority of conventional methods for the determination of the isoelectric point of a molecule rely on the use of spatial gradients in pH, although significant practical challenges are associated with such techniques, notably the difficulty in generating a stable and well controlled pH gradient. Here, we introduce a gradient-free approach, exploiting a microfluidic platform which allows us to perform rapid pH change on chip and probe the electrophoretic mobility of species in a controlled field. In particular, in this approach, the pH of the electrolyte solution is modulated in time rather than in space, as in the case for conventional determinations of the isoelectric point. To demonstrate the general approachability of this platform, we have measured the isoelectric points of representative set of seven proteins, bovine serum albumin, β-lactoglobulin, ribonuclease A, ovalbumin, human transferrin, ubiquitin and myoglobin in microlitre sample volumes. The ability to conduct measurements in free solution thus provides the basis for the rapid determination of isoelectric points of proteins under a wide variety of solution conditions and in small volumes.

Selectivity of Brij-35 in Micellar Liquid Chromatographic Separation of Positional Isomers

Implementation of Brij-35, a nonionic surfactant, as a mobile phase for separation of positional isomers is investigated. Chromolith C-18 SpeedROD is used as a stationary phase. The effect of surfactant and organic modifier (propanol) concentration on the separation of some selected isomers is studied and evaluated in terms of linear solvation energy relationship (LSER). Shape selectivity is assessed by α value of sorbic and benzoic acid, which is found to be 1.339 by using mobile phase composed of 0.5% aqueous solutions of Brij-35 and propanol in 9 : 1. Isomers of parabens, nitroanilines, nitrophenols, and quinolinols are successfully separated using mobile phases composed of various percentages of surfactant and propanol. System constants for nonionic MLC using LSER analysis show that hydrogen bond basicity and dipolarity may be major contributors to selectivity, while excess molar refraction helps fine-tuning the separation which also imparts unique selectivity to nonionic surfactants as compared to ionic ones.

Complexation of Cu(II) by original tartaric acid-based ligands in nonionic micellar media: thermodynamic study and applications

The complexation of Cu(II) with original alkylamidotartaric acids (C(x)T) is investigated in homogeneous aqueous medium and in the presence of nonionic micelles of Brij 58 (C16EO20), thanks to various analytical techniques such as NMR self-diffusion experiments, CD and UV-vis spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, pHmetry and micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF). First, a complete speciation study proves the formation of dimeric complexes in water and provides their formation constants. Second, a similar study is led in the presence of nonionic micelles. It underlines a modification of the apparent equilibrium constants in micellar medium and demonstrates that the structure of the complexes is slightly modified in the presence of micelles. This thermodynamic and structural study is applied to modelize the evolution of the extraction yields of Cu(II) by the micelles as a function of pH and to identify the complexes extracted in the micelles. The effects of the chain length of the ligand (C3T vs C8T) on the solubilization properties are put into relief and discussed. Anionic species are proved to be more incorporated in the nonionic micelles than the cationic species. The extracting system constituted of octylamidotartaric acid (CsT) solubilized in nonionic micelles of Brij 58 is demonstrated to be very efficient for the extraction of Cu(II) by MEUF, this technique being an interesting green alternative to traditional solvent extraction.

Pseudo-homogeneous micelle extraction of ion-associates formed between tetrabutylammonium ion and some aromatic sulfonate ions into nonionic surfactant micelle studied through the mobility measurements in capillary zone electrophoresis

Ion-association extraction of some aromatic sulfonate ions including alkylbenzene sulfonates with tetrabutylammonium ion (TBA+) into nonionic surfactant micelle has been investigated through the changes in the electrophoretic mobility. Nonionic surfactants of Brij 35 and Brij 58 were used as micelle substrates to which the ion-associates formed could distribute. The electrophoretic mobility of the aromatic sulfonate ions was measured by capillary zone electrophoresis in the presence of TBA+ and/or the nonionic surfactant to determine ion-association constants (K(ass)), binding constants of the anions to the nonionic surfactant micelle (K(B)), and binding constants of the ion-associates to the nonionic surfactant micelle (K(B,IA)). Nonlinear phenomena induced with the alkyl chain moiety were observed on K(ass) and K(B) by its linear structure and the mixed micelle formation, respectively. Larger K(B) values were obtained with Brij 58 as micelle matrix than with Brij 35, while the differences in K(B,IA) were small between Brij 58 and Brij 35.

Ion-association extraction of nitrophenolate ions with tetrabutylammonium ion into nonionic surfactant micelle

Ion-association extraction of some nitrophenolate ions with tetrabutylammonium ion (TBA(+)) into nonionic surfactant micelle has been investigated through the changes in the electrophoretic mobility. Nonionic surfactants of Brij 35 and Brij 58 were used as micelle substrates to which the ion-associates formed could distribute. The electrophoretic mobility of the phenolate ions was measured by capillary zone electrophoresis in the presence of TBA(+) and/or the nonionic surfactant. The electrophoretic mobility of the analyte anions decreased with increasing concentrations of the interacting reagent. Ion association constants (K(ass)) between TBA(+) and the phenolate ions, as well as binding constants of the anions to the nonionic surfactant micelle (K(B)), were determined through the mobility change by applying it to a non-linear least-squares analysis. Binding of the ion-associates was also observed from the aqueous phase to the micelle phase, when both TBA(+) and the nonionic surfactant are present. Binding constants of the ion-associates to the nonionic surfactant micelle (K(B,IA)), as well as micelle extraction constants of the ion-associates (K(ex,m)), were also determined by using the mobility change. The K(ex,m) values obtained were compared with the ion association-solvent extraction constants (K(ex,S)) between water and chloroform.

Effects of non-ionic surfactants on isotachophoretic separations of 2-arylpropionic acids

Non-ionic surfactant (Brij 35, Tween 20, Tween 80 and Tergitol NPX) modified capillary isotachophoresis was investigated for the separation of 2-arylpropionic acids (fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen) and benzoic acid and its derivatives (salicylic, acetylsalicylic and gallic acids). The relative step height (RSH) values of analytes were found to be dependent on the type and concentration of the surfactant. The strength of the affinity of the 2-arylpropionic acids to the non-ionic micelles was found to be as follows: flurbiprofen > fenoprofen > ibuprofen > naproxen > ketoprofen. In general, the RSH values of 2-arylpropionic acids increase with an increase in the concentration of surfactants. However, the RSHs of benzoic, salicylic and gallic acids are not considerably affected. Separation of all acids was obtained with the Tween 20 (1.5%, w/v) in the leading electrolyte 10 mmol L(-1) hydrochloric acid/L-histidine (pH 6.0). Changes in the fluorescence intensity of fenoprofen, flurbiprofen and naproxen were also investigated in micellar media (Tween 20, Tween 80 and Brij 35). The strength of the affinity of the 2-arylpropionic acids to the Tweens micelles was found to be as follows: flurbiprofen > fenoprofen > naproxen, which is consistent with the isotachophoretic results. On the contrary, the strength of the affinity to the Brij micelles was found to be as follows: fenoprofen > naproxen > flurbiprofen.

Determination of equilibrium constants from chromatographic and electrophoretic measurements

Chemical interactions, such as acid-base, complex-forming, ion association and other equilibria, are widely exploited to improve the separation efficiency in liquid chromatography as well as in electrophoresis. On the other hand, these techniques can be advantageously used to study the chemical equilibria affecting the separations. If the equilibium is sufficiently fast in comparison with the separation process, then the retention characteristics in chromatography (retention factors) or the migration characteristics in electrophoresis (effective mobilities) may be expressed as functions of the composition of mobile phase or background electrolyte (BGE), respectively. Using a proper experimental arrangement, the dependencies of retention (migration) characteristics on the mobile phase (background electrolyte) composition can be measured and utilized to calculate the equilibrium constants for equlibria taking place in the mobile phase (background electrolyte). Although principles of these measurements have been known for a long time, only more recent studies utilizing HPLC and capillary electrophoretic techniques are reviewed in this paper.

Estimation of binding constants by capillary electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has become a useful technique for measuring binding constants. This review is focused on recent trends in the estimation of binding constants by affinity CE. First, we introduce several mathematical equations in which it is assumed that the stoichiometry of the binding between drug and protein is 1:1 as a simple model. In order to calculate accurate binding constants by affinity CE, several experimental considerations are described in this review. In addition, some recent methodologies, such as partial filling technique and multiple-step ligand injection method, are introduced. Among research publications within 3 years, recent applications for determining binding constants are reviewed.

Equilibrium Analysis of Reactions of Metal-Pyridylazoresorcinolato Chelates with Quaternary Ammonium Ion, Nonionic Surfactant and Polyethylene Glycol in Aqueous Solution by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis

The resolutions of metal-4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol chelates by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) were investigated in the presence of some interacting reagents; also, equilibrium reactions between the chelates and the interacting reagents were analyzed in an aqueous solution. Among nine metal chelates formed in aqueous solution, the chelates of VV, FeII, CoIII, NiII, and CuII were resolved and detected by CZE, while other chelates were decomposed during electrophoretic migration. The electrophoretic mobility of the chelates of FeII, NiII, and CuII increased with increasing pH of the migrating solution; also, the acid-dissociation constants of these three chelates were determined by analyzing the mobility change. The ion-association constants of the five anionic chelates and pyridylazoresorcinolate ion with quaternary ammonium ions were also determined by analyzing the mobility change. The binding behavior of the ligand and its chelates with nonionic surfactant micelle, as well as with polyethylene glycol, were investigated, and their binding constants were determined through the mobility change. When Brij 35 was used as a nonionic surfactant interacting with the anionic chelates, the FeII chelate decomposed at Brij 35 concentrations over 6.67 mM. The equilibrium constants and the reactivity were compared with each other.

Recent advances in capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography of pollutants

An overview of major developments in capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography systems in the environmental field is presented, covering relevant publications between the second half of 1999 and early 2001. Contributions are reviewed in relation to developments in detection, sample preparation/preconcentration, precision and applications. Many interesting examples are shown and the influence of important parameters on the performance of developed methods is discussed.

Chiral determination of amino acids by capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence at picomolar concentrations

In this publication we present results on the determination of enantiomers of amino acids at very low concentrations. A fluoresceine-based chiral dye was synthesized to allow the separation of diastereoisomers of D- and L-amino acids. We used capillary electrophoresis with different non-ionic surfactants (Brij). The separation parameters were optimized and separations of D- and L-isovaline, an unusual terrestrial amino acid, were obtained. The sensitivity limits were also determined using a commercial laser-induced fluorescence detector. The quantitation of these amino acids is very important to understand the process of chiral selection on Earth.