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Improved target system for production of high purity [18F]fluorine via the 18O(p,n)18F reaction.

An improved aluminium target system for production of elemental fluorine via the 18O(p,n)18F reaction using a two-step irradiation protocol is described. In the first step highly enriched gaseous oxygen-18 is irradiated with protons to form fluorine-18 which gets deposited on the inner target surface. In the second step, after cryogenic recovery of oxygen-18 target gas, a mixture of elemental 'cold' fluorine and krypton is introduced and a short proton irradiation is done, whereby an isotopic exchange between the gaseous fluorine and the deposited radiofluorine occurs. The second step leads to the recovery of the radiofluorine as [18F]fluorine. Optimisation studies were performed regarding the yield and specific radioactivity of [18F]fluorine. Furthermore, some irradiation parameters relevant to the recovery step were investigated. It was found that a 15 to 20 min irradiation with a beam current of 20 microA is sufficient for the isotopic exchange between the fluorine-carrier and the 18F-radioactivity deposited on the inner wall of the target. The distribution of the 18F-radioactivity deposited on the inner target surface is inhomogeneous, probably due to convection effects. Extensive radioanalytical techniques were applied to characterise the reactivity of [18F]fluorine and to identify undesired nonreactive 18F-compounds, mainly [18F]tetrafluoromethane and [18F]nitrogentrifluoride. The [18F]fluorine produced in the system used has the distinction of having a negligible contamination from those inert 18F-compounds. This is a combined effect of the use of highest purity gases and a welded target construction, which avoids any contact of the gases with organic material during irradiations. The target has proved to be very reliable for production of [18F]fluorine in high yields of up to 34 GBq and specific activities of 350-600 GBq/mmol, both at 30 min after end of activation bombardment.

Aluminum↗

Elimination of the concentration dependence in mass isotopomer abundance mass spectrometry of methyl palmitate using metastable atom bombardment.

An important problem in mass isotopomer abundance mass spectrometry (MIAMS) is the dependence of measured mass isotopomer abundances on sample concentration. We have evaluated the role of ionization energy on mass isotopomer abundance ratios of methyl palmitate as a function of sample concentration. Ionization energy was varied using electron impact ionization (EI) and metastable atom bombardment (MAB). The latter generates a beam of metastable species capable of ionizing analyte molecules by Penning ionization. We observed that ionization of methyl palmitate by EI (70 eV) showed the greatest molecular ion fragmentation and also showed the greatest dependence of relative isotopomer abundance ratios on sample concentration. Ionization using the 3P2 and 3P0 states of metastable krypton (9.92 and 10.56 eV, respectively) resulted in almost no molecular ion fragmentation, and the isotopomer abundances quantified were essentially independent of sample concentration. Ionization using the 3P2 and 3P0 states of metastable argon (11.55 and 11.72 eV, respectively) showed molecular ion fragmentation intermediate between that of EI and MAB(Kr) and showed an isotopomer concentration dependence which was less severe than that observed with EI but more severe than that observed with MAB(Kr). The observed decrease in the dependence of isotopomer abundance on sample concentration with a decrease in molecular ion fragmentation is consistent with the hypothesis that proton transfer from a fragment cation to a neutral molecule is the gas phase reaction mechanism responsible for the concentration dependence. Alternative explanations, e.g., hydrogen abstraction from a neutral molecule to a molecular cation, is not supported by these results. Moreover, the MAB ionization technique shows potential for eliminating one source of error in MIAMS measurements of methyl palmitate, in particular, and of fatty acids methyl esters, in general.

Journal Article↗

Retrobulbar/peribulbar block with 0.2% ropivacaine or 1% lidocaine for transscleral cyclophotocoagulation or retinal panphotocoagulation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Brief analgesia is needed to complete krypton laser cyclophotocoagulation for glaucoma patients and is advantageous in argon laser panphotocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy. We studied whether 0.2% ropivacaine, known for analgesia with minimal motor block or 1% lidocaine, with rapid onset and short duration of action, both supplemented with hyaluronidase, are suitable local anesthetics for retrobulbar/peribulbar block for these procedures. METHODS: Seventy-four treatment sessions of 65 patients were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Data were collected on adequacy of analgesia, need for supplementary blocks and eye movements at 10 minutes after injecting the block and at the end of the treatment, and need for patching the eye at discharge. RESULTS: Frequency of inadequate analgesia (24% in ropivacaine group and 32% in lidocaine group), and of supplementary blocks (11% and 14%, respectively) did not differ between the groups and exceeded our clinically acceptable level. Ropivacaine produced less motor block than lidocaine at 10 minutes (P < .001) and at the end of the treatment (P = .002). However, at discharge, the eye was significantly more often patched in the ropivacaine (70%) group than in the lidocaine group (41 %) (P = .035). In the ropivacaine group, a mobile eye did not predict inadequate intraoperative analgesia, whereas in the lidocaine group it did (P = .001). CONCLUSION: According to our preliminary data, neither 0.2% ropivacaine nor 1% lidocaine reached acceptable frequencies of adequate analgesia during transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, while all retinal panphotocoagulations could be completed under the initial block.

Adult↗

Spectra and structure of silicon containing compounds. XXVII. Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations of vinyldichlorosilane.

The infrared (3200-30 cm(-1) spectra of gaseous and solid and the Raman spectra of liquid (3200-30 cm(-1), with quantitative depolarization values, and solid vinyldichlorosilane, CH2=CHSiHCl2, have been recorded. Both the gauche and the cis conformers have been identified in the fluid phases. Variable temperature (105-150 degrees C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid krypton have been carried out. From these data the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 20 +/- 5 cm(-1) (235 +/- 59 J mol(-1) with the gauche conformer the more stable rotamer. It was not possible to obtain a single conformer in the solid even with repeated annealing of the sample. The experimental enthalpy difference is in agreement with the prediction from MP2/6-311 + G(2d,2p) ab initio calculations with full electron correlation. However, when smaller basis sets, i.e. 6-31G(d) and 6-311 + G(d,p) were utilized the cis conformer was predicted to be the more stable form. Complete vibrational assignments are proposed for both conformers based on infrared contours, relative infrared and Raman intensities, depolarization values and group frequencies, which are supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. From the frequencies of the Si-H stretches, the Si-H bond distance of 1.474 A has been determined for both the gauche and the cis conformers. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined for both rotamers by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31G(d), 6-311 + G(d,p) and 6-311 + (2d,2p) basis sets at level of Hartree-Fock (RHF) and/or Moller Plesset to the second order (MP2) with full electron correlation. The potential energy terms for the conformer interconversion have been obtained from the MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained for some similar molecules.

Molecular Conformation↗

Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability, ab initio calculations of structure, and vibrational assignment of ethynylmethyl cyclobutane.

The infrared spectra (3200-300 cm(-1)) of the gas and solid and the Raman spectra (3200-30 cm(-1) of the liquid with quantitative depolarization values and the solid have been recorded of ethynylmethyl cyclobutane (cyclobutylmethyl acetylene), c-C4H7CH2C[ triple bond]CH. Both the equatorial and the axial conformers have been identified in the fluid phases and both the gauche and trans conformations of the methyl acetylenic group have been identified for each ring conformer. Variable temperature (-105 to -150 degrees C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid krypton have been carried out. From these data the enthalpy differences have been determined to the 112 +/- 11 cm(-1) (1.34 +/- 0.13 kJ mol) between the most stable equatorial-trans (Et) conformer and the equatorial-gauche (Eg) conformer which is the second most stable conformer and 327 +/- 35 cm(-1) (3.91 + 0.42 kJ/mol) with the axial-gauche (Ag) conformer which is the least stable conformer. The enthalpy difference between the axial-trans (At) and the equatorial-gauche(Eg) is 56 +/- 6 cm(-1). At ambient temperature there is approximately 33% of the Et conformer, 38% of the Eg form, 15% of the At and 14% of the Ag conformer. For the polycrystalline solid the Eg conformer is the only form present which probably results form the packing in the crystal. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for both equatorial conformers and additionally a few of the fundamentals of the At and Ag conformers have been assigned. The vibrational assignments are supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined for all four possible rotamers by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31G(d) and 6-311 + + G(d,p) basis sets at levels of restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) and /or Moller-Plesset (MP2) with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order. The results are discussed and compared to those obtained for some similar molecules.

Cyclobutanes↗

Spectra and structure of silicon-containing compounds. XXX. Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, vibrational assignment of chloromethyl silyl dichloride.

The Raman spectra (3200-30 cm(-1)) of liquid and solid, and infrared spectra of gaseous and solid chloromethyl silyl dichloride, ClCH2SiHCl2, have been recorded. Variable temperature (-105 to -150 degrees C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid krypton have been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference was determined to be 363 +/- 40 cm(-1) (4.34 +/- 0.48 kJ mol(-1)), with the more stable form being the gauche conformer, which is consistent with the prediction from ab initio calculations at both the Hartree-Fock level and with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order. It is estimated that 92% of the sample is in the gauche form at ambient temperature. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the gauche conformer and several of fundamentals of the trans conformer based on infrared band contours, relative intensities, depolarization values, and group frequencies, which is supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing the force constants from the ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. The r0 SiH bond distances of 1.476 and 1.472 A have been obtained for the trans and gauche conformers, respectively, from the silicon-hydrogen stretching frequencies. The optimized geometries have also been obtained from ab initio calculations utilizing several different basis sets with full electron correlation by the perturbation method up to MP2/6-311 + G(2d,2p). The results are discussed and compared to some corresponding results for several related molecules.

Molecular Conformation↗

Spectra and structure of silicon containing compounds. XXXII. Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations of n-propylsilane-d0 and Si-d3.

The infrared (3100-40 cm(-1)) and Raman (3100-20 cm(-1)) spectra of gaseous and solid n-propylsilane, CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)SiH(3) and the Si-d(3) isotopomer, CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)SiD(3), have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectra of the liquids have been recorded and qualitative depolarization values obtained. Both the anti and gauche conformers have been identified in the fluid phases but only the anti conformer remains in the solid. Variable temperature (-105 to -150 degrees C) studies of the infrared spectra of n-propylsilane dissolved in liquid krypton have been recorded and the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 220+/-22 cm(-1) (2.63+/-0.26 kJ mol(-1)) with the anti conformer the more stable form. A similar value of 234+/-23 cm(-1) (2.80+/-0.28 kJ mol(-1)) was obtained for deltaH for the Si-d(3) isotopomer. At ambient temperature it is estimated that there is 30+/-2% of the gauche conformer present. The potential function governing the conformation interchange has been estimated from the far infrared spectral data, the enthalpy difference, and the dihedral angle of the gauche conformer, which is compared to the one predicted from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. The barriers to conformational interchange are: 942, 970 and 716 cm(-1) for the anti to gauche, gauche to gauche, and gauche to anti conformers, respectively. Relatively complete vibrational assignments are proposed for both the n-propylsilane-d(0) and Si-d(3) molecules based on the relative infrared and Raman spectral intensities, infrared band contours, depolarization ratios, and normal coordinate calculations. The geometrical parameters, harmonic force constants, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities and depolarization ratios, and energy differences have been obtained for the anti and gauche conformers from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. Structural parameters and energy differences have also been obtained utilizing the larger 6-311 + G(d,p) and 6-311 + G(2d,2p) basis sets. From the isolated Si-H stretching frequency from the Si-d(2) isotopomer the r(0) distances of 1.484 and 1.485 A have been determined for the SiH(s) and SiH(a) bonds, respectively, for the anti conformer, and 1.486 A for the SiH bond for the gauche conformer. Utilizing previously reported microwave rotational constants for the anti conformer and the determined SiH distances along with ab initio predicted parameters 'adjusted r(0)' parameters have been obtained for the anti conformer. The results are discussed and compared to those obtained for some similar molecules.

Silicon Compounds↗

Conformational stability from variable temperature infrared spectra of rare gas solutions of 2-chloro-3-fluoropropene.

Variable temperature (-55 to -155 degrees C) infrared spectra of rare gas solutions of 2-chloro-3-fluoropropene, H2C=C(Cl)CH2F, have been recorded from 3500 to 400 cm(-1). The relative intensities of 16 conformer pairs at ten different temperatures of a krypton solution have been measured and from these data an enthalpy difference of 271+/-27 cm(-1) (3.17+/-0.32 kJ x mol(-1)) has been obtained with the cis conformer the more stable form. Similar studies were also carried out in xenon and an enthalpy difference of 334+/-33 cm(-1) (4.00+/-0.39 kJ x mol(-1)) was obtained again with the cis conformer the more stable form. It is estimated that there is 35+/-2% of the gauche conformer present at ambient temperature. However, in the crystalline solid the gauche conformer is the stable rotamer. Extensive ab initio calculations with full electron correlation by the perturbation method at the MP2 level with a variety of basis sets as well as density functional theory calculations (DFT) by the B3LYP method have been carried out. Several of these calculations predict an energy difference in the range of 400 cm(-1) with the cis form the more stable conformer but most of the predicted energy differences are significantly larger than the experimentally determined value. The spectroscopic and theoretical results are discussed and compared with the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.

Allyl Compounds↗

Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability, vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations of methylvinyl silyl chloride.

The infrared spectra (3200-50 cm(-1)) of gaseous and solid and Raman spectra (3200-10 cm(-1)) of the liquid and solid methylvinyl silyl chloride, CH(2)=CHSiH(CH(3))Cl, and the Si-d isotopomer have been recorded. The three expected stable conformers (the three different groups eclipsing the double bond) have been identified in the fluid phase, but it was not possible to obtain an annealed solid with a single conformer. Variable temperature (-105 to -150 degrees C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid krypton has been carried out. From these data the enthalpy differences between the most stable conformer with the hydrogen atom (HE) eclipsing the double bond to that with the chlorine atom (ClE) and the methyl group (ME) eclipsing the double bond have been determined to be 17+/-4 cm(-1) (203+/-48 Jmol(-1)) and 80+/-12 cm(-1) (957+/-144 Jmol(-1)), respectively. However in the liquid state the ME conformer is the most stable form with enthalpy differences of 13+/-4 and 27+/-7 cm(-1) to the HE and ClE rotamers, respectively. It is estimated that there is 39% of the HE conformer, 35% of the ClE conformer, and 26% of the ME conformer present at ambient temperature. A complete vibration assignment is proposed for the HE conformer which is based on infrared band contours and group frequencies, which is supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. Additionally, several of the fundamentals for the other two conformers have been assigned. The optimal geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational frequencies are reported for all three conformers from MP2/6-31G(d,p) ab initio calculations with full electron correlation. Optimized geometrical parameters and conformational stabilities have been obtained from MP2/6-311+G(d,p) calculations. At this highest level of calculations, the HE conformer is predicted to be more stable by 62 and 84 cm(-1) than the ME and ClE conformers, respectively. The coefficients from the potential function governing the conformational interchange have been obtained from the MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations. By utilizing the frequency of the SiH stretching mode, the r(0)-H distance has been determined to be 1.481 A for the HE conformer. The ab initio calculated quantities are compared to the experimentally determined values where applicable, as well as to some corresponding results for some similar molecules.

Chlorides↗

Spectra and structure of silicon-containing compounds. Part XXXVIII: Infrared and Raman spectra, vibrational assignment, conformational stability, and ab initio calculations of vinyldifluorosilane.

Infrared spectra (3500-50 cm(-1)) of gaseous and solid, and Raman spectrum (3500-30 cm(-1)) of liquid vinyldifluorosilane, CH(2)z.dbnd6;CHSiF(2)H, are reported. Both the cis and gauche rotamers have been identified in the fluid phases. From temperature-dependent FT-infrared spectra of krypton solutions, it is shown that the cis conformer is more stable than the gauche form by 119+/-12 cm(-1) (1.42+/-0.14 kJ mol(-1)). At ambient temperature there is 53+/-2% of the gauche conformer present. Complete vibrational assignments are provided for the cis conformer and several modes are identified for the gauche form. Harmonic force constants, fundamental frequencies, infrared intensities, and Raman activities have been obtained from MP2/6-31G(d) calculations with full electron correlation. The optimized geometries and conformational stabilities have also been obtained from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d), MP2/6-311+G(d,p), and MP2/6-311+G(2d,2p) calculations with full electron correlation as well as from density functional theory calculations (DFT) by the B3LYP method. The SiH bond distances (r(0)) of 1.472 and 1.471 A have been obtained for the cis and gauche conformers, respectively, from the silicon-hydrogen stretching frequencies. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities of the corresponding carbon analogue as well as with some similar molecules.

Molecular Conformation↗

Spectra and structure of silicon containing compounds. XXXIX. Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations of n-propyltrifluorosilane.

The infrared (3100-40 cm(-1)) spectra of gaseous and solid and Raman (3200-20 cm(-1)) spectra of liquid with qualitative depolarization values and solid n-propyltrifluorosilane, CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)SiF(3), have been recorded. Additionally the infrared spectra of the sample in nitrogen and argon matrices have been recorded. Both the anti and gauche conformers have been identified in the fluid phases but only the anti conformer remains in the solid. Variable temperature (-105 to -150 degrees C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid krypton have been recorded and the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 135+/-14 cm(-1) (1.62+/-0.17 kJ mol(-1)) with the anti conformer the more stable form. At ambient temperature it is estimated that there is 51+/-2% of the gauche conformer present. Also the enthalpy difference in the liquid was obtained from variable temperature studies of the Raman spectra and from three conformer pairs an average value of 179+/-18 cm(-1) (2.14+/-0.22 kJ mol(-1)) was obtained again with the anti form the more stable conformer. Relatively complete vibrational assignments are proposed for both conformers based on the relative infrared and Raman spectral intensities, infrared band contours, depolarization ratios which are supported by normal coordinate calculations. The geometrical parameters, harmonic force constants, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and energy differences have been obtained for the anti and gauche conformers from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. Structural parameters and energy differences have also been obtained utilizing the larger 6-311+G(d, p) and 6-311+G(2d, 2p) basis sets. By utilizing the previously reported microwave rotational constants for five isotopomers of CH(3)SiF(3) along with ab initio predicted structural values, r(0) parameters have been obtained for methyltrifluorosilane. Similarly, from the ab initio predicted parameters "adjusted r(0)" parameters have been estimated for both conformers of n-propyltrifluorosilane. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained for some similar molecules.

Cold Temperature↗

Indirect activation of adenosine A1 receptors in cultured rat hippocampal neurons by volatile anaesthetics.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Volatile anaesthetics depress excitatory signal transmission by potentiating the inhibitory action of GABAA receptors and there is strong evidence that this is related with anaesthesia. Using primary hippocampal cultures we analyzed the possibility that the volatile anaesthetics enflurane and sevoflurane depress excitatory signal transmission by activation of adenosine A1 receptors. METHODS: Primary rat hippocampal cultures on 4 cm poly-L-lysine coated glass coverslips were loaded with the Ca2+-indicator fluo-3 and incorporated in a gastight, temperature-controlled perfusion chamber. The intracellular Ca2+-concentration was monitored with a confocal laser-scanning microscope (BioRad) using the 488 nm laser line of a krypton-argon laser for excitation and the Lasersharp Acquisition software for analysis. RESULTS: Continuous perfusion in Mg2+-free medium generated spontaneous synchronized calcium oscillations, which were dose dependently depressed by the volatile anaesthetics enflurane and sevoflurane (0.25-1 minimum alveolar concentration). Addition of 100 nmol of 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine, a specific adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, partly reversed the anaesthetic-induced inhibition of the oscillation amplitude of the oscillating cells. The effect of the anaesthetics was mimicked by the addition of S-(p-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioguanosine, an adenosine transport inhibitor and by the addition of 5-amino-5-deoxyadenosine, an inhibitor of adenosine kinase. CONCLUSIONS: The volatile anaesthetics sevoflurane and enflurane activate adenosine A1 receptors in primary rat hippocampal cultures. This effect is mediated by liberation of adenosine most likely by an interaction of the volatile anaesthetics with adenosine transport or key enzymes in adenosine metabolism.

Adenosine↗

A parallel miniature cylindrical ion trap array

A small mass spectrometer array is described in which each element is a cylindrical ion trap (CIT). The array contains four CITs, each having an inner radius of 2.5 mm, arranged in parallel and operated using a single electronics system under common conditions for trapping and mass analysis. By using an array of identically sized traps, higher ion capacity can be achieved than with a single miniature CIT, but the advantage of lower power and voltage requirements associated with the smaller ion trap is maintained. Overall signal intensity of the array of four traps is compared with that of a two-element CIT array to demonstrate the increased ion capacity of larger arrays. Resolution for m-dichlorobenzene is shown to be approximately 180 (full width at half-maximum), with no significant loss in resolution as a result of using multiple CITs. The detection of 5 x 10(-9) Torr partial pressure of krypton in argon with a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 30 for the most abundant isotope is shown, demonstrating the applicability of the device for process gas monitoring. Also, a preliminary spectrum from a 10-CIT array with each element having an inner radius of 1.5 mm is reported.

Journal Article↗

Native fluorescence detection and spectral differentiation of peptides containing tryptophan and tyrosine in capillary electrophoresis.

A native fluorescence detection system for capillary electrophoresis is described that achieves low attomole detection limits and simultaneous acquisition of complete fluorescence emission spectra. The system is designed for detection of peptides through the intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan and tyrosine residues. The detection system employs a frequency doubled krypton laser operating at 284 nm for excitation, a sheath flow cell, a reflective f/1.2 microscope objective, an imaging spectrograph, and a CCD detector. The detection capabilities are characterized with tryptophan and tyrosine, which have limits of detection (3 sigma) of 2 x 10(-10) and, 2 x 10(-8) M, respectively. Acquisition of the fluorescence emission spectrum provides the ability to distinguish three classes of peptides: those that contain tryptophan, those that contain tyrosine, and those that contain both tryptophan and tyrosine.

Electrophoresis, Capillary↗

Atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry with a microchip heated nebulizer.

A novel, microfabricated heated nebulizer chip for atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry (APPI-MS) is presented. The chip consists of fluidic and gas inlets, a mixer, and a nozzle etched onto silicon wafer that is anodically bonded to a Pyrex glass wafer, on which an aluminum heater is sputtered. A krypton discharge lamp is used as the source for 10-eV photons to initiate the photoionization process. Dopant, delivered as part of the sample solution, is used to achieve efficient ionization. The use of the microfabricated heated nebulizer with APPI in the analysis of four analytes is demonstrated, and the spectra are compared to those obtained with a conventional APPI source. Ionization in positive and negative ion modes was successfully achieved and the spectra were mainly similar to those obtained with conventional APPI, indicating that the ionization in microfabricated and conventional APPI sources takes place by the same mechanisms. The flow rates with conventional APPI are approximately 100 muL/min, whereas the microchip heated nebulizer allows the use of flow rates 0.05-5 muL/min, thus being compatible with microfluidic separation systems or micro- and nano-LC. A stable signal was demonstrated throughout a 5-h measurement, which proved the excellent stability of the micro-APPI. The same heated nebulizer chip can be used for weeks.

Atmospheric Pressure↗

Chromophoric cinnamic acid substrates as resonance Raman probes of the active site environment in native and unfolded alpha-chymotrypsin.

Chromophoric [4-(dimethylamino)cinnamoyl]imidazole reacts with the serine protease alpha-chymotrypsin to form an acyl enzyme. At pHs below 4.0, the acyl enzyme turns over very slowly to yield the free acid. During this slow deacylation it is possible to obtain a very good resonance Raman spectrum of the acyl intermediate by using the 350.7-nm line of the krypton laser. The resonance Raman carbonyl frequency of the covalently bonded substrate and its wavelength at maximum intensity in the absorption spectrum of the acyl enzyme have been taken and used to monitor the active site environment. A comparison has been made of the absorption and Raman spectra of the acyl enzyme and those of the corresponding chromophoric methyl ester, aldehyde, and imidazole model compounds. A linear correlation is found between the wavelength of maximum absorption and the Raman frequency of the carbonyl group over a wide range of solvent conditions for each of the model compounds. By combining the Raman carbonyl frequency with the absorption maximum, we can determine that the bond order changes in the carbonyl bond of the bound substrate are not due to changes in the solvent, since the carbonyl frequency and the absorption maximum of the acyl enzyme do not fall on any of the linear correlations for the model compounds. The unusual spectroscopic properties of the bound substrate appear to be due to some specific enzyme-induced change in the substrate when it is bound at the active site. Thermal unfolding of the acyl enzymes changes both the carbonyl frequency of the acyl enzyme and its absorption maximum to completely different values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Binding Sites↗

Resonance Raman studies on protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase-inhibitor complexes.

Resonance Raman spectra of a number of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase-inhibitor complexes were studied by use of the available lines of an argon and a krypton laser. Three types of inhibitors were investigated-hydroxybenzoates, dicarboxylates, and 4-nitrocatechol. The hydroxybenzoate study shows that the hydroxy group in 3-hydroxybenzoate does not coordinate to the active site iron, in agreement with earlier suggestions, and confirms the coordination of the hydroxy group in the isomeric 4-hydroxybenzoate. The dicarboxylate study demonstrates that both glutarate and terephthalate perturb the active-site environment, shifting the charge-transfer interaction to lower energy. The pH dependence of terephthalate binding as well as the spectral similarities of the dicarboxylate complexes to the ESO2 intermediate provides further evidence for the suggestion that this intermediate is a tightly bound enzyme-product complex. The 4-nitrocatechol study indicates that, unlike the substrate catechols, 4-nitrocatechol does not bind to the iron; a binding configuration wherein the acidic phenolate group interacts with the carboxylate binding site has been suggested by others. Finally the spectra of the 4-hydroxybenzoate and terephthalate complexes demonstrate the presence of two tyrosines coordinated to the active-site iron as suggested by others; these tyrosines have different vCO's and excitation profiles.

Catechols↗

Resonance Raman studies of pyrocatechase-inhibitor complexes.

The resonance Raman spectra of native pyrocatechase and its benzoate and phenolate complexes were investigated by using the available lines of an argon and a krypton laser. The data provide evidence for the presence of two distinct tyrosines coordinated to the active-site iron. The two tyrosines exhibit different upsilon CO values which show maximum resonance enhancements at different excitation wavelengths. Moreover, one tyrosine is more susceptible to changes in the active-site environment. Pyrocatechase is the only example thus far among iron-tyrosinate proteins where the tyrosines coordinating the iron are distinguishable.

Benzoates↗