Ion chromatographic and spectrometric determination of water-soluble compounds in airborne particulates, and their correlations in an industrial area in Attica, Greece

In the time period from June 2005 to May 2006 in 42 sampling campaigns 84 filter samples of airborne particulate matter, coarse (PM_10–2.5) and fine (PM_2.5), were collected using a Gent stacked filter unit in the coastal industrial area of Aspropyrgos in Attica, Greece. The average PM₁₀ (PM_10–2.5 + PM_2.5) concentration was found to be 66 μg · m⁻³, exceeding more than 1.6 times the annual limit of 40 μg · m⁻³. The samples were analysed for Cl⁻, NO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ using ion chromatography. The data were compared with results obtained with other spectrometric methods, such as inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and reflectometry. The determined average ionic content comprised about 44% of the PM₁₀ mass. The ionic composition, as well as the possible matrix compounds in both fractions were evaluated by dividing the sampling period into summer and winter season. In the PM_10–2.5/PM_2.5 fraction in summer time the concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg₂₊ and NO₃ ⁻ were enriched in the coarse fraction. In winter time all species were enriched in the coarse fraction, especially Ca²⁺, Cl⁻ and NO₃ ⁻. NH₄ ⁺ was constantly higher in the fine fraction in summer as well as in winter time. Factor analysis was applied to obtain correlations between cations and anions leading to matrix compounds in both fractions. From the evaluation of the results obtained, some of the local air pollution sources could be identified. Correspondence: Klaus-Michael Ochsenkühn, Laboratory for Trace Element Studies, Institute of Physical Chemistry, NCSR “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi 15310, Athens, Greece     

Ion-specific swelling behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) gel prepared by γ-ray irradiation

Poly(vinyl alcohol) gel was prepared by γ-ray irradiation of an aqueous solution of the polymer and its swelling behavior in solutions of the alkali-metal and alkaline-earth-metal salts was investigated. The gel deswelled in solutions containing strongly hydrated anions and swelled in solutions containing strongly hydrated cations. The degree of swelling of the gel was in the following order: SO₄ ²⁻<Cl⁻<Br⁻ ≅ NO₃ ⁻<I⁻ for the anions and K⁺<Na⁺<Li⁺ and Sr²⁺<Ca²⁺<Mg²⁺ for the cations. These results were interpreted in terms of interactions between the polymer and the ions through the hydration layers. Received: 6 November 2000 Accepted: 24 May 2001     

Surface charge of detonation nanodiamond particles in aqueous solutions of simple 1 : 1 Electrolytes

Adsorption isotherms of potential-determining H⁺ and OH⁻ ions and the pH dependences of the specific surface charge of detonation nanodiamond (DND) particles are obtained in a pH range of 3–10 by the acid-base titration of their hydrosols containing 0.001–1 M LiCl, NaCl, KCl, NaNO₃, KNO₃, and NaClO₄ as background electrolytes. The data obtained attest to the chemical nonuniformity (heterogeneity) of a DND surface and different degrees of binding of background electrolyte cations and anions with ionized groups. It is revealed that the adsorption of OH-anions diminishes in the lyotropic series of cations Na⁺ > K⁺ > Li⁺ and increases with a decrease in the adsorbability of anions in the following series: NO₃⁻ ≊ ClO₄⁻ > Cl⁻. The adsorption of potential-determining H⁺ and OH⁻ ions on a DND surface containing two types of functional groups, i.e., acidic carboxyl and amphoteric hydroxyl groups, is simulated by the Protofit software package. The optimal surface densities and ionization constants that correspond to minimal deviations of model adsorption isotherms from the experimental curves are found for these groups.     

Association constants and enthalpies of formation of heteroassociates of anions of cresol red and thymol blue

The tendency of anions of sulfophthaleine dyes to heteroassociation was studied in aqueous solutions of phenol red, cresol red, thymol blue, and non-substituted phenol red. It was spectrophotometrically determined that single (HAn⁻) and doubly charged anions (An²⁻) of sulfophthaleines can form stable heteroassociates of the composition Ct⁺ · HAn⁻ and (Ct⁺)₂ · An²⁻ with cations (Ct⁺) of polymethine dyes, pinacyanol, and quinaldine red. The values of enthalpy formation of ions of dyes and heteroassociates were calculated semi-empirically and compared with experimentally determined values of the equilibrium association constants.     

Association constants and heats of formation of heteroassociates of anions of sulphophthaleine dyes

The tendency of anions of sulphophthaleine dyes to heteroassociation was studied in aqueous solutions of phenol red, bromophenol blue, bromocresol green, bromocresol purple, and bromothymol blue. It was spectrophotometrically determined that single-(Han⁻) and double-charged anions (An²⁻) of sul-phophthaleines can form stable heteroassociates of composition Ct⁺ · HAn⁻ and (Ct⁺)₂ · An²⁻ with cations (Ct⁺) of polymethine dyes, pinacyanol, and quinaldine red. The values of enthalpy formation of ions of dyes and heteroassociates were calculated using semi-empirical methods, then correlated with experimentally determined values of equilibrium association constants.     

Ionic association with anions of alizarin red S in aqueous solutions with surfactants

The formation of associates of single (H₂An⁻) or doubly charged anions (HAn²⁻) of alizarin red S with cations (Ct⁺) of cyanine dye pinacyanol in aqueous solution is considered. Thermodynamic values of equilibrium association constants were determined according to spectrophotometric data. Values of enthalpy of formation for the associates of the composition Ct⁺ · H₂An⁻ and (Ct⁺)₂ · HAn²⁻ were calculated with the help of semi-empirical methods. It was determined that the addition of cationic or anionic surfactant results in the destruction of associates.     

Association of anions of phenolsulfonephthalein and its alkyl-substituted derivatives with single-charged cations of polymethines

The interaction of single- and double-charged anions (HAn⁻, An²⁻) of sulfonephthaleins (phenolsulfonephthaleins and its alkyl-substituted derivatives, viz., o-cresolsulfonephthalein and thymolsulfonephthalein) with single-charged cations (Ct⁺) of polymethines (pinacyanol, quinaldine red) was studied. The interaction in an aqueous solution affords heteroassociates of stoichiometric composition (Ct⁺)·HAn⁻ and (Ct⁺)₂·An²⁻. The association constants were estimated from the spectrophotometric data. The enthalpies of formation of dye and heteroassociate ions were calculated and the most probable structure of the heteroassociates was deter- mined using the semiempirical methods.     

Charge inversion as a structural probe for C6H 5 + and C6H 6 +· cations

Charge reversal (⁺CR⁻) of cations to anions can be used to structurally differentiate isomeric C₆H₅⁺ and C₆H₆^+· hydrocarbon ions by means of tandem mass spectrometry. In view of the manifold of possible isomers, only a few prototype precursors are examined. Thus, charge inversion demonstrates that electron ionization of 2,4-hexadiyne yields an intact molecular ion, whereas the charge inversion spectra of C₆H₆^+· obtained from benzene, 1,5-hexadiyne, and fulvene are identical within experimental error. Similarly, the ⁺CR⁻ spectrum of the C₆H₅⁺ cation generated by dissociative ionization of 2,4-hexadiyne is significantly different from the ⁺CR⁻ spectrum of C₆H₅⁺ obtained from iodobenzene, suggesting the formation of a 2,4-hexadiynyl cation from the former precursor. Although charge inversion of cations to anions has a low efficiency and requires large precursor ion fluxes, the particular value of this method is that the spectra may not just differ in fragment ion intensities, but these differences can directly be related to the underlying ion structures.     

Crystal and molecular structure of diphenyliodonium triiodide

A new salt diphenyliodonium triiodide (C₁₂H₁₀I₄) was obtained. The [C₁₂H₁₀I⁺][I₃⁻] compound was isolated as red brown crystals and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of diphenyliodonium triiodide consists of separate, virtually linear I₃⁻ anions and C₁₂H₁₀I⁺ cations. Strong intermolecular anion-anion (I₃⁻…I₃⁻) and anion-cation (I₃⁻…I⁺) interactions in the crystal structure leads to a change in the symmetry of triiodide ions. The complex formation in the system organic cation iodide-elementary iodine was studied by spectrophotometry. The complex composition was found (1: 1), and the stability constant of the complex in chloroform was determined (loggB = 3.91).     

Indoor air quality: validation and setting up quality control for determination of anions and cations in particulate matter

In recent years, the indoor air quality has been studied more frequently due to an increasing concern within the scientific community on the effects of indoor air quality upon health. The indoor air quality studies of schools have a large impact in both health and educational performance of children since they constitute a sensitive group with higher risk than adults, particularly vulnerable to pollutants due to their undeveloped airways. A total of 14 basic schools located in Lisbon city, Portugal, were selected for sampling the total particulate matter (TPM) by passive deposition into polycarbonate filters and to assess the indoor air quality. Compared to automatic samplers, this passive sampling method represents an easier and cheaper way to assess several indoor air quality environments with no interference in the classroom activities. The procedure was performed on four different campaigns during 2009–2010. The filter loads were measured by gravimetry with a 0.1-μg sensitivity balance and, afterwards, the TPM water-soluble ions content was assessed by ionic chromatography (Cl⁻, NO₃ ⁻, PO₄ ³⁻ and SO₄ ²⁻); flame absorption (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺). The performance characteristics of the methods, namely specificity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, working range, precision and trueness were evaluated. Measurement uncertainty was expressed in terms of precision and trueness. Precision under intralaboratory reproducibility conditions was estimated from triplicate analysis. The trueness component was estimated in terms of overall recovery using the reference material SPS-NUTR WW2 Batch 107, from Spectrapure Standards, Oslo, Norway, for anions and the certified reference material CRM 1643e, from NIST, Gaithersburg, MD for cations. Measurement uncertainty of the results obtained with the methods described in this work fulfilled the relative differences (RD) defined by the anion−cation balance in the extraction solutions of the particulate matter. Target RD values were defined: RD < 0.05.     

Average inner product sums of electron linear momenta for atoms and ions

From the second moments of the electron-pair densities in momentum space, accurate Hartree–Fock values of the average inner product sum 〈∑ _i<j p _i ·p _j 〉 of electron linear momenta are evaluated for the 102 neutral atoms from He to Lr, the 53 singly charged cations from Li⁺ to Cs⁺, and the 43 stable anions from H⁻ to I⁻ in their experimental ground states. The present results are new for 38 species and improve the literature values for 68 species. Received: 18 July 2002 / Accepted: 4 September 2002 / Published online: 8 November 2002 Acknowledgement. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education of Japan. Correspondence to: H. Matsuyama e-mail: hisashi@mmm.muroran-it.ac.jp     

Interaction of sulfophthaleine anions with cationic dyes in aqueous solution

An interaction between the singly and doubly charged anions (HAn⁻ and An²⁻) of sulfophthaleines (phenol red and its derivatives: bromophenol blue, bromocresol green, bromocresol purple, and bromothymol blue), and singly charged cations (Ct⁺) of a polymethine (pinacyanol, quinaldine red), results in formation in an aqueous solution of heteroassociate with stoichiometric composition (Ct⁺)·HAn⁻ and (Ct⁺)₂·An²⁻. On the basis of spectrophotometric data the association constants were estimated. By quantum-chemical methods AM1 and PM3 the values of formation and reaction enthalpies of the species formed were calculated and the most probable structure of the heteroassociates was determined.     

Composition,structure, and ir spectra of acid trialkylmethylammonium acetates in CCl4+HAc solutions

The composition and structure of neutral and acid trialkyl(C₈-C₁₀)methylammonium acetates in CCl₄+HAc solutions formed by the reaction R₃CH₃N⁺Ac⁻+nHAc⇔R₃CH₃N⁺(Ac·nAc)⁻ are investigated by IR spectroscopy. As the molar ratio HAc/R₃CH₃N⁺Ac⁻ increases in solutions, complex anions Ac·nAc⁻ (I) with n=1, 2, 3, 4 are formed in sequence. The curves of formation of anions with n=0, 1, 2 are plotted. One terminal COO group of anions I is bonded to (“blocked” by) the R₃CH₃N⁺ cation, and another group sequentially adds H-bonded HAc molecules as the concentration of HAc in solutions increases. The sequence of IR spectral changes in the series of anions I with n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 is discussed. Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Novosibirsk State University. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 310–318, March–April, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina     

Complex salts trans-[Rh(β-Pic)4Cl2]X (X = Cl?, ReO 4? , and ClO 4? ): Synthesis, crystal structures, and thermal properties

Three novel complex salts containing the cation trans-[Rh(β-Pic)₄Cl₂]⁺ with the anions Cl⁻ (I), ReO₄⁻ (II), and ClO₄⁻ (III) were obtained and characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy. The complex trans-[Rh(β-Pic)₄Cl₂]ReO₄ crystallizes from DMF as a solvate in which solvent molecules fill the channels formed by the cations and anions. The thermal properties of complexes I, II, and II · DMF were examined by DTA. Final and some intermediate products of the thermolysis were isolated and characterized by physicochemical methods.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Raman Spectrum of Hydrazinium(+2) Fluoroarsenate(III) Fluoride,N<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>6</Subscript>AsF<Subscript>4</Subscript>F

Summary.  Hydrazinium(+2) fluoroarsenate(III) fluoride was prepared by the reaction of hydrazinium(+2) fluoride and liquid arsenic trifluoride. N₂H₆AsF₄F is stable at 273 K, but decomposes slowly at room temperature. N₂H₆AsF₄F crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnn2 with a = 774.0(2) pm, b = 1629.2(4) pm and c = 436.6(1) pm; V = 0.5506(3) nm³, Z = 4 and d _c  = 2.461 g cm⁻³. The structure consists of N₂H₆ ²⁺ cations, AsF₄ ⁻ anions, and F⁻ anions and is interconnected by a hydrogen bonding network. Distorted trigonal-bipyramidal AsF₄ ⁻ units are very weakly interconnected and form chains along the b axis. Bands in the Raman spectrum are assigned to the vibrations of N₂H₆ ⁺² cations and AsF₄ ⁻ anions. Corresponding author. E-mail: adolf.jesih@ijs.si Received April 18, 2002; accepted July 15, 2002     

Influence of ion size on the stability of chloroplumbates containing PbCl<Stack><Subscript>5</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> or PbCl<Stack><Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>2−</Superscript></Stack>

The enthalpies of formation of PbCl₄, PbCl₅⁻ and PbCl₆²⁻, originating from quantum mechanics, have enabled the thermodynamic behaviour of these ions with respect to Cl-detachment to be assessed. The stability of salts containing PbCl₅⁻ and PbCl₆²⁻ as a function of the dimensions of these anions and complementary cations was studied using an approach combining the Kapustinskii-Yatsimirskii equation with basic thermochemical relationships. It was found that hexachloroplumbates of monovalent metal cations will not dissociate into metal chlorides and PbCl₄, provided the complementary cations are suitably large in size. Hexachloroplumbates of divalent metal cations have not yet been synthesised since no known metal cations attain the requisite large size. Such salts will not dissociate if the divalent metal cations are able to complex suitably large electron-donating ligands. The pentachloroplumbates of both monovalent and divalent metal cations are unstable, since no known metal cations have appropriately large ionic radii. The approach adopted appears to be useful for the examination of the thermal behaviour, stability and reactivity of chloroplumbates.     

Ion chromatographic method for the determination of cations of group IA and IIA in water samples, pharmaceuticals and energy drinks by non-suppressed conductometric detection

An efficient ion chromatographic (IC) method was developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Be²⁺ in energy drinks, pharmaceutical and drinking water samples by non-suppressed conductometric detection. The separation of ten cations including ammonium was achieved using a cation-exchange column and low conductivity mobile phase. The mobile phase consisted of tartaric acid, dipicolinic acid and boric acid. The separation of the cations was completed in less than 18 min, with a flow rate of 1.2 mL min⁻¹. The separation was not affected by the existence of cations Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Bi³⁺, Ag⁺, Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺ in concentrations up to 20 mg L⁻¹. Using an injection volume of 20 μL the obtained detection limits were 0.003 mg L⁻¹, 0.02 mg L⁻¹, 0.01 mg L⁻¹, 0.01 mg L⁻¹, 0.10 mg L⁻¹, 0.01 mg L⁻¹, 0.02 mg L⁻¹, 0.02 mg L⁻¹, 0.003 mg L⁻¹ and 0.1 mg L⁻¹, for Li⁺, Na⁺, NH⁴⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Be²⁺ and Ba²⁺ respectively. The intra-day repeatability (RSD%, n=5) ranged from 1.1% to 4.8%, and the inter-day (n=5) between 1.8% and 5.4% respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of various bottled and tap water, pharmaceutical preparations and energy drinks commercially available.      

Initiation of ethylene polymerization on organoelement cations L<Subscript>2</Subscript>MMe<Superscript>+</Superscript> (M = Ge,Sn) with intramolecular coordination bonds: a theoretical study

The initiation of ethylene polymerization on L₂MMe⁺ cations (M = Ge, Sn; L = alkoxy, alkyl, phenoxyiminate, β-diketonate) was studied by the PBE/TZ2P density functional method. It was found that ethylene insertion into the M—C bond of the L₂MMe⁺ cations is energetically favorable (ΔG ⁰ = −7.6—−13.6 kcal mol⁻¹). The calculated energy barriers to reactions lie in a wide range 39.8 to 75.6 kcal mol⁻¹. The lowest energy barriers were obtained for tin cations bearing hexa- and heptafluoroacetylacetonate substituents. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1338–1347, July, 2008.     

The nature of ion exchange selectivity of phenol-formaldehyde sorbents with respect to cesium and rubidium ions

The structure of aqua complexes of alkali metal ions Me⁺(H₂O) _n , n = 1−6, where Me is Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs, and complexes of 2,6-dimethylphenolate anion (CH₃)₂PhO⁻ selected as a model of the elementary unit of phenol-formaldehyde ion exchanger with hydrated alkali metal cations Me⁺(H₂O) _n , n = 0−5, was studied by the density functional method. The energies of successive hydration of the cations and the energies of binding of alkali metal hydrated cations with (CH₃)₂PhO⁻ depending on the number of water molecules n were calculated. It was shown that the dimethylphenolate ion did not have specific selectivity with respect to cesium and rubidium ions. The energies of hydration and the energies of binding of alkali metal cations with (CH₃)₂PhO⁻ decreased in the series Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ as n increased. The conclusion was drawn that the reason for selectivity of phenol-formaldehyde and other phenol compounds with respect to cesium and rubidium ions was the predomination of the ion dehydration stage in the transfer from an aqueous solution to the phenol phase compared with the stage of binding with ion exchange groups.     

One Novel Cu(II)–Amino Acid Schiff Base Complex Derived from Salicylaldehyde and L-Serine: Identification of Unusual Monodentate 4,4′-Bipyridine

One novel copper(II) complex [Cu(L)(4,4′-bipy)](ClO₄) (1), (where L: tridentate Schiff base derived from salicylaldehyde and L-serine) has been synthesised and characterised by spectroscopic and electrochemical studies. The single-crystal structure of the complex was determined. The crystal structure features the presence of [Cu(L)(4,4′-bipy)]⁺ cations and ClO₄⁻ anions aggregated by hydrogen bonding. Here, 4,4′-bipyridine functions as a monodentate ligand, which appears to be an unusual phenomenon.