Fragmentation pathways of 2,3‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dinitrobutane cations in the gas phase

2,3‐Dimethyl‐2,3‐dinitrobutane (DMNB) is an explosive taggant added to plastic explosives during manufacture making them more susceptible to vapour‐phase detection systems. In this study, the formation and detection of gas‐phase [M+H]⁺, [M+Li]⁺, [M+NH₄]⁺ and [M+Na]⁺ adducts of DMNB was achieved using electrospray ionisation on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The [M+H]⁺ ion abundance was found to have a strong dependence on ion source temperature, decreasing markedly at source temperatures above 50°C. In contrast, the [M+Na]⁺ ion demonstrated increasing ion abundance at source temperatures up to 105°C. The relative susceptibility of DMNB adduct ions toward dissociation was investigated by collision‐induced dissociation. Probable structures of product ions and mechanisms for unimolecular dissociation have been inferred based on fragmentation patterns from tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra of source‐formed ions of normal and isotopically labelled DMNB, and quantum chemical calculations. Both thermal and collisional activation studies suggest that the [M+Na]⁺ adduct ions are significantly more stable toward dissociation than their protonated analogues and, as a consequence, the former provide attractive targets for detection by contemporary rapid screening methods such as desorption electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2009 Commonwealth of Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography for the determination of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane as a marking agent for explosives

This paper investigates the detection of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB), a marking agent in explosives, by gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detection using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) as a sample preparation technique. The 25,27-dihydroxy-26,28-oxy (2′,7′-dioxo-3′,6′-diazaoctyl) oxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene/hydroxy-terminated silicone oil coated fiber was highly sensitive to trap DMNB from ammonium nitrate matrix. The analysis was performed by extracting 2 g of explosives for 30 s at room temperature and then immediately introducing into the heated GC injector for 1 min of thermal desorption. The method showed good linearity in the range from 0.01 to 1.0 μg/g. The relative standard deviations for these extractions were <8%. The calculated limit of detection for DMNB (S/N = 3) was 4.43 × 10⁻⁴ μg/g, which illustrates that the proposed systems are suitable for explosive detection at trace level. This is the first report of an SPME-GC system shown to extract marking agent in explosives for subsequent detection in a simple, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive manner.     

Highly Sensitive Voltammetric Speciation and Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in Water and Alloy Samples Using Ammonium 2‐Amino‐1‐Cyclopentene‐1‐Dithiocarboxylate

A simple, fast, reproducible (2.5% RSD at 3.0 μg/L), and sensitive method is described for quantifying As(III) (0.3 μg/L detection limit, 0.5–440 μg/L dynamic range). Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) is performed after accumulating arsenic at a mercury film electrode at ?0.350 V vs. Ag/AgCl (saturated KCl) for 20 s in 0.2 M HCl containing 8 μM ammonium 2‐amino‐1‐cyclopentene‐1‐dithiocarboxylate (AACD), without oxygen removal. This is the first report of using AACD in ASV and in electrochemical quantification of As(III). Total arsenic is determined after sodium‐sulfite‐reduction of As(V) to As(III). Interferences are minimal. Method validation involved water and metal alloy samples.     

Characterization of DMNB,a detection agent for explosives,by thermal analysis and solid state NMR

The thermal properties of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB), a detection agent for explosives, have been determined by DSC measurements. Additionally, the results of an NMR study are compared with conclusions arrived at in the literature with regard to the source of two endotherms observed in the DSC. The thermal decomposition of DMNB is characterized by an exotherm with an energy in excess of 3 kJ g^?1, observed in conjunction with a third endotherm resulting from the fusion of DMNB. Arrhenius parameters determined from both variable heating rate and isothermal measurements in the DSC are compared with predicted values assuming various mechanisms for the decomposition process.     

Synthesis of Ferrocene Based Naphthoquinones and its Application as Novel Non‐enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide

At present, a highly sensitive hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor is fabricated by ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivatives as 2,3‐Diferrocenyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone and 2‐bromo‐3‐ferrocenyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone. These ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivatives are characterized by H‐NMR and C‐NMR. The electrochemical properties of these ferrocene based naphthaquinone are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The modified electrode with ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivatives exhibits an improved voltammetric response to the H₂O₂ redox reaction. 2‐bromo‐3‐ferrocenyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone show excellent non‐enzymatic sensing ability towards H₂O₂ response with a detection limitation of 2.7 μmol/L a wide detection range from 10 μM to 400 μM in H₂O₂ detection. The sensor also exhibits short response time (1 s) and good sensitivity of 71.4 μA mM^?1 cm^?2 and stability. Furthermore, the DPV method exhibited very high sensitivity (18999 μA mM^?1 cm^?2) and low detection limit (0.66 μM) compared to the CA method. Ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivative based sensors have a lower cost and high stability. Thus, this novel non‐enzyme sensor has potential application in H₂O₂ detection.     

Fluorescent detection of nitroaromatics and 2,3-dimethyl 2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB) by a zinc complex: (salophen)Zn

Fluorescent sensors for the detection of chemical explosives are in great demand. It is shown herein that the fluorescence of ZnL* (H2L=N,N'-phenylene-bis-(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine)) is quenched in solution by nitroaromatics and 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB), chemical signatures of explosives. The relationship between the structure and fluorescence of ZnL is explored, and crystal structures of three forms of ZnL(base), (base=ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, pyridine) are reported, with the base=ethanol structure exhibiting a four-centered hydrogen bonding array. Solution structures are monitored by 1H NMR and molecular weight determination, revealing a dimeric structure in poor donor solvents which converts to a monomeric structure in the presence of good donor solvents or added Lewis bases to form five-coordinate ZnL(base). Fluorescence wavelengths and quantum yields in solution are nearly insensitive to monomer-dimer interconversion, as well as to the identity of the Lewis base; in contrast, the emission wavelength in the solid state varies for different ZnL(base) due to pi-stacking. Nitroaromatics and DMNB are moderately efficient quenchers of ZnL*, with Stern-Volmer constants KSV=2-49 M-1 in acetonitrile solution.     

Simultaneous and Sensitive Detection of Cd(II) and Pb(II) Using a Novel Bismuth Film/Ordered Mesoporous Carbon‐molecular Wire Modified Graphite Carbon Paste Electrode

An electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous and sensitive detection of Cd(II) and Pb(II) is proposed on the basis of square‐wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) experiments using a novel bismuth film/ordered mesoporous carbon‐molecular wire modified graphite carbon paste electrode (Bi/OMC‐MW/GCPE). Ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) and molecular wire (MW) (diphenylacetylene) were used as the modifier and binder, respectively. The Bi/OMC‐MW/GCPE was prepared with the addition of graphite powder, OMC and DPA at the ratio of 2 : 1 : 1. The electrochemical properties and morphology of the electrode were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), SWASV and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The parameters affecting the stripping current response were investigated and optimized. The experimental results show that the prepared electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, good electrical conductivity and a high stripping voltammetric response. Under optimized conditions, a linear range was achieved over a concentration range from 1.0 to 70.0 μg/L for both Cd(II) and Pb(II) metal ions, with detection limits of 0.07 μg/L for Cd(II) and 0.08 μg/L for Pb(II) (S/N=3) with the deposition time 150 s. Moreover, the sensor exhibited improved sensitivity and reproducibility compared to traditional CPEs. The fabricated electrode was then successfully used to satisfactorily detect Cd(II) and Pb(II) in real soil samples.     

Selenium speciation in tea by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography after derivatization with 2,3‐diaminonaphthalene

Selenium is an important element for human health, and it is present in many natural drinks and foods. Present study described a new method using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography with a UV variable wavelength detector for the determination of the total selenium, Se(IV), Se(VI), and total organoselenium in tea samples. In the procedure, 2,3‐diaminonaphthalene was used as the chelating reagent, 400 μL acetonitrile was used as the disperser solvent and 60 μL chlorobenzene was used as the extraction solvent. The complex of Se(IV) and 2,3‐diaminonaphthalene in the final extracted phase was analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The factors influencing the derivatization and microextraction were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection was 0.11 μg/L for Se(IV) and the linearity range was in the range of 0.5–40 μg/L. This method was successfully applied to the determination of selenium in four tea samples with spiked recoveries ranging from 91.3 to 100%.     

Electropolymerization of 2,3‐diaminophenol

The optima conditions to electrosynthesize poly(2,3‐diaminophenol) by electro‐oxidation of the monomer were determined, and the electrodeposits obtained characterized by electrochemical methods, UV‐vis, FTIR, conductivity and viscosity measurements. The influence of parameters such as electrolytical medium and electrochemical conditions on the electro‐oxidation of 2,3‐diaminophenol were also investigated. It has been established that appropriate deposits are obtained only when very anhydrous acetonitrile is used as solvent. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1698–1703, 2000     

Catalytic Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Cobalt and Nickel as Their α‐Furil Dioxime Complexes

The exploitation of the catalytic‐adsorptive effect in the Co(II)‐dioxime‐nitrite systems provides a significant increase of the Co adsorptive stripping voltammetric response and subsequently the influence of the interfering elements such as Ni and Zn is strongly diminished. The purpose of the present paper was to study voltammetric properties of Co and Ni in a supporting electrolyte containing ammonia buffer, α‐furil dioxime in the absence and in the presence of nitrite, by differential pulse polarography and adsorptive stripping voltammetry. Results of detailed studies aimed at optimizing the analytical parameters for simultaneous catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of Co and Ni in the form of complexes with α‐furil dioxime in the presence of Zn matrix are presented. In the supporting electrolyte of composition 0.1 M NH₄Cl, 0.5 M NH₃, 4×10^?5 M αFD, 0.5 M NaNO₂ the linearity range amounts from 0.03 to 2.4 μg/L for Co and from 0.3 to 9 μg/L for Ni for 20 s of accumulation. The method enables the determination of Co and Ni in the presence of a great excess of Zn with the detection limit equal to 0.02 μg/L Co and 0.2 μg/L Ni obtained for a 20 s accumulation time.     

Voltammetric Determination of Uric Acid at a Fullerene‐C60‐Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Glassy carbon electrode modified by microcrystals of fullerene‐C₆₀ mediates the voltammetric determination of uric acid (UA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). Interference of AA was overcome owing to the ability of pretreated fullerene‐C₆₀‐modified glassy carbon electrode. Based on its strong catalytic function towards the oxidation of UA and AA, the overlapping voltammetric response of uric acid and ascorbic acid is resolved into two well‐defined voltammetric peaks with lowered oxidation potential and enhanced oxidation currents under conditions of both linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and Osteryoung square‐wave voltammetry (OSWV). At pH 7.2, a linear calibration graph is obtained for UA in linear sweep voltammetry over the range from 0.5 μM to 700 μM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9904 and a sensitivity of 0.0215 μA μM^?1 . The detection limit (3σ) is 0.2 μM for standard solution. AA in less than four fold excess does not interfere. The sensitivity and detection limit in OSWV were found as 0.0255 μA μM^?1 and 0.12 μM, for standard solution respectively. The presence of physiologically common interferents (i.e. adenine, hypoxanthine and xanthine) negligibly affects the response of UA. The fullerene‐C₆₀‐modified electrode exhibited a stable, selective and sensitive response to uric acid in the presence of interferents.     

Microchip Separation and Electrochemical Detection of Amino Acids and Peptides Following Precolumn Derivatization with Naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxyaldehyde

An integrated microfluidic device is used to derivatize, separate, and amperometrically detect amino acids and peptides in the presence of naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxyaldehyde (NDA). The integrated system offers a rapid (4 min) simultaneous measurements of 5 amino acids (Arg, Lys, Gly, Cys, PhenA) down to the 3.2 μM level in connection to a precolumn reaction chamber, an electrophoretic separation channel, and an end‐column thick‐film carbon‐electrode detector. The effect of the separation voltage, detection potential, reagent concentration, and other variables on the response is examined. Calibration and precision experiments indicate a linear and reproducible response. Applicability for the separation and detection of small peptides is demonstrated. Such on‐chip generation of electroactive products offers great promise for detecting other nonelectroactive analytes.     

Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Horseradish Peroxidase at Disposable Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrode

A rapid, simple and sensitive electrochemical assay of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) performed on disposable screen‐printed carbon electrode was developed. HRP activities were monitored by square‐wave voltammetric (SWV) measuring the electroactive enzymatic product in the presence of o‐aminophenol and hydrogen peroxide substrate solution. SWV analysis demonstrated a greater sensitivity and shorter analysis time than the widely used amperometric and differential‐pulsed voltammetric methods. The voltammetric characteristics of substrate and enzymatic product as well as the parameters of SWV analysis were optimized. Under optimized conditions, a linear response for HRP from 0.003 to 0.1 U/mL and a detection limit of 0.002 U/mL (1.25×10^?15 mol in 25 μL) were obtained with a good precision (RSD=8%; n=6). This rapid and sensitive HRP assay with microliter‐assay volume could be readily integrated to portable devices and point‐of‐care (POC) diagnosis applications.     

Rapid and Sensitive Determination of Dinotefuran Residue Based on Electrochemical Enhancement of β‐cyclodextrin‐Graphene Composite

A rapid method for sensitive voltammetric determination of dinotefuran residue was reported. The proposed method was based on the electrocatalytic reduction of dinotefuran on β‐cyclodextrin‐graphene composite modified glassy carbon electrode (β‐CD‐rGO/GCE), giving rise to a higher reduction signal to dinotefuran relative to the bare (GCE) and graphene modified electrode (rGO/GCE). Moreover, a further signal enhancement was observed when the modified electrode incubated in solution at low temperature (0 °C) for a short time. The reduction mechanism and binding affinity were also discussed. The external standard calibration curve was obtained from linear sweep voltammetry in the range of 0.5 to 16.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.10 μM. In addition to optimization of pretreatment, this electrochemical method has been applied to the dinotefuran residue determination in millet samples with the detection limit of 0.01 mg kg^?1 and compared with an high performance liquid chromatography method. The proposed electrode and analysis methods were proven to be sensitive, accurate and rapid under the used conditions.     

A Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor for Voltammetric Determination of Ganciclovir Based on Au‐ZnS Nanocomposite

An electrode modified with ZnS and gold nanoparticles (Au‐ZnS NPs) is introduced for highly sensitive voltammetric determination of ganciclovir (GCV). Surface structure and topography of the modified electrode was studied by SEM, EDX and XRD techniques. Electrochemical oxidation of GCV was investigated by cyclic (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) in Briton‐Robinson buffer solution (pH 1.5). The results showed that electrochemical oxidation of GCV at the Au‐ZnS modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is irreversible and exhibited diffusion controlled electrode process over the pH range from 1.0 to 6.0. The oxidation potential peak and pH relationship showed that electrons and protons were transferred simultaneously over the electrochemical oxidation process. Using the proposed sensor, the linear calibration curves were obtained in the ranges of 0.04–1.50 μM and 1.5–70.0 μM with detection limit of 0.01 μM GCV by SWV technique. The modified electrode was successfully applied as a sensitive, reproducible and repeatable sensor for determination of the trace amount of GCV in human serum, urine and cymevene vials. Reasonable results were obtained from comparing the measurements of the real samples by the new sensor to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a standard method.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of 2‐Thiouracil and 2‐Thiobarbituric Acid at a Carbon‐Paste Electrode Modified with Cobalt Phthalocyanine

Voltammetric behavior of two mercaptopyrimidine derivatives (2‐thiouracil and 2‐thiobarbituric acid) has been studied by cyclic voltammetry at a cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc)‐modified carbon‐paste electrode. The results of voltammetric determinations showed that the CoPc in the matrix of modified electrode acts as catalyst for electrooxidation of these thiols (RSH), lowering the overpotential of the reaction and significantly increasing the sensitivity for detection of thiols in neutral conditions. The results of voltammetric and polarization measurements in solutions with various pHs were used for prediction of the mechanism of electrocatalytic oxidation at the surface of modified electrode. These results showed that at the modified electrode, electrochemical oxidation of thiolate anion (RS^?) is the rate‐determining step. It was found that the modified electrode exhibits good selectivity for catalytic oxidation of mercaptopyrimidines over other biologically important mercaptans such as cysteine, glutathione and thioglycolic acid. The results demonstrate that the peak current for thiol oxidation has a linear variation with the concentration in the range of 1×10^?2–1×10^?5 M. This system can be used for sensitive and selective voltammetric detection of mercaptopyrimidine derivatives.     

Methyl Parathion Degrading Enzyme‐based Nano‐hybrid Biosensor for Enhanced Methyl Parathion Recognition

Enzyme‐based electrochemical biosensors with sufficient sensing specificity are useful analytical tools for detection of biologically important substances in complicated systems. Here, we present the design of a nano‐hybrid biosensor for the specific and sensitive detection of methyl parathion (MP). The nano‐hybrid sensing film was prepared via the formation of Au nanoparticals (AuNPs) on silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), mixing with multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNTs) and subsequent immobilization of methyl parathion degrading enzyme (MPD). The fabrication procedure was characterized by scanning electron images, linear scan voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The combined MPD exhibited high affinity to it substrate and thus a selective, sensitive, fast and cheap method for determination of MP, quantitatively was proposed. A significant synergistic effect of nano‐hybrid on the biosensor performance was observed in biosensing MP. The square wave voltammetric responses displayed well defined peaks, linearly proportional to the concentration of MP in the range from 0.001 to 5.0 μg/mL with a detection limit of 0.3 ng/mL. The proposed biosensor also showed good precision and reproducibility, acceptable stability and accuracy in garlic samples analysis. It provided a platform for the simple and fast construction of biosensors with good performance for the determination of enzyme‐specific electroactive species.     

Properties of Poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate)‐Ionic Liquid Composite Film and Its Application in the Determination of Trace Metals Combined with Bismuth Film Electrode

A new kind of bismuth film modified electrode to sensitively detect trace metal ions based on incorporating highly conductive ionic liquids 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆) in solid matrices at glassy carbon (GC) was investigated. Poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS), silica, and Nafion were selected as the solid matrices. The electrochemical properties of the mixed films modified GC were evaluated. The electron transfer rate of Fe(CN)₆^4?/Fe(CN)₆^3? can be effectively improved at the PSS‐BMIMPF₆ modified GC. The bismuth modified PSS‐BMIMPF₆ composite film electrodes (GC/PSS‐BMIMPF₆/BiFEs) displayed high mechanical stability and sensitive stripping voltammetric performances for the determination of trace metal cations. The GC/PSS‐BMIMPF₆/BiFE exhibited well linear response to both Cd(II) and Pb(II) over a concentration range from 1.0 to 50 μg L^?1. And the detection limits were 0.07 μg L^?1 for Cd(II) and 0.09 μg L^?1 for Pb(II) based on three times the standard deviation of the baseline with a preconcentration time of 120 s, respectively. Finally, the GC/PSS‐BMIMPF₆/BiFEs were successfully applied to the determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in real sample, and the results of present method agreed well with those of atomic absorption spectroscopy.     

Cathodized Gold Nanoparticle‐Modified Graphite Pencil Electrode for Non‐Enzymatic Sensitive Voltammetric Detection of Glucose

A highly sensitive enzymeless electrochemical glucose sensor has been developed based on the simply prepared cathodized gold nanoparticle‐modified graphite pencil electrode (AuNP‐GPE). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments show that AuNP‐GPE is able to oxidize glucose partially at low potential (around −0.27) whereas the bare GPE cannot oxidize glucose in the entire tested potential windows. Besides, fructose and sucrose cannot be oxidized at potential lower than +0.1 V at AuNP‐GPE. As a result, the glucose oxidation peak at around −0.27 V is suitable enough for selective detection of glucose in the presence of fructose and sucrose. Cathodization of AuNP‐GPE under optimum condition (‐1.0 V for 30 s) in the same glucose solution before voltammetric measurement enhanced glucose oxidation peak current around −0.27 V to achieve an efficient electrochemical sensor for glucose with a detection limit of 12 μM and dynamic range between 0.05 to 5.0 mM with a good linearity (R²= 0.999). Almost no interference effect was observed for sensing of glucose in the presence of ascorbic acid, alanine, phenylalanine, fructose, sucrose, and NaCl.     

Highly Selective “Turn‐On” Fluorescent and Colorimetric Sensing of Fluoride Ion Using 2‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dihydroquinolin‐4(1 H)‐one based on Excited‐State Proton Transfer

A simple, highly selective and sensitive colorimetric system for the detection of fluoride ion in an aqueous medium has been developed using 2‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dihydroquinolin‐4(1 H)‐one. This system allows selective “turn‐on” fluorescence detection of fluoride ion, which is found to be dependent upon guest basicity. An excited‐state proton transfer is proposed to be the signaling mechanism, which is rationalized by DFT and TD‐DFT calculations. The present sensor can also be applied to detect fluoride levels in real water samples.