Cellulose based macromolecular chelator having pyrocatechol as an anchored ligand: synthesis and applications as metal extractant prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Pyrocatechol is immobilized on cellulose via ---NH---CH₂---CH₂---NH---SO₂---C₆H₄---N=N--- linker and the resulting macromolecular chelator characterized by IR, TGA, CPMAS ¹³C NMR and elemental analyses. It has been used for enrichment of Cu(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Co(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The pH ranges for quantitative sorption (98.0–99.4%) are 4.0–7.0, 5.0–6.0, 3.0–4.0, 5.0–7.0, 5.0–8.0, 7.0–8.0 and 4.0–5.0, respectively. The desorption was found quantitative with 0.5 mol dm⁻³ HCl/HNO₃ (for Pb). The sorption capacity of the matrix for the seven metal ions has been found in the range 85.3–186.2 μmol g⁻¹. The optimum flow rate of metal ion solution for quantitative sorption of metal onto pyrocatechol functionalized cellulose as determined by column method, is 2–6 cm³ min⁻¹, whereas for desorption it is 2–4 cm³ min⁻¹. The tolerance limits for NaCl, NaBr, NaI, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄, Na₃PO_4, humic acid, EDTA, ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium tartrate, Ca(II) and Mg(II) in the sorption of all the seven metal ions are reported. Ascorbic acid is tolerable up to 0.8 mmol dm⁻³ with Cu and Pb where as sodium tartrate does not interfere up to 0.6 mmol dm⁻³ with Pb. There is no interference of NaBr, NaCl and NaNO₃ up to a concentration of 0.5 mol dm⁻³, in the sorption of Cu(II), Cd(II) and Fe(III) on to the chelating cellulose matrix The preconcentration factors are between 75 and 300 and t_1/2 values ≤5 min for all the metal ions. Simultaneous sorption of Cu, Zn, Ni and Co is possible at pH 5.0 if their total concentration does not exceed lowest sorption capacity. The present matrix coupled with FAAS has been used to enrich and determine the seven metal ions in river and tap water samples (relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) 1.05–7.20%) and synthetic certified water sample SLRS-4 (NRC, Canada) with R.S.D. 2.03%. The cobalt present in pharmaceutical vitamin tablets was also preconcentrated on the modified cellulose and determined by FAAS (R.S.D. 1.87%).     

8-Hydroxyquinoline anchored to silica gel via new moderate size linker: synthesis and applications as a metal ion collector for their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination

The silica gel modified with (3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane) was reacted with 5-formyl-8-hydroxyquinoline (FHOQ_x) to anchor 8-quinolinol ligand on the silica gel. It was characterised with cross polarisation magic angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transformation (DRIFT) spectroscopy and used for the preconcentration of Cu(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), Cd(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The surface area of the modified silica gel has been found to be 227 m² g⁻¹ and the two pKa values as 3.8 and 8.0. The optimum pH ranges for quantitative sorption are 4.0–7.0, 4.5–7.0, 3.0–6.0, 5.0–8.0, 5.0–8.0, 5.0–8.0 and 4.0–7.0 for Cu, Pb, Fe, Zn, Co, Ni and Cd, respectively. All the metals can be desorbed with 2.5 mol l⁻¹ HCl or HNO₃. The sorption capacity for these metal ions is in range of 92–448.0 μmol g⁻¹ and follows the order Cd3, NaCl, NaBr, Na₂SO₄ and Na₃PO₄, glycine, sodium citrate, EDTA, humic acid and cations Ca(II), Mg(II), Mn(II) and Cr(III) in the sorption of all the seven metal ions are reported. The preconcentration factors are 150, 250, 200, 300, 250, 300 and 200 for Cd, Co, Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe and Ni, respectively and t_1/2 values <1 min except for Ni. The 95% extraction by batch method takes ≤25 min. The simultaneous enrichment and determination of all the metals are possible if the total load of the metal ions is less than sorption capacity. In river water samples all these metal ions were enriched with the present ligand anchored silica gel and determined with flame atomic absorption spectrometer (R.S.D.≤6.4%). Cobalt contents of pharmaceutical samples (vitamin tablet) were preconcentrated with the present chelating silica gel and estimated by flame AAS, with R.S.D.1.4%. The results are in the good agreement with the certified value, 1.99 μg g⁻¹ of the tablets. Iron and copper in certified reference materials (synthetic) SLRS-4 and SLEW-3 have been enriched with the modified silica gel and estimated with R.S.D.<5%.     

Pyrocatechol Violet immobilized Amberlite XAD-2: synthesis and metal-ion uptake properties suitable for analytical applications

Amberlite XAD-2 has been functionalized by coupling it, through the ---N=N--- group, with Pyrocatechol Violet (PV), and the resulting resin has been characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and IR spectra. The resin has been used for preconcentrating Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum pH values for quantitative sorption are 5, 5–7, 4, and 3 for Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni, respectively. The four metals can be desorbed (recovery ˜98%) with 4 M HNO₃; also, 4 M HCl is equally suitable except for Zn. The sorption capacity of the resin is 1410, 1270, 620 and 1360 μg g⁻¹ resin for Zn, Cd, Ni and Pb, respectively. The effect of F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ and PO₄³⁻ on the sorption of these four metal ions has been investigated. They are tolerable in the range 0.01–0.20 M, for Pb. In the sorption of Zn(II) and Ni(II), the tolerance limits of all these ions are upto 0.01 M, whereas for Cd(II), F⁻, NO₃⁻, and PO₄³⁻ have been found to be tolerable upto 0.50, 0.10 and 0.10 M, respectively. The preconcentration factors are 60, 50, 23 and 18 for Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni, respectively. Simultaneous collection and determination of the four metals are possible. Cations commonly present in drinking water do not affect the sorption of either metal ion if present at a concentration level similar to that of water. The method has been applied to determine Zn, Ni and Pb content of well-water samples (RSD ≤9%).     

A new chelating sorbent for metal ion extraction under high saline conditions

A new chelating polymeric sorbent was developed by functionalizing Amberlite XAD-16 with 1,3-dimethyl-3-aminopropan-1-ol via a simple condensation mechanism. The newly developed chelating matrix offered a high resin capacity and faster sorption kinetics for the metal ions such as Mn(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II). Various physio-chemical parameters like pH-effect, kinetics, eluant volume and flow rate, sample breakthrough volume, matrix interference effect on the metal ion sorption have been studied. The optimum pH range for the sorption of the above mentioned metal ions were 6.0–7.5, 6.0–7.0, 8.0–8.5, 7.0–7.5, 6.5–7.5, 7.5–8.5 and 6.5–7.0, respectively. The resin capacities for Mn(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) were found to be 0.62, 0.23, 0.55, 0.27, 0.46, 0.21 and 0.25 mmol g⁻¹ of the resin, respectively. The lower limit of detection was 10 ng ml⁻¹ for Cd(II), 40 ng ml⁻¹ for Mn(II) and Zn(II), 32 ng ml⁻¹ for Ni(II), 25 ng ml⁻¹ for Cu(II) and Co(II) and 20 ng ml⁻¹ for Pb(II). A high preconcentration value of 300 in the case of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II),Cd(II) and a value of 500 and 250 for Pb(II) and Zn(II), respectively, were achieved. A recovery of >98% was obtained for all the metal ions with 4 M HCl as eluting agent except in the case of Cu(II) where in 6 M HCl was necessary. The chelating polymer showed low sorption behavior to alkali and alkaline earth metals and also to various inorganic anionic species present in saline matrix. The method was applied for metal ion determination from water samples like seawater, well water and tap water and also from green leafy vegetable, from certified multivitamin tablets and steel samples.     

Simultaneous separation and preconcentration of trace elements in water samples by coprecipitation on manganese dioxide using D-glucose as reductant for KMnO(4)

A field oriented and economical method of coprecipitation of trace elements like Al, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Ti, V, W, Zn and REE has been developed. A novel reductant D-glucose, reduces KMnO₄ in solution to form a precipitate of MnO_2. Two liters of clear natural water sample is adjusted to pH 3.5–4.0, and is treated with 10 ml of 1% KMnO₄ and 20 ml of 0.1% D-glucose. The sample is heated at a temperature of 75–80 °C, MnO₂ is formed which coprecipitates the above trace elements. The precipitate is separated by filtration, dissolved in 2 ml of 50% HCl and 2 ml of 30% H₂O₂ and diluted to 25 ml for analysis using AAS and ICP-AES. The recoveries were found to be 96–105%. The preconcentration factor is 80. Limits of determination by the proposed method in natural waters are 1 μg l⁻¹ for Al, Cd, Mo, V, W, Ti and Zn, 5 μg l⁻¹ for Au, Bi, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Pd and 8 μg l⁻¹ for REE. The RSD of the present procedure (n=5) is 8% at 5 μg l⁻¹ level. Twenty water samples can be analyzed by an analyst in an 8-h day.     

Detection and spectrophotometric determination of EDTA with cobalt(II) and phosphomolybdic acid in urine and detergents

A simple, rapid, sensitive and selective method for the microgram detection and spectrophotometric determination of EDTA in water, human urine and detergents, based on its reaction with Co(II) and phosphomolybdic acid at pH 0.5–2.0 is reported. Absorbance is measured against Co(II)–phosphomolybdic acid reference solution at 750 nm. The effect of time, temperature, pH and Co(II) or phosphomolybdic acid concentration is studied, and optimum operating conditions are established. Beer's law is applicable in the concentration range 0.3–1.9 μg ml⁻¹ of 10⁻⁵M EDTA. Its detection limit is 0.14 μg in the solution phase and 0.03 μg in the resin phase. The relative standard deviation is ±0.13 μg. Ag(I), Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Ca(II), Mg(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), U(VI), chloride, nitrite, phosphate, oxalate, borate and amino acids do not interfere.     

Amberlite XAD-7 impregnated with Xylenol Orange: a chelating collector for preconcentration of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) ions prior to their determination by flame AAS

A new chelating resin, Xylenol Orange coated Amberlite XAD-7, was prepared and used for preconcentration of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The optimum pH values for quantitative sorption of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) are 4.5-5.0, 4.5, 4.0-5.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 5.0-7.0, respectively, and their desorptions by 2 mol L(-1) HCl are instantaneous. The sorption capacity of the resin has been found to be 2.0, 2.6, 1.6, 1.6, 2.6 and 1.8 mg g(-1) of resin for Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn, respectively. The tolerance limits of electrolytes, NaCl, NaF, NaI, NaNO3, Na2SO4 and of cations, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in the sorption of the six metal ions are reported. The preconcentration factor was between 50 and 200. The t1/2 values for sorption are found to be 5.3, 2.9, 3.2, 3.3, 2.5 and 2.6 min for the six metals, respectively. The recoveries are between 96.0 and 100.0% for the different metals at preconcentration limits between 10 to 40 ng mL(-1). The preconcentration method has been applied to determine the six metal ions in river water samples after destroying the organic matter (if present in very large amount) with concentrated nitric acid (RSD < or = 8%, except for Cd for which it is upto 12.6%) and cobalt content of vitamin tablets with RSD of approximately 3.0%.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of novel Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) mixed ligand complexes with saccharin and nicotinamide

Four novel mixed ligand complexes of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) with saccharin and nicotinamide were synthesised and characterised on the basis of elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopic study, UV–Vis spectrometric and magnetic susceptibility data. The structure of the Cu (II) complex is completely different from those of the Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes. From the frequencies of the saccharinato CO and SO₂ modes, it has been proven that the saccharinato ligands in the structure of the Cu complex are coordinated to the metal ion ([Cu(NA)₂(Sac)₂(H₂O)], where NA — nicotinamide, Sac — saccharinato ligand or ion), whilst in the Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes are uncoordinated and exist as ions ([M(NA)₂(H₂O)₄](Sac)₂).     

Persulphate quenching of the excited state of ruthenium(II) tris-bipyridyl dication: thermal reactions

The rate constant for the reaction between the sulphate radical (SO₄^√−) and the ruthenium (II) tris-bipyridyl dication (Ru(bipy)₃²⁺) is (3.3±0.2)×10⁹ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ in 1 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄ and (4.9±0.5)×10⁹ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ in 0.1 mol dm⁻³, pH 4.7 acetate buffer. The SO₄^√−radical produced by the electron transfer quenching of Ru(bipy)₃^2+* by S₂O₈²⁻ reacts rapidly with both acetate buffer and chloride ions. These side reactions result in a reduction in the overall quantum yield of Ru(bipy)₃³⁺ production and reduced reaction selectivity when Ru(bipy)₃^2+* is quenched by persulphate.     

Multi-elemental analysis of non-food packaging materials by inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometry

Commercial non-food packaging materials of four different matrices (paper, low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene-polypropylene (PE-PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE)) were examined for the content of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb and U. The examined samples (0.17–0.35 g) were digested in HNO₃ and H₂O₂ (papers, LDPE and PE-PP) and in HNO₃, H₂SO₄ and H₂O₂ (HDPE) using microwave assisted high pressure system. The inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometry (ICP-TOFMS) has been employed as the detection technique. All measurements were carried out using internal standardization. Yttrium and rhodium (50 ng g⁻¹) were used as internal standards. The detection and quantification limits obtained were in the range of 0.005 ng g⁻¹ (⁵²Cr) to 0.51 ng g⁻¹ (⁶⁶Zn) and 0.015 μg g⁻¹ (⁵²Cr) to 2.02 μg g⁻¹ (⁶⁶Zn) of dry mass, respectively. The evaluated contents (mg kg⁻¹) of particular elements in the examined materials were as follows: 0.22–219; <1.05–9.03; 1.25–112; <2.02–449; <0.98–<1.30; <0.36–2.06; <0.29–113; <0.22–44.1; <0.06–57.4; <0.66–<0.88; <0.08–0.24; <0.13–1222 and <0.08–0.44 for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb and U, respectively.     

Potentiometric study of Cd(II) and Pb(II) complexation with two high molecular weight poly(acrylic acids); comparison with Cu(II) and Ni(II)

The cadmium (II) or lead (II) complex formation with two poly(acrylic acids) of high molecular weight (Mw=2.5×10⁵ and 3×10⁶) was investigated in dilute aqueous solution (NaNO₃ 0.1 mol l⁻¹; 25°C). Potentiometric titrations were carried out to determine the stability constants of the MA and MA₂ complex species formed. Bjerrum’s method, modified by Gregor et al. (J. Phys. Chem. 59 (1955) 34–39), for the study of polymeric acids was used. The results were compared to those previously obtained in the same conditions with copper (II) and nickel (II) . It appeared that the two polymers under study present similar binding properties and that the stability constants of the complex species formed increased in the following order, depending on the metal ion: Ni(II)β₁₀₂ was found to be close to 7.0) and allowed the formation of the predominant PbA₂ species in a quite large pH domain. Finally, the greater stability of PAA complexes compared to those of their monomeric analogs, glutaric and acetic acids, was confirmed.     

Amberlite XAD-7 impregnated with Xylenol Orange: a chelating collector for preconcentration of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) ions prior to their determination by flame AAS

A new chelating resin, Xylenol Orange coated Amberlite XAD-7, was prepared and used for preconcentration of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The optimum pH values for quantitative sorption of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) are 4.5–5.0, 4.5, 4.0–5.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 5.0–7.0, respectively, and their desorptions by 2 mol L^–1 HCl are instantaneous. The sorption capacity of the resin has been found to be 2.0, 2.6, 1.6, 1.6, 2.6 and 1.8 mg g^–1 of resin for Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn, respectively. The tolerance limits of electrolytes, NaCl, NaF, NaI, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄ and of cations, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the sorption of the six metal ions are reported. The preconcentration factor was between 50 and 200. The t_1/2 values for sorption are found to be 5.3, 2.9, 3.2, 3.3, 2.5 and 2.6 min for the six metals, respectively. The recoveries are between 96.0 and 100.0% for the different metals at preconcentration limits between 10 to 40 ng mL^–1. The preconcentration method has been applied to determine the six metal ions in river water samples after destroying the organic matter (if present in very large amount) with concentrated nitric acid (RSD ≤ 8%, except for Cd for which it is upto 12.6%) and cobalt content of vitamin tablets with RSD of ～ 3.0%.     

The efficacy of nitrosonaphthol functionalized XAD-16 resin for the preconcentration/sorption of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions

Amberlite XAD-16 resin has been functionalized using nitrosonaphthol as a ligand and characterized employing elemental, thermogravimetric analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The sorption of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions onto this functionalized resin is investigated and optimized with respect to the sorptive medium (pH), shaking speed and equilibration time between liquid and solid phases. The monitoring of the influence of diverse ions on the sorption of metal ions has revealed that phosphate, bicarbonate and citrate reduce the sorption up to 10–14%. The sorption data followed Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherms. The Freundlich parameters computed are 1/n = 0.56 ± 0.03 and 0.49 ± 0.05, A = 9.54 ± 1.5 and 6.0 ± 0.5 mmol g⁻¹ for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. D–R isotherm yields the values of X_m = 0.87 ± 0.07 and 0.35 ± 0.05 mmol g⁻¹ and of E = 9.5 ± 0.23 and 12.3 ± 0.6 kJ mol⁻¹ for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. Langmuir characteristic constants estimated are Q = 0.082 ± 0.005 and 0.063 ± 0.003 mmol g⁻¹, b = (4.7 ± 0.2) × 10⁴ and (7.31 ± 0.11) × 10⁴ l mol⁻¹ for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. The variation of sorption with temperature gives thermodynamic quantities of ΔH = −58.9 ± 0.12 and −40.38 ± 0.11 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS = −183 ± 10 and −130 ± 8 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and ΔG = −4.4 ± 0.09 and −2.06 ± 0.08 kJ mol⁻¹ at 298 K for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. Using kinetic equations, values of intraparticle transport and of first order rate constant have been computed for both the metal ions. The sorption procedure is utilized to preconcentrate these ions prior to their determination in tea, vegetable oil, hydrogenated oil (ghee) and palm oil by atomic absorption spectrometry using direct and standard addition methods.     

Metal speciation by coupled in situ graphite furnace electrodeposition and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The technique of coupled in situ electrodeposition–electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ED–ETAAS) is applied to the analytes Bi, Pb, Ni and Cu. Bi, Pb, Ni and Cu are deposited quantitatively from their EDTA complexes at E_cell=1.75, 2.0, 3.0 and 2.5 V, respectively (E_cell=E_anode−E_cathode+iR). By varying the cell potential, selective reduction of free metal ions could be achieved in the presence of the EDTA complexes. For Bi³⁺ and Pb²⁺ this utilised the voltage windows E_cell=0.6–1.0 and 1.8–2.0 V, respectively. For Ni, deposition at E_cell=1.7–2.0 V achieved substantial, but not complete, differentiation between Ni²⁺ (ca. 90–100% deposition) and Ni(EDTA)²⁻ (ca. 12–20% deposition). An adequate voltage window was not obtained for Cu. The ability of ED–ETAAS to differentiate between electrochemically labile and inert species was demonstrated by application of both ED–ETAAS and anodic stripping voltammetry to the time-dependent speciation of Pb in freshly mixed Pb²⁺–NaCl media. Application to natural water samples is complicated by adsorption of natural organic matter to the graphite cathode.     

Novel iodoammonium cations: Synthesis and characterization of o-C6H4(NH2)2IX (X = I, AsF6, AlI4)

The new iodoammonium salts o-C₆H₄(NH₂)₂I⁺I⁻ (1) and o-C₆H₄(NH₂)₂I⁺ AsF₆⁻ (2) were prepared by reaction of o-phenylene diamine with I₂ or I₃⁺AsF₆⁻, respectively. Compound 1 reacts with AlI₃ yielding quantitatively the corresponding tetraiodoaluminate o-C₆H₄(NH₂)₂I⁺AlI₄⁻ (3). The species were characterized by chemical analysis, vibrational (IR and Raman) and temperature-dependent ¹H NMR spectropscopy. Direct evidence for a N---I bond was found in the Raman spectra of 1, 2 and 3 (ν(NI) = 599–600 cm⁻¹).     

Synthesis, characterization and structure of complexes of o-aminophenol-N,N,O-triacetic acid with cobalt(II), nickel(II), manganese(II) and zinc(II)

The potassium salt of o-aminophenol-N,N,O-triacetic acid (APTA) and KMnL·H₂O, KCoL·3H₂O, KNiL·3H₂O, KZnL·3ZH₂O, Co(CoL)₂·7H₂O and Ni(NiL)₂·8H₂O(L³⁻:anion of APTA) have been synthesized and characterized by elementary analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, molar conductance, IR spectra, magnetic measurements and electronic spectra. The coordination environments of these metal ions have been discussed on the basis of these studies. The single crystal structure of cobalt(II)-APTA has been determined as CoL·0.5Co(H₂O)₆·4H₂O, which contains two types of cobalt(II). One type of cobalt(II) is coordinated with six water molecules to form Co(H₂O)₆²⁺, the other is chelated by APTA to form a distorted octahedron and linked into an infinite chain anion [COC₆H₄(OCH₂COO)N(CH₂COO)₂⁻]_n, in which each cobalt(II) atom is linked with neighbouring cobalt(II) atoms through two carboxylate oxygen atoms of the phenoxyacetate group. Water molecules occupy interstices in the structure.     

Determination of trace metal ions by AAS in natural water samples after preconcentration of pyrocatechol violet complexes on an activated carbon column

A simple preconcentration method is described for the determination of Cu, Mn, Co, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr in water samples by flame AAS. Trace metal ions in water were sorbed as pyrocatechol violet complexes on activated carbon column at the pH range of 4–8, then eluted with 1 M HNO₃ in acetone. The effect of major cations and anions of the natural water samples on the sorption of metal ions has been also investigated. The concentration of the metal ions detected after preconcentration was in agreement with the added amount. The present method was found to be applicable to the preconcentration of Cu, Mn, Co, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr in natural water samples with good results such as R.S.D. from 3 to 8% (N=10) and detection limits under 70 ng l⁻¹.     

Sorption of trace metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) by suspended lake particles in artificial (0.005 M NaNO3) and natural (Esthwaite Water) freshwaters

The sorption of Cu, Pb, and Zn onto natural lake particles, suspended in 0.005 M NaNO₃ solution and in a natural lake water (Esthwaite Water, Cumbria, UK), was studied as a function of pH and time in a series of laboratory experiments, under environmentally realistic conditions. The sorption of all three metals increased with increasing pH and reaction time (2 h and 7 days). In 0.005 M NaNO₃ solution, the well-defined sorption edges spanned 2–2.5 pH units for Cu and Pb, and ≈ 4 pH units for Zn. In the natural lake water, the Cu sorption edge was broader and both Cu and Zn were less strongly sorbed. The binding stability decreased in the order Pb>Cu>Zn. Competitive adsorption onto surface sites appeared to be the main factor determining the observed sorption behaviour. Application of a macroscopic metal exchange model to the 7 day NaNO₃ results enabled the surface site concentration to be estimated as 0.79 ± 0.07 mmol g⁻¹. The modelling exercise suggested that an observed shift in the sorption edge of Zn, in the presence of Pb and Cu, was due to competition for surface sites. The experimental data are in good general agreement with field observations of trace metal behaviour in Cumbrian lakes. The almost total sorption of Pb by lake particles throughout the in-situ pH range is compatible with previous field measurements including trace metal budgets and residence times. Dissolved Zn concentrations in the lake are lower than predicted by the sorption experiments, but the lower lake concentrations are consistent with the previously observed scavenging of Zn by planktonic algae. Both the decreased sorption of Cu in the experiments with natural lake water, compared to that in NaNO₃ solution, and the relatively small-scale removal of dissolved Cu by particles in the lake itself can partially be explained by humic complexation.     

O and N NMR studies of the Co(II), Cu(II) and Mn(II) complexes of glycine in aqueous solution

The ¹⁷O and ¹⁴N paramagnetic relaxation rates and chemical shifts of glycine as well as of water, in aqueous solutions of Co(II), Cu(II), and Mn(II) were measured as a function of pH, temperature and metal ion concentration; the relaxation results were fitted to a theoretical equation linking the Swift-Connick equation to the stability constants of all major complexes in equilibrium. As a result, the stability constants of all major complexes were determined, and from the temperature-dependent measurements the thermodynamic parameters for some of these complexes were also calculated. In addition to the bidentate complexes ML⁺, ML₂ and ML₃⁻, monodentate complexes of the type MHL²⁺ and M(HL)₂²⁺, mixed complexes of the type MHL₂⁺ and MHL₃ were also considered. In the case of the Cu(II)-glycine system at pH> 12 two additional species were considered, namely ML₂(OH)⁻ and ML₂(OH)₂²⁻, suggested by the drastic reduction of the paramagnetic broadening in that pH range.     

3D H-bonding networks self-assembly from pyridinium derivatives and bis(maleonitriledithiolato)zincate(II)

The two ion-pair complexes, [pyH]₂[Zn(mnt)₂] (1) and [4,4′-bipyH₂]-[Zn(mnt)₂] (2), were synthesized, where mnt²⁻ denotes maleonitriledithiolate, and [pyH]⁺, [4,4′-bipyH₂]²⁺ represent pyridinium and diprotonated 4,4′-bipyridinium, respectively. Their single crystal structures show that there are strong bifurcated H-bonding interactions between the cations of the pyridinium derivative and the [Zn(mnt)₂]²⁻ anions in both 1 and 2. The bifurcated H-bonding interactions between the N–H of the pyridiniums and the CN groups of the mnt²⁻ ligands give rise to a 2D layered H-bonding network, the adjacent layers come together in such way as mutual embrace to give a tight pack, thus 2D hydrogen-bonding sheets further develop into 3D H-bonding networks through weak C–HS and ππ stacking interactions in 1. As for 2, the cations and anions connect into several types of H-bonding macrorings ([2+2], [3+3] and [4+4]), these H-bonding macrorings fuse to extend into 2D layered structure, the interpenetration between [3+3] and [4+4] type H-bonding macrorings in the adjacent layers give further rise to novel 3D extended H-bonding networks, in which there are clearly parallel stacks of cations and the chelate rings of anions.