Ultra-trace determination of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Arctic ice using stir bar sorptive extraction and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

This study presents the optimization and application of an analytical method based on the use of stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) for the ultra-trace analysis of POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) in Arctic ice. In a first step, the mass-spectrometry conditions were optimized to quantify 48 compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, brominated diphenyl ethers, chlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorinated pesticides) at the low pg/L level. In a second step, the performance of this analytical method was evaluated to determine POPs in Arctic cores collected during an oceanographic campaign. Using a calibration range from 1 to 1800 pg/L and by adjusting acquisition parameters, limits of detection at the 0.1–99 and 102–891 pg/L for organohalogenated compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, respectively, were obtained by extracting 200 mL of unfiltered ice water. α-hexachlorocyclohexane, DDTs, chlorinated biphenyl congeners 28, 101 and 118 and brominated diphenyl ethers congeners 47 and 99 were detected in ice cores at levels between 0.5 to 258 pg/L. We emphasise the advantages and disadvantages of in situ SBSE in comparison with traditional extraction techniques used to analyze POPs in ice.     

Assessment of Gaussian-3X theory for chlorinated organic molecules. Enthalpies of formation of chlorobenzenes and predictions for polychlorinated aromatic compounds

The enthalpies of formation of chlorinated methanes, ethanes, ethylenes, phenols, and benzenes have been calculated at the G3X level of theory using the atomization energy procedure and the method of isodesmic reactions. By comparing the most reliable experimental data on chlorinated hydrocarbons recommended by Manion [Manion JA (2002) J Phys Chem Ref Data 31:123] with the G3X results, the accuracy of theoretical enthalpies of formation is estimated as ranging from ±4 to ±10 kJ/mol. Only for hexachloroethane, the difference between the experimental value and G3X result was outside this range and the experimental enthalpy of formation of hexachloroethane was called into question by theory. The G3X enthalpies of formation of all chlorobenzenes agree well with experimental data which were partly reanalyzed using recent experimental data on enthalpies of sublimation. Based on the G3X results, a set of self-consistent experimental data for chlorobenzenes is recommended. The enthalpies of formation of some polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins were estimated using improved enthalpies of formation for chlorobenzenes. The possible inaccuracy of previously estimated values for polychlorinated aromatic compounds is discussed.     

New Re(I) tricarbonyl-diimine complexes with N,N′-bis(substituted benzaldehyde)-1,2-diiminoethane Schiff base ligands: Synthesis,spectroscopic and electrochemical studies and crystal structures

The syntheses, structures and spectroscopic properties of tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes with N,N′-bis(2-bromo, 4-bromo, 4-chloro and 3-methoxybenzaldehyde)-1,2-diiminoethane Schiff base ligands have been investigated in this paper. Characterization of these complexes was carried out with FTIR, NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical behavior of the investigated complexes has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structures of the 4-chloro, 4-bromo and 4-methoxy substituted complexes are stabilized by intermolecular C–H?Cl and C–H?O hydrogen bonds. The remarkable features of the 2-bromo, 4-bromo and 4-chloro substituted complexes are short intermolecular halogen–oxygen contacts. In the 4-bromo complex, short intermolecular Br?O and O?O contacts link neighboring molecules along the [1 0 0] direction, which are further stabilized by short intermolecular π?π interactions. In 2-bromo complex, intermolecular Br?O interactions link neighboring molecules into 1D extended chains along the [0 1 0] and [0 0 1] directions, forming a 2D network which is parallel to the bc-plane.     

Modelling of interactions between volatile anaesthetics (halothane,enflurane) and aromatic compounds,ab initio study

For many years halothane and enflurane have been used clinically as volatile anaesthetics, however, their mechanism of action is still not fully understood. Recently, it has been suggested that they can act by a direct bonding to neuroreceptors containing the aromatic groups. In this work, the halothane?benzene and enflurane?benzene complexes were studied by the ab initio MP2 and CCSD(T) methods. All possible structures of the complexes were calculated by means of the counterpoise CP-corrected gradient optimization technique. It has been found that among these species, the C–H?π hydrogen bonded complexes are the most stable. The CCSD(T)/CBS calculated stabilization energies for halothane and enflurane complexes are: −10.56 and −9.72 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. The interaction energy is mainly dominated by the dispersion attraction. In the case of enflurane, the C–H bond shows a very small contraction (by −0.0008 Å) upon complexation. This change is accompanied by the blue-shift (20 cm⁻¹) of the C–H stretching frequency and an increase of the infrared intensity of the corresponding mode by 7 km mol⁻¹. Similar results were obtained for the halothane complex: a small contraction of the C–H bond; an increase of the C–H stretching frequency by 11 cm⁻¹ (blue-shift); and an increase of the infrared intensity by 37 km mol⁻¹. In order to explain the nature of these effects, the halothane and enflurane molecules were studied in the electric field generated by benzene atoms, and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analyses were performed. The molecular dipole moments of these molecules were calculated with respect to the C–H bond changes. The positive dipole moment derivative obtained for halothane is in agreement with the literature data, while, in the case of enflurane, an unusual effect is observed, the blue-shift of the C–H stretching frequency is accompanied by the positive dipole moment derivative for one C–H bond and the negative for the other C–H bond. The mechanisms responsible for contraction and strengthening of the C–H bonds are discussed.     

High-pressure phase behavior of CO2 + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride system

The phase behavior of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim][Cl]) was measured and correlated at high pressures up to ∼40 MPa and at temperatures between 353.15 K and 373.15 K. The solubility data of CO₂ in [bmim][Cl] were obtained by observing the bubble point pressure at specific temperatures. A variable-volume view cell, which is a high-pressure equilibrium apparatus, was used to measure the CO₂ + [bmim][Cl] system solubility under varying pressure and temperature conditions. In addition, liquid–liquid–vapor (LLV) three-phase behavior was investigated using the equilibrium cell to be able to determine the classification of phase-behavior type by Scott and Van Konynenburg. Based on the LLV phase behavior, this system most likely has type III phase-behavior which is common for IL + CO₂ systems. The resulting data showed that CO₂ dissolved well in the IL at low CO₂ concentrations, but that the pressure derivative of CO₂ solubility dramatically decreased as the mole fraction of CO₂ was increased. The experimental data were well fitted by the Peng–Robinson equation of state with a quadratic mixing rule and cubic parameters estimated by the Joback method.     

A highly sensitive and selective immunoassay for the detection of tetrabromobisphenol A in soil and sediment

Tetrabromobisphenol A is the most widely used brominated flame retardant. A sensitive and selective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of tetrabromobisphenol A was developed. The limit of detection and the inhibition half-maximum concentration of tetrabromobisphenol A in phosphate buffered saline with 10% methanol were 0.05 and 0.87 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. Cross-reactivity values of the ELISA with a set of important brominated flame retardants including tetrabromobisphenol A-bis(2,3-dibromopropylether), 2,2′,6,6′-tetrabromobisphenol A diallyl ether, hexabromocyclododecane, 1,2-bis(pentabromodiphenyl) ethane, 1,2-bis(2,4,6 tribromophenoxy) ethane, bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate, 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers were <0.05%. Concentrations of tetrabromobisphenol A determined by ELISA in the soils from farmlands, the soils from an e-waste recycling site, and the sediments of a canal were in the range of non-detectable–5.6 ng g⁻¹, 26–104 ng g⁻¹ and 0.3–22 ng g⁻¹ dw, respectively, indicating the ubiquitous pollution of tetrabromobisphenol A. The results of this assay for 16 real world samples agreed well with those of the liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method, indicating this ELISA is suitable for screening of tetrabromobisphenol A in environmental matrices.     

Recent advance in transition-metal-mediated trifluoromethylation for the construction of C(sp)–CF3 bonds

In the past 5 years, transition-metal-mediated trifluoromethylation for the construction of various CF₃-containing building blocks has been the focus of recent research in both industrial and academic communities. Progresses in the construction of C(sp²)–CF₃ bonds and C(sp)–CF₃ have been well reviewed. This Letter will focus on the cases of transition-metal-mediated C(sp³)–CF₃ bond formation, which involves the trifluoromethylation of sp³-hybridized C–X bonds, alkyl organometallic reagents, sp³-hybridized C–H bonds, and alkene derivatives.     

Ab initio investigation of O3 addition to double bonds of limonene

The reaction of the O₃ addition to double bonds of the limonene in the gas phase has been investigated using ab initio methods. Four different possibilities for the O₃ addition to the double bonds, which correspond to the two C–C double bonds (endocyclic or exocyclic), and two different orientations of each C–C double bonds, have been considered. The corresponding rate constants have been calculated using the transition-state theory (TST) at the CCSD(T)/6-31G(d) + CF//B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. The high-pressure limit of the overall rate constant at 298 K is found to be ∼2.92 × 10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ that is in a good agreement with the experimental data, and the rate constants of the four individual reaction channels turn out to be 2.1 × 10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, 6.5 × 10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 5.1 × 10⁻¹⁸ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for 1-endo, 2-endo, 1-exo and 2-exo, respectively.     

Detection of chlorinated methanes by tin oxide gas sensors

Tin oxide thin films prepared by thermal oxidation of Sn films were used for the detection of chlorinated methanes (CH2Cl2, CHCl3 and CCl4). This resulted in better chemical selectivity, sensitivity, response speed and detection limit than seen with previous detectors. The temperature dependence of the sensing of 1% CCl4 gas was studied and the best sensing behavior was observed at 300 degrees C. The films showed different chemical selectivity in both speed and direction of sensing response to each gas and were stable for more than 3 weeks under operating conditions. The films showed rapid gas sensing (<40 s to reach 90% of full response) and low detection limits (< 4 ppm CCl4). The role of oxygen in the detection of chlorinated methanes and in resistance changes without chlorinated methanes was also studied. The changes at the surface of the film after gas sensing were examined using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry.     

The chemistry of niobium and tantalum halides,MX5, with haloacetic acids and their related anhydrides: Anhydride C–H bond activation promoted by MF5

Niobium and tantalum pentahalides, MX₅ (1), react with acetic acid and halo-substituted acetic acids, in 1:1 ratio, to give the dinuclear complexes [MX₄(μ-OOCMe)]₂ [M = Nb, X = Cl, 2a; M = Ta, X = Cl, 2b; Br, 2c] and [MCl₄(μ-OOCR)]₂ [M = Nb, R = CH₂Cl, 4a; CHCl₂, 4c; CCl₃, 4e; CF₃, 4g; CHBr₂, 4i; CH₂I, 4j; M = Ta, R = CH₂Cl, 4b; CHCl₂, 4d; CCl₃, 4f; CF₃, 4h]. The solid state structures of 2b and 4e have been ascertained by X-ray diffraction studies. The reactions of 1 with acetic anhydride and halo-substituted acetic anhydrides result in C–O bond activation and afford 2 and 4, respectively, with concomitant formation of acetyl halides. Moreover, the complexes MCl₅[OC(Cl)Me] [M = Nb, 3a; M = Ta, 3b] have been detected in significant amounts within the mixtures of the reactions of MCl₅ with acetic anhydride. TaI₅ is unreactive, at room temperature, towards both MeCOOH and (MeCO)₂O. MF₅ react with RCOOH (R = Me, CH₂Cl) in 1:1 molar ratio, to afford the ionic compounds [MF₄(RCOOH)₂][MF₆], 5a–d, in high yields. The additions of (RCO)₂O (R = Me, CH₂Cl) to MF₅ give 5, suggesting that anhydride C–H and C–O bonds activation is operative during the course of these reactions.     

UVphotolysis of the binary mixtures of VOCs in dry nitrogen stream

Summary The effect of H/Cl atomic ratio on the relative contribution of direct photolysis and reactions based on •Cl radical to the photodecomposition of chlorinated methanes was investigated in their binary mixtures.</o:p>     

Attractive halogen–halogen interactions: F3CCl⋯FH and F3CCl⋯FCH3 dimers

The F₃CCl?FH and F₃CCl?FCH₃ dimers, which feature the halogen–halogen contacts, are investigated at MP2/6–311++G(d,p) and MP2/aug–cc–pVDZ levels of approximation. The binding energies of these complexes are found to be comparable to those of the weak hydrogen bonds. In both complexes the Cl?F are found to be significantly shorter than the sum of the corresponding van der Waals radii. The C–Cl?F contacts are also found to exhibit certain deviation from linearity. However, the energy differences between linear and bent structures are very small and primarily accounted for by electrostatic interactions between remote parts of the dimer. This indicates a high conformational flexibility of the halogen–halogen contacts and may help to explain the diversity of structural features in crystals formed by halogen-containing molecules. In both dimers the halogen–halogen interaction leads to certain shortening of the C–Cl electron accepting bond. This is accompanied by a small increase of the C–Cl stretching frequency. Hence, the two investigated dimers can possibly be classified as the blue-shifting halogen–halogen contacts.     

Structure and magnetic properties of a double out-of-plane carboxylato-bridged Cu(II) compound with pyridine-2-carboxylate

The spectroscopic and magnetic properties, and crystal structure of dark-blue [Cu(2-pca)₂]_n (1), (2-pca = pyridine-2-carboxylate ion) are described. The copper(II) ions are in strongly tetragonally distorted octahedral environments. They are sequentially bridged by a double out-of-plane carboxylate bridge, resulting in the formation of an infinite chain (1D). The equatorial Cu–O bonds (1.957(3) Å) are significantly shorter than the axial bonds (2.737(4) Å). The crystal structure of the compound is stabilized by interchain hydrogen bonds of the C–H?O type. The intrachain copper–copper separation is 5.178(3) Å, whereas the shortest interchain copper–copper distance is 7.614(6) Å. The magnetic properties, investigated in the temperature range 1.8–300 K, revealed the occurrence of a weak intrachain antiferromagnetic coupling, J = −1.04 cm⁻¹, and an interchain exchange interaction, zJ′ = 0.34 cm⁻¹. The title compound appears to be a polymorphic form of the blue-violet compound (2) of identical stoichiometry, the X-ray structure of which was recently reported. Magneto-structural correlations in 1 have been made considering both the carboxylato bridging group and the existence of interchain hydrogen bonds. The structure and magnetic properties of 1 are compared with those of the polymorphic form 2.     

Sequential injection methodology for carbon speciation in bathing waters

A sequential injection method (SIA) for carbon speciation in inland bathing waters was developed comprising, in a single manifold, the determination of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), free dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂), total carbon (TC), dissolved organic carbon and alkalinity. The determination of DIC, CO₂ and TC was based on colour change of bromothymol blue (660 nm) after CO₂ diffusion through a hydrophobic membrane placed in a gas diffusion unit (GDU). For the DIC determination, an in-line acidification prior to the GDU was performed and, for the TC determination, an in-line UV photo-oxidation of the sample prior to GDU ensured the conversion of all carbon forms into CO₂. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was determined by subtracting the obtained DIC value from the TC obtained value. The determination of alkalinity was based on the spectrophotometric measurement of bromocresol green colour change (611 nm) after reaction with acetic acid. The developed SIA method enabled the determination of DIC (0.24–3.5 mg C L⁻¹), CO₂ (1.0–10 mg C L⁻¹), TC (0.50–4.0 mg C L⁻¹) and alkalinity (1.2–4.7 mg C L⁻¹ and 4.7–19 mg C L⁻¹) with limits of detection of: 9.5 μg C L⁻¹, 20 μg C L⁻¹, 0.21 mg C L⁻¹, 0.32 mg C L⁻¹, respectively. The SIA system was effectively applied to inland bathing waters and the results showed good agreement with reference procedures.     

Pd(II) polymeric compounds directed by intermolecular C–H⋯X–C interactions (X = F,Cl): Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling catalytic activity by a novel N4-type saturated Pd complex

New palladium polymeric compounds containing novel tetradentate halogen-substituted 6Me₂bpX²⁻ ligands (6Me₂bpX²⁻ = 1,2-bis(6-methylpyridine-2-carboxamide) halobenzene dianion, X = F for 4, Cl for 5) were constructed by non-classical C–H?X–C interactions, and the novel catalyst 5 was used to carry out Suzuki coupling reactions with aryl iodides and aryl boronic acids under mild conditions.     

Hydrocarbons as proton donors in C–H⋯N and C–H⋯S hydrogen bonds

C–H?N and C–H?S hydrogen bonds were analyzed in complexes where acetylene, ethylene, methane and their derivatives are proton donors while ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are proton acceptors. Ab initio calculations were performed to analyze those interactions; MP2 method was applied and the following basis sets were used: 6-311++G(d,p), aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ. The results showed that hydrogen bonds for complexes with ammonia are systematically stronger than such interactions in complexes with hydrogen sulfide. If the fluorine substituted hydrocarbons are considered then F-substituents enhance the strength of hydrogen bonding. For a few complexes, mainly those where carbon atom in proton donating C–H bond possesses sp³ hybridization, the blue-shifting hydrogen bonds were detected. Additionally, Quantum Theory of ‘Atoms in Molecules’ and Natural Bond Orbitals method were applied to analyze H-bond interactions.     

Solubility of CF4 in lower alcohols

This work is inserted in a research program that consists mainly in the experimental and theoretical study of the effect of association/solvation between solute and solvent molecules in the solubility of gases in liquids. The solubilities of tetrafluoromethane in lower alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol) have been determined in the temperature range of 288–308 K, at atmospheric pressure, using an automated apparatus recently assembled in our laboratory. An accuracy of 0.6% and a precision of the same order of magnitude was achieved. The solubility is the lowest in methanol which is the highest associated alcohol and increases with the C-content of the alcohol. The molar Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy of solution were calculated from the experimental results (at 1 atm partial pressure of the gas and 298 K). A semiempirical correlation between the solubility of CF₄ in alcohols at 298 K and the Gutmann acceptor number (AN) of the solvents has been developed.     

Synthesis,thermal stability and structural characterisation of iron(II) phthalocyanine complex with 4-cyanopyridine

A new complex of bis-axially coordinated iron(II) phthalocyanine by 4-cyanopyridine (4-CNpy) has been obtained in crystalline form as an adduct with two 4-CNpy molecules. The [FePc(4-CNpy)₂] · 2(4-CNpy) crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c with two molecules in the unit cell. The iron(II) coordinates four isoindole nitrogen atoms of the almost planar phthalocyaninato(2−) macroring and axially two nitrogen atoms of 4-CNpy molecules. The coordination polyhedron around the Fe(II) atom approximates to a tetragonal by-pyramid. Four equatorial Fe–N bonds are shorter (1.936(2) Å) than two axial Fe–N bonds (2.027(2) Å). The centrosymmetric FePc(4-CNpy)₂ molecules form alternating sheets parallel to the bc crystallographic plane and solvated 4-CNpy molecules that are anti-parallel oriented by their polar cyano groups are located between the sheets of FePc(4-CNpy)₂ molecules. Ligation of the intermediate-spin iron(II) phthalocyanine by 4-CNpy molecules leads to the low spin Fe(II) complex. The importance of the d(π) → π^∗(Pc) back donation is manifested in the difference between the values of C–N isoindole and C–N azamethine bond lengths of the Pc macrocycle. The thermal analysis of the crystals of [FePc(4-CN)₂] · 2(4-CNpy) shows two steps responsible for a loss of solvated (∼170 °C) and coordinated (∼235 °C) 4-CNpy molecules.     

Controlled pyrolysis of polyethylene/polypropylene/polystyrene mixed plastics with high impact polystyrene containing flame retardant: Effect of decabromo diphenylethane (DDE)

The pyrolysis of polyethylene(PE)/polypropylene(PP)/polystyrene(PS) mixed with high impact polystyrene (HIPS-Br) containing decabromo diphenylethane (DDE) as a brominated flame retardant with antimony trioxide as a synergist was performed under controlled temperature programmed pyrolysis (two steps) conditions to understand the decomposition behaviour and evolution of brominated hydrocarbons from flame-retardant additives. The liquid products were extensively analyzed by gas chromatographs equipped with FID, ECD, MSD, TCD, AED and FT-IR. The solid residue samples were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction and combustion followed by ion-chromatography. The controlled pyrolysis of PE/PP/PS/HIPS-Br significantly affected the decomposition behaviour of HIPS-Br and subsequently the formation of decomposition products. GC/ECD analysis confirmed that the brominated hydrocarbons were concentrated in step 1 liquid products leaving less brominated hydrocarbons in the step 2 liquid products, similar to the decabromo diphenyl ether flame retardant containing mixed plastics. The yield of liquid products in step 1 from 3P/DDE-Sb(5) was 5 wt% and from 3P/DDE-Sb(0) was 2.4 wt%. The presence of antimony in the DDE containing plastics affected the yield of liquid, gas and residue products. ECD analysis showed that the presence of antimony increased the Br containing hydrocarbons and step 1 has 3-4 times higher brominated compounds than step 2 hydrocarbons in both the samples.