Optimization of the conditions for biuret complex formation for the determination of peptides by capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection

Capillary electrophoresis with UV detection was utilized to optimize copper complexation conditions for the analysis of neuropeptides. Complexation was confirmed by monitoring the response at a visible wavelength. Four complexation strategies were used to compare the UV response of native peptides and their respective copper complexes. All four strategies resulted in complete complexation, but on-capillary complexation provided significant advantages over precapillary and pre-/on-capillary. An increase in UV absorbance along with peak stacking resulted in a significantly greater response using the on-capillary technique. Also, on-capillary complexation does not require dilution of the sample. The effects of temperature and copper concentration were also investigated. The utility of this method for the separation of an enkephalin peptide mixture is presented.     

Effect of metal ions on the response of a cyanide-selective electrode

An extended model and its experimental verification are presented for the response of a cyanide-selective electrode in the presence of metal ions. The model takes into account the effect of metal-hydroxide complexes ar high pH values. The electrode responds to the total cyanide concentration even in the presence of an excess of zinc and cadmium ions. When copper(I) is present, the cyanide complexes must be decomposed before the total cyanide concentration can be measured. The results show the importance of considering both metal-cyanide and the metal-hydroxide complexation.     

Equilibrium ion exchange method: methodology at low ionic strength and copper(II) complexation by dissolved organic matter in a leaf litter extract

The equilibrium ion exchange method (EIM) is a powerful tool for the investigation of metal cation complexation by dissolved organic matter (DOM) in natural systems. Tests with different ion exchange resins demonstrated that under low ionic strength conditions (0.01 mol/kg) and in the presence of DOM, equilibration times of at least 24 h are required for experiments with Cu(II). The classical approach to the EIM was modified by using nonlinear reference adsorption isotherms in order to expand the method to a broader range of experimental conditions. For Cu(II) at low ionic strength (0.01 mol/kg), the reference isotherms between pH 4 and 6 were identical and were mathematically modeled in terms of Langmuir adsorption parameters. The EIM using nonlinear reference isotherms was validated between pH 4 and 6 by the correct determination of the stability constants for the complexes CuOxalate and Cu(Oxalate)(2). Then the method was used to quantitatively characterize the Cu(II) complexation behavior of DOM in an aqueous chestnut leaf litter extract between pH 4 and 6. In contrast to the classical approach to the EIM, data were analyzed by using plots [Cu](bound)/[Cu](free)vs. [Cu](bound). This allowed the determination of both, conditional stability constants and metal binding capacities for two different binding site classes. The logarithmic values of the stability constants were about 8 for the strong binding sites and 5.5-6 for the weak binding sites. The total Cu(II) binding capacity increased from 0.22 mol/(kg C) at pH 4 to 2.85 mol/(kg C) at pH 6.     

Complexation, computational, magnetic, and structural studies of the Maillard reaction product isomaltol including investigation of an uncommon π interaction with copper(II)

The metal complexation properties of the naturally occurring Maillard reaction product isomaltol HL(2) are investigated by measurement of its stability constants with copper(II), zinc(II), and iron(III) using potentiometric pH titrations in water, by structural and magnetic characterization of its crystalline complex, [Cu(L(2))(2)]·8H(2)O, and by density functional theory calculations. Strong complexation is observed to form the bis(isomaltolato)copper(II) complex incorporating copper in a typical (pseudo-)square-planar geometry. In the solid state, extensive intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving all three oxygen functions per ligand assembles the complexes into ribbons that interact to form two-dimensional arrays; further hydrogen bonds and π interactions between the furan moiety of the anionic ligands and adjacent copper(II) centers connect the complexes in the third dimension, leading to a compact polymeric three-dimensional (3D) arrangement. The latter interactions involving copper(II), which represent an underappreciated aspect of copper(II) chemistry, are compared to similar interactions present in other copper(II) 3D structures showing interactions with benzene molecules; the results indicate that dispersion forces dominate in the π system to chelated copper(II) ion interactions.     

The influence of pH and complex formation on the ASV peaks of Pb, Cu and Cd

The effects of pH, electrolyte composition and complex formation on the size and position of the ASV peaks of Pb, Cu and Cd have been systematically evaluated, with an instrument equipped with a mercury thin-film electrode and by applying a linear ramp voltage scan. The peak heights change with pH and the magnitude of the pH effect varies with base electrolyte composition. Anions such as chloride and acetate reduce the signal, as does the presence of excess of ligands such as 2,2'-bipyridyl, NTA and EDTA. Formation of stable chelates (e.g., with EDTA) can lead to total loss of signal, but dissociation of labile complexes can be enhanced by reducing the pH and/or increasing the magnitude of the applied deposition potential, thus producing measurable peaks. The peak potentials vary with pH, and in copper systems there are additional shifts in the presence of citrate, 2,2'-bipyridyl and chloride. With the last two, double peaks are formed and these are attributed to the formation of both Cu(I) and Cu(II) oxidation products. The varied response, particularly in the case of copper, which can follow changes in the base electrolyte composition, supports the need for careful control of the chemical environment in quantitative determination, and raises some queries about the feasibility of using direct ASV for speciation purposes.     

Application of permeation liquid membrane and scanned stripping chronopotentiometry to metal speciation analysis of colloidal complexes

The potential of permeation liquid membrane (PLM) to obtain dynamic metal speciation information for colloidal complexes is evaluated by measurements of lead(II) and copper(II) complexation by carboxyl modified latex nanospheres of different radii (15, 35, 40 and 65 nm). The results are compared with those obtained by a well characterized technique: stripping chronopotentiometry at scanned deposition potential (SSCP). Under the PLM conditions employed, and for large particles or macromolecular ligands, membrane diffusion is the rate-limiting step. That is, the flux is proportional to the free metal ion concentration with only a small contribution from labile complexes. In the absence of ligand aggregation in the PLM channels, good agreement was obtained between the stability constants determined by PLM and SSCP for both metals.     

Application of the taguchi experimental design to the optimisation of a photo-oxidation procedure for trace metal analysis in freshwater

A UV photo-oxidation device was constructed for the destruction of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in freshwater samples in order to determine traces of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper bound to DOM as inert species, by anodic stripping voltammetry in the differential pulse mode (DPASV). The photodigestor performance was optimised by means of the Taguchi experimental design. Four control factors (or design parameters) at three levels were explored: exposure-time to the UV-irradiation, pH of the sample, hydrogen peroxide concentration and mineral acid added, and assigned to the columns of a L₉(3⁴) saturated orthogonal array. A noise factor (nitrilotriacetic acid concentration) at three levels was introduced in the experiment to simulate the uncontrollable amount of DOM in water samples. The experiment was conducted with two replications of each trial and an optimum response insensitive to the variations of DOM concentration was found when samples, acidified at pH 2 with sulphuric acid, were irradiated for 30 min in the presence of 12.3 mmol/L hydrogen peroxide. The proposed procedure is more precise, accurate and fast than the wet digestion method.     

FORMATION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOUR OF POLYION COMPLEXES FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DISPLAY MATERIAL

Formation of intermacromolecular complexes containing viologen and electron-transfer reaction occurred on the electrode modified by the complex films were studied. Compositions and morphology of the complexes depend on the properties of polyanion and chemical environment of complexation. The analytical results of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk voltammetry(RDV) indicated: (1) active sites of viologen in network of complexes transferred single electron reversibly; (2) the redox peak currents showed excellent symmetry and stability; (3) redox potentials were related to properties of polyanions, varying from —0.4 to-0.6V (vs. SCE). Electrochromic materials with different displaying colors could be obtained by changing the structure of polyviologen.     

Polymer supported catalysts for oxidation of phenol and cyclohexene using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant

Polymer supported transition metal complexes of N,N′-bis (o-hydroxy acetophenone) hydrazine (HPHZ) Schiff base were prepared by anchoring its amino derivative Schiff base (AHPHZ) on cross-linked (6 wt%) polymer beads and then loading iron(III), copper(II) and zinc(II) ions in methanol. The loading of HPHZ Schiff base on polymer beads was 3.436 mmol g⁻¹ and efficiency of complexation of polymer anchored HPHZ Schiff base for iron(III), copper(II) and zinc(II) ions was 83.21, 83.40 and 83.17%, respectively. The efficiency of complexation of unsupported HPHZ Schiff base for these metal ions was lower than polymer supported HPHZ Schiff base. The structural information obtained by spectral, magnetic and elemental analysis has suggested octahedral and square planar geometry for iron(III) and copper(II) ions complexes, respectively, with paramagnetic behavior, but zinc(II) ions complexes were tetrahedral in shape with diamagnetic behavior. The complexation with metal ions has increased thermal stability of polymer anchored HPHZ Schiff base. The catalytic activity of unsupported and polymer supported HPHZ Schiff base complexes of metal ions was evaluated by studying the oxidation of phenol (Ph) and epoxidation of cyclohexene (CH). The polymer supported metal complexes showed better catalytic activity than unsupported metal complexes. The catalytic activity of metal complexes was optimum at a molar ratio of 1:1:1 of substrate to oxidant and catalyst. The selectivity for catechol (CTL) and epoxy cyclohexane (ECH) in oxidation of phenol and epoxidation of cyclohexene was better with polymer supported metal complexes in comparison to unsupported metal complexes. The energy of activation for oxidation of phenol (22.8 kJ mol⁻¹) and epoxidation of cyclohexene (8.9 kJ mol⁻¹) was lowest with polymer supported complexes of iron(III) ions than polymer supported Schiff base complexes of copper(II) and zinc(II) ions.     

Polarographic Studies on Anion Coordination Chemistry. Host–Guest Interactions of Hexacyclen and Pentacyclen with Pyrophosphate, Selenite, Selenate, Molybdate and Tungstate Anions

The complexation of protonated hexacyclen and pentacyclen with pyrophosphate, selenite, selenate, molybdate and tungstate anions was studied by differential pulse polarography at 25 °C. The stoichiometry and stability of the resulting anion complexes were evaluated from the pH and concentration-dependence of the peak potentials, respectively. The results established 1 : 1 anion receptor complexation in all cases. In the case of all anions studied, hexacyclen was found to form more stable anion complexes than pentacyclen. The fact that the anion-receptor complexation depends on the structural features of both the anions and the macrocycles used is indicative of a steric controlled interaction.     

Catalysis of diribonucleoside monophosphate cleavage by water soluble copper(II) complexes of calix[4]arene based nitrogen ligands

Calix[4]arenes functionalized at the 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,2,3-positions of the upper rim with [12]ane-N(3) ligating units were synthesized, and their bi- and trimetallic zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes were investigated as catalysts in the cleavage of phosphodiesters as RNA models. The results of comparative kinetic studies using monometallic controls indicate that the subunits of all of the zinc(II) complexes and of the 1,3-distal bimetallic copper(II) complex 7-Cu(2) act as essentially independent monometallic catalysts. The lack of cooperation between metal ions in the above complexes is in marked contrast with the behavior of the 1,2-vicinal bimetallic copper(II) complex 6-Cu(2), which exhibits high catalytic efficiency and high levels of cooperation between metal ions in the cleavage of HPNP and of diribonucleoside monophosphates NpN'. A third ligated metal ion at the upper rim does not enhance the catalytic efficiency, which excludes the simultaneous cooperation in the catalysis of the three metal ions in 8-Cu(3). Rate accelerations relative to the background brought about by 6-Cu(2) and 8-Cu(3) (1.0 mM catalyst, water solution, pH 7.0, 50 degrees C) are on the order of 10(4)-fold, largely independent of the nucleobase structure, with the exception of the cleavage of diribonucleoside monophosphates in which the nucleobase N is uracil, namely UpU and UpG, for which rate enhancements rise to 10(5)-fold. The rationale for the observed selectivity is discussed in terms of deprotonation of the uracil moiety under the reaction conditions and complexation of the resulting anion with one of the copper(II) centers.     

Underpotential deposition studies of copper on glassy carbon

Studies on the deposition and dissolution of copper from 0·5 M sulphuric acid solutions onto glassy carbon (GC) using potential sweep techniques indicated that an additional peak occurs at higher positive potentials than the bulk stripping peak. This peak is identified as due to the stripping of underpotential deposited (UPD) copper. Results of investigations on the effect of sweep rate, deposition potential and time of deposition on the peak characteristics of UPD and bulk deposited copper are also reported.     

Copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 2-[2-(6-methylbenzothiazolyl)azo]-5-dimethylaminobenzoic acid: synthesis,spectral, thermal and molecular modelling studies

Complexes of copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II), and zinc(II) with 2-[2-(6-methylbenzothiazolyl)azo]-5-dimethylaminobenzoic acid have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, vibrational spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, conductance measurements and e.p.r. spectra. Stability constants have been evaluated potentiometrically. Electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements and molecular modeling studies support a distorted square planar geometry around the metal ions. Vibrational spectra indicate the coordination of the azo group, nitrogen of benzothiazole, the carboxylate anion and the acetate ion on complexation with the metal ion. All complexes are found to be monomers. The stability of the complexes follow the order: copper(II) > nickel(II) > cobalt(II) > zinc(II).     

Effects of organic additives on zinc electrodeposition at iron electrodes studied by EQCM and in situ STM

Effects of organic additives, such as benzoic acid (BA) and poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs), on the initial stage of the zinc electrodeposition have been investigated at iron electrodes using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements and in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy in an acidic zinc chloride solution in efforts to gain a molecular-level understanding of their roles. BA is adsorbed strongly at the sites of more negative potentials on the electrode, although it is randomly adsorbed on the iron surface at around an open circuit potential. Its role seems to control the deposition rate at the dendritic sites by blocking the active surface via adsorption. On the contrary, PEGs are adsorbed more or less evenly with a well-ordered structure on the iron surface and appear to desorb in the underpotential deposition region of zinc ions, which helps inhibit proton reduction by effectively blocking the electrode surface.     

Evaluation of copper(II)-binding ability of humic acids in peat using sulphopropyl-Sephadex C-25 cation exchanger

A method for the determination of copper(II) complexes with humic acids was developed by batch operation with the cation exchanger sulphopropyl-Sephadex C-25 (C-25). The copper-binding ability (conditional stability constants and copper-complexing capacities) of humic acids which were extracted from peat in Hokkaido was evaluated. A solution containing copper(II) ions and humic acids was shaken with the C-25 exchanger. The copper-humic acid complexes remained in the supernatant and the uncomplexed free copper ion was retained on the C-25. The copper-humic acid complexes were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The copper-binding ability of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as a model ligand was similarly determined with a Scatchard plot. The conditional stability constant obtained at pH 4.5 was in good agreement with the reported value. The copper-binding abilities of the humic acids from peat were estimated using a Scatchard plot adopting a two-site model. The functional groups in the humic acids which contribute to the complexation with copper were investigated by conductimetric and pH titration, and the relationship between the copper-binding sites and functional groups in the humic acids was investigated.     

以meso-四(N-甲基-3-吡啶基)卟啉荧光光度测定痕量锌的研究

研究了以meso-四(N-甲基-3-吡啶基)卟啉测定锌痕量锌的荧光光度法, 其灵敏度较其它水溶性卟啉衍生物测定锌的分光光度法要高, 检出量为1ppb, 线性范围为0-1.0μg/25mL. 方法已用于测定自来水和头发中的微量锌, 结果满意.     

Catalytic activities of polymer‐supported metal complexes in oxidation of phenol and epoxidation of cyclohexene

The metal complexes of N, N′‐bis (o‐hydroxy acetophenone) propylene diamine (HPPn) Schiff base were supported on cross‐linked polystyrene beads. The complexation of iron(III), copper(II), and zinc(II) ions on polymer‐anchored HPPn Schiff base was 83.4, 85.7, and 84.5 wt%, respectively, whereas the complexation of these metal ions on unsupported HPPn Schiff base was 82.3, 84.5, and 83.9 wt%. The iron(III) complexes of HPPn Schiff base were octahedral in geometry, whereas copper(II) and zinc(II) ions complexes were square planar and tetrahedral. Complexation of metal ions increased the thermal stability of HPPn Schiff base. Catalytic activity of metal complexes was tested by studying the oxidation of phenol and epoxidation of cyclohexene in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The polymer‐supported HPPn Schiff base complexes of iron(III) ions showed 73.0 wt% conversion of phenol and 90.6 wt% conversion of cyclohexene at a molar ratio of 1:1:1 of substrate to catalyst and hydrogen peroxide, but unsupported complexes of iron(III) ions showed 63.8 wt% conversion for phenol and 83.2 wt% conversion for cyclohexene. The product selectivity for catechol (CTL) and epoxy cyclohexane (ECH) was 93.1 and 98.3 wt%, respectively with supported HPPn Schiff base complexes of iron(III) ions but was lower with HPPn Schiff base complexes of copper(II) and zinc(II) ions. Activation energy for the epoxidation of cyclohexene and phenol conversion with unsupported HPPn Schiff base complexes of iron(III) ions was 16.6 kJ mol^?1 and 21.2 kJ mol^?1, respectively, but was lower with supported complexes of iron(III) ions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterisation of human metallothioneins from foetal liver and adult kidney using differential pulse polarography

The electrochemical behaviour of four human metallothioneins (MT) from foetal liver and adult kidney with respect to solution pH as well as the influence of the addition of cadmium and/or zinc were studied using differential pulse polarography. The complexation equilibrium of dissociation and the formation from their metal depleted form was investigated, going from basic to acid solution and vice versa. The stability of these human MTs with respect to changes in the pH of the solution is low. In fact, the complexation equilibrium is not reversible and consequently, the protein, at acid pH, is denatured and the metal binding capacity to complex the cations through the thiol groups is lost. In the case of some of these MTs two different electrochemical responses due to the reduction of complexed Cd(II), as well as to the Zn(II) complexes were distinguished. The predominance of each of these two species for both cations seems to depend on the total concentration, on the ratio between zinc and cadmium concentrations and on the solution pH. In each of the molecules studied, the addition of zinc provokes the transformation of the peak attributed to the Cd-Thionein complex CdT, initially found in the native MT, into another form, CdT′, having different characteristics to the initial one. The MTs are able to incorporate the added metal ions into their molecule. This implies a new reorganisation of the initial molecule in which both cadmium and zinc complexes are involved. The apparent stability constants of the Cd-MT, Zn-MT and Hg-MT complexes were estimated at different pH values.     

LED-compatible copper(II)-selective optrode membrane based on lipophilized Zincon

An optical single shot test for copper(II) ion is presented. The membrane consists of a polyester support and an active layer composed of hydrogel, a hydroxylic plasticizer, and Zincon. The latter has been made lipophilic by ion-pairing with tetraoctyl-ammonium bromide. The membrane responds to copper ions in giving a color change from pink to blue. Because the layer irreversibly extracts copper from the solution, a kinetic approach has been used for quantitation, in that the membrane has been exposed to the sample for 2 min and the initial slope of the response curve has been determined. A linear calibration graph has been obtained for the 1 to 100 mol/l (63.5 g/kg to 6.35 mg/kg) copper concentration range. The complexed form of the dye exhibits an absorption maximum of 620 nm which matches the emission band of the orange light-emitting diode (LED). Measurements have been performed at pH 6, because no complexation of zinc occurs in this range. The long term stability of the membrane exceeds 6 months when stored dry and in the dark. The strong binding of copper ions along with the fairly high selectivity of the membrane also suggests its use as a preconcentration phase.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Dieter Klockow on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Effects of the detection window on the determination of organic copper speciation in estuarine waters

The complexation of copper by natural organic ligands in sea water was measured by cathodic stripping voltammetry with ligand (catechol and quinolin-8-ol) competition. Two methods to determine copper complexation in estuarine waters were compared, one based on a complete titration of the complexing capacity of the sample and the other on measurement of the labile and total dissolved metal concentrations only. Values for log α_CuL (ihe α-coefficient for complexation of Cu²⁺ by natural organic ligands) ranging from 3.2 to 7.7 and from 3.3 to 7.8 could be detected by varying long α_CuAL (the α-coefficient for complexation of Cu²⁺ by the added competing ligand) from 3.4 to 8.9 in samples from the Tamar estuary and from the Channel. The two methods gave comparable results and showed that the type of sites detected depends on the detection window of the technique. This effect is due to the sea and estuarine water samples containing a series of complexing ligands forming complexes of greatly varying strength, thus causing a rnage of complex stabilities to be measured as a function of the detection window of each technique. A comparison showed that lower values for α_CuL are obtained by anodic stripping voltammetry as a result of that technique having a lower detection window. A detailed study of the Tamar estuary revealed a decrease in log α_CuL from 10.8 to 8.3 with increasing salinity, demonstrating that major cations compete with copper for the complexing sites. The free Cu²⁺ concentrations were very low throughout the estuary (16.2 < pCu²⁺ < 18.2) even though the total measurements to establish potential toxic effects of copper in natural waters.