Emission of secondary ions from 3d, 4d, and 5d transition metals under chloro-trifluoro-methane CClF3 as reactant gas

Surface interactions of CClF₃ with polycrystalline samples of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ta, W, Re, Ir, and Pt were investigated by means of moderate dynamic SIMS. As observed with other reactant gases these transition metals in most cases appear to be discernible into “dissociative” and (partial) “molecular” adsorbents. Small signals of oxidic secondary ions which are detectable for residual gas conditions vanished under the action of CClF₃. However, due to strong polarization by either of the halogens, the emission of Me²⁺ ions is enhanced for Ti, V, and Nb.     

Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of Zn, Pb and Cu traces in whisky samples

The simultaneous “in natura” determination of trace Zn, Pb and Cu in whisky samples by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), using a hanging mercury drop electrode, without previous treatment or addition of supporting electrolyte is described. The choice of an appropriate stripping voltammetric method and deposition potential minimizes the influence of the organic content and ensures a good reproducibility of the measurements. The reliability of the method was tested comparing the results with those of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), with differences of about 10%. The method allows the determination of heavy metal ions in the μg L^–1 range. Received: 14 August 1997 / Revised: 10 December 1997 / Accepted: 11 December 1997     

True detection limit of rare earth elements in atomic emission analysis with an arc two-jet plasmatron

The “true detection limit” C_L,true was measured by a method proposed by Boumans et al. for 10 prominent lines of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm, the most abundant rare earth elements (REEs) in geological samples. It is demonstrated how spectral interferences can increase of C_L,true. The spectra were excited in an argon arc plasma jet with evaporation powders of five complex natural samples. The data show that there is a significant increase of C_L,true in real samples containing large concentrations of such elements as Ti, Zr, Cr, Nb, Ta and REEs emitting complex spectra. Received: 17 June 1997 / Revised: 20 October 1997 / Accepted: 26 October 1997     

H/D exchange kinetics: Experimental evidence for formation of different b fragment ion conformers/isomers during the gas-phase peptide sequencing

Electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) combined with H/D exchange reactions was utilized to explore the existence of different b₅⁺ and b₄⁺ fragment ion conformers/isomers of hexapeptide WHWLQL in the gas phase. Distinct H/D exchange trends for protonated WHWLQL ([M + H]⁺) and its b₅⁺ and b₄⁺ fragment ions (with ND₃) were observed. Isolated ¹²C_all isotopomers of both b₅⁺ and b₄⁺ fragment ions yielded bimodal distributions of H/D exchanged product ions. The H/D exchange reaction kinetics also confirmed that b₅⁺ and b₄⁺ fragment ions exist as combination of slow-exchanging (“s”) and fast-exchanging (“f”) species. The calculated rate constant for the first labile hydrogen exchange of [M + H]⁺ (k_{[M + H]} ⁺ = 3.80 ± 0.7 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) was ∼30 and ∼5 times greater than those for the “s” and “f” species of b₅⁺, respectively. Data from H/D exchange of isolated “s” species at longer ND₃ reaction times confirmed the existence of different conformers or isomers for b₅⁺ fragment ions. The sustained off-resonance irradiation collision-activated dissociation (SORI-CAD) of WHWLQL combined with the H/D exchange reactions indicate that “s” and “f” species of b₅⁺ and b₄⁺ fragment ions can be produced in the ICR cell as well as the ESI source. The significance of these observations for detailed understanding of protein sequencing and ion fragmentation pathways is discussed.     

ICP-OES determination of traces of Ru, Au, V and Ti preconcentrated and separated by a new poly(epoxy-melamine) chelating resin from solutions

A new poly(epoxy-melamine) chelating resin is synthesized from epoxy resin and used for the preconcentration and separation of traces of Ru(III), Au(III), V(V) and Ti(IV) ions from sample solutions. The ions analyzed can be quantitatively enriched by the resin at a flow-rate of 2 mL/min at pH 4, and quantitatively desorbed with 10 mL of 1 mol/L HCl + 0.2 g CS(NH₂)₂ at a flow-rate of 1 mL/min with recoveries of over 97%. The chelating resin can be reused 7 times without obvious loss of efficiency. Thousand-fold excesses of coexistent ions caused little interference during the enrichment and determination steps. The RSDs for the determination of 50 ng/mL Ru(III) and Au(III), 5.0 ng/mL V(V) and Ti(IV) were in the range of 1.5–4.5%. The recoveries of added standards in a real sample solution are between 96% and 100%, and the results for the ions analyzed in a nickel alloy sample are in good agreement with their reported values. Received: 12 May 1997 / Revised: 1 September 1997 / Accepted: 9 October 1997     

Trace analysis of impurities in sol-gel prepared BaTiO3-powders with ICP-MS

An ICP-MS method for the determination of ultra-trace impurities of 21 elements (Be, Al, Ca, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Sr, Zr, Ag Cd, In, Sn, La, Ce, Er, Hf, W, Pb, Bi, U) at pg/g to ng/g level in BaTiO₃-powders and precursors prepared by different sol-gel-methods was developed. The non-spectral matrix effects like suppression of the analyte signal and spectral effects like the formation of polyatomic ions like MO⁺, MAr⁺, MCl⁺ and M²⁺ which interfere with isotopes in isobar overlaps was investigated. To correct for these polyatomic ions a “blank solution” with the composition of the sample matrix was measured and the data were subtracted from the results of the sample; a standard addition method for calibration and ⁴⁵Sc, ⁸⁹Y, ¹⁰³Rh and ¹⁴¹Pr as internal standards to compensate the matrix effects were used and improvements in accuracy and precision were shown. The stability of the instrument and the detection limits in the presence of the barium and titanium matrix were established. In BaTiO₃ different amounts of trace impurities were detected in the μg/g to ng/g range. The main impurities are strontium and calcium. The source of the impurities are mainly the educts but it is shown that contamination during the synthesis process is also possible. Received: 1 December 1998 / Revised: 12 February 1999 / Accepted: 18 February 1999     

SIMS depth profiling of vertical p-channel Si-MOS transistor structures

SIMS depth profiling during O₂ ⁺ bombardment has been performed to analyse epitaxially grown Si p-n-p layers, which define the p-channel region in vertical Si-p MOS transistors, as well as to establish “on-chip” depth profiling of the functional vertical device. The SIMS detection limit of ³¹P in Si, phosphorus used as n-type dopant in the transistor, has been optimised as a function of the residual gas pressure in the SIMS analysis chamber and of the sputter erosion rate. We demonstrate that good vacuum during SIMS analysis combined with high erosion rates allows the simultaneous quantitative SIMS depth profiling of n- and p-type dopant concentrations in the vertical transistor. Small area “on-chip” SIMS depth profiling through the layered structure of Al-contact/TiSi₂/Si(p-n-p)/Si-substrate has been performed. Factors influencing the depth resolution during “on-chip” analysis of the transistor are discussed especially in terms of sputtering induced ripple formation at the erosion crater bottom, which has been imaged with atomic force microscopy. Received: 15 August 1996 / Revised: 17 January 1997 / Accepted: 21 January 1997     

Electrochemical Dissociative Oxidation of the Unsaturated Pd3(dppm)3(CO)2+ Cluster; An Astonishing Resemblance with the Photo-Oxidative Analogue

Cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating disk electrode voltammetry (RDE) and bulk electrolysis were used to investigate the electrochemical oxidation of the title cluster in acetonitrile (CH₃CN). Two irreversible 2-electron oxidation processes occur at +0.95 V and +1.15 V vs. SCE. Bulk electrolysis demonstrates that the d⁹–d⁹ Pd₂(dppm)₂(NCCH₃) ₂ ²⁺ 4 complex is generated among the first intermediates, and the d⁸ Pd(dppm)(NCCH₃) ₂ ²⁺ 3 is formed as the final product. The intermediacy of “Pd₃(dppm)₃(CO)⁴⁺” and “Pd₃(dppm) ₃ ⁴⁺ ” is suspected but not confirmed. This oxidation process exhibits a close resemblance to the photo oxidative reactivity of the title cluster in the presence of chlorocarbons (R–Cl) for which the sole observed product is Pd(dppm)Cl₂.This paper is dedicated to Professor Brian Johnson on the occasion of his retirement.     

15-Hydroxybenzomonothia-15-crown-5 with the sulfur atom linked with the benzene ring and the derived sulfoxide: synthesis,structure, and complexation with the metal cations

Novel 15-hydroxybenzomonothia-15-crown-5 containing the sulfur atom linked with the benzene ring and its S-oxide were synthesized. The stability constants for the complexes of the obtained benzocrown ethers and a reference 15-hydroxybenzo-15-crown-5 with Na, Ca, Ag^I, Cd, Hg^II, and Pb^II perchlorates were determined by ¹H NMR titration. In MeCN-d₃, the benzothiacrown ether demonstrates a high selectivity towards the thio- and oxothiophilic Hg²⁺ (logK ₁ = 7.1) and Pb²⁺ ions (logK ₁ = 7.4). In MeCN-d₃-D₂O mixtures, the stabilities of the most of complexes decrease sharply due to competitive hydration of the metal cations except for the “soft” Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions having low affinity for the “hard” oxygen atoms and, on the contrary, very high affinity for the “soft” S^II atoms. This results in the change in selectivity of complexation: at the water content in solution of 20%, the benzothiacrown ether binds preferably the Hg²⁺ (logK ₁ = 5.0) and Ag⁺ ions (logK ₁ = 2.7). In MeCN-d₃, the benzothiacrown-derived sulfoxide is a weak and non-selective complexing agent towards all the metal cations under study; the reference 15-hydroxybenzo-15-crown-5 forms more stable complexes with the oxophilic sodium, calcium, and lead(ii) cations. The conformational features of the benzocrown ethers and their metal complexes established by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction are discussed. The found characteristics of the complexing ability of benzomonothia-15-crown-5 where the sulfur atom is in conjugation with the benzene ring reveal that the macrocyclic ligands with such a structure are promising as high-selective and efficient complexing agents for the “soft” mercury(ii) and silver(i) cations in acetonitrile-water mixtures.     

Comparison of the hole mobility in undoped and boron-doped polycrystalline CVD diamond films

The drift mobility of nonequilibrium holes injected in undoped polycrystalline diamond films was determined, by a transit-time technique, as ca. 10⁻³ cm²/(V s). This hole mobility is three orders of magnitude lower than the “equilibrium” mobility in boron-doped diamond films [0.1–1 cm²/(V s)], determined from the films' dc conductivity. This difference is explained by the effect of a nonequilibrium charge carrier trapping during the carrier transport in polycrystalline diamond. Received: 3 December 1997 / Accepted: 9 April 1998     

EPR studies on H-abstraction from silicon by “magic blue”-the F, Si-nitroxides

The H-abstraction from benzyl silicanes (3–6), alkoxy silicanes (7–18), phenyl alkoxy silicanes (19–22), and polybenzylsiloxane (23) by “magic blue” solution (in F113, CClF₂-CCl₂F) containing the H-abstracting agent [H(CF₂)₄]₂NO^· (1) and spin trap H(CF₂)₄ NO (2) was studied by EPR detection of the F, Si-nitroxides (a total of 24 from 21 silicon substrates) generated in the reactions. From the EPR spectra of the nitroxides, we have gained information about the position of H-abstraction, the subsequent radical steps after the H-abstraction, as well as the structures of the transient radical intermediates. This technique may serve as a new method for making multi-and polynitroxides under very mild conditions.     

Cascade ultrafiltration and competing ligand exchange for kinetic speciation of aluminium, iron, and nickel in fresh water

Kinetic speciation of nickel, aluminium, and iron in fresh water has been investigated by cascade ultrafiltration followed by competing ligand exchange of the ultrafiltered fractions. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure the kinetics of metal complex dissociation. Dissolved metal species were fractionated by cascade ultrafiltration. Metal speciation in each ultrafiltered fraction was then characterized as free metal ions, “labile” metal complexes (with dissociation rate constants ≥10⁻³ s⁻¹), “slowly labile” metal complexes (with dissociation rate constants >10⁻⁶ s⁻¹), and “inert” metal complexes (with dissociation rate constants <10⁻⁶ s⁻¹). The experimental results were compared with the predictions of a computer-based equilibrium speciation model, the Windermere humic aqueous model (WHAM) V. Cascade ultrafiltration coupled with kinetic speciation of the metal species in each molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) fraction provided a more comprehensive picture and insight into the physical and the chemical characteristics of the metal species than either ultrafiltration or measurement of dissociation kinetics alone.     

Distonic ions of the “ate” class

The gas phase synthesis, structure, and reactivity of distonic negative ions of the “ate” class are described. “Ate”-class negative ions are readily prepared in the gas phase by addition of neutral Lewis acids, such as BF₃, BH₃, and AlMe₃, to molecular anions, carbene negative ions, and radical anions of biradicals. The ions contain either localized σ- or delocalized π-type radical moieties remote from relatively inert borate and aluminate charge sites. The free radical reactivity displayed by these ions appears to be independent of the charge site. As an example, the distonic alkynyl radical (·C≡CBF₃⁻) is highly reactive and undergoes radical coupling reactions with NO₂, NO, H₂C=CH-CN, and H₂C=CH-CH₃. Radical-mediated group and atom transfers are observed with O₂, CS₂, and CH₃SSCH₃. Furthermore, H-atom abstraction reactions are observed, in accordance with the predicted high C-H bond strength of this species [DH₂₉₈(H-C₂BF₃⁻)=130.8 kcal mol⁻¹]. High level ab initio molecular orbital calculations on the prototype “ate”-class distonic ion · CH₂BH₃⁻ and its conventional isomer CH₃BH₂^·− reveal that CH₃BH₂^·− is 3.2 kcal/mol more stable than the α-distonic form. However, the calculations also show that CH₃BH₂^·− is unstable with respect to electron detachment, and only the α-distonic form ·CH₂BH₃⁻ should be experimentally observed in the gas phase.     

Probe—detektor-anordnungen zur Kernstrahlungsmessung für Analytische Zwecke

The “analytical power” of detection systems is investigated, considering typical arrangements in analytical terms. From N atoms of interest in a sample Z counts are drawn: Z=R N (R registration yield). Crude data ZM contain also background U generated by interferences: ZM=Z+U. Identification and separation of Z is accompanied by errors ~σ_MU^1/2 due to imperfect distinguishability and to statistical error (σ_M model inherent factor). With “selectivity”=σ_M ^- (R/R_interference)^1/2 the figure of merit is G=selectivity efficiency/interference)^1/2. Sample background dominating, “interference” or both “interference” and “efficiency” have to be cancelled. Present semiconductor spectrometry of low energy γ-quanta and of large rates is not very far from its limits. Further progress will be obtained by enhancement of high energy efficiency and reduction of natural background.      

Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of total lead, copper and selenium in whole blood and blood serum

A two-step procedure including appropriate wet-digestions, separation of selenium from interfering ions such as heavy metal ions with pentyl alcohol and anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV) determination of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and SeO₃ ^2– is developed. The elements in digested whole blood and serum sample solutions were determined by using a standard addition method. 1 × 10^–9 mol/L SeO^2– ₃, Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ were successfully determined with relative standard deviations of approximately 1–2% (n = 6–8). Received: 19 August 1996 / Revised: 24 February 1997 / Accepted: 28 February 1997     

Atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry techniques for the analysis of alkyl ethoxysulfate mixtures

This paper compares two liquid introduction atmospheric pressure ionization techniques for the analysis of alkyl ethoxysulfate (AES) anionic surfactant mixtures by mass spectrometry, i. e., electrospray ionization (ESI) in both positive and negative ion modes and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in positive ion mode, using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Two ions are observed in ESI(+) for each individual AES component, [M + Na]⁺ and a “desulfated” ion [M − SO₃ + H]⁺, whereas only one ion, [M − Na]⁻ is observed for each AES component in ESI(−). APCI(+) produces a protonated, “desulfated” ion of the form [M − NaSO₃ + 2H]⁺ for each AES species in the mixture under low cone voltage (10 V) conditions. The mass spectral ion intensities of the individual AES components in either the series from ESI(+) or APCI(+) can be used to obtain an estimate of their relative concentrations in the mixture and of the average ethoxylate (EO) number of the sample. The precursor ions produced by either ESI(+) or ESI(−), when subjected to low-energy (50 eV) collision-induced dissociation, do not fragment to give ions that provide much structural information. The protonated, desulfated ions produced by APCI(+) form fragment ions which reveal structural information about the precursor ions, including alkyl chain length and EO number, under similar conditions. APCI(+) is less susceptible to matrix effects for quantitative work than ESI(+). Thus APCI(+) provides an additional tool for the analysis of anionic surfactants such as AES, especially in complex mixtures where tandem mass spectrometry is required for the identification of the individual components.     

Synthesis and aromatizational rearrangements of new imino-, hydrazono-, and azino-2,5-cyclohexadienylidene systems as ligands for cascade type metallocomplexes

Three approaches to the synthesis ofN-substituted imino-, hydrazono-, and azino-2,5-cyclohexadienylidene systems based on reactions of 4-methyl-4-trichloromethylcyclohexa-2,5-dienone with aminophenols and hydrazones and condensation of hydrazones ofpara-semiquinoid ketones with carbonyl compounds, including that of the ferrocene series, were realized. The latter reaction, when applied to 3,6-dibromophenanthrene-9, 10-quinone, was accompanied by quantitative aromatizational molecular rearrangement with the elimination of the CCl₃ group. Using Rh¹ complexes as an example, it was shown that the heteroorganic ligands obtained can be used for the synthesis of mixed-ligand metallocomplexes with triple coordination of the metal atom including simultaneous metal-ligand interactions of the n-, π-, and σ-types. The principle of metal-ligand “cascade” appeared as a result of the generalization of two new phenomena of organometallic sereodynamics, which we have found recently^2,3 and have called oxidative and reductive redox-rotation. In the “cascade”, type1 (“metal-ligand-metal”) or type2 (“ligand-metal-ligand”) metallocomplexes, one or several coordinated metal ligand”) metallocomplexes, one or several coordinated metal atoms capable of concertedly and reversibly changing their valence in the course of intramolecular conformational transformation are in positions of mutual conjugation. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 363–367, February, 1997.     

ICP–MS with hexapole collision cell for isotope ratio measurements of Ca, Fe, and Se

To avoid mass interferences on analyte ions caused by argon ions and argon molecular ions via reactions with collision gases, an rf hexapole filled with helium and hydrogen has been used in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), and its performance has been studied. Up to tenfold improvement in sensitivity was observed for heavy elements (m > 100 u), because of better ion transmission through the hexapole ion guide. A reduction of argon ions Ar⁺ and the molecular ions of argon ArX⁺ (X = O, Ar) by up to three orders of magnitude was achieved in a hexapole collision cell of an ICP–MS (“Platform ICP”, Micromass, Manchester, UK) as a result of gas-phase reactions with hydrogen when the hexapole bias (HB) was set to 0 V; at an HB of 1.6 V argon, and argon-based ions of masses 40 u, 56 u, and 80 u, were reduced by approximately four, two, and five orders of magnitude, respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio ⁸⁰Se/ ⁴⁰Ar₂ ⁺ was improved by more than five orders of magnitude under optimized experimental conditions. Dependence of mass discrimination on collision-cell properties was studied in the mass range 10 u (boron) to 238 u (uranium). Isotopic analysis of the elements affected by mass-spectrometric interference, Ca, Fe, and Se, was performed using a Meinhard nebulizer and an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN). The measured isotope ratios were comparable with tabulated values from IUPAC. Precision of 0.26%, 0.19%, and 0.12%, respectively, and accuracy of 0.13% 0.25%, and 0.92%, respectively, was achieved for isotope ratios ⁴⁴Ca/ ⁴⁰Ca and ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁷Fe in 10 μg L^–1 solution nebulized by means of a USN and for ⁷⁸Se/⁸⁰Se in 100 μg L^–1 solution nebulized by means of a Meinhard nebulizer. Received: 15 December 2000 / Revised: 26 March 2001 / Accepted: 27 March 2001     

Determination of Y, Zr and ultra-low Nb concentrations in geological material by multi-ion counting spark-source mass spectrometry (MIC-SSMS)

Precise concentrations of Zr, Y and Nb in the μg/g to ng/g range have been determined in rock samples using multi-ion counting spark-source mass spectrometry (MIC-SSMS). A high resolution method, combined with interference correction on ⁹¹Zr and ⁹³Nb for low concentration samples, was applied. An analytical precision of 2–5% for concentrations down to 0.020 μg/g and 10% for lower concentrations was attained. The detection limit is below 0.005 μg/g. By measuring international reference materials, the accuracy of the method was determined to be within about 10% of the recommended values. However, the accuracy of the final concentration is influenced by interference corrections, but the additional error is below 20%. The interference problem is most difficult for Al-rich samples (>15% Al₂O₃), as the interfering molecules are ⁴⁰Ca²⁷Al¹²C₂ ⁺ and ²⁷Al₃ ¹²C⁺. The accordance between ICP-MS and MIC-SSMS results is worse for low Nb concentrations in the ng/g range. Here, ICP-MS gives systematically lower values than MIC-SSMS. The reason for this discrepancy is not yet clear, but may be caused by Nb loss during chemical treatment of the samples prior to ICP-MS measurements. Received: 29 December 1998 / Revised: 19 April 1999 / Accepted: 21 April 1999