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.     

Nitrate ion-sensitive field effect transistor based on bis(bathocuproin)-copper(I) nitrate dissolved in solid solvents

Nitrate-selective ion-sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) were prepared by dip-coating the silica gate insulator surface with an ion exchanger based on bis(bathocuproin)-copper(I) nitrate in a molten mixture of docosan 1-ol and Triphenylphosphate. This sensor showed a linear response from 10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³ to at least 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³ and maintained its response characteristics for as long as 5 weeks. The selectivity sequence for common anions such as Cl0−₄ and Cl− followed the conventional Hofmeister series. This sensor was applied to rain water analysis.     

Interactions of mercury(II), lead(II), calcium(II), aluminium(III) or ferric(III) nitrate with single and double chain linear alkylbenzenesulfonates in aqueous and sea-water media

The solubility products of mercury(II) and lead(II) dodecylbenzenesulfonates were calculated on the basis of light scattering measurements at 20°C to be (9.33 ± 0.90) × 10⁻¹³ and (1.03 ± 0.10) × 10⁻¹² respectively. The investigations of precipitation phenomena performed in diluted natural sea-water ([Cl⁻] = 10⁻¹² mol dm ⁻³), including tenside and added heavy metal ions, showed similar behaviour for all metal dodecylbenzenesulfonates investigated in this work, i.e. the synergistic effect of tenside, of added electrolyte, and of cations and anions from sea-water. A comparison made by a statistical test of significance, chosen to measure agreement between the estimates of the solubility constants obtained in aqueous solutions and in the above mentioned sea-water solution, showed a noticeable effect, evident particularly in the case of mercury(II). The precipitation of tenside and metal nitrates in natural sea-water ([Cl⁻] = 5 × 10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³) covers a wide concentration region of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (from high concentrations to 5 × 10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³) and from high metal nitrate concentrations to very low. The microscopic textures of phases precipitated in the systems with sea-water obviously confirmed favouring formation of the liquid crystalline phase.     

Amberlite XAD-2 functionalized with o-aminophenol: synthesis and applications as extractant for copper(II), cobalt(II), cadmium(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and lead(II)

A stable chelating resin matrix was synthesized by covalently linking o-aminophenol (o-AP) with the benzene ring of the polystyrene–divinylbenzene resin, Amberlite XAD-2, through a –N=N– group. Elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared spectra have characterized the resulting chelating resin. It has been used to preconcentrate Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺, prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum pH values for quantitative sorption of Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb are 6.2–7.4, 5.6–7.2, 5.6–9.0, 6.0–9.0, 5.7–7.0 and 5.0–6.0, respectively. These metals are desorbed (recovery 91–98%) with 4 mol dm⁻³ HNO₃. The sorption capacity of the resin is 3.37, 3.42, 3.29, 3.24, 2.94 and 3.32 mg of metal g⁻¹ of resin, respectively, for Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb. The effect of NaF, NaCl, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄, and Na₃PO₄ on the sorption of these metal ions has been investigated. These electrolytes are tolerable up to 0.01 mol dm⁻³ in case of all the metal ions, except Cl⁻ which is tolerable even up to 0.1 mol dm⁻³ for Zn and 1.0 mol dm⁻³ for Pb. The preconcentration factor for Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb are 50, 50, 100, 65, 40 and 40 (concentration level 10–25 μg dm⁻³) respectively. Simultaneous enrichment of the six metals is possible. The method has been applied to determine Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn and Pb content in well water samples (RSD≤8%).     

Transition metal binding properties of the redox-active 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexa(ferrocenylmethyl)-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaazacyclooctadecane and its electrochemical behaviour in a non-aqueous solvent

Solution studies to elucidate the coordination behaviour and the electrochemical response of the ferrocene-functionalized polyazamacrocycle 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexa(ferrocenylmethyl)-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaazacyclooctadecane (L¹) by potentiometric methods and electrochemical techniques have been carried out. Potentiometric methods in the presence of Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were carried out in 1,4-dioxane/water (70:30 v/v, 25°C, 0.1 mol dm⁻³ KNO₃). Electrochemical studies were carried out in acetonitrile/dichloromethane (50:50 v/v, 25°C, 0.1 mol dm⁻³ TBAClO₄) in the presence of transition metal ions and anions.     

Spectrophotometric study of complexation equilibria between HCrO4 and Cl ions

The complex equilibria between HCrO₄⁻ and Cl⁻ ions has been studied spectrophotometrically at a constant ionic strength of 3.0 mol dm⁻³ and the data have been analyzed both graphically and numerically by means of the program LETAGROP-SPEFO (L. G. Sillen and B. Warnquist, Arkiv. kemi. 1968, 31, 377). The experimental results can be explained on the basis of the following reaction: HCrO₄⁻+H⁺+Cl⁻ = CrO₃Cl⁻+H₂O (log β₁₁ = 1.37±0.08). Molar absorptivities of HCrO₄⁻ and CrO₃Cl⁻ were also reported.     

Threonine-FX dosimeter for food irradiation

A detailed study for the spectrophotometric readout method for L-threonine powder, [CH₃CH(OH)CH(NH₂)COOH], was done. In this method, 400 mg unirradiated/irradiated L-threonine powder was dissolved in 10 ml of a solution which contains 3×10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ ferrous ammonium sulphate and 1.7×10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ xylenol orange (XO) in aerated aqueous 0.17 mol dm⁻³ sulphuric acid (FX). The peroxy radicals produced from irradiated threonine oxidize ferrous ions and XO forms a complex with ferric ions as well as controls the chain length of ferrous ion oxidation. The plot of absorbance at 556 nm against dose is linear in the dose range 20–400 Gy and doses down to about 1 Gy can be measured using 10-cm path cells. Response of the dosimeter is independent of irradiation temperature above 20. A dose of 50 Gy–10 kGy can be measured dissolving 50 mg threonine powder in 10 ml of a solution which contains 3×10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ ferrous ammonium sulphate and 1.3×10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ XO in aerated aqueous 0.06 mol dm⁻³ sulphuric acid (FX). The plot of absorbance at 552 nm against dose is non-linear. However dosimeter shows linear dose response up to 1000 Gy. Irradiated threonine powder is stable for about 3 months. The reproducibility of the method is better than ±2%. This dosimeter is very useful as transfer dosimeter for food irradiation programme.     

High-performance ion chromatography applied to free-radical mechanisms in drug design the problem of ion analysis at high ionic strengths

Putative free-radical intermediates in drug action can be studied by radiolysis of model systems containing low concentrations of drug and much higher concentrations of other solutes to scavenge the primary water radicals and convert them into appropriate oxidants or reductants. The need to employ high ionic solute concentrations (typically >10 mmol dm⁻³) represents a challenge for the high-performance ion chromatographic detection of drug-derived ions (typically, <50 μmol dm⁻³). Constraints on the chromatographic method chosen are illustrated with examples of the application of high-performance ion chromatography (HPIC) to radiation chemistry studies in the oxidative decar☐ylation of the anti-tumour drugs flavone-8- and xanthenone-4-acetic acids and structurally related aromatic car☐ylic acids (CO₂ in the form of CO₃²⁻), the oxidative denitrification of nitric oxide precursor molecules (NO in the form NO₂⁻/NO₃⁻) and the generation of SO₄²⁻ from novel thiol-based (perthiol) drugs.     

Studies on the chelation of aluminium for biological application—IV. AMP, ADP and ATP

Aluminium complexes of AMP, ADP and ATP have been studied at 25°C and an ionic strength of 0.15 mol dm⁻³, using glass electrode potentiometry. A novel formation function has been used as an aid to the interpretation of the data. For the Al³⁺/ADP system the major species formed, under the experimental conditions, was ML, while for the Al³⁺/ATP system the MLH species predominated.     

Influence of non-covalent interactions on the thermodynamic stereoselectivity of the protonation of some dipeptides

ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ protonation values of some pairs of diastereoisomeric dipeptides have been determined by potentiometry and calorimetry in aqueous solution at 25°C and I = 0.1 mol dm⁻³ (KNO₃). On the basis of the results obtained it has been possible to assess the role played by two different non-covalent interactions, namely the electrostatic interaction and the solvophobic interaction, on the thermodynamic stereoselectivity in the proton complex formation, shown by the systems investigated.     

A levitation technique for determining particle hydrophobicity

A new technique designed to evaluate the hydrophobicity of fine particles is described. Results of the hydrophobicity measurements correlate well with those of the Hallimond tube flotation tests both in triply distilled water and in 1·10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ AlCl₃ solution. Experimental error analysis indicates that this technique is more sensitive for detecting small changes in the hydrophobicity than the Hallimond tube tests used for determining floatability.     

A lanthanum macrocycle catalysed hydrolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl diethyl phosphate and O-isopropyl methylfluorophosphote (Sarin)

The lanthanum complex of a hexa-aza macrocycle is shown to be an effective catalyst for the hydrolysis of the water soluble phosphate triester 2,4-dinitrophenyl diethyl phosphate. At pH 9, using a catalyst concentration of 2.5 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ at 25°C, the rate enhancement is ca 10³ fold. The reaction is shown to be catalytic rather than stoichiometric and possible mechanisms involving a metal-bound hydroxide nucleophile are considered to account for the catalysis. The macrocyclic complex is alswn to be an effective catalyst for the hydrolysis of the anticholinesterase agent O-isopropyl methylfluorophosphate (Sarin).     

Effect of concentration of ion exchanger, plasticizer and molecular weight of cyanocopolymers on selectivity and sensitivity of Cd(II) ion selective electrode

Potential response of cadmium(II) ion selective electrode based on cyanocopolymer matrices and 8-hydroxyquinoline as ionophore has been evaluated by varying the amount of ionophore, plasticizer and the molecular weight of the cyanocopolymer. The sensitivity, working range, response time, and metal ions interference have shown a significant dependence on the concentration of ionophore, plasticizer and molecular weight of cyanocopolymers. The electrodes prepared with 2.38×10⁻² mol kg⁻¹ of ionophore, 1.23×10⁻² mol dm⁻³ of plasticizer and 2.0 g of cyanocopolymer (molecular wt., 59 365) have shown a Nernstian slope of 29.00±0.001 mV per decade activities of Cd²⁺ ions with a response time of 12±0.007 s. Electrodes have shown an appreciable selectivity for Cd²⁺ ions in the presence of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions and could be used in a pH range of 2.5–6.5. The cyano groups of the copolymers contributed significantly to enhance the selectivity of the electrode. The electrode has shown an appreciable average life of 6 months without any significant drift in the electrode potential and found to be free from leaching of membrane ingredients. Electrode response is explained considering phase boundary model based on thermodynamic considerations.     

2—氨基—9,10—蒽醌及其衍生物的光谱电化学研究

用循环伏安法研究了２－氨基－９，１０－蒽醌及其衍生物在ＤＭＦ－０．１ｍｏｌ／ＬＴＢＡＰ溶液中的电化学行为，结果表明它们在铂电极上均发生两步连续的单电子还原过程，取代基Ｒ及水和苯甲酸等质子性试剂的加对伏安曲线有很大的影响。     

Mechanistic study and kinetic determination of vitamin C employing the sequential injection technique

For the first time, the robust sequential injection (SI) technique has been employed for full kinetic investigation of the oxidation reaction of vitamin C. Iron(III) in sulphuric acid media was used as an oxidant and 1,10-phenanthroline as an indicator and the resulting solution of tris 1,10-phenanthroline-iron(II) complex was monitored spectrophotometrically at 510 nm. The reaction orders with respect to each reagent were determined by the SI-technique and were found to be 1, 1, and −1 for vitamin C, iron(III) and hydrogen ions respectively. On the basis of these values a rate law was developed and a plausible mechanism was established. A kinetic method for the analysis of vitamin C in drug formulations based on the results obtained above was thus validated. The drug in the range 20–300 ppm was determined by the kinetic method using 1.6×10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ ammonium ferric sulphate in 0.02 mol dm⁻³ sulphuric acid with the aspiration volume of 944 μl and the fixed-time of 180 s. The results thus obtained by the SI-kinetic method were statistically compared with those obtained by the British Pharmacoebia standard method and found to be accurate, precise and fast.     

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%).     

Phosphate-selective electrodes containing immobilised ionophores

Phosphate selective electrodes have been produced based upon rubbery membranes containing heterocylic macrocycles as sensors covalently bound to a cross-linked polystyrene-block–polybutadiene-block–polystyrene (SBS) polymer. The membranes were robust and the best HPO₄²⁻-selective membrane fabricated was composed of 7.1% (m/m) dicumyl peroxide, 28.3% (m/m) 2-nitrophenyloctylether, 9.8% (m/m) 3-(10-undecenyl)-1,5,8-triazacyclodecane-2,4-dione, 31.0% (m/m) SBS and 23.8% (m/m) PoleStar™ 200R (clay-based filler). The characteristics of this electrode were a linear Nernstian range of 3.9×10⁻³ to 1×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ HPO₄²⁻ with a limit of detection of 1.0×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ HPO₄²⁻, a slope of −29.7±0.9 mV per activity decade and a pH range from 6 to 8. Selectivity coefficients for phosphate against various interfering anions (chloride, sulfate and nitrate) were determined. Response times were 2 min or under, stability of response and electrode lifetime in continuous use were also very satisfactory. The response behavior of HPO₄²⁻-ISEs based upon mobile and bound ionophores was comparable and suggests that mobility of the ionophore is not necessary to obtain a working ISE and that covalent binding of ionophores can be used to produce ISEs of increased stability and robustness.     

Lead ion-selective membrane electrodes based on some recently synthesized 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives

Four different 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives were studied to characterize their abilities as lead ion carrier in PVC membrane electrodes. The electrode based on 1,8-dihydroxy-2,7-bis(prop-2′-enyl)-9,10-anthraquinone exhibits a Nernstian response for Pb²⁺ ions over a wide concentration range (2.0×10⁻³–2.0×10⁻⁶ M). The response time of the sensor is 30 s and the membrane can be used for more than four months without observing any deviation. The electrode revealed comparatively good selectivities with respect to alkali, alkaline earth and some transition and heavy metal ions. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of sulfate ions with a lead ion solution.     

Cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetric behaviour of guanine in the presence of copper at the static mercury drop electrode

The cathodic adsorptive electrochemical behavior of guanine in the presence of some metal ions at the static mercury drop electrode was investigated. A 1.0×10⁻³ mol l⁻¹ NaOH or a 2.0×10⁻² mol l⁻¹ Hepes buffer at pH 8.0 solutions were used as supporting electrolytes. The reduction peak potential for guanine was found to be around −0.15 V, which is very close to the mercury reduction wave. A new peak appears at −0.60 V in the presence of copper or at −1.05 V in the presence of zinc. A square wave voltammetric procedure for electroanalytical determination of guanine in 2.0×10⁻² mol l⁻¹ Hepes buffer at pH 8.0 containing 1.6×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹of copper ions, was developed. An accumulation potential of −0.15 V during 270 s for the prior adsorption of guanine at the electrode surface was used. The response of the system was found to be linear in the range of guanine concentration from 6.62×10⁻⁸ to 1.32×10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹ and the detection limit was 7.0×10⁻⁹ mol l⁻¹. The influence of DNA bases such as adenine, cytosine and thymine was also examined. Cyclic voltammetry was used to characterize the interfacial and redox mechanism.     

Simultaneous potentiometric and fluorimetric determination of diclofenac in a sequential injection analysis system

Two independent methods for the determination of diclofenac were simultaneously implemented in an automated analytical system, based on the concept of sequential injection analysis, providing real-time assessment of results quality. The potentiometric detection was carried out with an ion-selective electrode based on a cyclodextrin while for the fluorimetric determination the sample was previously subject to in-line irradiation with UV light. The potentiometric and photochemical-fluorimetric determinations exhibited linear working ranges of 5×10⁻⁶ to 1×10⁻² and 1×10⁻⁶ to 1×10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³, respectively. Relative standard errors of 0.5% for the potentiometric determination and 0.6% for the photochemical-fluorimetric determination were obtained after 10 consecutive injections of a 5×10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³ diclofenac standard solution. The sampling rate was about 32 samples h⁻¹. Both methods were applied in the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations. The quality of results obtained was evaluated by comparison to the reference method, with no statistically significant differences for a 95% confidence level.