Nitrite and Nitric Oxide Interconversion at Mononuclear Copper(II): Insight into the Role of the Red Copper Site in Denitrification

Nitrite (NO₂⁻) and nitric oxide (NO) interconversion is crucial for maintaining optimum NO flux in mammalian physiology. Herein we demonstrate that [ L ₂Cu^II(nitrite)]⁺ moieties (in 2 a and 2 b ; where, L = Me₂PzPy and Me₂PzQu ) with distorted octahedral geometry undergo facile reduction to provide tetrahedral [ L ₂Cu^I]⁺ (in 3 a and 3 b ) and NO in the presence of biologically relevant reductants, such as 4-methoxy-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (4-MeO-2,6-DTBP, a tyrosine model) and N-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH, a NAD(P)H model). Interestingly, the reaction of excess NO gas with [ L ₂Cu^II(MeCN)₂]²⁺ (in 1 a ) provides a putative {CuNO}¹⁰ species, which is effective in mediating the nitrosation of various nucleophiles, such as thiol and amine. Generation of the transient {CuNO}¹⁰ species in wet acetonitrile leads to NO₂⁻ as assessed by Griess assay and ¹⁴N/¹⁵N-FTIR analyses. A detailed study reveals that the bidirectional NO_x-reactivity, namely, nitrite reductase (NIR) and NO oxidase (NOO), at a common Cu^II site, is governed by the geometric-preference-driven facile Cu^II/Cu^I redox process. Of broader interest, this study not only highlights potential strategies for the design of copper-based catalysts for nitrite reduction, but also strengthens the previous postulates regarding the involvement of red copper proteins in denitrification.     

Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrite by Phosphotungstic Heteropolyanion. Application for Its Simple and Selective Determination

Three couples of reversible redox peaks of the PW₁₂O₄₀^3? (PW₁₂) anion, which are composed of two one‐electron and one two‐electron processes occur in the potential range from +0.25 to ?0.7 V in aqueous solutions. The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite has been studied by the first redox couple of the PW₁₂ anion at the surface of a carbon paste electrode. Cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric techniques were used to investigate the suitability of PW₁₂ anion as a mediator for nitrite electrocatalytic reduction in aqueous solution with strongly acidic concentration of H₂SO₄. Results showed that H₂SO₄ 1.00 M is the best medium for this purpose. In the optimum concentration of H₂SO₄, the electrocatalytic ability about 500 mV can be seen and the homogeneous second‐order rate constant (k_s) for nitrite coupled catalytically to PW₁₂ anion was calculated as 2.52×10³ M^?1 s^?1 using the Nicholson–Shain method. According to our voltammetric experiments, the catalytic reduction peak current was linearly dependent on the nitrite concentration and the linearity range obtained was 3×10^?5 to 1.00×10^?3 M. The detection limit has been found to be 2.82×10^?5 M (2σ). This method has been applied as a selective, simple, and precise method for determination of nitrite in real samples.     

Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of a Nafion/Nano‐CaCO3/Hb Film Modified Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode Using BMIMPF6 as Binder

In this paper a room temperature ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆) was used as binder for the construction of carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) and a new electrochemical biosensor was developed for determination of H₂O₂ by immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) in the composite film of Nafion/nano‐CaCO₃ on the surface of CILE. The Hb modified electrode showed a pair of well‐defined, quasi‐reversible redox peaks with E_pa and E_pc as ?0.265 V and ?0.470 V (vs. SCE). The formal potential (E°′) was got by the midpoint of E_pa and E_pc as ?0.368 V, which was the characteristic of Hb Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couples. The peak to peak separation was 205 mV in pH 7.0 Britton–Robinson (B–R) buffer solution at the scan rate of 100 mV/s. The direct electrochemistry of Hb in the film was carefully investigated and the electrochemical parameters of Hb on the modified electrode were calculated as α=0.487 and k_s=0.128 s^?1. The Nafion/nano‐CaCO₃/Hb film electrode showed good electrocatalysis to the reduction of H₂O₂ in the linear range from 8.0 to 240.0 μmol/L and the detection limit as 5.0 μmol/L (3σ). The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K_M^app) was estimated to be 65.7 μmol/L. UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy and FT‐IR spectroscopy showed that Hb in the Nafion/nano‐CaCO₃ composite film could retain its native structure.     

Poly(ortho‐toluidine) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode: A Sensor for Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrite

The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite has been studied by poly(ortho‐toluidine) films modified carbon paste electrode (P‐OT/MCPE). Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques were used to investigate the suitability of poly(ortho‐toluidine) as a mediator for the electrocatalytic nitrite reduction in aqueous solution with various pH. Results showed that pH 0.00 is the most suitable for this purpose. In the optimum pH, the reduction of nitrite occurs at a potential about 600 mV more positive than unmodified carbon paste electrode. The catalytic reaction rate constant, (k_h), was calculated 8.68×10² M^?1 s^?1 by the data of chronoamperometry. The catalytic reduction peak current was linearly dependent on the nitrite concentration and the linearity range obtained was 5.00×10^?4 M–1.90×10^?2 M. Detection limit has been found to be 3.38×10^?4 M (2σ). This method has been successfully employed for quantification of nitrite in real sample.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Dopamine at a Nanocuprous Oxide‐Methylene Blue Composite Glassy Carbon Electrode

Cuprous oxide nanowhisker was prepared by using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CATB) as soft template, and was characterized by XRD and TEM methods. The electrochemical properties of nano‐Cu₂O and nano‐Cu₂O‐methylene blue (MB) modified electrode were studied. The experimental results indicate that nano‐Cu₂O shows a couple of redox peaks corresponding to the redox of Cu(II)/Cu(I), the peak currents are linear to the scan rates which demonstrate that the electrochemical response of Cu₂O is surface‐controlled. The composite nano‐Cu₂O‐Nafion‐MB modified electrode shows a trend of decrease of peak currents corresponding to the Cu (II)/Cu (I). However, the electrocatalytic ability of nano‐Cu₂O‐MB composite film to dopamine increases dramatically. At this composite electrode, dopamine shows a couple of quasireversible redox peaks with a peak separation of 106 mV, the peak current increases about 8 times and the oxidation peak potential decreases about 200 mV as compared to that at bare glassy carbon electrode. The peak currents change linearly with concentration of dopamine from 1×10^?7 to 3.2×10^?4 mol/L, the detection limit is 4.6×10^?8 mol/L. The composite electrode can effectively eliminate the interference of ascorbic acid and has better stability and excellent reproducibility.     

Study of the Electrochemical Behavior of Disperse Blue 1‐Modified Graphite Electrodes. Application to the Flow Determination of NADH

The preparation and the electrochemical study of Disperse Blue 1‐chemically modified electrodes (DB1‐CME), as well as their efficiency for the electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH is described. The proposed mediator was immobilized by physical adsorption onto graphite electrodes. The electrochemical behavior of DB1‐CME was studied with cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical redox reaction of DB1 was found to be reversible, revealing two well‐shaped pair of peaks with formal potentials 152 and ?42 mV, respectively, (vs. Ag/AgCl/3M KCl) at pH 6.5. The current I_p has a linear relationship with the scan rate up to 800 mV s^?1, which is indicative for a fast electron transfer kinetics. The dissociation constants of the immobilized DB1 redox couple were calculated pK₁=4 and pK₂=5. The electrochemical rate constants of the immobilized DB1 were calculated k₁°=18 s^?1 and k₂°=23 s^?1 (Γ=2.36 nmol cm^?2). The modified electrodes were mounted in a flow injection manifold, poised at +150 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl/3M KCl) and a catalytic current due to the oxidation of NADH was measured. The reproducibility was 1.4% RSD (n=11 for 30 μM NADH) The behavior of the sensor towards different reducing compounds was investigated. The sensor exhibited good operational and storage stability.     

A Nitrite Biosensor Based on Coimmobilization of Nitrite Reductase and Viologen‐Modified Polysiloxane on Glassy Carbon Electrode

Copper containing nitrite reductase (Cu‐NiR) and viologen‐modified sulfonated polyaminopropylsiloxane (PAPS‐SO₃H‐V) were co‐immobilized on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by hydrophilic polyurethane (HPU) drop‐coating, and the electrode was tested as a reagentless electrochemical biosensor for nitrite detection. The newly synthesized PAPS‐SO₃H‐V as an electron transfer (ET) mediator between electrode and NiR was effective, and could be effectively immobilized in HPU membrane. The NiR and PAPS‐SO₃H‐V co‐immobilized GCE used as a nitrite biosensor showed the following performance factors: sensitivity=12.0 nA μM^?1, limit of detection (LOD)=60 nM (S/N=3), linear response range=0–18 μM (r²=0.996) and response time (t_90%)=60 s, respectively. Lineweaver–Burk plot shows that apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K is 101 μM. Storage stability of the sensor is 51 days (80% of initial activity) in condition of storing in ambient air at room temperature. The sensor showed a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.2% (n=5) even in condition of injection of 1 μM nitrite. Interference study showed that common anions in water sample such as chlorate, chloride, sulfate and sulfite do not interfere with the nitrite detection. However, nitrate interfered with a relative sensitivity of 80% due to inherent character of the enzyme used.     

Cu(II) Hexacyanoferrate(III) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode; Application for Electrocatalytic Detection of Nitrite

Copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) film‐modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) has been prepared from various electrolytic aqueous solutions using consecutive cyclic voltammetry. The cyclic voltammograms showed the direct deposition of CuHCF films from the mixing of Cu²⁺ and Fe(CN)₆^3? ions and each time with one of the six cations: H⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄⁺, Mg²⁺, and Al³⁺. The CuHCF film showed a single redox couple that exhibited a cation effect (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and NH₄⁺) and anion effect (Cl^?, NO₃^?, SO₄^2?, ClO₄^?, and BrO₃^?) in the cyclic voltammograms. Voltammetric studies have indicated that in presence of nitrite, the cathodic peak current of CuHCF increases, followed by a decrease in the corresponding anodic current. This indicated that nitrite was reduced by the redox mediator immobilized on the electrode surface via an electrocatalytic mechanism. The process of reduction and its kinetics were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, chronoamperometry and chronocoulometry techniques. The electrocatalytic ability about 800 mV can be seen. The rate constant of the catalytic reduction of nitrite was found to be 7.9×10⁵ cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. Linearity range obtained was 5×10^?5?8.4×10^?3 by cyclic voltammetry and 8×10^?6?1.3×10^?3 and 4×10^?3?2×10^?2 by differential pulse voltammetry.     

Oligo-m-phenyleneoxalamide copper(II) mesocates as electro-switchable ferromagnetic metal-organic wires

Double‐stranded copper(II) string complexes of varying nuclearity, from di‐ to tetranuclear species, have been prepared by the Cu^II‐mediated self‐assembly of a novel family of linear homo‐ and heteropolytopic ligands that contain two outer oxamato and either zero ( 1 b ), one ( 2 b ), or two ( 3 b ) inner oxamidato donor groups separated by rigid 2‐methyl‐1,3‐phenylene spacers. The X‐ray crystal structures of these Cu^II_n complexes (n=2 ( 1 d ), 3 ( 2 d ), and 4 ( 3 d )) show a linear array of metal atoms with an overall twisted coordination geometry for both the outer CuN₂O₂ and inner CuN₄ chromophores. Two such nonplanar all‐syn bridging ligands 1 b – 3 b in an anti arrangement clamp around the metal centers with alternating M and P helical chiralities to afford an overall double meso‐helicate‐type architecture for 1 d – 3 d . Variable‐temperature (2.0–300 K) magnetic susceptibility and variable‐field (0–5.0 T) magnetization measurements for 1 d – 3 d show the occurrence of S=nS_Cu (n=2–4) high‐spin ground states that arise from the moderate ferromagnetic coupling between the unpaired electrons of the linearly disposed Cu^II ions (S_Cu=1/2) through the two anti m‐phenylenediamidate‐type bridges (J values in the range of +15.0 to 16.8 cm^?1). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for 1 d – 3 d evidence a sign alternation of the spin density in the meta‐substituted phenylene spacers in agreement with a spin polarization exchange mechanism along the linear metal array with overall intermetallic distances between terminal metal centers in the range of 0.7–2.2 nm. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating‐disk electrode (RDE) electrochemical measurements for 1 d – 3 d show several reversible or quasireversible one‐ or two‐electron steps that involve the consecutive metal‐centered oxidation of the inner and outer Cu^II ions (S_Cu=1/2) to diamagnetic Cu^III ones (S_Cu=0) at relatively low formal potentials (E values in the range of +0.14 to 0.25 V and of +0.43 to 0.67 V vs. SCE, respectively). Further developments may be envisaged for this family of oligo‐m‐phenyleneoxalamide copper(II) double mesocates as electroswitchable ferromagnetic ‘metal–organic wires’ (MOWs) on the basis of their unique ferromagnetic and multicenter redox behaviors.     

Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite in Meat and Water Samples Using a Mesoporous Carbon Ceramic SiO2/C Electrode Modified with In Situ Generated Manganese(II) Phthalocyanine

Mesoporous carbon ceramic SiO₂/50 wt % C (S_BET=170 m² g^?1), where C is graphite, were prepared by the sol‐gel method. The materials were characterized using N₂ sorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, and conductivity measurements. The matrix was used as support for the in situ immobilization of Mn(II) phthalocyanine (MnPc) on their surface. XPS was used to determine the Mn/Si atomic ratios of the MnPc‐modified materials. Pressed disk electrodes were prepared with the MnPc‐modified matrix, and tested as an electrochemical sensor for nitrite oxidation. The linear response range, sensitivity, detection limit and quantification limit were 0.79–15.74 µmol L^?1, 17.31 µA L µmol^?1, 0.02 µmol L^?1 and 0.79 µmol L^?1, respectively, obtained using cyclic voltammetry. The repeatability of the proposed sensor, evaluated in terms of relative standard deviation was 1.7 % for 10 measurements of a solution of 12.63 µmol L^?1 nitrite. The sensor employed to determine nitrite in sausage meat, river and lake water samples showed to be a promising tool for this purpose.     

Comparison of the Complexation of Open-Chain and Cyclic N2S2 Ligands with Cu+ and Cu2+

The complexation properties of the open-chain N₂S₂ ligands 1–4 are described and compared to those of analogous N₂S₂ macrocycles 5–7 . With Cu²⁺, the open-chain ligands give complexes with the stoichiometry CuL²⁺ and CuLOH⁺, the stabilities and absorption spectra of which have been determined. The ligand field exerted by these ligands is relatively constant and independent of the length of the chain. With Cu⁺, the species CuLH, CuLH²⁺, and CuL⁺ were identified and their stabilities measured. The redox potentials calculated from the equilibrium constants and measured by cyclic voltammetry agree and lie between 250 and 280 mV against SHE. The comparison between open-chain and cyclic ligands shows that (1) a macrocyclic effect is found for Cu²⁺ but not for Cu⁺, (2) the ligand-field strength is very different for the two types of ligands, and (3) the redox potentials span a larger interval for the macrocyclic than for the open-chain complexes.     

Electrocatalytical Oxidation of Nitrite and Its Determination Based on Au@Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

A promising electrochemical nitrite sensor was fabricated by immobilizing Au@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on the surface of L ‐cysteine modified glassy carbon electrode, which was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The proposed sensor exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward nitrite oxidation. The kinetic parameters of the electrode reaction process were calculated, (1–α)n_α was 0.38 and the heterogeneous electron transfer coefficient (k) was 0.13 cm s^?1. The detection conditions such as supporting electrolyte and pH value were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range for the determination of nitrite was 3.6×10^?6 to 1.0×10^?2 M with a detection limit of 8.2×10^?7 M (S/N=3). Moreover, the as‐prepared electrode displayed good stability, repeatability and selectivity for promising practical applications.     

Phenol Photonitration and Photonitrosation upon Nitrite Photolysis in basic solution

Nitrophenols have been detected in some Antarctic lakes, the water of which is basic and rich in nitrate, nitrite and other nutrients. Nitrate or nitrite photolysis could be a possible reaction to explain the presence of these compounds. This work presents evidence for the formation of 2-nitrophenol (2NP), 4-nitrophenol (4NP) and 4-nitrosophenol (4NOP) upon UV irradiation of phenol and nitrite in aerated basic solutions.

The pH dependence of the 2NP initial formation rate is different from those of 4NP and 4NOP. The dependence of the first mainly reflects the phenol/phenolate equilibrium, with phenol yielding 2NP at a higher rate than phenolate. In the case of 4NOP, the initial formation rate vs pH has a maximum at pH 9.5. The pH dependence of 4NOP formation rate suggests that three pathways are likely to operate: nitrosation of undissociated phenol by N₂O₃, prevailing at pH<8.7, nitrosation of phenolate by N₂O₃, prevailing in the pH interval 8.7–10.8, and reaction between phenoxyl radical and ^?NO, prevailing at pH>10.8. Phenol nitrosation by N₂O₃ is favoured when phenol is negatively charged (phenolate), but it is also disfavoured at alkaline pH values, owing to the depletion of N₂O₃ (the nitrosating agent) by basic hydrolysis. Differently from 2NP, the initial formation rate vs pH of 4NP is very similar to that of 4NOP, suggesting that 4NP may originate from the oxidation of 4NOP. Moreover, while in neutral and acidic solutions the formation rate of 2NP is slightly higher than that of 4NP, in the pH interval 8–12 the formation of 4NP is much more rapid than that of 2NP. This indicates that the pH of natural waters influences the ratio of nitroisomers.     

Sequential Spectrophotometric Determination of Microgram Amounts of Nitrate and Nitrite in Mixtures

This paper describes three new methods: the first may be used for the determination of nitrite; the second is applicable to determination of nitrate; and the third permits sequential determination of both nitrite and nitrate in mixtures with no prior separation. For the determination of nitrite and nitrate in synthetic mixtures containing 1:5 to 5:1 ratios of the ions, in tap water, and in river water, mean recoveries (for 3 to 22 μg of added NO⁻₃and NO⁻₂) are 96.1 and 98.1% (n= 15) and coefficients of variation are 2.2 and 2.5% for NO⁻₃and NO⁻₂(n= 5), respectively.     

Electrochemical Investigation of the Role of Reducing Agents in Copper‐Catalyzed Nitric Oxide Release from S‐Nitrosoglutathione

Studies of nitric oxide (NO) release from S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) decomposition by Cu²⁺ in the presence of reducing agents were performed using a nickel porphyrin and Nafion‐coated microsensor in order to compare the efficiency of sodium hydrosulfite (Na₂S₂O₄) and sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) to that of the most abundant endogenous reducer, glutathione (GSH). When it was mixed to Cu(NO₃)₂ and added to equimolar concentration of GSNO, each reducing agent caused a NO release (measured in terms of oxidation current) but only NaBH₄ induced a proportional rise if its concentration doubled and that of Cu²⁺ remained constant. For Na₂S₂O₄, there was a mild increase and for GSH, no change. Furthermore, when Cu²⁺ concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5 μM were mixed with 2 μM reducing agent and added to 2 μM GSNO_, the NO oxidation current linearly increased with NaBH₄ and was constant with Na₂S₂O₄. Concerning GSH, Cu²⁺ dose‐dependently increased the NO release from GSNO only if the Cu²⁺‐to‐reducer ratio was ≤1. However, GSH formed the catalytic species Cu⁺ even in excess of Cu²⁺ and GSNO as indicated by suppression of the Cu²⁺/GSH‐induced NO release when the Cu⁺ chelator neocuproine was added to GSNO. This work shows that, among the 3 reducing agents, only NaBH₄ allows Cu²⁺ to dose‐dependently increase the NO release from GSNO for Cu²⁺‐to‐reducer ratios ranging from 0.25 to 2.5. Despite this good effectiveness, excess of NaBH₄ compared to both Cu²⁺ and GSNO seems to be required for optimal NO release.     

Rapid Analysis of Nitrate and Nitrite by Ion-Interaction Chromatography on a Monolithic Column

Ion-interaction chromatography with direct conductivity detection has been used for analysis of nitrate and nitrite. Chromatographic separation was performed on a monolithic silica-based C₁₈ column dynamically modified with tetrabutylammonium (TBA⁺). Using the optimized mobile phase, containing 2.0 mmol L^?1 TBA⁺ and 0.8 mmol L^?1 citrate (pH 6.0), delivered at a flow rate of 6.0 mL min^?1, separation of five anions (chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, and sulfate) was achieved in only 40 s at a column temperature of 30 °C. The detection limits for nitrate and nitrite were 0.74 and 0.92 mg L^?1, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 5) of the retention times of nitrate and nitrite was 0.1% and RSD of chromatographic peak areas were 0.4 and 0.2%, respectively. The method was successfully used for analysis of the anions in groundwater. Recovery of nitrate and nitrite was 99.1 and 105%, respectively.     

Electrocatalysis via Direct Electrochemistry of Myoglobin Immobilized on Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles

The direct electron transfer between immobilized myoglobin (Mb) and colloidal gold modified carbon paste electrode was studied. The Mb immobilized on the colloidal gold nanoparticles displayed a pair of redox peaks in 0.1 M pH 7.0 PBS with a formal potential of –(0.108 ± 0.002) V (vs. NHE). The response showed a surface‐controlled electrode process with an electron transfer rate constant of (26.7 ± 3.7) s ^?1 at scan rates from 10 to 100 mV s^?1 and a diffusion‐controlled process involving the diffusion of proton at scan rates more than 100 mV s^?1. The immobilized Mb maintained its activity and could electrocatalyze the reduction of both hydrogen peroxide and nitrite. Thus, the novel renewable reagentless sensors for hydrogen peroxide and nitrite were developed, respectively. The activity of Mb with respect to the pseudo peroxidase with a K_M^app value of 0.65 mM could respond linearly to hydrogen peroxide concentration from 4.6 to 28 μM. The sensor exhibited a fast amperometric response to NO₂^? reduction and reached 93% of steady‐state current within 5 s. The linear range for NO₂^? determination was from 8.0 to 112 μM with a detection limit of 0.7 μM at 3σ.     

Electrochemical Properties of Hydroxyphenazine-Coated Electrodes

Glassy carbon and gold electrodes were coated with 1-hydroxyphenazine, and the electrochemical properties of these electrodes were tested using them as a rotating disc electrode to reduce Ru (bipy)₃³⁺, Fe³⁺, quinoxaline, O₂, and to oxidize Eu²⁺. The fixed redox couple can be reversibly reduced and oxidized, and acts as an intermediate medium for the electron transfer. For example the Ru(bipy)₃³⁺ (E_1/2= 1010 mV vs. SCE. (saturated calomel electrode) on a glassy carbon electrode in 1M H₂SO₄) is only reduced at 50 mV, whereas the oxidation of Eu²⁺ (E_1/2= ?460 mV vs. SCE. on a Hg-electrode in 1M HCl) takes place at ? 100 mV. The heterogeneous rate constant depends on the second order reaction between the attached coating and the redox couple in solution. Depending on this rate constant, selectivity of the electrode is observed.     

Nitrite formation in aerated aqueous azide solutions: A radiation chemical study

Gamma radiolysis of oxygenated 1–10 mM azide solutions was carried out at various pH values. In oxygenated 10 mM azide solutions, H₂O₂ and NO ₂ ⁻ were observed as radiolytic products while NH3 was not. The concentration of H₂O₂ reached its maximum level at a dose of 1 kGy, whereas NO ₂ ⁻ yield increased non-linearly beyond 2 kGy in this system. Both in aerated and oxygenated systems, G(NO ₂ ⁻ ) and G(H₂O₂) were found to vary with N ₃ ⁻ concentration. The yield of NO ₂ ⁻ was found to be dependent on both dose rate and pH. On pulse radiolysis, NO ₂ ⁻ was found as a radiolytic product in aerated 1 mM azide solution at pH 6.8. In this system the intermediate generated exhibits absorbance around 250 nm. The overall results obtained during the present study reveal that in presence of both reducing radical (mainly e _aq ⁻ ) and oxygen, N ₃ ⁻ produced an intermediate possibly NH₂O ₂ ^• radical, which is the prime source for NO ₂ ⁻ generation.     

Spectrofluorimetric Determination of Nitrite with Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate-2-Pyridylhydrazone

Abstract

The nitrite ion oxidizes pyridoxal-5-phosphate-2-pyridyl-hydrazone in acid medium giving a fluorescent product (λ_ex 325 nm, λ_em 420 nm). This redox reaction is used to developed a spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of nitrite. The calibration graph is liner in the 0.1 ? 1.0 μg mL^?1 range. The interference levels, stoichiometry and nature of the reaction have been studied. The method is applied to determine nitrite in water and soil samples