Pesticide metabolites as contaminants of groundwater resources: assessment of the leaching potential of endosulfan sulfate, 2,6-dichlorobenzoic acid, 3,4-dichloroaniline, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 4-chloro-2-methylphenol

This study reports the results of K_oc and soil DT₅₀ experiments used for the definition of the leaching potential through the GUS Index of five metabolites: endosulfan sulphate (ES) from endosulfan, 2,6-dichlorobenzoic acid (DBA) from dichlobenil, 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA) from propanil, 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) from 2,4-D and 4-chloro-2-methylphenol (CMP) from MCPA. The K_oc values for all the compounds were lower than 300, indicating high potential mobility in soil. Soil DT₅₀ values were around 24 days for DBA and ES, and <3 days for the other three metabolites. The leaching potential expressed by the GUS Index was high for DBA and ES (>2.8) and low to negligible for CMP, DCA and DCP (<0.32). In short, the intrinsic characteristics of DBA and ES are typical of leachers, but their significance as groundwater contaminants should be further surveyed through leaching in soil columns treated with their parent compounds.     

Design variations of a polymer–enzyme composite biosensor for glucose: Enhanced analyte sensitivity without increased oxygen dependence

The glucose sensitivity and oxygen dependence of a variety of implantable biosensors based on glucose oxidase (GOx), incorporating an electrosynthesized poly-o-phenylenediamine (PPD) permselective barrier on 125-μm diameter Pt disks (Pt_D) and cylinders (Pt_C, 1-mm length), were measured and compared. Full glucose calibrations and experimental monitoring of solution oxygen concentration allowed us to determine apparent Michaelis–Menten parameters for glucose and oxygen. In the linear region of glucose response, the most sensitive biosensor design studied was Pt_D/PPD/GOx (enzyme deposited over polymer) that was 20 times more sensitive than the more widely used Pt_C/GOx/PPD (enzyme immobilized before polymer deposition) configuration. The oxygen dependence, quantified as K_M(O₂), of both active and less active designs was surprisingly similar, a finding that could be rationalized in terms of an increase in K_M(G) with increased enzyme loading. The Pt_D/PPD/GOx design will now enable us to explore glucose concentration dynamics in smaller and layered brain regions with good sensitivity and minimal interference from fluctuations in tissue pO₂.     

Glu 87 of Channelrhodopsin‐1 Causes pH‐dependent Color Tuning and Fast Photocurrent Inactivation†

Channelrhodopsins (ChR1 and ChR2) are directly light‐gated ion channels acting as sensory photoreceptors in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. These channels open rapidly after light absorption and both become permeable for cations such as H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺. K_m for Ca²⁺ is 16.6 mm in ChR1 and 18.3 mm in ChR2 whereas the K_m values for Na⁺ are higher than 100 mm for both ChRs. Action spectra of ChR1 peak between 470 and 500 nm depending on the pH conditions, whereas ChR2 peaks at 470 nm regardless of the pH value. Now we created two chimeric ChRs possessing helix 1–5 of ChR1 and 6, 7 of ChR2 (ChR1/2_5/2), or 1, 2 from ChR1 and 3–7 from ChR2 (ChR1/2_2/5). Both ChR‐chimera still showed pH‐dependent action spectra shifts. Finally, a mutant ChR1E87Q was generated that inactivated only slowly in the light and showed no spectral shift upon pH change. The results indicate that protonation/deprotonation of E87 in helix 1 alters the chromophore polarity, which shifts the absorption and modifies channel inactivation accordingly. We propose a trimodal counter ion complex for ChR1 but only a bimodal complex for ChR2.     

Kinetic and mechanistic studies on the interaction of adenosine with hydroxopentaaquarhodium(III) ion

The kinetics of the title reaction have been studied spectrophotometrically as a function of pH, [substrate], [adenosine] and temperature (50–65°C) by monitoring the appearance of a characteristic peak of the adenosine substituted product (λ_max = 289 nm). The reaction rate is pH dependent in the 3.0–4.3 range. With increase in [adenosine] the rate was found to increase and approached a limit at a higher adenosine concentration. The following rate law has been established at pH 4.3: d[Rh(H₂O)₃(OH)(adenosine)²⁺]/dt = k _a K _E[Rh(H₂O)₅(OH)²⁺]_total[adenosine]/ (1 + K _E[adenosine]) Rate and activation parameters are consistent with an associative interchange mechanism. Experimental results are discussed with reference to literature data for analogous systems. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Constant current anodic stripping chronopotentiometric determination of uranium in uranium mineral ores via accumulation of K<Subscript>2</Subscript>UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Fe(CN)<Subscript>6</Subscript>] on the palladium plated aluminum electrode

In the present work the uranyl hexacyanoferrate (K₂UO₂[Fe(CN)₆]) is deposited on the palladized aluminum (Pd-Al) electrode from a \textUO₂^{2 +} + \textFe( \textCN )₆ ^{- 3} {\text{UO}}_{2}^{2 + } + {\text{Fe}}\left( {\text{CN}} \right)_{6}^{ - 3} solution. Then the anodic stripping chronopotentiometry (ASCP) was used to strip the K₂UO₂[Fe(CN)₆] from the Pd-Al surface. The operational conditions including: pH, K₃Fe(CN)₆ concentration, deposition potential, deposition time and stripping current were optimized. The ASCP calibration graph was linear in concentration range 10–460 μM. of \textUO₂^{2 +} {\text{UO}}_{2}^{2 + } and the detection limit was 8.5 μM. The interference of some concomitant ions during the deposition process of K₂UO₂[Fe(CN)₆] was studied. The proposed method was successfully applied for analysis of some uranium mineral ores.     

Kinetic studies of the oxidation of chromium(III) by N-bromosuccinimide

Summary A kinetic study of the oxidation of chromium(III) by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in aqueous solutions and H₂O-MeOH solvent mixtures were performed. The kinetics in aqueous solutions obeyed the rate law: d[Cr^VI]/dt = {k ₄ K _h K ₂[NBS][Cr^III]_T}/[₊]{1 + K _h/[H⁺] + (K ₁ + K _h K ₂/[H⁺][NBS])} where K _h, K ₁ and K ₂ are the hydrolysis constant of [Cr^III(H₂O)₆]³⁺, and pre-equilibrium formation constants for the protonated and deprotonated precursor complexes, respectively. An innersphere mechanism is proposed. An argument based on isokinetic correlations among activation parameters for the oxidation of a series of cobalt(II) and chromium(III) complexes including [Cr(H₂O)₆]³⁺ is presented in support of a common mechanism for these reactions. Abstracted from the Ph.D. Thesis (Ain Shams University) of A. E.-D. M. Abdel-Hady.     

A dual functional 1D Cd-based coordination polymer for the highly luminescent sensitive detection of Fe3+ and picric acid

Fluorescent coordination polymers have drawn extensive attention in sensing applications. Herein, we report a carbazole-based one-dimensional coordination polymer [CdL(H₂O)(DMF)₂]·DMF ( CdL , H₂L = 9H-carbazole-2,7-dicarboxylic acid, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). In CdL , each Cd²⁺ ion is four-bridged by carboxylates, which is further linked by the carbazole units to form a one-dimensional Cd–O–C chains along the c-axis. CdL displays high water stability in the pH range of 3–10. Luminescence experiments indicate that CdL could selectively detect Fe³⁺ during the concentration range of 0–0.1 mm in water with a K_sv of 8022 m ⁻¹ and picric acid (PA) within the concentration range of 0–0.05 mm in methanol solution with a K_sv of 17948 m ⁻¹ respectively. The above results reveal that CdL can be applied as a multiresponse luminescence sensor for selectively sensing for Fe³⁺ in water and PA in methanol solution.     

Spectroscopic study of the complexation of an aza-15-crown-5 containing chromofluoroionophore with Ba2+ and Ca2+ cations

The complexation of 1-[(4-benzothiazolyl)phenyl]-4,7,10,13-tetraoxa-1-aza-cyclopenta-decane with Ba²⁺ and Ca²⁺ cations was investigated spectrophotometrically and spectrofluorometrically. The stability constants of the complexes formed are: for Ba²⁺ logK _st=3.17±0.01 (absorption) and logK _st=2.95±0.03 (fluorescence); for Ca²⁺ logK _st=3.71±0.02 (absorption) and logK _st=3.58±0.05 (fluorescence). Protonation of the ligand leads to fluorescence quenching. AM1 and PPP quantum chemical calculations were used to predict molecular geometry, proton affinities and the spectra of the compounds studied.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Drexhage on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

A Highly K+‐Selective Fluorescent Probe – Tuning the K+‐Complex Stability and the K+/Na+ Selectivity by Varying the Lariat‐Alkoxy Unit of a Phenylaza[18]crown‐6 Ionophore

A desirable goal is to synthesize easily accessible and highly K⁺/Na⁺‐selective fluoroionophores to monitor physiological K⁺ levels in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, highly K⁺/Na⁺‐selective ionophores have to be developed. Herein, we obtained in a sequence of only four synthetic steps a set of K⁺‐responsive fluorescent probes 4 , 5 and 6 . In a systematic study, we investigated the influence of the alkoxy substitution in ortho position of the aniline moiety in π‐conjugated aniline‐1,2,3‐triazole‐coumarin‐fluoroionophores 4 , 5 and 6 [R=MeO ( 4 ), EtO ( 5 ) and iPrO ( 6 )] towards the K⁺‐complex stability and K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity. The highest K⁺‐complex stability showed fluoroionophore 4 with a dissociation constant K_d of 19 mm , but the K_d value increases to 31 mm in combined K⁺/Na⁺ solutions, indicating a poor K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity. By contrast, 6 showed even in the presence of competitive Na⁺ ions equal K_d values (K_d^K+=45 mm and K_d^K+/Na+=45 mm ) and equal K⁺‐induced fluorescence enhancement factors (FEFs=2.3). Thus, the fluorescent probe 6 showed an outstanding K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity and is a suitable fluorescent tool to measure physiological K⁺ levels in the range of 10–80 mm in vitro. Further, the isopropoxy‐substituted N‐phenylaza[18]crown‐6 ionophore in 6 is a highly K⁺‐selective building block with a feasible synthetic route.     

Evaluation of the Oxo‐bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium Ammine Complex as Redox Mediator in an Electrochemical Biosensor

The mediation of electron‐transfer by oxo‐bridged dinuclear ruthenium ammine [(bpy)₂(NH₃)Ru^III(µ‐O)Ru^III(NH₃)(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ for the oxidation of glucose was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. These ruthenium (III) complexes exhibit appropriate redox potentials of 0.131–0.09 V vs. SCE to act as electron‐transfer mediators. The plot of anodic current vs. the glucose concentration was linear in the concentration range between 2.52×10^?5 and 1.00×10^?4 mol L^?1. Moreover, the apparent Michaelis‐Menten kinetic (K_M^app) and the catalytic (K_cat) constants were 8.757×10^?6 mol L^?1 and 1,956 s^?1, respectively, demonstrating the efficiency of the ruthenium dinuclear oxo‐complex [(bpy)₂(NH₃)Ru^III(µ‐O)Ru^III(NH₃)(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ as mediator of redox electron‐transfer.     

Influence of the Coordination of Donor Solvent Molecules to 1,4,7,10-Tetramethyl-1,4,7,10- tetraazacyclododecanenickel(II) and Analogous Nickel(II) Complexes on Their Steric Factors

Coordination equilibrium constants (K _NiS) of some donor solvent molecules to 1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecanenickel(II) ([Ni(Me₄[12]aneN₄)]²⁺) were determined in nitrobenzene (a noncoordinating bulk solvent). The first (K _NiS1) and second stepwise coordination equilibrium constants (K _NiS2) for 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecanenickel(II) ([Ni([12]aneN₄)]²⁺), 1,4,8,11-tetraazac yclotetradecane- nickel(II) ([Ni([14] aneN₄)]²⁺), 1,4,8,11-tetrathiacyclotetra-decanenickel(II) ([Ni([14]aneS₄)]²⁺) were also reinvestigated. The K _NiS values for [Ni(Me₄[12]aneN₄)]²⁺ were compared to those of [Ni([12]aneN₄)]²⁺, (1R,4S, 8R,11S)-1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecanenickel(II) (R,S,R,S-[Ni(Me₄[14]aneN₄)]²⁺), R,R,S,S-[Ni(Me₄[14]aneN₄)]²⁺, [Ni([14]aneN₄)]²⁺, and [Ni([14]aneS₄)]²⁺. Coordination of pyridine (Py), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylurea (TMU), and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) to [Ni(Me₄[12]aneN₄)]²⁺ was observed, although these donor solvent molecules did not coordinate to R,S,R,S-[Ni(Me₄[14]aneN₄)]²⁺. The K _NiS values for Py, TMU, and DMA are 7.9, 2.8, and 9.0 dm³⋅mol⁻¹, respectively. Some hydrogen-bonding waters were coordinated to R,S,R,S-[Ni(Me₄[14]aneN₄)]²⁺, but such waters did not coordinate to [Ni(Me₄[12] aneN₄)]²⁺. Also, the K _NiS2 values were larger than the corresponding K _NiS1 values for [Ni([14]aneS₄)]²⁺. Furthermore, the K _NiS1 values for [Ni([12]aneN₄)]²⁺ were the largest among these nickel(II) complex cations. The K _NiS, K _NiS1, and K _NiS2 values are discussed in terms of properties of the donor solvents and steric strains of these nickel(II) complex cations.     

Characterization of xylitol dehydrogenase from debaryomyces hansenii

The xylitol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.9) from xylose-grown cells ofDebaryomyces hansenii was partially purified in two Chromatographic steps, and characterization studies were carried out in order to inves tigate the role of the xylitol dehydrogenase-catalyzed step in the regu lation of D-xylose metabolism. The enzyme was most active at pH 9.0–9.5, and exhibited a broad polyol specificity. The Michaelis con stants for xylitol and NAD⁺ were 16.5 and 0.55 mM, respectively. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Mn²⁺ did not affect the enzyme activity. Conversely, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Co²⁺ strongly inhibited the enzyme activity. It was concluded that NAD⁺-xylitol dehydrogenase from D.hansenii has similarities with other xylose-fermenting yeasts in respect to optimal pH, substrate specificity, and K_m value for xylitol, and therefore should be named L-iditol:NAD⁺-5-oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.14). The reason D.hansenii is a good xylitol producer is not because of its value of K_m for xylitol, which is low enough to assure its fast oxidation by NAD⁺ xylitol dehydrogenase. However, a higher K_m value of xylitol dehydro genase for NAD⁺ compared to theK _m values of other xylose-ferment ing yeasts may be responsible for the higher xylitol yields.     

A reasonable criterion of reactivities at the defective region of single‐walled carbon nanotubes

Defect directional curvature K_D‐def was proposed as a reasonable criterion for the reactivities and adduct structures at the defective region of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). B3LYP/6‐31G* calculations for the [2 + 1] and [1 + 1] additions of a series of 11‐layer (n, n) (n = 4–8) and six‐layer (10,0) SWCNTs with Stone‐Wales defects showed that the K_D‐def or its mean K_M‐def was a good index to judge the adduct structures and the reactivities. Adducts of the [2 + 1] additions were divided into two types: one was the adduct with the C‐X‐C configuration and corresponding to the large K_D‐def and the large binding energy, and another was the adduct with the closed ?3MR structure and corresponding to the small K_D‐def and the small binding energy. It must be pointed out that, besides mainly relying on the K_D‐def, the adduct structures and the reactivities of the [2 + 1] additions had been weakly affected by topologic structures. The calculated results for the [1 + 1] additions of the 11‐layer (5,5) SWCNT with defect A revealed that the binding energies monotonously increased with the K_M‐def. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Effects of glucose,glutamine, and malate on the metabolism of spodoptera frugiperda clone 9 (sf9) cells

Optimal design and operation of bioreactors for insect cell culture is facilitated by functional relations providing quantitative information on cellular metabolite consumption kinetics, as well as on the specific cell growth rates (μ_G). Initial specific consumption rates of glucose, malate, and oxygen, and associated changes in μ_G, were measured forSpodoptera frugiperda clone 9 (Sf9) cells grown in batch suspension culture in medium containing 7–35 mM glucose, 0–16 mM malate, and 4–16 mM glutamine. The initial specific glucose consumption rate (q _G ) could be described by a modified Michaelis-Menten equation treating malate as a “competitive” inhibitorK ₁ = 6.5 mM) and glutamine as a “noncompetitive” inhibitorK _I = 14 mM) ofq _G , with aK _m of 7.1 mM for glucose. All three carbon sources were found to increase μ_G in a saturable manner, and a modified Monod equation was employed to describe this relationship (μ_Gmax = 0.047 h^-1). The initial specific oxygen consumption rate (q_O2) in Sf9 cells could be related to μ_G by the maintenance energy model, and it was calculated that, under typical culture conditions, about 15–20% of the cellular energy demand comes from functions not related to growth. Fitted parameters in mathematical expression for μg: K₄, Monod constant for glucose (mM); K₅, modified Monod constant for malate (mM); K₆, Monod constant for glutamine (mM); m_o2, specific consumption rate of oxygen by the cells under zero-growth conditions (nmol/cell/h); q_F, initial specific fumarate production rate (nmol/cell/ h);q _G , initial specific glucose consumption rate (nmol/cell/h); q_Gmax, maximum initial specific glucose consumption rate (nmol/cell/h);q _M , initial specific malate consumption rate (nmol/cell/h); q_o2, initial specific oxygen consumption rate (nmol/cell/h); Y_o2, cell yield on oxygen (cells/nmol); μ, initial specific cell growth rate (h^-1); μ_g, initial specific cell growth rate (h^-1); μG_max, maximum initial specific cell growth rate (h^-1).     

HYDROLYSIS OF p-NTTROPHENYL PICOLINATE CATALYZED BY ZINC(H) OR NICKEL (II) COMPLEXES OF LONG ALKYL-PYRIDINES WITH HYDROXYL GROUPS IN MICELLAR SOLUTION

The ternary complex kinetic model for metallomicellar catalysis was employed to investigate the effect of Zn²⁺ ion or Ni²⁺ion complexes of long alkyl-pyridines with hydroxyl groups in micellar solution on the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl picolinate in this paper. The kinetic and the thermodynamic parameters (K _N, K _r, K _M) were obtained. More worthily, the effect of pH on the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl picolinate in metallomicellar phase was discussed quantitatively. The rate constant (K _N) of the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl picolinate in metallomicellar phase was obtained and compared with Cu²⁺ ion complex system. The results indicated that Cu²⁺ ion micelle, Ni²⁺ ion micelle and Zn²⁺ ion micelle all exhibited great catalytic effects on the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl picolinate. and the order of activity is:Cu²⁺ ion micelle ≥ Ni²⁺ ion micelle ≥ Zn²⁺ ion micell. Moreover, the reasonability of the ternary complex kinetic model was verified further.     

A Reversible Fluorescent Probe for Real-Time Quantitative Monitoring of Cellular Glutathione

The ability to monitor and quantify glutathione (GSH) in live cells is essential in order to gain a detailed understanding of GSH-related pathological events. However, owing to their irreversible response mechanisms, most existing fluorescent GSH probes are not suitable for this purpose. We have developed a ratiometric fluorescent probe (QG- 1 ) for quantitatively monitoring cellular GSH. The probe responds specifically and reversibility to GSH with an ideal dissociation constant (K_d) of 2.59 mm and a fast response time (t_1/2=5.82 s). We also demonstrate that QG- 1 detection of GSH is feasible in a model protein system. QG- 1 was found to have extremely low cytotoxicity and was applied to determine the GSH concentration in live HeLa cells (5.40±0.87 mm ).     

Reversible Dihydrogen Activation by Reduced Aryl Boranes as Main‐Group Ambiphiles

A new approach to main‐group H₂ activation combining concepts of transition‐metal and frustrated Lewis pair chemistry is reported. Ambiphilic, metal‐like reactivity toward H₂ can be conferred to 9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐diboraanthracene (DBA) acceptors by the injection of two electrons. The resulting [DBA]^2? ions cleave the H?H bond with the formation of hydridoborates under moderate conditions (T=50–100 °C; p<1 atm). Depending on the boron‐bonded substituents R, the addition is either reversible (R=C≡CtBu) or irreversible (R=H). The reaction rate is strongly influenced by the nature and the coordination behavior of the countercation (Li⁺ slower than K⁺). Quantum‐chemical calculations support the experimental observations and suggest a concerted, homolytic addition of H₂ across both boron atoms. As proven by the successful conversion of Me₃SiCl into Me₃SiH, the system Li₂[DBA]/H₂ appears generally relevant for the hydrogenation of element–halide bonds.     

Influence of Water on the Equilibria of Protonation of Mesoporphyrin IX Dimethyl Ether in Acetonitrile

The equilibria of protonation of mesoporphyrin IX dimethyl ether (H₂MP), namely, H₂MP + H⁺ H₃MP⁺ and H₃MP⁺ + H⁺ H₄MP²⁺, in the H₂MP(1.4 × 10^–5 mol/l)–HClO₄(0–0.01 mol/l)–H₂O(0.01–1.65 mol/l)–CH₃CN system at 298 K were studied using the spectropotentiometry method. It was established that the first-step equilibrium (logK ₁ = 11.95) is not affected by water. The dication forms two hydrates (H₂O)H₄MP²⁺ and (H₂O)₂H₄MP²⁺ with the step formation constants K _{h 1} = 8.50 and K _{h 2} = 1.39. The conventional constant of the second protonation step is related to the water concentration through the equation logK ₂ ^" = logK ₂ + log(1 + K _{h 1}[H₂O] + K _{h 1} K _{h 2}[H₂O]²). In anhydrous acetonitrile, logK ₂ = 7.51. The electronic absorption spectra of H₄MP²⁺ and of its hydrates are identical; therefore, K ₁ and K ₂ ^" cannot be distinguished in photometric determination of [H₄MP²⁺] in the presence of water.     

Poly(pyrrole) versus poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): amperometric cholesterol biosensor matrices

Two conducting polymers, poly(pyrrole) (PPy) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) were used as immobilization matrices for cholesterol oxidase (ChOx). The amperometric responses of the enzyme electrodes were measured by monitoring oxidation current of H₂O₂ at +0.7 V in the absence of a mediator. Kinetic parameters, such as K _m and I _max, operational and storage stabilities, effects of pH and temperature were determined for both entrapment supports. K _m values are found as 7.9 and 1.3 mM for PPy and PEDOT enzyme electrodes, respectively; it can be interpreted that ChOx immobilized in PEDOT shows higher affinity towards the substrate.     

Kinetics of oxidation of a 2-aminomethylpyridinechromium(III) complex by periodate

The oxidation kinetics of the 2-aminomethylpyridineCr^III complex with periodate in aqueous solution were studied and found to obey the rate law:Rate = [Cr^III]_T [IO₄ ^-]{k¹K² + k₂ K₁ K₃/[H⁺]}/{1+K₁/[H⁺] + k₂[IO₄ ^-]+K₁K₃/[H⁺][IO₄ ^-]} where K ₁, K ₂ and K ₃ are the deprotonation of [Cr(L)₂(H₂O)]³⁺ and pre-equilibrium formation constants for [(L)₂—Cr—OIO₃]²⁺ and [(L)₂—Cr—OH—OIO₃]⁺ precursor complexes respectively. An inner-sphere mechanism was proposed. The effect of Cu²⁺ on the oxidation rate was studied over the (1.0–9.0) × 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³ range. The reaction rate was found to be inversely proportional to the Cu²⁺ concentration over the range studied. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.