Investigation into the voltammetric behaviour and detection of selenium(IV) at metal electrodes in diverse electrolyte media

The voltammetric behaviour of selenium(IV) was studied at platinum and gold electrodes in sulphuric acid, perchloric acid and potassium chloride media as a basis for its voltammetric detection. The best voltammetric behaviour was recorded at gold electrodes with perchloric acid as the supporting electrolyte. The concomitant presence of metals, such as copper or lead, and of model biomolecules, such as bovine serum albumin, in the solution resulted in a deterioration of the electrochemical response for selenium(IV). Quantitative detection of selenium(IV) by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry at both a millimetre-sized gold disc electrode and a microband electrode array revealed linear responses to selenium concentration in the ranges 5–15 μM and 0.1–10 μM, respectively, with 60 s preconcentration. The sensitivities were 6.4 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² and 100 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² at the disc and the microband array, respectively. The detection limit at the microband electrode array was 25 nM, illustrating the potentiality of such microelectrodes for the development of mercury-free analytical methods for the trace detection of selenium(IV).     

The determination of arsenic and selenium in coal by continuous flow hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Concentrated perchloric acid is used to digest coal for subsequent determination of arsenic and selenium by hydride-generation atomic absorption and fluorescence spectrometry. Arsenic and selenium are removed from potentially interfering metal ions by coprecipitation with lanthanum hydroxide. The detection limits, 58 and 36 ng g^?1 by atomic absorption and 25 and 10 ng g^?1 by atomic fluorescence, for arsenic and selenium in coal, respectively, are adequate for the normal levels of these metals.     

Accurate determination of selenium in biological materials without perchloric acid for digestion

Selenium (10–80 μg kg^?1) is determined by hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry in mixed diet, faecal and urine samples and in standard reference materials (bovine liver, rice flour, wheat flour and horse kidney) after two digestion procedures. No difference was found in digestion efficiency between a nitric/sulphuric acid mixture and a nitric/sulphuric/perchloric acid mixture. The results suggest that the digestion of most biological materials for the determination of selenium does not require the use of perchloric acid.     

Radiochemical separation of7 5Se with o-phenylenediamine for instrumental neutron activation analysis of selenium in biological materials

A new method of radiochemical separation for determination of selenium in biological materials has been developed. The method is based on the reaction of tetravalent selenium with the amino groups of aromatic ortho-diamines resulting in selenodiazoles, which can be easily extracted with organic solvents. The biological samples were irradiated in a reactor, mineralized with nitric and perchloric acids and MgCl₂. Selenium was transformed to teravalent form with hydrochloric acid and the resulting bezoselenodiazole formed in the reaction with o-phenylenediamine was extracted with toluene. The radioactivity of selenium^{7 5}Se was measured with a well-type NaI(Tl) scientillation detector. The accuracy of the method was verified by determining selenium levels in SRM NBS. The detection limit of the method was found to be 0.5 ng Se. The comparison of selenium levels in human blood determined by HG-AAS. non-destructive NAA and the described method is presented.     

Gravimetric determination of selenium from perchloric acid solution with hydrazine

The gravimetric determination of selenium, by reduction of selenious acid in perchloric acid solution with hydrazine hydrate, has been studied in detail. Elemental selenium is completely precipitated in 3.2-5.1M perchloric acid at room temperature or 100 degrees C. One mole of selenious acid reacts with one mole of hydrazine hydrate to give elemental selenium.     

Identification of selenium species in urine by ion-pairing HPLC–ICP–MS using laboratory-synthesized standards

This study focused on the detection/identification of possible selenium metabolites in human urine. Organoselenium compounds not commercially unavailable were synthesized and characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry. Separation of selenomethionine, methylselenomethionine, trimethylselonium, selenoethionine, and selenoadenosylmethionine was achieved by ion-pairing HPLC with a mobile phase of 2 mmol L^–1 hexanesulfonic acid, 0.4% acetic acid, 0.2% triethanolamine (pH 2.5), and 5% methanol. The column effluent was introduced on-line to inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry for selenium-specific detection (⁷⁷Se and ⁷⁸Se). For selenium speciation in urine, solid-phase extraction was carried out using C₁₈ cartridges modified with hexanesulfonic acid. Selective retention of cationic species was observed from acidified urine (perchloric acid, pH 2.0). After elution with methanol, evaporation, and dissolution in the mobile phase, the sample was introduced to the HPLC–ICP–MS system and the chromatographic peaks were assigned by adding standards. The species identified in urine were selenomethionine, trimethylselonium ion, and selenoadenosylmethionine. The last species was detected for the first time and our results suggest that selenomethionine might enter the metabolic pathway of its sulfur analog in the activated methylation cycle.Kazimierz Wrobel and Katarzyna Wrobel are on the leave from the Institute of Scientific Research, University of Guanajuato, L. de Retana No. 5, 36000 Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico     

微波消解–原子荧光光谱法测定植物样品中的砷和硒

建立微波消解-原子荧光光谱法测定植物样品中砷和硒的含量。微波消解后残留的有机颗粒和硝酸等会对测定结果造成影响,因此需要将硝酸除尽。在驱除硝酸过程中加入高氯酸,加热至溶液冒白烟,避免硒挥发损失。该方法砷、硒的检出限分别为6.8,4.0 ng/g(稀释因子40),测定结果的相对标准偏差分别为3.65%,3.52%(n=12),加标回收率分别为94.5%~104.6%,92.2%~98.9%。经过国家一级标准物质验证,该方法准确可靠。     

Determination of selenium in human body fluids by hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry : Optimization of sample decomposition

The accuracy of the determination of selenium in human body fluids by hydride-generation a.a.s. depends critically upon the sample decomposition-method used. Digestion with HNO₃ alone gave low selenium recoveries, but with nitric, sulfuric and perchloric acids at a final temperature of 310°C gave results that agreed with those obtained by other techniques. The recovery of selenomethionine added to whole blood and of trimethylselenonium iodide added to urine was 97–104%. The average selenium values found for 6 healthy individuals were 88 μg l^?1 in whole blood, 75 μg l^?1 in blood plasma and 307 μg (kg Hb)^?1 in erythrocytes. A detection limit of 5 μg l^?1 Se in body fluids was found under routine conditions.     

Proton-donating power of 100% perchloric acid: An MP2 study

The ab initio quantum chemical method MP2 with a 6-311++G(d, p) basis set is used to calculate the energy of gas-phase solvation of the H₂Cl₄⁺ cation and Cl₄⁻ anion by one perchloric acid molecule. The energy of additional solvation of the resulting complexes by liquid perchloric acid is estimated within the continuum model of solvation by the PCM method, with the acid modeled as a continuum with a large dielectric constant of ɛ = 115. The calculated data have provided an almost quantitative estimate for the energy of selfionization of 100% liquid perchloric acid. The similarly calculated energy of solvation of protons by 100% perchloric acid is 30.7 kcal/mol lower than the heat of hydration of protons in aqueous solution. This result explains the fact that anhydrous perchloric acid exhibits the properties of a superacid.     

碘量法测定铜冶炼烟尘中铜

试验研究了铜冶炼烟尘中铜含量的测定方法,试料用盐酸、氢氟酸、硝酸、高氯酸及硫酸分解,氢溴酸除去砷、锡、锑,硫酸除去硒的干扰。进一步对滴定条件和共存元素的干扰及消除进行了试验,最终确定了最佳条件。按照实验方法测定6个铜冶炼烟尘样品中铜量,结果的相对标准偏差为0.22%~0.65%,精密度高,准确度好。样品加标回收率在98.92%~100.38%之间, 适用于铜冶炼烟尘中铜含量为5.00 %～65.00 %的测定。     

Spectrophotometric determination of selenium with dithizone

Microgram amounts of selenium(IV) are determined by measuring the decrease in absorbance of dithizone in carbon tetrachloride solution at 620 nm. Relative standard deviations for samples containing 0.20 and 1.00 μg of selenium(IV) are 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively. Of several metals tested only copper (at the 1.0-μg level) and iron (at the 100-μg level) interfere but high concentrations of nitric or perchloric acid cause low results. A reinvestigation of the reaction of selenium(IV) with dithizone suggests a formula Se(HDz)₄ for the dithizonate.     

原子荧光光谱法快速测定锑矿石中的汞、铋、硒

用王水直接水浴分解样品,硝酸、高氯酸湿法消解,酒石酸掩蔽锑,应用氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱法(HG-AFS)不经分离直接测定锑矿石中微量杂质元素汞、铋、硒的含量。汞、铋、硒的标准系列浓度分别在0.000 0~0.006 0、0.000~0.060、0.000~0.010 mg/L范围内与荧光强度具有良好的线性关系,线性相关系数分别为1.000 0、0.999 9、0.999 8,其加标回收率分别为95%~102%、99%~102%、99%~105%。相对标准偏差分别为0.82%~1.1%、1.1%~6.4%、1.6%~2.1%(n=8)。该方法对汞、铋、硒的检出限分别为2.0×10-11、4.1×10-11、4.0×10-10g/mL。     

Differential pulse polarographic determination of arsenic, selenium and tellurium at mug levels

An analytical method, based on differential pulse polarography, for determination of arsenic, selenium and tellurium in solid matrices, is described. The method involves decomposition of the matrix with a mixture of nitric, perchloric and hydrofluoric acid, isolation of tellurium from the other analytes by liquid-liquid extraction (from 4M hydrochloric acid with methyl isobutyl ketone), and determination of the analytes. Tellurium is determined separately, and arsenic is determined in the same solution as selenium after determination and oxidation of the selenium and addition of catechol. Graphitized carbon black and chelating resin were used to eliminate the organic solvent in the aqueous solution and avoid interferences due to the other metals of the matrix. The decomposition, the influence of each analyte on the determination of the others, and the extraction process were given particular attention. The method is characterized by>96% recovery, with a relative standard deviation ranging from 2 to 10% at ppm levels.     

Evaluation of methods for the separation of trimethylselenonium ion as a major,minor or general metabolite using neutron activation analysis

Trinethylselenonium (TMSe) ion was separated by dual-column ion-exchange chromatography and assayed by neutron activation analysis. The TMSe content of the selenium in human urine was found to be (14±2)%, consistent with literature values. An altemate, published, multi-step procedure employing Reineckate precipitation followed by decomposition/volatilization conversion of selenium into dimethylselenide, perchloric acid digestion into selenite and subsequent analysis employing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was evaluated. A maximum recovery of TMSe was estimated at 32%. It has been suggested that losses in each step of a multi-step procedure yield low recoveries as reported in the literature.     

The rate of reduction of selenium(VI) to selenium(IV) in hydrochloric acid

The reduction of selenium(VI) to selenium(IV) in 4, 5 and 6M hydrochloric acid was studied at temperatures between 50 and 95 degrees . The reaction rate was determined by measurement of the selenium(IV) formed, by continuous-flow hydride-generation atomic-absorption spectrometry. The most notable feature of the reaction is the strong increase in rate with increasing hydrogen-ion concentration and temperature. The rate increases initially with chloride concentration at constant acidity (mixtures of hydrochloric and perchloric acid) but levels off to an almost constant value at high chloride concentrations.     

Comparison of two digestion methods used in the determination of selenium in marine biological tissues by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

The performance of two decomposition procedures, with (a) nitric/perchloric/sulphuric acid and (b) nitric acid/magnesium nitrate, in the determination of selenium in marine biological tissues by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection was compared. Both methods were found satisfactory and performed equally well for sample dissolution, but method (b) was judged to be more convenient.     

A comparison of two digestion procedures for the determination of selenium in biological material

Two digestion procedures have been tested on samples of flour, blood and urine for application in the determination of selenium by hydride-generation atomic-absorption spectrometry. The first utilizes a mixture of concentrated nitric, perchloric and sulphuric acids and the second a mixture of magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, concentrated nitric acid and 6M hydrochloric acid. The accuracy of the procedures was tested by analysis of standard reference materials and by comparison with results from neutron-activation analysis. It was found that the "magnesium method" can replace the more common procedure, which includes perchloric acid, for the sample types investigated in this paper.     

Effects of anions on chemical instabilities in the oxidation of formic acid

Results are presented from experiments conducted on the electrochemical oxidation of formic acid at polycrystalline Pt under constant current conditions. Sulfuric acid and perchloric acid with and without small amounts of HCl were used as supporting electrolytes. The onset of distinctive instabilities, not observed in the HCl-free perchloric acid solution, occurred when the concentration of HCl reached 5 × 10⁶ M. For [HCl] = 1 × 10⁶ M, the observed instabilities were essentially the same as those seen in the HCl-free solution. The result indicates that instabilities might be used for the detection of fairly small anion concentrations. Instabilities observed using the sulfuric acid solution and those observed using the perchloric acid solution were drastically different. A greater extent of adsorption of a given anion cannot be the only reason for the different behaviors. It is argued that anions are directly involved in the oxidation process.     

Retention study of inorganic and organic selenium compounds on a silica-based reversed phase column with mixed ion-pairing reagents

Summary Separation of seven inorganic and organic selenium compounds, namely selenic acid [Se(VI)], selenous acid [Se(IV)], trimethylselenonium iodide (TMSe⁺), selenocystine (SeCys), selenomethionine (SeMet), selenoethionine (Seet), and selenocystamine (SeCM), has been performed on a LiChrosorb C 18 column by using mixed ion-pair reagents; 1-butanesulfonic acid and tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was used as an element-specific detector. The retention behaviors of selenium compounds in terms of several chromatographic parameters, such as pH of the mobile phase, the concentrations of ion-pair reagents, and the content of organic modifier (methanol) were investigated. It was found that the separation of both inorganic and organic selenium compounds can be achieved within 12 min with a mobile phase of 10 mM 1-butanesulfonic acid −4 mM tetramethylammonium hydroxide −4 mM malonic acid −0.05% methanol adjusted to pH 4.5 at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. The results obtained in this study showed that the use of mixed ion-pair reagents is very useful to improve the separation of selenium compounds. The applicability of this technique for the speciation of selenium compounds in real samples was demonstrated by the determination of selenium compounds in a selenium nutritional supplement. The results were found to be in good agreement with those obtained by ion-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS.     

On the acid decomposition of human blood and plasma for the determination of selenium

A systematic investigation has been made of various methods for decomposition of blood and plasma for determination of selenium, and various sources of error have been identified. The method recommended is graded destruction by heating with nitric acid and perchloric acid, to a final temperature of 210 degrees .