Speciation of dissolved Fe(II) and Fe(III) in environmental water samples by micro-column packed with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine loaded on microcrystalline naphthalene and determination by electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

A novel solid phase extraction technique for the speciation of trace dissolved Fe(II) and Fe(III) in environmental water samples was developed by coupling micro-column packed with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine (BPHA) loaded on microcrystalline naphthalene to electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ETV-ICP-OES). Various influencing factors on the separation and preconcentration of Fe(II) and Fe(III), such as the acidity of the aqueous solution, sample flow rate and volume, have been investigated systematically, and the optimized operation conditions were established. At pH 3.0 Fe(III) could be selectively retained by micro-column (20 mm × 1.4 mm, i.d.) packed with BPHA immobilized on microcrystalline naphthalene, and Fe(II) passed through the micro-column. Both Fe(II) and Fe(III) could be adsorbed by the micro-column at pH 6.5. Thus, the total Fe could be determined without the need for preoxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III). The retained Fe(III) or the Fe(II) and Fe(III) was subsequently eluted by 0.1 ml of 1 mol l⁻¹ HCl. The adsorption capacity of the solid phase adsorption material was found to be 45.0 mg g⁻¹ for Fe(III) at pH 3.0 and 65.3 mg g⁻¹ for Fe(II) at pH 6.5, respectively. The detection limit (3σ) of 0.053 μg l⁻¹ was obtained with a practical enrichment factor of 156 at a sample volume of 17 ml. The relative standard deviations of 4.2% and 4.6% (C_Fe(III) = C_Fe(II) = 10 μg l⁻¹, n = 7) for Fe(III) and total iron were found, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace Fe(II) and Fe(III) in environmental water samples (East Lake water, local tap water and mineral water). In order to validate the method, the developed method was applied to the determination of total iron in certified materials of NIES NO.10-b rice flour and GBW07605 tea leaves, and the results obtained were in good agreement with the certified values.     

Interaction between quercetin-copper(II) complex and DNA with the use of the Neutral Red dye fluorophor probe

The interaction of quercetin-Cu(II) complex with calf thymus DNA was investigated with the use of Neutral Red (NR) dye as a spectral probe by the application of UV-vis spectrophotometry, cyclic voltammetry and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that both quercetin-Cu(II) complex and the NR molecule can intercalate into the double helix of the DNA. The 2:1 quercetin:Cu(II) complex (estimated binding constant = 2.85 × 10⁹) is stabilized by intercalation in the DNA (binding constant, K_{[quercetin-Cu(II)-DNA]} = (1.82 ± 0.20) × 10⁵ M⁻¹), and displaces the NR dye from the NR-DNA complex in a competitive reaction. Cyclic voltammetry studies confirm the intercalation reaction and show that the ratio (K_R/K_O) of binding constants for the reduced and oxidized forms of the metal complex is 2.05. Furthermore, the alternative least squares (ALS) method was applied to resolve a complex two-way array of the absorption spectra data. This yielded the equilibrium concentration profiles of each component in the reaction (NR, NR-DNA and quercetin-Cu(II)) as well as the corresponding pure spectra. The extracted profiles showed that at equilibrium the [NR-DNA] and [NR] trends decreased and increased symmetrically, respectively, with approximately linear behaviour being observed below 10 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ of the added quercetin-Cu²⁺ complex. Thereafter, these trends converged asymptotically. The free [quercetin-Cu(II)] trend-line at equilibrium was linear over the whole range of the complex added. It was possible to estimate the approximate value of the equilibrium constant of the exchange process (approximately 5 × 10⁻¹) involving the intercalation of the quercetin-Cu(II) complex. It was also found that about 35% of the bound complex was unaccounted by the intercalation reaction, presumably being stabilized at an alternative site.     

Simultaneous determination of Mn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) as 2-(5′-bromo-2′-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol complexes by adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry at a carbon paste electrode

A simple and precise square-wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (SW-AdCSV) method has been described for simultaneous determination of Mn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) in water samples using a carbon paste electrode. In 0.1 mol L⁻¹ acetate buffer (pH 5) containing 50 μmol L⁻¹ of 2-(5′-bromo-2′-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (5-Br-PADAP), Mn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) were simultaneously determined as metal-complexes with 5-Br-PADAP following preconcentration onto the carbon paste electrode by adsorptive accumulation at +1.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl). Insignificant interference from various cations (K⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, Bi³⁺, Sb³⁺, Se⁴⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, V⁵⁺, Ti⁴⁺ and NH₄⁺), anions (HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, NO³⁻, SO₄²⁻ and PO₄³⁻) and ascorbic acid was noticed. Limits of detection of 0.066, 0.108 and 0.093 μg L⁻¹ and limits of quantitation of 0.22, 0.36 and 0.31 μg L⁻¹ Mn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III), respectively, were achieved by the described method. The described stripping voltammetry method was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of Mn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) in ground, tap and bottled natural water samples.     

A pH responsive electrochemical switch sensor based on Fe(notpH3) [notpH6 = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triyl-tris(methylene-phosphonic acid)

The electrochemistry of a macrocyclic metal complex Fe(notpH₃) [notpH₆ = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triyl-tris(methylene-phosphonic acid)] reveals that the protonation/deprotonation of the non-coordinated P-OH groups in Fe(notpH₃) affects its formal potential value (E⁰′) considerably. Plotting E⁰′ as function of solution pH gives a straight line with a slope of −585 mV pH⁻¹ in the pH range of 3.4-4.0, which is about ten times larger than the theoretical value of −58 mV pH⁻¹ for a reversible proton-coupled single-electron transfer at 20 °C. A sensitive pH responsive electrochemical switch sensor is thus developed based on Fe(notpH₃) which shows an “on/off” switching at pH ∼ 4.0.     

Selective extraction, separation and speciation of iron in different samples using 4-acetyl-5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid

A method for speciation, preconcentration and separation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in different matrices was developed using solvent extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry. 4-Acetyl-5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (AMPC) was used as a new complexing reagent for Fe(III). The Fe(III)-AMPC complex was extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) phase in the pH range 1.0-2.5, and Fe(II) ion remained in aqueous phase at all pH. The chemical composition of the Fe(III)-AMPC complex was determined by the Job's method. The optimum conditions for quantitative recovery of Fe(III) were determined as pH 1.5, shaking time of 2 min, 1.64 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ AMPC reagent and 10 mL of MIBK. Furthermore, the influences of diverse metal ions were investigated. The level of Fe(II) was calculated by difference of total iron and Fe(III) concentrations. The detection limit based on the 3σ criterion was found to be 0.24 μg L⁻¹ for Fe(III). The recoveries were higher than 95% and relative standard deviation was less than 2.1% (N = 8). The validation of the procedure was performed by the analysis of two certified standard reference materials. The presented method was applied to the determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in tap water, lake water, river water, sea water, fruit juice, cola, and molasses samples with satisfactory results.     

Synthesis,electrochemistry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of a new Co(III) thio Schiff-base complex with N,N′-bis(2-aminothiophenol)-1,4-bis(carboxylidene phenoxy)butane

A new cobalt Schiff-base complex, [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] (where L = [N,N′-bis(2-aminothiophenol)-1,4-bis(carboxylidene phenoxy)butane), was synthesized and its electrochemical and spectroelectochemical properties were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and thin-layer spectro-electrochemistry in solutions of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂). The [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] complex displays two well-defined reversible reduction processes with the corresponding anodic waves. The half-wave potentials of the first and second reduction processes were displayed at E_1/2 = 0.08 V and E_1/2 = −1.21 V (scan rate: 0.100 Vs⁻¹) in DMSO, and E_1/2 = −0.124 V and E_1/2 = −1.32 V (scan rate: 0.100 Vs⁻¹) in CH₂Cl₂. The potentials of the reduction processes in DMSO are shifted toward negative potentials (0.220–0.112 V) compared to those in CH₂Cl₂. The electrochemical results are assigned to two one-electron reduction processes; [Co(III)L] + ⁻e → [Co(II)L]⁻ and [Co(II)L]⁻ + ⁻e → [Co(I)L]²⁻. The six-coordination of the complex remains unchanged during the reduction processes and the electron transfer processes were not followed by a chemical reaction upon scan reversal. It was also seen that [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] was reduced at a more positive potential than the corresponding salen analogs. The shift and reversibility are apparently related to the high degree of electron delocalization of the [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] complex, having a N₂O₂S₂ donor set and two additional benzene units. Additionally, in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements support Co(III)/Co(II) and Co(II)/Co(I) reversible reduction processes with the observation of the corresponding spectral changes with the applied potentials E_app = −0.40 and −1.60 V. Application of the spectroelectrochemical results allowed the determination ofE_1/2 and n (the number of electrons) from the spectra of the fully oxidized and reduced species in one unified experiment as well. The results obtained by this method are in agreement with those by the CV and DPV methods.     

Kinetic determination of cysteine and thiosulphate by inhibition of Hg(II) catalyzed ligand substitution reaction

The sulphur containing inhibitors (I), cysteine (Cys) and sodium thiosulphate (THS), have been found to inhibit Hg(II) catalyzed exchange of cyanide in hexacyanoferrate(II) by nitroso-R-salt (NRS). The inhibitory effect of both the ligands are attributed to their binding tendencies with Hg(II) leading to the formation of catalyst-inhibitor (C-I) complex. The reactions have been followed spectrophotometrically in aqueous medium at 720 nm by noting the increase in absorbance of the green colour product, [Fe(CN)₅NRS]³⁻ at pH 6.50 ± 0.02, temp 25.0 ± 0.1 °C and ionic strength (μ) 0.1 M (KNO₃). A most plausible mechanistic scheme involving the role of analytes (inhibitors) has been proposed. The values of equilibrium constants for complex formation between catalyst-inhibitor (K_CI), catalyst-substrate (K_S) and Mechaelis-Menton constant (K_m) have been computed from the kinetic data. The linear calibration curves have been established between absorbance and inhibitor concentrations under specified conditions. Cys and THS have been determined in the range 1-5 × 10^− 7 M and 4.9-16.9 × 10^− 7 M respectively. The detection limits have been computed to be 1 × 10^− 7 M and 4.9 × 10^− 7 M for Cys and THS, respectively.     

A computational study on mixed-ligand N2P3 donor-set iron(II) and ruthenium(II) classical and non-classical hydrides

Iron and ruthenium classical and non-classical hydrides of the type [MH(N–N)P₃]⁺ and [M(η²-H₂)(N–N)P₃]²⁺ {M = Fe, Ru; N–N = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); P = phosphites} were reported in 2004 together with an evaluation of the pseudo-aqueous pK_a values of the η²-H₂ complexes. The non-classical hydrides, even if doubly charged, showed a relatively low acidity, their pK_a values ranging between −5.4 and −4.3. Moreover, ruthenium(II) derivatives showed to be more acidic than the corresponding iron(II) complexes. Information about the structural and electronic proprieties of complexes of this type, which allowed to better understand the role of both the metal centres and the ancillary ligands in the acidity of the co-ordinated hydrogen molecule, was obtained on the basis of DFT B3LYP calculations.     

Development of a novel flow injection liquid-liquid microextraction method for the on-line separation and preconcentration for determination of zinc(II) using 5-(8-hydroxy-2-quinolinylmethyl)-2,8-dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane as a sensitive and selective fluorescent chemosensor

A novel flow injection analysis (FIA) system based on liquid-liquid microextraction and fluorimetric determination was developed for the determination of traces of the Zn²⁺ ion using 5-(8-hydroxy-2-quinolinylmethyl)-2,8-dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane (L) as a sensitive and selective fluorimetric sensor, with λ_ex = 373 nm and λ_em = 530 nm, and hexanol as the extracting organic solvent. In the designed FIA system, the phase separation takes place via gravitation forces in the absence of any segmenter. The influence of pH and ionic strength of the solution, amount of ligand, nature of counter ion, volume of organic solvent, extraction time and coil length was investigated. Under optimized experimental conditions, the calibration curve found to be liner over a concentration range of 0.025-4.53 μg mL⁻¹ (R² = 0.9951) with a limit of detection of 2.3 ng mL⁻¹. The enrichment factor was 45 and relative standard deviation for 7 replicate determinations was 2.43%. The method is very fast and uses low levels of organic solvents. The proposed method was applied successfully to the determination of zinc(II) in human hair, human serum and two inorganic sludge samples.     

One-dimensional coordination polymers of Co(II) and Cd(II)-squarate with 2-methylimidazole and 4(5)-methylimidazole ligands

Two new mixed-ligand coordination polymers, {[Co(μ_1,3-sq)(H₂O)₂(2-Meim)₂]·2(2-Meim)}_n (1) and [Cd(μ_1,3-sq)(H₂O)₂(4(5)-Meim)₂]_n (2), (sq = squarate, 2-Meim = 2-methylimidazole, 4(5)-Meim = 5-methylimidazole) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The spectral (IR and UV–Vis) and thermal analyses are also reported. The Co(II) and Cd(II) ions are distorted octahedrally coordinated by four oxygen atoms of two O¹–O³-bridging squarate ligands and two trans-aqua ligands, and by two nitrogen atoms of the trans-imidazole (2-Meim or 4(5)-Meim) ligands. The structures of 1 and 2 consist of one-dimensional chains of μ-1,3-squarato bridged metal(II) complex units. These chains are held together by hydrogen bonding interactions, forming three-dimensional framework.     

Crystal structure,electrochemical and photochemical studies of the trans-[Fe(cyclam)(NO)Cl]Cl2 complex (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)

The trans-[Fe(cyclam)(NO)Cl]Cl₂ complex was synthesized by the reaction of cis-[Fe(cyclam)Cl₂]Cl with NO gas. The X-ray structure of the complex showed that the [Fe–NO] moiety is linear, consistent with the NO⁺ character of the nitric oxide ligand. This suggestion was reinforced by the IR data, which showed the νNO at 1888 cm⁻¹. The cyclic voltammogram of the trans-[Fe(cyclam)(NO)Cl]²⁺ complex presented three electrochemical processes at −0.70, 0.08 and 0.40 V versus Ag/AgCl. The first and last redox processes are centered at the NO ligand, whereas the second is characteristic of the generated aqua species, trans-[Fe(cyclam)Cl(H₂O)]²⁺. Upon irradiation at 330 nm, pH 3.4, the title complex releases the NO moiety with the concomitant generation of the trans-[Fe(cyclam)(H₂O)Cl]⁺ complex as suggested by electronic and IR spectroscopy as well as by cyclic voltammetry technique.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reactions of Ru(II)-arene complex with some biologically relevant ligands

The reactions of ruthenium(II)-arene complex [Ru^II(η⁶-p-cym)(pydc)Cl] (where p-cym = p-isopropyl toluene, pydc = 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylato) with biologically nitrogen-donor nucleophiles, such as guanosine-5′-monophosphate (5′-GMP), guanosine (Guo) and l-histidine (l-His) were studied by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The reactions were studied at pH 2.5 and at 7.2. All reactions were followed under pseudo-first order conditions with large excess of the nucleophiles. The selected nucleophiles have a high affinity for Ru(II)-arene complex. The reactivity of the used ligands follow the same order at both pH values: Guo > 5′-GMP > l-His, while the reactions at pH 7.2 are always faster. The negative entropies of activation (ΔS^≠) support an associative mode of activation. However, the rate constants obtained by ¹H NMR at 295 K in D₂O follow the same order of the ligand reactivity. The hydrolysis of the [Ru^II(η⁶-p-cym)(pydc)Cl] complex was very fast and completed by the time the first spectrum was measured. Addition of excess of NaCl to equilibrium solutions reversed the hydrolysis.     

A hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on Langmuir-Blodgett technique: Direct electron transfer of hemoglobin in octadecylamine layer

The present paper describes the modification of hemoglobin (Hb)-octadecylamine (ODA) Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film on a gold electrode surface to develop a novel electrochemical biosensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) image of Hb-ODA LB film indicated Hb molecules existed in ODA layer in a well-ordered and compact form. The immobilized Hb displayed a couple of stable and well-defined redox peaks with an electron transfer rate constant of 4.58 ± 0.95 s⁻¹ and a formal potential of −185 mV (versus Ag/AgCl) in phosphate buffer (1.0 mM, pH 5.0) contain 0.1 M KCl at a scan rate of 200 mV s⁻¹, characteristic of Hb heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. The formal potential of Hb heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple in ODA film shifted linearly between pH 5 and 8 with a slope of −23.8 mV pH⁻¹, suggesting that proton took part in electrochemical reaction. The ODA could accelerate the electron transfer between Hb and the electrode. This modified electrode showed an electrochemical activity to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) without the aid of any electron mediator.     

Iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes bearing N-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)-quinolin-8-amine derivatives: Synthesis and application to ethylene oligomerization

A series of tridentate NˆNˆN iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes containing N-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)-quinolin-8-amine derivatives were synthesized and characterized by elemental and spectroscopic analyses. The molecular structure of 1a was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. On treatment with modified methylaluminoxane, these metal complexes exhibited good catalytic activities up to 2.8 × 10⁶ g mol⁻¹(Fe) h⁻¹ for ethylene oligomerization, and butenes were the major products with nice selectivity for 1-C₄. The steric and electronic effects on catalytic activities of metal complexes were carefully investigated as well as the influence of various reaction parameters. In the catalytic system, Fe(II) complexes performed better catalytic activities than their Co(II) analogues. With ligands having bulky substituents, the better catalytic activity was observed in catalytic system of Fe(II) complex, however, the lower catalytic activity was obtained in catalytic system of Co(II) complexes.     

Asymmetric heterobimetallic mixed-valence complex trans-[(SO3)Co(cyclam)(NCS)Ru(NH3)4(NCS)](BF4): Synthesis and characterization

[(SO₃)Co(cyclam)(NCS)] and [(SO₃)Co(cyclam)-NCS-Ru(NH₃)₄(NCS)](BF₄) complexes were synthesized and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, electrochemistry, elemental analysis, and spectroscopic techniques. Crystallographic and FTIR data indicated NCS⁻ ligand is coordinated to Co through the nitrogen atom in the monomer species. Electrochemistry and FTIR data of the material isolated after reductive electrolysis of [(SO₃)Co(cyclam)(NCS)] hint that NCS⁻ and SO₃²⁻ are released thus forming [Co(cyclam)(L)₂]²⁺, where L is solvent molecules. The formation of the heterobimetallic mixed-valence complex induced a thermodynamic stabilization of Co and Ru metal atoms in the oxidized and reduced states, respectively. According to the Robin and Day classification, a Class II system with a comproportionation constant of 5.78 × 10⁶ is suggested for the mixed-valence complex based on the electrochemical and UV-Vis-NIR results.     

Bismuth-dispersed xerogel-based composite films for trace Pb(II) and Cd(II) voltammetric determination

We report for the first time the synthesis of bismuth-modified (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and its application for the determination of lead and cadmium by anodic stripping voltammetry. Xerogels made from bismuth-modified MPTMS and mixtures of it with tetraethoxysilane, under basic conditions (NH₃·H₂O), were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. Bismuth-modified xerogels were mixed with 1.5% (v/v) Nafion in ethanol and applied on glassy carbon electrodes. During the electrolytic reductive deposition step, the bismuth compound on the electrode surface was reduced to metallic bismuth. The target metal cations were simultaneously reduced to the respective metals and were preconcentrated on the electrode surface by forming an alloy with bismuth. Then, an anodic voltammetric scan was applied in which the metals were oxidized and stripped back into the solution; the voltammogram was recorded and the stripping peak heights were related to the concentration of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions in the sample. Various key parameters were investigated in detail and optimized. The effect of potential interferences was also examined. Under optimum conditions and for preconcentration period of 4 min, the 3σ limit of detection was 1.3 μg L⁻¹ for Pb(II) and 0.37 μg L⁻¹ for Cd(II), while the reproducibility of the method was 4.2% for lead (n = 5, 10.36 μg L⁻¹ Pb(II)) and 3.9% for cadmium (n = 5, 5.62 μg L⁻¹ Cd(II)). Finally, the sensors were applied to the determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions in water samples.     

Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes of N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)aminopyridines

N-(2-Hydroxybenzyl)aminopyridines (Lⁱ) react with Cu(II) and Pd(II) ions to form complexes in the compositions Cu(Lⁱ)₂(CH₃COO)₂ · nH₂O (n = 0, 2, 4), Pd(Lⁱ)₂Cl₂ · nC₂H₅OH (n = 0, 2) and Pd(L²)₂Cl₂ · 2H₂O. In the complexes, the ligands are neutral and monodentate which coordinate through pyridinic nitrogen. Crystal data of the complexes obtained from 2-amino pyridine derivative have pointed such a coordinating route and comparison of the spectral data suggests the validity of similar complexation modes of other analog ligands. Cu(II) complex of N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2-aminopyridine (L¹), [Cu(L¹)₂(CH₃COO)₂] has slightly distorted square planar cis-mononuclear structure which is built by two oxygen atoms of two monodentate carboxylic groups disposed in cis-position and two nitrogen atoms of two pyridine rings. The remaining two oxygen atoms of two carboxylic groups form two Cu and H bridges containing cycles which joint at same four coordinated copper(II) ion. IR and electronic spectral data and the magnetic moments as well as the thermogravimetric analyses also specify on mononuclear octahedric structure of complexes [Cu(L²)₂(CH₃COO)₂ · 2H₂O] and [Cu(L³)₂(CH₃COO)₂ · 4H₂O] where L² and L³ are N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2- or 3-aminopyridines, respectively.     

Combined cation-exchange and extraction chromatographic method of pre-concentration and concomitant separation of Cu(II) with high molecular mass liquid cation exchanger after its online detection

A selective method has been developed for the extraction chromatographic trace level separation of Cu(II) with Versatic 10 (liquid cation exchanger) coated on silanised silica gel (SSG-V10). Cu(II) has been extracted from 0.1 M acetate buffer at the range of pH 4.0–5.5. The effects of foreign ions, pH, flow-rate, stripping agents on extraction and elution have been investigated. Exchange capacity of the prepared exchanger at different temperatures with respect to Cu(II) has been determined. The extraction equilibrium constant (K_ex) and different standard thermodynamic parameters have also been calculated by temperature variation method. Positive value of ΔH (7.98 kJ mol⁻¹) and ΔS (0.1916 kJ mol⁻¹) and negative value of ΔG (−49.16 kJ mol⁻¹) indicated that the process was endothermic, entropy gaining and spontaneous. Preconcentration factor was optimized at 74.7 ± 0.2 and the desorption constants K_desorption¹(1.4 × 10⁻²) and K_desorption²(9.8 × 10⁻²) were determined. The effect of pH on R_f values in ion exchange paper chromatography has been investigated. In order to investigate the sorption isotherm, two equilibrium models, the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, were analyzed. Cu(II) has been separated from synthetic binary and multi-component mixtures containing various metal ions associated with it in ores and alloy samples. The method effectively permits sequential separation of Cu(II) from synthetic quaternary mixture containing its congeners Bi(III), Sn(II), Hg(II) and Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) of same analytical group. The method was found effective for the selective detection, removal and recovery of Cu(II) from industrial waste and standard alloy samples following its preconcentration on the column. A plausible mechanism for the extraction of Cu(II) has been suggested.     

A study of complexation thermodynamic of humic acid with cadmium (II) and zinc (II) by Schubert's ion-exchange method

The complexation of humic acid from Azraq Oasis with two heavy metal ions Cd(II) and Zn(II) was investigated at pH 4 and 5 under constant ionic strength of 0.1 and at different temperatures (25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 °C). This investigation was done by using Schubert's ion-exchange equilibrium method, and its modified version.The derived conditional stability constants (log β_n) for these two metal-humate complexes were determined; they formed 1:1 and 1:2 complexes. It was found that the conditional stability constants (log β_n) increased by increasing pH and temperatures for all metal-humate complexes. It was found that the conditional stability constant log β₁ for Cd-humate is bigger than Zn-humate at all the desired temperatures and at pH 4 and 5.The derived constants and their temperature dependences have been used to calculate the corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS, the results indicate that the stability of these complexes derives from very favorable entropy.     

Iron(III) complexes of the tris-(3-aminopropyl) derivative of a 14-membered tetraazamacrocycle: Potentiometric,spectroscopic and electrochemical studies

The properties of the iron(III) complexes of the ditopic macrocyclic ligand with three aminopropyl pendant arms, L¹ = 3,7,11-tris-(3-aminopropyl)-3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene were investigated in aqueous solution. Potentiometric studies indicated the presence of mononuclear [FeH_hL¹]^h+3 (h = 0–3), and dinuclear [Fe₂L¹]⁶⁺, [Fe₂L¹(OH)]⁵⁺ and [Fe₂L¹(OH)₂]⁴⁺ complexes, and their stability constants were determined at 298.2 K and ionic strength 0.10 mol dm⁻³ in KNO₃. The log K values of mononuclear protonated species indicated the consecutive deprotonation of the aminopropyl arms, suggesting the nitrogen donor atoms from the macrocycle as the preferred coordination environment for the first metal centre, and the amines from the pendant arms for the second one. The dinuclear complex is formed at about 85% of the total amount of the metal ion for 2:1 Fe:L¹ ratio solutions at pH 4.0–4.5. The log K values of the deprotonation of dinuclear hydrolysed species are consistent with the presence of two water molecules directly bound to the metal centres. Spectroscopic UV–Vis and IR data for 2:1 Fe³⁺:L¹ ratio samples confirmed the existence of dinuclear and hydroxo dinuclear species. EPR spectra of these solutions were interpreted by an equilibrium of two high-spin d⁵ state of iron(III) species with different rhombic E/D distortions. Electrochemical studies also established the formation of mono- and dinuclear complexes, showing irreversible redox behaviour. The two metal centres on the dinuclear complexes have only weak interactions.