Automatic determination of cobalt at the submicrogram per millilitre level using a flowthrough spectrophotometric sensor

A flowthrough spectrophotometric sensor for the determination of cobalt at the nanogram per millilitre level using pyridoxal 4-phenylthiosemicarbazone as reagent and integrated preconcentration and detection in the flow cell is proposed. The method is highly selective for cobalt(II); it features detection and determination limits of 0.02 and 0.06 mug ml(-1) respectively, and a linear range of at least 0.04-18 mug ml(-1). The method is subject to very few interferences because the strongly acidic medium used prevents the formation of most complexes of the reagent with other metal ions. The method was applied to the determination of cobalt in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Synthesis of n-chloroquinolines and n-ethynylquinolines (n=2, 4, 8): homo and heterocoupling reactions

The n-(ethynyl)quinolines were satisfactorily prepared by heterocoupling reaction between the appropriate n-chloroquinoline and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, catalyzed by palladium, followed by treatment with a catalytic amount of powdered sodium hydroxide in toluene. The n-(ethynyl)quinolines were transformed in the corresponding conjugate 1,4-bis[n′-(quinolyl)]buta-1,3-diynes by oxidative dimerization, catalyzed by cuprous chloride, with excellent yields. Moreover, the heterocoupling between n′-haloquinoline and n′-(ethynyl)quinoline (n′, 2′ or 3′), catalyzed by palladium, gives 2′,2′-bis(quinoline) or 1,2-di(3′-quinolyl)ethyne, respectively. The same coupling reaction with zerovalent nickel complexes, gives a mixture of 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-tri(n′-quinolyl)benzene.     

Synthesis, characterisation and molecular structure of Re(III) 2-oxacyclocarbenes stabilised by a benzoyldiazenido ligand

A family of new Fischer-type rhenium(III) benzoyldiazenido-2-oxacyclocarbenes of formula [(ReCl2[eta1-N2C(O)Ph][=C(CH2)nCH(R)O](PPh3)2][n = 2, R = H (2), R = Me (3); n = 3, R = H (4), R = Me (5)] have been prepared by reaction of [ReCl2[eta2-N2C(Ph)O](PPh3)2] (1) with omega-alkynols, such as 3-butyn-1-ol, 4-pentyn-1-ol, 4-pentyn-2-ol, 5-hexyn-2-ol in refluxing THF. The correct formulation of the carbene derivatives 2-5 has been unambiguously determined in solution by NMR analysis and confirmed for compounds 2-4 by X-ray diffraction methods in the solid state. All complexes are octahedral with the benzoyldiazenido ligand, Re[N2C(O)Ph], adopting a "single bent" conformation. The coordination basal plane is completed by an oxacyclocarbene ligand and two chlorine atoms. Two triphenylphosphines in trans positions with respect to each other complete the octahedral geometry around rhenium. The reactivity of 1 towards different alkynes and alkenes including propargyl- and allylamine has been also studied. With propargyl amine, monosubstituted or bisubstituted complexes, [(ReCl2[eta1-N2C(O)Ph][eta1-NH2CH2C triple bond CH]n(PPh3)(3-n)][n= 1 (6); n = 2 (7)], have been isolated depending on the reaction conditions. In contrast, the reaction with allylamine gave only the disubstituted complex [(ReCl2[eta1-N2C(O)Ph][eta1-NH2CH2CH=CH2]2(PPh3)] (8). The molecular structure of the monosubstituted adduct has been confirmed by X-ray analysis in the solid state.     

Structures of 8α-(2′-methylbutyryloxy)-9α-hydroxymontahibisciolide,a new skeletal type of sesquiterpene lactone,and of its precursor 8α-isobutyryloxy-9-oxo-germacra-4E, 1(10)Z-dien-6β,12-olide

The structures of a new skeletal type of sesquiterpene lactone, containing a seven, five, fivering system, and of its putative precursor, a 9-oxo-melampolide, have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure determination. The central 5-membered ring of the new skeleton istrans-fused to the cycloheptene ring andcis-fused to the lactone ring. Transannular interactions and the geometry of thetrans carbon-carbon double bond of the oxo-melampolide and the keto-group at C9, suggest that the new seven, five, five tricyclic skeleton-type of montahibisciolide can easily be reached by a transannular cyclization process. The isobutyrloxy group of the oxo-melampolide is disordered into two partially populated conformations. 8-(2-Methylbutyryloxy)-9-hydroxymontahibisciolide,3, C₂₀H₂₈O₅, crystallizes in orthorhombic space groupP2₁2₁2₁ witha=8.294(2),b=9.740(2),c=22.675(1) Å,V=1832(1)ų,Z=4. The structure was refined toR=0.043 andR _w=0.048 for 2898 observed reflections with CuK radiation. 8-isobutyryloxy-9-oxo-germacra-4E, 1(10)Z-dien-6, 12-olide,4, C₁₉H₂₄O₅, crystallizes in monoclinic space groupC2 witha=32.879(7),b=5.793(2),c=9.884(4)Å, =99.01(3)°,V=1859.5(9)å³,Z=4. The structure was refined toR=0.054 andR _w=0.064 for 1010 observed reflections with MoK radiation.     

Mathematical programming and the sensitivity of multi-criteria decisions

We report on the current state of a project whose aim is to implement a framework for sensitivity analysis in Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). The framework is largely based on mathematical programming. Due to the potentially large number and nature of the mathematical programmes, it is far from trivial to provide solutions to all of them in acceptable computing times. The challenge is even greater when we recognize that much decision analysis is performed in the context of decision conferences where any sensitivity analysis needs to be conducted in near real time (preferably) on a PC. We present a parallel processing approach to this challenge and point to some of the difficulties still to be resolved. Preliminary results obtained on a network of transputers are discussed.     

Carbon acidity of the alpha-pyridinium carbon of a pyridoxamine analog

We report second-order rate constants of kDO = 120 dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) and kB = 6.4 x 10(-4) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) for exchange for deuterium of the first alpha-methylene proton of the 4-(aminomethyl)pyridine dication in D2O at 25 degree C and I= 1.0 (KCl). These data are consistent with a carbon acid pKa between 17 and 19 for ionization of this simple carbon acid and they show that the effect of an alpha-pyridinium substituent on carbon acidity is similar to that of an alpha-ester substituent.     

Configuration with internally coupled valves to overcome shortcomings in the simultaneous determination of nitrite and nitrate by flow-injection analysis

A configuration with internally coupled valves and a reductant column located in the loop of the secondary valve is proposed for the simultaneous determination of nitrite and nitrate. Depending on the column characteristics, a washing stream flowing in the opposite direction to the sample may or may not be required. The washing step may conveniently be performed by use of the proposed configuration.     

Experimental deterministic coherence resonance

We demonstrate coherence resonance in a dynamical system without external noise. The experimental evidence is reported in the low frequency fluctuations of a chaotic diode laser with optical feedback. The phenomenon is also verified numerically using the Lang-Kobayashi equations for a single solitary mode laser, without noise terms. Fast deterministic dynamics plays the role of an effective exciting noise, narrowing the resonance in the autonomous slow power drop cycles of the laser. This new result is the natural extension of deterministic stochastic resonance and noise induced coherence resonance predicted and observed in recent years.     

Scale-free networks from varying vertex intrinsic fitness

A new mechanism leading to scale-free networks is proposed in this Letter. It is shown that, in many cases of interest, the connectivity power-law behavior is neither related to dynamical properties nor to preferential attachment. Assigning a quenched fitness value x(i) to every vertex, and drawing links among vertices with a probability depending on the fitnesses of the two involved sites, gives rise to what we call a good-get-richer mechanism, in which sites with larger fitness are more likely to become hubs (i.e., to be highly connected).