A highly selective mercury electrode based on a diamine donor ligand

(H₂NCHMeCH₂NH₂)(H₂O)₂HgCl₂ (I) was synthesised, characterised and used for the fabrication of a potentiometric sensor for Hg²⁺ metal ions. Membrane having I as electroactive material, sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder, dibutylamine (DBA) as plasticizer in PVC matrix in the percentage ratio of 10:3:150:150 (I:NaTPB:DBA:PVC) (w/w) exhibits a linear response to Hg²⁺ ions in a concentration range of 1.25 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M having a detection limit of 8.9 × 10⁻⁶ with a slope of 25 ± 0.1 mV over the pH range 6.6-9.3. Selectivity coefficients for Hg(II) relative to a number of interfering ions were investigated. The electrode is highly selective for Hg²⁺ ions over a large number of mono-, bi-, and trivalent cations. Normal interferents like Ag⁺ and Cd²⁺ do not interfere in the working of the electrode. The electrode has also been used successfully in mixtures having a 10% (v/v) methanol and acetone content without showing any considerable change in working concentration range or slope. These electrodes have been found to be chemically inert showing a fast response time of 10 s and were used over a period of 4 months with good reproducibility (s = ±0.2). The electrode was used for determination of mercury in binary mixtures with 100% recovery and thus the proposed sensor can be used for real sample analysis.     

Affine inequivalence of cubic Maiorana–McFarland type bent functions

We consider cubic Maiorana–McFarland type bent functions having no affine derivatives. By using an invariant proposed by Dillon in 1975 we identify subclasses of inequivalent bent functions within this class. These can also be identified by [4, Theorem B]. However, our technique involves only elementary derivations. We also include some computational results.     

A Facile One‐Pot Synthesis of 3,5‐Disubstituted Isoxazole Derivatives Using Hydroxy (Tosyloxy) Iodobenzene

Hydroxy (tosyloxy) iodobenzene (HTIB), a hypervalent iodine reagent, has been extensively used for oxidative transformations. We have developed a one‐pot synthesis wherein aldoximes when reacted with alkynes in the presence of HTIB result in the direct formation of isoxazoles. This simple and straightforward reaction allows for ease of purification while leading to the formation of high purity 3,5‐disubstituted isoxazoles in moderate yields.     

A novel Raman spectroscopic approach to identify polymorphism in leflunomide: a combined experimental and theoretical study

Polymorphism is an important characteristic which affects the activity, solubility and other physical properties of a compound and can be induced by varying temperature, pressure and solvent. The presence and conversion of α to β polymorphic forms of an anti‐rheumatic drug leflunomide have been studied by temperature‐dependent and in situ Raman observations. Both α and β polymorphs were found to co‐exist in the temperature interval 367–372 K. The α form alone exists below 367 K and the β form alone above 373 K. The CO stretching band clearly demonstrates the α → β conversion because of breaking of N–H···O bond and formation of N–H···N bond. On cooling the Raman spectra suggest the irreversibility of this conversion. Thermodynamic stability, crystal parameters and surface morphology of both forms in the leflunomide powder used for the present study have been verified by differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A 15-crown-5-functionalized carbosilane dendrimer as ionophore for ammonium selective electrodes

The synthesis of CH(2)CHCH(2)OCH(2)[15-crown-5] (III) is achieved by the treatment of HOCH(2)- [15-crown-5] (I) with equimolar amounts of CH(2)CHCH(2)Br (II) in the presence of KOH. The hydrosilylation of III with Si(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)SiMe(2)H)(4) (IV) in the presence of the Karstedt catalyst affords the crown ether end-capped carbosilane dendrimer Si(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)Si-Me(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)OCH(2)[15-crown-5])(4) (V). PVC-based membranes of V as ionophore with sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as anion excluder and dioctyl phthalate (DOP), diphenyl ether (DPE), dibutyl amine (DBA) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as plasticizing solvent mediators were prepared and investigated as NH(4)(+)-selective electrode. The response of the electrode was linear with a Nernstian slope of 53.3mV/decade over an NH(4)(+) ion concentration range of 7.60x10(-6) to 1.0x10(-1)M and a detection limit of 3.9x10(-6)M. The response time to achieve a steady potential for NH(4)(+) ions was between 6 and 10s, and the electrode is suitable for use within the pH range of 2.2-8.5. The selectivity relative to alkali, alkaline earth, and transition heavy metal ions is good. The newly developed ionophore showed higher NH(4)(+) selectivity over K(+) ( [Formula: see text] ) and Na(+) ( [Formula: see text] ). The electrode could be used for at least 45 days without considerable alteration in its potential. The electrode also shows a better working concentration range and slope in comparison to other NH(4)(+)-selective electrodes reported in literature.     

Nanofluidic channels by anodic bonding of amorphous silicon to glass to study ion-accumulation and ion-depletion effect

A unique phenomenon, ion-enrichment and ion-depletion effect, exists in nanofluidic channels and is observed in amorphous silicon (α-Si) nanochannels as shallow as 50 nm. As a voltage is applied across a nanochannel, ions are rapidly enriched at one end and depleted at the other end of the nanochannel. α-Si is deposited on glass by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and is selectively etched to form nanochannels. The depth of nanochannels is defined by the thickness of the α-Si layer. Low temperature anodic bonding of α-Si to glass was used to seal the channel with a second glass wafer. The strength of the anodic bond was optimized by the introduction of a silicon nitride adhesion promoting layer and double-sided bonding resulting from the electric field reversal. Completed channels, 50 nm in depth, 5 micron wide, and 1 mm long were completely and reliably sealed. Structures based on nanochannels 50-300 nm deep were successfully incorporated into nanofluidic devices to investigate ionic accumulation and depletion effect due to overlapping of electric double layer.     

Convergence of linear functions of Pfeifer records

The probabilistic behaviour of partial sums of upper and lower records has been studied in the literature. In this article, we take a broader view and study partial sums of record like sequences. We show that such sequences converge in distribution to normal and lognormal distribution. In particular our results apply to Pfeifer records. We also show the strong convergence of partial sums of lower Pfeifer records under suitable assumptions.     

Kinetics and mechanism of formation of tetrachloropalladate(II) in the reactions of bis(oxalato)- and bis(malonato) palladate(II) with chloride in acid media

Summary Kinetics of formation of [PdCl₄]^2– from [Pd(ox)₂]^2– and [Pd(mal)₂]^2– has been studies in aqueous acid media in the presence of an excess of chloride ion by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Both the complexes undergo the transformation in two well separated consecutive steps. In 0.02–0.05 M acid with 0.2 M Cl^–, Pd(AA)^2– dissociates leading to the formation of [Pd(AA)Cl₂]^2– (where AA =ox^2– or mal^2–), which in 0.1–0.6 M acid and 1 M Cl^– forms [PdCl₄]^2– in a relatively slow step. For both steps k_abs=k₀+k₂[H⁺][Cl^–]. Activation parameters corresponding to k₀ and k₂ have been determined. Results indicate that [Pd(mal)₂]^2– is much more labile to substitution than [Pd(ox)₂]^2– and for both the lability is far greater than that of [Pd(bigH)₂]²⁺ and [Pt(ox)₂]^2– reported earlier.