Dependence of ion hydration on the sign of the ion's charge

The solvation of simple ions in water is studied using molecular dynamics simulations with a polarizable force field. Previous simulations using this potential demonstrated that anions are more favorably solvated in water than cations. The present work is an attempt to explain this result by examining the effects of ions on the surrounding water structure, with particular focus on the first solvation shell and its interactions with the surrounding water. We conclude that while the first solvation shell surrounding cations is frustrated by competition between ion-water and water-water interactions, solvation of anions is compatible with good water-water interactions.     

Stereochemistry of isoplagiochin C, a macrocyclic bisbibenzyl from liverworts

Cyclic bisbibenzyls, like isoplagiochins C (1) and D (2), are stereochemically intriguing molecules: Although not equipped with any of the traditional stereogenic elements that render molecules conformationally stable per se, they are sometimes isolated in an optically active form and are thus chiral at room temperature. The paper describes quantum chemical calculations, in particular investigations of the conformational space and molecular dynamics simulations, showing that the helicity is a property of the entire molecule, whose ring strain makes the molecule configurationally stable overall, with (formally) three stereogenic elements (two biaryl axes and one helical stilbene unit). Only one of the biaryl axes (the 'upper' one, joining C-12' and C-14) has a stable configuration, leading to a population of four interconverting diastereomers, yet without racemization at room temperature. On the basis of these conformational and dynamic calculations, the circular dichroism spectrum of isoplagiochin C (1) was calculated, leading to the first assignment of the absolute configuration of a cyclic bisbibenzyl. Accordingly, 1 has the P-configuration at the stereochemically stable biaryl axis and constitutes a mixture of diastereomers with respect to the other biaryl axis and the helical stilbene unit. From the temperature dependence of the racemization rates, an enantiomerization barrier of 101.6 kJ/mol was determined. Likewise, for the first time for cyclic bisbibenzyls, the enantiomeric ratio of this natural product was determined, by chromatography on a chiral phase with CD-coupling. Accordingly, 1 from Plagiochila deflexa is not enantiomerically pure, but occurs in a 85:15 ratio in favor of the enantiomer that has the P-configuration at the stereochemically stable axis.     

Collective dynamics in molten potassium: an inelastic x-ray scattering study

The high-frequency collective dynamics of molten potassium has been investigated by inelastic x-ray scattering, disclosing an energy/momentum transfer region unreachable by previous inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments. We find that a two-step relaxation scenario, similar to that found in other liquid metals, applies to liquid potassium. In particular, we show how the sound velocity determined by INS experiments, exceeding the hydrodynamic value by approximately 30%, is the higher limit of a speedup, located in the momentum region 1 < Q < 3 nm(-1), which marks the departure from the isothermal value. We point out how this phenomenology is the consequence of a microscopic relaxation process that, in turn, can be traced back to the presence of "instantaneous" disorder, rather than to the crossover from a liquid to solidlike response.     

Fluorimetric determination of beryllium with pyridoxal-5-phosphate

A simple, rapid and selective method for the determination of beryllium with pyridoxal-5-phosphate has been developed. The system is only fluorescent (lambda(ex) 360, lambda(em) 460 nm) in the presence of a nitrogenous base such as ammonia, ethylenediamine or pyridine, owing to the possible formation of a ternary complex. The calibration graph is linear over the range 8-60 ng ml . The high selectivity of the method permits the determination of beryllium in various types of alloys.     

Determination of bromide by low power surfatron microwave induced plasma after bromine continuous generation

A simple continuous flow generation of volatile bromine is described for the determination of low concentrations of the elements by atmospheric-pressure argon microwave induced plasma (MIP) surfatron. Bromine is continuously generated by mixing the bromide with sulphuric acid and hypochlorite solutions. The bromine vapor is separated from the aqueous phase by a gas-liquid separator and is desiccated by passing it through concentrated sulphuric acid. The detection limit attained was 2 microg/l. and the precision was +/-0.7% (at the 80 microg/l. level). The proposed determination is very selective if oxidizing/reducing agents are absent. The procedure has been tested for bromide determination in two drug preparations. Good agreement between the experimental results and the certified values has been obtained.     

Phylogenetic analysis of picoplankton in Lake Biwa and application to legal medicine

Three strains of picoplankton designated as brown, green, and pink belonging to the Synechococcus genus in cyanobacteria (approximately 1 microm in size) are found ubiquitously in Lake Biwa, Japan. However, they could not be morphologically discriminated from other bacteria such as Proteobacteria and Bacillus by microscopy. In this study, we attempted to use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from picoplankton for the diagnosis of death by drowning. A segment of 16S rDNA was sequenced in order to investigate their phylogenetic relationships and to design the specific primers. The PCR products from three picoplanktons were compared with those from five other cyanobacteria, Melosira (diatom), Staurastrum (green alga), bacteria from Lake Baikal, and humans. The picogram order of template DNA from picoplankton was specifically amplified by the primers. When the template of picoplankton was mixed with human tissue, at least 10 ng of template DNA was needed to obtain a PCR product. The efficiency of PCR was increased more than hundredfold by isolating the picoplankton from human lung tissue. The specific PCR products of the picoplankton were obtained from a formalin-fixed drowning body (lung and liver) that was found in a downstream river and Lake Biwa. The PCR analysis of the picoplanktion 16S rDNA is considered useful for the diagnosis of death by drowning.     

Fully automated determination of eserine N-oxide in human plasma using on-line solid-phase extraction with liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and entirely automated solid-phase extraction/liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (SPE/LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of eserine N-oxide (ENO), a cholinesterase inhibitor-like physostigmine in human plasma, for use in pharmacokinetic studies. ENO is light-sensitive and the use of a fully on-line process increased the reliability of the assay. Plasma samples previously mixed with neostigmine bromide to prevent in vitro degradation, and tacrine as internal standard (IS), were directly injected into the SPE/LC/ESI-MS/MS system. MS software piloted the overall system. MS/MS detection of ENO and the IS was performed in the positive ion ESI mode using multiple reaction monitoring. The linear calibration curve for ENO ranged from 25 pg ml(-1) to 12.5 ng ml(-1). The limit of quantitation was 25 pg ml(-1) with 250 microl of plasma injected. Precision, accuracy and stability tests were within the acceptable range and just one analyst is required to analyze 50 unknown samples a day five days per week, from the preparation of the samples (i.e. thawing and centrifugation) to data processing. A pilot pharmacokinetic study in three healthy volunteers treated with 4.5 mg of ENO (Génésérine3((R))) showed that the method was suitable for pharmacokinetic studies in humans.     

Analysis of a mixture of a known and an unknown weak acid by titration to a preset pH

The preset-pH titration method has been used to indicate the presence of a second acid when the titration curve (pH vs. volume of added titrant) seems to indicate only one acid. By use of the method even small amounts of propionic acid can be detected in an acetic acid solution despite the small value of Δ log K^H_HA = 0·18. Binary mixtures of acids may bs analysed when one acid is known, and log k^H_HA for the unknown acid may be found. Acetic acid, as the known acid, has been determined together with hydrochloric, mandelic, hydroxyacetic or boric acid or ammonium ion, with an error of about 1%. The method can be used in some cases for titration of ternary mixtures of one known and two unknown acids. Only the sum of the unknown acids can then be determined together with the known acid.     

Titrimetric study of the reaction of chloramine-T with ammonia

A titrimetric study of the reaction between chloramine-T (CAT) and ammonia is described. The effects of the presence of bromide, the ratio of CAT to ammonia concentrations, the time for reaction and the pH of the reaction media are all significant in the quantitativeness of the reaction that occurs.     

A comparative adsorption study with different industrial wastes as adsorbents for the removal of cationic dyes from water

Four adsorbents have been prepared from industrial wastes obtained from the steel and fertilizer industries and investigated for their utility to remove cationic dyes. Studies have shown that the adsorbents prepared from blast furnace sludge, dust, and slag have poor porosity and low surface area, resulting in very low efficiency for the adsorption of dyes. On the other hand, carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from carbon slurry waste obtained from the fertilizer industry was found to show good porosity and appreciable surface area and consequently adsorbs dyes to an appreciable extent. The adsorption of two cationic dyes, viz., rhodamine B and Bismark Brown R on carbonaceous adsorbent conforms to Langmuir equation, is a first-order process and pore diffusion controlled. As the adsorption of dyes investigated was appreciable on carbonaceous adsorbent, its efficiency was evaluated by comparing the results with those obtained on a standard activated charcoal sample. It was found that prepared carbonaceous adsorbent exhibits dye removal efficiency that is about 80-90% of that observed with standard activated charcoal samples. Thus, it can be fruitfully used for the removal of dyes and is a suitable alternative to standard activated charcoal in view of its cheaper cost.