Mechanism of ruthenium tetroxide-catalysed oxidation of aldoses by alkalineN-bromoacetamide

The kinetics of oxidation of three aldoses (glucose, mannose and galactose) byN-bromoacetamide (NBA) in the presence of an alkaline solution of RuO₄ as catalyst and Hg(OAc)₂ as co-catalyst and as a scavenger for bromide have been investigated. The main products of the oxidation are the corresponding aldonic acids. The reaction is zero order with respect to aldose and OH⁻. First order dependence of the reaction on both NBA and RuO₄ at low concentrations shifts to zero order at higher concentrations. Addition of acetamide decreases the reaction rate, while addition of Hg(OAc)₂ has the opposite effect. No significant effect of ionic strength was observed. OBr⁻ is postulated as the reactive oxidising species and a mechanism involving co-catalysis by RuO₄ and Hg^II is proposed. TMC 2588     

Relevance of chemistry to white biotechnology

White biotechnology is a fast emerging area that concerns itself with the use of biotechnological approaches in the production of bulk and fine chemicals, biofuels, and agricultural products. It is a truly multidisciplinary area and further progress depends critically on the role of chemists. This article outlines the emerging contours of white biotechnology and encourages chemists to take up some of the challenges that this area has thrown up.     

Determination of 3-sulfolene in sulfolane by reaction gas chromatography

Summary A simple gas-liquid chromatographic method has been developed for determining 3-sulfolene in sulfolane. The method involves thermal decomposition of sulfolene and determination of the 1.3-butadiene evolved, by GLC. Influence of the operating parameters on quantitative decomposition of sulfolene has been studied. The accuracy of the method as studied in the concentration range from 0.05 to 4.0 % (w/v) of 3-sulfolene in sulfolane is found to be within ±3.0%. It is rapid and sensitive down to 10 ppm and has potentialities for on-line applications also.

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Bestimmung von 3-Sulfolen in Sulfolan durch Reaktions-Gas-Chromatographie

Zusammenfassung Eine einfache gas-chromatographische Methode wurde entwickelt, die auf der thermischen Zersetzung der Probe und der Bestimmung des dabei aus 3-Sulfolen gebildeten 1,3-Butadiens beruht. Der Einfluß der einzelnen Parameter wurde untersucht. Innerhalb eines Konzentrationsbereichs von 0,05–4,0% 3-Sulfolen ergaben sich Fehler von ±3%. Das Verfahren ermöglicht bis herab zu 10 ppm eine schnelle und empfindliche Bestimmung und eignet sich auch zum on-line Betrieb.

     

Reactions of C(6)F(5)Li with tetracyclone and 3-ferrocenyl-2,4, 5-triphenylcyclopentadienone: An (19)F NMR and X-ray crystallographic study of hindered pentafluorophenyl rotations

Tetracyclone, 2a, reacts with C(6)F(5)Li to yield 2-pentafluorophenyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylcyclopent-3-en-1-one, 7, and 5-hydroxy-5-pentafluorophenyl-1,2,3,4-tetraphenylcyclopentadiene, 8, as the result of 1,6 and 1,2 additions, respectively. In contrast, treatment of 3-ferrocenyl-2,4,5-triphenylcyclopentadienone, 2b, with lithiopentafluorobenzene leads to 4-ferrocenyl-4-pentafluorophenyl-2, 3,5-triphenylcyclopent-2-en-1-one, 9, and 5-hydroxy-5-pentafluorophenyl-2-ferrocenyl-1,3, 4-triphenylcyclopentadiene, 10, the products of 1,4 and 1,2 addition, respectively. The structures of 7-9 have been established by X-ray crystallography, and the barriers to rotation (19-21 kcal mol(-)(1)) of the pentafluorophenyl groups in 8-10 have been studied by variable-temperature (19)F NMR. Nucleophilic attack at the ferrocenyl-bearing carbon in 2b is rationalized in terms of a zwitterionic structure in which the positive charge of the "cyclopentadienyl cation" is delocalized onto the iron atom in the organometallic substituent.     

Gravimetric determination of thorium and zirconium

Summary Thorium and zirconium can be quantitatively precipitated by quinaldinic acid atph 2.7 and 3, respectively. As the precipitates are of nonstoichiometric composition they are to be ignited to oxides. By this reagent thorium can be quantitatively separated from arsenic (As³⁺), mercury (Hg²⁺), rare earths, manganese, magnesium and alkaline earths and zirconium from all the aforesaid ions excepting rare earths which contaminate to a slight extent.     

Direct determination of traces of Ag, Cd, Pb, Bi, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Li, Be, Cu and Sb in environmental waters and geological materials by simultaneous multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman-effect background correction

A method was developed for direct determination of minor and trace amounts of Cr, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Li, Pb, Cd, Bi, Sb, Be and Ag in silicate rock, lake and stream sediments using a microwave oven dissolution method and a multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with a Zeeman-effect background correction device. The measurement technique was also suitable for direct determination of trace and ultra-trace amounts of these elements in drinking and seawater samples. A rock or sediment sample was brought into solution in a Teflon vessel by heating in a microwave oven with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and aqua regia, followed by a further heating with a mixture of boric acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The specified elements were directly determined in a group of four elements in one firing and eight elements in two firings from this solution or from a diluted solution using the optimum operating parameters developed in this work. The method, tested with 23 international reference rocks and sediments and seven international quality control and reference water samples, showed good to excellent agreement with the recommended values.     

Synthesis and characterization of square-planar palladium(II) complexes containing anti- and syn-furan-2-aldoxime

Summary Fifteen palladium(II) square-planar complexes containing monodentate and/or bidentate anti- and syn-furan-2-aldoxime (FDH) have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight determination, conductance studies, magnetic moments and i.r. spectral studies. The monodentate ligand coordinates through the nitrogen atom while the bidentate ligand coordinates through the furan oxygen atom and the nitrogen atom. The C-O-C stretching frequency of the furan ring may be taken as the criterion for the denticity of this ligand and is observed at 1240 and 1270 cm^– in anti- and syn-furan-2-aldoxime respectively. A shift to lower frequency occurs (in the complex) if the ligand is bidentate, however this frequency is unaffected if the ligand is monodentate.     

Determination of UV-transparent compounds by liquid chromatography using the UV detector

An indirect UV photometric detection technique is described in which a low concentration of a UV-absorbing compound (UVAC) is added to the mobile phase in reversed phase liquid chromatography, thereby making it possible for non UV-absorbing compounds such as the lower alcohols to be detected by the UV detector. This happens because the injected analyte may extract a portion of the UV absorbing compound from the mobile and/or stationary phase and the complex is co-eluted as a positive peak at the retention time of the analyte. Alternatively, the injected analyte may appear as a negative peak if the UV-absorbing compound is transferred to the mobile and stationary phases. In any case, the injected compound appears either as a positive or negative peak depending on the relative polarities and concentrations of all the compounds in the system. In addition, the resulting excess or deficiency of detection agent in the stationary phase is eluted separately as a positive or negative peak, indicating that the system has returned to equilibrium. In the work described herein, the chromatographic conditions and variables of the indirect photometric technique were studied to develop a quantitative HPLC method for UV-transparent compounds. It was found that under optimal conditions it is possible to determine some analytes quantitatively at concentrations as low as 0.05%.     

Spectrophotometric determination of isoproturon using p-aminoacetophenone and its application in environmental and biological samples

A simple and sensitive method for the determination of isoproturon, a widely used herbicide is described here which is based on alkaline hydrolysis of isoproturon to its corresponding primary amine followed by diazotization and coupling with p-aminoacetophenone in alkaline medium. The absorption maxima of the coloured compound formed is measured at 525 nm. Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration range of 0.5-5.0 mug in a final solution volume of 25 ml (0.02-0.2 ppm). The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity were found to be 8.6x10(5) l mol(-1) cm(-1) and 0.0002 mug cm(-2), respectively. The method has been satisfactorily applied to the determination of isoproturon in environmental and biological samples.