Determination of trace elements in Egyptian molasses by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Multielement neutron activation analysis has been applied to the determination of macro, micro and trace amounts of Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sc and V in molasses of Kom Ombo, Edfu, Armant, Naga Hammady and Abu Korkass cane sugar factories. The threshold element concentrations are acceptable and below the safety. Differences in element concentrations may be related to different botanic textures and structures, different compositions of sugar cane plants, corrosion of containers or changes in soil as a result of geochemical differentiation. The method is sensitive down to 0.038 ppm of V. The relative errors due to counting statistics are in the range of 0.2–11%.     

Microdetermination of the fluoride ion using an amplification reaction

Summary A new simple, rapid and accurate amplification micro method for fluoride determination is described. It is based on the reaction between the sparingly soluble calcium iodate and the fluoride ion. After adding isopropyl alcohol to the solution, so that its final concentration is 65%, and filtering, an equivalent amount of the iodate is obtained. The latter is titrated iodometrically resulting in a six-fold amplification of the titre. The method is reproducible over a range from 0.4–8 mg fluoride ion. The mean recovery is 99.69%, after applying a correction factor due to potassium iodate solubility.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Multiplikationsverfahren zur Mikrobestimmung von Fluorid wurde beschrieben. Es beruht auf der Umsetzung zwischen dem schlecht löslichen Calciumjodat und Fluorid. Nach Zusatz von i-Propylalkohol, bis die Lösung 65% davon enthält, wird filtriert. Die äquivalente Jodatmenge wird jodometrisch titriert. Zwischen 0,4 und 8 mg Fluorid sind die Ergebnisse reproduzierbar. Bei Anwendung eines Korrekturfaktors wegen der Löslichkeit von Kaliumjodat wurden 99,69% Fluorid wieder gefunden.

     

Synthesis of an asymmetrical tripodal tetraamine ligand and its five-coordinate copper(II) complex

A simple synthesis has been devised for the tripodal 3,3,4-tetraamine ligand N{(CH2)3NH2}2{(CH2)4NH2} (L). This ligand forms a copper(II) complex, [Cu (LH)Cl2]ClO4 (7), the structure of which has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The cation contains a five-coordinate copper atom, bonded to two chloride ions, the two propylamine groups and the tertiary nitrogen atom of the ligand; the arrangement is a distorted trigonal bipyramid, in which the two primary amine groups occupy the axial positions. The butylamine group of the ligand does not coordinate to copper but is protonated. It is involved in hydrogen bonding to the perchlorate ion. The e.p.r. spectrum of [Cu(dpt)Cl2] is very similar to that of (7), suggesting that it also has a trigonal bipyramidal structure. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Selection of a Representative Matrix for Calibration in Multianalyte Determination of Pesticides in Vegetables by Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry

An analytical method for determining residues of twenty pesticides by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to electrospray ionisation (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) in eight commodities, cucumber, tomato, pepper, green bean, eggplant, zucchini, melon and watermelon, has been developed and validated. On one hand, calibration curves prepared in solvent were compared with calibration curves prepared in a blank matrix extract of each target matrix. On the other hand, calibration curves and recoveries for each commodity were compared. Cucumber was selected as potential reference matrix for the target vegetables.     

A tetra-coordinate nickel(II) complex as neutral carrier for nitrate-selective PVC membrane electrode

The potentiometric response properties and applications of a tetra-coordinate nickel(II) complex with relatively high selectivity toward nitrate ion are described. The nickel(II) complex of 5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,6,11,13-tetraene was used as a neutral carrier into plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane. The influence of several variables was investigated in order to optimize the potentiometric response and selectivity of the electrode. The resulting membrane electrode incorporating 31.0% PVC, 61.0% dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as plasticizer, 3% methyltrioctylammonium chloride (MTOAC) as a cationic additive and 5% carrier (all w/w) demonstrates a Nernstian response slope of −59.6 mV per decade over the concentration range of 5×10⁻⁶-1×10⁻¹ M NO₃⁻. The electrode exhibits a fast response time (≤10 s), a detection limit of 2.5×10⁻⁶ M, and can be used over a wide pH range of 4-12. The electrode shows improved selectivity in comparison to most of the previously reported nitrate-selective electrodes. It was successfully applied to the determination of nitrate ion in natural water samples.     

Solvent effect on the kinetics and mechanism of the thermal decomposition oftris-oxalactocobaltate(III) complex

Summary The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of thetris-oxalactocobaltate(III) complex has been investigated in the presence of EtOH and (CH₂OH)₂ spectrophotometrically in the 50–70 ± 0.1 ° C range. The rate of the reaction decreases upon the addition of either of the alcohols to the reaction medium, whereas the activation energy increases. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated and are discussed in terms of the solvation effects. The influence of the dielectric constants of the solvent mixtures on the rate has been studied. A free radical mechanism is proposed and discussed.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted 5-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-5,6-dehydropiperidin-2-ones: chirality transfer in the enantioselective synthesis of ethyl (+)-(3S,4aS,7aS)-1-oxo-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyridine-3-carboxylate

The base-mediated reaction of enantiomerically pure -sulfinylketimine (+)-1 with (E)-,β-disubstituted propenoate esters afforded 3,4-disubstituted-5-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-5,6-dehydropiperidin-2-ones 9-13 and 14 with high or complete diastereoselectivity. A sole diastereomer of the four possible ones, with regard to the nature of ester, was isolated, which revealed the stereocontrol of the chiral sulfinyl group in the Michael reaction and transenolization steps. In addition, the enantioselective synthesis of ethyl (+)-(3S,4aS,7aS)-1-oxo-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyridine-3-carboxylates (+)-17 is described (five steps; 47% yield; ee 97%). The absolute configuration of stereocentres introduced in (+)-17 was assigned on the basis of ¹H NMR data.     

New antimalarial drugs

Approximately 40% of the world population live in areas with the risk of malaria. Each year, 300-500 million people suffer from acute malaria, and 0.5-2.5 million die from the disease. Although malaria has been widely eradicated in many parts of the world, the global number of cases continues to rise. The most important reason for this alarming situation is the rapid spread of malaria parasites that are resistant to antimalarial drugs, especially chloroquine, which is by far the most frequently used. The development of new antimalarial drugs has been neglected since the 1970s owing to the end colonialism, changes in the areas of military engagement, and the restricted market potential. Only in recent years, in part supported by public funding programs, has interest in the development of antimalarial drugs been renewed. New data available from the recently sequenced genome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the application of methods of modern drug design promise to bring significant development in the fight against this disease.     

Utilization of maltodextrin based enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes for the enantioselective assay of S-perindopril

Enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes (EPMEs) based on carbon paste impregnated with different maltodextrins {dextrose equivalent (DE) 4.0-7.0 (I), 13.0-17.0 (II) and 16.5-19.5 (III)} as chiral selectors for the assay of S-perindopril is described. The proposed electrodes could be reliably employed in the assay of S-perindopril raw material and from its pharmaceutical formulation, Coversyl^® tablets. The electrode based on maltodextrin (I) showed the best enantioselectivity and time-stability. The surfaces of the electrodes are easily renewable by simply polishing on an alumina paper.     

Transition metal complexes derived from N-isonicotinamido-N′-benzoylthiocarbamide (H2IBTC)

Summary The synthesis and characterization of Cr^III, Mn^II, Fe^III, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, Cd^II and UO _inf2 ^sup2+ complexes of N-isonicotinamido-_N-benzoylthiocarbamide (H₂IBTC) are reported. I.r. spectral data show that the ligand behaves in a bidentate, tridentate and/or tetradentate manner. Different stereochemistries are proposed for Cr^III, Mn^II, Fe^III, Co^II, Ni^II and Cu^II complexes on the basis of spectral and magnetic studies. The i.r. data indicate that the carbonyl oxygen of the benzoyl moiety is the backbone of chelation in most complexes.