Enhancing chemical analysis with signal derivatization using simple available software packages

Derivative techniques for analytical signal processing are useful for solving some noise and signal resolution problems in various fields of study such as titrimetry, spectrophotometry, chromatography and electrochemistry. The broad use of these techniques, however, is often limited by costly inflexible built-in software packages in commercial analytical instruments. We propose here the application of commercial simple software packages such as Microsoft® Excel and Microcal Origin for signal smoothing and fitting, and for obtaining derivative analytical signals in batch and flow-based analyses, including potentiometric titration, spectrophotometry, chromatography, voltammetry and sequential injection analysis (SIA). The worldwide (especially Excel) software packages are easy-to-use for less experienced users and have also capabilities for advanced users, and therefore employing such packages can result in expansion of useful derivative techniques. We demonstrate application of the available package-aided derivative capabilities for enhancing some chemical analyses, including potentiometric acid–base titration, Bradford assay of protein, chromatographic separation of ajmaline and reserpine and anodic stripping voltammetry of copper. The derivative signals from smoothed and fitted curves offer better accuracy and precision, even for non-resolving peaks and tailing peaks. In some cases, the optimization of experimental conditions is not further required, which can lead to fast method development.     

Zur Kenntnis des Calciumbromats und - iodats,Kristallstruktur, röntgenographische,IR- und Raman-spektroskopische und thermoanalytische Untersuchungen

On Calcium Bromated and Iodates – Crystal Structure, X-Ray, IR and Raman Spectroscopical and Thermoanalytical Investigations The phase relationships (and both decomposition and disproportionation)of bromates and iodates of alkaline earth metals are studied by means of thermal analyses (DTA, DSC, TG) and (high-temperature) X-Ray, IR-, and (high-temperature) Raman spectroscopic measurements. The following compounds have been established: Ca(IO₃)₂ · 6 H₂O oF 216, the isotypic Ca(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O and Ca(IO₃)₂ · H₂O mP 48, Ca(IO₃)₂ I (Lautarit) mP 36, Ca(IO₃)₂ II and Ca(BrO₃)₂. The Crystal structure of Ca(IO₃)₂ · H₂O (brüggenite) (space group P2₁/c, Z = 4) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (MoKα). The final R value for 3888 reflections with I_o > 3σ₁ is 0.0487. The structures of bromates and iodates of alkaline earth metals known so far are discussed with respect to the energetic (mode frequencies) and geometric (bond lengths) distortion of the XO₃–ions as well as the strengths of H-bonds present in the respective hydrates.     

Darstellung und Strukturen einiger N-(Tri-t-butoxysilyl)anilin-Derivate

Formation and Structures of N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)aniline Compounds Para-substituted N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)anilines (t-BuO)₃SiNRC₄H₄X-p, R = H, CH₃, with substituents of high electron affinity (X = CN, NO₂) were prepared by a one-pot reaction of tri-t-butoxychlorsilane, potassium t-butanolate and substituted anilines. Corresponding compounds with substituents of low electron affinity (X = OMe, H) preferably were prepared by metalation of anilines with sodium amide. Four crystal structures were determined. N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)-p-nitro-aniline, N-methyl-(N-tri-t-butoxysilyl)-p-nitroaniline and N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)-p-cyanoaniline crystallize at 298 K monoclinically, N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)aniline crystallizes orthorhombically.     

Trends in Preconcentration Procedures for Metal Determination Using Atomic Spectrometry Techniques

 Methods for metal preconcentration are often described in the literature. However, purposes are often different, depending on whether the methods are applied in environmental, clinical or technological fields. The respective method needs to be efficient, give high sensitivity, and ideally also is selective which is useful when used in combination with atomic spectroscopy. This review presents the actual tendencies in metal preconcentration using techniques such as Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS), Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETAAS), Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HGAAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Procedures based on related to electrochemical, coprecipitation/precipitation, liquid–liquid and solid–liquid extraction and atom trapping mechanisms are presented. Correspondence: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas – UNICAMP, P.O. Box 6154, 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil. e-mail: zezzi@iqm.unicamp.br Received December 20, 2001; accepted October 11, 2002     

Imaging fiber microarray fluorescent ion sensors based on bulk optode microspheres

Optical imaging fibers with micrometer-sized wells were used as a sensing platform for the development of microarray optical ion sensors based on selective bulk extraction principles established earlier for optodes. Uniform 10 μm sized microspheres based on plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) containing various combinations of ionophores, fluoroionophores and lipophilic ion-exchangers were prepared for the detection of sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride, and deposited onto the wells of etched fiber bundles. Specifically, sodium sensing particles were based on tert-butylcalix[4]arene tetraacetic acid tetraethylester, potassium particles on 2-dodecyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediyl bis[N-[5′-nitro(benzo-15-crown-5)-4′-yl]carbamate] (BME-44), calcium particles on an acrylic derivative of ETH 129 (AU-1) covalently attached to a methacrylic polymer, and chloride particles based on the anticrown ionophore [9]mercuracarborand-3 (MC-3). The fluorescence emission characteristics of individual microspheres were observed from the backside of the fibers and were found to selectively and rapidly change as a function of the sample composition. The optical characteristics of the particles were found to be comparable to that of corresponding thin optode films and particles deposited onto microscope glass slides. The measuring ranges (logarithmic molar concentrations) at pH 7.0 were found as −3 to 0 for sodium, −3.5 to −0.5 for potassium, −7 to −2 for calcium, and −5 to 0.5 for chloride. Selectivities were determined over other common electrolytes and found to be sufficient for physiological applications. The simultaneous deposition of sodium and chloride sensing particles was successfully performed, demonstrating that such microarray sensors are capable of simultaneously sensing multiple analytes. This technology is compatible with other microsphere-based fluorescent sensing principles, forming a promising total analysis platform for a variety of applications.     

Pyrolysis study of fluorinated sol-gel silica

Fluorinated silica gels at various fluorine content were prepared via sol-gel by hydrolysis of 3,3,3-trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane mixtures. The gels, of nominal stoichiometry Si(CH₂CH₂CF₃)_XO_(2-X/2)(X=0.1-1), were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N₂ adsorption analysis. The thermal stability of the fluorinated samples was investigated by coupling thermogravimetric measurements with mass spectrometric and gas chromatographic analyses of the evolved gaseous species. The chemical reactions occurring in the gel matrices during heating were siloxane chain rearrangements involving condensation between residual hydroxyl and ethoxyl groups in the 100-350°C temperature range, whereas the thermal decomposition of the fluoroalkyl groups were observed at higher temperatures (450-600°C). The release of the fluoroalkyl moieties also involved C-F/Si-O bond exchanges inside the siloxane chains, with gas-phase evolution of different fluorinated silicon units. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Protease sensors for bioimaging

Optical imaging of specific molecular targets and pathways in vivo has recently become possible through continued developments in imaging equipment, reconstruction algorithms, and more importantly the availability of imaging reporter molecules. These reporter molecules encompass photoproteins expressed in vivo and exogenously administered probes detectable by fluorescence and/or bioluminescence imaging. One particularly enticing aspect of optical imaging is the ability to design activatible probes with inherent amplification. This review summarizes our experience in developing novel near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging agents that report on protease activities. These agents are designed to be biocompatible, highly activatible, and able to produce bright NIRF following protease cleavage.     

Studies in werner clathrates. Part 2. Structures of bis (isothiocyanato) tetra (4-phenylpyridine) nickel (II)· 4-dimethylsulphoxide,bis (isothiocyanato) tetra (3-methylpyridine) nickel (II)· chloroform and bis (isothiocyanato) tetra (3,5-dimethylpyridine) nickel (II)

The structures of Ni(NCS)₂(4-PhPy)₄·4DMSO and Ni(NCS)₂(3-MePy)₄·CHCl₃ have been elucidated. Movement of guest molecules through channels in the host structure was simulated by potential energy calculations. Ni(NCS)₂(3,5-diMePy)₄ does not form inclusion compounds. An intra-molecular potential energy study shows that theortho-hydrogens on the 3,5-dimethylpyridine ligands control the conformation of the molecule. The same result is obtained with the 4-methylpyridine ligand, which suggests that the extent of rotation of substituted pyridines about the Ni–N bounds is not a factor governing clathrate formation. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82030 (43 pages).     

Topologisch und elektronisch bemerkenswerte „reduzierte”︁ Cluster des Typs [V18O42(X)]n− (X = SO4, VO4) mit Td-Symmetrie und davon abgeleitete Cluster [V(18–p)As2pO42(X)]m− (X = SO3, SO4, H2O; p = 3, 4)

Reduced Clusters with Remarkable Topological and Electronic Properties of the Type of [V₁₈O₄₂(X)]^n? (X = SO₄, VO₄) with T_d-Symmetry and Related Clusters [V_(18—p)As_2pO₄₂(X)]^m? (X = SO₃, SO₄, H₂O; p = 3, 4) The novel cluster-compounds Na₆[V₁₈O₄₂H₉(VO₄)] · 21 H₂O, (NH₄)₈[V₁₈O₄₂(SO₄)] · 25 H₂O, K₆[V₁₅As₆O₄₂(H₂O)] · 8 H₂O, (NH₄)₆[V₁₄As₈O₄₂(SO₃)], (NH₄)₆[V₁₄As₈O₄₂(SO₄)] and [N(CH3)₃]₄[₄V₁₄As₈0₄₂(H₂0)] were prepared and characterized by IR- and UV/Vis/NIR-spectroscopy, magnetic measurements and complete crystal structure analysis. For structural data see Inhaltsübersicht. Topological relations to the rhombicuboctahedron spanned by 24 0-atoms of the genuine hypothetical a-Keggin ion, at which the square planes are capped by V?O or As₂O groups, are discussed. Of particular interest are the ?extended”? Keggin ions [V₁₈O₄₂(X)]ⁿ- (X = SO₄ VO₄), (formaly derived from the hypothetical genuine a-Keggin ion by addition of six V?O groups) which have quite different electron populations in spite of the same structure of their cluster shells.     

A sol-gel route for the development of rare-earth aluminum borate nanopowders and transparent thin films

A new sol-gel route was applied to obtain Y_0.9Er_0.1Al₃(BO₃)₄ crystalline powders and amorphous thin films by using Al(acac)₃, B(OPrⁱ)₃, Y(NO₃)₃·6H₂O, and Er(NO₃)₃·5H₂O as starting materials dissolved in propionic acid and ethyl alcohol mixtures. Our study shows that propionic acid acts as good chelant agent for yttrium and erbium ions while ethyl alcohol allows to dissolve Al(acac)₃. This process makes the resulting sols very stable to obtain homogeneous gels and transparent amorphous thin films. In addition, the propionic acid prevents the sol precipitation, making easy porous- and crack-free thin film depositions. Chemical reactions involved in the complexation were discussed. As-prepared powders and films are amorphous and present a good thermal stability due to their high glass transition (746 °C) and crystallization temperatures (830 °C). This new sol-gel route showed to be adequate to obtain dense and crack-free thin films free of organic and hydroxyl groups that can be considered as promising materials to be used in integrated optical systems.