Enhanced fluorescence from o-phthalaldehyde and fluorescamine fluorophores using Triton and β-cyclodextrin

Mexiletine— and lysine hydrochloride—o-phthalaldehyde and mexiletine hydrochloride—, cysteine—, cysteamine—, homocysteine— and lysine hydrochloride—fluorescamine derivatives were subjected to Triton and β-cyclodextrin enhancement treatments. Of several classical fluorescence-enhancing reagents tested (Triton, β-cyclodextrin, sodium dodecyl sulphate, Brij), Triton provided the best results, followed by β-cyclodextrin. Increases in fluorescence emission by a factor of up to about 10 (mexiletine—fluorescamine—Triton X-100) were observed, with a generally negligible influence of the enhancing reagents on the excitation and emission maxima. Fluorescence enhancement by the addition of a suitable reagent solution to the final analyte solution may, in specific instances, enhance the detectability of native or chemically induced fluorophores.     

Determination of pimozide in oral preparations by spectrofluorometry

The intense native fluorescence of pimozide is reported. It is due to the benzo-1,3-diazolin-2-one fraction of the molecule, also present in the structurally analogous benperidol molecule. The fluorescence intensity is nearly independent of solvent acidity. This substance can be determined in oral preparations by its native fluorescence in diethyl ether (lambda(EXC) = 290 nm. lambda = 319 nm) with a detection limit of 0.01 mug/ml.     

Determination of Aqueous Nickel-Carbonate and Nickel-Oxalate Complexation Constants

An ion-exchange method was used to determine complexation constants for the Ni-oxalate and Ni-carbonate systems in a NaClO₄ background electrolyte. The Ni-oxalate data were interpreted in terms of a single Niox(aq) complex having log K ₁ values for Ni²⁺ + ox^2– Niox(aq) of 3.9 ± 0.1 (I.S. = 0.5 mol-L^–1 p[H] = 7.1) and 4.4 ± 0.1 (I.S. = 0.1 mol-L^–1 p[H] = 8.6) at 22 ± 1C. Specific ion-interaction theory (SIT) was used to obtain log K ₁ = 5.17 ± 0.05 (95% confidence level and = –0.23 ± 0.15) at I.S. = 0. The Ni-carbonate studies were carried out at p[H] values of 7.5, 8.5, and 9.6 in 0.5 mol-L^–1 NaClO₄/NaHCO₃ solutions. The NiCO₃(aq) species was the dominant complex in the [CO₃ ^2–] concentration ranges studied at all three p[H] values. A log K ₁ value for Ni²⁺ + CO₃ ^2– NiCO₃(aq) of 2.9 ± 0.3 was deduced at I.S. = 0.5 mol-L^–1. Extrapolating this value to zero ionic strength using the SIT approach yielded log K ₁ = 4.2 ± 0.3 (95% confidence level and = –0.26 ± 0.04). The data allowed upper bound values for the complexation constants for NiHCO₃ ⁺ and Ni(CO₃)₂ ^2– to be estimated, i.e., log K < 1.4 for Ni²⁺ + HCO₃ ^– NiHCO₃ ⁺, and log K ₂ < 2 for NiCO₃(aq) + CO₃ ^2– Ni(CO₃)₂ ^2–, respectively.     

Chemiluminescence flow injection analysis of 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin in swimming pool water

A new chemiluminescence (CL) flow-injection method is proposed for the determination of 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DDH). The method is based on the chemiluminescent reaction of DDH and luminol-H(2)O(2) in an alkaline medium (pH 12.0-12.5). The concentration of the analyte shows a good linear relationship with the produced luminescence intensity in the range of 3.0x10(-8) to 8.0x10(-6) mol l(-1). The detection limit of the proposed method is 1.0x10(-8) mol l(-1) and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) is 4.7% (n=5) at 5.0x10(-7) mol l(-1). This method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of this disinfectant in water samples obtained from five different swimming pools. Satisfying recovery values were also obtained.     

Improvement of cyclosporin A determination in whole blood by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A chromatographic method was developed for the determination of cyclosporin A in human whole blood using reversed-phase HPLC at room temperature. Most previous reports carried out this liquid chromatographic separation at temperatures above 70 degrees C. The present procedure greatly improves the detection limit by controlling peak broadening effects, as well as the lifetime of the column at room temperature. Under optimal conditions and using ketoconazole as an internal standard, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 16-1000 microg/L with a relative standard deviation of 3.72% at 150 microg/L and 2.45% at 300 microg/L (n = 11) of cyclosporin A. The detection limit was of 5.0 microg/L cyclosporin A. By this procedure, cyclosporin A pharmacokinetic parameters in healthy Chinese subjects were studied. The developed method could be applied to the quantification of cyclosporin A in human blood samples and allows the study of its pharmacokinetics in routine laboratories.     

Synthesis and novel reactivity of halomethyldimethylsulfonium salts

Iodomethyl-, chloromethyl-, and fluoromethyldimethylsulfonium salts, 4b-d, have been synthesized and are observed to be highly reactive molecules that exhibit extraordinary diversity with respect to the nature of their reactivity, undergoing facile direct substitution (S(N)2) reactions, but also being highly susceptible to electron-transfer reactions. Cyclic voltametry experiments indicated that the iodomethyldimethylsulfonium compound, 4b, is a potent electron acceptor, even surpassing the reactivity of perfluoro-n-alkyl iodides in that capacity. The iodo- and chloromethyldimethylsulfonium salts, 4b,c, as well as the analogous iodomethyltrimethylammonium salt, 3a, are shown to be reactive SET acceptors.     

Investigation of operational parameters for an industrial CFB combustor of coal, biomass and sludge

The combustion of coal and/or biomass （sludge, wood waste, RDF, etc.） in a circulating fluidized bed has been a commercial topper for over 20 years, and references to principles and applications are numerous and widespread although few data are presented concerning the operation of large scale CFB-units. The authors studied the CFB-combustion at UPM-Kymmene （Ayr）, a major paper mill relying for its steam production upon the combustion of coal （80-85 %）, wood bark （5-10%） and wastewater treatment sludge （5-10%）. The maximum capacity of the CFB is 58 MWth. A complete diagnostic of the operation was made, and additional tests were performed to assess the operating mode. The plant schematics, relevant dimensions and process data are given. To assess the operation of the UPM-CFB, it is important to review essential design parameters and principles of CFB combustors, which will be discussed in detail to include required data, heat balance and flowrates, operating versus transport velocity, kinetics and conversion （including the possible effect of the Bouduard reaction if carbon is present）. Since the residence time in the riser and the cyclone efficiency determine the burnout of circulating fuel-particles, the UPM-CFB was subjected to a stimulus response technique using nickel oxide as tracer. Results illustrate the efficiency of the cyclone separation and the number of recycle loops for particles of a given size. Results will also be used to assess the cyclone operation and efficiency and to comment upon expected and measured carbon conversion.     

Comparison of micro-LC and capillary zone electrophoresis for the analysis of thiols

Micro-LC and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) are two of the most rapidly developing, miniaturized separation techniques in analytical science. In the present paper, both techniques were comparatively evaluated for the determination of several important thiols derivatized with the fluorogenic reagent SBD-F. Different parameters, such as selectivity, sensitivity, analysis time and efficiency, influence of column length, CZE buffer concentration, and voltage were thus analyzed and discussed. Both techniques are recommended for the analysis of thiols in biological samples.