Flow and Sequential Injection Manifolds for the Spectrophotometric Determination of Captopril Based on its Oxidation by Fe(III)

 Two new simple and rapid methods are reported for the accurate and precise spectrophotometric determination of captopril (CPL) using flow (FI) and sequential injection (SI) analysis. The methods are based on the fast oxidation of CPL by Fe(III). The produced Fe(II) reacts with 2,2′-dipyridyl-2-pyridylhydrazone (DPPH) in acidic medium to form a colored complex which is monitored spectrophotometrically at 535 nm. Both methods allow the determination of the analyte up to 1000 mg L⁻¹ at a sampling rate of 120 and 60 injections per hour for FI and SI, respectively. The methods are very precise [s _r=0.8 and 1.2% at 500 mg L⁻¹ CPL (n=12) for FI and SI, respectively] and the 3σ detection limits (c _L=4.0 and 7.0 mg L¹, respectively) are quite satisfactory. Their application to a variety of anti-hypertensive commercial pharmaceutical formulations showed excellent results (relative errors, e _r, < ± 1.6% in all cases compared to an official HPLC method), while common pharmaceutical excipients were found not to interfere. Recovery experiments further verified the accuracy of the developed methods, as the percent recoveries were in the range of 98.1–102.5%. Author for correspondence. E-mail: themelis@chem.auth.gr Received May 9, 2002; accepted January 8, 2003 Published online May 5, 2003     

Liquid chromatographic retention behaviour and separation of promethazine and isopromethazine on a β-cyclodextrin bonded-phase column

A liquid chromatographic method for the separation of promethazine (PR) and its positional isomer isopromethazine (IPR) is described.PR is an N-substituted phenothiazine with the actions and the uses of the antihistamines (H1-receptor antagonists). IPR is an impurity in the pharmaceutical preparations of PR and must be controlled at a level below 1%. The liquid chromatographic behaviour of PR and IPR on a hydrolytically stable β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) column with respect to mobile phase composition, pH, ionic strength and the nature of the organic modifier was also investigated. Based on the results, conditions were chosen for the isocratic separation of the two isomers. The proposed separation method is simple and rapid and permits the simultaneous determination of PR and IPR. The separation selectivity of a cyclodextrin bonded-phase column was examined. Special attention was devoted to modelling the inclusion complexes of PR and IPR with β-CD in order to predict their optimum orientation within the β-CD cavity.     

Universal behavior of flexible and wormlike polymers using relations derived from the blob theory and the statistical mechanical theory

The variation of the viscometric expansion factor of macromolecular chains, α_η, as a function of the number of blobs of which these chains consist, N/N_c, obeys a universal law, both for wormlike and for flexible polymers. Using also wormlike and flexible polymers, we show that the factor relating the excluded volume parameter, z, to the static expansion factor, α_G, varies with the number of statistical chain segments, in a universal manner. The universalities appear to be valid below chain lengths required for the appearance of a power law, and they do not seem to have an upper limit in molecular weight. For these two universalities concerning flexible and wormlike polymers we use relations derived from the blob theory [Polymer 20 (1979) 1083] and statistical mechanical theory [J. Chem. Phys. 57 (1972) 2843].     

Novel disposable bismuth-sputtered electrodes for the determination of trace metals by stripping voltammetry

This work describes a novel type of bismuth electrode for stripping voltammetry based on coating a silicon substrate with a thin bismuth film by means of sputtering. The bismuth-based sensors were characterized by optical methods (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)) and as well as by linear sweep voltammetry. Subsequently, the electrodes were tested for the detection of low concentrations of trace metals (Cd(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II)) by stripping voltammetry. Well-formed stripping peaks were observed for trace concentrations of the target analytes demonstrating “proof-of-principle” for these sensors. This type of electrochemical device, utilizing thin-film technology for the formation of the bismuth film, holds promise for future applications in trace metal analysis.     

Kinetik der Alterung von anodischen Deckschichten auf Aluminium durch Farbstoffaufnahmen

Zusammenfassung Durch Messungen der Alterung (Verminderung der prozentualen Farbstoffaufnahme) der zwei aufeinander liegenden Oxyde auf anodisch oxydiertem Aluminium wurde folgendes festgestellt: Das genannteγ ₂-Al₂O₃ weist keine wesentliche Alterung in der Luft und unter Wasser auf, da es kompakt und geordnet ist. Dasγ ₁-Al₂O₃ altert in der Luft und unter Wasser proportional der Zeit. Seine Alterungsgeschwindigkeit ist proportional der Herstellungsstromdichte. Nach 12 A/dm² nimmt die Alterung nicht mehr zu, da dieses Oxyd die maximale Fehlordnung besitzt. Die Alterung in der Luft ist kleiner als unter Wasser, da dieses mit seinem L?sungsverm?gen für die Rekristallisation günstig ist. Mit zunehmender Temperatur nimmt die Alterungsgeschwindigkeit bis 90°C zu und f?llt darüber hinaus bis zu Null (120°C). Bei h?heren Temperaturen findet eine Verjüngung des Oxyds statt. Dieses Ph?nomen mit Temperaturmaximum ist zum ersten Mal bei heterogenen Reaktionen unter ?nderung eines festen Stoffes festgestellt worden und bedeutet eine Rückreaktion entweder unter Bildung von neuen Fehlordnungen (die Werte der Aktivierungsenergien der Hin- und Rückreaktion sind dafür plausibel) oder eine Freilegung von anwesenden aktiven Zentren, wegen Desorption von Wasser.     

QUANTITATION OF PHOTOSYSTEM II ACTIVITY IN SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS. EFFECT OF ARTIFICIAL QUINONE ACCEPTORS

Quantitation of photosystem II (PSII) activity in spinach chloroplasts is presented. Rates of PSII electron-transport were estimated from the concentration of PSII reaction-centers (Chl/PSII = 380:1 when measured spectrophotometrically in the ultraviolet [ΔA₃₂₀] and green [ΔA_540–550] regions of the spectrum) and from the rate of light utilization by PSII under limiting excitation conditions. Rates of PSII electron-transport were measured under the same light-limiting conditions using 2,5-dimethylbenzoquinone or 2,5-dichlorobenzoquinone as the PSII artificial electron acceptors. Evaluation is presented on the limitations imposed in the measurement of PSII electron flow to artificial quinones in chloroplasts. Limitations include the static quenching of excitation energy in the pigment bed by added quinones, the fraction of PSII centers (PSII_β) with low affinity to native and added quinones, and the loss of reducing equivalents to molecular oxygen. Such artifacts lowered the yield of steady-state electron transport in isolated chloroplasts and caused underestimation of PSII electron-transport capacity. The limitations described could explain the low PSII concentration estimates in higher plant chloroplasts (Chl/PSII = 600 ± 50) resulting from proton flash yield and/or oxygen flash-yield measurements. It is implied that quantitation of PSII by repetitive flash-yield methods requires assessment of the slow turnover of electrons by PSII_β and, in the presence of added quinones, assessment of the PSII quantum yield.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of gas diffusion in metal-organic frameworks: argon in CuBTC

The class of coordination polymers known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has three-dimensional porous structures that are considered as a promising alternative to zeolites and other nanoporous materials for catalysis, gas adsorption, and gas separation applications. In this paper, we present the first study of gas diffusion inside an MOF and compare the observed diffusion to known behaviors in zeolites. Using grand canonical Monte Carlo and equilibrium molecular dynamics, we calculate the adsorption isotherm and self-, corrected, and transport diffusivities for argon in the CuBTC metal-organic framework. Our results indicate that diffusion of Ar in CuBTC is very similar to Ar diffusion in silica zeolites in magnitude, concentration, and temperature dependence. This conclusion appears to apply to a broad range of MOF structures.     

Investigation for the determination of ultra trace amounts of Co2+ complexed with 1,10-phenanthroline by adsorptive voltammetry

Summary The spontaneous adsorption of the Co²⁺ complex with 1,10-phenanthroline on HMDE was utilized for the development of a voltammetric analytical method employing phase selective alternating current, with first harmonic AC₁ in phase, =0°, voltammetry. The dependence of the analytical voltammetric response on physical and chemical parameters in various supporting electrolytes was investigated in detail. Optimum conditions for Co²⁺ determination were established. The method is very sensitive and selective. The determination limit is 205 ng/l Co²⁺ (adsorption time, t_ads=20 min). The precision and accuracy were evaluated: 1.84 g/l Co²⁺, RSD=3.24%, RE=–0.54%; for 205 ng/l Co²⁺, RSD=4.85%, RE=–3.90%. The results showed good reproducibility and reliabiality. The method was applied to natural waters, wines, mussel tissue and aquatic algae certified reference material.     

Mn12O12(OMe)2(O2CPh)16(H2O)2]2- single-molecule magnets and other manganese compounds from a reductive aggregation procedure

A new synthetic procedure has been developed in Mn cluster chemistry involving reductive aggregation of permanganate (MnO4-) ions in MeOH in the presence of benzoic acid, and the first products from its use are described. The reductive aggregation of NBu(n)4MnO4 in MeOH/benzoic acid gave the new 4Mn(IV), 8Mn(III) anion [Mn12O12(OMe)2(O2CPh)16(H2O)2]2-, which was isolated as a mixture of two crystal forms (NBu(n)4)2[Mn12O12(OMe)2(O2CPh)16(H2O)2].2H2O.4CH2Cl2 (1a) and (NBu(n)4)2[Mn12O12(OMe)2(O2CPh)16(H2O)2].2H2O.CH2Cl2 (1b). The anion of 1 contains a central [Mn(IV)4(mu3-O)2(mu-O)2(mu-OMe)2]6+ unit surrounded by a nonplanar ring of eight Mn(III) atoms that are connected to the central Mn4 unit by eight bridging mu3-O2- ions. This compound is very similar to the well-known [Mn12O12(O2CR)16(H2O)4] complexes (hereafter called "normal Mn12"), with the main difference being the structure of the central cores. Longer reaction times (approximately 2 weeks) led to isolation of polymeric [Mn(OMe)(O2CPh)2]n2, which contains a linear chain of repeating [Mn(III)(mu-O2CPh)2(mu-OMe)Mn(III)] units. The chains are parallel to each other and interact weakly through pi-stacking between the benzoate rings. When KMnO4 was used instead of NBu(n)4MnO4, two types of compounds were obtained, [Mn12O12(O2CPh)16(H2O)4] (3), a normal Mn12 complex, and [Mn4O2(O2CPh)8(MeOH)4].2MeOH (4.2MeOH), a new member of the Mn4 butterfly family. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 exhibits three irreversible processes, two reductions and one oxidation. One-electron reduction of 1 by treatment with 1 equiv of I- in CH2Cl2 gave (NBu(n)4[Mn12O12(O2CPh)16(H2O)3].6CH2Cl2 (5.6CH2Cl2), a normal Mn12 complex in a one-electron reduced state. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 1, 2, and 5 were studied by both direct current (dc) and alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements. Variable-temperature dc magnetic susceptibility studies revealed that (i) complex 1 possesses an S = 6 ground state, (ii) complex 2 contains antiferromagnetically coupled chains, and (iii) complex 5 is a typical [Mn12]- cluster with an S = 19/2 ground state. Variable-temperature ac susceptibility measurements suggested that 5 and both isomeric forms of 1 (1a,b) are single-molecule magnets (SMMs). This was confirmed by the observation of hysteresis loops in magnetization vs dc field scans. In addition, 1a,b, like normal Mn12 clusters, display both faster and slower relaxing magnetization dynamics that are assigned to the presence of Jahn-Teller isomerism.