Calibration Curve with Improved Limit of Detection for Cadmium in Soil: An Approach to Minimize the Matrix Effect in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopic Analysis

The present article describes a working or combined calibration curve in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopic analysis, which is the cumulative result of the calibration curves obtained from neutral and singly ionized atomic emission spectral lines. This working calibration curve reduces the effect of change in matrix between different zone soils and certified soil samples because it includes both the species' (neutral and singly ionized) concentration of the element of interest. The limit of detection using a working calibration curve is found better as compared to its constituent calibration curves (i.e., individual calibration curves). The quantitative results obtained using the working calibration curve is in better agreement with the result of inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy as compared to the result obtained using its constituent calibration curves.     

Stereoselective synthesis of trans-3-functionalized-4-pyrazolo[5,1-b]thiazole-3-carboxylate substituted β-lactams: Potential synthons for diverse biologically active agents

Abstract

An efficient protocol for the stereoselective synthesis of pyrazolo[5,1-b]thiazole-3-carboxylate tethered β-lactam conjugates 8a–j from novel pyrazolo [5,1-b]thiazole-3-carboxylate substituted Schiff’s bases 6a–f is reported here. The reaction between various ketene precursors and novel Schiff’s bases 6a–f afforded exclusive formation of trans-β-lactams 8a–j. The substrate scope of this approach was investigated extensively by varying different groups (R, Z). All the novel compounds were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, such as FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, elemental analysis, ¹³C NMR (DEPT-135), and mass spectrometry in representative cases. Single crystal X-ray crystallographic study of trans-ethyl 7-(1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-3-phenoxyazetidin-2-yl)-6-methyl-2-(methylthio)pyrazolo[5,1-b]thiazole-3-carboxylate 8a has confirmed the molecular structure and the stereochemical outcome. To the best of our knowledge, the synthesis of such types of Schiff’s bases and β-lactam conjugates has not been reported so far.     

Stereoselective synthesis of novel C-3 functionalized 3-sulfonyl-β-lactams: Promising biologically active heterocyclic scaffolds

An efficient and operationally simple strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of novel C-3 functionalized 3-sulfonyl-β-lactam heterocycles is described. The C-3 functionalized 3-phenyl/benzylsulfonyl-β-lactams 3/3′, 5/5′ has been synthesized via Michael addition using different Michael acceptors on trans-3-phenyl/benzylsulfonyl-β-lactams 2(a–f) using K₂CO₃ as a base and acetonitrile/DMF as solvents. The reaction furnished exclusively cis-β-lactam adducts 3(a–r) using sterically less hindered Michael acceptors. Further, the effect of steric bulk and chiralilty of Michael acceptors was explored to achieve target C-3 functionalized β-lactams 3(s-u)/3′(s-u) and 5(a–c)/5′(a–c). The structural and stereochemical analysis of novel β-lactams were carried out using FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹H-¹H COSY, ¹H-¹³C COSY and ¹³C DEPT-135), elemental analysis (CHNS), mass spectrometry (EIMS and LCMS) in representative cases and single crystal X-ray crystallographic studies (3e). The cis or trans configuration of the Michael acceptor (E) at C-3 was assigned with respect to C4-H.     

Facile synthesis of novel α-methylene-pyrazole-carboxylate substituted imines and trans-β-lactams: Versatile synthons for diverse heterocyclic molecules

A simple, facile, and high yielding stereoselective approach for the integration of α-methylene-pyrazole-carboxylates at the β-lactam nucleus is described. These monocyclic β-lactams have been synthesized by treatment of 2-phenoxy/benzylthio/phenylthio ethanoic acids or acetoxyacetyl chloride/phthalimidoacetyl chloride 5a–e with novel α-methylene-pyrazole-carboxylate imines 4a–c using Et₃N and POCl₃ in refluxing toluene. All of the newly synthesized α-methylene-pyrazole carboxylate imines 4a–c and their β-lactam derivatives 6a–h have been fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹³C DEPT-135), 2D-NMR (COSY and HSQC), and elemental analyses (CHN). The cycloaddition reaction was found to be highly stereoselective leading to the exclusive formation of trans-β-lactams 6a–h and trans configuration was assigned with respect to coupling constant values of C3-H and C4-H. The novel β-lactams 6a–h bearing α-methylene-pyrazole-carboxylate ring system will serve as useful synthons for highly functionalized acids, acetohydrazides/pyrazolones, alcohols, pyrazole carboxamides, peptides, and promising biologically active agents.     

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: A versatile tool for monitoring traces in materials

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an emerging technique for simultaneous multi-elemental analysis of solids, liquids and gases with minute or no sample preparation and thus revolutionized the area of on-line analysis technologies. The foundation for LIBS is a solid state, short-pulsed laser that is focused on a sample to generate a high-temperature plasma, and the emitted radiation from the excited atomic and ionic fragments produced within the plasma is characteristic of the elemental composition of the sample that can be detected and analyzed using a suitable optical spectrograph. In the present paper, the applicability of LIBS for different solid samples having homogeneous (silver ornament, aluminum plate) or heterogeneous composition (soil) using nanosecond laser pulses is discussed. Nanosecond pulse laser makes plasma at the sample surface even at very low pulse energies and also allows for precise ablation of the substrate material with little damage to the surrounding area. We have also studied the penetration of different heavy metals inside the soil surface.      

Stereoselective synthesis of novel monocyclic trans-3-halogenated-4-pyrazolyl-β-lactams: Potential synthons and promising biologically active agents

Stereoselective synthesis of novel monocyclic trans-3-halogenated-4-pyrazolyl-β-lactams 5 is described. The reaction of ketene derived from α-bromo/chloroethanoic acids 4 using POCl₃ and Et₃N with pyrazolyl substituted imines 3a–d in refluxing toluene resulted exclusive formation of trans-β-lactams through [2?+?2] through cycloaddition reaction. The chemical structures of all the newly synthesized β-lactams were verified on the basis of spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis (CHN). The trans configuration of β-lactams 5 was assigned with respect to position of C3-H and C4-H. The novel β-lactams 5 are potential synthons for azetidines, aziridines, 3-unsubstituted azetidinones, 3-alkyl-halo-azetidinones, and promising biologically active agents.     

Effect of Analyte Concentration on the Laser-Induced Plasma Temperature and Electron Density in Liquid Matrix

In the present work, we report spectroscopic studies of laser-induced plasmas produced by focusing the second harmonic (532 nm) of a Nd:YAG laser onto the laminar flow of a liquid containing chromium. The plasma temperature is determined from the coupled Saha–Boltzmann plot and the electron density is evaluated from the Stark broadening of an ionic line of chromium [Cr(II)] at 267.7 nm. Our results reveal a decrease in plasma temperature with an increase in Cr concentration up to a certain concentration level; after that, it becomes approximately constant, while the electron density increases with an increase in analyte (Cr) concentration in liquid matrix.     

Contaminant concentration in environmental samples using LIBS and CF-LIBS

The present paper deals with the detection and quantification of toxic heavy metals like Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, Cr, etc. in environmental samples by using the technique of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and calibration-free LIBS (CF-LIBS). A MATLAB^TM program has been developed based on the CF-LIBS algorithm given by earlier workers and concentrations of pollutants present in industrial area soil have been determined. LIBS spectra of a number of certified reference soil samples with varying concentrations of toxic elements (Cd, Zn) have been recorded to obtain calibration curves. The concentrations of Cd and Zn in soil samples from the Jajmau area, Kanpur (India) have been determined by using these calibration curves and also by the CF-LIBS approach. Our results clearly demonstrate that the combination of LIBS and CF-LIBS is very useful for the study of pollutants in the environment. Some of the results have also been found to be in good agreement with those of ICP-OES.     

In situ multielemental monitoring in coral skeleton by CF-LIBS

Corals contain organic constituents identical to that of human skeleton, including Ca, Sr, Mg, Na, K, etc. Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) technique has been applied for quantitative estimation of the elements in coral samples. Laser-induced plasma emission at the sample surface, without any pretreatment, has been used for recording the spectra. The stoichiometric ablation and LTE criteria have been validated for the application of CF-LIBS. A data processing program in MATLAB for CF-LIBS has been developed for the determination of Ca, Sr, Mg, C, O, Na, K, and Fe concentration in these coral samples.     

Comprehensive study towards the desulfonylation/desulfinylation of cis-3-functionalized 3-phenylsulfonyl/sulfinyl-β-lactams to access novel cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams

An inclusive study towards the stereospecific synthesis of novel cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams from cis-3-functionalized 3-phenylsulfonyl/sulfinyl-β-lactams is described. 3-Sulfinyl-β-lactams 5/5? successfully furnished stereospecific cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams 6, however 3-sulfonyl-β-lactams 2 failed to give the desulfurized product 6?. The final stereochemical and structural conformations of novel β-lactams were established by single crystal X-ray crystallographic study (5c). The cis configuration of the β-lactams 5/5? and 6 was assigned in relevance to E and C4-H and C3-H and C4-H respectively.