Neutron activation analysis of asbestos from Canada

Concentrations of Al, Au, Br, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sb, Sc, Sm, Srm and V were determined in 6 samples of asbestos from Canada. They were equal to (in ppm): Al 1660–3430; Au 0.03–0.04; Br 3.1–11.7; Ce 1.7–4.8; Cl 116–331; Co 35–83; Cr 200–2060; Fe 29300–42200; K 125–867; La 0.28–1.03; Mg 24–25.9%; Mn 418–545; Na 364–1610; Sb 0.65–1.46; Sc 3.73–5.57; Sm 0.09–0.3; Sr 26.7–41.4; V 8.4–14.3. Five toxic elements were found in asbestos; Cr, Mn, Ni, Sb and V.     

Trace element determination in seawater by ICP-SFMS coupled with a microflow nebulization/desolvation system

Direct and simultaneous determination of Al, Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb, U, V and Zn in diluted (1:10 v:v) seawater from the Antarctic Ocean and the Venice Lagoon at the ng mL^–1 and pg mL^–1 level has been performed by using an inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SFMS). Samples were analysed by using a PFA microflow nebulizer coupled with a desolvation system or a PFA microflow nebulizer coupled with a Teflon spray chamber, respectively. Measurements were carried out at low (LR, m/m=300), medium (MR, m/m=3,000) and high (HR, m/m=7,500) resolutions depending on the studied isotope. To avoid contamination, sample pre-treatment was carried out in a clean laboratory equipped with a Class 100 vertical laminar flow hood. Concentration ranges (minimum–maximum in ng mL^–1) found in the Antarctic seawater samples (in depth profiles) were: Ag 0.0004–0.0018, As 0.69–1.32, Cd 0.031–0.096, Co 0.018–0.065, Cr 0.18–0.46, Cu 0.04–1.58, Fe 0.13–1.63, Mn 0.02–0.12, Mo 5.97–12.46, Pb 0.007–0.074, Sb 0.033–0.088, U 0.5–1.9, V 0.6–2.5 and Zn 0.16–0.80. Concentration ranges (min–max in ng mL^–1) found in the Venice Lagoon water samples (temporal profile from a benthic chamber experiment) were: Al 0.24–0.61, Ag 0.007–0.031, As 1.42–2.27, Cd 0.050–0.182, Co 0.440–1.461, Cr 0.15–0.34, Cu 0.81–2.46, Fe 0.25–1.66, Mn 11.6–31.7, Mo 6.50–10.6, Pb 0.047–0.225, Sb 0.240–0.492, U 1.7–3.3, V 1.3–2.8 and Zn 5.20–21.5. The detection limits range between 0.06 pg mL^–1 for Ag and U to 15 pg mL^–1 for Fe. In order to check the accuracy of the analytical procedure, measurements of the trace elements in a certified reference material (coastal Atlantic seawater, CASS-4-NRCC) were compared with the certified values. In addition, the results from the Antarctic and Venice Lagoon samples were compared with those obtained by using different analytical techniques.     

Neutron Activation Analysis of Bottom and Fly Oil Ash Leachates

Seven samples of oil fly and bottom ashes were leached with water using a Canadian standard test method for shake extraction of solid waste. The concentrations of 20 elements in the leachates were determined by the computerized systematic instrumental absolute neutron activation analysis. The ranges of concentrations (in ppm) found for the elements in the leachates were: Al (3–526), Ba (0.5–6), Ca (100–695), Cl (13–59), Co (1–6.3), Cr (0.2–6.6), Cs (0.03–0.4), Eu (0.003–0.01), Fe (28–690), K (42–464), La (0.3–49), Mg (214–3150), Mn (1.2–20), Na (88–4050), Sb (0.04–0.4), Sc (0.003–0.07), Sr (1.2–23), U (0.07–1), V (1.2–4540) and Zn (2.3–200). These findings were compared with the maximum concentrations allowed for these elements by Canadian regulations. The concentrations of Cr and U were found to be higher than their permissible limits on 7 occasions. The purpose of this study was to determine the background levels of different elements in oil ash leachates, in order to evaluate their potential impact on underground water.     

Synthesis,electrochemical and magnetic properties of new macrocyclic copper(II) complexes derived from 2,6-diacetyl-4-4-methylphenol

A series of binuclear macrocyclic copper(II) complexes [Cu2Lm,n](ClO4)2·xH2O have been prepared in which the two copper(II) ions are placed in two geometrically distinct co-ordination environments. The macrocycles with two 2,6-bis(iminomethyl)-4-methylphenol entities combined through two different lateral chains, –(–CH2–)–m and –(–CH2–)–n (m = 2 or 3, n = 2 to 5) were synthesized by stepwise cyclization. Cyclic voltammetry shows the presence of two reduction couples: CuIICuII CuICuII and CuIICuI CuICuI. The comproportionation constants, Kcom, for the mixed valence CuICuII complexes have been determined electrochemically. The Kcom value increases in the order of the macrocycles: (L2,2)^2–<(L2,3)^2–<(L2,4)^2–<(L2,5)^2– and (L3,3)^2–<(L3,4)^2–<(L3,5)^2–. Cryomagnetic investigations (80–300K) reveal a moderately strong antiferromagnetic spin exchange between the copper(II) ions within each complex (J = –210 to –390 cm–1).     

Multielement measurements in Mexican cigarette tobacco

The concentration of 21 elements in cigarette tobacco in nine different brands manufactured and commercially available in Mexico has been determined using neutron activation analysis. The concentration range of the measured elements (in g g^–1) were: As, (four brands) <0.55–3.24; Ba, 64–251; Br, (four brands) 49–136; Ce, <0.3–1.7; Co, 0.29–0.55; Cr, <0.8–2.4; Cs, 0.091–0.40; Eu, <0.03; Fe, 420–680; Hf, <0.03–0.13; K, (four brands) 18300–40300; La, (four brands) <0.2–0.66; Na, (four brands) 309–566; Rb, 19–50; Sb, <0.7; Sc, 0.13–0.22; Se, <0.7; Sm, (four brands) 0.07–0.14; Sr, 227–472; Th, <0.1–0.17 and Zn, 14–56. The results are compared with the literature values for the concentration of the above elements in cigarette tobacco from other countries.     

Lithium complexes and the kinetics of interactions of zinc ions with tetra(N-methyl-4–pyridyl)porphyrins in basic solution

The acidity of the free base (H2–P(X)) forms of the tetra- (N-methyl-4–(3 or 2)pyridyl)porphyrins were studied in basic solutions at 25 C, I=0.50. Equilibrium constants for both the H2– P(X)=P(X)2–+2H+ and the Li++ P(X)2–=Li- P(X)– reactions are reported. Log (KS) values for the Mn++P(4)2–=M- P(4)(n–2) reactions are 2.6 for Li+, 17.6 for Cd2+, 17.8 for Pb2+, 19.6 for (OH)2Hg, 25.9 for Zn2+ and 19.6 for the formation of Hg2–P(4)2+. Zn(OH)3– shows similar kinetic reactivity with both H2–P(4) and P(4)2– to form Zn- P(4) and HO-Zn- P(4)–,whileZn(OH)42– is unreactive with either species. For Zn2+, Zn(OH)+ and Zn(OH)3– with H2–P(4) the relative kinetic order for this tetrapositive macrocycle was ca. 1:300:20,000, while the trend Zn(OH)+>Zn2+>Zn(OH)3– is the usual pattern for peripherally negatively charged porphyrins.     

Polarographic and voltammetric determination of trace amounts of 2-nitronaphthalene

The polarographic behaviour of 2-nitronaphthalene was investigated by DC tast polarography (DCTP) and differential pulse polarography (DPP), both at a dropping mercury electrode, and differential pulse voltammetry and adsorptive stripping voltammetry, both at a hanging mercury drop electrode. Optimum conditions have been found for the determination of 2-nitronaphthalene by the given methods in the concentration ranges of 2×10^–6–1×10^–4, 2×10^–7–1×10^–4, 1×10^–8–1×10^–4 and 2×10^–9–1×10^–8 M, respectively. Practical applicability of these techniques was demonstrated by the determination of 2-nitronaphthalene in drinking and river water after its preliminary separation and preconcentration using liquid–liquid and solid-phase extraction with limits of determination of 3×10^–10 M (drinking water) and 3×10^–9 M (river water).     

Potential-Dependent Adsorption of Transferring Ions Having Asymmetric Charge Distribution at the 1,2-Dichloroethane|Water Interface and Its Ion-Transfer Kinetics Studied by AC-modulated Voltfluorometry

The kinetics of the transfer of Erythrosine B dianions (EB^2–) and Eosin Y dianions (EY^2–) across the 1,2-dichloroethane|water interface, studied using ac-modulated voltfluorometry, is compared with that of Rose Bengal dianions (RB^2–). All three exhibit anomalous phase angles, showing the transient adsorption of these ions at the interface. The apparent standard rate constants are 9.0 × 10^–3 and 1.3 × 10^–2 cm s^–1 for EY^2– and EB^2– at 25° (cp. 1.4 × 10^–2 cm s^–1 for RB^2–). The slight decrease in the rate in the order RB^2–, EB^2–, and EY^2– may be associated with the increasing polarity of the ions, which endows the ions with a stronger interaction with water, resulting in the slower rotational dynamics of the ions on crossing the interface.     

Kinetics and mechanism of ligand interchange in the [RuIII(edta)L] complexes; L=Cysteine and related thiolates

Complexes of the [RuIII(edta)SR]n series, with SR–= deprotonated cysteine, N- acetylcysteine, 2–mercaptoethanol, glutathione and penicilamine, were prepared from [Ru(edta)H2O]– and the corresponding RSH thiols, at pH=5.5. The complexes exhibit intense visible absorption bands at ca. 520nm (3500M–1 cm–1), associated with LMCT from the sulfur ligands bound to RuIII. The kinetics of the formation reactions were first order in [RuIII(edta)H2O]– and thiol reactants, with k1 values ca. 1–5×102 M–1s–1 (25°C) for all the sulfur ligands except penicilamine, which reacted slower by a factor of 10. Activation parameters suggest an associative mechanism, as for the coordination of other S- and N-bound ligands to [RuIII(edta)H2O]–. A reactivity decrease is apparent at low and high pH's (ranges 1–3 and 8–10, respectively), associated with acid-base equilibria involving the less reactive [RuIII(Hedta)H2O] and [RuIII(edta)OH]2– species. A significant rate increase was found for cysteine and penicilamine at ca. pH=8.0, because the thiol reactants deprotonate. The equilibrium constants for all the ligands showed that robust complexes were formed, with K=ca. 1×105 M–1 (25°C). The dissociation rate constants, k–1, were in the 10–3–10–4 s–1 range. The influence of nucleophilic and steric effects increasing and decreasing the formation rates, respectively, is discussed for the thiolate ligands, with adequate comparisons with other L species bound to [RuIII(edta)H2O]–.     

Researches on 2, 1, 3-thia- and selenadiazole

4-Hydroxy-, 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-, 4-hydroxy-7-methylbenzo-2,1,3-thiadiazoles are polymorphous.4-Hydroxybenzo-2,1,3-thiadiazole (I), 4-hydroxy-5-methyl- and 4-hydroxy-7-methylbenzo-2, 1, 3-thiadiazoles (II and III) melt at 114–115°, 110–112°, 100–102° C, respectively, after recrystallization from water [2–4], but after recrystallization from petrol ether [5] they melt at 128–129°, 124–125°, and 119–120° C [5]. In this connection we recrystallized these phenols repeatedly from petrol ether after recrystallizing them from water, and their melting points rose as expected [5]. On the other hand, the compounds with melting points 128–129°, 124–125°, 119–120° C (ex petrol ether), after repeated crystallization from water melted at 114–115°, 110–112°, 100–102° C, respectively.For Part XXXVIII see [1].