A new method for the determination of complexing agents in river water using HPLC

 An HPLC-method is described for the rapid and sensitive determination of NTA, EDTA and DTPA in surface and ground water at the sub-μg/L level. The analytes are enriched on anion-exchange cartridges, eluted with formic acid and analyzed on RP 8 columns within 6 min. Recoveries for EDTA and NTA were 110% resp. 94% at an interlaboratory test. They are significantly lowered when higher amounts of sulfate are present in the sample. Reproducibility and comparability with other methods are investigated. The new technique is faster than the well known GC-analysis. Received: 11 March 1996/Revised: 10 June 1996/Accepted: 21 June 1996     

Indirect determination of the sum of chelons in drinking- and ground-waters by anodic stripping voltammetry

The complexing ligand EDTA can be determined as its complex with bismuth by indirect anodic stripping voltammetry down to 0.1 μg/L without a concentration step. Interfering copper and excess bismuth have to be removed by cation exchange, although in presence of these metals EDTA can be determined down to 0.5 μg/L only. If NTA, EDTA, and DTPA are present simultaneously, the accumulation curves for the corresponding bismuth-complexes can overlap, preventing a separate determination of the three chelons. Due to the interaction of NTA and DTPA with soil normally only EDTA is present in ground-waters. Similarly, EDTA also dominates in surface-waters. Thus it seems to be sufficient to determine the sum of the three chelons as EDTA (index of bismuth-complexation) using suitable electrochemical conditions. Received: 9 September 1996 / Revised: 2 December 1996 / Accepted: 11 January 1997     

Constantes de formation des complexes de stoechiometrie 1:1 et 1:2 ainsi que des complexes mixtes formes entre le plutonium(III) et divers acides amino-polyacetiques

Determination of the formation constants of 1:1, 1:2 and mixed complexes between plutonium(III) and various aminopolyacetic acids The complexation of plutonium(III) with various aminopolyacetic acids is investigated by potentiometric titration at 25°C and at a constant ionic strength of 1 (KC1). The formation constants of the 1:1 complexes are reported for NTA, HEDTA, EDTA, DCTA and DTPA. The formation constants of the 1:2 complexes with NTA, HEDTA and EDTA as well as those of the mixed complexes formed between Pu(HEDTA) or Pu(EDTA) and NTA, IMDA or glycine are also reported. Several pK values of the 1:1, 1:2 and mixed complexes have been determined. These results are discussed within the framework of those obtained previously with the lanthanides.     

Coordination modes in the formation of the ternary Am(III), Cm(III), and Eu(III) complexes with EDTA and NTA: TRLFS, 13C NMR, EXAFS, and thermodynamics of the complexation

The formation and the structure of the ternary complexes of trivalent Am, Cm, and Eu with mixtures of EDTA+NTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetate and nitrilotriacetate) have been studied by time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy, 13C NMR, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, and two-phase metal ion equilibrium distribution at 6.60 m (NaClO4) and a hydrogen ion concentration value (pcH) between 3.60 and 11.50. In the ternary complexes, EDTA binds via four carboxylates and two nitrogens, while the binding of the NTA varies with the hydrogen ion concentration, pcH, and the concentration ratios of the metal ion and the ligand. When the concentration ratios of the metal to ligand is low (1:1:1-1:1:2), two ternary complexes, M(EDTA)(NTAH)(3-) and M(EDTA)(NTA)(4-), are formed at pcH ca. 9.00 in which NTA binds via three carboxylates, via two carboxylates and one nitrogen, or via two carboxylates and a H2O. At higher ratios (1:1:20 and 1:10:10) and pcH's of ca. 9.00 and 11.50, one ternary complex, M(EDTA)(NTA)(4-), is formed in which NTA binds via three carboxylates and not via nitrogen. The two-phase equilibrium distribution studies at tracer concentrations of Am, Cm, and Eu have also confirmed the formation of the ternary complex M(EDTA)(NTA)(4-) at temperatures between 0 and 60 degrees C. The stability constants (log beta111) for these metal ions increase with increasing temperature. The endothermic enthalpy and positive entropy indicated a significant effect of cation dehydration in the formation of the ternary complexes at high ionic strength.     

Determination and differentiation of nitrilotriacetic acid and ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid

Ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and nitrilotri-acetic acid (NTA) can be differentiated and determined by titration with metal ions to visual metallochromic dye end-points. EDTA can be determined without interference from NTA, either by titrating with copper(II) at pH 5 using PAN indicator, or by titrating with iron(III) at pH 6 and 70 degrees using Tiron indicator. The total chelating power (EDTA + NTA) can be determined either by titrating with lead(II) at pH 4.4 using dithizone indicator, or by titrating with iron(III) at pH 3.5 using Tiron indicator ; NTA is determined by difference. The lowest concentration at which NTA can be determined in EDTA by titration to the iron(III)-Tiron end-point is about 1 wt.%. The apparent stability constants of the iron(III)-Tiron complexes under the conditions of the titration at pH 3.5 and pH 6 have been determined using the method of continuous variations.     

Potentiometric determination of EDTA and NTA in detergents

A method is described for the potentiometric titration with iron(III) of EDTA and NTA in detergents, a platinum electrode being used as indicator. EDTA and NTA were extracted at pH 9 and 50–60 °C in the presence of magnesium(II). Interference from polyphosphates was minimized by hydrolysis to orthophosphate followed by remotion as magnesium ammonium phosphate. Complexometric titration was carried out at pH 4.7 in acetate medium, in the presence of ferroin. A preliminary cleaning of the platinum electrode with thiosemicarbazide in hydrochloric acid was found to improve significantly the potential measurements. A mean recovery of 93% for EDTA and 89% for NTA was observed.     

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric (GFAAS) determination of Cu, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni and Pb in tellurium metal using precipitation and ion-exchange procedures

 Two independent procedures have been developed for the determination of Cd, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cr and Pb in high-purity tellurium by GFAAS. In the first, tellurium is precipitated as TeO₂ in the presence of EDTA at pH 4.5±0.2 to remove of 99.4% of tellurium as tellurium dioxide. The supernatant is analysed for impurities. In the second procedure, the trace impurities are preconcentrated on a Chelex-100 resin column at pH 9.4±0.2, and eluted by two column volumes of 2 mol/L HNO₃. In this case a matrix separation coefficient (k_s) of 1500 is achieved. The analyses are carried out by GFAAS. The relative standard deviations of the analyte concentrations in the samples are 4–8%. Separation of the matrix and recovery of the analytes are essentially complete as confirmed by standard addition of the analytes to the matrix. Received: 30 July 1996/Revised: 7 November 1996/Accepted: 13 November 1996     

Rapid kinetic determination of silver (I), using in-cuvette mixing and computerized data acquisition

 The determination of silver(I) based on its catalytic effect on the oxidation of indigo carmine with hexacyanoferrate(III) is described. The reaction is monitored spectrophotometrically by means of a home-made rapid system with computer data acquisition. The decrease in absorbance of indigo carmine at 612 nm, pH 6 and at a fixed concentration of hexacyanoferrate(III) and indigo carmine is proportional to the concentration of Ag(I). The acquired data based on the initial rate and fixed time are processed. Up to 100.0 μg/ml of silver are determined. The limit of detection and average relative standard deviation are 0.13 μg/ml and 1.9%, respectively. The effect of foreign ions on the determination of silver is also discussed. The proposed method is applied to the determination of Ag(I) in expired photographic film. Received: 17 June 1996 / Revised: 26 July 1996 / Accepted: 2 August 1996     

Certified reference materials for the quality control of EDTA- and acetic acid-extractable contents of trace elements in sewage sludge amended soils (CRMs 483 and 484)

 The ecotoxicity and mobility of trace elements in soils are often evaluated through analytical results resulting from operationally-defined determinations (single and sequential extractions), e.g. based on EDTA, acetic acid etc. extractions. The significance and comparability of these results is highly dependent on the procedures used (standardized protocols or standards adopted by international bodies) and their quality control relies on the availability of reference materials certified following these strictly applied procedures. Recognizing the need to harmonize some of the extraction schemes currently used for soil analysis, the Measurements and Testing Programme (formerly BCR) has organized a series of interlaboratory studies, the first aim of which was to evaluate EDTA- and acetic acid-extraction procedures and the second objective was to certify reference materials for their extractable trace element contents. Two sewage amended soils have been prepared for this purpose, originating respectively from Scotland and Catalonia. This paper describes the preparation, homogeneity and stability studies, and gives an overview of the certification campaign. Received: 6 May 1996/Revised: 14 June 1996/Accepted: 27 June 1996     

Indirect determination of the sum of chelons in drinking- and ground-waters by anodic stripping voltammetry

The complexing ligand EDTA can be determined as its complex with bismuth by indirect anodic stripping voltammetry down to 0.1 μg/L without a concentration step. Interfering copper and excess bismuth have to be removed by cation exchange, although in presence of these metals EDTA can be determined down to 0.5 μg/L only. If NTA, EDTA, and DTPA are present simultaneously, the accumulation curves for the corresponding bismuth-complexes can overlap, preventing a separate determination of the three chelons. Due to the interaction of NTA and DTPA with soil normally only EDTA is present in ground-waters. Similarly, EDTA also dominates in surface-waters. Thus it seems to be sufficient to determine the sum of the three chelons as EDTA (index of bismuth-complexation) using suitable electrochemical conditions.     

Development of bovine muscle, liver and urine reference materials for zeranol – preparation, homogeneity and stability

 Samples of bovine muscle, liver and urine, zeranol-free (RM 508, RM 509 and RM 510, respectively) and zeranol-containing (RM 511, RM 512 and RM 513, respectively) were prepared and tested as candidate reference materials. Preliminary studies on achievement of target zeranol content, intercomparison of analytical methods (HPLC-RIA and GC-MS) and effects of lyophilisation and irradiation on zeranol content are described. The preparation of the materials and testing for homogeneity and stability of zeranol in the materials are discussed. The coefficients of variation for zeranol determinations for between-vial homogeneity (4.0%, 4.4% and 4.6% for muscle, liver and urine, respectively) are similar to those for the analytical method (4.0%, 7.3% and 6.8% for muscle, liver and urine, respectively) indicating that the materials are homogeneous. Stability data over a 12-month storage period at temperatures ranging from −18 °C to +37 °C indicate that the materials are sufficiently stable for use as reference materials. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Dr Hilary Stevenson (The Queen’s University of Belfast/DANI) who, together with Mr. W. Graham, facilitated the irradiation of the lyophilised materials.--> Received: 18 June 1996/Revised: 19 August 1996/Accepted: 23 August 1996     

Development of bovine muscle, liver and urine reference materials for zeranol – preparation, homogeneity and stability

 Samples of bovine muscle, liver and urine, zeranol-free (RM 508, RM 509 and RM 510, respectively) and zeranol-containing (RM 511, RM 512 and RM 513, respectively) were prepared and tested as candidate reference materials. Preliminary studies on achievement of target zeranol content, intercomparison of analytical methods (HPLC-RIA and GC-MS) and effects of lyophilisation and irradiation on zeranol content are described. The preparation of the materials and testing for homogeneity and stability of zeranol in the materials are discussed. The coefficients of variation for zeranol determinations for between-vial homogeneity (4.0%, 4.4% and 4.6% for muscle, liver and urine, respectively) are similar to those for the analytical method (4.0%, 7.3% and 6.8% for muscle, liver and urine, respectively) indicating that the materials are homogeneous. Stability data over a 12-month storage period at temperatures ranging from −18 °C to +37 °C indicate that the materials are sufficiently stable for use as reference materials. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Dr Hilary Stevenson (The Queen’s University of Belfast/DANI) who, together with Mr. W. Graham, facilitated the irradiation of the lyophilised materials.--> Received: 18 June 1996/Revised: 19 August 1996/Accepted: 23 August 1996     

Interference of trace amounts of nitrilotriacetic acid in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid with the spectrophotometric determination of niobium as the niobium—edta—pyrocatechol complex

The effects of 10^-2–10 mol-% NTA in the EDTA used in this determination are reported. Satisfactory results are possible only if the NTA contamination is less than 0.05% ($\text{w}\text{w}$). Even analytical-grade EDTA from some sources may be grossly contaminated.     

Determination of zinc O,O′-dialkyl dithiophosphate lubricant additives via the corresponding methyl and p-nitrobenzylic ester derivatives using GC-MS, GC-NPD and HPLC-MS

 A quantitative fingerprinting of automotive lubricants with respect to zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates (ZDP), major anti-wear/antioxidant additives, is presented. ZDPs in lubricant solutions are converted into the corresponding methyl and p-nitrobenzylic esters, respectively. After removal of the lubricant matrix the methyl esters are submitted to gas chromatography (GC). Mass spectrometric detection (MS) and comparison with reference methyl esters enable the characterisation of practical ZDP mixtures with respect to alkyl chain length and isomery of the single components. Overall recovery rates are higher than 90% and phosphorus-selective detection (NPD) allows a quantitative determination down to 0.1 pg/μl. The p-nitrobenzylic esters may be analysed by HPLC. Identification and quantification is performed by on-line HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS (APCI) with a determination limit of 20 pg/μl. The ZDP quantification via the methyl esters is applied to seven lubricants from the German market. The method is applicable to used oils allowing the monitoring of ZDP consumption during engine operation. Received: 22 March 1996/Revised: 19 June 1996/Accepted: 21 June 1996     

Cyclodextrin-based optosensor for the determination of quinine

 A flow-through optosensor for quinine is described. It has been developed in conjunction with a flow-injection analysis system and uses immobilized β-cyclodextrin as the sensing agent. The detection limit for quinine was 0.20 ng ml^-1 with a relative standard deviation of 2.1% for the determination of 0.05 μg ml^-1 (n=7) of quinine. The method has been successfully tested for the determination of quinine in some pharmaceutical preparations. Received: 4 June 1996 / Revised: 23 August 1996 / Accepted: 24 August 1996     

Cyclodextrin-based optosensor for the determination of quinine

 A flow-through optosensor for quinine is described. It has been developed in conjunction with a flow-injection analysis system and uses immobilized β-cyclodextrin as the sensing agent. The detection limit for quinine was 0.20 ng ml^-1 with a relative standard deviation of 2.1% for the determination of 0.05 μg ml^-1 (n=7) of quinine. The method has been successfully tested for the determination of quinine in some pharmaceutical preparations. Received: 4 June 1996 / Revised: 23 August 1996 / Accepted: 24 August 1996     

Titrimetric and spectrophotometric determination of chlorhexidine digluconate in tooth pastes

 New titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods for the fast determination of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) are described. The titrimetric determination is based on the precipitation of CHG as a 1 : 1 complex with Cu²⁺-ions and EDTA back-titration of the non-bonded Cu²⁺-ions without separating the precipitate. The spectrophotometric determination is based on the formation of a soluble CHG associate with dodecylsulphate (DDS) in a mixed medium of DDS-H₂SO₄-propanol. Both methods are applied to tooth pastes. When analysing a series of identical samples, the coefficient K (absorption of 1 g of the matrix) could be determined. Standard tooth pastes and corresponding placebo-compositions (containing all components except CHG) were specially prepared for the investigations and for estimating the accuracy of the methods. Received: 8 January 1996 / Revised: 2 August 1996 / Accepted: 7 August 1996     

Storage of aqueous solutions of selenium for speciation at trace level

 Different studies carried out in recent years on the preservation of trace selenium species in aqueous solutions are reviewed and experimental results showing a 29% oxidation of Se(IV) to Se(VI) in less than one month in acidic and oxygenated medium in the presence of chloride ions are presented. The hypothesis of an oxidation of Se(IV) to Se(VI) at acidic pH by traces of Cl₂, obtained by a reaction between chloride ions and dissolved oxygen, followed by chlorine oxidation, is examined. Received: 3 May 1996/Revised: 24 June 1996/Accepted: 1 July 1996     

The high mass range time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectra of different polyarene films on silver

 Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) was used to investigate thin films of poly(styrene), poly(vinyl napthalene), and poly(4-chlorostyrene) on clean silver substrate surfaces. The mass spectra were taken in the high molecular mass range (m/z>1000 amu). The different fragmentation patterns found are discussed in detail. Obviously, the fragmentation mechanisms are influenced by the electron density of the aryl rings stabilizing or destabilizing the formed cations. Received: 10 April 1996 / Revised: 12 June 1996/Accepted: 14 June 1996     

Simultaneous determination of DTPA,EDTA, and NTA by UV–visible spectrometry and HPLC

In this study, UV–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for simultaneous analysis of chelating agents diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), as their metal chelates in dishwashing detergents, natural waters, and pulp mill water. The total amounts of the chelating agents in dishwashing detergents were verified by potentiometric titration with Fe(III) solution. Nickel(II) chelates were determined by UV–Vis and iron(III)chelates by HPLC and titration. Recoveries of DTPA, EDTA, and NTA from a standard mixture of analytes by UV–Vis were 107±7, 101±12 and 94±13%, respectively, and the recovery of the total amount of complexing agents was 99±4%. The limits of detection for DTPA, EDTA, and NTA were 667, 324, and 739 mol L^–1, respectively. In HPLC measurements the optimized mobile phase contained 0.03 mol L^–1 sodium acetate, 0.002 mol L^–1 tetrabutylammonium bromide, and 5% methanol at pH 3.15 and the detection was by UV–Vis detection at 254 nm. All three complexing agents could be separated from each other in a simultaneous analysis in less than 5 min. The limits of detection were 0.34, 0.27, and 0.62 mol L^–1 for DTPA, EDTA, and NTA, respectively. The total amounts of the analytes measured in the dishwashing detergents by the three techniques were found to be highly comparable (ANOVA: F=0.04, P=0.96). R² values were 0.99 for EDTA, 0.99 for NTA, and 0.99 for all the results when UV–Vis and HPLC determinations were compared using regression lines. The UV–Vis and HPLC methods were proved to be viable also for analyses of natural and pulp mill waters. The absence of matrix interferences was verified by the standard addition technique.