Core Modulation of 70‐Nuclei Core‐Shell Silver Nanoclusters

The reaction of {(HNEt₃)₂[Ag₁₀(tBuC₆H₄S)₁₂]}_n, Ag₂O, Na₂MoO₄, and m‐methoxybenzoic acid (Hmbc) in CH₃OH/CH₂Cl₂ led to yellow crystals of [Ag₄S₄ (MoO₄)₅@Ag₆₆] (SD/Ag70b; SD=SunDi) only, while in the presence of DMF, additional dark‐red crystals of [Ag₁₀@ (MoO₄)₇@Ag₆₀] (SD/Ag70a) were obtained. SD/Ag70b consists of five MoO₄^2? ions wrapped by a shell of 66 Ag atoms, while SD/Ag70a contains a rare Ag₁₀ kernel consisting of five tetrahedra sharing faces and edges, surrounded by seven MoO₄^2? ions enclosed in a shell of 60 Ag atoms. The formation of the Ag₁₀ kernel originates from a reduction reaction during the self‐assembly process that involves DMF. This work provides the structural information of a unique Ag₁₀ kernel (five fused Ag₄ tetrahedra) and paves an avenue to trap elusive silver species with hierarchical multi‐shell silver nanocluster assemblies with the help of anion templates.     

Templated Atom‐Precise Galvanic Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of a [Ag24Au(SR)18]− Nanocluster

Synthesis of atom‐precise alloy nanoclusters with uniform composition is challenging when the alloying atoms are similar in size (for example, Ag and Au). A galvanic exchange strategy has been devised to produce a compositionally uniform [Ag₂₄Au(SR)₁₈]^? cluster (SR: thiolate) using a pure [Ag₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? cluster as a template. Conversely, the direct synthesis of Ag₂₄Au cluster leads to a mixture of [Ag_25?xAu_x(SR)₁₈]^?, x=1–8. Mass spectrometry and crystallography of [Ag₂₄Au(SR)₁₈]^? reveal the presence of the Au heteroatom at the Ag₂₅ center, forming Ag₂₄Au. The successful exchange of the central Ag of Ag₂₅ with Au causes perturbations in the Ag₂₅ crystal structure, which are reflected in the absorption, luminescence, and ambient stability of the particle. These properties are compared with those of Ag₂₅ and Ag₂₄Pd clusters with same ligand and structural framework, providing new insights into the modulation of cluster properties with dopants at the single‐atom level.     

The [CH5NO]+ ˙ potential energy surface: Distonic ions,lon-dipole complexes and hydrogen-bridged radical cations

By combining results from a variety of mass spectrometric techniques (metastable ion, collisional activation, collision-induced dissociative ionization, neutralization-reionization spectrometry, ²H, ¹³C and ¹⁸O isotopic labelling and appearance energy measurements) and high-level ab initio molecular orbital calculations, the potential energy surface of the [CH₅NO]^{+ ˙} system has been explored. The calculations show that at least nine stable isomers exist. These include the conventional species [CH₃ONH₂]^{+ ˙} and [HO? CH₂? NH₂]^{+ ˙}, the distonic ions [O? CH₂? NH₃]^{+ ˙}, [O? NH₂? CH₃]^{+ ˙}, [CH₂? O(H)? NH₂]^{+ ˙}, [HO? NH₂? CH₂]^{+ ˙}, and the ion-dipole complex CH₂?NH₂⁺ …? OH˙. Surprisingly the distonic ion [CH₂? O? NH₃]^{+ ˙} was found not to be a stable species but to dissociate spontaneously to CH₂?O + NH₃^{+ ˙}. The most stable isomer is the hydrogen-bridged radical cation [H? C?O …? H …? NH₃]^{+ ˙} which is best viewed as an immonium cation interacting with the formyl dipole. The related species [CH₂?O …? H …? NH₂]^{+ ˙}, in which an ammonium radical cation interacts with the formaldehyde dipole is also a very stable ion. It is generated by loss of CO from ionized methyl carbamate, H₂N? C(?O)? OCH₃ and the proposed mechanism involves a 1,4-H shift followed by intramolecular ‘dictation’ and CO extrusion. The [CH₂?O …? H …? NH₂]^{+ ˙} product ions fragment exothermically, but via a barrier, to NH₄^{+ ˙} HCO^…? and to H₃N? C(H)?O^{+ ˙} H˙. Metastable ions [CH₃ONH₂]^+…? dissociate, via a large barrier, to CH₂?O + NH₃⁺ + and to [CH₂NH₂]⁺ + OH˙ but not to CH₂?O^{+ ˙} + NH₃. The former reaction proceeds via a 1,3-H shift after which dissociation takes place immediately. Loss of OH˙ proceeds formally via a 1,2-CH₃ shift to produce excited [O? NH₂? CH₃]^{+ ˙}, which rearranges to excited [HO? NH₂? CH₂]^{+ ˙} via a 1,3-H shift after which dissociation follows.     

Accumulation of Silver(I) Ion and Diamine Silver Complex by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeromonas</Emphasis> SH10 biomass

The biomass of Aeromonas SH10 was proven to strongly absorb Ag⁺ and [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺. The maximum uptake of [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ was 0.23 g(Ag) g⁻¹(cell dry weight), higher than that of Ag⁺. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra analysis indicated that some organic groups, such as amide and ionized carboxyl in the cell wall, played an important role in the process of biosorption. After SH10 cells were suspended in the aqueous solution of [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ under 60°C for more than 12 h, [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ was reduced to Ag(0), which was demonstrated by the characteristic absorbance peak of elemental silver nanoparticle in UV-VIS spectrum. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observation showed that nanoparticles were formed on the cell wall after reduction. These particles were then confirmed to be elemental silver crystal by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV-VIS analysis. This study demonstrated the potential use of Aeromonas SH10 in silver-containing wastewater treatment due to its high silver biosorption ability, and the potential application of bioreduction of [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ in nanoparticle preparation technology.     

Synthese,Schwingungsspektren und Kristallstrukturen der Nitratoargentate (Ph4P)[Ag(NO3)2(CH3CN)]·CH3CN und (Ph4P)[Ag2(NO3)3]

Synthesis, Vibrational Spectra, and Crystal Structures of the Nitrato Argentates (Ph₄P)[Ag(NO₃)₂(CH₃CN)]·CH₃CN and (Ph₄P)[Ag₂(NO₃)₃] Tetraphenylphosphonium bromide reacts in acetonitril suspension with excess silver nitrate to give (Ph₄P)[Ag(NO₃)₂(CH₃CN)]·CH₃CN ( 1 ), whereas (Ph₄P)[Ag₂(NO₃)₃] ( 2 ) is obtained in a long‐time reaction from (Ph₄P)Br and excess AgNO₃ in dichloromethane suspension. Both complexes were characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman) and by single crystal structure determinations. 1 : Space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 193 K: a = 1781.5(3), b = 724.8(1), c = 2224.2(3) pm, β = 96.83(1)°, R₁ = 0.0348. 1 contains isolated complex units [Ag(NO₃)₂(CH₃CN)]^?, in which the silver atom is coordinated by the chelating nitrate groups and by the nitrogen atom of the solvated CH₃CN molecule with a short Ag—N distance of 220.7(4) pm. 2 : Space group I2, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 193 K: a = 1753.4(4), b = 701.7(1), c = 2105.5(4) pm, R₁ = 0.072. In the polymeric anions [Ag₂(NO₃)₃]^? each silver atom is coordinated in a chelating manner by one nitrate group and by two oxygen atoms of two bridging nitrate ions. In addition, each silver atom forms a weak π‐bonding contact with a phenyl group of the (Ph₄P)⁺ ions with shortest Ag···C separations of 266 and 299 pm, respectively, indicating a (4+1) coordination of silver atoms.     

Coordination Chemistry of Diiodine and Implications for the Oxidation Capacity of the Synergistic Ag+/X2 (X=Cl,Br, I) System

The synergistic Ag⁺/X₂ system (X=Cl, Br, I) is a very strong, but ill‐defined oxidant—more powerful than X₂ or Ag⁺ alone. Intermediates for its action may include [Ag_m(X₂)_n]^m+ complexes. Here, we report on an unexpectedly variable coordination chemistry of diiodine towards this direction: ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ), [Ag₂(I₂)₄]²⁺( A ^?)₂ and [Ag₂(I₂)₆]²⁺( A ^?)₂?(I₂)_x≈0.65 form by reaction of Ag( A ) ( A =Al(OR^F)₄; R^F=C(CF₃)₃) with diiodine (single crystal/powder XRD, Raman spectra and quantum‐mechanical calculations). The molecular ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ) is ideally set up to act as a 2 e^? oxidant with stoichiometric formation of 2 AgI and 2 A ^?. Preliminary reactivity tests proved this ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ) starting material to oxidize n‐C₅H₁₂, C₃H₈, CH₂Cl₂, P₄ or S₈ at room temperature. A rough estimate of its electron affinity places it amongst very strong oxidizers like MF₆ (M=4d metals). This suggests that ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ) will serve as an easily in bulk accessible, well‐defined, and very potent oxidant with multiple applications.     

Dynamics and counterion-dependence of the structures of weakly bound Ag+-P4S3 complexes

In an earlier publication (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002 , 124, 7111) we showed that polymeric cationic [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ complexes (n=1, 2) are accessible if partnered with a suitable weakly coordinating counterion of the type [Al(OR^F)₄]^? (OR^F: poly‐ or perfluorinated alkoxide). The present work addresses the following questions that could not be answered in the initial report: How many P₄S₃ cages can be bound to a Ag⁺ ion? Why are these complexes completely dynamic in solution in the ³¹P NMR experiments? Can these dynamics be frozen out in a low‐temperature ³¹P MAS NMR experiment? What are the principal binding sites of the P₄S₃ cage towards the Ag⁺ ion? What are likely other isomers on the [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ potential energy surface? Counterion influence: Reactions of P₄S₃ with Ag[Al{OC(CH₃)(CF₃)₂}₄] (Ag[hftb]) and Ag[{(CF₃)₃CO}₃Al‐F‐Al{OC(CF₃)₃)}₃] (Ag[al‐f‐al]) gave [(P₄S₃)Ag[hftb]]_∞ ( 7 ) as a molecular species, whereas [Ag₂(P₄S₃)₆]²⁺[al‐f‐al]^?₂ ( 8 ) is an isolated 2:1 salt. We suggest that a maximum of three P₄S₃ cages may be bound on average to an Ag⁺ ion. Only isolated dimeric dications are formed with the largest cation, but polymeric species are obtained with all other smaller aluminates. Thermodynamic Born–Haber cycles, DFT calculations, as well as solution NMR and ESI mass spectrometry indicate that 8 exhibits an equilibrium between the dication [Ag₂(P₄S₃)₆]²⁺ (in the solid state) and two [Ag(P₄S₃)₃]⁺ monocations (in the gas phase and in solution). Dynamics: ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy showed these solid adducts to be highly dynamic, to an extent that the ²J_P,P coupling within the cages could be resolved (J‐res experiment). This is supported by DFT calculations, which show that the extended PES of [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ (n=1–3) and [Ag₂(P₄S₃)₂]⁺ is very flat. The structures of α‐ and γ‐P₄S₃ were redetermined. Their variable‐temperature ³¹P MAS NMR spectra are discussed jointly with those of all four currently known [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ adducts with n=1, 2, and 3.     

Crystal Structure and Thermal Stability of Ag3(CHF2COO)3(H2O)2

X-ray diffraction analysis of [Ag₃(CHF₂COO)₃(H₂O)₂] revealed that its crystals are orthorhombic: space group Cmca, a = 13.809(4) Å, b = 15.975(2) Å, c = 12.244(2) Å, Z = 8. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that under the atmosphere of N₂ and at 101.3 kPa, silver difluoroacetate melts at 488 K; the thermal decomposition reaction occurs in the interval 493–548 K with the formation of Ag. Under the mass-spectral experiment conditions at 521 K, two processes occur simultaneously, namely, evaporation and decomposition. The following ions were detected in the mass-spectrum of silver difluoroacetate: Ag₂L⁺, Ag₂R⁺, Ag₂F⁺, Ag₂O⁺, Ag₂ ⁺, Ag⁺, LH⁺, RCO⁺, R⁺ (L = CHF₂COO, R = CHF₂).     

Studies of unusual oxidation states of transition metals III-kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of triethanolamine by diperiodatoargenate(III) ion in aqueous alkaline medium

The kinetics of oxidation of triethanolamine (TEA) by diperiodatoargenate(III) anion, [Ag(HIO₆)₂]^5?, has been studied in aqueous alkaline medium by conventional spectrophotometry. The reaction is pseudo-first-order in [Ag(III)] disappearance with k_obs = (k₁ + k₂[OH^?]) K₁K₂[TEA]/{[H₂IO₆^3?]_e + K₁ + K₁K₂[TEA]}, where k₁ = 8.05 × 10^?3 S^?1, k₂ = 0.46 M^?1 S^?1, K₁ = 6.15 × 10^?4 M, and K₂ = 537 M^?1 at 25°C, and μ = 0.30 M. Based on the inference that an inner-sphere complex is formed by indirect replacement of a ligand of [Ag(HIO₆)₂]^5? by a TEA molecule, a reaction mechanism has been proposed. The complex undergoes redox by two modes, both internal and one hydroxide ion assisted.     

A general method for the preparation of N-heterocyclic carbene–silver(I) complexes in water

A new synthetic method leading to N-heterocyclic carbene–silver(I) complexes [(R₂-NHC)₂Ag]⁺ [AgX₂]^? is developed by using benzimidazolium compounds, NaOH (as a base), silver salts and water (as the reaction medium). Single-crystal X-ray structure revealed that compound 1 comprises a linear [Ag-(Et₂-Bimy)₂]⁺ cation and a linear [AgBr₂]^? anion. These two ions are linked through an Ag^I–Ag^I association and staggered at an angle of 90.3°.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Copper and Silver Complexes with the Ylide Ph3PCHP(O)PPh2 as Ligand

The reactivity of the hydrolysis product of hexaphenylcarbodiphosphorane, PPh₃CHP(O)Ph₂, towards different soft Lewis acids, such as CuI and Ag[BF₄] are reported. While CuI exclusively binds at the ylidic carbon atom, reaction of the silver cation in CH₂Cl₂ leads to proton abstraction from the solvent to give the cation [PPh₃CH₂P(O)Ph₂]⁺. Surprisingly, Ag⁺ replaces the methyl group of [PPh₃CHMeP(O)Ph₂]⁺ to produce a dimeric complex, in which Ag⁺ is coordinated to C and O forming an eight membered ring. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X‐ray diffraction.     

Potassium thiocyanate argentates: K3[Ag(SCN)4], K4[Ag2(SCN)6] and K[Ag(SCN)2]

The anions of the title compounds contain [Ag(SCN)₄] units, with the S atoms coordinating to Ag⁺ in a tetrahedral arrangement. Whereas in the isolated anions of tripotassium tetra­thio­cyanatoargentate(I), K₃[Ag(SCN)₄], (I), all SCN^? groups are bonded as terminal ligands, in tetrapotassium di‐μ‐thio­cyanato‐S:S‐bis­[dithio­cyanato­argentate(I)], K₄[Ag₂(SCN)₆], (II), two AgS₄ tetrahedra share one common edge. In poly[potassium [argentate(I)‐di‐μ‐thio­cyanato‐S:S]], K[Ag(SCN)₂], (III), edge‐ and vertex‐sharing of AgS₄ tetrahedra results in infinite [Ag(SCN)₂]^? layers.     

Loss of methyl from [H2CC(OH)?CH3]+˙ ions prepared by electron impact ionization of unstable 2-hydroxypropene

Unstable 2-hydroxpropene was prepared by retro-Diels-Alder decomposition of 5-exo-methyl-5-norbornenol at 800°C/2 × 10^?6 Torr. The ionization energy of 2-hydroxypropene was measured as 8.67±0.05 eV. Formation of [C₂H₃O]⁺ and [CH₃]⁺ ions originating from different parts of the parent ion was examined by means of ¹³C and deuterium labelling. Threshold-energy [H₂C?C(OH)? CH₃]^+˙ ions decompose to CH₃CO⁺+CH₃^˙ with appearance energy AE(CH₃CO⁺) = 11.03 ± 0.03 eV. Higher energy ions also form CH₂?C?OH⁺ + CH₃ with appearance energy AE(CH₂?C?OH⁺) = 12.2–12.3 eV. The fragmentation competes with hydrogen migration between C(1) and C(3) in the parent ion. [C₂H₃O]⁺ ions containing the original methyl group and [CH₃]⁺ ions incorporating the former methylene and the hydroxyl hydrogen atom are formed preferentially, compared with their corresponding counterparts. This behaviour is due to rate-determining isomerization [H₂C?C(OH)? CH₃]^+˙ →[CH₃COCH₃]^+˙, followed by asymmetrical fragmentation of the latter ions. Effects of internal energy and isotope substitution are discussed.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and ferromagnetic interactions of a silver(I) complex with imizadolyl-substituted nitroxide radicals

A silver(I) complex with nitronyl nitroxide, [Ag₂(NIT-R)₄(NO₃)₂]?·?CH₃OH [NIT-R?=?2-(5-methylimidazol-4-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide], has been prepared and characterized by magnetic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In the complex, the silver(I) ion is coordinated with two monodentate nitronyl nitroxide radicals by the nitrogen of the imizadole ring. The silver(I) ion is two-coordinate and forms a dimer through Ag?···?Ag weak metal bonding interactions. The magnetic properties for the title complex have been investigated in the temperature range 2?～?300?K showing ferromagnetic interactions between the coordinated nitronyl nitroxides (J?=?3.64?cm^?1) and intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Structure and formation of gaseous [C4H6O]+˙ ions: 1—The enolic ions [CH2C(OH)?CHCH2]+˙ and [CH2CH?CHCH(OH)]+˙ and their relationship with their keto counterparts

The [C₄H₆O]^+˙ ion of structure [CH₂?CHCH?CHOH]^+˙ (a) is generated by loss of C₄H₈ from ionized 6,6-dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol. The heat of formation ΔH_f of [CH₂?CHCH?CHOH]^+˙ was estimated to be 736 kJ mol^?1. The isomeric ion [CH₂?C(OH)CH?CH₂]^+˙ (b) was shown to have ΔH_f, ? 761 kJ mol^?1, 54 kJ mol^?1 less than that of its keto analogue [CH₃COCH?CH₂]^+˙. Ion [CH₂?C(OH)CH?CH₂]^+˙ may be generated by loss of C₂H₄ from ionized hex-1-en-3-one or by loss of C₄H₈ from ionized 4,4-dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol. The [C₄H₆O]^+˙ ion generated by loss of C₂H₄ from ionized 2-cyclohexen-1-ol was shown to consist of a mixture of the above enol ions by comparing the metastable ion and collisional activation mass spectra of [CH₂?CHCH?CHOH]^+˙ and [CH₂?C(OH)CH?CH₂]^+˙ ions with that of the above daughter ion. It is further concluded that prior to their major fragmentations by loss of CH₃˙ and CO, [CH₂?CHCH?CHOH]⁺˙ and [CH₂?C(OH)CH?CH₂]^+˙ do not rearrange to their keto counterparts. The metastable ion and collisional activation characteristics of the isomeric allenic [C₄H₆O]^+˙ ion [CH₂?C?CHCH₂OH]^+˙ are also reported.     

Fabrication of a family of atomically precise silver nanoclusters via dual-level kinetic control

The controllable preparation of metal nanoclusters in high yield is an essential prerequisite for their fundamental research and extensive application. Here a synthetic approach termed “dual-level kinetic control” was developed to fabricate a family of new silver nanoclusters. The introduction of secondary ligands was first exploited to retard the reduction rate and accomplish the first-level kinetic control. And the cooling of the reaction was performed to further slow the reduction down and accomplish the second-level kinetic control. A family of atomically precise silver nanoclusters (including [Ag₂₅(SR)₁₈]⁻, [Ag₃₄(SR)₁₈(DPPP)₃Cl₄]²⁺, [Ag₃₆(SR)₂₆S₄]²⁺, [Ag₃₇(SR)₂₅Cl₁]⁺, and [Ag₅₂(SR)₂₈Cl₄]²⁺) were controllably prepared and structurally determined. The developed “dual-level kinetic control” hopefully acts as a powerful synthetic tool to manufacture more nanoclusters with unprecedented compositions, structures, and properties.

A dual-level kinetic control was exploited to fabricate a family of atomically precise silver nanoclusters.     

Mo3S132− Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxide: Highly Selective Removal of Heavy Metals and Simultaneous Reduction of Ag+ Ions to Metallic Ag0 Ribbons

We demonstrate a new material by intercalating Mo₃S₁₃^2? into Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (abbr. Mo₃S₁₃-LDH), exhibiting excellent capture capability for toxic Hg²⁺ and noble metal silver (Ag). The as-prepared Mo₃S₁₃-LDH displays ultra-high selectivity of Ag⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in the presence of various competitive ions, with the order of Ag⁺>Hg²⁺>Cu²⁺>Pb²⁺≥Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺. For Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺, extremely fast adsorption rates (≈90 % within 10 min, >99 % in 1 h) are observed. Much high selectivity is present for Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺, especially for trace amounts of Ag⁺ (≈1 ppm), achieving a large separation factor (SF_Ag/Cu) of ≈8000 at the large Cu/Ag ratio of 520. The overwhelming adsorption capacities for Ag⁺ (q_m^Ag=1073 mg g^?1) and Hg²⁺ (q_m^Hg=594 mg g^?1) place the Mo₃S₁₃-LDH at the top of performing sorbent materials. Most importantly, Mo₃S₁₃-LDH captures Ag⁺ via two paths: a) formation of Ag₂S due to Ag-S complexation and precipitation, and b) reduction of Ag⁺ to metallic silver (Ag⁰). The Mo₃S₁₃-LDH is a promising material to extract low-grade silver from copper-rich minerals and trap highly toxic Hg²⁺ from polluted water.     

The Crystal Structure of Solvent‐Free Silver Dodecachloro‐closo‐dodecaborate Ag2[B12Cl12] from Aqueous Solution

Colourless octahedral single crystals of solvent‐free Ag₂[B₁₂Cl₁₂] (cubic, Pa3¯; a = 1238.32(7) pm, Z = 4) are obtained by the metathesis reaction of Cs₂[B₁₂Cl₁₂] with an aqueous solution of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and recrystallization of the crude product from water. The crystal structure is best described as a distorted anti‐CaF₂‐type arrangement in which the quasi‐icosahedral [B₁₂Cl₁₂]^2— anions (d(B—B) = d(B—Cl) = 177—180 pm) are arranged in a cubic closest‐packed fashion. The tetrahedral interstices are filled with Ag⁺ cations which are strongly displaced from their ideal positions. Thereby each silver atom gets coordinated by six chlorine atoms from the edges of three [B₁₂Cl₁₂]^2— anions providing a distorted octahedral coordination sphere to the Ag⁺ cations (d(Ag—Cl) = 283—285 pm, CN = 6).     

Mercaptokomplexe von Indium(III)

The complexes of In(III) with thioglycolate (HO? CH₂? CH₂? S^?) have been investigated by pH-metric methods. Only the mononuclear species In(SR)_n(3-n)+ (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) are formed (Fig. 1): It was difficult to obtain an accurate value for the first stability constant K₁ because of the high stability of the 1:1-complex and therefore mixtures of KCl-KNO₃ were used to keep up the ionic strength of μ = 0.1. In presence of chloride, the constants K_n are smaller because of the formation of chloro complexes and mixed complexes In(SR)_nCl_i(3-n-1)+ and the stability constants of these have also been determined. The constants for the complexes without coordinated chloride can finally be obtained by an extrapolation (Fig. 2). The problem of the influence of increasing charge on the stability of various complexes of the isoelectronic 4d¹⁰ cations is discussed (Fig. 3).     

Sensitive electrochemical DNA-based biosensors for the determination of Ag<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Hg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions and their application in analysis of amalgam filling

In the present paper, we used single-stranded poly-T (100% thymine bases) and poly-C (100% cytosine bases) nucleic acids as DNA probes for selective and sensitive individual electrochemical determination of Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺_, respectively, on the multi-walled carbon nanotube paste electrodes (MWCNTPEs) using [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? as electroactive labels. In the presence of Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺, the probe–Hg²⁺/Ag⁺ interactions through T–Hg²⁺–T and C–Ag⁺–C complexes formation could cause the formation of a unimolecular hybridized probe. This structure of probe led to its partial depletion from electrode surface and facilitation of electron transfer between [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? redox couple and electrode surface, resulting in the enhanced differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) oxidation current of [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? at the probe-modified electrode surface. We applied the difference in the oxidation peak currents of [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? before and after Hg²⁺/Ag⁺–DNA probe bonding (?I) for electrochemical determination of these heavy metal ions. Detection limits were 8.0?×?10^?12 M and 1.0?×?10^?11 M for Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ ions determination, respectively. The biosensors were utilized to determine the weight percent of toxic metals, i.e., silver and mercury in dental amalgam filling composition. The results of their practical applicability in analysis of the amalgam sample were satisfactory.