Mass spectrometric studies of dithiophosphinato metal complexes

Electron impact induced fragmentation reactions of planar, tetrahedral, octahedral and oligomeric metal dithiophosphinates Me(II)L₂ (L=Et₂PS₂^?; Me(II)=Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, Co, Mn, Ni, Pd, Pt), Me(III)L₃ (Me(III) = Sb, Bi, In, Rh, Ir) and (Me(I)I)_n (Me(I)/n=Tl/1, Au/2, Cu/4) have been studied. Fragmentation patterns, which are in accordance with metastable peak determinations by linked scans, are reported. In the case of the transition metals the spectra of the complexes show abundant [M]^+· predominantly metal containing ions and, the former being weak and the intensities of the latter being considerably reduced in the case of metal complexes with filled d shells. With planar or tetrahedral transition metal complexes no dependence of fragmentation on the coordination geometry can be observed. The dependence of fragmentation on d configuration, ionization energy of the metal and metal ligand π bonding is discussed. In the case of the oligomeric complexes strong metal-metal interaction is observed even under electron impact.     

Use of Di(n-butyl) and Di(iso-butyl)dithiophosphoric Acids as Complexing Agents in the TLC Separation of Some d and f Transition Metal Ions

The thin layer chromatographic behavior of U(VI), Th(IV), lanthanides(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) on silica gel H with di(n-butyl) and di(iso-butyl)dithiophosphoric acids as complexing agents in the organic mobile phase has been investigated. The results obtained show that the dithiophosphate anion has a substantial effect on the migration of these metal ions. The presence of electron-donor solvents in the mobile phase increases retention, especially for U(VI), Th(IV), and lanthanides(III). The effect is explained on the basis of greater solubility of the metal chelates of the dithiophosphoric anions in the organic mobile phase, because of a solvation process. Separation was investigated for three groups of metal ions — actinides, lanthanides, and d transition metals. By choice of an appropriate organic mobile phase, separation of the pairs Th(IV)-U(VI), Pr(III)-Sm(III), Sm(III)-Gd(III), and Gd(III)-Er(III) was achieved, as was separation of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) from each other. A complex separation mechanism based on adsorption-desorption, cation exchange, and extraction is suggested.

     

Alkoxy-1,3,5-triazapentadien(e/ato) copper(II) complexes: template formation and applications for the preparation of pyrimidines and as catalysts for oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl products

Template combination of copper acetate (Cu(AcO)₂?H₂O) with sodium dicyanamide (NaN(C≡N)₂, 2 equiv) or cyanoguanidine (N≡CNHC(=NH)NH₂, 2 equiv) and an alcohol ROH (used also as solvent) leads to the neutral copper(II)–(2,4‐alkoxy‐1,3,5‐triazapentadienato) complexes [Cu{NH?C(OR)NC(OR)?NH}₂] (R=Me ( 1 ), Et ( 2 ), nPr ( 3 ), iPr ( 4 ), CH₂CH₂OCH₃ ( 5 )) or cationic copper(II)–(2‐alkoxy‐4‐amino‐1,3,5‐triazapentadiene) complexes [Cu{NH?C(OR)NHC(NH₂)?NH}₂](AcO)₂ (R=Me ( 6 ), Et ( 7 ), nPr ( 8 ), nBu ( 9 ), CH₂CH₂OCH₃ ( 10 )), respectively. Several intermediates of this reaction were isolated and a pathway was proposed. The deprotonation of 6 – 10 with NaOH allows their transformation to the corresponding neutral triazapentadienates [Cu{NH?C(OR)NC(NH₂)?NH}₂] 11 – 15 . Reaction of 11 , 12 or 15 with acetyl acetone (MeC(?O)CH₂C(?O)Me) leads to liberation of the corresponding pyrimidines NC(Me)CHC(Me)NC NHC(?NH)OR, whereas the same treatment of the cationic complexes 6 , 7 or 10 allows the corresponding metal‐free triazapentadiene salts {NH₂C(OR)?NC(NH₂)?NH₂}(OAc) to be isolated. The alkoxy‐1,3,5‐triazapentadiene/ato copper(II) complexes have been applied as efficient catalysts for the TEMPO radical‐mediated mild aerobic oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes (molar yields of aldehydes of up to 100 % with >99 % selectivity) and for the solvent‐free microwave‐assisted synthesis of ketones from secondary alcohols with tert‐butylhydroperoxide as oxidant (yields of up to 97 %, turnover numbers of up to 485 and turnover frequencies of up to 1170 h^?1).     

Studies on Rare Earth Polyphosphate Glasses of the Composition [NaxM(1 − x)/2aGd(1 − x)/2aPO3]n

A fusion technique was used for the preparation of derivatives of the composition [Na _x M_{(1? x)/2a} Gd_{(1? x)/2a} PO₃] _n (where M = bivalent metal like Cu(II), Ca(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Mg (II); x = 1/2, 3/4, & 2/3; and a = valency of metal). Composition of these polyphosphate glasses was confirmed by their analyses for metals and phosphorus. The polymeric nature of all polyphosphate glasses was confirmed by the determination of a number average molecular weight (M _n ). The characteristic frequencies in the IR spectra are supportive of the presence of polyphosphate indicative of the polymeric nature of these derivatives. From X-ray diffraction, the amorphous nature of complex polyphosphates has been determined.     

Reactions and phases within the TeO2-rich part of the Bi2O3-TeO2 system

The complexes of heavy lanthanides and yttrium with 2,3-dimethoxybenzoic acid of the formula: Ln(C₉h₉O₄)₃·nH₂O, where Ln=Tb(III), Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III), Tm(III), Yb(III), Lu(III), Y(III), and n=2 for Tb(III), Dy(III), Ho(III), Y(III), n=1 for Er(III), Tm(III), n=0 for Yb(III) and Lu(III) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ir spectroscopy, thermogravimetric studies and x-ray diffraction measurements. The complexes have colours typical for Lnł³⁺ ions (Tb(III), Dy(III), Tm(III), Yb(III), Lu(III), Y(III) - white; Ho(III) - cream and Er(III) - salmon). the carboxylate groups in these complexes are a symmetrical, bidentate, chelating ligand or tridentate chelating-bridging. they are isostructural crystalline compounds characterized by low symmetry. On heating in air to 1273 k the 2,3-dimethoxybenzoates of heavy lanthanides and yttrium decompose in various ways. The complexes of Tb(III), Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III), Tm(III) and Y(III) at first dehydrate to form anhydrous salts which next are decomposed to the oxides of the respective metals. 2,3-dimethoxybenzoates of Yb(III) and Lu(III) are directly decomposed to oxides. When heated in nitrogen the hydrates also dehydrate in one step to form the anhydrous complexes that next form the mixture of carbon and oxides of respective metals or their carbonates. The solubility of the yttrium and heavy lanthanide 2,3-dimethoxybenzoates in water at 293 k is of the order of 10^-2 mol dm^-3. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Features of Joint Thermolysis of Organometallic Compounds of Group III and V Elements

The kinetic data on thermolysis of equimolar gaseous mixtures of organometallic compounds of Group III and V elements show that the thermal stability of the mixture differs from that of the components taken separately, which is mainly due to complexation between the mixture components. The complex is a kinetically active species. The rate of joint thermolysis of the organometallic compounds grows as the number of hydride atoms at the Group V element increases in the order AsMe3 < t-BuPH₂ < AsH₃. The stability of the complexes formed by organometallic compounds of Group III and V elements decreases in the same order. Joint thermolysis of Me₃Ga and AsH₃ yields a solid oligomer Me₂GaAs(H)Ga(Me)AsH₂. The complicated pattern of decomposition of a mixture of trimethylaluminum with various electron donors is due to participation in the pyrolysis of two trimethylaluminum species: monomeric and dimeric. In decomposition of pure trimethylaluminum or its mixtures with organometallic compounds of Group V elements or with ether, solid pyrolysis products deposited on the vessel walls catalyzed further transformations of the mixture components.     

Synthesis,spectral and thermal characterization of 6-hydroxymethyl pyridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester and its complexes

New pincer ligand, 6-hydroxymethylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester, HL, and its bipositive, tripositive and uranyl metal complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental and thermal analyses, IR, diffuse reflectance and ¹H NMR spectra, molar conductance and magnetic moment measurements. The downfield shift of the aliphatic OH signal (from 3.87 vs. 2.96 ppm in the ligand) upon complexation indicates the coordination by protonated aliphatic OH group. Zn(II) and UO2(II) complexes are found to be diamagnetic as expected. The low molar conductance values indicate that Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes are non electrolytes; Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and UO₂(II) complexes are 1:2  electrolytes while Fe(III) complex is a 1:3 electrolyte. The general compositions of the complexes are found to be [M(HL)X₂]·nH₂O where M=Ni(II) (X=Cl, n=1) and Zn(II) (X=Br, n=0); and [M(HL)₂]X_m·nH₂O where M=Fe(II) (X=Cl, m=2, n=0), Fe(III) (X=Cl, m=3, n=4), Co(II) (X=Cl, m=2, n=0), Cu(II) (X=Cl, m=2, n=0) and UO₂(II) (X=NO₃, m=2, n=0). The thermal behaviour of the complexes has been studied and different thermodynamic parameters are calculated using Coats-Redfern method.     

Differentiation of Isomeric Hydroxypyridine <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Oxides Using Metal Complexation and Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Differentiation between two isomers of hydroxypyridine N-oxide according to the metal cation adducts generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) was investigated for different metal cations, namely Mg (II), Al (III), Ca (II), Sc (III), Fe (III), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Zn (II), Ga (III), besides the diatomic cation VO(IV). Protonated molecules of the isomeric hydroxypyridine N-oxides as well as the singly/doubly charged adducts formed from neutral or deprotonated ligands and a doubly/triply charged cation were produced in the gas phase using ESI, recording mass spectra with different metal ions for each isomer. While complex formation was successful for 2-hydroxypyridine N-oxide with trivalent ions, in the case of 3-hydroxypyridine N-oxide, only peaks related to the protonated molecule were present. On the other hand, divalent cations formed specific species for each isomer, giving characteristic spectra in every case. Hence, differentiation was possible irrespective of the metal cation utilized. In addition, quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) level of theory were performed in order to gain insight into the different complexation of calcium(II) with the isomers of hydroxypyridine N-oxide. The relative stability in the gas phase of the neutral complexes of calcium made up of two ligands, as well as the singly charged and doubly charged complexes, was investigated. The results of these calculations improved the understanding of the differences observed in the mass spectra obtained for each isomer.     

Three‐dimensional organotin–hexacyanoferrate polymers as effective oxidizing reagents towards phenols

Three‐dimensional organotin–hexacyanoferrate polymers of the type _∞³[(R₃Sn)₃Fe^III(CN)₆] where R = Me (I), n‐butyl (II) and phenyl (III), represent members of the family of supramolecular coordination polymers (SCPs) which have zeolitic‐like structure containing micropores. The structures of I–III contain wide channels capable of encapsulating resorcinol, which undergoes in situ oxidation to 1,3,4‐trihydroxy benzene (THB) or p‐nitrophenol (PNP), which converts to 1,4‐benzoquinone (BQ) and 2‐hydroxybenzoquinone (2‐HBQ). The oxidation products were investigated by spectroscopic methods and by HPLC. The SCP III was found to be a more effective oxidizing reagent than I and II due to the presence of terminal Sn‐OH₂ groups hydrogen bonded to one‐sixth of the terminal CN groups, causing more wide expandable channels. In addition, mechanisms of the oxidation processes of resorcinol and PNP have been proposed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Iron(II), cobalt(III), nickel(II) and copper(II) chelates of furan and thiophene azo-oximes

Summary Complexes of furan and thiophene azo-oximes with iron(II), cobalt(III), nickel(II) and copper(II) have been prepared and characterised. Iron(II), cobalt(III) and copper(II) complexes are diamagnetic in the solid state. The diamagnetism of the copper(II) chelates is suggestive of antiferromagnetic interaction between two copper centres.¹H n.m.r. spectral data suggest atrans-octahedral geometry for the tris-chelates of cobalt(III). Nickel(II) complexes are paramagnetic, in contrast to the diamagnetism of the analogous complexes of arylazooximes. The electronic spectra are suggestive of octahedral geometry for the iron(II), cobalt(III) and nickel(II) complexes, andD _4h -symmetry for copper(II). Infrared data indicate N-bonding of the oximino-group to the metal ions.     

Amorphous Silicon: New Insights into an Old Material

Amorphous silicon is synthesized by treating the tetrahalosilanes SiX₄ (X=Cl, F) with molten sodium in high boiling polar and non‐polar solvents such as diglyme or nonane to give a brown or a black solid showing different reactivities towards suitable reagents. With regards to their technical relevance, their stability towards oxygen, air, moisture, chlorine‐containing reaction partners RCl (R=H, Cl, Me) and alcohols is investigated. In particular, reactions with methanol are a versatile tool to deliver important products. Besides tetramethoxysilane formation, methanolysis of silicon releases hydrogen gas under ambient conditions and is thus suitable for a decentralized hydrogen production; competitive insertion into the MeO?H versus the Me?OH bond either yields H‐ and/or methyl‐substituted methoxy functional silanes. Moreover, compounds, such as Me_nSi(OMe)_4?n (n=0–3) are simply accessible in more than 75 % yield from thermolysis of, for example, tetramethoxysilane over molten sodium. Based on our systematic investigations we identified reaction conditions to produce the methoxysilanes Me_nSi(OMe)_4?n in excellent (n=0:100 %) to acceptable yields (n=1:51 %; n=2:27 %); the yield of HSi(OMe)₃ is about 85 %. Thus, the methoxysilanes formed might possibly open the door for future routes to silicon‐based products.     

Selection of the sample composition for the selective preconcentration of some platinum group metal ions by Donnan dialysis

The possibility of selective preconcentration of platinum group metal ions by Donnan dialysis was investigated. The effect of sample matrix (glycine) on self diffusion of the following platinum group metal ions Pt(IV), Pd(II), Rh(III), Ir(III) and Ir(IV) was determined. To separate a sample from the receiver electrolyte (0.5M NH₄Cl), anion or cation-exchange membrane were used. Excellent selective preconcentration of Pd(II) in the sample and Ir(III) in the receiver solution was achieved. Experiments performed enable to draw some conclusion on the charge sign of glycinepalladium complexes.     

The antispermatogenic activity of some phenylbismuth(III) O,O′‐dialkyldithiophosphates

Ten dialkyldithiophosphate derivatives of phenylbismuth(III) of the type, Ph_(3–n)Bi[S(S)P(OR)₂]_n [where n = 1; R = Me( 1 ), Et( 2 ), Pri( 3 ), Prⁿ( 4 ) and Buⁿ( 5 ); n = 2; R = Me( 6 ), Et( 7 ), Prⁱ( 8 ), Prⁿ( 9 ) and Buⁿ( 10 )] have been synthesized by the reactions of triphenylbismuth(III) with corresponding dialkyldithiophosphoric acids in 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometric ratios, respectively, in stirred benzene solution. The newly synthesized brown colored compounds, 1–10 have been characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectral studies. The ligand diethyldithiophosphoric acid, [(C₂H₅O)₂P(S)SH], and its organobismuth(III) derivatives, compounds 2 and 7 were administered to adult male rats by oral gavage at the dose of 25 mg per kg body weight per day, for 60 days, and their effects were evaluated and compared for changes in testicular morphology, circulatory concentrations of testosterone, FSH and LH, sperm dynamics, fertility index and testicular cell population dynamics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic study of molecular structures of novel Schiff base derived from o-phthaldehyde and 2-aminophenol and its coordination compounds together with their biological activity

New Schiff base (H₂L) ligand is prepared via condensation of o-phthaldehyde and 2-aminophenol. The metal complexes of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with the ligand are prepared in good yield from the reaction of the ligand with the corresponding metal salts. They are characterized based on elemental analyses, IR, solid reflectance, magnetic moment, electron spin resonance (ESR), molar conductance, ¹H NMR and thermal analysis (TGA). From the elemental analyses data, the complexes are proposed to have the general formulae [M(L)(H₂O)n]·yH₂O (where M = Mn(II) (n = 0, y = 1), Fe(II) (n = y = 0), Co(II) (n = 2, y = 0), Ni(II) (n = y = 2), Cu(II) (n = 0, y = 2) and Zn(II) (n = y = 0), and [MCl(L)(H₂O)]·yH₂O (where M = Cr(III) and Fe(III), y = 1–2). The molar conductance data reveal that all the metal chelates are non-electrolytes. IR spectra show that H₂L is coordinated to the metal ions in a bi-negatively tetradentate manner with ONNO donor sites of the azomethine N and deprotonated phenolic-OH. This is supported by the ¹H NMR and ESR data. From the magnetic and solid reflectance spectra, it is found that the geometrical structures of these complexes are octahedral (Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes), tetrahedral (Mn(II), Fe(II) and Zn(II) complexes) and square planar (Cu(II) complex). The thermal behaviour of these chelates is studied and the activation thermodynamic parameters, such as, E*, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG* are calculated from the DrTGA curves using Coats-Redfern method. The parent Schiff base and its eight metal complexes are assayed against two fungal and two bacterial species. With respect to antifungal activity, the parent Schiff base and four metal complexes inhibited the growth of the tested fungi at different rates. Ni(II) complex is the most inhibitory metal complex, followed by Cr(III) complex, parent Schiff base then Co(II) complex. With regard to bacteria, only two of the tested metal complexes (Mn(II) and Fe(II)) weakly inhibit the growth of the two tested bacteria.     

Physicochemical characterization of nanobidentate ferrocene‐based Schiff base ligand and its coordination complexes: Antimicrobial,anticancer, density functional theory,and molecular operating environment studies

A novel bidentate Schiff base ligand (HL, Nanobidentate Ferrocene based Schiff base ligand L (has one replaceable proton H)) was prepared via the condensation of 2‐amino phenol with 2‐acetyl ferrocene. The ligand was characterized using elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, ¹proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H‐NMR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal analysis. The corresponding 1:1 metal complexes with some transition‐metal ions were additionally characterized by their elemental analysis, molar conductance, SEM, and thermogravimetric ana1ysis (TGA). The complexes had the general formula [M(L)(Cl)(H₂O)₃]xCl·nH₂O (M = Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II)), (x = 0 for Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II), x = 1 for Cr(III) and Fe(III)), (n = 1 for Cr(III), n = 3 for Mn(II) and Co(II), n = 4 for Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II)). Density functional theory calculations on the HL ligand were also carried out in order to clarify molecular structures by the B31YP exchange‐correlation function. The results were subjected to molecular orbital diagram, highest occupied mo1ecu1ar orbital–lowest occupied molecular orbital, and molecular electrostatic potential calculations. The parent Schiff base and its eight metal complexes were assayed against four bacterial species (two Gram‐negative and two‐Gram positive) and four different antifungal species. The HL ligand was docked using molecular operating environment 2008 with crystal structures of oxidoreductase (1CX2), protein phosphatase of the fungus Candida albicans (5JPE), Gram(?) bacteria Escherichia coli (3T88), Gram(+) bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (3Q8U), and an androgen‐independent receptor of prostate cancer (1GS4). In order to assess cytotoxic nature of the prepared HL ligand and its complexes, the compounds were screened against the Michigan cancer foundation (MCF)‐7 breast cancer cell line, and the IC₅₀ values of compounds were calculated.     

Flow-injection determination of total iron in freshwater samples with neutralisation chemiluminescence

A flow-injection chemiluminescence method has been established for the determination of total iron in freshwater samples. The enhanced chemiluminescence emission was caused by the iron(II) from the neutralisation reaction of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide without the use of any chemiluminescent reagent. The calibration graph was linear in the concentration range of 2.8–560 µg L^?1 (r ² = 0.9983, n = 8), with relative standard deviation (RSD; n = 4) in the range of 0.8–2.6%. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 0.56 µg L^?1 with injection throughput of 180 h^?1. The effect of common anions and cations were studied over their environmentally relevant concentrations in freshwaters. The method was successfully applied to determine total iron in freshwater samples. Iron(III) was reduced to iron(II) by using hydroxylammonium chloride. The proposed method was compared with spectrophotometric method and there was no significant difference between the two methods at the 95% confidence level (t-test). Analysis of river water (certified reference material SLRS-4) for iron(II), after reduction of iron(III) with hydroxylammonium chloride, gave good results (2.17 ± 0.22 µM compared with the certificate value of 1.85 ± 0.1 µM).     

The reactions of diphenylcarbazide and diphenylcarbazone with cations : Part V. Extraction dissociation constants of the carbazone complexes

Extraction experiments in the system water-toluene on the diphenylcarbazone complexes of Mn(II), Fe(II) and (III). Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(ll), Zn(ll), Cd(II), Hg(I) and (II), Sn(II) and Pb(II) are described. Only uncharged complexes are formed, the formulae of which are for mercury HgD, Hg(HD)₂, Hg₂D and Hg₂(HD)₂ and for the other ions mentioned M(HD)_n, depending on the valence _n of the cation. The extraction dissociation constants, the molar extinction coefficients and the partition coefficients of the complexes funned by the cations studied were obtained, The complexes prove to be far less stable than the corresponding dithizone compounds so that diphenylcarbazone is less suitable for general analytical use than its sulphur analogue.     

Metal complexes of omeprazole. Preparation,spectroscopic and thermal characterization and biological activity

Metal complexes of omeprazole (OPZ) are prepared and characterized based on elemental analyses, IR, diffuse reflectance, magnetic moment, molar conductance and thermal analyses (TGA and DTA) techniques. From the elemental analyses, the complexes have the general formula [M(L)₂]X _n [where M = Cr(III) (X = Cl, n = 3), Ni(II) (X = ClO₄, n = 2) and Zn(II) (X = Cl, n = 2)], and [M(L)₂(H₂O)₂]X _n · yH₂O (where M = Fe(III) (X = Cl, n = 3, y = 0), Co(II) (X = Cl or ClO₄, n = 2, y = 0–4) and Ni(II) (X = Cl, n = 2, y = 4) and [Cu(L)₂]Cl₂ · H₂O. The molar conductance data reveal that all the metal chelates are 3 : 1 electrolytes (for Cr(III) and Fe(III) complexes) and 2 : 1 (for the remaining complexes). IR spectra show that OPZ coordinates to the metal ions as neutral bidentate with ON donor sites of the pyridine–N and sulphone-O. The magnetic and solid reflectance spectra indicate octahedral (FeCl₃, CoCl₂, CoClO₄ and NiCl₂), square planar [Cu(II)] and tetrahedral [Mn(II), Cr(III), NiClO₄ and Zn(II)] structures. The thermal behavior of these chelates using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TGA and DTA) techniques indicate the hydrated complexes lose water of hydration followed immediately by decomposition of the anions and ligand molecules in the successive overlapping OPZ and its metal complexes are screened for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus flavus and fungi (Candida albicans). The activity data show the metal complexes to be more potent/antibacterial than the parent OPZ ligand against one or more bacterial species.     

Flow Analysis of Transition Metals by Thermal Lensing

The conditions for the flow determination of Al(III), Bi(III), Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), Nd(III), Ni(II), Pb(II), Pr(III), and Zn(II) by reaction with Xylenol Orange in aqueous solutions at pH 4.5 and the determination of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) by reaction with 4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol in water–ethanol mixtures (5 : 1) at pH 5.0 using an injected sample volume of 80 L were proposed. The limits of detection were n × 10^–8–n × 10^–7 mol/L; the linearity ranges in the calibration graphs were of about three orders of magnitude; the relative standard deviation was of 3–7%.     

A new technique to characterize mono-molecular micelles in random ethylene–propylene copolymers

A new technique to investigate the nano-structure of ethylene–propylene (EP) random copolymers has been developed. It consists in the measurement of the turbidity which develops at a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in pentane solutions. The information on the solution comes from different types of turbidity obtained during a step-by-step temperature increase. The transient turbidity (h_i) is associated with random coils (I) and structured coils (II) while the stable turbidity comes from aggregates (III). The proportion of (I), (II) and (III) depends on the solution history and on the solvent. The M_w distribution can be obtained from the set h_i (T_i) of (I). Turbidity (II) has an unexpected gap in the h_i (T_i) trace. The gap (10–20 K) is explained by the presence of two entities in solution. Their temperatures of phase separation permit their identification as monomolecular micelles, whose outer core is either E-rich or P-rich. This nano-structure is thought to exist in the solid and also in solution as a metastable state. The technique can differentiate between mobile chains in solutions (I, II) and attached chains in a network (III) through the sedimentation behaviour of the concentrated phase. Three samples with a similar (EP) content (0.75) made with different catalysts have been analysed by LCST and slow calorimetry.