Biosorption and desorption of copper (II) ions by Bacillus sp.

Batch biosorption experiments were conducted to investigate the removal of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions by a series of bacterial strains isolated from a local activated sludge process. The characteristics of 12 isolates were identified and examined for their ability to bind Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solution. Among the isolates, two species exhibited biosorption capacity >40 mg of Cu/g of dry cell. Isotherms for the biosorption of copper on bacterial cells were developed and compared, and the equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The biosorption of copper increased significantly with increasing pH from 2.0 to 6.0 regardless of the species. More than 90% of copper sorbed on the cells of Bacillus sp. could be recovered by washing with 0.1 M HNO₃ for 5 min. The performance of two different desorption processes was also tested and compared. The results show that five biosorption and desorption cycles are a better operation process than five successive biosorptions followed by one desorption to remove and recover copper from aqueous solution. The biosorbent could be used for at least five biosorptions and desorption cycles without loss of copper removal capacity. It can be concluded that the activated sludge or sludge-isolated bacteria could be a potential biosorbent for copper removal.     

Biosorption of Copper and Cadmium in Packed Bed Columns with Live Immobilized Fungal Biomass of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phanerochaete chrysosporium</Emphasis>

Biosorption of copper (II) and cadmium (II) by live Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilized by growing onto polyurethane foam material in individual packed bed columns over two successive cycles of sorption–desorption were investigated in this study. Initial pH and concentrations of the metals in their respective solutions were set optimum to each of those: 4.6 and 35 mg·l⁻¹ in case of copper and 5.3 and 11 mg·l⁻¹ for cadmium. The breakthrough curves obtained for the two metals during sorption in both the cycles exhibited a constant pattern at various bed depths in the columns. The maximum yield of the columns in removing these metals were found to be, respectively, 57% and 43% for copper and cadmium indicating that copper biosorption by the immobilized fungus in its column was better than for cadmium. Recovery values of the sorbed copper and cadmium metals from the respective loaded columns by using 0.1 N HCl as eluant was observed to be quite high at more than 65% and 75%, respectively, at the end of desorption in both the cycles. Breakthrough models of bed-depth service time, Adams–Bohart, Wolborska, and Clark were fitted to the experimental data on sorption of copper and cadmium in the columns, and only the Clark model could fit the sorption performance of the columns well over the entire range of ratios of concentrations of effluent to influent, i.e., C/C ₀ for both copper and cadmium biosorption. The kinetic coefficients of mass transfer and other suitable parameters in the system were determined by applying the experimental data at C/C ₀ ratios lower than 0.5 to the other three models.     

Selective Solid-Phase Extraction of Trace Copper Ions in Aqueous Solution with a Cu(II)-Imprinted Interpenetrating Polymer Network Gel Prepared by Ionic Imprinted Polymer (IIP) Technique

An Cu(II)-imprinted interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) gel of epoxy-diethylenetriamine and methacrylic acid-acrylamide-N,N′-methylene-bis-(acrylamide) was synthesized by the ionic imprint polymer (IIP) technique. The first polymer network is formed by epoxy gelation with diethylenetriamine. The other is formed by copper methacrylate co- polymerization with acrylamide and cross-linker N,N′-methylene-bis-(acrylamide). The adsorption–desorption characteristics of the IPN gel as a highly selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) and preconcentration adsorbent for Cu²⁺ from aqueous solution were investigated. The experimental results show that trace Cu²⁺ ions can be quantitatively enriched at pH 5 with recovery >95%. The maximum static adsorption capacity of the ion-imprinted functionalized gel adsorbent was 76 mg g⁻¹. Comparing with non-imprinted IPN gel, the imprinted IPN gel has higher adsorption capacity and selectivity for Cu²⁺ by the static adsorption–desorption experiment. Simultaneously, the times of adsorption equilibration and complete desorption were remarkably short. The precision (RSD) for 11 replicate adsorbent extractions of 20 ng mL⁻¹ Cu²⁺ was 3.4%. The established procedure was applied to two real water samples with satisfactory results. The prepared ion-imprinted IPN gel adsorbent was shown to be promising for solid-phase extraction coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for the determination of trace copper in real samples. In addition, the coordination interaction of Cu²⁺ and functional groups of the IPN gel adsorbent was primarily discussed by FT-IR spectra.     

Investigation of electrochemical reactions on copper electrode in Cu4RbCl3I2 solid electrolyte

Investigations are carried out by potentiostatic method. It is found that at potentials ϕ less than 100 mV, a reaction rate of copper deposition is limited by the formation and the three-dimensional growth of copper nuclei and the rate of copper dissolution is limited by a two-dimensional growth of holes in the metal. The rate of nucleus growth was evaluated at 10⁻⁹...10⁻⁶ μm s⁻¹ depending on the potential. At ϕ>120 mV, the reaction rate is limited by charge transport at the exchange current density of 2.7 mA cm⁻² and the anodic transfer coefficient α_a≈ 0.45. The accumulation of a divalent copper phase on Cu/Cu₄RbCl₃I₂ interface at anodic polarization is explained by a parallel course of Cu⁺ − e → Cu²⁺ reaction.     

Catecholase biomimetic catalytic activity of copper(II) complexes with 2-methyl-3-amino-(3H)-quinazolin-4-one

The oxidation of catechol by molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper(II) complex with 2-methyl-3-amino-(3H)quinazoline-4-one (MAQ) and various anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, ClO ₄ ⁻ , SCN⁻, NO ₃ ⁻ and SO ₄ ^– ) was studied. The catecholase biomimetic catalytic activity of the copper(II) complexes has been determined spectrophotometrically by monitoring the oxidative transformation of catechol to the corresponding light absorbing o-quinone (Q). The rate of the catalytic oxidation reaction was investigated and correlated with the catalyst structure, time, concentration of catalyst and substrate and finally solvent effects. Addition of pyridine or Et₃N showed a dramatic effect on the rate of oxidation reaction. Kinetic investigations demonstrate that the rate of oxidation reaction has a first order dependence with respect to the catalyst and catechol concentration and obeying Michaelis–Menten Kinetics. It was shown that the catalytic activity depends on the coordination environment of the catalyst created by the nature of counter anions bound to copper(II) ion in the complex molecule and follows the order: Cl⁻ > NO ₃ ⁻ > Br⁻ > SO ₄ ^– > SCN⁻ > ClO ₄ ⁻ . To further elucidate the catalytic activity of the complexes, their electrochemical properties were investigated and the catecholase mimetic activity has been correlated with the redox potential of the Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ couple in the complexes.     

A new copper containing MALDI matrix that yields high abundances of [Peptide + Cu]+ ions

The dinuclear copper complex (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) copper salt (CHCA)₄Cu₂), synthesized by reacting CHCA with copper oxide (CuO), yields increased abundances of [M + xCu − (x−1)H]⁺ (x = 1–6) ions when used as a matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (355 nm Nd:YAG laser). The yield of [M + xCu − (x−1)H]⁺ (x = 1∼6) ion is much greater than that obtained by mixing peptides with copper salts or directly depositing peptides onto oxidized copper surfaces. The increased ion yields for [M + xCu − (x−1)H]⁺ facilitate studies of biologically important copper binding peptides. For example, using this matrix we have investigated site-specific copper binding of several peptides using fragmentation chemistry of [M + Cu]⁺ and [M + 2Cu − H]⁺ ions. The fragmentation studies reveal interesting insight on Cu binding preferences for basic amino acids. Most notable is the fact that the binding of a single Cu⁺ ion and two Cu⁺ ions are quite different, and these differences are explained in terms of intramolecular interactions of the peptide-Cu ionic complex.     

Kinetics of oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′-ethylenebis(isonitrosoacetylacetoneimine)copper(II) by peroxydisulfate in aqueous acidic solutions

Peroxydisulfate (PDS) oxidizes N,N′-ethylenebis(isonitrosoacetyleacetoneimine)copper(II) complex, Cu^IIL, to the corresponding copper(III) complex, [Cu^IIIL]⁺. The kinetic runs were performed in the presence of EDTA to scavenge any trace metal impurities. The kinetics of the reaction at constant pH, ionic strength, and temperature obeys the rate law d[Cu^IIIL]/dt = 2k ₂[Cu^IIL][S₂O₈ ²⁻] with k ₂ having a value of (8.85 ± 0.32) × 10⁻² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at μ = 0.30 M and T = 25.0 °C. The rate constant k ₂ is not affected by variation of pH over the range 3.60–5.20. The second order rate constant is also unaffected by changing ionic strength. The values of k _obs were determined over the temperature 25.0–40.0 °C range. The enthalpy of activation, ∆H*, and entropy of activation, ∆S*, have been calculated as 34.9 ± 0.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and −173.3 ± 11.4 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The kinetics of this reaction, as far as we know, is the first evidence that copper(III) is the likely reactive species in copper catalyzed PDS oxidation reactions.     

Bonding properties of copper(II)-imidazole chromophores: electronic and molecular structure of tetrakis(imidazole)bis(tetrafluoroborato)copper(II)bis(hexamethylphosphoramide)

The crystal and molecular structure of [Cu(HIm)₄(BF₄)₂]-2hmpa (HIm=imidazole; hmpa=hexamethylphosphoramide) has been determined using three-dimensional x-ray diffraction data. The Cu^II ion is coordinated centrosymmetrically by four imidazole ligands forming a basal plane, mean Cu−N 2.005 Å, and by two tetrafluoroborate anions on the z axis, mean Cu−F 2.506 Å. The four imidazole ligands are inclined at 64.6±0.5° to the CuN₄ coordination plane. The discrete Cu^II complexes and hexamethylphosphoramide molecules are interconnectedvia hydrogen bonding between the imidazole N−H group and hmpa oxygen atom. The hmpa has a tetrahedral configuration around P with P=O 1.489 Å and mean P−N 1.629 Å. The deconvoluted d-d absorptions of the title compound yield an orbital sequence: d_x ²−y²>d_z ²>d_xy>d_yz=d_xz. The properties of the Cu-imidazole bonds are discussed with reference to the electronic structures of the chromophores of tetrakis(imidazole)copper(II) complexes having effective local symmetriesD _4h andD _2h .     

Biosorption of heavy metals by bacteria isolated from activated sludge

Twelve aerobic bacteria from activated sludge were isolated and identified. These included both Gram-positive (e.g., Bacillus) and Gram-negative (e.g., Pseudomonas) bacteria. The biosorption capacity of these strains for three different heavy metals (copper, nickel, and lead) was determined at pH 5.0 and initial metal concentration of 100 mg/L. Among these 12 isolates, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes was selected for further investigation owing to its high metal biosorption capacity. The lead and copper biosorption of this strain followed the Langmuir isotherm model quite well with maximum biosorption capacity (q _max) reaching 271.7mg of Pb²⁺/g of dry cell and 46.8 mg of Cu²⁺/g of dry cell at pH 5.0. Study of the effect of pH on lead and copper removal indicated that the metal biosorption increased with increasing pH from 2.0 to 7.0. A mutual inhibitory effect was observed in the lead-copper system because the presence of either ion affected the sorption capacity of the other. Unequal inhibitions were observed in all the nickel binary systems. The increasing order of affinity of the three metals toward P. pseudoalcaligenes was Ni<Cu<Pb. The metal biosorptive potential of these isolates, especially P. pseudoalcaligenes, may have possible applications in the removal and recovery of metals from industrial effluents.     

Biosorption of metal ions with Penicillium chrysogenum

Biosorption of metal ions with Penicillium chrysogenum mycelium is described in this article. Alkaline pretreatment was used to remove proteins and nucleic acids from cells, and this treatment increased the adsorption capacities, for Cr³⁺ from 18.6 mg g⁻¹ to 27.2 mg g⁻¹, for Ni²⁺ from 13.2 mg g⁻¹ to 19.2 mg g⁻¹, for Zn²⁺ from 6.8 mg g⁻¹ to 24.5 mg g⁻¹. The adsorption of metal ions was strongly pH dependent. The mycelium could beused for large-scale removal of Cr³⁺ from tannery wastewater. The results show that this inexpensive mycelium adsorbent has potential in industry because of its high adsorption capacity. The main chelating sites are amino groups (−NH₂) of chitosan in the mycelium. A new model is established, which describes the relation of adsorption of metal ions on pH according to amino group chelating with metal ions and H⁺. The relative errors of simulation for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cr³⁺ are 4.66%, 5.45%, 11.55%, and 1.69%, respectively.     

A Highly Thermostable Alkaline Cellulase-Free Xylanase from Thermoalkalophilic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> sp. JB 99 Suitable for Paper and Pulp Industry: Purification and Characterization

A highly thermostable alkaline xylanase was purified to homogeneity from culture supernatant of Bacillus sp. JB 99 using DEAE-Sepharose and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration with 25.7-fold increase in activity and 43.5% recovery. The molecular weight of the purified xylanase was found to be 20 kDA by SDS-PAGE and zymogram analysis. The enzyme was optimally active at 70 °C, pH 8.0 and stable over pH range of 6.0–10.0.The relative activity at 9.0 and 10.0 were 90% and 85% of that of pH 8.0, respectively. The enzyme showed high thermal stability at 60 °C with 95% of its activity after 5 h. The K _m and V _max of enzyme for oat spelt xylan were 4.8 mg/ml and 218.6 μM min⁻¹ mg⁻¹, respectively. Analysis of N-terminal amino acid sequence revealed that the xylanase belongs to glycosyl hydrolase family 11 from thermoalkalophilic Bacillus sp. with basic pI. Substrate specificity showed a high activity on xylan-containing substrate and cellulase-free nature. The hydrolyzed product pattern of oat spelt xylan on thin-layer chromatography suggested xylanase as an endoxylanase. Due to these properties, xylanase from Bacillus sp. JB 99 was found to be highly compatible for paper and pulp industry.     

Low-temperature activation of nitrogen oxide on Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts

The adsorption and activation of NO molecules on Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts with different Cu/Al and Si/Al ratios (from 0.05 to 1.4 and from 17 to 45, respectively) subjected to different pretreatment was studied by ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance (UV-Vis DR). It was found that the amount of chemisorbed NO and the catalyst activity in NO decomposition increased with an increase in the Cu/Al ratio to 0.35–0.40. The intensity of absorption bands at 18400 and 25600 cm⁻¹ in the UV-Vis DR spectra increased symbatically. It was hypothesized that the adsorption of NO occurs at Cu⁺ ions localized in chain copper oxide structures with the formation of mono- and dinitrosyl Cu(I) complexes, and this process is accompanied by the Cu²⁺...Cu⁺ intervalence transfer band in the region of 18400 cm⁻¹. The low-temperature activation of NO occurs through the conversion of the dinitrosyl Cu(I) complex into the π-radical anion (N₂O₂)⁻ stabilized at the Cu²⁺ ion of the chain structure, [Cu²⁺-cis-(N₂O₂)⁻], by electron transfer from the Cu⁺ ion to the cis dimer (NO)₂. This complex corresponds to the L → M charge transfer band in the region of 25600 cm⁻¹. The subsequent destruction of the complex [Cu²⁺-cis-(N₂O₂)⁻] at temperatures of 150–300°C leads to the release of N₂O and the formation of the complex [Cu²⁺O⁻], which further participates in the formation of the nitrite-nitrate complexes [Cu²⁺(NO₂)⁻], [Cu²⁺(NO)(NO₂)⁻], and [Cu²⁺(NO₃)⁻] and NO decomposition products.     

Spacered dinuclear copper(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">II</Emphasis>) complexes with acyldihydrazones of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and 2-hydroxy-5-nitroacetophenone

Dinuclear copper(II) complexes with acyldihydrazones of 2-hydroxy-5-nitroacetophenone (H₄L) of the composition Cu₂(Py)_xL·mEtOH were synthesized and characterized. In these complexes, the coordination polyhedra of the copper atoms are linked to each other by a polymethylene chain of different lengths, from one to five monomer units. The structure of the [Cu₂L·4Mrf] complex (Mrf is morpholine) based on acyldihydrazone of malonic acid was established by X-ray diffraction. The copper(II) atoms in this complex are [4+1]-coordinated and are spaced by 6.94 Å. At room temperature, the signal in the ESR spectra of solutions of the complexes based on acyldihydrazones of malonic, succinic, glutaric, and adipic acids has a seven-line hyperfine structure with the constant of (35.3–38.8)·10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ (g = 2.109–2.112) due to exchange interactions between unpaired electrons and two equivalent copper nuclei. An increase in the length of the polymethylene chain to five monomer units hinders exchange interactions, and the ESR signal of the complex based on acyldihydrazone of pimelic acid has a four-line hyperfine structure with a _Cu = 72.7·10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ typical of mononuclear copper(II) complexes. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 229–234, February, 2007.     

EPR spectra and structures of dinuclear copper(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">II</Emphasis>) complexes with acyldihydrazones of benzenedicarboxylic acids

Spacer-armed dinuclear copper(II) complexes with condensation products of isophthalic and terephthalic acid dihydrazides with salicylaldehyde and 2-hydroxyacetophenone were synthesized and studied by EPR and X-ray diffraction. The compositions and structures of most of the complexes were determined by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and IR spectroscopy. The structure of the copper(II) complex with acyldihydrazone of salicylaldehyde and 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H₄L) with the composition [Cu₂L¹·2morph·MeOH] (morph is morpholine) was established by X-ray diffraction. The Cu^II atoms are spaced by 10.29 Å and are structurally nonequivalent. One copper cation has a square-planar coordination formed by donor atoms (2 N + O) of the doubly deprotonated acylhydrazine fragment and the N atom of the morpholine molecule. The second copper atom is additionally coordinated by a methanol molecule through the oxygen atom, so that this copper atom is in a tetragonal-pyramidal coordination with the oxygen atom in the axial position. The EPR spectra of liquid solutions of the complexes based on 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid acyldihydrazones and 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid bis(salicylidene)hydrazone at room temperature show a four-line hyperfine structure with the constant a _Cu = 54.4–67.0·10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ (g = 2.105–2.147), which is indicative of the independent behavior of the paramagnetic centers. The EPR spectrum of a solution of the complex based on isophthalic acid and 2-hydroxyacetophenone shows the seven-line hyperfine structure corresponding to two equivalent copper nuclei (g = 2.11, a _Cu = 36.5·10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹). Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1898–1905, October, 2007.     

Cloning of a New Xylanase Gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. TN119 Using a Modified Thermal Asymmetric Interlaced-PCR Specific for GC-Rich Genes and Biochemical Characterization

A bacterial strain, Streptomyces sp. TN119, was isolated from the gut of Batocera horsfieldi larvae and showed xylanolytic activity. A degenerate primer set was designed based on the base usage of G and C in Actinobacteria xylanase-coding sequences belonging to the glycosyl hydrolases family 10 (GH 10), and used to clone the partial xylanase gene from Streptomyces sp. TN119. A modified thermal asymmetric interlaced (TAIL)-PCR specific for high-GC genes, named GC TAIL-PCR, was developed to obtain the full-length xylanase gene (xynA119; 1089 bp). Rich in GC content (67.8%), xynA119 encodes a new GH 10 xylanase (XynA119), which shares highest identity (48.8%) with an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Cellulosimicrobium sp. HY-12. Recombinant XynA119 was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The enzyme showed maximal activity at pH 6.5 and 60 °C, was stable at pH 4.0 to 10.0 and 50 °C, was resistant to most chemicals (except for Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ag⁺, Hg²⁺ and SDS) and trypsin, and produced simple products. The specific activity, K _m, V _max, and k _cat using oat-spelt xylan as substrate were 57.9 U mg⁻¹, 1.0 mg ml⁻¹, 74.8 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹, and 49.2 s^–1, respectively.     

Biosorption of Lead,Copper, and Cadmium by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phanerochaete chrysosporium</Emphasis> in Ternary Metal Mixtures: Statistical Analysis of Individual and Interaction Effects

Biosorption of three divalent metals, viz., lead, copper, and cadmium in ternary aqueous mixtures was studied using Phanerochaete chrysosporium in batch shake flasks. The mixtures were prepared containing the metals at their either varying optimum or equal initial concentration combinations in aqueous solution of pH optimum to each of the metals. Following were the optimum initial concentration ranges of the metals in mixture: lead, 60–100 mg/L; copper, 20–60 mg/L; and cadmium, 5–15 mg/L. And, for varying these optimum concentration levels of the metals, a 2³ full factorial design of experiments was employed. The results revealed that an increase in lead and cadmium concentrations helped in their better biosorption by the fungus, but an increase in initial copper concentration slightly diminished its removal. Statistical analysis of the results in the form of analysis of variance and Student t test gave a clear interpretation on the roles of both the individual metals and their interactions in the uptake of metals from mixture. Compared to the uptake of metals when presented individually, lead biosorption in mixture was found to be enhanced to a degree as high as 99%; on the other hand, copper and cadmium removals from mixtures were inhibited to the extent of 100% and 98%, respectively. However, this extent of inhibition or enhancement in the metal removals compared to the individual removals was less in mixtures containing all equal concentrations of the metals.     

Foliar uptake of zinc by vascular plants: radiometric study

The aim of this paper was to obtain quantitative data of foliar uptake kinetics and long distance transport of zinc in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and hop (Humulus lupulus L.) plants. Zinc was used as a model of microelement and toxic metal, tobacco and hop as a representatives of agriculturally important plants. A tip of leaf blade was immersed in the solution spiked with ⁶⁵ZnCl₂ and foliar uptake and translocation to other parts of the plant grown in nutrient solution was measured by gamma-spectrometry and autoradiography. We found that foliar zinc uptake by both plants is dependent on the initial metal concentration within the range C ₀ = 10–100 μmol dm⁻³ ZnCl₂. Zinc is immobilized mainly in immersed part of the contact leaf and only <1% is transported to non-immersed parts of the leaf. At C ₀ = 0.1 mmol dm⁻³ ZnCl₂ concentrations >2.5 mg/g Zn and 4.8 mg/g Zn (dry wt.) in immersed part of tobacco and hop leaf plant, respectively were found after 5 days of exposure. Low mobility of zinc entering the plant via the leaf surface can be attributed to the immobilization of zinc into Zn–ligand complexes with high stability constants log K at pH 6.0–8.0, such as the reaction products of Zn²⁺ ions with citric acid, histidine or phosphates. Zinc can be extracted from dried leaves by the solutions of inorganic salts, carboxylic acids, amino acids and synthetic complexing ligands such as EDTA. Anionic (SDS) and non-ionic (Tween 40) surfactants causes the decrease of the Zn foliar uptake, but not translocation of Zn from the contact leaf area. Obtained data are discussed from the point of view of possible limited efficiency of liquid formulations designed for practical applications as Zn foliar fertilizers.     

Self-assembly of porous two-dimensional copper(II) α, β-unsaturated carboxylate complexes with trimethyl phosphate

A new type of two-dimensional network was found in the hydrogen-bonded molecular assemblies of copper(II) α,β-unsaturated carboxylate complexes with TMP [OP(OMe)₃], {Cu₂A₄(H₂O)₂[OP(OMe)₃]} _n [(1) A = CH₂=CHCO₂ ⁻; (2) A = CH₂=C(Me)CO₂ ⁻]. The crystal structure of (1) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both complexes are unique in terms of a sheet structure brought about by O—H ⋯ O hydrogen-bonded interactions both between neighbouring Cu₂A₄(H₂O)₂ units and between Cu₂A₄(H₂O)₂ and OP(OMe)₃ molecules. The electronic reflectance spectra in the solid state suggest a square pyramidal coordination environment around the copper(II) atom. Room temperature X-band e.s.r. spectra of powered samples and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies indicate the presence of strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between two copper(II) atoms, with 2J = −310 cm⁻¹ for (1) and 2J = −304 cm⁻¹ for (2) respectively. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Galvanic synthesis of copper selenides Cu2 − x Se and CuSe in alkaline sodium selenosulfate aqueous solution

Spherical copper selenide nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by a simple reaction of sodium selenosulfate with metal copper at room temperature in alkaline Na₂SeSO₃ aqueous solution. It is a galvanic process that operates on a coupled anodic copper oxidation and selenosulfate reduction. 1-Thioglycerol is found to catalyze this reaction. With gold and graphite as the positive electrodes, nanocrystallites of nonstoichiometric copper selenide (Cu_2 − x Se) and stoichiometric copper selenides (CuSe) were produced, respectively. The XRD study shows that the produced CuSe and Cu_2 − x Se are in the pure hexagonal phase and clausthalite phase, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images show that the diameters of the produced CuSe and Cu_2 − x Se NPs are in the range of 10∼20 and 5∼15 nm, respectively.     

Structure and magnetic properties of the copper(II) complexes with diacyl hydrazides of salicylic acid

The structures and results of the static magnetic susceptibility investigation of the copper(II) binuclear complex with salicylic acid diacyl hydrazide (H₂L), [Cu₂(L)(Py)₄] (I), and the copper(II) trinuclear complex with diacyl dihydrazide of salicylic and glutaric acids (H₆L′), [Cu₃(L′)(Py)₄] · 2Py (II), are described. The exchange antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic centers with the exchange interaction parameter −2J = 119 cm⁻¹ for dimer I and 14 cm⁻¹ for trinuclear complex II are detected.