Determination of nickel using cold-induced aggregation microextraction based on ionic liquid followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Cold-induced aggregation microextraction (CIAME) combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was applied to preconcentration and determination of nickel(II) ions in natural water samples. The proposed method used 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Hmim][PF ₆ ]) as the extraction solvent and 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN) as the complexing agent. The extraction solvent was dissolved in the sample solution at 45°C. After dissolving, the solution was cooled in the ice bath and a cloudy solution of IL fine droplets was formed due to the decrease of IL solubility. After centrifugation, the fine droplets of extractant phase were settled at the bottom of the conical-bottom centrifuge tube. Analysis was carried out by a FAAS. Several important parameters influencing the CIAME extraction efficiency such as pH, complexing agent concentration, extraction solvent volume, salt effect, solution temperature, extraction time, centrifugation time and heating time were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.8 ng/mL, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.4% for 50 ng/mL of nickel. The performance of the method was evaluated for extraction and determination of nickel in tap, mineral and seawater samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction for the sensitive determination of ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages

A method based on ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction (USAEME) was proposed in this contribution for the determination of ethyl carbamate (EC) in alcoholic beverages using gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. To achieve the determination of EC in alcoholic beverages, the influences on the extraction efficiency of type and volume of extraction solvent, temperature, ionic strength, alcohol content, and extraction time were studied, once the extraction solvent had been selected. The optimized conditions were 200.0 μL of chloroform at 30 °C during 5 min with 15 % (m/v) sodium chloride addition. The detection limit, relative standard deviations, linear range, and recoveries under the optimized conditions were 0.03 μg L^?1, 4.2–6.1 %, 0.1–50.0 μg L^?1, and 80.5–87.9 %, respectively. Moreover, the feasibility of the present method was also validated by real samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that USAEME has been applied to determine a strongly hydrophilic compound in alcoholic beverages.

A highly sensitive spectrophotometric determination of ultra trace amounts of azide ion in water and biological samples after preconcentration using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction technique

A simple and highly sensitive method developed for preconcentration and spectrophotometric determination of ultra trace amounts of azide ion (N ₃ ^? ) in water and biological samples using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique. The method is based on ion association formation of azide ion with malachite green and extraction of the ion pairing product using DLLME technique. Some important parameters, such as reaction conditions and the kind and volume of extraction solvent and disperser solvent were studied and optimized. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.5–50 μg/L of azide ion. Also, the enrichment factor and extraction recovery obtained were 24.7 and 98.7%, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of azide ion in water and biological samples.     

Determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in rice by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following directly suspended droplet microextraction

A simple and efficient approach as directly suspended droplet microextraction (DSDME) was applied to the determination of organochlorine pesticides in rice prior to analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The extraction parameters such as organic solvent type and volume, extraction time, and ion strength were systemically optimized. Furthermore, method linearity, recovery, limits of detections (LODs), and precision were also investigated. The proposed method provided good linearity (R ² = 0.9900–0.9996). LODs determined by GC-MS in selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode were between 0.0005–0.033 mg/kg. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) varied from 2.0–14.0%, while the enrichment factors were between 221–550. The experimental results suggest that DSDME followed by GC-MS is a simple, sensitive, low-cost and little solvent consumption for the determination of organochlorine pesticides in rice, and has high enrichment factors suitable to trace analysis.     

Development of dry derivatization and headspace solid-phase microextraction technique for the GC-ECD determination of haloacetic acids in tap water

A simple, fast and efficient liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) technique using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), in conjunction with gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD) has been developed for the determination of haloacetic acids (HAAs) in tap water. The analytical procedure involves LLE, evaporation of extraction solvent to dryness, derivatization of HAAs into their methyl esters with acidic methanol, HS-SPME using 100-μm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fiber, and GC-ECD determination. The derivatization process was optimized in dry conditions to achieve maximum sensitivity using the following conditions: esterification for 10 min at 55°C in 50 μL methanol, 30 μL sulphuric acid and 0.1 g anhydrous sodium sulphate. The HS-SPME conditions were also optimized and good sensitivity was obtained at a sampling temperature of 25°C, an absorption time of 10 min and a desorption time of 2 min. The linear calibration curves were observed for the concentration ranging from 0.1 to 200 μg/L with the correlation coefficients (R ²) greater than 0.993 and the relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 12%. The method detection limits of all analytes ranging from 0.02 to 0.7 μg/L were obtained. The proposed method is compared directly to standard EPA method 552.2 in drinking water, and significant advantage in terms of selectivity was observed. Finally the optimized procedure was applied to the analysis of HAAs in Bizerte drinking water. The studied HAA were detected in all the water samples and the concentration of total HAA5 ranged from 17.8 to 70.3 μg/L.     

Determination of metal ions in water and tea samples by flame-AAS after preconcentration using sorghum in nature form and chemically activated

Sorghum-agricultural waste in nature (SAWN) and chemically activated with phosphoric acid (SAWAC) was used as a solid phase extraction material for determination of cadmium, copper, manganese and lead ions in aqueous solutions by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The effect of pH, sample flow rate and volume, eluent type, volume and flow rate, and the effects of potentially interfering ions on the recovery of the analytes were investigated. Adsorption capacity of SAWN and SAWAC was determined by batch method under the optimized conditions. Adsorption capacity of SAWAC was found to be 9.53, 11.77, 11.64, and 15.01 mg/L for Cd, Cu, and Mn and Pb ions, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) for the analytes was found in the range of 0.16–1.21 μg/L with a theoretical preconcentration factor of 50. The method was validated by analyzing certified material (GBW 07605-Tea) and the results were in a good agreement with the certified value. In addition, the proposed method was applied to the determination of analytes in tea and river water samples.     

Evaluation of catalytic activity of imidazolo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives: oxidation of catechol

A series of heterocyclic compounds possessing imidazolo[1,2-a]pyridine moiety, namely, ethyl 7-methylimidazolo[1,2-a] pyridine-2-carboxylate L1; 2-(3-nitrophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine L2; 3-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-yl)aniline L3; 2-phenylimidazolo[1,2-a]pyridine-3carbaldehyde L4; and 2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine L5 were synthesized. The in situ generated copper (II), iron (II), and zinc (II) complexes of these compounds (L1–L5) were examined for their catalytic activities and were found to be effective catalysts for the oxidation of catechol to o-quinone with the atmospheric oxygen. The present study reveals that the rate of oxidation depends on four parameters: the nature of the ligand, transition metals, ion salts, and the concentration of the complex. The combination L2(Cu(CH ₃ COO) ₂ ) gives the highest rate.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, and properties of inorganic-organic hybrid complexes constructed from copper(II) macrocyclic fragment

Reaction of a macrocyclic copper(II) complex [Cu(L)](ClO₄)₂ · 3H₂O (I) (L = 1,3,10,12,16,19-hexaazatetracyclotetracosane) with a hexapod carboxylate ligand H₆TTHA (H₆TTHA = 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine hexaacetic acid) and a tripod carboxylate ligand H₃TATB (H₃TATB = 4,4′,4″-S-triazine-2,4,6-triyl-tribenzoic acid) yielded two mononuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(L)][H₄TTHA] · 4H₂O (II) and [Cu(L)][HTATB] · 4H₂O (III). The complexes I–III have been structurally characterized. The crystal structures of complexes II and III show the copper(II) ion has a distorted pentacoordinate square-pyramidal geometry with two secondary and two tertiary amines from the macrocyclic complex [Cu(L)]²⁺ and one oxygen atom from the carboxylate ligand group at the axial position. The UV-Vis spectra are utilized to discuss the hydrolysis of the complex II.     

Copper complexes of two isomeric NS2-macrocycles

Two isomeric NS₂-macrocycles incorporating a xylyl group at ortho (o -L) and meta (m -L) positions were employed and their copper complexes (1?C5) were prepared and structurally characterized. The copper(II) nitrate complexes [Cu(L)(NO₃)₂] (1: L = o -L, 2: L = m -L) for both ligands were isolated. In each case, the copper center is five-coordinated with a distorted square pyramidal geometry. Despite the overall geometrical similarity, 1 and 2 show the different ligand conformation due to the discriminated packing pattern. Reaction of o -L with copper(II) perchlorate afforded complex 3 containing two independent complex cations [Cu(o -L)(H₂O)(DMF)(ClO₄)]⁺ and [Cu(o -L)(H₂O)(DMF)]²⁺; the coordination geometry of the former is a distorted octahedron while the latter shows a distorted square pyramidal arrangement. In the reactions of copper(I) halides (I or Br), o -L gave a mononuclear complex [Cu(o-L)I] (4) with a distorted tetrahedral geometry, while m -L afforded a unique exodentate 2:1 (ligand-to-metal) complex [trans-Br₂Cu(m-L)₂] (5) adopting a trans-type square-planar arrangement.     

Synthetic aspects, crystal structures and antibacterial activities of manganese(III) and cobalt(III) complexes containing a tetradentate Schiff base

Three new Schiff base complexes, namely [Mn(L)Cl] · H₂O (1), [Co(L)Cl]₂ · 2CH₃COCH₃ (2) and [Co(L)NCS]₂ (3), where H₂L = 2,2′-[propane-1,2-diylbis(nitriloeth-1-yl-1-ylidene)]diphenol, have been prepared and characterized. The syntheses of 1 and 2 have been achieved by reacting equimolar amounts of the respective metal chloride and the tetradentate Schiff base ligand (H₂L). While the mononuclear Mn(III) complex 1 was obtained with MnCl₂ in acetone medium, the same synthetic system yielded the binuclear Co(III) complex 2 in the presence of CoCl₂. Dissolution of 1 and 2 followed by crystallization with ammonium thiocyanate in methanol yielded two isostructural phenoxo-bridged binuclear complexes, namely [Mn(L)NCS]₂ (previously reported by us) and a new complex [Co(L)NCS]₂ (3), respectively. All the complexes 1–3 have been characterized by microanalytical, spectroscopic, single crystal X-ray diffraction and other physicochemical studies. Structural studies reveal that 1 adopts a distorted tetragonal pyramidal geometry while 2 and 3 comprise dimeric Co(III) units with bridging phenolate oxygen atoms. All the complex units in 1–3 and the respective solvent molecules are held together by weak intermolecular H-bonding to constitute a supramolecular network in the solid state. The antibacterial activity of the complexes has been tested against some Gram(+) and Gram(?) bacteria.     

Catechol oxidation: activity studies using electron-rich nitrogen-based ligands

We have studied the oxidation of catechol to o-quinone with atmospheric dioxygen at ambient conditions by in situ generated copper (II) complexes of five electron-rich nitrogen ligands: (3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-methanol L1; 3-benzylamino-propionitrile L2; 3-[benzyl-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-amino]-propionitrile L3; {3-[(2-cyano-ethyl)-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-propyl}-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-propionitrile L4 and 3-[{2-[(2-cyano-ethyl)-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-ethyl}-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-propionitrile L5. We found that all complexes catalyze the oxidation reaction with different rates depending on three parameters: the nature of the ligand, the nature of ion salts, and the concentration of the complex. The combination of L3(CuSO₄) gave the highest rate of this activity about 8.71 μmol¹/L¹/min¹.     

Hydrolysis and Extraction Properties of Aroylhydrazones Derived from Nicotinic Acid Hydrazide

The kinetics of hydrolysis of N′-salicylidene-3-pyridinecarbohydrazide (1) and N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylmethylidene)-3-pyridinecarbohydrazide (2) were investigated in the dioxane/water (1/1, volume ratio) solvent system in acidic and basic media, and the corresponding reaction mechanisms were proposed. The kinetic results suggest that in the acidic solutions the rate-determining step of the hydrolysis reaction is the attack of a water molecule on the protonated azomethine group, whereas in the basic medium it is the attack of water on the completely deprotonated hydrazone. By analyzing the temperature dependence of the reaction rates, the thermodynamic activation parameters, i.e. activation enthalpy and entropy, were also evaluated and discussed. The complexation reactions of vanadium(V) with aroylhydrazones 1 and 2 as well as the extraction of V(V) from aqueous to an organic phase were studied spectrophotometrically. The optimum conditions for complex formation and extraction of vanadium(V) into chloroform solutions of compounds 1 or 2 have been evaluated. Based on the results obtained by Job’s method and the equilibrium shift method, the stoichiometries of the complexes were determined to be 1:1. The effect of foreign ions on V(V) extraction by compound 2 has been determined as well.     

Optimization of cloud point extraction of copper with neocuproine from aqueous solutions using Taguchi fractional factorial design

Taguchi method was applied to optimize cloud point extraction (CPE) conditions for preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of copper by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Briefly, the copper ions formed complexes with neocuproine in aqueous solution; then, Triton X-114 (0.15%, w/v) was added and phase separation occurred upon heating to 60°C. The copper complexes were preconcentrated into the small volume of the surfactant-rich phase; after centrifugation, the surfactant-rich phase was diluted with methanol and absorbance was measured at 455 nm. The main factors affecting the CPE were evaluated and optimized with Taguchi orthogonal array design (OA ₂₅). Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range 2–500 μg/L (r ² > 0.997). The limit of detection and preconcentration factor were 1.8 μg/L and 37.2, respectively. The applicability of the proposed method was successfully confirmed by preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of copper in water samples and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Copper(II) and manganese(II) picrate complexes with the V-shaped ligand 1,3-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-2-thiapropane: preparation,structure, DNA-binding properties and antioxidant activities

A V-shaped ligand, 1,3-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-2-thiapropane (L), and its copper(II) and manganese(II) picrate complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The compositions of the complexes are [Cu(L)₂](pic)₂·2DMF (1) and [Mn(L)(pic)₂] (2), respectively. The crystal structure of complex 1 reveals a distorted tetrahedral geometry provided by four N donors from two ligands. Complex 2 is six coordinated, with a distorted octahedral geometry. Experimental studies of the DNA-binding properties indicated that the free ligand and both complexes bind to DNA via the intercalation mode, and the order of the binding affinity is L > 1 > 2. Antioxidant tests in vitro show that the Cu(II) complex possesses significant antioxidant activity against superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, with better scavenging effects than mannitol and vitamin C.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by solid-phase microextraction coupled to HPLC using a fiber with mesoporous silica coating

A novel SPME-HPLC method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It was found that the SPME device with C₈H₁₇-SBA-15 (C ₈-SBA-15) mesoporous silica coating had high extraction efficiency, sufficient chemical and hydrothermal stability and good reversibility. The determination conditions for environmental pollutants like PAHs including extraction and desorption time, extraction temperature, ionic strength and stirring rate were optimized. Under optimized experimental conditions, results with good accuracy (with a recovery of 97.5–101.7%), precision (with a standard deviation of 0.15–1.07%) and low detection limit (LOD, 0.05–0.25 μg/L) were obtained, suggesting the SPME devices using chemical modified SBA-15 as coating material are promising in preconcentration, separation and determination of interested analytes in the future.     

Determination of phenolic compounds in water samples by HPLC following ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and cold-induced aggregation

We report on the determination of bisphenol A and 2-naphthol in water samples using ionic liquid cold-induced aggregation dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with HPLC. Parameters governing the extraction efficiency (disperser solvent, volume of extraction and disperser solvent, pH, temperature, extraction time) were optimized and resulted in enrichment factors of 112 for bisphenol A and of 186 for 2-naphthol. The calibration curve was linear with correlation coefficients of 0.9995 and 0.9998, respectively, in the concentration range from 1.5 to 200?ng?mL^?1. The relative standard deviations are 2.3% and 4.1% (for n?=?5), the limits of detection are 0.58 and 0.86?ng?mL^?1, and relative recoveries in tap, lake and river water samples range between 100.1 and 108.1%, 99.4 and 106.2%, and 97.1 and 103.8%, respectively.

Synthesis, photophysical properties and TD-DFT calculation of four two-photon absorbing triphenylamine derivatives

In this study,linear absorption,single-photon excited fluorescence,fluorescence quantum yields,fluorescence lifetime and two-photon excited fluorescence of a series of triphenylamine derivatives (L1,L2,L3 and L4) have been measured.L1 and L3 are D--A type dyes,while L2 and L4 are D--D--A type dyes (D=donor,A=acceptor).The investigated compounds consist of triphenylamine-bearing donor-substituted and/or systematically extended-conjugated length,which are designed to gain insight into the effect of the ethoxyl unit and-linkage length on the linear and nonlinear optical properties.The influence of solvent polarity on the photophysical properties was investigated.Employing time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations,the structure-property relationships are discussed.     

Dipyrrolylquinoxaline-bridged hydrazones: a new class of chemosensors for copper(II)

Novel 2,3-bis(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)quinoxaline-functionalized hydrazones were prepared and characterized as new chemosensors for copper(II) ion. The binding properties of the compounds 4, 5, 6 and 7 for cations were examined by UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and linear sweep voltammetric experiments (LSV). The results indicate that a 1:1 stoichiometric complex is formed between compound 4 (or 5, 6, 7) and copper(II) ion, and the association constant is 1.3?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 4, 2.1?×?10⁶ M^?1 for 5, 4.1?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 6 and 8.0?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 7, respectively. The recognition mechanism between compound 4 (or 5, 6, 7) and metal ion was discussed based on their electrochemical properties, absorbance changes, and the fluorescence quenching effect when they interact with each other. Control experiments revealed that compound 4 (or 5, 6, 7) has a highly selective response to copper (II) ion.     

Dithizone-modified nanoporous fructose as a novel sorbent for solid-phase extraction of ultra-trace levels of heavy metals

We are introducing nanoporous fructose (np-F) modified with dithizone as a new solid-phase for extraction of heavy metals ions including cadmium(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and lead(II). Effects of pH value, flow rates, type, concentration and volume of the eluent, breakthrough volume, and of other ions were studied. Under optimized conditions, the extraction efficiency is >97 %, and the limits of detection are 0.025, 0.15, 0.5 and 1.2 ng mL^?1 for the ions of cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead, respectively, and the adsorption capacities for these ions are 101, 81, 74 and 178 mg g^?1. The modified np-F sorbent was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption surface area (BET) measurements.

Derivatives of Bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic Anhydride as Ligands in Polynuclear Gold(I) Complexes

Based on the new binuclear gold(I) complex [(AuCl)₂(L1)] (1) (L1?=?2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride) four new polynuclear compounds were synthesized by reactions of 1 with E(SiMe₃)₂ (E?=?S, Se). During the formation of these new compounds the initial ligand L1 undergoes various transformations (e.g. substitution, hydration or hydrogenation) leading to the new ligands: trans-2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)succinic anhydride (L2), 2-diphenylphosphino-3-mercapto-maleic anhydride anion (L3), 2-diphenylphosphino-3-selenolato-maleic anhydride anion (L4) and 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)succinic acid (L5). In case of using the sulfur species S(SiMe₃)₂ a pentanuclear cluster, [Au₅(PPh₂)₃(L3)₂] (2), and a 24-nuclear cluster, [Au₂₄S₆(PPh₂)₄(L3)₈] (3), could be obtained. With Se(SiMe₃)₂ the binuclear complex, [(AuCl)₂(L2)] (4), and the dodecanuclear cluster, [Au₁₂Se₄(L4)₄(L5)₂] (5), were yielded.