Trace analysis of cationic surfactants in water using HPLC with conductometric detection

Summary A simple and fast determination of trace amounts of commercially used cationic surfactants is described. After extraction from water cationic surfactants are separated by HPLC and detected by conductometry. The detection limit is 3 g/l for distearyldimethylammonium chloride, 16 g/l for ditallowimidazolinium methosulphate, and 6 g/l for dodecylpyridinium chloride.     

Determination of tetraethyllead and tetramethyllead using high performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection

Summary A new method for the separation of tetramethyllead (TML) and tetraethyllead (TEL) was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The electrochemical detection was examined with different electrodes. Amperometric and pulse-amperometric techniques were investigated and the optimal working potential for each electrode was determined. Linearity for the glassy carbon electrode was observed between 350 ng and 30 g; the detection limit is 310 ng (TML) resp. 340 ng (TEL). In case of the mercury gold electrode the linearity range was 300 g–3 g and the detection limit 1.5 m (TML) resp. 1.7 g (TEL).     

On the determination of molybdenum with dithiol in biological materials with high levels of copper and iron

Summary For the spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum in biological materials of high Cu and Fe contents, Mo is first separated from the other elements by extraction as the-benzoinoxime complex from strongly acid solution. It is determined by spectrophotometry using dithiol as reagent. Cu and Zn may be determined by atomic absorption measurement from the aqueous phase left from the Mo extraction. Detection limit for Mo is 0.1 g/g, mean recovery from 1 g/g 96 ± 10%.

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Zur Bestimmung von Molybdän mit Dithiol in biologischem Material mit hohen Kupfer- und Eisengehalten

Zusammenfassung wird zunächst Mo von den anderen Elementen durch Extraktion als-Benzoinoximkomplex aus stark saurer Lösung abgetrennt. Bestimmt wird Mo durch Spektralphotometrie mit Dithiol als Reagens. Cu und Zn können in der von der Mo-Extraktion verbleibenden wäßrigen Phase durch Atomabsorptionsspektralphotometrie bestimmt werden. Die Nachweisgrenze für Mo beträgt 0,1 g/g, die Wiederfindensrate für 1 g/g 96 ± 10%.

     

Photometrische Bestimmung von Zink mittels Indo-oxins

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine photometrische Zinkbestimmung für Konzentrationen von 0,1 bis 100g Zn/ml beschrieben. Die Eigenart der Reaktion mit Indo-oxin macht eine Einteilung der überhaupt zu erfassenden Konzentrationen in die Bereiche von 100 bis 10g, bzw. von 10 bis 1g, bzw. von 1 bis 0,1g Zn/ml erforderlich. Die optimalen Bedingungen für die analytische Untersuchung dieser einzelnen Konzentrationsbereiche werden angegeben. Der Fehler der einzelnen Bestimmungen beträgt ±1%.

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Summary A photometric method is described for the determination of zinc at concentrations of 0.1 to 100g Zn/ml. The singularity of the reaction with indooxine makes it necessary to segregate the concentrations to be determined into the ranges 100 to 10g, or 10 to 1g, or 1 to 0.1g Zn/ml. The optimal conditions for the analytical investigation of these single concentration ranges are given. The error of the single determinations is ±1%.

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Résumé On décrit un procédé pour le dosage photométrique du zinc pour des concentrations de 0,1 à 100g de zinc par ml. L'aspect particulier de la réaction avec l'indo-oxine rend nécessaire un partage, en général, en différentes zones de concentrations appropriées, soit de 100 à 10g, soit de 10 à 1g, soit de l à 0,1g de zinc par ml. Les conditions optimum pour la recherche analytique de ces conditions de concentration particulières sont données. L'erreur des dosages isolés s'élève à ±1%.

     

Heterogeneous hydride generation in a packed membrane cell

Summary Volatilization of arsenic, selenium and antimony for sample introduction in atomic absorption spectrometry has been performed by pumping an acidic sample through an anion exchanger in the tetrahydroborate (III) form packed as a bed in the liquid channel of a gas-liquid separation membrane cell. The hydrides generated in the heterogeneous reaction between bound tetrahydroborate (III) ions and the analytes are rapidly transferred with the aid of the concomitantly generated hydrogen gas through the gas-permeable membrane into the gas phase and swept to the spectrometer by an additional hydrogen gas flow. This instant transfer of the hydrides to the gas phase kinetically discriminates the reaction of the hydride with metal borides and metal colloids, whose formation by reaction with tetra-hydroborate (III) is slower than the hydride reaction. The susceptibility to interference by transition metal ions is thus markedly reduced, as compared with both batch hydride generation methods and a previously presented heterogeneous reaction scheme. The detection limits for arsenic, selenium, and antimony were 1.2, 3.7, and 10 g/l, respectively. The calibration graphs were linear from the detection limit up to 125 g/l for arsenic, 150 g/l for selenium, and 250 g/l for antimony. The relative standard deviations at concentration levels of 10 and 100 g/l were 1.8 and 0.7% for arsenic and 2.3 and 1.2% for selenium. Corresponding figures for 50 and 100 g/l antimony were 2.5 and 1.6%.     

Analysis of cobalt in plasma by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Summary A method for the determination of traces of cobalt in plasma is described. The sample is digested in a test tube using a mixture of nitric and perchloric acid. Ammonium-pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate is added as chelating agent, and after pH-adjustment to pH 9±0.1, cobalt is extracted into methyl-isobutyl ketone.Recovery studies using Co-60 showed that losses of cobalt during the procedure, including digestion and extraction are less than 3%. Possible contamination from the steel needle used is tested and discussed. The coefficient of variation for the method is 9.5% at the 0.20 g/l level. A realistic determination limit following this procedure is estimated to be 0.06 g/l. Using this method, the cobalt concentration in plasma from 32 control persons was determined to 0.15 ±0.07 g/l. For 10 refinery workers daily exposed to aerosols of CoCl₂ the determined average was 9.7±7.1 g/l.

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Analyse von Kobalt in Plasma mit Hilfe der elektrothermischen AAS

Zusammenfassung Bei dem beschriebenen Verfahren wird die Probe mit Hilfe von Salpetersäure/Perchlorsäure aufgeschlossen. Als Komplexierungs-Reagens wird Ammonium-pyrrolidindithiocarbamat zugefügt und nach pH-Einstellung auf 9±0,1 wird Co mit Methylisobutylketon extrahiert.Mit Hilfe von Co-60 wurde festgestellt, daß die durch Aufschluß und Extraktion verursachten Verluste weniger als 3% betragen. Eine mögliche Verunreinigung durch die benutzten Stahlnadeln wurde untersucht und diskutiert. Der Variationskoeffizient beträgt 9,5% bei 0,2 g Co/l. Die Bestimmungsgrenze nach diesem Verfahren liegt bei 0,06 g Co/l. Die Kobaltkonzentration im Plasma von 32 Kontrollpersonen wurde zu 0,15±0,07 g Co/l bestimmt. Für 10 Raffineriearbeiter, die täglich CoCl₂-Aerosolen ausgesetzt waren, wurde ein Durchschnitt von 9,7±7,1 g Co/l gefunden.

     

Determination of traces of sodium alkylbenzenesulphonate by high-performance liquid chromatography. Application to water

Summary For the trace determination of sodium alkylbenzenesulphonate (ABS) by HPLC the following conditions were employed: Shimadzu ZORBAX SIL Column (5 m, 4.6 mm i.d. x 150 mm) as stationary phase, 0.2% ammoniaethanol (v/v) as mobile phase, UV detector at 225 nm, injection volume 12 l. The chromatograms of ABS were simple and sharp (detection limit of ABS 0.02 g in 12 l of ethanol). The calibration curves of ABS were linear in a concentration range of 0.03 0.3 g in 12 l of ethanol. In the case of linear sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate positive errors of 1 4% were caused by non-ionic surfactants or laurylsulphate (6 times excess), 10 50% positive errors were caused by 2 6 times excess of household detergents.Standard water samples containing ABS were treated with a weak base anion-exchange resin, the adsorbed ABS were eluted, and then determined either by HPLC or by the methylene blue spectrophotometric method. Recoveries of ABS in water were about 92 107% by HPLC.

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Bestimmung von Spuren Natriumalkylbenzolsulfonat mit Hilfe der HPLC. Anwendung auf Wasser

Zusammenfassung Für die Spurenbestimmung von Natriumalkylbenzolsulfonat (ABS) durch HPLC werden die folgenden Bedingungen empfohlen:Shimadzu ZORBAX SIL (5 m, 4,6 mm x 150 mm) als stationäre Phase, 0,2% Ammoniak/Ethanol als mobile Phase, UV-Detektor bei 225 nm, Injektionsvolumen 12 l. Die erhaltenen Chromatogramme sind einfach und scharf (Nachweisgrenze 0,02 g in 12 ml Ethanol). Die Eichkurven sind im Konzentrationsbereich von 0,03–0,3 g in 12 l Ethanol linear. Im Falle des linearen Natriumdodecylbenzolsulfonats werden bei Anwesenheit von nicht-ionischen oberflächenaktiven Substanzen oder von Laurylsulfat in 6fachem Überschuß positiver Fehler von 1–4% erhalten; bei 2–6fachem Überschuß von Haushaltswaschmitteln ergeben sich positive Fehler von 10–50%.Standard-Wasserproben werden zunächst einer Behandlung mit einem Anionenaustauscher unterzogen, die adsorbierten ABS eluiert und durch HPLC oder nach der Methylenblaumethode analysiert. Wiederfindungsraten liegen bei 92–107%.

     

Gas Chromatographic Determination of Diacetylmorphine with Mass Spectrometric Detection

The possibility of determining diacetylmorphine traces in various matrices by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection is demonstrated. Diacetylmorphine can be reliably determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the range 0.02–7.5 g/mL. A procedure is developed for the quantitative determination of diacetylmorphine and its concomitants, including acetylated opioid derivatives, in forensic samples. The detection limit for diacetylmorphine without preconcentration is 0.01 g/mL. The detection limit in the selective-ion monitoring mode with preconcentration is 1 × 10^–4 g/mL.     

Fällungsanalyse im Mikrogrammbereich: Eine neue Methode

Zusammenfassung Eine neue Methode zur Durchführung gravimetrischer Bestimmungen im Mikrogrammbereich wurde beschrieben; diese beruht im wesentlichen darauf, daß der Niederschlag nicht mehr zusammen mit dem Filter, sondern nach Überführen mit einem geeigneten Lösungsmittel in einem separaten Wägegefäß gewogen wird.Die dazu nötigen Geräte und deren Herstellung wurden beschrieben. Nach dieser Methode wurden folgende Bestimmungen mit zufriedenstellender Richtigkeit durchgeführt: 2,5–25g Al, 5–50g Cu und 5–50g Zn mit Oxin, 2,5–25g Fe(III) und 2,5–25g Ti(IV) mit N-Benzoyl-phenylhydroxylamin, 5–50g Ni und 5–50g Cu mit Salicylaldoxim, 2,5–50g Co(II) und 2,5–50g Fe(III) mit -Nitroso--naphthol sowie 5–50g Chlorid als Silberchlorid.

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Precipitation analysis in the microgram-scale: A new method

Summary A new method for gravimetric determinations in the microgram-scale is described. This method is based on the fact that the precipitate is not weighed together with the filter but is transferred to a separate weighingvessel using a suitable solvent. The necessary simple devices and their use are described. The following determinations were carried out with satisfying accuracy: 2,5–25g Al, 5–50g Cu and 5–50g Zn with Oxine, 2,5–25g Fe and 2,5–25g Ti withN-benzoylphenylhydroxylamine, 5–50g Ni and 5–50g Cu with salicylaldoxime, 2,52–50g Co and 2,5–50g Fe with -nitroso--naphthol and 5–50g chloride as silver chloride.

     

Trace and minor elements in four commercial honey brands

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to measure the concentrations of 24 elements in four honey brands commercially available in Austin, Texas (USA). The measured elements (and concentration) were: As, (<30 ng/g); Ba, (<2 g/g); Br, (0.24–0.49 g/g); Ce, (<20 ng/g); Co, (9–180 ng/g); Cr, (37–64 ng/g); Cs, (<3–45 ng/g); Fe, (<4–15.9 g/g); Hf, (<3 ng/g); Hg, (1 ng/g); K, (91–230 g/g); La, (<4 ng/g); Na, (20.3–25.3 g/g); Ni, (0.39–0.77 g/g); Rb, (68–340 ng/g); Sb, (13–61 ng/g); Sc, (<0.3–200 ng/g); Se, (<20 ng/g); Sm, (<9 ng/g); Sr, (<2 ng/g); Th, (<4 ng/g); U, (<30 ng/g); Zn, (3.36–4.61 g/g); and Zr, (<0.5–0.84 g/g). The results obtained were compared to the concentration of the same elements in honey produced or commercially available in Turkey, Mexico, El-Salvador, China, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.     

Depth profile studies of ZrTiN coatings by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The feasibility of depth profiling was studied by using a 193-nm ArF* excimer laser ablation system (GeoLas, MicroLas, Goettingen, Germany) with a lens array-based beam homogenizer in combination with an ICP-QMS Agilent 7500. Two ablation cells (20 and 1.5 cm³) were compared at the laser repetition rate of 1 Hz, laser beam energy of 135 mJ and the carrier gas flow rate 1.5 L min^–1 He + 0.78 L min^–1 Ar. The ablation cell dimensions are important parameters for signal tailing; however, very small cell volumes (e.g. 1.5 cm³) may cause memory effects, which can be probably explained by dominant inertial losses of aerosol on cell walls with its delayed mobilization. The 20-cm³ ablation cell seems to be appropriate for depth profiling by continuous single-hole drilling. The study of the influence of the pit diameter magnitude on the waning and emerging signals under small crater depth/diameter aspect ratios, which range between 0.75 and 0.0375 for the 3-m-thick coatings and pit diameters 4–80 m, revealed that the steady-state signals of pure coating and pure substrate (out of interface) were obtained at crater diameters between 20 and 40 m. Depth resolution defined by means of slopes of tangents in the layer interface region depend on the pit diameter and has an optimum value between 20 and 40 m and gives 0.6 m for the 20-m pit. In-depth variation of concentration of coating constituent (Ti) was proved to be almost identical with two different laser/ICP systems.Viktor Kanický performed this work while on leave at ETH Zurich     

Bestimmung von Borspuren in Metallen durch Emissionsspektrometrie mit ICP-Anregung nach Abtrennung als Bors?ure-Ester

Zusammenfassung Zur Bestimmung von Borgehalten im ng/g- und unteren g/g-Bereich in Metallen (Mo, W, Zr, Al, Fe, Co) wurden Verbundverfahren ausgearbeitet, bei denen Bor nach geeignetem Probenaufschluß durch Destillation des Borsäuremethylesters oder durch Ausschütteln als 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexandiol-Komplex abgetrennt und emissionsspektrometrisch mit ICP-Anregung (ICP-OES) bestimmt wird. Mit einer neu entwickelten Kreislaufdestillationsapparatur aus Quarzglas lassen sich Bormengen zwischen 0,02 und 20 g innerhalb von 15 min aus schwefeloder schwefel-phosphorsauren Lösungen von Metallen (Einwaage1g) quantitativ als Methylester abtrennen und in wenigen Millilitern alkalischer Lösung konzentrieren. Das Verfahren ist für alle Metalle anzuwenden, für die man zum Lösen keine HF benötigt. Die Ethylhexandiol-Extraktion wurde für die Abtrennung von 0,02 bis 1 g Bor optimiert, wobei besonders die Matrices Mo, Fe, Zr und Al untersucht wurden. Die ICPOES ist für die Bestimmung von Gehalten an abgetrenntem Bor von 20 ng/ml geeignet. Je nach Matrix und Höhe der Einwaage können somit Nachweisgrenzen von 0,02 g/g erreicht werden.

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Determination of traces of boron in metals by emission spectrometry with ICP after separation as boric acid ester

Summary Procedures for the determination of boron in the ng/g- and low g/g-range in metals (e.g. Mo, W, Zr, Al, Fe, Co) by emission spectrometry (OES) with inductively coupled hf-plasma (ICP) excitation have been investigated. The procedures involve the suitable dissolution of the samples and the separation of boron either by distillation of boric acid methyl ester with a new circulation distillation apparatus or by liquid extraction of the 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol complex. By distillation 0.02 to 20 g of boron are separated within 15 min from sulphuric or sulphuric-phosphoric acid solutions ( 1g of sample) and are concentrated in a few milliliters of NaOH. This separation is applicable to all metals which do not require hydrofluoric acid for dissolution. The ethylhexanediol extraction has been optimized for 0.02 to 1 g of boron in solutions of Mo, Fe, Zr, and Al. With ICP-OES concentrations of separated boron of 20 ng/ml can be determined, corresponding to limits of detection down to 0.02 g/g, depending on matrix and sample weight.

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Herrn Professor Dr. W. Fresenius zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of cadmium and copper in biological reference materials using on-line sorbent extraction preconcentration

Summary Cadmium and copper at the g/g to ng/g level in plant and animal tissue reference materials, and at the g/l level in urine were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using on-line sorbent extraction preconcentration based on flow injection techniques. Bonded silica reversed phase sorbent with octadecyl functional groups (RP-C 18), packed in a 100 l column, was used to collect the diethylammonium-N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) complex formed on-line in the sample digests at low pH. Methanol was used to elute the analyte chelates directly into the nebulizer-burner system of the spectrometer. Small air segments introduced before and after elution prevented the eluent from mixing with the sample solution and increased the sensitivity. A sampling frequency of 85/h could be obtained with a sample loading time of 30 s at a flow rate of 4.0 ml/min. The enrichment factor for both elements was 20 and the enhancement factors, including the effect of the organic solvent and with the flow spoiler removed, were 126 and 114 for cadmium and copper, respectively. The detection limits (3) were 0.15 g/l for cadmium and 0.2 g/l for copper. The precision was 2.3% and 1.4% r.s.d. for 10 g/l Cd and 45 g/l Cu, respectively (n=11). Results for the determination of cadmium and copper in various biological reference materials were typically in good agreement with certified values. Low recoveries were observed, however, for cadmium in samples containing high levels of copper and/or iron, such as bovine liver.On leave from Flow Injection Analysis Research Center, Institute of Applied Ecology, Academia Sinica, Shenyang, China     

A toxic reagent-free method for normal-phase matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction and reversed-phase liquid chromatographic determination of aldrin,dieldrin, and DDTs in animal fats

A method for the determination of aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, DDE, and DDD contamination in animal fats (beef tallow, lard, and chicken fat) without using toxic reagents is developed, that uses high-performance liquid chromatography after the sample has been prepared by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) with acidic alumina oxide. A reversed-phase C₁-silica column with a mobile phase of 50% (v/v) ethanol solution (in water) and a photo-diode array detector were used for the determination. Average recoveries of the target compounds (0.2–5.0 g g^–1) ranged from 84–98%, with coefficients of variation of <5%. The limits of quantitation were 0.16 g g^–1 for AD, 0.10 g g^–1 for DD, 0.06 g g^–1 for DDT, 0.07 g g^–1 for DDE, and 0.05 g g^–1 for DDD. No toxic reagents were used at all.     

Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung von Spurenelementen in Blutserum mit Hilfe der Totalreflexions-R?ntgenfluoreszenzanalyse

Summary The quantitative determination of trace elements in human blood serum by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (TXRF) is influenced by absorption- and reflection-effects caused by the organic (proteins) and inorganic (P, S, Na, K, Ca, Cl) matrices. To minimize these effects we have developed a sample preparation technique based on the decomposition of the organic matrix and followed by the separation of the trace elements from the organic matrix by ion-exchange. The described method enables the simultaneous determination of K (1584 g), Ca (666 g), Fe (22 g), Cu (9.6 g), Zn (8.8 g), Se (0.97 g), Sn (1.3 g), Pb (0.12 g) and Rb (1.6 g) (obtained values in parentheses).

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Herrn Prof. Dr. G. Tölg zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Determination of some trace elements in high-purity aluminium, zinc and commercial steel by AAS after preconcentration on amberlite XAD-1180 resin

The determination of trace metals, e.g. Bi, Cd, Pb, in high-purity aluminium, zinc and commercial steel by flame or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry following their preconcentrations as iodo complexes on XAD-1180 resin by means of a short column system is described. The recoveries are quantitative (95%). The relative standard deviations varies between 6% and 10%. The relative errors are less than 8% in a concentration range of 1 × 10^–3 –4 × 10^–5%. Detection limits for flame AAS and GFAAS were in the ranges of 0.002–0.110 g/ml and 0.0003–0.004 g/ml or in the ranges of 0.08–4.40 g/g and 0.012–0.16 g/g with respect to the solid samples, respectively.     

Fourth-derivative spectrophotometric determination of neodymium in mixed rare earths with methyl thymol blue and cetylpyridinium chloride

A sensitive and selective method is described for the determination of neodymium in mixed rare earths using fourth-derivative spectrophotometry. The method is based on the absorption spectra of 4f electron transitions of the complex of neodymium with methyl thymol blue and cetylpyridinium chloride. The influence of various instrumental parameters and reaction conditions for maximum colour development are investigated. The calibration curve is linear over the range 0–3.5 g ml^–1 neodymium. The relative standard deviation for determination of 1.4 g ml^–1 neodymium (n = 7) is 1.6%. The detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) is 0.2 g ml^–1.     

Oscillation chemiluminescence in liquid phase oxidation of organic compounds

It is for the first time that distinct chemiluminescence oscillations have been observed in the liquid phase oxidation for the system: oxidative substrate — thermal initiator — photosensitizer — O₂. Oscillations and their parameters are dependent on the experimental conditions.

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: — — —O₂. .