Extraction-spectrophotometric determination of amprolium hydrochloride using bromocresol green, bromophenol blue and bromothymol blue

A new procedure for the determination of amprolium hydrochloride by reaction with bromocresol green (BCG), bromophenol blue (BPB) and bromothymol blue (BTB) has been developed. The method consists of extracting the yellow ion-pair formed into chloroform from aqueous medium. The ion-pairs have absorption maxima at 420, 410 and 415 nm with molar absorptivities of 3.64 × 10⁴, 3.12 × 10⁴ and 2.31 × 10⁴1 mol^–1 cm^–1 for BCG, BPB and BTB, respectively. The method obeys Beer's law over the concentration ranges 0.6–12.0, 0.12–8.8 and 1.2–11.3 ag/ml amprolium hydrochloride for BCG, BPB and BTB, respectively. The method is simple, precise (relative standard deviation 0.665–2.210%), accurate (recovery 97.8–100.8%) and easily applied for pharmaceutical quality assurance for amprolium hydrochloride in raw materials and in formulated veterinary soluble powder.     

Potentiometric Membrane Sensors for the Selective Determination of Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) in Some Pharmaceutical Formulations

The construction and general performance characteristics of two novel potentiometric PVC membrane sensors responsive to the pyridoxine hydrochloride known as vitamin B₆ (VB₆) are described. These sensors are based on the use of the ion-association complexes of the pyridoxine cation with molybdophosphate and tungstophosphate counter anions as ion pairs in a plasticized PVC matrix. The electrodes show a stable, near-Nernstian response for 6 × 10^–5–1 × 10^–2 M VB₆ at 25°C over the pH range 2–4 with a cationic slope of 54.0 ± 0.5 and 54.5 ± 0.4 mV per concentration decade for pyridoxine–molybdophosphate and pyridoxine–tungstophosphate, respectively. The two electrodes have the same lower detection limit (4 × 10^–5 M), and the response times are 45–60 and 30–45 s in the same order for both. Selectivity coefficients for VB₆ relative to a number of interfering substances were investigated. There is negligible interference from many cations, some vitamins, and pharmaceutical excipients. The determination of VB₆ in some pharmaceutical preparations using the proposed electrodes gave an average recovery of 98.0 and 99.0% of the nominal value and a mean standard deviation of 1.1 and 0.9% (n = 3) for pyridoxine–molybdophosphate and pyridoxine–tungstophosphate electrodes, respectively. The results compare favorably with data obtained by the British pharmacopoeia method.     

X-ray crystal structure* and kinetics of oxidation of 1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecanenickel(II), [NiII(2,3,2-tet)]2+ by peroxodisulphate: Formation of a stable non-macrocyclic nickel(III) polyamine

While macrocyclic ligands are well-known to stabilize tervalent nickel, it is very unusual to form stable nickel(III)-amine species in aqueous solution. We describe the kinetics of oxidation of 1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecanenickel(II), [Ni^II(2,3,2-tet)]²⁺ by peroxodisulphate in aqueous solution to the tervalent state. The reaction follows a second order rate law, first order in [Ni^II(2,3,2-tet)]²⁺ and first order in peroxodisulphate. The activation enthalpy and entropy are 55 ± 3 kJ mol^–1 and –38 ± 10 J K^–1 mol^–1 respectively. The X-ray crystal structure of the [Ni^II(2,3,2-tet)]²⁺ cation is also described. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n. The cation has a slightly distorted square planar structure, with the bite angle of the 5-membered chelate rings being slightly less than 90°, and that of the 6-membered chelate ring being correspondingly greater than 90°.     

Flow-injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometric study of the automated on-line pre-reduction of arsenate, methylarsonate and dimethylarsinate and high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of their -cysteine complexes

An automated on-line pre-reduction of arsenate, monomethylarsonate (MMA) and dimethylarsinate (DMA) using flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HGAAS) is feasible. The kinetics of pre-reduction and complexation depend strongly on the concentration of -cysteine and on the temperature in the following increasing order: inorganic As(V)<DMA<MMA. Arsenate is pre-reduced/complexed within less than 50 s at 70–100°C compared to 1 h at room temperature, while MMA and DMA require 1.5–2 min at 70–100°C and up to 1–2 h at room temperature. The characteristic masses and concentrations for 100 μl injections are 0.01 ng and 0.1 μg l⁻¹ in integrated absorbance and 0.2 ng and 2 μg l⁻¹ in peak height measurements, and the limits of detection are ca. 0.5 ng and 5 μg l⁻¹, respectively. In a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–HGAAS system, the -cysteine complexes of inorganic As(III), MMA and DMA are best separated within 7 min by HPLC on a strongly acidic cation exchange column such as Spherisorb S SCX 120×4 mm (5 μm) with a mobile phase containing 12 mmol l⁻¹ phosphate buffer (KH₂PO₄/H₃PO₄)–2.5 mmol l⁻¹ -cysteine, pH 3.3–3.5. Upon dilution to -cysteine levels below 10 mmol l⁻¹, which are compatible with HPLC separations, the DMA–cysteine complex is unstable on storage. No baseline separations are possible with anion exchange and reverse phase C₁₈ HPLC columns. The limits of detection with 50 μl injections in peak area mode are ca. 0.5 ng and 10 μg l⁻¹, respectively.     

Determination of antioxidant capacities of vegetable oils by ferric-ion spectrophotometric methods

Two ferric-ion-based total antioxidant capacity methods: 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were used for determination of antioxidant capacities (AC) of the acetonic and methanolic extracts of vegetable oils. The obtained mean Phen and FRAP values for acetonic extracts of olive oils, rapeseed, rice and four sunflower oils (39.3–336.5 and 39.5–339.6 μmol Fe/100 g) were higher than for methanolic extracts (22.8–307.3 and 23.5–300.1 μmol Fe/100 g). However, antioxidant capacities of methanolic extracts of corn oil, blended oils and two sunflower oils with garden green flowers (56.5–312.9 and 53.9–306.5 μmol Fe/100 g for Phen and FRAP methods, respectively) were higher than for acetonic extracts of these oils (54.2–249.2 and 52.9–244.7 μmol Fe/100 g for Phen and FRAP methods, respectively). There is a linear and significant correlation between these two analytical methods (r = 0.9989 and 0.9986 for acetonic and methanolic extracts). Also, total phenolic compounds (TPC) in the studied oils correlated with their antioxidant capacities determined by Phen and FRAP methods (r = 0.9012, 0.7818 and 0.8947, 0.7830 for acetonic and methanolic extracts, respectively). The comparable precision (R.S.D. = 0.8–4.6%, 0.9–4.9% and 0.7–4.0%, 0.6–4.0% for acetonic and methanolic extracts, respectively) and sensitivity ( = 1.27 × 10⁴, 1.11 × 10⁴ and 2.62 × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹) for the proposed Phen and the modified FRAP methods, demonstrate the benefit of the Phen method in the routine analysis of antioxidant capacities of vegetable oils.     

Reexamination of the C2H4F potential surface. the status of the classical 2-fluoroethyl cation: a local minimum or transition structure?

According to ab initio molecular orbital calculations carried out with full geometry optimization at the MP2/6–31G^** level, the classical 2-fluoroethyl cation, FCH₂CH₂⁺, is a transition structure for H-scrambling in CH₃CHF⁺. Single point MP4/6–31G^** calculations at the optimized geometries predict the cyclic ethylene fluoronium ion to lie 24.2 kcal mol⁻¹ above CH₃CHF⁺ and 5.4 kcal mol⁻¹ below the 2-fluoroethyl cation. ΔG‡ for ring opening of the cyclic fluoronium ion at -60° is estimated to be ca 15 kcal mol⁻¹. This barrier is largely attributable to the powerful negative fluorine hyperconjugation in the transition state as described by Hoffmann and coworkers. When electron correlation effects are ignored a qualitatively different potential surface is obtained on which the 2-fluoroethyl cation is calculated to be a local minimum separated from the stable 1-fluoroethyl cation by an H-bridged transition state.     

Coated,Wire-Based,New Schiff Base Potentiometric Sensor for Lead(II) Ion

An ion-selective electrode for lead(II) based on a dispersion of N,N"-bis(3-methyl salicylidine)-p-phenyl methane diamine particles into a polymeric membrane using coated-wire configuration is described. Membranes based on polyvinyl chloride containing different amounts of plasticizer and ionophore are studied. The best performance in terms of slope (30.3 ± 0.6 mV per decade) and response time (<15 s) is displayed. The sensor shows a Nernstian response for Pb(II) ions over a wide concentration range of 2.0 × 10^–5 to 0.10 M. The sensors can be used for more than three months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The selectivity is also good towards the most common univalent and divalent cations and the signal is constant in the pH range 1.6–6.0. An application to lead determination in mineral rocks and wastewater proved to be a success, and it was employed as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of CrO^2– ₄ with lead ions.     

Hydrogen bonding. Part 77. Molecular orbital study of C–HF hydrogen bonds in tetramethylammonium fluoride; potential effects on solid state structure

The infrared (IR) spectrum of tetramethylammonium fluoride suggests that it contains the strongest C–HF⁻ hydrogen bonds yet observed. Ab initio 3-21G(^*) calculations were used to examine potential solid state arrangements of cation about anion. The favored state is one in which four cations surround each F⁻ in a D_2d arrangement and four F⁻ surround each cation. Each F⁻ acts as acceptor of four hydrogen bonds of −10.8 kcal mol⁻¹, one from each cation. This arrangement, similar to that of tetramethylammon chloride, is consonant with the IR spectrum of the cation in solid tetramethylammonium fluoride. In the preferred form of the monomeric gas phase ion-pair F⁻ lies against one triangular face of the T_d cation with three CHF hydrogen bonds of −11.5 kcal mol⁻¹ each. Constraint of F⁻ in the gas phase ion-pair to interaction with a single cation hydrogen results in a tightly bound molecular complex between HF and trimethylammonium methylide with an interaction energy of −27 kcal mol⁻¹; however, this structure is not seen elsewhere and apparently does not play a role in the solid salt.     

A study of the chemiluminescence behavior of myoglobin with luminol and its analytical applications

A chemiluminescence signal at 425 nm was observed when ferric state myoglobin was mixed with luminol in alkaline medium. Because the signal was remarkably enhanced in the presence of Fe(CN)₆ ^4–, analytical applications were investigated in a flow-injection system. The increase in chemiluminescence was linearly dependent on myoglobin concentration in the range 0.1 to 100 nmol L^–1, and the limit of detection was 0.04 nmol L^–1 with relative standard deviation 3.2% (3). It was also found that binding of Mb with the ligands CN^–, SCN^–, and F^– significantly inhibited the chemiluminescence reaction. The linear dynamic ranges for the ligands were 1.0–300.0, 0.1–3.0, and 0.5–100.0 nmol L^–1, and the limits of detection (S/N=3) 0.4, 0.04, and 0.2 nmol L^–1, for F^–, CN^–, and SCN^–, respectively. The relative standard deviations were 5.32%, 6.13%, and 3.38% for 0.1 nmol L^–1 CN^–, 0.5 nmol L^–1 SCN^–, and 1.0 nmol L^–1 F^–, respectively. At a flow rate of 2.0 mL min^–1 the assay could be accomplished in 1 min, including sampling and washing. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of myoglobin in human urine and F^– in water samples. A possible mechanism of chemiluminescence production by myoglobin and luminol is presented.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [(Nicotinic Acid)2H]+I-, [(2-Amino-6-methylpyridine)H]+(NO3)-, and the 1:1 Complex Between 1-Isoquinoline Carboxylic Acid (Zwitter Ion) and L-Ascorbic Acid Assembled via Hydrogen Bonds

Summary. Three new complexes, namely [(nicotinic acid)₂H]⁺I^–, [(2-amino-6-methylpyridine)H]⁺ (NO₃)^–, and the 1:1 complex between 1-isoquinoline carboxylic acid (zwitter ion form) and L-ascorbic acid were synthesized. The IR spectra revealed different types of hydrogen bonds in these compounds. The X-ray structure determination has shown the first compound to consist of a packing of [(nicotinic acid)₂H]⁺ cations and I^– anions. In the dimeric cation the two nicotinic acid molecules (zwitter ions) are connected through hydrogen bonds (O–HO). Each dimer is further engaged in other hydrogen bonds with adjacent dimers giving 2D layers. The I^– ion is located at the inversion center. In the second compound the cation and anion are connected via hydrogen bonds formed between oxygen atoms of the NO₃ ^– anion and NH and NH₂ of the cation generating a layer structure. All atoms are coplanar on mirror planes. In the 1:1 complex the two molecules are connected through hydrogen bonds formed between the two oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group of 1-isoquinoline carboxylic acid (zwitter ion) and the oxygen atoms of the two adjacent hydrogen groups of the L-ascorbic acid molecule. These complex molecules are engaged in other hydrogen bonds with each other forming a 2D system normal to the long b-axis of the unit cell.     

A copper ion-selective electrode with high selectivity prepared by sol-gel and coated wire techniques

A sol-gel electrode and a coated wire ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane, based on thiosemicarbazone as a neutral carrier, were successfully developed for the detection of Cu (II) in aqueous solutions. The sol-gel electrode and coated electrode exhibited linear response with Nernstian slopes of 29.2 and 28.1 mV per decade respectively, within the copper ion concentration ranges 1.0×10^–5–1.0×10^–1 M and 6.0×10^–6–1.0×10^–1 M for coated and sol-gel sensors. The coated and sol-gel electrodes show detection limits of 3.0×10^–6 and 6.0×10^–6 M respectively. The electrodes exhibited good selectivities for a number of alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The proposed electrodes have response times ranging from 10–50 s to achieve a 95% steady potential for Cu²⁺ concentration. The electrodes are suitable for use in aqueous solutions over a wide pH range (4–7.5). Applications of these electrodes for the determination of copper in real samples, and as an indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Cu²⁺ ion using EDTA, are reported. The lifetimes of the electrodes were tested over a period of six months to investigate their stability. No significant change in the performance of the sol-gel electrode was observed over this period, but after two months the coated wire copper-selective electrode exhibited a gradual decrease in the slope. The selectivity of the sol-gel electrode was found to be better than that of the coated wire copper-selective electrode. Based on these results, a novel sol-gel copper-selective electrode is proposed for the determination of copper, and applied to real sample assays.     

Plastic membrane electrodes for the potentiometric determination of codeine in pharmaceutical preparations

Four PVC membrane electrode systems responsive to codeinium cation are described. These electrodes are based on the use of the ion-association complexes of the codeinium cation with tetraphenylborate and reineckate counter-anions as ion-exchange sites in a PVC matrix plasticized with dioctylphthalate and dibutylsebacate. The performance characteristics of these electrodes reveal fast, stable and near-Nernstian responses for codeine down to concentrations of 3.5–7.0 × 10^–5 M. Over the pH range 2.5–7, the electrodes are satisfactory for manual and flow injection determination of codeine in various pharmaceutical preparations. There is negligible interference from a number of inorganic and organic cations and some common drug excipients. In the direct determination of 30 g/ml -1.0 mg/ml codeine, the average recovery is 100.6% and the mean standard deviation is ± 0.8%. The results compare favorably with those obtained by the British Pharmacopoeia method.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [(Nicotinic Acid)2H]+I-, [(2-Amino-6-methylpyridine)H]+(NO3)-, and the 1:1 Complex Between 1-Isoquinoline Carboxylic Acid (Zwitter Ion) and L-Ascorbic Acid Assembled via Hydrogen Bonds

Three new complexes, namely [(nicotinic acid)₂H]⁺I^–, [(2-amino-6-methylpyridine)H]⁺ (NO₃)^–, and the 1:1 complex between 1-isoquinoline carboxylic acid (zwitter ion form) and L-ascorbic acid were synthesized. The IR spectra revealed different types of hydrogen bonds in these compounds. The X-ray structure determination has shown the first compound to consist of a packing of [(nicotinic acid)₂H]⁺ cations and I^– anions. In the dimeric cation the two nicotinic acid molecules (zwitter ions) are connected through hydrogen bonds (O–HO). Each dimer is further engaged in other hydrogen bonds with adjacent dimers giving 2D layers. The I^– ion is located at the inversion center. In the second compound the cation and anion are connected via hydrogen bonds formed between oxygen atoms of the NO₃ ^– anion and NH and NH₂ of the cation generating a layer structure. All atoms are coplanar on mirror planes. In the 1:1 complex the two molecules are connected through hydrogen bonds formed between the two oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group of 1-isoquinoline carboxylic acid (zwitter ion) and the oxygen atoms of the two adjacent hydrogen groups of the L-ascorbic acid molecule. These complex molecules are engaged in other hydrogen bonds with each other forming a 2D system normal to the long b-axis of the unit cell.     

Far infrared spectrum,conformational stability,barriers to internal rotation,vibrational assignment,and ab initio calculations of 2-chloro-3-fluoropropene

The far infrared spectrum (375 to 30 cm^–1) of gaseous 2-chloro-3-fluoropropene, CH₂=C(CH₂F)CI, has been recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm^–1. The fundamental asymmetric torsional mode is observed at 117.5 cm^–1 with ten excited states falling to low frequency for thes-cis (fluorine atom eclipsing the double bond) conformer. For the higher energy gauche conformer, the asymmetric torsion is estimated to be at 94 cm^–1. From these data the asymmetric torsional potential function has been calculated. The potential function coefficients are calculated to be in cm^–1):V ₁=803±21,V ₂=–94±21,V ₃= 1025±10,V ₄=95±10, andV ₆=2±1, with an enthalpy difference between the more stables-cis and gauche conformera of 550±100 cm^–1 (1.57±0.29 kcal/mol). This function gives values of 1227±50cm^–1(3.51±0.14kcal/mol), 1266±200 cm^–1 (3.62±0.57 kcal/mol), and 665±100 cm^–1 (1.90±0.29 kcal/mol), for thes-cis to gauche, gauche to gauche, and gauche tos-cis barriers, respectively. From the relative intensities of the Raman lines of the gas at 652 cm^–1 (gauche) and 731 cm^–1 (s-cis) as a function temperature, the enthalpy difference is found to be 565±96 cm^–1 (1.62±0.27 kcal/mol). However, the more polar gauche conformer remains in the crystalline solid. The Raman spectrum of the gas has been recorded from 3500 to 70 cm^–1 and, utilizing these data and the previously reported infrared data, a complete vibrational analysis is proposed for both conformers. The conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation, fundamental vibrational frequencies, and structural parameters that have been determined experimentally are compared to those obtained from ab initio Hartree-Fock gradient calculations employing both the 3–21 G^* and 6–31G^* basis sets and to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.     

PVC matrix membrane electrodes based on cobalt and nickel phenanthroline complexes for selective determination of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ions

Potentiometric sensors for determining cobalt and nickel ions are described. They are based on the use of cobalt and nickel tris(1,10-phenanthroline)-TPB as electroactive compounds dispersed in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) matrix. The sensors exhibit fast, near-Nernstian responses for cobalt and nickel-phenanthroline cations over the pH range 3–11 with a slope of 30.3 ± 0.3 mV/concentration decade. In the presence of excess 1,10-phenanthroline reagent, cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ions at concentration levels as low as 4 × 10^–6 M are accurately determined. The results show an average metal ion recovery of 98.5% with a mean standard deviation of 0.5%. Cobalt in organometallic compounds and nickel in silicate rocks are determined by these sensors and results agreeing fairly well with atomic absorption spectrometry are obtained.     

The bonding between NO and the NiO(100) surface

Summary The interaction between NO and different possible adsorption sites of the NiO(100) surface is studied. The Ni²⁺ cation gives a bonding to NO in reasonable agreement with experiment, but only if a crystal potential corresponding to less than completely ionic charges is assumed. The computed angle of 43° is also in good agreement with experiment. O^1– sites in both weak and strong crystal potentials also give a strong interaction with NO, 1.3 and 0.5 eV, respectively. In this case the angle is larger or around 70°. The O^2– anion and Ni¹⁺ sites do not give any significant bonding irrespective of assumed crystal potential and can be excluded as adsorption sites. The computed vibrational frequency for the adsorbed NO show shifts of +50, –85 and –200 cm^–1 for adsorption on Ni²⁺ in the weak potential, and O^1– in strong and weak potential, respectively. Only one, downwards shifted, frequency has been observed in the experiment but the most likely candidate for the experimentally observed adsorption site with a binding of 0.5 eV, is still the Ni²⁺ in a weak potential. Nitrogen core level shifts are also computed and discussed and the fully screened core-hole state is obtained for a cluster model, NiF₄O+NO, of Ni²⁺ in NiO with an ionicity lower than the standard ± 2.This work is dedicated to Prof. Inga Fischer-Hjalmars     

A structural study of saturated aqueous solutions of some alkali halides by X-ray diffraction

The structure of nearly saturated or supersaturated aqueous solutions of NaCI [6.18 mol (kg H₂O)^–1], KCI [4.56 mol (kg H₂O)^–1], KF [16.15 mol (kg H₂O)^–1] and CsF [31.96 mol (kg H₂O)^–1] has been investigated by means of solution X-ray diffraction at 25°C. In the NaCI and KCI solutions about 30% and 60%, respectively, of the ions form ion pairs and the Na⁺–Cl^– and K⁺–Cl^– distances have been determined to be 282 and 315 pm, respectively. The average hydration numbers of Na⁺ and Cl^– ions are 4.6 and 5.3, respectively, in the NaCI solution and those of K⁺ and Cl^– ions in the KCI solution are both 5.8. In the KF solution, clusters containing some cations and anions, besides 1:1 (K⁺–F^–) ion pairs, are formed. The K⁺–F^– interatomic distance has been determined to be 269 pm, and nonbonding K⁺...K⁺ and F^–...F^– distances in the clusters are 388 and 432 pm, respectively, and the average coordination numbers n _KF , n _KK and n _FF have been estimated to be 2.3, 1.9, and 1.6, respectively. In the highly supersaturated CsF solution an appreciable amount of clusters containing several caesium and fluoride ions are formed. The Cs⁺–F^– distance in the cluster has been determined to be 312 pm, while the nonbonding Cs⁺...Cs⁺ and F^–...F^– distances are estimated to be 442 and 548 pm, respectively, the distances being about and times the Cs⁺–F^– distance, respectively. The coordination numbers n _CsF , n _CsCs , and n _FF in the first coordination sphere of each ion are 3.3, 2.3 and 5.3, respectively, and the result shows the formation of clusters of higher order than 1:1 and 2:2 ion pairs. These ion pairs and clusters may be regarded as embryos for the formation of nuclei of crystals and the results obtained in the present diffraction study support observations for the nucleation of the alkali halide crystals studied by molecular dynamics simulations previously examined.     

Acid–Base Zeta-Metric Titration of Quartz Dispersions in Ethanol Solutions of Electrolytes

The conductivity of dilute quartz suspensions and electrophoretic mobility of quartz particles in solutions with the concentration C = 10^–5–10^–2 M XBr (X = H, Cs, Na, and Li) and NaOH, as well as in mixed solutions of 10^–4 M XBr (X = Cs, Na, and Li) + 10^–4–10^–2 M HBr and 10^–4 M XBr + 10^–4–10^–2 M XOH (X = Cs, Na, and Li) in ethanol containing 6 vol % of water were measured using conductometry and microelectrophoresis. The values of surface conductivity of quartz were calculated by the Wagner formula and used to calculate zeta potential by the Henry–Booth formula. The resultant dependences (logC) suggest that the value and sign of zeta potential are determined not only by the adsorption of potential-determining ions ⁺ and ^–, but also by the competitive specific adsorption of all ions of the aforementioned electrolytes, the adsorption values increasing in a cation series Li⁺ < Na⁺ < Cs⁺ < H⁺ and an anion series Br^– < OH^–. In particular, it is found that the titration of the above suspensions with XOH bases results in the reversal of zeta potential sign from negative to positive at a concentration depending on the adsorption capacity of alkali cation.     

Development of a PVC-membrane ion-selective bulk optode,for UO<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>2+</Superscript></Stack> ion,based on tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-octylphosphine oxide and dibenzoylmethane

A novel uranyl ion-selective bulk optode membrane, incorporating tri-n-octylphosphine oxide for cation recognition and a lipophilic chromoionophore dibenzoylmethane, has been prepared. The PVC membrane composition was optimized to result in the widest working concentration range. The response range of the proposed optode is 4.1×10^–6 to 2.0×10^–4 mol L^–1 UO₂²⁺. The probe works at pH 4.0. Ion interference is low and selectivity, reproducibility, and stability are good.     

The Heavy-Atom Effect on the Photophysics of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Presence of Solid Clays

The exchange of the original cation present on a Laponite clay (usually Na⁺) for heavy atoms such as Rb⁺, Cs⁺, and Tl⁺ significantly alters the emission characteristics of some aromatic hydrocarbons (p-terphenyl, naphthalene, pyrene, and biphenyl). The increase of the atomic mass of the cation induces a decrease of the fluorescence emission simultaneous with an increase of the emission in the region of lower energies of the spectra, ascribed to the phosphorescence of those hydrocarbons. Time-resolved experiments for the pyrene–clay system showed a decrease of singlet lifetimes for the heavier atoms. Hydrocarbon aggregates were also detected from both the emission spectra and the time-resolved studies. The “excimer-like” emission showed longer lifetimes (10–25 ns) than the monomolecular hydrocarbons (1–3 ns), as already found for other similar systems. The amount of aggregates increased for the heavier cations due to the smaller surface available on the clay particles. Experiments increasing the amount of Tl⁺ in samples containing a constant concentration of naphthalene allowed evaluation of the distance between the heavy atoms and the probe on the clay surface. The Perrin model treatment was used and resulted in approximately R₀=9.2 Å.