Cathodic stripping voltammetry of 2-mercaptoethanol

The behaviour of 2-mercaptoethanol at a hanging mercury drop electrode by cathodic stripping voltammetry (c.s.v.) is studied. The stripping curves are recorded by three scanning modes: rapid-scan direct-current, differential-pulse and fundamental harmonic alternating-current polarography. Under the recommended conditions, pre-electrolysis is done at a potential of 0.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl for 3 min in a medium of pH 6.7 or 8 (Britton-Robinson buffer). Then after 1 min, stripping is done at a scan rate of 6.6 mV s^?1 preferably in the differential-pulse mode. The stripping peak at about ?0.4 V is used to determine 2-mercaptoethanol within the concentration range 3 × 10^?8/2-8 × 10^?7 mol l^?1. Calibration functions are reported; the standard additions method is preferred near the limit of detection. The interferences of several organic compounds are described.     

An electroanalytical study of the anticancer drug dacarbazine

The electrochemical behaviour of dacarbazine [5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazenyl) imidazole-4-carboxamide; DTIC] was investigated by Tast and differential pulse polarography (d.p.p.) at the dropping mercury electrode, by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry at the hanging mercury drop electrode and by anodic voltammetry at the glassy carbon electrode. Calibration graphs were obtained for 2×10^?8?2×10^?5 M DTIC by d.p.p., for 5×10^?9?1×10^?5 M by adsorptive stripping voltammetry ar a hanging mercury drop electrode, and for 1?10×10^?5 M by high-performance liquid chromatography with oxidative amperometric detection at a glassy carbon electrode. The methods are compared and applied to determine DTIC added to blood serum after a simple clean-up procedure.     

Determination of Methimazole and Carbimazole Using Polarography and Voltammetry

Abstract

Anodic waves of methimazole (I) (1-methylimidazole-2-thiol) and carbimazole (II) (1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-methyl-2-thio-4-imidazoline) on mercury electrodes correspond to mercury salt formation. Both compounds form in the thiono form a soluble complex at pH < 6, compound (I) at higher pH-values a slightly soluble salt of the thiol form. Electrode processes involving the thiol form are complicated by adsorption. Oxidation at solid electrodes occurs only at potentials more than 0.5 V more positive. For compound (I) spectrophotometry indicated pK_a=12.0 ± 0.2. By d.c. polarography in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ containing 10% ethanol the determination of both compounds is possible between 4 × 10^? and 1 × 10^?3 M, by differential pulse polarography between 1 × 10^? and 1 × 10^?4 M, by differential pulse voltammetry at HMDE between 5 × l0^?7 and 6 × 10^? M.     

The analytical performance of direct current,normal pulse and differential pulse polarography with static mercury drop electrodes

The recently developed static mercury drop electrode (SMDE) provides a fundamentally new approach to electrodes for polarography. An analytical evaluation of the electrode is presented. For a range of electrode processes, current-sampled d.c. polarography at the SMDE is useful down to at least the 10^-7 M concentration level when short drop times and fast potential scan rates are used. The improvement in the limit of detection for d.c. polarography is therefore very substantial. Improvements in sensitivity associated with normal pulse and differential pulse polarography at the SMDE compared with the dropping mercury electrode (DME) are marginal. It is concluded that at the SMDE, the analytical performance and response characteristics of d.c., normal pulse and differential pulse polarography tend to converge.     

Comparison of Modifiers for Mercury Speciation in Water by Solid Phase Extraction and High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

Diethyldithiocarbamate and 2-mercaptoethanol modifiers were compared for the preconcentration of mercury species in water by C₁₈ solid phase extraction (SPE). The recovery values of mercury species were determined by high performance liquid chromatography–atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The eluent type, pH, chloride ion concentration, humic acid concentration, and storage time were evaluated to compare the preconcentration efficiency. L-cysteine was employed to elute the mercury compounds. Less eluent was needed for 2-mercaptoethanol modified SPE than for diethyldithiocarbamate modified SPE at an L-cysteine concentration of 0.12%. Diethyldithiocarbamate modified SPE could be used over a wider pH range and higher humic acid concentrations, whereas 2-mercaptoethanol modified SPE was less affected by the chloride concentration. Both modified SPE systems stored mercury species for 5 days, but diethyldithiocarbamate modified SPE could be stored longer. Diethyldithiocarbamate SPE provided limits of detections of 3.5, 2.5, and 4 ng · L^?1 and average recoveries of 90.78 ± 3.37%, 96.79 ± 5.12%, and 84.88 ± 5.37% for mercury(II), methylmercury, and ethylmercury, respectively. The relative standard deviation was less 6.5%. For 2-mercaptoethanol modified SPE, the limits of detection were 1.4, 1, and 1.6 ng · L^?1 and the recoveries were of 87.66 ± 8.45%, 86.70 ± 2.61%, and 91.31 ± 6.98% for mercury(II), methylmercury, and ethylmercury, respectively, with a relative standard deviation below 9.7%. Water should be characterized for its physical and chemical characteristics before mercury preconcentration to choose the most suitable method.     

The determination of some 2-thiobarbiturates by cathodic stripping voltammetry

Pulse polarography and cyclic voltammetry are employed in studies of the electrochemical behaviour of 5-ethyl-5'-(l-methylbutyl)-2-thiobarbituric acid (I), l-methyl-5-ethyl-5'-(l-methylpropyl)-2-thiobarbituric acid (II) and l,3-dimethyl-5-ethyl-5'-p-chlorophenyl)-2-thiobarbituric acid (III) in the pH range 4–12. All three compounds show anodic and cathodic waves or peaks in this pH range. Compounds (I) and (II) are oxidized at mercury indicator electrodes to produce mercury salts which can adsorb thereon and are thus amenable to cathodic stripping voltammetric analysis (c.s.v.) down to concentrations of the order of 10^-6 M, which is superior to the sensitivities obtained by differential pulse polarography (d.p.p.) based on a reduction peak. Compound (III) oxidizes to produce sulphur which is subsequently plated as HgS. Again the sensitivity of the c.s.v. method is of the order of lO^-6 M and analytically superior to d.p.p. The optimum pH for the three determinations is 8. The determination of (II) in the presence of its oxygenated analogue and metabolite, phemitone, and the effect of chloride ions are reported.     

Determination of pseudouridine at submicromolar concentrations by cathodic stripping voltammetry at a mercury electrode

Pseudouridine (5-ribosyluracil), uridine (N,1-ribosyluracil), deoxyuridine (N,1-deoxyribosyluracil) and uracil are investigated by means of d.c. polarography and by differential and normal pulse polarography. Pseudouridine, which is known to be a cancer marker, yields anodic polarographic currents in the pH range 7–11, whereas uridine and deoxyuridine are inactive under the same conditions. The polarographic response of pseudouridine obtained is due to the formation of a sparingly soluble mercury compound. Pseudouridine can be determined by differential pulse polarography in the concentration range 2–6 × 10^?6 M and by differential-pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry at concentrations two orders of magnitude lower. Small excesses of uridine, deoxyuridine or proteins do not interfere with the determination.     

A study of the electrochemical characteristics of some thiols by differential pulse polarography and other electrochemical techniques

A study of some low-molecular-weight odorous thiols at mercury electrodes has been made by differential pulse polarography (d.p.p.), d.c. polarography, linear-sweep voltammetry, and coulometric measurement on linear-sweep reduction. Linear current versus concentration plots are found for individual thiols, in aqueous 0.2 M sodium hydroxide by using d.p.p. at thiol concentrations from ca. 2 × 10^-7 M to 10^-4 M. A linear trend between peak potential and molecular weight was found for homologous series, but the method cannot be used for qualitative identification because of peak shifts in multicomponent mixtures. The electrode reactions show quasireversible behavior. At concentrations of thiol greater than 10^-4 M, the single peak splits into two peaks and film formation occurs. Charge density versus concentration plots indicate that the quantity of adsorbed material is several monolayers.     

Determination of microamounts of neptunium by differential pulse polarography

Neptunium is produced in significant amounts in the “light-water” reactors and must be controlled at different steps of fuel reprocessing. For this purpose, we have developed a method of differential pulse polarography. A tight cell containing 10 ml solution is set up in a Faraday cage. Adjustment to the tetravalent state, Np(IV), is carried out electrochemically on a mercury layer and the Np(IV) concentration is determined by differential pulse polarography, using a dropping mercury electrode. In 0.5M sulfuric acid medium, the redox potential of the reversible couple Np(IV)/Np(III) is-0.3V/SCE. Concentrations as low as 5·10⁻⁷M neptunium can be measured and detection at the 2·10⁻⁷ M level is still possible. (0.5μg in the polarographic cell). Precision is about 2% in the 10⁻⁵M and 10% in the 10⁻⁶M range. The method has been applied to aqueous and organic (TBP_dodecane) solutions. Neptunium can be determined without separation in the presence of plutonium or uranium at M/Np ratios of 10³ and 5·10⁴, respectively. In the presence of fission products a separation is needed.     

Determination of uranium(VI) in sea water by cathodic stripping voltammetry of complexes with catechol

Polarographic (d.c.) measurements showed that complex ions of uranium(VI) with catechol adsorb on the dropping mercury electrode. This effect is used to determine uranium(VI) directly in sea water. Optimal conditions include pH 6.8, 2 × 10^?3 M catechol, and a collection potential between ?0.1 and ?0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a hanging mercury drop electrode. The cathodic scan is made with the linear-scan or differential-pulse mode (d.p.c.s.v.). The detection limit with the d.p.c.s.v, mode is 3 × 10^?10 M after a collection period of 2.5 min. Between pH 6 and 8, the peak height increases with pH and with catechol concentration up to 5 × 10^?3 M. There is linear relationship between the collection time and the measured peak height until the drop surface becomes saturated. With a collection period of 3 min, the reduction current increases linearly with the metal concentration up to about 5 × 10^?3 M U(VI). The maximum adsorption capacity of the mercury drop is 4.4 × 10^?10 mol cm²; each complex ion then occupies 0.38 nm², equivalent to the size of about one catechol molecule. Interference by high concentrations of Fe(III) is overcome by selectively adsorbing U(VI) at a collection potential near the reduction potential of Fe(III). Organic surfactants reduce the peak height for uranium by up to 75% at unnaturally high concentrations only (4 mg l^?1 Triton X-100). Competition by high concentrations of Cu(II) for space on the surface of the drop is eliminated by addition of EDTA.     

Non-chromatographic screening method for the determination of mercury species. Application to the monitoring of mercury levels in Antarctic samples

A simple non-chromatographic method for the determination of mercury (Hg²⁺), methylmercury (MeHg⁺), dimethylmercury (Me₂Hg), and phenylmercury (PhHg⁺) employing atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) as detection technique was developed. Mercury species showed a particular behavior in the presence of several reagents. In a first stage SnCl₂ was employed for Hg²⁺ determination; in a second step, [Hg²⁺ + PhHg⁺] concentration was determined using SnCl₂ and UV radiation. MeHg⁺ decomposition was prevented adding 2-mercaptoethanol. In a third stage, [Hg²⁺ + PhHg⁺ + MeHg⁺] concentration was determined using K₂S₂O₈. Finally, the four species were determined employing NaBH₄. Reagents concentration and flow rates were optimized. The extraction technique of mercury species involved the use of 2-mercaptoethanol as ion-pair reagent. The limits of detection for Hg²⁺, PhHg⁺, MeHg⁺, and Me₂Hg were 1, 40, 68, and 99 ng L⁻¹ with a relative standard deviation of 1.5, 3.1, 4.7 and 5.8%, respectively. Calibration curve was linear with a correlation factor equal to 0.9995. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the mercury species in two Antarctic materials: IRMM 813 (Adamussium colbecki) and MURST-ISS-A2 (Antarctic Krill).     

The graphite spray electrode and its application in the anodic stripping voltammetry of bismuth

The surface characteristics of carbon-paste electrodes are greatly improved by spraying the surface with graphite from an aerosol. Significant differences are shown by scanning electron microscopy. The available potential range in different electrolytes is narrower but background currents are decreased and reproducibility is improved, compared to the carbon-paste electrode. With a mercury film and 10-min deposition times, the detection limit for bismuth(III) is 2 × 10^-9 M by the differential pulse technique.     

Amplified Fluorescence Turn‐On Assay for Mercury(II) Detection and Quantification based on Conjugated Polymer and Silica Nanoparticles

An amplified fluorescence turn‐on assay for mercury(II) detection and quantification was developed. This method makes use of specific thymine/mercury(II)/thymine coordination to capture Fl‐labeled DNA onto NP surface. Addition of a cationic conjugated polymer leads to an amplified Fl signal in solution. A sigmoidal Hg²⁺ working curve is obtained at fixed [NP] with a detection limit of 0.1 × 10⁻⁶ M . However, by reducing [Hg²⁺] and [NP] simultaneously, while maintaining [Hg²⁺]:[DNA duplex] = 3:1, a linear calibration curve is observed with a detection limit of 5 × 10⁻⁹ M . The CCP‐assisted mercury(II) assay shows potential applications in environmental mercury detection and for industrial process control.

     

Polarographic and voltammetric determination of trace amounts of 2-nitronaphthalene

The polarographic behaviour of 2-nitronaphthalene was investigated by DC tast polarography (DCTP) and differential pulse polarography (DPP), both at a dropping mercury electrode, and differential pulse voltammetry and adsorptive stripping voltammetry, both at a hanging mercury drop electrode. Optimum conditions have been found for the determination of 2-nitronaphthalene by the given methods in the concentration ranges of 2×10^–6–1×10^–4, 2×10^–7–1×10^–4, 1×10^–8–1×10^–4 and 2×10^–9–1×10^–8 M, respectively. Practical applicability of these techniques was demonstrated by the determination of 2-nitronaphthalene in drinking and river water after its preliminary separation and preconcentration using liquid–liquid and solid-phase extraction with limits of determination of 3×10^–10 M (drinking water) and 3×10^–9 M (river water).     

Determination of cyanuric acid in swimming pool water by differential pulse polarography

A reliable differential pulse polarographic method is described for the determination of cyanuric acid (1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triol) in pool water. Cyanuric acid in the range 10^?5–10^?3 M is determined by means of the peak at ca. –60 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl/3 M NAcl). The high sensitivity of the polarographic technique allows ten-fold dilution of samples, thus avoiding matrix effects. It it shown that the peak can be attributed to formation of insoluble mercury(I) cyanurate, Hg₂(HC₃N₃O₃), at the mercury electrode.     

Differential Pulse Polarographic Determination of Some (5-Nitro-2-Furl)Alkylidene-2-Hydrazinothiazole Derivatives

Abstract

The differential pulse polarographic analysis of four (5-nitro-2-furyl)alkylidene-2-hydrazinothiazole derivatives are presented, 0.1 M tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate solution was found to be the best supporting electrolyte. At static mercury drop electrode the nitro group of the compounds studied was reduced to the amine in a six-electron process. Linear response was observed over 0.2 to 140 mg.L^?1 with a relative standard deviation of 3.3%.     

Mercury speciation by a high performance liquid chromatography—atomic fluorescence spectrometry hyphenated system with photo-induced chemical vapour generation reagent in the mobile phase

Speciation of mercury was accomplished by using a simple interface with photo-induced chemical vapour generation in a high performance liquid chromatography—atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-AFS) hyphenated system. Acetic acid and 2-mercaptoethanol in the mobile phase were used as photochemical reagent. The operating parameters were optimized to give limits of detection of 0.53 µg L^?1, 0.22 µg L^?1, 0.18 µg L^?1 and 0.25 µg L^?1 for inorganic mercury, methylmercury, ethylmercury and phenylmercury, respectively. The method was validated with the certified reference material DORM-2 and applied to the analysis of seafood samples. The HPLC-AFS hyphenated system is simple, environmentally friendly, and represents an attractive alternative to the conventional peroxothiosulfate-borohydride method.     

A spectrometric,separation and voltammetric study of the complexation reactions of bromazepam with iron(ii),copper(ii) and cobalt(ii)

Bromazepam, in the form of a cationic iron(II) chelate, can be determined spectrophotometrically at 588 nm with a limit of detection of ca. 10^-6 M. When this chelate is ion-paired with perchlorate, it can be extracted into organic solvents such as 1,2-dichloroethane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with a limit of detection of 1.5 × 10^-5 M bromazepam at the iron resonance 248.3-nm line. Ion-pairs involving the Fe(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) chelates and perchlorate can be separated by h.p.l.c. using a C₁₈ reverse-phase column and a mobile phase of 4:1 water—methanol, with a u.v. detector at 242 nm. This approach allowed for the determination of iron(II) ions in aqueous solution with a limit of detection of 10^-8 M. The h.p.l.c. method could also be used to quantify bromazepam spiked in plasma in the concentration range 1–10 μg ml^-1, following extraction of bromazepam from plasma and subsequent formation of the iron(II) ion-pair. Copper(II) forms a labile chelate with bromazepam in pH 4.8 acetate buffer which, when subjected to differential pulse voltammetry at the hanging mercury drop electrode, gives rise to a catalytic phenomenon which can be utilised for the determination of bromazepam in the concentration range 10^-5–10^-9 M.     

Electrochemical studies of homocysteine and homocystine at mercury electrodes

The behaviour of homocysteine and cysteine at mercury electrodes is compared. The one-electron oxidation associated with thiols is shown to be the same for both compounds in acidic phosphate buffer, giving rise to an adsorbed thiol—mercury complex, (RS)₂Hg, at the electrode surface. Formation of this complex is utilized in the cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of homocysteine; the detection limit is 10^?9 M after a deposition time of 90 s at a hanging mercury drop electrode. The similar E_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} values for homocysteine and cysteine mean that prior separation is needed for their individual determination. Amperometric detection with a mercury-coated goal electrode after separation by cation-exchange liquid chromatography provides a method for the simultaneous determination of both compounds. Reduction of homocystine at the mercury electrode is also compared to that of cystine. The more negative reduction potential, and the maximum observed for homocystine on d.c. polarograms, which is not seen for cystine, is attributable to different reaction kinetics at the mercury electrode; the products of both the 2-electron reductions are the corresponding thiol-containing amino acids.     

M(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)I4 (M = Cd,Hg): Tetraiodide,Iodide–Iodine Adduct,or an Inclusion Compound of Iodine in MI2@(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)?

M(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)I₄ (M = Cd, Hg) are obtained as red columnar crystals from the reactions of benzo‐18‐crown‐6 (b18c6), cadmium and mercury iodide, respectively, and iodine in molar ratios of 1:1:2 in acetonitrile. They both crystallize with the orthorhombic crystal system, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 833.7(1), b = 1610.9(1), c = 1846.8(1) pm, V = 2480.3(1) 10⁶·pm³, Z = 4, for M = Cd and a = 823.4(1), b = 1616.5(1), c = 1866.1(1) pm, V = 2483.8(2) 10⁶·pm³ for M = Hg. The crystal structures consist of [M(b18c6)]I₂ molecules which are connected to a slightly lengthened iodine molecule via a secondary contact, according to the formulation I₂@[MI₂@(b18c6)].