Spectrophotometric determination of mercury with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-chloro-4-sulfophenyl)porphine by flow injection analysis

5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-chloro-4-sulfophenyl)porphine (m-Cl-TPPS₄) was synthesized and used for the Spectrophotometric determination of mercury by flow injection analysis. A pseudo-first-order reaction kinetic mechanism was proposed with a rate constant of 0.8 min^–1 for Hg(II) withm-Cl-TPPS₄ in the presence of 8-hydroxyquinoline in a medium of 1.0M acetic acid and sodium acetate buffer solution (pH 6.22). In the optimum conditions of reaction temperature (85 ° C), stopped-flow time (60 s) and sampling volume (100 l), the method's relative standard deviation was 0.82% (n = 12) at 5.0 g ml^–1 mercury, with a linear range of 0–12.0 g ml^–1 and an analytical frequency of 60h^–1. The detection limit (3) was 0.025 g ml^–1. Interference studies showed that most metal ions co-existing with Hg²⁺ could be tolerated at 100-fold excess levels, but Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ needed to be masked. The method has been applied to the analysis of water samples with satisfactory results.     

Stripping voltammetric determination of trace amounts of mercury using a carbon paste electrode modified with 2-mercapto-4(3H)-quinazolinone

A carbon paste electrode modified with 2-mercapto-4(3H)-quinazolinone was used for the voltammetric determination of mercury(II). Mercury was preconcentrated onto the surface of the modified electrode only by the complexing effect of the modifier without application of potential (i.e. in open-circuit conditions). After exchange of the medium, the accumulated amount of mercury(II) was determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The response depended on the concentration of mercury in the bulk solution, preconcentration time, and other parameters. The detection limit was 0.1 g 1^–1 Hg(II) for a preconcentration time of 15 min. Preconcentration for suitable times yielded a linear calibration graph from 0.5 to 6000 g 1^–1 Hg(II). For multiple determinations (5 runs), the relative standard deviation was 5% for a concentration of 100 g 1^–1 Hg(II). The proposed procedure was used to determine trace mercury in plant and sewage sludge samples with good results.On leave from Hainan University, Hainan Peoples Republic of China     

Photometric detection of cyclodextrins in liquid chromatography by using iodine generated electrochemically in-situ

A method has been developed for photometric detection of cyclodextrins (CD) in liquid chromatography using iodine (I₂) generated electrochemically in-situ. Iodide ion in the mobile phase was electrochemically oxidized to I₂ which was subsequently reacted with I^–, in an electrochemical flow cell, forming I₃^–. The absorbance of I₃^– was found to be greatly enhanced when CD were present in the mobile phase. The absorbance enhancement was caused by the change in the mole fraction of I₃^–, because of the inclusion reaction of I₃^– with CD. On the basis of this phenomenon, CD were detected by means of a photodiode-array UV–visible detector positioned downstream of the electrochemical flow cell. The signals were found to be linearly dependent on CD concentration. Because the formation constants of I₃^– with CD decrease in the order -CD>-CD>-CD, -CD was most detectable by the method. Detection limits were 1.0 mol L^–1 for -CD, 65 mol L^–1 for monoG1--CD, 100 mol L^–1 for -CD, and 200 mol L^–1 for -CD.     

Characterization of airborne particulates by laser microprobe mass analysis

Summary Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) was applied to characterize aerosol particles collected and separated from 16m to 0.06m by a low pressure cascade impactor. Positive ion LAMMA spectra showed characteristic molecular peaks such as PbCl⁺, a series of Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ and NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, and TiO⁺ in 0.06–0.12m, 0.5–1m and 4–8m fraction, respectively. In the negative ion LAMMA spectra, it was observed that the fragment peaks of sulfate ions were deficient above 2m and those of nitrate ions were deficient under 2m. LAMMA allows remarkable insights into the chemical nature of aerosol particles.

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Charakterisierung luftgetragener Teilchen durch Laser-Microprobe-Massenspektrometrie

Zusammenfassung Laser-Microprobe-Spektrometrie (LAMMS) wurde zur Analyse atmosphärischen Aerosols herangezogen, welches im Korngrößenbereich zwischen 16m und 0.06m mit einem Niederdruckkaskadenimpaktor fraktioniert gesammelt wurde. Positive LAMMS-Spektren zeigten charakteristische molekulare Peaks, wie etwa PbCl⁺, eine Serie von Si₂O⁺–Si₂O₄ ⁺ und NaAl₂Si₂O₂ ⁺–NaAl₂Si₂O₅ ⁺, sowie TiO⁺ in der 0,06–0,12-m,- 0,5–1–m- bzw. 4–8-m-Fraktion. In den negativen LAMMS-Spektren konnten über 2m keine Fragmentpeaks für Sulfationen, unter 2m. keine für Nitrationen beobachtet werden. LAMMS ermöglicht eine bemerkenswerte Einsicht in die chemische Natur von Aerosolteilchen.

     

Simultaneous determination of pentachlorophenol and carbaryl in water

Summary A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and Carbaryl in water is described. A 1 liter water sample is extracted with hexane after acidification with concentrated H₂SO₄. After evaporation to a small volume, the extract is analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, operating in the selected ion monitoring mode. Estimated detection limits are 0.08 g L^–1 for PCP and 0.11 g L^–1 for Carbaryl, with recoveries of 96% for PCP and 97% for Carbaryl.     

Flow injection chemiluminescence determination of l-cysteine in amino acid mixture and human urine with the BrO3 −–quinine system

In this paper, a novel flow injection chemiluminescence (CL) determination of l-cysteine is proposed. The method is based on the CL reaction of l-cysteine and KBrO₃ in acidic medium. The CL intensity was greatly enhanced in the presence of quinine. The CL intensity was linear with l-cysteine concentration in the range of 0.2–80 g L^–1, and the detection limit was 0.1 g L^–1 (3). A complete analysis, including sampling and injecting, could be performed in 1 min, giving a throughput of about 60 h^–1. The relative standard deviation was 1.6% for 0.8 g L^–1 l-cysteine (n=11). The proposed method was satisfactorily applied to the determination of cysteine in an amino acid mixture and human urine. The mechanism of the CL reaction is also discussed.     

Effect of Surfactants on the Immobilization of 4-(2-Pyridylazo)resorcinol on Silochroms

The effect of cationic surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium bromide, and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate) and a nonionic surfactant (OP-7) on the conditions of the immobilization of 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) on three types of silica gel (Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m), Silochrom S-120 (315–500 m), and Silochrom S-80 (200–350 m)) was studied. It was found that OP-7 does not affect the adsorption of surfactants. The effect of cationic surfactants increases in the order tetrabutylammonium perchlorate < cetyltrimethylammonium bromide < cetylpyridinium bromide. The adsorption activity of silica gels increases in the order Silochrom S-120 (315–500 m) < Silochrom S-80 (200–350 m) < Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m). Cetylpyridinium bromide provides full immobilization of PAR on silica gel Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m) in the pH range 2–9.     

An upper bound to bond electric dipole moments

An upper bound can be set to the dipole moment of the X-H bond (with X+H^– polarity) for symmetrical molecules of XH₄ and XH₃ type from the experimental values of the g factor and bond length. The following upper bounds have been found to the bond dipole moments: CH₄ (C+H^–<0.902 D, SiH₄, (Si+H^–)<4.21 D, GeH₄+ (Ge+H^–)<3.59 D, NH₃ (N+H^–)<0, PH₃ (P+H^–)<2.74 D. These results enable one to rule out certain published data on the dipole moment of the C-H bond in methane as certainly incorrect. In the case of the ammonia molecule, the possibility of N+H^– polarity is ruled out.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khitniya, No. 3, pp. 346–350, May–June, 1985.     

Determination of hexavalent chromium by using speciated isotope-dilution mass spectrometry after microwave speciated extraction of environmental and other solid materials

Precise and accurate determination of hexavalent chromium in different types of solid environmental sample is regarded as a technical challenge with significant potential error if historically accepted methods are used. Microwave-assisted alkaline extraction (0.5 mol L^–1 NaOH+0.28 mol L^–1 Na₂CO₃) followed by anion-exchange chromatographic separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometric detection has been shown to provide accurate and precise results. To obtain a better understanding of potential species conversion during and/or after extraction steps, speciated isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (SIDMS) (EPA Method 6800) metrology has been successfully applied as a diagnostic tool with the modified accompanying extraction version of EPA Method 3060A. In our study, aggregate materials distributed over a large area of a major western US state were found to contain a high concentration of total chromium (195±13 to 709±19 g g^–1) and significant amounts of Cr⁶⁺ (141±6 to 341±29 g g^–1) which are at least three orders of magnitude higher than the US EPA threshold limit (0.5 g g^–1). Sediment samples from a major western US state, studied independently, were found to contain less (1.77±0.34 g g^–1) or no Cr⁶⁺ in the presence of significant total chromium.     

Development and validation of a novel HPLC/ELSD method for the direct determination of tobramycin in pharmaceuticals,plasma, and urine

A novel method for the direct determination of the aminoglycoside tobramycin was developed and validated based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). Using a Waters ODS-2 C18 Spherisorb column with an evaporation temperature of 45°C and nitrogen pressure of 3.5 bar, the selected mobile phase consisted of water/acetonitrile 55:45 containing 1.5 mL L^–1 HFBA (11.6 mM) in an isocratic mode at a rate of 1.0 mL min^–1. Tobramycins retention time was 4.3 min with an asymmetry factor of 1.7. A logarithmic calibration curve was obtained from 1 to 38 g mL^–1 (r > 0.9998). LOD was 0.3 g mL^–1; within-day %RSD was 1.0 (n = 3, 4.7 g mL^–1) and between-day %RSD was 1.1 (3 days within a week). The developed method was applied to the determination of tobramycin in a pharmaceutical crude substance and formulations (eye drops and ointments). Dilution experiments revealed the absence of interference from excipients (no constant and proportional errors); recovery from spiked samples was 99–103% with %RSD < 2.2 (n = 3×3). The developed HPLC/ELSD method was also found to be applicable in the determination of tobramycin in human plasma (0.6–12.5 g mL^–1) and urine (1.5–12.5 g mL^–1) after solid-phase extraction using carboxylate cartridges followed by solvent evaporation (×2 preconcentration). A mean recovery of 86% for plasma and 91% for urine was obtained.     

Titrimetry in a continuous flow system

Summary Sulphate in the range of 5–2000 mol · l^–1 is automatically titrated with Ba(II) in a device with an optical detection which is able to correct automatically for dilution and turbidities. The flow-through system contains 80% v/v ethanol; the indicator is dimethyl sulfonazo(III). Above a concentration level of about 20 mol · l^–1 SO ₄ ^2– the standard deviation is less than 5% rel. The titration time is negligibly small as compared to the sampling time.

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Titrimetrie im DurchflußsystemI. Apparatur und Sulfatbestimmung

Zusammenfassung Sulfat wird im Bereich von 5–2000 mol · l^–1 automatisch mit Ba(II) mit einem Gerät mit optischer Detektion titriert, das automatisch für Verdünnung und Trübung korrigieren kann. Das Durchflußsystem enthält 80% v/v Äthanol; Indicator ist Dimethylsulfonazo(III). Die Standardabweichung für Proben mit einem Sulfatgehalt höher als 20 mol · l^–1 ist niedriger als 5% rel. Die Titrationsdauer ist vernachlässigbar im Vergleich mit der Zeit für die Probennahme.

     

Rapid and sensitive method for the determination of acetaldehyde in fuel ethanol by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV–Vis detection

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of acetaldehyde in fuel ethanol was developed. Acetaldehyde was derivatized with 0.900 mL 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPHi) reagent and 50 L phosphoric acid 1 mol L^–1 at a controlled room temperature of 15°C for 20 min. The separation of acetaldehyde-DNPH (ADNPH) was carried out on a Shimadzu Shim-pack C₁₈ column, using methanol/LiCl_(aq) 1.0 mM (80/20, v/v) as a mobile phase under isocratic elution and UV–Vis detection at 365 nm. The standard curve of ADNPH was linear in the range 3–300 mg L^–1 per injection (20 L) and the limit of detection (LOD) for acetaldehyde was 2.03 g L^–1, with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.999 and a precision (relative standard deviation, RSD) of 5.6% (n=5). Recovery studies were performed by fortifying fuel samples with acetaldehyde at various concentrations and the results were in the range 98.7–102%, with a coefficient of variation (CV) from 0.2% to 7.2%. Several fuel samples collected from various gas stations were analyzed and the method was successfully applied to the analysis of acetaldehyde in fuel ethanol samples.     

Rapid analysis of pyrethroids in whole urine by high-performance liquid chromatography using a monolithic column and off-line preconcentration in a restricted access material cartridge

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using a monolithic column with UV detection at 238 nm was developed for the determination of fenpropathrin, betacyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and permethrin (cis and trans isomers) in whole urine. The method is based on the use of a monolithic chromatographic column and a restricted access material (RAM) cartridge for sample preparation. The mobile phase was water/acetonitrile (42:58 v/v), the flow rate was 3 mL min^–1, and chromatographic separation was carried out in 10 min. The separation of cis and trans isomers of permethrin was also possible under the above-mentioned conditions. Detection limits in reconstituted whole urine samples were between 0.9 g L^–1 for betacyfluthrin and 4.4 g L^–1 for fenpropathrin and trans-permethrin. Recoveries for urine samples spiked with different amounts of pyrethroids (between 19 g L^–1 and 75 g L^–1) were in the 70±6 to 90±7% range.     

Development and Validation of an HPTLC–Densitometric Method for Determination of ACE Inhibitors

A high-performance thin layer chromatographic method coupled with densitometric analysis has been developed for measurement of benazepril and cilazapril, both pure and in their commercial dosage forms. The active substances were extracted from tablets with methanol (mean recovery 102%) and chromatographed on silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ HPTLC plates in horizontal chambers with ethyl acetate–acetone–acetic acid–water, 8:2:0.5:0.5 (v/v), as mobile phase. Chromatographic separation of these ACE inhibitors was followed by UV densitometric quantitation at 215 nm. Calibration plots were constructed in the range 0.4 to 2.0 g L^–1 for benazepril (2.0–10.0 g spot^–1) and from 0.5 to 1.5 g L^–1 for cilazapril (4.0–12.0 g spot^–1) with good correlation coefficients (r 0.990). The method was used to determine benazepril and cilazapril in pharmaceutical preparations with satisfactory precision (1.4% < RSD < 5.6%) and accuracy (1.7 < RE < 5.1).     

Platinum concentration in silicone breast implant material and capsular tissue by ICP-MS

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the concentration of platinum (Pt) in silicone breast implant gel (range, 0.26–48.90 g g^–1 Pt; n=15), elastomer (range, 3.05–28.78 g g^–1 Pt; n=7), double lumen (range, 5.79–125.27 g g^–1 Pt; n=7), foam (range, 5.79–8.36 g g^–1 Pt; n=2), and capsular tissue (range, 0.003–0.272 g g^–1 Pt; n=15). The results show that very high levels of Pt are present in the encasing elastomer, double lumen, and foam envelope materials. Silicone breast implants can be a source of significant Pt exposure for individuals with these implants.     

Determination of biogenic amines in wine after clean-up by solid-phase extraction

Summary A suitable method for the determination of 16 biogenic amines in wine has been developed. The method involves clean-up of wine samples using ion-exchange cartridges and a preconcentration step, under controlled vacuum, before derivatization of the amines by treatment with phthalaldehyde (PA) and reversedphase HPLC with gradient elution and fluorimetric detection. Linearity of response was obtained for all the biogenic amines from 100 g L^–1 to mg L^–1. Limits of detection for the amines were similar for all PA-derivatives (25–50 g L^–1) and the quantitation limits were about 0.1 mg L^–1. After clean-up and preconcentration, the concentration levels increased 10-fold for all amines except putrescine and cadaverine, which gave poor recovery by this method unlike the rest which gave recoveries of almost 90%. The overall process was successfully applied to identify and quantify biogenic amines in several red wines from the Tarragona region.     

Spectrophotometric method for the determination of ascorbic acid with iron (III)-1,10-phenanthroline after preconcentration on an organic solvent-soluble membrane filter

A solvent-soluble membrane filter is proposed for the simple and rapid preconcentration and spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid based on the reduction of 1, 10-phenanthroline (phen)-iron (III), which is collected on a nitrocellulose membrane filter as an ion-associate of the cationic complex of tri,phen-iron (II) [ferroin, Fe(phen)²⁺₃] with an anionic surfactant (of dodecyl sulfate). The ion-associate collected is dissolved in a small volume of 2-methoxyethanol together with the filter. The colour intensity is measured at 510 nm against the reagent blank and is proportional to the content of ascorbic acid in the range 2.5–50 g ascorbic acid in 5 ml of solvent with excellent reproducibility (RSD 3.2% for 200 g 1^–1 ascorbic acid), the enrichment factor achieves 100-fold and detection limits better than 2.0 g 1^–1 can be obtained. Diverse components of organic and inorganic compounds normally present in fruits, vegetable, beverages and urine do not interfere. The recoveries of the ascorbic acid added to the samples are quantitative.     

HPLC fluorescence determination of nitrites in water using precolumn derivatization with 4-methyl-7-aminocoumarin

Summary A rapid, simple, and sensitive method is described for determination of nitrites in water. Nitrite (NO₂–) ions react with coumarin 120^® (4-methyl-7-aminocoumarin) in sulfuric acid medium to give the corresponding 7-diazo compound. After hydrolysis, this latter yields (95%) the highly fluorescent 4-methyl-7-hydroxycoumarin (4-methylumbelliferone) which is fluorimetrically detected at 380 nm after excitation at 325 nm.In order to avoid interference from both excess coumarin 120^® and the trace amounts of 4-methylumbelliferone which occurs in coumarin 120^® as an impurity, use of HPLC is mandatory; a satisfactory separation is obtained on a cyano stationary phase with apolar hexane-isopropanol (955, v/v) as eluent. Under these conditions, linearity of response is obtained from 1 to 30 g.L^–1 of NO₂–; the limit of detection is 0.5 g.L^–1. The repeatability and reproducibility, expressed as RSD %, are 2.5 and 4.7 % respectively, for n=6 and 5 g.L^–, analytical characteristics which demonstrate the reliability of the proposed method.     

Halbquantitative Isotopenverdünnungsanalyse im Mikro- und Submikrogrammbereich mit Hilfe der Ringofenmethode

Zusammenfassung Ein halbquantitatives Analysenverfahren wird beschrieben, das im wesentlichen eine Kombination der Isotopenverdünnungsanalyse mit der Ringofentechnik ist: Zu der Probelösung eines Ions (xg) wird eine stets gleiche Menge (a g) des gleichen Ions in radioaktiv markierter Form zugesetzt. Mit einem geeigneten Fällungsreagens wird ein Anteil (b g) vonx +a ausgefällt und auf einem Rundfilter mit Hilfe der Ringofenmethode abgetrennt. Die den Anteilenb undx + a – b entsprechenden Zählraten werden bestimmt. Die Auswertung der Meßergebnisse erfolgt graphisch mit Hilfe einer Eichkurve.Am Beispiel der Bestimmung von Ca²⁺, PO₄ ^3– und Fe³⁺ wird die Methode erläutert. Mengen von einigen Zehntel bis zu einigen Mikrogramm der genannten Ionen können ausreichend genau bestimmt werden.

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Summary A semiquantitative analytical procedure is described that essentially is a combination of the isotope dilution analysis with the ring oven technique. To the test solution of an ion (x g) there is added an always constant amount (a g) of the. same ion in radioactive labelled form. A portion (b g) ofx +a is precipitated with a suitable precipitant and collected on a circular filter with the aid of the ring oven method. The counter rates corresponding to the portionsb andx + a – b are determined. The evaluation of the data is made by a graphic method with the aid of a standard curve.The method is discussed using as example the determination of Ca²⁺, PO₄ ^3–, and Fe³⁺. Amounts ranging from several tenths to several micrograms of these ions can be determined with adequate accuracy.

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Résumé On décrit un procédé d'analyse semiquantitative combinant principalement l'analyse par dilution isotopique avec la technique du four annulaire. On ajoute à la solution contenant l'ion à analyser (x g) une quantité toujours égale (a g) du même ion sous forme marquée radioactive. A l'aide d'un réactif précipitant approprié, on précipite une partie (b g) dex +a et l'on effectue la séparation sur un filtre rond par la méthode du four annulaire. On détermine les valeurs correspondant aux partiesb etx +a – b. En utilisant une courbe d'étalonnage, on effectue graphiquement le calcul des résultats des mesures.On explique la méthode en prenant l'exemple du dosage de Ca²⁺, PO₄ ^3– et Fe³⁺. On a pu doser avec suffisamment de précision des quantités allant de quelques dixièmes de microgrammes d'ions connus à quelques microgrammes.