Potentiometric studies of indium(III) azide complexes in aqueous medium

The stability constants of indium-azide complexes were determined by the potentiometric method (glass electrode). The effect monitored was the change in pH of a solution of azide and hydrazoic acid (N(-)(3)/HN(3)) when indium(III) cations were added. The azide concentration was varied from close to zero to 90mM, the ionic strength being kept at 2.000 M with sodium perchlorate and the temperature at 25.0 degrees . Evaluation of experimental data showed only mononuclear species, and the global constants found were beta(1) = (2.0 +/- 0.1) x 10(3), beta(2) = (7 +/- 2) x 10(5), beta(3) = (5 +/- 1) x 10(7) and beta(4) = (7 +/- 3) x 10(8).     

Spectrophotometric investigation of the reaction of eriochrome cyanin RC and magnesium and aluminium

The reaction of magnesium or aluminium ions with Eriochrome Cyanin RC in alkaline medium leads to formation of a complex of type ML. The molar absorptivities of the complexes are 1.90 +/- 0.14 x 10(3)1. mole(-1).cm(-1) at 570 nm for the magnesium complex and 3.87 +/- 0.04 x 10(4) at 555 nm for the aluminium complex. The conditional stability constants of the complexes were determined at various pH values, and hence the overall formation constants, which were found to be log beta(111) = 8.65 +/- 0.06 for MgOHL, log beta(121) = 22.29 +/- 0.05 for AlH(2)L, log beta(111) = 18.25 +/- 0.14 for AlHL, and log beta(101) = 13.66 +/- 0.01 for AlL.     

Formation constants of copper(I)-olefin complexes in aqueous solution

A simple kinetic method has been applied to measure the formation constants of aqueous copper(I) with fumaronitrile, dimethyl fumarate, and fumaric and maleic acids. At 0.14 M ionic strength, the values of beta(1) are (0.85 +/- 0.02) x 10(3), (6.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(3), (7.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(3), and (2.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(3) M(-1), respectively. The values for the last two olefins are compared to previous results. Values of beta(1) for hydrogen maleate and beta(2) for fumaronitrile also have been determined. A reanalysis of much earlier work has been done, and all the results are discussed in terms of the effect of substituents on the olefin on the beta(1) values. The structure of bis(fumaronitrile)copper(I) nitrate also is reported. The nitrile is N-coordinated to copper(I), which has a distorted tetrahedral geometry, while the overall structure consists of macrocyclic Cu(6)(fumaronitrile)(6) rings which extend in three dimensions.     

Spectrophotometric study of the reaction of iron(iii) with methylthymol blue

The reaction between iron(III) and Methylthymol Blue (MTB or H(6)A) has been investigated by spectrophotometry. It has been established that iron(III) and MTB form two complexes with compositions iron(III): MTB = 1:1 and 1:2. The 1:1 complex is stable in acidic medium containing excess of iron, and the 1:2 complex is stable in slightly acidic or alkaline media containing excess of MTB. The absorption maxima are at 610 mmu (1:1) and 515 mmu (1:2), the molar absorptivities being 1.73 +/- 0.01 x 10(4) and 3.21 +/- 0.05 x 10(3) respectively. The nature of the two complexes at pH 6 and the stability constants have been determined: log beta(11) = 20.56 +/- 0.07, log beta(112) = 43.29 +/- 0.09, log beta(12) = 6.66 +/- 0.05.     

The stabilization of managese(III) by azide ions in aqueous solution

The evidences of spontaneous oxidation of Mn(II) by the dissolved oxygen in azide buffer medium, which is dependent on the N (-)(3)HN (3) concentration, suggested a formation of stable Mn(III) complexes due to marked colour changes. Spectrophotometric studies combined with coulometric generation of Mn(III), in presence of large excess of Mn(II), showed a maximum absorbance peak at 432 nm. The molar absorptivity increases with azide concentration (0.44-3.9 mol 1(-1)) from 3100 to 6300 mol(-1) 1 cm(-1), showing a stepwise complex formation. Potential measurements of the Mn(III) Mn(II) system in several azide aqueous buffers solutions: 1.0 x 10(-2) mol 1(-1) HN(3), (0.50-2.0 mol 1(-1)) N(-)(3) and 5.0 x 10(-2) mol 1(-1) Mn(II) and constant ionic strength 2.0 mol 1(-1), kept with sodium perchlorate, leads to the conditional potential, E(0')x, in several azide concentrations at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Considering the overall formation constants of Mn(II) N (-)(3), from former studies, and the potential, E(0')s = 1.063 V versus SCE, for Mn(III) Mn(II) system in non-complexing media, it was possible to calculate the Fronaeus function, F(0)(L), and the following overall formation constants: beta(1) = 1.2 x 10(5) M(-1), beta(2) = 6.0 x 10(8) M(-2), beta(3) = (2.4 +/- 0.7) x 10(11) M(-3), beta(4) = (1.5 +/- 0.5) x 10(11) M(-4) and beta(5) = (9.6 +/- 0.8) x 10(11) M(-5) for the Mn(III) N (-)(3) complexes. These data give important support to understand the importance of Mn(II) and Mn(III) synergistic effect on the analytical method of S(IV) determination based on the Co(II) autoxidation.     

Diazacoronand linked beta-cyclodextrin dimer complexes of Brilliant Yellow tetraanion and their sodium(I) analogues

Complexation of the Brilliant Yellow tetraanion, 3(4-), by two new diazacoronand linked beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD) dimers 4,13-bis(2-(6A-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin-6A-yl)aminooctylamidomethyl- and 4,13-bis(8-(6A-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin-6A-yl)aminooctylamidomethyl)-4,13- diaza-1,7,10-trioxacyclopentadecane, 1 and 2, respectively, has been studied in aqueous solution. UV-visible spectrophotometric studies at 298.2 K, pH 10.0 and I = 0.10 mol dm-3 (NEt4ClO4) yielded complexation constants for the complexes 1 x 3(4-) and 2 x 3(4-), K1 = (1.08 +/- 0.01) x 10(5) and (6.21 +/- 0.08) x 10(3) dm3 mol-1, respectively. Similar studies at 298.2 K, pH 10.0 and I = 0.10 mol dm-3 (NaClO4) yielded K3 = (4.63 +/- 0.09) x 10(5) and (3.38 +/- 0.05) x 10(4) dm3 mol-1 for the complexation of 3(4-) by Na+ x 1 and Na+ x 2 to give Na+ x 1 x 3(4-) and Na+ x 2 x 3(4-), respectively. Potentiometric studies of the complexation of Na+ by 1 and 2 by the diazacoronand component of the linkers to give Na+ x 1 and Na+ x 2 yielded K2 = (2.00 +/- 0.05) x 10(3) and (1.8 +/- 0.05) x 10(3) dm3 mol-1, respectively, at 298.2 K and I = 0.10 mol dm-3(NEt4ClO4). For complexation of Na+ by 1 x 3(4-) and 2 x 3(4-) to give Na+ x 1 x 3(4-) and Na+ x 2 x 3(4-) K2K3/K1 = K4 = 8.6 x 10(2) and 9.8 x 10(3) dm3 mol-1, respectively. The pKaS of 1H4(4+) are 7.63 +/- 0.01, 6.84 +/- 0.02, 5.51 +/- 0.04 and 4.98 +/- 0.03, and those of 2H4(4+) are 8.67 +/- 0.02, 8.11 +/- 0.02, 6.06 +/- 0.02 and 5.14 +/- 0.05. The larger magnitude of K1 for 1 by comparison with K1 for 2 is attributed to the octamethylene linkers of 2 competing with 3(4-) for occupancy of the annuli of the beta CD entities while the competitive ability of the dimethylene linkers of 1 is less. A similar argument applies to the relative magnitudes of K3 for Na+ x 1 and Na+ x 2. Increased electrostatic attraction probably accounts for K3 > K1 for Na+ x 1 x 3(4-) and 1 x 3(4-) and for Na+ x 2 x 3(4-) and 2 x 3(4-). The lesser magnitudes of K2 and K4 for Na+ x 1 and Na+ x 1 x 3(4-) compared with those for Na+ x 2 and Na+ x 2 x 3(4-) are attributed to the octamethylene linkers of 2 producing a more hydrophobic environment for the diazacoronand than that produced by the dimethylene linkers of 1. 1H NMR spectroscopic studies and the syntheses of 1 and 2 are described.     

The preparation, solubilisation and binding characteristics of a beta 2-adrenoceptor isolated from transfected Chinese hamster cells

beta 2-Adrenoceptor agonists (beta-agonists) are well known for their growth promoting and repartitioning effects in many species. Although the use of these compounds to increase muscle mass in stockfarming is prohibited within the EU, under directive 96/22/EC, significant illegal use still occurs. With legal and illegal synthesis of new structurally related compounds, the detection of traditional beta-agonists and new derivatives becomes increasingly problematical. This method describes the isolation and solubilisation of a beta 2-adrenoceptor from a transfected Chinese hamster ovary cell line, using the detergent digitonin. The solubilised receptor retained its activity and was isolated from the cell membrane at a concentration of 550 +/- 100 fmol mg-1 of solubilised protein. Competition analysis using the tritiated antagonist dihydroalprenolol revealed receptor affinity for five structurally different beta-agonists, with IC50 values ranging from 2.1 +/- 0.76 x 10(-7) M for salmeterol to 1.1 +/- 0.62 x 10(-5) M for ractopamine. This study has demonstrated that transfected cell lines with a high expression of beta 2-adrenoceptors are a convenient source of active receptor material. Solubilised beta 2-adrenoceptors could form the basis of a multi-analyte screening assay for use in routine screening.     

HPLC determination of andrographolide in rat whole blood: study on the pharmacokinetics of andrographolide incorporated in liposomes and tablets

A sensitive and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection was developed and validated for the determination of andrographolide in rat whole blood. Carbamazepine was employed as internal standard and the blood sample was extracted with chloroform. Chromatographic separations were achieved on a Chromasil ODS column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase was consisted of methanol-water (52:48, v/v) and delivered at 0.8 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 225 nm. The calibration curve had a good linearity in the range 0.053-530 microg/mL in rat whole blood with its correlation coefficient being 0.996. The extraction recovery of andrographolide was ranged from 65.7 to 72.6%. The intra-day and inter-days repeatabilities were below 4.2% in terms of the percentage of relative standard deviation (RSD). The method was used to provide data on the pharmacokinetics of the drug in rats. The data obtained was processed using the 3P87 pharmacokinetic program. The results showed that the disposition of andrographolide after intravenous administration of liposomal andrographolide conformed to a two-compartment open model with alpha = 4.75 x 10(-2) +/- 2.41 x 10(-3) min(-1), beta = 3.16 x 10(-3) +/- 1.58 x 10(-4) min(-1), V(c) = 174.67 +/- 13.97 mL, k(21) = 1.60 x 10(-2) +/- 8.12 x 10(-4) min(-1), k(10) = 9.38 x 10(-3) +/- 5.62 x 10(-4) min(-1), k(12) = 2.53 x 10(-2) +/- 1.27 x 10(-3) min(-1) and AUC(0-infinity) = 1525.47 +/- 92.35 microg min/mL. For the intragastric administration of andrographolide tablets, the disposition of andrographolide followed a one-compartment open model with k(e) = 6.78 x 10(-3) +/- 3.53 x 10(-4) min(-1), k(a) = 3.69 x 10(-2) +/- 4.68 x 10(-3) min(-1), T(max) = 59.69 +/- 3.61 min, C(max) = 1.62 +/- 0.11 microg/mL, V(c) = 1056.90 +/- 83.42 mL, AUC(0-infinity) = 348.75 +/- 24.41 microg min/mL.     

The complexes of bismuth(III) and nitrilotriacetic acid

The reaction between bismuth(III) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA or H(3)X) has been investigated by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. It has been established that bismuth(III) and NTA form two complexes with compositions bismuth(III): NTA = 1:1 and 1:2. The absorption maxima are at 243 nm (1:1) and 271 nm (1:2), the molar absorptivities being 8.00 x 10(3) and 8.20 x 10(3) l.mole(-1).cm(-1) respectively. The stability constants (at mu = 1.0) are: log beta(BiX) = 17.53 +/- 0.06 and log beta(B)(2)(3-) = 26.56 +/- 0.07. The possibility of the analytical application of BiX is briefly discussed.     

Studies of site selective hydrogen atom abstractions by Cl atoms from isobutane and propane by laser flash photolysis/IR diode laser spectroscopy

The kinetics of chlorine atom abstractions from normal and selectively deuterated propane and isobutane have been measured at room temperature and 195 K using a laser flash photolysis system, and following the course of the reaction via IR diode laser absorption measurements of HCl product. In conjunction with the kinetic measurements, a comparison of the HCl signal heights from pairs of measurements on normal and selectively deuterated systems has allowed the determination of the branching fractions of the reactions at the primary, secondary (propane) and tertiary (isobutane) positions. The kinetic data (all in units of cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) for the reaction of Cl atoms with propane ((1.22 +/- 0.02) x10(-10), 195 K; (1.22 +/- 0.03) x10(-10) 298 K) and isobutane ((1.52 +/- 0.02) x10(-10), 195 K; (1.25 +/- 0.04) x10(-10), 298 K) are generally in good agreement with literature data. No data are available for comparison with our measurements for the reactions of Cl atoms with CH(3)CD(2)CH(3) ((1.02 +/- 0.03) x10(-10), 195 K; (1.09 +/- 0.02) x10(-10), 298 K) or (CH(3))(3)CD ((1.32 +/- 0.03) x10(-10), 195 K; (1.12 +/- 0.04) x10(-10), 298 K). Rate coefficients at 195 K for the reactions of Cl atoms with ethane ((5.04 +/- 0.08) x10(-11) and n-butane ((2.19 +/- 0.03) x10(-10)) were also measured. The branching fractions for abstraction at the primary position increased with temperature for both propane ((40 +/- 3)% at 195 K to (48 +/- 3)% at 298 K) and isobutane ((49 +/- 4)% at 195 K to (62 +/- 5)% at 298 K). The direct measurements from this study are in good agreement with most calculations based on structure activity relationships.     

Equilibria occurring between beryllium (II) and salicylate ions

The complexation equilibria between Be2+ and the hydrogen salicylate (HL-) ions have been studied, at 25 degrees C, by potentiometric measurements with a glass electrode in 3 M NaClO4. The concentrations of metal (CM) and ligand (CL) were varied between 10(-3) and 0.03 M and 2 x 10(-3) and 0.03 M, respectively, while 1 < or = CL/CM < or = 3. The hydrogen ion concentration ranged from 10(-3) to 10(-5.3) M when basic salts start to precipitate. The equilibria can be written in the general form as: pBe2+ + rHL- <==> Be(p)H(-q) (HL)r(2p-r-q) + qH+, log beta(pqr). The experimental data have been explained with the formation of BeHL+ (log beta101 = 1.46 +/- 0.05), BeL (log beta111 = -0.897 +/- 0.018), BeL2(2-) (log beta122 = -3.746 +/- 0.021), Be2(OH)L2- (log beta232 = -5.23 +/- 0.09), Be3(OH)3L3(3-) (log beta363 = -14.39 +/- 0.12). The uncertainties represent 3sigma. The predominant complex in the whole concentration range studied is the uncharged mononuclear species BeL.     

Complex formation constants for the aqueous copper(I)-acetonitrile system by a simple general method

A simple spectrophotometric method for the evaluation of formation constants for aqueous copper(I) has been developed, based on the kinetics of reduction of Co(III)(NH(3))(5)X complexes. The method has been applied to the aqueous copper(I)-acetonitrile system to determine the successive formation constants beta(1), beta(2), and beta(3) as 4.3 x 10(2) M(-)(1), 1.0 x 10(4) M(-)(2), and 2.0 x 10(4) M(-)(3), respectively, in 0.14 M NaClO(4)/HClO(4) at 21 +/- 1 degrees C.     

Pulsed laser photolysis vacuum UV laser-induced fluorescence kinetic study of the gas-phase reactions of Cl(2P3/2) atoms with C3-C6 ketones

The gas-phase reactions of Cl atoms with acetone, butanone, 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 2-hexanone, 3-hexanone, and cyclopentanone at 295 +/- 2 K were studied using pulsed laser photolysis vacuum UV laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) techniques. Cl(2P(3/2)) atoms were produced by photolysis of Cl2 at 351 nm and monitored by LIF spectroscopy at 134.72 nm (3p(5) 2P(3/2)-3p(4)4s 2P(3/2) transition). Rate coefficients for reactions of Cl atoms with acetone, butanone, 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 2-hexanone, 3-hexanone, and cyclopentanone are (2.30 +/- 0.12) x 10(-12), (4.08 +/- 0.21) x 10(-11), (1.23 +/- 0.13) x 10(-10), (8.87 +/- 0.92) x 10(-11), (2.08 +/- 0.32) x 10(-10), (1.43 +/- 0.19) x 10(-10) and (1.16 +/- 0.12) x 10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively. The results for acetone and butanone are consistent with previous studies. The results for 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 2-hexanone, and 3-hexanone are approximately a factor of 2-3 higher than those from previous absolute rate studies. Likely explanations for these discrepancies are discussed. Tropospheric lifetimes of ketones with respect to reaction with Cl atoms are estimated and discussed.     

Equilibrium and Kinetics of Bromine Hydrolysis

Equilibrium constants for bromine hydrolysis, K(1) = [HOBr][H(+)][Br(-)]/[Br(2)(aq)], are determined as a function of ionic strength (&mgr;) at 25.0 degrees C and as a function of temperature at &mgr; approximately 0 M. At &mgr; approximately 0 M and 25.0 degrees C, K(1) = (3.5 +/- 0.1) x 10(-)(9) M(2) and DeltaH degrees = 62 +/- 1 kJ mol(-)(1). At &mgr; = 0.50 M and 25.0 degrees C, K(1) = (6.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(-)(9) M(2) and the rate constant (k(-)(1)) for the reverse reaction of HOBr + H(+) + Br(-) equals (1.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(10) M(-)(2) s(-)(1). This reaction is general-acid-assisted with a Br?nsted alpha value of 0.2. The corresponding Br(2)(aq) hydrolysis rate constant, k(1), equals 97 s(-)(1), and the reaction is general-base-assisted (beta = 0.8).     

Polarographic study of the coordinated system Zn(II)-glycine-glycinate ion

A polarographic method has been applied to the study of the mixed-ligand system Zn(II)-glycine-glycinate, in aqueous medium, at I= 1.0 M (NaClO(4)) and 25 +/- 0.05 degrees C. The study of the quasi-reversible waves characteristic of Zn(II) has been carried out by means of a new method of analysis proposed by the authors, which is faster and more accurate than the traditional methods. The stabilization of the coordinated species [ZnG](2+) (beta(10) = 2.0), [ZnG(2)](2+) (beta(20) = 0.71), (Zn(G(-))](+) (beta(01) = 7.6 x 10(4)). [Zn(G(-))(2)] (beta(02)= 4.0 x 10(9)) and [ZnG(G(-))](+) (beta(11) = 1.7 x 10(5)) has been established.     

Studies on the behaviour of beta-ethylthioethylenethioglycollate in aqueous Ni(II) and Cu(II) solutions

The stability constants of the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes of nickel and copper(II) with beta-ethylthioethylenethioglycollic acid have been determined at 25 degrees at ionic strength 1.0 (NaClO(4)). The values for the nickel complexes are K(1) = 1.11 +/- 0.06 x 10(2) (spectrophotometrically) or 1.25 +/- 0.11 x 10(2) (potentiometrically) and K(2) = 3.04 +/- 0.24 x 10(2) (potentiometrically). The corresponding values for the copper complexes are K(1) = 1.27 +/- 0.02 x 10(3) or 1.28 +/- 0.03 x 10(3) and K(2) = 7.29 +/- 0.30 x 10(2).     

Structural characterization and formation kinetics of sitting-atop (SAT) complexes of some porphyrins with copper(II) ion in aqueous acetonitrile relevant to porphyrin metalation mechanism. Structures of aquacopper(II) and cu(II)-SAT complexes as determined by XAFS spectroscopy

The formation of the sitting-atop (SAT) complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (H(2)tpp), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrin (H(2)t(4-Clp)p), 5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrin (H(2)tmp), and 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrin (H(2)oep) with the Cu(II) ion was spectrophotometrically confirmed in aqueous acetonitrile (AN), and the formation rates were determined as a function of the water concentration (C(W)). The decrease in the conditional first-order rate constants with the increasing C(W) was reproduced by taking into consideration the contribution of [Cu(H(2)O)(an)(5)](2+) in addition to [Cu(an)(6)](2+) to form the Cu(II)-SAT complexes. The second-order rate constants for the reaction of [Cu(an)(6)](2+) and [Cu(H(2)O)(an)(5)](2+) at 298 K were respectively determined as follows: (4.1 +/- 0.2) x 10(5) and (3.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) for H(2)tpp, (1.15 +/- 0.06) x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) and negligible for H(2)t(4-Clp)p, and (4.8 +/- 0.3) x 10(3) and (1.3 +/- 0.3) x 10(2) M(-1) s(-1) for H(2)tmp. Since the reaction of H(2)oep was too fast to observe the reaction trace due to the dead time of 2 ms for the present stopped-flow technique, the rate constant was estimated to be greater than 1.5 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1). According to the structure of the Cu(II)-SAT complexes determined by the fluorescent XAFS measurements, two pyrrolenine nitrogens of the meso-substituted porphyrins (H(2)tpp and H(2)tmp) bind to the Cu(II) ion with a Cu-N(pyr) distance of ca. 2.04 A, while those of the beta-pyrrole-substituted porphyrin (H(2)oep) coordinate with the corresponding bond distance of 1.97 A. The shorter distance of H(2)oep is ascribed to the flexibility of the porphyrin ring, and the much greater rate for the formation of the Cu(II)-SAT complex of H(2)oep than those for the meso-substituted porphyrins is interpreted as due to a small energetic loss at the porphyrin deformation step during the formation of the Cu(II)-SAT complex. The overall formation constants, beta(n), of [Cu(H(2)O)(n)()(an)(6)(-)(n)](2+) for the water addition in aqueous AN were spectrophotometrically determined at 298 K as follows: log(beta(1)/M(-1)) = 1.19 +/- 0.18, log(beta(2)/M(-2)) = 1.86 +/- 0.35, and log(beta(3)/M(-3)) = 2.12 +/- 0.57. The structure parameters around the Cu(II) ion in [Cu(H(2)O)(n)(an)(6-n)](2+) were determined using XAFS spectroscopy.     

EPR and optical study of Mn2+ doped ammonium tartrate single crystals

EPR study of Mn2+ doped ammonium tartrate single crystals is carried out at room temperature. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are: gx=1.9225+/-0.0002, gy=1.9554+/-0.0002, gz=2.1258+/-0.0002, A=(78+/-2) x 10(-4) cm(-1), B=(75+/-2) x 10(-4) cm(-1), D=(191+/-2) x 10(-4) cm(-1), E=(61+/-2) x 10(-4) cm(-1) and a=(22+/-1) x 10(-4) cm(-1) for site I and gx=1.9235+/-0.0002, gy=1.9574+/-0.0002, gz=2.0664+/-0.0002, A=(78+/-2) x 10(-4) cm(-1), B=(75+/-2) x 10(-4) cm(-1), D=(180+/-2) x 10(-4) cm(-1), E=(57+/-2) x 10(-4) cm(-1) and a=(22+/-1) x 10(-4) cm(-1) for site II, respectively. The observed optical bands are fitted with inter-electronic repulsion parameters (B and C), crystal field parameter (Dq) and Trees correction (alpha) and the values found are B=752, C=2438, Dq=765 and alpha=76 cm(-1). The data obtained are further used to discuss the surrounding crystal field and the nature of metal-ligand bonding in the crystal.     

Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin enhanced fluorimetric method for the determination of melatonin and 5-methoxytryptamine

The effects of native cyclodextrins (alpha, beta or gamma), hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin solubilized in urea, soluble starch and glucose in water solution on the fluorescence behaviour of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) (M) and 5-methoxytryptamine [5-methoxy-3-(2-aminoethyl)indole] (5M) were determined. In addition, the effect of methanol and propanol with and without beta-cyclodextrin or hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin was assessed. From the fluorescence changes with pH, the values of the pKa for the ground (9.9 +/- 0.2) and the excited state (7.7 +/- 0.2) for 5M were determined. From the fluorescence changes with beta-cyclodextrin or hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, the association constants of M, 5MH [5-methoxy-3-(2-ammoniumethyl)indole] and 5M with the two hosts were determined. The values with beta-cyclodextrin were KAssoc5MH = (1.4 +/- 0.4) x 10(2) mol-1 dm3, KAssoc5M = (1.6 +/- 0.1) x 10(2) mol-1 dm3 and KAssocM = (1.1 +/- 0.2) x 10(2) mol-1 dm3, and with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin KAssoc5MH = (1.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(2) mol-1 dm3, KAssoc5M = (2.5 +/- 0.1) x 10(2) mol-1 dm3 and KAssocM = (1.51 +/- 0.07) x 10(2) mol-1 dm3. The ratios of the fluorescence quantum yields for the bound and free substrate (phi b/phi f) were in the range 1.15-1.48. The detection limits under the optimum conditions were 0.381 +/- 0.001 ng cm-3 for the complex 5MH-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin in water and 0.290 +/- 0.001 ng cm-3 for the complex M-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin in water with 5% of methanol. The recovery of melatonin from pharmaceutical preparations was 98-103% with an RSD of 2%. The recovery from rat pineals was also good. The method is direct, simple and accurate.     

Electron and ion reactions with hexamethyldisiloxane and pentamethyldisiloxane

The dissociative recombination of electrons with the hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) cation ((CH(3))(3)Si-O-Si(CH(3))(3))(+) and the pentamethyldisiloxane cation ((CH(3))(3)Si-O-Si(CH(2))(2))(+) as well as the ion-molecule reaction between Ar(+) and HMDSO have been studied at 300 K using a flowing afterglow Langmuir probe-mass spectrometer apparatus. The rate constants for these reactions, measured directly for the first time, are, respectively, alpha(1)=1.8 x 10(-6), alpha(2)=3.6 x 10(-6) cm(3)s, and k=2.0 x 10(-9) cm(3)s with uncertainties of +/-30%. In addition, the electronic attachment to neutral HMDSO was also studied and an upper limit value of the rate constant was determined to be beta=3.3 x 10(-11) cm(3)s.