A bismuth(III) PVC membrane ion selective electrode based on 5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol

The construction, performance characteristics and application of a new bismuth(III) PVC membrane electrode based on 5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol are reported in this paper. The designed sensor exhibited a Nernstian response for Bi³⁺ ion ranging from 5.0×10^-7 mol/L to 1.0×10^-2 mol/L with a slope of 19.8 mV/decade. The operational pH range of the sensor is 3.0-6.0. The electrode shows a response time of 6 s and can be used for at least five weeks without any considerable divergence in potentials. It exhibits very good selectivity relative to a wide variety of alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The proposed electrode could be used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Bi³⁺ ions with EDTA and in the determination of Bi³⁺ content in stomach medicine.     

PVC膜电极的研究(Ⅰ)——铋(Ⅲ)氯络阴离子选择性电极的研制

近几年,已有人研究过铋(Ⅲ)涂丝电极,该电极在10^-4-10^-1M铋(Ⅲ)浓度范围有近似线性的响应,斜率为36.5mV/pBi。本文以季铵盐7402-BiCl₄^-缔合物为电活性物质,以苯二甲酸二壬酯为增塑剂,研制成功了铋(Ⅲ)PVC膜电极。     

Separation of trans-1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetra-acetic acid chelates of bismuth(III), iron(III) and copper(II) by reversed-phase paired-ion chromatography

Trans-1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetra-acetic acid (DCTA) chelates of bismuth(III), iron(III) and copper(II) have been separated by two techniques using reversed-phase paired-ion chromatography. In one, the chelates in aqueous solution were separated within 20 min on a 6.0 × 300 mm ERC-ODS column with 10⁻²M tetrabutylammonium ion (TBA⁺) in methanoi-water mixture (45:55 v/v) as eluent. In the other, the metal ions in aqueous solution were separated within 10 min by direct injection into an ERC-ODS column with 10⁻²M TBA⁺/10⁻³M DCTA in methanoi-water mixture (40:60 v/v) as eluent.     

Flow injection determination of bismuth in urine by successive retention of Bi(III) and tetrahydroborate(III) on an anion-exchange resin and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry

Bismuth as BiCl₄⁻ and BH₄⁻ ware successively retained in a column (150 mm × 4 mm, length × i.d.) packed with Amberlite IRA-410 (strong anion-exchange resin). This was followed by passage of an injected slug of hydrochloric acid resulting in bismuthine generation (BiH₃). BiH₃ was stripped from the eluent solution by the addition of a nitrogen flow and the bulk phases were separated in a gas–liquid separator. Finally, bismutine was atomized in a quartz tube for the subsequent detection of bismuth by atomic absorption spectrometry. Different halide complexes of bismuth (namely, BiBr₄⁻, BiI₄⁻ and BiCl₄⁻) were tested for its pre-concentration, being the chloride complexes which produced the best results. Therefore, a concentration of 0.3 mol l⁻¹ of HCl was added to the samples and calibration solutions. A linear response was obtained between the detection limit (3σ) of 0.225 and 80 μg l⁻¹. The R.S.D.% (n = 10) for a solution containing 50 μg l⁻¹ of Bi was 0.85%. The tolerance of the system to interferences was evaluated by investigating the effect of the following ions: Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mg²⁺. The most severe depression was caused by Hg²⁺, which at 60 mg l⁻¹ caused a 5% depression on the signal. For the other cations, concentrations between 1000 and 10,000 mg l⁻¹ could be tolerated. The system was applied to the determination of Bi in urine of patients under therapy with bismuth subcitrate. The recovery of spikes of 5 and 50 μg l⁻¹ of Bi added to the samples prior to digestion with HNO₃ and H₂O₂ was in satisfactory ranges from 95.0 to 101.0%. The concentrations of bismuth found in six selected samples using this procedure were in good agreement with those obtained by an alternative technique (ETAAS). Finally, the concentration of Bi determined in urine before and after 3 days of treatment were 1.94 ± 1.26 and 9.02 ± 5.82 μg l⁻¹, respectively.     

Fluorescence reaction and complexation equilibria between norfloxacin and aluminium (III) ion in chloride medium

Norfloxacin, 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinoline carboxylic acid (NORH), reacts with aluminium(III) ion forming the strongly fluorescent complex [Al(HNOR)]³⁺, in slightly acidic medium. The complex shows maximum emission at 440 nm with excitation at 320 nm. The fluorescence intensity is enhanced upon addition of 0.5% sodium dodecylsulphate. Fluorescence properties of the Al-NOR complex were used for the direct determination of trace amounts of NOR in serum. The linear dependence of fluorescence intensity on NOR concentration, at a NOR to Al concentration ratio of 1:10, was found in the concentration range 0.001–2 μg/ml NOR with a detection limit of 0.1 ng/ml. The ability of aluminium (III) ion to form complexes with NOR was investigated by titrations in 0.1 M LiCl medium, using a glass electrode, at 298 K, in the concentration range: 2 × 10⁻⁴ ≤ [Al] ≤ 8 × 10⁻⁴; 5 × 10⁻⁴ ≤ [NOR] ≤ 9 × 10⁻⁴ mol/dm³; 2.8 ≤ pH ≤ 8.3. The experimental data were explained by the following complexes and their respective stability constants, log(β ± σ): [Al(HNOR)], (14.60 ± 0.05); [Al(NOR)], (8.83 ± 0.08); [A1(OH)₃(NOR)], (−14.9 ± 0.1), as well as several pure hydrolytic complexes of A1³⁺. The structure of the [Al(HNOR)] complex is discussed, with respect to its fluorescence properties.     

Reactions and X-ray crystal structure of (3-cyano-2,4-pentanedionato-N)pentaamminecobalt(III) perchlorate chloride dihydrate

The pentaamminecobalt(III) complex with the 3-cyano-2,4-pentanedionate anion coordinated through the nitrile nitrogen has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The crystals of [(NH₃)₅CoNCacac](Cl)(ClO₄)·2H₂O are triclinic, space group P , a = 10.245(2) Å, b = 14.071(4) Å, c = 6.971(2) Å, = 90.03(3)°, β = 109.86(2)°, γ = 108.91(2)°, V= 887.1 ų, Z = 2, D_c = 1.64 g cm⁻³, F(000) = 456, Mo-K radiation, λ = 0.71069 Å, μ(Mo-K) = 12.7 cm⁻¹. The structure was determined by the heavy-atom method, and refined by block-diagonal least-squares calculations, R = 0.0537, R_w = 0.0607, for 2499 observed reflections. Principal dimensions are: Co---N(NH₃) trans to NCacac⁻ 1.940(5), other Co---N(NH₃) 1.967(2), Co---N(NCacac⁻) 1.911(5) Å. The pendant acac moiety is best described in terms of a delocalized bond network with, for example, C---C distances in the range 1.44–1.52(1) Å. Several reactions involving this free acac group are also described including the preparation and characterization of the dimeric species pentaamminecobalt(III) - μ - (3 - cyano - 2,4 - pentanedionato) - bis(propylenediamine) cobalt(III) perchlorate.     

Sub-picomole high-performance liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric determination of glutathione in the maize (Zea mays L.) kernels exposed to cadmium

Changes in fresh weight, total protein amounts (Bradford’s method), cadmium concentration (DPASV) and glutathione content (HPLC/MS) were studied in maize kernels cultivated for 5 days at three different cadmium concentrations (0, 10 and 100 μmol l⁻¹ CdCl₂). A highly sensitive HPLC/MS method was used for the determination of glutathione on a reversed-phase Atlantis dC₁₈ chromatographic column (150 mm×2.1 mm, 3 μm particle size). An isocratic mode with acetonitrile–0.01% TFA (5:95, flow rate 0.1 ml min⁻¹ and 30 °C) was applied. The m/z spectra and the data for the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode were recorded at m/z for glutathione 308→179. Cadmium concentration was measured by a differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPASV) after deposition on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) at potential −0.7 V (accumulation time 180 s, acetate buffer of pH 3.6, 22 °C). An AUTOLAB with a VA-Stand 663 and a three-electrode system consisting of the HMDE as a working electrode with area 0.4 mm², an Ag/AgCl/3 mol l⁻¹ KCl as a reference electrode and a Pt-wire as an auxiliary electrode was employed. The maize kernels exposed to the highest cadmium concentration (100 μmol l⁻¹) germinated formerly and much better. A rapid increase of the fresh weight probably relates with more intensive uptake of water in order to decrease cadmium concentration. An intensive preservation of homeostasis of Cd²⁺ ions in the germinating plants by defending mechanisms might explain differences of uptake rate of cadmium. The linear increase of GSH content with the exposure time at all studied concentration suggests the defending mechanisms might be triggered by concentrations of a heavy metal.     

A comparative study of four 20-membered N2S4-crown ethers as ionophores for polymeric membrane silver selective electrodes

<正>Four 20-membered N_2S_4-monoazathiacrown ethers have been synthesized and explored as neutral ionophores for Ag~+-selective electrodes.Potentiometric responses reveal that the flexibility of the ligands has great effect on the selectivity and sensitivity to Ag~+ ions.The electrode based on ionophore 9,10,20,25-tetrahydro-5H,12H-tribenzo[b,n,r][1,7,10,16,4,13]tetrathiadiaza cycloicosine 6,13-(7H,14H)-dione(C) with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether(o-NPOE) as solvent in a poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC) membrane matrix shows a measuring range of 1.0×10~(-6) to 1.0×10~(-3) mol/L with a Nernstian slope of 54.9±0.3 mV/decade.This electrode has high selectivity for Ag~+ with negligible interference from many other cations and can be used in a wide pH range of 3.6-9.2.     

基于聚酪氨酸/铋修饰玻碳电极的Pb2+传感器研究

采用循环伏安法及原位镀铋制备了聚酪氨酸/Bi复合膜修饰玻碳电极(p-Tyr/Bi/GC),并用交流阻抗谱及扫描电镜表征了复合膜电极的电子传递阻抗及表面形态。发现聚酪氨酸膜能促进电极表面电子交换,有利于高灵敏Pb²⁺传感器的研制。以复合膜电极对Pb2+的方波阳极溶出伏安响应电流探讨了聚酪氨酸修饰玻碳电极的最佳制备及测试条件。结果表明电极制备液中酪氨酸的最佳浓度为1.5 mmol·L^-1,聚合圈数为15;测试液中Bi3+的最佳浓度为1.0μmol·L-1,pH值为6.0,富集电位为-1.20 V。在最佳条件下,复合膜电极对Pb2+的响应线性方程为:Ip(μA)=0.5032+54.68c(μmol·L-1)(r=0.9947),线性范围为0.01~0.16μmol·L^-1,检出限(3S/k)为0.8 nmol·L^-1。复合膜电极具有灵敏度高、稳定性好、抗干扰能力强的特点,用于茶叶样品中铅的测定,回收率为90.6%~96.3%,相对标准偏差不大于3.9%。     

Equilibrium and structural studies of silicon(IV) and aluminium(III) in aqueous solution—10. A potentiometric study of aluminium(III) pyrocatecholates and aluminium(III) hydroxo pyrocatecholates in 0.6 M Na(Cl)

Equilibria between aluminium(III), pyrocatechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene, H₂L) and OH⁻ were studied in 0.6 M Na(Cl) medium at 25°C. The measurements were performed as emf titrations (glass electrode) within the limits 1.5 ≤ − log[H⁺] ≤ 9; 0.0005 ≤ B ≤ 0.015 M; 0.006 ≤ C ≤ 0.03 M and 2 ≤ C/B ≤ 30 (B and C stand for the total concentrations of aluminium(III) and pyrocatechol respectively). All data can be explained with a main series of complexes: A1L⁺, log β_−2,1,1 = − 6.337 ± 0.005; A1L₂⁻, log β_−4,1,2 = −15.44 ± 0.017 and A1L₃³⁻, log β_−6,1,3 = − 28.62 ± 0.024 together with two minor species: Al(OH)L₂²⁻, log β_−5,1,2 = − 23.45 ± 0.079 and Al₃(OH)₃L₃, log β_−9,3,3 = − 29.91 ± 0.066. Of the two, the latter probably is a type of average composition complex principally occurring at low C/B quotients. The first acidity constant for pyrocatechol as determined in separate experiments is log β_−1,0,1 = − 9.198 ± 0.001. The standard deviations given are 3σ(log β p,q,r). Data were analyzed with the least squares computer program LETAGROPVRID. In a model calculation using kaolinite as solid phase, we compared the complexation ability of this system with that of the system Al³⁺-OH⁻-salicylic acid, reported earlier in this series.     

The dependence of photoinduced energy transfer on the orientation of the acceptor with respect to the π-plane of the donor in naphthalene-linked crown ether–Tb complexes

The photoinduced energy transfer (ET) from naphthalene (N) to Tb³⁺ has been studied in the complexes of Tb³⁺ ion with 2,3-naphtho-17-crown-5 ether(I), 2,3-naphtho-20-crown-6 ether(II), 1,8-naphtho-21-crown-6 ether(III) and 1,5-naphtho-22-crown-6 ether(IV), respectively, using nitrate (NO₃⁻) ion as the counter anion in EtOH glass at 77 K. The ligands are so designed that the Tb³⁺ ion can be complexed with a predetermined orientation with respect to the naphthalene molecular plane. In systems I and II, the Tb³⁺ ion is along the Z-axis; in system III, it is along the Y-axis and in IV, it is along the X-axis, where Z- and Y- are the molecular in-plane long and short axes of the naphthalene molecular plane respectively and X- is the out-of plane axis perpendicular to the naphthalene molecular plane. Present studies indicate that the efficiency of energy transfer (ET) and the quenching of naphthalene phosphorescence show a strong dependence on the orientation of the acceptor metal ion (Tb³⁺) with respect to the π-plane of the donor naphthalene moiety. The ET studies suggest that an exchange mechanism involving the lowest (ππ^*) triplet state of N and the ⁵D₄ state of Tb³⁺ ion is predominantly operating. Our observation further indicates that for a given orientation in a complex the emission intensity of the various transitions (⁵D₄ → ⁷F_J, J=2–6) for Tb³⁺, vis-a-vis ET efficiency varies considerably with ΔJ values (=0, +1 and +2).     

Ion-selective electrode measurements for the determination of formation constants of alkali and alkaline earth metals with low-molecular-weight ligands

Formation constants of acetate, hydrogencarbonate, malonate, citrate and 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate complexes with Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ were determined potentiometrically using sodium, potassium and calcium selective electrodes, at 25 °C and at different ionic strengths, in the range 0 < I ≤ 1 M. Formation constants obtained by ion-selective electrode (ISE) measurements were compared with those obtained by different techniques. It has been found that the use of ISEs gives reliable results in the study of weak complexes, also under non-constant ionic strength conditions.     

Structures of propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, and pivalaldehyde complexes of the chiral rhenium fragment [(η-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)]

The crystal structures of propionaldehyde complex (RS,SR)-(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(η²-O=CHCH₂CH₃)]⁺ PF₆⁻ (1b⁺ PF₆^s−; monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a = 10.166 (1) Å, b = 18.316(1) Å, c = 14.872(2) Å, β = 100.51(1)°, Z = 4) and butyraldehyde complex (RS,SR)-[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(η²-O=CHCH₂CH₂CH₃)]⁺ PF₆⁻ (1c⁺PF₆⁻; monoclinic, P2₁/a (No. 14), a = 14.851(1) Å, b = 18.623(3) Å, c = 10.026(2) Å, β = 102.95(1)°, Z = 4) have been determined at 22°C and −125°C, respectively. These exhibit C O bond lengths (1.35(1), 1.338(5) Å) that are intermediate between those of propionaldehyde (1.209(4) Å) and 1-propanol (1.41 Å). Other geometric features are analyzed. Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(ClCH₂Cl)]⁺ BF₄⁻ and pivalaldehyde gives [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(η²-O=CHC(CH₃)₃)]⁺BF₄⁻ (81%), the spectroscopic properties of which establish a π C O binding mode.     

Separation and detection of common mono- and divalent cations by ion chromatography with an ODS column and conductivity/UV detection

The retention and detection behavior of common mono- and divalent cations (M⁺, alkali metal (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺) and ammonium ions (NH₄⁺); M²⁺, alkaline earth metal ions (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺) was examined using an ODS column (150×4.6 mm I.D.) and conductivity (CD)/UV detection. The results obtained were as follows: (1) for M⁺, the mobile phase, 0.1 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)+10 mM HNO₃ and indirect CD detection were effective. (2) Addition of Ce(III) in the mobile phase accelerated the elution of both M⁺ and M²⁺. The separation of above 10 cations on an ODS column was achieved for the first time without any coelution of cations and disturbance by system peak. Addition of higher SDS resulted in good separation of M⁺ and M²⁺ with longer retention times. CD detection was possible for M⁺ and M²⁺ and UV detection for M²⁺. (3) For M²⁺, the mobile phase, 0.8 mM Ce(III)+0.1 mM SDS+1 mM HNO₃ and indirect UV detection were effective. The IC methods were applied to real samples.     

Cobalt(III) complexes of ethylenediamine-N,N′-di-S-isobutylacetic acid

A new optically active ONNO-type tetradentate ligand, ethylenediamine-N,N′- di-S-isobutylacetate (SS-eniba), has been synthesized. During the preparation of diaqua cobalt(III) complexes of SS-eniba, [Co(SS-eniba)(H₂O)₂]⁺, the title ligand has coordinated stereospecifically to the cobalt(III) ion to give three isomers, Δ-s-cis, Δ-uns-cis and Λ-uns-cis, which have been isolated and characterized via electronic absorption, circular dichroism (CD), and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, along with elemental analysis data. The preparation of Δ-s-cis-[Co(SS-eniba)Cl₂]⁺ and Δ-s-cis-[Co(SS-eniba)CO₃]⁺ are also reported.     

荧光粉Ba5-3x/2B4O11∶xEu3+的制备及发光性能

采用高温固相烧结法成功制备了Ba_5-3x/2B₄O₁₁∶xEu³⁺(x=0.02~0.22)荧光粉,利用XRD和SEM等对荧光粉进行了结构和形貌表征。 在激发波长为393 nm的条件下,发射峰(596、621、657和706 nm)与Eu³⁺的⁵D₀-⁷F_J(J=1,2,3,4)电子跃迁相对应,其中621 nm最强发射峰由Eu³⁺离子⁵D₀→⁷F₂电偶极跃迁造成。 文章还研究了Eu³⁺掺杂浓度对Ba_5-3x/2B₄O₁₁∶xEu³⁺发光性能的影响,结果表明,荧光粉的发光强度随着Eu³⁺掺杂量的增加呈现先增大后减小的趋势,Eu³⁺最佳掺杂量为0.16。     

Role of axial ligation on potentiometric response of Co(III) tetraphenylporphyrin-doped polymeric membranes to nitrite ions

Two types of Co(III) tetraphenylporphyrins, Co(III)TPPX (I) and Co(III)(N)TPPX (II), where X = C1⁻ or NO⁻₂ and N = C₅H₅N or C₆H₅CH₂C₅H₄N, are used as ionophores to prepare nitrite responsive polymeric membrane electrodes. The influence of the initial axial ligand (X⁻ and N) on the operative ionophore mechanism of these metalloporphyrins within the solvent polymeric membranes is examined. Results from potentiometric and electrodialysis experiments suggest that in the presence of nitrite in the test sample and internal solution, both types of Co (III) porphyrins studied (I and II) act as neutral carriers and that the addition of lipophilic cationic sites (e.g., tridodecylmethylammonium ions (TDMA⁺)) to the organic membrane is essential to improve the selectivity and long term stability of sensors prepared with these species. Membranes formulated with (I) or (II) in the nitrite form along with TDMACl in plasticized PVC films exhibit the following selectivity sequence: SCN⁻ > NO⁻₂ ˜ C1O⁻₄ > Sal⁻ > NO⁻₃ > Br⁻ > C1⁻. Membrane electrodes with added lipophilic cationic sites are shown to exhibit rapid, fully reversible and Nernstian response towards nitrite ions in the concentration range of 10⁻¹–10⁻⁵ M, with good long term stability.     

Monodentate and bidentate trifluoroacetato ligands in bis(trifluoroacetato)-(N-methyl-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato)thallium(III)—a new dynamic 4:3 piano stool seven-coordinate geometry

The crystal structure of bis(trifluoroacetato)-(N-methyl-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato) thallium(III), Tl(N---Me---tpp)(CF₃CO₂)₂ (2), was established and the coordination sphere around the Tl³⁺ ion is described as 4:3 tetragonal base–trigonal base piano stool seven-coordinate geometry in which the two cis CF₃CO₂ ⁻ groups occupy two apical sites. The plane of the three pyrrole nitrogen atoms [i.e. N(2), N(3) and N(4)] strongly bonded to Tl³⁺ is adopted as the reference plane 3N. The pyrrole N(1) ring bearing the methyl group [i.e. C(45)H₃] is the most deviated one from the 3N plane making a dihedral angle of 23.3° whereas smaller angles of 9.9, 2.7 and 4.7° occur with pyrroles N(2), N(3), and N(4), respectively. Because of the larger size of the thallium(III) ion, Tl is considerably out of the 3N plane; its displacement of 1.02 Å is in the same direction as that of the two apical CF₃CO₂ ⁻ ligands. The intermolecular trifluoroacetate exchange process for 2 in CD₂Cl₂ solvent is examined through ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR temperature-dependent measurements. In the slow-exchange region, the CF₃ and carbonyl (CO) carbons of the CF₃CO₂ ⁻ groups in 2 are separately located at δ 114.3 [¹J(C–F)=290 Hz, ³J(Tl–C)=411 Hz] and 155.1 [²J(C–F)=37 Hz, ²J(Tl–C)=204 Hz], respectively, at −106 °C. In the same slow-exchange region, the fluorine atoms of 2, Tl(N---Me---tpp)(CF₃CO₂)⁺ and the free CF₃CO₂ ⁻ are located at δ −73.76 [⁴J(Tl–F)=44 Hz], −73.30 [⁴J(Tl–F)=22 Hz], and −76.15 ppm at −97 °C, respectively.     

镓-水杨基荧光酮伏安络合吸附波的研究

在pH为3.0的0.2mol/L邻苯二甲酸氢钾-HCI和5.0×10^-6mol/L水杨基荧光酮底液中,线性扫描可得灵敏的Ga-SAF络合物吸附波,峰电位为-0.93V(vsSCE).镓在7.5×10^-9～3.8×10^-7mol/L浓度范围内与峰高成正比关系.     

Ion chromatography of organic-rich natural waters from peatlands II. Na, NH4, K, Mg and Ca

Organic rich natural waters from peat bogs in continental (Switzerland) and maritime (Shetland Islands, Scotland) environments were analysed for Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ using ion chromatography. These cations were determined simultaneously in surface and pore water samples from the continental bogs using a 250-μl injection loop in an isocratic separation. Using this loop, detection limits of the order of 1 ng/g were achieved. An organics-removal cartridge (Dionex OnGuard P) was used to remove humic materials. Analyses of deionized water filtered through these cartridges showed acceptably low blank values (e.g., ca. 5 ng/g) and appeared to have no significant effect on the measured cation concentration. For the maritime bog waters, the low concentrations of NH₄⁺ (ca. 1 μg/g) compared with Na⁺ (ca. 100 μg/g) required improved peak separation. This was accomplished using a gradient separation beginning with 40 mM HCl—1 mM , -2,3-diaminopropionic acid monochloride (DAP) and switching to 40 mM HCl-12 mM DAP after 2 min. Using a 25 μl injection loop, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were determined simultaneously in less than 25 min. In this instance, even with Na⁺/NH₄⁺ > 100, there was no interference from Na⁺ in the determination of NH₄⁺ (baseline separated).