Synthesis and characterization of some novel cadmium(II) complexes with 3-hydroxypicolinic acid (3-OHpicH): Crystal and molecular structures of [CdI(3-OHpic)(3-OHpicH)(H2O)]2, [Cd(3-OHpic)2(H2O)2] and [Cd(3-OHpic)2]n

Cadmium(II) complexes of 3-hydroxypicolinic acid, namely [CdI(3-OHpic)(3-OHpicH)(H₂O)]₂ (1), [Cd(3-OHpic)₂(H₂O)₂] (2) and [Cd(3-OHpic)₂]_n (3) were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR) and their molecular and crystal structures were determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Complexes 1 and 2 were prepared in similar reaction conditions using different cadmium(II) salts: cadmium(II) iodide and cadmium(II) acetate dihydrate, respectively, while 3 was prepared by recrystallization of 2 from N,N-dimethylformamide solution. Various coordination modes of 3-OHpicH in 1–3 were established in the solid state: bidentate N,O-chelated mode in 1 and 2, monodentate mode through the carboxylate O atom from zwitterionic ligand in 1 and bidentate N,O-chelated and bridging mode in 3. In the DMF solution of all prepared complexes, only monodentate mode of 3-OHpicH binding to cadmium(II) through the carboxylate O atom was established by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ¹¹³Cd NMR spectroscopy.     

Use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry and the effect of water chemistry for the study of the bioaccumulation of cadmium in Menidia beryllina (cope), the tidewater silverside

In laboratory controlled experiments using Menidia beryllina, the Tidewater Silverside (fish), it was shown that the salinity of the water affects accumulation of cadmium. The concentration of cadmium was determined using a previously described flame atomic absorption spectrometric method. In general, the higher the salinity, the less cadmium is accumulated in fish. At low or no salinity, higher concentrations of cadmium are found in fish. Elimination of cadmium occurred at a faster rate in fish exposed to higher levels of salinity. It is proposed that the low bioaccumulation of cadmium in high saline waters was due to competition between the free Cd²⁺ ion, Ca²⁺, and Cl⁻ ion preventing Cd²⁺ from entering fish.     

Effects of partial anion substitution on the thermoelectric properties of silver(I) chalcogenide halides in the system Ag5Q2X with Q=Te, Se and S and X=Br and Cl

A selection of mixed conducting silver chalcogenide halides of the general formula Ag₅Q₂X with Q=sulfur, selenium and tellurium and X=chlorine and bromine has been investigated due to their thermoelectric properties. Recently, the ternary counterpart Ag₅Te₂Cl showed a defined d¹⁰-d¹⁰ interaction in the disordered cation substructure at elevated temperatures where Ag₅Te₂Cl is present in its high temperature α-phase. A significant drop of the thermal diffusivity has been observed during the β−α phase transition reducing the values from 0.12 close to 0.08 mm² s⁻¹. At the same transition the thermopower reacts on the increasing silver mobility and jumps towards less negative values.Thermal conductivities, thermopower and thermal diffusivity of selected compounds with various grades of anion substitution in Ag₅Q₂X were determined around the silver-order/disorder β−α phase transition. A formation of attractive interactions could be observed for selenium substituted phases while no effect was detected for bromide and sulfide samples. Depending on the grade and type of substitution the thermopower changes significantly at and after the β−α phase transition. Thermal conductivities are low reaching values around 0.2-0.3 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 299 K. Partial anion exchange can substantially tune the thermoelectric properties in Ag₅Q₂X phases.     

A N NMR study of tautomerism in dimethyl dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate

Dimethyl dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate can exist either in 1,2- or 1,4-dihydro tautomeric forms. The ¹⁵N NMR spectra of dimethyl dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate were measured at the ¹⁵N natural abundance level as well as in ¹⁵N doubly labelled selectively and in ¹⁵N completely labelled compounds (20% ¹⁵N). The J(¹⁵N,¹⁵N) value was determined in ¹⁵N completely labelled compounds (20% ¹⁵N) using 1D ¹⁵N INADEQUATE and was found to be 12.2 ± 0.2 Hz in deuteriochloroform, acetonitrile-d₃, DMSO-d₆ and CD₃OH. Very similar ¹⁵N chemical shifts and ¹J(¹⁵N,¹H) values were also observed in all the solvents. This indicates that compound 1 exists completely in the 1,4-dihydro tautomeric form (i.e., as dimethyl 1,4-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate) in all the solvents tested.     

Studies on the Components of Crude and Processed Fructus Corni by ESI-MS

The components of crude and processed Fructus Corni were investigated by means of electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry（ESI-MSn） technique in the negative ion mode. Compared with those of crude Fructus Corni, the chemical components of the processed Fructus Corni were changed both in quality and in quantity. From the ESI-MS spectra of the crude and processed Fructus Corni, six peaks were selected to establish the characte-ristic ESI-MS peaks. Several factors in the processing procedure were examined. The experimental results demonstrate that the chemical reactions that occurred in the processing procedure can be used for the elucidation of the processed mechanism of Fructus Corni, which is regularly affected by the processing conditions. The present article provides both the chemistry evidence for the understanding of the processing procedure of Fructus Corni and the specific methodology for the research of the processing procedure and quality identification of traditional Chinese medicine.     

Novel fluoro-substituted benzo- and benzothieno fused pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones

A straightforward, two-step synthesis of fluoro substituted chromeno[2,3-c]pyrazol- and [1]benzothieno[2′,3′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones, respectively, is presented. Hence, treatment of 1-substituted or 1,3-disubstituted 2-pyrazolin-5-ones with fluoro substituted 2-fluorobenzoyl chlorides or 3-chloro-6-fluoro-1-benzothiophene-2-carbonyl chloride using calcium hydroxide in refluxing 1,4-dioxane gave the corresponding 4-aroylpyrazol-5-ols, which were cyclized into the fused ring systems. 5-Fluorochromeno[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one was obtained upon treatment of the 1-(4-methoxybenzyl) protected congener with trifluoroacetic acid. Treatment of 5-fluorochromeno[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones with methylhydrazine afforded novel tetracyclic ring systems such as 2-methyl-7-phenyl-2,7-dihydropyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrano[4,3,2-cd]indazole. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁹F) with the obtained compounds were undertaken.     

Rapid and efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of 5-amino-3-aralkoxy(methoxy)amino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles

The microwave-assisted synthesis of 5-amino-3-aralkoxy(methoxy)amino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles starting from N¹-aralkoxy-(methoxy)-N³-cyano-O-phenylisoureas and hydroxylamine is described. N¹-Aralkoxy(methoxy)-N³-cyano-O-phenylisoureas are readily accessible by treatment of diphenyl N-cyanimidocarbonate with O-substituted hydroxylamines.     

Probing trace Pb(2+) using electrodeposited N,N'-(o-phenylene)-bis-benzenesulfonamide polymer as a novel selective ion capturing film

A novel film modified electrode for the determination of trace lead was developed in this work. The modified electrode was prepared by the electropolymerization of N,N′-(o-phenylene)-bis-benzenesulfonamide (PBSA) as the ion capturing reagent to create the functional film. The modified electrode shows a high selectivity towards Pb²⁺ over interfering cations, e.g. Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr²⁺, and the calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with correlation coefficient of 0.999. For 20 min accumulation, detection limit of 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ M was obtained at the signal to noise ratio of 3. Analytical availability of the modified electrode was demonstrated by the application for samples from pond water.     

Entrapment of Lentinus sajor-caju into Ca-alginate gel beads for removal of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution: preparation and biosorption kinetics analysis

A white rot fungus species Lentinus sajor-caju biomass was entrapped into alginate gel via a liquid curing method in the presence of Ca(II) ions. The biosorption of cadmium(II) by the entrapped live and dead fungal biomass has been studied in a batch system. The heat-treatment process enhanced the biosorption capacity of the immobilized fungal biomass. The effect of initial cadmium concentration, pH and temperature on cadmium removal has been investigated. The maximum experimental biosorption capacities for entrapped live and dead fungal mycelia of L. sajur-caju were found to be 104.8±2.7 mg Cd(II) g⁻¹ and 123.5±4.3 mg Cd(II) g⁻¹, respectively. The kinetics of cadmium biosorption was fast, approximately 85% of biosorption taking place within 30 min. The biosorption equilibrium was well described by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The change in the biosorption capacity with time is found to fit pseudo-second-order equations. Cadmium binding properties of entrapped fungal preparations have been determined applying the Ruzic equations. Since the biosorption capacities are relatively high for both entrapped live and dead forms, they could be considered as suitable biosorbents for the removal of cadmium in wastewater treatment systems. The biosorbents were reused in three consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles without significant loss in the biosorption capacity.     

Trimethylsilyl derivatives of N-Boc-cytosine and their effect on I2-mediated nucleosidation of O-MTM ethers

Mono- and bis(trimethylsilyl) derivatives of N⁴-Boc-cytosine were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR. Only the mono(trimethylsilyl)-N⁴-Boc-cytosine participates in the iodine-mediated nucleosidation of N-Fmoc-O-methylthiomethyl serine benzyl ester to produce the cytosine nucleoamino acid, while the bis(trimethylsilyl) derivative failed to give any product. A tentative mechanistic explanation is proposed.     

Baseline isotopic data of polyhalogenated compounds

The δ²H- and δ¹³C-values of polyhalogenated compounds were determined by EA-IRMS. Most of the compounds were related to the chloropesticides DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorocyclohexanes, and toxaphene, as well as several polybrominated compounds such as bromophenols and -anisoles. δ²H-values ranged between −235‰ and +75‰ whereas δ¹³C-values were found in the range −22‰ to −38‰. No correlation between δ²H- and δ¹³C-values could be identified. Comparative analysis clarified that bromophenols and the corresponding bromoanisoles may vary in their isotopic distribution. ²H NMR was used to quantify abundances of ²H isotopomers. Quantification of isotopomers of 2,4-dibromophenol and 2,4-dibromoanisole proved that both compounds from different suppliers do not originate from the same source. Differences in the δ²H-values of two toxaphene products were further investigated by the synthesis of products of different degree of chlorination from camphene. It was shown that the δ¹³C-values remained mostly unaltered as was expected since no carbon is lost in this procedure. However, the reaction products became enriched in ²H with increasing degree of chlorination. Different δ²H-values of the starting material will also impact the δ²H-values of the chlorination products.     

Luminescence of NaGdFPO4:Ln after VUV excitation: A comparison with GdPO4:Ln (Ln=Ce, Tb)

The phosphors NaGdFPO₄:Ln³⁺ and GdPO₄:Ln³⁺ (for Ln³⁺=Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺) were prepared by solid-state reaction technique, the VUV-vis spectroscopic properties of the phosphors were investigated, and we vividly compare the luminescence of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in the hosts. For phosphors GdPO₄:Ln³⁺, the band near 155 nm in VUV excitation spectrum is assumed to be the host-related absorption, and for NaGdFPO₄:Ln³⁺ the absorption is moved to longer wavelength, near 170 nm, showing the P-O bond covalency increased after fluoridation. The f-d transitions of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in the host lattices are assigned and corroborated, and it was found that the 5d states are with lower energy in NaGdFPO₄:Ln³⁺ than those in GdPO₄:Ln³⁺. For fluoridation of GdPO₄:Ln³⁺ to NaGdFPO₄:Ln³⁺, the energy change of Ln³⁺ (Ln=Ce, Tb) 5d states is consistent with that of host-related absorption.     

Simultaneous pre-concentration procedure for the determination of cadmium and lead in drinking water employing sequential multi-element flame atomic absorption spectrometry

In this paper is proposed a simultaneous pre-concentration procedure using cloud point extraction for the determination of cadmium and lead in drinking water employing sequential multi-element flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The ligand used is 2-(2-thiazolylazo)-p-cresol (TAC) and the micellar phase is obtained using non-ionic surfactant octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-114) and centrifugation.The optimization step was performed using two-level factorial design and Doehlert design. A multiple response function was established in order to get experimental conditions for simultaneous extraction of cadmium and lead.The method allows the determination of cadmium and lead with detection limits of 0.077 μg L^− 1 and 1.05 μg L^− 1 respectively, precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.5 and 3.3% (n = 10) for cadmium concentrations of 30 μg L^− 1 and 50 μg L^− 1, respectively, and RSD of 1.8% and 2.7% for lead concentrations of 30 μg L^− 1 and 50 μg L^− 1, respectively. The accuracy was confirmed by analysis of a certified reference material of natural water.This method was applied for the determination of cadmium and lead in drinking water samples collected in Jaguaquara City, Brazil. Tests of addition/recovery were also performed for some samples and results varied from 95 to 104% for cadmium and 96 to 107% for lead. The cadmium and lead concentrations found in these samples were always lower than the permissible maximum levels stipulated by Brazilian Health Organization.     

N,N,N,N-Tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine as the catalyst of choice for the Baylis-Hillman reaction of cycloalkenone: rate acceleration by stabilizing the zwitterionic intermediate via the ion-dipole interaction

N,N,N^′,N^′-Tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine (TMPDA) can be used as an efficient catalyst for the Baylis-Hillman reaction of cycloalkenones. The increased reaction rate was thought be derived from the stabilizing effect of the zwitterionic intermediate via the ion-dipole interaction.     

Bioaccumulation and determination of lead using treated-Pennisetum-modified carbon paste electrode

The present work describes the development and application of a carbon paste electrode modified by treated-Pennisetum setosum for the determination of lead(II) by anodic stripping differential pulse voltammetry. Most experiments were performed using the preconcentration/voltammetry/regeneration scheme. The resulting modified electrode offers a preferential uptake of lead(II) from solutions. Operational conditions, such as percentage treated-Pennisetum loading in the carbon paste, pH of electrolyte solution, ionic strength, preconcentration time, voltammetric waveform and interference are characterized and optimized to allow quantitative determination of lead. The electrode surface can be regenerated by immersing the modified electrode in 0.05 mol l⁻¹ hydrochloric acid for 2 min. For the measurement step, the optimum conditions were acetate buffer pH 5.0 and 0.60 ionic strength with the preconcentration time of 5 min. The modified electrode contained 10% (w/w) treated-Pennisetum. The detection limit (3σ) was 0.01 mg l⁻¹ Pb(II). For 16 preconcentration/measurement/renewal cycles, the responses could be reproduced with a 5.39% relative standard deviation. This method has been be successfully applied to the determination of lead(II) in natural water samples using standard addition method.     

Synthesis and NMR spectra of the syn and anti isomers of substituted cyclobutanes—evidence for steric and spatial hyperconjugative interactions

The syn and anti isomers of cis,cis-tricyclo[5.3.0.0^2,6]dec-3-ene derivatives have been synthesized and their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra unequivocally analyzed. Both their structures and their ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts were calculated by DFT, the latter two calculations employing the GIAO perturbation method. Additionally, calculated NMR shielding values were partitioned into Lewis and non-Lewis contributions from the bonds and lone pairs involved in the molecules by accompanying NBO and NCS analyses. The differences between the syn and anti isomers were evaluated with respect to steric and spatial hyperconjugation interactions.     

Highly regioselective synthesis of trifluoromethyl derivatives of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines bearing fused cycloalkane rings using (2-ethoxycycloalkenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanones

8-Trifluoromethyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-1,4,8a-triaza-s-indacene and 9-trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrazolo[5,1-b]quinazolines were efficiently generated by condensation of 5(3)-aminopyrazoles with (2-ethoxycycloalkenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanones and isolated in excellent yields. The regiochemistry of the prepared compounds was established by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Determination of cadmium in alcohol fuel using Moringa oleifera seeds as a biosorbent in an on-line system coupled to FAAS

In this study a new method for determination of cadmium in alcohol fuel using Moringa oleifera seeds as a biosorbent in an on-line preconcentration system coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was developed. Flow and chemical variables of the proposed system were optimized through multivariate designs. The limit of detection for cadmium was 5.50 μg L⁻¹ and the precision was below 2.3% (35.0 μg L⁻¹, n = 9). The analytical curve was linear from 5 to 150 μg L⁻¹, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9993. The developed method was successfully applied to spiked alcohol fuel, and accuracy was assessed through recovery tests, with recovery ranging from 97.50 to 100%.     

Syntheses and evaluation of fluorinated benzothiazole anilines as potential tracers for β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease

[¹¹C]2-(4′-(Methylamino)phenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole ([¹¹C]PIB) is a most potential PET tracer for detecting the β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Here the syntheses of three fluorinated PIB, namely 2-(4′-(methylamino)phenyl)-6-fluoroethoxybenzothiazole (O-FEt-PIB), 2-(4′-(methylamino)phenyl)-6-fluoro-benzothiazole (F-N-Me) and 2-(4′-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-6-fluorobenzo-thiazole (F-N,N-Me), and the radiosynthesis of one corresponding ¹⁸F-labeled PIB compound, [¹⁸F]O-FEt-PIB, as well as their in vitro/in vivo biological characters were reported. The structures of the products were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, EI/ESI-MS, elemental analysis and HRMS techniques. The radiolabeled product was characterized by radio-TLC and radio-HPLC and purified by semi-preparative radio-HPLC. The suitable biological characters showed these tracers were potential to be developed as probes for detecting β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease.     

Determination of ferrous and ferric iron in aqueous biological solutions

A solvent extraction method was employed to determine ferrous and ferric iron in aqueous samples. Fe³⁺ is selectively extracted into the organic phase (n-heptane) using HDEHP (bis(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphate) and is then stripped using a strong acid. After separation, both oxidation states and the total iron content were determined directly by ICP-MS analysis. This extraction method was refined to allow determination of both iron oxidation states in the presence of strong complexing ligands, such as citrate, NTA and EDTA. The accuracy of the method was verified by crosschecking using a refinement of the ferrozine assay. Presented results demonstrate the ability of the extraction method to work in a microbiological system in the presence of strong chelating agents following the bioreduction of Fe³⁺ by the Shewanella alga BrY. Based on the results we report, a robust approach was defined to separately analyze Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ under a wide range of potential scenarios in subsurface environments where radionuclide/metal contamination may coexist with strongly complexing organic contaminants.