Microwave-assisted extraction combined with gel permeation chromatography and silica gel cleanup followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the determination of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in biological samples

An analytical method for the determination of 14 organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), including halogenated OPFRs, non-halogenated OPFRs and triphenyl phosphine oxide (TPPO) in biological samples was developed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Biological samples were extracted using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) with hexane/acetone (1:1, v/v) as the solvent; then, a two-step clean-up technique, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) combined with solid phase extraction (SPE), was carried out before GC/MS analysis. Experimental results showed that the developed method efficiently removed the lipid compounds and co-extract interferences. Moreover, using the relatively “narrow” column (with an i.d. of 10 mm) significantly decreased the elution volume and, therefore, prevented the loss of the most volatile OPFRs, especially trimethyl phosphate (TMP) and triethyl phosphate (TEP). The method detection limits (MDLs) for OPFRs in the biological samples ranged from 0.006 to 0.021 ng g⁻¹ lw, and the recoveries were in the range of 70.3–111%, except for TMP (38.9–55.6%), with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 14.1%. The developed method was applied to determine the amount of the target OPFRs in biological samples (i.e., fish and domestic birds) that were collected from the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region in southern China. Of the 14 OPFRs, tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) and tributoxyethyl phosphate (TBEP) were present in all of the biological samples that were analyzed, and dominated by TnBP, TCEP and TBEP. The concentrations of OPFRs in the biological samples that were collected from the PRD region were higher than those reported in other locations.     

Synergic extraction of Cd(II) with mixtures of 4-methyl-N-8-quinolinylbenzenesulphonamide and tri-n-butylphosphate or tri-n-octylphosphine oxide dissolved in toluene

The distribution equilibria of Cd(II) from 0.1 mol dm⁻³ KNO₃ with mixtures of 4-methyl-N-8-quinolinylbenzenesulphonamide and the organophosphorus compounds tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) or tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in toluene have been investigated. The composition of the extracted species and values of the corresponding stoichiometric extraction constants have been deduced following both graphical and numerical treatments of experimental data. Synergic effects are bigger with TOPO than with TBP in agreement with its greater ability to displace water molecules from the coordination sphere of the metal ion.     

Microstructure of Polymers Prepared in the Presence of Tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butylboron–<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Quinone System

The microstructure of polystyrene, poly(methyl acrylate), and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) obtained in the presence of tri-n-butylboron in combination with naphthoquinone-1,4 and 2,3-dimethylbenzoquinone is studied. The stereoregularity of polymers formed under these conditions may be described in the framework of the first-order Markov chain model. The use of p-quinones in combination with tri-n-butylboron favors an increase in the content of isotactic triads in the polymers. The causes of the observed deviations are discussed.     

Phase Separation in the Systems Constituted by Tetradecane (Hexane,Decane), Tri-n-Butyl Phosphate,and Cerium(III) Nitrate Solvate with Tri-n-Butyl Phosphate

Phase diagrams of ternary liquid systems constituted by tetadecane (hexane, decane), tri-n-butyl phophate, and cerium(III) nitrate solvate with tri-n-butyl phosphate Ce(NO₃)₃(TBP)₃ with phase separation into liquid phases I and II were studied at 298.15 K. Phase I is enriched in the hydrocarbon diluent, and phase II, in Ce(NO₃)₃(TBP)₃. The distribution of components between phases I and II was considered.     

Extraction of cobalt(II) from aqueous thiocyanate solutions by tri-n-octylamine

The distribution of cobalt(II) between acidic thiocyanate solutions and tri-n-octylainine dissolved in various diluents has been measured for several cobalt(II) loadings and amine concentrations. Diluents investigated included n-hexane, cyclohexane, benzene, xylene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, chlorobenzene, o-dichlorobenzene and nitrobenzene. In all cases, the species extracted is bis(tri-n-octylammonium) tetrathiocyanatocobaltate(II). The ability of each diluent to extract cobalt(II) from acidic thiocyanate solutions is approximately correlated with the dielectric constant of the pure diluent, i.e., the smaller the dielectric constant, the larger the distribution ratio, with the exceptions of nitrobenzene and chloroform.     

A novel positively charged asymmetry membranes from poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) by benzyl bromination and in situ amination: Part II: Effect of charged group species on membrane performance and morphologies

Positively charged membrane with various charged groups were prepared by in situ amination and phase inversion in which the amine-organic solution and bromomethylated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) was cast and immerged into an ethanol coagulation bath. The separation performance and morphologies were examined to investigate the effect of hydrophilicity of charged groups on the selective properties and the structure formation of the membranes. Positively charged groups introduced in the membranes were trimethylbenzylammonium, triethylbenzylammonium, tri-n-propylbenzylammonium and tri-n-butylbenzylammonium, in order of increasing hydrophobicity. Pure water flux and rejection to gelatin of the membranes at three pH values changed remarkably with increasing chain length of alkyl groups. The tendency of the change was mainly explained by coagulation value of the casting solution. The streaming potential and ion exchange capacity of the membranes were determined and the results showed that the membranes were all positively charged. Furthermore, water content, pore size distribution and SEM images of the membranes were examined as well.     

PVC based 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrinatocobalt(II) membrane potentiometric sensor for arsenite

PVC based membranes of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)porphyrinatocobalt(II) (TMOPP-Co) (I) as electroactive material with dibutyl butyl phosphonate (DBBP), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), 1-chloronaphthalene (CN), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEP) as plasticising solvent mediators have been prepared and tried for arsenite determination. The membrane having a composition 150:5:150 (PVC:I:DBBP) exhibited the best results with linear potential response in the concentration range of 7.9 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M of AsO₂⁻ with a slope of 28.8 mV/decade. The useful pH range of the sensor is 6.0-10.5. The membrane worked satisfactorily in non-aqueous medium up to 5% (v/v) non-aqueous content. The selectivity coefficient values for mono- and divalent anions indicate good selectivity for arsenite over a large number of anions.     

The Structural Features of the Hydrated Ferrous Ion Clusters: [Fe(H2O) n ]2+ (n?=?1–19)

The low-lying structures of the hydrated ferrous ion clusters [Fe(H₂O) _n ]²⁺ (n?=?1?C19) were extensively searched at the level of the density functional theory. The results show that the first hydration shell consists of six water molecules, and the second hydration shell contains seven water molecules. Furthermore, it is found that all the lowest-energy states of [Fe(H₂O) _n ]²⁺ (n?=?1?C19) clusters are spin quintet states. These lowest-energy states keep well even at finite temperatures. The analyses of the successive water binding energy and natural charges population on ferrous ion clearly show that the influence of ferrous ion on the surrounding water molecules goes beyond the second hydration shell.     

Influence of the aluminum alkyl co-catalyst type in Ziegler-Natta ethene polymerization on the formation of active sites, polymerization rate, and molecular weight

The influence of the concentration of the co-catalysts triethylaluminium (TEAL), tri-iso-butylaluminium (TIBAL), tri-n-octylaluminium on the polymerization rate for standard Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems was studied. By comparing the influence of monomeric TIBAL with TEAL co-catalyst on the polymerization activity, the effect of TEAL dimerization was described. The use of the Eley-Ridealadsorption model instead of Langmuir-Hinselwood model is proposed for the absorption of monomeric aluminiumalkyl species and for the formation of active centers C*. It is further proposed that steric hindrance from different co-catalysts, which results in a higher molecular weight (MW) of polymers, is caused by active centers with reduced space for chain transfer reactions.     

Hydration of the ions Al3+ and Cu2+. An ab initio SCF study

Ab initio calculations are reported for the systems Al(H₂O)_n³⁺ and Cu(H₂O)_n²⁺ with n up to 7. The calculated binding energies increase monotically up to n = 6, with equal binding energies for n = 6 and 7 for the Al³⁺ cation. An estimate of the enthalpy of hydration of Al³⁺ is given, based on model calculations with one or two water molecules from the second solvation shell. An SN1 (dissociative) mechanism for the exchange of the water molecules from the first hydration shell of Al³⁺ appears energetically favorable if the leaving molecule remains in the second hydration shell.     

Reversed phase extraction chromatography using solutions of nitric acid as eluants

Approximately 40 ions have been chromatographed on thin layers of silica gel impregnated with Alamine 336-S, Alamine 336-S oxide, tri-n-octylarsine oxide, tri-n-octylphosphine oxide or tri-n-butyl phosphate, and on non-impregnated silica gel. Solutions of 0.2–15 N HNO₃ are used as eluants. R_F spectra and a number of separations are reported. The ions are classified into four groups according to their chromatographic behaviour, which is explained on the basis of anion exchange, solvation, hydrolysis and interaction with the support.Data on the extraction of HNO₃ and the co-extraction of water are reported. The behaviour of Alamine oxide and tri-n-octylarsine oxide parallels that of high-molecular-weight amines: extraction proceeds through anion exchange. Nitric acid taken up in excess of the stoichiometric amount is mainly present in the organic phase as part of the ion [O₂NO…HONO₂]⁻. On the other hand, with tri-n-octyl-phosphine oxide (TOPO) and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), extraction proceeds through solvation; TOPO·HNO₃, TOPO·2HNO₃ and TBP·HNO₃ are the species present in the organic extracts.     

Monte Carlo bicanonical ensemble simulation for sodium cation hydration free energy in liquid water

A series of bicanonical ensemble Monte Carlo (BC MC) simulations has been performed to calculate Na⁺ hydration Gibbs energy in aqueous solution. The hydration Gibbs energy of Na⁺ ion in aqueous solution is the difference between formation free energies of Na⁺ (H₂O)_n and (H₂O)_n clusters at n → α. The convergence of the hydration free energy to bulk water value is fast, and the results at n = 60 turned out to be in good agreement with experimental ones and those calculated using free energy perturbation method [1]. The ion–water interaction has been described by Aqvist's pair potential [1] and SPC model [2] has been used for water–water interactions. The behaviour of the absolute Gibbs energy, the entropy, the internal energy of the clusters and the development of hydration shells’ structure with the increase of the number of water molecules are discussed.     

Spectrophotometric determination of palladium after extraction of the chloro-stannous complex by tri-n-octylamine

The complex formed between palladium(II) and tin(II) in hydrochloric acid solutions, and its extractability by tri-n-octylamine were investigated. Two different species were obtained: one a brown-red complex and the other yellow. Both were extracted into tri-n-octylamine in benzene, but the yellow species which had a definite absorption maximum at 410 mμ was more suitable for the determination of palladium. A method is described for the spectrophotometric determination of palladium in the presence of many other elements. Both species are considered to be anionic and a mechanism for their extraction is proposed.     

DFT and Raman spectroscopy of porphyrin derivatives: Tetraphenylporphine (TPP)

Raman spectrum of the meso tetraphenylporphine (TPP) deposited onto smooth copper surface as thin film were recorded in the region 200–1700 cm⁻¹. To investigate the effect of meso-phenyl substitution rings on the vibrational spectrum of free base porphyrin, we calculated Raman and infrared (IR) spectra of the meso-tetraphenylporphine (TPP), meso tetramethylporphine (TMP), copper (II)porphine (CuPr) and free base porphine (FBP) at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of the density functional theory (DFT). The observed Raman spectrum of the TPP is assigned based on the calculated its Raman spectrum in connection with the calculated spectra of the TMP, CuPr and FBP by taking into account of their corresponding vibrational motions of the Raman modes of frequencies. Results of the calculations clearly indicated that the meso tetraphenyl substitution rings are totally responsible for the observed Raman bands at ∼1593, 1234 and 1002 cm⁻¹. The calculated and observed Raman spectra also suggested that the observed Raman band with a medium intense at 962 cm⁻¹ might result from the surface plasmon effect. Furthermore, the observed Raman bands with medium intense at ∼334 and ∼201 cm⁻¹ are as results of the dimerization or aggregation of the TPP or would be that related to intramolecular interaction. We also calculated IR spectra of these molecules at same level of the theory. To investigate the solvent effect on the vibrational spectrum of porphine, the Raman and IR spectra of the TPP and FBP are calculated in solution phase where water used as solvent. The results of these calculation indicated that there is no any significant effect on the vibrational spectrum of the TPP.     

Controlled radical copolymerization of styrene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl acrylate in the presence of tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butylborane–<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-quinone catalytic system

Radical copolymerization of styrene with tert-butyl acrylate is studied under different conditions. It is found that the addition of tri-n-butylborane or tri-n-butylborane along with p-quinones (2,3-dimethylbenzoquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone) results in changes in the relative activities of monomers. Copolymerization in the presence of tri-n-butylborane and p-quinones proceeds via the mechanism of reversible inhibition and is characterized by the linear increase in number-average molecular weight with conversion and by the capacity of copolymers of reinitiation. The hydrolyzed copolymer samples form more stable films compared to copolymers prepared via conventional radical copolymerization.     

The thermodynamics of synergistic solvent extraction of Zn(II) with 1-phenyl-3- methyl-4-benzoyl-pyrazole-5-one

The synergistic extraction of Zn(II) has been studied in the PMBP—TBP system (where PMBP = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-pyrazole-5-one and TBP = tri-n- butyl phosphate) at various temperatures using a radiochemical technique. The thermodynamic parameters for the reactions involved support the mechanism for the synergistic extraction in which the 5-coordinate monohydrated Zn(PMBP) ₂ chelate exchanges a water molecule for TBP.     

Studies of viscosity and excess molar volume of binary mixtures: 4. 1-Alkanol + tri-n-butylamine mixtures at 303.15 and 313.15 K

The excess molar volume V^E, the viscosity deviation Δη and the excess Gibbs energy of activation ΔG^1E of viscous flow are calculated from density and viscosity measurements of six mixtures of 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol and 1-decanol with tri-n-butylamine over the entire range of mole fractions at 303.15 and 313.15 K. The values of V^E of all six systems are very large and negative. Except for 1-propanol+tri-n-butylamine, the magnitude of negative deviations in viscosity increases with chain length of alkanol. The results have been explained considering mixed associated species of type A_iB involving alkanol (A) with tri-n-butylamine (B) through OH⋯N bonds. The viscosity data have been correlated with the equations of Grunberg and Nissan, Tamura and Kurata, Hind, McLaughlin and Ubbelohde, Katti and Chaudhri, McAllister, Heric, and of Auslaender.     

Predicting Property Isotherms of Ternary Mixtures on Isotherms of the Binary Mixtures, Presented by a Non-stoichiometric Model

For the first time symmetric models are presented for non-stoichiometric six-parameter models and comparative analysis has been carried out with empirical ternary symmetric and asymmetric models with the Redlich?CKister model taken as a basis. For asymmetric models on the basis of the component structuredness criteria, a simple quantitative mode is proposed for selecting the asymmetric component. On the basis of Chou??s method a new mode of computation has been proposed with the help of non-stoichiometric models. Calculations have been performed with the excess molar volumes and molar enthalpies dependence using ethanol or 1-butanol + triethylamine + n-hexane and 1-butanol + tri-n-butylamine (or tri-n-octylamine) + n-hexane mixtures as examples.     

Properties of membranes obtained by radiation castpolymerization of hydroxyalkyl methacrylate monomers

The degree of hydration and oxygen permeability of membranes obtained by radiation cast-polymerization of various hydroxyalkyl methacrylate monomers were studied. The degree of hydration of the polymeric membranes decreased with increasing numer, n, of methylene units (CH₂) in the monomers. The linear expansion of the polymeric membranes swollen by water decreased with increasing n. The oxygen permeability of the polymeric membranes increased moderately up to n = 4 with increasing n, and after that increased suddenly. This variation of oxygen permeability as a function of n was explained by the flexibility of polymer segments.     

Fluorinated stannanes : Part 1. The stereospecific synthesis of fluorinated stannanes via a novel transmetalation of fluorinated zinc and cadmium reagents

Fluorinated stannanes are versatile synthetic intermediates. Reaction of fluorinated vinyl, alkyl and aryl zinc or cadmium reagents with tri-n-butyltin chloride at room temperature yielded the corresponding tri-n-butyl stannanes in moderate to excellent yields. The zinc or cadmium reagents also reacted efficiently with other trialkyl and triaryl chlorostannanes. These zinc and cadmium reagents were prepared in excellent yields by stirring the fluorinated halides with activated zinc or cadmium metal.