Fluorescence intensity and lifetime-based cyanide sensitive probes for physiological safeguard

We characterize six new fluorescent probes that show both intensity and lifetime changes in the presence of free uncomplexed aqueous cyanide, allowing for fluorescence based cyanide sensing up to physiological safeguard levels, i.e. <30 μM. One of the probes, m-BMQBA, shows a ≈15-fold reduction in intensity and a ≈10% change in mean lifetime at this level.The response of the new probes is based on their ability to bind the cyanide anion through a boronic acid functional group, changing from the neutral form of the boronic acid group R-B(OH)₂ to the anionic R-B⁻(CN)₃ form, a new cyanide binding mechanism which we have recently reported. The presence of an electron deficient quaternary heterocyclic nitrogen nucleus, and the electron rich cyanide bound form, provides for the intensity changes observed. We have determined the disassociation constants of the probes to be in the range ≈15-84 μM³. In addition we have synthesized control compounds which do not contain the boronic acid moiety, allowing for a rationale of the cyanide responses between the probe isomers to be made.The lifetime of the cyanide bound probes are significantly shorter than the free R-B(OH)₂ probe forms, providing for the opportunity of lifetime based cyanide sensing up to physiologically lethal levels.Finally, while fluorescent probes containing the boronic acid moiety have earned a well-deserved reputation for monosaccharide sensing, we show that strong bases such as CN⁻ and OH⁻ preferentially bind as compared to glucose, enabling the potential use of these probes for cyanide safeguard and determination in physiological fluids, especially given that physiologies do not experience any notable changes in pH.     

Fluorescence sensors for monosaccharides based on the 6-methylquinolinium nucleus and boronic acid moiety: potential application to ophthalmic diagnostics

Continuous monitoring of glucose levels in human physiology is important for the long-term management of diabetes. New signaling methods/probes may provide an improved technology to monitor glucose and other physiologically important analytes. The glucose sensing probes, BMQBAs, fabricated using the 6-methylquinolinium moiety as a fluorescent indicator, and boronic acid as a chelating group, may have versatile applications in glucose sensing because of their unique properties. In this paper we discuss the design logic, synthesis, characterization and spectral properties of three new isomeric glucose sensors (BMQBAs), and a control compound (BMQ) in the presence and absence of sugars. The sensing ability of the new probes is based on a charge neutralization and stabilization mechanism upon sugar binding. The new probes have attractive fluorescence quantum yields, are highly water-soluble, and have spectral characteristics compatible with cheap and portable LEDs and LDs. One of the probes, o-BMQBA, has a sugar bound pK_a of 6.1, and a dissociation constant K_D of 100 mM glucose. These probes have been designed specifically to respond to tear glucose in a contact lens polymer for ophthalmic glucose monitoring, where the reduced sugar bound pK_a affords for sensing, in a lens environment that we have previously shown to be mildly acidic.     

Pd-NHC-catalyzed synthesis of diaryl ketones

With N-hetereocyclic carbene and palladium catalysis, diaryl ketones with a variety of functional groups that span from electron withdrawing to electron donating substitutions can be conveniently synthesized using the corresponding aryl boronic acid and N-acyloxyphthalimide.     

Use of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid as electron donating compound in a potentiometric aflatoxin M1-immunosensor

We developed a potentiometric aflatoxin M₁-immunosensor which utilizes 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (p-HPPA) as electron donating compound for horseradish peroxidase (HRP; EC 1.11.1.7). The assay system consists of a polypyrrole-surface-working electrode coated with a polyclonal anti-M₁ antibody (pAb-AFM₁), a Ag/AgCl reference electrode and a HRP-aflatoxin B₁ conjugate (HRP-AFB₁ conjugate).To optimize the potentiometric measuring system p-HPPA as well as related compounds serving as electron donating compounds were compared. Also the influence of different buffer systems, varying pH and substrate concentrations on signal intensity was investigated. Our results suggest that reaction conditions that favor the formation of Pummerer's type ketones lead to an increase in signal intensity rather than formation of fluorescent dye. Comparison with commercial ready-to-use HRP electron donating compounds such as 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), o-phenylenediamine (OPD) or 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) showed that only 34%, 77% and 49% of the signal intensity of p-HPPA were reached, respectively.The optimized assay had a detection limit of 40 pg mL⁻¹ and allowed detection of 500 pg mL⁻¹ (FDA action limit) aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in pasteurized milk and UHT-milk containing 0.3-3.8% fat within 10 min without any sample treatment. The working range was between 250 and 2000 pg mL⁻¹ AFM₁.     

Chemical modification of poly(vinyl chloride) by nucleophilic substitution

The reaction of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in nucleophile (Nu)/ethylene glycol (EG) or Nu/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution was found to result in the substitution of Cl in PVC with Nu from solution, in addition to the straight elimination of HCl, both of which led to the dechlorination of PVC. Examined Nu⁻ were I⁻, SCN⁻, OH⁻, N₃⁻, and the phthalimide anion. For the Nu/EG solution, elimination was favoured over substitution for all Nu⁻. The ratio of substitution to dechlorination was notable, descending in the order OH⁻ > SCN⁻ = N₃⁻ > phthalimide anion > I⁻. For the Nu/DMF solution, the ratio of substitution to dechlorination was high, in the order SCN⁻ > N₃⁻ > I⁻ > phthalimide anion. In both cases, the orders of the ratios were similar to those of the nucleophilic reactivity constant, I⁻ > SCN⁻ > N₃⁻ > phthalimide anion, except for I⁻. The low ratio for I⁻ was attributable to the elimination of HI after the substitution of Cl in PVC with I in solution, because I⁻ is a strong nucleophile, as well as an excellent leaving group. Comparing the effect of EG and DMF on the substitution of Cl in PVC with Nu in solution, the ratio of substitution to dechlorination was higher for I⁻, SCN⁻, N₃⁻, and the phthalimide anion in DMF than in EG. The substitution of Cl in PVC with Nu in solution was found to occur preferentially in DMF versus EG.     

Substituent effect on anthracene-based bisboronic acid glucose sensors

Earlier we communicated an anthracene-based bisboronic acid sensor for glucose. Aimed at understanding the substituent effect, we have introduced various functional groups, such as the cyano, nitro, and fluoro group on the boronic acid moiety of this glucose sensor. Fluorescent binding studies indicated that the cyano-substituted sensor (4a) has the highest affinity (K 2540 M⁻¹) for glucose, but the lowest selectivity (three-fold over fructose); the fluoro-substituted compound (4c) shows the lowest affinity (630 M⁻¹) and a modest selectivity (15-fold over fructose); and the unsubstituted one (1a) shows the highest selectivity over fructose (43-fold) and a modest affinity (1472 M⁻¹).     

Oxidation of glyoxylic acid by a mononuclear manganese(IV) complex of 1,8-bis(2-hydroxybenzamido)-3,6-diazaoctane: A kinetics and mechanistic study

The oxidation of glyoxylic acid (HGl) by Mn^IVL {L⁴⁻ = tetra deprotonated 1,8-bis(2-hydroxybenzamido)-3,6-diazaoctane} was investigated in the pH range 1.67-10.18, at 25-45 °C and 0.5 M ionic strength. The reaction exhibited biphasic kinetics with Mn^IIIL⁻ as the reactive intermediate. Mn^IV was reduced to Mn^II. The products of oxidation of HGl were identified as formic acid and CO₂ in acidic medium, and oxalate in basic medium, consistent with the stoichiometry: −Δ[Mn^IV]/−Δ[HGl] = 1. In acidic medium, both Mn^IVL and Mn^IIIL⁻ formed outer-sphere adducts with the neutral HGl {HC(OH)₂COOH} molecule, with an association constant Q_av of 28 and 70 M⁻¹, respectively. A similar adduct formation was not observed for the glyoxylate mono anion {Gl⁻, CH(OH)₂(CO₂⁻)} and glyoxylate dianion {Gl²⁻, CH(OH)(O⁻)CO₂⁻}. The rate and activation parameters for the various paths are reported and an outer-sphere electron transfer mechanism is suggested.     

Universal Reaction Mechanism of Boronic Acids with Diols in Aqueous Solution: Kinetics and the Basic Concept of a Conditional Formation Constant

To establish a detailed reaction mechanism for the condensation between a boronic acid, RB(OH)₂, and a diol, H₂L, in aqueous solution, the acid dissociation constants (${K{{{\rm BL}\hfill \atop {\rm a}\hfill}}}$ ) of boronic acid diol esters (HBLs) were determined based on the well‐established concept of conditional formation constants of metal complexes. The pK_a values of HBLs were 2.30, 2.77, and 2.00 for the reaction systems, 2,4‐difluorophenylboronic acid and chromotropic acid, 3‐nitrophenylboronic acid and alizarin red S, and phenylboronic acid and alizarin red S, respectively. A general and precise reaction mechanism of RB(OH)₂ with H₂L in aqueous solution, which can serve as a universal reaction mechanism for RB(OH)₂ and H₂L, was proposed on the basis of (a) the relative kinetic reactivities of the RB(OH)₂ and its conjugate base, that is, the boronate ion, toward H₂L, and (b) the determined pK_a values of HBLs. The use of the conditional formation constant, K′, based on the main reaction: RB(OH)₂+H₂L ${{\mathop \leftrightarrow \limits ^{K{_{1}}}_{}}}$ RB(L)(OH)^?+H₃O⁺ instead of the binding constant has been proposed for the general reaction of uncomplexed boronic acid species (B′) with uncomplexed diol species (L′) to form boronic acid diol complex species (esters, BL′) in aqueous solution at pH 5–11: B′+L′ ${{\mathop \leftrightarrow \limits ^{K{^\prime}}_{}}}$ BL′. The proposed reaction mechanism explains perfectly the formation of boronic acid diol ester in aqueous solution.     

The effect of boronic acid acidity on performance of viologen-based boronic acids in a two-component optical glucose-sensing system

A two-component saccharide sensing system using the fluorescent dye, hydroxypyrene trisulfonic acid, combined with a boronic acid functional viologen as a receptor/quencher in pH 7.4 buffer solution has been further investigated. The effect of substituents on the acidity of the boronic acid was measured. The boronic acid pK_a changed in the expected manner when electron donating or withdrawing groups were present. The glucose binding constants were dependent on pK_a, but no simple correlation was observed for the Stern-Volmer quenching constants and the fluorescence signal modulation.     

Experimental and theoretical study of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine betaine

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine betaine (HEMB) has been characterized by a single crystal X-ray analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with a=10.273(2), b=9.360(2), c=9.447(2) Å and β=104.72(3)Å. Two molecules of HEMB form a centrosymmetric dimer (X2) connected by a pair of hydrogen bonds between the CH₂CH₂OH and COO⁻ groups, with the O?O distance of 2.672(2) Å. The morpholine ring adopts a chair conformation with the CH₂CH₂OH group in the axial and the CH₂COO⁻ group in the equatorial position. The structures of the dimer, B2, and two monomers, B1a and B1b, have been optimized by the B3LYP approach using the 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The computed structure of B2, agrees well with the experimental X2. From two stable monomeric conformers the more favored is B1a, with the intramolecular hydrogen bond with the O-H?O distance of 2.566 Å. The effects of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions on the conformation of the molecules investigated have been discussed. The FTIR spectrum shows a broad absorption in the 3300-2600 cm⁻¹ region, typical of moderate O-H?O hydrogen bonds.     

Versatility of an intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzoate group as a signaling subunit for anion recognition

The versatility of the 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzoate (DMAB) group embedded in host 1 as a signaling subunit for anion recognition was elucidated in terms of ¹H NMR, CD, and fluorescence studies. Host 1 showed 1:1 complexation with monovalent anions and stepwise 1:1 and 2:1 (host 1: anion) complexation with divalent phosphate anions. The binding constants between host 1 and anions were determined by means of ¹H NMR titrations in CD₃CN (HPO₄²⁻: log K_1:1=6.2, log K_2:1=4.9; H₂P₂O₇²⁻: log K_1:1=4.4, log K_2:1=1.8; AMP²⁻: log K_1:1>7, log K_2:1>5) and the affinity of host 1 toward divalent anions, HPO₄²⁻, H₂P₂O₇²⁻, and AMP²⁻, is stronger than that toward monovalent anions, NO₃⁻, BF₄⁻, ClO₄⁻, HSO₄⁻, and PF₆⁻. The CD exciton chirality studies of host 1 with divalent anions, HPO₄²⁻ and AMP²⁻, revealed that the two DMAB groups in the 2:1 complexes were arranged with negative chirality (counterclockwise). The dual fluorescence behavior of the DMAB group demonstrated not only the complexation stoichiometry but also the role(s) of the lipophilic countercation such as tetrabutylammonium and/or the hydrophilic residue in AMP during anion recognition.     

Thermodynamic and structural study of complexation of phenylboronic acid with salicylhydroxamic acid and related ligands

Stability constants of boronate complexes with a highly efficient bioconjugation ligand salicylhydroxamic acid, its derivatives and some structurally related compounds were determined by potentiometric and spectroscopic titrations at variable pH allowing one to obtain detailed stability – pH profiles and to identify the optimum pH for complexation with each ligand. The N,O‐binding of salicylhydroxamic acid via condensation of boronic acid with phenolic OH and hydroxamic NH groups was established by crystal structure determination of isolated complexes with phenylboronic and 4‐nitrophenylboronic acids. Although this type of binding is impossible for N‐methylated salicylhydroxamic acid it still forms stable boronate complexes supposedly involving unusual 7‐membered –O‐B‐O‐ cycle supported by ¹H NMR studies. Hydroxamic acids lacking ortho‐OH group and salicyloyl hydrazide form less stable boronate complexes, which nevertheless possess stabilities similar to those of catechole complexes and may be useful for conjugation applications. In contrast to other ligands, which form tetrahedral anionic complexes, salicylamidoxime forms tetrahedral, but neutral boronate complex with high stability in weakly acid solutions. The highest affinity in neutral and acid solutions surpassing that of salicylhydroxamic acid is observed with 2,6‐dihydroxybenzhydroxamic acid (K_obs = 5.2 × 10⁴ at pH 7.4). Fairly stable mono‐ and bisboronate complexes are formed with 2,5‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzdihydroxamic acid, which also possesses intense fluorescence and may serve as a boronic acid sensor with detection limit 4 μM. Results presented in this study provide quantitative basis for rational applications of hydroxamic acid derivatives in bioconjugation and sensing.     

1,n′-Disubstituted ferrocenoyl amino acids and dipeptides: Conformational analysis by CD spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations

An experimental and computational study on the conformational preference of 1,n′-disubstituted ferrocenoyl amino acids and dipeptides is presented. Only l-amino acids were used for the synthesis of Fe[C₅H₄-CO-Met-Met-OMe]₂ (4), but according to the X-ray structure a 4:1 mixture of l,d,M,d,l and l,d,M,l,l isomers is obtained (l describes amino acid chirality and M the helical chirality of the ferrocene core). This result is in agreement with IR and CD solution phase data and can be explained with a racemization by 1 M NaOH during the synthesis. In order to determine the relative stabilities of the different conformations, DFT calculations on model compounds Fe[C₅H₄-CO-Gly-NH₂]₂ (5) and Fe[C₅H₄-CO-Ala-OMe]₂ (6) were performed using the B3LYP/LanL2DZ method with ECPs on the heavy atoms. Conformers 5A-5C with different hydrogen bond patterns have significantly different stabilities with a stabilization by about 30 kJ mol⁻¹ per hydrogen bond. The “Herrick conformation” 5A with two hydrogen bonds is the most stable in the gas phase, in accordance with the solution and solid phase data. In contrast, only small energetic differences (less than 10 kJ mol⁻¹) were calculated for conformers l,P,l-6A, l,P,d-6A and d,P,d-6A, which differ only in amino acid chirality.     

A lead(II)-selective PVC membrane based on a Schiff base complex of N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-2,6-pyridinediamine

PVC membrane electrodes for lead ion based on N,N’-bis(salicylidene)-2,6-pyridinediamine as membrane carrier were prepared. Among their membranes, a membrane electrode (m-3) containing o-NPOE as a plasticizer and 50 mol% additive displays an excellent Nernstian response (29.4 mV/decade) and the limit of detection of −log a (M) = 6.04 to Pb²⁺ in Pb(NO₃)₂ solutions at room temperature. It has a rapid response time within 10 s over the entire concentration range. The proposed electrode revealed good selectivity and response for Pb²⁺ over a wide variety of other metal ions in a pH 5.0 buffer solutions, and good reproducibility of base line in subsequent measurements.     

Complexes derived from the copper(II)/succinamic acid/N,N′,N″-chelate tertiary reaction systems: Synthesis,structural and spectroscopic studies

The use of succinamic acid (H₂sucm) in Cu^II/N,N′,N″-donor [2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (terpy), 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (dmbppy)] reaction mixtures yielded compounds [Cu(Hsucm)(terpy)]_n(ClO₄)_n (1), [Cu(Hsucm)(terpy)(MeOH)](ClO₄) (2), [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂(terpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), [Cu(ClO₄)₂(terpy)(MeOH)] (4), [Cu(Hsucm)(dmbppy)]_n(NO₃)_n·3nH₂O (5^.3nH₂O), and [CuCl₂(dmbppy)]·H₂O (6·H₂O). The succinamate(−1) ligand exists in four different coordination modes in the structures of 1–3 and 5, i.e., the μ₂-κO:κO′:κO″ in 1 and 5 which involves asymmetric chelating coordination of the carboxylato group and ligation of the amide O-atom leading to 1D coordination polymers, the μ₂-κ²O:κO′ in 3 which involves asymmetric chelating and bridging coordination of the carboxylato group, and the asymmetric chelating mode in 2. The primary amide group, either coordinated in 1 and 5, or uncoordinated in 2 and 3, participate in hydrogen bonding interactions, leading to interesting crystal structures. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the Hsucm⁻ ligands. The thermal decomposition of complex 5·3nH₂O was monitored by TG/DTG and DTA measurements.     

Determination of Ca, K, Mg, Na, sulfate, phosphate, formate, acetate, propionate, and glycerol in biodiesel by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection

In this work, a new method employing capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the determination of several species in biodiesel is introduced. The concentrations of inorganic species (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄²⁻, and PO₄³⁻) and glycerol are of interest to the regulatory authorities due to their ability to form undesirable compounds in engines. Additionally, other species of low molecular weight (e.g., acetate, formate, and propionate) are of interest because they contribute towards increasing the acidity. These species are formed by the degradation of biodiesel and cause damage to engines and the environment. The cation separation was performed in background electrolyte (BGE) composed of 30 mmol L⁻¹ of 2-(n-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES)/L-histidine (His), pH 6. The separation of anionic species was carried out in similar BGE with 0.2 mmol L⁻¹ cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) added. For glycerol, a neutral species, its oxidation with periodate was employed. This well-known reaction is specific to polyols and generates iodate. The amount of iodate produced by the reaction was determined by CE. The separation was carried out in approximately 1 min using BGE composed of 30 mmol L⁻¹ acetic acid, pH 3. The analytical parameters evaluated were: linearity (r > 0.99), the RSD values for area and migration time were < 3.4% and 0.9%, respectively, and recovery was in the range of 89 to 107%.     

The substrate specificity of the heat-stable stereospecific amidase from Klebsiella oxytoca

The substrate specificity of the heat-stable stereospecific amidase from Klebsiella oxytoca was investigated. In addition to the original substrate, 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide, the amidase accepted 2-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-butanamide and 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-amino-2-methylpropanamide as substrates. Compounds with larger side chains and compounds where the hydroxyl group was substituted with a methoxy group, or in which the CF₃ group was substituted by CCl₃, were not accepted. The biotransformation is a new synthetic route to (R)-(+)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-amino-2-methylpropanoic acid, and its related (S)-(−)-amide, and to (R)-(+)-2-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-butanoic acid and its related (S)-(−)-amide.     

The tunable coordination architectures of a flexible multicarboxylate N-(4-carboxyphenyl)iminodiacetic acid via different metal ions, pH values and auxiliary ligand

{[Pb₃(CPIDA)₂(H₂O)₃]·H₂O}_n1, {[Cd₃(CPIDA)₂(H₂O)₄]·5H₂O}_n2, [Cd(HCPIDA)(bpy)(H₂O)]_n3 (bpy=4,4′-bipyridine) and {[Co₃(CPIDA)₂(bpy)₃(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O}_n4 were synthesized with N-(4-carboxyphenyl) iminodiacetic acid (H₃CPIDA). In 1, the CPIDA³⁻ ligands adopt chelating and bridging modes with Pb(II) to possess a 3D porous framework. In 2D-layer 2, the CPIDA³⁻ ligands display a simple bridging mode with Cd(II). The 2D layers have parallelogram-shaped channels along a axis. With bpy ligands, the HCPIDA²⁻ ligands in 3 show more abundant modes, but 3 still displays a 2D sheet on bc plane for the unidentate bpy molecules. However, in 3D-framework 4, the bpy ligands adopt bridging bidentate at a higher pH value and the CPIDA³⁻ ligands show bis-bidentate modes with Co(II). Additionally, 2D correlation analysis of FTIR was introduced to ascertain the characteristic adsorptions location of the carboxylate groups with different coordination modes in 4 with thermal and magnetic perturbation. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 exhibit the fluorescent emissions at room temperature.     

Structure of N,C,N-chelated organotin(IV) fluorides

The set of starting tri-, di- and monoorganotin(IV) halides containing N,C,N-chelating ligand (L^NCN = {1,3-[(CH₃)₂NCH₂]₂C₆H₃}⁻) has been prepared (1-5) and two compounds structurally characterized ([L^NCNPh₂Sn]⁺I₃⁻ (1c), L^NCNSnBr₃ (5)) in the solid state. These compounds were reacted with KF with 18-crown-6, NH₄F or L^CNnBu₂SnF to give derivatives containing fluorine atom(s). Triorganotin(IV) fluorides L^NCNMe₂SnF (2a) and L^NCNnBu₂SnF (3a) revealed monomeric structural arrangement with covalent Sn-F bond both in the coordinating and non-coordinating solvents, except the behaviour of 3a that was ionized in the methanol solution at low temperature. The products of fluorination of L^NCNSnPhCl₂ (4) and 5 were described by NMR in solution as the ionic hypervalent fluorostannates or the oligomeric species reacting with chloroform, methanol or moisture to zwitterionic monomeric stannate L^NCN(H)⁺SnF₄⁻ (5c), which was confirmed by XRD analysis in the solid state.     

Stripping voltammetric determination of platinum metals at a carbon paste electrode modified with cationic surfactants

In this contribution, a novel method is described for the determination of platinum metals. The procedure developed employs a carbon paste electrode modified in situ with cationic surfactants of the quaternary ammonium salt type. The pre-concentration step is based on a specific accumulation mechanism involving ion-pair formation; the detection being performed by cathodic scanning in the differential pulse voltammetric mode. Regarding the individual forms of platinum metals, the method has been found convenient for the determination of three heavy platinum metals in the form of Pt(IV), Ir(III) and Os(IV), whereas for the remaining elements (Ru, Rh, and Pd) was almost inapplicable. Platinum metals of the former group can be pre-concentrated in chloride-containing supporting media via PtCl₆²⁻, IrCl₆³⁻ and OsCl₆²⁻ complex anions, the central atom of each species being fairly reducible during the voltammetric scan. Stripping signals for both platinum and iridium were proportional to the concentration in a range of 1-10 × 10⁻⁶ M Pt(IV) and Ir(III); the response for osmium being linear within 0.1-6 × 10⁻⁷ M Os(IV) with a detection limit of about 5 × 10⁻⁹ mol l⁻¹. During optimisation, special attention was paid to the accumulation mechanism, choice of key experimental conditions, and to interference effects from foreign ions with potentially ion-pairing capabilities (AuCl₄⁻, TlCl₄⁻, CrO₄²⁻, MnO₄⁻, SCN⁻, and I⁻). The method elaborated has been tested on both model solutions and real samples of industrial waste water, showing in both cases satisfactory analytical performance.