Determination of iodine and bromine compounds in foodstuffs by CE-inductively coupled plasma MS

A CE-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (CE-ICP-MS) method for iodine and bromine speciation analysis is described. Samples containing ionic iodine (I(-) and IO(3)(-)) and bromine (Br(-) and BrO(3)(-)) species are subjected to electrophoretic separation before injection into the microconcentric nebulizer (CEI-100). The separation has been achieved in a 50 cm length x 75 microm id fused-silica capillary. The electrophoretic buffer used is 10 mmol/L Tris (pH 8.0), while the applied voltage is set at -8 kV. Detection limits are 1 and 20-50 ng/mL for various I and Br compounds, respectively, based on peak height. The RSD of the peak areas for seven injections of 0.1 microg/mL I(-), IO(3)(-) and 1 microg/mL Br(-), BrO(3)(-) mixture is in the range of 3-5%. This method has been applied to determine various iodine and bromine species in NIST SRM 1573a Tomato Leaves reference material and a salt and seaweed samples obtained locally. A microwave-assisted extraction method is used for the extraction of these compounds. Over 87% of the total iodine and 83% of the total bromine are extracted using a 10% m/v tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution in a focused microwave field within a period of 10 min. The spike recoveries are in the range of 94-105% for all the determinations. The major species of iodine and bromine in tomato leaves, salt, and seaweed are Br(-), IO(3)(-), I(-), and Br(-), respectively.     

Self-assembly of molybdophosphate on a glassy carbon electrode covalently modified with choline and electrocatalytic reduction of iodate.

Choline can be covalently grafted on glassy carbon electrodes using cyclic voltammetric method, forming a stable cationic monolayer-modified electrode (Ch/GCE). Keggin-type molybdophosphate anions, alpha-PMo(12)O(40)(3-), then were self-assembled on the Ch/GCE through electrostatic interactions for fabrication of an electrochemical sensor, which is denoted as alpha-PMo(12)/Ch/GCE. This two-layer modified electrode was carefully characterized by cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the sensor exhibits strong electrocatalytic activity and sensitivity toward the reduction of IO(3)(-). The content of IO(3)(-) in a table salt was determined with satisfactory results. The sensor is promising as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of IO(3)(-).     

Singularity of proton transport in salts of orthoperiodic and orthotellurium acids: theoretical modeling using density functional calculations

Density functional B3LYP calculations have been performed to investigate proton transport in orthoperiodic and orthotellurium acids, their salts MIO(6)H(4)(M = Li, Rb, Cs) and CsH(5)TeO(6), dimers of the salt*acid type MIO(6)H(4)*H(5)IO(6)(M = Rb, Cs), CsIO(6)H(4)*H(6)TeO(6), CsHSO(4)*H(6)TeO(6), Cs(2)SO(4)*H(6)TeO(6), and also in double-substituted and binary salts Rb(2)H(3)IO(6) and Rb(4)H(2)I(2)O(10). It has been shown that the energy of salt dimerization is 33-35 kcal mol(-1) and the activation barrier for proton migration between the neighboring octahedrons of the salt*acid --> acid*salt type is calculated to be 3-13 kcal mol(-1). The activation energy of the proton migration along the octahedron, 20-30 kcal mol(-1), is comparable with the barrier for water molecule separation. Quantum-chemical calculations correlate with the results of X-ray and electrochemical studies.     

In situ fabrication of macroporous polymer networks within microfluidic devices by living radical photopolymerization and leaching

Novel fabrication techniques and polymer systems are being explored to enable mass production of low cost microfluidic devices. In this contribution we discuss a new fabrication scheme for making microfluidic devices containing porous polymer components in situ. Contact lithography, a living radical photopolymer (LRPP) system and salt leaching were used to fabricate multilayer microfluidic devices rapidly with various channel geometries and covalently attached porous polymer plugs made of various photopolymerizable substrates. LRPP systems offer the advantages of covalent attachment of microfluidic device layers and facile surface modification via grafting. Several applications of the porous plugs are also explored, including a static mixer, a high surface area-to-volume reactor and a rapidly responding hydrogel valve. Quantitative and qualitative data show an increase in mixing of a fluorescein and a water stream for channels containing porous plugs relative to channels with no porous plugs. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images demonstrate the ability to graft a functional material onto porous plug surfaces. A reaction was carried out on the grafted pore surfaces, which resulted in fluorescent labelling of the grafted material throughout the pores of the plug. Homogenous fluorescence throughout the depth of the porous plug and along pore surfaces indicated that the porous plugs were surface modified by grafting and that reactions can be carried out on the pore surfaces. Finally, porous hydrogel valves were fabricated which swelled in response to contact with various pH solutions. Results indicate that a porous hydrogel valve will swell and close more rapidly than other valve geometries made with the same polymer formulation. The LRPP-salt leaching method provides a means for rapidly incorporating porous polymer components into microfluidic devices, which can be utilized for a variety of pertinent applications upon appropriate selection of porous plug materials and surface treatments.     

Capillary liquid chromatography-microchip atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry

A miniaturized nebulizer chip for capillary liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (capillary LC-microchip APCI-MS) is presented. The APCI chip consists of two wafers, a silicon wafer and a Pyrex glass wafer. The silicon wafer has a DRIE etched through-wafer nebulizer gas inlet, an edge capillary insertion channel, a stopper, a vaporizer channel and a nozzle. The platinum heater electrode and pads for electrical connection were patterned on to the Pyrex glass wafer. The two wafers were joined by anodic bonding, creating a microchip version of an APCI-source. The sample inlet capillary from an LC column is directly connected to the vaporizer channel of the APCI chip. The etched nozzle in the microchip forms a narrow sample plume, which is ionized by an external corona needle, and the formed ions are analyzed by a mass spectrometer. The nebulizer chip enables for the first time the use of low flow rate separation techniques with APCI-MS. The performance of capillary LC-microchip APCI-MS was tested with selected neurosteroids. The capillary LC-microchip APCI-MS provides quantitative repeatability and good linearity. The limits of detection (LOD) with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3 in MS/MS mode for the selected neurosteroids were 20-1000 fmol (10-500 nmol l(-1)). LODs (S/N = 3) with commercial macro APCI with the same compounds using the same MS were about 10 times higher. Fast heat transfer allows the use of the optimized temperature for each compound during an LC run. The microchip APCI-source provides a convenient and easy method to combine capillary LC to any API-MS equipped with an APCI source. The advantages and potentials of the microchip APCI also make it a very attractive interface in microfluidic APCI-MS.     

Long-chain alkylimidazolium ionic liquids, a new class of cationic surfactants coated on ODS columns for anion-exchange chromatography

Separations of common inorganic anions were carried out on ODS columns coated with two long-chain alkylimidazolium ionic liquids ([C(12)MIm]Br and [C(14)MIm]Br) as new cationic surfactants for ion chromatography. With phthalate buffer solution as the mobile phases and non-suppressed conductivity detection, high column efficiencies and excellent selectivity were obtained in the separation of inorganic anions. Chromatographic parameters are calculated and the results show that the coated column possesses significant potential for the analysis of some inorganic anions such as CH(3)COO(-), IO(3)(-), Cl(-), BrO(3)(-), NO(2)(-), Br(-), NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-), I(-), BF(4)(-), and SCN(-). The effect of eluent pH values on the separation of anions has been studied on the column coated with [C(12)MIm]Br. The stability of the coated columns was also examined.     

An enzyme-immobilization method for integration of biofunctions on a microchip using a water-soluble amphiphilic phospholipid polymer having a reacting group

A water-soluble phospholipid polymer having an active ester group in the side chain, poly[2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate (BMA)-co-p-nitrophenyloxycarbonyl polyethyleneglycol methacrylate (MEONP)(PMBN), was used for the immobilization of an enzyme on a plastic microchip. The MPC polymers with BMA units were adsorbed onto the poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) microchip, and the active ester group in the MEONP unit reacted with the amino groups of the proteolytic enzyme, trypsin. Trypsin was immobilized on the sample reservoir, and catalyzed the hydrolysis of the fluorescently labeled ArgOEt to Arg. The consequent separation of product from the substrate, and their detection, were integrated on the microchip and this meant that all procedures from the enzymatic activity to product detection were completed in less than three minutes.     

Reaction between copper(I)-thiourea and bismuth(III)-thiourea complexes in presence of iodide. New spot-tests for copper(II) and bismuth(III)

New and very simple spot tests are described for the detection of Bi(III), Cu(II) and I(-) ions with limits of detection of 3, 8, and 75 mug/0.05 ml respectively. Tests are also described for such combinations as Bi(III) + I(-); Bi(III) + Cu(II); and Bi(III) + Cu(II) + I(-). All the tests are based on the formation of an orange or red-orange precipitate of bismuth(III)-copper(I)-iodide-thiourea complex, for which the formula [Bi(tu)(3)I(3).Cu(tu)(3)I] (where tu = thiourea) is proposed. This complex is produced in various ways by the interaction of Bi(III), Cu(II), and I(-) ions with thiourea. Most cations and anions do not interfere, but Tl(I), Cs(I), SO(2-)(3), S(2)O(2-)(3), EDTA, and oxidizing ions such as NO(-)(2), IO(-)(3), IO(-)(4), BrO(-)(3), and MnO(-)(4) do. The complex hexakis(thioureato)sulphatomonoaquodicopper(I) [Cu(2)(tu)(6)SO(4).H(2)O] is proposed as a new spot-test reagent for Bi(III) and I(-) ions, although the sensitivity for the latter is poor.     

Iodine emission in the presence of humic substances at the water's surface

Humic substances that preferentially adsorb at the air/water interfaces of water or aerosols consist of both fulvic and humic acid. To investigate the chemical reactivity for the heterogeneous reaction of gaseous ozone, O(3)(g), with aqueous iodide, I(-)(aq), in the presence of standard fulvic acid, humic acid, or alcohol, cavity ring-down spectroscopy was used to detect gaseous products, iodine, I(2)(g) and an iodine monoxide radical, IO(g). Fulvic acid enhanced the I(2)(g) production yield, but not the IO(g) yield. Humic acid, n-hexanol, n-heptanol, and n-octanol did not affect the yields of I(2)(g) or IO(g). We can infer that the carboxylic group contained in fulvic acid promotes the I(2)(g) emission by supplying the requisite interfacial protons more efficiently than water on its surface.     

LIF studies of iodine oxide chemistry. Part 3. Reactions IO + NO3 --> OIO + NO2, I + NO3 --> IO + NO2, and CH2I + O2 --> (products): implications for the chemistry of the marine atmosphere at night

The technique of pulsed laser photolysis coupled to LIF detection of IO was used to study IO + NO(3) --> OIO + NO(2); I + NO(3) --> (products); CH(2)I + O(2) --> (products); and O((3)P) + CH(2)I(2) --> IO + CH(2)I, at ambient temperature. was observed for the first time in the laboratory and a rate coefficient of k(1 a) = (9 +/- 4) x 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) obtained. For , a value of k(2) (298 K) = (1.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) was obtained, and a IO product yield close to unity determined. IO was also formed in a close-to-unity yield in , whereas in an upper limit of alpha(3)(IO) < 0.12 was derived. The implications of these results for the nighttime chemistry of the atmosphere were discussed. Box model calculations showed that efficient OIO formation in was necessary to explain field observations of large OIO/IO ratios.     

Application of polymer based stationary phases in high performance liquid chromatography and capillary high performance liquid chromatography hyphenated to microcoil 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The increased demand for chromatographic materials that are able to achieve a fast separation of large quantities of structure analogues is a great challenge. It is known that polymer based chromatographic materials have a higher loadability, compared to silica based sorbents. Unfortunately these polymer materials cannot be used under high pressure which is necessary in order to obtain high flow rates, and hence long times are needed to perform a separation. However, by immobilizing a polymer on a mechanically stable porous silica core, this problem can be circumvented and higher flows become feasible on these materials. Especially for capillary liquid chromatography hyphenated with nuclear magnetic resonance a high loadability is of great importance in order to obtain sharp, resolved, and concentrated peaks thus resulting in a good signal to noise ratio in the NMR experiment. Therefore, a highly shape selective chromatographic sorbent was developed by covalently immobilizing a poly(ethylene-co-acrylic) acid copolymer (-CH(2)CH(2)-)(x)[CH(2)CH(CO(2)H)-](y) (x=119, y=2.4) with a mass fraction of acrylic acid of 5% as stationary phase on silica via a spacer molecule (3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane). First, the loadability of this sorbent compared to C(30) is demonstrated by the HPLC separation of two xanthophyll isomers. Subsequently, it has been successfully employed in the hyphenation of capillary HPLC with microcoil (1)H NMR spectroscopy by separating and identifying a highly concentrated solution of the tocopherol homologues.     

Explorations of new second-order nonlinear optical materials in the potassium vanadyl iodate system

Four new potassium vanadyl iodates based on lone-pair-containing IO(3) and second-order Jahn-Teller distorted VO(5) or VO(6) asymmetric units, namely, α-KVO(2)(IO(3))(2)(H(2)O) (Pbca), β-KVO(2)(IO(3))(2)(H(2)O) (P2(1)2(1)2(1)), K(4)[(VO)(IO(3))(5)](2)(HIO(3))(H(2)O)(2)·H(2)O (P1), and K(VO)(2)O(2)(IO(3))(3) (Ima2) have been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal reactions. α-KVO(2)(IO(3))(2)(H(2)O) and β-KVO(2)(IO(3))(2)(H(2)O) exhibit two different types of 1D [VO(2)(IO(3))(2)](-) anionic chains. Neighboring VO(6) octahedra in the α-phase are corner-sharing into a 1D chain with the IO(3) groups attached on both sides of the chain in a uni- or bidentate bridging fashion, whereas those of VO(5) polyhedra in the β-phase are bridged by IO(3) groups into a right-handed helical chain with remaining IO(3) groups being grafted unidentately on both sides of the helical chain. The structure of K(4)[(VO)(IO(3))(5)](2)(HIO(3))(H(2)O)(2)·H(2)O contains novel isolated [(VO)(IO(3))(5)](2-) units composed of one VO(6) octahedron linked to five IO(3) groups and one terminal O(2-) anion. The structure of K(VO)(2)O(2)(IO(3))(3) exhibits a 1D [(VO)(2)O(2)(IO(3))(3)](-) chain in which neighboring VO(6) octahedra are interconnected by both oxo and bridging iodate anions. Most interestingly, three of four compounds are noncentrosymmetric (NCS), and K(VO)(2)O(2)(IO(3))(3) displays a very strong second-harmonic generation response of about 3.6 × KTP, which is phase matchable. It also has high thermal stability, a wide transparent region and moderate hardness as well as an excellent growth habit. Thermal analyses and optical and ferroelectric properties as well as theoretical calculations have also been performed.     

New spot-test for silver(I) based on double iodide formation with bismuth(III)

The formation of an intense brownish-maroon or maroon-red product by the interaction of silver(I) and bismuth(III) solution in the presence of iodide forms the basis of a new and specific spot-test procedure for silver. The test is conducted on a spot plate with 2 or 3 drops of 2% potassium iodide solution, 1 drop of 1% bismuth(III) nitrate solution, and 1 drop of test solution. Limit of detection is 0.01 mug; limit of dilution is 1:5 x 10(6). Most cations and anions do not interfere. Only Tl(I), Cs, S(2)O(2-)(3), EDTA, pyridine, excess of thiourea, oxidizing ions (NO(-)(2), IO(-)(3), IO(-)(4), MnO(-)(4), BrO(-)(3), and S(2)O(2-)(8)) and ions such as Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), SCN(-), and N(-)(3) which cause precipitation of silver, interfere. The product formed is most probably Ag(2)BiI(5).     

Synthesis,characterization, and computational study of the trans-IO2F5(2-) anion

The combination of CH(3)CN solutions of [N(CH(3))(4)][F] and a mixture of cis- and trans-[N(CH(3))(4)][IO(2)F(4)] produces the novel trans-IO(2)F(5)(2)(-) anion. Under the given conditions, only the trans-IO(2)F(4)(-) anion acts as a fluoride ion acceptor, thus allowing the separation of isomerically pure, soluble cis-IO(2)F(4)(-) from insoluble trans-IO(2)F(5)(2)(-). The trans-IO(2)F(5)(2)(-) and cis-IO(2)F(4)(-) anions were characterized by infrared and Raman spectroscopy and theoretical calculations at the LDFT and HF levels of theory. The trans-IO(2)F(5)(2)(-) anion has a pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry with the two oxygen atoms occupying the axial positions. It represents the first example of a heptacoordinated main group AO(2)X(5) species and completes the series of pentagonal-bipyramidal iodine fluoride and oxide fluoride species. The geometries of the pentagonal-bipyramidal series IO(2)F(5)(2)(-), IOF(5)(2)(-), IF(5)(2)(-), IOF(6)(-), IF(6)(-), and IF(7) and the corresponding octahedral series IO(2)F(4)(-), IOF(4)(-), IF(4)(-), IOF(5), IF(5), and IF(6)(+) were calculated by identical methods. It is shown how the ionic charge, the oxidation state of the iodine atom, the coordination number, and the replacement of fluorine ligands by either an oxygen ligand or a free valence electron pair influence the stuctures and bonding of these species.     

Modification of a poly(methyl methacrylate) injection-molded microchip and its use for high performance analysis of DNA

Inexpensive and permanently modified poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) microchips were fabricated by an injection-molding process. A novel sealing method for plastic microchips at room temperature was introduced. Run-to-run and chip-to-chip reproducibility was good, with relative standard deviation values between 1-3% for the run-to-run and less than 2.1% for the chip-to-chip comparisons. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) was used as an additive in PMMA substrates. The proportions of PMMA and ABS were optimized. ABS may be considered as a modifier, which obviously improved some characteristics of the microchip, such as the hydrophilicity and the electro-osmotic flow (EOF). The detection limit of Rhodamine 6G dye for the modified microchip on the home-made microchip analyzer showed a dramatic 100-fold improvement over that for the unmodified PMMA chip. A detection limit of the order of 10(-20) mole has been achieved for each injected psiX-174/HaeIII DNA fragment with the baseline separation between 271 and 281 bp, and fast separation of 11 DNA restriction fragments within 180 seconds. Analysis of a PCR product from the tobacco ACT gene was performed on the modified microchip as an application example.     

Kinetic and mechanistic studies of the I(2)/O(3) photochemistry

The atmospherically relevant chemistry generated by photolysis of I2/O3 mixtures has been studied at 298 K in the pressure range from 10 to 400 hPa by using a laboratory flash photolysis setup combining atomic resonance and molecular absorption spectroscopy. The temporal behaviors of I, I(2), IO, and OIO have been retrieved. Conventional kinetic methods and numerical modeling have been applied to investigate the IO self-reaction and the secondary chemistry. A pressure independent value of k(IO + IO) = (7.6 +/- 1.1) x 10(-11) cm(3) molecule-1 s(-1) has been determined. The pressure dependence of the branching ratios for the I + OIO and IOIO product channels in the IO + IO reaction have been determined and have values of 0.45 +/- 0.10 and 0.44 +/- 0.13 at 400 hPa, respectively. The branching ratios for the 2I + O(2) and I(2) + O(2) product channels are pressure independent with values of 0.09 +/- 0.06 and 0.05 +/- 0.03, respectively. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the isomer IOIO is more thermally stable than predicted by theoretical calculations. A reaction scheme comprising OIO polymerization steps has been shown to be consistent with the temporal behaviors recorded in this study. For simplicity, the rate coefficient has been assumed to be the same for each reaction (OIO)(n) + IO --> (OIO)(n+1), n = 1, 2, 3, 4. The lower limit obtained for this rate coefficient is (1.2 +/- 0.3) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 400 hPa. Evidence for the participation of IO in the polymerization mechanism also has been found. The rate coefficient for IO attachment to OIO and to small polymers has been determined to be larger than (5 +/- 2) x 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 400 hPa. These results provide supporting evidence for atmospheric particle formation induced by polymerization of iodine oxides.     

High-speed separation of proteins by microchip electrophoresis using a polyethylene glycol-coated plastic chip with a sodium dodecyl sulfate-linear polyacrylamide solution

In this paper, we describe a method for size-based electrophoretic separation of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-protein complexes on a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microchip, using a separation buffer solution containing SDS and linear polyacrylamide as a sieving matrix. We developed optimum conditions under which protein separations can be performed, using polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated polymer microchips and electrokinetic sample injection. We studied the performance of protein separations on the PEG-coated PMMA microchip. The electrophoretic separation of proteins (21.5-116.0 kDa) was completed with separation lengths of 3 mm, achieved within 8 s on the PEG-coated microchip. This high-speed method may be applied to protein separations over a large range of molecular weight, making the PEG-coated microchip approach applicable to high-speed proteome analysis systems.     

Analysis of iodine species in aqueous solutions

Iodine is a biologically important trace element. Its behaviour in the environment and in human metabolism is determined by the type of iodine species which takes part in chemical reactions. Knowledge of their concentrations is necessary to understand and describe the iodine reaction paths. A separation procedure is proposed for quick determination of common forms of iodine-iodide, iodate ions, molecular iodine and organoiodine (in the form of CH(3)I). The procedure consists of sequential sorption by passing the sample solution first through a solid-phase extraction cartridge to separate I(2) and CH(3)I from IO(3)(-) and I(-) then through an anion-exchange resin in a cartridge to retain the latter two species. Each loaded cartridge is eluted to separate the sorbed pair of species. Concentration determination of the resulting four solutions can be performed by standard methods, e.g. by spectrophotometry, tracer counting or with ion-selective electrodes.     

Effect of dissolved oxygen on the oxidation of dithionate ion. Extremely unusual kinetic traces

The effect of dissolved oxygen on the acid-dependent disproportionation of dithionate ion (S(2)O(6)(2-)) and its oxidation with a number of reagents (I(2), Br(2), I(3)(-), Br(3)(-), IO(3)(-), BrO(3)(-), IO(4)(-), MnO(4)(-), Cr(VI), Ce(VI), and H(2)O(2)) were studied. Dithionate ion is remarkably inert at room temperature, and heating to elevated temperatures (50-90 degrees C) was necessary to observe detectable reaction rates in all of these processes. It was confirmed that dithionate ion is never oxidized directly; its redox reactions are zeroth-order with respect to the oxidizing agent and proceed through disproportionation and subsequent fast oxidation of the sulfur(IV) formed. The effect of dissolved oxygen is attributable to its reaction with sulfur(IV) produced in the disproportionation. This autoxidation occurs only with a catalyst. Cerium(III) and iodide ions were shown to catalyze the autoxidation, and their effect on the kinetic traces was studied. In a few cases, highly unusual kinetic traces, such as straight lines with sharp break points, inverted parabolas, and a combination of these, were detected and successfully interpreted in terms of simple kinetic and stoichiometric considerations.     

Bi2(IO4)(IO3)3: a new potential infrared nonlinear optical material containing [IO4](3-) anion

A new potential infrared (IR) nonlinear optical (NLO) material Bi(2)(IO(4))(IO(3))(3) was synthesized by hydrothermal method. Bi(2)(IO(4))(IO(3))(3) crystallizes in the chiral orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) (No. 19) with a = 5.6831(11) ?, b = 12.394(3) ?, and c = 16.849(3) ?. It exhibits a three-dimensional framework through a combination of the IO(3), IO(4), BiO(8), and BiO(9) polyhedra and is the first noncentrosymmetric (NCS) structure containing [IO4](3-) anion. Bi(2)(IO(4))(IO(3))(3) has an IR cutoff wavelength of 12.3 μm and belongs to the type 1 phase-matchable class with a moderately large SHG response of 5 × KDP, which is in good agreement with the theoretical calculations.