Effect-directed analysis: a promising tool for the identification of organic toxicants in complex mixtures?

Wastewater effluents, groundwater, surface water, sediments, soils and air particulate matter are often contaminated by a multitude of chemicals. Since often no a priori knowledge of relevant toxicants exists, chemical analysis alone is not an appropriate tool for hazard assessment. Instead, a linkage of effect data and hazardous compounds is required. For that purpose, effect-directed analysis (EDA) was developed, which is based on a combination of biotesting, fractionation procedures and chemical analytical methods. Since a controversial discussion about the prospects of success in relation to the expense exists, the current methodological state of EDA for organic toxicants in complex mixtures and important results are reviewed in this paper with the aim of establishing criteria for the successful use of this promising tool. While EDA is a powerful tool to identify specifically acting individual toxicants close to the source of emission, it is inappropriate for screening purposes and often may fail in remote areas where the concentrations of specific toxicants are too low relative to the nonspecific toxicity of the whole mixture of natural and anthropogenic compounds. The biological tools have to be carefully selected with respect to their ability to detect specific effects and their significance in hazard assessment. Sophisticated chemical tools are required to identify individual toxicants in mixtures of thousands of compounds, which are typical for contaminated environments.     

Insight into the photocatalytic properties of phosphonate-based metal–organic frameworks for reduction of Cr (VI) and Synergistic elimination of organic dyes under natural sunlight

The photocatalytic reduction of Cr (VI) is investigated over phosphonate-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) structured as STA-12(M)(M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni). The removal of Cr (VI) appears to be faster with STA-12(Fe) under natural sunlight. The correlation among responses to effective variables as main and interactions were optimized by central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM). Moreover, STA-12(Fe) has exhibited considerable synergistic photocatalytic activity for dyes (MO and RhB) degradation and Cr (VI) reduction. The reduction ratio of Cr (VI) was increased extremely after addition of MO or RhB. The highest photocatalytic activity of dyes degradation and Cr (VI) reduction appeared under the dye/Cr (VI) weight ratio of 3:1. To determine the most important species that affected the photocatalytic reduction, trapping experiments were carried out, using various kinds of scavenger species. Finally, a probable reaction mechanism has been investigated in detail.     

Thermal properties of some small peptides (N-acetyl-amino acid-N′-methylamides) with non-polar side groups

Temperatures and molar enthalpies of fusion of a series of uncharged small peptides, namely the methylamides of N-acetyl substituted glycine, α-amino-butyric acid, alanine, valine, norvaline, leucine, isoleucine, norleucine, and proline, were measured by differential scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.), and molar entropies of fusion were derived. Both l- and dl-compunds were taken into account for the chiral molecules. No solid-to-solid transitions were detected from room temperature to fusion except for N-acetyl-N′-methyl alaninamide. Comparisons were made with the values for the N-acetyl amides of the corresponding amino acids previously reported. Both l enantiomers and dl racemates of α-aminobutyric acid, alanine, valine and isoleucine methylamides displayed temperatures of fusion sharply increasing as a function of molar mass, whereas much lower values, in countertendency with their molar mass increase, were found for proline and leucine methylamides. The racemic dl crystals showed temperatures of fusion of about 40 °C lower than those of the corresponding pure l enantiomers, except for proline and leucine derivatives. The enthalpies and entropies of fusion also varied as a function of molar mass following a similar trend with that of temperatures of fusion, except for alanine derivatives which showed lower values than expected. The values of ideal solubility of solids at T = 298.15 K were estimated based on their temperatures and molar entropies of fusion. Results were discussed with reference to the packing patterns based on hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions.     

Structure and properties of the ion pair charge-transfer complex of octacyanotungstate(IV) with the 2,2′-bipyridinium dication

The X-ray crystal structure of (bpyH2)2[W(CN)8]·4H2 O (bpyH2=2,2-bipyridinium) is described. The [W(CN)8]4– anion has an approximately square antiprismatic (D4d) conformation, seemingly imposed by strong anion–water–cation hydrogen-bonding interactions. Bond distances in the anion are: WC 2.150(5), 2.163(5); CN 1.128(6), 1.145(6)Å and the angles WCN are 177.6(5), 178.3(5)°. The dihydrate and the anhydrous salt are both intensely black solids, exhibiting ion-pair charge-transfer interaction between cation and anion. E.s.r. spectra indicate that 30% of the tungsten is present as WV in the solid state, but that in solution only the WIV complex is present. The electron withdrawing effect of the cation is discussed and compared with that in a series of salts with different bipyridinium cations.     

Assessment of adsorption properties of inorganic–organic hybrid cyclomatrix type polyphosphazene microspheres for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions

Abstract

Inorganic–organic hybrid cyclomatrix type polyphosphazene microspheres (poly[cyclotriphosphazene-co-(4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane)]) (HDMS) and poly[cyclotetraphosphazene-co-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane)] (ODMS) were prepared to investigate their possible use as alternative adsorbents for the comparative study on Pb(II) ions removal from aqueous solutions. The structures of the microspheres were elucidated by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements, and the surface morphologies were also observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The adsorption of Pb(II) ions onto HDMS and ODMS from aqueous solutions was examined by means of pH, temperature, contact time and concentration. Furthermore, adsorption kinetics and isotherm models were applied and the experimental data fitted well with Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The maximum adsorption capacities of HDMS and ODMS for Pb(II) ions were obtained as 157.8 and 308.0?mg g^?1 at 20?°C and pH 5.5, respectively.     

Do collective atomic fluctuations account for cooperative effects? Molecular dynamics studies of the U1A-RNA complex

A complete understanding of gene expression relies on a comprehensive understanding of the protein-RNA recognition process. However, the study of protein-RNA recognition is complicated by many factors that contribute to both binding affinity and specificity, including structure, energetics, dynamical motions, and cooperative interactions. Several recent studies have suggested that energetic coupling between residues contributes to formation of the complex between the U1A protein and stem loop 2 of U1 snRNA as a consequence of a cooperative network of interactions. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations on the U1A-RNA complex, including explicit water and counterions, and analyzed the results based on the calculated positional cross-correlations of atomic fluctuations. The results indicate that cross-correlations calculated on a per residue basis agree well with the observed inter-residue cooperativity and predict that the networks identified to date may also be coupled into an extensive hyper-network that reflects the intrinsic rigidity of the RNA recognition motif. In addition, we report a comparison of the MD calculated correlations with the results of a positional covariance analysis based on the sequences of 330 RNA recognition motifs, including U1A. The calculated inter-residue cross-correlations agree very well with the results of the sites exhibiting positional covariance. Collectively, these results strongly support the hypothesis that collective fluctuations contribute to cooperativity and the corresponding observed thermodynamic coupling. Predictions of additional sites in U1A that may be involved in cooperative networks are advanced.     

Transport properties of ephedrine hydrochloride through poly(vinyl alcohol) matrices—a simple method for enantiomeric differentiation

Equilibrium and transport properties have been investigated of ephedrines, a class of sympathomimetic amines, through cryogel membranes of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The effect of the PVA (10 to 18 % (w/v)) on the release properties of (1S,2R)-(+)-ephedrine hydrochloride has been discussed on the basis of partition–diffusion and power-law models. The effect of PVA concentration on the swelling degree of PVA–ephedrine matrices have been measured, allowing the estimation of the volume fraction of polymer in the gel. Ephedrine release rate constants, computed by using a first-order kinetics approach, have been modeled by using free-volume and hydrodynamic-scaling models. Differences in the release properties of the ephedrine isomers, (1S,2R)-(+)- and (1R,2S)-(?)-ephedrine as their hydrochlorides, have also been studied at different temperatures. The release kinetic constants and the corresponding activation energies show a marked discrimination between the two ephedrine isomers. This suggests that PVA cryogel membranes possess high potential for enantiomeric differentiation.     

Structure and magnetic properties of homobinuclear gadolinium (Ⅲ) complex of isonicotinoyl hydrazone

The crystal structure of [Gd2(μ-L)3(H2O)2].1.5(NO3).1.5 (OH)-5H2O (where L is an-ion of N, N'-Diisonicotinoyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl-isophthalaIdehyde dihydrazone) has been determined by X-ray diffraction method. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c with a=1.6654(3), b=1.6904(3), c=2.8039(6) nmβ=91.30(3)°, final R factor is 6.3%. The structrue consists of [Gd2(μ-L)3(H2O)2]3+ cation, one and a half nitrate and 1.5 hydroxyl anions and five water molecules. Within dinuclear cation, Gd(Ⅲ)-Gd(Ⅲ) is bridged by oxygen and nitrogen atoms of the three ligands, resulting in Gd...Gd distance of 0.36353(2) nm. Gd(Ⅲ) exhibits a distorted 1333 stack coordination environment. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 300-4 K revealed the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between two Gd(Ⅲ) ions with a J value of -0.22, and g of 1.93.     

Tuning the thermal properties of poly(ethylene)-like poly(esters) by copolymerization of ε-caprolactone with macrolactones,in the presence of a pyridylamidozinc(II) complex

Linear aliphatic poly(ester)s, as thermoplastic materials, are more and more envisaged as the potential “green” alternative to traditional plastics. Aliphatic polyesters having long methylene chain behave as “polyethylene-like” materials and can be prepared by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of macrolactones. A pyridylamidozinc(II) complex was used for the ROP of ε-caprolactone (CL) and of two large ring size lactones, the ω-6-hexadecenlactone (6HDL) and the ω-pentadecalactone (PDL). High turnover frequencies were observed for the CL polymerization, while for the macrolactones, an entropy-driven behavior was recognized. Random copolymerizations of the PDL with 6HDL and of the macrolactones with CL were successfully achieved, and the copolymer microstructure was ascertained by NMR and MALDI analyses. The copolymer melting temperatures, measured by DSC, and the thermal degradation behavior, studied by TGA in nitrogen and air atmosphere, were dependent on the copolymer's composition. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 58, 528–539     

Development of a screening method for the analysis of organic pollutants in water using dual stir bar sorptive extraction-thermal desorption-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The development of a method for screening of organic compounds with a wide range of physico-chemical properties in water, based on dual stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with thermal desorption and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (dual SBSE-TD-GC–MS) is described. The investigated water sample is divided into two aliquots and extracted with stir bar sorptive extraction at two different conditions: using addition of methanol or sodium chloride, respectively. Following extraction, the two stir bars are inserted into the same glass thermal desorption liner and are simultaneously desorbed and analysed by GC–MS. The method optimisation was performed using 45 environmentally harmful substances with different volatilities (boiling point from 193 to 495 °C), polarity (log K_ow from 2.17 to 8.54) and acido-basic properties. The majority of model compounds was selected from the EU list of priority substances in the field of water policy and from the US EPA method 625, respectively. Optimisation was performed for extraction parameters (sample volume, extraction time, stirring rate, addition of modifiers) as well as for the thermal desorption conditions (desorption flow, desorption time, cryofocusing temperature). Performance characteristics (recovery, repeatability, carryover, linearity, limits of detection and quantification) were determined for the optimised method. An example of analysis of a contaminated groundwater sample is presented.     

Identification of the matrix shift: a fingerprint for neutral neon complex?

Ar-NiCO and Ne-NiCO have been predicted as novel neutral noble gas charge-transfer complexes, with binding energies of 7.70 and 2.16 kcal/mol, respectively, by the highly correlated coupled-cluster singles and doubles including a perturbational estimate of triple excitations calculations. The calculated shifts in the Ni-C-O bending frequency are 48 and 36 cm(-1) for Ar-NiCO and Ne-NiCO, while the corresponding experimental matrix shifts are 46 and 36 cm(-1), respectively. The anharmonicity effects for these frequencies are verified to be very small. The interaction between a noble gas atom and NiCO is discussed through natural population analyses and the electron density difference map. We further examined the noble gas matrix effects on the geometrical structure and vibrational frequencies of NiCO by performing density functional theory calculations for the Ng31-NiCO (Ng = Ar, Ne, He) system. The present results will inspire the further experimental investigation on the complexes of noble gas and transition metal compounds generated in the matrix isolation experiments.     

Enhancement of the luminescence efficiency of europium(III) tris(β-diketonato) complex in organic media by quaternary ammonium salts with anionic ligands

Benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium (BA14(+)) salts with anionic ligands (X(-)), such as bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (BEHP(-)), and benzotriazole (BTA(-)) anions, were prepared. These salts were soluble in various organic solvents. The luminescence emission spectra of organic solutions of a red luminescent, tris(1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-7,7-dimethyl-4,6-octadionato)europium(III) complex in the presence of the BA14X's were recorded. The emission intensity of the Eu(III) complex was increased remarkably by the addition of BA14X (X(-) = BEHP(-) and BTA(-)). This effect can be attributed to the formation of 1:1 X(-)-adducts of the Eu(III) complex, in which the asymmetry of the ligand field is increased so as to enhance the emission efficiency of the (5)D(0)→(5)F(2) transition. The enhancement effect by BA14X was higher than that of charge-neutral ligands, such as tri-n-octylphosphine oxide and 1,10-phenanthroline, which have been used as second ligands to enhance the emission efficiency of tris(β-diketonato)europium(III) complexes.     

Theoretical study of challenging properties of intramolecularly π-stacked oligo(dibenzofulvene) organic molecular semiconductors

It has been recently argued that poly(dibenzofulvene) displays different properties for inter- and intrachain charge transport processes in the hopping regime. The charge carrier path for intramolecular transport consists in a set of π-stacked fluorene rings attached as pendant groups to the main chain, which defines a set of increasingly longer oligomers of helical shape according to the number of fluorene rings. The all-pervasive non-covalent interactions, influencing the mutual orientation of the π-stacked fluorene rings, is accounted for by dispersion-corrected methods, which had to be previously assessed against some experimental values. The present theoretical study aims to rationalize the competition between the two processes (inter- vs. intrachain) through the accurate calculation of the molecular parameters governing charge transport along the intrachain path. Finally, we perform a computationally guided molecular engineering of a set of molecules, not yet synthesized, with extended face-to-face π-stacking, which is achieved by fusing benzene rings to terminal sides of the fluorene moieties. This allows us to anticipate the performance of this new set of related materials.     

Synthesis of (NHC)Rh(cod)Cl and (NHC)RhCl(CO)2 complexes – Translation of the Rh- into the Ir-scale for the electronic properties of NHC ligands

Twenty-three different Rh complexes of the (NHC)RhCl(cod) and (NHC)RhCl(CO)₂ type were synthesized from [RhCl(cod)]₂. The electron donating nature of the NHC ligands was changed in a systematic manner. The redox potentials of the various (NHC)RhCl(cod) and the ν(CO) of the various (NHC)RhCl(CO)₂ were determined. A correlation of the Rh redox potentials and the Rh ν(CO), respectively, with the related data from analogous (NHC)IrCl(cod) and (NHC)IrCl(CO)₂ complexes established two linear relationships. The linear regression (R² = 0.993) of the Rh and the Ir redox potentials results in an equation for the redox potential transformation: E_1/2(Ir) = 1.016 · E_1/2(Rh) ? 0.076 V. The linear regression (R² = 0.97) of the Rh and Ir ν_av(CO) results in an equation for the ν_av(CO) transformation: ν_av(CO)Ir = 0.8695 · ν_av(CO)Rh + 250.7 cm^?1. In this manner the Rh and the Ir-scale for the determination of the electron donating properties of NHC ligands are unified.     

Development of the performance reference compound approach for the calibration of “polar organic chemical integrative sampler” (POCIS)

The purpose of the Water Framework Directive is to ensure the quality of the natural water across Europe. In this context, passive samplers have shown interesting capacities for the monitoring of contaminants in aqueous ecosystems. They allow the measurement of time-weighted average concentrations, overcoming many drawbacks of the spot-sampling techniques known to be expensive and time consuming. However, application of passive samplers such as polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) for the monitoring of hydrophilic contaminants requires calibration to define compound sampling rates; key parameters to deduce the pollutant water concentrations from the amounts of pollutants accumulated by the device. Unfortunately, sampling rates are influenced by a range of environmental factors; in that respect, a question remains: is it not evident to know to what extent the sampling rates obtained in laboratory experiments can be used in field conditions? The problem can be solved for hydrophobic samplers by using performance reference compounds (PRCs), and an ongoing challenge for POCIS is focused on the improvement of the quantitative aspect of this family of samplers. In this study, potential PRCs have been selected during a specific experiment and their performance was tested in the laboratory under two hydrodynamic conditions. Results revealed a good proportionality between elimination rates of PRCs and sampling rates of chemicals. Afterwards, the application of the approach under environmental conditions was assessed by deploying POCIS in the Arcachon Bay (France) where POCIS–PRC-derived water concentrations appear to be close to the simultaneous grab-sampling results.

Spectral properties and reactivity of the binuclear complex ion μ-(p-benzoquinonediimine)bis[pentacyanoferrate(II)]

Summary A sodium salt containing the binuclear complex anion -(p-benzoquinonediimine) bis(pentacyanoferrate(II)], [(NC)₅FeHNC₆H₄NHFe(CN)₅]^6- [first described by Herington⁽³⁾) has been isolated as a solid from an oxygenated solution ofp-phenylenediamine and sodium amminepentacyanoferrate(II) in a 12 molar ratio. The i.r. and u.v.-vis. spectra point to a quinonediimine structure for the bridging ligand. In aqueous solution this ion dissociates into aquopentacyanoferrate(II) andp-benzoquinonediiminepentacyanoferrate(II), with k_obs=1.1×10^–2s^–1. The formation of the mononuclear pentacyanoferrate(II) complex of protonatedp-benzoquinonediimine is favoured at pH8. The pK_a value for the coordinated diimine isca. two orders of magnitude higher than that for the free ligand, thus indicating thatp-benzoquinonediimine is stabilized by coordination to the [Fe(CN)₅]^3- moiety, though to a lesser extent than in rutheniumammine analogues.Presented in part at the VIth Argentine Congress on Physical Chemistry, held at Termas de Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero, R. Argentina, April 1989.     

Structure of the hexanuclear Cu(II) β-diketonate complex

The structure of the hexanuclear copper(II) β-diketonate complex with gfa (hexafluoroacetylacetone) and dpm (dipivalylmethanate) ligands was studied by low-temperature (T = 100 K) X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for Cu₆(gfa)₄(dpm)₄(OH)₄ [C₆₄H₈₄Cu₆F₂₄O₂₀]: a = 28.2364(7) Å, b = 12.8072(3) Å, c = 24.7199(7) Å, β= 115.900(1)°, V = 8041.5(4) ų, space group C2/m, Z = 4, d _calc 1.661 g/cm³. The coordination polyhedra of the copper atoms — squares and octahedra — are formed by the oxygen atoms of the gfa and dpm ligands and groups. In all cases, the Cu-O distances vary from 1.89 Å to 2.13 Å. The complexes follow the sites of the rhombohedral sublattice with the parameters a _c ≈ 14.4 Å and a _c ≈ 61.5°.     

Characterization of the bis(β-diimino-tetracyano-pyrrolizinido)-metal(II) complexes incorporated in polymeric matrices

The bis(-diimino-tetracyano-pyrrolizinido)-Cu(II) complex (CuL₂) has been incorporated in polystyrene (0.28% w/w), by evaporating tetrahydrofuran solutions either at room temperature (a) or at 100°C (b). From IR and UV-vis measurements and optical microscopy on the resulting films (a orb, thickness 50 m) it is concluded that CuL₂ is present as a concentrated (C10^–1 M) THF solution ina and as small solid particles (diameter <1 m) inb. The difference in colour of the films (dark bluea, light blueb), due to the different physical state of CuL₂ in the matrix, is expected, and has been preliminarily shown using similar films based on NiL₂, to be useful for sensing organic vapours in the atmosphere.