A new Chinese national reference material (GBW04481) for calcite oxygen and carbon isotopic microanalysis

Carbonate oxygen (O) and carbon (C) isotopes are widely used as proxies for tracing the processes and physicochemical conditions of many geological events and environmental changes in Earth Science. In particular, O and C isotopic variations at micrometer scales revealed by modern microbeam analytical techniques such as SIMS and NanoSIMS are robust archives for reconstructing palaeoenvironment and paleoclimate changes at annual and seasonal resolution or even higher temporal resolution. Widespread application of carbonate O and C isotopic microanalysis in Earth Sciences, however, has been restricted due to limitation of high-quality carbonate reference materials for O and C isotopic microanalysis. We introduce in this paper a new calcite reference material for calcite O and C isotopic microanalysis. This calcite is collected from a drill-core of the Oka carbonatite complex (Quebec, Canada). We demonstrated that the Oka calcite is fairly homogeneous in O and C isotopic compositions at micrometer scales based on homogeneity test by hundreds of SIMS O and C isotopic analyses. Precise determinations by using conventional gas-source IRMS yield the recommended value of δ¹⁸O_VPDB = −23.12 ± 0.15‰ (1SD) and δ¹³C_VPDB = −5.23 ± 0.06‰ (1SD) for the Oka calcite, which has been certified as the first class of Chinese national certified reference material (GBW04481) for O and C isotopic microanalysis.     

Structure,solvatochromism, and solvation of trans-[CoIII(cyclam)(NCS)2](NCS) and the structure of [CoII(Me4cyclam) (NCS)]2[Co(NCS)4]MeOH

The structures of trans-[CoIII(cyclam)(NCS)2](NCS) and of [CoII(Me4cyclam)(NCS)]2[Co(NCS)4]·MeOH have been established by X-ray diffraction methods. The solvatochromic behavior of the trans-[Co(cyclam)(NCS)2]+ cation in several binary aqueous solvent mixtures is reported. Transfer chemical potentials for this complex from H2O into MeOH-H2O mixtures have been established from solubility measurements on its thiocyanate salt. The solvatochromic behavior of this cation is discussed in the context of other solvatochromic inorganic complexes; its transfer chemical potentials are discussed in relation to those of other cobalt(III) complexes.     

cis-[Pt(depe)(NCS)(SCN))]和cis-[Pt(dPr'pe)(NCS)]配合物的合成和分子结构

本文研究了在1:1丙酮-水混合溶剂中回流条件下, cis-[Pt(diphos)Cl2]与NaCNS之间的取代反应, 第一次合成了CNS的混合键合异构体的depe铂配合物cis-[Pt(depe)(NCS)(SCN)], 进行了分子结构测定, 属单斜晶系, 空间群为P21/n晶胞参数: a=7.296(5), b=14.434(4), c=18.042(4)A, β=95.72(8)°,V=1890.7A^, Z=4, Rf=0.0564, 在相同条件下用dPr'pe作了对照实验, 得到的是cis-[Pt(dPr'pe)(NCS)2], 属单斜晶系, 空间群为Cc, 晶胞参数, a=12.279(6),b=9.330(8), c=20.102(7)A, β=108.90(9), V=2179.0(3)A^3, Z=4,Rf=0.0419. 此外, 还从双膦烷基的空间效应和电子效应讨论了对取代反应产物的影响。     

Traceability of (values carried by) reference materials

 Traceability is a property of the result of a measurement. Since values carried by (reference) materials must also have been obtained, of necessity, by measurement, the definition of traceability also applies to reference materials. It is extremely helpful to give the traceability (of the origin) of a reference material a separate name, i.e. 'trackability'. An analysis of the function of values carried by reference materials, shows that they can fulfill different functions, depending on the intended use. One of the functions located outside the traceability chain – and hence not very relevant for establishing traceability – is evaluating the approximate size of the uncertainty of the measurement of an unknown sample by performing a similar measurement on a reference material, used as a 'simulated sample'. Another function is located inside the traceability chain, where the reference material is used as an added 'internal standard'. Then, the value carried by the reference material is essential for establishing the traceability of the measured value of an unknown sample. In the latter application, the reference material acts as an 'amount standard' (the certified value for amount is used). Received: 11 November 1999 / Accepted: 24 February 2000     

Kristallstrukturen der iso‐Thiocyanatoberyllate (Ph4P)2[Be(NCS)4] und (Ph4P)4[{Be2(NCS)4(μ‐NCS)2}{Be2(NCS)6(μ‐H2N2C2S2)}]

Bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) hexachloridodiberyllate, (Ph₄P)₂[Be₂Cl₆], reacts with excess trimethylsilyl‐iso‐thiocyanate to give a mixture of colourless single crystals of (Ph₄P)₂[Be(NCS)₄] ( 1 ) and (Ph₄P)₄[{Be₂(NCS)₄(μ‐NCS)₂}{Be₂(NCS)₆(μ‐H₂N₂C₂S₂)}] ( 2 ), which can be separated by selection. Both complexes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 can be prepared without by‐products by treatment of (Ph₄P)₂[BeCl₄] with excess Me₃SiNCS in dichloromethane solution. 1 : Space group I4₁/a, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = b = 1091.2(1), c = 3937.1(3) pm, R₁ = 0.0474. The [Be(NCS)₄]^2– ion of 1 forms tetragonally distorted tetrahedral anions with Be–N distances of 168.4(2) pm and weak intermolecular S ··· S contacts along [100] and [010]. 2 ·4CH₂Cl₂: Space group P , Z = 1, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = 919.5(1), b = 1248.3(1), c = 2707.0(2) pm, α = 101.61(1) °, β = 95.08(1) °, γ = 94.52(1) °, R₁ = 0.103. Compound 2 contains two different anionic complexes in the ratio 1:1. In {Be₂(NCS)₄(μ‐NCS)₂}^2–, the beryllium atoms are connected by (NCS)^– bridging groups forming centrosymmetric eight‐membered Be₂(NCS)₂ rings with distances Be–N of 168(1) pm and Be–S of 235.2(9) pm. The second anion {Be₂(NCS)₆(μ‐H₂N₂C₂S₂)}^2– consists of two {Be(NCS)₃}^– units, which are linked by the nitrogen atoms of the unique dimeric cyclo‐addition product of HNCS with Be–N distances of 179(1) pm.     

Determination of lead in environmental reference materials (plant materials) by slurry-ETA-AAS

Slurry-ETA-AAS is used to determine lead in plant materials. The stability of the slurry was studied and it was shown that, when NH₄H₂PO₄ modifier is added, the shape of the time resolved absorbance signal for the sample and the standards is similar and the calibration line obtained using aqueous standards is parallel to the standard addition line. Results obtained for several reference materials (lead contents between 6.1 and 64.4 g/g) were in good agreement with the certified value, the relative standard deviation being 3–9%.     

Low-temperature heat capacities and thermodynamic properties of rare-earth triisothiocyanate hydrates (III) —Sm(NCS)3 · 6H2O, Gd(NCS)3 · 6H20, Yb(NCS)3 · 6H20 and Y(NCS)3 · 6H20

The heat capacities of four RE isothiocyanate hydrates, Sm(NCS)₃, · 6H₂0, Gd(NCS)₃ · 6H₂0, Yb(NCS)₃, · 6H₂O and Y(NCS)₃, · 6H₂0, have been measured from 13 to 300 K with a fully-automated adiabatic calorimeter. No obvious thermal anomaly was observed for the above-mentioned compounds in the experimental temperature ranges. The polynomial equations for calculating the heat capacities of the four compounds in the range of 13–300 K were obtained by the least-squares fitting based on the experimentalC _P, data. TheC _P, values below 13 K were estimated by using the Debye-Einstein heat capacity functions. The standard molar thermodynamic functions were calculated from 0 to 300 K. Gibbs energies of formation were also calculated. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Methyl mercury determination in environmental and biological reference and other materials by quality control with certified reference materials (CRMs)

Summary Two concentration methods — HCl extraction and extraction followed by water vapour distillation — prior to anion exchange separation and cold-vapour atomic absorption spectrometry were used for the quantification of methyl mercury in a number of reference materials of biological and environmental origin with reference or certified total mercury contents. The applied methods were validated by the analysis of three marine reference materials, certified for methyl mercury. The results obtained in the materials with methyl mercury contents ranging from less than 1 g/kg to a few hundred g/kg showed good agreement between both methods for biological materials, whereas extraction/anion exchange resulted in somewhat too high values for a number of environmental materials. These findings, however, require further confirmation by additional methods and by other laboratories.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Kristallstrukturen,Schwingungsspektren und Normalkoordinatenanalyse von (n‐Bu4N)2[Os(NCS)6] und (n‐Bu4N)3[Os(NCS)6]

Crystal Structure, Vibrational Spectra, and Normal Coordinate Analysis of ( n ‐Bu₄N)₂[Os(NCS)₆] and ( n ‐Bu₄N)₃[Os(NCS)₆] By tempering the solid mixture of the linkage isomers (n‐Bu₄N)₃[Os(NCS)_n(SCN)_6–n] n = 0–5 for a longer time at temperatures increasing from 60 to 140 °C the homoleptic (n‐Bu₄N)₃[Os(NCS)₆] is formed, which on oxidation with (NH₄)₂[Ce(NO₃)₆] in acetone yields the corresponding Os^IV complex (n‐Bu₄N)₂[Os(NCS)₆]. X‐ray structure determinations on single crystals of (n‐Bu₄N)₂[Os(NCS)₆] (1) (triclinic, space group P 1, a = 12.596(5), b = 12.666(5), c = 16.026(5) Å, α = 88.063(5), β = 80.439(5), γ = 88.637(5)°, Z = 2) and (n‐Bu₄N)₃[Os(NCS)₆] ( 2 ) (cubic, space group Pa 3, a = 24.349(4) Å, Z = 8) have been performed. The nearly linear thiocyanate groups are coordinated with Os–N–C angles of 172.3–177.7°. Based on the molecular parameters of the X‐ray determinations the IR and Raman spectra are assigned by normal coordinate analysis. The valence force constant f_d(OsN) is 2.3 ( 1 ) and 2.10 mdyn/Å ( 2 ).     

Standard reference materials (SRM's) for measuring genetic damage

Summary Standard reference materials were designed for the measurement of radiolytic products resulting from OH radical reaction with DNA in patients treated by radiation therapy. Deuterated thymine glycol and thymidine glycol are proposed as such SRM's; the synthesis of the former is described in detail. They might be of importance for optimising the therapy.     

Cr(III) and Cr(VI) speciation measurements in environmental reference materials

The production of reference materials for quality control of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) speciation in environmental samples is described. It concerns in the first place two lyophilized solutions containing Cr(III) and Cr(VI) at different concentrations, respectively representative for drinking water and filter leaching solutions, and in the second place filters loaded with welding dust. Twenty-four laboratories with experience in the field participated in an intercomparison exercise organized to validate the suitability of the reference materials and to gauge the state-of-the-art of Cr speciation throughout Europe. The outcome of this exercise is discussed.     

Germanium(II) pseudohalides: Ge(CN)2, Ge(NCO)2 and Ge(NCS)2; syntheses and reactivities

The hitherto unknown germanium(II) pseudohalides: Ge(CN)₂, Ge(NCO)₂ and Ge(NCS)₂, have been prepared by reactions of germanium(II) halides with corresponding silver or potassium salts; they are stable in tetrahydrofuran or acetone solution in which they are extremely sensitive to moisture, and they undergo cycloaddition, insertion, and Lewis acid-base reactions characteristic of highly reactive germylenes. Infrared spectra indicate that in tetrahydrofuran solution Ge(CN)₂ is the normal cyanide, whereas Ge(NCO)₂ and Ge(NCS)₂ are the isocyanate and isothiocyanate, respectively.     

Trace element content of phosphorite reference materials (BCR-RM-032, PRH and IAEA-434)

Analysis of geological materials requires the use of matrix specific reference materials (RMs). Phosphate rocks (PR), the basic ingredient of phosphate fertilizers, are very important in agriculture. A project was undertaken to study the PRs of the Hazara Deposits of Pakistan. Due to the unavailability of phosphate rock reference materials (PR-RMs) with a large number of certified elements, validation of the results was problematic when carrying out elemental analysis of PR samples and their derived products. Therefore a parallel study was performed to determine the composition of three phosphate based RMs; BCR-RM-032 (Natural Moroccan Phosphorite), IAEA-434 (Phosphogypsum) and PRH (a local PR-RM from the Hazara Deposits of Pakistan). Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis was used for this purpose and more than 30 elements including rare earth elements were determined in the three PR samples.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Properties of Mn(NCS)2 Coordination Compounds with 4-Picoline as Coligand and Crystal Structure of Mn(NCS)2

Reaction of Mn(NCS)₂ with 4-picoline (4-methylpyridine) leads to the formation of [Mn(NCS)₂(4-picoline)₄] · 0.67 · 4-picoline · 0.33 · H₂O ( 1 - Mn ) reported in literature, Mn(NCS)₂(4-picoline)₂(H₂O)₂ ( 2-Mn/H₂O ), and of [Mn(NCS)₂(4-picoline)₂]_n ( 2-Mn/I ). 1-Mn and 2-Mn/H₂O consist of discrete complexes, in which the metal cations are octahedrally coordinated, whereas in 2-Mn/I the metal cations are linked by pairs of μ-1,3-bridging thiocyanate anions into corrugated chains. Measurements using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry as well as temperature dependent X-ray powder diffraction on 1-Mn and 2-Mn/H₂O reveal that upon heating both compounds transform into [Mn(NCS)₂(4-picoline)]_n ( 3-Mn ) via 2-Mn/I as intermediate. 3-Mn shows a very rare chain topology in which the metal cations are linked by μ-1,3,3 (N,S,S) coordinating anionic ligands which was never observed before with Mn^II. From these investigations there is no hint that a further modification of 2-Mn can be prepared as recently observed for [M(NCS)₂(4-picoline)₂]_n (M = Fe, Cd) and such a form is also not available if the metastable forms of the Fe^II or Cd^II compounds were used as template during thermal decomposition. Magnetic investigations on 2-Mn/H₂O show only paramagnetic behavior, whereas for 2-Mn/I antiferromagnetic ordering is observed. Finally, the crystal structure of Mn(NCS)₂ was determined from XRPD data, which shows that it is strongly related to that of 3-Mn .     

Tools for clean preparation of biological samples (reference materials)

Summary Tools made of corundum single crystals (Al₂O₃) grown artificially were found to be excellent for clean preparation of biological samples. Scalpels and knives made in cooperation with the Metallurgical Works at Skawina are described     

Certified reference materials (CRM's) for the quality of measurement

Summary A survey of procedures for analytical quality control with emphasis on the use of certified reference materials is given. Requirements for the use and for the preparation of reference materials are presented.