Use of complexing reagents as additives to the eluent for optimization of separation selectivity in high-performance chelation ion chromatography

This paper details a study of the selectivity characteristics of high-performance chelation ion chromatography when separating a range of metal ions with a number of complexing eluents. It shows that exploitation of competitive metal complexation between ligands in the eluent and surface bonded chelating groups allows a wide range of control over the retention order and selectivity coefficients of groups of metal ions for specific applications. An indication of the metal separation characteristics found for simple non-complexing eluents on iminodiacetic acid (IDA) silica bonded substrates is given first, followed by an illustration of the selectivity changes that can be achieved by using complexing eluents. Using a novel approach, plots of logbeta(1) of the metal complexes of a chosen eluent ligand against the surface bonded IDA metal complexes were found to be useful indicators of which metals may show unusual selectivity changes during separation. Example chromatograms of metal separations are given for three selected complexing eluent reagents, namely, oxalic acid, picolinic acid, and chloride, either singly or in admixture. For special mention it was found that very specific retention control could be achieved for Cu(II) with picolinic acid, Fe(III) and Fe(II) speciation with oxalic acid, Pb with dipicolinic acid and Cd with chloride.     

Chemical speciation of trace metals in seawater: a review.

The recent development of the chemical speciation of trace metals in seawater is described. The speciation studies reveal that metal ion complexation is one of the most important processes in seawater; especially, most bioactive trace metals, such as Fe(III) and Cu, exist as complexes with ligands in dissolved organic matter. The organic ligands in seawater are characterized with metal ions selected by the HSAB concept. A strong organic ligand, which originates from marine microorganisms, is classified as a hard base including carboxylates. The free organic ligand concentrations in seawater are buffered by complexation with excess amounts of Ca and Mg in seawater. The chemical equilibrium model suggested that the concentrations of bioactive free metal ions are at an optimal level to activities of marine microorganisms. For chemical speciation, it is important to have a better understanding of the ecological roles of trace metals in seawater.     

Cascade ultrafiltration and competing ligand exchange for kinetic speciation of aluminium, iron, and nickel in fresh water

Kinetic speciation of nickel, aluminium, and iron in fresh water has been investigated by cascade ultrafiltration followed by competing ligand exchange of the ultrafiltered fractions. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure the kinetics of metal complex dissociation. Dissolved metal species were fractionated by cascade ultrafiltration. Metal speciation in each ultrafiltered fraction was then characterized as free metal ions, “labile” metal complexes (with dissociation rate constants ≥10⁻³ s⁻¹), “slowly labile” metal complexes (with dissociation rate constants >10⁻⁶ s⁻¹), and “inert” metal complexes (with dissociation rate constants <10⁻⁶ s⁻¹). The experimental results were compared with the predictions of a computer-based equilibrium speciation model, the Windermere humic aqueous model (WHAM) V. Cascade ultrafiltration coupled with kinetic speciation of the metal species in each molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) fraction provided a more comprehensive picture and insight into the physical and the chemical characteristics of the metal species than either ultrafiltration or measurement of dissociation kinetics alone.     

Redox Processes in Amidinylcyclopentadiene Compounds and Thallium Complexes

Cyclic voltammetry at platinum and dropping mercury electrodes in acetonitrile suggests that the reduction of amidinylcyclopentadiene ligands involves generation of corresponding radical anions and the oxidation, radical cations, whereas the reduction of thallium complexes occurs through the deposition of the free metal (the process is affected by the complexing agent) and their oxidation leads to the ligand oxidation (the process is affected by the metal ions). Given cyclic voltammetric data on model compounds of rigid structure in solutions, amidinylcyclopentadiene ligands and thallium complexes exist in acetonitrile in a nondissociated covalent form with a bidentate metal (hydrogen) coordination with the complexing agent.     

The Preparation of a Novel Polymer Film Based on Salicylaldoxime and its Influence on Aqueous Copper Electrochemistry

Abstract

The metal complexing ligand salicylaldoxime was electropolymerised onto platinum electrodes and the resulting film characterised by reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy. The modified electrode response to aqueous iron, copper, cobalt and lead ions was investigated with the iron(III) and copper(II) ions showing significantly altered electrochemistry. The response of the modified electrode towards aqueous copper ion was found to be directly proportional to copper concentration with little interference from lead ions. The retention of copper ions, film stability and the nature of the film action are discussed along with its potential use in sensor construction.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the electrical double layer on smectite surfaces contacting concentrated mixed electrolyte (NaCl-CaCl2) solutions

We report new molecular dynamics results elucidating the structure of the electrical double layer (EDL) on smectite surfaces contacting mixed NaCl-CaCl(2) electrolyte solutions in the range of concentrations relevant to pore waters in geologic repositories for CO(2) or high-level radioactive waste (0.34-1.83 mol(c) dm(-3)). Our results confirm the existence of three distinct ion adsorption planes (0-, β-, and d-planes), often assumed in EDL models, but with two important qualifications: (1) the location of the β- and d-planes are independent of ionic strength or ion type and (2) "indifferent electrolyte" ions can occupy all three planes. Charge inversion occurred in the diffuse ion swarm because of the affinity of the clay surface for CaCl(+) ion pairs. Therefore, at concentrations ≥0.34 mol(c) dm(-3), properties arising from long-range electrostatics at interfaces (electrophoresis, electro-osmosis, co-ion exclusion, colloidal aggregation) will not be correctly predicted by most EDL models. Co-ion exclusion, typically neglected by surface speciation models, balanced a large part of the clay mineral structural charge in the more concentrated solutions. Water molecules and ions diffused relatively rapidly even in the first statistical water monolayer, contradicting reports of rigid "ice-like" structures for water on clay mineral surfaces.     

Speciation of Charged Complexes by Donnan Dialysis

Abstract

The assignment of metal complexes to various regimes on the basis of their dissociation kinetics is one type of metal speciation study. The most common scheme, which involves column ion-exchange as a means of separating free metal ions and metals in the form of highly labile complexes from other forms of metals in the sample, is demonstrated to categorize incorrectly stable, charged complexes such as iron(II) and nickel(II) o-phenanthroline as labile. Donnan dialysis is an alternative ion-exchange method for metal speciation studies. Data are provided which demonstrate that the above complexes are correctly assigned by the Donnan dialysis method. The relative labilities of ethylenediamine and triethylenetetramine complexes of iron (II) and nickel (II) are also correctly determined by Donnan dialysis.     

Examination of the range of copper complexing ligands in natural waters using a combination of cathodic stripping voltammetry and computer simulation

Knowledge of the detection capabilities of speciation techniques, gained by calculation and computer simulation, can be combined with experimental measurements to arrive at an understanding of trace metal speciation which is less dependent on operational factors than other approaches. Examples of the application of this means of measuring copper speciation to samples from the Humber Estuary are given. Although concentrations of total dissolved copper can approach the estuarine Environmental Quality Standard value of 5 μg 1^?1, there is evidence for a substantial excess of complexing ligands at all locations except the outer estuary, where copper levels are much reduced by dilution. Dissolved copper is therefore present almost totally in the form of organic complexes. The range of different types of ligand is also assessed. In sea water, there appears to be a range of ligands of differing affinities for copper; the complexing capacity ranges from 20 nM [conditional stability constant of the copper complex (K′) > 10¹⁴] to 70 nM (K′) > 10⁸). For estuarine samples, ligands with a high affinity for copper seem to be predominant and the overall complexing capacity rises to over 200 nM. In freshwater samples, it is likely that the potential for varying combinations of weak and strong complexes will depend on the water quality, but a capacity to complex over 200 nM copper is not unusual.     

In situ electrochemical complex formation for selected metal ions based on controlled release of the pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate ligand from polypyrrole polymer

A novel in situ electrochemical complex formation for selected metal ions has been developed. The scheme involves the use of polymeric material as a conducting agent into which the complexing agent pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate ligand is incorporated. The property of the polymer enables electrochemically controlled release of the reagent into a flowing solution. A dual-electrode arrangement in a thin layer transducer, the series dual-electrode detector, is used to release the ligand and detect it or its metal complex. The influence of the film prepared for ligand incorporation and the ion exchange process after polymer synthesis was studied. The film thickness for ligand incorporation and the negative potential required to trigger the ligand release were investigated. Finally, in flow injection analysis (FIA), the effects of the ionic strength of the supporting electrolyte and the flow rate on reagent release behavior and metal ion complexation were examined.     

α,ω-Dihydroxyalkan-α,α-diphosphonsäuren durch Desaminierung von ω-Aminoalkandiphosphonsäuren

α,ω-Dihydroxyalkane-α,α-diphosphonic Acids by Desamination of ω-Aminoalkanediphosphonic Acids The title compounds represent a new group of complexing diphosphonic acids which are synthesized by desamination of ω-amino-α-hydroxyalkane-α,α-diphosphonic acids. In case of α,ω-dihydroxypropane-α,α-diphosphonic acid ( 1 ) a phosphonylated phostone is formed by dehydration. In contrast, the ω-phenyl drivative of ( 1 ) yields in a smooth reaction under the same conditions 2-hydroxy-5-phenyl-3-phosphono-1.2-oxaphosphol-3-en-2-oxide ( 6 ).     

Application of a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with a Schiff Base Ligand to Mercury Speciation in Water

A carbon paste electrode, modified with benzylbisthiosemicarbazone is used for mercury speciation in water samples. Mercury ion is selectively accumulated on the electrode surface at open circuit and its analysis was performed by cyclic voltammetry or square‐wave voltammetry (SWV). A detection limit of 8 μg L^?1 (3σ) was found for 15 min of accumulation using SWV as measurement technique. The effect of several metallic ions and organic substances on voltammetric signal is examined. For speciation purposes, a ligand competition methodology between ligands in solution and electrode is used. Model mercury complexes are characterized as a function of their dissociation kinetics. The method was applied to mercury speciation in water samples from the Jarama River in Madrid.     

Modeling electrified metal/water interfaces from ab initio molecular dynamics: Structure and Helmholtz capacitance

The structure and potential distribution of electric double layers (EDLs) are of close relevance to the performance of electrode materials. In the past years, despite tremendous efforts devoted to this topic, an atomistic picture of the EDL is still lacking, let alone understanding on how the EDL structure is related to the dielectric property of interface water. In this article, we briefly review the recent progress in modeling electrified metal/water interfaces using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD). The ab initio methods for EDL modeling is firstly summarized, and then we discuss the structures of interface water on metal electrodes at different potential conditions. Moreover, we illustrate the potential-dependent behavior of chemisorbed water on Pt(111) surface and its relationship with the peak of the differential Helmholtz capacitance observed by experiment. At last, we give some perspective for future development in ab initio modeling of electrochemical interfaces.     

Precipitation of metal ions by organic acids as a mean for metal recovery and decontamination of wastewater

The dicarboxylic and oxycarboxylic acids known as complexing agents for metal ions under the conditions when the amount of metal ions exceeds that in metal complexes, act as precipitants for metal ions. The completeness of precipitation, depends on the kind of metal and organic acid, pH and the concentrations of substances. The abundance of metals in metal finishing industry enables to use such precipitation for regeneration and decontamination of the complexing agents containing solutions.     

Speciation of trace metals in seawater by anodic stripping voltammetry: Critical analytical steps

The speciation of trace metals in seawater based on the voltammetric (DPASV) titration of ligands by metal addition is considered. The method allows the determination of the total metal amount, the labile fraction, the ligand concentration and the related conditional stability constant. Analytical problems related to sample contaminations during sampling, filtration and storage, displacement of complexing equilibria in freeze storage, the kinetics of the reaction of complexation and the potential kinetic lability of organic complexes are discussed and possible solutions presented. Data on quality control tests carried out to verify the accuracy of the laboratory procedure for trace metal determination in seawater are reported.     

Trace metal speciation measurements in waters by the liquid binding phase DGT device

The speciation measurements of trace metals by the diffusive gradients in thin-films technique (DGT) using a poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) aqueous solution as a binding phase and a cellulose dialysis membrane (CDM) as a diffusive layer, CDM-PSS DGT, were investigated and showed good agreement with computer modelling calculations. The diffusion coefficients of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) complexes with Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ were measured and compared with those of the inorganic metal ions. CDM-PSS DGT device was tested for speciation measurement in sample solutions containing EDTA, tannic acid (TA), glucose (GL), dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBS) and humic acid (HA) as complexing ligands forming organic complexes with varying stability constants. Lower percentages of DGT labile copper concentrations over total filterable copper concentrations obtained from the deployments in freshwater sites indicated that copper complexes with organic matter were basically not measured by the devices.     

Impact of ligand protonation on eigen-type metal complexation kinetics in aqueous systems

The impact of ligand protonation on metal speciation dynamics is quantitatively described. Starting from the usual situation for metal complex formation reactions in aqueous systems, i.e., exchange of water for the ligand in the inner coordination sphere as the rate-determining step (Eigen mechanism), expressions are derived for the lability of metal complexes with protonated and unprotonated ligand species being involved in formation of the precursor outer-sphere complex. A differentiated approach is developed whereby the contributions from all outer-sphere complexes are included in the rate of complex formation, to an extent weighted by their respective stabilities. The stability of the ion pair type outer-sphere complex is given particular attention, especially for the case of multidentate ligands containing several charged sites. It turns out that in such cases, the effective ligand charge can be considerably different from the formal charge. The lability of Cd(II) complexes with 1,2-diaminoethane-N,N'-diethanoic acid at a microelectrode is reasonably well predicted by the new approach.     

Ion Migration and Frequency-Dependent Dielectric Loss

Abstract

The frequency-dependent dielectric loss due to ion migration in a solvent with a given dielectric function ?(ω) is calculated explicitIy within the following framework:

i) The solvent is treated in the dielectric continuum model

ii) The Navier-Stokes equation is solved for the velocity field

iii) The limiting cases of (a) large ion radius (weak coupling) and (b) point ions (strong coupling) are treated explicitly.

The most clearcut prediction of the theory is that the incremental frequency-dependent conductivity is proportional to ω^¼ at high frequencies, the power law being independent of the form of ?(ω). For arbitrary frequencies, in the limits (a) and (b) above, the incremental frequency-dependent conductivity can be calculated explicitly given the dielectric function of the solvent.     

Direct fluorometric detection of paramagnetic and heavy metal ions at sub-amol level using an aromatic polyaminocarboxylate by CZE: Combination of pre- and on-capillary complexation technique

The low sensitivity of simple CZE for detecting metal ions is a long-standing problem even when an LIF detection system is employed. We have successfully achieved an ultrasensitive CE-LIF using a simple CZE mode (typical detection limit: 10(-11)-10(-10) mol/dm(3)). Both the design of a newly synthesized ligand and the combination of a precapillary derivatizing technique with an on-capillary ternary complexing technique have enabled us to achieve this extremely low LOD and high resolution of large metal complexes. The direct fluorescent detection of the paramagnetic metal ions was achieved for the first time despite their intrinsic fluorescent quenching nature. The fluorescent ligand (L) consists of a polyaminocarboxylate chelating moiety, a strongly emissive fluorescein moiety and a spacer connecting the two portions. The migration behavior of various metal-L complexes was investigated. The resolution among the complexes was improved by the introduction of a ternary complex equilibrium of the kinetically stable mother complexes with OH(-) ion. The analytical potential of our simple system was examined, and it was proved that the system was one of the most sensitive methods without the need for any preconcentration process.     

Electrospray mass spectrometric studies of L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) complexes with copper(II) or zinc ions in aqueous solution

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used for the speciation of supramolecular assemblies formed between equimolar amounts of carnosine and copper or zinc ions in dilute aqueous solutions. In the case of pure carnosine and carnosine/copper systems, the effect of pH changes, in the range 2-9, on the complexes surviving in solution was also explored. ESI data, besides supporting previous reported results on the formation of dimeric carnosine/copper and carnosine/zinc complexes, allowed a more complete speciation of the examined systems, bringing to light the existence of bis-complex species and, in the zinc case, the formation of oligomeric species. The data obtained for the systems investigated show that ESI-MS is not only a reliable and fast technique for the analysis of the metal/ligand systems, but also an interesting tool to obtain stoichiometric information on metal complexes formed in very low concentration solutions.     

Untersuchung der Komplexierung von Na+, K+, Ca2+ und Ba2+ mit einigen elektrisch neutralen Liganden durch Messung von 13C-chemischen Verschiebungen und Spin-Gitter-Relaxationszeiten

Investigation of the complexing of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ with some uncharged ligands by ¹³C-chemical shift and spin-lattice relaxation time measurements The influence of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions on ¹³C chemical shifts and on spin-lattice relaxation times of some electrically neutral ion carriers was investigated. In the solvents CD₃CN and CD₃OD and in presence of an excess of metal ions ligand 4 (see the Scheme) forms complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry. All four oxygen atoms of the ligand as well as solvent molecules take part in the coordination. In CDCl₃ as solvent, for all ions investigated except sodium, only 1:2 complexes (metal/ligand) were observed with 4 . Sodium ions form both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes in this solvent. In the 1:2 complexes of the investigated monovalent ions only one, in those of the divalent ions both amide carbonyl groups of ligand 4 take part in the coordination.