Exploiting sequential injection analysis with lab-on-valve and miniaturized potentiometric detection: Epinephrine determination in pharmaceutical products

Miniaturized potentiometric units were constructed, evaluated and incorporated in a SIA-LOV manifold in order to the control of pharmaceutical analysis. The method validation was done with ephinefrine determinations in commercial pharmaceutical products. The optimization procedures were directed at potential versus epinephrine concentration. This approach was achieved by selecting 60 cm of reactor and a flow rate of 11 μL s⁻¹ and injecting 78 μL of epinephrine standard solutions in a 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ IO₄⁻ solution. A linear range was found for epinephrine concentrations between 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ and 2.5 × 10⁻³ mol L^−l with a slope of 35528 mV L mol^−l and r² = 0.997. Under these conditions the analytical results for the commercial pharmaceutical formulations of 0.908 and 0.454 mg mL⁻¹, respectively, with a R.S.D. of 0.34 for both, was obtained. Through down scaling periodate-selective electrode it was possible to benefit from the recognized advantages of the lab-on-valve sequential-injection based systems, namely regarding equipment portability, reduced consumption of the sample and the reagents and the reduction of effluent waste. Furthermore, the new periodate electrode configuration is easy to achieve in common laboratories and enables the implementation of low volume detection cell where the electrical noise, that is frequently presented in potentiometric based procedures, is significantly reduced.     

Alkalimetry in alcohol-water mixtures with potentiometric end-point detection: Critical remarks on a newer method of European Pharmacopoeia

A new method of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.)—alkalimetry in alcohol-water mixture with potentiometric end-point detection—for the assay of halide salts of alkaloids and other organic N-bases has been investigated using 13 substances. The results were compared to those obtained by nonaqueous direct acidimetry. In general, our measurements show that the Ph. Eur. method may be regarded as an environment-friendly, precise, reproducible approach, with average S.D. ±0.33. However, in six cases out of 13, the method did not work. In these cases, the first inflexion point, which should appear due to the neutralization of a defined, small volume of HCl added to the solution of the sample before the titration, was missing on the potentiometric titration curves. This was observed for papaverine chloride, pilocarpine chloride, pyridoxine chloride, thiamine chloride, histamine dichloride and noscapine chloride; this missing inflexion point hampered the exact measurement of the alkaloid content. This study shows that the method, in the present official form, can be applied only for compounds with pK_a values of seven or higher. For the salts of weaker bases, a modified approach (titration in 70% ethanol, without addition of HCl) is proposed.     

Application of a gas-liquid entraining rotor to supercritical fluid extraction : Removal of iron(III) from water

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of aqueous solutions is often limited by poor mass transport. The performance of a new gas-liquid entraining device was investigated to improve mass transport and thereby increase extraction efficiency. As a test system, iron(III) was extracted from water with a β-diketone chelating agent (HL) and supercritical fluid carbon dioxide. Metal β-diketonate complexes with sufficient solubility in supercritical fluid CO₂ are often poorly extracted from aqueous solutions due to limited mass transport between the water-soluble metal ion and the CO₂-soluble chelating agent. The new entraining device maximizes contact between the ligand-rich CO₂ phase and the metal ion-rich aqueous phase. Iron(III) was extracted from water with the chelating agent 2,2,7-trimethyl-3,5-octanedione (H(tod)) and supercritical fluid CO₂ at 60 °C and 20.8 MPa. With entrainment, 79% of the iron was removed from the aqueous phase. This represents a three-fold increase in iron extraction efficiency over that of a static system.     

Voltammetric behaviour at gold electrodes immersed in the BCR sequential extraction scheme media: Application of underpotential deposition-stripping voltammetry to determination of copper in soil extracts

The development of mercury-free electroanalytical systems for in-field analysis of pollutants requires a foundation on the electrochemical behaviour of the chosen electrode material in the target sample matrices. In this work, the behaviour of gold working electrodes in the media employed in the BCR sequential extraction protocol, for the fractionation of metals in solid environmental matrices, is reported. All three of the BCR sequential extraction media are redox active, on the basis of acidity and oxygen content as well as the inherent reducing or oxidising nature of some of the reagents employed: 0.11 M acetic acid, 0.1 M hydroxylammonium chloride (adjusted to pH 2) and 1 M ammonium acetate (adjusted to pH 2) with added trace hydrogen peroxide. The available potential ranges together with the demonstrated detection of target metals in these media are presented. Stripping voltammetry of copper or lead in the BCR extract media solutions reveal a multi-peak behaviour due to the stripping of both bulk metal and underpotential metal deposits. A procedure based on underpotential deposition-stripping voltammetry (UPD-SV) was evaluated for application to determination of copper in 0.11 M acetic acid soil extracts. A preliminary screening step in which different deposition times are applied to the sample enables a deposition time commensurate with UPD-SV to be selected so that no bulk deposition or stripping occurs thus simplifying the shape and features of the resulting voltammograms. Choice of the suitable deposition time is then followed by standards addition calibration. The method was validated by the analysis of a number of BCR 0.11 M acetic acid soil extracts. Good agreement was obtained been the UPD-SV method and atomic spectroscopic results.     

Fundamentals and applications of needle trap devices: A critical review

The needle trap device (NTD) is an extraction trap that contains a sorbent inside a small needle, through which fluid can be actively drawn into and out of by a gas-tight syringe or pump, or analytes can be introduced passively to the trap by diffusion. The needle trap (NT) is a potentially solventless sampling technique/sample preparation and introduction device. Both fluid-borne analytes and particles can be trapped inside the needle and then adsorbed analytes are desorbed in an inlet of analytical instrument and introduced for identification and quantification. The fluid may be either gaseous or liquid. The objectives of this critical review are to summarize the theory of the sampling process for both active and passive time-average extraction modes in addition to outlining the evolution of the technology and main applications.     

Reaction of CBrF2-CBrF2 with hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes: Novel efficient synthesis of fluorocontaining alkanes, alkenes and alkynes

An olefination of hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes by CBrF₂-CBrF₂ under copper catalysis was investigated. In situ prepared aldehydes hydrazones were converted to (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by reaction with CBrF₂-CBrF₂ in the presence of CuCl. Subsequent elimination of HF by sodium hydroxide resulted in stereospecific formation of fluorocontaining alkenes. Elimination proceeds stereoselectively, only Z-isomers of alkenes are formed. Elimination of two molecules of HF from (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by treatment with potassium tert-butoxide leads to formation of (bromodifluoromethyl)alkynes. As a result a simple and efficient transformation of aromatic aldehydes to range of various fluorinated alkanes, alkenes and alkynes was elaborated.     

Palladium-catalyzed pseudo-domino cyclizations: An easy entry toward polycondensed pyrrolidone derivatives

A new type I palladium-catalyzed pseudo-domino process is developed, in which a single Pd-based catalytic system promotes two mechanistically unrelated, sequential catalytic cycles in chronologically distinct order. Suitable precursors undergo an allylic alkylation and a Heck coupling in sequence, affording polycondensed pyrrolidone derivatives. Depending on the starting precursors, intra/inter or doubly intramolecular processes can be obtained. The allylic alkylation process takes place always very smoothly. On the other hand, the Heck coupling turns out to be rather difficult either when the process is intermolecular, or when an intramolecular process generates polycondensed structures featuring three fused bonds connected to a common carbon atom. In such difficult cases, use of the Herrmann-Beller phosphapalladacycle allowed to catalyze the coupling. This study demonstrates also that allylic alkylations can be catalyzed by the Herrmann-Beller phosphapalladacycle.     

pH-stat techniques in titrimetric analysis: Part 3. The principles of pH-stat chelatometric titrations

Chelatometric titrations can be effectively monitored by means of the pH-stat technique. During the addition of the primary titrant (the chelating agent), the pH of the titrated solution is kept at a pre-selected value by adding a strong base as the auxiliary titrant. The equivalence point is characterised by a sudden change in the ratio between the added volumes of auxiliary and primary titrant solutions, i.e. in the slope of the linearly segmented titration plot representing the volume of the base against the volume of the chelating agent. The slope of the linear segments depends on the reactions involving proton exchange, which accompany the primary complexation reaction. The dependence of the shape of the plots on the imposed pH for typical titrations (magnesium(II) and copper(II)) is examined and the conditions for the feasibility of pH-stat chelatometric titrations are discussed.     

Turbulent flow and ternary column-switching on-line clean-up system for high-throughput quantification of risperidone and its main metabolite in plasma by LC-MS/MS: Application to a bioequivalence study

A high-throughput LC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Risperidone and 9-OH-risperidone in human plasma. A semi-automated sample preparation procedure was applied, including protein precipitation after addition of ACN, via a robotic system, and subsequent sub-zero temperature extraction of the latter. Injections of the ACN extractants were performed on a turbulent flow ternary column-switching system, consisted of dual extraction columns in parallel for on-line purification of samples and an analytical column. Toggling with the assistance of two valves provided a run cycle time of 3 min and the whole procedure minimized carry-over effect. On-line clean-up procedure along with sub-zero temperature extraction increased sample purification and extended column life. The analytical range of the method was 0.1-200 ng mL⁻¹ for both analytes with excellent linearity and very good accuracy and precision. The proposed method was employed in a bioequivalence study after per os administration of a 2 mg tablet of risperidone and allowed the completion of the study (>1400 samples) in only 4 days time.     

Dications of l-histidine and l-ornithine in layers of copper(II) and cobalt(II) dipicolinato anions

Cobalt(II) and copper(II) dipicolinato complexes having l-histidine and l-ornithine dications are synthesized in water and are characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. X-ray studies reveal that the l-histidine dications are strongly hydrogen bonded and intercalated in the layered structures of dipicolinato complex anions with repeated unit in 1:1 ratio. Whereas l-ornithine dications form hydrogen bonded repeated units of cations and anions in 2:2 ratio. The cations are held in the layered structures formed by the association of the amino acid cations and metal dipicolinato anions supported by water through strong hydrogen-bond interactions. The complexes thus formed are optically active and exhibit specific rotation in the range of +4 to +12°.     

Transport characterisation of a PIM system used for the extraction of Pb(II) using d2ehpa as carrier

The facilitated transport of lead(II) through polymeric inclusion membranes consisting of cellulose triacetate as polymeric support, bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphoric acid (d2ehpa) as carrier, and tris-(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate as plasticiser (tbep), is investigated. The influence of some of the aqueous and membrane components on the permeability of Pb(II) was studied. The maximum flux obtained with these membranes is 3.5×10⁻⁶ mol m⁻² s⁻¹, which is of the same order of magnitude of those reported for supported liquid membranes and is in the upper range of those reported for polymeric inclusion membranes. Aqueous and membranes resistances were determined from a model that describes the transport mechanism across the membranes using the stoichiometric relationship and the extraction equilibrium constant value of 6.2×10⁻⁴ determined independently by solid–liquid extraction. An activation energy of 11 kJ mol⁻¹ was also determined for Pb(II) migration, which suggest that the transport of Pb(II) is controlled by a membrane diffusion mechanism. Membrane characterisation was performed using several techniques including atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and thermal analysis.     

Polyhalogenoheterocyclic compounds: Part 54: [1] Suzuki reactions of 2,4,6-tribromo-3,5-difluoropyridine

Palladium catalysed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions between 2,4,6-tribromo-3,5-difluoropyridine and a short series of aromatic boronic acid derivatives gave 4-bromo-3,5-difluoro-2,6-diphenylpyridine derivatives arising from displacement of bromine atoms attached to positions ortho to ring nitrogen or the corresponding triaryl systems depending on the reaction conditions. Consequently, the use of polybromofluoropyridine scaffolds for the synthesis of polyfunctional heteroaromatic derivatives is expanded further.     

On-line sorption preconcentration of metals based on mixed micelle cloud point extraction prior to their determination with micellar chemiluminescence: Application to the determination of chromium at ng l levels

The on-line incorporation of cloud point extraction (CPE) to flow injection analysis (FIA) is modified to extract and preconcentrate metal species rapidly, avoiding the formation of hydrophobic complexes, using a mixed micellar medium. Coupling the procedure with chemiluminescence (CL) detection based on the catalytic activity of metal species on the luminol-hydrogen peroxide reaction and enhancing the signal with the presence of a micellar carrier containing bromide ions produces a powerful tool for the preconcentration and determination of metal species at ng l⁻¹ levels. As an analytical demonstration ultratrace concentrations of chromium were conveniently detected and quantified in samples with a complex matrix such as seawater and wastewater. The figures of merit for the determination of chromium were: 0.9-1.6% R.S.D. (n=5) with detection and quantification limits 0.5 and 2.0 ng l⁻¹, respectively. The calibration graph was rectilinear from 2 to 200 ng l⁻¹ (r=0.9996, n=6). Several other metal ions were determined in ideal situations, with analogous results.     

A crystalline H-bond cluster of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and piperidine: Structure determination by X ray diffraction

Piperidine and 1,1,1-3,3,3 hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) have been co-crystallized and X-ray crystal structure has been explored. Single-crystal X-ray analysis displays the existence of hydrogen bonding aggregates through dimers 1 of the complex (one piperidine/two HFIP) where the heteroatoms form a six-center ring. In this cluster 1, each heteroatom (N, O) is multiple H-bond donor and acceptor. Surprisingly the strongest H-bond of the network is where HFIP acts as an acceptor from the amine. In this complex HFIP adopts a conformation different from that of HFIP aggregates. The supramolecular architecture is also based on discrimination between polar and hydrophobic parts that allows the alignment of molecules and the formation of parallel channels. NMR experiments show that strong interactions between piperidine and HFIP are maintained in solution.     

A conductive elastomer based on EPDM and polyaniline: II. Effect of the crosslinking method

Electrically conductive heterogeneous binary polymer blends based on ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) and polyaniline (PAni) were prepared in a Haake Rheocord 90 rheometer, coupled with an internal mixer (counter rotating cam rotors) using different amounts of PAni doped with dodecylbenzenosulfonic acid (DBSA). Blends were crosslinked using two methods: (i) phenolic resin (SP-1045) as crosslinking agent and (ii) electron beam irradiation. The last method avoids the interference of the acid dopant in the crosslinking process and produces blends with higher conductivity.     

The application of salicylaldoxime in solvent extraction : Part II. Spectrophotometric determination of copper with 2-(5-nitro-2-pyridylazo)-1-naphthol after separation with salicylaldoxime

A highly sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of traces of copper with 2-(5-nitro-2-pyridylazo)-l-naphthol (5N-α-PAN) has been developed. At a pH of 3–4copper(II) is selectively extracted into chloroform as its salicylaldoxime chelate and then stripped into an aqueous acid solution; the pH is adjusted to 9.3, and 5N-α-PAN is added. The 1:2 chelate between copper(II) and the reagent, which promptly precipitates, is extracted into chloroform and measured at 598 nm. The molar absorptivity is 86,000. The application of the method to the analysis of high-purity magnesium and cobalt is described.     

Novel electrolyte salts based on perfluoroalkyltrifluoroborate anions: 1. Synthesis and characterization

Lithium and tetraethylammonium perfluoroalkyltrifluoroborate salts, Li[R_fBF₃]·H₂O and Et₄N[R_fBF₃] (R_f=C₂F₅, n-C₃F₇ and n-C₄F₉), were prepared from the reactions of perfluoroalkylmagnesium reagents (R_fMgBr) and B(OCH₃)₃, followed by fluorination by aq.KHF₂ and aq.HF solutions and the cation exchange reaction of the resultant K[R_fBF₃]. All the salts prepared were characterized by NMR, NMR, NMR, NMR, IR, MS and elemental analysis.     

Synthesis of two dicopper(II) complexes of l-carnitine: The first structural determination of a metal complex containing l-carnitine

Two dimeric copper(II) complexes of the biologically important compound l-carnitine were isolated from ethanolic and aqueous solutions with formulas [Cu₂(l-carnitine)₂Cl₂(H₂O)₂] · Cl₂ (complex 1) and [Cu₂(l-carnitine)₄(H₂O)₂] · (ClO₄)₄ · H₂O · CH₂Cl₂ (complex 2), respectively. Complex 1 was characterized in solid state by elemental analysis, thermal analysis (TG, DTG), IR and EPR as well as in solution with cationic and anionic ESMS, EPR, NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. For complex 2, crystals were isolated after recrystallization and characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopies.