Radial and longitudinal profiles of the electron paramagnetic resonance signal intensity of a single TE102 rectangular cavity: A three-dimensional surface plot for a point-like sample

Radial and longitudinal profiles of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal intensity of a point-like sample inserted into a Bruker single TE₁₀₂ rectangular cavity were computed and the three-dimensional surface plots presented for the set of the point-like samples situated, (i) at any available points, P(ρ∈〈0, b/2〉, φ∈〈0, 2π〉, x=0), of a circle with a radius, ρ_max=b/2 (5.5 mm), which is located in the horizontal, central (y-z)-plane of the microwave cavity (a radial profile), and (ii) at any available points, P(ρ=b/4, φ∈〈0, 2π〉, x∈〈−a/2, a/2〉), of the cylindrical surface with a radius, ρ=b/4, and length, L=a (23.5 mm), which is concentric with the vertical, central x-axis of the microwave cavity (a longitudinal profile). The three-dimensional surface plots of the EPR signal intensity can be used for the theoretical prediction of the experimental response of the microwave cavity to a bulky sample: (i) for movement along (the longitudinal response); and (ii) for rotation around (the radial response) the vertical, central cavity x-axis.     

Determination of rhodium: Since the origins until today: ICP-OES and ICP-MS

Rh is contained in catalyst in much smaller quantities than Pt. For this reason, the database for this metal with respect to emissions from catalytic converters is much smaller than that for platinum, thus precluding a quantitative risk assessment.Accurate determinations of the rhodium have always been difficult tasks. The metal is often present at trace levels in sample types of complex composition. This situation has improved recently due to developments of instrumental methods and their applications to analyses of rhodium in a variety of matrices. The purpose of this review is to describe the analytical sensitive methods by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry.     

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.     

Electrothermal vaporization-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: A versatile tool for tackling challenging samples: A critical review

In this review, the literature on the subject of electrothermal vaporization-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS) published during the last decade is reviewed with a double purpose: an evaluation of the possibilities of this technique for dealing with very challenging analytical applications on the one hand, and the establishment of a reference guide for method development in ETV-ICP-MS on the other. First, a brief introduction, pointing out the milestones in the development of the technique will provide the reader with a better understanding of the present situation of ETV-ICP-MS and its future perspective. After a section on the basic processes occurring in the furnace and during analyte transport, a guide for method development for challenging analytical applications is proposed, based on the existing literature. Next, the latest contributions in the main application areas of the field are reviewed, with special attention to the most challenging ones: i.e. speciation, “thermal” resolution, enabling complex matrixes to be analyzed and spectral overlap to be avoided, and the direct analysis of slurries and solid samples. Finally, the advantages obtained by coupling an ETV unit to newer types of ICP-MS instrumentation, equipped with collision/reaction cells, time-of-flight (TOF) or sector field (SF) spectrometers, are also discussed.     

Quantitative millimetre wavelength spectrometry at pressures approaching atmospheric: II. Determination of oxygen at atmospheric pressure

A millimetre wavelength (MMW) Fabry-Perot cavity spectrometer described in earlier work has been applied to the measurement of oxygen absorption at 60 GHz and atmospheric pressure in a gas matrix of nitrogen. The spectrometer has also been modified such that the MMW source is stabilised by a sub-harmonic microwave signal transmitted by an infrared carrier on a single mode telecommunications fibre optic. This is a step towards developing an instrument comprising minimal electronic components that can perform MMW spectrometry remotely. Oxygen determinations were achieved by monitoring the change in the quality factor (Q) of a resonant Fabry-Perot cavity due to the presence of an absorbing sample. The MMW absorption of the sample was determined by incrementing the frequency modulation (FM) deviation of the source frequency scanning the cavity resonance profile. The response curve of absorption signal versus fraction of oxygen in nitrogen was found to be linear throughout the working range of 1-100% O₂ (v/v) in N₂ with a slope of (1.407±0.007)×10⁻⁴ m⁻¹ (% O₂)⁻¹. The detection limit (3× standard deviation of the background) was found to be ∼0.8% (v/v). The MMW technique employed is advantageous since, unlike common MMW techniques, there is no vacuum requirement. Application of this method, to the monitoring of oxygen in gas mixtures of practical importance, is proposed. Values of the oxygen spectral absorption coefficients of lines between 55 and 60 GHz were measured at reduced pressure and found to be within ±2% of previous literature values. A pressure correction coefficient for O₂ absorption at 60 GHz in the 45-121 kPa range was obtained and found to be (1.354±0.014)×10⁻⁴ m⁻¹ kPa⁻¹.     

Development of a group-specific immunoassay for sulfonamides: Application to bee honey analysis

A set of haptens has been synthesized in order to raise generic polyclonal antibodies against sulfonamides using different strategies. After the screening of all the immunorreagents, a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was set-up for simultaneous determination of six of these antibiotics.The developed procedure allows the screening of: sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxypyridazine, sulfapyridine, sulfamethizole, sulfasalazine and N⁴-phtalylsulfathiazole with good accuracy and precision at level 0.13 ng mL⁻¹ in buffer.The suitability of developed ELISA for its application to honey analysis has been investigated. The antimicrobials were extracted from samples with acetate buffer, and cleaned up by solid phase extraction. The mean recovery found for honey samples, spiked from 1.5 to 4.5 ng mL⁻¹ equivalents of sulfathiazole (24-72 μg sulfathiazole kg⁻¹ honey), was 106%.     

Continuous wave free precession: Practical analytical tool for low-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance measurements

The use of continuous wave free precession (CWFP) as a practical analytical tool for quantitative determinations in low-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (LRNMR) is examined. The requirements of this technique are shown to be no more demanding than those prevailing in free-induction decay or spin-echo measurements. It is shown that the substantial gain in signal to noise ratio for a given acquisition time permitted by CWFP, can be exploited with advantage in practically any application of LRNMR. This applies not only to homogeneous low viscosity liquid samples but also to multi-component systems where differences in relaxation times of each component permit a separation of the individual contributions. As an example, the use of CWFP for fast quantitative determination of oil and moisture in various seeds is presented.     

Low-temperature fluorination of fluoro-containing polymers: EPR studies of polyvinylidenefluoride and the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with ethylene

The direct fluorination of polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) and the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with ethylene (CTE) was studied at 35-300 K. The dependence of radical formation on temperature and reaction time was obtained by use of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Primary alkyl radicals formed as a result of the reaction of fluorine abstracting a hydrogen from the polymer were detected at 35 K. These radicals rapidly react with molecular oxygen producing long-lived (∼48 h at 300 K) peroxy radicals. The peroxy radicals when subjected to UV-irradiation (λ < 280 nm) give rise to other radicals that are not stable at T > 77 K. The concentration of the radicals produced during fluorination of PVDF at 77-200 K is one order of magnitude less than that formed from CTE under similar conditions. A mechanism based on the abstraction of the H and the energies of the C-H bonds is given. Density functional theory was used to predict the structures and EPR parameters for a number of fluorinated radicals to explain the observed spectra. The FOO radical was detected at low temperatures.     

Trace iodine quantitation in biological samples by mass spectrometric methods: The optimum internal standard

Accurate quantitation of iodine in biological samples is essential for studies of nutrition and medicine, as well as for epidemiological studies for monitoring intake of this essential nutrient. Despite the importance of accurate measurement, a standardized method for iodine analysis of biological samples is yet to be established. We have evaluated the effectiveness of ⁷²Ge, ¹¹⁵In, and ¹²⁹I as internal standards for measurement of iodine in milk and urine samples by induction coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and of ³⁵Cl¹⁸O₄⁻, ¹²⁹I⁻, and 2-chlorobenzenesulfonate (2-CBS) as internal standards for ion chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (IC-MS/MS). We found recovery of iodine to be markedly low when IC-MS/MS was used without an internal standard. Percent recovery was similarly low using ³⁵Cl¹⁸O₄ as an internal standard for milk and unpredictable when used for urine. 2-Chlorobenzebenzenesulfonate provided accurate recovery of iodine from milk, but overestimated iodine in urine samples by as much as a factor of 2. Percent recovery of iodine from milk and urine using ICP-MS without an internal standard was ∼120%. Use of ¹¹⁵In predicted approximately 60% of known values for both milk and urine samples. ⁷²Ge provided reasonable and consistent percent recovery for iodine in milk samples (∼108%) but resulted in ∼80% recovery of iodine from urine. Use of ¹²⁹I as an internal standard resulted in excellent recovery of iodine from both milk and urine samples using either IC-MS/MS and ICP-MS.     

Thermodynamic study of sodium-iron oxides: Part I. mass spectrometric study of Na-Fe oxides

Vaporization behavior of Na₄FeO₃(s) was thermodynamically studied from 590 to 717 K by means of high temperature mass spectrometry. It was found that Na₄FeO₃(s) decomposed into Na₃FeO₃(s) and released sodium vapor. The temperature dependence of partial vapor pressure of sodium over Na₄FeO₃(s) was measured so that the Gibbs energy of formation of Na₃FeO₃(s) was evaluated as Δ_fG°(Na₃FeO₃)=−1168629+338.34×T.     

Boiling enthalpy from correlations: Results for 83 families of fluids

Ten analytical models were used to calculate the enthalpy of vaporization of fluids at the boiling temperature. The correlations considered were six specific expressions valid only at that temperature, and four general correlations valid for any temperature. Most of these models require as inputs the critical properties and the acentric factor, but one of the specific models requires only the molecular weight (and, obviously, the boiling temperature). One of the models is a correlation requiring a molecular Lennard-Jones parameter and the acentric factor as inputs. Results for 1591 polar and non-polar fluids, grouped into 83 families, are compared with the values given by the DIPPR project.     

Quantitative millimetre wavelength spectrometry at pressures approaching atmospheric: Part I. Absolute determination of transition line strengths and sample concentrations with a confocal Fabry-Perot cavity spectrometer

The absolute determination of the millimetre wave power absorption coefficient of gas samples in a Fabry-Perot cavity whose resonant frequency is synchronised to a millimetre wavelength source is described. A theoretical treatment valid for pressures >200 Pa is developed. Absolute absorption coefficient measurements have been made on lines of SO₂ in the 50-60 GHz region that compared favourably with literature values. A calibration curve for SO₂ using the 59224.84 MHz line at 667 Pa over the concentration range 1-100% in N₂ has been produced. This technique could be especially useful for remote monitoring and process control applications because it is not necessary to scan the spectral line in order to determine the concentration of a species. The source runs at a single frequency coinciding with the peak of a millimetre wavelength (MMW) absorption line. This means that the technique could operate effectively at pressures up to and above atmospheric without the need for sophisticated MMW sources that can sweep across a wide frequency band.     

Bis(η-cyclopentadienyl)titanium(II) in the gas phase:: Mass spectrometric and computational study of the structure and reactivity

Bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)titanium(II), titanocene, was generated in the gas phase by a thermolysis of the titanocene complex with bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene. This elusive compound was characterized by means of mass spectrometric methods. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the triplet ground state titanocene is kinetically stable towards the unimolecular isomerizations. Based on a DFT calculated energetics, a mechanism of the formation of a titanocene dimer, was proposed, which was based on a formation of bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)titanium hydride as a key intermediate.     

Supersonic jet/multiphoton ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry for dioxin analysis: Effect of solvent in solution inlet/laser vaporization technique

The effect of solvent on the solution inlet/laser vaporization technique for multiphoton ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MPI/TOF-MS) was examined. In this technique, a sample of dibenzofuran, dissolved in an organic solvent, is introduced underneath the nozzle for jet expansion through a narrow capillary, at the end of which a glass frit is formed to vaporize the solvent and to deposit the analyte for laser vaporization. The ion signal, consisting of irregular peaks, is increased by the introduction of a laser pulse for vaporization, when methanol is used as a solvent. This can be attributed to local boiling of the solution at the surface of the frit due to the volatile nature of methanol. When glycerin was added to the methanol, the irregular peaks were substantially decreased. However, an increase in signal intensity was not observed by laser vaporization when the glycerin content was increased to 50%. In the case of n-nonane, which is currently used as a solvent for dissolving dioxin standards, no irregular peaks were observed and the signal intensity was increased by laser vaporization.     

Mechanisms involved in stannane generation by aqueous tetrahydroborate(III): Role of acidity and l-cysteine

The role played by acidity (0.01–5 mol L^− 1 HNO₃) and l-cysteine (0.1–0.2 mol L^− 1) in the formation of stannane by reaction of Sn(IV) solution with aqueous tetrahydroborate(III) (0.05–0.2 mol L^− 1), has been investigated by continuous flow hydride generation coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry using a miniature argon–hydrogen diffusion flame as the atomizer. Different mixing sequences and reaction times of the reagents were useful in the identification of those processes which contribute to the generation of stannane in different reaction conditions, both in the absence and in the presence of l-cysteine. The lack of stannane generation at high acidities is due to the formation of Sn substrates and hydridoboron species which are unreactive. The capture of the stannane in solution, following its ionization to SnH₃⁺ from already formed stannane, does not play any role. While the presence of l-cysteine, does not affect the generation efficiency at lower acidities, it expands the optimum range of acidities for stannane generation to higher values. This effect can be addressed to both the buffering capacity of l-cysteine and to the formation of Sn-(l-cysteine) complexes, while the formation of (l-cysteine)–borane complexes do not play a significant role. Formation of Sn-(l-cysteine) complexes also appears to be useful for stabilization of tin solution at low acidities values.     

Indirect competitive immunoassay for trichlorophenol determination: Rational evaluation of the competitor heterology effect

An improved competitive indirect immunoassay for the detection of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) has been developed and optimized by preparing heterologous haptens that have been evaluated as coating antigens. The relation between the degree of heterology and immunoassay detectability has been investigated according to the geometric and electronic distribution similarities between the haptens and the analyte using molecular modeling tools. The assay has been characterized according to different physicochemical parameters such as the incubation time, the ionic strength, the effect of detergents and the pH. The resulting assay has an IC₅₀ of 1.44 μg l⁻¹ and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.2 μg l⁻¹ and it shows a good accuracy and suitability to analyze trichlorophenol in drinking water.     

Displacer concentration effects in displacement chromatography: Implications for trace solute detection

In this paper, the utility of ion-exchange displacement chromatography for the concentration and enrichment of trace proteins is examined. Separations with varying displacer concentrations (1–25 mM neomycin sulfate) indicate that higher concentrations result in elevated protein concentrations, at the price of reduced yields. The results demonstrate that displacement chromatography carried out at relatively low displacer concentrations (2.5 mM) can produce significant concentration (8.5-fold) and enrichment (18-fold) of trace proteins present in the feed. Parametric simulations using the steric mass action model are carried out to investigate the concentration effects and enrichment factors observed over a wide range of feed, displacer and buffer counter-ion concentrations, and solute separation factors. The simulations confirm that trace components can be readily concentrated and enriched by displacement chromatography and that these effects will be more pronounced as the separation factor between trace and abundant components is increased. The results presented in this paper indicate the potential of displacement chromatography for improved separations where trace enrichment is critical such as proteomic applications.     

Plasma modified polymers as a support for enzyme immobilization 1.: Allyl alcohol plasma

The paper describes deposition of plasma polymerized allyl alcohol on polysulfone film. It is shown that film surface becomes more hydrophilic after plasma treatment independently on presence of argon in a reaction mixture. The chemistry of the new surface layer was established by FTIR-ATR and ESCA spectroscopy. The substrate placed close to the plasma edge was the most hydrophilic but the amount of hydoxyl groups was not the highest there. Presence of argon stabilized the plasma but the deposited layer contained relatively less oxygen-bearing functionalities. The plasma treated polymer was subjected to xylose isomerase immobilization. For this purpose the divinylsulfone method was adapted. The studies revealed no correlation between the surface hydrophilicity and efficiency of immobilization.     

Reactivity of Vinca alkaloids in superacid: An access to vinflunine, a novel anticancer agent

This is a summary of a lecture presented at the 100th Anniversary, Moissan Symposium in Paris on Friday 10th November 2006.In HF/SbF₅, Vinca alkaloids react selectively at the D’ring of the molecule. In the presence of CHCl₃ (or CCl₄), vinorelbine yields 20′,20′-difluoro-3′,4′-dihydrovinorelbine (vinflunine), presently in phase III experimentation for treatment of bladder cancer and non small cell lung cancer.     

Custom synthesis of molecular imprinted polymers for biotechnological application: Preparation of a polymer selective for tylosin

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) selective for tylosin was designed and synthesised using a computational method (MIP “dialling”). In re-binding experiments the MIP demonstrated high affinity for tylosin in aqueous solutions and in organic solvents. The synthesised polymer was tested for re-binding with the template and related metabolites such as tylactone, narbomycin and picromycin. The HPLC analysis showed that the computationally designed polymer is specific and capable of separating the template from its structural analogues. The MIP was capable of recovering tylosin from broth samples. The polymer capacity for tylosin was estimated as 6.4 mg/g for MIP, which was suitable for practical application and tylosin recovery from broth samples. Among the advantages of this was the possibility to adsorb tylosin from a complex media with easy removal of oils and other impurities which are present in significant quantities, which can create problems for its chromatographic purification procedure. The MIP “dialling” procedure can have a general significance for the fast preparation of specific adsorbents for biotechnological applications.