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.     

Combination of flow injection with capillary electrophoresis: 8. Miniaturized capillary electrophoresis system with flow injection sample introduction and electrogenerated chemiluminescence detection

The combined flow injection (FI)-capillary electrophoresis (CE) system was further exploited by coupling to an electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) detection system. A low-cost miniaturized CE system was developed on a chip platform to provide easy interface both with FI sample introduction and with ECL detection. A falling-drop interface was employed to perform FI split-flow sample introduction while achieving electrical isolation from the CE high voltage. A plexiglas reservoir at the capillary outlet served as both the reaction and detection cell for the ECL reaction, with Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ reagent continuously flowing through the cell. An optical fiber was positioned within the reservoir close to the capillary outlet for transferring the ECL emission to the PMT. The relative positions of the capillary outlet, working electrode and optical fiber as well as reagent renewal flow-rate were optimized to achieve both good sensitivity and separation efficiency under non-interrupted sampling conditions, involving large numbers of samples. An on-column joint often used in other works for isolating the ECL detection system from the CE separation voltage was not found necessary. The performance of the system was illustrated by the baseline separation of proline, valine and phenylalanine with a high throughput of 50 h⁻¹ and plate height of 14 μm for proline under 147 V cm⁻¹ field strength. Detection limits (3σ) were 1.2, 50 and 25 μM and peak height precisions were 1.4, 5.4 and 4.3% R.S.D. (n=9) for proline, valine and phenylalanine, respectively.     

Recent developments in electrochemical flow detections—A review: Part I. Flow analysis and capillary electrophoresis

Recent years have provided numerous new examples of applying flow-through electrochemical detectors in chemical analysis. This review, based on about 250 original research papers cited from the current analytical literature, presents their application in flow analysis and capillary electrophoretic methods. Example applications are also given for arrays of electrochemical sensors in flow analysis and electrochemical detection in microfluidic systems. Potentiometric detection with ion-selective electrodes predominates in flow analysis carried out mostly in a flow-injection system, while amperometric and conductivity detections are most commonly employed in capillary electrophoresis.     

Flow injection on-line preconcentration of low levels of Cr(VI) with detection by ETAAS: Comparison of using an open tubular PTFE knotted reactor and a column reactor packed with PTFE beads

A flow injection (FI) on-line sorption preconcentration procedure utilizing a packed column reactor and combined with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) is proposed for the determination of low levels of Cr(VI) in water samples. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) beads packed in a mini-column is used as sorbent material. The complex formed between Cr(VI) and ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) is sorbed on the PTFE beads, and is subsequently eluted by an air-monosegmented discrete zone of absolute ethanol (35 μl), the analyte being quantified by ETAAS.The preconcentration procedure using the proposed column significantly enhances the preconcentration efficiency as compared with the preconcentration approach incorporating an open tubular PTFE knotted reactor (KR). Comparing the two procedure for equal surface sorption area, the advantages of using a packed column are observed in terms of limit of detection, enrichment factor and retention efficiency. With a preconcentration time of 60 s, and a sample flow rate of 5.0 ml l⁻¹, the enrichment factor (30.1) and the retention efficiency (24.1%) were doubled, yielding a detection limit (3σ) as low as 8.8 ng l⁻¹. The sample frequency was 16.7 h⁻¹. The concentration efficiency was 8.38 and the precision was 1.05% at 0.5 μg l⁻¹ of Cr(VI). The proposed column has been applied successfully to the analysis of natural water and synthetic seawater. Its performance was verified by the analysis of two certified Cr(VI)-reference materials and by recovery measurements on spiked samples.     

Fluorinated phosphorus compounds: Part 7. The reactions of bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphorochloridates with nitrogen nucleophiles

Forty bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphoramidates (R_FO)₂P(O)R were prepared in 10-91% yield by treating phosphorochloridates (R_FO)₂P(O)Cl where R_F was HCF₂CH₂, HCF₂CF₂CH₂, HCF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CH₂, CF₃CH₂, C₂F₅CH₂, C₃F₇CH₂, (CF₃)₂CH, (FCH₂)₂CH and (CH₃)₂CF₃C with nucleophiles HR, where R was NH₂, NHMe, NMe₂, NHEt and NEt₂ in diethyl ether at 0-5 °C. The bulky chloridate [(CH₃)₂CF₃CO]₂P(O)Cl reacted with ammonia, methylamine, dimethylamine and ethylamine, but not with diethylamine—even on heating in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine—due to steric hindrance at phosphorus. Fluorinated phosphoramidates have lower basicity and nucleophilicity than their unfluorinated counterparts: (EtO)₂P(O)NH₂ is more easily hydrolysed by HCl than (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)NH₂ and whereas, (EtO)₂P(O)NH₂ is known to react with oxalyl chloride and thionyl chloride to give (EtO)₂P(O)NCO and (EtO)₂P(O)NSO respectively, (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)NH₂ reacted only with oxalyl chloride to give (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)NCO in 10% yield. Two other new fluorinated species, (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)NHOMe and (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)N₃, were prepared by nucleophilic substitution of bis(trifluoroethyl) phosphorochloridate with methoxyamine and azide ion.     

Fluorinated phosphorus compounds: Part 10. Bis(fluoroalkyl) S-alkyl phosphorothiolates and tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphorothionates

Treatment of bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphites (R_FCH₂O)₂P(O)H, where R_F was CF₃ or C₂F₅ with sulfur in pyridine at 80 °C gave salts of structure [(R_FCH₂O)₂P(O)SH]NC₅H₅ in 90 and 88% yield, respectively. The salts reacted with alkyl iodides in acetonitrile at 50 °C to furnish bis(fluoroalkyl) S-alkyl phosphorothiolates (R_FCH₂O)₂P(O)SR, where R was Me, Et, n- and i-Pr (when R_F = CF₃) and Me (when R_F = C₂F₅). Yields ranged from 21 to 57%. Bis(trifluoroethyl) S-methyl phosphorothiolate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)SMe underwent fluorination by silver(I) fluoride in acetonitrile at room temperature to yield the phosphorofluoridate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)F in 75% yield. Tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphorothionates (R_FCH₂O)₃P = S, where R_F was CF₃, C₂F₅ and C₃F₇, were prepared in 30-34% yield by heating the tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphites (R_FCH₂O)₃P and sulfur to 200 °C in a sealed tube for 8 h.     

Fluorinated phosphorus compounds: Part 9. The reactions of bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphorochloridates with oxygen nucleophiles

Twenty nine bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphates (R_FO)₂P(O)OR were prepared in 18-75% yield by treating phosphorochloridates (R_FO)₂P(O)Cl, where R_F was HCF₂CH₂, HCF₂CF₂CH₂, H(CF₂)₄CH₂, C₂F₅CH₂, C₃F₇CH₂, (CF₃)₂CH, (FCH₂)₂CH and (CH₃)₂CF₃C with methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol in diethyl ether in the presence of triethylamine. The bulky chloridate [(CH₃)₂CF₃CO]₂P(O)Cl reacted with methanol, ethanol and propanol, but not with isopropanol - even on heating in the presence of the catalyst 4-dimethylaminopyridine - due to steric hindrance at phosphorus. The relative reactivities of three of the chloridates decreased in the order [(CF₃)₂CHO]₂P(O)Cl > [(FCH₂)₂CHO]₂P(O)Cl > [(CH₃)₂CF₃CO]₂P(O)Cl. Also described is the synthesis of phosphates (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)OCH₂R, where R = CH₂Br, CH₂Cl, CH₂F and CHF₂, and diphosphates [H(CF₂)_nCH₂O]₂P(O)OCH₂(CF₂)₂CH₂OP(O)[OCH₂(CF₂)_nH]₂, where n = 1, 2 and 4.     

Nucleophilic trifluoromethylation: Some recent reagents and their stereoselective aspects

This review is a survey of several original reagents that have been designed, and are still under study, for nucleophilic trifluoromethylation. The starting materials were fluoral or trifluoroacetamides as well as trifluoromethanesulfinamides. Trifluoroacetamides or trifluoromethanesulfinamides derived from O-silylated-1,2-aminoalcohols constitute the most attractive family since they exhibit the larger scope and are able to trifluoromethylate enolizable as well as non-enolizable carbonyl substrates, even at room temperature when a substituent is present at the α-position relative to the nitrogen atom. Promising results have been obtained with some members of this family, concerning enantioselective trifluoromethylation of prochiral substrates.     

A versatile set up for implementing different flow analysis approaches: Spectrophotometric determination of nickel in steel alloys

An arrangement capable of implementing the four principal types of flow analysis processes, monosegmented flow analysis (MSFA), flow injection analysis with multicommutation and binary sampling (FIA-MBS), flow injection analysis with sandwich sampling (FIA-SS) and sequential injection analysis (SIA) is described. The core of the flow manifold is a six-way solenoid valve that is assembled together with three three-way solenoid valves in order to provide a versatile flow network. Software was written in VisualBasic 3.0 to give a friendly working structure allowing the user to easily choose the flow variables and the kind of flow system. The reliability of the flow set up for implementation of the four flow analysis systems was evaluated by means of the spectrophotometric determination of nickel in steel alloys, based on the formation of a colored complex with dimethylglyoxime (DMG). The performances of the four different flow methodologies were compared. The reagent consumptions per determination were 4.0 mg of triethanolamine, 6.0 mg of potassium persulfate and 0.6 mg of DMG. When the flow set up was instructed through the software to implement MSFA, FIA-MBS, and FIA-SS approaches, a sampling frequency of 40 samples/h was obtained, while 30 samples could be processed per hour in the SIA mode. The precisions, evaluated as the relative standard deviation of ten determinations were 0.7%, 1.6%, 1.8% and 3.1% for the MFSA, FIA-MBS, FIA-SS and SIA systems, respectively. The results for determination of nickel in steel alloys presented good agreement with the reference method (ICP OES), showing no significant difference at a confidence level of 95%.     

Fluorinated phosphorus compounds: Part 6. The synthesis of bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphites and bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphorohalidates

Reaction of phosphorus trichloride with tert-butanol and fluoroalcohols gave bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphites (R_FO)₂P(O)H in 42-89% yield, where R_F=HCF₂CH₂, H(CF₂)₂CH₂, H(CF₂)₄CH₂, CF₃CH₂, C₂F₅CH₂, C₃F₇CH₂, (CF₃)₂CH, (FCH₂)₂CH, CF₃(CH₃)₂C, (CF₃)₂CH₃C, CF₃CH₂CH₂, C₄F₉CH₂CH₂ and C₆F₁₃CH₂CH₂. Treatment of these with chlorine in dichloromethane gave the bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphorochloridates (R_FO)₂P(O)Cl in 49-96% yield. The chloridate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)Cl was isolated in much lower yield from the interaction of thionyl chloride with bis(trifluoroethyl) phosphite. Heating the latter in dichloromethane with potassium fluoride and a catalytic amount of trifluoroacetic acid gave the corresponding fluoridate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)F in 84% yield. Treatment of bis(trifluoroethyl) phosphite with bromine or iodine gave the bromidate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)Br and iodidate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)I in 51 and 46% yield, respectively. The iodidate is the first dialkyl phosphoroiodidate to have been isolated and characterised properly—its discovery lags behind the first isolation of a dialkyl phosphorochloridate by over 130 years. The fluoroalkyl phosphoryl compounds are generally more stable than known unfluorinated counterparts.     

Simple flow injection method for simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III)

The method is based on spectrophotometric determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) at a single wavelength (530 nm) with the use of a dedicated reversed-flow injection system. In the system, EDTA solution is injected into a carrier stream (HNO₃) and then merged with a sample stream containing a mixture of sulfosalicylic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline as indicators. In an acid environment (pH ≅ 3) the indicators form complexes with both Fe(III) and Fe(II), but EDTA replaces sulfosalicylic acid, forming a more stable colourless complex with Fe(III), whereas Fe(II) remains in a complex with 1,10-phenenthroline. As a result, the area and minimum of the characteristic peak can be exploited as measures corresponding to the Fe(III) and Fe(II) concentrations, respectively. The analytes were not found to affect each other's signals, hence two analytical curves were constructed with the use of a set of standard solutions, each containing Fe(II) and Fe(III). Both analytes were determined in synthetic samples within the concentration ranges of 0.05–4.0 and 0.09–6.0 mg L⁻¹, respectively, with precision less than 1.5 and 2.6% (RSD) and with accuracy less than 4.3 and 5.6% (RE). The method was applied to determination of the analytes in water samples collected from artesian wells and the results of the determination were consistent with those obtained using the ICP-OES technique.     

New method for simultaneous determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in water using flow injection technique

The method exploits the possibilities of flow injection gradient titration in a system of reversed flow with spectrophotometric detection. In the developed approach a small amount of titrant (EDTA) is injected into a stream of sample containing a mixture of indicators (sulfosalicylic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline). In acid environment sulfosalicylic acid forms a complex with Fe(III), whereas 1,10-phenanthroline forms a complex with Fe(II). Measurements are performed at wavelength λ = 530 nm when radiation is absorbed by both complexes. After injection EDTA replaces sulfosalicylic acid and forms with Fe(III) more stable colourless complex. As a result, a characteristic “cut off” peak is registered with a width corresponding to the Fe(III) concentration and with a height corresponding to the Fe(II) concentration. Calibration was performed by titration of four two-component standard solutions of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) concentrations established in accordance with 2² factorial plan. The method was tested with the use of synthetic samples and then it was applied to the analysis of water samples taken from artesian wells. Under optimized experimental conditions Fe(II) and Fe(III) were determined with precision less than 0.8 and 2.5% (RSD) and accuracy less than 3.2 and 5.1% (relative error) within the concentration ranges of 0.1-3.0 and 0.9-3.5 mg L⁻¹ of both analytes, respectively.     

Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes of 8-aminoquinoline.: Structure,spectra and photoluminescence property

The reaction of 8-aminoquinoline (8-aq) with M(NO₃)₂ and M(ClO₄)₂ (where M = Zn, Cd and Hg) has synthesized complexes of the composition [M(8-aq)₂(H₂O)₂](X)₂ (X = NO₃, ClO₄) whereas MCl₂ has isolated M(8-aq)Cl₂ type non-ionic compounds. The reaction of M(OAc)₂, 8-aq and NaN₃/NH₄CNS in a 1:1:2 mole ratio has separated polynuclear complexes of the composition [M(8-aq)(Y)₂]_n (Y = N₃, NCS). The complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic data and have been structurally confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study in some representative cases. The X-ray structure of [Zn(8-aq)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ shows C–H–π, and π–π interactions and forms a H-bonded sheet (with interactions between the oxygen of NO₃ and C(9)–H of 8-aq/coordinated H₂O). A novel one-dimensional cadmium(II) azido complex, [Cd(8-aq)(N₃)₂]n (9), in which the azido takes on an end-on (EO) bridging mode, has been synthesized and characterized. The presence of π–π interactions result in a supramolecular two-dimensional behaviour for the structure. The complexes are photoluminescent at room temperature.     

Polyhalogenoheterocyclic compounds: Part 51. [1] Macrocycles from 4-alkoxy-tetrafluoropyridine derivatives

4-Alkoxy-tetrafluoropyridine derivatives were used as building blocks for the synthesis of 14- and 16-membered macrocyclic ring systems comprising pyridine and either poly-ether or amine subunits; two of the macrocycles were characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

Fluorinated pyridine derivatives: Part 1. The synthesis of some mono- and bis-quaternary pyridine salts of potential use in the treatment of nerve agent poisoning

Experiments were performed to determine whether F- and CF₃-substituted pyridines undergo quaternization with iodomethane (1:1 molar ratio in THF) and 1,3-diiodopropane (2:1 molar ratio in MeCN). 2-Fluoropyridine and 2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine did not react with MeI even under prolonged reflux, while 3-fluoropyridine, 3,5-difluoropyridine, 3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine and 4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine gave methiodide salts in 28-72% yield. 2-Fluoropyridine did not react with I(CH₂)₃I, 3-fluoropyridine gave the bis-quaternary salt and 3,5-difluoropyridine yielded a mono-quaternary derivative. Both 3- and 4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine furnished the bis-quaternary products in 53 and 55% yield, respectively. The bis-quaternary salts are potentially useful in the treatment of organophosphorus nerve agent poisoning.     

Incorporation of siloxanes in hydrolytically degradable structures: I. Poly(anhydride)s synthesis

New poly(anhydride)s containing amino acids and siloxane segments have been synthesized. The synthetic method involves the polycondensation in solution of the organic diacids (N-trimellitylimidoglycine, 1a, N-trimellitylimido-γ-aminobutiric acid, 1b, and N-trimellitylimido-ε-aminocapronic acid, 1c) obtained from the proper amino acids with a siloxane diacid (1,3-bis(3-carboxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane, 2a, α,ω-bis(3-carboxypropyl)oligodimethylsiloxane, 2b, or 1,3-bis(sebacomethyl)tetramethyl-disiloxane, 2c). The acetylation method was used for the activation of the two types of diacids (organic and siloxanic). Optimization of synthesis parameters was made.The structures and morphology of partial and final products were determined by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Inherent viscosities were determined and some preliminary solubility and hydrolytic stability tests were also performed.     

New hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) solvents for antimony pentafluoride: Generation and characterization of 1-alkoxypentafluoroallyl cations

Certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) stable towards the strong Lewis acid, antimony pentafluoride, were found to function as a solvent for this aggressive reagent. CF₃CF₂CH₂F (HFC-236cb) was demonstrated to be an excellent solvent for SbF₅ and was used for the generation of stable polyfluorinated benzyl and allyl cations. Using this solvent 1-methoxypentafluoroallyl cation and R_FOCFCFCF₂⁺ (R_F = n-C₃F₇ and n-C₄F₉), were generated and characterized by NMR spectroscopy.     

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.     

Kinetics of reduction of iron oxides by H2: Part I: Low temperature reduction of hematite

This study deals with the reduction of Fe₂O₃ by H₂ in the temperature range of 220-680 °C. It aims to examine the rate controlling processes of Fe₂O₃ reduction by H₂ in the widest and lowest possible temperature range. This is to be related with efforts to decrease the emission of CO₂ in the atmosphere thus decreasing its green house effect.Reduction of hematite to magnetite with H₂ is characterized by an apparent activation energy ‘E_a’ of 76 kJ/mol. E_a of the reduction of magnetite to iron is 88 and 39 kJ/mol for temperatures lower and higher than 420 °C, respectively. Mathematical modeling of experimental data suggests that the reaction rate is controlled by two- and three-dimensional growth of nuclei and by phase boundary reaction at temperatures lower and higher than 420 °C, respectively.Morphological study confirms the formation of compact iron layer generated during the reduction of Fe₂O₃ by H₂ at temperatures higher than 420 °C. It also shows the absence of such layer in case of using CO. It seems that the annealing of magnetite's defects around 420 °C is responsible for the decrease of E_a.The rate of reduction of iron oxide with hydrogen is systematically higher than that obtained by CO.     

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.