Liquid and poly (vinyl chloride) matrix membrane electrodes for the selective determination of cocaine in illicit powders

The construction of liquid membrane and PVC matrix-type cocainium ion selective electrodes and their use for direct potentiometry and potentiometric titration of cocaine are described. The ion-pair complexes of cocaine cation with reineckate and tetraphenylborate anions are either dissolved in nitrobenzene solvent or dispersed in a PVC matrix, with DOP or DBS plasticizer, and used as the ion-exchange membranes. The electrochemical response characteristics of electrodes incorporating these types of membranes are evaluated with regard to the effect of pH, foreign basic compounds, temperature and gamma-radiation. The electrodes display a stable fast Nernstian response for 10(-2)-10(-5)M cocainium cation over the pH range 3-7, the lower limit of detection being 1 mug/ml. Determination of as low as 20 mug/ml cocaine hydrochloride shows an average recovery of 98% and a mean standard deviation of +/-0.6%. The electrodes exhibit useful analytical characteristics for determining cocaine in some illicit powders. The results agree fairly well with those obtained by gas-liquid chromatography.     

Poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membrane electrode for the selective determination of heroin (diamorphine) in illicit powders

The potentiometric response characteristics of a poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode for heroin based on its ion-pair complex with tetraphenylborate were examined. The influence of pH, temperature and time on the performance of the electrode system was investigated. The electrode shows a near-Nernstian response over the heroin concentration range 10(-2)-10(-4) M with good precision. The mean relative standard deviation for the determination of heroin in 40 micrograms ml-1(-1) mg ml-1 aqueous heroin hydrochloride solutions is 1.2%. The electrode exhibits good selectivity for heroin in the presence of a number of adulterants and basic organic compounds commonly present in illicit heroin powders. The method was applied to the direct potentiometric determination of heroin in illicit powders (10-36% heroin) and the results agreed fairly well with those obtained by gas - liquid chromatography.     

Papaverine PVC membrane ion-selective electrodes based on its ion-exchangers with tetraphenylborate and tetrathiocyanate anions

The construction and general performance of novel potentiometric membrane ion selective electrodes for determination of papaverine hydrochloride has been described. They are based on the formation of the ion association complexes of papaverine (PA) with tetraphenylborate (TPB)(I) or tetrathiocyanate (TTC)(II) counter anions as electro-active material dispersed in a PVC matrix. The electrodes show fast, stable, near Nernstian response for 1 x 10(-2) to 6 x 10(-5) M and 1 x 10(-2) to 1 x 10(-5) M for PA-TPB and PA-TTC respectively at 25 degrees C over the pH range of 3-5.0 with a cationic slope of approximately 56.5 +/- 0.5 mV/decade for both sensors respectively. The lower detection limit is 4 x 10(-5) and 8 x 10(-6) M for PA- I and PA-II respectively with fast response time ranging from 20-45 sec. Selectivity coefficients for PA relative to a number of interfering substances were investigated. There is a negligible interference from the studied cations, anions, and pharmaceutical excipients. The determination of 4.0- 3000.0 microg/ml of PA in aqueous solutions shows an average recovery of 99.1% and a mean relative standard deviation of 1.4 at 100microg/ml. The direct determination of PA in some formulations (Vasorin injection) gave results that compare favorably with those obtained using the British Pharmacopoeia method. Potentiometric titration of PA with sodium tetraphenylborate and potassium thiocyanate as titrants utilizing the papaverine electrode as an end point indicator electrode has been carried out.     

New liquid-membrane electrodes for direct determination of atropine in pharmaceutical preparations

Solutions of atropinium 5-nitrobarbiturate in n-octanol and atropinium picrolonate in p-nitrotoluene are used as novel liquid ion-exchangers in electrodes that respond to the atropine cation. The performance characteristics of the two electrodes are almost identical: the response is linear for 10(-5)-10(-2)M atropine with a slope of 56.5 +/- 1 mV/concentration decade. The static response times are 30-90 sec and the potential readings are stable over the pH range 3-8. There is negligible interference from a number of inorganic and organic cations, and some common excipients. In the direct determination of 1-200 mug/ml of atropine, the average recovery with both electrodes is 98% (mean standard deviation 1.7%). Atropine has been determined in some pharmaceutical preparations with an average recovery of 98% (standard deviation 1.9%), the results being in agreement with those obtained by standard methods.     

PVC Membrane electrodes for manual and flow-injection determination of tetraphenylborate: Applications to separate and sequential titrations of some metal ions

Three novel poly (vinyl chloride) matrix membrane electrodes, highly sensitive and selective for tetraphenylborate anion (TPB), are developed and electrochemically evaluated. They are based on the use of iron(II) bathophenanthroline, nickel(II) bathophenanthroline-and nitron-TPB ion-pair complexes as electroactive materials with dioctylphthalate (DOP) and 2-nitrophenyl phenyl ether (NPPE) as plasticizing solvent mediators. The electrodes exhibit stable and rapid near-Nernstian response for 10(-2)-10(-6)M TPB over the pH range 4-10. Use of these electrodes for direct potentiometric determination and potentiometric titration of as low as 1 mug of TPB/ml and 0.6 mg of TPB/ml give results with average recoveries of 99.3% (mean standard deviation 0.5%) and 99.4% (mean standard deviation 0.2%), respectively. Incorporation of nitron-TPB PVC sensor in a flow-through sandwich cell provides an efficient flow-injection detector for determining TPB with an input rate of at least 60 samples/hr. The limit of detection is 1.6 mug TPB/ml in a 20-mul sample. The electrodes are also used to monitor separate and sequential titrations of some metal ions with TPB. Alkaline earth and transition-metal ions upon reaction with polyethylene glycol and ethylenediamine, respectively, form cationic complexes readily titrated with TPB. Optimum conditions are outlined for sequential titrations of various combinations of metallic species.     

Plastic membrane electrodes for the potentiometric determination of codeine in pharmaceutical preparations

Four PVC membrane electrode systems responsive to codeinium cation are described. These electrodes are based on the use of the ion-association complexes of the codeinium cation with tetraphenylborate and reineckate counter-anions as ion-exchange sites in a PVC matrix plasticized with dioctylphthalate and dibutylsebacate. The performance characteristics of these electrodes reveal fast, stable and near-Nernstian responses for codeine down to concentrations of 3.5–7.0 × 10^–5 M. Over the pH range 2.5–7, the electrodes are satisfactory for manual and flow injection determination of codeine in various pharmaceutical preparations. There is negligible interference from a number of inorganic and organic cations and some common drug excipients. In the direct determination of 30 g/ml -1.0 mg/ml codeine, the average recovery is 100.6% and the mean standard deviation is ± 0.8%. The results compare favorably with those obtained by the British Pharmacopoeia method.     

New plastic membrane and carbon paste ion selective electrodes for the determination of triprolidine.

Triprolidine (Trip) ion selective electrodes of three types: the conventional polymer membrane (I), graphite coated electrode (II) and carbon paste electrode (III), have been prepared, based on the ion pair of triprolidine hydrochloride with sodium tetraphenylborate. The electrodes exhibit a linear response with a mean calibration graph slope of 56.12, 55.00 and 54.32 mV decade(-1) at 25 degrees C for I, II and III, respectively, within the concentration ranges 1.96 x 10(-5) - 1.00 x 10(-2) M for I and 3.84 x 10(-5) - 1.00 x 10(-2) M for II and III. The detection limits are 1.13+/-0.13 x 10(-5), 1.70+/-0.06 x 10(-5) and 1.78+/-0.05 x 10(-5) M for the three electrodes, respectively. The change of pH within the ranges 4.85 - 8.75 and 4.70 - 8.50 for I and III, respectively, did not affect the electrode performance. The standard electrode potentials were determined at different temperatures and were used to calculate the isothermal coefficient of the electrode. The electrodes showed a very good selectivity for Trip with respect to a large number of inorganic cations and compounds. The standard addition method was applied to the determination of TripCl in pure solution, pharmaceutical preparations, and urine samples.     

PVC membrane electrodes for potentiometric determination of tripelennamine

The construction of PVC matrix type tripelennamine ion selective electrodes and their use for direct potentiometry, potentiometric titration and flow injection analysis of tripelennamine cation are described. The membranes of these electrodes consist of tripelennamine-tetraphenylborate, reineckate and picrylsulfonate ion-association complexes dispersed in PVC matrix with tributyl phosphate (TBP) plasticizer. The electrodes exhibit near-Nernstian response over the concentration range of 10^–1-10^–4 M tripelennamine over the pH range 4.5–8.0. Selectivity coefficients data obtained for 17 different organic and inorganic ions are presented. The results obtained for the determination of 29 g/ml-29 mg/ml of tripelennamine with the proposed electrodes show average recoveries of 99.5–99.9% and mean standard deviations of 0.6–1.2%. The data agree well with those obtained by the standard methods.     

All-solid-state potentiometric sensors sensitive to nonionic surfactants based on ionophores containing ethoxylate units

Earlier work of potentiometric Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) sensitive to nonionic surfactants of the polyethoxylate type is further extended. The ISEs constructed were all-solid-state sensors with plasticized PVC membranes. The sensing material was a tetraphenylborate salt of the barium complex with a polyethoxylate nonionic surfactant. As membrane component, the combinations of two polyethoxylates of the nonylphenoxy type, which differed in the number of oxyethylene units (5 or 12), and two different plasticizers, (o-nitrophenyloctyl ether and o-nitrophenylphenyl ether), were tested. The response of these electrodes to different nonionic surfactants and the interference effect of several species has been evaluated. For all the types of tested electrodes, the sensitivities shown were ca. 30.0 mV dec(-1) and the limit of detection, ca. 10(-5) M, when a nonylphenoxyde with 12 oxyethylene units was used as standard. The membrane with the best response characteristics was then applied in potentiometric titrations of this kind of surfactants in the presence of Ba(2+) ion and using tetraphenylborate as the titrant.     

Potentiometric membrane sensors for the selective determination of pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) in some pharmaceutical formulations

The construction and general performance characteristics of two novel potentiometric PVC membrane sensors responsive to the pyridoxine hydrochloride known as vitamin B6 (VB6) are described. These sensors are based on the use of the ion-association complexes of the pyridoxine cation with phosphomolybdate, and phosphotungstate counter anions as ion pair in a plasticized PVC matrix. The electrodes show a stable, near-Nernstian response for 6x10(-5)-1x10(-2) M VB6 at 25 degrees C over the pH range 2-4 with a cationic slope of 54.0+/-0.5 and 54.5+/-0.4 per concentration decade for pyridoxine-phosphomolybdate and pyridoxine-phosphotungstate respectively. The two electrodes have the same lower detection limit (4x10(-5) M) and the response times are 45-60 and 30-45 s in the same order for both. Selectivity coefficients for VB6 relative to a number of interfering substances were investigated. There is negligible interference from many cations, some vitamins and pharmaceutical excipients. Direct potentiometric determination of 15-2000 microg/ml pyridoxine shows an average recovery of 98.0% and 99.0% with relative standard deviation 1.5% and 1.2% at 100.0 microg/ml for pyridoxine-phosphomolybdate and pyridoxine-phosphotungstate electrodes, respectively. The determination of VB6 in some pharmaceutical preparations using the proposed electrodes gave an average recovery of 98.0 and 99.0% of the nominal value and a mean standard deviation of 1.1% and 0.9% (n=10) for pyridoxine-phosphomolybdate and pyridoxine-phosphotungstate electrodes, respectively. The results compare favorably with data obtained by the British Pharmacopoeia method.     

Nafronyl ion-selective membrane electrodes and their use in pharmaceutical analysis

A simple potentiometric method is described for the rapid determination of nafronyl-drugs in pharmaceutical preparations such as tablets. Nafronyl ion-selective membrane electrodes with either the nafronyl-dipicrylamine ion-pair complex in 1,2-dichloroethane or the nafronyl-dinonylnaphthalenesulphonic acid ion-pair complex in a PVC matrix as electroactive materials were used. Both electrodes exhibit near-Nernstian responses to protonated-nafronyl activity from 10(-2) to about 10(-5)M, in pH ranges that depend on the nature of the electroactive material used in the membrane. Nafronyl in the mg-range can be determined by potentiometric titration with sodium tetraphenylborate solution, with a relative standard deviation of less than 2.0%. No interference from any excipients in the tablets was observed.     

Construction and performance characteristics of new tetramisole selective plastic membrane electrodes

New tetramisole (Tm) ion selective PVC membrane electrodes are constructed based on either the ion-pair complex Tm TPB (Electrode I) where TPB is tetraphenylborate or the ion associate Tm(3) PT (Electrode II) where PT is phosphotungstate. The rectilinear concentration ranges of Electrodes I and II are 4 x 10(-5)-10(-2)M (average slope = 55.7 mV/concentration decade) and 5 x 10(-5)-10(-2)M TmCl (average slope = 57.0 mV/concentration decade), at 25 degrees C, respectively. The life time of the two Electrodes I and II are 14 and 49 days of continuous working, respectively. The change in pH does not affect the electrodes performance within the range 3.0-5.5, 3.0-6.0 and 3.0-7.0 for Tm concentrations 10(-2) 5 x 10(-3) and 10(-3)M, respectively. The isothermal coefficients of Electrodes I and II are found to be 0.000667 and 0.001164 V/ degrees C, respectively. The electrodes proved to be highly selective for TmCl towards inorganic cations, sugars and amino acids. The standard addition method and potentiometric titration are used to determine Tm in pure solutions and in tetramisole 10% oral solution. Regeneration process for the exhausted Electrodes I and II is applied successfully by soaking them in a solution of NaTPB and PTA, respectively.     

Nitron tetrachloroaurate(III) electrodes with poly(vinyl chloride) and liquid membranes for the selective determination of gold

PVC matrix and liquid membrane electrodes have been developed for direct potentiometric determination of gold(III). The membranes incorporate nitron tetrachloroaurate(III) as electroactive material. Fast response for gold(III) over the concentration range 10(-5)-0.1M, with response slopes of 52.8-55.2 mV/decade is obtained. The electrodes show good selectivity for gold(III) at pH 2-5 in the presence of many anions and cations. The PVC membrane electrode offers the advantages of greater selectivity (except for Cr(3+), Mn(2+) and ClO(-)(4)) and higher thermal stability. The liquid membrane electrode gives a higher response slope and faster time of response than the PVC membrane electrode. Determination of AuCl(-)(4) over the range 2 mug/ml-2 mg/ml shows an average recovery of 98.5% and a mean standard deviation of 1.0%. Determination of gold in some gold alloys (58.3-99.9% Au) and pharmaceutical preparations gave an average recovery of 99.4% and a mean standard deviation of 0.7%, which are comparable with the performance obtained with the spectrophotometric Malachite Green and gravimetric U.S. Pharmacopeia methods.     

Etilefrine Plastic Membrane Electrodes Based on Individual and Mixed Ion-exchangers of Etilefrinium Phosphotungstate and Tetraphenylborate.

Abstract

Etilefrine hydrochloride (EfCl) selective PVC membrane electrodes based on Etilefrinium phosphotungstate (I), Etilefrinium tetraphenylborate (II) and a mixture of both (III) were prepared, The electrodes exhibited near Nernstian response over the concentration ranges 5.0 × 10^?6 - 1.0 × 10^?1, 6.3 × 10^?6 - 1.0 × 10^?1 and 6.3 × 10^?5 - 1.0 × 10^?1 M EfCl for electrodes I, II and III, respectively. The working pH ranges of electrodes I, II and III were 10 - 8.0, 10 - 7.5 and 10 - 7.5 and their isothermal coefficients were 0.00150, 0.00088 and 0.00072 V/°C, respectively. The electrodes showed good selectivity to EfCl with respect to many inorganic cations, sugars and amino acids. The standard additions method was used to determine EfCl in pure solutions and in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Determination of fluoxetine in pharmaceutical preparations and biological samples using potentiometric sensors based on polymeric membranes

The construction and general performance of four novel potentiometric membrane sensors for the determination of fluoxetine have been described. The sensors are based on the formation of the ion association complex of fluoxetine with sodium tetraphenylborate and phosphotungstic acid as electroactive materialles, dispersed in a PVC matrix with dibuthyl sebacate (or diethyl sebacate) as a plasticizer. These sensors exhibit fast, stable and near-Nernstian response for the monocharged fluoxetine cation over wide concentration range from 3.0 × 10^?6 to 1.2 × 10^?2 M and pH 4.0–7.5. No interferences are caused by many inorganic and organic species. Direct potentiometric determinations of 5–100 μg/mL of fluoxetine in drug and urine samples show good recovery of fluoxetine. The developed membrane electrodes have been used as an end point indicator electrode; the potentiometric titration of fluoxetine with sodium tetraphenylborate as a titrant has been monitored.     

Plasma-polymerized membrane electrode for the determination of dextromethorphan and dimemorfan

Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) responsive to the antitussives dextromethorphan and dimemorfan were constructed by the fixation of an ion-exchanger, ammonium tetraphenylborate, on a Millipore membrane by means of a plasma-polymerization technique. The electrodes showed a Nernstian response over the range of 10(-5)-10(-2) M dextromethorphan and dimemorphan, and the working pH range was 5-7. The interference from common cations such as Na+, K+ and Ca2+ was negligible but some organic cations interfered weakly. The electrodes were applied successfully for the determination of the drugs in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Potentiometric determination of nicotine in tobacco products with a nicotine-sensitive liquid membrane electrode

A simple potentiometric method with standard additions is described for the rapid determination of nicotine in tobacco products. A nicotine-sensitive electrode with a liquid membrane of nicotine hydrogen tetra(m-chlorophenyl)borate dissolved in o-nitrotoluene is used. The electrode exhibits near-Nernstian response to monoprotonated nicotine cation activity from 0.08 to 10^-5 M, in the pH range 4–7. Nicotine down to 2 mg per g of sample can be determined with a standard deviation of about 0.5 mg of nicotine. Comparison with an official method gave satisfactory results.     

Flow injection Fourier transform infrared determination of nicotine in tobacco

A fully automated procedure is proposed for the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) determination of nicotine in tobacco. The method is based on the on-line extraction of nicotine with CHCl3. Samples, weighed inside empty extraction cartridges, were humidified with NH3 and the cartridges were installed in a flow manifold in which they were extracted with 2 ml CHCl3 for 2 min, then 400 microliters of the extract were introduced into a micro-flow cell using a carrier of CHCl3 and the IR spectrum was registered continuously. The absorbance, in the wavenumber range 1334-1300 cm-1, was measured, obtaining a peak as a function of time. The area of this peak was interpolated on a calibration line established from standard solutions of nicotine in chloroform treated in the same way as samples. The method provided a limit of detection of 0.1 mg ml-1 nicotine, an RSD lower than 2% and a sampling frequency of the whole procedure of 6 h-1. Results obtained for natural samples of cut tobacco and cigar compared well with those obtained by a batch FTIR procedure, involving an off-line extraction with a total time of 16 min. However, for yellow tobacco cigarette, an on-line extraction time of 10 min was required to obtain a good recovery of nicotine.     

Determination of ethaverine and papaverine using ion-selective electrodes.

Ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes for the opium alkaloids papaverine and ethaverine are presented. The electrode membranes contain ion pairs of the alkaloids with the anionic counter ion tetraphenylborate. The detection limits for all electrodes were approximately 2 x 10(-6) mol dm-3 at pH 5.0 in 100 mmol dm-3 buffered solutions and the measured slopes were close to the values theoretically expected. The selectivity coefficient observed for the ethaverine-tetraphenylborate electrode is 10(-1.1) with respect to papaverine. The suitability of the membranes for single-use electrodes is discussed.     

Coated-wire organic ion-selective electrodes in titrations based on ion-pair formation : Determination of arenediazonium salts with sodium tetraphenylborate

Titrimetric determinations of arenediazonium salts can be based on ion-pair formation between the diazonium cation and tetraphenylborate. Titrations are done under cooling with ice and are followed potentiometrically with organic ion-selective electrodes comprising PVC membranes plasticized with polar solvents and coated on aluminium wires. The method was tested in determinations of arenediazonium salts derived from 20 aromatic amines, including aniline, toluidines, naphthylamines and their derivatives. Except for compounds containing hydrophylic groups such as —COOH and —OH, the potentiometric titration curves have well defined end-points. The results are reproducible, with relative standard deviations in the range 0.4–1.4% at the millimolar level. The method can be used for reliable determinations of arenediazonium salts in analytical control of azo dyestuff production.