Evaluation of the analytical capability of NIR femtosecond laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

A laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric (LA-ICPMS) technique utilizing a titanium-sapphire (TiS) femtosecond laser (fs-laser) has been developed for elemental and isotopic analysis. The signal intensity profile, depth of the ablation pit and level of elemental fractionation were investigated in order to evaluate the analytical capability of the present fs-laser ablation-ICPMS technique. The signal intensity profile of (57)Fe, obtained from iron sulfide (FeS(2)), demonstrated that the resulting signal intensity of (57)Fe achieved by the fs-laser ablation was almost 4-times higher than that obtained by ArF excimer laser ablation under a similar energy fluence (5 J/cm(2)). In fs-laser ablation, there is no significant difference in a depth of the ablation pit between glass and zircon material, while in ArF laser ablation, the resulting crater depth on the zircon crystal was almost half the level than that obtained for glass material. Both the thermal-induced and particle size-related elemental fractionations, which have been thought to be main sources of analytical error in the LA-ICPMS analysis, were measured on a Harvard 91500 zircon crystal. The resulting fractionation indexes on the (206)Pb/(238)U (f(Pb/U)) and (238)U/(232)Th (f(U/Th)) ratios obtained by the present fs-laser ablation system were significantly smaller than those obtained by a conventional ArF excimer laser ablation system, demonstrative of smaller elemental fractionation. Using the present fs-laser ablation technique, the time profile of the signal intensity of (56)Fe and the isotopic ratios ((57)Fe/(54)Fe and (56)Fe/(54)Fe) have been measured on a natural pyrite (FeS(2)) sample. Repeatability in signal intensity of (56)Fe achieved by the fs-laser ablation system was significantly better than that obtained by ArF excimer laser ablation. Moreover, the resulting precision in (57)Fe/(54)Fe and (56)Fe/(54)Fe ratio measurements could be improved by the fs-laser ablation system. The data obtained here clearly demonstrate that, even with the fundamental wavelength (NIR operating at 780 nm), the fs-laser ablation system has the potential to become a significant tool for in-situ elemental and isotopic analysis of geochemical samples including heavy minerals and metallic materials.     

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric determination of the absorption of iron in normal women

The determination of iron isotope ratios in blood, without prior sample preparation, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with sample introduction by electrothermal vaporisation (ETV) is described. Following oral administration of 5 mg of enriched 54FeSO4 and intravenous administration of 200 micrograms of 57FeSO4 to non-pregnant women, the 54Fe: 56Fe and 57Fe: 56Fe isotope ratios in serum were measured reliably within 20 min per sample in quintuplicate. Changes in the fractional absorption of iron during human pregnancy could therefore be assessed.     

Absolute measurements and certified reference material for iron isotopes using multiple-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry

Two enriched isotopes, 99.94 at.% 56Fe and 99.90 at.% 54Fe, were blended under gravimetric control to prepare ten synthetic isotope samples whose 56Fe isotope abundances ranged from 95% to 20%. For multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) measurements typical polyatomic interferences were removed by using Ar and H2 as collision gas and operating the MC-ICP-MS system in soft mode. Thus high-precision measurements of the Fe isotope abundance ratios were accomplished. Based on the measurement of the synthetic isotope abundance ratios by MC-ICP-MS, the correction factor for mass discrimination was calculated and the results were in agreement with results from IRMM014. The precision of all ten correction factors was 0.044%, indicating a good linearity of the MC-ICP-MS method for different isotope abundance ratio values. An isotopic reference material was certified under the same conditions as the instrument was calibrated. The uncertainties of ten correction factors K were calculated and the final extended uncertainties of the isotopic certified Fe reference material were 5.8363(37) at.% 54Fe, 91.7621(51) at.% 56Fe, 2.1219(23) at.% 57Fe, and 0.2797(32) at.% 58Fe.     

Isotopic analysis of Fe in human red blood cells by multiple collector-ICP-mass spectrometry.

Precise 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe isotopic ratios on human red blood cell (RBC) samples have been measured using multiple collector-ICP-mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS). The mass spectrometric interferences on Fe isotopes (e.g., 56ArO+ and 57ArOH+) were successfully minimized by a dry plasma condition achieved by a desolvating nebulizer sample-introduction technique. In order to eliminate possible variations in the measured isotopic ratios due to non-mass spectrometric interferences, Fe was separated from remaining organic compounds and major co-existing elements using an ion chromatographic technique. The resulting precisions of the 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratio measurements were 0.12 per thousand and 0.20 per thousand, respectively, which were high enough to detect the isotopic variation of Fe in nature. For an interlaboratory comparison, all of the Fe isotopic ratio data were normalized by the ratios for the IRMM-014 international isotopic standard. A series of 12 RBC samples were collected from one person through monthly-based sampling over a period of one year. These were analyzed to test possible seasonal changes in the 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratios. Moreover, in order to test possible variations in the 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratios among different people, RBC samples were collected from five volunteers (four males and one female). The 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratios for a series of 12 RBC samples collected over a one-year period show 3.06 per thousand and 4.51 per thousand lower than the values of IRMM-014, and no significant seasonal change could be found in the ratios. The lack in seasonal changes in the Fe isotopic ratios could be explained by a small contribution of the daily net-intake of Fe (1 - 2 mg/day) onto the total amount of Fe in the human body (2 - 4 g). The 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratios for RBC samples collected from four male samples did not vary measurably, whereas the Fe isotopic ratios for a female RBC were 0.3 per thousand/amu heavier than the mean value of four male samples. This difference in Fe isotopes among the individuals can be the result of a difference in uptake efficiency of the Fe through a dietary process from the digestive tract. The data obtained here demonstrate that the isotopic ratios of trace metals can provide new information about metabolic efficiencies of the metallic elements.     

Catalytic C-H bond amination from high-spin iron imido complexes

Dipyrromethene ligand scaffolds were synthesized bearing large aryl (2,4,6-Ph(3)C(6)H(2), abbreviated Ar) or alkyl ((t)Bu, adamantyl) flanking groups to afford three new disubstituted ligands ((R)L, 1,9-R(2)-5-mesityldipyrromethene, R=aryl, alkyl). While high-spin (S=2), four-coordinate iron complexes of the type ((R)L)FeCl(solv) were obtained with the alkyl-substituted ligand varieties (for R=(t)Bu, Ad and solv=THF, OEt(2)), use of the sterically encumbered aryl-substituted ligand precluded binding of solvent and cleanly afforded a high-spin (S=2), three-coordinate complex of the type ((Ar)L)FeCl. Reaction of ((Ad)L)FeCl(OEt(2)) with alkyl azides resulted in the catalytic amination of C-H bonds or olefin aziridination at room temperature. Using a 5% catalyst loading, 12 turnovers were obtained for the amination of toluene as a substrate, while greater than 85% of alkyl azide was converted to the corresponding aziridine employing styrene as a substrate. A primary kinetic isotope effect of 12.8(5) was obtained for the reaction of ((Ad)L)FeCl(OEt(2)) with adamantyl azide in an equimolar toluene/toluene-d(8) mixture, consistent with the amination proceeding through a hydrogen atom abstraction, radical rebound type mechanism. Reaction of p-(t)BuC(6)H(4)N(3) with ((Ar)L)FeCl permitted isolation of a high-spin (S=2) iron complex featuring a terminal imido ligand, ((Ar)L)FeCl(N(p-(t)BuC(6)H(4))), as determined by (1)H NMR, X-ray crystallography, and (57)Fe Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy. The measured Fe-N(imide) bond distance (1.768(2) ?) is the longest reported for Fe(imido) complexes in any geometry or spin state, and the disruption of the bond metrics within the imido aryl substituent suggests delocalization of a radical throughout the aryl ring. Zero-field (57)Fe Mo?ssbauer parameters obtained for ((Ar)L)FeCl(N(p-(t)BuC(6)H(4))) suggest a Fe(III) formulation and are nearly identical with those observed for a structurally similar, high-spin Fe(III) complex bearing the same dipyrromethene framework. Theoretical analyses of ((Ar)L)FeCl(N(p-(t)BuC(6)H(4))) suggest a formulation for this reactive species to be a high-spin Fe(III) center antiferromagnetically coupled to an imido-based radical (J = -673 cm(-1)). The terminal imido complex was effective for delivering the nitrene moiety to both C-H bond substrates (42% yield) as well as styrene (76% yield). Furthermore, a primary kinetic isotope effect of 24(3) was obtained for the reaction of ((Ar)L)FeCl(N(p-(t)BuC(6)H(4))) with an equimolar toluene/toluene-d(8) mixture, consistent with the values obtained in the catalytic reaction. This commonality suggests the isolated high-spin Fe(III) imido radical is a viable intermediate in the catalytic reaction pathway. Given the breadth of iron imido complexes spanning several oxidation states (Fe(II)-Fe(V)) and several spin states (S=0→(3)/(2)), we propose the unusual electronic structure of the described high-spin iron imido complexes contributes to the observed catalytic reactivity.     

Iron isotope fractionation between liquid and vapor phases of iron pentacarbonyl

Iron isotope fractionation between liquid and vapor iron pentacarbonyl was measured in a closed system at ∼0 and ∼21 °C to determine if Fe isotope analysis of iron pentacarbonyl vapor is viable using electron-impact, gas-source mass spectrometry. At the 2σ level, there is no significant Fe isotope fractionation between vapor and liquid under conditions thought to reflect equilibrium. Experiments at ∼0 °C indicate iron pentacarbonyl vapor is ∼0.05 per mil (‰) greater in ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe than liquid iron pentacarbonyl, which is just resolvable at the 1σ level. Partial decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl vapor or liquid to an iron oxide or iron metal shows that significant isotopic fractionation occurs, where the decomposed product has a lower ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratio as compared to the starting iron pentacarbonyl. It follows that methods to decompose iron pentacarbonyl must be quantitative to obtain accurate isotope values.     

Isotope fractionation factors of N2O diffusion

Isotopic signatures of N2O are increasingly used to constrain the total global flux and the relative contribution of nitrification and denitrification to N2O emissions. Interpretation of isotopic signatures of soil-emitted N2O can be complicated by the isotopic effects of gas diffusion. The aim of our study was to measure the isotopic fractionation factors of diffusion for the isotopologues of N2O and to estimate the potential effect of diffusive fractionation during N2O fluxes from soils using simple simulations. Diffusion experiments were conducted to monitor isotopic signatures of N2O in reservoirs that lost N2O by defined diffusive fluxes. Two different mathematical approaches were used to derive diffusive isotope fractionation factors for 18O (epsilon18O), average 15N (epsilonbulk) and 15N of the central (alpha(-)) and peripheral (beta(-)) position within the linear N2O molecule (epsilon15Nalpha, epsilon15Nbeta). The measured epsilon18O was -7.79 +/- 0.27 per thousand and thus higher than the theoretical value of -8.7 per thousand. Conversely, the measured epsilonbulk (-5.23 +/- 0.27 per thousand) was lower than the theoretical value (-4.4 per thousand). The measured site-specific 15N fractionation factors were not equal, giving a difference between epsilon15Nalpha and epsilon15Nbeta (epsilonSP) of 1.55 +/- 0.28 per thousand. Diffusive fluxes of the N2O isotopologues from the soil pore space to the atmosphere were simulated, showing that isotopic signatures of N2O source pools and emitted N2O can be substantially different during periods of non-steady state fluxes. Our results show that diffusive isotope fractionation should be taken into account when interpreting natural abundance isotopic signatures of N2O fluxes from soils.     

Correction of instrumentally produced mass fractionation during isotopic analysis of fe by thermal ionization mass spectrometry

High-precision (∼0.015%/mass) isotope ratio measurements of Fe may be obtained by using magnetic-sector thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), where rigorous correction of instrumentally produced mass fractionation can be made. Such corrections are best done by using a double-spike approach, which was first introduced several decades ago. However, previous derivations do not lend themselves to the high-precision isotope analysis that modern TIMS instruments are capable of because of various assumptions of mass fractionation laws or constant atomic weights. Moreover, some of these previous approaches took iterative approaches to the calculation, and none presented detailed error propagations. Here we present a completely general derivation to the double-spike approach that may be used for any appropriate isotope system and is applicable to the mass fractionation laws that are known to occur in TIMS. In addition, we present an assessment of error propagation as a function of algorithm and spike isotope composition. This approach has produced the highest precision Fe isotope ratio measurements yet reported, on the order of ±0.2 to 0.3 per mil for the ⁵⁴Fe/⁵⁶Fe ratio, that correct for instrumentally produced mass fractionation and yet retain natural, mass-dependent isotopic variations in samples.     

Ionic liquids based on FeCl(3) and FeCl(2). Raman scattering and ab initio calculations

We have prepared ionic liquids by mixing either iron(II) chloride or iron(III) chloride with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIC). Iron(II) chloride forms ionic liquids from a mole ratio of 1 FeCl(2)/3 BMIC to almost 1 FeCl(2)/1 BMIC. Both Raman scattering and ab initio calculations indicate that FeCl(4)(2-) is the predominant iron-containing species in these liquids. Iron(III) chloride forms ionic liquids from a mole ratio of 1 FeCl(3)/1.9 BMIC to 1.7 FeCl(3)/1 BMIC. When BMIC is in excess, Raman scattering indicates the presence of FeCl(4-). When FeCl(3) is in excess, Fe(2)Cl(7-) begins to appear and the amount of Fe(2)Cl(7-) increases with increasing amounts of FeCl(3). Ionic liquids were also prepared from a mixture of FeCl(2) and FeCl(3) and are discussed. Finally, we have used both Hartree-Fock and density functional theory methods to compute the optimized structures and vibrational spectra for these species. An analysis of the results using an all-electron basis set, 6-31G, as well as two different effective core potential basis sets, LANL2DZ and CEP-31G is presented.     

GasBench/isotope ratio mass spectrometry: a carbon isotope approach to detect exogenous CO(2) in sparkling drinks

A new procedure for the determination of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) (13)C/(12)C isotope ratios, using direct injection into a GasBench/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GasBench/IRMS) system, has been developed to improve isotopic methods devoted to the study of the authenticity of sparkling drinks. Thirty-nine commercial sparkling drink samples from various origins were analyzed. Values of delta(13)C(cava) ranged from -20.30 per thousand to -23.63 per thousand, when C3 sugar addition was performed for a second alcoholic fermentation. Values of delta(13)C(water) ranged from -5.59 per thousand to -6.87 per thousand in the case of naturally carbonated water or water fortified with gas from the spring, and delta(13)C(water) ranged from -29.36 per thousand to -42.09 per thousand when industrial CO(2) was added. It has been demonstrated that the addition of C4 sugar to semi-sparkling wine (aguja) and industrial CO(2) addition to sparkling wine (cava) or water can be detected. The new procedure has advantages over existing methods in terms of analysis time and sample treatment. In addition, it is the first isotopic method developed that allows (13)C/(12)C determination directly from a liquid sample without previous CO(2) extraction. No significant isotopic fractionation was observed nor any influence by secondary compounds present in the liquid phase.     

Investigation on elemental and isotopic fractionation during 196 nm femtosecond laser ablation multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Despite the large number of successful applications of laser ablation, elemental and isotopic fractionation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) remain as the main limitations for many applications of this technique in the fields of analytical chemistry and Earth Sciences. A substantial effort has been made to control such fractionations, which are well-established features of nanosecond laser ablation systems. Technological advancements made over the past decade now allow the ablation of solids by femtosecond laser pulses in the deep ultraviolet (UV) region at wavelengths less than 200 nm. Here the use of femtosecond laser ablation and its effects on elemental and isotopic fractionation is investigated. The Pb/U system is used to illustrate elemental fractionation and stable Fe isotopes are used to illustrate isotopic fractionation. No elemental fractionation is observed beyond the precision of the multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) measurements. Without a matrix match between standard and sample, elemental fractionation is absent even when using different laser ablation protocols for standardization and samples (spot versus raster). Furthermore, we found that laser ablation-induced isotope ratio drifts, commonly observed during nanosecond laser ablation, are undetectable during ultraviolet femtosecond laser ablation. So far the precision obtained for Fe isotope ratio determinations is 0.1‰ (2 standard deviation) for the ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratio. This is close to that obtainable by solution multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The accuracy of the results appears to be independent of the matrix used for standardization. The resulting smaller particle sizes reduce fractionation processes. Femtosecond laser ablation carries the potential to solve some of the difficulties encountered during the two prior decades since the introduction of laser ablation.     

Iron(III) chemistry with ferrocene-1,1'-dicarboxylic acid (fdcH2): an Fe7 cluster with an oxidized fdc(-) ligand

The synthesis and properties are reported of a new Fe(7) cluster obtained from the reaction of ferrocene-1,1'-dicarboxylic acid (fdcH(2)) with FeCl(2)·4H(2)O in MeOH under ambient light conditions. The compound is the mixed-anion salt [Fe(7)O(3)(OMe)(fdc)(6)(MeOH)(3)][FeCl(4)]Cl(2) (1; 8Fe(III)), containing six (fdc(n-)) groups as peripheral ligands. The cation of 1 has virtual C(3) symmetry and contains a central [Fe(4)(μ(3)-O)(3)(μ(3)-OMe)](5+) cubane unit whose three oxide ions each become μ(4) by attaching to a fourth Fe atom outside the cubane. The resulting [Fe(7)(μ(3)-O(3))(μ(3)-OMe)](14+) core is surrounded by six fdc(n-) (n = 1, 2) groups, which divide into two sets by virtual symmetry. The blue color of the complex suggested that some of these ligands are in their oxidized fdc(-) ferricenium (Fe(III)) state, and various data point to there being one fdc(-) ligand in the compound, the initial example of the group acting as a ligand in inorganic chemistry. Variable-temperature, solid-state DC and AC susceptibility measurements reveal the cation to be antiferromagnetically coupled, as expected for high-spin Fe(III), and to have an S = 2 ground state, consistent with an S = (5)/(2) Fe(7) inner core coupled antiferromagnetically to the one paramagnetic fdc(-) (S = (1)/(2)) ligand. Complex 1 displays multiple reductions and oxidations when investigated by electrochemistry in MeCN. (57)Fe Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy supports the presence of only five fdc(2-) ligands, but cannot resolve the signals from the various Fe(III) sites.     

Spectrophotometric studies on ion-pair extraction equilibria of the iron(ii) and iron(III) complexes with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol

The ion-pair extraction equilibria of the iron(II) and iron(III) chelates of 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR, H(2)L) are described. The anionic chelates were extracted into chloroform with benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride (QC1) as counter-ion. The extraction constants were estimated to be K(ex1)(Fe(II)) = [Q{Fe(II)(HL)L}](0)/[Q(+)][{Fe(II)(HL)L}(-)] = 10(8.59 +/- 0.11), K(ex2)(Fe(II)) = [Q(2){Fe(II)L(2)}](o)/ [Q(+)](2)[{Fe(II)L(2)}(2-)] = 10(12.17 +/- 0.10) and K(ex1)(Fe(III)) = [Q{Fe((III))L(2)}](o)/(Q(+)][{Fe(III)L(2)}(-)] = 10(6.78 +/- 0.15) at I = 0.10 and 20 degrees , where [ ](o) is concentration in the chloroform phase. Aggregation of Q{Fe(III)L(2)} in chloroform was observed and the dimerization constant (K(d) = [Q(2){Fe(III)L(2)}(2)](o)/[Q{Fe(III)L(2)}](o)(2)) was evaluated as log K(d) = 4.3 +/- 0.3 at 20 degrees . The neutral chelates of {Fe(II)(HL)(2)} and {Fe(III)(HL)L}, and the ion-pair of the cationic chelate, {Fe(III)(HL)(2)}ClO(4), were also extracted into chloroform or nitrobenzene. The relationship between the forms and extraction properties of the iron(II) and iron(III) PAR chelates are discussed in connection with those of the nickel(II) and cobalt(III) complexes. Correlation between the extraction equilibrium data and the elution behaviour of some PAR chelates in ion-pair reversed-phase partition chromatography is also discussed.     

Speciation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) by the modified ferrozine method,FIA-spectrophotometry,and flame AAS after cloud-point extraction

A method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of traces of Fe(III) and Fe(II) in water by on-line coupling of spectrophotometry with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The method involves cloud-point extraction (CPE) of both species with ammonium pyrrolidinecarbodithioate (APDC) under standard conditions, which facilitates the in situ complexation and extraction of both species. Differentiation of the oxidation states of iron is achieved by using mathematical equations to overcome the interference of Fe(III) in the spectrophotometric determination of Fe(II) when they are both present in the same solution. In this manner the time-consuming and labor-intensive steps of preoxidation of Fe(II) or reduction of Fe(III) are eliminated. By preconcentrating a 10-mL sample solution detection limits as low as 7 microg L(-1), were obtained after a single-step extraction procedure. The relative standard deviation (n=4, 30 microg L(-1)) was 2.6 % and 1.8 % for spectrophotometry and FAAS, respectively. Recoveries in the range of 96-105 % were obtained by analysis of spiked real samples. The method was further verified by analyzing a certified reference material (IMEP-9); for this the recovery was 98.5 %.     

Partial pressure dependency of 17O/16O and 18O/16O of molecular oxygen in the mass spectrometer

A method to determine both (17)O/(16)O and (18)O/(16)O ratios for molecular oxygen with high precision by direct introduction into the mass spectrometer without gas separation is presented. Because both (17)O/(16)O and (18)O/(16)O in mixed gases have good linear correlations with their mixing ratios, these isotopic compositions can be determined without a gas-separation procedure by calibration using prepared standard gases with variable mixed ratios and by monitoring the amounts of fragment ions. Analytical precision for delta(17)O and delta(18)O of 45 and 7 per meg, respectively, were obtained. The observed partial pressure dependency of isotopic composition may be caused by isotope fractionation during admission from the ionization chamber into the flight tube of the mass spectrometer.     

Investigations into the metal species of the homogeneous iron(III) catalyzed Michael addition reactions

An investigation into the species formed in the first step of the solvent free homogeneous Michael reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate (1) is presented. This reaction is catalyzed by FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2) and Fe(ClO(4))(3).9H(2)O (3). EXAFS, XANES, Raman and UV-Vis studies were carried out to explain the experimentally found higher catalytic activity of Fe(ClO(4))(3).9H(2)O (3) compared to FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2). A very intense pre-edge peak is found for a 1.6 mol% solution of FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2) in 1, suggesting a tetrachloroferrate(III) compound to be present in this solution. This is proved by UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy. The counterion of this anionic complex is an octahedral [Fe(III)(1-H)(2)(H2O2)](+) complex with two deprotonated 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate (1) as the chelating ligand, (1-H)(-), as suggested by the examination of the XANES region, the obtained coordination numbers from the EXAFS analysis and by UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopies. In summary, the anion-cation species [Fe(III)Cl(4)](-)[Fe(III)(-H)(2)(H2O2)](+) is formed with FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2), whereas in the case of Fe(ClO(4))(3).9H(2)O (3) XAFS, Raman and UV-Vis investigations suggest the presence of a complex of the form [Fe(III)(1-H)(2)(H2O2)](+)[ClO(4)](-). The obtained results are discussed to explain the reduced catalytic activity of FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2) in comparison to Fe(ClO(4))(3).9H(2)O (3).     

High-valent nonheme iron. Two distinct iron(IV) species derived from a common iron(II) precursor

The reaction of [Fe(II)(beta-BPMCN)(OTf)2] (1, BPMCN = N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) with tBuOOH at low-temperature yields alkylperoxoiron(III) intermediates 2 in CH2Cl2 and 2-NCMe in CH3CN. At -45 degrees C and above, 2-NCMe converts to a pale green species 3 (lambda(max) = 753 nm, epsilon = 280 M(-1) cm(-1)) in 90% yield, identified as [Fe(IV)(O)(BPMCN)(NCCH3)]2+ by comparison to other nonheme [Fe(IV)(O)(L)]2+ complexes. Below -55 degrees C in CH2Cl2, 2 decays instead to form deep turquoise 4 (lambda(max) = 656, 845 nm; epsilon = 4000, 3600 M(-1) cm(-1)), formulated to be an unprecedented alkylperoxoiron(IV) complex [Fe(IV)(BPMCN)(OH)(OOtBu)]2+ on the basis of M?ssbauer, EXAFS, resonance Raman, NMR, and mass spectral evidence. The reactivity of 1 with tBuOOH in the two solvents reveals an unexpectedly rich iron(IV) chemistry that can be supported by the BPMCN ligand.     

Enantioselective stable isotope analysis (ESIA) of polar herbicides

Assessing the environmental fate of chiral micropollutants such as herbicides is challenging. The complexity of aquatic systems often makes it difficult to obtain hydraulic mass balances, which is a prerequisite when assessing degradation based on concentration data. Elegant alternatives are concentration-independent approaches like compound-specific isotope analysis or enantiospecific concentration analysis. Both detect degradation-induced changes from ratios of molecular species, either isotopologues or enantiomers. A combination of both—enantioselective stable isotope analysis (ESIA)—provides information on ¹³C/¹²C ratios for each enantiomer separately. Recently, Badea et al. demonstrated for the first time ESIA for the insecticide α-hexachlorocyclohexane. The present study enlarges the applicability of ESIA to polar herbicides such as phenoxy acids: 4-CPP ((RS)-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-propionic acid), mecoprop (2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-propionic acid), and dichlorprop (2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid). Enantioselective gas chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry was accomplished with derivatization prior to analysis. Precise carbon isotope analysis (2σ?≤?0.5‰) was obtained with ≥7 ng C on column. Microbial degradation of dichlorprop, 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid by Delftia acidovorans MC1 showed pronounced enantiomer fractionation, but no isotope fractionation. In contrast, Badea et al. observed isotope fractionation, but no enantiomeric fractionation. Hence, the two lines of evidence appear to complement each other. They may provide enhanced insight when combined as ESIA.     

Deuterium and oxygen-18 determination of microliter quantities of a water sample using an automated equilibrator

We describe a modified version of the equilibration method and a correction algorithm for isotope ratio measurements of small quantities of water samples. The deltaD and the delta(18)O of the same water sample can both be analyzed using an automated equilibrator with sample sizes as small as 50 microL. Conventional equilibration techniques generally require water samples of several microL. That limitation is attributable mainly to changes in the isotope ratio ((18)O/(16)O or D/H) of water samples during isotopic exchange between the equilibration gas (CO(2) or H(2)) and water, and therefore the technique for microL quantities of water requires mass-balance correction using the water/gas (CO(2) or H(2)) mole ratio to correct this isotopic effect. We quantitatively evaluate factors controlling the variability of the isotopic effect due to sample size. Theoretical consideration shows that a simple linear equation corrects for the effects without determining parameters such as isotope fractionation factors and water/gas mole ratios. Precisions (1-sigma) of 50-microL meteoric water samples whose isotopic compositions of -1.4 to -396.2 per thousand for deltaD are +/-0.5 to +/-0.6 per thousand, and of -0.37 to -51.37 per thousand for delta(18)O are +/-0.01 to +/-0.11 per thousand.