Degradation of vitamin C by low-energy electrons

We report on the degradation of gas phase vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) induced by low-energy electrons. In the energy range of (0–12) eV, different negatively charged fragments, attributed to the dehydro-ascorbic acid anion ((AA–H)⁻), OH⁻, O⁻ and H⁻, are observed. The yield functions indicate that these ions are formed via dissociative electron attachment, DEA. While the formation of (AA–H)⁻ is exclusively observed at sub-excitation energies (<1.5 eV), the other fragments arise from resonance features at higher energies. Possible implications of these observations for radiation damage and food treatment by high energy radiation are considered.     

MRD CI study on the low-lying states of AlP

Large-scale MRD CI calculations assign to AlP the ground state X ³Σ⁻ (9σ²3π²) and a close-lying state 1 ³Π (9σ3π³) (T_e = 0.08 eV). Up to transition energies of 2.0 eV, other states are described by the configurations 9σ3π³ (1¹Π), 8σ²3π⁴ (1 ¹Σ⁺), 9σ²3π² (1 ¹Δ and 2 ¹Σ⁺) and 9σ3π²4π (1 ⁵Π). The 2 ³Π state, located at ≈ 2.30 eV, shows a shallow double minimum. Numerous perturbations are expected to induce predissociation upon 2 ³Π. Multiplets arising from the occupation 8σ²3π³4π are clustered in the 3.25–3.50 eV region. Quintet states with the configuration 8σ9σ3π³4π are bound, with T_e values (in eV) of 3.80 (1 ⁵Σ⁺), 4.44 (1 ⁵Δ) and 4.88 (3 ⁵Σ⁻), respectively. The 9σ → 4s Rydberg members ⁵Σ⁻ and ³Σ⁻ lie in the 4.58–4.72 eV energy region. The first ionization potential (ionization to X⁴Σ⁻ of AlP⁺, 9σ → ∞) is estimated to be 7.65 eV. Ionization to the 1 ²Σ⁻ and 1 ²Π states of AlP⁺ is suggested to occur between 8.0 and 8.8 eV. The dipole moments of X ³Σ⁻, 1 ¹Δ and 2 ¹Σ⁺ are close to 1.0 D, whereas the 1 ¹Σ⁺ state has μ = 3.49 D; 1 ³Π and 1 ¹Π have dipole moments from 2.45 to 2.91 D. All low-lying states show a polarity Al⁺P⁻. Finally, the electronic structure and transition energies of AlP are compared with those of the isoelectronic species BN, AIN, and SiP⁺.     

Gaseous nitryl azide N4O2: A joint theoretical and experimental study

Gaseous nitryl azide N₄O₂ is generated by the heterogeneous reaction of gaseous ClNO₂ with freshly prepared AgN₃ at −50 °C. The geometric and electronic structure of the molecule in the gas phase has been characterized by in situ photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and quantum chemical calculations. The experimental first vertical ionization energy of N₄O₂ is 11.39 eV, corresponding to the ionization of an electron on the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) {4a″(π_{nb(N4–N5–N6)})}⁻¹. An apparent vibrational spacing of 1600 ± 60 cm⁻¹ (ν_asO1N2O3) on the second band at 12.52 eV (π_{nb(O1–N2–O3)}) further confirms the preference of energetically stable chain structure in the gas phase. To complement the experimental results, the potential-energy surface of this structurally novel transient molecule is discussed. Both calculations and spectroscopic results suggest that the molecule adopts a trans-planar chain structure, and a five-membered ring decomposition pathway is more favorable.     

Simultaneous potentiometric determination of ClO(3)(-)-ClO(2)(-) and ClO(3)(-)-HClO by flow injection analysis using Fe(III)-Fe(II) potential buffer

A rapid potentiometric flow injection technique for the simultaneous determination of oxychlorine species such as ClO₃⁻–ClO₂⁻ and ClO₃⁻–HClO has been developed, using both a redox electrode detector and a Fe(III)–Fe(II) potential buffer solution containing chloride. The analytical method is based on the detection of a large transient potential change of the redox electrode due to chlorine generated via the reaction of the oxychlorine species with chloride in the potential buffer solution. The sensitivities to HClO and ClO₂⁻ obtained by the transient potential change were enhanced 700–800-fold over that using an equilibrium potential. The detection limit of the present method for HClO and ClO₂⁻ is as low as 5×10⁻⁸ M with use of a 5×10⁻⁴ M Fe(III)–1×10⁻³ M Fe(II) buffer containing 0.3 M KCl and 0.5 M H₂SO₄. On the other hand, sensitivity to ClO₃⁻ was low when a potential buffer solution containing 0.5 M H₂SO₄ was used, but could be increased largely by increasing the acidity of the potential buffer. The detection limit for ClO₃⁻ was 2×10⁻⁶ M with the use of a 5×10⁻⁴ M Fe(III)–1×10⁻³ M Fe(II) buffer containing 0.3 M KCl and 9 M H₂SO₄. By utilizing the difference in reactivity of oxychlorine species with chloride in the potential buffer, a simultaneous determination method for a mixed solution of ClO₃⁻–ClO₂⁻ or ClO₃⁻–HClO was designed to detect, in a timely manner, a transient potential change with the use of two streams of potential buffers which contain different concentrations of sulfuric acid. Analytical concentration ranges of oxychlorine species were 2×10⁻⁵–2×10⁻⁴ M for ClO₃⁻, and 1×10⁻⁶–1×10⁻⁵ M for HClO and ClO₂⁻. The reproducibility of the present method was in the range 1.5–2.3%. The reaction mechanism for the transient potential change used in the present method is also discussed, based on the results of batchwise experiments. The simultaneous determination method was applied to the determination of oxychlorine species in a tap water sample, and was found to provide an analytical result for HClO, which was in good agreement with that obtained by the o-tolidine method and to provide a good recovery for ClO₃⁻ added to the sample.     

On the absolute absorption cross-section of SF5CF3

The absolute absorption cross-sections of a recently discovered atmospheric gas, SF₅CF₃, have been measured at He I (21.22 eV) and Ne I (16.64 and 16.82 eV) photon energies using a VUV discharge lamp and a double ion chamber method. Absorption cross-sections of (9.52 ± 0.95) × 10⁻¹⁷ cm² (He I) and (8.79 ± 0.88) × 10⁻¹⁷ cm² (Ne I) were obtained and compared with data from other studies. The consequences for the cross-section at the hydrogen Lyman- energy (10.20 eV) are discussed.     

Simultaneous determination of selenium and lead in whole blood samples by differential pulse polarography

The polarographic reduction of lead in the presence of selenite gives rise to an additional peak corresponding to the reduction of lead (Pb) on adsorbed selenium (Se) on mercury at −0.33 V. The selenium and lead content can be determined using this peak by the addition of a known amount of one of these ions first and then the second ion. The linear domain range of lead is 5.0×10⁻⁷–2.0×10⁻⁵ M and for selenium 5.0×10⁻⁷–1.0×10⁻⁵ M. Using this method 4.90×10⁻⁷ M Se(IV) and 1.47×10⁻⁶ M Pb(II) in a synthetic sample could be determined with a relative error of +2.0% and 1.8%, respectively (n=4). A recovery test after acid digestion for a synthetic sample was 97% for selenium and 96.5% for lead. The method was applied to 1 ml of digested blood, and 328±23 μg l⁻¹ Se(IV) and 850±62 μg l⁻¹ Pb(II) could be determined with a 90% (n=5) confidence interval.     

Voltammetric determination of glucose based on reduction of copper(II)–glucose complex at lanthanum hydroxide nanowire modified carbon paste electrodes

A novel voltammetric method for the determination of β-d-glucose (GO) is proposed based on the reduction of Cu(II) ion in Cu(II)(NH₃)₄²⁺–GO complex at lanthanum(III) hydroxide nanowires (LNWs) modified carbon paste electrode (LNWs/CPE). In 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NH₃·H₂O–NH₄Cl (pH 9.8) buffer containing 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ Cu(II) ion, the sensitive reduction peak of Cu(II)(NH₃)₄²⁺–GO complex was observed at −0.17 V (versus, SCE), which was mainly ascribed to both the increase of efficient electrode surface and the selective coordination of La(III) in LNW to GO. The increment of peak current obtained by deducting the reduction peak current of the Cu(II) ion from that of the Cu(II)(NH₃)₄²⁺–GO complex was rectilinear with GO concentration in the range of 8.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 3.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. A 500-fold of sucrose and amylam, 100-fold of ascorbic acid, 120-fold of uric acid as well as gluconic acid did not interfere with 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ GO determination.     

Electrocatalytic response of norepinephrine at a thiolactic acid self-assembled gold electrode

The thiolactic acid (TLA) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode (TLA/Au) is demonstrated to catalyze the electrochemical response of norepinephrine (NE) by cyclic voltammetry. A pair of well-defined redox waves were obtained and the calculated standard rate constant (k_s) is 5.11×10⁻³ cm s⁻¹ at the self-assembled electrode. The electrode reaction is a pseudo-reversible process. The peak current and the concentration of NE are a linear relationship in the range of 4.0×10⁻⁵–2.0×10⁻³ mol l⁻¹. The detection limit is 2.0×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹. By ac impedance spectroscopy the apparent electron transfer rate constant (k_app) of Fe(CN)³⁻/Fe(CN)⁴⁻ at the TLA/Au electrode was obtained as 2.5×10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹.     

New aspects of the reaction of silver(I) cations with the ethylenediaminetetraacetate ion

The highly neutralized ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) titrant (95–99% as Y⁴⁻ anion) precipitates with Ag⁺ cations to form the Ag₄Y species, in aqueous medium, which is well characterized from conductometric titration, thermal analysis and potentiometric titration of the silver content of the solid. The precipitate dissolves in excess Y⁴⁻ to form a complex, AgY³⁻. Equilibrium studies at 25°C and ionic strength 0.50 M (NaNO₃) have shown from solubility and potentiometric measurements that the formation constant (95% confidence level) β₁ = (1.93 ± 0.07) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ and the solubility products are K_S0 = [Ag +]⁴[Y⁴⁻] = (9.0 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁸ M⁵ and K_S1 = [Ag +]³[AgY³⁻] = (1.74 ± 0.08) × 10⁻¹² M⁴. The presence of Na⁺, rather than ionic strength, markedly affects the equilibrium; the data at ionic strength 0.10 M are: β₁ = (1.19 ± 0.03) × 10⁶ M⁻¹, K_S0 = (1.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁹ M⁵ and K_S1 = (1.9 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹³ M⁴; at ionic strength tending to zero; β₁ = (1.82 ± 0.05) × 10⁷ M⁻¹, K_S0 = (2.6 ± 0.8) × 10⁻²² M⁵ and K_S1 = (5 ± 1) × 10⁻¹⁵ M⁴. The intrinsic solubility is 2.03 mM silver (I) in 0.50 M NaNO₃. Well-defined potentiometric titration curves can be taken in the range 1–2 mM with the Ag indicator electrode. Thermal analysis revealed from differential scanning calorimetry a sharp exothermic peak at 142°C; thermal gravimetry/differential thermal gravimetry has shown mass loss due to silver formation and a brown residue, a water-soluble polymeric acid (decomposition range 135–157°C), tending to pure silver at 600°C, consistent with the original Ag₄Y salt.     

Simultaneous determination of arsenic, antimony and selenium by gas-phase diode array molecular absorption spectrometry, after preconcentration in a cryogenic trap

This paper describes a method for the simultaneous determination of As(III), Sb(III) and Se(IV) by combining hydride generation and gas phase molecular absorption spectrometry. A system for continuous hydride generation has been designed and developed, based on the use of a double process of gas-liquid separation, and optimal compromise operation conditions for the three compounds have been found. After generation, the hydrides are collected in a liquid nitrogen cryogenic trap, and then evaporated and driven to the flow cell of a diode array spectrophotometer, in which the transient signals over the 190–250 nm wavelength interval are measured. Under the recommended conditions (sample flow: 35 ml min⁻¹, 0.5 M HCl; reductor flow: 4 ml min⁻¹ of 4% NaBH₄, solution) linear response ranges above 50 μg 1⁻¹ for As(III), 30 μg 1⁻¹ for Sb(III) and 200 μg 1⁻¹ for Se(IV) are obtained with detection limits of 22 μg 1⁻¹, 15 μg 1⁻¹ and 65 μg 1⁻¹, respectively. Multiwavelength linear regression equations were used for the simultaneous determination of the three elements in different synthetic samples, with good precision and accuracy and to study simultaneously the interference from different chemical species for the three compounds. Results were similar to those obtained by other techniques using hydride generation.     

Collisional quenching of electronically excited germanium atoms, Ge[4p(S0)], by small molecules investigated by time-resolved atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy

The collisional quenching of electronically excited germanium atoms, Ge[4p²(¹S₀)], 2.029 eV above the 4p²(³P₀) ground state, has been investigated by time-resolved atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet at λ = 274.04 nm [4d(¹P₁⁰) ← 4p²(¹S₀)]. In contrast to previous investigations using the ‘single-shot mode’ at high energy, Ge(¹S₀) has been generated by the repetitive pulsed irradiation of Ge(CH₃)₄ in the presence of excess helium gas and added gases in a slow flow system, kinetically equivalent to a static system. This technique was originally developed for the study of Ge[4p²(¹D₂)] which had eluded direct quantitative kinetic study until recently. Absolute second-order rate constants obtained using signal averaging techniques from data capture of total digitised atomic decay profiles are reported for the removal of Ge(¹S₀) with the following gases (k_R in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, 300 K): Xe, 7.1 ± 0.4 × 10⁻¹³; N₂, 4.7 ± 0.6 × 10⁻¹²; O₂, 3.6 ± 0.9 × 10⁻¹¹; NO, 1.5 ± 0.3 × 10⁻¹¹; CO, 3.4 ± 0.5 × 10⁻¹²; N₂O, 4.5 ± 0.5 × 10⁻¹²; CO₂, 1.1 ± 0.3 × 10⁻¹¹; CH₄, 1.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁻¹¹; CF₄, 4.8 ± 0.3 × 10⁻¹²; SF₆, 9.5 ± 1.0 × 10⁻¹³; C₂H₄, 3.3 ± 0.1 × 10⁻¹⁰; C₂H₂, 2.9 ± 0.2 × 10⁻¹⁰; Ge(CH₃)₄, 5.4 ± 0.2 × 10⁻¹¹. The results are compared with previous data for Ge(¹S₀) derived in the single-shot mode where there is general agreement though with some exceptions which are discussed. The present data are also compared with analogous quenching rate data for the collisional removal of the lower lying Ge[4p²(¹D₂)] state (0.883 eV), also characterized by signal averaging methods similar to that described here.     

Rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with CH3CN, C2H5CN AND CH2=CH-CN in the temperature range 298–424 K

Rate constants for the reactions of OH with CH₃CN, CH₃CH₂CN and CH₂=CH-CN have been measured to be 5.86 × 10⁻¹³ exp(−1500 ± 250 cal mole⁻¹/RT), 2.69 × 10⁻¹³ exp(−1590 ± 350 cal mole⁻¹/RT and 4.04 × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively in the temperature range 298–424 K. These results are discussed in terms of the atmospheric lifetimes of nitrfles.     

Theoretical study of the visible photodissociation spectrum of Ar3

The six A′ potential energy surfaces were computed by a DIM-like method involving a valence-bond quasidiabatic basis. Transition dipole moments were also determined using a similar method. The 4D dynamics of this system (restricted to a molecular plane fixed in space) was obtained with the HWD method (hemiquantal dynamics with the whole DIM basis) and the visible photoabsorption spectrum was determined with the help of a 1D full quantum mechanical program applied to each normal mode. The photoabsorption spectrum of Ar₃⁺ was calculated in the range 440–710 nm. It corresponds to photodissociation since the excited Ar₃⁺ ions almost all dissociate into the Ar⁺ +Ar+Ar channel by a rapid explosion of the cluster, and only very few into Ar₂⁺ +Ar. It is dominated by a transition to the second excited state along with a symmetric stretching motion. We found a prominent 80 nm wide peak centered at 530 nm, with a maximum cross section of 4.2 × 10⁻¹⁶cm². The Ar₂⁺ formation results from a transition to the first excited state under low-energy laser excitation and is controlled by non-adiabatic transitions.     

Determination of iron(III) with salicylic acid by the fluorescence quenching method

The spectrofluorimetric determination of Fe³⁺ using salicylic acid as an emission reagent has been investigated by measuring the decrease of fluorescence intensity of salicylic acid due to the complexation of Fe³⁺–salicylic acid. An emission peak of salicylic acid, which is decreased linearly by addition of Fe³⁺, occurs at 409 nm in aqueous solution with excitation at 299 nm. The determination of the ferric ion is in the range 1×10⁻⁶–10×10⁻⁶ M Fe³⁺ (0.0558–0.558 μg/ml) and the detection limit is 5×10⁻⁸ M. The quenching effect of Fe³⁺ on the fluorescence intensity of salicylic acid may be considered on the basis of complexation between salicylic acid and Fe³⁺. The effects of foreign ions were investigated.     

Synthesis, structure and non-linear optical property of a copper(II) thiocyanate three-dimensional supramolecular compound

A novel copper(II) thiocyanate complex [Cu(im)₂(NCS)₂] 1 (im=imidazole) has been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic analysis and crystallographic method. This supramolecular compound exhibits a three-dimensional solid state structure constituted by N–HS hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. The compound in DMF solutions has a very strong third-order non-linear optical (NLO) behavior with absorption coefficient and refractive index ₂=1.18×10⁻¹¹ mw⁻¹, n₂=−9.00×10⁻¹⁶ m²w⁻¹, respectively, and third-order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ of 7.00×10⁻¹⁰ esu.     

Anodic characterization of mercury microelectrodes for determinations of anions in real samples

The anodization of mercury microelectrodes was investigated in synthetic samples containing several strong and weak electrolytes at different concentrations. In particular, the effects on mercury anodization due to the presence of NaOH, HClO₄, NaCl, NaI, NaF, Na₂SO₄, NaHCO₃, Na₂CO₃, tartaric and citric acids, were studied in solutions containing either each species or mixtures of them, and without addition of supporting electrolyte. Some of the electrode processes studied led to linear calibration plots e.g. 1 × 10⁻⁵ − 1 × 10⁻⁴M Cl⁻, 1 × 10⁻⁶ − 1 × 10⁻⁵M I⁻, 5 × 10⁻⁴ − 3 × 10⁻³M SO₄²⁻, 5 × 10⁻⁴ − 2 × 10⁻²M HCO₃⁻, with typical correlation coefficients of 0.998–0.999. The anodization of mercury microelectrodes was also investigated directly in wine, rain, tap and mineral water, without pretreatment and without addition of supporting electrolyte. In the real samples only the ions Cl⁻ and HCO₃⁻ could be quantified, and the values found were in agreement, within 3–5%, with the reference values obtained by using Italian standard methods for food.     

EPR and IR studies on the local structure of 80MoO3–20B2O3 glass

EPR lineshape simulation studies have been performed on a specimen of 80MoO₃–20B₂O₃ glass in the temperature range of 300–77 K. The values of the obtained spin Hamiltonian parameters are: g=1.940, g=1.974, A=150.0×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A=35.6×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ and g=1.935, g=1.975, A=141.9×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A=34.5×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ at 300 and 77 K, respectively. The paramagnetic site in the specimen is molybdenyl, MoO³⁺, ion in which the Mo is in a distorted octahedral environment of six oxygen atoms with C_4v symmetry. The 11-parallel and 11-perpendicular line feature of the EPR lineshape shows that two Mo nuclei are magnetically equivalent in the glassy matrix, in the temperature range 300–77 K.     

All electron ab initio investigations of the electronic states of the MoN molecule

The low lying electronic states of the molecule MoN were investigated by performing all electron ab initio multi-configuration self-consistent-field (CASSCF) calculations. The relativistic corrections for the one electron Darwin contact term and the relativistic mass-velocity correction were determined in perturbation calculations. The electronic ground state is confirmed as being ⁴∑⁻. The chemical bond of MoN has a triple bond character because of the approximately fully occupied delocalized bonding π and σ orbitals. The spectroscopic constants for the ground state and ten excited states were derived. The excited doublet states ²∑⁻, ²Γ, ²Δ, and ²∑⁺ are found to be lower lying than the ⁴Π state that was investigated experimentally. Elaborate multi-configuration configuration-interaction (MRCI) calculations were carried out for the states ⁴∑⁻ and ⁴∏ using various basis sets. The spectroscopic constants for the ⁴∑⁻ ground state were determined as r_e=1.636 Å and ω_e=1109 cm⁻¹, and for the ⁴∏ state as r_e=1.662 Å and ω_e=941 cm⁻¹. The values for the ground state are in excellent agreement with available experimental data. The MoN molecule is polar with a charge transfer from Mo to N. The dipole moment was determined as 2.11 D in the ⁴∑⁻ state and as 4.60 D in the ⁴∏ state. These values agree well with the revised experimental values determined from molecular Stark spectroscopic measurements. The dissociation energy, D_e, is determined as 5.17 eV, and D₀ as 5.10 eV.     

Applications of enzyme-catalysed reactions in trace analysis-II Determination of cyanide, sulphide, and iodine with invertase

Methods are described for the determination of cyanide (10⁻⁸–10⁻⁵M and sulphide (10⁻⁷–10⁻⁵ M) based on the de-inhibitory effect of these ions on invertase inhibited by mercury(II) or by silver. Iodine (0.1–3 μg) may be determined by its inhibition of invertase.     

Flow injection determination of selenium by successive retention of Se(IV) and tetrahydroborate(III) on an anion-exchange resin and hydride generation electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry with in-atomizer trapping: Part 1. Method development and investigation of interferences

A sample solution was passed at 20 ml min⁻¹ through a column (150×4 mm²) of Amberlite IRA-410Stron anion-exchange resin for 60 s. After washing, a solution of 0.1% sodium borohydride was passed through the column for 60 s at 5.1 ml min⁻¹. Following a second wash, a solution of 8 mol l⁻¹ hydrochloric acid was passed at 5.1 ml min⁻¹ for 45 s. The hydrogen selenide was stripped from the eluent solution by the addition of an argon flow at 150 ml min⁻¹ and the bulk phases were separated by a glass gas–liquid separator containing glass beads. The gas stream was dried by passing through a Nafion® dryer and fed, via a quartz capillary tube, into the dosing hole of a transversely heated graphite cuvette containing an integrated L’vov platform which had been pretreated with 120 μg of iridium as trapping agent. The furnace was held at a temperature of 250°C during this trapping stage and then stepped to 2000°C for atomization. The calibration was performed with aqueous standards solution of selenium (selenite, SeO₃²⁻) with quantification by peak area. A number of experimental parameters, including reagent flow rates and composition., nature of the gas–liquid separator, nature of the anion-exchange resin, column dimensions, argon flow rate and sample pH, were optimized. The effects of a number of possible interferents, both anionic and cationic were studies for a solution of 500 ng 1⁻¹ of selenium. The most severe depressions were caused by iron (III) and mercury (II) for which concentrations of 20 and 10 mg  1⁻¹ caused a 5% depression on the selenium signal. For the other cations (cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead,. magnesium, and nickel) concentrations of 50–70 mg 1⁻¹ could be tolerated. Arsenate interfered at a concentration of 3 mg⁻¹, whereas concentrations of chloride, bromide, iodide, perchlorate, and sulfate of 500–900 mg l⁻¹ could be tolerated. A linear response was obtained between the detection limit of 4 ng 1⁻¹, with a characteristic mass of 130 pg. The RSDs for solutions containing 100 and 200 ng 1⁻¹ selenium were 2.3% and 1.5%, respectively.