Effect of matrix modifier and furnace material on the determination of traces of fluoride by electrothermal molecular absorption spectrometry of aluminum monofluoride

In the determination of fluoride by AlF absorbance measurements, the interference from strontium nitrate is avoided by using magnesium nitrate or barium nitrate added to aluminum solution as the matrix modifier. The effects of the graphite-furnace material on AlF absorbance are investigated. Glassy carbon and synthetic carbon gave longer furnace lifetimes and better sensitivity than the other materials tested. The maximum sensitivity (4.2 μg ml^?1 fluoride for 0.0044 absorbance with a 10-μl injection) was obtained with synthetic carbon. The r.s.d, was <5% for 0.1 μg ml^?1 fluoride (n=10). Na⁺, K⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ag⁺ did not affect the measurements up to 500 μg ml^?1, but Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Sr²⁺ and especially Ca²⁺ depressed the absorbance.     

Fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ ion based on iminoanthryl appended calix[4]arene

Calix[4]arene based podands 1a of cone conformation and 1b of 1,3-alternate conformation possessing imine units and bearing anthracene moieties have been synthesized by a 1 + 2 Schiff base condensation in good yields and examined for their cation recognition abilities towards cations such as lithium, sodium, potassium, nickel, cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, silver and mercury ions by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The calix[4]arene derivative 1b shows a selective fluorescence enhancement in presence of Cu²⁺ ions among the various metal ions tested (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions). The colour of the solution changes from colourless to light yellow in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions. The stoichiometry of the complex formed between 1b and Cu²⁺ was found to be 1:1 as established by Job’s plot.     

Formation and Stability of Binary Complexes of Divalent Ecotoxic Ions (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) with Biodegradable Aminopolycarboxylate Chelants (dl-2-(2-Carboxymethyl)Nitrilotriacetic Acid, GLDA, and 3-Hydroxy-2,2′-Iminodisuccinic Acid, HIDS) in Aqueous Solutions

The protonation and complex formation equilibria of two biodegradable aminopolycarboxylate chelants {dl-2-(2-carboxymethyl)nitrilotriacetic acid (GLDA) and 3-hydroxy-2,2??-iminodisuccinic acid (HIDS)} with Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions were investigated using the potentiometric method at a constant ionic strength of I?=?0.10?mol·dm^?3 (KCl) in aqueous solutions at 25?±?0.1?°C. The stability constants of the proton?Cchelant and metal?Cchelant species for each metal ion were determined, and the concentration distributions of various complex species in solution were evaluated for each ion. The stability constants (log₁₀ K _ML) of the complexes containing Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions followed the identical order of log₁₀ K _CuL?>?log₁₀ K _NiL?>?log₁₀ K _PbL?>?log₁₀ K _ZnL?>?log₁₀ K _CdL for either GLDA (13.03?>?12.74?>?11.60?>?11.52?>?10.31) or HIDS (12.63?>?11.30?>?10.21?>?9.76?>?7.58). In each case, the constants obtained for metal?CGLDA complexes were larger than the corresponding constants for metal?CHIDS complexes. The conditional stability constants (log₁₀ $ K_{\text{ML}}^{'} $ ) of the metal?Cchelant complexes containing GLDA and HIDS were calculated in terms of pH, and compared with the stability constants for EDTA and other biodegradable chelants.     

A highly selective pyrene based fluorescent sensor toward Hg detection

A new pyrene-containing fluorescent sensor has been synthesized from 2,3,3-trimethylindolenine. Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of sensor are presented. The large change in fluorescence intensity (I/I₀ = 0.13) at 381 nm and affinity to Hg²⁺ over other cations such as K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cu²⁺ make this compound a useful chemosensor for Hg²⁺ detection in hydrophilic media. The sensor (6.0 × 10⁻⁶ M) displays significant fluorescence quenching upon addition of Hg²⁺ in pH 7.4 HEPES buffer without excimer formation. Job’s plot analysis shows the binding stoichiometry to be 2:1 (host/guest).     

Metal Ion Interaction of Two New Tritopic N2O13 Macrobicycles with B15C5 Moieties in Acetonitrile Solution

The synthesis of two new tritopic crown ligands (L1 and L2) bearing two benzo-15-crown-5 lateral moieties linked through a dibenzo-trioxa chain together with their interaction with metal ions, in acetonitrile and acetonitrile–water (50%, v/v) solutions is reported. The influence of K⁺, Na⁺, Li⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Al³⁺, on the spectroscopic properties of these diaza-polyoxa ligands was investigated by absorption spectrophotometry and in some cases by fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Coordination with alkaline (Na⁺, K⁺ and Li⁺) and alkaline earth (Ca²⁺and Ba²⁺) metal ions is assumed to be weak with both macrobicyclic ligands, while the interaction with both imine and amine derivatives causes a minor effect in the absorption spectra. Coordination with Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in acetonitrile solution causes a major change in the absorption spectra of the chromophores. In the case of Cu²⁺, addition of the metal to L1 or L2 leads to a blue–violet complex in solution with an absorbance maximum centred at 590 nm. Interaction of the Schiff-base L1 with Pb²⁺ leads to a short wavelength shift in the absorption bands, comparable with the ZnL1 complex. Presence of transition metal ions such as Co²⁺, Ni²⁺and Cd²⁺ do not remarkably affect the absorption spectra of L1 and L2 in solution. Trivalent aluminium has a modest effect in the absorption bands of both N₂O₁₃ donor set bismacrocyclic ligands. The fluorescence study of L2 in the presence of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Al³⁺shows that Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Al³⁺ complexes form non-fluorescent complexes.     

The stereochemistry of Tutton's salts X2[M(H2O)6](YO4)2

Neutron structure determinations have been made of Tutton's salts, X₂[M(H₂O)₆] (YO₄)₂, where Y = Se, X = K⁺, M = Cu²⁺; Y = S, X = K⁺, M = Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺; X = Rb⁺, Cs⁺, M = Cu²⁺. This work has shown that there are extensive hydrogen networks with almost linear hydrogen bonds from [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ to (YO₄)^2?. The (H … O) distance increases in the Cu²⁺ series for X = K⁺ to Cs⁺ but there is no difference for the potassium copper salts when Y = Se or S. Three different distorted [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ octahedra were found in the series (orthorhombic, tetragonal with two long and four short, or four long and two short bonds). The interatomic distances from X⁺ to the neighboring O in a distorted XO₈⁺ dodecahedron increases with increased cation size, implying that the X⁺ polyhedron is maintaining its shape.     

A New Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cu2+ Based on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10‐Decahydroacridine‐1,8‐dione Fluorophore

A new chemosensor for Cu²⁺ was synthesized based on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10‐decahydroacridine‐1,8‐dione dyes, which exhibited an obvious fluorescent selectivity to the sensing of Cu²⁺ ions over other cations, such as Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺. Moreover, it presented a fluorescent switch function when EDTA was added to the compound‐Cu²⁺ complex in examined systems.     

Probing the interaction of alkali and transition metal ions with bradykinin and its des-arginine derivatives via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and postsource decay mass spectrometry

The complexes of the peptides (Pep) bradykinin (RPPGFSPFR), des-Arg¹-bradykinin, and des-Arg⁹-bradykinin with the metal (M) ions Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Cu⁺, Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ are generated in the gas phase by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and the structures of the corresponding [Pep + M⁺]⁺ or [Pep − H⁺ + M²⁺]⁺ cations are probed by postsource decay (PSD) mass spectrometry. The PSD spectra depend significantly on the metal ion attached; moreover, the various metal ions respond differently to the presence or absence of a basic arginine residue. The Na⁺ and K⁺ adducts of all three peptides mainly produce N-terminal sequence ions upon PSD; the fragments observed point out that these metal ions are anchored by the PPGF segment and not the arginine residue(s). In contrast, the adducts of Cu⁺ and Ag⁺ show a strong dependence on the position of Arg; complexes of des-Arg¹-Pep (which contains a C-terminal Arg) produce primarily y_n ions whereas those of des-Arg⁹-Pep generate exclusively a_n and b_n ions. These trends are consistent with Cu⁺ ligation by Arg’s guanidine group. The [Pep + Cs⁺]⁺ ions mainly yield Cs⁺; a second significant fragmentation occurs only if a C-terminal arginine is present and involves elimination of this arginine’s side chain plus water. This reaction is rationalized through a salt bridge mechanism. The most prominent PSD products from [Pep − H⁺ + Co²⁺]⁺ and [Pep − H⁺ + Ni²⁺]⁺ contain at least one phenylalanine residue, revealing a marked preference for these divalent metal ions to bind to aromatic rings; the fragmentation patterns of the complexes further suggest that Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ bind to deprotonated amide nitrogens. The coordination chemistry of Zn²⁺ combines features found with the divalent Co²⁺/Ni²⁺ as well as the monovalent Cu⁺/Ag⁺ transition metal ions. Generally, the structure and fragmentation behavior of each complex reflects the intrinsic coordination preferences of the corresponding metal ion.     

The association constant of the first chloro-copper(II) complex in water to 100°C

The equilibrium constant, K₁, for the reaction Cu²⁺ Cl^? ? [CuCl]⁺ has been determined in the range 15–100°C from spectrophotometric data. The method of analysis, which is widely used, requires both slope and intercept from a reciprocal plot of absorbance against total metal ion concentration. The calculated values of K₁, particularly at low temperature, are very sensitive to the chosen method of data treatment such that the application of weighting factors to the absorbance data for a given photometric accuracy can halve the values. The large variations in K₁ found in the literature are likely to be caused by underestimation of the instability inherent in the method as much as by the neglect of chemical effects such as the formation of higher complexes. By appropriate weighting of the absorbance data an increase in K₁ is apparent above 30°C and the method may have limited usefulness at high temperatures.     

Regulation of metal ion recognition by allosteric effects in thiacalix[4]crown based receptors

Three new ditopic receptors 3a-c based on thiacalix[4]arene of 1,3 alternate conformation possessing two different complexation sites have been designed and synthesized for both soft and hard metal ions. The imino nitrogens bind soft metal ion (Ag⁺/Pb²⁺/Cu²⁺) and the crown moiety binds K⁺ ion. The preliminary investigations show that 3a-c behave as ditopic receptors for Ag⁺/K⁺, Pb²⁺/K⁺, and Cu²⁺/K⁺ ions, respectively. In all the three receptors it was observed that the formation of 3a·Ag⁺/3b·Pb²⁺/3c·Cu²⁺ complex triggers the decomplexation of K⁺ ion from crown moiety and acts as a gateway, which regulates the binding of alkali metal to crown moiety. Thus, allosteric binding between metal ions ‘switch off’ the recognition ability of crown ether ring.     

Exploiting the deprotonation mechanism for the design of ratiometric and colorimetric Zn fluorescent chemosensor with a large red-shift in emission

The design, synthesis, and photophysical evaluation of a new naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensor, N-butyl-4-[di-(2-picolyl)amino]-5-(2-picolyl)amino-1,8-naphthalimide (1), were described for the detection of Zn²⁺ in aqueous acetonitrile solution at pH 7.0. Probe 1 showed absorption at 451 nm and a strong fluorescence emission at 537 nm (Φ_F=0.33). The capture of Zn²⁺ by the receptor resulted in the deprotonation of the secondary amine conjugated to 1,8-naphthalimide so that the electron-donating ability of the N atom would be greatly enhanced; thus probe 1 showed a 56 nm red-shift in absorption (507 nm) and fluorescence spectra (593 nm, Φ_F=0.14), respectively, from which one could sense Zn²⁺ ratiometrically and colorimetrically. The deprotonated complex, [(1-H)/Zn]⁺, was calculated at m/z 619.1800 and measured at m/z 618.9890. In contrast to these results, the emission of 1 was thoroughly quenched by Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺. The addition of other metal ions such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Al³⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺ produced a nominal change in the optical properties of 1 due to their low affinity to probe 1. This means that probe 1 has a very high fluorescent imaging selectivity to Zn²⁺ among metal ions.     

Investigation of Chloride Ion Substitution Equilibria in AuCl<Stack><Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> with Ethylenediamine and 1,3-Diaminopropane Using Capillary Zone Electrophoresis

Substitution of chloride ions in AuCl ₄ ^? with ethylenediamine (en) and propylenediamine (tn) is studied by capillary zone electrophoresis at I = 0.05 M and T = 25°C. The substitution constants are determined: AuenCl ₂ ⁺ + en = Auen ₂ ³⁺ + 2Cl^–, logK₂ = 10.4; AuCl ₄ ^? + tn = AutnCl ₂ ⁺ + 2Cl^–, logK₁ = 16.1; AutnCl ₂ ⁺ + tn = Autn³⁺₂ + 2Cl^–, logK₂ = 12.0.     

Rapid capillary zone electrophoresis method for the determination of metal cations in beverages

A rapid and reliable capillary zone electrophoresis method for the determination of inorganic cations was developed. The complete separation of K⁺, Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Li⁺ and Cu²⁺ can be achieved in 4 min with a simple electrolyte composed by 10 mM imidazole as the carrier buffer and background absorbance provider and acetic acid as the complexing agent (pH 3.60). Injection was performed hydrostatically by elevating the sample at 10 cm for 30 s. The running voltage was +25 kV at room temperature. Indirect UV-absorption detection was achieved at 185 nm. The detection limit was in the range between 0.06 mg/l (Mg²⁺) and 0.57 mg/l (K⁺) and the quantification limits ranged from 0.10 mg/l (Ni²⁺) to 0.80 mg/l (Cu²⁺). The calibration graphs were linear in the concentration range from the quantification limit till at least 1 g/l in K⁺, 10 mg/l in Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cd²⁺, 40 mg/l in Na⁺ and 12 mg/l in Li⁺ and Cu²⁺. The repeatability, intraday and interday analysis were ≤1.55% and ≤3.64% for migration time and ≤3.38% and ≤3.63% for peak area. The method developed has been applied to several beverage samples with only a simple dilution and filtration treatment of the sample. The proposed method is simple, fast, cheap and it is achieved with common products in either laboratory. For these reasons, it is a very useful method for routine analysis.     

A diamide-diamine based Cu chromogenic sensor for highly selective visual and spectrophotometric detection

A diamide-diamine based sensor 3 possessing anthracene-9,10-dione as a chromogenic moiety has been synthesized and demonstrates a highly selective colour change from red to blue with Cu²⁺ for visual detection of Cu²⁺ (5-50 μM). Other metal ions, viz. Fe²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ cations do not lead to any change in colour and their presence does not interfere with the visual and quantitative analysis of Cu²⁺. The selective deprotonation of an aryl amine NH by Cu²⁺ is responsible for a bathochromic shift and significant colour changes. Significantly, the stability of the 3·Cu²⁺ complex between pH 7 and 12 allows Cu²⁺ estimation under neutral and basic conditions.     

Polarographic and voltammetric investigations in N-methylpyrrolidinone(2) and N-methylthiopyrrolidinone(2)

Polarographic and voltammetric methods were employed to study the influence of N-methylpyrrolidinone(2) (NMP) and N-methylthiopyrrolidinone(2) (NMTP) towards a series of cations. In NMP reversible electrode reactions were observed for Na⁺, K⁺, Tl⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺ and irreversible reductions for Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺. 0.1 mol l^?1 tetraethylammoniumperchlorate solutions served as supporting electrolytes. Li⁺ was not electroactive in the supporting electrolyte mentioned, but yielded an irreversible cathodic wave in tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate. In NMTP, Li⁺, Na⁺, Tl⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu⁺ and Ag⁺ gave reversible cathodic waves on the DME, while Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were reduced in an irreversible electrode process. Bisbiphenylchromium iodide serving as a reference system throughout this study showed reversible behaviour in both solvents. A comparison of E_1/2 for given ions in both solvents showed a shift of about 0.5 V to more positive values in the case of a typically hard cation such as Na⁺ whereas soft cations such as Ag⁺ and Cu⁺ shifted by more than 0.8 V to more negative values. The effects of these two solvents on the cations studied is discussed in terms of donor acceptor interactions between the cation and the solvent molecules with special respect to the changes caused by replacing the oxygen atom in NMP by a sulphur atom.     

Synthesis of new benzimidazolium salts with tunable emission intensities and their application as fluorescent probes for Fe in pure aqueous media

A series of novel, water-soluble benzimidazolium salts with common ‘fluorophore–spacer–receptor’ PET design has been synthesized. Despite the common PET scaffold these benzimidazolium salts displayed diverse emission intensities in pure aqueous solutions. The observed emission intensities were found to be influenced by the functionalized alkyl side arms present on the benzimidazolium ring. These benzimidazolium salts were also found to act as selective sensors for Fe³⁺ ions over other metal ions like Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in pure aqueous media.     

First generation poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers functionalised with 1,8-naphthalimide units as fluorescence sensors for metal cations and protons

The synthesis of two new green fluorescent poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers from first generation has been described. The new materials are comprised of a 1,8-naphthalimide fluorophore having a substituent at C-4 position. The substituent in the first case is a N,N-dimethylaminoethylamino group while in the second one it is N-methylpiperazine. The spectroscopic and photophysical characteristics of the new dendrimers determined in organic solvent of different polarity have been presented. Both dendrimers show substantial increases in their fluorescence intensity in the presence of metal cations (Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ag⁺) and protons. The influence of the photoinduced electron transfer on their sensing properties has been discussed.     

New generation of functionalized bipyrazolic tripods: synthesis and study of their coordination properties towards metal cations

A simple and easily synthesis of new generation of N-donor bipyrazolic tripods by coupling of functionalized pyrazole derivatives and an appropriate primary amine derivative via condensation or nucleophilic substitution reaction is presented. The complexation capacity of these compounds towards bivalent metal ions (Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺) and alkaline metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) were investigated using the liquid–liquid extraction process. The percentage limits of extraction were determined by atomic absorption measurements.