Oxygen defect K2NiF4-type oxides: The compounds La2−xSrxCuO4−x2+δ

Oxygen defect K₂NiF₄-type oxides $\text{La}{}_{\mathrm{2?x}}\text{Sr}{}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{CuO}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>4?</mtext><mtext>x</mtext><mtext>2</mtext><mtext>+\delta </mtext>}}$ have been synthesized for a wide composition range: 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.34. From the X-ray and electron diffraction study three domains have been characterized: orthorhombic compounds with La₂CuO₄ structure for 0 ≤ x < 0.10, tetragonal oxides similar to LaSrCuO₄ for 0.10 ≤ x < 1 and several superstructures derived from the tetragonal cell ( with n = 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 6) for 1 ≤ x ≤ 1.34. The compounds corresponding to 0 < x < 1 differ from the other oxides in that they are characterized by the presence of copper with two oxidation states: + 2 and + 3. A model structure for La_0.8Sr_1.2CuλO_3.4, in which copper has only the + 2 oxidation state, and for which the actual cell is tegragonal—a = 18.80₄ Å and c = 12.94 Å—has been established. The particular structural evolution of these compounds is discussed in terms of a competition between the capability of Cu(II) to be oxidized to Cu(III) and the ordering of oxygen vacancies.     

Investigation of a novel solid-phase chemiluminescent analytical system, incorporating photographic detection, for the measurement of glucose

A method has been developed for the rapid determination of substances by use of solid-phase reagents and a luminescence indicator reaction coupled with photographic detection of the light. The viability of the assay has been demonstrated for glucose estimations. The method uses small sample sizes (5-20 mul) and shows good sensitivity, e.g., detection of glucose down to 28 nmole.     

On the electron affinity of Cu atom

The electron affinity (EA) of the Cu atom is computed using large STO and GTO basis sets at several levels of correlation. The best computed value is 1     

Spectrophotometric determination of atropine, pilocarpine and strychnine with chloranilic acid

In dioxan-chloroform medium the acceptor chloranilic acid forms 1:1 molecular complexes with the alkaloids atropine, pilocarpine and strychnine, with maximum absorption at 535, 527.5 and 535 nm respectively. Conformity with Beer's law allows the use of the complexes for the assay of these drugs.     

Redox indicator properties of some substituted chrysoidins

Indicator properties of eleven substituted chrysoidins have been studied. Conditional reduction potentials of the three appreciably reversible indicators in this group were obtained by classical approaches and by use of a potentiopoised standard solution procedure. Chemical and electrochemical observations lead to the conclusion that the other eight indicators act irreversibly in their oxidation. Hence, only transition potential ranges can be reported for these. Substitution in other than the 4-position induces greater irreversibility, while the hydroxy group in the 4-position produces a greater degree of reversibility than does either the methoxy or ethoxy group, 4-Hydroxychrysoidin appears to be the best of the group for bromate titrations.     

An evaluation of the spectral noise distribution in analytical flames

The spectral distribution of noises (total, shot and flicker) in a variety of flames has been measured using a computer-controlled spectrometer system. Emission spectra and fluorescence spectra (excited by an Eimac xenon arc lamp) are presented for air/acetylene, nitrous oxide/acetylene, nitrous oxide/propane, air/hydrogen, and an iso-octane liquid fuel flame. Conclusions concerning the predominant type of noise and its cause in each flame are discussed as well as the implications for the analytical flame spectroscopist.     

Mössbauer studies of solid state photolysis of barium and strontium tris(oxalato) ferrates (III)

Solid state photolysis of strontium and barium tris(oxalato) ferrate(III) was done under a medium pressure lamp and investigated with Mössbauer spectroscopy. The product [Fe^II(C₂O₄) (H₂O)₂]^2? formed during photolysis is found to be quite stable and does not convert to ferric state on long standing in air.     

Electron density spatial profiles of the DCP source

Electron densities are measured in the high current, analytical and intervening zones of a DCP whose operating parameters are systematically varied. Detailed N_e distribution profiles are obtained for various sleeve flow, nebulizer flow, arc current and matrix concentration regimes. Flowing argon is found to establish a thermal pinch in the high current zone and to steepen gradients in plasmas employed for spectrochemical analysis. The distinctive electron density distributions in the DCP are more sensitive to modulation of gas flow variables than to changes in arc current. Magnetic pressure has no discernible role in pinch formation. Electron densities in spectroscopic regions are minimally affected by easily ionized or other matrix constituents at usual analytical concentrations.     

A phosphorimetric investigation of the external heavy-atom effect in aqueous solution and its correlation with phosphorescence intensity and quantum yield

Excitation and emission phosphorescence spectra, lifetimes, and relative quantum yields of benzene and ten monosubstituted benzenes were determined at 77 K in methanol/water 10/90 v/v and in sodium iodide/methanol/water solutions. Substituents CHO, COCH(3), COC(2)H(5), OH, OCH(3), H(3), C(2)H(5), CH(2)OH and N(CH(3))(2) were investigated. Aqueous sodium iodide solutions were found to be a suitable heavy-atom solvent for phosophorimetry. Heavy-atom enhancement factors ranged from 1.2 to 8.3 according to the molecular structure and a marked decrease of the lifetime was observed for nine compounds in aqueous sodium iodide solution. A linear log-log correlation was obtained between the relative corrected phosphorescence signal and the heavy-atom enhancement factor of the monosubstituted benzenes. A similar correlation was found between the quantum yields and the heavy-atom enhancement factors. The analytical usefulness of these correlations is evident for the prediction of the magnitude of the heavy-atom effect.     

Evaluation of the analytical capabilities of frequency modulated sources in multielement non-dispersive flame atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Frequency modulated sources of Cd and Zn are used to produce modulated atomic fluorescence signals (at two different frequencies) in a non-dispersive flame atomic fluorescence spectrometer. To reduce the flame background level, a chlorine filter, a separated air—acetylene flame, and a solar blind photomultiplier are used. Even so, there is shown experimentally and theoretically to be a multiplex disadvantage, as compared to the conventional single slit scanning dispersive spectrometer, as a result of the flame background photon noise and an additional multiplex disadvantage at high concentrations of an interference, e.g. in the measurement of Zn (213.9 nm), Cd (228.8nm) results in a reduced S/N for Zn when the Cd signal level becomes comparable with the flame background signal level. Little future for multiplexed techniques in atomic flame spectrometry in the u.v.- Visible is predicted.     

Properties of low-capacity macroporous anion-exchangers and their use with high-pH eluents for the determination of weak acids in urine

Low-capacity anion-exchangers have been synthesized from the macroporous styrene-divinylbenzene co-polymer Hamilton PRP-1. These anion-exchangers have non-polar adsorbent properties for neutral sample molecules. The dependence of the capacity factor for a polar weak-acid metabolite of the drug polythiazide on the type and concentration of electrolyte, the organic solvent concentration, and pH of aqueous eluents has been studied to characterize the exchangers. As an application, a method has been developed to determine the metabolite in urine at levels as low as 10 ng ml . The method employs the exchangers in both a precolumn, which is used to preconcentrate and clean-up the metabolite from urine, and an analytical column. Eluents containing 0.001-0.01M sodium hydroxide are used to ionize the weak-acid metabolite.     

A comparison of signal-to-noise ratios for single channel methods (sequential and multiplex) vs multichannel methods in optical spectroscopy

Four major types of spectroscopic systems for quantitative analysis of one or more spectral components we compared, with regard to signal-to-noise ratio for constant analysis time. These four methods are based on sequential-linear scan, sequential-slew scan, multichannel, and multiplex approaches. The multiplex methods can generally be classified into two types, namely Fourier transform spectroscopy and Hadamard transform spectroscopy. It is shown that for the same spectral source, for the same resolving power luminosity product of the optical system, and the same detector, the multichannel approach is the best and the sequential slew scan system is nearly as good for relatively simple spectra in the u.v.- Visible region. Multiplex methods have little to offer in the u.v.- Visible region, where the detector noise limitation seldom applies and where background shot and/or fluctuation noise are dominant but could find considerable use in the u.v.- Visible region for atomic fluorescence or emission spectroscopy especially if the density of spectral lines in the measurement region is not too great and the background intensity is low.     

Noise power spectra of the inductively coupled plasma

Noise power spectra for the ICP were determined under various conditions, by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) digital techniques. The major noise types observed were white noise, low frequency noise, and high frequency proportional noise. The high frequency proportional noise increased with concentration of analyte and radio frequency input power. The high frequency proportional noise decreased with increasing nebulizer flow rate and coolant gas flow rate.. The low frequency noise components extended to higher frequencies as the resonance wavelengths of the measured transitions increased. Changing the observation height in the plasma determined which noise types were present in the noise power spectrum. At observation heights near the power coils, all three noise types were present, whereas, low frequency noise predominated at significantly greater heights. Changing the torch design changed the relative amplitudes of the different high frequency proportional noise components, but did not greatly change their respective peak frequencies.     

Optimization of thermostated electrodeless discharge lamps for analytical atomic spectrometry

Thermostated and unthermostated electrodeless discharge lamps (EDL's) operated at 2450 MHz with either an A-antenna or a $\text{3}\text{4}$-wavelength Broida cavity have been critically studied with respect to the effect of type and pressure of fill gas, lamp temperature, microwave power and the form of element and/or compound within the lamp, upon the source radiant output, atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence signals of Zn-213·8 nm, Pb-283·3 nm, Mn-279·5 nm, Hg-253·7 nm and Tl-377·6 nm. Temperature control of electrodeless discharge lamps eliminates most of the problems which have previously plagued their operation. Also as a result of these studies, certain misconcepts in the operation and characteristics of electrodeless discharge lamps have been clarified; e.g., the ‘skin effect’ is present in many electrodeless discharge lamps, but all lamps also exhibit a homogeneous glow discharge; at high microwave powers and/or at high lamp temperatures, spectral lines apparently exhibit little self-absorption and self-reversal; and most important, control of lamp temperature is the most critical parameter controlling spectral output because atomization within the lamps is predominantly thermal in origin. Also, contrary to the conclusions reached by some workers evaluating the analytical usefulness of atomic fluorescence flame spectrometry, it is shown that detection limits one-to-three orders of magnitude lower result when thermostated EDL's are used in atomic fluorescence spectrometry with C₂H₂-air flames.     

Two phytoalexins from sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) leaves

Two phytoalexins have been isolated from the leaves of sugarbeet infected with Cercospora beticola and their structures have been shown to be 2′,5-dimethoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavanone (1) and 2′-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyisoflavone (2).     

Relative spatial profiles of barium ion and atom in the argon inductively coupled plasma as obtained by laser excited fluorescence

Relative ionic and atomic fluorescence profiles for barium have been obtained in an argon inductively coupled plasma by exciting different transitions with a nitrogen-laser pumped tunable dye laser and measuring the resulting fluorescence pulses with a boxcar averager. Spatially resolved profiles are directly obtained without the need of an Abel inversion procedure, with a volume resolution of approximately 0.2 mm³. The profiles are given along the excitation axis as well as along the observation axis, for different heights above the coil and different input powers. At low heights, the ion profile resembles a hollow pencil with a typical double-peaked, asymmetric distribution, while the atom profile seems to be complementary to the ion profile. Some scatter from water is also evident at low heights.     

Non-linear optical behavior in atomic fluorescence flame spectrometry

The non-linear dependence of the atomic fluorescence radiance upon the irradiance of the excitation source is discussed. Theoretical equations based on the assumption of steady state conditions are derived for a two-level atomic system and for a continuum source of excitation both on a relative as well as on an absolute basis. The theoretical results show that the approach of saturation sets a limit to the fluorescence radiance. The experimental results obtained with the use of a pulsed, tunable dye laser by nebulizing different elements in analytical flames are shown to be in satisfactory agreement with these theoretical results. The theory also predicts that, for a two-level system, the proportional dependence of the fluorescence signal upon the quantum efficiency observed at low irradiances is removed under saturation conditions.