Syntheses, structures, and luminescence of novel lanthanide complexes of tripyridylamine, N,N,N',N'-tetra(2-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine and N,N,N',N'-tetra(2-pyridyl)biphenyl-4,4'-diamine

Two novel blue luminescent bridging ligands N,N,N',N'-tetra(2-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine (tppd) and N,N,N',N'-tetra(2-pyridyl)-1,1-biphenyl-4,4'-diamine (tpbpd) have been synthesized. Several novel lanthanide complexes containing 2,2',2"-tripyridylamine (2,2',2"-tpa), 2,2',3"-tpa, tppd, or tpbpd ligands have been synthesized and characterized structurally, which include Pr(hfa)3(2,2',2"-tpa), I, Ln(tmhd)3(2,2',3"-tpa), 2 (Ln = Dy, 2a; Eu, 2b; Tb, 2c; Sm, 2d), [Eu(tmhd)3][Pr(hfa)3](2,2',3"-tpa), 3, [Pr(hfa)3]2(tppd), 4, and [Ln(hfa)3]2(tpbpd), 5, where Ln = Pr (5a), Eu (5b), tmhd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato, and hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate. The Dy(III), Eu(III), and Tb(III) complexes display a bright photoluminescence, which can be achieved by either a direct excitation process or an indirect excitation process. Compounds 2a-2d can be sublimed readily.     

Coordination ability of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid) towards lanthanide(III) ions

The proton and metal complex equilibria of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid) (CDTP) with lanthanide(iii) ions, where Ln(III) = La(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Ho(III) and Lu(III) were studied. The stoichiometry, protonation and complex formation constants were determined by potentiometric titration at 25.0 degrees C and ionic strength of 0.1 mol dm(-3) (KCl). All metal ions form several species: [LnH4L]-, [LnH3L](2-), [LnH2L](3-), [LnHL](4-), [LnL](5-), [LnH(-1)L](6-) and [LnH(-2)L](7-) in the pH range between 2 and 11. The stability constants log beta(LnL) were found to be between 14.7 and 16.7. The studied complexes were also characterized by spectroscopic methods (31P NMR, UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy). These studies allowed to reveal a distinct structural change of the Ln(III)-CDTP complex which occurs between protonated and hydroxy species in solutions at pH around 7.5. The major change is caused by the involvement of both nitrogen donors in the metal ion coordination occurring in ML species. The data obtained from UV-Vis spectroscopy allowed to draw conclusions about complex symmetry and to estimate a number of coordinated water molecules. The hydration number or more precisely the number of two OH oscillators was found to be approximately one in all species formed over the pH range between 5 and 10. The structure of the major hydroxy complex was supported by X-ray crystallographic data. The crystal structures of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes clearly show that the CDTP ligand is coordinated to the Ln(III) ion by two nitrogen and four oxygen atoms in such a way that only one oxygen atom from each phosphonic group is placed in the lanthanide inner sphere. The monomeric complex anion is connected to a symmetry related ion through short hydrogen bonds formed by two hydroxy ions and one water molecule. In this way the two neighbouring anions form a quasi-dimer in which one of the Ln(III) ion is seven-coordinate (two N atoms, four O atoms and one hydroxy ion) and the other is eight-coordinate (two N atoms, four O atoms, one hydroxy ion and one water molecule).     

Determination of trace terbium(III) with N, N', N"-tri(3-indolemethanal)triaminotriethylamine based on a new fluorescence enhancement system.

A new Schiff-base ligand with a tripodal structure, N,N',N"-tri(3-indolemethanal)triaminotriethylamine (TTAIM), was synthesized. Its fluorescence intensity with terbium(III) was increased by about two orders of magnitude in the present of sodium acetate (NaAc). After the adding of the organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the above system, leading to Tb3+ the fluorescence was further enhanced by about 16 fold. The spectrofluorimetric determination of a trace amount of Tb3+ based on this phenomenon was carried out. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 330 nm and 545 nm, respectively. Under the optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensities varied linearly with the concentration of Tb3+ in the range of 5.7 x 10(-11) - 6.3 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 5.0 x 10(-11) mol L(-1). The interferences of some rare earth metals and other inorganic ions were described. The method is a selective, sensitive, rapid and simple analytical procedure for the determination of terbium(III) in a high-purity yttrium oxide and synthetic sample. The mechanism for the fluorescence enhancement was also studied.     

Extraction of Dy(III) with N,N,N',N'-tetrabutylmalonamide

The extraction behavior of N,N,N',N'-tetrabutylmalonamide (TBMA) employing toluene as diluent toward Dy(III) has been investigated. The effect of the concentrations of nitric acid, lithium nitrate and extractant and also of the temperature on the distribution ratio has been studied. The stoichiometry found for the Dy(III) extracted species suggests a structure such as Dy(NO₃)₃ ^.3TBMA. An attempt has been made to establish the structure of the isolated extracted species recurring to the data of IR.     

Synthesis and characterization of iron complexes with monoanionic and dianionic N,N',N' '-trialkylguanidinate ligands

Trisubstitued N,N',N' '-tri(alkyl)guanidinate anions have been used in the synthesis of a family of Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes. Complexes FeCl[((i)PrN)(2)C(HN(i)Pr)](2) (1), [Fe[micro-((i)PrN)(2)C(HN(i)Pr)][((i)PrN)(2)C(HN(i)Pr)]](2) (2), and [Fe[mgr;-(CyN)(2)C(HNCy)][(CyN)(2)C(HNCy)]](2) (3) were prepared from the reaction of the appropriate lithium tri(alkyl)guanidinate and FeCl(3) or FeBr(2). The complex [FeBr[micro-(CyN)(2)C(HNCy)]](2) (4), an apparent intermediate in the formation of 3, has also been isolated and characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 react with alkyllithium reagents to yield products that depend on the identity of the reagent as well as the reaction stoichiometry. Reaction of 2 with MeLi (1:2 ratio) produces Li(2)[Fe[micro-((i)PrN)(2)C=N(i)Pr][((i)PrN)(2)C(HN(i)Pr)]](2) (5). Reaction of 1 with an equimolar amount of LiCH(2)SiMe(3) results in reduction to Fe(II) and generation of 2 while reaction with 4 LiCH(2)SiMe(3) proceeds by a combination of reduction, substitution, and deprotonation of guandinate to yield Li(4)(THF)(2)[Fe[((i)PrN)(2)CN(i)Pr](CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)](2) (7). Both complexes 5 and 7 posssess dianionic guanidinate ligands. The reaction of 2 with 1 equiv of LiCH(2)SiMe(3) generated Fe(2)[micro-((i)PrNCN(i)Pr)(2)(N(i)Pr)][((i)PrN)(2)C(HN(i)Pr)](2) (6). Compound 6 has a dianionic biguanidinate ligand derived from the coupling of the two bridging guanidinate ligands of 2.     

Selective preconcentration, separation and speciation of ferric iron in different samples using N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2 diaminopropane

The synthesis and analytical applications of N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2 diaminopropane (HBDAP) are described. This compound reacts with Fe(III) in the range of pH 3-6 to produce a red complex (2:3 mol ratio of Fe(III)/HBDAP) soluble in chloroform. The investigation included a study of the characteristics that are essential for solvent extraction and for spectrophotometric determination and speciation of iron. A highly sensitive, selective and rapid spectrophotometric method is described for the determination of trace amounts of iron(III) by HBDAP. The complex obeys Beer's law from 0.056 to 1.68 mg l(-1) with an optimum range. The detection limit (taken as three times the standard deviation of the reagent blank) is approximately 1.23x10(-7) M Fe(III) and the limit of quantitation (taken as ten times the standard deviation of the reagent blank) is about 4.11x10(-7) M Fe(III). A single extraction gave a good separation of iron(III) from iron(II). Good separation of Fe(III) from Ni(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Cd(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) was also achieved at pH 3-5.     

New mixed-valent Mn clusters from the use of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (edteH4): Mn3, Mn4, Mn6, and Mn10

The syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetochemical characterization are reported for the new mixed-valent Mn clusters [Mn(2)(II)Mn(III)(O(2)CMe)(2)(edteH(2))(2)](ClO(4)) (1), [Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)(2)(edteH(2))(2)(hmp)(2)Cl(2)](Mn(II)Cl(4)) (2), [Mn(III)(6)O(2)(O(2)CBu(t))(6)(edteH)(2)(N(3))(2)] (3), [Na(2)Mn(III)(8)Mn(II)(2)O(4)(OMe)(2)(O(2)CEt)(6)(edte)(2)(N(3))(6)] (4), and (NEt(4))(2)[Mn(8)(III)Mn(2)(II)O(4)(OH)(2)-(O(2)CEt)(6)(edte)(2)(N(3))(6)](5), where edteH(4) is N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine and hmpH is 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine. 1-5 resulted from a systematic exploration of the effect of different Mn sources, carboxylates, the presence of azide, and other conditions, on the Mn/edteH(4) reaction system. The core of 1 consists of a linear Mn(II)Mn(III)Mn(II) unit, whereas that of 2 is a planar Mn(4) rhombus within a [Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)(2)(μ(3)-OR)(2)] incomplete-dicubane unit. The core of 3 comprises a central [Mn(III)(4)(OR)(2)] incomplete-dicubane on either side of which is edge-fused a triangular [Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O)] unit. The cores of 4 and 5 are similar and consist of a central [Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)(2)(μ(3)-OR)(2)] incomplete-dicubane on either side of which is edge-fused a distorted [Mn(II)Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O)(2)(μ(3)-OR)(2)] cubane unit. Variable-temperature, solid-state direct current (dc) and alternating current (ac) magnetization studies were carried out on 1-5 in the 5.0-300 K range, and they established the complexes to have ground state spin values of S = 3 for 1, S = 9 for 2, and S = 4 for 3. The study of 3 provided an interesting caveat of potential pitfalls from particularly low-lying excited states. For 4 and 5, the ground state is in the S = 0-4 range, but its identification is precluded by a high density of low-lying excited states.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) and separation of common anions by ion pair chromatography with trans-1,2-diaminecyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid

A reversed phase ion pair chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of Cr species and common anions on a C(18)-bonded stationary phase was developed by using acetonitrile-water (2:98 v/v) containing 1.0 mM tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and 0.5 mM trans-1,2-diaminecyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (DCTA) at pH 6.5 as mobile phase and UV-detection at 210 nm. Chromatographic parameters were optimized for separation of Cr(III)-DCTA complex, chromate and other anions. The detection limits were found as 8 ng/ml for Cr(III) and 35 ng/ml for Cr(VI). Under the optimum conditions, most other ions did not interfere. The method can be applied to separate a number of common anions simultaneously with the separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI).     

Mechanism of superoxide dismutase-like activity of Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes of tetrakis-N,N,N',N'(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine

The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of iron(II) tetrakis-N,N,N',N'(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine complex (Fe-TPEN) was reexamined using a pulse radiolysis method. In our previous study (J. Biol. Chem., 264, 9243-9249 (1989)), we reported that this complex has a potent SOD activity in a cyt. c (cytochrome c)-based system (IC50 = 0.8 microM) and protects E. coli cells against paraquat toxicity. The present pulse radiolysis experiment revealed that Fe(II)TPEN reacts stoichiometrically with superoxide to form Fe(III)TPEN with a second-order rate constant of 3.9 x 10(6) M-1 S-1 at pH 7.1, but superoxide did not reduce Fe(III)TPEN to Fe(II)TPEN. The reaction of Fe(III)TPEN and superoxide was biphasic. In the fast reaction, an adduct (Fe(III)TPEN-superoxide complex) was formed at the second-order rate constant of 8.5 x 10(5) M-1 S-1 at pH 7.4. In the slow one, the adduct reacted with another molecule of the adduct, regenerating Fe(III)TPEN. In the cyt. c method with catalase, this Fe(III)TPEN-superoxide complex showed cyt. c oxidation activity, which had led to overestimation of its SOD activity. Based on the titration data, the main species of complex in aqueous media at neutral pH was indicated to be Fe(III)TPEN(OH-). A spectral change after the reduction with hydrated electron indicates that the OH- ion coordinates directly to Fe(III) by displacing one of the pyridine rings. The X-ray analysis of [Fe(II)TPEN]SO4 supported this structure. From the above results we propose a novel reaction mechanism of FeTPEN and superoxide which resembles a proton catalyzed dismuting process, involving Fe(III)TPEN-superoxide complex.     

Radiolysis of cobalt(III)-1,2 bis(beta-aminoethoxy)ethane N,N,N',N' sodium sulfonate triacetic acid chelate

Chelation studies of cobalt(III) with 1,2 bis(beta-aminoethoxy)ethane N,N,N',N' sodium sulfonate triacetic acid (ASTA) were performed. The results showed the effectiveness of ASTA as a chelating agent by using: molar ratio, continuous variation and slope ratio methods. Stable complex 1∶1 was formed at pH from 6.0 to 10.5. Solutions of Co-ASTA chelate of different molar ratios at pH 6.5 and 8.0 were irradiated by different gamma-radiation doses. The results showed a linear decrease of absorbance with gamma-radiation dose which can be utilized as a dosimeter for low dose rate measurement in the range studied. A proposed radiolytic mechanism is discussed. The degradation of the ASTA ligand has been related to hydroxyl radical attack.     

New Mn12 clusters with tunable oxidation states via the use of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine

Room-temperature reactions of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine with manganese(II) salts yield a novel family of Mn(12) clusters incorporating the same Mn(12)O(4) core and tunable oxidation states of Mn(III)(x)Mn(II)(12-x) (x = 8, 10, and 12). Magnetic susceptibility data indicate that the spin of the ground state increases as the number of Mn(III) ions is increased, leading to increases in the magnitude of the out-of-phase ac susceptibility signal as the number of Mn(III) ions is increased.     

Syntheses and characterizations of metal complexes derived from cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane-N,N',N"-triacetic acid

A convenient six-step procedure is developed to routinely prepare the hexadentate ligand cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane-N,N',N"-triacetic acid (H3tachta) as an HCl salt. Complexes of gallium(III) and indium(III), [Ga(tachta)] and [In(tachta)], are synthesized from the reactions of the ligand and the corresponding metal precursors. Copper(II), palladium(II), and cobalt(II) complexes, [Cu(Htachta)], [Pd(Htachta)], and [Co(Htachta)], are obtained from the reactions of H3tachta with the corresponding metal chlorides. The structures of H3tachta.3HCl.2H2O (C12H28Cl3N3O8) and [Ga(tachta)] (C12H18GaN3O6) are characterized. The crystal of H3tachta.3HCl.2H2O is monoclinic, of the space group P2(1)/c, with a = 15.1688(4) A, b = 8.4708(2) A, c = 15.9408(2) A, beta = 108.058(1) degrees, and Z = 4; that of [Ga(tachta)] is cubic, of space group Pa3, with a = 14.0762(1) A and Z = 8. The gallium atom of [Ga(tachta)] is six-coordinated in the solid state, and the complex assumes a pseudooctahedronal geometry with the completely deprotonated hexadentate ligand encapsulating the metal ion.     

XAS characterization of end-on and side-on peroxoiron(III) complexes of the neutral pentadentate N-donor ligand N-methyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine

Peroxo intermediates are implicated in the catalytic cycles of iron enzymes involved in dioxygen metabolism. X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to gain insight into the iron coordination environments of the low-spin complex [Fe(III)(Me-TPEN)(eta(1)-OOH)](2+)(1) and the high-spin complex [Fe(III)(Me-TPEN)(eta(2)-O(2))](+)(2)(the neutral pentadentate N-donor ligand Me-TPEN =N-methyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine) and obtain metrical parameters unavailable from X-ray crystallography. The complexes exhibit relatively large pre-edge peak areas of approximately 15 units, indicative of iron centers with significant distortions from centrosymmetry. These distortions result from the binding of peroxide, either end-on hydroperoxo for 1 (r(Fe-O)= 1.81A) or side-on peroxo for 2 (r(Fe-O)= 1.99 A). The XAS analyses of 1 strongly support a six-coordinate low-spin iron(III) center coordinated to five nitrogen atoms from Me-TPEN and one oxygen atom from an end-on hydroperoxide ligand. However, the XAS analyses of 2 are not conclusive: Me-TPEN can act either as a pentadentate ligand to form a seven-coordinate peroxo complex, which has precedence in the DFT geometry optimization of [Fe(III)(N4Py)(eta(2)-O(2))](+)(the neutral pentadentate N-donor ligand N4Py =N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine), or as a tetradentate ligand with a dangling pyridylmethyl arm to form a six-coordinate peroxo complex, which is precedented by the crystal structure of [Fe(2)(III)(Me-TPEN)(2)(Cl)(2)(mu-O)](2+).     

Quantitation of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis (2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylenediamine in plasma by gas chromatography

A wide-bore capillary gas chromatographic method with nitrogen-selective thermionic detection is described for the quantitative analysis of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis (2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine (Quadrol) in plasma. N,N,N',N'-tetrakis (2-hydroxybutyl)ethylenediamine is used as an internal standard. Rat or human plasma samples (0.5 ml) are mixed with internal standard, adjusted to alkaline pH and subjected to a single extraction with dichloromethane. Quadrol recovery from plasma typically exceeds 90%. The method is linear over the range 1.0-50 micrograms/ml. The working detection limit is 0.5 microgram/ml and the analysis time is under 7 min. The procedure has been used to obtain plasma concentration versus time data for the evaluation of Quadrol pharmacokinetics in rats.     

Polynuclear lanthanide complexes of a series of bridging ligands containing two tridentate N,N',O-donor units: structures and luminescence properties

A set of three potentially bridging ligands containing two tridentate chelating N,N',O-donor (pyrazole-pyridine-amide) donors separated by an o, m, or p-phenylene spacer has been prepared and their coordination chemistry with lanthanide(III) ions investigated. Ligand L(1) (p-phenylene spacer) forms complexes with a 2:3 M:L ratio according to the proportions used in the reaction mixture; the Ln(2)(L(1))(3) complexes contain two 9-coordinate Ln(III) centres with all three bridging ligands spanning both metal ions, and have a cylindrical (non-helical) 'mesocate' architecture. The 1:1 complexes display a range of structural types depending on the conditions used, including a cyclic Ln(4)(L(1))(4) tetranuclear helicate, a Ln(2)(L(1))(2) dinuclear mesocate, and an infinite one-dimensional coordination polymer in which metal ions and bridging ligands alternate along the sequence. ESMS studies indicate that the 1:1 complexes form a mixture of oligonuclear species {Ln(L(1))}(n) in solution (n up to 5) which are likely to be cyclic helicates. In contrast, ligands L(2) and L(3) (with o- and m-phenylene spacers, respectively) generally form dinuclear Ln(2)L(2) Ln(III) complexes in which the two ligands may be arranged in a helical or non-helical architecture about the two metal ions. These complexes also contain an additional exogenous bidentate bridging ligand, either acetate or formate, which has arisen from hydrolysis of solvent molecules promoted by the Lewis-acidity of the Ln(III) ions. Luminescence studies on some of the Nd(III) complexes showed that excitation into ligand-centred pi-pi* transitions result in the characteristic near-infrared luminescence from Nd(III) at 1060 nm.     

Extraction chromatographic studies of metal ions using N,N,N',N'-tetraoctyl diglycolamide as the stationary phase

N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) has been used as the stationary phase in the extraction chromatographic separation of actinides and other metal ions from pure nitric acid as well as from simulated high-level waste (SHLW). Chromosorb-W was found to be a better support material amongst the different solid supports evaluated viz. chromosorb-W, chromosorb-102, XAD-4 and XAD-7. Uptake profiles of various metal ions, such as U(VI), Pu(IV), Am(III), Eu(III), Fe(III), Sr(II) and Cs(I) were obtained as a function of acidity by batch studies using TODGA/chromosorb-W. Effect of macro concentration of Nd, Fe and U suggested that the uptake of Am(III) is mainly influenced by the presence of trivalent lanthanide ions. Breakthrough capacity of the resin material for Am(III) in presence of macro amount of Eu(III) was determined in the successive cycles of loading and elution. Loading capacity of the column was found to be 20 mg of Eu/g of the resin material. Elution studies of Am(III) suggested that 0.01 M EDTA was effective amongst different eluents used.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of N,N',N' '-trialkylguanidinato-supported zirconium(IV) complexes

The addition of 2 equiv of N,N',N' '-triisopropylguanidine (guanH(2)) to Zr(CH(2)Ph)(4) produced the bis(guanidinato)bis(benzyl)zirconium complex [((i)PrNH)C(N(i)Pr)(2)](2)Zr(CH(2)Ph)(2) (1). The mono(guanidinato) complex [((i)PrN)(2)C(NH(i)Pr)]ZrCl(3) (2) was accessible by the reaction of 2 equiv of guanH(2) with ZrCl(4). Guanidinium hydrochloride, [C(NH(i)Pr)(3)]Cl, is a byproduct of this reaction. When crystallized from THF, complex 2 was isolated as the THF adduct [((i)PrNH)C(N(i)Pr)(2)]ZrCl(3)(THF) (2-THF). The mixed cyclopentadienyl guanidinato complex [eta(5)-1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)][((i)PrNH)C(N(i)Pr)(2)]ZrCl(2) (3) was prepared by treatment of [1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)]ZrCl(3) with the in situ generated lithium triisopropylguanidinate salt. The reaction of guanH(2) with [1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)]ZrMe(3) affords the dimethyl derivative [eta(5)-1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)][((i)PrNH)C(N(i)Pr)(2)]ZrMe(2) (4). Definitive evidence for the molecular structures of these products is provided through single-crystal X-ray characterization of 1, 2-THF, and 3, which are presented. The extent of pi delocalization within the guanidinato ligand is discussed in the context of the metrical parameters obtained from these structural studies.     

An anthracene based fluorescent probe for the selective and sensitive detection of Chromium (III) ions in an aqueous medium and its practical application

An anthracene based fluorescent probe, integrated with thiophene moiety, exhibited selective and sensitive detection of chromium (III) ions over other metal ions. Its synthesis was achieved by simple mixing of two commercially available compounds, 2-aminoanthracene, and 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde, in onestep without the needed complex purification process. The probe molecule ( ANT-Th ) offered exceptional features such as “turn-on” fluorescence response, low detection limit (0.4 μM), and fast response time (<1 min) via C=N bond hydrolysis. Also, a simple test paper system was developed for the rapid detection of chromium (III) ions with the naked eye.     

Catalytic effect of copper on the hexacyanoferrate(III)-cyanide redox reaction-II catalytic determination of copper

A catalytic method for the determination of copper, based on the catalysis of the hexacyano-ferrate(III)-cyanide redox reaction, is proposed. Experimental conditions to achieve the lowest detection limit are selected from the kinetics of both the catalysed and the uncatalysed reactions. The experimental measurements can be made at room temperature without close control. The rate-constant method is the most sensitive and precise, whereas the fixed-concentration and fixed-time methods appear to be the most rapid for routine analysis. A detection limit of 1.3 ng/ml and a coefficient of variation of about 3% for the determination of 63 ng/ml can be achieved. The catalytic effect of copper seems to be highly specific. Lead(II), bismuth (III), antimony (III), iron (II), iron(III), chromium(III), lanthanum(III), cerium(III), titanium(IV), zirconium(IV) and uranium(VI) interfere by precipitation. Species such as tin(II), cobalt(II), manganese(II), sulphite and thiosulphite cause serious interference because they react with hexacyanoferrate(III). Chromate interferes by its colour. Suitable methods to avoid the interferences from antimony(III), iron(III), chromium(III), titanium(IV), zirconium(IV), uranium(VI) and chromate are proposed.     

Synthesis and characterization of star-branched polyamide 6 via anionic ring-opening polymerization with N,N', N'-trimesoyltricaprolactam as a multifunctional activator

Star-branched polyamide 6 was prepared via anionic ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactam in the presence of a simple benzene-centered trifunctional activator of N,N',N'-trimesoyltricaprolactam. A high polymer yields of above 95% were achieved at 160 ℃ for 15 min utilizing ε-caprolactammagnesium bromide as a catalyst. Compared with its linear counterpart, the resultant star-branched polyamide 6 showed smaller relative viscosity (1.51), decreasedmelting temperature (218 ℃) and lower crystallinity (24.2%). The specific properties demonstrated the existence of a star-branched structure and provided potential advantages in engineering applications.