An improved flow analysis-ion chromatography method for determination of cationic and anionic species at trace levels in Antarctic ice cores

A method was developed for the quantitative determination of cations and anions in Antarctic ice cores at μg L⁻¹ and sub-μg L⁻¹ levels by ion chromatography (IC), after ultra-clean decontamination procedures. Strict manipulation and decontamination procedures were used in sub-sampling, in order to minimise sample contamination. Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were determined by 12-min isocratic elution (H₂SO₄ eluent). Contemporaneously, in a parallel device, F⁻, MSA (methanesulfonic acid), Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ were analysed in a single 12-min run with multiple-step elution using Na₂CO₃/NaHCO₃ as eluent. Melted ice samples were pumped from their still-closed containers (polystyrene accuvettes with polyethylene caps), shared between the two ion chromatographic systems, online filtered (0.45 μm Teflon membrane) and pre-concentrated (anions and cations pre-concentration columns) using a flow analysis system, thus avoiding uptake of contaminants from the laboratory atmosphere. Sensitivity, linear range, reproducibility and detection limit were evaluated for each chemical species. Anion or cation detection limits ranged from 0.01 to 0.15 μg L⁻¹ by using a relatively small sample volume (1.5 mL). Such values are significantly lower than those reported in literature for almost all the components. These methods were successfully applied to the analysis of cations and anions at trace levels in the Dome C ice core. The composition of the atmospheric aerosol for the last 850 kyr was reconstructed by high-resolution continuous chemical stratigraphies. Concentration trends in the last nine glacial-interglacial climatic cycles were shown and briefly discussed.     

A C and N experimental NMR and theoretical study of the structure of linear primary aliphatic amines and ammonium salts: from C1 to C18

Eighteen aliphatic linear amines, from methylamine to stearylamine, have been experimentally studied by NMR and theoretically calculated at the GIAO/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. A partial exploration of their conformation has been carried out, mainly to determine the effect on the chemical shifts. In solution and for neutral amines, ¹⁵N chemical shifts indicate a mixture of two conformations. In the solid state (CPMAS NMR) only the subset of solid amines has been studied (from C14 to C18). The ¹⁵N signals of the corresponding ammonium salts in the solid state depend on the counteranions, Cl⁻ and CF₃CO₂⁻, a result that is theoretically proven.     

Thiourea-isothiouronium conjugate for strong and selective binding of very hydrophilic H2PO4 anion at the 1,2-dichloroethane-water interface

Potential use of a surfactant-like receptor is demonstrated at the 1,2-dichloroethane-water interface for strong and selective binding of H₂PO₄⁻ over Br⁻ and Cl⁻. The analysis by interfacial tensiometry reveals that the interfacial adsorption of a thiourea-isothiouronium conjugate, BT-C₁, is significantly stabilized by the binding of H₂PO₄⁻ with the adsorption constant of 1.7 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ while the interfacial adsorptivity of this receptor is relatively moderate for Br⁻ (0.81 × 10⁵ M⁻¹) and Cl⁻ (0.63 × 10⁵ M⁻¹). Such complexation-induced interfacial adsorption behaviors of BT-C₁ are discussed as a basis for the development of receptor-based chemical sensors for phosphate anions.     

Cl/Cl isotope effects in Rh NMR of [RhCln(H2O)6−n] complex anions in hydrochloric acid solution as a unique ‘NMR finger-print’ for unambiguous speciation

A detailed analysis of the ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl isotope effects observed in the 19.11 MHz ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonances of [RhCl_n(H₂O)_6−n]³⁻ⁿ complexes (n = 3–6) in acidic solution at 292.1 K, shows that the ‘fine structure’ of each ¹⁰³Rh resonance can be understood in terms of the unique isotopologue and in certain instances the isotopomer distribution in each complex. These ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl isotope effects in the ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonance of the [Rh^35/37Cl₆]³⁻ species manifest only as a result of the statistically expected ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl isotopologues, whereas for the aquated species such as for example [Rh^35/37Cl₅(H₂O)]²⁻, cis-[Rh^35/37Cl₄(H₂O)₂]⁻ as well as the mer-[Rh^35/37Cl₃(H₂O)₃] complexes, additional fine-structure due to the various possible isotopomers within each class of isotopologues, is visible. Of interest is the possibility of the direct identification of stereoisomers cis-[RhCl₄(H₂O)₂]⁻, trans-[RhCl₄(H₂O)₂]⁻, fac-[RhCl₃(H₂O)₃] and mer-[RhCl₃(H₂O)₃] based on the ¹⁰³Rh NMR line shape, other than on the basis of their very similar δ(¹⁰³Rh) chemical shift. The ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonance structure thus serves as a novel and unique ‘NMR-fingerprint’ leading to the unambiguous assignment of [RhCl_n(H₂O)_6−n]³⁻ⁿ complexes (n = 3–6), without reliance on accurate δ(¹⁰³Rh) chemical shifts.     

Adsorption of l-histidine on copper surface as evidenced by surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

The adsorption of l-histidine on a copper electrode from H₂O- and D₂O-based solutions is studied by means of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Different adsorption states of histidine are observed depending upon pH, potential, and the presence of the SO²⁻₄ and Cl⁻ ions. In acidic solutions of pH 1.2 the imidazole ring of the adsorbed histidine remains protonated and is not involved in the chemical coordination with the surface. The SO²⁻₄ and Cl⁻ ions compete with histidine for the adsorption sites. In solutions of pH 3.1 three different adsorption states of histidine are observed depending on the potential. Histidine adsorbs with the protonated imidazole ring oriented mainly perpendicularly to the surface at potentials more positive than −0.2 V. Transformation of that adsorption state occurs at more negative potentials. As this takes place, histidine adsorbs through the α-NH₂ group and the neutral imidazole ring. The Cl⁻ ions cause the protonation and detachment of the α-NH₂ group from the surface and the formation of the ion pair NH⁺₃ … Cl⁻ can be observed. In the neutral solution of pH 7.0 histidine adsorbs through the deprotonated nitrogen atom of the imidazole ring and the α-COO⁻ group at E ≥ −0.2 V. However, this adsorption state is transformed into the adsorption state in which the α-NH₂ group and/or neutral imidazole ring participate in the anchoring of histidine to the surface, once the potential becomes more negative. In alkaline solutions of pH 11.9 histidine is adsorbed on the copper surface through the neutral imidazole ring.     

Enantiomer separation of rac-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (BNO) by inclusion complexation with racemic or achiral ammonium salts and a novel transformation of a 1:1:1 racemic complex of BNO, Me4N·Cl and MeOH into a conglomerate complex in the solid state

The complete simultaneous and mutual enantiomer resolution of 2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (BNO) and N-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, Me₃N⁺CH₂CH(OH)CH₂Cl·Cl⁻ into their enantiomers by inclusion complexation between their racemates in EtOH in the presence of a chiral seed crystal is reported. The enantiomer resolution of the rac-BNO was also accomplished easily by inclusion complexation with achiral ammonium salts, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, Me₃N⁺CH₂CH₂OH·Cl⁻ and tetramethylammonium chloride, Me₄N⁺·Cl⁻. Inclusion complexation of the rac-BNO with Me₃N⁺ CH₂CH₂OH·Cl⁻ gave only a 1:1 conglomerate inclusion complex but not a racemic complex. Recrystallization of the rac-BNO and an equimolar amount of Me₄N⁺·Cl⁻ from MeOH (7 ml) and MeOH (15 ml) gave a 1:1:1 racemic complex, BNO·Me₄N⁺·Cl⁻·MeOH and a 1:1 conglomerate complex, BNO·Me₄N⁺·Cl⁻, respectively. Novel transformation of the former racemate into the latter conglomerate occurred by heating or by exposure to MeOH vapor in the solid state.     

Anion and cation binding by a new indole/pyridine/amine-based ion-pair receptor

A new ion-pair receptor bis(3-bromoindol-2-ylmethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (1) was synthesized and studied for its anion and cation binding behavior using ESI-MS and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Among halides, 1 exhibits the strongest binding with Cl⁻ to form a 1:1 adduct (K_a = 1042 ± 21 in CD₃CN). Among alkali metal ions, Li⁺ and Na⁺ showed the strongest binding in the formation of a 1·M⁺ complex. The simultaneous binding of Cl⁻ and Li⁺ to 1 was confirmed by ¹H NMR titration of a 1:1 mixture of 1 and Cl⁻ with LiPF₆ in 83:17 v/v mixture of CDCl₃ and DMSO-d₆. DFT-optimized structures of 1·Cl⁻, 1·Li⁺, and 1·Li⁺·Cl⁻ are consistent with the chemical shift changes observed in ¹H NMR studies.     

Thermal energy rate constants for the reactions NO2 + Cl2 → Cl2 + NO2, Cl2 + NO2 → Cl + NO2Cl,SH + NO2 → NO2 + SH,SH + Cl2 → Cl2 + SH,and S + NO2 → NO2 + S

It is found that charge-transfer on NO⁻₂ with Cl₂ is fast at thermal energy. The Cl⁻₂ ion reacts with NO₂ to produce Cl⁻ and NO₂Cl, and SH⁻ charge-transfers rapidly with both Cl₂ and NO₂. From the exothermicities implied it is deduced that EA (SH)<EA (NO₂)< EA (Cl₂) or EA (NO₂) = 2.38 ± 0.06 eV and EA (Cl₂ = 2.46 ± 0.14 eV.     

Zirconium(IV)-porphyrins as novel ionophores for fluoride-selective polymeric membrane electrodes

The feasibility of using Zr(IV)-porphyrins as novel ionophores for preparing anion-selective polymeric membrane electrodes is examined. Electrodes constructed using o-nitrophenyl octyl ether plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes containing Zr(IV)-octaethylporphyrin (OEP) dichloride (Zr(IV)[OEP]Cl₂) or Zr(IV)-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) dichloride (Zr(IV)[TPP]Cl₂) were found to exhibit enhanced potentiometric selectivity toward fluoride compared to electrodes based on a typical anion-exchanger (e.g. tridodecylmethylammonium chloride). At pH 5.5, the electrodes displayed the following selectivity sequences: ClO₄⁻ > SCN⁻ > I⁻ > F⁻ > NO₃⁻ > Br⁻ > NO₂⁻ > Cl⁻ and F⁻ > ClO₄⁻ > SCN⁻ > I⁻ > NO₂⁻ > NO₃⁻ > Br⁻ > Cl⁻ for membranes doped with Zr(IV)[OEP]Cl₂) and Zr(IV)[TPP]Cl₂, respectively. Both ionophores are shown to operate via a charged carrier mechanism, with 10 mol% of lipophilic tetraphenylborate derivative in the membrane phase required to achieve optimal selectivity. Electrodes prepared with both metalloporphyrin species display super-Nernstian response toward fluoride with slopes typically greater than −100 mV per decade. It is shown, via UV-VIS spectroscopy of the membrane phase, that this behavior occurs due to spontaneous formation of hydroxide ion bridged porphyrin dimers in the membrane in the presence of the lipophilic anionic additive. The dimers are easily converted to monomeric species upon increasing the concentration of fluoride in the sample solution. Decreasing the pH of sample buffer background solution (from pH 5.5 to pH 3) decreases the lower detection limit (DL) of the electrode response toward fluoride (by two-order of magnitude) and improves the electrodes’ selectivity.     

Novel highly selective anion chemosensors based on 2,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole

2-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole 1 and 2,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole 2 were used as anion fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors with high selectivity for H₂PO₄⁻ and F⁻ over Cl⁻, while 2 can even distinguish H₂PO₄⁻ from F⁻.     

A new family of delocalized lipophilic cations

A new family of delocalized lipophilic cations containing one to three carbimino, sulfimino and phosphinimino units with Cl⁻, Br⁻, HF₂⁻ and Me₃SiF₂⁻ as counterions has been designed. The compounds synthesized demonstrate high performance and thermal stability in the ‘Halex’ fluorination reactions. For the first time sulfur tetrachloride pregenerated at −78°C was successfully applied in reactions with N-nucleophiles to afford straightforwardly sulfonium chlorides with three S-N bonds.     

Anion recognition by 2,2′-binaphthalene derivatives bearing urea and thiourea groups at 8- and 8′-positions by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies

Synthesis and anion recognition properties of 2,2′-binaphthalene derivatives bearing two thiourea (1) and urea (2) groups at 8- and 8′-positions were studied. The structure of receptor 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography. UV-vis spectra of the receptors showed characteristic changes around 300-400 nm through isosbestic points upon the addition of biologically relevant anions such as acetate, dihydrogenphosphate, and chloride in MeCN and DMSO due to restriction of the rotation around the single bond connecting two naphthyl moieties by cooperative guest binding of two recognition sites. Job’s plots showed 1:1 complexation for guest anions. The fluorescence quantum yields of free form of 1 and 2 in MeCN were determined to be 0.021 and 0.57, respectively. The fluorescence intensities of the receptors diminished upon the addition of anions in MeCN. The association constants of receptors 1 and 2 were one or two orders of magnitude greater than the corresponding monothiourea and urea receptors 3 and 4 indicating cooperative hydrogen bonding with guest anions. The selectivity trends of association of anions were F⁻>AcO⁻>H₂PO₄⁻>Cl⁻>>HSO₄⁻≈NO₃⁻≈Br⁻≈I⁻ for 1, and F⁻>AcO⁻≈Cl⁻>H₂PO₄⁻>Br⁻>HSO₄⁻>I⁻≈NO₃⁻ for 2. Receptor 2 showed remarkable Cl⁻ selectivity presumably owing to suitable orientation for effective hydrogen bond formation with Cl⁻.     

Boron-dipyrromethene based specific chemodosimeter for fluoride ion

3,5-Bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)-4,4-difluoro-8-(4-tolyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene [BODIPY(CCTMS)₂] has been synthesized by coupling of 3,5-dibromo-4,4-difluoro-8-(4-tolyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene with trimethylsilylacetylene under pd(0) coupling conditions. The BODIPY(CCTMS)₂ was used as a selective colourimetric and fluorescent chemodosimeter for fluoride ion, following the F⁻ ion induced cleavage of trimethylsilyl group, the protecting group of ethyne functionality by monitoring the changes in UV-vis and fluorescence properties. The dosimeter BODIPY(CCTMS)₂ display clear changes in colour, absorption and emission bands selectively for F⁻ ion over other anions such as Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, ClO₄⁻ and HPO₄²⁻.     

A novel and selective spectral method for the determination of trace chlorine in water basing on the resonance scattering effect of rhodamine B-I(3) association nanoparticles

In Na₂HPO₄-citric acid buffer solution, Cl₂ can oxidize I⁻ to form I₂ and then it reacts with excess I⁻ to form I₃⁻. The I₃⁻ combines respectively with rhodamine dyes, including rhodamine B (RhB), butyl rhodamine B (b-RhB), rhodamine 6G (RhG) and rhodamine S (RhS), to form association particles which give stronger resonance scattering (RS) effect at 400 nm. The RS intensity of the RhB, b-RhB, RhG and RhS systems is proportional to chlorine concentrations in the range of 0.008-1.74, 0.019-1.33, 0.021-2.11 and 0.019-2.04 μg/mL Cl₂, respectively. The detection limits of the systems were 0.0020, 0.0048, 0.0063 and 0.0017 μg/mL, respectively. In them, the RhB system has good stability and high sensitivity, and has been applied to the analysis of chlorine in drinking water, with satisfactory results which is in agreement with that of the methyl orange (MO) spectrophotometry.     

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of alkynylzincs with benzylic electrophiles

The reaction of alkynylzinc bromides with benzyl bromides or chlorides in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(DPEphos)Cl₂ in THF at 23 °C cleanly produces the corresponding benzylated alkynes in 73-97% yields. With 10⁻³ mol % of Pd(DPEphos)Cl₂, the maximum turnover number of 7.1 × 10⁴ has been observed for the formation of PhCCCH₂Ph.     

Differences on the conversion of celestite in solutions bearing monovalent ions under hydrothermal conditions

The replacement of SO₄²⁻ ions by monovalent ions in mineral SrSO₄ crystals was investigated under hydrothermal conditions by using aqueous solutions bearing F⁻ and OH⁻ ions. Experiments were conducted at various temperatures (150-250 °C) for different reaction intervals (1-96 h), with M⁻/SO₄²⁻ molar ratios of 1, 5 and 10, where M⁻=F⁻ or OH⁻. The celestite crystals were completely converted into SrF₂ crystals, at 200 °C using a F⁻/SO₄²⁻ molar ratio=5 for 24 h. The morphology of the converted SrF₂ crystals indicated that the heteroionic conversion proceeded by a pseudomorphic replacement process, because the transformed crystals maintained their original shape and dimensions. In contrast, the SrSO₄ crystals were instantaneously converted into the Sr(OH)₂ phase by a bulk dissolution-recrystallization mechanism, resulting in the formation of large transparent acicular Sr(OH)₂ crystals. The differences on the conversion process are mainly associated with the chemical interaction between the mineral crystal and the hydrothermal fluid. In addition, the chemical stability of the converted phase with low solubility is also essential for the heteroionic conversion to proceed by the pseudomorphic replacement process.     

The lanthanoid(III) chloride cyclo-tetrasilicates M6Cl10[Si4O12] (M=Sm, Gd-Dy): Synthesis, structure and IR investigations

The chloride derivatized lanthanoid(III) cyclo-tetrasilicates of the composition M₆Cl₁₀[Si₄O₁₂] (M=Sm, Gd-Dy) crystallize monoclinically in space group C2/m (a=1062-1065, b=1036-1052, c=1163-1187 pm, β≈103°, Z=2). They are obtained by the reaction of the sesquioxides M₂O₃ (or the combination of Tb₄O₇ and Tb in 3:2-molar ratio for the terbium case), the corresponding trichlorides MCl₃, and SiO₂ (silica gel) in stoichiometric ratios with double the amount of MCl₃ as flux in evacuated silica tubes (7d at 850 °C) as transparent, pseudo-octagonal, pillar-shaped single crystals with the colour of the respective lanthanoid trication M³⁺. Their crystal structure can be considered as a layered arrangement in which cationic {[(M2)₅Cl₉]⁶⁺} layers are alternatingly piled with anionic ones of the kind {[(M1)Cl[Si₄O₁₂]]⁶⁻}. In the latter, the (M1)³⁺ cations show a slightly distorted hexagonal bipyramidal environment built up by two Cl⁻ and six O²⁻ anions (CN=8), whereas the (M2)³⁺ cations exhibit a coordination number of only seven (five Cl⁻ and two O²⁻ anions in the shape of a distorted pentagonal bipyramid). The cyclo-tetrasilicate units consist of four corner-linked [SiO₄]⁴⁻ tetrahedra in all-ecliptical conformation each, fused to eight-membered rings, which contain two almost linear (178°) and two bent (142°) Si-O-Si bridges. This particular cyclo-[Si₄O₁₂]⁸⁻ situation could be confirmed by theoretical and experimental infrared-spectroscopic investigations.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and optical properties of the first strontium selenium(IV) and tellurium(IV) oxychlorides: Sr3(SeO3)(Se2O5)Cl2 and Sr4(Te3O8)Cl4

Two new quaternary strontium selenium(IV) and tellurium(IV) oxychlorides, namely, Sr₃(SeO₃)(Se₂O₅)Cl₂ and Sr₄(Te₃O₈)Cl₄, have been prepared by solid-state reaction. Sr₃(SeO₃)(Se₂O₅)Cl₂ features a three-dimensional (3D) network structure constructed from strontium(II) interconnected by Cl⁻, SeO₃²⁻ as well as Se₂O₅²⁻ anions. The structure of Sr₄(Te₃O₈)Cl₄ features a 3D network in which the strontium tellurium oxide slabs are interconnected by bridging Cl⁻ anions. The diffuse reflectance spectrum measurements and results of the electronic band structure calculations indicate that both compounds are wide band-gap semiconductors.     

Effects of chloride ions on electrochemical reactions of manganese(III) complexes

Electrochemical reactions of manganese(III) complexes, Mn^III(L)X (L; salen, salpn, 5-NO₂–salen or 5-NO₂–salpn, X; Cl, Br or NO₂) and Mn^III(L’)₂X (L’; N-Bu-sal, N-Oct–sal, N-Oct–5-Br–sal or N-Oct–5-NO₂–sal, X; Cl or Br), were investigated by voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode in the absence/presence of Cl⁻ in acetonitrile solution. By the addition of Cl⁻, oxidation processes of Mn^III(L)X and Mn^III(L’)₂X have been found to be improved from quasi-reversible to reversible, and their oxidation products, [Mn^IV(L)X]⁺ and [Mn^IV(L’)₂X]⁺, were stabilized by the combination with Cl⁻ resulting in [Mn^IV(L)Cl₂] and [Mn^IV(L’)₂Cl₂], respectively. On the other hand, the reduction processes of Mn^III(L)X and Mn^III(L’)₂Cl were not so significantly affected by Cl⁻ as those observed for their oxidation. Other types of manganese(III) complexes and iron(III) complex were also investigated. The present study may clarify the role of Cl⁻ being involved in OEC (oxygen-evolving center) in photosystem II.