Determination of ascorbic acid by potassium iodate

Summary Results are given for a two stage oxidation in the ascorbic acid-KIO₃ reaction under controlled conditions of acidity. The first step corresponds to the Landolt reaction and the second end point is obtained by the classical Andrews method. The reproducibility and accuracy of the results calculated on the basis of the two successive end points constitute an interesting new feature of this redox reaction involving the use of KIO₃ as a primary standard for the determination of ascorbic acid.Our sincere thanks are due to Professor S. S. Joshi for kind interest in the work and to the National Institute of Sciences of India for award of a Research Fellowship to one of us (G. S. D.).     

Gravimetric estimation of bismuth as bismuthyl dichromate

Summary Conditions are described for the quantitative precipitation of bismuthyl dichromate, (BiO)₂Cr₂O₇, and the suitability of this reaction for the gravimetric estimation of bismuth is shown. The use of arsenious oxide as a primary standard for the iodometric titration of excess chromate is emphasised.Sincere thanks of the authors are due to Prof. S. S. Joshi for research facilities and to Dr. G. S. Deshmukh for keen interest in the work.     

Determination of bismuth by selenious acid

Summary Bismuth is shown to be precipitated quantitatively as bismuth selenite by boiling an almost neutral solution of bismuth nitrate and excess selenious acid. The excess H₂SeO₃ is determined iodometrically by standard thiosulphate or arsenious oxide solution. Alternatively, the precipitated selenite may be dried at 105–110° C and weighed as Bi₂(SeO₃)₃.Sincere thanks of the authors are due to Prof. S. S. Joshi for research facilities and to Dr. G. S. Deshmukh for keen interest in the work.     

Micelle-assisted cerium(IV) oxidation of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">L</Emphasis>-sorbose in aqueous sulfuric acid

Spectrophotometric kinetic technique has been used to investigate the effect of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactants on the redox reaction of cerium(IV)+l-sorbose in aqueous sulfuric acid media. The anionic SDS has no effect, whereas the reaction rate increases in the presence of cationic CTAB, which is due to favorable conditions provide by the cationic micelles. The reaction rate decreases with [H₂SO₄], and no acid-dependent path has been observed. At constant [H₂SO₄], the rate of the reaction is dependent on the first powers of the l-sorbose and cerium(IV) concentrations. The CTAB-assisted reaction is retarded by addition of electrolytes (Na₂SO₄, NaNO₃, and NaCl), which is attributed to the competition between electrolyte anions and cerium(IV)-sulfato species. Bromide ion (of CTAB or externally added in the form of NaBr) is not oxidized by the cerium(IV) (as a main or side reaction).     

A kinetic study of the oxidation of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-methionine by water soluble colloidal MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Aqueous solution of water soluble colloidal MnO₂ was prepared by Perez-Benito method. Kinetics of l-methionine oxidation by colloidal MnO₂ in perchloric acid (0.93 × 10⁻⁴ to 3.72 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³) has been studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction follows first-order kinetics with respect to [H⁺]. The first-order kinetics with respect to l-methionine at low concentration shifts to zero order at higher concentration. The effects of [Mn(II)] and [F⁻] on the reaction rate were also determined. Manganese (II) has sigmoidal effect on the rate reaction and act as auto catalyst. The exact dependence on [Mn(II)] cannot be explained due to its oxidation by colloidal MnO₂. Methionine sulfoxide was formed as the oxidation product of l-methionine. Ammonia and carbon dioxide have not been identified as the reaction products. The mechanism with the observed kinetics has been proposed and discussed.     

Synthesis of LiCoO<Subscript>2</Subscript> by <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-apple acid assisted sol–gel method and its electrochemical behavior in aqueous lithium-ion battery

The synthesis process of LiCoO₂ prepared by l-apple acid (l-HOOCCH(OH)CH₂COOH) assisted sol–gel method is studied by using Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and elemental analysis. The results show that lithium and cobalt ions are trapped homogeneously on an atomic scale throughout the precursor. Lithium carbonate and Co₃O₄ are intermediate products during heat treatment of the precursor. Moreover, the kinetics for formation of LiCoO₂ by l-apple acid assisted sol–gel method is faster than the case of the conventional solid-state reaction between lithium carbonate and Co₃O₄. In comparison with the solid-state reaction, the sol–gel method significantly shortens the required reaction time for synthesizing LiCoO₂, and also reduces the particle size. In the electrochemical test, it is found that the specific discharge/charge capacities as well as the coulomb efficiency substantially increase with increasing the calcination temperature. It is considered that LiCoO₂ with a good-layered structure facilitates the insertion and de-insertion of lithium ions in aqueous electrolyte. As a result, the combination of the sol–gel method with proper calcination processes is highly successful in producing LiCoO₂ powders with large specific capacity and good cycle performance in aqueous lithium-ion battery.     

A ruthenium(II) complex of bis (1-pyrazolyl) borate

A new neutral ruthenium(II) complex of dihydro-bis(1-pyrazolyl) borate is synthesised by the reaction of RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ with the ligand in methanol and is characterised on the basis ofir and³¹P{¹H}nmr spectra.     

Acid-catalysed hydrolysis of cis -[Cr(C2O4)(AaraNH2)(OH2)(OSO2)]? (where AaraNH2 denotes methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-α,d -arabino-hexopyranoside)

The synthesised complex cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(OH₂)(OSO₂)]⁻ anion with SO ₃ ²⁻ as a ligand in the inner coordination sphere, where AaraNH₂ denotes methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-α-d-arabino-hexopyranoside, was hydrolysed in the presence of acid at H⁺ concentrations from 0.01 to 2.7 m (HClO₄). The reaction kinetics was studied with the stopped-flow spectrophotometric (u.v.–vis.) technique at temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 18 and 20 °C. This hydrolysis turned out to be a single-step process. Determined for this reaction were the rate constant k ₁ for the removal of SO₂ from the coordination sphere of the cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(OH₂)(OSO₂)]⁻ ion and the constant pK ₁ of the protonation of this species in the reaction preceding the hydrolysis. The final product of this reaction – a new complex of Cr^III, cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(OH₂)₂]⁺, was obtained. A mechanism for the acid hydrolysis reaction is put forward based on the analysis of the rate constants obtained.     

Conductometric estimation of thorium in dilute thorium chloride

Summary Conductometric titrations of thorium chloride against oxalic acid, ammonium oxalate and silver nitrate have been carried out at high dilutions (0.001, 0.0005 and 0.00033 M) of the chloride. Oxalic acid is found to be a suitable titrant for rapid estimation of thorium, the minimum error being +0.5%. The other titrants do not give good results. The titrations with ammonium oxalate indicate the step-wise ionisation of ThCl₄ into ThCl₂ ²⁺, ThCl³⁺ and Th⁴⁺. For mixtures of thorium chloride and cerous chloride, only the equivalence point corresponding to complete precipitation of both thorium and cerium is indicated.The authors express their sincere thanks to Prof. S. S.Joshi for his keen interest in this work and to Dr. G. S.Deshmukh for his advice and help in so many ways during the progress of these studies.     

Selektive und quantitative Bestimmung von Alkoxyl und Oxyalkylen in nieder- und hochmolekularen Substanzen

Zusammenfassung Es wurde eine Methode und Apparatur beschrieben, mit der Alkoxylgruppen (C₁-nC₄) und Oxyalkylengruppen (-OC₂H₄- und OC₃H₆-) selektiv und quantitativ bestimmt werden können. Die bei der JodwasserstoffsÄurespaltung (Zeisel) entstehenden Alkyljodide werden in einer KÄltefalle über Vermiculit oder bei Raumtemperatur über Kieselgel quantitativ festgehalten und die bei der Umsetzung entweichenden Reaktionsgase in einem Azotometer gesammelt.Nach dem Aufschlu\ werden die Alkyljodide an Trikresylphosphat auf Embacel und die Reaktionsgase an Squalan auf Sterchamol gas-chromatographisch getrennt und die Komponenten aufgrund ihrer Retentionszeit identifiziert.Die einzelnen Alkyljodidfraktionen werden quantitativ durch jodometrische Titration nach Vieböck und Brecher, die Gasfraktionen volumetrisch nach Janák bestimmt und daraus der Prozentgehalt der entsprechenden Alkoxyl- und Oxyalkylengruppen ausgerechnet.

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Summary A new method and apparatus is described for the selective and quantitative determination of alkoxyl (C₁-nC₄) and oxyalkylene groups (-OC₂H₄- and -OC₃H₆-). The alkyl iodides, generated by cleavage with boiling hydroiodic acid, are collected in a freezing trap over vermiculite or over silica gel and the reaction gases are passed into an azotometer by the carrier gas.After the reaction the alkyl iodides are separated gaschromatographically by tricresylphosphate on embacel and the reaction gases by squalane on sterchamol, and the components are identified by their retention times.The quantitative determination of alkyl iodides is performed iodometrically according to Vieböck and Brecher and the gas fractions are determined volumetrically according to Janák. The results obtained are equivalent to the percentage of the individual alkoxyl and oxyalkylen groups.

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Den Herren H. Leffringhausen und W. Mann danke ich auch an dieser Stelle für die eifrige Mithilfe bei der Ausarbeitung der Methoden, und Herrn E. Heil für gegebene RatschlÄge bei der Einrichtung der Gastrennung.     

Formation of Superoxochromium(III) by a Novel Mechanism

The reduction of chromate ion by l-cysteine in near-neutral aqueous solutions was studied by u.v.–vis spectroscopy. The rate constants for the formation, decomposition and redox degradation of a Cr^VI thioester intermediate (both in the absence and in the presence of dissolved O₂) were determined by the use of a nonlinear least-squares regression to fit the experimental data to a double-exponential integrated rate law. Superoxochromium(III), CrOO²⁺, could be observed as a long-lived intermediate by the use of u.v. difference spectroscopy (peaks at 238 and 292 nm). The effects of several reaction variables on the yield of the intermediate CrOO²⁺ were studied. A striking result was that the yield decreased as the concentration of dissolved O₂ increased. In the presence of phosphate buffer, the yield showed a maximum at pH 6.8. Formation of CrOO²⁺ was suppressed by the additives Mn²⁺, H₂O₂, d-ribose, 2-deoxy-d-ribose and a high concentration of Ce³⁺, whereas a low concentration of the latter enhanced its appearance. A novel mechanism for the formation of CrOO²⁺ from Cr^VI and l-cysteine (involving the intramolecular formation of an O–O bond) is proposed, and the possible routes for the decay of this intermediate are discussed. This novel mechanism might offer new insights into the redox chemistry of chromate ions.     

Condensation cascades and methylgroup transfer reactions during the formation of arsane,methyl- and dimethylarsane by aqueous borohydride and (methyl) arsenates

The formation of volatile products during the reaction of As(iii), As(v), MeAsO(OH)₂, and Me₂AsO(OH) with aqueous NaBH₄ has been investigated, and the formation of arsanes, diarsanes, and triarsanes has been detected. The presence of triarsanes is reported here for the first time. Diarsanes and triarsanes are likely formed in condensation cascade reactions, whereas trimethylarsane arises via the transfer of a methyl group. The formation of volatile by-products is considerably reduced by increasing the acidity of the medium and the concentration of NaBH₄ or by the addition of thiols, such as cysteine. A reaction scheme is proposed which reconciles the evidence reported herein and elsewhere in the literature that is valid for both analytical (trace analysis) and non-analytical reaction conditions.     

Bioconversion of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucose into <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucosone by Glucose 2-oxidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coriolus versicolor</Emphasis> at Moderate Pressures

Glucose 2-oxidase (pyranose oxidase, pyranose:oxygen-2-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.3.10) from Coriolus versicolor catalyses the oxidation of d-glucose at carbon 2 in the presence of molecular O₂ producing d-glucosone (2-keto-glucose and d-arabino-2-hexosulose) and H₂O₂. It was used to convert d-glucose into d-glucosone at moderate pressures (i.e. up to 150 bar) with compressed air in a modified commercial batch reactor. Several parameters affecting biocatalysis at moderate pressures were investigated as follows: pressure, [enzyme], [glucose], pH, temperature, nature of fluid and the presence of catalase. Glucose 2-oxidase was purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography on epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B-IDA-Cu(II) column at pH 6.0. The rate of bioconversion of d-glucose increased with the pressure since an increase in the pressure with compressed air resulted in higher rates of conversion. On the other hand, the presence of catalase increased the rate of reaction which strongly suggests that H₂O₂ acted as inhibitor for this reaction. The rate of bioconversion of d-glucose by glucose 2-oxidase in the presence of either nitrogen or supercritical CO₂ at 110 bar was very low compared with the use of compressed air at the same pressure. The optimum temperature (55°C) and pH (5.0) of d-glucose bioconversion as well as kinetic parameters for this enzyme were determined under moderate pressure. The activation energy (E _a) was 32.08 kJ mol⁻¹ and kinetic parameters (V _max, K _m, K _cat and K _cat/K _m) for this bioconversion were 8.8 U mg⁻¹ protein, 2.95 mM, 30.81 s⁻¹ and 10,444.06 s⁻¹ M⁻¹, respectively. The biomass of C. versicolor as well as the cell-free extract containing glucose 2-oxidase activity were also useful for bioconversion of d-glucose at moderate pressures. The enzyme was apparently stable at moderate pressures since such pressures did not affect significantly the enzyme activity.     

Neue Methoden zur Gehaltsbestimmung von Indolyl-3-brenztraubens?ure

Zusammenfassung Es werden 3 Methoden zur quantitativen Bestimmung der Indolyl-3-brenztraubensäure über ihren mit Diazomethan gewonnenen Methylester beschrieben, wobei die Lösung des Methylesters mit Dichlorphenolin-dophenol oxydiert wird. Bei der Methode A wird der Überschuß des Oxy-dationsmittels titrimetrisch mit Fe^II(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂ zurückgemessen, bei der Methode B wird die Extinktionsabnahme des Oxydationsmittels in verdünnter propanolischer Lösung bei 635 nm gemessen. Bei Methode C wird der bei der Oxydation aus dem Indolyl-3-brenztraubensäuremethylester gebildete grüne Farbstoff mit Amylalkohol extrahiert und die Absorption bei 662 nm gemessen. Diese Methode ist für die Untersuchung von Rein- und Rohpräparaten am besten geeignet.

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Summary Three methods are described for the estimation of indole-3-pyruvic acid using the methyl ester of the acid, which is oxidized by dichlorphenolindophenol. In method A the excess of DCPIP is determined titrimetrically by Fe^II(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂, in method B the decrease of the extinction of the oxidizing agent in diluted propanolic solution is measured at 635 nm, in method C the green oxidation product of the methyl ester formed during the reaction is extracted by n-pentanol and the absorption is determined spectrophotometrieally at 662 nm. This latter method is the most suitable one for the analysis of pure preparations and crude products.

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Ich danke Herrn Professor Dr. M. Steiner für die Untersützung der Arbeit durch Mittel des Institutes; Fräulein S. Ritter und Herrn E. Fritz für die Mitarbeit bei den Versuchen.     

Kinetics of the oxidative degradation of d-xylose in the presence and absence of cationic and anionic surfactants

The oxidative degradation of d-xylose by cerium(IV) has been found to be slow in acidic aqueous solution with the evidence of autocatalysis. The reaction is accelerated in the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micellar medium but sodium dodecyl sulfate (an anionic surfactant) has no effect. The pseudo first-order rate constants have been determined at different [reductant], [oxidant], [H₂SO₄], temperature, and [CTAB]. The reaction rate increased with increasing [d-xylose] and decreased with increase in [H₂SO₄]. The CTAB-micelle-catalyzed kinetic results can be interpreted by the pseudophase model. The kinetic parameters such as association constant (K _s), micellar medium rate constant (k _m), and activation parameters (E _a, ΔH ^# and ΔS ^#) are evaluated and the reaction mechanism is proposed. The reaction rate is inhibited by electrolytes and the results provide an evidence for the exclusion of the reactive species from the reaction site.     

Density functional study of the l-proline-catalyzed α-aminoxylation of aldehydes reaction: The reaction mechanism and selectivity

The reaction mechanism of the l-proline-catalyzed α-aminoxylation reaction between aldehyde and nitrosobenzene has been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Our calculation results reveal following conclusions [1]. The first step that corresponds to the formation of C–O bond, is the stereocontrolling and rate-determining step [2]. Among four reaction channels, the syn-attack reaction channel is more favorable than that of the anti one, and the TS-ss channel dominates among the four channels for this reaction in the step of C–O bond formation [3]. The intermolecular hydrogen bond between the acidic hydrogen of l-proline and the N atom of the nitrosobenzene in an early stage of the process catalyzes very effectively the C–O bond formation by a large stabilization of the negative charge that is developing at the O atom along the electrophilic attack [4]. The effect of solvent decreases the activation energy, and also, the calculated energy barriers are decrease with the enhancement of dielectric constants for C–O bond formation step. These results are in good agreement with experiment, and allow us to explain the origin of the catalysis and stereoselectivity for l-proline-catalyzed α-aminoxylation of aldehyde reaction. The addition of H₂O to substituted imine proline, intermolecular proton-transfer steps, and the l-proline elimination process were also studied in this paper.     

STM studies of photochemistry and plasmon chemistry on metal surfaces

We review our recent studies of photochemistry and plasmon chemistry of dimethyl disulfide, (CH₃S)₂, molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The STM has been used not only for the observation of surface structures at atomic spatial resolution but also for local spectroscopies. The STM combined with optical excitation by light can be employed to investigate chemical reactions of single molecules induced by photons and localized surface plasmons. This technique allows us to gain insights into reaction mechanisms at a single molecule level. The experimental procedures to examine the chemical reactions using the STM are briefly described. The mechanism for the photodissociation reaction of (CH₃S)₂ molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces is discussed based on both the experimental results obtained with the STM and the electronic structures calculated by density functional theory. The dissociation reaction of the (CH₃S)₂ molecule induced by the optically excited plasmon in the STM junction between a Ag tip and metal substrate is also described. The reaction mechanism and pathway of this plasmon-induced chemical reaction are discussed by comparison with those proposed in plasmon chemistry.     

Sodium alizarin-3-sulphonate as a chromophoric reagent

Summary A method for the colorimetric determination of hexavalent tungsten with Alizarin Red S has been described. The composition of the coloured chelate is MKe₂ and the wave length of maximum absorption is 470 nm. The colour reaction is almost instantaneous. The coloured complex conforms to Beer's Law over tungsten concentration of 0.37 to 13.3 ppm. The suitable p_H for the measurement is 3.5 to 5.8 and temperature has no effect on the intensity of the colour. The sensitivity is 0.037 g/cm² (Sandell) and 0.37 g/cm² (practical) based on an absorption of 0.01 unit. The interference of added foreign ions has also been investigated and most of the common ions are found to interfere and should, therefore, be removed before determination of tungsten is made.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird eine Methode zur colorimetrischen Bestimmung von Wolfram(VI) mit Alizarinrot S beschrieben. Die Zusammensetzung des Farbkomplexes ist MeAliz₂, das Absorptionsmaximum liegt bei 470 nm. Die Farbreaktion verläuft fast augenblicklich und gehorcht dem Beer'schen Gesetz im Bereich von 0,37–13,3 ppm Wolfram. Der günstigste p_H-Bereich liegt zwischen 3,5 und 5,8. Die Temperatur ist ohne Einfluß auf die Farbintensität. Die Empfindlichkeit beträgt 0,037 g/cm² (Sandell) bzw. praktisch 0,37 g/cm² (Absorption 0,01 Einheiten). Da die meisten Fremdionen stören, müssen sie vor der Bestimmung abgetrennt werden.

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Part I: Banerji, S. K., and A. K. Dey: Z. analyt. Chem. 179, 30 (1961).