Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid anion

The complexes of 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid anion with Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were obtained as polycrystalline solids with general formula M(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·nH₂O and colours typical for M(II) ions (Mn – slightly pink, Co – pink, Ni – slightly green, Cu – turquoise and Zn – white). The results of elemental, thermal and spectral analyses suggest that compounds of Mn(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) are tetrahydrates whereas those of Co(II) and Ni(II) are pentahydrates. The carboxylate groups in these complexes are monodentate. The hydrates of 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) heated in air to 1273 K are dehydrated in one step in the range of 323–411 K and form anhydrous salts which next in the range of 433–1212 K are decomposed to the following oxides: Mn₃O₄, CoO, NiO and ZnO. The final products of decomposition of Cu(II) complex are CuO and Cu. The solubility value in water at 293 K for all complexes is in the order of 10^–3 mol dm^–3. The plots of χ_M vs. temperature of 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) follow the Curie–Weiss law. The magnetic moment values of Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in these complexes were determined in the range of 76−303 K and they change from: 5.88–6.04 μ_B for Mn(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·4H₂O, 3.96–4.75 μ_B for Co(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·5H₂O, 2.32–3.02 μ_B for Ni(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·5H₂O and 1.77–1.94 μ_B for Cu(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·4H₂O.     

Thermal, spectral and magnetic behaviour of 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) AND Cu(II)

Four new complexes of 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzoic acid anion with manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) cations were synthesized, analysed and characterized by standard chemical and physical methods. 2,3,4-Trimethoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) are polycrystalline compounds with colours typical for M(II) ions. The carboxylate group in the anhydrous complexes of Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) is monodentate and in that of Cu(II) monohydrate is bidentate bridging one. The anhydrous complexes of Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) heated in air to 1273 K are stable up to 505–517 K. Next in the range of 505–1205 K they decompose to the following oxides: Mn₃O₄, CoO, NiO. The complex of Cu(II) is stable up to 390 K, and next in the range of 390–443 K it loses one molecule of water. The final product of its decomposition is CuO. The solubility in water at 293 K is of the order of 10^–3 mol dm^–3 for the Mn(II) complex and 10^–4 mol dm^–3 for Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes. The magnetic moment values of Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzoates experimentally determined in the range of 77–300 K change from 5.64–6.57 μB (for Mn²⁺), 4.73–5.17 μB (for Co²⁺), 3.26–3.35 μB (for Ni²⁺) and 0.27–1.42 μB (for Cu²⁺). 2,3,4-Trimethoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) follow the Curie–Weiss law, whereas that of Cu(II) forms a dimer.     

Bioactive Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) Complexes Containing a Tridentate Sulfathiazole-Based (ONN) Schiff Base

New Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized with the Schiff base ligand obtained by the condensation of sulfathiazole with salicylaldehyde. Their characterization was performed by elemental analysis, molar conductance, spectroscopic techniques (IR, diffuse reflectance and UV–Vis–NIR), magnetic moments, thermal analysis, and calorimetry (thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry), while their morphological and crystal systems were explained on the basis of powder X-ray diffraction results. The IR data indicated that the Schiff base ligand is tridentate coordinated to the metallic ion with two N atoms from azomethine group and thiazole ring and one O atom from phenolic group. The composition of the complexes was found to be of the [ML₂]∙nH₂O (M = Co, n = 1.5 (1); M = Ni, n = 1 (2); M = Cu, n = 4.5 (3)) type, having an octahedral geometry for the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and a tetragonally distorted octahedral geometry for the Cu(II) complex. The presence of lattice water molecules was confirmed by thermal analysis. XRD analysis evidenced the polycrystalline nature of the powders, with a monoclinic structure. The unit cell volume of the complexes was found to increase in the order of (2) < (1) < (3). SEM evidenced hard agglomerates with micrometric-range sizes for all the investigated samples (ligand and complexes). EDS analysis showed that the N:S and N:M atomic ratios were close to the theoretical ones (1.5 and 6.0, respectively). The geometric and electronic structures of the Schiff base ligand 4-((2-hydroxybenzylidene) amino)-N-(thiazol-2-yl) benzenesulfonamide (HL) was computationally investigated by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The predictive molecular properties of the chemical reactivity of the HL and Cu(II) complex were determined by a DFT calculation. The Schiff base and its metal complexes were tested against some bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis). The results indicated that the antibacterial activity of all metal complexes is better than that of the Schiff base.     

Structural Features of ONS-Donor Salicylidene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schiff</Emphasis> Base Complexes

Summary. This review article summarizes the structural features of complexes of salicylidene Schiff bases containing, in addition to the phenolic-OH and the azomethine (–RC=N–) groups, a thiole group, and/or a sulfur atom participating in coordination. Structural aspects of metal complexes of salicylidene-2-aminothiophenol, salicylidene-3-aminothiophenol, salicylidenethiosemicarbazone, salicylidenedithiocarbazates, salicylidenedithiocarbazates, salicylideneaminopropyleneaminocyclopentenedithiocarboxylates, salicylideneimidazoles, and salicylidene-thiosalicylidene-1,3-propanediamine are reported.     

Thermal Properties of Complexes of Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) With 2,2'-bipyridine Or 4,4'-bipyridine and Thiocyanates

The compounds ML₂(NCS)₂, (M(II)=Mn, Co), FeL₂(NCS)₂×2H₂O, NiL₃ NCS)₂×3H₂O (L=2,2'-bipyridine, 2-bipy) MX₂(NCS)₂×2H₂O (M(II)=Mn, Fe; X=4,4'-bipyridine, 4-bipy) have been prepared and their IR spectra and molar conductivity studied. The thermal decomposition of the complexes was studied under non-isothermal conditions in air. During heating the hydrated complexes lose crystallization water molecules in one or two steps and then decompose via different intermediate compounds to the oxides Mn₃O₄, Fe₂O₃, CoO, NiO. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of novel transition metal complexes with schiff base synthesized from 1,4-bis-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminophenoxy)butane and salicyldehyde

The new Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes of potentially N₂O₂ Schiff base ligand [N,N’-bis(salicyldehydene)-1,4-bis-(o-aminophenoxy)butane] (H₂L) prepared from 1,4-bis-(o-aminophenoxy)butane and salicyldehyde in DMF. Microanalytical data, elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, ^lH NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV-visible and IR spectra as well as conductance measurements were used to confirm the structures. In all complexes, H₂L behaves as a tetradentate. The article is published in the original.     

Spectroscopic evaluation of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes derived from thiosemicarbazone and semicarbazone

Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized with thiosemicarbazone (L(1)) and semicarbazone (L(2)) derived from 2-acetyl furan. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic moment, mass, IR, electronic and EPR spectral studies. The molar conductance measurement of the complexes in DMSO corresponds to non-electrolytic nature. All the complexes are of high-spin type. On the basis of different spectral studies six coordinated geometry may be assigned for all the complexes except Co(L)(2)(SO(4)) and Cu(L)(2)(SO(4)) [where L=L(1) and L(2)] which are of five coordinated square pyramidal geometry.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic, and thermal analyses of trinuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes with some sulfa derivatives

New bi- and trihomonuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes with sulfa-guanidine Schiff bases have been synthesized for potential chemotherapeutic use. The complexes are characterized using elemental and thermal (TGA) analyses, mass spectra (MS), molar conductance, IR, ¹H-NMR, UV-Vis, and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra as well as magnetic moment measurements. The low molar conductance values denote non-electrolytes. The thermal behavior of these chelates shows that the hydrated complexes lose water of hydration in the first step followed by loss of coordinated water followed immediately by decomposition of the anions and ligands in subsequent steps. IR and ¹H-NMR data reveal that ligands are coordinated to the metal ions by two or three bidentate centers via the enol form of the carbonyl C=O group, enolic sulfonamide S(O)OH, and the nitrogen of azomethine. The UV-Vis and ESR spectra as well as magnetic moment data reveal that formation of octahedral [Mn₂L¹(AcO)₂(H₂O)₆] (1), [Co₂(L¹)₂(H₂O)₈] (2), [Ni₂L¹(AcO)₂(H₂O)₆] (3), [Mn₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] (5), [Co₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] · 4H₂O (6), [Ni₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] · 7H₂O (7), [Mn₃L³(AcO)₃(H₂O)₆] (9), [Co₂(HL³)₂(H₂O)₈] · 4H₂O (10), [Ni₃L³(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] (11), [Mn₃L⁴(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] · H₂O (13), [Co₂(HL⁴)₂(H₂O)₈] · 5H₂O (14), and [Ni₃L⁴(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] (15) while [Zn₂L¹(AcO)₂(H₂O)₂] (4), [Zn₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O (8), [Zn₃L³(AcO)₃(H₂O)₃] · 3H₂O (12), and [Zn₃L⁴(AcO)₃(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O (16) are tetrahedral. The electron spray ionization (ESI) MS of the complexes showed isotope ion peaks of [M]⁺ and fragments supporting the formulation.     

Synthesis,characterization, fluorescence and redox features of new <Emphasis Type="Italic">vic</Emphasis>-dioxime ligand bearing pyrene and its metal complexes

A new vic-dioxime ligand, N,N′-bis(aminopyreneglyoxime) (LH₂), and its copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) metal complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UVVIS and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra (for the ligand). Mononuclear complexes were synthesized by a reaction of ligand (LH₂) and salts of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) in ethanol. The complexes have the metal-ligand ratio of 1: 2 and metals are coordinated by N,N′ atoms of vicinal dioximes. The ligand acts in a polydentate fashion bending through nitrogen atoms in the presence of a base, as do most vic-dioximes. Detection of a H-bonding in the Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes by IR revealed the square-planar MN₄ coordination of mononuclear complexes. Fluorescent properties of the ligand and its complexes arise from pyrene units conjugated with a vic-dioxime moiety. Fluorescence emission spectra of the ligand showed a drastic decrease in its fluorescence intensity upon metal binding. The electrochemical properties of the complexes were studied by the cyclic voltammetry technique. The nickel complex displayed an irreversible oxidation process while the copper complex exhibited a quasi-reversible oxidation and reduction processes based on the copper Cu(II)/Cu(III) and Cu(II)/Cu(I) couples, respectively.     

Complexes of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with lapachol

Complexes of naturally occurring hydroxynaphtho-quinone, lapachol (2-hydroxy-3(3-methyl-2-buthenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone = HL) with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding acetates with the ligand (HL) in ethanol. The molecular and crystal structures were determined for [CoL₂(EtOH)₂] (1), [NiL₂(EtOH)₂] (2), and [CuL₂(py)₂] (3). In all cases the deprotonated lapachol behaves as chelating bidentate ligand. The complexes were also characterized by elemental analyses, cyclic voltammetry, and FAB-MS.     

Coordination compounds of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with capric acid hydrazide

The reaction of aquo-ethanolic solutions of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) salts and ethanolic solution of capric acid hydrazide (L) yielded paramagnetic, high-spin bis- and tris(ligand) chelate complexes. The tris(ligand) complexes, [ML ₃]X ₂·nH₂O [M=Co(II), Ni(II);X=NO ₃ ^– , ClO ₄ ^– , 1/2SO ₄ ^2– ], have an octahedral structure formed on account of the bidentate (NO) coordination of three neutral hydrazide molecules. In the bis(ligand) complexes,ML ₂(NCS)₂ [M=Co(II), Ni(II)] and CuL ₂ X ₂·nH₂O (X=NO ₃ ^– , ClO ₄ ^– and 1/2SO ₄ ^2– ), the oxoanions and NCS^– take also part in coordination. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, magnetic measurements, molar conductivity and TG analysis.

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Caprinsäurehydrazid-Komplexe von Co(II), Ni(II) und Cu(II)

Zusammenfassung Durch die Reaktion von wäßrig-ethanolischen Lösungen von Co(II)-, Ni(II)-und Cu(II)-Salzen mit einer ethanolischen Lösung von Caprinsäurehydrazid (L) wurden paramagnetische high-spin Bis- und Tris-Ligand-Chelatkomplexe erhalten. Tris-Ligand-Komplexe des Typs [ML ₃ X ₂·nH₂O [M=Co(II), Ni(II);X=NO ₃ ^– , ClO ₄ ^– , 1/2SO ₄ ^2– ], die eine oktaedrische Struktur besitzen, entstehen durch die Koordination von drei neutralen zweizähnigen (NO)-Hydrazidmolekülen. Bei den Bis-Ligand-KomplexenML ₂(NCS)₂ [M=Co(II), Ni(II)], sowie bei den Bis-Ligand-Komplexen CuL ₂ X ₂·nH₂O (X=NO ₃ ^– , ClO ₄ ^– , 1/2SO ₄ ^2– ) nehmen bei der Koordination außer Hydrazid auch die Säurereste teil. Die Komplexe wurden durch Elementaranalyse, IR-Spektren, magnetische Messungen, molare Leitfähigkeit und TG-Analysen charakterisiert.

     

Effects of ionization on the phase behavior of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) and poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) in water

Phase transitions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PiPA-AA) and poly(N,N- diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PdEA-AA) in water have been investigated by means of turbidimetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The phase transition temperatures (T_p) of these copolymers increase with the degree of ionization () of the acrylic acid (AA) units, which in turn is dependent on the pH of the solutions. Apparent values of pK_a for the AA units, determined from the pH dependencies of T_p, are 4.7 and 5.4 for PiPA-AA and PdEA-AA, respectively. Differences between T_p for PiPA-AA and T_p for PiPA homopolymer (T_p) are +1.5 and –0.2 °C/mol% of AA at =1 and 0, respectively. The values of T_p for PdEA-AA are +2.6 (ionic) and –0.5 (nonionic)°C/mol%, indicating that the incorporated AA units have a larger effect on PdEA than on PiPA. DSC measurements performed with each of these copolymers at different pH values show a linear relationship between T_p and the enthalpy of transition (H). IR measurements of PiPA-AA show that the profiles of IR bands from both iPA and AA units exhibit critical changes at T_p of the copolymer. Heating the solution above T_p leads to shifts of the amide II, C–H stretch, and C–H bend bands from the iPA units toward lower wavenumbers, as well as a shift of the amide I band from the iPA units toward higher wavenumbers. A decrease in the intensity of the symmetric C=O stretch IR band from carboxylate anions (1560 cm^–1), and an increase in the intensity of the C=O stretch band from COOH groups (1705 cm^–1) suggest that a partial protonation of the carboxylate groups (COO^–+H⁺COOH) takes place upon the phase transition.     

Hetero-binuclear chelates of Mn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) o-cresolphthalein complexonates with other metal ions

Heterobinuclear metal chelates of Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ or Cu²⁺ and some transition metal ions with o-cresolphthalein complexone have been prepared and characterized. Elemental analyses are in agreement with proposed formulae. Thermal analyses (TGA and DTA) were used to determine the degradation products; some thermodynamic parameters were calculated. IR and UV-Vis spectra identified the mode of bonding between the metal ions and the ligand as well as its geometry. Magnetic moment determination and ESR spectra of the heterobinuclear complex revealed some antiferromagnetic interaction between the metal ions, which depends mainly on the two metal ions forming the chelate. Electrochemical studies of the complexes [DC-polarography and cyclic voltammetry (CV)] confirmed the existence and the nature of the metal ions in the chelate.     

Synthesis of 6-methyl-8<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-dibenzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>]quinolizin-8-imines <Emphasis Type="Italic">via Reissert</Emphasis> compounds

Alkylation of Reissert compounds derived from 3-methylisoquinolines with several 2-cyanobenzylbromides followed by hydrolytic cleavage provided the corresponding 1-benzyl-3-methylisoquinolines. Treatment of the latter with methylmagnesiumiodide caused cyclization to the title compounds rather than formation of 2-acetylbenzylisoquinolines.     

Synthesis and characterization of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) coordination polymers containing bis(imidazolyl) ligands

Two structurally related flexible imidazolyl ligands, bis(N-imidazolyl)methane (L₁) and 1,4-bis(N-imidazolyl)butane (L₂), were reacted with Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) salts of aliphatic/aromatic dicarboxylic acids resulting in the formation of a number of novel metal–organic coordination architectures, [CuB₂(ox)₂(L₁)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O (1) (ox = oxalate), [Cu(pdc)(L₂)_1.5] · 4H₂O (2, pdc = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate), [Co(L)₂(H₂O)₂](tp) · 4H₂O (3, tp = terephthalate), [Ni(L₁)₂(H₂O)₂](ip) · 5H₂O (4, ip = isophthalate), [Cu₂(L₁)₄(H₂O)₄](tp)₂ · 7H₂O (5), [Co(mal)(L₁)(H₂O)] · 0.5MeOH (6, mal = malonate), [Co(pdc)(L₁)(H₂O)] (7). All the complexes have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The different coordination modes of the dicarboxylate anions, due to their chain length, rigidity and diimidazolyl functionality, lead to a wide range of different coordination structures. The coordination polymers exhibit 1D single chain, ladder, 2D sheet and 2D network structures. The aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylates can adopt chelating μ₂ and chelating-bridging μ₃ coordination modes, or act as uncoordinated counter anions. The central metal ions are coordinated in N₂O₄, N₄O₂, N₂O₃ and N₃O₃ fashions, depending on the ancillary ligands. The topology of 1 gives rise to macrocycles which are connected through hydrogen bonds to form 1D chains, whereas compound 2 exhibits a 1D polymeric ladder in which the carboxylate acts as a pincer ligand. Compounds 3–5 show doubly bridged 1D chains, and the dicarboxylate groups are not coordinated but form 2D corrugated sheets with water molecules intercalated between the cationic layers. Compound 6 has a 2D network sheet structure in which each metal ion links three neighboring Co atoms by the bis(N-imidazolyl)methane ligand. The cobalt compound 7, with a 2D polymeric double sheet structure, is built from pincer carboxylate (pdc) and 1,4-bis(N-imidazolyl)methane ligands.     

Syntheses of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-3-styrylchromones

Several (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones were prepared by two different methodologies, the Wittig reaction of chromone-3-carboxaldehyde with benzylic ylides and the Knoevenagel condensation of chromone-3-carboxaldehyde with phenylacetic acids in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide under microwave irradiation. The Knoevenagel reaction followed by a decarboxylation offered an efficient and diastereoselective method for preparing (E)-3-styrylchromones in a shorter reaction time. It was also demonstrated that phenylacetic acid can also be substituted with success by phenylmalonic acid. The stereochemistry of all products was assigned by NMR experiments. Correspondence: Artur M. S. Silva, Chemistry Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.     

Screening and Immobilization <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia</Emphasis> sp. GXU56 Lipase for Enantioselective Resolution of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-Methyl Mandelate

Microorganisms producing lipase were isolated from soil and sewage samples and screened for enantioselective resolution of (R,S)-methyl mandelate to (R)-mandelic acid. A strain designated as GXU56 was obtained and identified as Burkholderia sp. Preparing immobilized GXU56 lipase by simple adsorption on octyl sepharose CL-4B, the optimum temperature was shifted from 40 °C (free lipase) to 50 °C (immobilized lipase), and the optimum pH was shifted from 8.0 (free lipase) to 7.2 (immobilized lipase). The immobilized enzyme displayed excellent stability in the pH range of 5.0–8.0, at the temperatures below 50 °C and in organic solvents compared with free enzyme. Enantioselectivity ratio for (R)-mandelic acid (E) was dramatically improved from 29.2 to more than 300 by applying immobilized lipase in the resolution of (R,S)-methyl mandelate. After five cycles of use of immobilized lipase, conversion and enantiomeric excess of (R)-mandelic acid were 34.5% and 98.5%, respectively, with enantioselectivity ratio for (R)-mandelic acid (E) of 230. Thus, octyl-sepharose-immobilized GXU56 lipase can be used as a bio-resolution reagent for producing (R)-mandelic acid.     

The smallest Hosoya index in (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> + 1)-graphs

A (n, n + 1)-graph G is a connected simple graph with n vertices and n + 1 edges. In this paper, we determine the lower bound for the Hosoya index in (n, n + 1)-graphs in terms of the order n, and characterize the (n, n + 1)-graph with the smallest Hosoya index.     

Rapid molecular typing of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuber melanosporum</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. brumale</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. indicum</Emphasis> from tree seedlings and canned truffles

We have developed new DNA extraction and purification procedures for investigation of mycorrhized seedlings and canned truffles. Use of these procedures on approximately 100 mg initial material enabled good sample representation. For mycorrhized seedlings, Taq polymerase inhibitors were discarded irrespective of tree species. In routine analysis we systematically used consensus primers ITS1/ITS4 to check the absence of Taq polymerase inhibitors and the presence of fungus DNA. Positive response with ITS validates other positive or negative PCR results. Absence of amplification with ITS prevents validation of other results. For canned truffles, DNA harvested from ascocarps sterilized for one and a half hours at 115°C was amplified with specific primers. We have developed consensus primers, named R12/F12, to check for the presence of amplifiable fungus DNA and the absence of Taq polymerase inhibitors. Here also, positive response with consensus R12/F12 validates other positive or negative PCR results. We have developed one primer pair specific for T. brumale and another specific for T. melanosporum. We can then characterize these two taxa, which enables the use of truffle or truffled French designations. We can also characterize T. indicum, the Asiatic black truffle that might fraudulently be sold as T. melanosporum and T. brumale. These three specific primer pairs were used independently of DNA extraction from tree seedlings or canned truffles. Our process is specific, sensitive, convenient, and quick.J.P. Douet and D. Mabru have contributed equally to this work     

Effect of Cu(II) on the electrochemically initiated reaction of thiols with<Emphasis Type="Italic"> N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diethyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine: methodology for the indirect voltammetric determination of Cu(II)

The effect of Cu(II) on the determination of homocysteine via its electrochemically initiated reaction with N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine is examined. The presence of copper inhibited the detection process for homocysteine owing to a complexation reaction occurring. This provided an indirect route for the sensitive and selective determination of Cu(II), which produced a linear response over the range from 2.5 to 500 M and a limit of detection of 2.5 M. The detection pathway was examined in the presence of metallic and inorganic ions, with negligible interference observed.