Assignment of complex species by affinity capillary electrophoresis: The case of Th(IV)-desferrioxamine B

The electrophoretic mobility change of desferrioxamine B (DFO) was monitored by UV absorption spectrophotometry upon increasing the thorium(IV) concentration in the background electrolyte at two acidities ([HClO₄]_Tot = 0.0316 and 0.0100 M). These data enabled to assess the speciation model and to determine the equilibrium constant of [Th(DFO)H₂]³⁺ at fixed ionic strength (I = 0.1 M (H,Na)ClO₄). Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) turned out to be most helpful in identifying the complexed species by ascertaining its charge and protonation state. The assignment of the correct stoichiometry relied on the reliable estimation of the electrophoretic mobility by assuming similar hydrodynamic radii for (DFO)H₄⁺ and the chelate. The value of the apparent equilibrium constant (log β₁₁₂ = 38.7 ± 0.4) obtained by ACE compares favorably well with those reported in the literature for thorium and a range of other metal ions, according to a linear free-energy relationship. This method is useful for studying metal-ligand binding equilibria and provides valuable information for further modelling the behavior of tetravalent actinides under environmental conditions. Structural information about the prevalent solution species in acidic conditions was gained by DFT calculations, confirming the bishydroxamato coordination mode of Th⁴⁺ by the diprotonated ligand.     

Stability constants of phthalate complexes of copper (II), nickel (II), zinc (II), cobalt (II), uranyl (II) and throium (IV) by paper electrophoresis

Summary Stoichiometric stability constants of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), UO₂(II) and Th(VI) phthalate have been determined by paper electrophoresis. Phthalic acid (0.005 mol dm⁻³) was added to the background electrolyte: 0.1 mol dm⁻³ HClO₄. The proportions of C₆H₅C₂O ₄ ⁻ and C₆H₄C₂O ₄ ⁼ were varied by changing the pH of the electrolyte. These anions yielded the complexes, Cu C₆H₅C₂O ₄ ⁺ , Cu C₆H₄C₂O₄, Zn C₆H₅C₂O ₄ ⁺ , Co C₆H₅C₂O ₄ ⁺ , Ni C₆H₅C₂O ₄ ⁺ , UO₂ C₆H₅C₂O ₄ ⁺ , UO₂ (C₆H₄C₂O₄) ₂ ⁼ and Th (C₆H₄C₂O₄)₂ whose stability constants are found to be 10^3.0, 10^4.7, 10^2.6, 10^2.5, 10^2.3, 10^3.5, 10^12.6 and 10^13.4 respectively (μ=0.1, temp 40°C).     

Metal complexes stability constant determination by hyphenation of capillary electrophoresis with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: The case of 1:1 metal-to-ligand stoichiometry

Nuclear energy development has raised new issues like radionuclides biogeochemistry. The modelling of their biochemical properties involves the accurate determination of thermodynamical data, like stability constants. This can be achieved by using hyphenated capillary electrophoresis (CE)–ICPMS and the method was applied successfully on 1:1 lanthanum–oxalate and uranyl–oxalate complexes. Several significant steps are discussed: choice of analytical conditions, electrophoretic mobility calculation, mathematical treatment of experimental data by using linear regressions, ligand concentration and ionic strength corrections. The following values were obtained with a good precision for lanthanum–oxalate and uranyl–oxalate complexes: log(K°(LaOxa⁺)) = 6.10 ± 0.10 and log(K°(UO₂Oxa)) = 6.40 ± 0.30, respectively, at infinite dilution. These values are consistent with the literature data, showing CE–ICPMS potential for metal complexes stability constants determination.     

Coordination of uranyl(VI) carbonate species in aqueous solutions

There are very few examples in nature for U(VI) compounds with carbonate ligands other than the well known tricarbonates. Especially examples of U(VI) dicarbonato compounds are nearly completely missing. Even in aqueous solutions, the dicarbonato complex was found as a species of minorimportance only. On the basis of structural data on the ligands H₂O and carbonate as well as the available data on U(VI) coordination compounds, steric requirements of equatorial coordination are studied for aqueous solution species. A pentagonally coordinated monocarbonato species [UO₂CO₃(H₂O)₃] is found as the most likely coordination. For the dicarbonato species, hexagonally coordinated [UO₂(CO₃)₂(H₂O)₂] with D_2h symmetry is found as most probable structure. Possible causes of the instability of U(VI) dicarbonato species are discussed.     

Thermodynamics of substituted rhodanine II: Binary complexes of Th(IV), UO2(II), Ce(III), and La(III) with 3-benzamidorhodanine and its derivatives

Summary Th(IV), UO₂(II), Ce(III) and La(III) chelates with 3-benzamidorhodanine and its derivatives have been investigated potentiometrically in 0.1M KCl and 20% (v/v) ethanol-water medium. The stability of the formed complexes increases in the order Th(IV)>UO₂(II)>Ce(III)>La(III). For the same metal ion, the stability of the chelates is found to increase with decreasing temperature, ionic strength, dielectric constant of the medium and by increasing the electron repelling property of the substituent. The thermodynamic parameters (G, H and S) for complexation are evaluated and discussed. The formation of the complexes has been found to be spontaneous, exothermic and entropically favourable.

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Thermodynamik von substituiertem Rhodanin II: Binäre Komplexe von Th(IV), UO₂(II), Ce(III) und La(III) mit 3-Benzamidorhodanin und seinen Derivaten

Zusammenfassung Th(IV)-, UO₂(II)-, Ce(III)- und La(III)-Chelate mit 3-Benzamidorhodanin und seinen Derivaten wurden in 0.1M KCl und 20% (/) Ethanol-Wasser potentiometrisch untersucht. Die Stabilität der gebildeten Komplexe steigt in der Reihenfolge Th(IV)>UO₂(II)>Ce(III)>La(III). Für ein- und dasselbe Metallion steigt die Stabilität der Chelate mit sinkender Temperatur, Ionenstärke und Dielektrizitätskonstante des Mediums und mit steigender Elektronenabstoßungsfähigkeit des Substituenten. Die thermodynamischen Parameter (G, H und S) für die Komplexbildungsreaktion werden bestimmt und diskutiert. Die Bildung der Komplexe erweist sich als spontan, exotherm und entropisch begünstigt.

     

Formation of MSeO4(aq) complexes (M2+ = Mg2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Cd2+) studied as a function of temperature by affinity capillary electrophoresis

Complexation of divalent cations (Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺) by selenate ligand was studied by ACE (UV indirect detection) in 0.1 mol/L NaNO₃ ionic strength solutions at various temperatures (15, 25, 35, 45 and 55°C). For each solution, a unique peak was observed as a result of a fast equilibrium between the free ion and the complex (labile systems). The migration time corresponding to this peak changed as a function of the solution composition, namely the free and complexed metal concentrations, according to the complexation reactions. The results confirmed the formation of a unique 1:1 complex for each cation. The thermodynamic parameters were fitted to the experimental data at 0.1 mol/L ionic strength: (25°C) = ?(6.5 ± 0.3), ?(7.5 ± 0.3), ?(7.7 ± 0.3), ?(7.7 ± 0.3), and –(8.1 ± 0.3) kJ/mol and = 2.5 ± 0.2, 4.7 ± 0.4, 4.5 ± 0.6, 8.4 ± 1.1, and 7.2 ± 0.6 kJ/mol for M²⁺ = Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺, respectively. Complexes with alkaline earth and transition metal cations could be distinguished by their relative stabilities. The effect of the ionic medium was treated using the specific ion interaction theory and the thermodynamic parameters at infinite dilution were compared to previously published data on metal–selenate, metal–sulfate, and metal–chromate complexes.     

Nd2(SeO3)2(SeO4) · 2H2O – a Mixed‐Valence Compound containing Selenium in the Oxidation States +IV and +VI

Pale pink crystals of Nd₂(SeO₃)₂(SeO₄) · 2H₂O were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions from H₂SeO₃ and Nd₂O₃ at about 200 °C. X‐ray diffraction on powder and single‐crystals revealed that the compound crystallizes with the monoclinic space group C 2/c (a = 12.276(1) Å, b = 7.0783(5) Å, c = 13.329(1) Å, β = 104.276(7)°). The crystal structure of Nd₂(SeO₃)₂(SeO₄) · 2H₂O is an ordered variant of the corresponding erbium compound. Eight oxygen atoms coordinate the Nd^III atom in the shape of a bi‐capped trigonal prism. The oxygen atoms are part of pyramidal (Se^IVO₃)^2? groups, (Se^VIO₄)^2? tetrahedra and water molecules. The [NdO₈] polyhedra share edges to form chains oriented along [010]. The selenate ions link these chains into layers parallel to (001). The layers are interconnected by the selenite ions into a three‐dimensional framework. The dehydration of Nd₂(SeO₃)₂(SeO₄) · 2H₂O starts at 260 °C. The thermal decomposition into Nd₂SeO₅, SeO₂ and O₂ at 680 °C is followed by further loss of SeO₂ leaving cubic Nd₂O₃.     

Thermodynamic studies of sitting-atop (SAT) complexation of uranyl and free base meso -tetraarylporphyrins

The interaction of uranyl with meso-tetraphenylporphyrin and its para-substituted derivatives (H₂t(4-X)pp, X : H, Br, Cl, CH(CH₃)₂, OCH₃, CH₃) in chloroform produced 1 : 1 sitting-atop (SAT) complexes ((uranyl)H₂t(4-X)pp). Formation constants were calculated by computer fitting of complex absorbance versus mole ratio data to appropriate equations and found to decrease with temperature increase. Thermodynamic parameters, ΔG ⁰, ΔH ⁰ and ΔS ⁰ were obtained. The formation constants vary with changing of the substituent on the aryl rings of H₂t(4-X)pp in the following order: (uranyl)H₂t(4-OCH₃)pp?>?(uranyl)H₂t(4-CH₃)pp?>?(uranyl)H₂t(4-CH(CH₃)₂)pp?>?(uranyl)H₂tpp?>?(uranyl)H₂t(4-Br)pp?>?(uranyl)H₂t(4-Cl)pp.     

Polarographic behaviour of uranyl ion in maleic acid and maleate buffer solutions

The polarographic behaviour of uranyl ion in maleic acid solution shows two reduction waves. The half wave potential of the first wave is shifted to more negative values in contrast to that of the second wave, which is shifted to less negative potentials on increase of thepH of the solution. The first wave represents the reduction of the 1:1 uranyl-maleate complex, while the second wave represents the reduction of the 1:2 complex. The presence of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes is supported by spectrophotometric and conductometric methods. The stability constants were also determined and the reduction mechanism is discussed.

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Das polarographische Verhalten von Uranyl-Ionen in Maleinsäure- und Maleat-Puffer-Lösungen

Zusammenfassung Die polarographische Kurve von Uranyl-Ionen in Maleinsäurelösung zeigt zwei Reduktionswellen. Das Halbwellenpotential der ersten Welle verschiebt sich bei ansteigendempH der Lösung zu negativeren Werten, im Gegensatz zur zweiten Welle, die eine positive Verschiebung zeigt. Die erste Welle repräsentiert die Reduktion des 1:1-Uranyl-Maleat-Komplexes, die zweite Welle hingegen die Reduktion des 1:2-Komplexes. Die Präsenz von 1:1- und 1:2-Komplexen wird auch durch spektrophotometrische und konduktometrische Messungen erhärtet. Die Stabilitätskonstanten wurden bestimmt, der Mechanismus der Reduktion wird diskutiert.

     

Chiral separation of highly negatively charged enantiomers by capillary electrophoresis

The separation of two highly negatively charged enantiomeric organic disulfates containing two chiral centers was investigated by capillary electrophoresis using cyclodextrin based chiral selectors added to the run buffer. The optimum separation for the enantiomers was achieved in less than 3 min at 25 degrees C with a run buffer of 10 mM glycine pH 2.4 and 5 mM QA-beta-CD, which is a positively charged quaternary ammonium beta-cyclodextrin derivative. The method resulted in baseline resolution, excellent linearity, and highly reproducible migration times allowing facile evaluation of the enantiomeric purity of the individual isomers. Detection limits for the enantiomeric pair were determined to be 0.3 ng/microl (S/N = 3). The nature of the selector-enantiomer interaction and a quantitative measurement of the apparent stability constants that governed chiral discrimination of the enantiomers with QA-beta-CD were also investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.     

Polyvinyl alcohol fibers with functional phosphonic acid group: synthesis and adsorption of uranyl (VI) ions in aqueous solutions

PVA functionalized with vinylphosphonic acid was prepared as a new adsorbent for uranyl (VI) adsorption from aqueous solutions. The vinylphosphonic acid was cografted onto PVA fibers by preirradiation grafting technique. The adsorbent were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorbent was observed to possess a fibrous structure and was bonded with phosphonic acid groups successfully. The adsorbent was used for the adsorption of low levels uranyl (VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The influence of analytical parameters including pH, adsorption time, amount of adsorbent, metal ion concentration, and temperature were investigated on the recovery of uranyl (VI) ion in aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity (32.1 mg g^?1) and fast equilibrium time (30 min) were achieved at pH of 4.5 at room temperature. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° = 2.695 kJ mol^?1; ΔS° = 31.15 J mol^?1 K^?1; ΔG° = ?6.748 kJ mol^?1) show the adsorption of an exothermic process and spontaneous nature, respectively. The possible coordination mechanism was illustrated. Adsorption and desorption coexist in aqueous solutions and then the system becomes equilibrium.     

Stoichiometries and stability constants for the cerium(IV) carbonate complexes in dilute aqueous solution

Complexation between cerium(IV) and carbonate ions in aqueous solution has been studied by UV/Visible absorption spectroscopy, ¹⁷O NMR spectroscopy and potentiometric titration, and it is shown that in dilute solutions at pH 8.8 and 10, both 1?:?1 and 1?:?2 (metal?:?ligand) complexes are formed. This contrasts with the behaviour of the corresponding Th(IV) complex, where the dominant species is the pentacarbonato complex. From the NMR spectra, it is suggested that these species involve bidentate binding of carbonate ion by the metal, while potentiometric data provided accurate formation constants and indicated the dominant species to be the 1?:?2 complex.     

Anion-exchange separation of Te(IV) from Te(VI), Se(IV) and Se(VI) on deae-cellulose in mixed hydrochloric-acetic acid media

Te(IV) can be separated from Te(VI), Se(IV) and Se(VI) by adsorption of Te(IV) on a DEAE-cellulose column from a mixed 1M hydrochloric acid-acetic acid solution (1:9, v/v). This allows a selective separation of Te (IV) from the other three species in widely different mole ratios.     

Sequential determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) by flow injection-hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry with HCl/HBr microwave aided pre-reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV)

In this study a flow injection (FI) system used in conjunction with hydride generation (HG), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and microwave (MW) aided pre-reduction of selenite (Se(IV)) to selenate (Se(IV)) with HCl:HBr has been developed in order to differentiate both inorganic selenium species. As full control of the MW reduction step is possible, the experimental approach allows the use of milder acidic conditions (10% v/v of HCl and HBr) than those conventionally accomplished with hydrochloric acid alone (≥50% v/v). Experimental parameters were optimized by the univariate optimization method. In either case, the linear range was from 1.0 to 30 μg l⁻¹. The detection limits based on 3σ of the blank signal were 0.25 μg l⁻¹ for Se(IV) and 0.30 μg l⁻¹ for Se(VI). The reproducibility, about 3% RSD and recoveries of different amounts of Se(VI) and Se(IV) added to water and orange juice samples (97–103%) were good. The main advantage of the proposed method is that the sequential determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) is performed at a high sampling frequency (ca. 50 samples per h) in a closed system without Se losses, and with a minimum sample waste, operator attention, and sample manipulation.     

Flow injection for the determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with microwave oven on-line prereduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV)

An on-line flow injection system has been developed for the selective determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in citric fruit juices and geothermal waters by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with microwave-aided heating prereduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV). The samples and the prereductant solutions (4 mol l⁻¹ HCl for Se(IV) and 12 mol l⁻¹ HCl for Se(VI)) which circulated in a closed-flow circuit were injected by means of a time-based injector. This mixture was displaced by a carrier solution of 1% v/v of hydrochloric acid through a PTFE coil located inside the focused microwave oven and mixed downstream with a borohydride solution to generate the hydride. The linear ranges were 0–120 and 0–100 μg l⁻¹ of Se(IV) and Se(VI), respectively. The detection limits were 1.0 μg l⁻¹ for Se(IV) and 1.5 μg l⁻¹ for Se(VI). The precision (about 2.0–2.5% RSD) and recoveries (96–98% for Se(IV) and 94–98% for Se(VI)) were good. Total selenium values were also obtained by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry which agreed with the content of both selenium species. The sample throughput was about 50 measurements per hour. The main advantage of the method is that the selective determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in citric fruit juices and geothermal waters is performed in a closed system with a minimum sample manipulation, exposure to the environment, minimum sample waste and operator attention.     

Formation of CaSO4(aq) and CaSeO4(aq) studied as a function of ionic strength and temperature by CE

Ca²⁺ complexation by both sulfate and selenate ligands was studied by CE. The species were observed to give a unique retention peak as a result of a fast equilibrium between the free ions and the complexes. The change in the corresponding retention time was interpreted with respect to the equilibrium constant of the complexation reaction. The results confirmed the formation of CaSO₄(aq) and CaSeO₄(aq) under our experimental conditions. The formation data were derived from the series of measurements carried out at about 15, 25, 35, 45 and 55°C in 0.1 mol/L NaNO₃ ionic strength solutions, and in 0.5 and 1.0 mol/L NaNO₃ ionic strength solutions at 25°C. Using a constant enthalpy of reaction enabled to fit all the experimental data in a 0.1 mol/L medium, leading to the thermodynamic parameters: Δ_rG^0.1M(25°C)=?(7.59±0.23) kJ/mol, Δ_rH^{0.1 M}=5.57±0.80 kJ/mol, and Δ_rS^{0.1 M}(25°C)=44.0±3.0 J mol^?1 K^?1 for CaSO₄(aq) and Δ_rG^{0.1 M}(25°C)=?(6.66±0.23) kJ/mol, Δ_rH^{0.1 M}=6.45±0.73 kJ/mol, and Δ_rS^{0.1 M}(25°C)=44.0±3.0 J mol^?1 K^?1 for CaSeO₄(aq). Both formation reactions were found to be endothermic and entropy driven. CaSO₄(aq) appears to be more stable than CaSeO₄(aq) by 0.93 kJ/mol under these experimental conditions, which correlates with the difference of acidity of the anions as expected for interactions between hard acids and hard bases according to the hard and soft acids and bases theory. The effect of the ionic medium on the formation constants was successfully treated using the Specific ion Interaction Theory, leading to significantly different binary coefficients mol/kg^?1 and mol/kg^?1     

Determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in Italian mineral waters

This paper deals with determination of selenium and analysis of its speciation in some Italian mineral waters. Selenium was determined by differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry (DPCSV) even if square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry (SWCSV) was also taken into consideration. The selenium determined in the mineral waters here investigated is not over 600 ng L(-1); in three samples, it was found below the detection limit. Analysis of speciation revealed that Se(VI) is the highly prevailing form present: only two of the examined samples revealed a detectable amount (few ng L(-1)) of Se(IV). DPCSV made possible to detect, in two of the samples, the presence of a specie(s) able to interact with Se(IV). The apparent interaction constant for the adduct formation was evaluated and the species concentration determined. However, the nature of such compound(s) remains unknown.     

Aminoalkylbis(phenolate) [O,N,O] donor ligands for uranyl(VI) ion coordination: Syntheses,structures, and extraction studies

The syntheses of five new aminoalkylbis(phenolate) ligands (as hydrochlorides) and their uranyl complexes are described. The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and phenolic ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-1-aminopropane) · HCl], H₂L1 · HCl, forms a uranyl complex [UO₂(HL1)₂] · 2CH₃CN (1). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-1-aminobutane) · HCl], H₂L2 · HCl, forms a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(HL2)₂] · 2CH₃CN (2). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methyl benzyl)-1-aminohexane) · HCl], H₂L3 · HCl, yields a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(HL3)₂] · 2CH₃CN (3) and the ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-cyclohexylamine) · HCl], H₂L4 · HCl, yields a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(HL4)₂] (4). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-benzylamine) · HCl], H₂L5 · HCl, forms a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(HL5)₂] · 2MeOH (5). The molecular structures of 1, 2′ (2 without methanol), 3, 4 and 5 were verified by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 1–5 are neutral zwitterions which form in a molar ratio of 1:2 (U to L) in the presence of a base (triethylamine) and bear similar mononuclear, distorted octahedral uranyl structures with the four coordinating phenoxo ligands forming an equatorial plane and resulting in a centrosymmetric structure for the uranyl ion. In uranyl ion extraction studies from water to dichloromethane with ligands H₂L1 · HCl–H₂L5 · HCl, the ligands H₂L2 · HCl and H₂L4 · HCl are the most effective ones.     

Differential estimation of U(VI) and U(IV) ions in aqueous solutions by Arsenazo 1

The spectrophotometric determination of pure U(IV) or U(VI) ions in solution with Arsenazo I is greatly dependant on the pH of the solutions. The experimental conditions for the differential estimation of the different oxidation states of U ions, in the same sample, using Arsenazo I have been identified and implemented. The results showed that the applied method is rather rapid and accurate.