Über die Gasphasenstruktur von CF3NCl2 und die Darstellung von CF3NCl2F+MF6− (M = As,Sb) und CF2 = NClF+SbF6−

Gas Phase Structure of CF₃NCl₂ and Preparation of CF₃NCl₂F⁺MF₆^? (M = As, Sb) and CF₂ = NCl₂F⁺SbF₆^? The gas phase structure of CF₃NCl₂ is reported. The following skeletal parameters are derived (r_a-values, error limits are 3σ values): N? C = 1.470(6) Å, N? Cl = 1.733(3) Å, ClNCl = 111.5(4)° and ClNC = 107.6(5)°. CF₃NCl₂F⁺MF₆^? is prepared by fluorination of CF₃NCl₂ with XeF⁺MF₆^?. The same educt CF₃NCl₂ reacts with XeF⁺SbF₆^? at ?40°C to CF₂ = NClF⁺SbF₆^? under elimination of ClF.     

Reaktionen des Trichlorphosphazophosphordichlorids,Cl3PN?PCl2

Reactions of Trichlorophosphazophosphorusdichloride, Cl₃P?N? PCl₂ P₂NCl₅ reacts with SbF₃ to give P₂NCl₃F₂ from which P₂NCl₄F is obtained by chlorination. Sulfur oxidizes P₂NCl₅ to yield SP₂NCl₅, SO₂ to yield SP₂NCl₅ and OP₂NCl₅. Reaction product from P₂NCl₅ and H₂S is SPCl₂(NH₂) besides PCl₃. P₂NCl₅ reacts with (n-C₄H₉)₃P to give (n-C₄H₉)₃P?N? PCl₂. All new compounds are characterized by their n.m.r. spectra and their chemical behaviour.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von (PPh4)2[Mo2NCl9]2, einem μ-Nitridokomplex mit Molybdän(V), und -(VI)

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of (PPh₄)₂[Mo₂NCl₉]₂, a μ-Nitrido Complex with Molybdenum (V) and (VI) The title compound is formed as a by-product in the partial oxidation of Mo₂NCl₇ with chlorine in POCl₃ solution, when the reaction mixture is treated with PPh₄Cl. The crystals, which are sensitive to moisture, are black in reflectance and red in transmittance. A more effective synthesis is the direct reaction of PPh₄[MoNCl₄] with MoCl₅ in dichloro methane. (PPh₄)₂[Mo₂NCl₉]₂ was characterized by the i.r. spectrum and by a structural analysis with X-ray data. The compound crystallizes triclinic in the space group P1 with two formula units per unit cell (9225 independent observed reflexions, R = 0.058). The cell parameters are (20°C): a = 1144 pm, b = 1517 pm, c = 2000 pm, α = 79.8°, β = 80.1°, γ = 72.1°. (PPh₄)₂[Mo₂NCl₉]₂ consists of PPh₄⊕ cations and the anions [Mo₂NCl₉]₂^22?, which dimerize via chloro bridges with Mo? Cl bons lengths of 243 pm and 287 pm. In the [Mo₂NCl₉]₂^2? units the molybdenum atoms are linked by Mo^VI?N? Mo^V bridges (bond angles 179° and 174°, resp.) with Mo? N bond lengths of 167 pm and 212 pm.     

Radon in the spa of Bizovac

The radon concentration in the air and water of the Bizovac spa was measured by the Radhome silicon detector and the average values were obtained as 70 Bq/m³ in the indoor pool, 40 Bq/m³ in the hotel room, 135 Bq/m³ in the closed therapeutic bathroom, but the geothermal water had a Rn concentration of 25.3 kBq/m³ and the potable one 2.7 kBq/m³. The Rn transfer factor (f) from water to air in the indoor pool and therapeutic bathroom was 10 and 40 times higher than for normal dwellings (f _n=10^–4), respectively. The effective equivalent dose of inhaled radon for permanent personnel under the worst conditions in the spa was 5.4 mSv/y, but visitors spending two weeks in the spa could receive the dose of 77 Sv.     

Development of a sensitive thermal desorption method for the determination of trihalomethanes in humid ambient and alveolar air

A sensitive and reliable method has been developed for the determination of trihalomethanes (THMs) in air samples through adsorption in sorbent tubes and thermal desorption (TD) of the compounds, followed by gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Three commercial sorbent materials were compared in terms of adsorption efficiency and breakthrough volume, finding Chromosorb 102 to be the most appropriate adsorbent for air sampling. The method allows us to reach detection limits of 0.03 ng (0.01 μg m⁻³ for 3 l of air), linear ranges from 0.1 to 2000 ng and specific uncertainties of ca. 5.0 ± 0.2 ng for all THMs. Several salts were tested to reduce water retention (from the humid air of an indoor swimming pool) at the sampling stage, Na₂SO₄ being the one that provides optimum efficiency. The method was validated by a new recovery study in which several tubes with and without adsorbent were spiked with THMs and analyzed by TD-GC/MS, recoveries ranging from 92% to 97% for all the compounds. Finally, the performance of the method was evaluated through the analysis of ambient air samples from an indoor swimming pool and alveolar air samples from swimmers to assess their THM uptake. THMs were found to be stable in the sorbent tubes for at least 1 month when stored at 4 °C.     

New method for determination of trihalomethanes in exhaled breath: Applications to swimming pool and bath environments

A method for the estimation of the human intake of trihalomethanes (THMs), namely chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform, during showering and bathing is reported. The method is based on the determination of these compounds in exhaled breath that is collected by solid adsorption on Tenax using a device specifically designed for this purpose. Instrumental measurements were performed by automatic thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography with electron capture detection. THMs in exhaled breath samples were determined during showering and swimming pool attendance. The levels of these compounds in indoor air and water were also determined as reference for interpretation of the exhaled breath results. The THM concentrations in exhaled breath of the volunteers measured before the exposure experiments showed a close correspondence with the THMs levels in indoor air where the sampler was located. Limits of detection in exhaled breath were dependent on THM analytes and experimental sites. They ranged between 170 and 710 ng m⁻³ in the swimming pool studies and between 97 and 460 ng m⁻³ in the showering studies. Application of this method to THMs determination during showering and swimming pool activities revealed statistically significant increases in THMs concentrations when comparing exhaled breath before and after exposure.     

Volatile organic compounds in an urban environment: a comparison among Belgium,Vietnam and Ethiopia

The effects of urban and indoor air pollution on human health are a major environmental concern for all, but not much has been researched in the developing world. Specifically, quantitative data on the occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – main contributors to air pollution – in Asia and Africa are scarce compared to the availability of data in the developed world. This paper presents one of the first studies focusing on the analysis and occurrence of VOCs in Vietnam and Ethiopia, which constitutes part of the novelty of this work. A spectrum of 34 VOCs was measured at eight different urban sites in Ghent (Belgium), Hanoi (Vietnam), Jimma and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) during three sampling campaigns from September 2008 to September 2010. Sampling was done in an active way by means of sorbent tubes filled with Tenax TA. The analysis was done by TD-GC-MS using internal standard calibration. Data were interpreted and compared in terms of (i) individual, subgroup and total VOCs concentration (TVOCs), (ii) indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) concentration ratios, (iii) source identification by diagnostic ratio and/or correlation coefficients, and (iv) ozone formation potential (OFP) at outdoor sites based on up-to-date maximum incremental reactivity (MIR). I/O concentration ratios varied between 0.2 and 30, with big differences noticed with respect to the type of VOC(s) considered and the type of outdoor sampling location. The highest TVOC concentrations were measured in street samples with maximum values of 54?µg/m³ in Ghent, 507?µg/m³ in Hanoi and 318?µg/m³ in Addis Ababa illustrating the large difference in ambient air quality levels. This is also reflected in the arithmetic mean OFP values (µg/m³) of 82, 1308 and 596 in Ghent, Hanoi and Addis Ababa, respectively. Results of this study could be helpful to support formulation of national policy with regard to ambient air quality.     

Simultaneous determination of nicotine and 3-vinylpyridine in single cigarette tobacco smoke and in indoor air using direct extraction to solid phase

The aim of the present study was to develop a new analytical method of chromatographic determination of two important markers of ETS exposure: nicotine and 3-vinylpyridine (3-ethenylpyridine, 3-EP) in mainstream (MS) and sidestream (SS) smoke of one single cigarette and in indoor air using direct solid phase extraction combined with gas chromatography. The method can be utilised for both nicotine and 3-EP determination in SS and MS of one single cigarette as well as it allows for a precise determination of compound distribution in indoor air. The application of the same analytical method for both kinds of samples allows anticipating indoor air distribution of both analysed compounds in a very precise way. The precision of the method (calculated as a relative standard deviation) was 9.78% for nicotine and 2.67% for 3-EP; whereas the accuracy (evaluated by a recovery study conducted at three different levels) was 70.1 and 87.3%, respectively. The limit of detection was 0.06 µg per cigarette for both nicotine and 3-EP. The method was evaluated by determining the compounds of interest in two commercially available brands of cigarettes as well as in the reference cigarettes 3R4F and also in indoor air polluted with tobacco smoke. Determined levels of compounds of interest in MS varied from 586 to 772 (nicotine) µg per cigarette and from 3.5 to 10.7 (3-EP) µg per cigarette. In SS smoke the level varied from 14,370 to 22,590 (nicotine) µg per cigarette and from 185 to 550 (3-EP) µg per cigarette, whereas levels in indoor air polluted with tobacco smoke varied from 50.1 to 157.3 (nicotine) µg m^?3and from 7.7 to 20.8 (3-EP) µg m^?3.     

Determination of Pyrethroid and Organophosphorus Insecticides in Indoor Air by Microwave-Assisted Extraction with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of microwave-assisted extraction for the recovery of pyrethroid and organophosphorus insecticides adsorbed on quartz fiber filters and C18 disks used for indoor air sampling. The extraction solvent, temperature, and time were optimized by spiking tests. The recoveries for the insecticides obtained by microwave-assisted extraction with acetone at 50°C for 5 min were between 71.9% and 119.2% with relative standard deviations between 0.3% and 9.3% at two spike levels (0.1 µg and 1.0 µg). The results of the microwave-assisted extraction under the validation conditions were comparable to those obtained by Soxhlet extraction, which was used as a reference technique. In a preliminary analysis, resmethrin and tetramethrin were determined in the indoor air of an apartment unit at concentrations of 7.8 ng/m³ and 66.0 ng/m³, respectively, using the microwave-assisted extraction-based method with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.     

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of explosives using alternating current corona discharge ion source

The high‐sensitive detection of explosives is of great importance for social security and safety. In this work, the ion source for atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry using alternating current corona discharge was newly designed for the analysis of explosives. An electromolded fine capillary with 115 µm inner diameter and 12 mm long was used for the inlet of the mass spectrometer. The flow rate of air through this capillary was 41 ml/min. Stable corona discharge could be maintained with the position of the discharge needle tip as close as 1 mm to the inlet capillary without causing the arc discharge. Explosives dissolved in 0.5 µl methanol were injected to the ion source. The limits of detection for five explosives with 50 pg or lower were achieved. In the ion/molecule reactions of trinitrotoluene (TNT), the discharge products of NO_x^? (x = 2,3), O₃ and HNO₃ originating from plasma‐excited air were suggested to contribute to the formation of [TNT ? H]^? (m/z 226), [TNT ? NO]^? (m/z 197) and [TNT ? NO + HNO₃]^? (m/z 260), respectively. Formation processes of these ions were traced by density functional theory calculations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring of NO2 in the ambient air with passive samplers before and after a road reconstruction event

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations were used to evaluate the air quality before and after the infrastructural change of an important traffic artery in Mortsel, Antwerp (Belgium). During the reconstruction works two pairs of traffic lanes were reduced to one in each direction. Two sampling campaigns were conducted: the first one before the works in 2003 and the second one in 2005, after the road works were finished. Sampling was performed on a weekly base with the use of passive diffusion tubes on the streets, and also indoors in nearby houses. The samples were analyzed by ion chromatography, from which data the NO₂ concentrations in air could be calculated. These results were compared with NO₂ values from the air monitoring station 42R801 of the Flemish Environment Agency in Borgerhout, Antwerp. On the base of different NO₂ concentrations, correlated well with the traffic density, sampling locations were classified into three groups as follows: 1) ‘heavily polluted’ (heavy traffic); 2) ‘moderately polluted’ (medium traffic); or 3) ‘less polluted’ (low traffic density). Sampling sites located further from the road works, enclosed to the group ‘less polluted’, showed the lowest NO₂ concentrations. The highest NO₂ level was found for the locations close to reconstruction works, which belonged to the group ‘heavily polluted’. The contribution of NO₂ was at the same level before and after the road works. During the first campaign it ranged from 30 ± 7 µg/m³ to 71 ± 11 µg/m³ and during the second sampling it was between 36 ± 17 µg/m³ and 73 ± 17 µg/m³. These modernization works had no impact on preventing the traffic-related pollutant as NO₂ and as a consequence no significant effect on the air quality in the studied region. It has been proven that the impact of traffic on the air quality is unmistakably high and simply reduction of the number of the traffic lanes, intended to discourage the traffic flow, had apparently no environmentally advantageous effect.     

Adsorption du trichlorure d'azote gazeux sur charbon actif

In a wet atmosphere, gaseous nitrogen trichloride is dissociatively adsorbed on active carbon through the formation of gaseous dinitrogen and chloride surface species irreversibly bound. The rate law of the surface coverage is as follows: θ=1−exp(-k [NCl₃] t). Active carbon could adsorb more than 13 % (w/w) of nitrogen trichloride. Doping the active carbon with KI increased the adsorption properties (+15 %), whereas adding Na₂CO₃ decreased them (−25 % ). Strikingly, in the absence of water vapour in the gaseous effluent, the adsorption of NCl₃ was strongly inhibited (divided by a factor of 30-40).     

A seasonal study of atmospheric conditions influenced by the intensive tourist flow in the Royal Museum of Wawel Castle in Cracow,Poland

Increasing mass tourism can generate important microclimatic perturbations and also elevate indoor pollution by the transport of fine particulate matter. The purpose of this research was to study the indoor air conditions in the Royal Museum of Wawel Castle in Cracow, Poland, displaying amongst other valuable works of art also a unique collection of Flemish tapestries. The investigation involved in the determination of transport and deposition of particulate matter brought in by visitors. The microclimate inside the exhibition rooms was also monitored. Samples of suspended particulates were collected inside and outside the museum in winter and summer 2006. On days with intensive tourist visits the concentration of total suspended particulates was significantly higher (i.e., 130 µg/m³ in winter and 49 µg/m³ in summer) than on those days without tourists (i.e., 73 µg/m³ and 22 µg/m³ in winter and summer, respectively). The concentrations of all investigated elements were also considerably higher during the tourist flow. This was especially valid for soil dust associated elements (Si, K, Ca, Al, and Ti), with considerably higher levels in summer than winter. This could be linked with much more frequent tourist activity in the summer period. Also, the concentration of Cl was much higher in winter than summer, due to the use of de-icing salts on the roads and pavements.     

Determination of diphenylamine in contaminated air of agricultural buildings using active sampling on solid sorbents

This paper reports the results of a study carried out with solid sorbents in order to establish the optimum procedure for sampling and determination of diphenylamine (DPA), the most widely used post-harvest chemical in apples, in the indoor air of apple storage buildings. Different sorbents (Amberlite XAD-2, Amberlite XAD-4, Supelpak 2, Florisil, and the octadecyl silica bonded sorbent, C-18) were evaluated for their capacity to efficiently retain DPA under different air sampling and storage conditions, whereas a desorption study of all sorbents tested was also performed to optimise a simple extraction procedure using low volumes of organic solvents. In general all sorbents produced acceptable results for DPA air sampling whereas DPA was recovered easily by the use of low volumes of both ethyl acetate and acetone from all sorbents studied thus making DPA a suitable analyte to be used in methods of indoor air analysis for multi-organic pollutants. However, the best results (analytical features, recovery results, and stability results during storage) were obtained by the use of Supelpak 2 as a sorbent for DPA active sampling. Limits of Quantification (LOQs) for the GC-NPD system ranged from 1.0 to 2.0?µg?m^?3 for 120 and 60?L air sampled, respectively. The developed air sampling procedure and analytical methodology was applied with success in the field to measure DPA residues in indoor air of two apple storage plants in Greece and results were further used to calculate the occupational inhalation exposure to DPA and consequently risk characterisation. Since DPA was detected in indoor air (at concentrations ranged from 1.6 to 580?µg?m^?3), there is no zero occupational risk for workers. However, the inhalation exposure of workers to DPA estimated in this study is far below the Acceptable Operator Exposure Level recently reviewed by the European Union and far below the critical exposure level for haematotoxicity systemic effect observed in carcinogenicity studies in rats for long-term inhalation exposure to DPA.     

Impact of rice crop residue burning on levels of SPM,SO2 and NO2 in the ambient air of Patiala (India)

Ground-based ambient air monitoring was conducted at five different locations in and around Patiala city (29°49′–30°47′N Latitude, 75°58′–76°54′E Longitude) in Northern India in order to determine the impact of open burning of rice (Oriza sativa) crop residues on concentration levels of suspended particulate matter (SPM), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Covering sensitive, residential, agricultural, commercial and urban areas, sampling of these pollutants was organised during August 2006 to January 2007 and August 2007 to January 2008 casing two rice crop residue burning periods (October–November) using a high volume sampling technique combined with gaseous sampling systems. Gravimetric analysis was used in the estimation of total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) whereas SO₂ and NO₂ concentration was determined using spectrophotometer (Specord205, Analytikjena). Monthly average concentrations of SPM, SO₂ and NO₂ have shown significant up and down features at all the selected sampling sites during the study period. Monthly average concentrations (24 hour) of SPM, SO₂ and NO₂ varied from 100 ± 11 µg m^?3 to 547 ± 152 µg m^?3, 5 ± 4 µg m^?3 to 55 ± 34 µg m^?3 and 9 ± 5 µg m^?3 to 91 ± 39 µg m^?3. Substantially higher concentrations were recorded at the commercial area site as compared to the other sampling sites for all the targeted air pollutants. Levels of SPM, SO₂ and NO₂ showed clear increase during the burning months (October–November) incorporated with the effect of meteorological parameters especially wind direction, precipitation and atmospheric temperature.     

Synthese und Eigenschaften von Dimolybdän-μ-nitrido-heptachlorid Mo2NCl7

Synthesis and Properties of Di-molybdenum-μ-nitrido-heptachloride, Mo₂NCl₇ Mo₂NCl₇ was prepared by the reaction of molybdenum pentachloride with the bromide of Millon's base, [Hg₂N]Br, in boiling CCl₄. It forms a moisture sensitive, dark green crystal powder, the magnetic moment at 20°C (μ_eff = 0.95 B.M.) being strongly reduced. With acetonitrile the μ-nitrido complex Mo₂NCl₇ · 3CH₃CN is formed, with phosphoryl chloride the donor acceptor complex Mo₂NCl₇ · 2POCl₃, respectively. Partial oxidation of the latter complex with chlorine leads to very unstable Mo₂NCl₈ · 2POCl₃, from which (PPh₄)₃[Mo₃NCl₁₀] can be obtained by the reaction with PPh₄Cl. For the complex (PPh₄)₃[Mo₂NCl₁₀] is also found a reduced paramagnetism of μ_eff = 1.47 B.M. at 20°C. All complexes are characterized by i.r. spectroscopy.     

Theoretical and experimental studies of the all gas-phase iodine laser

All gas-phase iodine laser (AGIL) powered by the decomposition of nitrogen trichloride (NCl₃) is studied. This reaction scheme uses commonly available reagents and reaction paths are milder than the previously studied azide-based AGIL. Theoretical studies revealed the necessary operational conditions for achieving positive gain. An apparatus is made based on the results of the theoretical works. Positive gain at iodine I(² P _1/2)-I(² P _3/2) transition is observed for the first time. The article is published in the original.     

(NH4)3[M2NCl10] (M = Nb,Ta): Synthese,Kristallstruktur und Phasenumwandlung

(NH₄)₃[M₂NCl₁₀] (M = Nb, Ta): Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Phase Transition The nitrido complexes (NH₄)₃[Nb₂NCl₁₀], and (NH₄)₃[Ta₂NCl₁₀] are obtained in form of moisture-sensitive, tetragonal crystals by the reaction of the corresponding pentachlorides with NH₄Cl at 400 °C in sealed glass ampoules. Both compounds crystallize isotypically in two modifications, a low temperature form with the space group P4/mnc and a high temperature form with space group I4/mmm. In case of (NH₄)₃[Ta₂NCl₁₀] a continuous phase transition occurs between –70 °C and +60 °C. For the niobium compound this phase transition is not yet fully completed at 90 °C. The structure of (NH₄)₃[Nb₂NCl₁₀] was determined at several temperatures between –65 °C und +90 °C to carefully follow the continuous phase transition. For (NH₄)₃[Ta₂NCl₁₀] the structure of the low temperature form was determined at –70 °C, and of the high temperature form at +60 °C. The closely related crystal structures of the two modifications contain NH₄⁺ cations and [M₂NCl₁₀]^3– anions. The anions with the symmetry D_4h are characterized by a symmetrical nitrido bridge M=N=M with distances Nb–N = 184.5(1) pm at –65 °C or 183.8(2) pm at 90 °C, and Ta–N = 184.86(5) pm at –70 °C or 184.57(5) pm at 60 °C.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von [Se3N2Cl]+ GaCl4−

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [Se₃N₂Cl]⁺GaCl₄^? [Se₃N₂Cl]⁺GaCl₄^? has been prepared by the reduction of [Se₂NCl₂]⁺GaC1₄^? with SbPh₃ in CH₂Cl₂ solution, forming red crystals, which were characterized by an X-ray structure determination. Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, 1640 observed unique reflections, R = 0.050. Lattice dimensions at ? 80 °C: a = 929.4(1), b= 1078.8(1), c = 1135.7(1) pm, β = 92.026(9)°. The cations from nearly planar Se₃N₂ five membered rings with Se? N bond lengths from 170 to 176pm and a Se? Se bond of 242.2 pm. One of the selenium atoms is bonded to the chlorine atom.     

Darstellung,Kristall- und Molekülstruktur von Triphenylphosphinoxidhydrochlorid (C6H5)3PO · HCl

On Phosphazo Compounds from Nitriles. IV. The Reaction of Tri, Di, and Monochloroacetonitrile with [Cl₃P?N? PCl₃]Cl. Improved Preparation of [Cl₃P?N? PCl₃]Cl Trichloroacetonitrile reacts with P₂NCl₇ to give Cl₃C? CCl₂? N?PCl₂? N?PCl₃ I , dichloroacetonitrile to give Cl₂C?CCl? N?PCl₂? N?PCl₃ II , and chloroacetonitrile to give the ring compound III . Preparation, n.m.r. and mass spectra of the new compounds are described. The mechanism of formation is discussed. An improved procedure for the preparation of P₂NCl₇ is given.