Molybdenum, Mo-Ir and Mo-Ru coatings as permanent chemical modifiers for the determination of cadmium and lead in sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Molybdenum, Ir, Ru, Mo-Ir, Mo-Ru thermally coated on to platforms inserted in pyrolytic graphite tubes as permanent modifiers and Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ conventional modifier mixture have been employed for the determination of cadmium and lead in dissolved sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Optimum masses and mass ratios of permanent modifiers for the analysis of Cd and Pb in sample solutions have been investigated. The 280 μg of Mo, 200 μg of Ir, 200 μg of Ru, 280 μg of Mo + 200 μg of Ir or 280 μg of Mo + 200 μg of Ru has been found as efficient as 5 μg of Pd + 3 μg of Mg(NO₃)₂ for increasing thermal stabilization of analytes and for decreasing the most serious interferences. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background signal shapes, characteristic masses and detection limits of analytes in dissolved samples with or without permanent and conventional modifiers have been compared. The detection limits and characteristic masses obtained with Mo-Ir coated platform are 0.01 μg g⁻¹ and 1.1 pg for Cd and 0.09 μg g⁻¹ and 19 pg for Pb, respectively. Long-term stabilities for analytes in samples with Mo, Mo-Ir, Mo-Ru and Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ have been studied. Cadmium and lead contents have been determined in certified and standard reference materials by using optimum conditions investigated and the results obtained with Mo-Ir or Mo-Ru were in agreement with the values of certified reference materials.     

Solid-liquid interfacial energy for solid succinonitrile in equilibrium with succinonitrile dichlorobenzene eutectic liquid

The equilibrated grain boundary groove shapes for solid succinonitrile (SCN) in equilibrium with the succinonitrile (SCN) dichlorobenzene (DCB) eutectic liquid were directly observed. From the observed grain boundary groove shapes, the Gibbs-Thomson coefficient and solid-liquid interfacial energy for solid SCN in equilibrium with the SCN DCB eutectic liquid have been determined to be (5.43 ± 0.27) × 10⁻⁸ K m and (7.95 ± 0.80) × 10⁻³ J m⁻² with present numerical method and Gibbs-Thomson equation, respectively. The grain boundary energy of SCN rich phase of the SCN DCB eutectic system has been determined to be (14.77 ± 1.77) × 10⁻³ J m⁻² from the observed grain boundary groove shapes. Thermal conductivity of eutectic solid phase and eutectic liquid phase at the eutectic melting temperature have also been measured to be 0.269 and 0.231 W/K m, respectively.     

Kinetic determination of cysteine and thiosulphate by inhibition of Hg(II) catalyzed ligand substitution reaction

The sulphur containing inhibitors (I), cysteine (Cys) and sodium thiosulphate (THS), have been found to inhibit Hg(II) catalyzed exchange of cyanide in hexacyanoferrate(II) by nitroso-R-salt (NRS). The inhibitory effect of both the ligands are attributed to their binding tendencies with Hg(II) leading to the formation of catalyst-inhibitor (C-I) complex. The reactions have been followed spectrophotometrically in aqueous medium at 720 nm by noting the increase in absorbance of the green colour product, [Fe(CN)₅NRS]³⁻ at pH 6.50 ± 0.02, temp 25.0 ± 0.1 °C and ionic strength (μ) 0.1 M (KNO₃). A most plausible mechanistic scheme involving the role of analytes (inhibitors) has been proposed. The values of equilibrium constants for complex formation between catalyst-inhibitor (K_CI), catalyst-substrate (K_S) and Mechaelis-Menton constant (K_m) have been computed from the kinetic data. The linear calibration curves have been established between absorbance and inhibitor concentrations under specified conditions. Cys and THS have been determined in the range 1-5 × 10^− 7 M and 4.9-16.9 × 10^− 7 M respectively. The detection limits have been computed to be 1 × 10^− 7 M and 4.9 × 10^− 7 M for Cys and THS, respectively.     

Study on ion–solvent interactions of alkali metal salts in pure methanol and its binary mixtures with ethane-1,2-diol by a conductometric technique

Electrolytic conductivities of some sodium salts (NaI, NaSCN, CH₃COONa) have been studied in 0, 25, 50 and 75 mass% ethane-1,2-diol + methyl alcohol mixtures at 293.15, 298.15 and 303.15 K. The limiting molar conductivity (Λ°), the association constant (K_A) and the distance of closest approach of ion (R) have been evaluated using the Fuoss conductance equation (1978). The association constant (K_A) decreases with temperature while it tends to decrease in the order: 0 mass% > 25 mass% > 50 mass% > 75 mass% ethane-1,2-diol + methyl alcohol mixtures. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH°, ΔG° and ΔS° along with the Walden products (Λ°η) are obtained and discussed. The results have been interpreted in terms of ion–solvent interactions and structural changes in the mixed solvents.     

Synthesis, characterization and luminescence study of dialkyl[1-arylmethyleneimino-2-naphthonato]gallium complexes: Crystal structure of dimethyl[1-(2-pridyl) methyleneimino-2-naphthonato]gallium

Eight dialkylgallium complexes of type R₂GaL [(M = Me, L = 1-(2-pyridyl)methyleneimino-2-naphthonato (1), M = Et, L = 1-(2-pyridyl)methyleneimino-2-naphthonato (2), M = Me, L = 1-phenylmethyleneimino-2-naphthonato (3), M = Et, L = 1-phenylmethyleneimino-2-naphthonato (4), M = Me, L = 1-(p-methoxylphenyl)methyleneimino-2-naphthonato (5), M = Me, L = 1-(3,4-dimethoxylphenyl)methyleneimino-2-naphthonato (6), M = Me, L = 1-naphthylmethyleneimino-2-naphthonato (7), M = Me, L = 1-naphthylmethyleneimino-2-naphthonato (8)) have been synthesized by reaction of trialkylgallium with appropriate 1-arylmethyleneimino-2-naphthols. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, IR and mass spectrometry. Structure of dimethyl[1-(2-pyridyl)methyleneimino-2-naphthonato]gallium (1) has been determined by X-ray single crystal analysis. Ga atom is five coordinate in the structure. Photoluminescent properties have been measured. The maximum emission wavelengths are in the range of 358 and 412 nm with the intensity of 13-325 a.u. The electroluminescent properties of 3, 5, 7 and 8 have been measured. The maximum emission wavelengths are in the range of 450 and 480 nm.     

Complex formation of crown ethers with cations in the (water + organic solvent) mixtures: Part IX. Thermodynamics of interactions of Na ion with benzo-15-crown-5 ether in {(1 − x)DMA + xH2O} at T = 298.15 K

The thermodynamic functions of complex formation of benzo-15-crown-5 ether with sodium cation in {(1 − x)DMA + xH₂O} at T = 298.15 K have been calculated. The equilibrium constants of complex formation of benzo-15-crown-5 ether with sodium cation have been determined by conductivity measurements. The enthalpic effect of complex formation has been measured by calorimetric method at T = 298.15 K. The complexes are enthalpy stabilized and entropy destabilized. A simple model has been proposed to describe the relationship between the thermodynamic functions of complex formation of crown ethers with sodium cation and the structural and energetic properties of the mixed water-organic solvent. The linear enthalpy-entropy relationship for complex formation is also presented. The solvation enthalpy of the complex in {(1 − x)DMA + xH₂O} is discussed.     

Hole-transporting [3,3′]bicarbazolyl-based polymers and well-defined model compounds

Polymers containing bicarbazolyl moieties in the main chain have been synthesized by the modified Ullmann coupling reaction from 9H,9′H-[3,3′]bicarbazolyl and different dihalo derivatives. The number-average molecular weights of the polymers synthesized were in the range of 2500-6200 with a molecular weight distribution of 1.6-3.1. Well-defined model compounds for the polymers have been synthesized by stepwise reactions. All these compounds have been found to form glasses with glass transition temperatures in the range of 57-119 °C as characterised by differential scanning calorimetry. The electron photoemission spectra of the compounds have been recorded and the ionisation potentials of 5.35-5.4 eV have been established. Room temperature hole drift mobility of the synthesized compounds molecularly dispersed in a polymer host range from 10⁻⁶ to 3 × 10⁻⁵ cm²/V s at an electric field of 10⁶ V/cm at the room temperature.     

Vapor–liquid equilibria for water + acetic acid + (N,N-dimethylformamide or dimethyl sulfoxide) at 13.33 kPa

Isobaric vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) data of the systems acetic acid + N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), acetic acid + dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), DMSO + water, water + acetic acid + DMF, and water + acetic acid + DMSO have been measured at 13.33 kPa by using an improved Rose equilibrium still. The association of acetic acid in vapor phase has been considered, and the nonideality of vapor phase was accounted for using the Hayden–O’Connell (HOC) method. The experimental binary data have been correlated by the NRTL, Wilson and van Laar models. The NRTL model parameters obtained from the binary data have been used to predict the ternary VLE data. The ternary predicted values obtained in this way agree well with the experimental values.     

Pre-concentration of phenolic compounds in water samples by novel liquid–liquid microextraction and determination by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Pre-concentration and determination of 8 phenolic compounds in water samples has been achieved by in situ derivatization and using a new liquid–liquid microextraction coupled GC–MS system. Microextraction efficiency factors have been investigated and optimized: 9 μL 1-undecanol microdrop exposed for 15 min floated on surface of a 10 mL water sample at 55 °C, stirred at 1200 rpm, low pH level and saturated salt conditions. Chromatographic problems associated with free phenols have been overcome by simultaneous in situ derivatization utilizing 40 μL of acetic anhydride and 0.5% (w/v) K₂CO₃. Under the selected conditions, pre-concentration factor of 235–1174, limit of detection of 0.005–0.68 μg/L (S/N = 3) and linearity range of 0.02–300 μg/L have been obtained. A reasonable repeatability (RSD ≤ 10.4%, n = 5) with satisfactory linearity (0.9995 ≥ r² ≥ 0.9975) of results illustrated a good performance of the present method. The relative recovery of different natural water samples was higher than 84%.     

Heat capacity and Raman spectra of Cr(C5H7O2)3 at low temperature

The heat capacity of Cr(C₅H₇O₂)₃ has been measured by the adiabatic method within the temperature range 5-320 K. An anomaly with a maximum at ∼60 K has been discovered which points to the phase transformation of the compound. Anomalous contributions to entropy and enthalpy have been revealed. The thermodynamic functions (entropy, enthalpy and reduced Gibbs energy) at 298.15 K have been calculated using the obtained experimental heat capacity data. The Raman spectra have been measured in the frequency range 60-400 cm⁻¹ and in the temperature range 5-220 K. It has been discovered that a new line (109 cm⁻¹) appears at ∼60 K. The nature of these peculiarities in heat capacity and in Raman spectra is discussed.     

Comparison of direct solid sampling and slurry sampling for the determination of cadmium in wheat flour by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Two analytical methods for the determination of cadmium in wheat flour by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry without prior sample digestion have been compared: direct solid sampling analysis (SS) and slurry sampling (SlS). Besides the conventional modifier mixture of palladium and magnesium nitrates (10 μg Pd + 3 μg Mg), 0.05% (v/v) Triton X-100 has been added to improve the penetration of the modifier solution into the solid sample, and 0.1% H₂O₂ in order to promote an in situ digestion for SS. For SlS, 30 μg Pd, 12 μg Mg and 0.05% (v/v) Triton X-100 have been used as the modifier mixture. Under these conditions, and using a pyrolysis temperature of 800 °C, essentially no background absorption was observed with an atomization temperature of 1600 °C. About 2 mg of sample have been typically used for SS, although as much as 3-5 mg could have been introduced. In the case of SlS multiple injections had to be used to achieve the sensitivity required for this determination. Calibration against aqueous standards was feasible for both methods. The characteristic mass obtained with SS was 0.6 pg, and that with SlS was 1.0 pg. The limits of detection were 0.4 and 0.7 ng g⁻¹, the limits of quantification were 1.3 and 2.3 ng g⁻¹ and the relative standard deviation (n = 5) was 6-16% and 9-23% for SS and SlS, respectively. The accuracy was confirmed by the analysis of certified reference materials. The two methods were applied for the determination of cadmium in six wheat flour samples acquired in supermarkets of different Brazilian cities. The cadmium content varied between 8.9 ± 0.5 and 13 ± 2 ng g⁻¹ (n = 5). Direct SS gave results similar to those obtained with SlS using multi-injections; the values of both techniques showed no statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level. Direct SS was finally adopted as the method of choice, due to its greater simplicity, the faster speed of analysis and the better figures of merit.     

The self-diffusion coefficient in stable and metastable states of the Lennard-Jones fluid

Molecular-dynamics simulations have been employed to calculate the self-diffusion coefficient of a Lennard-Jones fluid for 198 sets of state parameters in the range of temperatures 0.35 ≤ k_BT/? ≤ 2.0 and densities 0.005 ≤ ρσ³ ≤ 1.2. Calculations have been made in stable and metastable states to the boundary of spontaneous nucleation in a model containing 2048 interacting particles. Results of computations, performed in the parameter range of stable states, are compared with the results of previous papers. Equations have been formulated, which describe the dependences of the self-diffusion coefficient on temperature and density and on temperature and pressure in the whole range of parameters including both the stable and metastable (supersaturated vapor, superheated and supercooled liquid) states of fluid.     

Wave packet and quasiclassical trajectory calculations for the N(D) + H2 reaction and its isotopic variants

The N(²D) + H₂(v = 0, j = 0) reaction and its HD and D₂ isotopic variants have been studied by means of quantum mechanical real wave packet and wave packet with split operator and quasiclassical trajectory methodologies on the potential energy surface of Ho et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 119 (2003) 6]. Total initial state-selected and final state-resolved reaction probabilities and product rotational distributions have been calculated for total angular momentum J = 0 in a broad range of collision energies. The real wave packet results are in very good agreement with the corresponding split operator wave packet calculations. A reasonable overall good agreement has been found between the wave packet and quasiclassical trajectory results. Integral cross-sections and thermal rate constants have been calculated from the wave packet reaction probabilities by means of standard J-shifting, refined J-shifting and uniform J-shifting methods in combination with the centrifugal sudden approximation for J > 0. Comparisons with available exact wave packet, quasiclassical trajectory and experimental results are made and discussed.     

On the influence of diameter and length on the properties of armchair single-walled carbon nanotubes: A theoretical chemistry approach

Open-ended fragments of armchair single-walled carbon nanotubes (n, n) with n = 3, 4, 5, and 6, have been modeled, with increasing lengths from 0.6 to 3 nm long. The geometries of all the studied fragments have been fully optimized. The influence of diameter and length on different electronic properties has been analyzed. These properties are electronegativity, ionization potential, electron affinities, and hardness, and all of them have been expressed as functions of the frontier orbitals. The binding energies per C atom have been calculated, using an expression that improves the previously reported ones. Their absolute values were found to steadily increase with tubes length and diameter, which allows extrapolations to obtain BE_/C atom for tubes of infinite length. The extrapolated values are 8.45, 8.65, 8.74, and 8.79 eV for armchair nanotubes with n = 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively.     

New N,N-amino-diphosphonate-containing methacrylic derivatives, their syntheses and radical copolymerizations with MMA

Hydroxy-amino-diphosphonates HO-C_n-NH₂, with 2 ? n ? 11, have been successfully synthesized via the Kabachnick-Field reaction at 70 °C with high yields. These hydroxy compounds are then reacted with methacryloyl chloride to lead to novel amino-diphosphonate methacrylates MAC_nNP₂ (with 2 ? n ? 11). These highly pure methacrylate monomers were obtained with yields higher than 75%. Radical copolymerizations of MAC_nNP₂ (with 2 ? n ? 11) with MMA have been conducted and the r₁ values (related to MAC_nNP₂) are in the range of 1.1-1.3, and r₂ values (related to MMA) about 0.8; this shows that the diphosphonate groups are statistically bonded to the methacrylic backbone.     

Be and P NMR analyses on Be complexation with cyclo-tri-μ-imidotriphosphate anions in aqueous solution

Microscopic information on the complexation of Be²⁺ with cyclo-tri-μ-imidotriphosphate anions in aqueous solution has been gained by both ⁹Be and ³¹P NMR techniques at −2.3 °C. Separate NMR signals corresponding to free and complexed species have been observed in both spectra. Based on an empirical additivity rule, i.e., proportionality observed between the ⁹Be NMR chemical shift values and the number of coordinating atoms of ligand molecules, the ⁹Be NMR spectra have been deconvoluted. By precise equilibrium analyses, the formation of [BeX(H₂O)₃]⁺ and [BeX₂(H₂O)₂]⁰ (X = non-bridging oxygen donor as a coordination atom in the phosphate groups) has been verified, and the formation of complexes coordinating with the nitrogen atoms of the cyclic framework in the ligand molecule has been excluded. Instead, the formation of one-to-one (ML) complexes, one-to-two (ML₂), together with two-to-one (M₂L) complexes (L = cP₃O₆(NH)₃) has been disclosed, the stability constants of which have been evaluated as log K_ML = 3.87 ± 0.03 (mol dm⁻³)⁻¹, log K_ML2 = 2.43 ± 0.03 (mol dm⁻³)⁻² and log K_M2L = 1.30 ± 0.02 (mol dm⁻³)⁻², respectively. ³¹P NMR spectra measured concurrently have verified the formation of the complexes estimated by the ⁹Be NMR measurement. Intrinsic ³¹P NMR chemical shift values of the phosphorus atoms belonging to ligand molecules complexed with Be²⁺, together with the ³¹P-³¹P spin-spin coupling constants have been determined.     

Complex formation equilibria between Ag(I) and thioureas in n-propanol

Complex formation equilibria between Ag(I) and thiourea or N-alkyl-substituted thioureas have been investigated in n-propanol by potentiometry at 10 °C intervals from 5 to 50 °C. Stepwise formation of tris-coordinated AgL_n (n = 1-3) complexes has been found for the majority of the ligands. ΔH and ΔS values for the complex formation reactions have been evaluated from the dependence of ln β_n on temperature. The alkyl-substituents affect the ligand affinities in different ways in relation with the coordination level n.The reactions are exothermic with few exceptions. Enthalpy favoured complex formation with negative dependence of ΔG on temperature (ΔS > 0) have been found.The enthalpy and entropy changes for the stepwise complex formation equilibria are correlated by two linear compensative relationships with the same isoequilibrium temperature 50-51 °C.     

Characterization of home-made silver sulphide based iodide selective electrode

Polycrystalline silver sulphide/silver iodide ion selective electrodes (ISEs) with four different compositions, 9:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:9 Ag₂S-AgI mole ratios, have been fabricated in the laboratory and characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). X-ray diffraction studies show the presence of Ag₃SI, Ag₂S and AgI crystalline phases in the electrode material. The electrode surfaces have been found to become smoother and lustrous with increasing percentage of silver sulphide in silver iodide. ISE 1:1, ISE 2:1 and ISE 9:1 all responded in Nernstian manner with slopes of about 60 mV/decade change in iodide ion concentration in the linear range of 1 × 10⁻¹ to 1 × 10⁻⁶ M while ISE 1:9 showed sub-Nernstian behavior with slope of about 45 mV up to the concentration 1 × 10⁻⁵ M. Two capacitive loops, one corresponding to the charge transfer process at metal electrode and the back contact and a second loop corresponding to the charge transfer process at membrane-electrolyte interface have been observed at high and low frequency ranges, respectively. Mott-Schottky analysis shows that the materials are n-type semiconductors with donor defect concentrations in the range of 5.1 × 10¹⁴ to 2.4 × 10¹⁹/cm³.     

Triorganotin(IV) derivatives of umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin) and their adducts with 1,10-phenanthroline: synthesis, structural and biological studies

New triorganotin(IV) derivatives of the general formula R₃Sn(Umb) (where, R = Me, n-Bu and Ph; Umb = umbelliferone anion) have been synthesized using sodium salt method. Further, the adducts of the general formula R₃Sn(Umb) · phen (where R = Me and Ph; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have also been synthesized by the interaction of the triorganotin(IV) derivatives of umbelliferone with 1,10-phenanthroline. The bonding and coordination behavior of these derivatives are discussed on the basis of IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn), and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopic studies. These investigations indicate that umbelliferone acts as a monoanionic bidentate ligand in R₃Sn(Umb) coordinating through O(7) and O(1) in the solid-state. These polymeric R₃Sn(Umb) derivatives (where R = Me and n-Bu) have been proposed to have a trans-trigonal bipyramidal geometry with the three R groups in equatorial positions, while the axial positions are occupied by a phenolic oxygen and the O(1) atom from the adjacent molecule. A pseudotetrahedral geometry has been suggested for Ph₃Sn(Umb). A distorted octahedral geometry around tin has been proposed for R₃Sn(Umb) · phen, in which umbelliferone anion acts as a monodentate ligand coordinating through phenolic oxygen O(7). The newly synthesized derivatives have been assayed for their anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular and anti-microbial activities. The average LD₅₀ values >1000 mg kg⁻¹ of these derivatives indicate their safety margin. Among all the compounds tested, Ph₃Sn(Umb) · phen has been found to show potent anti-inflammatory activity with low mammalian toxicity and mild hypotensive activity.     

Electrochemical and bioelectrocatalytical properties of novel block-copolymers containing interacting ferrocenyl units

The electrochemical characterization of three different polystyrene-b-polybutadiene block-copolymers, functionalized with diferrocenylsilane units, is reported. The PB-blocks have been functionalized with different fractions of electronically communicated, PS_m-PB_n−p (HSiMeFc₂)_p units, where m = 615, n = 53, p = 39 (1), m = 375, n = 92, p = 76 (2) and m = 455, n = 204, p = 170 (3). Electrochemical characterization has been carried out both in solution and after electrochemical deposition onto platinum electrodes. The bioelectrocatalytical properties of electrodes modified with the polymers in the nicotinamide dinucleotide (NADH) and glucose oxidase (GOx) oxidations have been investigated as a function of the constitution and structure of the polymers. The analytical properties of electrodes modified with these polymers as sensors of NADH and GOx are described. In addition, an amperometric biosensor for glucose, prepared by electrostatic immobilization of glucose oxidase onto a platinum electrode modified with one of the ferrocenyl block-copolymers as an example, has been developed.