Construction and analytical applications of liquid-membrane electrodes for atropine and novatropine

Liquid-membrane electrodes sensitive to atropinium and novatropinium cations are described. The atropinium electrode exhibits rapid and near-Nernstian response in the 10^-2–3 × 10^-5 M range over the pH range 2–8.5; the novatropinium electrode shows near-Nernstian response in the 10^-2–3 × 10^-6 M range at pH 2–10. Other alkaloids interfere. Direct potentiometry and potentiometric titrations are used to determine atropine and novatropine in pharmaceutical preparations with satisfactory results.     

The electrolytic efficiency of amperometric detection in normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The electrolytic efficiency of the wall-jet detector in normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (between 0.1 and 5%) is significantly less than its efficiency in reversed-phase separations. A large-volume wall-jet cel with a Ag/Ag⁺ reference serves as the detector system in evaluating the effects of various chromatographic conditions on efficiency. Anthraquinone, phenanthrenaquinone (both at 10^-3–10^-4 M) and three estrogen gen steroids (at 10^-2–10^-3 M) are used as samples with ethanol/ hexane eluents. The effect of pH depends on the sample; increased ethanol concentrations and lower flow rates improve the efficiency.     

Voltammetric behavior of neptunium(vi) in glutamic acid media at the rotating glassy carbon electrode

The voltammetry of neptunium(VI) glutamate was investigated over the pH range 3.8–10.0. A reversible, one-electron wave was obtained for glutamate concentrations above 0.1 M in the pH range 3.8–6.1, or above 0.3 M in the pH range 6.1–10.0. At pH 3.8–6.1, the half-wave potential was independent of pH, but at pH 6.1–10.0, it was a function of pH. The metal-ligand ratio was found to be 1:2 by conductometric titration. The limiting current was proportional to the concentration of the neptunium(VI) from 7.83·10^-5 to 1.96·10^-3M. The diffusion coefficient was 0.35·10^-5 cm² sec^-1 at pH 4.5 and 0.30·10^-5 cm² sec^-1 at pH 9.4.     

Enzymatic inhibition enthalpimetry: The analytical potential of the inhibitory action of a series of physiologically active alkaloids on the activity of serum cholinesterase

A kinetic method is described for the enthalpimetric determination of a series of physiologically active alkaloids based on their inhibitory effect on the cholinesterase-catalysed hydrolysis of butyrylcholine iodide. All analyses are done at pH 8.0 and at 25.0°C (short term stability ± 0.002°C). Precision (< 3.0%) data are reported for the determination of physostigmine sulphate (1.0–4.0 × 10^-8), quinine sulphate (1.0 × 10^-6–4.0 × 10^-5), procaine hydrochloride (1.0 × 10^-5–× 2.5 × 10^-4), atropine sulphate (5.0 × 10^-5–3.0 × 10^-4), morphine sulphate (1.0–8.0 × 10^-4), codeine phosphate (3.0 × 10^-4–2.4 × 10^-3), pilocarpine nitrate (5.0 × 10^-4––6.0 × 10^-3) and thiamine hydrochloride (1.0–5.0 × 10^-3); the linear response ranges in mol dm^-3 are given in parentheses. Complete inhibition curves are presented and relative “potency” is inferred. The effects of several interfering inhibitors are discussed.     

Stabilities and Redox Properties of Cu(I) and Cu(II) Complexes with Macrocyclic Ligands Containing the N2S2 donor Set

The complexation of Cu(I) and Cu(II) by a series of 12-, 14- and 16-membered macrocyclic ligands 1–6 containing the N₂S₂ donor set has been studied potentiometrically, spectrophotometrically and voltammetrically. In the case of Cu(II), mononuclear complexes CuL²⁺ with stability constants of 10¹⁰–10¹⁵ are formed. In addition, partially hydrolyzed species Cu(L)OH⁺ are observed at pH > 10 for the 12-membered ligands. For Cu(I), beside the specis CuL⁺ with stabilities of 10¹²–10¹⁴, the unexpected formation of protonated species CuLH²⁺ was detected. In contrast to the well-known general trends in coordination chemistry, the stability of these protonated species increases relative to that of the complexes with the neutral ligand when the ring size and concomitantly the distance between neighbouring donor atoms is decreased. From the stability constants of the Cu(I)- and Cu(II)-complexes the redox potentials have been calculated and are compared to the values of E^1/2 obtained by cyclic voltammetry. Despite the identical donor set the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potentials of the complexes are spanning a range of 340 mV or six orders of magnitude in relative stability, reflecting the importance of subtle differences in steric requirements.     

Selective micro determination of unconjugated uronic acids by fluorescence reactions with ethylenediamine sulfate

A simple method for the spectrofluorimetric determination of uronic acids is proposed. The fluorescence at 328 (excitation) and 405 nm (emission) formed by heating sample solutions in acetate buffer containing large amounts of ethylenediamine sulfate, can be used to determine 1.0·10^-2–3.0·10^-2 or 4.0·10^-2–4.0·10^-1 μmole of unconjugated uronic acids accurately, without interference from other carbohydrate materials, especially uronides.     

Polymerization of acrylamide initiated by the Ce4+/thiourea redox system

The polymerization of acrylamide (M) initiated by the Ce⁴⁺/thiourea (TU) redox system has been studied in an aqueous sulfuric acid medium at 35 ± 0.2°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The rate of polymerization is governed by the expression The activation energy is 5.9 kcal deg^?1 mol^?1 in the investigated temperature range 30–50°C. The molecular weight is directly proportional to the concentration of monomer and inversely proportional to the catalyst concentration. With increasing concentration of DMF molecular weight decreases. The range of concentrations for which these observations hold at sulfuric acid concentration of 2.5 × 10^?2 mol/L are [monomer] = 5.0 × 10^?2–3.0 × 10^?1, [catalyst] = (5.0–15.0) × 10^?4, and [activator] = (1.0–6.0) × 10^?3 mol/L.     

Syntheses and spectrophotometric studies of 2-(2-thiazolylazo)- and 2-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-5-dimethylaminobenzoic acids as analytical reagents: Determination of nickel

2-(2-ThiazolyIazo)-5-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (TAMB) and 2-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-5-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (BTAMB) have been synthesized, and their potential for determinations of metals has been studied spectrophotometrically. Both are extremely sensitive chromogenic reagents for the determination of nickel. Molar absorptivities in aqueous methanol are 0.95 × 10⁵ (TAMB) and 1.2 × 10⁵ (BTAMB). In aqueous methanol, at apparent pH 5–9.5, the system conforms to Beer's law for 0.05–0.5 ppm nickel; Cu, Cr, Co, Pd and Fe interfere, but they can easily be masked.     

Thermal lens studies of the reaction of iron(II) with 1,10-phenanthroline at the nanogram level

The determination of iron(II) with 1,10-phenanthroline in aqueous solutions was carried out exemplarily by thermal lens spectrometry. The peculiarities of analytical reactions at the nanogram level of reactants can be studied using this method. Under the conditions of the competing reaction of ligand protonation, the overall stability constant for iron(II) chelate with 1,10-phenanthroline was determined at a level of n × 10^–7 mol L^–1, logβ ₃ = 21.3 ± 0.1. The rates of formation and dissociation of iron(II) tris-(1,10-phenanthrolinate) at a level of n × 10^–8 mol L^–1 were found to be (2.05 ± 0.05) × 10^–2 min^–1 and (3.0 ± 0.1) × 10^–3 min^–1, respectively. The conditions for the determination of iron(II) with 1,10-phenanthroline by thermal lensing were reconsidered, and ascorbic acid was shown to be the best reducing agent, which provided minimum and reproducible sample pretreatment. Changes in the conditions at the nanogram level improved both the selectivity and sensitivity of determination. The optimum measurement conditions for thermal lensing were determined not only by the absorption of the analyte and reagents, but also by the background absorption of the solvent. The limits of detection and quantification of iron(II) at 488.0 nm (excitation beam power 140 mW) are 1 × 10^–9 and 6 × 10^–9 mol L^–1, respectively; the reproducibility RSD for the range n × 10^–8–n × 10^–6 mol L^–1 is 2–5%.     

Extraction—spectrophotometric determination of palladium(ii) with 2-nitroso-5-diethylaminophenol

An extraction—spectrophotometric determination of palladium(II) with 2-nitroso-5-diethylaminophenol is described. Complex formation and extraction of the complex with chloroform are possible with aqueous phases of about 2.5 M sulfuric acid. The molar absorptivity of the complex is 4.38 X 10⁴ l mol^-1 cm^-1 at 486 nm. Few of the common ions interfere at concentrations of 10^-4–10^-3 M; more than 10^-5 M Ir(IV), 10^-5 M W(VI), 5 × 10^-6 M Au(III) and 10^-6 M iodide cause negative errors. The method can be applied to the determination of palladium in catalysts for automobile exhaust purifiers.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of thiols by use of N-[P-(2-benzoxazolyl)- phenyl]maleimide

The weak fluorescence of N-[P-2-benzoxazolyl)phenyl]maleimide (BOPM) can be greatly enhanced by thiol-containing compounds. A sensitive and simple spectrofluorimetric method based on the use of BOPM has been developed for the determination of thiols such as cysteine (Cys) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Calibration plots were linear in the concentration range from 0 to 1.6 × 10^–7 mol L^–1 for Cys and 0 to 1.7 × 10^–7 mol L^–1 for GSH. The detection limits (3σ) were 2.36 × 10^–10 mol L^–1 for Cys and 1.49 × 10^–10 mol L^–1 for GSH. Many other amino acids (present at 100-fold greater concentrations) did not interfere with the determination. The proposed method has been used for the determination of Cys in protein hydrolysate and cystine electrolyte or GSH in serum, with recoveries of 95.4–103.7%.     

Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry of copper(II) at the glassy carbon electrode

Optimum conditions for the use of the bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) are reported. Linear calibration graphs are obtained in the range 5 × 10^-7–3.5 × 10^-5 M copper(II). The detection limit for copper(II) is 5.9 × 10^-9 M at pH 4.5 and 3.3 × 10^-8 M at pH 6.5.     

Bis[2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-propyl-N-sulpho propylamino)phenolato]cobaltate(III) as a counter ion for the extraction and spectrophotometric determination of long-chain quaternary ammonium salts and tertiary alkylamines in the presence of each other

The singly charged complex anion bis[2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-propyl-N-sulphopropylamino)phenolato]cobaltate(III) is intensely purple-violet and is stable over the pH range 1–13. Its absorption spectrum remains the same over this pH range. At pH2, it forms extractable ion pairs with long-chain quaternary ammonium ions and protonated alkylamines. Only the quaternary ammonium ions are extracted into chloroform at pH 11, hence separate extractions allow both types to be determined. The absorbance of the organic phase is measured at 594 nm. The apparent molar absorptivity is 7.0 × 10⁴ l mol^?1 cm^?1. Calibration graphs for zephiramine, benzethonium and hexadecylpyridinium ions are linear over the range 0.1–2 × 10^?6 M. The only interference found was from anionic surfactants. The method is applied to hair and fabric conditioners.     

Flash photolytic investigations on the reaction between Pu(VI) and CO-3 in alkaline medium

Absorption spectrum of a transient species of Pu(VII), [PuO₂(CO₃)₂(OH)₂]^3-, has been obtained in the flash photolysis of solutions containing (50–500) x 10^-6 mol dm^-3 Pu(VI) and (5–30) x 10^-3 mol dm^-3 Na₂CO₃ at pH 12.5. The transient species appears to form through the reaction of CO^-₃ ion radical with [PuO₂(CO₃)(OH)₂]^2- [k = (1.45 +- 0.06) x 10⁷ mol^-1 dm³ s^-1] and decays spontaneously with a rate constant of (7.61 +- 0.09) x 10² s^-1. Evidence for the photoreduction of Pu(VI) has also been obtained and a reaction mechanism is proposed to explain the results.     

Synthesis and spectrophotometric study of 2-[2-(3,5-dibromopyridyl,)azo] -5-dimethylaminobenzoic acid as an analytical reagent: Determination of nickel

2-[2-(3,5-Dibrornopyridyl)azo]-5-dimethyIam;nobenzoic acid (3,5-diBr-PAMB) has been synthesized and its potential for the spectrophotometric determination of metals studied. It reacts sensitively with nickel, cobalt, iron and copper, and is particularly useful for nickel. The apparent molar absorptivity in chloroform is 1.50 × 10⁵ l mol^-1 cm^-1 and the Sandell sensitivity is 0.4 ng Ni cm^-2. Nickel reacts with 3.5-diBr-PAMB at pH 4–10; at pH 4–7 the complex can be extracted into chloroform to give a stable purple solution. The optimal calibration range is 0.04–0.4 ppm Ni. Only Cu, Co, Fe, Pd and V interfere seriously but Pd, Cu and V can be masked by thiourea.     

A tunable hierarchical porous carbon from starch pretreated by calcium acetate for high performance supercapacitors

Hierarchical porous carbons (HPCs) with abundant mesopores have been prepared by a facile route from the starch that was pretreated by calcium acetate. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and N₂ adsorption–desorption tests show that hierarchical porous carbons with bimodal mesopores have been obtained. Moreover, the pore sizes are tunable by simply adjusting the reactants ratio and carbonization temperature. The as-synthesized hierarchical porous carbon materials (HPCs-2-800) possesses the highest Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)-specific surface area of 464 m² g^?1 and mesoporous volume of 0.663 cm³ g^?1 at the carbonization temperature of 800 °C and starch to calcium acetate mass ratio of 2. Electrochemical measurements also display that the HPCs-2-800 electrodes have a high reversible capacity of 244 F g^?1 at the current density of 0.1 A g^?1 and 182 F g^?1 at the current density of 10 A g^?1. When the current density is elevated from 0.1 to 10 A g^?1, the high capacitance retention of 74.6 % reveals a good rate performance. Long charge–discharge cycling measurements disclose good stabilities over 25,000 cycles at different current densities of 1–10 A g^?1 (5000 cycles at each current density) for HPCs-2-800 electrode. The cycling results indicate a high capacitance retention of 99.6 % over 5000 charge–discharge cycles even at the current density of 10 A g^?1. The excellent supercapacitive performances imply that HPCs-2-800 is a promising candidate for supercapacitors.     

A kinetic study of the permanganate—oxalate reaction and kinetic determination of manganese(II) and oxalic acid by the stopped-flow technique

The reduction of permanganate by oxalate in the presence of manganese(II) ion in acidic media is described. All reactions were run at 525 nm and constant ionic strength 1.0 M. The reaction was found to obey the rate expression —$\text{d[MnO}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{-}}\text{]}\text{d}\text{t}$ = k [Mn²⁺] [C₂O₄^2-]² [MnO₄^-] [H⁺]^-2 = k' [MnC₂O₄] [MnO₄^-]. The values of k and k' were shown to be 5.4 × 10⁴ M^-1 s^-1 and 8.2 × 10⁴ M^-1 s^-1, respectively. Reaction rate methods for the determination of manganese(II) and oxalic acid are reported. The rate of disappearance of permanganate was monitored automatically and related directly to manganese-(II) and oxalic acid concentrations. Manganese(II) in the ranges 1–10 × 10^-4 M and 1–10 × 10^-3 M and oxalic acid in the range 0–20 μg ml^-1 can be determined very rapidly with a precision of 1–2%.     

Conformational Analysis of Marine Polyhalogenated β-Chamigrenes Through Temperature-Dependent NMR Spectra

Temperature-dependent ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra reveal that polyhalogenated marine β-chamigrenes or synthetic derivatives thereof which are trans-diequatorially, substituted at C(8) and C(9), such as rogiolol ((?)- 2 ), obtusol ((+)- 3 ), and their acetates (+)- 1 and (?)- 4 , undergo slow ring- A chair-chair inversion. Conformational equilibria and kinetics are investigated with the aid of synthetic model compounds and molecular-mechanics calculations. Thus, steric repulsions between Br_ax–C(2) and H_eq–C(7) are seen to disfavour thermodynamically conformers 1b , 2b , 3b , and 4b , which can only be detected through cross-saturation transfer, while additional steric repulsions between Me_ax–C(1) and OH_ax–C(3) make conformer 8b of obtusol epimer so scarcely populated that it can not be detected. In agreement, with (+)- 9 and (+)- 10 , which have a trigonal C(2), two conformers can be directly observed by NMR. The kinetic barriers, which are seen to arise mainly from steric repulsions between H_ax–C(14) and the axial H or halogen atoms at C(8) and C(10), are calculated and discussed with respect to well documented exocycliemethylidene-substituted cyclohexane(ene) systems. This helps to rationalize why in rogiolol acetate ((+)- 1 ) ring B is unusually inert towards Zn/Et₂O/AcOH which causes bromohydrine-group elimination from ring A.     

Fluorimetric determination of reducing carbohydrates with malonamide

Samples are heated for 90 min with malonamide in carbonate buffer (pH 9.2) for measurement at 383 nm (excitation)/425 nm (emission). For D-glucose, relative standard deviations are 1–3% at the 10^-6–10^-9 mol level. Relative fluorescence intensities are reported for 36 carbohydrates.     

The high-performance liquid chromatography and detection of phospholipids and triglycerides: Part 2. Comparison of an ultraviolet absorption and post-column reactor detector

A liquid chromatographic ultraviolet absorption detector (at 195 nm) and a novel postcolumn reactor detector are compared for use in the detection of triglyceride and phospholipid molecular species. The detection limit for the u.v. detector depends on the degree of unsaturation of the lipid sample (3 × 10^-6–2 × 10^-8 M in the detector cell for 0–3 double bonds per acyl group). The post-column reactor detector is responsive to equivalents of lipid and has detection limits of 5 × 10^-7 M for triglycerides and 2 × 10^-6 M for phospholipids. The log u.v./post-column reactor detector response ratios are linearly related to the log of the degree of unsaturation of the lipid, indicating the usefulness of both detectors for quantifying triglycerides and phospholipids.