Imposex and organotin contamination in Nassarius reticulatus (L.) along the Portuguese coast

Nassarius reticulatus (whelk) imposex levels and organotin body burden (b.b.) were surveyed along the Portuguese coast, from Vila Praia de Âncora (northern limit) to Lagos (southern limit), between May and August 2003. The percentage of females affected with imposex (%I), the relative penis length index (RPLI), the vas deferens sequence index (VDSI) and the degree of female oviduct convolution index (AOS) were used to assess the level of imposex at each site. These imposex indices were determined for 23 sampling stations throughout the coast and were in the range 0.0–100%, 0.0–90%, 0.0–5.0 and 0.0–1.3 respectively. Sterile females (i.e. females carrying aborted egg capsules inside the capsule gland) were found inside the harbours of Viana do Castelo (8.5%) and Aveiro (3.7%). Organotin compounds were assessed at 10 sampling sites spread along the coast. Tributyltin (TBT) b.b. in females varied between 39 and 1679 ng g^?1 (as tin) dry weight, and dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) varied in the ranges 23–1084 ng g^?1 (as tin) d and 18–939 ng g^?1 dry wt respectively. Among the butyltins, the major fraction corresponded to TBT (47.4%), followed by DBT (27.6%) and MBT (25.0%), which indicates recent TBT inputs. Triphenyltin (TPT) levels ranged from <5 to 21 ng g^?1 (as tin), and, when quantifiable, represented on average 10% of that of TBT. TPT was the dominant phenyltin and was detected in 60% of the sampling stations. The imposex was significantly correlated to ln (TBT) (Spearman r = 0.918, p < 0.001 for RPLI; r = 0.864, p < 0.001 for VDSI; r = 0.828, p < 0.01 for AOS). The higher levels of imposex and TBT contamination occurred inside or close to harbours, which we identified as ‘hotspots’ of pollution along the coast. Comparing the results obtained in the current work with those reported in a similar survey in 2000, imposex and TBT b.b. varied locally but did not reveal any global trend in the variation of TBT pollution along the Portuguese coast over the 3 year period. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantum-chemical study of the structure of copper(I) acetate and trifluoroacetate oligomers

The results of B3LYP quantum-chemical calculations of the equilibrium structures of [(CX₃COOCu)₂]₃, [(CX₃COOCu)₂]₂, and (CX₃COOCu)₂ oligomers (X = H, F) using the cc-pVTZ correlation-consistent basis for C, O, and F atoms and the Stuttgart 1997 RSC basis and relativistic effective core potential for Cu(I) atoms are presented. The differences in the structures of the free dimer and dimer units in oligomers were studied. The hexamer structure was chosen as the model of a fragment of the crystalline phase. Good agreement was obtained between the experimental and calculated differences between the geometrical parameters of the structures in the “gas phase-crystal” and “acetate-trifluoroacetate” series. Based on the calculated data, the increase in the Cu(I)-Cu(I) bond length in the silver acetate crystal compared with the gas phase can be explained by the effect of the neighboring dimer units of the polymer ribbon, while the increase in the Cu(I)-Cu(I) bond length in gaseous trifluoroacetate compared with acetate, by the acceptor effect of fluorine atoms.     

A structural variability of copper(I) chloride-tetrahydrothiophene adducts crystallizing in polymeric forms and exhibiting polymorphism: The role of the solvent

The function of the solvent in the self-assembling mode of [CuCl] with tetrahydrothiophene is reported. Copper(l) chloride has been used in the form of [CuCOCl] _n , which is slightly soluble in the most common solvents, and to allow an homogeneous phase reaction. The reaction of [CuCOCl] _n with THT gave [(CuCl)₂(THT)₃] _x ,1, in CH₃OH, [(CuCl)(THT)₂] _x ,2 in THF [(CuCl)(THT)] _x ,3, in CH₂Cl₂, and [(CuCl)₃(THT)₂] _x ,4, in DME. Compound1 consists of polymeric chains of centrosymmetric Cu₂Cl₂ dinuclear units bridged by THIT molecules running parallel to the [101] axis. In the structure of2 we found polymeric layers generated from the [(CuCl)(THT)] asymmetric unit by the center of symmetry and by the twofold axis. In compound3 the structure consists of layers generated through the center of symmetry by the [(Cu₂Cl₂)(THT)₂] asymmetric unit, while4 consists of layers generated through the center of symmetry by the [(Cu₃Cl₃)(THT)₂] asymmetric unit. Crystallographic details are as [ollows:2 is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c.a=9.657(3) A,b=6.441(2) A,c=11.459(3) A,\=111.96(2)°,V=661.0(4) A³. andR=0.075;3 is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n,a=19.327(7) A,b=6.703(2) A,c=10.116(3) A,ß=103.04(3)°,V=1276.7(7) A³ andR=0.043:4 is triclinic, space group Pl,a=12.513(2) A,b=6.698(1) A,c=9.651(1) A,=91.98(1)°,\=107.86(1)°,=74.59(1)°,V=741.2(2) A³, andR=0.044.     

Effect of type and position of the anions on the thermal decomposition of some copper(II) complexes

A number of copper(II) complexes of some aromatic diamines have been prepared and characterized. The thermal stabilities of the complexes were studied and discussed in terms of covalent bond character, chelate ring size and angle strain. On the other hand, the effective role of the anions on the decomposition pathways was also considered. Moreover, the nature of interaction of the solvent of crystallization has also been investigated.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurde eine Anzahl von Kupfer(II)-komplexen einiger aromatischer Diamine hergestellt und beschrieben. Die thermische Stabilität der Komplexe wurde als Funktion des kovalenten Bindungscharakters, der Chelatringgröße und der Winkelspannung untersucht und diskutiert. Andererseits wurde auch der Einfluß der Anionen auf den Zersetzungsweg in Erwägung gezogen. Außerdem wurde auch die Wechselwirkung zwischen Lösungsmittel und Kristallisierung untersucht.

     

An investigation of the thermal behavior of heterobimetallic species containing copper(II) and tetracyanopalladate(II)

Synthesis, characterization and thermal behavior of four compounds that have the general formula [Cu{Pd(CN)₄}(L)_x]_n, in which en=1,2-diaminoethane and pn=1,3-diaminopropane (L=en, x=1 (I); L=pn, x=1 (II); L=en, x=2 (III); L=pn, x=2 (IV)) were described in this work. The complexes were studied by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG) and the residues of the thermal decomposition were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and found as a mixture of CuO and PdO. The stoichiometry of the compounds was established via thermogravimetric and elemental analyses and their structures were proposed as coordination polymers based on their infrared spectra. The following thermal stability sequence was found: IV<I=II<III.     

Application of a poly(dithiocarbamate) resin to the determination of trace copper,iron and zinc in natural waters

A chelating poly(dithiocarbamate) resin with macroreticular support is shown to be effective for the preconcentration of copper, iron and zinc in natural waters. The retained ions can be eluted efficiently in 5 ml of 8M nitric acid from 1–20-cm columns of resin.This poly(dithiocarbamate) resin is used for the preconcentration and determination of copper, iron and zinc by flame atomic absorption spectrophoto-metry. Common ions present in natural waters do not interfere. The detection limits were 0.50, 0.21 and 0.04 g 1^–1 for Cu, Fe and Zn respectively.     

Synthesis and properties of the chain-like polymeric copper (II) complexes bridged by bis(diphenylphosphino oxide)ethane

At room temperature, the chain-like polymeric copper (II) complexes bridged by bis (diphenylphosphino oxide) ethane (dppeO2), [Cu(dppeO2)X2]n[X=Cl(1), Br(2)] have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, 31P NMR, TG-DTA and X-ray analysis for [ CuBr2 (dppeO2) ] n The chain is composed of subunits containing tetrahedron coordinated copper (II) atoms. The four-coordinated copper (II) atom is ligated to another four-coordinated copper (II) atom through dppeO2. The coordination sphere of copper(II) atom is completed by two monodentate bromide and two oxygen atoms from bridging dppeO2. Crystal data are as follows: C26-H24CuP2BnO2, 0.50 mm× 0.40 mm×0.40 mm, monoclin-ic, space group: C2/c, λ= 0.07107 nm(Mo Ka), a = 1.2286(2) nm, b=2.0555(8) nm, c = 1.0652(2) nm, β = 97.366(9)°, V = 2.668nm3, Z = 4, Dcalc = 1.628 g·cm-3, R = 0.066; Rw = 0.091.     

Life‐cycle toxicity of dibutyltin to the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) and implications of the ubiquitous tributyltin impurity in test material

Dibutyltin (DBT) is used in the plastics polymerization process as a catalyst in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products and is the primary degradation product of tributyltin (TBT), an antifoulant in marine paint. DBT and other organotin compounds make their way into the environment through antifoulants, PVC processing plants, and PVC products maintained in water and water‐handling systems. A flow‐through saltwater life‐cycle toxicity test was conducted to determine the chronic effect of DBT to the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus Lacepede), an estuarine species. Embryos were monitored through hatch, maturation, growth, and reproduction in DBT concentrations of 158, 286, 453, 887, and 1510 µg l^?1. Progeny were monitored for survival as embryos and fry/juveniles, and growth for 30 days post‐isolation. Mean length of parental generation fish was significantly reduced on day 30 at DBT concentrations ≥887 µg l^?1, setting the lowest observable effect concentration (LOEC) at 887 µg l^?1 and the no observable effect concentration (NOEC) at 453 µg l^?1. Fecundity, as egg viability, was significantly reduced at the LOEC. Survival of parental and progeny generation embryos and mean length, wet weight and dry weight of progeny generation juveniles were not significantly affected at concentrations ≤LOEC. TBT, a toxic impurity in DBT reversibly produced in DBT by the process of comproportionation, was also monitored throughout this study. Comparing measured levels of TBT in this study with levels exerting toxic effects in an earlier TBT life‐cycle study with C. variegatus suggests biological responses in this study were likely due to the TBT impurity and not to DBT alone. Results indicate that TBT impurity as low as 0.1% may have a significant influence on the perceived toxicity of DBT and that spontaneous production of TBT in DBT may be the major source of biological toxicity of DBT. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A reusable polymer anchored copper(II) complex catalyst for the efficient oxidation of olefins and aromatic alcohol

A new heterogeneous Schiff base copper(II) complex was prepared by reacting amino‐polystyrene with salicylaldehyde followed by complexation with cupric chloride. The structure of this immobilized complex has been established on the basis of scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis employing atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and spectrometric methods like diffuse reflectance spectra of solid (DRS) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Catalytic activity of this polymer anchored Cu(II) complex was tested by studying the oxidation of cyclohexene, styrene, and benzyl alcohol in the presence of tert‐ butylhydroperoxide as oxidant. Several parameters such as solvent, oxidant, reaction time, reaction temperature, amount of catalyst, and substrates oxidant ratio were varied to optimize the reaction condition. Under optimized reaction conditions, cyclohexene gave a maximum of 74% conversion with three major products 2‐cyclohexene‐1‐one, cyclohexene epoxide, and 2‐cyclohexene‐1‐ol. The conversions of styrene and benzylalcohol proceed with 53% and 77%, respectively. Styrene gives styrene epoxide as the major product while benzylalcohol gives benzaldehyde as the major product. The catalytic results reveal that polymer anchored copper(II) Schiff base complex can be recycled more than five times without much loss in the catalytic activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic,thermal and antimicrobial properties of the copper(II) complex of Schiff base derived from 2‐(salicylidene) aminopyridine

Schiff bases and their complex combinations with metallic ions represent a class of compounds with antimicrobial activity. A ligand was prepared by condensation of the salicylaldehyde with 2‐aminopyridine obtaining 2‐(salicylidene) aminopyridine (SB) with a high capacity for complexing Cu(II) ions. The new compound has been characterized by physical constants (melting point, solubility, stability) and the chemical structure was confirmed by elemental, spectral (IR, UV–visible, ¹H NMR and ¹³C‐NMR) and thermal analyses. The elemental analysis gives a coordination ratio of 1:2 metal:Schiff base. Lethal dose 50 (DL₅₀) values of new Schiff base and their complex with metallic ions were established. The antimicrobial activity of this complex was tested in comparison with the activity of the corresponding Schiff base on strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Klebsiella. These were compared with the activity of the reference drugs (chloramphenicol, tetracycline, ofloxacin and nystatin) on the above‐mentioned strains. It has been established that all compounds tested were very active against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antibacterial,DFT and molecular docking studies of metformin complex as active material for the fabrication of copper (II) selective potentiometric sensor

The prepared and characterized metformin ‐copper (II) complex was used as elecroactive material for modification of a new sensitive and selective modified carbon paste electrode (MCPE) for the potentiometric determination of copper (II) in water samples. The performance characteristics of MCPE were carried out. The electrode showed perfect potentiometric response for Cu (II) over concentration range of 1.0 × 10^?6 – 5.0 × 10^?2 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 with divalent slope value 30.8 ± 0.92 mV decade^?1 over the pH range of 2–6 and exhibits fast response time of 9 s. Also, this electrode exhibited good selectivity towards Cu (II) ions with respect to other metal ions. The obtained results using the proposed electrode were in a good agreement with those obtained using the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method.     

Dephenylation of triphenylbismuth(v) and antimony(v) derivatives in a methyl acrylate—methanol system in the presence of copper and palladium salts

The influence of the central metal atom and acid residue in a molecule of organometallic compound Ph₃MX₂ (M = Bi, Sb; X = Cl, Br, OAc, O₂CEt) on the direction and yield of dephenylation products in a methyl acrylate— methanol system in the presence of Cu(OAc)₂ and Na₂PdCl₂(OAc)₂ was studied at 50 °C in acetonitrile. The main product of dephenylation of the antimony compounds is methyl cinnamate (yield 0.31–1.59 moles per mole of the starting Ph₃SbX₂), while anisole (0.55–0.97 mol) and halobenzene (0.67–1.04 mol) are those for compounds Ph₃Bi(O₂CR)₂ and Ph₃BiHal₂, respectively. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 655–658, April, 2006.     

A study of the polarographic behaviour of meso-tetra(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)porphine and its copper and magnesium complexes and its analytical applications

The investigation of the electrochemical reduction and the adsorption of meso-tetra(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)porphine (T(4-TMAP)P) at a mercury electrode in alkaline solution shows that the overall reduction involves three two-electron steps, of which the first step is reversible and the latter two are irreversible. In addition, T(4-TMAP)P and its metal complexes of Cu(II) and Mg(II) can be strongly adsorbed on the surface of a mercury electrode. The adsorption phenomena have been utilized as a preconcentration step for the determination of trace amounts of the two ions by single sweep polarography. For copper, the detection limit is 1 × 10^–8 mol dm^–3, for magnesium, 1 × 10^–7 mol dm^–3, the latter being limited by the reagent blank. The proposed method was applied to the determination of Cu and Mg in various types of samples (chemicals, hair and liver tissues) with satisfactory results.     

Chemical characterisation of a new estuarine pollutant (2,4-Dichloro-6-Nitrophenol) and assessment of the acute toxicity of its quinoid form for Artemia salina

It is known that the compound 2,4-dichloro-6-nitrophenol (2,4DC6NP) is formed upon nitration of 2,4-dichlorophenol, which in turn is a transformation intermediate of the herbicide dichlorprop. However, the chemical and spectroscopic characteristics of 2,4DC6NP, as well as its toxicity, are poorly known. This work shows that 2,4DC6NP behaves as a diprotic acid in aqueous solutions, with pK_a values of 3.0?±?0.9 and 4.9?±?0.5. At pH?<?3, 2,4DC6NP would undergo protonation. The absorption spectra suggest that anionic 2,4DC6NP, which prevails at pH?>?5 would have an ortho-quinoid structure that is responsible for the absorption peak centred at 428?nm. Considering that 2,4DC6NP has been detected in the brackish lagoons of the Rhône delta (southern France), where its levels are comparable to those of the parent herbicide, it is necessary to examine the possible effects of 2,4DC6NP on the species living in that environment. For this reason, the acute toxicity of the anionic form of 2,4DC6NP was assessed for the brine shrimp Artemia salina, a zooplankton species that lives both in brackish and in saline aquatic environments. The toxicity test yielded a LC₂₀ value of 8?±?2?mg?L^?1 and a LC₅₀ value of 18.7?±?0.8?mg?L^?1. Such values are safely higher than the maximum detected concentration of 2,4DC6NP in the Rhône delta lagoons. Further studies should be concentrated on the long-term effects of 2,4DC6NP, and in particular on its potential genotoxicity.     

Study of kinetics and mechanism of the acid dissociation of copper(II) complex of novel C-functionalized macrocyclic dioxotetraamines

The kinetics of the acid dissociation of copper(II) complexes of novel C-functionalized macrocyclic dioxotetraamines has been studied by means of a stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The acid dissociation rate follows the law V_d = C_comkK₁K₂H ²/(1+K₁H+K₁K₂H ²). From the experimental facts we have obtained, the dissociation kinetics are interpreted by a mechanism involving the negatively charged carbonyl oxygen of the complex being rapidly protonated in a pre-equilibrium step, the rate-determining step being intramolecular hydrogen (enolic tautomer) migration (to imine nitrogen). The dissociation rate reached a plateau in the strongly acidic solution. By means of temperature coefficient method, ΔH ^φ, ΔS ^φ of the pre-equilibrium step and ΔH ^≠, ΔS^≠ of the rate-determining step were obtained. The results of 13-membered macrocyclic dioxotetraamines have been discussed. The influence of the substituents to the acid dissociation rates has also been discussed. The Bronsted type linear free energy relationships do also exist in these C-functionalized dioxotetraamine copper(II) complexes.     

Electrostatic immobilisation of copper(I) and copper(II) bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine catalysts on silica: application to the synthesis of propargylamines via direct addition of terminal alkynes to imines

Copper(I) and copper(II) complexes of two bis(oxazolinyl)pyridines were immobilized on silica via electrostatic interactions. The catalytic activity of the immobilized catalysts in the direct addition of terminal alkynes to imines leading to propargylamines was investigated under a variety of reaction conditions. The performance of the immobilized catalysts compares very well with their homogeneous equivalents. When used in toluene, the catalysts could be recycled a number of times and maintained activity. This study is the first such report of the immobilization on silica in this manner of any bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine (pybox) complex.     

Synthesis of ditopic ligands for the selective extraction of copper(II) nitrate and crystal structures of their Cu(II) complexes

We have synthesized two ditopic ligands for selective extraction of copper(II) nitrate. We also synthesized one cation-only binding analog for comparison. All three ligands were characterized by conventional techniques. Competitive two-phase metal ion solvent extraction experiments were performed at 25 °C over a period of 24 h. These ligands showed significant selectivity for Cu(II) ions, having the ditopic ligands extract 81 and 73% of the Cu(II) ions in a solution of different metal ions {Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II)} at pH 5.09. Competitive transport experiments (water/chloroform/water) were undertaken employing each ligand separately as the ionophore in the membrane (chloroform) phase. No metal ion transport was observed, but a large concentration of Cu(II) was present in the membrane phase. Competitive anion extraction and transport were carried out with the ditopic ligands, yielding selective extraction and transport of nitrate. Furthermore, a pH isotherm of the best ditopic ligand (H₂L²) with Cu(II) was determined from pH 1.0 to 6.0, producing a pH_½ value of approximately 2.6. Finally, crystal structures of the ditopic ligands complexed with Cu(II) were determined and refined. The coordination geometry around the metal centers are distorted square planar and the Cu(II)-donor bond lengths fall within the normal range.     

Ruthenium(II), copper(I) and silver(I) complexes of large bite bisphosphinite, bis(2-diphenylphosphinoxynaphthalen-1-yl)methane: Application of Ru(II) complexes towards the hydrogenation of styrene and phenylacetylene

Ruthenium(II), copper(I) and silver(I) complexes of large bite bisphosphinite Ph₂P{(-OC₁₀H₆)(μ-CH₂)(C₁₀H₆O-)}PPh₂ (1) are described. Reactions of bisphosphinite 1 with [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ and RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ afford mono- and bis-chelate complexes [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene){η²-Ph₂P{(-OC₁₀H₆)(μ-CH₂)(C₁₀H₆O-)}PPh₂-κP,κP}]Cl (2) and trans-[RuCl₂{η²-Ph₂P{(-OC₁₀H₆)(μ-CH₂)(C₁₀H₆O-)}PPh₂-κP,κP}₂] (3), respectively. Treatment of 1 with CuX (X = Cl, Br and I) furnish 10-membered chelate complexes of the type [Cu(X){η²-Ph₂P(-OC₁₀H₆)(μ-CH₂)(C₁₀H₆O-)PPh₂-κP,κP}] (4, X = Cl; 5, X = Br; 6, X = I), whereas [Cu(MeCN)₄]PF₆ affords a bis-chelated cationic complex [Cu{η²-Ph₂P(-OC₁₀H₆)(μ-CH₂)(C₁₀H₆O-)PPh₂-κP,κP}₂][PF₆] (7). Reaction between 1 and AgOTf produce both mono- and bis-chelated complexes [Ag{η²-Ph₂P(-OC₁₀H₆)(μ-CH₂)(C₁₀H₆O-)PPh₂-κP,κP}(SO₃CF₃)] (8) and [Ag{η²-Ph₂P(-OC₁₀H₆)(μ-CH₂)(C₁₀H₆O-)PPh₂-κP,κP}₂][SO₃CF₃] (9), respectively; whereas the similar reaction of 1 with[Ag(OTf)PPh₃] affords chelate complex of the type [Ag{η²-Ph₂P(-OC₁₀H₆)(μ-CH₂)(C₁₀H₆O-)PPh₂-κP,κP}(PPh₃)(SO₃CF₃)] (10). All the complexes were characterized by ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, elemental analysis and mass spectrometry, including low-temperature NMR studies in the case of silver complexes. The molecular structures of 4 and 6 are determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Ruthenium complexes 2 and 3 promote catalytic hydrogenation of styrene and phenylacetylene with good turnover numbers.     

A spectrometric and chromatographic approach to the study of ageing of madder (Rubia tinctorum L.) dyestuff on wool

In this work, the lightfastness of wool textile samples, dyed with madder and its principal components alizarin and purpurin, was investigated using two complementary experimental techniques: absorption and emission UV-vis spectroscopy and chromatography (HPLC-PDA). Spectroscopic techniques were used to follow the time course of ageing, whereas chromatography was applied to determine relative compositional changes that occurred after exposure of wool dyed samples to natural and artificial ageing. The results from the two techniques integrate well each other and provide complementary and useful indications about the sensitivity of the dyed textiles to ageing, showing that purpurin is the principal component responsible for the spectral and chromatic properties of madder as well as for its degradation. The fading of both the fibre and dye is reduced in the presence of alum and in the absence of oxygen. The multi-analytical approach used highlights the potential of the UV-vis spectroscopy for the investigation of dyes on textiles. The great sensitivity of the spectrofluorimetry makes this technique particularly promising for a non-destructive study of dyes on works of art.