Electron-transfer in molecular functional materials

We discuss electron-transfer processes that govern the physics of several materials or systems of interest for advanced applications. The discussion touches upon several topics, ranging from solvatochromism to solvent-induced symmetry breaking, from excitonic to cooperative effects in molecular crystals, from phase transitions to vibrational contributions to the dielectric constant in organic materials, from spectroscopy to molecular transport. In all these diverse systems electron transfer (ET) plays a major role and is discussed with reference to simple models for delocalized charges.     

Application of self-assembly for replacing chromate in corrosion protection of zinc

Due to the toxic and carcinogenic properties of hexavalent chromium ion, the corrosion protection with chromating technique needs replacement. Several environmentally friendly alternative metal pretreatments have already been proposed. One of these methods is the application of self-assembling molecules to form mono- or multilayers on the metal surfaces. These layers can prevent metal dissolution due to their dense and stable structure. The objective of our studies was to protect zinc surface against corrosion, with a thin phosphonate layer. Aqueous solutions of diphosphonic acid with different alkyl chain lengths were applied with different treatment times. The layer formation, stability, and corrosion protection of these films were monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the effect of 1,5-diphosphono-pentane (DPP) on zinc was studied by polarization curves. The wetting properties were determined by static contact angle measurement. 1,5-Diphosphono-pentane forms a thin layer, with a pronounced protective ability in neutral aqueous solutions. The application of self-assembling molecules can be a promising method to replace the chromating technique on zinc surface.     

Preparation of a mercury film electrode modified by tri-n-octylphosphine oxide and the electrochemical properties of this electrode

Mercury film electrodes have been prepared on silver metal and silver-coated glassy-carbon supports and have been modified by a film of tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix. The electrodes have been characterized in detail and the effects of the modifying film parameters on their electrochemical properties have been studied. It has been shown that these electrodes permit selective and sensitive determinations of many metals. The most important parameters are the thickness of the modifying film, the modifier-to-matrix ratio in the modifying film and the base electrolyte composition. Data concerning the reactions of a number of metal ions on the modified electrode are given.     

Amperometric flow-injection method for the assay of l-ascorbic acid based on the photochemical reduction of Methylene Blue

Ascorbic acid (AA) is determined by amperometric detection based on the photochemical reduction of Methylene Blue (MB(+)) in 0.1 M phthalate buffer at pH 3.8. In this medium, MB(+) using flow-injection analysis. The carrier stream is 1 mM MB(+) is reduced quasi-reversibly at a glassy carbon electrode at -0.34 V vs. Ag/AgCl, while AA is oxidized irreversibly at about 0.3 V. The reactor is irradiated with a 500 W halogen lamp to facilitate the development of the photochemical reaction. A laboratory-built wall-jet electrode system was used. The Leucomethylene Blue formed in the reaction is detected at +0.050 V. At 2.2 ml min(-1) and using a sample loop of 43 mul, the method allows the determination of AA in the range 5.0-90.0 mug ml(-1), with a relative standard deviation of 1.3-4.8%, a detection limit of 1.9 mug ml(-1) and a sampling frequency of 45-50 h(-1).     

Isotachophoretic separation of organic acids in biological fluids

The operating conditions for the isotachophoretic separation of organic acids were evaluated. At pH values ranging from 2.90 to 4.25 both relative step heights and molar flow-rates were determined experimentally for 26 anions. Comparing the observed values with simulated data, highly significant (p = 0.0001) correlation coefficients of 0.993 and 0.920, respectively, were found at pH 3.50. Whereas the concentration of the leading electrolyte did not affect the relative step heights, it increased the molar flow-rates significantly. The same applied to the detection current. The time of analysis was observed to be a function of the concentration of the leading electrolyte. However, the time elapsed between injection of the analyte and its detection depended solely on the volume and not on the amount of analyte injected. In isotachophoresis, incomplete separation of two compounds is indicated by the occurrence of a mixed zone which can hardly be distinguished from a pure zone. Thus, knowledge of the separation capacity is a prime prerequisite in optimizing the system for the analysis of biological fluids. The separability of nine equimolar pairs of anions was determined at pH values ranging from 2.90 to 4.25. Although two ionogenic constituents would separate only when their migration rates in the mixed state were different, no clear correlation was observed between separation capacity and difference in relative mobility. Separability, however, was found to increase with increasing concentration of the leading electrolyte. While the separation capacity was not influenced by the electric current, it was significantly affected by the volume injected. In subsequent analyses of serum, cerebrospinal fluid, seminal plasma and prostatic fluid, a variety of organic acids could be detected. Calibration graphs for the detected anions revealed a detection limit of 1 nmol and linearity over their biological concentration ranges. Further, the isotachophoretic results correlated well with high-performance liquid chromatographic and enzymatic analyses of citric acid and lactic acid in human seminal plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, respectively.     

Oxytropis alkaloids II. Structure of oxytriphine

The new alkaloid oxytriphine, the parent of natural 2-oxazoline derivatives, has been isolated from the epigeal part ofOxytropis trichophysa; and its structure has been established as (5S)-(+)-2,5-diphenyl-2-oxazoline. (-)-N-Benzoyl-2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethylamine and benzoic acid have been detected in this plant for the first time. A hypothesis of the possible biogenetic interrelationship of the compounds isolated is put forward.Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances. Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii. No. 6, pp. 873–876, November–December, 1993.     

Development of an amperometric biosensor for the determination of phenolic compounds in reversed micelles

The possibilities of amperometric enzyme electrodes in reversed micellar systems for the determination of phenol, 4-chloro-3-methylphenol and 2,4-dimethylphenol are illustrated. The used enzymatic reaction consisted of the oxidation of the phenolic compounds by oxygen, catalysed by tyrosinase. The reduction of the liberated quinones was amperometrically detected. The concentration of the components of the reversed micelles, as well as the potential applied to the tyrosinase electrode have been optimized. The stability of the enzyme electrode with time was also evaluated. The effect of the analyte solubility in water upon the analytical performance of the electrode was explored. Advantages of amperometric biosensors in reversed micelles are shown with respect to aqueous media and organic phase enzyme electrodes.     

Direct synthesis of protected diethyl 1,2-diaminoalkylphosphonates

An efficient, diastereoselective synthesis of 5-substituted (2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-yl)phosphonic acid diethyl esters from metallated diethyl isothiocyanatomethylphosphonate and activated imines has been developed. The three-step transformation of imidazolidine-2-thione derivatives into 1,2-diaminoalkylphosphonic acids is also described.