Comparison of two methods for coating piezoelectric crystals

Quartz piezoelectric crystals were coated with triethanolamine using two procedures: spray and syringe methods. The reproducibility of both coating methods was evaluated comparing the relative standard deviation of batches of four crystals coated by each of the procedures. The relative standard deviation obtained with the spray method is a hyperbolic function of the coating frequency and is, at least, three times lower than the one calculated from results of the syringe method, which is not frequency dependent. An explanation for the poorer reproducibility of the syringe method is given, based on the radial sensitivity theory and the non-uniformity of the coating distribution over the crystal, as evidenced by microscopic photographs.     

Synthesis and X-ray structure of an unexpected bidentate allene-aminocarbene complex of tungsten

This contribution describes the results obtained from the alkylation reaction upon base-induced of propargyl bromide at nitrogen of Ferrocenyl-N-pentylaminocarbene of tungsten, chromium and molybdenum. This led to unexpected highly strained Fischer-type carbene complexes (5a-c) containing a bidentate allene-aminocarbene ligand. This is the first report of the η²-allene Fischer carbene complexes. The structure of 5a was confirmed by an X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of gas phase elimination of ethyl 1‐piperidine carboxylate,ethyl pipecolinate,and (revisited) ethyl 1‐methyl pipecolinate

The kinetics of the gas‐phase elimination of the title compounds has been determined in a static reaction system over the temperature range of 340–420°C and pressure range of 45–96 Torr. The reactions proved to be homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first‐order rate law. The estimated rate coefficients are represented by the following Arrhenius expressions: Ethyl 1‐piperidine carboxylate Ethyl pipecolinate Ethyl 1‐methyl pipecolinate The first step of decomposition of these esters is the formation of the corresponding carboxylic acids and ethylene. The acid intermediate undergoes a very fast decarboxylation process. The mechanism of this elimination reactions is suggested on the basis of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 383–389, 2005     

Model proficiency testing scheme for serological diagnosis of Brucellosis: interlaboratory study

A model interlaboratory testing scheme was developed by the Italian National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis. This scheme was planned for both qualitative (Rose Bengal Plate Test; RBPT) and quantitative (Complement Fixation Test; CFT) serological tests and involved a total of 42 laboratories. In the preparation of this scheme, reference was made to general protocols and guidelines and to methods reported in the literature, which were applicable to analytical chemistry laboratories. Six field sera from naturally infected animals, one positive serum at a titer below the European Union (EU) positivity threshold, and 5 sera positive at titers between 20 and 851 International Units of Complement Fixation Test (IUCFT)/mL plus one negative serum were used to produce a panel of test sera. To evaluate laboratory performances in the quantitative test for each tested sample examined, z-scores based on robust summary statistics (the median and normalized interquartile range) were used. To evaluate overall laboratory performance, 2 types of combined z-scores were used: Rescaled Sum of Scores and Sum of Squared Scores. In the case of the qualitative test (RBPT), results were analyzed by a Bayesian approach. A Beta distribution, based on the result of each laboratory, was calculated and used to estimate the probability of each laboratory giving a correct result and its uncertainty.     

Facile Ni(II)/ketoxime-mediated conversion of organonitriles into imidoylamidine ligands. Synthesis of imidoylamidines and acetyl amides

Treatment of alkyl nitriles with NiX(2).6H(2)O (X = Cl, NO(3)) and 2-propanone oxime, followed by (X = Cl) addition of [i-Pr(4)N](NO(3)) for precipitation of the product, resulted in the formation of amidinium nitrates [RC([double bond]NH(2))NH(2)](NO(3)) (R = Me, Et, n-Pr). The reaction went to another direction with NiX(2).2H(2)O, i.e., the reaction between neat RCN (R = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu, CH(2)Cl, CH(2)C(6)H(4)OMe-p) and NiCl(2).2H(2)O/2-propanone oxime (other ketoximes can also be used) gave the (imidoylamidine)Ni(II) complexes [Ni[N(H)[double bond]C(R)NHC(R)[double bond]NH](2)](2+) (1(2+)-7(2+)). The latter were isolated in good yields (65-91%) as the bis-chloride salts 1.Cl(2)-6.Cl(2) and the mixed salt 7.(Cl)(p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)CO(2)). Remarkably, the latter transformation does not proceed at all if NiCl(2).2H(2)O or the ketoxime are taken alone. Liberation of imidoylamidines was performed for one alkyl-containing complex [2.Cl(2)] and one benzyl-containing complex [7.(Cl)(p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)CO(2))], by (i) addition of HBF(4).Et(2)O to the acetonitrile solution of the complexes to yield [N(H)[double bond]C(R)NHC(R)[double bond]NH].2HBF(4) (R = Et 8 and R = CH(2)C(6)H(4)OMe-p 9) or (ii) substitution for ethanediamine (en) with following precipitation of the complex [Ni(en)(3)]Cl(2) with formation of free N(H)[double bond]C(R)NHC(R)[double bond]NH (R = Et 10 and R = CH(2)C(6)H(4)OMe-p 11). In contrast to the liberation in nonaqueous media, treatment of 2.Cl(2) and 7.(Cl)(p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)CO(2)) with Na(2)EDTA.2H(2)O in water-methanol solutions led to substitution and hydrolysis to furnish the acyl amides [EtC([double bond]O)](2)NH (12) and [p-MeOC(6)H(4)CH(2)C([double bond]O)](2)NH (13). Alternatively, 12 and 13 were obtained by hydrolysis of 10 and 11 in water at pH ca. 8.5. It was shown that the oxime complexes trans-[NiCl(2)(C(4)H(8)C[double bond]NOH)(4)] (14) or cis-[Ni(O,O-NO(3))(2)(C(4)H(8)C[double bond]NOH)(2)] (15) can be intermediates in the formation of amidines and imidoylamidines. The sequence of the Ni(II)/oxime mediated formation of (imidoylamidine)Ni complexes and liberation (or hydrolytic liberation) of the ligands opens up a novel, facile and environmentally benign route to imidoylamidines and acyl amides.     

Redox potential and substituent effects in ferrocene derivatives: II

The anodic behavior of 31 ferrocene derivatives (FcX) (four of which have been prepared for the first time) of the types shown below has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (and, in some cases, also by controlled-potential electrolysis and differential pulse polarography) at a Pt electrode, in an aprotic solvent: Fc---C(Y)=Z (class A; Y = R (hydrogen, alkyl or unsaturated-carbon moiety) or Cl; Z = CRR′, derived functionalized groups or {W(CO)₅}); Fc---C(Y)=O (class B; Y --- R or OH); other types (class C, including azide, other unsaturated N moieties, acyloxy or phosphino); disubstituted ferrocenes (class D, with alkyl, aminoalkyl, phosphino, B(OH)₂ or −HGCl substituents, or the S---S---S bridge). All these substituted ferrocenes exhibit a one-electron reversible oxidation centered at iron and the effect of the substituents on the half-wave oxidation potential is discussed in terms of electronic properties. Using the accepted linear correlations between the half-wave oxidation potential and the Hammett constant σ_p of the substituent, σ_p was estimated for the first time for 29 of the substituents in the ferrocenes listed above. The anomalous behavior of complexes with a hydroxy or a carbonyl group is discussed. No correlation was observed between the oxidation potential and either the energy of the electronic absorption bands or the ¹H NMR chemical shift of the unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ring, although there are rough correlations for class A compounds. This behaviour is compared with those of [Fc-CHYZ]. kw]Iron; Redox potentials; Ferrocenes; Electrochemistry; Substituent effects     

Synthesis, structure and reactions of organometallic compounds of Groups 1–3 containing bulky silicon-substituted alkyl groups

Complexes trans-[PtX(L)(PPh₃)₂]A [1: X = CF₃; A = BF₄; L = NCNH₂, NCNMe₂, NCNEt₂, or NCNC(NH₂)₂. 2: X = Cl; A = BPh₄; L = NCNMe₂ or NCNEt₂] and cis-[PtCl(L)(PPh₃)₂][BPh₄] [3: L = NCNH₂ or NCNC(NH₂)₂], which appear to be the first cyanamide or cyanoguanidine complexes of platinum to be reported, have been prepared by treatment of trans-[PtBr(CF₃)(PPh₃)₂] (in CH₂Cl₂/acetone and in the presence of Ag[BF₄]) or of cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] (in THF and in the presence of Na[BPh₄]), respectively, with the appropriate substrate. In KBr pellets or in solution 1 (L = NCNMe₂ or NCNEt₂) undergoes ready replacement of the organocyanamide (under the trans influence of CF₃) by bromide to regenerate trans-(PtBr(CF₃)(PPh₃)₂]. The X-ray structure of 1 (X = CF₃, A = BF₄, L = NCNEt₂) is also reported, and shows the presence of two apical intramolecular contacts of the metal with two ortho-hydrogen atoms of the phosphines, whereas the amine N atom of the diethylcyanamide is trigonal planar in the linear NCN framework with a delocalized π system.     

The metalla-Pinner reaction between Pt(IV)-bound nitriles and alkylated oxamic and oximic forms of hydroxamic acids

The nitrile ligands in the platinum(IV) complexes trans-[PtCl4(RCN)2] (R=Me, Et, CH2Ph) and cis/trans-[PtCl4(MeCN)(Me2SO)] are involved in a metalla-Pinner reaction with N-methylbenzohydroxamic acid (N-alkylated form of hydroxamic acid, hydroxamic form; F1), PhC(=O)N(Me)OH, to achieve the imino species [PtCl4[NH=C(R)ON(Me)C(=O)Ph]2 (1-3) and [PtCl4[NH=C(Me)ON(Me)C(=O)Ph](Me2SO)] (7), respectively. Treatment of trans-[PtCl4(RCN)2] (R=Me, Et) and cis/trans-[PtCl4(MeCN)(Me2SO)] with the O-alkylated form of a hydroxamic acid (hydroximic form), i.e. methyl 2,4,6-trimethylbenzohydroximate, 2,4,6-(Me3C6H2)C(OMe)=NOH (F2A), allows the isolation of [PtCl4[NH=C(R)ON=C(OMe)(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)]2] (5, 6) and [PtCl4[NH=C(Me)ON=C(OMe)(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)](Me2SO)] (8), correspondingly. In accord with the latter reaction, the coupling of nitriles in trans-[PtCl4(EtCN)2] with methyl benzohydroximate, PhC(OMe)=NOH (F2B), gives [PtCl4[NH=C(Et)ON=C(OMe)Ph]2] (4). The addition proceeds faster with the hydroximic F2, rather than with the hydroxamic form F1. The complexes 1-8 were characterized by C, H, N elemental analyses, FAB+ mass-spectrometry, IR, 1H and 13C[1H] NMR spectroscopies. The X-ray structure determinations have been performed for both hydroxamic and hydroximic complexes, i.e. 2 and 6, indicating that the imino ligands are mutually trans and they are in the E-configuration.     

Optimisation of mercury film deposition on glassy carbon electrodes: evaluation of the combined effects of pH, thiocyanate ion and deposition potential

The combined effects of pH, thiocyanate ion and deposition potential in the characteristics of thin mercury film electrodes plated on glassy carbon surfaces are evaluated. Charges of deposited mercury are used as an experimental parameter for the estimation of the effectiveness of the mercury deposition procedure. The sensitivity of the anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) method for the determination of lead at in situ and at ex situ formed thin mercury films are also examined. It was concluded that, in acidic solutions (pH 2.5-5.7) and fairly negative deposition potentials, e.g. −1.3 to −1.5 V, thiocyanate ion promotes the formation of the mercury film, in respect both to the amount of deposited mercury and to the mercury deposition rate. Also, the mercury coatings produced in thiocyanate solutions are more homogeneous, as depicted by microscopic examinations. In the presence of thiocyanate there is no obvious advantage of using high concentrations of mercury and/or high deposition times for the in situ and ex situ preparation of the mercury film electrodes. The optimised thin mercury film electrode ex situ prepared in a 5.0 mM thiocyanate solution of pH 3.4 was successfully applied to the ASV determination of lead and copper in acidified seawater (pH 2). The limit of detection (3σ) was 6×10⁻¹¹ M for lead and 2×10⁻¹⁰ M for copper for a deposition time of 5 min. Relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) of <1.2% were obtained for determinations at the nanomolar of concentration level.