Mercury Speciation in Fish by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Post-Column Ultraviolet (UV)-Photochemical Vapor Generation (PVG): Comparison of Conventional Line-Source and High-Resolution Continuum Source (HR-CS) Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)

An ultraviolet-photochemical generator (UV-PVG) capable of post-column on-line transformation of both organic and inorganic mercury species to cold vapor (Hg⁰) with subsequent detection by quartz tube-atomic absorption spectrometry (QT-AAS) was developed. Mercury(II), methylmercury(I), ethylmercury(I), and phenylmercury(I) were successfully detected after separation by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Two types of AAS detectors were compared. The first was a commonly used line-source instrument while the second was a high-resolution continuum source (HR-CS) AAS. The latter provided better limits of detection: 0.47?µg?L^?1 for Hg(II), 0.84?µg?L^?1 for methylmercury(I), 0.80?µg?L^?1 for ethylmercury(I), and 2.0?µg?L^?1 for phenylmercury(I). The repeatability at 30?μg?L^?1 was 3.6%, 4.1%, 6.2%, and 4.5% for these species (n?=?10). These figures of merit were comparable with those reported for more sensitive atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Nine sample extraction procedures were investigated. Extraction by tetramethylammonium hydroxide and HCl at 75?°C was selected as the only method compatible with the proposed separation and detection steps providing high extraction efficiency and no changes in mercury speciation. The applicability of the proposed high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet-photochemical vapor generation–quartz tube-atomic absorption spectrometry method was demonstrated using fish samples and certified reference materials (CRM) DOLT-4 (dogfish liver) and ERM-CE464 (tuna fish). The results were comparable to those obtained by a reference method based on L-cysteine extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HPLC–ICP-MS) determination.     

Reaction of Pyrimidinonethione Derivatives: Synthesis of N‐Methyl‐2‐Hydrizinopyrimidine‐4‐One,Thiazolo[3,4‐b] N‐Methylpyrimidinone; 2‐(1‐Pyrazolonyl) N‐Methylpyrimidine‐4‐one and 2‐Hydrazino‐N‐Methyl Pyrimidine‐4‐One Derivatives

6‐Aryl‐5‐cyano‐4‐pyrimidinone‐2‐thion derivatives 1a‐c reacted with methyl iodide (1:2) to give the corresponding 2‐S,N‐dimethyl pyrimidine‐4‐one derivatives 2a‐c . Compounds 2a‐c were in turn, reacted with hydrazine hydrate to give the sulfur free reaction products 3a‐c . These reaction products were taken as the starting materials for the synthesis of several new heterocyclic derivatives. Reaction of 3a‐c with acetic anhydride and formic acid gave pyrimido triazines 4a‐c and 7a‐c , respectively. Their reactions with active methylene containing reagents gave the corresponding 2‐(1‐pyrazonyl)‐N‐methyl pyrimidine derivatives 9a‐c and 10a‐c , respectively. Their reactions with aromatic aldehydes afforded the corresponding 2‐hydrazono pyrimidine derivatives 11a‐c . The structure of these reactions products were established based on both elemental analysis and spectral data studies.     

New many fold 1,2,3‐selenadiazole aromatic derivatives

The many fold aromatic ketones 2a‐d are versatile compounds for the synthesis of the many fold 1,2,3‐selenadiazole aromatic derivatives 5a‐d . The preparation starts with the reaction between the many fold bromomethylene benzene derivatives 1a‐d and 4‐hydroxyacetophenone, which are transformed through the reaction with semicarbazide hydrochloride or ethylhydrazine carboxylate into the corresponding semicarbazones derivatives 3a‐d or hydrazones 4a‐d . The reaction with selenium dioxide leads to regiospecific ring closure of semicarbazones or hydrazones to give the many fold 1,2,3‐selenadiazole aromatic derivatives in high yield.     

Synthesis of saccharidic polymer colloids via free radical mini‐emulsion polymerization

Polymer colloids based on 3‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2:5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D ‐glucofuranose (3‐MDG) and butyl acrylate (BA) were prepared via free radical mini‐emulsion polymerization. The kinetic and colloidal features of the copolymerization were investigated. The final particle size (D) of the sugar latexes is inversely proportional to the concentration of the anionic emulsifier (sodium dodecyl sulphate, SDS) and the non‐ionic one (alkyl polyglucoside, APG). It was also found that D is independent of the concentration of either the water‐soluble initiator (potassium persulfate, KPS), or the oil‐soluble initiator (2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile, AIBN). The rate of mini‐emulsion polymerization is lower in comparison with the conventional emulsion polymerization under the same conditions. The polymerization rate (R_p) and the total number of particles (N_p) are proportional to the 0.72th and 0.93th power of the SDS, and to the 1.40th and 2.22th of the APG concentration. Following reaction orders, 0.79/0.06 were obtained for R_p/N_p versus the concentration of KPS, and 0.22/?0.01 for AIBN, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of Mepivacaine in Human Serum by Gas Chromatography After Solid-Phase Extraction

A method using solid-phase extraction (SPE) has been developed for analysis of mepivacaine in human serum. A procedure for isolation of mepivacaine and lidocaine (internal standard) from human serum by use of Chromosorb 104 (acrylonitrile–divinylbenzene polymer) as extraction adsorbent is described in detail. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography on an HP-INNOWax (cross-linked PEG) capillary column, with flame ionization detection, after splitless injection. Relative standard deviations ranged between 3.6 and 4.4 for a serum mepivacaine concentration of 0.5 g mL^–1 and between 4.7 and 5.9 for a concentration of 1 g mL^–1. Recoveries were approximately 95%. The method was applied in a stomatological clinic to healthy volunteers to whom anesthesia with mepivacaine was administered.     

Direct and Fast Electrochemical Determination of Catechin in Tea Extracts using SWCNT‐Subphthalocyanine Hybrid Material

In this study, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were covalently functionalized by terminal ethynyl bearing subphthalocyanine (SubPc) to obtain a new hybrid material, viz. SWCNT‐SubPc (CS), via “click” reaction for the first time. The structural characterization and study of the electrochemical sensor properties of the CS hybrid material to catechin were carried out. A convenient and fast analytical method was offered for the determination of catechin. It was shown that the deposition of CS on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) led to a 2.2 and 8‐fold increase in the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) responses to catechin in Britton‐Robinson (BR) buffer solution (a pH of 3) in comparison with SWCNT‐modified and bare GCE, respectively. The dynamic range, detection and quantification limits of catechin were determined to be 0.1–1.5 μM, 13 nM and 43 nM, respectively. Selectivity of the suggested CS/GCE sensor was investigated on addition of a number of interfering metal ions, antioxidants and biomolecules. The applicability of the modified electrode for the detection of catechin in real tea samples such as green, rosehip fruit, Turkish and Indian black tea was demonstrated with the standard addition method. Along with the ease in fabrication and low prices, the proposed CS/GCE sensor was reproducible, selective, stable and sensitive to catechin in major types of tea samples.     

An Enzyme‐free H2O2 Sensor Based on Poly(2‐Aminophenylbenzimidazole)/Gold Nanoparticles Coated Pencil Graphite Electrode

A poly(2‐aminophenylbenzimidazole)/gold nanoparticles (P2AB/AuNPs) coated disposable pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was fabricated as an enzyme‐free sensor for the H₂O₂ determination. P2AB/AuNPs and P2AB were successfully synthesized electrochemically on PGE in acetonitrile for the first time. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and UV‐Vis spectroscopy. AuNPs interacted with P2AB as carrier enhances the electrocatalytic activity towards reduction of H₂O₂. The analytical performance was evaluated in a 100 mM phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.5 by amperometry. The steady state current vs. H₂O₂ concentration is linear in the range of 0.06 to 100 mM (R²=0.992) with a limit of detection 3.67×10^?5 M at ?0.8 V vs. SCE and no interference is caused by ascorbic acid, dopamine, uric acid, and glucose. The examination for the sensitive determination of H₂O₂ was conducted in commercially available hair oxidant solution. The results demonstrate that P2AB/AuNPs/PGE has potential applications as a sensing material for quantitative determination of H₂O₂.     

New polymer syntheses. LXXXII. Syntheses of poly(ether-sulfone)s from silylated aliphatic diols including chiral monomers

Attempts were made to synthesize poly(ether-sulfone)s from aliphatic diols or bissilylated diols on the one hand, and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenylsulfone or 4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone on the other hand. The reaction conditions and the catalyst were varied. Polycondensations of silylated diols with 4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone and powdered K₂ CO₃ in N-methylpyr-rolidone proved to give the best results. Using silylated isosorbide and isomannide as mono-mers chiral poly(ether-sulfone)s were prepared. GPC measurements indicate weight-average molecular weights in the range of 27×10³–200×10³. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Some Newly Synthesized 4‐Thiazolidinones

The antimicrobial activity of thirteen newly synthesized 4‐thiazolidinones (TZONs) and four dithiolane derivatives was assessed against susceptible and resistant bacteria, including MRSA, as well as Candida albicans. The structure‐activity relationships revealed that 4‐Thiazolidinone derivatives harboring p‐chlorophenyl and dicarboxyethyl at the 2‐ethenyl and 5‐arylidine positions of the thiazolidinone ring display considerable antibacterial properties. No antifungal activity was recorded by all tested compounds against Candida albicans. The possible potentiative (synergistic) effect of the most active compounds to a few commercial antibiotics was also investigated.     

Evaluation of Antifungal and Antioxidant Activity of Newly Synthesized 4‐Thiazolidinones

The antifungal and antioxidant activities of thirty newly synthesized 4‐thiazolidinone (TZON) derivatives were assessed against some fungal species including Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The introduction of different arylidene moieties at 5‐positions of the thiazolidinone ring successfully enhanced its biological activity. The structure–activity relationships revealed that 4‐thiazolidinone derivatives harboring dicarboxyethyl (at the 2‐ethenyl) and p‐nitrophenylhydrazyl arm (at the 5‐arylidine positions of the thiazolidinone ring) display considerable antifungal and antioxidant properties.