Theoretical study of the effect of frit quality on chromatography using computational fluid dynamics

Summary Frits at both ends of a chromatographic column, especially for a preparative column, have significant influence on the flow distribution within the column and thus the column efficiency. However, frits have received little attention from chromatographers in the past. Here a theoretical study was conducted with the aid of CFD software FLUENT to investigate the effect of frits on the performance of homogeneous and heterogeneous chromatographic columns. A dimensionless number,FQ, was applied to characterize frit quality. This study visualized how frit quality affects the flow distribution and the concentration band, the shape of eluted pulse at the colum exit and column efficiency. Simulation results show that the development length of the flow distribution is related toFQ but has nothing to do with the packing heterogeneity. The curvature of the concentration band in a column depends onFQ and packing quality. This study shows column efficiency can be improved significantly by increasingFQ and/or frit permeability.     

Viscosity effects on the thermal decomposition of bis(perfluoro-2-N-propoxypropionyl) peroxide in dense carbon dioxide and fluorinated solvents

The thermal decomposition of the free-radical initiator bis(perfluoro-2-N-propoxyprionyl) peroxide (BPPP) was studied in dense carbon dioxide and a series of fluorinated solvents. For the fluorinated solvents, the observed first-order decomposition rate constants, k(obs), increased with decreasing solvent viscosity, suggesting a single-bond decomposition mechanism. The k(obs) values are comparatively larger in dense carbon dioxide and similar to the "zero-viscosity" rate constants extrapolated from the decomposition kinetics in the fluorinated solvents. The decomposition activation parameters demonstrate a compensation behavior of the activation enthalpy with the activation entropy upon change in solvent viscosity. Comparison of the change in activation parameter values upon change in solvent viscosity for BPPP with two additional initiators, acetyl peroxide (AP) and trifluoroacetyl peroxide (TFAP), further suggests that carbon dioxide exerts a very minimal influence on the decomposition mechanism of these initiators through solvent-cage effects.     

Models for estimating the non-specific toxicity of organic compounds in short-term bioassays

The solvation parameter model is used to construct equations for the estimation of the non-specific toxicity of neutral organic compounds to five organisms used for short-term toxicity testing. For the bacteria Vibrio fischeri (Microtox test) and Pseudomonas putida, the protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis (Tetratox test), the green alga Scendesmus quadricauda and the brine shrimp Artemia salina, the main factors resulting in increased non-specific toxicity are size (dominantly) and lone-pair electron interactions, with hydrogen-bond basicity the most important solute property reducing toxicity. Species differences in relative non-specific toxicity are largely related to differences in cohesion and hydrogen-bond acidity of the biomembranes. The models for non-specific toxicity are proposed as an alternative to the octanol-water distribution constant for the determination of baseline toxicity. Failure of the octanol-water distribution constant to model non-specific toxicity is quantitatively explained by its inability to adequately characterize the sorption properties of the biomembranes for compounds with varied properties.     

Experimental setup for the determination of analytes contained in ultrasonically levitated drops

An automated technique for the determination of analytes in an ultrasonically levitated sample of 2 to 5 microL volume has been developed. Contactless dosing of reagents or solvents into an ultrasonically levitated drop was realized via piezoelectric micropumps. Drop size was continually controlled with a programmed CCD camera. A diode array spectrometer designed for the use with optical fibers was used for absorption and fluorescence measurements. Determinations via direct absorption measurements following the method of standard addition and acid-base titrations with an absorption indicator and a fluorescent indicator were carried out. The mean consumption of sodium hydroxide added via a piezoelectric micropump in five successive titrations with 18 nmol of sulfuric acid inside a levitated drop (indicator bromothymol blue) had a relative standard deviation of 0.7% and differed only by 0.2% from the expected value.     

Coprecipitation/accumulation/distribution of manganese and iron, and electrochemical characteristics of Mn in calcareous seawater

A study of managanese and iron associated with particulate matter in seawaters derived from the English Channel (and North Sea). Sequential extraction procedures have been used to identify geochemical processes that govern Mn and Fe coprecipitation/accumulation/distribution in different particulate phases (carbonate; Fe-Mn(hydr)oxides; organic matter and residual phase). The oxidation states of Mn and Fe, some mechanisms of bonding and the magnetic characteristics of particles have been investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy, electron spin resonance(ESR) spectroscopy, and mass susceptibility balance. The effect of pH and redox potential on stability of different dissolved and particulate Mn species was also examined. In the these calcareous seawaters, manganese (II) is predominantly bound to the carbonate phase (calcite) in the form of Mn_xCa_1-xCO₃. However the persistent occurrence of Mn in oxidation states > 2 in these particles has suggested the existence of manganese(III) in the polymeric FeOOH structures as an intermediate entity during Mn(II) oxidation in the sea. The activity coefficient of the entity MnOOH in FeOOH has been evaluated and p-pH diagrams of Mn have been proposed under marine conditions.     

Thermodynamics of 2,2′-dipyridinium ion and its iron(II) complex in methanol—water mixture at 25°C

The enthalpies of formation of the 2,2′-dipyridinium ion and the 2,2′-dipyridyl-iron(II) complex in methanol—water media at 25°C have been determined by caloriumetry. The entropy-changes have been calculated combining the enthalpy values with the corresponding free-energy changes previously reported. The role of solvents on the thermodynamic parameters has been discussed.     

The gas chromatography, thermal analysis and mass spectrometry of fluorinated lead β-diketonates Determination of traces of lead by the integrated ion-current technique

Preparative details for perfluoroalkanoylpivalylmethanes and their lead chelates are given. Thermal analysis, gas chromatography and mass spectral studies all indicate high thermal stability, but strong column interaction makes successful quantitative gas chromatography difficult. The integrated ion-current technique is applied to determine lead heptafluorobutanoylpivalylmethanate in the range 10^-9–10^-7 g of lead, but a lower detection limit of ca. 10^-14 g is indicated.     

Use of thenoyltrifluoroacetone for the determination of manganese by activation analysis

A new procedure for the substoichiometric extraction of bivalent manganese by thenoyltrifluoroacetone into ethyl acetate has been developed and used in activation analysis. The value of the extraction constant has been found to be 3.1 x 10(-6); the pH range in which the extraction can be performed is 7.8-9.2. The influence of oxalate, citrate, tartrate, fluoride and cyanide ions has been studied. A selective substoichiometric extraction of manganese in the presence of Zr, Hf, Nb, Th, Fe and Sc is possible at pH 8-8.5, tartrate and fluoride being used as masking agents. Copper and cobalt can be screened by ammonia and cyanide respectively. The method has been used for the determination of manganese in biological materials, potassium fluoride and zirconium.     

Phototitrimetric determination of sulfhydryl compounds witho-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid using dithiofluorescein as an indicator

Summary A phototitrimetric method for the determination of sulfhydryl compounds in an aqueous medium is described.o-Hydroxymercuribenzoic acid is used as a titrant with dithiofluorescein as an indicator. Disulfide amino acids like cystine and-substituted DL-cystines are reduced with sodium borohydride before titration. All amino acids were determined to the limit of 1.0mol with an error of less than 4%. A selective phototitrimetric method for the determination of-mercaptopyruvate in presence of cysteine and glutathione is described. This method can be extended to the microdetermination of other similar sulfhydryl compounds in biological materials.

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Zusammenfassung Eine phototitrimetrische Bestimmungsmethode für Sulfhydrylverbindungen in wäßriger Phase wurde beschrieben. Als Maßflüssigkeit diento-Hydroxymercuribenzoesäure, als Indikator Dithiofluorescein. Aminosäuredisulfide wie Cystin und-substituierte DL-Cystine werden vor der Titration mit Natriumborhydrid reduziert. Alle Aminosäuren lassen sich bis zur Größenordnung von 1,0Mol mit einem Fehler von weniger als 4% bestimmen. Eine selektive phototitrimetrische Bestimmung von-Merkaptopyruvat in Gegenwart von Cystein und Glutathion wurde angegeben. Das Verfahren läßt sich auch für andere Sulfhydrylverbindungen in biologischem Material anwenden.