Amperometric detection of hydrazine by cyclic voltammetry and flow injection analysis using ruthenium modified glassy carbon electrodes

Glassy carbon electrodes modified with (5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline)bis(bipyridine)ruthium(II) chloride hydrate, [(bpy)₂Ru(5-phenNH₂)]Cl₂·H₂O, are shown to oxidize hydrazine with excellent sensitivity. The presence of an amine group on the ruthenium complex facilitates electropolymerization onto the electrode surface. Using cyclic voltammetry, a large catalytic current is observed upon oxidation of hydrazine in phosphate buffer (pH 5.0), compared to the current obtained from the ruthenium-modified electrode with no hydrazine present. The sensitivity of cyclic voltammetry is sufficient for obtaining a linear calibration curve for hydrazine over the range of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻² M. Hydrodynamic amperometry was used to determine the working potential for flow injection analysis. The limit of detection for hydrazine was determined to be 8.5 μM using FIA. The thickness of these films was shown to increase linearly with the number of electropolymerization cycles, in the range of 1000-2500 nm for 5-20 cycles, respectively, using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). RBS analysis also suggests that the film is multilayered with the outermost layers containing a high ruthenium concentration, followed by layers where the concentration of ruthenium decreases linearly and approaches zero at the electrode surface.     

Platinum chromophore-based systems for photoinduced charge separation: a molecular design approach for artificial photosynthesis

Photoinduced charge separation is a fundamental step in photochemical energy conversion. In the design of molecularly based systems for light-to-chemical energy conversion, this step is studied through the construction of two- and three-component systems (dyads and triads) having suitable electron donor and acceptor moieties placed at specific positions on a charge-transfer chromophore. The most extensively studied chromophores in this regard are ruthenium(II) tris(diimine) systems with a common 3MLCT excited state, as well as related ruthenium(II) bis(terpyridyl) systems. This Forum contribution focuses on dyads and triads of an alternative chromophore, namely, platinum(II) di- and triimine systems having acetylide ligands. These d8 chromophores all possess a 3MLCT excited state in which the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital is a pi orbital on the heterocyclic aromatic ligand. The excited-state energies of these Pt(II) chromophores are generally higher than those found for the ruthenium(II) tris(diimine) systems, and the directionality of the charge transfer is more certain. The first platinum diimine bis(arylacetylide) triad, constructed by attaching phenothiazene donors to the arylacetylide ligands and a nitrophenyl acceptor to 5-ethynylphenanthroline of the chromophore, exhibited a charge-separated state of 75-ns duration. The first Pt(tpy)(arylacetylide)+-based triad contains a trimethoxybenzamide donor and a pyridinium acceptor and has been structurally characterized. The triad has an edge-to-edge separation between donor and acceptor fragments of 27.95 Angstroms. However, while quenching of the emission is complete for this system, transient absorption (TA) studies reveal that charge transfer does not move onto the pyridinium acceptor. A new set of triads described in detail here and having the formula [Pt(NO2phtpy)(p-C triple-bond C-C6H4CH2(PTZ-R)](PF6), where NO2phtpy = 4'-{4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)vinyl]phenyl}-2,2';6',2'-terpyridine and PTZ = phenothiazine with R = H, OMe, possess an unsaturated linkage between the chromophore and a nitrophenyl acceptor. While the parent chromophore [Pt(ttpy)(C triple-bond CC6H5)]PF6 is brightly luminescent in a fluid solution at 298 K, the triads exhibit complete quenching of the emission, as do the related donor-chromophore (D-C) dyads. Electrochemically, the triads and D-C dyads exhibit a quasi-reversible oxidation wave corresponding to the PTZ ligand, while the R = H triad and related C-A dyad display a facile quasi-reversible reduction assignable to the acceptor. TA spectroscopy shows that one of the triads possesses a long-lived charge-separated state of approximately 230 ns.     

Determination of pentachlorophenol by negative ion chemical ionization with membrane introduction mass spectrometry

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was used as a model compound to explore the potential of desorption chemical ionization (DCI) in the determination of polychlorinated pesticides using membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS). A direct insertion membrane probe was modified so that a chemical ionization plasma could be established at the membrane surface. Using selected ion monitoring (SIM) in a tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with isobutane chemical ionization (CI), the PCP detection limit under positive chemical ionization is 20 ppb whereas negative CI gives detection limits in the low ppb range. This performance is achieved without any pre-treatment or derivatization of the sample. Negative ion CI gives a signal that is linear over a concentration range of 2-1000 ppb. Comparison of data obtained with low ppb samples of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol suggests that the sensitivity of this analytical procedure increases with increase in the number of electronegative substituents in the molecule.     

Investigation of the asymmetric ionic Diels-Alder reaction for the synthesis of cis-decalins

The ionic Diels-Alder reaction, whereby an alpha,beta-unsaturated acetal in combination with a Lewis or Bronsted acid forms an equilibrium concentration of an activated dienophile, has been developed to provide an enantioselective synthesis of cis-decalins. Cyclohex-2-enone type chiral acetals of (2R,3R)-butane-2,3-diol have been screened against Lewis and Br?nsted acids with a variety of dienes and are efficient for the synthesis of a limited subset of cis-decalin structures. Diastereoselectivities of 73% and 82% have been found for the asymmetric ionic Diels-Alder reaction between the chiral acetal derivatives of cyclohex-2-enone (6) and 2-methylcyclohex-2-enone (18) with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene (7). Terminal substituents on the diene partner in general render the system unreactive. However a synthetically useful cis-decalin 31, derived from the reaction of 2-methylcyclohex-2-enone and Z-3-t-butyldimethyl-silyloxypenta-1,3-diene has been prepared in enantiomerically pure form in 74% isolated yield using this asymmetric ionic Diels-Alder protocol.     

The reaction of carbanions with 2-substituted-2-nitropropanes : Substitution and dimerization occurring by radical chain processes involving electron transfer

The reaction of mono-enolate anions with O₂NCMe₂X where X = Cl, NO₂, p-MePhSO₂ yield coupling (RCOCH(R′)(CMe₂NO₂) and enolate dimerization products (RCOCH(R′)CH(R′)COR) by free radical chain mechanisms involving bimolecular substitution or electron transfer reactions between the enolate anion and the intermediate nitro alkane radical anion (XCMe₂NO₂^?).     

Tributylgermanium hydride as a replacement for tributyltin hydride in radical reactions

Tributylgermanium hydride (Bu(3)GeH) can be used as an alternative to tributyltin hydride (Bu(3)SnH) as a radical generating reagent with a wide range of radical substrates. Tributylgermanium hydride has several practical advantages over tributyltin hydride, e.g. low toxicity, good stability and much easier work-up of reactions. The reagent can be easily prepared in good yield and stored indefinitely. Suitable substrates include iodides, bromides, activated chlorides, phenyl selenides, tert-nitroalkanes, thiocarbonylimidazolides and Barton esters. Alkyl, vinyl and aryl radicals can be generated in radical reactions including reduction and cyclisation processes. Common radical initiators such as ACCN and triethylborane can be used. The slower rate of hydrogen abstraction by carbon-centred radicals from Bu(3)GeH as compared to Bu(3)SnH facilitates improved cyclisation yields. Polarity reversal catalysis (PRC) with phenylthiol can be used in reactions which generate stable radical intermediates which will not abstract hydrogen from Bu(3)GeH.     

A simple and versatile method for the synthesis of acetals from aldehydes and ketones using bismuth triflate

Acetals are obtained in good yields by treatment of aldehydes and ketones with trialkyl orthoformate and the corresponding alcohol in the presence of 0.1 mol % Bi(OTf)3.4H2O. A simple procedure for the formation of acetals of diaryl ketones has also been developed. The conversion of carbonyl compounds to the corresponding 1,3-dioxolane using ethylene glycol is also catalyzed by Bi(OTf)3.4H2O (1 mol %). Two methods, both of which avoid the use of benzene, have been developed.     

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 19. Crystallographic, spectroscopic, electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and theoretical studies of systematically varied tetrahedral group 6-iridium clusters

A systematically varied series of tetrahedral clusters involving ligand and core metal variation has been examined using crystallography, Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis-NIR and IR spectroelectrochemistry, and approximate density functional theory, to assess cluster rearrangement to accommodate steric crowding, the utility of metal-metal stretching vibrations in mixed-metal cluster characterization, and the possibility of tuning cluster electronic structure by systematic modification of composition, and to identify cluster species resultant upon electrochemical oxidation or reduction. The 60-electron tetrahedral clusters MIr(3)(CO)(11-x)(PMe(3))(x)(eta(5)-Cp) [M = Mo, x = 0, Cp = C(5)H(4)Me (5), C(5)HMe(4) (6), C(5)Me(5) (7); M = W, Cp = C(5)H(4)Me, x = 1 (13), x = 2 (14)] and M(2)Ir(2)(CO)(10-x)(PMe(3))(x)(eta(5)-Cp) [M = Mo, x = 0, Cp = C(5)H(4)Me (8), C(5)HMe(4) (9), C(5)Me(5) (10); M = W, Cp = C(5)H(4)Me, x = 1 (15), x = 2 (16)] have been prepared. Structural studies of 7, 10, and 13 have been undertaken; these clusters are among the most sterically encumbered, compensating by core bond lengthening and unsymmetrical carbonyl dispositions (semi-bridging, semi-face-capping). Raman spectra for 5, 8, WIr(3)(CO)(11)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me) (11), and W(2)Ir(2)(CO)(10)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me)(2) (12), together with the spectrum of Ir(4)(CO)(12), have been obtained, the first Raman spectra for mixed-metal clusters. Minimal mode-mixing permits correlation between A(1) frequencies and cluster core bond strength, frequencies for the A(1) breathing mode decreasing on progressive group 6 metal incorporation, and consistent with the trend in metal-metal distances [Ir-Ir < M-Ir < M-M]. Cyclic voltammetric scans for 5-15, MoIr(3)(CO)(11)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5)) (1), and Mo(2)Ir(2)(CO)(10)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2) (3) have been collected. The [MIr(3)] clusters show irreversible one-electron reduction at potentials which become negative on cyclopentadienyl alkyl introduction, replacement of molybdenum by tungsten, and replacement of carbonyl by phosphine. These clusters show two irreversible one-electron oxidation processes, the easier of which tracks with the above structural modifications; a third irreversible oxidation process is accessible for the bis-phosphine cluster 14. The [M(2)Ir(2)] clusters show irreversible two-electron reduction processes; the tungsten-containing clusters and phosphine-containing clusters are again more difficult to reduce than their molybdenum-containing or carbonyl-containing analogues. These clusters show two one-electron oxidation processes, the easier of which is reversible/quasi-reversible, and the more difficult of which is irreversible; the former occur at potentials which increase on cyclopentadienyl alkyl removal, replacement of tungsten by molybdenum, and replacement of phosphine by carbonyl. The reversible one-electron oxidation of 12 has been probed by UV-vis-NIR and IR spectroelectrochemistry. The former reveals that 12(+) has a low-energy band at 8000 cm(-1), a spectrally transparent region for 12, and the latter reveals that 12(+) exists in solution with an all-terminal carbonyl geometry, in contrast to 12 for which an isomer with bridging carbonyls is apparent in solution. Approximate density functional calculations (including ZORA scalar relativistic corrections) have been undertaken on the various charge states of W(2)Ir(2)(CO)(10)(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2) (4). The calculations suggest that two-electron reduction is accompanied by W-W cleavage, whereas one-electron oxidation proceeds with retention of the tetrahedral core geometry. The calculations also suggest that the low-energy NIR band of 12(+) arises from a sigma(W-W) --> sigma*(W-W) transition.     

Electronic Raman spectroscopy of the vanadium(III) hexaaqua cation in guanidinium vanadium sulphate: Quintessential manifestation of the dynamical Jahn-Teller effect

Single-crystal Raman spectra are presented for the salt [C(NH2)3][V(OH2)6](SO4)2, displaying electronic transitions between the trigonal components of the vanadium(III) 3T1g(Oh) ground term. The 3A-->3E(C3) electronic Raman band is centered at approximately 2720 cm-1, and exhibits extensive structure, revealing the energies of the spinor components of the 3E(C3) term for the two crystallographically distinct [V(OH2)6]3+ cations. The data are interpreted in conjunction with parameters previously reported from an electron paramagnetic resonance study of the salt. A satisfactory reproduction of the electronic Raman profile and ground-state spin-Hamiltonian parameters is achieved by employing a (3A plus sign in circle3E)multiply sign in circle e vibronic coupling model, in which the spin-orbit splitting of the 3E(C3) is quenched significantly by the Ham effect, and the intensity of harmonics of the Jahn-Teller active vibration enhanced by their proximity to the electronic Raman bands. The model gives an excellent account of the intensities of the electronic Raman bands, which are shown to depend profoundly on both temperature and the selected component of the polarizability tensor. The electronic Raman profile changes notably upon deuteriation, a result that exposes deficiencies in the single-mode coupling model.     

INVESTIGATION OF THE ANTIVIRAL ACTION OF THE PHOTOACTIVE COMPOUND PHENYLHEPTATRIYNE

Abstract— Murine cytomegalovirus, a herpes virus, was used as a model virus to investigate the mechanism of the anti-viral action of phenylheptatriyne in long wave ultraviolet light. The genome and proteins of the inactivated virus penetrated the nuclei of susceptible cells normally. Furthermore, the viral genome did not contain extra single strand breaks or cross-links. However, cells infected with the treated virus did not synthesize late viral proteins, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. nor did they synthesize late viral RNA and viral DNA according to nucleic acid hybridization tests. Thus the compound may interfere with an early viral function so that the replication cycle cannot proceed.