Studies on pollutants: A new reagent for the detection of fluoride

A new solid analytical reagent is reported for the detection and semiquantitative determination of traces of fluoride. A blue (λ_max 590 nm) trypan blue dye is liberated from an insoluble zirconium-trypan blue complex by the action of fluoride in dilute acetic acid medium. The detection limit is 0.8 ppm and the range of semiquantitative determination is 0.8 to 8 ppm. The method is simple and can be conveniently used for field detection of fluoride in polluted waters.     

Variable coordination mode of chloranilic acid. Synthesis, structure, and electrochemical properties of some osmium complexes

Reaction of chloranilic acid (H2ca) with [Os(bpy)2 Br2] (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) affords a dinuclear complex of type [{Os(bpy)2}2 (ca)]2+, isolated as the perchlorate salt. A similar reaction of H2ca with [Os(PPh3)2 (pap)Br2] (pap = 2-(phenylazo)pyridine) affords a dinuclear complex of type [{Os(PPh3)2 (pap)}2 (ca)]2+ (isolated as the perchlorate salt) and a mononuclear complex of type [Os(PPh3)2 (pap)(ca)]. Reaction of H2ca with [Os(PPh3)2(CO)2(HCOO)2] gives a dinuclear complex of type [{Os(PPh3)2(CO)2}2 (r-ca)], where r-ca is the two electron reduced form of the chloranilate ligand. The structures of the [{Os(PPh3)2 (pap)}2 (ca)](ClO4)2, [Os(PPh3)2 (pap)(ca)], and [{Os(PPh3)2(CO)2}2 (r-ca)] complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In the [{Os(bpy)2}2 (ca)]2+ and [{Os(PPh3)2 (pap)}2 (ca)]2+ complexes, the chloranilate dianion is serving as a tetradentate bridging ligand. In the [Os(PPh3)2 (pap)(ca)] complex, the chloranilate dianion is serving as a bidentate chelating ligand. In the [{Os(PPh3)2(CO)2}2 (r-ca)] complex, the reduced form of the chloranilate ligand (r-ca(4-)) is serving as a tetradentate bridging ligand. All the four complexes are diamagnetic and show intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transitions in the visible region. The [Os(PPh3)2 (pap)(ca)] complex shows an Os(II)-Os(III) oxidation, followed by an Os(III)-Os(IV) oxidation on the positive side of a standard calomel electrode. The three dinuclear complexes show two successive oxidations on the positive side of SCE. The mixed-valent Os(II)-Os(III) species have been generated in the case of the two chloranilate-bridged complexes by coulometric oxidation of the homovalent Os(II)-Os(II) species. The mixed-valent Os(II)-Os(III) species show intense intervalence charge-transfer transitions in the near-IR region.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of thiosulphate by hexachloroplatinate(IV)

Summary Rate constants for the oxidation of thiosulphate by hexachloroplatinate(IV) have been measured. The kinetics of the oxidation of thiosulphate follow a second-order rate law, first order with respect to thiosulphate and first order with respect to platinum(IV). The influence of pH is small. The rates are found to depend on the nature and concentration of the cations and follow the order: Cs⁺>Rb⁺>K⁺>Na⁺>Li⁺. The activation parameters calculated from the temperature studies are: H=42.9 k J mol^–1 and S=–102 JK^–1 mol^–1. A mechanism of the reaction in terms of intermediate formation of free radicals followed by the formation of tetrathionate is postulated to explain the kinetic behaviour.     

A new spot test for nitro compounds

A simple, rapid, and highly sensitive method for the detection of micro amounts of nitro compounds has been developed. Nitro compounds are reduced into corresponding hydroxylamines with zinc dust and acetic acid and coupled with diazonium chloride to give hydroxytriazines which give an intense pink to violet color with diphenylamine in acetic acid medium. Quantities of 0.1 μg or less of nitro compounds can be detected in 0.25 ml of total solution by this method. The method is free from the common interference.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of 2-furancarbox-aldehyde by thallium(III) in perchloric acid solutions

The kinetics of the oxidation of 2-furancarboxaldehyde by thallic perchlorate at 50°C obeys the rate law

Relative reactivities of glycerophosphates towards permanganate in perchloric acid medium

Summary The reactivities of - and -glycerophosphates towards MnO ₄ ^– in HClO₄ medium have been examined. The reactions between glycerophosphates and MnO ₄ ^– are first order with respect to [glycerophosphate], [MnO ₄ ^– ] and [H⁺]. There is no evidence for cleavage of the C–O–P bond rather than the terminal –CH₂OH group being oxidized to the respective phosphoglyceraldehyde.     

Use of kinetic plots for relative assessment of reactor throughput and energy consumption

The progress of high temperature processes is generally described in terms of variation of the degree of conversion () with time (t). The present paper outlines a procedure for making use of-t plots for comparative assessment of productivity and energy requirements for a test system with respect to a reference, on the basis of some simplifying assumptions. It is assumed that the throughput is inversely proportional to reaction time as in the case of batch reactors and plug flow reactors. It is also assumed that the energy requirement is a simple function of process temperature. The principles outlined is illustrated with reference to some laboratory data for reduction of iron oxide by coal.The authors wish to thank Prof. P. R. Rao, Director National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, India, for providing facilities for experimental work and for according permission to publish this work.