Synthesis and characterization of molybdenum oxo complexes of two tripodal ligands: reactivity studies of a functional model for molybdenum oxotransferases

Reaction of the tetradentate ligand N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L-OH) with MoO2Cl2 in methanol in the presence of NaOMe and PF6- results in the formation of [MoO2(L-O)]PF6. Similarly, the reaction of N-(2-mercaptobenzyl)-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L-SH) with MoO2(acac)2 leads to the formation of [MoO2(L-S)]+. The dioxo-molybdenum complex [MoO2(L-O)]+ reacts with phosphines in methanol to afford phosphine oxides and an air-sensitive molybdenum complex, tentatively identified as [Mo(IV)O(L-O)(OCH3)]. The latter complex is capable of reducing biological oxygen donors such as DMSO or nitrate, thereby mimicking the activity of DMSO reductase and nitrate reductase. Reaction of [MoO2(L-O)]PF6 with PPh3 in other solvents than methanol leads to the formation of the Mo(V) dimer [(L-O)OMo(micro-O)MoO(L-O)](PF6)2. The crystal structures of [MoO2(L-O)]PF6 and the micro-oxo bridged dimer are presented.     

Determination of noscapine in plasma by liquid chromatography

A liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of noscapine in plasma. Noscapine and the internal standard, papaverine, were extracted into methylene chloride by column extraction. The separation was performed on a straight-phase liquid chromatographic system using a mobile phase of hexane--methanol--chloroform--diethylamine. A high detection selectivity was obtained by UV detection at 310 nm. The precision of the method was 3.8% (standard deviation) at a level of 89 ng/ml and 9.5% (standard deviation) at 5.9 ng/ml. The selectivity of the analytical method was evaluated by comparing analytical results after isolation of extracts of plasma samples on reversed- and straight-phase liquid chromatographic systems.     

A complexometric method for the determination of small amounts of an alkaline-earth metal in mixture with other metals

A discussion of the conditions for the complexometric determination of the minor component in a mixture of two metal ions is presented. It is based on expressions of the Ringbom type for the titration error. These are derived by the use of logarithmic diagrams. The results have been used to devise an analytical procedure for the determination of the alkaline earth metals in the presence of a large excess of nickel or zinc.     

Isotopic exchange of CO adsorbed on Pt(111)

The isotopic exchange of CO adsorbed on Pt(111) was studied using polarization modulation IR reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and temperature programmed desorption. It was found that the rate constants for the exchange reaction are much higher than would be expected from previous investigations of CO adsorbed on Pt nanoparticles. The adsorption of CO on Pt(111) under elevated pressures of CO and H(2) was also studied using PM-IRRAS. It was seen that CO pressures above 1 mbar lead to a shift in the absorption peak arising from CO adsorbed on a bridge site from 1850 to 1875 cm(-1). Exposing the CO-covered Pt(111) surface to 1000 mbar H(2) did not lead to any significant desorption of CO at room temperature, whereas at 363 K H(2) exposure did lead to a significant desorption of CO, due to the increased chemical potential of H(2). In a mixture of CO and H(2) with partial pressures of 0.01 mbar and 1000 mbar, respectively, no significant effect of H(2) on the PM-IRRAS spectrum was seen at temperatures below 423 K.     

Condensation of a one-dimensional lattice gas

We consider a one-dimensional lattice gas in the canonical ensemble with interaction energy 1/r , 1<2. Using an energy-entropy argument we show that the gas condenses at sufficiently low temperatures meaning that the gas has a non-uniform density in the thermodynamic limit.Research supported by the Swedish research councils NFR and STUF     

Prompt fission induced by antiproton annihilation at rest on heavy nuclei

Antiproton induced fission probabilities of U²³⁸, Bi²⁰⁹, Pb²⁰⁸ and Au¹⁷⁷ are reported together with the mass distribution of the fission fragments in the U²³⁸ and Bi²⁰⁹ cases. The charged particles multiplicities observed in co-incidence with fission have, also, been measured for U and Bi and are presented.Dedicated to Peter Armbruster on the occasion of his 60th birthday in recognition of his important contribution to modern Nuclear Physics     

Gas chromatographic analysis of flunixin in equine urine after extractive methylation

A quantitative method for the analysis of flunixin, 2-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethylanilino) nicotinic acid, in equine urine by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection has been developed. Flunixin and the internal standard, mefenamic acid, N-(2,3-xylyl) anthranilic acid, were analysed after extractive methylation of the carboxylic acid group using methyl iodide. The extraction and alkylation conditions of flunixin and mefenamic acid have been studied. The detection limit of the method was 0.25 mumol/l flunixin in urine (74 ng/ml). Flunixin was found to be conjugated to 96.5% in equine urine, and the conjugate was spontaneously hydrolysed to free flunixin. This approach can also be used to confirm the presence of flunixin or mefenamic acid in horse urine in the doping control of racehorses.     

The effect of polymers on the phase behavior of balanced microemulsions: diblock-copolymer and comb-polymers

The effect of some amphipilic diblock-copolymers and comb-polymers on a balanced Winsor III microemulsion system is investigated with the quaternary system n-octyl-β-d-glucoside/1-octanol/n-octane/D₂O as basis system. The diblock-copolymers are polyethyleneoxide-co-polydodecenoxide (PEO _x PEDODO _y ) and polyethyleneoxide-co-polybutyleneoxide (PEO _x PEBU _y ), constituted of a straight chain hydrophilic part and a bulky hydrophobic part. Addition of the diblock-copolymer leads to an enhancement of the swelling of the middle phase by uptake of water and oil; a maximum boosting factor of 6 was obtained for PEO₁₁₁PEDODO₂₅. Nuclear magnetic resonance diffusometry yields the self-diffusion coefficients of all the components in the system. The diffusion experiments provide information on how the microstructure of the bicontinuous microemulsion changes upon addition of the polymers. The reduced self-diffusion coefficients of water and oil are sensitive to the type of polymer that is incorporated in the film. For the diblock-copolymers, as mainly used here, the reduced self-diffusion coefficient of oil and water will respond to how the polymer bends the film. When the film bends away from water, the reduced self-diffusion of the water will increase, whereas the oil diffusion will decrease due to the film acting as a barrier, hindering free diffusion. The self-diffusion coefficient of the polymer and surfactant are similar in magnitude and both decrease slightly with increasing polymer concentration.