Inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry with a high-efficiency sample introduction system for the determination of Pu isotopes in settling particles at femtogram levels

An analytical method for the determination of plutonium concentration and its isotope ratio (²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu) for settling particle samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is presented. The generally used approach for Pu preconcentration by increasing the amount of samples is not applicable because of the small size of settling particle samples available for the analysis for Pu isotopes. Efforts were made to improve the sensitivity of a sector-field ICP-MS (SF-ICP-MS) and reduce the ²³⁸UH⁺ interference for Pu analysis by combining a high-efficiency sample introduction system (APEX-Q). An extremely low detection limit of 0.07 fg Pu was achieved, which allowed the determination of Pu isotope ratio at femtogram levels. The precision and accuracy of ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu isotope ratio analysis were carefully examined with a certified Pu isotope standard (NBS-947) and an ocean sediment reference material (IAEA-368). Simple anion-exchange chromatography for the separation and purification of Pu was combined with the APEX-Q/SF-ICP-MS system to determine Pu isotopes in settling particles collected in the East China Sea continental margin. The obtained results supported a previous observation on the lateral transport of Pu containing particles in this continental margin.     

Synthesis and cation-binding properties of poly-and bis(thiacrown ether)s

Poly- and bis(thiacrown ether) derivatives in which some oxygen atoms of benzocrown ether moiety are replaced by sulfur atoms have been synthesized. Their cation-binding abilities were investigated by using the solvent extraction method. The poly- and bis(benzothiacrown ether)s showed great affinity for silver ion, being more excellent in the affinity than the corresponding monocyclic analogs. They, however, possess very poor cation-binding ability for alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions. The poly- and bis(thiacrown ether)s also bind mercuric ions effectively, whereas the corresponding monomeric analogs do not at all.     

Synthesis of bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) palladium complexes derived from (S,S)-1,2-bis(1-hydroxypropyl)benzene

New o-xylylene-linked bis(benzimidazolium) salts were synthesized in six-steps from C₂-symmetric chiral 1,4-diol, 1,2-bis(1-hydroxypropyl)benzene, as a starting material. The silver complex of bis(benzimidazol-2-ylidene) was obtained on treatment of bis(benzimidazolium) salt with silver oxide. The reaction of the silver bis-NHC with [PdCl₂(PhCN)₂] afforded the bis-NHC complex of palladium. The X-ray diffraction studies on Pd complexes revealed that these complexes have distorted square planar geometry around the Pd center coordinating the NHC ligand in mutually cis-position. The arene ring of o-xylylene unit hanged over the Pd center and thus these complexes showed C₁-symmetric structures. The variable temperature NMR spectroscopy revealed that these Pd complexes showed fluxional behavior between C₁- and C₂-symmetric structures in solution state.     

Determination of alkylphenols and alkylphenol polyethoxylates by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and solid-phase extraction

A simple, accurate and reproducible reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the separation and characterisation of alkylphenols (APs) and alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs), using a C18 octadecyl silica (ODS) column. APs and each APEO oligomer were separated successfully within a reasonable time without gradient elution. An excellent resolution was obtained, even for mixtures of APs and low EO number APEOs, which are otherwise difficult to separate using conventional normal-phase HPLC methods. This method, combined with solid-phase extraction, was highly applicable for the simultaneous determination of alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates in real samples.     

Electrochemical control of CO/NO ligand exchange in a triruthenium cluster monolayer assembled on a gold electrode surface

A highly selective ligand exchange reaction is realized in the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of a triruthenium cluster on a gold electrode surface under precise electrochemical potential control. CO as well as NO molecules, which are known to play key roles in many chemical, biological, and environmental systems, can be efficiently introduced into the SAM by electrochemically tuning the electronic state of the Ru site. These unique surface reactions are more convenient and efficient than conventional ligand exchange reactions in solution and could be used for the elucidation of the electron-transfer mechanism in a biological system as well as in the development of molecular sensors and devices.     

Structural and electrochemical studies of novel bis(mu-methoxo)diiron complexes: observation of Fe(III)Fe(IV) and Fe(IV)Fe(IV) states resonating with phenoxyl radicals

Novel diiron complexes with an Fe2(mu-OMe)2 core were studied as models of the active site of nonheme iron-containing enzymes. X-ray crystal structures of the complexes showed the existence of two types of ligand folding-parallel and twisted-both of which have four virtually equivalent phenolato groups sticking out from the Fe2O2 rhombic plane. Cyclic voltammetry measurements revealed two or more distinct redox waves in a region of relatively high potential, in addition to known Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox waves in a region of lower potential. These new peaks were assigned to the high-valence state of iron atoms, that is, Fe(III)Fe(IV) and Fe(IV)Fe(IV), resonating with the phenoxyl radical(s). The split width of the redox waves ranged from 0.14 to 0.20 eV, which may be a measure of the electronic interaction of the phenolate groups through the Fe2(mu-OMe)2 core.     

Decomposition of Insoluble and Hard-to-Degrade Animal Proteins by Enzyme E77 and Its Potential Applications

Insoluble and hard-to-degrade animal proteins are group of troublesome proteins, such as collagen, elastin, keratin, and prion proteins that are largely generated by the meat industry and ultimately converted to industrial wastes. We analyzed the ability of the abnormal prion protein-degrading enzyme E77 to degrade insoluble and hard-to-degrade animal proteins including keratin, collagen, and elastin. The results indicate that E77 has a much higher keratinolytic activity than proteinase K and subtilisin. Maximal E77 keratinolytic activity was observed at pH 12.0 and 65 °C. E77 was also adsorbed by keratin in a pH-independent manner. E77 showed lower collagenolytic and elastinolytic specificities than proteinase K and subtilisin. Moreover, E77 treatment did not damage collagens in ovine small intestines but did almost completely remove the muscles. We consider that E77 has the potential ability for application in the processing of animal feedstuffs and sausages.     

Cyclo[m]pyridine[n]pyrroles: hybrid macrocycles that display expanded π-conjugation upon protonation

Novel hybrid cyclo[m]pyridine[n]pyrroles have been synthesized using Suzuki coupling. Their NMR and optical spectroscopic features and solid state structural parameters provide support for the proposal that these species are best described as locally aromatic compounds devoid of long-range intersubunit conjugation. However, an extension of the π-conjugation in the macrocycles can be realized through protonation, as inferred from optical spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction-based structural studies.     

First principles study of sulfuric acid anion adsorption on a Pt(111) electrode

A first principles theory combined with a continuum electrolyte theory is applied to adsorption of sulfuric acid anions on Pt(111) in 0.1 M H(2)SO(4) solution. The theoretical free energy diagram indicates that sulfuric acid anions adsorb as bisulfate in the potential range of 0.41 < U ≤ 0.48 V (RHE) and as sulfate in 0.48 V (RHE) < U. This diagram also indicates that sulfate inhibits formations of surface oxide and hydroxide. Charge analysis shows that the total charge transferred for the formation of the full coverage sulfate adlayer is 90 μC cm(-2), and that the electrosorption valency value is -0.45 to -0.95 in 0.41 < U ≤ 0.48 V (RHE) and -1.75 to -1.85 in U > 0.48 V (RHE) in good agreement with experiments reported in the literature. Vibration analysis indicates that the vibration frequencies observed experimentally at 1250 and 950 cm(-1) can be assigned, respectively, to the S-O (uncoordinated) and symmetric S-O stretching modes for sulfate, and that the higher frequency mode has a larger potential-dependence (58 cm(-1) V(-1)) than the lower one.     

Dynamic assembly of porphyrin wires trapped on a highly oriented pyrolitic graphite surface

Carefully designed porphyrin building blocks assemble through selective imidazole binding in various solvents to form linear multiporphyrin objects. From a dynamic mixture of monomers, dimers, and oligomers, linear objects were observed on a highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) surface. On the surface, the objects' morphology clearly depended on the solvent used for deposition and was modified upon heating.