Copper corrosion in buffered and non-buffered synthetic seawater: a comparative study

The electrochemical behaviour of copper in neutral buffered and non-buffered synthetic seawater and in pure chloride solutions has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, weight loss measurements, open circuit potential and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Values of the repassivation potentials of Cu in non-buffered and buffered synthetic seawater, at 50 mV s^–1, were 0.12 and 0.46 V vs. SCE, respectively. The sharpness, heights and location of the different peaks as well as their charges were shown to be influenced by the composition of the solution, buffering conditions, deoxygenation, polarization potential and time. High chloride concentrations lead to higher oxidation charges. The anodic and the cathodic charges were shown to increase as the chloride concentration increases. The open circuit potential transients of copper in non-deoxygenated, non-buffered synthetic seawater indicate pitting from the beginning of the exposure, while in buffered solutions the pitting appeared only after a quite long exposure period, i.e. after 40 days. Corrosion rates of Cu samples after 3 months of immersion were higher in solutions of pure chloride (0.5 M) than in synthetic seawater. After six months the differences were even more noticeable. SEM images have showed a somewhat higher density of pits on copper samples immersed in the chloride solution (0.5 M), in comparison with those in synthetic seawater.     

Solid-phase reagent for molecular spectroscopic determination of heavy metal speciation in natural water

A solid-phase reagent based on 1-(4-adamantyl-2-thiasolylazo)-2-naphthol adsorbed onto silica gel was prepared for Co(II) recovery and preconcentration prior to its sorption-spectroscopic detection. The immobilized reagent was applied to the determination of free cobalt ions in natural water. The solid-phase reagent and chemiluminescent method coupled with membrane filtration, gel-permeation and ion-exchange chromatography were applied to the study of the speciation of iron and cobalt in water from the Dnieper reservoirs and lakes of Kyiv City; their predominant forms were complexes of Fe(III) and Co(II) with dissolved organic matter and fulvic acids play a main role in their complexation.     

An unexpected rearrangement of 3-unsubstituted-2-acyl substituted indole phenylhydrazones. A new method for benz[c]β-carboline synthesis

A new type of rearrangement of 3-unsubstituted-2-acyl substituted indole phenylhydrazones with formation of a quinoline ring under acid catalysed conditions was observed.     

Mass displacements in quadrupolar field analysers

The influence of different instrumental parameters on the mass displacements observed in an ion trap and a quadrupole mass filter was investigated. In ion trap measurements it was observed that isolated ions (obtained by both ‘apex’ and ‘two-step’ isolation methods) show the same mass displacements determined in the usual mass spectra; isobaric ions of different structure irradiated with supplementary a.c. fields are ejected at different a.c. voltages, and different cooling times do not affect the mass value. In the quadrupole mass filter, differences in mass were found among isobaric ions of different structure, although to a smaller extent than those observed in the ion trap. All the data obtained are in agreement with the hypothesis of ion–r.f. field interactions originating from the polarizability of the ion.     

Bestimmung von Ascorbinsäure auf Grund ihrer in einem Landolt-System ausgeübten reduzierenden Wirkung

Zusammenfassung Im Bromat-Jodid-Ascorbinsäure-System hängt die Zeit, die bis zur Jodausscheidung vergeht, von der Konzentration der Ascorbinsäure ab. Unter entsprechenden Versuchsbedingungen ist die Reaktionszeit proportional der Ascorbinsäurekonzentration. Danach kann die Ascorbinsäure sowohl mit Hilfe der Simultankomparationsmethode, als auch chronometrisch bestimmt werden. Die Genauigkeit ist ± 3% im Bereich von 5 bis 300g/5 ml. Die Grenzen der Bestimmung sind 1g bzw. 1000g Ascorbinsäure in 5 ml.

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Determination of ascorbic acid on the basis of its reducing action in a landolt system

Summary In the bromate-iodide-ascorbic acid system, the time that elapses until the iodine appears is dependent on the concentration of the ascorbic acid. Under appropriate experimental conditions, the reaction time is proportional to the ascorbic acid concentration. Accordingly, the ascorbic acid may be determined with the aid not only of the simultaneous comparison method but also chronometrically. The precision is ± 3% in the 5–300g/5 ml range. The limits of the determination are 1g and 1000g ascorbic acid in 5 ml respectively.

     

Flow injection system for hydrolysable tannin determination

A flow injection system was proposed to evaluate the transient product of a colorimetric reaction between hydrolysable tannin and potassium iodate (KIO₃) solution. The system optimization was accomplished by using statistical methods based on experimental design. Flow rate of KIO₃ solution, sample volume, carrier flow rate, and reaction coil were the selected factors for evaluation. On screening step, complete factorial 2⁴ was used and two levels for each selected factor were studied. For the optimization phase, a centered face composite design 2² + star was employed to evaluate sample volume and flow rate of KIO₃ solution, which were the factors identified in the screening phase as having more influence on the absorbance signal. After optimization, the proposed system was compared with batch determination. Some characteristics, such as analytical frequency, reagent consumption and chemical residues generation presented better results by the use of the proposed system if compared with batch method. The system presented good repeatability with standard deviation lower than 3%, for n = 10, linearity (R² = 0.9974) for tannic acid standard, analytical frequency of 15 injections h^− 1 and limit of quantification of 24 mg L^− 1 of tannic acid. Good results were obtained when the proposed system was applied to hydrolysable tannin determination in Stryphnodendron barbatimão, Eucalyptus citriodora and Phyllanthus niruri, samples of plants commonly used in popular medicine.     

Die katalytischen Reaktionen bei der Spurenanalyse und die Untersuchung ihrer Mechanismen. II Untersuchung der Tiron—H2O2-Reaktion

Zusammenfassung Die Oxydation von Tiron durch H₂O₂ in basischem Milieu wird durch Kobalt stark katalysiert. Die katalysierten Vorgänge sind p_H-abhängig. Im p_H-Bereich 9 bis 11 entsteht ein rotes Oxydationsprodukt unbekannter Struktur; wahrscheinlich handelt es sich um ein o-Chinonderivat. Mit Hilfe der katalytischen Reaktion können 10^–4 g Kobalt/5 ml nachgewiesen werden. In diesem p_H-Bereiche stabilisiert Tiron H₂O₂ bei 100° C, bei 40° C jedoch katalysiert es — in Abhängigkeit von der Konzentration des Tirons — den Zerfall des H₂O₂. Der Effekt spielt im Mechanismus der katalysierten Reaktion wahrscheinlich eine Rolle, doch können die Zusammenhänge an Hand der bisher veröffentlichten Angaben nicht klar gedeutet werden. Der die Reaktion begleitende bzw. ihr folgende Nebenvorgang kann auf den katalytischen Zerfall des H₂O₂ · OOH-Komplexes zurückgeführt werden. Zwischen p_H 7 und 9 entsteht bei der katalysierten Reaktion Semichinon, über p_H 11 oxydiert Tiron das Semichinon unter Ringspaltung und Abspaltung von 1 Mol Sulfat zu Verbindungen, die Säurecharakter tragen.

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Summary The oxidation of Tiron by H₂O₂ in basic milieu is strongly catalyzed by cobalt. The catalyzed reactions are p_H-dependent. A red oxidation product of unknown structure results in the p_H range 9 to 11; probably it is ano-quinone product. As little as 10^–4 g cobalt/5ml can be detected by this catalytic action. In this p_H region, Tiron stabilizes H₂O₂ at 100° C, but at 45° C it catalyzes the decomposition of H₂O₂, in relation to the concentration of the Tiron. The effect probably plays a rôle in the mechanism of the catalyzed reaction, but the up to now published informations are not sufficient to clarify the relationships. The auxiliary process, accompanying or following the reaction, can be attributed to the catalytic decomposition of the H₂O₂-OOH^– complex. Semiquinone is produced by the catalytic reaction between p_H 7 and 9, above p_H 11, the Tiron oxidizes the semiquinone with opening of the ring and splitting off of 1 mol of sulfate yielding compounds which have an acidic character.

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Résumé L'oxydation du Tiron par H₂O₂ en milieu basique est fortement catalysée par le cobalt. Les processus de catalyse dépendent du p_H. Dans le domaine de p_H de 9 à 11, il apparaît un produit d'oxydation rouge, de structure inconnue; il s'agit probablement d'un dérivé de l'o-quinone. La réaction catalytique permet de déceler 10^–4 g cobalt/5 ml. Dans ce domaine de p_H, à 100° C le Tiron stabilise l'eau oxygénée et à 45° C, suivant sa concentration, il catalyse la décomposition de l'eau oxygénée. L'effet joue probablement un rôle sur le mécanisme de la réaction catalysée; on ne peut pourtant pas interpréter clairement ces relations au moyen des indications publiées jusqu'ici. Le processus secondaire qui accompagne la réaction ou qui la suit, peut être ramené à la décomposition catalytique du complexe H₂O₂-OOH^–. Entre p_H 7 et 9, la réaction catalysée donne naissance à une semiquinone; au-dessus de p_H 11, le Tiron oxyde la semi-quinone avec ouverture du cycle et élimination d'une mole de sulfate ce qui donne ensuite des composés qui portent le caractère acide.

     

Cathodic stripping voltammetry of trace Mn(II) at carbon film electrodes

A sensitive voltammetric method is presented for the determination of tract levels of Mn (II) using carbon film electrodes fabricated from carbon resistors of 2 Ω. Determination of manganese was made by square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV), with deposition of manganese as manganese dioxide. Chronoamperometric experiments were made to study MnO₂ nucleation and growth. As a result, it was found to be necessary to perform electrode conditioning at a more positive potential to initiate MnO₂ nucleation. Under optimised conditions the detection limit obtained was 4 nM and the relative standard deviation for eight measurements of 0.22 nM was 5.3%. Interferences from various metal ions on the response CSV of Mn(II) were investigated, namely Cd(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cr(VI), Pb(II), Zn(II) and Fe(II). Application to environmental samples was demonstrated.     

Use of modified rice husks as a natural solid adsorbent of trace metals: characterisation and development of an on-line preconcentration system for cadmium and lead determination by FAAS

The use of rice husks as an alternative adsorbent in an on-line preconcentration system for Cd (II) and Pb (II) determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is described. The potential of rice husks as a natural adsorbent was evaluated as a material modified with 0.75 mol l⁻¹ NaOH solution and in the unmodified form. For this task, several techniques such as spectroscopy and thermogravimetry were used for elucidation of possible functional groups responsible for the uptake of Cd (II) and Pb (II). Furthermore, based on adsorption studies and adsorption isotherms applied to the Langmüir model, it was possible to verify that modified rice husks present a higher adsorption capacity for both metals. After establishing this material as a promising natural adsorbent, it was used for on-line preconcentration of Cd (II) and Pb (II) metals. The multivariate optimisation of chemical and flow variables was performed by using a full factorial design (2⁴) including the following factors: preconcentration time, preconcentration flow rate, concentration and volume of eluent. The optimum pH values used for on-line preconcentration were taken from prior univariate experiments. Under optimised conditions for Cd (II) determination (4 min of preconcentration at a 6 ml min⁻¹ preconcentration flow rate, in which comprises 24 ml of preconcentration volume, 200 μl elution volume and 1.0 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃ solution as eluent), the system achieved a detection limit of 1.14 μg l⁻¹ and an enrichment factor of 72.4. Similar conditions were used for Pb (II) determination (4 min of preconcentration, 6 ml min⁻¹ preconcentration flow rate, 300 μl elution volume and 1.0 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃ solution as eluent) from which a detection limit of 14.1 μg l⁻¹ and enrichment factor of 46.0 were achieved. Also, rice husks have been shown to be a homogeneous and stable adsorbent in which more than 100 preconcentration/elution cycles provide a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 6.0% on the analytical signal. The satisfactory accuracy of the method developed was obtained by using spiked water samples (mineral water and lake water) and spiked red wine samples. These values were confirmed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The certified reference material [pig kidney (CRM 186)] and the reference material [beech leaves (CRM 100)] were also used.     

Determination of binding constants and stoichiometries for platinum anticancer drugs and serum transport proteins by capillary electrophoresis using the Hummel-Dreyer method

A CE method has been developed to evidence and quantitatively characterize the interaction between platinum-based antitumor drugs and human serum proteins. This method is a variant of affinity CE modified regarding both experimental setup and data treatment so as to measure the peaks (or vacancies) that correspond to the bound drug when it slowly binds to the protein. Using the formalism of the Hummel-Dreyer method and cisplatin and oxaliplatin as test compounds, a protocol for determining albumin and transferrin binding constants and stoichiometries, including (and distinguished by) 48 hours of incubation of the reaction mixture, was elaborated. Relative affinities of drugs toward different proteins in aqueous solution at physiological pH, chloride concentration, and temperature were compared in terms of overall binding constants and numbers of drug molecules attached to the protein. The results indicate that both platinum drugs bind to albumin more strongly than to transferrin, supporting the concept that the albumin fraction is a major drug supply route for chemotherapeutical needs. From a comparison with the binding parameters measured previously for cisplatin by other methods, conclusions were drawn about the validity of CE as a simple and convenient method for assaying protein-drug reactions with slow kinetics.