Heterogeneous colorimetric sensor for mercuric salts

A novel chemical sensor for the colorimetric detection of mercuric salts is described. The sensor is based on a mesoporous nanocrystalline TiO2 film sensitised with a ruthenium dye; immersion of this film in an aqueous solution of Hg2+ results in a rapid colorimetric response, with both a high selectivity and a sub-micromolar sensitivity.     

Reversible colorimetric probes for mercury sensing

The selectivity and sensitivity of two colorimetric sensors based on the ruthenium complexes N719 [bis(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate)ruthenium(II) bis(tetrabutylammonium) bis(thiocyanate)] and N749 [(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine-4,4',4' '-tricarboxylate)ruthenium(II) tris(tetrabutylammonium) tris(isothiocyanate)] are described. It was found that mercury ions coordinate reversibly to the sulfur atom of the dyes' NCS groups. This interaction induces a color change in the dyes at submicromolar concentrations of mercury. Furthermore, the color change of these dyes is selective for mercury(II) when compared with other ions such as lead(II), cadmium(II), zinc(II), or iron(II). The detection limit for mercury(II) ions--using UV-vis spectroscopy--in homogeneous aqueous solutions is estimated to be approximately 20 ppb for N719 and approximately 150 ppb for N749. Moreover, the sensor molecules can be adsorbed onto high-surface-area mesoporous metal oxide films, allowing reversible heterogeneous sensing of mercury ions in aqueous solution. The results shown herein have important implications in the development of new reversible colorimetric sensors for the fast, easy, and selective detection and monitoring of mercuric ions in aqueous solutions.     

Separation of molybdenum from tungsten with di(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphoric acid ac extractant

The use of di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) as an extractant for the separation of molybdenum from tungsten was examined with the help of molybdenum-99 and tungsten-187 as radiotracers. Effective separation was obtained when the aqueous phase contained phosphoric acid at pH 0.8–2 or pH 3–3.5, depending on the amounts of metal. The method is applicable to both tracer and milligram amounts of molybdenum. The structure of the extracted species was examined by infrared spectroscopy.     

Totally selective ring-opening of amino epoxides with ketones: a general entry to enantiopure (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-3-aminoalkano-1,2-diols

[Reaction: see text] Transformation of enantiopure diastereoisomers (2R,1'S)- and (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides into the corresponding 4-(1-aminoalkyl)-1,3-dioxolanes is achieved by reaction with different ketones in the presence of BF3.Et2O. The conversion takes place in very high yields, total selectivity, and without epimerization. A mechanism to explain this transformation is proposed. The obtained 1,3-dioxolanes can be deprotected, and (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-3-aminoalkano-1,2-diols were isolated.     

Fe(3+) ions in alkali lead tetraborate glasses--an electron paramagnetic resonance and optical study

Glass systems of composition 90R(2)B(4)O(7)+9PbO+1Fe(2)O(3) (R=Li, Na and K) and 90Li(2)B(4)O(7)+(10-x)PbO+xFe(2)O(3) (x=0.5, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9 mol %) have been investigated by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical absorption techniques. The EPR spectra exhibit three resonance signals at g approximately 6.0, 4.2 and 2.0. The resonances at g approximately 6.0 and 4.2 are attributed to Fe(3+) ions in rhombic and axial symmetry sites, respectively. The g approximately 2.0 resonance signal is due to two or more Fe(3+) ions coupled together with dipolar interaction. The EPR spectra of 1 mol % of Fe(2)O(3) doped in lithium lead tetraborate glass samples have been studied at different temperatures (123-433 K). The intensity of g approximately 4.2 resonance signal decreases and the intensity of g approximately 2.0 resonance signal increases with the increase of temperature. The line widths are found to be independent of temperature. The EPR spectra exhibit a marked concentration dependence on iron content. A decrease in intensity for the resonance signal at g approximately 4.2 with increase in iron content for more than 4 mol % has been observed in lithium lead tetraborate glass samples and this has been attributed to the formation of Fe(3+) ion clusters in the glass samples. The paramagnetic susceptibility (chi) is calculated from the EPR data at various temperatures and the Curie constant (C) has been evaluated from 1/chi versus T graph. The optical absorption spectrum of Fe(3+) ions in lithium lead tetraborate glasses exhibits three bands characteristic of Fe(3+) ions in an octahedral symmetry. The crystal field parameter D(q) and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameters B and C have also been evaluated. The value of interelectronic repulsion parameter B (825 cm(-1)) obtained in the present work suggests that the bonding is moderately covalent.     

Physico-chemical properties of catalysts: Thermal analysis,infrared spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility of the vanadates of zinc,manganese and silver

Thermal characteristics of the vanadates of zinc, manganese and silver have been studied by DTA and TG techniques and the different transition products thus obtained have been characterised by IR, X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility data. Chemical analyses indicate the following compositions of these vanadates: (1) Zn₂V₂O₇.5H₂O, (2) Zn₃(VO₄)₂.3H₂O, (3) Mn(VO₃)₂.2H₂O and (4) Ag₃VO₄. The DTA curves indicate that zinc pyrovanadate undergoes endothermic changes at 110–195, 265, 365, 440, 660° and one exothermic change at 485°. This system is diamagnetic which becomes completely paramagnetic after 660°. Zinc orthovanadate exhibits a number of endothermic peaks at 300, 470, 700, 815 and 930° respectively. This system is feebly paramagnetic and retains this property up to 930°. Manganese metavanadate undergoes endothermic changes at 240, 280–590, 830 and 880° respectively. This vanadate is paramagnetic and paramagnetism increases appreciably at 590° and remains constant up 830°. Silver orthovanadate exhibits three endothermic changes at 180, 455 and 640°, respectively.

---

Zusammenfassung Die thermischen Charakteristika der Vanadate von Zink, Mangan und Silber wurden durch DTA- und TG-Methoden untersucht und die auf diese Weise erhaltenen verschiedenen Übergangsprodukte durch Daten aus IR-, Röntgen- und magnetischer Susceptibilität charakterisiert. Die chemische Analyse deutet auf folgende Zusammensetzung dieser Vanadate: 1) Zn₂V₂O₇.5H₂O, 2) Zn₃(VO₄)₂.3H₂O, 3) Mn(VO₃)₂.2H₂O und 4) Ag₃VO₄. Die DTA-Kurven zeigen endotherme Veränderungen des Zink-pyrovanadats bei 110–195, 265, 365, 440 und 660° und eine exotherme Veränderung bei 485°. Dieses System ist diamagnetisch und wird nach 660° vollständig paramagnetisch. Zink-orthovanadat zeigt eine Anzahl exothermer Peaks bei 300, 470, 700, 815, bzw. 930°. Dieses System ist schwach paramagnetisch und behält diese Eigenschaft bis zu 930°. Im Manganmetavanadat vollziehen sich endotherme Veränderungen bei 240, 280–590, 830 und 880°. Dieses Vanadat is paramagnetisch, der Pararnagnetismus steigt zusehends bei 590° und bleibt bis zu 830° konstant. Silberorthovanadat zeigt drei endotherme Veränderungen bei 180, 455 bzw. 640°.

---

Résumé On a étudié par ATD et TG les caractéristiques thermiques des vanadates de zinc, de manganèse et d'argent. La caractérisation des divers produits de transition ainsi obtenus a été effectuée à partir des données fournies par IR, rayons X et susceptibilité magnétique. Les analyses chimiques indiquent les compositions suivantes de ces vanadates: (1) Zn₂V₂O₇.5H₂O, (2) Zn₃(VO₄)₂.3H₂O, (3) Mn(VO₃)₂.2H₂O et (4) Ag₃VO₄. Les courbes ATD du pyrovanadate de zinc montrent des effets endothermiques à 110–195, 265, 365, 440 et 660° ainsi qu'un phénomène exothermique à 485°. Ce corps est diamagnétique; il devient complètement paramagnétique au-dessus de 660°. L'orthovanadate de zinc donne des pics endothermiques à 300, 470, 700, 815 et 930°. Il est faiblement paramagnétique jusqu'à 930°. Le métavanadate de manganèse est le siège de phénomènes endothermiques à 240, 280–590, 830 et 880°. Il est paramagnétique et son paramagnétisme augmente de manière appréciable à 590° pour rester constant jusqu'à 830°. L'orthovanadate d'argent montre trois effets endothermiques à 180, 455 et 640°.

---

, . - , . : Zn₂V₂O₇·5H₂O, Zn₃(VO₄)₂ · 3H₂O, Mn(VO₃)₂· 2H₂O Ag₃VO₄. , 110–195°, 265, 365,440 660° 485°. , 660° . 300, 470, 700, 815 930°. 930°. 240, 280–590, 830 880°. , 590° 830°. 180, 455 640°.

---

---

The authors are grateful to the Physical Research Wing and Catalyst Research and Development Section, F. C. I., Sindri and also the Analytical Physics Division and Catalyst Section, I.I.P., Dehradun (India) for their help in getting TG and X-ray patterns of the catalysts studied.     

Interactive effects of ultraviolet-B radiation and temperature on cotton physiology, growth, development and hyperspectral reflectance

Current conditions of 2-11 kJ m(-2) day(-1) of UV-B radiation and temperatures of >30 degrees C during flowering in cotton cultivated regions are projected to increase in the future. A controlled environment study was conducted in sunlit growth chambers to determine the effects of UV-B radiation and temperature on physiology, growth, development and leaf hyperspectral reflectance of cotton. Plants were grown in the growth chambers at three day/night temperatures (24/16 degrees C, 30/22 degrees C and 36/28 degrees C) and three levels of UV-B radiation (0, 7 and 14 kJ m(-2) day(-1)) at each temperature from emergence to 79 days under optimum nutrient and water conditions. Increases in main stem node number and the node of first fruiting branch and decrease in duration to first flower bud (square) and flower were recorded with increase in temperature. Main effects of temperature and UV-B radiation were significant for net photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, total chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations of uppermost, fully expanded leaves during squaring and flowering. A significant interaction between temperature and UV-B radiation was detected for total biomass and its components. The UV-B radiation of 7 kJ m(-2) day(-1) reduced boll yield by 68% and 97% at 30/22 degrees C and 36/28 degrees C, respectively, compared with yield at 0 kJ m(-2) day(-1) and 30/22 degrees C. No bolls were produced in the three temperature treatments under 14 kJ m(-2) day(-1) UV-B radiation. The first-order interactions between temperature, UV-B radiation and leaf age were significant for leaf reflectance. This study suggests a growth- and process-related temperature dependence of sensitivity to UV-B radiation.     

Selective hydrogenations of steroids catalyzed by heterogenized Ru complexes

Summary [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃], [{RuCl₂(TPPMS)₂}₂] and their heterogenized analogs were applied in the selective hydrogenation of 17-keto- and α,β-unsaturated ketosteroids. In basic conditions these complexes selectively hydrogenated the C=O bonds, similarly to the results obtained in the case of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. A new method was developed for the synthesis of an expensive steroid alcohol, which can be prepared traditionally in a more complicated way.     

Synthesis of 5-ethynylorotic acid

Condensation of 2,4-dimethoxy-5-iodo-6-carbomethoxypyrimidine ( 10 ) with copper (I) 3-tetrahydropyranyloxyprop-1-ynide ( 4 ) afforded 2,4-dimethoxy-5-(3′-tetrahydropyranyloxyprop-1′-yn)-6-carbomethoxypyrimidine ( 11 ), which was hydrolyzed to produce 2,4-dimethoxy-5-(3′-hydroxyprop-1′-yn)-6-carbomethoxypyrimidine ( 12 ). Oxidation of 12 with dimethyl sulfoxide-oxalyl chloride reagent gave the acetylenic aldehyde ( 13 ), which on treatment with sodium methoxide in dry tetrahydrofuran yielded 2,4-dimethoxy-5-ethynyl-6-carbomethoxypyrimidine ( 14 ). The trimethylsilyl derivative ( 15 ) was deprotected by sequential treatment with iodotrimethylsilane and aqueous sodium hydroxide, leading to the formation of 5-ethynylorotic acid ( 1 ).     

Spectroscopic and structural features of small thiocarbonyl molecules in low-lying excited states: Further applications of a variant of the orthogonal gradient method

Structural parameters of a set of five thiocarbonyl molecules in the lowest nπ* states are calculated by using a generalized orbital optimization algorithm (a variant of the orthogonal gradient method) in an INDO MCSCF framework. Transition energies, singlet-triplet splittings, planar inversion barriers, and dipole moments in nπ* states of different spin multiplicities are reported. Predicted structural features agree reasonably well with available experimental or theoretical data. Some interesting trends are noted in the computed inversion barrier heights, singlet-triplet splittings, and dipole moments in nπ* states.