Flow injection analysis for calcium in serum,water and waste waters by spectrophotometry and by ion-selective electrode

The Flow Injection technique is shown to provide fast, reliable and sensitive methods for the determination of calcium in various aqueous as well as serum samples; spectrophotometric or potentiometric detection can be used. At sampling rates of 100–110 samples per hour, with 30-μl sample injections, high reproducibility of measurement and low reagent consumption are achieved in both methods. In the spectrophotometric method, the analytical readout is available within 12 s after sample injection at a total reagent consumption of 0.75 ml per analysis. The potentiometric measurement of the calcium activity in serum is placed on a reliable basis by alternating measurements of serum samples and aqueous standards without incurring any non-reproducible changes in potential between aqueous and serum solutions. This permits the simultaneous determination of pH and pCa, the analytical readout being available within XXX s of sample injection. The good agreement between the results obtained with the Flow Injection method and those attained by atomic absorption and EDTA titrations as well as pCa stat-measurements show that the new methods are potentially suitable for routine analysis.     

Hybridization in some macrocyclic polyacetylenes

The hybridization in several cyclic polyacetylene compounds has been calculated by the maximum overlap method, assuming planar and non-planar geometries of the molecules. In the planar configuration the hybrids describing the molecular skeleton deviate from the corresponding bond directions. We have a few “bent” bonds, but in contrast to the situation in small rings, here the deviation angles are negative, i.e., the hybrids point toward the inside of the ring. Non-planar structures in which acetylene groups are kept in a plane and CCH₂ or CH₂ groups are displaced out of the plane show less deviation from the bond directions of bent bonds. Furthermore, the deviation angles decrease with an increase in the out-of-plane displacement of methylene groups. Finally, when the angle of bending of the molecules approaches 50°, the deviation vanishes, predicting a puckered conformation for the molecules. Correlation between CC stretching vibration frequencies and the corresponding CC bond overlap is discussed.     

Papierchromatographische Trennung und Identifizierung der Polyäthylenglykole und ihrer Monoäther

Zusammenfassung Es wurde eine chromatographische Methode zur Auftrennung und Identifizierung der Polyäthylenglykole und ihrer Monoäther nach Über-führung in die Ester der 3,5-Dinitrobenzoesäure ausgearbeitet. Es wurden entweder Lösungsmittelsysteme mit Dimethylformamid oder Formamid als stationäre und Hexan, Cyklohexan, Benzol, Chloroform und ihre Gemische als mobile Phase oder mit Paraffinöl imprägnierte Papiere und das Gemisch Dimethylformamid—Methylalkohol—Wasser als mobile Phase angewendet.

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Summary A Chromatographic method has been developed for the separation and identification of the polyethylene glycols and their mono-ethers after conversion into the esters of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid. The solvent systems employed consisted of dimethylformamide or formamide as stationary phase and hexane, cyclohexane, benzene, chloroform and their mixtures as mobile phase, or papers impregnated with paraffin oil and the mixture of dimethyl-formamide-methyl alcohol were used as the mobile phase.

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Résumé On a élaboré une méthode chromatographique de séparation et d'identification des polyéthylèneglycols et de leurs monoéthers après leur transformation en ester de l'acide dinitro-3,5 benzoïque. On a employé soit les systèmes de solvants avec le diméthylformamide ou le formamide comme phase stationnaire, et l'hexane, le cyclohexane, le benzène, le chloroforme et leurs mélanges comme phase mobile, ou des papiers imprégnés d'huile de paraffine et le mélange diméthylformamide-alcool méthylique-eau comme phase mobile.

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Herrn Dipl.-Ing.J. Kami aus unserem Institut danken wir für die Darstellung und Reinigung einiger angewandter Verbindungen.     

Effect of selenium oxidation state on cadmium translocation in chamomile plants

Syntheses and spectral characteristics of cadmium(II) compounds (CdSeO₄, CdSeO₃, and Cd(NCSe)₂(nia)₂) containing selenium in oxidation states (VI), (IV), and (-II) are described. In Cd(NCSe)₂(nia)₂, nicotinamide (nia) and selenocyanate anions are bonded to Cd atom as N-donor monodentate ligands. Nicotinamide is coordinated through the ring nitrogen atom. The effects of these selenium compounds as well as Cd(NCS)₂(nia)₂ on the growth and Cd accumulation in roots and shoots of hydroponically cultivated chamomile plants (cultivar Lutea) were studied. In the applied concentration range (12–60 μmol dm⁻³) Cd(NCS)₂(nia)₂ affected neither the length nor the dry mass of roots and shoots. Other compounds applied at 24 μmol dm⁻³ and 60 μmol dm⁻³ significantly reduced dry mass of roots and shoots. Selenium oxidation state in the cadmium compounds affected Cd accumulation in plant organs as well as Cd translocation within the plants, which was reflected in the values of bioaccumulation (BAF) and translocation factors (S/R). Cd amount accumulated by shoots was lower than that in the roots. The highest BAF values determined for Cd accumulation in shoots were obtained with CdSeO₄. Substitution of S with Se in the Cd(NCX)₂(nia)₂ (X = Se or S) caused an increase of Cd translocation into the shoots. Presented at the XVIIIth Slovak Spectroscopic Conference, Spišská Nová Ves, 15–18 October 2006.     

Determination of imazalil by on-line coupled capillary isotachophoresis with capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple, rapid and reproducible capillary isotachophoretic on-line coupled with capillary zone electrophoresis (CITP-CZE) method for the determination of IMz in food packaging extracts and its residues in apples is described. A good separation of the IMZ from other sample constituents was achieved within 15 minutes without any sample clean up. Method characteristics (linearity, accuracy, intra-assay and detection limit) were determined. Less amount of time involved, sufficient sensitivity and low running cost are the important attributes of CITP-CZE method.     

Kinetic Determination of Microquantities of Rutin by Perturbation of the Bray-Liebhafsky Oscillatory Reaction in an Open System

A kinetic method is described for the microquantitative (microconcentration/microvolume) determination of rutin based on potentiometric monitoring of the concentration perturbations of the Bray-Liebhafsky (BL) oscillatory reaction being in a non-equilibrium stationary state close to a bifurcation point. The experiments are carried out in an open reactor. The response of the matrix system to perturbations by different concentrations of rutin ethanolic solutions is followed by a Pt-electrode. In the concentration range between 7.8×10^–8moldm^–3 and 9.1×10^–6mol dm^–3, we found a linear dependence of the maximal potential shift, E_m, on the logarithm of the rutin concentrations. The unknown concentrations can be determined from the calibration curve up to an accuracy of ±5%. The detection limit is 3.6×10^–8mol dm^–3. The amount of required sample can be as small as 10µL.     

A new approach to predict the biological activity of molecules based on similarity of their interaction fields and the logP and logD values: application to auxins

The activity of a biological compound is dependent both on specific binding to a target receptor and its ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion) properties. A challenge to predict biological activity is to consider both contributions simultaneously in deriving quantitative models. We present a novel approach to derive QSAR models combining similarity analysis of molecular interaction fields (MIFs) with prediction of logP and/or logD. This new classification method is applied to a set of about 100 compounds related to the auxin plant hormone. The classification based on similarity of their interaction fields is more successful for the indole than the phenoxy compounds. The classification of the phenoxy compounds is however improved by taking into account the influence of the logP and/or the logD values on biological activity. With the new combined method, the majority (8 out of 10) of the previously misclassified derivatives of phenoxy acetic acid are classified in accord with their bioassays. The recently determined crystal structure of the auxin-binding protein 1 (ABP1) enabled validation of our approach. The results of docking a few auxin related compounds with different biological activity to ABP1 correlate well with the classification based on similarity of MIFs only. Biological activity is, however, better predicted by a combined similarity of MIFs + logP/logD approach.     

Determination of boron in nuclear materials by isotope dilution technique. Part I

Summary The application of the mass-spectrometric stable-isotope dilution technique for the determination of microgram and submicrogram quantities of boron in nuclear materials is described. An adequate amount of spike solution (enriched in¹⁰B) is added to the sample and the mixture is treated chemically to ensure isotopic equilibration. Boron is then separated as methyl borate by distillation from phosphoric acid and converted into sodium tetraborate suitable for isotopic analysis by surface ionization in a mass spectrometer. The results for boron content in a standard boric acid solution, reagents, ammonium diuranate, uranium dioxide, sintered pellets of UO₂ and uranyl nitrate are given. Owing to the simplicity, accuracy and high precision a possible application of the method would be its use for routine boron determinations in a natural uranium processing plant and/or as a standard method for intercomparison with other analytical methods.

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Zusammenfassung Die Anwendung der massenspektrometrischen Isotopenverdünnungsmethode auf die Borbestimmung im Bereich von Mikrogramm und darunter in Reaktormaterialien wurde beschrieben.Eine entsprechende Menge von angereichertem¹⁰B wird einer Probe zugegeben und die Mischung zur Herstellung des Isotopengleichgewichtes chemisch behandelt. Das Bor wird dann als Methylborat durch Destillation aus der phosphorsäurehaltigen Lösung abgetrennt und zum Zweck einer massenspektrometrischen Isotopenanalyse in Natriumtetraborat umgesetzt.Der Borgehalt in H₃BO₃-Standardlösungen, Reagenzien, Ammoniumdiuranat (ADU), UO₂, gesinterten UO₂-Pastillen und Uranylnitrat wird angegeben. Wegen der Einfachheit, Genauigkeit und Empfindlichkeit könnte diese Methode sowohl für die routinemäßige Borbestimmung bei der Herstellung von Brennstoffelementen mit natürlichem Uran als auch für die Standardisierung analytischer Methoden angewandt werden.

     

Theoretical study of cyclic conjugation in phenes: Some hitherto unnoticed features

Summary Cyclic conjugation in phenes is examined by means of theBosanac-Gutman-Aihara method. In contrast to the predictions based on the analysis ofKekulé orClar structures, we find that when going along the hexagons of a phene molecule, cyclic conjugation varies in a rather non-uniform manner. In contrast to a number of other homologous series of benzenoid hydrocarbons, the intensity of cyclic conjugation in phenes increases when going towards the center of the molecule.

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Theoretische Untersuchung der cyclischen Konjugation in Phenen: Einige bisher unbekannte Eigenschaften

Zusammenfassung Die cyclische Konjugation in Phenen wird mittels derBosanac-Gutman-Aihara-Methode untersucht. Im Gegensatz zu auf der Analyse vonKekulé- oderClar-Strukturen beruhenden Voraussagen variiert die cyclische Konjugation entlang der Sechsecke eines Phenmoleküls ziemlich unregelmäßig. Anders als bei anderen homologen benzenoiden Kohlenwasserstoffen nimmt bei Phenen die Intensität der cyclischen Konjugation zum Zentrum des Moleküls hin zu.

     

Charge transfer across a polymer gel/liquid interface: determination of ionophores

An electrochemical method for the determination of the ionophores monensin and lasalocid was developed, based on the polarization of an agar gel/nitrobenzene electrolyte interface. The measured current corresponding to the facilitated ion transfer across this interface is directly proportional to the concentration of an ionophore dissolved in the organic phase. Using cyclic voltammetry in a three-electrode system the detection limit for both ionophores is about 3 × 10^?5 M.