Vanadametry

Summary We have found that sodium vanadate oxidises hydroxylamine quantitatively and rapidly to nitrous oxide, even at the room temperature, if the reaction is carried out in 5–6 N hydrochloric acid medium using copper sulphate as catalyst.One of the authors, K.Bhaskara Rao, desires to thank the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for the award of a ResearchScholarship, and the authorities of the Andhra University for providing the research facilities.See also Z. analyt. Chem.156, 180 (1957).     

Simple pulse-acquire NMR methods for the quantitative analysis of calcium, magnesium and sodium in human serum

Simple pulse-acquire NMR methods are presented for accurate quantitation of calcium (Ca(2+)), magnesium (Mg(2+)) and sodium (Na(+)) in human serum. Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) can be determined simultaneously by (1)H NMR via their EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) complexes. Spectra are acquired before and after addition of EDTA, and the difference spectrum is used for integration of the signals from the complexes relative to an internal reference. Serum sodium can also be determined through pulse-acquire (23)Na NMR by integration of the free sodium signal relative to a reference signal (Na(+)+EDTA in a coaxial capillary tube). The method shows excellent accuracy and precision for all three metal ions. Slow chemical exchange between complexed and free EDTA at the natural pH of serum does not limit the accuracy of the determination of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+), and the large errors associated with spin-echo spectral editing methods are avoided.     

The crystal structure of 5-methyl-1-(octahydro-1-iodo-1H-1-inden-4-yl)-1H-tetrazole

The title compound is C₁₁H₁₇N₄I, F.W.=330.20, monoclinic, space groupP2₁/a,a=11.586(2),b=10.617(1),c=10.417(1) Å, =94.567(2)°,Z=4,F(000)=652, (MoK)=0.7107 Å, (MoK)=2.31 mm^–1,V=1277.31 Å₃,D _C=1.71 gcm^–3,D _m=1.70 gcm^–3. The structurewassolved by Patterson and Fourier methods and refined to anR value 0.031 for 1620 observed reflections. The connectivity and conformation of the addition product ofcis-1,5-cyclononadiene and iodine azide was determined by X-ray analysis. The reaction product contains a chair-conformation cyclohexane ring that iscis fused to a cyclopentane ring. The cyclopentane ring has an envelope conformation and an equatorially oriented iodine substituent. A planar tetrazole ring is axially substituted on the cyclohexane ring. The plane of the tetrazole ring makes a dihedral angle of 69.6° with the average plane of the carbon atoms of the cyclohexane ring.     

Glutathione as green corrosion inhibitor for 6061Al-SiC(p) composite in HCl medium: electrochemical and theoretical investigation

This research deals with the inhibition activity of glutathione in 0.5 M HCl on the corrosion behavior of 6061Al-SiC_(p) composite. Glutathione is an eco-friendly water-soluble inhibitor. Polarization results reveal the cathodic inhibitor behavior of glutathione (Gt). The inhibition performance of Gt increases by increasing its concentration and lowering the medium temperature. The decrease in the corrosion current density and increase in inhibition efficiency on increasing Gt concentration reveal the attenuation of composite corrosion. Experimental results indicate the mixed adsorption with predominantly physisorption of Gt molecules adsorption on the composite surface following Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The impedance measurements indicate the rise in polarization resistance with an increase in Gt concentration, showing the control of composite corrosion. The surface analysis of the corroded and inhibited composite samples using a scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope supports Gt molecules’ adsorption. The quantum chemical calculations confirm the conclusions of the experimental studies.

     

Ethylenedioxythiophene as a novel central unit for bent-core liquid crystals

We have discovered that ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) can be used as a central unit for the synthesis of bent-core liquid crystals (BC LCs). Two series of EDOT-based BC LCs are prepared via Sonogashira coupling reaction. The mesophase behaviour of all the compounds was characterised using a combination of polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements. EDOT-based three-ring compounds were found to be nonliquid crystalline, while all the four derivatives of five-ring series, including a branched alkoxy chain derivative, display enantiotropic nematic phase over wide temperature range. The bent angle of these compounds is about 153°, which falls in between typical rod-like and banana liquid crystals. The transition temperature of branched alkoxy chain compound is lower than straight alkoxy chain compounds. The detailed XRD investigations of all the mesogens corroborate the presence of nematic phase.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of aspirin by bromamine-T,N-bromosuccinimide,and N-bromophthalimide

The kinetics of the oxidation of aspirin (ASP) by bromamine-T (BAT), N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), and N-bromophthalimide (NBP) has been studied in aqueous perchloric acid at 303 K. The oxidation reaction follows identical kinetics with first-order in [oxidant], fractional-order in [ASP], and inverse fractional-order in [H⁺]. Under identical experimental conditions the extent of oxidation with different oxidizing agents is in the order: NBS>BAT>NBP. The rate decreased with decreasing dielectric constant of the medium. The variation of ionic strength and the addition of the reaction products and halide ions had no significant effect on the reaction rate. The solvent isotope effect was studied using D₂O. Kinetic parameters were evaluated by studying the reaction at different temperatures. The reaction products were identified by GC–MS. The proposed reaction mechanism and the derived rate law are consistent with the observed kinetic data. Formation and decomposition constants for ASP-oxidant complexes have been evaluated. Decarboxylation, bromination, and loss of acetic acid gave 2,4,6-tribromophenol. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 407–414, 1998     

Oxidation of L-glutamine by manganese(iii) in aqueous sulfuric acid,acetic acid,and pyrophosphate media: A kinetic and mechanistic study

Manganese(III) solutions were prepared by known electrochemical methods in sulfuric acid, acetic acid, and pyrophosphate media. The nature of the oxidizing species present in manganese(III) solutions was characterized by spectrophotometric and redox potential measurements. Kinetics of oxidation of L-glutamine by manganese(III) in sulfuric acid (1.5 M), acetic acid (60% v/v), and pyrophosphate (pH=1.3) media at 313 K, 323 K, and 328 K, respectively, have been studied. Three different rate laws have been obtained for the three media. Effects of varying ionic strength, solvent composition, and added anions, such as fluoride, chloride, perchlorate, pyrophosphate, and bisulfate, have been investigated. There is evidence for the existence of free radicals as transient species. Activation parameters have been evaluated using Arrhenius and Eyring plots. Mechanisms consistent with the observed kinetic data have been proposed and discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 7–19, 1998.     

Kinetics of oxidation of indigo carmine by N-sodio-N-bromotoluenesulfonamide in acidic buffer medium

The kinetics of oxidation of indigo carmine (IC) by N-sodio-N-bromotoluenesulfonamide or bromamine-T (BAT) in pH 5 buffer medium has been investigated at 30°C using spectrophotometry at 610 nm. The reaction rate shows dependencies of first-order on [IC]₀ second-order on [BAT]₀, fractional order on [H⁺], and inverse first-order on [ρ-toluenesulfonamide]. The addition of chloride and bromide ions, and the variation of ionic strength of the medium have no influence on the reaction rate. There is a negative effect of the dielectric constant of the solvent. Activation parameters have been calculated. A single-pathway mechanism for the reaction, consistent with the kinetic data, has been proposed. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 453–459, 1997     

Rhodotorula aurantiaca penicillin V acylase: Active site characterization and fluorometric studies

Penicillin V acylase (PVA), a member of newly evolved Ntn-hydrolase superfamily, is a pharmaceutically important enzyme to produce 6-aminopenicillanic acid. Active site characterization of recently purified monomeric PVA from Rhodotorula aurantiaca (Ra-PVA), the yeast source, showed the involvement of serine and tryptophan in the enzyme activity. Modification of the protein with serine and tryptophan specific reagents such as PMSF and NBS showed partial loss of PVA activity and substrate protection. Ra-PVA was found to be a multi-tryptophan protein exhibiting one tryptophan, in native and, four in its denatured condition. Various solute quenchers and substrate were used to probe the microenvironment of the putative reactive tryptophan through fluorescence quenching. The results obtained indicate that the tryptophan residues of Ra-PVA were largely buried in hydrophobic core of the protein matrix. Quenching of the fluorescence by acrylamide was collisional. Acrylamide was the most effective quencher amongst all the used quenchers, which quenched 71.6% of the total intrinsic fluorescence of the protein, at a very less final concentration of 0.1 M. Surface tryptophan residues were found to have predominantly more electropositively charged amino acids around them, however differentially accessible for ionic quenchers. Denaturation led to shift in λ_max from 336, in native state, to 357 nm and more exposed to the solvent, consequently increase in fluorescence quenching with all quenchers. This is an attempt towards the conformational studies of Ra-PVA.