EIS multianalyte sensing with an automated SIA system—An electronic tongue employing the impedimetric signal

In this work, the simultaneous quantification of three alkaline ions (potassium, sodium and ammonium) from a single impedance spectrum is presented. For this purpose, a generic ionophore - dibenzo-18-crown-6 - was used as a recognition element, entrapped into a polymeric matrix of polypyrrole generated by electropolymerization. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) were employed to obtain and process the data, respectively. In fact, EIS detected the ions exchanged between the medium and the sensing layer whereas ANNs, after an appropriated training process, could turn the impedance spectrum into concentrations values. A sequential injection analysis (SIA) system was employed for operation and to automatically generate the information required for the training of the ANN. Best results were obtained by using a backpropagation neural network made up by two hidden layers: the first one contained three neurons with the radbas transfer function and the second one ten neurons with the tansig transfer function. Three commercial fertilizers were tested employing the proposed methodology on account of the high complexity of their matrix. The experimental results were compared with reference methods.     

Analysis of industrial effluents to determine endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Contaminated industrial effluents often contain a variety of organic pollutants that can disturb the development of the endocrine system and the organs that respond to endocrine signals in organisms. Total characterisation of the effluents to detect all these potential endocrine disruptors by standard GC-MS methods is difficult since this technique often misses the more polar or non-volatile fraction of these organic compounds. The wide spectrum of endocrine-toxic substances and their low concentrations require powerful analytical approaches like LC-MS for their identification. Furthermore, the methods for the detection of endocrine effects developed up to now do not show all the possible oestrogenic effects and results of the different tests are not comparable to one another. Therefore, further ecotoxicological research should be carried out so that new strategies can be proposed. In this article, an overview of the analytical methods for determining organic contaminants in industrial effluents and tests for the identification of endocrine disruptors and their effects is presented.     

Homo- and heterodinuclear 2,2′-bipyrimidine-bridged complexes

[M(hfacac)₂(bpym)] complexes, where M = Co^II, Ni^II or Zn^II, hfacac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate and bpym = 2,2bipyrimidine; and [Cl₂M(bpym)M(hfacac)₂] complexes, where M = Co^II, Ni^II Mn^II or ZnII M = Ni^II; M = NiII or Zn^II and M = Zn^II; M = Ni^II and M = Co^II have been prepared and characterized by chemical analysis, conductance measurements, IR and electronic spectroscopies and magnetic susceptibility measurements (4.2–292K range). The dinuclear NiII–Ni^II, Co^II–Ni^II and Mn^II–Ni^II complexes are antiferromagnetic, with an intramolecular exchange parameter, J, of –2.3–8.9cm–1. Co^II and Mn^II are in a high spin state. The low temperature effect observed in monomers and in Ni^II–Zn^II dimers is considered a consequence of either an intermolecular antiferromagnetic interaction or the zero-field splitting in NiII.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic studies and magnetic properties of binuclear complexes of the first transition series cations bridged by 2,2′-bipyrimidine

Binuclear complexes [M₂Cl₄(-bpym)], where M = VO²⁺, Fe^II, Co^II or Cu^II and bpym = 2,2-bipyrimidine, and [M₂(hfacac)₄(-bpym)] complexes, where hfacac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate and M = Fe^II, Ni^II or Co^II have been synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, conductance measurements, i.r., electronic and e.p.r spectroscopies and by magnetic susceptibility measurements (in the 4.2–291K range). Co^II and Fe^II are in a high spin state. [(VO)₂Cl₄(-bpym)] is paramagnetic, without significant interactions. [Fe₂Cl₄(-bpym)] shows a singular behaviour explained by an antiferromagnetic intradimer exchange and a ferromagnetic interdimer interaction. All other complexes are antiferromagnetic, with an intramolecular exchange parameter, J, varying from –3.3 cm^–1 for Co^II/math> to –109 cm^–1 for Cu^II.     

Metal Complexes of New Mixed Oxaaza‐Macrocyclic Ligands. X‐Ray Crystal Structure of L1, L2, [SrL2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 and [BaL2(NCS)2(CH3CN)]·CH3CN

A new mixed oxaaza‐macrocyclic ligand, L¹, has been obtained by direct synthesis between 1,4‐bis‐(2′‐formylphenyl)‐1,4‐dioxabutane and the diamine 2,2′‐ethylenedioxydiethylamine. The dialkylated ligand L², bearing two nitrobenzyl pendant groups, has been prepared and transitional, post‐transitional and Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺ metal complexes have been synthesized in order to elucidate the coordination preferences. The crystal structures of the ligands L¹ and L² and the complexes [SrL²(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ and [BaL²(NCS)₂(CH₃CN)]·CH₃CN have been determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structures reveal the presence of mononuclear endomacrocyclic complexes where the pendant arms radiate away from the ligand.     

Leachability of toxic elements from solid wastes

We have examined the leachability of the toxic elements cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and selenium from solid wastes. The solid wastes studied are municipal incinerator ash, coal fly ash, hospital incinerator ash, raw sewage sludge, sewage incinerator bottom ash, and sewage incinerator lagoon ash (which is a combination of bottom and fly ashes). Cadmium displayed the greatest leachability in all waste types, with 76% leached from the municipal refuse incinerator ash. Although the sources of elements in the wastes are diverse, the leachability and hence the bioavailability in the incinerator ash appears mainly determined by the volatility of the element.     

Thermal behavior of poly(α-n-alkyl β-L-aspartate)s

A series of poly(-n-alkyl -L-aspartate)s (n being the number of carbon atoms in the linear alkyl side chain, withn=1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 22), was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of the length of the alkyl group on thermal properties such as stability, melting and crystallization of side chains, was investigated. For the polymers with n12, two endothermic peaks at T₁ and T₂ were detected separating three distinct phases A, B and C. The peak at T₁ corresponds to the melting of the crystallized paraffinic side chains (transition A-B), and the peak: at T₂ may be attributed to a transition (B-C), implying a liquid crystal phase.This work has been supported by DGICYT PB-93-0960 and PB-93-1241. F.L.-C. acknowledges financial assistance from the Venezuelan institutions Universidad de Los Andes and Fundayacucho.     

Generation and coupling of [Mn(dmpe)2(C triple bond CR)(C triple bond C)]* radicals producing redox-active C4-bridged rigid-rod complexes

The symmetric d(5) trans-bis-alkynyl complexes [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(2)] (R = Me, 1 a; Et, 1 b; Ph, 1 c) (dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane) have been prepared by the reaction of [Mn(dmpe)(2)Br(2)] with two equivalents of the corresponding acetylide LiC triple bond CSiR(3). The reactions of species 1 with [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)] yield the corresponding d(4) complexes [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(2)][PF(6)] (R = Me, 2 a; Et, 2 b; Ph, 2 c). These complexes react with NBu(4)F (TBAF) at -10 degrees C to give the desilylated parent acetylide compound [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(2)][PF(6)] (6), which is stable only in solution at below 0 degrees C. The asymmetrically substituted trans-bis-alkynyl complexes [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(C triple bond CH)][PF(6)] (R = Me, 7 a; Et, 7 b) related to 6 have been prepared by the reaction of the vinylidene compounds [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiR(3))(C=CH(2))] (R = Me, 5 a; Et, 5 b) with two equivalents of [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)] and one equivalent of quinuclidine. The conversion of [Mn(C(5)H(4)Me)(dmpe)I] with Me(3)SiC triple bond CSnMe(3) and dmpe afforded the trans-iodide-alkynyl d(5) complex [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiMe(3))I] (9). Complex 9 proved to be unstable with regard to ligand disproportionation reactions and could therefore not be oxidized to a unique Mn(III) product, which prevented its further use in acetylide coupling reactions. Compounds 2 react at room temperature with one equivalent of TBAF to form the mixed-valent species [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)](2)(micro-C(4))][PF(6)] (11) by C-C coupling of [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(C triple bond C*)] radicals generated by deprotonation of 6. In a similar way, the mixed-valent complex [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CSiMe(3))](2)(micro-C(4))][PF(6)] [12](+) is obtained by the reaction of 7 a with one equivalent of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene). The relatively long-lived radical intermediate [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(C triple bond C*)] could be trapped as the Mn(I) complex [Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CH)(triple bond C-CO(2))] (14) by addition of an excess of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) to the reaction mixtures of species 2 and TBAF. The neutral dinuclear Mn(II)/Mn(II) compounds [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CR(3))](2)(micro-C(4))] (R = H, 11; R = SiMe(3), 12) are produced by the reduction of [11](+) and [12](+), respectively, with [FeCp(C(6)Me(6))]. [11](+) and [12](+) can also be oxidized with [Cp(2)Fe][PF(6)] to produce the dicationic Mn(III)/Mn(III) species [[Mn(dmpe)(2)(C triple bond CR(3))](2)(micro-C(4))][PF(6)](2) (R = H, [11](2+); R = SiMe(3), [12](2+)). Both redox processes are fully reversible. The dinuclear compounds have been characterized by NMR, IR, UV/Vis, and Raman spectroscopies, CV, and magnetic susceptibilities, as well as elemental analyses. X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on complexes 4 b, 7 b, 9, [12](+), [12](2+), and 14.     

Kinetico-mechanistic studies of C-H bond activation on new Pd complexes containing N,N'-chelating ligands

The hybrid imine/amine palladium(II) coordination complexes [PdX2(kappa2-N(imino),N(amino))](X = Cl, AcO; kappa2-N(imino),N(amino)= 4ClC6H4CHNCH2(CH2)nN(CH3)2, n= 1, 2) have been prepared in different isomeric forms which include E/Z arrangement around the C[double bond]N bond of the hybrid ligand and {Pd(kappa(2)-N(imino),N(amino))} ring conformation. The crystal structures of four of them, E-1AcO, Z-1AcO, E-2AcO and E-2Cl, have been determined and the solution behaviour in acetic acid, the common cyclometallating solvent, for all these systems studied. The complexes in acetic acid solution are shown to maintain the structure determined by X-ray crystallography, as they do in deuterated chloroform. Nevertheless, a partial opening equilibrium of the {Pd(kappa2-N(imino),N(amino))} ring is observed by NMR experiments. When the complexes are held in solution for longer periods the corresponding cyclometallated derivatives, 1AcO-CM, 2AcO-CM, 1Cl-CM and 2Cl-CM, containing the {Pd(kappa2-C,N(imino))} palladacycle are obtained, as characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy. In these compounds the total opening of the N(amino) moiety of the ligand has occurred. The C-H bond activation process has been studied kinetico-mechanistically at different temperatures, pressures and acid concentrations; the results agree with the need of an opening of the chelate ring in [PdX2(kappa2-N(imino),N(amino))] prior to the proper cyclometallation reaction. The values of the enthalpies of activation are higher than those observed for known N-monodentated cyclometallating ligands, as should correspond to the contribution of a ligand dechelation pre-equilibrium. The entropies and volumes of activation are also indicative of this predissociation that include an important amount of contractive ordering. The presence of small amounts of triflic acid in the reaction medium accelerates the reaction to the value observed for N(imino)-monodentate systems, indicating that the full opening of the chelate ring has taken place. For the badly oriented isomeric forms of the ligand in the chelated complex (Z), the cyclometallation process is even more slow and corresponds directly to the reorganization of the ligand to its cyclopalladation-active (E) conformation.     

Synthesis,structure, and spectroscopic,photochemical, redox,and catalytic properties of ruthenium(II) isomeric complexes containing dimethyl sulfoxide,chloro, and the dinucleating bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole ligands

Two isomeric Ru(II) complexes containing the dinucleating Hbpp (3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole) ligand together with Cl and dmso ligands have been prepared and their structural, spectroscopic, electrochemical, photochemical, and catalytic properties studied. The crystal structures of trans,cis-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(Hbpp)(dmso)(2)], 2a, and cis(out),cis-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(Hbpp)(dmso)(2)], 2b, have been solved by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showing a distorted octahedral geometry for the metal center where the dmso ligands coordinate through their S atom. 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy corroborates a similar structure in solution for both isomers. Exposure of either 2a or 2b in acetonitrile solution under UV light produces a substitution of one dmso ligand by a solvent molecule generating the same product namely, cis(out)-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(Hbpp)(MeCN)(dmso)], 4. While the 1 e(-) oxidation of 2b or cis(out),cis-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(bpp)(dmso)(2)](+), 3b, generates a stable product, the same process for 2a or trans,cis-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(bpp)(dmso)(2)](+), 3a, produces the interesting linkage isomerization phenomenon where the dmso ligand switches its bond from Ru-S to Ru-O (K(III)(O)(-->)(S) = 0.25 +/- 0.025, k(III)(O)(-->)(S) = 0.017 s(-1), and k(III)(S)(-->)(O) = 0.065 s(-1); K(II)(O)(-->)(S) = 6.45 x 10(9), k(II)(O)(-->)(S) = 0.132 s(-1), k(II)(S)(-->)(O) = 2.1 x 10(-11) s(-1)). Finally complex 3a presents a relatively high activity as hydrogen transfer catalyst, with regard to its ability to transform acetophenone into 2-phenylethyl alcohol using 2-propanol as the source of hydrogen atoms.