Electrochemical reduction of a bridging imide: generation of ammonia at a dimolybdenum tris(mu-thiolate) site

The electrochemical reduction of the imide complex [Mo2(cp)2(mu-SMe)3(mu-NH)]+ (1+) has been investigated in THF and MeCN electrolytes by cyclic voltammetry, controlled-potential electrolysis and coulometry. In the absence of free protons, the electrochemical reduction produces the amide derivative [Mo2(cp)2(mu-SMe)3(mu-NH2)] (2) after consumption of 1 Fmol(-1) of 1+. In THF in the presence of acid, the reduction of 1+ occurs through a two-electron process. The presence of acid also results in the shift of the equilibrium between 1+ and amide dication 2(2+) (MeCN electrolyte) or induces an isomerisation of the imide ligand (THF electrolyte). This allows the electrolysis to be conducted at a potential 600 mV less negative than the reduction potential of 1+. Controlled-potential electrolyses in the presence of acid (2 equiv HTsO) produce the ammine derivative. Ammonia is released from these compounds either by coordination of the solvent (MeCN electrolyte) or by the binding of chloride to the ammine-tosylate complex (electrolyses in THF in the presence of acid and chloride). The final products, isolated almost quantitatively (>95%), are [Mo2(cp)2(mu-SMe)3(MeCN)2]+ and [Mo2(cp)2(mu-SMe)3(mu-Cl)], respectively.     

Influence of experimental parameters on the determination of antimony in seawater by atomic absorption spectrometry using a transversely heated graphite furnace with Zeeman-effect background correction

Spectroscopic and electrothermal conditions for the determination of antimony in seawater using a transversely heated graphite furnace with Zeeman-effect background correction have been optimized with the use of an a priori calculation of the detection limit. The lowest limit of detection was obtained with a 2 nm spectral curvatures bandwidth and the use of an electrodeless discharge lamp; however, these experimental conditions resulted in strong premature curvature of calibration curves. Pd(NO(3))(2) can be recommended as a chemical modifier because seawater interference effects are minimized and pretreatment curves up to 1500 degrees C can be used permitting the removal of the major part of the saline matrix before atomization. Under optimized spectroscopic and electrothermal conditions the obtained limit of detection of Sb in seawater was about 0.4 microg L(-1).     

Reaction of BH4- with [Mo2Cp2(mu-SMe)n] species to give tetrahydroborato, hydrido or dimetallaborane compounds: control of product by ancillary ligands

The reaction of mono- or dichloro-dimolybdenum(III) complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-SMe)2(mu-Cl)(mu-Y)] (Cp=eta5-C5H5; 1, Y=SMe; 2, Y=PPh2; 3, Y=Cl) with NaBH4 at room temperature gave in high yields tetrahydroborato (8), hydrido (9) or metallaborane (12) complexes depending on the ancillary ligands. The correct formulation of derivatives and has been unambigously determined by X-ray diffraction methods. That of the hydrido compound 9 has been established in solution by NMR analysis and confirmed by an X-ray study of the mu-azavinylidene derivative [Mo2Cp2(mu-SMe)2(mu-PPh2)(mu-N=CHMe)] (10) obtained from the insertion of acetonitrile into the Mo-H bond of 9. Reaction of NaBH4 with nitrile derivatives, [Mo2Cp2(mu-SMe)4-n(CH3CN)2n]n+(5, n=1; 6 n=2), afforded the tetrahydroborato compound 8, together with a mu-azavinylidene species [Mo2Cp2(mu-SMe)3(mu-N=CHMe)](14), when n=1, and the metallaborane complex 12, together with a mixed borohydrato-azavinylidene derivative [Mo2Cp2(mu-SMe)2(mu-BH4)(mu-N=CHMe)] (13), when n=2. The molecular structures of these complexes have been confirmed by X-ray analysis. Preparations of some of the starting complexes (3 and 4) are also described, as are the molecular structures of the precursors [Mo2Cp2(mu-SMe)2(mu-X)(mu-Y)] (1, X/Y=Cl/SMe; 2, X/Y=Cl/PPh2; 4, X/Y=SMe/PPh2).     

La matrice eau de mer et le signal du cuivre en spectrometrie d'absorption atomique sans flamme: Partie 2: Proposition d'un schéma explicatif des phénomènes observés pour une eau de mer

(Copper signals from seawater matrices in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Part 2: model for phenomena observed with sea water.)A model to explain the variations of copper signals in seawater is proposed on the basis of the results of Part 1 of this study and data obtained by ashing simulated seawaters under different conditions. The model is confirmed by the results found with nitric of sulfuric acid as modifier. In this model, ashing at 800°C hydrolyses MgCl₂ to MgO, and the consequent formation of sodium sulfide from the matrix stabilizes the copper in the furnace. The addition of a small nitrate concentration (0.2 M) induces, when magnesium is present, a complementary decrease of the interference.