A polystyrene based membrane electrode for cadmium(II) ions

A polystyrene based membrane of 3,4:12,13-dibenzo-2,5,11,14-tetraoxo- 1,6,10,15-tetraazacyclooctade-cane shows a Nernstian response to Cd(II) ions over a wide concentration range (3.16 x 10(-6) - 1.00 x 10(-1) mol L(-1) with a Nernstian slope of 29.8 mV/decade of concentration, between pH 2.0 and 6.0. This electrode has been found to be chemically inert and of adequate stability with a response time of 20s. The electrode gives reproducible results with a lifetime of 130 days. The membrane works satisfactorily in a partially non-aqueous medium up to a maximum 35% (v/v) content of methanol and ethanol. The practical utility of the proposed chemical sensor has been observed by using it as end-point indicator in the titration of Cd(II) ions with EDTA. The potentiometric selectivity coefficient values indicate that the membrane sensor is highly selective for Cd(II) ions over a number of cations. Small amounts of surfactants do not disturb the functioning of the sensor. This electrode has also been used to estimate cadmium ions in real samples.     

Thermal studies of some aryloxides of titanium(IV)

Thermal behaviour of aryloxides of titanium(IV) of composition TiCl_n(OAr)_4?n (wheren=0→3 and OAr=OC₆Bu^t-4, OC₆H₄OMe-4 and OC₆H₂-Bu ₂ ^t -2,6?Me-4) has been studied by DTA and TG analysis. Multiple decomposition steps have been indicated by thermal weight losses which are both exothermic and endothermic as shown by DTA curves. Based upon the total % loss in weight; during entire decomposition titanium dioxide has been found to be the final residue in each case.     

Synthesis, characterization, and biological activities of homo- and heterobimetallic complexes of Sn(IV) and Pd(II) with 2-mercapto-5-methyl benzimidazole

Organotin complexes have been synthesized by refluxing 2-mercapto-5-methyl benzimidazole with R₂SnCl₂/R₃SnCl (R = Me, n-Bu, Ph) in 1:1 molar ratio in the first step. In the second step, synthesized organotin(IV) complexes were treated with CS₂ and R₂SnCl₂/R₃SnCl/PdCl₂ to yield homo- and heterobimetallic complexes. The composition of the synthesized complexes, the bonding behavior of the donor groups, and structural assignments were studied by elemental analysis and different spectral techniques, including IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C). The IR data shows bidentate nature of the ligand which is also confirmed by semiempirical study, while NMR data confirms the four-coordinated geometry in solution. The free ligand and its respective homo- and heterobimetallic complexes were screened in vitro against a number of microorganisms to assess their biocidal properties. The biological activity data show that complexes exhibits significant antibacterial and antifungal activities as compared to ligand with few exceptions.     

Glass transition and crystallization kinetics analysis of Sb–Se–Ge chalcogenide glasses

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) has been employed to investigate the effect of Ge addition on the glass transition behavior and crystallization kinetics of Sb₁₀Se_90?xGe_x (x = 0, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27) alloys. The three characteristic temperatures viz. glass transition (T _g), crystallization (T _c), and melting (T _m) have been determined and found to vary with the heating rates and Ge content. Thermal stability and glass forming tendency have been evaluated in terms of ΔT (= T _c ? T _g) and reduced glass transition temperature. The activation energies for glass transition and crystallization have been used to analyze the nucleation and growth process. The activation energy analysis also determines the suitability of alloys to be used in switching applications. Results have been interpreted in terms of bond energies and structural transformations in the investigated alloys.     

Analysis of polyamidoamine dendrimers by isoelectric focusing

Polyamidoamine dendrimers have been studied extensively for their potential applications in nanomedicine. Their uses as imaging, drug, and nucleic acid delivery agents are nearing clinical trials. As such, characterization of polyamidoamine dendrimers and their nano-devices is of immense importance for monitoring the efficiency of their synthesis, purity, and quality control of manufactured products as well as their in vivo behavior. We report here the analysis of polyamidoamine dendrimers possessing various cores and surface groups with a simple and inexpensive isoelectric focusing method. The isoelectric points of the dendrimers were readily determined from a calibration plot generated by running proteins with known pI values. The isoelectric points for various surface-modified polyamidoamine dendrimers ranged from 4 to 9. Polyamidoamine dendrimers possessing terminal hydroxyl groups gave a pI?>?7, while those with terminal carboxyl groups exhibit a pI?<?7. Generation number and cores of the dendrimers did not significantly affect their isoelectric points. Isoelectric focusing thus offers another important tool for characterizing these nanomolecules.

Determination of lead concentration and lead isotope ratios in calcium supplements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after high pressure, high temperature digestion

The presence of lead as a contaminant in calcium supplements has aroused considerable public health interest in recent years. In this investigation lead and lead isotope ratios were determined by ICP-MS in ten brands of calcium supplements after high pressure/temperature digestion. Calcium supplements (200 to 250 mg) were digested in 2 mL of nitric acid at 230?°C and at a pressure of 1770 psi (1.2 × 10⁴ kPa). Lead concentrations were determined by matrix-matched lead standards prepared in a high-purity calcium carbonate matrix. Good recoveries of lead and calcium were obtained for certified animal bone reference material. High levels of Pb (8 to 28 μg Pb per g of calcium) were found in calcium supplements that contain dolomite or bone meal. Chelated and refined calcium supplements had lower Pb levels (0.8 to 0.9 μg Pb/g Ca). Application of lead isotope ratios to distinguish the origin of calcium sources was also explored.     

Synthesis,structural and biochemical aspects of titanocene and zirconocene chelates of acetylferrocenyl thiosemicarbazones

The reactions of bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV)/zirconium(IV) dichloride with a new class of organometallic thiosemicarbazones (LH), derived by condensing acetylferrocene with substituted thiosemicarbazides, have been studied and two types of bimetallic products, viz. [Cp₂M(L)Cl] (M = Ti or Zr) and [CpZr(L)₃], have been isolated. On the basis of various physicochemical and spectral studies, five- and seven-coordinate structures have been assigned to these derivatives, respectively. Attempts have been made to establish a correlation between biological activity and the structures of the products.     

Heterocyclic compounds. XI. Potential post-coital antifertility agents

A series of heterocyclic analogs of diarylethylene and triarylethylene were synthesized as potential anti-implantation agents. Tested in rats as oral, post-coital antifertilily agents, a few of our compounds showed some activity.