Slurry nebulization ICP-AES spectrometry method for the determination of tin in organotin(IV) complexes

This paper proposes a quick, novel method for tin determination in organotin chemicals by slurry nebulization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission (ICP-AES) spectrometry. The method was tested by the measurement of five organotin carboxylate complexes of known composition for obtaining simple stoichiometric data. The slurries were prepared by first dissolving the organotins in an adequate solvent (methanol, pyridine or acetone) well miscible with water and then adding this solution drop-by-drop to a 0.005% TX-100 tenzide solution while maintaining intensive mixing. Dynamic laser light scattering experiments showed that the average equivalent particle size in the resulting slurry was ≈0.3 μm for all samples and solvents. Under suitable ICP-AES measuring conditions, the signal recoveries were found to be between 101.8 and 106.6%, which allowed direct nebulization and calibration against aqueous solutions. Typically, 70 μg l⁻¹ detection limit and 1–5% relative S.D. on five replicates can be achieved by the described method.     

Determination of boron in boron-alloyed steels by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

An inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) procedure has been developed and examined for the determination of boron content (0.01 up to about 2% B) in boron-alloyed steels such as POLDI ATA BOR (65% Fe, 19%Cr, 12% Ni, 1.5% Mn, 1% B), POLDI ATA BOR EXTRA (62% Fe, 18% Cr, 13% Ni, 2.5% Mo, 1.5% Mn, 1% B) and POLDI ATA BOR-R (75% Fe, 18% Cr, 3.5% Ti, 1.8% B). The steel sample is dissolved with a mixture of hydrochloric, nitric, sulfuric and phosphoric acids in a quartz vessel. Borides of alloyed metals, especially of iron and chromium, are quantitatively decomposed. The presence of phosphoric acid in a sample solution reduces the volatility of boric acid with water vapour.Presented in part at the 1989 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Reutte, Austria     

Molecular Structure of 1,3,5-Tris (Trimethylstannyl) Benzene: An Electron Diffraction Study

The molecular structure of 1,3,5-tris (trimethylstannyl) benzene has been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction. The C — C bond length is in good agreement with that in benzene. In agreement with the somewhat electron-releasing character of the substituents, the endocyclic bond angles at the substituents are somewhat smaller than 120°. The mean value of Sn — C bond lengths is greater than that in tetraphenyltin and tetramethyltin. The SnMe₃ groups appear freely rotating around the C_aryl — Sn bonds. The following bond lengths (r _g) and bond angles were determined: (Sn — C)_mean 2.150 ± 0.007 Å, C — C 1.399 ± 0.005 Å, (C — H)_mean 1.105 ± 0.006 Å, < C — C(Sn) — C 117.7 ± 1.7º, < C_aryl — Sn — C_methyl 106.7 ± 0.7º < Sn — C — H 111.5 ± 0.9º.     

Influence of the pyridine methyl substituent position on the chemical changes of the NCS groups in the thermal decomposition of coordination compounds of the type Cu(NCS)2L2

The influence of the position of the CH₃ group in picoline and lutidine ligands on the degree of chemical change of the NCS groups in coordination compounds of the type Cu(NCS)₂L₂ (whereL=2-, 3- and 4-picoline, and 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- and 3,5-lutidine) is dealt with. The most marked effect of the CH₃ group is found to be exerted in position 4. This effect of the methyl group on the degree of chemical change points to the mutual influence of the ligands in coordination compounds of Cu(II).

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Zusammenfassung Der Artikel befaßt sich mit dem Einfluß der Lage der CH₃ Gruppe in Pikolinen und Lutidinen als Liganden auf den Grad der chemischen Änderungen der Gruppen NSC in Koordinationsverbindungen des Typs Cu(NCS)₂L₂ (L=2-, 3- und 4-Pikoline, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- und 3,5-Lutidine). Der ausgeprägteste Effekt der CH₃ Gruppe wurde in der Position 4 beobachtet. Dieser Einfluß der Methylgruppe auf das Ausmaß der chemischen Änderungen deutet auch auf die gegenseitige Wirkung der Liganden in Koordinationsverbindungen von Cu(II).

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Résumé L'article a trait à l'influence de la position du groupe CH₂ dans les picolines et lutidines, en tant que ligands, sur le degré des changements chimiques des groupes SCN dans les composés de coordination du type Cu(SCN)₂L₂ (L=2-, 3 et 4-picoline, 2,3-, 2,4-,2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- et 3,6-lutidine). L'effet le plus prononcé du groupe CH₃ s'observe en position 4. Cette influence du groupe méthyle sur le degré des changements chimiques indique aussi l'influence mutuelle des ligands dans les composés de coordination du Cu(II).

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- , , NCS Cu(NCS)₂,L₂, L=2-, 3- 4- , 2.3-, 2.4-, 2.5-, 2.6-, 3.4- 3.5-. , 4. Cu(II).

     

Mechanism of hierarchical porosity development in MFI zeolites by desilication: the role of aluminium as a pore-directing agent

The role of the concentration and the nature of aluminium in the creation of hierarchical porosity in both commercial and synthesized MFI zeolites have been investigated through controlled mesoporosity development by desilication in alkaline medium. Framework aluminium controls the process of framework silicon extraction and makes desilication selective towards intracrystalline mesopore formation. An optimal molar Si/Al ratio in the range 25-50 has been identified; this leads to an optimal mesoporosity centred around 10 nm and mesopore surface areas of up to 235 m(2) g(-1) while preserving the intrinsic crystalline and acidic properties. At lower framework Si/Al ratios the relatively high Al content inhibits Si extraction and hardly any mesopores are created, while in highly siliceous ZSM-5 unselective extraction of framework Si induces formation of large pores. The existence of framework Al sites in different T positions that are more or less susceptible to the alkaline treatment, and the occurrence of re-alumination, are tentative explanations for the remarkable behaviour of Al in the desilication process. The presence of substantial extra framework Al, obtained by steam treatment, inhibits Si extraction and related mesopore formation; this is attributed to re-alumination of the extraframework Al species during the alkaline treatment. Removal of extraframework Al species by mild oxalic acid treatment restores susceptibility to desilication, which is accompanied by formation of larger mesopores due to the enhanced Si/Al ratio in the acid-treated zeolite.     

Identification of Earth Pigments by Applying Hierarchical Cluster Analysis to Solid State Voltammetry. Application to Severely Damaged Frescoes

Multivariate chemometric methods are applied for identifying earth pigments from square‐wave voltammetric measurements performed at pigment‐modified paraffin‐impregnated graphite electrodes allowing for a separation between hematite‐based earths, French ochres, Spanish ochres, siennas, umbers and green earths. This methodology is applied to the identification of the pigments in samples from the ceiling frescoes of Antonio Palomino (dated 1707) in the vaulted nave of the Sant Joan del Mercat church in Valencia (Spain). These frescoes suffered considerable damage by fire during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, resulting in severe chemical and chromatic alterations. Electrochemical data, supported by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X‐ray microanalysis and Raman spectroscopy, indicate that thermal stress induced the transformation of goethite‐based yellow ochres into hematite and magnetite.     

Single-molecule fluorescence detection in microfluidic channels—the Holy Grail in μTAS?

Both single-molecule detection (SMD) methods and miniaturization technologies have developed very rapidly over the last ten years. By merging these two techniques, it may be possible to achieve the optimal requirements for the analysis and manipulation of samples on a single molecule scale. While miniaturized structures and channels provide the interface required to handle small particles and molecules, SMD permits the discovery, localization, counting and identification of compounds. Widespread applications, across various bioscience/analytical science fields, such as DNA-analysis, cytometry and drug screening, are envisaged. In this review, the unique benefits of single fluorescent molecule detection in microfluidic channels are presented. Recent and possible future applications are discussed.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius     

Stereochemical analysis of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and its main metabolites by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is consumed as the racemate but some metabolic steps are enantioselective. In addition, chiral properties are preserved during MDMA biotransformation. A quantitative analytical methodology using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine enantioselective disposition in the body of MDMA and its main metabolites including 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA) was developed. Plasma and urine samples were collected from a male volunteer. The analysis of MDMA, MDA, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy metabolites by GC/MS required a two-step derivatization procedure. The first step consisted of derivatization of the amine with enantiomerically pure Mosher's reagent ((R)-MTPCl). Triethylamine was used as a base to neutralize hydrochloric acid formed during the reaction allowing quantitative derivatization, which resulted in a substantial improvement in the sensitivity of the method compared with other previously described techniques. Further treatment with ammonium hydroxide was required since both amine and hydroxyl groups underwent derivatization in the reaction. Ammonium hydroxide breaks bonds formed with hydroxyl groups without affecting amine derivatives. The second derivatization step using hexamethyldisilazane was needed for metabolites containing phenol residues. This derivatization method permitted the stereochemically specific study of MDMA and its main monohydroxylated metabolites by GC/MS. A detailed study of the chemical reactions involved in the derivatization steps was indispensable to develop a straightforward, sensitive, and reproducible method for the analysis of the parent drug compound and its metabolites.     

Synthesis, structure and conformation of partially-modified retro- and retro-inverso psi[NHCH(CF3)]Gly peptides

Partially modified retro- (PMR) and retro-inverso (PMRI) psi[NHCH(CF(3))]Gly peptides, a conceptually new class of peptidomimetics, have been synthesized in wide structural diversity and variable length by aza-Michael reaction of enantiomerically pure alpha-amino esters and peptides with enantiomerically and geometrically pure N-4,4,4-trifluorocrotonoyl-oxazolidin-2-ones. The factors underlying the observed moderate to good diastereocontrol have been investigated. The conformations of model PMR-psi[NHCH(CF(3))]Gly tripeptides have been studied in solution by (1)H NMR spectroscopy supported by MD calculations, as well as in the solid-state by X-ray diffraction. Remarkable stability of turn-like conformations, comparable to that of parent malonyl-based retropeptides, was evidenced, as a likely consequence of two main factors: 1) severe torsional restrictions about sp(3) bonds in the [CO-CH(2)-CH(CF(3))-NH-CH(R)-CO] module, which is biased by the stereoelectronically demanding CF(3) group and the R side chain; 2) formation of nine-membered intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded rings, which have been clearly detected both in CHCl(3) solution and in some crystal structures. The former factor seems to be more important, as turn-like conformations were found in the solid-state even in the absence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The relative configuration of the -C*H(CF(3))NHC*H(R)- stereogenic centers has a major effect on the stability of the turn-like conformation, which seems to require a syn stereochemistry. X-ray diffraction and ab initio computational studies showed that the [-CH(CF(3))NH-] group can be seen as a sort of hybrid between a peptide bond mimic and a proteolytic transition state analogue, as it combines some of the properties of a peptidyl -CONH- group (low NH basicity, CH(CF(3))-NH-CH backbone angle close to 120 degrees, C-CF(3) bond substantially isopolar with the C=O) with some others of the tetrahedral intermediate [-C(OX)(O(-))NH-] involved in the protease-mediated hydrolysis reaction of a peptide bond (high electron density on the CF(3) group, tetrahedral backbone carbon).     

Chiral N-alkyl-2,4,6-triphenylpyridiniums as enantioselective triplet photosensitizers. laser flash photolysis and preparative studies

Three N-alkylpyridinium photosensitizers having chiral alkyl groups have been prepared by reacting 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate ion with (1R,2S)-(-)-norephedrine, (S)-(+)-2-(aminomethyl)pyrrolidine, and (R)-(-)-1-cyclohexylethylamine. Laser flash photolysis allows detection of the corresponding triplet excited states that are quenched by hydrogen atom donors and electron donors. Asymmetric quenching of the chiral triplet excited state was observed using enantiomerically pure 1,2-diamino cyclohexane as quencher. Low enantiomeric excess values (up to 7%) were measured for the photochemical cyclization of 5-methyl-4-hexenoic acid to its corresponding gamma-lactone using these chiral N-alkylpyridinium as photosensitizers.