History of Analytical Chemistry in Estonia (1800–1950)

The history of analytical chemistry, started in 1802, can be divided into different periods: 1802–1892 the Baltic German period in Universitas Dorpatensis, 1892–1917 the period of russification in the University, 1918–1939 the independent Estonian University of Tartu and opening of the chair of inorganic and analytical chemistry at Tallinn Technical University, 1940–1944 loss of independence and years of war, 1945–1991 the years in the Soviet Union, 1991-up to now the re-establishment of independence. The first chemical laboratory was founded at Universitas Dorpatensis by Prof. Ph. Arzt in 1802. The first practice in analytical chemistry was opened in 1847 by Prof. C. Göbel. The chair of chemistry was separated from pharmacy in 1850. A separate chair of analytical chemistry was opened at Tartu University in 1947.     

Amperometric method for determining the degree of complexation of polyelectrolytes with cationic surfactants

The complexation of sodium polystyrene sulfonate with monovalent cationic surfactants at a microsized liquid/liquid interface has been studied using electrochemistry. The method is based on measurement of surfactant ion transfer across the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES). The complexation of various cationic surfactants (alkylpyridinium- and trimethylammonium-) with oligosized polystyrene sulfonate was measured. Binding isotherms were used to determine the degree of binding as a function of the surfactant chain length and type of head group. It was found that the hydrophobicity of the surfactant was the predominant factor. The effect of the polyelectrolyte chain length on the binding mechanism was studied using cetylpyridinium chloride as a complexing agent. It was found that binding affinity, as well as cooperativity of the binding process, decreases with decreasing polyelectrolyte chain length. Thermodynamics of surfactant binding was measured using titration microcalorimetry. The thermodynamic data obtained show that the enthalpy of surfactant binding is not dependent on polymer chain length, but an increase in chain length makes the binding process entropically more favorable.     

Mössbauer study of (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconductors irradiated with 86Kr ions

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to study the effects of heavy ion irradiation on (Bi_0.93Pb_0.17)Sr_1.9Ca_2.05(Cu_1.02Fe_0.01)₃O_y superconductors. The Mössbauer spectra of the irradiated superconductor showed significant changes in the subspectra belonging to different Cu microenvironments into which Fe ions were substituted. The relative occurrence of Fe occupying the square pyramidal fivefold oxygen coordinated Cu sites decreased while Fe^{3 +} substituting the square planar fourfold oxygen coordinated Cu sites increased upon bombardment by 246 MeV ⁸⁶Kr⁸⁺ ions. This observation was interpreted on the basis of partial replacement of the apical oxygen atoms in the square pyramids surrounding one of the Cu sites. Such oxygen vacancies create additional square planar coordination sites for Cu. These results also support the covalent character of Cu-O bonds in the superconducting layer as well as the ionic character of bond of apical oxygen to Cu.     

Cross-metathesis assisted by microwave irradiation

Microwave irradiation effectively accelerates cross-coupling metathesis reactions between deactivated olefins. Reactions have been carried out with the phosphine-free Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst and the "second generation Grubbs' catalyst." While there have been reports that a "microwave effect" is observed in various transformations, the accelerations we observe are due to the efficient and rapid heating and increased pressure in the microwave apparatus.     

Benzthiazolderivate, 5. Mitt.: Dequartärisierung und nucleophile Substitution von Benzthiazoliumsalzen

Zusammenfassung Benzthiazoliumsalze (I) reagieren, wie an 20 Beispielen gezeigt wird, mit nucleophilen Partnern unter gleichzeitiger Labilisierung des Oniumsystems zu 2-substituierten 2,3-Dihydro-benzthiazolen (dequartärisierende nucleophile Substitution). Der Reaktionsverlauf wird von der Art der nucleophilen Komponente bestimmt: Freie Amino-(Hydrazino)-Verbindungen und I lassen sich im Molverhältnis 21, die Alkalisalze von Aminocarbonsäuren und-sulfosäuren im Molverhältnis 11 umsetzen. Verbindungen mit reaktiver Methylengruppierung reagieren glatt mit der äquivalenten Menge I, wenn in Gegenwart einer Base gearbeitet wird. Die verwendeten I-Verbindungen sind: 2-Äthoxy-3-methyl-benzthiazolium-tetrafluoroborat (VII) und 2-Methylmercapto-3-methylbenzthiazolium-methylsulfat (VIII).     

Linear and nonlinear optical studies of CdS1−x Se x quantum dots

In this contribution we present and discuss our measurements on CdS_1?x Se _x quantum dots in a glass matrix. In linear absorption measurements we find the typical blue shift of the transitions with decreasing crystallite radius due to quantization. The luminescence shows a significant Stokes shift with respect to absorption, which is interpreted in terms of strong exciton-phonon coupling and allows to deduce the Huang-Rhys factor S. Under high excitation we find an additional emission band on the high energy side, which can be attributed to the recombination of an excited two electron-hole pair state to a one electron-hole pair state in agreement with theory. Pump and probe beam experiments give a bleaching but no hole burning. Finally we discuss some open questions especially concerning the high energy structures in the absorption spectrum.     

Regio- and Stereoselective Reactions of 17-Phenyl-18,19,20-trinorprostaglandin F(2)(alpha) Isopropyl Ester

Novel prostaglandin F(2)(alpha) derivatives, functionalized at C13 and C14, have been prepared. 17-Phenyl-18,19,20-trinorprostaglandin F(2)(alpha) isopropyl ester [(15S)-1] and its epimer [(15R)-1] were stereoselectively epoxidized, using Sharpless conditions, to produce each of the four diastereomeric epoxides (15S)-2, (15S)-3, (15R)-2, and (15R)-3. Treatment of the four epoxides with LiOH stereospecifically-produced the pentahydroxy substituted analogues 12 and 13. Alternatively, epoxides 2 and 3were allowed to react with thiophenolate ion. The attack of the sulfur nucleophile on the epoxide occurred at either C13 or C14 depending on the stereochemistry of the epoxide and of C15.     

Saturated heterocycles. 57. Synthesis of 4-substituted-9,10-dialkoxy-1,6,7,11b-tetrahydro-2H-pyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolin-2-ones

A large number of 4-substituted-9,10-dialkoxy-1,6,7,11b-tetrahydropyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolin-2-ones were prepared by the reaction of 1-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6,7-dialkoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines with iminoethers. Reaction of the corresponding isoquinoline-1-acetic acid derivatives with iminoethers led to the formation of N-acyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-acetamides. In the hydrolysis of the prepared 4-substituted-pyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolin-2-ones, the corresponding N-acyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-acetamides were obtained. While reduction of the 4-phenyl derivative resulted in the corresponding 1,3,4,6,7,11b-hexahydropyrimidinone. The steric structures of the tetrahydro- and hexahydropyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolines were determined by nmr spectroscopy.     

Formation of Small Silica Aggregates by Turbulent Aggregation

Aggregation of silica powder in water has been experimentally studied by turbidimetry. Aggregation was carried out in a stirred tank under physicochemical conditions corresponding to attractive interparticle forces. The effects of different primary particle sizes and stirring rates on aggregation dynamics have been studied. The scattering cross sections of silica aggregates were calculated in the framework of the anomalous diffraction approximation of light scattering theory. Aggregation has been studied by using Kusters's and Brakalov's approaches. By comparison between experimental and theoretical turbidity changes with time it has been shown that aggregates are small and slightly porous. The aggregation process is characterized by a weak fractal dimension D(wf) and an aggregate limit size L.D(wf) is found in the range 2.4-2.5. D(wf) (respectively L) is a weakly increasing (respectively decreasing) function of the stirring rate or of the shear rate. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Animal models for treatment of unresectable liver tumours: a histopathologic and ultra-structural study of cellular toxic changes after electrochemical treatment in rat and dog liver

INTRODUCTION: Electrochemical treatment (EChT) has been taken under serious consideration as being one of several techniques for local treatment of malignancies. The advantage of EChT is the minimal invasive approach and the absence of serious side effects. Macroscopic, histopathological and ultra-structural findings in liver following a four-electrode configuration (dog) and a two-electrode EChT design (dog and rat) were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats and four female beagle dogs were studied with EChT using Platinum:Iridium electrodes and the delivered dose was 5, 10 or 90 C (As). After EChT, the animals were euthanized. RESULTS: The distribution of the lesions was predictable, irrespective of dose and electrode configuration. Destruction volumes were found to fit into a logarithmic curve (dose-response). Histopathological examination confirmed a spherical (rat) and cylindrical/ellipsoidal (dog) lesion. The type of necrosis differed due to electrode polarity. Ultra-structural analysis showed distinct features of cell damage depending on the distance from the electrode. Histopathological and ultra-structural examination demonstrated that the liver tissue close to the border of the lesion displayed a normal morphology. CONCLUSIONS: The in vivo dose-planning model is reliable, even in species with larger tissue mass such as dogs. A multi-electrode EChT-design could obtain predictable lesions. The cellular toxicity following EChT is clearly identified and varies with the distance from the electrode and polarity. The distinct border between the lesion and normal tissue suggests that EChT in a clinical setting for the treatment of liver tumours can give a reliable destruction margin.