NdFeO3 as a new electrocatalytic material for the electrochemical monitoring of dopamine

A new electrochemical sensor, based on NdFeO₃ nanoparticles as electrocatalytic material, was proposed here for the detection of dopamine (DA). NdFeO₃ nanoparticles were first synthesized by a simple thermal treatment method and subsequent annealing at high temperature (700 °C). The prepared electrocatalytic material has been characterized in detail by SEM-EDX, XRD, and Raman techniques. Characterization results display its sheet-like morphology, constituted by a porous network of very small orthorhombic NdFeO₃ nanoparticles. NdFeO₃ electrocatalytic material was then used to modify the working electrode of screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). Electrochemical tests demonstrated that NdFeO₃– modified screen-printed carbon electrode (NdFeO₃/SPCE) exhibited a remarkable enhancement of the dopamine electrooxidation, compared to the bare SPCE one. The analytical performance of the developed sensor has been evaluated for the detection of this analyte by means of the square-wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. The modified electrode showed two linear concentration ranges, from 0.5 to 100 μM and 150 to 400 μM, respectively, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.27 μM (at S/N = 3), and good reproducibility, stability, and selectivity. Additionally, we also report an attempt made to propose the modified sensor for the simultaneous detection of dopamine and uric acid (UA). The procedure was also applied for the determination of dopamine in spiked real samples. So, this paper reports for the first time the use of a modified NdFeO₃ screen-printed electrode for developing an electrochemical sensor for the quantification of important biomolecules.

Graphical abstract

     

Reactivity of Cage-Like Amines toward p-Toluenesulfonyl Chloride and Diphenyl Chlorophosphate in Acetonitrile

The nucleophilic reactivity of amines of the norbornane, norbornene, and adamantane series toward ptoluenesulfonyl chloride and diphenyl chlorophosphate in acetonitrile at 25°C is determined mainly by the steric factor. Parameters characterizing spatial accessibility of the reaction center in the amine molecule have been determined. Cage-like substituents show no appreciable effect on the amine reactivity, as compared to common alkyl groups.     

Titrimetric estimation of phosphate, molybdate, tungstate and sulphate with lead nitrate solution, using 1,2-naphthoquinone-2-semicarbazone-4-sulphonic acid (NQS-4S) and 1,2-naphthoquinone-2-thiosemicarbazone-4-sulphonic acid (NQTS-4S) as visual indicators

The use of 1,2-naphthoquinone-2-semicarbazone-4-sulphonic acid and 1,2-naphtho-quinone-2-thiosemicarbazone-4-sulphoic acid as indicators in the titrimetric estimation of phosphate, molybdate, tungstate and sulphate with lead has been examined. The precision, accuracy and applicability of the methods have been evaluated.     

Chemiluminescent determination of reactive hydrocarbons

Summary Chemiluminescent reactions of ozone with several classes of compounds at different temperatures are described. In a reaction chamber in front of a photomultiplier ozone is mixed with the compounds studied such as alkanes, olefins, alcohols, aromatics, C₂H₂, NO, vinyl chloride or H₂S. The chemiluminescent emission is proportional to the concentration of the compound involved. At room temperature only olefinic hydrocarbons respond but at temperatures above 150°C also a response for alkanes, alcohols, CO etc. is obtained. It is suggested that next to the ozonide-excited formaldehyde mechanism the CO-CO ₂ ^* mechanism is responsible for the chemiluminescent emission at high temperature. A detection limit of a few ppb is achieved. Possible applications are a selective gas-chromatographic detector, an air pollution monitor for instance for CO, and a photochemical reactivity monitor.

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Bestimmung reaktiver Kohlenwasserstoffe durch Chemiluminescenz

Zusammenfassung Chemiluminescenzreaktionen von Ozon mit verschiedenen Verbindungsgruppen (hauptsächlich Kohlenwasserstoffe) bei unterschiedlichen Temperaturen werden beschrieben. In einer Reaktionskammer werden die Verbindungen vor einem Photomultiplier mit Ozon vermischt. Es handelt sich u. a. um folgende Verbindungstypen: Alkane, Olefine, Alkohole, Aromaten, C₂H₂, NO, Vinylchlorid, H₂S. Die Emissionsintensität ist proportional der Konzentration. Bei Raumtemperatur sprechen nur Olefine an, die übrigen Verbindungen erst über 150°C. Die Emission bei höherer Temperatur wird neben der Bildung von Formaldehyd auf die Reaktion CO-CO ₂ ^* zurückgeführt. Die Nachweisgrenze beträgt wenige ppb. Als mögliche Anwendungsgebiete werden ein selektiver GC-Detektor, ein Monitor für Luftverunreinigungen (z.B. für CO) sowie ein Monitor zur Messung photochemischer Reaktivität der Luft genannt.

Presented at the 6th Annual Symposium on Recent Advances in the Analytical Chemistry of Pollutants, April 21–23, 1976; Vienna, Austria.     

2-Benzopyrylium salts

The acylation of esters of 3,4-dimethoxyphenylpyruvic acid with anhydrides of aliphatic acids in the presence of 70% HClO₄ leads to the formation of 3-alkoxycarbonyl-1-alkyl-6,7-dimethoxy-2-benzopyrylium salts which, on being boiled with sodium acetate inglacial acetic acid, are converted into 3-alkoxycarbonyl-1-alkyl-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinolines.For Communication XIII, see [1].Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 11, pp. 1458–1460, November, 1973.     

Etude cristallographique de l'arsénotellurure de zirconium quadratique

Single crystals of zirconium arsenotelluride (PbFCl type) have been prepared by direct synthesis from the elements. Chemical analysis gives: $\text{As}\text{Zr}\text{= 1.43 ± 0.02}$ and $\text{Te}\text{Zr}\text{= 0.46 ± 0.01}$, in atoms. Lattice constants are: a = 3.82 ± 0.01 Å and c = 8.17 ± 0.02Å. Experimental density is equal to 7.14 ± 0.05. Unit cell thus contains Zr_2.00As_2.86Te_0.92. The structure has been solved with 227 reflections of a single crystal recorded at room temperature. The final R factor is 0.081, excluding zero reflections. Part of the arsenic atoms fills a site and the remainder is located in a second site, the occupation of which is completed by a part of zirconium atoms. The third site is occupied, but not filled, by the tellurium atoms and the remainder of zirconium atoms.     

Free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in presence of the Cr(C5H7O2)3–Al(i-C4H9)3 catalyst system

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate has been studied with the chromium acetylacetonate–triisobutyl aluminum catalyst system in benzene medium at 40°C. These studies have been carried out at an Al/Cr ratio of 12 to compare the behavior with the previously studied chromium acetyl acetonate–triethyl aluminum catalyst system. The enhanced yield and gelling of polymer suggests a free-radical mechanism of polymerization. Further, the kinetics of polymerization and the heterotactic structure of polymer as determined by NMR examination have led to confirmation of the freeradical mechanism of polymerization of methyl methacrylate by an excess of triisobutylaluminum in the presence of catalyst complex.     

The thermodynamics of proton dissociation of adenine

The thermodynamic quantities associated with ionization of the N₁ and N₉ protons of adenine have been calorimetrically determined as a function of temperature. The H values for proton dissociation of these groups, with pK values of 4.19 and 9.92, were found to be 5.1 and 9.1 kcal/mole, respectively, at 25°C, =0.025. The C _p values for proton dissociation of these groups were estimated to be –11 and –17 cal/mole-deg. These results indicate that the large heat capacity changes observed during conformational transitions of polynucleotides are not the result of ionization of the bases.     

Liposomes as signal amplification reagents for bioassays in microfluidic channels

Liposomes with encapsulated carboxyfluorescein were used in an affinity-based assay to provide signal amplification for small-volume fluorescence measurements. Microfluidic channels were fabricated by imprinting in a plastic substrate material, poly(ethylene terephthalate glycol) (PETG), using a silicon template imprinting tool. Streptavidin was linked to the surface through biotinylated-protein for effective immobilization with minimal nonspecific adsorption of the liposome reagent. Lipids derivatized with biotin were incorporated into the liposome membrane to make the liposomes reactive for affinity assays. Specific binding of the liposomes to microchannel walls, dependence of binding on incubation time, and nonspecific adsorption of the liposome reagent were evaluated. The results of a competitive assay employing liposomes in the microchannels are presented.     

Determination of lithium in human serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

An efficient method was developed for the determination of nanogram levels of lithium in biological samples. Serum samples from human subjects from southeastern Spain, treated or not treated with lithium carbonate, were analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were previously treated with a matrix modifier consisting of 0.1% Triton X-100 and injected through a graphite tube with L'vov platform. The Li concentrations measured by the procedure described for the 3 certified reference samples used were not significantly different (p > 0.05) than certified levels. Sample recoveries and variability during several days, with coefficients of variation from 4.00 to 14.8%, demonstrated the reliability and accuracy of this technique. Mean Li concentration determined in the serum of individuals with psychiatric disorders treated with Li (n = 117, 5.077 +/- 1.795 microg Li/mL) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that in individuals not treated with Li (n = 24, 1.902 +/- 2.054 ng Li/mL).