Polarographic behaviour of salicylaldehyde-2-pyridylhydrazone and its copper(II) complex

The polarographic behaviour of salicylaldehyde-2-pyridylhydrazone (SAPH) has been studied in aqueous buffer solution containing 40% ethanol using DC and DP polarographic methods. In the pH range 1.8–7.5 the observed single irreversible reduction wave is assigned to the splitting of the N-N bond and reduction of C=N centre. In alkaline medium, a second wave appears at a more negative potential due to the reduction of the salicylaldehyde which is formed by hydrolytic decomposition of the SAPH molecule. The effect of pH on the limiting current andE _1/2 as well as the reduction mechanism are discussed and compared with similar compounds. The kinetic parameters of the electrode reaction have been calculated.The analytical properties of the copper(II)-SAPH system is described. The complex gave rise to a single irreversible well-defined wave (E _1/2=–0.58 V at pH=5.2). The reaction process is diffusion controlled. A method is suggested for the determination of Cu(II) in presence of different metal ions as the difference in theirE _1/2 values is sufficient for the purpose.This work is taken partly from the M. Sc. Thesis of Jamal S. Shalabi     

A decomposition procedure for the determination of arsenic in marine samples

The use of wet and dry ashing procedures to decompose marine biological tissues and to degrade organoarsenic compounds to inorganic arsenic for analysis by zinc-column arsine generation and atomic-absorption spectrophotometry was investigated. Wet ashing with nitric, sulphuric and perchloric acids (10:2:3 v/v) released the largest percentage of arsenic from fish tissue and quantitatively degraded methylated and other organoarsenic compounds to inorganic arsenic. The arsenic concentrations found when standard reference materials were ashed with this acid mixture were in agreement with the certified values.     

Particle velocity measurements in induction plasma spraying

Laser Dopple anemometry (LDA) measurements of the particle velocity are carried out during an induction plasma spraying operation. The velocity of nickel alloy particles, or molten droplets, at the exit of an induction plasma torch prior to impact on the substrate is shown to vary with the plasma and powder injection conditions. Plasma spraying under soft vacuum (150–450 Torr) gives rise to substantially higher particle velocities (40–60 m/sec) compared to those attained at atmospheric pressure (10–20 m/sec).     

Selective adsorption from methanol/water mixtures by C60 fullerene nanospheres

Micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the selective adsorption of methanol/water mixtures on the surface of [60] fullerene nanospheres. C₆₀ molecules were dispersed in methanol/water mixtures with different methanol molar fractions ranging between 1 and 0.5. The Raman active pentagon pinch mode shifted significantly (±4 cm⁻¹) as the mixture composition was changed. The shift in the Raman mode was sinusoidal in nature indicating that methanol then water is adsorbed preferentially on the fullerene surface at different mixture compositions. The observed behavior is attributed to structure forming effects of alcohol/water mixtures and the shape and size effect of fullerene surface.     

A study on the electronic spectra of vinylpyridines and 1,2-(dipyridyl)ethylenes. Molecular orbital calculations

The electronic absorption spectra of 2-, 3-, and 4-vinylpyridines and 1,2-(2,3-dipyridyl), 1,2-(2,4-dipyridyl), 1,2-(3,4-dipyridyl), and 1,2-(4,4-dipyridyl) ethylenes have been investigated in polar and nonpolar solvents. A correlation has been made between the geometry of the molecule and the observed spectrum. Molecular orbital calculations have been carried out using the INDO/S? CI procedure and a limited geometry optimization. The solvent effect at the MO level has been calculated. MO calculations predicted the existence of nπ* transitions that were not observed experimentally. The wave functions of the different CI states were calculated. The experimental transition energy as well as oscillator strength corresponded satisfactorily with the calculated ones. The observed transitions were assigned according to the results of MO calculations.     

Determination of trace elements in biological tissues by aluminum block digestion and spike-height flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the determination of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in biological tissues using small volumes of digest is described. An aluminium heating block is used to digest samples and elements are determined by spike-height flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Interferences have been assessed and the sample decomposition procedure evaluated.     

Arsenic compounds in a marine food chain

A three-organism food chain within a rock pool at Rosedale, NSW, Australia, was investigated with respect to arsenic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography – hydraulic high pressure nebulization – inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-HHPN-ICP-MS). Total arsenic concentration was determined in the seaweed Hormosira banksii (27.2 μg/g dry mass), in the gastropod Austrocochlea constricta (74.4 μg/g dry mass), which consumes the seaweed, and in the gastropod Morula marginalba (233 μg/g dry mass), which eats Austrocochlea constricta. The major arsenic compounds in the seaweed were (2′R)-dimethyl[1-O-(2′,3′-dihydroxypropyl)-5-deoxy-β-d-ribofuranos-5-yl]arsine oxide and an unidentified compound. The herbivorous gastropod Austrocochlea constricta transformed most of the arsenic taken up with the seaweed to arsenobetaine. Traces of arsenite, arsenate, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenocholine, the tetramethylarsonium cation, and several unknown arsenic compounds were detected. Arsenobetaine accounted for 95% of the arsenic in the carnivorous gastropod Morula marginalba. In Morula marginalba the concentration of arsenocholine was higher, and the concentrations of the minor arsenic compounds lower than in the herbivorous gastropod Austrocochlea constricta.