Structures and synthesis of framework Rb and Cs uranyl arsenates and their relationships with their phosphate analogues

Two hydrated uranyl arsenates, Cs₂(UO₂)[(UO₂)(AsO₄)]₄(H₂O)₂ (CsUAs) and Rb₂(UO₂)[(UO₂)(AsO₄)]₄(H₂O)_4.5 (RbUAs), were synthesized by hydrothermal methods. Intensity data were collected at room temperature using MoKα radiation and a CCD-based area detector. The crystal structure of RbUAs was solved by direct methods, whereas the structure model of the phosphate Cs₂(UO₂)[(UO₂)(PO₄)]₄(H₂O)₂ was used for CsUAs; both were refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques on the basis of F² to agreement indices (CsUAs, RbUAs) wR₂=0.061,0.041, for all data, and R₁=0.032,0.021, calculated for 5098, 4991 unique observed reflections (|F_o|>4σ_F), respectively. The compound CsUAs is orthorhombic, space group Cmc2₁, Z=4, a=15.157(2), b=14.079(2), c=13.439(2) Å, V=2867.9(1) Å³. RbUAs is monoclinic, space group C2/m, Z=4, a=13.4619(4), b=15.8463(5), c=14.0068(4) Å, β=92.311(1)°, V=2985.52(2) Å³. The structures consist of sheets of arsenate tetrahedra and uranyl pentagonal bipyramids, with composition [(UO₂)(AsO₄)]⁻, that are topologically identical to the uranyl silicate sheets in uranophane-beta. These sheets are connected by a uranyl pentagonal bipyramid in the interlayer that shares corners with two arsenate tetrahedra on each of two adjacent sheets and whose fifth equatorial vertex is an H₂O group, resulting in an open framework with alkali metal cations in the larger cavities of the structures. CsUAs is isostructural with its phosphate analogue, and has two Cs atoms and a H₂O group in its structural cavities. RbUAs is not isostructural with its phosphate analogue, although it has a homeotypic framework. Its structural cavities are occupied by three Rb atoms and four H₂O groups; one Rb position and three of the interstitial H₂O groups are half-occupied. The partial occupancies of these positions probably result from the accommodation of the larger As atoms (relative to P) in the framework and resultant larger cavities.     

An integrated microfluidic device for influenza and other genetic analyses

An integrated microfluidic device capable of performing a variety of genetic assays has been developed as a step towards building systems for widespread dissemination. The device integrates fluidic and thermal components such as heaters, temperature sensors, and addressable valves to control two nanoliter reactors in series followed by an electrophoretic separation. This combination of components is suitable for a variety of genetic analyses. As an example, we have successfully identified sequence-specific hemagglutinin A subtype for the A/LA/1/87 strain of influenza virus. The device uses a compact design and mass production technologies, making it an attractive platform for a variety of widely disseminated applications.     

Viscosity effect on the structural compactness of latex flocs formed under weak depletion attractions

Dilute aqueous dispersions of colloidal polystyrene latex spheres were flocculated by adding a nonadsorbing polymer sample, poly(acrylic acid). The structural compactness of the flocs thus formed was characterized in terms of their mass fractal dimension using the small-angle static light scattering technique. It was found that with low poly(acrylic acid) concentrations and thus weak depletion attraction forces, the dispersion medium viscosity had a marked effect on the floc structure. An increase in the viscosity led to formation of denser flocs. This was revealed in three sets of depletion flocculation experiments: (a) adjusting the background electrolyte concentration at a fixed level of poly(acrylic acid), (b) using water and 30% (w/w) glycerol as the respective solvents, and (c) inducing latex flocculation with two poly(acrylic acids) of different molecular weights at the respective critical polyacid concentrations. Direct force measurements were made with atomic force microscopy to isolate the influence of viscosity on floc structure from that of interparticle interaction energies. We conclude that the formation of denser flocs with increasing medium viscosity can be attributed to the reduced diffusivity of particles in the solution. The latter resulted in an enhanced rate of floc restructuring (through relaxation of attached particles) relative to floc growth.     

A study of the formation of silica-supported mixed magnesium-manganese spinel oxides from multicomponent gels

The effects of thermal treatment on composite materials prepared by the gelation of sols comprising large concentrations of metal oxide precursor salts have been investigated, in order to determine the compositional and thermal requirements for forming spinel magnesium manganates in such systems. The preparative technique has been found to give rise to derived gel materials in which the metal oxide phase, in the form of regular spherical particles, is dispersed throughout a continuous silica matrix. Silica-supported mixed magnesium and manganese spinel oxide phases were obtained for systems comprising at least 30 wt% metal nitrate after heating to temperatures between 700 and 850°C, but not without concomitant formation of Mn₂O₃ and modification of the silica network by magnesium.     

Spectrophotometric determination of bismuth after extraction of hexadecyltributylphosphonium tetraiodobismuthate(III) by microcrystalline benzophenone

Bismuth (0–110 μg) is determined spectrophotometrically at 495 nm after its adsorptive extraction from dilute sulphuric acid as hexadecyltributylphosphonium tetraiodobismuthate(III) on microcystalline benzophenone and dissolution of the solid phase in carbon tetrachloride. The effects of acidity, diverse ions and masking studies are reported. The system is applied to the determination of bismuth in pharmaceutical samples.     

The spectrophotometric determination of sulphate after its extraction with methyltricaprylammonium chloride into cyclohexane

Improvements are described to Flynn's procedure for the extraction of sulphate with Aliquat-336 and its subsequent determination as sulphuric acid. A single-point photometric measurement with sodium 2,4-dinitrophenate is applied to the determination of sulphate (ca. 10 mg kg^?1) in soils, and also in sulphur in organic compounds after oxygen flask combustion.     

Photochemical synthesis of a palladium dichloromethyl complex, {(hexyl)HC(N-methyl-imidazol-2-yl)2}Pd(CHCl2)Cl.: X-ray molecular structures of {(hexyl)HC(N-methylimidazolyl-2-yl)2}Pd(X)Cl, X=Cl, and CHCl2

The reaction of (hexyl)HC(mim)₂ (1, mim=N-methyl-imidazol-2-yl) with (cod)PdMeCl in C₆H₆ yields {(hexyl)HC(mim)₂}Pd(Me)Cl (3). The photochemical reaction of 3 with CH₂Cl₂ at 23 °C in ambient room light yields {(hexyl)HC(mim)₂}Pd(CHCl₂)Cl (4). It is proposed that this reaction proceeds by homolytic scission of the PdMe bond of 3.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of ampicillin and cloxacillin and its application to an intramammary veterinary preparation

Summary Reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultra-violet detection has been used for the simultaneous identification and determination of ampicillin, cloxacillin and some of their degradation products following their extraction from an intramammary preparation used in veterinary medicine. Extraction of the intramammary base into petroleum ether (40–60°C) and partition of the penicillins into the mobile phase gave a mean recovery of 100.8% for ampicillin with coefficient of variation of 1.0 and 103.4% for cloxacillin with coefficient of variation of 1.2 (n=6). Using optimised HPLC conditions ampicillin eluted in approximately 2 min and cloxacillin in approximately 8 min. The overall method was found to be stability indicating, since cloxacillin and ampicillin eluted independently of their degradation products.