Synthesis, characterization and thermal studies on solid compounds of 2-chlorobenzylidenepyruvate of heavier trivalent lanthanides and yttrium(III)

Solid-state compounds of general formula LnL_3⋅nH₂O, where Ln represents heavier lanthanides and yttrium and L is 2-chlorobenzylidenepyruvate, have been synthesized. Chemical analysis, simultaneous thermogravimetry-differential analysis (TG-DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffractometry, elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy have been employed to characterize and to study the thermal behaviour of these compounds in dynamic air atmosphere. On heating these compounds decompose in four (Gd, Tb, Ho to Lu, Y) or five (Eu, Dy) steps. They lose the hydration water in the first step and the thermal decomposition of the anhydrous compounds up to 1200°C occurs with the formation of the respective oxide, Tb₄O₇ and Ln₂O₃ (Ln=Eu, Gd, Dy to Lu and Y) as final residue. The dehydration enthalpies found for these compounds (Eu, to Lu and Y) were: 65.77, 55.63, 86.89, 121.65, 99.80, 109.59, 131.02, 119.78, 205.46 and 83.11 kJ mol^-1, respectively.     

Component reconstruction in the primary space of spectra and concentrations. Alternating regression and related direct methods

A set of methods that extract the spectral components in a chromatographic run is considered. The methods do not need libraries of previously known spectra or retention times. The methods have been developed for two-dimensional spectra but they can also be used for chromatographic analyses with a single-channel detector. The methods are direct; they do not use principal components as the starting point. Alternating regression (AR) remains in the primary space of spectra and concentrations during the calculations. Random numbers are used as the starting spectra. Regression is used to solve first for the concentrations, then for the spectra. The method uses two kinds of constraints: all spectra and concentrations are forced to be positive; and all concentration profiles are forced to a unimodal shape with a single local maximum. It is assumed that all observations are a linear sum of components. Compact alternating regression (CAR) is a new variant of the basic AR. The idea is to replace multiplication of a large matrix by two multiplications of smaller matrices. This typically speeds up the iterations by a factor of ten. AR and CAR have been successfully used with combined techniques such as gas chromatography—mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with UV—visible detection. The reliability of the solution is checked by repeatedly injecting noise and performing the analysis several times. This produces estimates of confidence intervals. AR and CAR have recently been extended to handle single-dimensional signals. Examples are single-channel detectors such as the flame ionization detector in gas or liquid chromatography with a fixed-wavelength UV detector. A batch of samples is used as the observation matrix. As a result, one obtains both the concentrations and the elution shapes of individual chromatographic peaks.     

An improved microwave plasma torch for atomic spectrometry

The analytical performance of a microwave plasma torch was improved through mechanical alterations. Several problems reported in earlier designs were addressed: the ignition and stabilization of a helium plasma in the MPT was difficult; high powers were required to both ignite and operate the plasma; otherwise, the plasma would erratically change from an annular to a filament type discharge. In the new torch, the helium discharge was stabilized by replacing the copper central tube with one made of quartz. In addition, air entrainment was alleviated through use of a sheathing gas. This modification simplified the background mass spectrum and raised the effective ionization temperature of the discharge. A detailed schematic diagram of the new microwave plasma torch is presented.     

Detection of soil pollution by hydrocarbons using headspace-mass spectrometry and identification of compounds by headspace-fast gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The direct coupling of a headspace sampler with a mass spectrometer is proposed as a screening tool for the rapid detection of soil pollution by hydrocarbons from petroleum and derivatives. The samples are subjected to the headspace generation process, with no prior treatment, and the volatiles generated are introduced directly into the mass spectrometer, thereby obtaining a fingerprint of the sample analysed. Suitable treatment of the signal by chemometric techniques allows unequivocal characterisation of the different types of sample. The use of fast gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer detector coupled to the headspace sampler allows identification of the major hydrocarbons present in the mineral and organic polluted samples, interpretation of the results obtained, and demonstrates the analytical potential of headspace-mass spectrometry coupling.     

Shortcut method for evaluation and design of a hybrid process for enantioseparations

Hybrid processes for enantioseparations have a considerable potential for reducing investment and operational costs. An example is the combination of simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography and selective crystallisation. However, the design of integrated processes is a difficult task. A shortcut method is presented that can serve as a tool for design and estimation of the potential of such processes. The approach requires only limited experimental data and thus allows for systematic parameter studies. The method is based on the determination of the purity-performance characteristic of the SMB process and rigorous application of mass balances. The use of relative mass fluxes allows derivation of simple algebraic expressions for essential process parameters. The significant potential of combining SMB and crystallisation is demonstrated for the example of the separation of mandelic acid enantiomers.     

Enantioselectivity of 6-O-alkyldimethylsilyl-2,3-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrins as chiral stationary phases in capillary GC

Summary Clenbuterol has been determined in urine by solidphase extraction on a C₁₈ cartridge, diazotization of the eluate with nitrite, coupling of the diazonium ion with 1-(naphthyl)ethylenediamine, and separation of the azo dye formed by HPLC with a C₁₈ column and a micellar mobile phase containing 0.1 M sodium dodecyl sulphate, 12%n-butanol and 0.05 M citrate buffer, pH 3. Recoveries higher than 90% were obtained by mixing the samples with a 20% 0.2 M NaOH before extraction. Limits of detection of 51 and 6.7 ng L⁻¹ were obtained with spectrophotometric and thermal lens spectrometric detection, respectively; respective repeatabilities were 3.1% (5 μg mL⁻¹) and 5.6% (0.16 μg mL⁻¹).     

新型大位阻取代茂钛,锆化合物的合成及其谱学性质

通过１－环庚烯基锂与６，６－二烷基富烯发生环外双键的加成反应形成的大取代茂锂试剂与ＭＣｌ４（Ｍ＝Ｔｉ，Ｚｒ）反应，合成了１２个含或不含手性碳的大位阻取代茂金属有机化合物，并研究了它们的１ＨＮＭＲ，ＥＩＭＳ和ＩＲ．     

Voltamperometric determination of kinetin with a carbon paste modified electrode

The electrochemical behaviour of kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) on a carbon paste modified with OV-17 silicone electrode, is studied. The determination of kinetin is possible working in square wave voltammetric techniques, reaching limits of determination of 38.7 ng ml⁻¹. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the cytokinin in extracts of apples (previously spiked with kinetin) and the obtained results were in accordance with the results obtained with HPLC-UV.     

Evaluation of the factors affecting extraction of organic compounds based on the acid-induced phase cloud point approach

On the basis of a better analytical exploitation of acid-induced cloud point approach, a systematic study on the phase behaviour of acid aqueous solutions of anionic surfactants and factors affecting anionic surfactant-mediated extractions was performed. The anionic surfactants investigated were alkylsulphonates (ASS) with alkylchain lengths comprised between 8 and 16 carbon atoms. The critical hydrochloric acid concentration (minimal acid concentration required to separation in two liquid phases) was found to increase as alkylchain length of the anionic surfactant increased from 10 to 14. Non-acid-induced liquid-liquid phase separation was observed for sodium octanesulphonate (SOS) or sodium hexadecyl sulphonate (SHS) in the hydrochloric concentration range 0-10 M. Acid aqueous solutions of sodium decylsulphonate (SDeS) and sodium dodecylsulphonate (SDoS) separated into two liquid phases at temperatures ranging between 10 and 80 °C, while temperatures >35 °C were required for sodium tetradecylsulphonate. The influence on extraction efficiency and concentrating ability of experimental variables such as hydrophobicity and concentration of surfactant, nature and concentration of analyte, hydrochloric acid concentration, time and temperature of extraction and time of equilibration and centrifugation was examined. Advantages provided by anionic surfactant-mediated extractions over the use of non-ionic surfactants (cloud point extractions) are discussed.     

Isolation and determination of paspalitrem-type tremorgenic mycotoxins using liquid chromatography with diode-array detection

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for the isolation and determination of the tremorgenic mycotoxins paxilline (Penicillium paxilli NRRL 6110), paspaline, paspalinine and paspalicine (Claviceps paspali). Following a Soxhlet extraction of a mould-contaminated matrix using chloroform, the crude extract was partitioned between hexane and 80% aqueous methanol. The latter fraction, containing the desired toxin(s), was evaporated to dryness, the residue dissolved in methylene chloride and the solution analysed by liquid chromatography using a Supelcosil LC-Si column eluted with methylene chloride-diethyl ether (9 + 1, v/v). A mixture containing standards of these compounds was similarly analysed. All toxins were detected using a UV diode-array detector. The generated UV spectra and chromatographic data of the standard toxins were stored in a computer as a library and used to identify these toxins in a crude mixture. The purity of the separated peaks and the amount of toxin in the crude mixture were also determined. The toxins were isolated by selectively collecting the eluted peaks using a programmable fraction collector equipped with a peak level sensor. Further confirmation of compound identity was achieved by mass spectrometry using the direct inlet probe method. In comparison with methods used previously to isolate these toxins, the present technique is fast and allows the acquisition of complete UV spectral information and chromatographic data and the isolation of multiple toxins in a single chromatographic operation.