Direct determination of manganese in vitamin-mineral tablets using solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Manganese in vitamin-minerals tablets was determined by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (SS-ETAAS) using three different calibration methods, namely calibration against aqueous standards, standard addition with aqueous standards on solid samples and calibration against solid certified standards. Samples were only finely ground and introduced directly into the furnace by means of solid autosampler system without any dissolving process. Effects of different calibration techniques, temperatures and heating rates of atomization and pyrolysis steps on the accuracy and precision of the analyte elements were investigated. After optimization of the experimental parameters, there is good agreement (at 95% confidence level) between the results obtained by solid sampling and those obtained by acid digestion of samples.     

Optimisation and validation of an automated solid phase extraction technique coupled on-line to enzyme-based biosensor detection for the determination of phenolic compounds in surface water samples

Summary A fully integrated screening system for phenolic compounds was developed incorporating on-line solid phase extraction, fractionation and biosensor detection. Two different types of biosensors, solid graphite and carbon paste electrodes incorporating the enzyme tyrosinase, were compared and used in the screening system. Interfacing of the solid phase extraction and fractionation with the biosensor detection was given special attention since the biosensors were not compatible with the organic modifier used for desorption of phenols from the solid phase extraction step. The system was validated with conventional analytical techniques. Surface water samples from the Ebro river were spiked with 1,10, and 25g L^–1 of catechol, phenol,p-cresol, respectively. Three out of seven samples were spiked and the correct samples were identified, containing phenols equivalent to the spiked concentrations.     

Fourier transform IR spectrum and photoreactivity of the C3O2:HCl complex isolated in solid argon

IR spectroscopy was coupled with the matrix isolation technique to study the molecular complex formed between C₃O₂ and HCl and its photodissociation. The vibrational frequencies of the complex were compared with those of HCl and C₃O₂ monomers. For C₃O₂, a bent structure was characterized in the solid environment.

The vibrational frequencies were calculated in the 4000–400 cm⁻¹ range using an ab initio method at the MP2/6-31G** level for the most stable complex; these frequencies describe the hydrogen interaction with the central carbon atom of C₃O₂ (T complex). The measured shifts between the vibrational mode frequencies of the complex and monomers were in good agreement with the calculated values.

Broad-band UV irradiation ( > 230 nm) of the T complex leads preferentially to ketene chloride and carbon monoxide. Ketene chloride formation can be explained by the reaction between HCl and the carbene C₂O, which results from photo-dissociation at the C=CO bond of C₃O₂.     

Chemical analysis of microcystins RR and LR in cyanobacterium using a prepacked cyano cartridge

Summary A new method for the determination of microcystins PR and LR in cyanobacterium was developed using cyano-type prepacked cartridges. The microcystins were extracted with 10% acetic acid and the extract applied to a Baker 10 cyano cartridge. After elution from the cartridge with 0.5M acetic acid-acetonitrile (19) the microcystins were determined by HPLC. Better recoveries and chromatograms were observed than with ODS cartridges.     

HPLC study of the binding of sulfinpyrazone to serum albumin

Summary A thin layer chromatographic method for a qualitative screening-test and a quantitative analysis of 2,4,6-TNT, biodegradation products, octogen and hexogen in ammunition wastes was developed using both polar and non-polar modified sorbents. For enrichment a solidphase extraction on LiChrolut® EN followed by removal with methanol/acetonitrile (11 v/v) was chosen. To imitate real samples, spiked tap water samples of known composition were used.     

Chromium-mediated aldol and homoaldol reactions on solid support directed towards an iterative polyol strategy

Chromium-Reformatsky and chromium-homoaldol reactions run under neutral and mild reaction conditions. They are highly chemoselective, tolerant towards most common functional groups, and are not prone to retroaldol reactions. Initial studies directed to transfer these homogeneous chromium-mediated solution-phase reactions to solid phase are presented. The main objective was to develop a methodology to aid a combinatorial iterative strategy to polyols (polyketides) on solid phase. A general reactivity problem was observed with polystyrene based resins compared to the solution-phase reactions, independent if the electrophilic (aldehyde) or nucleophilic (bromide) end of the polyol chain was supported to the resin. A complicated penetration, or loss of the polar solvent environment after penetration into the resin, might be responsible for the reduced reactivity. Application of either a soluble polystyrene resin or a polystyrene resin with a polar polyethylene glycol tether resulted in improved yields.     

Energetics of magnesium, strontium, and barium doped lanthanum gallate perovskites

LaGaO₃ perovskites doped with Sr or Ba at the La site and Mg at the Ga site were prepared by solid-state reaction or sol-gel method and characterized. Enthalpies of formation from constituent oxides at 298 K were determined by high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. Energetic trends are discussed in terms of defect chemistry. As oxygen deficiency increases, formation enthalpies define three trends, LaGa_1−yMg_yO_3−δ (LGM), La_1−xSr_xGa_1−yMg_yO_3−δ (LSGM), and La_1−xBa_xGa_1−yMg_yO_3−δ (LBGM). They become less exothermic with increasing doping, suggesting a dominant destabilization effect from oxygen vacancies. The endothermic enthalpy of vacancy formation is 275±37, 166±18 and 138±12 kJ/mol of V_O^·· for LGM, LBGM and LSGM, respectively. Tolerance factor and ion size mismatch also affect enthalpies. In terms of energetics, Sr is the best dopant for the La site and Mg for the Ga site, supporting earlier studies, including oxygen ion conductivity and computer modeling.     

Investigation of electrochemical reactions on copper electrode in Cu4RbCl3I2 solid electrolyte

Investigations are carried out by potentiostatic method. It is found that at potentials ϕ less than 100 mV, a reaction rate of copper deposition is limited by the formation and the three-dimensional growth of copper nuclei and the rate of copper dissolution is limited by a two-dimensional growth of holes in the metal. The rate of nucleus growth was evaluated at 10⁻⁹...10⁻⁶ μm s⁻¹ depending on the potential. At ϕ>120 mV, the reaction rate is limited by charge transport at the exchange current density of 2.7 mA cm⁻² and the anodic transfer coefficient α_a≈ 0.45. The accumulation of a divalent copper phase on Cu/Cu₄RbCl₃I₂ interface at anodic polarization is explained by a parallel course of Cu⁺ − e → Cu²⁺ reaction.     

An integrated coupled column liquid chromatography system for the determination of leukotriene metabolites in biological samples

Summary A fully integrated chromatographic system was developed for the determination of leukotrienes in biological samples using photodiode-array detection (PDAD), which eliminates time consuming manual sample handling steps. A special solid phase extraction, (SPE) methodology for leucotriene metabolite stability was developed which increased the recoveries and eliminates the contamination risk of biological samples. The inherent instability (autooxidation) of many of the leukotriene mediators, and the adsorption effects onto exposed surfaces in vials and in the chromatographic system were found to be very important parameters to control in order to circumvent high loss of sample analytes. By binding the cell supernatants to the functionalities of the SPE support stabilised these mediators. Cell culture samples were eluted through a disposable C₁₈ SPE column. The SPE columns were allowed to thaw and deposited in an automated sample handling unit (ASPEC XL). Desorption of the analytes was followed by a second on-line SPE step, to eliminate remaining interfering matrix compounds. Typical recoveries when stored at −70°C were in-between 55–97% except for (LTE₄) which was found to be around 40% after 72 days of storage. Seven reversed-phase packings were studied. Selectivity factors, as well as the separation efficiencies, were found to differ for the various C₁₈ bonded silica stationary phases. This integrated on-line column liquid chromatographic system was applied to the determination of leukotriene B₄, leukotriene C₄, leukotriene D₄, leukotriene and E₄ in human cell extracts using prostaglandin B₂ as the internal standard. More than 1500 biological samples were analysed. Some validation data are presented for unattended operations.     

Laser Raman spectroscopic study of photoreaction dynamics in p -chloro cinnamic acid crystal

Raman phonon spectroscopy has been used to study photodimerization reaction inp-chloro cinnamic acid (pCCA) crystal. The β-form of the crystal yields the 4,4′-dichloro-β-truxinic acid dimer. Six distinct low frequency phonon bands are observed in thepCCA monomer crystal. On reaction progress, these bands show a monotonic shift to lower frequencies and broaden out. Finally, in the dimer crystal the phonon spectrum shows two weak broad bands. These results suggest that the reaction is homogeneous in the initial stages and, as the product concentration increases, the lattice becomes highly disordered. The reactant and the product were characterised by infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The disappearance of aliphatic C=C bond stretching vibration and appearance of cyclobutane ring deformation and cyclobutane ring-breathing vibrations on reaction confirm photodimerization by cyclobutane ring formation. The large Stoke's shift between the absorption and emission band suggest strong exciton-phonon coupling in the monomer lattice. This reaction seems to be phonon-mediated.