Interference of Humic Substances in the Spectrophotometric Determination of Bromate by Phenothiazines in Natural Waters

Abstract

The spectrophotometric method of bromate (BrO₃ ^?) determination by phenothiazines was applied to natural water samples and the interferences due to the presence of inorganic and humic substances were investigated. Common ions present in natural waters did not interfere and only the less abundant NO₂ ^? and Fe²⁺ exhibited strong interferences. Interferences of the two latter ions, if they existed, could be controlled and the method proved to be accurate and with a low detection limit. However, it was found that the presence of soluble humic substances resulted in positive interference, rendering the method unsuitable for bromate determination in natural waters and restricted its use in pure bromate solutions. This interference can be attributed to the electron acceptor groups invariably existing in the humic molecules. Since humic substances can remain in the water even after its ozonation, they will also contribute to a positive interference in bromate determination in potable waters.     

Thermally Induced Synthesis of Anthracene-, Pyrene- and Naphthalene-Fused Porphyrins

The synthesis of π-extended porphyrins containing anthracenyl moieties still represents an important challenge. Here, we report on the synthesis of a series of unsubstituted naphthyl-, pyrenyl- and anthracenyl-fused zinc porphyrin derivatives. To this aim, meso-substitued porphyrins are synthesized and the fusion of the PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon) on the β-positions are performed through thermally induced dehydro-aromatization. The fused zinc-porphyrin derivatives are fully characterized and their optical absorption and photoluminescence properties are reported. We also demonstrate that zinc can be removed from the porphyrin core, giving rise to pure C, H, N materials. This work constitutes the first step towards the synthesis of the fully-fused tetra-anthracenylporphyrin.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel bifunctional hemithioindigo chromophores

[structure: see text] General methods for the synthesis of novel bifunctional hemithioindigo (HT) compounds, e.g., omega-amino acid derivatives, are presented. The photochromic properties of the photoswitches have been characterized by UV-vis and (1)H NMR spectroscopy.     

Saturation overshoot and hysteresis for twophase flow in porous media

Saturation overshoot and hysteresis for two phase flow in porous media are briefly reviewed. Old and new challenges are discussed. It is widely accepted that the traditional Richards model for twophase flow in porous media does not support non-monotone travelling wave solutions for the saturation profile. As a concequence various extensions and generalizations have been recently discussed. The review highlights different limits within the traditional theory. It emphasizes the relevance of hysteresis in the Buckley–Leverett limit with jump-type hysteresis in the relative permeabilities. Reviewing the situation it emerges that the traditional theory may have been abandoned prematurely because of its inability to predict saturation overshoot in the Richards limit.     

Dynamic simulation of particle-filled hollow spheres

We are simulating a new lightweight material that could potentially be used in several technical applications, such as machine casings to rapidly damp vibrations, reducing wear and tear. This is achieved by employing embedded hollow spheres that are filled with a granular material, such as a ceramic powder. Energy is dissipated via friction caused by the interaction of particles with each other and with the sphere wall. The present dynamic simulation is based on a leapfrog algorithm, a time integration method used in molecular dynamics. Modifications, such as reflecting boundary conditions, are introduced to adapt the scheme to the field of granular materials. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Highly stereoselective hydroxy-directed Diels-Alder reaction

The successful stereocontrol of the Diels-Alder reaction of semicyclic dienes possessing a secondary and tertiary allylic magnesium alkoxide alcohol functionality and activated dienophiles such as methyl acrylate, methacrolein, acrolein, and N-phenylmaleimide is described.     

Nonlinear refractive indices of nonlinear liquids: wavelength dependence and influence of retarded response

We use liquid-filled capillary fibers with different core diameters to precisely characterize the nonlinear refractive index of the highly nonlinear liquids carbon disulfide, nitrobenzene, and toluene. We present measurements with two different femtosecond pump sources at wavelengths of 1032 and 1560 nm. The large nonlinearity of the liquids results from the retarded nonlinear optical response of the liquid molecules which includes a strong non-instantaneous contribution due to molecular reorientation. The nonlinear refractive index of the liquids is determined by fitting numerical simulations based on solving the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation including retarded response to the measured broadened output spectra. Our work is important for the novel field of near- and mid-IR supercontinuum generation in liquid-core optical fibers.