All-solid-state potentiometric sensors for ascorbic acid by using a screen-printed compatible solid contact

The development of all-solid-state potentiometric ion selective electrodes for monitoring of ascorbic acid, by using a screen-printed compatible solid contact is described. The applied methodology is based on the use of PVC membrane modified with some firstly-tested ionophores (triphenyltin(IV)chloride, triphenyltin(IV)hydroxide and palmitoyl-l-ascorbic acid) and a novel one synthesized in our laboratory (dibutyltin(IV) diascorbate). Synthesis protocol and some preliminary identification studies are given. A conductive graphite-based polymer thick film ink was used as an internal solid contact between the graphite electrode and the PVC membrane. The presence and the nature of the solid contact (plain or doped with lanthanum 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPI)) seem to enhance the analytical performance of the electrodes in terms of sensitivity, dynamic range, and response time. The analytical performance of the constructed electrodes was evaluated with potentiometry, constant-current chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The interference effect of various compounds was also tested. The potential response of the optimized Ph₃SnCl-based electrode was linear against ascorbic acid concentration range 0.005-5.0 mM. The applicability of the proposed sensors in real samples was also tested. The detection limit was 0.002 mM ascorbic acid (50 mM phosphate, pH 5 in 50 mM KCl). The slope of the electrodes was super-Nernstian and pH dependent, indicating a mechanism involving a combination of charge transfer and ion exchange processes. Fabrication of screen-printed ascorbate ISEs has also been demonstrated.     

Potentiometric determination of p-chloranil and the kinetic study of its alkaline hydrolysis, using a chloranilate selective electrode

Two Ion-Selective Electrodes (ISEs), one commercial chloride ISE and one home-made chloranilate (Chl(2-)) ISE, were applied to study the alkaline hydrolysis of p-chloranil. This reaction proceeds through a very fast first step producing monochloranilate (Chl(-)) and chloride ions followed by a slow, rate determining step, producing chloranilate (Chl(2-)) and chloride ion. Kinetic equations specific for this reaction scheme, were derived to calculate reaction rate constants from E-t curves. The potentiometric selectivity coefficient K(pot) = 2.23 x 10(4) was determined for the response of the chloranilate electrode to Chl(-) anion and used for the kinetic calculations. The reaction rate constant for the slow step of the hydrolysis was found to be 0.227 M(-1) . sec(-1) at 25 degrees and the activation energy 1.56 x 10(4) Cal/mol. The total potential change following the completion of the first fast step is proportional to the log C of chloranil. Concentrations of chloranil 5-500 ppm can be determined with a precision of about 2%. This potentiometric method was evaluated for the determination of chloranil in fungicide preparations (Spergon) and the results obtained were compared with those of the official iodometric method. Good agreement was found.     

Kinetic-potentiometric assay of formaldehyde in pharmaceutical and industrial samples, monitored by copper solid ion selective electrode, after its reaction with the copper(II)-bis-(ethylenediamine) complex

A kinetic-potentiometric method is described for the quantitative assay of formaldehyde (HCHO) in pharmaceutical and industrial preparations. It is based on the reaction of HCHO with (ethylenediamine)-Cu(II)-sulfate [Cu(CH₂NH₂)₂(H₂O)₂] · SO₄. The changes in potential, resulting from the release of the Cu(II) cations, are monitored with a Cu(II)-ion selective electrode. The calibration curve for the HCHO is linear in the concentration range 50–250 mg L⁻¹, with a limit of detection of 8.5 mg L⁻¹. The method shows very good reproducibility with an RSD of 2.6% for successive injections (n = 5) of 150 mg L⁻¹ HCHO primary solution, while it is interference free. The method was successfully tested in various industrial and pharmaceutical preparations.     

Spectrophotometric Determination of Trace Amounts of Vanadium Based on its Catalytic Effect on the Reaction of Diphenylamine and Hydrogen Peroxide

 In this work a kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of vanadium is presented. The method is based on the catalytic effect of the vanadium(V) on the reaction between diphenylamine (DPhA) and hydrogen peroxide in a concentrated solution of formic acid. The formation of the deep-blue oxidation product is followed by a filter spectrophotometer, equipped with an optical fiber assembly, on line with a PC provided with the suitable software. The measurements were taken at 583 nm, with an immersed type cell of 1 cm light path length. The optimization of the operating conditions regarding concentrations of the reagents, temperature and interferences are also investigated. The working curve is linear over the concentration range 0.40–4.0 μg/ml vanadium(V). The relative standard deviation for a standard solution of 0.6 μg/ml of vanadium is 0.5% (n = 5). The proposed method proved highly sensitive, selective and relatively rapid for the assay of vanadium, at low level of 0.40 μg/ml without any pre-concentration step. The method was applied to alloys and cosmetics samples. The results were compared to those received with a reference method. Good agreement was attained, with a mean error of 0.5%. Received February 25, 2000. Revision May 15, 2000.     

Micelle mediated extraction of magnesium from water samples with trizma-chloranilate and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

This article describes an analytical method for the determination of magnesium taking advantage of the cloud point phenomenon employing a suitable chelating agent (chloranilate) for Mg analysis. The method encompasses pre-concentration of the metal chelate followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) analysis. The chelating agent chosen for this task is a newly synthesised salt of chloranilic acid, trizma-chloranilate, which reacts with Mg but at the same time has a very low affinity for other metallic cations like silicon, aluminium and sodium, which interfere with the determination of Mg in FAAS. The condensed surfactant phase with the metal chelate(s) is introduced into the flame of an atomic absorption spectrometer after its treatment with an acidified methanolic solution. In this way, complex and time-consuming steps for sample treatment are avoided while increased sensitivity is achieved by the presence of both methanol and surfactant in the aspirated sample. The analytical curve was rectilinear in the range of 5-220 mugl(-1) and the limit of detection was as low as 0.75 mugl(-1) with a standard deviation of 5.2%. The method was applied for the determination of Mg in natural and mineral waters with satisfactory results and recoveries in the range of 97-102%.     

Spectrophotometric kinetic determination of copper(II) trace amounts based on its catalytic effect on the reaction of the reduced 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol and hydrogen peroxide

A catalytic spectrophotometric method is presented for the determination of Cu(II), based on the oxidation of the leucocompound of the 2.6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPI)(r), in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and the catalytic effect of Cu(II) on this reaction in ammonia-ammonium chloride buffer solution of pH 10.5. The above reaction is followed spectrophotometrically at 562 nm. The study was carried out with a filter spectrophotometer equipped with a fiber optic and an immersed type optical cell of 1 cm. The optimum operating conditions regarding concentration of the reagents involved, pH and temperature were established. The interference effect of several metallic species was also investigated. It was found that the proposed method shows fairly good selectivity and sensitivity, simplicity and rapidity compared to other kinetic methods. The working curve of the recommended reaction-rate method is linear in the concentration range 5-300 ng/ml. The relative standard deviation for a standard solution of 30 ng/ml Cu(II) is better than 2.5%. The method was applied successfully on the determination of Cu(II) in a wide variety of real samples such as alloys, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and environmental samples. The results were compared to those received with official methods. Good agreement was attained.     

Simple and Selective Spectrophotometric Method for the Determination of Iron (III) and Total Iron Content, Based on the Reaction of Fe(III) with 1,2-Dihydroxy-3,4-Diketocyclo-Butene (Squaric Acid)

 Squaric acid (1,2-dihydroxy-3,4-diketo-cyclobutene) is used in a specific reaction with Fe(III) for the spectrophotometric determination of Fe(III) and total iron content. The optimization of the experimental parameters leads to the establishment of a simple, fast and accurate analytical method. The analytical procedure includes mixing ammonium squarate (40 mM), prepared in a phthalate buffer solution of pH 2.7, with the sample and measuring the absorbance at 515 nm. The molar absorptivity of the colored product is 3.95×10³ L·mol⁻¹·cm⁻¹, at 515 nm. Calibration graphs for Fe(III) are rectilinear for 0.5–20 mgL⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.3 mgL⁻¹ and r.s.d. not exceeding 2.5%, for five replicates of a 3.0 mgL⁻¹ standard solution. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of iron (III) and the total iron content after quantitative oxidation of iron (II). The results for several analyzed samples when compared with those acquired by using the FAAS technique, were found to be in satisfactory agreement. Author for correspondence: University of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Ioannina 451 10, Greece. E-mail: panavelt@cc.uoi.gr Received July 27, 2002; accepted December 20, 2002 Published online April 11, 2003     

Construction of a Triphenyltetrazolium Liquid Membrane Ion Selective Electrode and its Analytical Application to the Assay of Vitamin C

 The construction of a liquid triphenyltetrazolium cation (TT⁺) ion-selective electrode (ISE) based on [TT⁺]₃[P(W₃O₁₀)₄] salt dissolved in 2-nitrotoluene is described. The liquid membrane electrode exhibits a rapid and almost Nernstian response to triphenyltetrazolium cations in the concentration range from 2×10⁻⁴ to 1×10⁻² mol l⁻¹. The Nernstian slope is 56–58 mV decade⁻¹ which remains constant for at least two months. The response is virtually unaffected by pH changes in the range 3–12. Major interferents are periodate and malate. Deviation from linearity is also observed in the presence of bromide, iodide and thiocyanate, due to their precipitation with triphenyltetrazolium cations. Analytical applications such as direct potentiometry for the determination of TT⁺ in aqueous solutions and indirect potentiometry for the assay of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in pharmaceutical preparations are described. Ascorbic acid in the range of 150–500 mg l⁻¹, under specified experimental conditions, can be determined with mean relative error of 1.9%. Received February 25, 2000. Revision April 4, 2000.     

Use of ethyl oxamate for syntheses of oxamato(-1) and novel μ-oxamato(-2) complexes

Summary The use of ethyl oxamate for the synthesis of inorganic oxamato complexes is reported. A reaction system leading to the preparation of the novel polymeric -oxamato(-2) complexes [M(oxm)(H₂O)₂] _x (M=Cu, Zn, Cd), [Co(oxm)(H₂O)₂] _x ·0.5xH₂O and [Ni(oxm)(H₂O)₂] _x ·xH₂O is described (H₂ oxm = oxamic acid). Ethyl oxamate can also be used for the preparation of monomeric oxamato(-1) complexes.

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Der Einsatz von Ethyloxamat für die Synthese von Oxamato(-1) und neuen -Oxamato(-2)-Komplexen (Kurze Mitt.)

Zusammenfassung Es wird der Einsatz von Ethyloxamat für die Synthese von anorganischen Oxamato-Komplexen beschrieben. Ein Reaktions-System für die Herstellung von neuen -Oxamato(-2)-Komplexpolymeren: [M(oxm)(H₂O)₂] _x ; (M = Cu, Zn, Cd), [Co(oxm)(H₂O)₂] _x ·0.5xH₂O und [Ni(oxm)(H₂O)₂] _x ·xH₂O, wird vorgestellt. Ethyloxamat kann auch für die Herstellung von monomeren Oxamato(-1)-Komplexen verwendet werden.

     

Copper(II) oxalate and oxamate complexes

Reaction of Cu^II salts with phenanthroline and oxalate (ox) or oxamate (oxm) gives [Cu(phen)(ox)(H₂O)] · H₂O or [Cu(phen)(oxm)(H₂O)] · H₂O complexes while direct treatment of Cu^II salts with oxalate or oxamate gives [NH₄]₂[Cu(ox)₂] and [Cu(oxm)₂(H₂O)₂] respectively. The X-ray structures of one example of each system, aquo-oxamato-phenanthroline-copper(II)-dihydrate and the polymeric ammonium-bis(aquo)-tetraoxalato-dicopper(II)-dihydrate, are reported.