Facilitated sulfate transfer across the nitrobenzene-water interface as mediated by hydrogen-bonding ionophores.

Facilitated SO4(2-) transfers by hydrogen bond-forming ionophores are investigated across the nitrobenzene (NB)-water interface by using polarography with a dropping electrolyte electrode. Bis-thiourea 1, alpha,alpha'-bis(N'-p-nitrophenylthioureylene)-m-xylene, is found to significantly facilitate the transfer of the highly hydrophilic SO4(2-) whereas its counterpart, N-(p-nitrophenyl)-N'-propylthiourea (ionophore 2), cannot. In contrast to the predominant formation of a 1:1 complex with SO4(2-) in the bulk NB phase, the SO4(2-) transfer assisted by 1 is indeed based on the formation of a 1:2 complex between SO4(2-) and ionophore, even under the condition of [SO4(2-)]aq > [1]org. Such an exclusive formation of the 1:2 (SO4(2-) to ionophore) complex at the NB-water interface is not observed with structurally similar bis-thiourea 3, alpha,alpha'-bis(N'-phenylthioureylene)-m-xylene, where p-nitrophenyl moietes of bis-thiourea 1 are simply replaced by phenyl groups. The facilitated transfer of SO4(2-) with bis-thiourea 1 is further compared to that of HPO4(2-) and H2PO4- across the NB-water interface, which was previously shown to be assisted by 1 through the formation of the 1:1 and 2:1 (anion to ionophore) complexes, respectively. On the basis of these examinations, unique binding behaviors of hydrogen bond-forming ionophores at the NB-water interface are discussed, with a view towards development of ionophore-based anion-selective chemical sensors.     

A Simple Chaotic Circuit with Impulsive Switch Depending on Time and State

This paper presents a simple chaotic circuit consisting of two capacitors, one linear two-port VCCS and one time-state-controlled impulsive switch. The impulsive switch causes rich chaotic and periodic behavior. The circuit dynamics can be simplified into a one-dimensional return map that is piecewise linear and piecewise monotone. Using the return map, we clarify parameter conditions for existence of chaotic and periodic attractors and coexistence state of attractors.     

Preparation and certification of the new reference materials; plastics (disk form, JSAC 0621-0625) for determination of mercury using x-ray fluorescent analysis.

The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry has developed some new plastic certified reference materials (CRMs) for the analysis of mercury in polyester disks using XRF analysis. These CRMs (named as JSAC 0621-0625) were prepared by casting polyesters including a toluene solution of organometallic compounds as a standard. Concentrations of the five levels of mercury ranged from 0 to 250 mg/kg. Homogeneity tests of prepared disks had shown excellent results. Interlaboratory comparison study for the certification was performed by 15 laboratory participants. The z-scores in robust statistical method was applied for the evaluation of outliers. The certified values were assigned after discarding outliers. The uncertainties of certified values were determined as the confidence levels of 95%.     

Increased transport of theophylline into gastrointestinal lumen and gastrointestinal dialysis by activated charcoal in rats with hepatic cirrhosis

The characteristics of exsorption and/or excretion of theophylline into the small intestinal lumen in rats with hepatic cirrhosis (HC rats) induced by carbon tetrachloride were investigated by an in situ single-pass perfusion technique. The serum concentrations of theophylline after i.v. administration of aminophylline (10 mg/kg) in the HC rats were significantly higher than those in normal rats during the experimental period. Moreover, the exsorption of theophylline from blood into the intestinal lumen was significantly increased in the HC rats compared with the normal rats. Treatments with oral activated charcoal reduced the serum theophylline levels in the HC rats. Consequently, gastrointestinal dialysis by oral administration of activated charcoal may be a useful method to remove poisonous drugs from the blood in patients with hepatic failure (including cirrhosis), which decreases the systemic clearance.     

Polymerizability of unsaturated monomers capable of forming stable radicals

Some unsaturated monomers bearing hindered phenol and arylamine groups capable of forming stable radicals were prepared. Radical polymerizations of vinyl monomers having such groups were investigated with the use of azobisisobutyronitrile, benzoyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, and tetraethylthiuram disulfide as initiator. Polymerizations of these monomers went normally only when azobisisobutyronitrile was used as initiator. The other initiators inhibited polymerizations remarkably or completely. The results suggest that radicals resulting from benzoyl peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide or tetraethylthiuram disulfide abstract hydrogen of the phenol or the amine to produce the stable radicals, thereby inhibiting the polymerization. Meanwhile, carbon radicals resulting from azobisisobutyronitrile add selectively to the vinyl double bonds of the monomers to initiate the polymerizations. The vinyl derivatives as well as allyl derivatives and cinnamic acid derivatives copolymerize easily with conventional monomers such as styrene, maleic anhydride, and butadiene, again, only when azobisisobutyronitrile was used as initiator. Antioxidative properties for styrene copolymers and butadiene-styrene copolymers incorporating the hindered phenol monomers were investigated.     

Polymerization of acrylamide initiated with pinacol–ceric ion redox system

Polymerization of acrylamide initiated with a pinacol–ceric ion redox system was investigated. The polymer obtained was found to contain one cerium atom in a polymer molecule. It was considered that the cerium atom was introduced into the polymer molecule by the termination reaction as there is no cerium atom in the initiating radical in the present system. A similar termination reaction was attained by ferric ion but not by cerous ion. The metal ion was considered to terminate the polymerization to form a stable polymer. Some considerations on the structure of the reaction product relating to the polymerization mechanism were discussed.