Potentiometric detection of organic acids in liquid chromatography using polymeric liquid membrane electrodes incorporating macrocyclic hexaamines.

Potentiometric detection employing coated-wire electrodes was applied to the determination of organic acids in liquid chromatography (LC). Poly(vinyl chloride)-based liquid membranes, incorporating lipophilic macrocyclic hexaamines as neutral ionophores were used as electrode coatings. The selectivity and sensitivity of the macrocycle-based electrodes were found to be superior to an electrode based on a lipophilic anion exchanger (a quaternary ammonium salt). Sensitive detection was obtained for the di- and tricarboxylic acids tartaric, malonic, malic, citric, fumaric, succinic, pyruvic, 2-oxoglutaric and maleic acids after separation in reversed-phase LC. Detection limits (signal/4sigmanoise=3) of 6 pmol for malonic acid and 2 pmol for maleic acid were attained. The detection was explained using a molecular recognition model. The hexaamine-based potentiometric electrodes had a 1-s response time at 1 ml min(-1) flow-rates. They were stable for at least 4 months, with an intra-electrode variation of 3.2% (n=5).

Polymeric liquid membrane electrodes incorporated with macrocyclic hexaamines for screening adenine nucleotides.

Lipophilic macrocyclic hexaamines supported by a poly(vinyl chloride) PVC matrix were used for the construction of liquid membrane electrodes sensitive toward adenine nucleotide polyanions. The membrane potential strongly depended on the pH of the sample solution. This phenomenon occurs due to the ability of the ionophore to accept protons. Therefore, the optimum pH was determined based on potential pH profile. The potential measurements were carried out at pH 6.0 in the presence of 10(-2) M 2-[N-morpholino] ethanesulfonic acid (MES) buffer. The potential response of these electrodes toward ATP(-4) and/or HATP(-3) was close to the Nernstian slope. The selectivities against ADP(-3), AMP(-2), HPO(4)(-2), and monovalent inorganic anions were estimated using the matched potential method. Chloride ions slightly affected potential response of the electrodes toward ATP(-4)/HATP(-3). The influence of ionophore chemical structure on the selectivity and the sensitivity of these electrodes is briefly discussed.

Photophysics and crystal structure of a europium(III) cryptate incorporating 3,3'-biisoquinoline-2,2'-dioxide.

Increased interest in the emission properties of lanthanide(III) (Eu and Tb) complexes containing ultraviolet and visible sensitizers is being driven by the desire to produce efficient and selective luminescent probes of biological structure. Of special interest are cryptates and other macrocyclic chelating ligands that efficiently encapsulate the lanthanide ions. These species also form relatively stable systems and in some cases are well protected from penetration of the first coordination sphere by solvent molecules and counterions. This work describes the X-ray structure and various spectroscopic measurements on a europium cryptate containing 3,3'-biisoquinoline-2,2'-dioxide (biqO2). This cryptate has been previously recognized for special stability and luminescence efficiency. The compound, (Eu:biqO2.2.2)(CF3SO3)3.CH3CN.H2O, forms rhombic crystals with the space group Pbca. Absorption, emission, and excitation spectra at 293, 77, and 4 K as well as luminescence decay time measurements are used to characterize the solid state and solutions. The ligand-to-metal energy-transfer mechanism and thermally activated back-energy-transfer processes are analyzed and compared to previously published results on related Eu(III) cryptate systems. Preliminary results on the use of high liquid pressure to perturb ligand singlet and triplet states and, as a consequence, probe the ligand-metal orbital interactions are also presented.