Direct determination of iron in sand using solid sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A fast and reliable method for the direct determination of iron in sand by solid sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was developed. A Zeeman-effect 3-field background corrector was used to decrease the sensitivity of spectrometer measurements. This strategy allowed working with up to 200 mu g of samples, thus improving the representativity. Using samples with small particle sizes (1-50 mu m) and adding 5 mu g Pd as chemical modifier, it was possible to obtain suitable calibration curves with aqueous reference solutions. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for the optimized heating program were 1400 and 2500 degrees C, respectively. The characteristic mass, based on integrated absorbance, was 56 pg, and the detection limits, calculated considering the variability of 20 consecutive measurements of platform inserted without sample was 32 pg. The accuracy of the procedure was checked with the analysis of two reference materials (IPT 62 and 63). The determined concentrations were in agreement with the recommended values (95% confidence level). Five sand samples were analyzed, and a good agreement (95% confidence level) was observed using the proposed method and conventional flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The relative standard deviations were lower than 25% (n = 5). The tube and boat platform lifetimes were around 1000 and 250 heating cycles, respectively.

Spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of iron(II) complexes of polydentate Schiff bases containing pyrazine, pyridine and imidazole groups

We report the synthesis and spectroscopic/electrochemical properties of iron(II) complexes of polydentate Schiff bases generated from 2-acetylpyridine and 1,3-diaminopropane, acetylpyrazine and 1,3-diaminopropane, and from 2-acetylpyridine and L-histidine. The complexes exhibit bis(diimine)iron(II) chromophores in association with pyrazine, pyridine or imidazole groups displaying contrasting pi-acceptor properties. In spite of their open geometry, their properties are much closer to those of macrocyclic tetraimineiron(II) complexes. An electrochemical/spectroscopic correlation between E degrees(Fe(III/II)) and the energies of the lowest MLCT band has been observed, reflecting the stabilization of the HOMO levels as a consequence of the increasing backbonding effects in the series of compounds. Mossbauer data have also confirmed the similarities in their electronic structure, as deduced from the spectroscopic and theoretical data. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Axial ligand influence on geometries, charge distributions and electronic structures of iron tetraazamacrocycle [Fe((II))TIM(X)(Y)](2+) complexes assessed by Density Functional Theory

We employed the Density Functional Theory along with small basis sets, B3LYP/LANL2DZ, for the study of FeTIM complexes with different pairs of axial ligands (CO, H(2)O, NH(3), imidazole and CH(3)CN). These calculations did not result in relevant changes of molecular quantities as bond lengths, vibrational frequencies and electronic populations supporting any significant back-donation to the carbonyl or acetonitrile axial ligands. Moreover, a back-donation mechanism to the macrocycle cannot be used to explain the observed changes in molecular properties along these complexes with CO or CH(3)CN. This work also indicates that complexes with CO show smaller binding energies and are less stable than complexes with CH(3)CN. Further, the electronic band with the largest intensity in the visible region (or close to this region) is associated to the transition from an occupied 3d orbital on iron to an empty pi* orbital located at the macrocycle. The energy of this Metal-to-Ligand Charge Transfer (MLCT) transition shows a linear relation to the total charge of the macrocycle in these complexes as given by Mulliken or Natural Population Analysis (NPA) formalisms. Finally, the macrocycle total charge seems to be influenced by the field induced by the axial ligands. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of Iron (III) desferrioxamine B oxalate ligand exchange by UV-vis spectroscopy: the next step in developing a quantitative analytical method for measuring bioavailable iron in marine ecosystems

To date there are no analytical techniques designed to exclusively measure bioavailable iron in marine environments. The goal of this research is to develop such a technique by isolating the bioavailable iron using the terrestrial siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFB). This project contained many challenging aspects, but the specific goal of this study was to develop a robust analytical technique for quantification of Fe(III)-DFB complexes at nanomolar concentrations. Past work showed that oxalate (Ox) promotes photodissociation of Fe(III)-DFB to Fe(Il), and we are specifically interested in the mechanism of this process. A model was developed using known thermodynamic constants for Fe(III)-DFB and Fe(III) oxalato complexes and adjusting for ionic strength. The model was confirmed by monitoring the UV-VIS absorbance of the system at a variety of oxalate concentrations and pH. The model did not include ternary complexes. Next., the rate of Fe(1I) production during UV irradiation was examined. The results showed that the rate of Fe(II) production was based entirely on the [Fe(Ox)?]3- speciation, and that reoxidation of Fe(II) occurred via reactive oxygen intermediates. This reoxidation could be avoided by either decreasing the oxygen concentration or by adding a Fe(II) stabilizing reagent, such as ferrozine. Further studies need to be done to confirm that these results apply at sub nanomolar concentrations, and the issue of Fe(II) reoxidation at lower Fe concentrations needs to be addressed.

Enhanced solubilization of iron and calcium phosphates by Aspergillus niger by the addition of alcohols

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Nickel adsorption by soils in relation to pH, organic matter, and iron oxides

There is little information on nickel adsorption by Brazilian soils. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of pH, organic matter, and iron oxides on nickel adsorption by three soils: a clayey Anionic Rhodic Acrudox, a sandy clay loam Anionic Xanthic Acrudox, and a clayey Rhodic Hapludalf. Soil samples were collected from the 0-0.2 in layer and treated to eliminate organic matter and iron oxides. The nickel adsorption was evaluated in the original samples and in those treated to remove organic matter and to remove both, organic matter and iron oxides, using 2 g soil + 20 mL of 0.01 mol L-1 CaCl2 solution containing 5 mg L-1 Ni, pH varying from 3.5 to 7.5. The nickel adsorption decreased with the elimination of organic matter. For the samples without organic matter and iron oxides, adsorption decreased only in the Anionic Rhodic Acrudox. The pH was the main factor involved in nickel adsorption variation, and for soil samples without organic matter and iron oxides, the maximum adsorption occurred at higher pH values.

Tolerance to iron chlorosis in non-grafted quince seedlings and in pear grafted onto quince plants

Grafting is a technique that may affect plant tolerance to iron chlorosis in plants cultivated for their fruit. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of non-grafted quince seedlings and pear grafted onto quince plants cultivated in pots with alkaline soil. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the University of Cordoba, Spain, in pots (3 L) filled with alkaline soil, with one plant per pot. The treatments consisted of two genotypes, quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill) semi-woody rooted cuttings, cultivar BA29, and pear (Pyrus Communis L.), cultivar Ercolini, grafted onto quince cultivar BA29 (rootstock), and two nutrient solutions with and without iron (80 mu M Fe-EDDHA) arranged in a completely random design with eight repetitions. Each pot received 250 mL of the nutrient solution on June 3rd, 2010. Chlorophyll indirect measurements and the main stem length were evaluated for six weeks after the commencement of the treatments. During the last week, the main stem dry matter weight and the leaf total iron content were determined. It was found that grafting pear seedlings onto quince rootstock resulted in a higher tolerance to iron deficiency than when quince was not grafted. Non-grafted quince plants without iron in the nutrient solution, compared to the results with its application, showed low SPAD (Soil-Plant Analyses Development) values and resulted in plants with a lower leaf iron content and lower dry matter production; however, decreased seedling stem growth was observed only in the last week of cultivation.

Iron phthalocyanine in non-aqueous medium forming layer-by-layer films: growth mechanism, molecular architecture and applications

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Exploiting Distinct Molecular Architectures of Ultrathin Films Made with Iron Phthalocyanine for Sensing

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Altered plasma response to zinc and iron tolerance test after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evidence for conformational changes in the yeast deoxyhypusine hydroxylase Lia1 upon iron displacement from its active site

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cutting forces in turning of gray cast iron using silicon nitride based cutting tool

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)