Was ist „Molybdänsäure”︁ oder „Polymolybdänsäure”︁?

What is “Molybdic Acid” or “Polymolybdic Acid”? According to a comparative study of the literature, supplemented by well-aimed experimental investigations and equilibrium calculations, the terms “molybdic acid” or “polymolybdic acid”, used for many substances, species, or solutions in the literature, are applicable to a species, a solution, and two solids:

• a) The monomeric molybdic acid, most probably having the formula MoO₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂(? H₂MoO₄, aq), exists in (aqueous) solution only and never exceeds a concentration of ≈ 10^?3 M since at higher concentrations it reacts with other monomemeric molybdenum (VI) species to give anionic or cationic polymers.
• b) A concentrated (>0.1 M Mo^VI) aqueous molybdate solution of degree of acidification P = 2 (realized, e. g., by a solution of one of the Mo^VI oxides; by any molybdate solutions whose cations have been exchanged by H₃O⁺ on a cation exchanger; by suitable acidification of a molybdate solution) contains 8 H₃O⁺ and the well-known polyanion Mo₃₆O₁₁₂(H₂O)₁₆^8? exactly in the stoichiometric proportions.
• c) A glassy substance, obtained from an alkali metal salt-free solution prepared according to (b), refers to the compound (H₃O)₈[Mo₃₆O₁₁₂(H₂O)₁₆]·xH₂O, x = 25—29.
• d) A solid having the ideal composition [(H₃O)Mo₅O₁₅(OH)H₂O·H₂O]∞ consists of a polymolybdate skeleton (the well-known ?decamolybdate”? structure), in the tunnels of which H₃O⁺ and H₂O are intercalate. The structure is very unstable if only H₃O⁺ cations are present, but it is enormously stabilized by a partial exchange of H₃O⁺ by certain alkali or alkaline earth metal cations.

For the compounds MoO₃, MoO₃·H₂O, and MoO₃·2H₂O the term ?molybdic acid”? is unjustified. The commercial product ?molybdic acid, ≈85% MoO₃”? is the well-known polymolybdate (NH₄)₂O·4 MoO₃ with a layer structure of the polyanion.     

High resolution studies of the origins of polyatomic ions in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry,Part I. Identification methods and effects of neutral gas density assumptions,extraction voltage,and cone material

Common polyatomic ions (ArO⁺, NO⁺, H₂O⁺, H₃O⁺, Ar₂⁺, ArN⁺, OH⁺, ArH⁺, O₂⁺) in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are identified using high mass resolution and studied using kinetic gas temperatures (T_gas) determined from a dissociation reaction approach. Methods for making accurate mass measurements, confirming ion identifications, and correcting for mass bias are discussed. The effects of sampler and skimmer cone composition and extraction voltage on polyatomic ion formation are also explored. Neutral species densities at several locations in the extraction interface are estimated and the corresponding effects of the T_gas value are calculated. The results provide information about the origins of background ions and indicate possible locations for their formation or removal.     

Thermal behavior of the polyoxometalates derived from H3PMo12O40 and H4PVMo11O40

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of some monovalent counter-ions (NH₄ ⁺, K⁺ and Cs⁺) on thermal behavior of polyoxometalates derived from H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ (HPM) and H₄PVMo₁₁O₄₀ (HPVM) by replacing the protons. The IR and UV-VIS-DRS spectra of some acid and neutral NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺ salts, which derived from HPM and HPVM, confirmed the preservation of Keggin units (KU) structure. The X-ray diffraction spectra clearly showed the presence of a cubic structure. The non-isothermal decomposition of studied polyoxometalates proceeds by a series of processes: the loss of crystallization water; the loss of O₂ accompanying with a reduction of V⁵⁺→V⁴⁺ and Mo⁶⁺→Mo⁵⁺; the loss of constitution water started at 360°C for HPVM salts and 420°C for HPM salts; the decomposition of ammonium ion over 420°C with NH₃, N² and H₂O elimination and simultaneous processes of reduction (V⁵⁺→ V⁴⁺ and Mo⁶⁺→ Mo⁵⁺ or Mo⁴⁺) associating with endothermic effects; reoxidation of Mo⁵⁺, Mo⁴⁺ and V⁴⁺with a strong exothermic effect; destruction of KU to the oxides: P₂O₅, MoO₃ and V₂O₅ and the crystallization of MoO₃. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on Catalyst Structure and Catalytic Sulfur-Resistant Methanation Performance of MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalysts

A series of MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts was prepared and investigated in the sulfur-resistant methanation aimed at production of synthetic natural gas. Different methods including impregnation, deposition precipitation, and co-precipitation were used for preparing ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ composite supports. These composite supports and their corresponding Mo-based catalysts were investigated in the sulfur-resistant methanation, and characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD and H₂-TPR. The results indicated that adding ZrO₂ promoted MoO3dispersion and decreased the interaction between Mo species and support in the MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts. The co-precipitation method was favorable for obtaining smaller ZrO₂ particle size and improving textural properties of support, such as better MoO₃ dispersion and increased concentration of Mo⁶⁺ species in octahedral coordination to oxygen. It was found that the MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst with ZrO₂Al₂O₃ composite support prepared by co-precipitation method exhibited the best catalytic activity. The ZrO₂ content in the ZrO₂Al₂O₃ composite support was further optimized. The MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ with 15 wt % ZrO₂ loading exhibited the highest sulfur-resistant CO methanation activity, and excess ZrO₂ reduced the specific surface area and enhanced the interaction between Mo species and support. The N₂ adsorption-desorption results indicated that the presence of ZrO₂ in excessive amounts decreased the specific surface area since some amounts of ZrO₂ form aggregates on the surface of the support. The XRD and H₂-TPR results showed that with the increasing ZrO₂ content, ZrO₂ particle size increased. These led to the formation of coordinated tetrahedrally Mo⁶⁺(T) species and crystalline MoO₃, and this development was unfavorable for improving the sulfur-resistant methanation performance of MoO₃/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Cryoscopic studies in molten salts. Dissociation state of some alkali isopolymolybdates and some related molybdenum(VI) compounds in molten K2Cr2O7and KNO3

The dissociation state of the solutes M₂MoO₄, M₂Mo₃O₁₀, M₂Mo₄O₁₃, M₂Mo₅O₁₆ (MRb or Cs), Na₂CrO₄·MoO₃, K₂CrO₄·2 MoO₃, Cr₂Mo₃O₁₂ and V₂MoO₈ was studied cryoscopically in molten K₂ Cr₂O₇ and KNO₃ solvents. The freezing point depression, ΔT, of the solvents was obtained by measuring the cooling curves of the binary salt mixtures over unlimited range of solute concentration. The number of foreign ions obtained ν, showed that the solutes were either simply dissociated in the melt into the probable stable species (MoO₄)^2?, (Mo₃O₁₀)^2?, (Mo₄O₁₃)^2? and (Mo₅O₁₆)^2? or, in some cases after reactions and rearrangements, into (CrMo₂O₁₀)^2? heteropolyions. The solute V₂MoO₈, on the other hand, was found to dissolve without any apparent dissociation. An agreement between the experimental and calculated values of activity, a, based on the Temkin and Random Mixing models and that of Van't Hoff's equation support the proposed simple dissocia- tion scheme for K₂Cr₂O₇Cs₂MoO₄ system.     

Elimination of water interference in pulsed glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The presence of water in the discharge cell is a serious problem in glow discharge mass spectrometry. Even very small quantities of water can make considerable changes in the composition and electrical parameters of the plasma, which lead to a decrease in the signal intensity and the appearance of various cluster components. This results in a very complicated mass spectrum and significantly deteriorates the analytical performance of the method. Different approaches to solving the this problem are discussed in the paper. A multiple position interface that allows analyzing 6–10 samples without decapsulation of the discharge cell is presented in this work. It is also shown that the use of a tantalum auxiliary cathode ensures a several-order depression of the interfering components (OH⁺, OH ₂ ⁺ , OH ₃ ⁺ , ¹²C¹H ₂ ⁺ , ¹⁶O⁺, ¹²C¹H ₃ ⁺ ) because of its getter behavior. The simultaneous application of all proposed approaches ensures solving the problem of interferences in the combined hollow cathode with pulsed glow discharge to the great extent.     

Preparation of sodium dimolybdate by the pyrolysis of sodium oxomolybdenum (VI) oxalate

Thermal studies on various oxalato complexes have been of immense interest as they yield finely divided, highly reactive oxides which are usually obtained at a much lower temperature than that required in the conventional method of preparation, i.e., heating a mixture of two or more constituents [1]. A survey of the literature reveals that the compounds having the general formula A₂[Mo₂O₅(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂], where A = K⁺, NH⁺₄[2] and A = Cs⁺ [3], have been prepared and their thermal decomposition is studied, but no such information is available regarding the preparation and characterisation of Na₂[Mo₂O₅(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂] (SMO), which forms the subject of study of this paper. Sodium dimolybdate (Na₂Mo₂O₇), the decomposition product of SMO, is obtained at 280°C, a temperature much lower than that required in the conventional method of preparation of heating a mixture of Na₂MoO₄ and MoO₃ [4].     

Determination of cadmium in oyster tissue using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: comparison of results obtained in the standard and He/H2 cell modes

An inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an octopole collision/reaction cell was used for the determination of cadmium in oyster tissue samples using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The oyster samples in question were found to contain Mo and Zr. In our feasibility study on a Cd standard solution (10 μg L⁻¹) containing a matrix of Mo (1000 μg L⁻¹) or Zr (250 μg L⁻¹), the potentially interfering species (MoO⁺ or ZrO⁺) present at the analytical mass of cadmium concerned (m/z 111, 112 or 114) was reduced effectively through the use of a mixture of He and H₂ as cell gases. The accuracy of the method was validated by the analysis of a matrix-matched certified reference material (CRM) of NIST SRM 1566b. The CRM was analyzed under the standard and He/H₂ cell modes. Two isotopic pairs of ¹¹⁴Cd/¹¹¹Cd and ¹¹²Cd/¹¹¹Cd were selected for quantification purposes. The recoveries of cadmium obtained in the two cell modes were compared with each other. The validated method was applied successfully to the APMP.QM-P5 pilot study for international comparability purposes.     

Bis­[benzidinium(1–)] pentamolybdate

The title compound, {(C₁₂H₁₃N₂)₂[Mo₅O₁₆]}_n, was synthesized under hydro­thermal conditions. The structure contains a two‐dimensional layer, constructed from [(Mo₄O₁₄)_n]⁴ⁿ⁻ chains linked through MoO₆ octahedra, which lie across twofold axes. The [(Mo₄O₁₄)_n]⁴ⁿ⁻ chain consists of [Mo₄O₁₄]⁴⁻ clusters connected to one another by sharing their MoO₅ square‐pyramidal and MoO₆ octahedral vertices in an anti disposition. The layers are linked by the cation, to which they are connected via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.     

Chemical Adaptability: The Integration of Different Kinds of Matter into Giant Molecular Metal Oxides

Unique properties of the two giant wheel‐shaped molybdenum‐oxides of the type {Mo₁₅₄}≡[{Mo₂}{Mo₈}{Mo₁}]₁₄ ( 1 ) and {Mo₁₇₆}≡[{Mo₂}{Mo₈}{Mo₁}]₁₆ ( 2 ) that have the same building blocks either 14 or 16 times, respectively, are considered and show a “chemical adaptability” as a new phenomenon regarding the integration of a large number of appropriate cations and anions, for example, in form of the large “salt‐like” {M(SO₄)}₁₆ rings (M=K⁺, NH₄⁺), while the two resulting {Mo₁₄₆ (K(SO₄))₁₆} ( 3 ) and {Mo₁₄₆ (NH₄(SO₄))₁₆} ( 4 ) type hybrid compounds have the same shape as the parent ring structures. The chemical adaptability, which also allows the integration of anions and cations even at the same positions in the {Mo₄O₆}‐type units of 1 and 2 , is caused by easy changes in constitution by reorganisation and simultaneous release of (some) building blocks (one example: two opposite orientations of the same functional groups, that is, of H₂O{Mo?O} ( I ) and O?{Mo(H₂O)} ( II ) are possible). Whereas Cu²⁺ in [(H₄Cu^II₅)Mo^V₂₈Mo^VI₁₁₄O₄₃₂(H₂O)₅₈]^26? ( 5 a ) is simply coordinated to two parent O^2? ions of {Mo₄O₆} and to two fragments of type II , the SO₄^2? integration in 3 and 4 occurs through the substitution of two oxo ligands of {Mo₄O₆} as well as two H₂O ligands of fragment I . Complexes 3 and now 4 were characterised by different physical methods, for example, solutions of 4 in DMSO with sophisticated NMR spectroscopy (EXSY, DOSY and HSQC). The NH₄⁺ ions integrated in the cluster anion of 4 “communicate” with those in solution in the sense that the related H⁺ ion exchange is in equilibrium. The important message: the reported “chemical adaptability” has its formal counterpart in solutions of “molybdates”, which can form unique dynamic libraries containing constituents/building blocks that may form and break reversibly and can lead to the isolation of a variety of giant clusters with unusual properties.     

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry of Nanosized MoO<Subscript>2</Subscript>. Structure and Relative Stability of Isomers of Lower Molybdenum Oxide Cations

MALDI-TOF was used to study molybdenum dioxide (MoO₂) containing a nanosized fraction. The composition of cationic clusters of nonstoichiometric lower molybdenum oxides in the gas phase was determined, and the thermodynamic stabilities and configurations of isomers were calculated for selected symmetric molecular structures and for cations MoSO ₈ ⁺ and Mo₅O ₉ ⁺ . Molecular orbital analysis was performed for two trigonal-bipyramidal clusters Mo₅O₈ and Mo₅O₉. Changes in molybdenum–molybdenum interatomic distances in going from MoO ₈ ⁺ and Mo₅O ₉ ⁺ cations to neutral clusters are discussed.     

Ion-selective sensors based on molybdenum bronzes

New pH- and sodium ion-sensitive metal-oxide-type sensors have been developed and tested with a direct solid state contact method. Performance was demonstrated at ambient temperature with single crystals of several molybdenum bronzes (i.e. Na_0.9Mo₆O₁₇, Li_0.9Mo₆O₁₇, Li_0.33MoO₃ and K_0.3MoO₃). The pH sensors with Na-molybdenum-oxide bronzes show near ideal Nernstian behavior in the pH range 3–9. The response is not affected by the direction of the pH change. The response time of most molybdenum bronze pH sensors is less than 5 s for 90% response. The sodium molybdenum bronze sensor responded reproducibly and fast to changes of Na⁺ concentration in the range 1–10^–4 mol dm^–3. Cross sensitivity tests to other ions such as H⁺ or K⁺ have shown that the new sodium ion sensor may be used when the concentration of other ions is an order of magnitude smaller than the Na⁺ concentration. pH sensors with single crystals of molybdenum oxide bronzes can be used to follow pH titrations. Electronic Publication     

A metal-oxo cluster-supported transition metal complex: synthesis,structure and properties of [Cu(phen)2]2[{Cu(phen)}2Mo8O26]·H2O

[Cu(phen)₂]₂[{Cu(phen)}₂Mo₈O₂₆]·H₂O has been synthesized from MoO₃, H₂MoO₄, Cu(Ac)₂·H₂O and 1,10-phenanthroline in aqueous solution using the hydrothermal method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The title compound consists of a centrometric β-octamolybdate-supported complex anion [{Cu(phen)}₂Mo₈O₂₆]²⁻, two bis-phenanthroline Cu(I) cations, and one water molecule of crystallization.     

Comparing the capability of collision/reaction cell quadrupole and sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers for interference removal from 90Sr, 137Cs,and 226Ra

Here we report a quantitative comparison of sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) and collision/reaction cell inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) for the detection of ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, and ²²⁶Ra at ultra-trace levels. We observed that the identification and quantification of radioisotopes by ICP-MS were hampered by spectral (both isobaric and polyatomic ions) and non-spectral (matrix effect) interferences. ICP-QMS has been used to eliminate the isobaric ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Zr interference through the addition of O₂ into the collision cell as a reactant gas. Zr⁺ ions were subsequently converted into ZrO⁺, whereas Sr⁺ ions were not reactive. In addition, the isobaric interference of ¹³⁷Ba on ¹³⁷Cs was eliminated by the addition of N₂O gas in the cell, which led to the formation of BaO⁺ and BaOH⁺ products, whereas Cs⁺ remained unreactive. Furthermore, He and H₂ were used in the collision/reaction cell to eliminate polyatomic ions formed at m/z 226. A comparison of the results obtained by ICP-SFMS after a chemical separation of Sr from Zr and Cs from Ba was performed. Finally, to validate the developed analytical procedures, measurements of the same samples were performed by γ-ray spectroscopy.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and crystal structures of two organic–inorganic hybrid molybdovanadates based on [V2Mo6(OH)2O24]4− and [VMo12O40]3− polyoxoanions

Two new organic–inorganic hybrid cobalt-molybdovanadates [Co(phen)₃]H₂[H₂V₂Mo₆O₂₆] · 7H₂O (1) and [Co(2,2′-bipy)₃][Na(H₂O)₇][VMo₁₂O₄₀] (2) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV, XPS spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analyses, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. The molecular structure of 1 consists of a [V₂Mo₆(OH)₂O₂₄]^4? polyoxoanion, a [Co(phen)₃]²⁺, two H⁺ and seven lattice water molecules. The structure of [V₂Mo₆(OH)₂O₂₄]^4? consists of six MoO₆ octahedra and two VO₄ tetrahedra; six MoO₆ octahedra are linked by edge-sharing oxygens forming a {Mo₆} ring, and two VO₄ tetrahedra cap opposite sides of the {Mo₆} ring. The molecular structural unit of 2 is constructed from a typical Keggin-type [VMo₁₂O₄₀]^3? polyoxoanion and a [Co(2,2′-bipy)₃]²⁺ cation and a Na⁺ countercation; Co²⁺ is coordinated by six nitrogens from three 2,2′-bipyridines forming a distorted octahedron.     

FT-IR and FT-FIR studies of vanadium,molybdenum and tungsten oxides supported on different carriers

In the far IR region at low molybdenum loadings, Mo-SiO₂ catalysts present a pseudomolybdate or a polymolybdate species, while bulk-like MoO₃ appears at loadings close to the geometrical monolayer coverage. W-SiO₂ and V-SiO₂ spectra show bands close to those observed on the corresponding bulk oxides.In the case of TiO₂, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ supported catalysts, a band is observed near 1000 cm^–1 which is assigned to the Mo=O stretching vibration of coordinatively unsaturated Mo ⁿ⁺ ions showing a stronger interaction with the support than one observed on silica.     

The ESR Study of O2 – Radical Anion Formation during Adsorption of an NO + O2 Mixture and O2 on ZrO2 and (0.1–2.0)% MoO3/ZrO2

The influence of conditions of the preliminary thermal treatment of ZrO₂, ammonia and methanol adsorption, and MoO₃ supporting on O₂ ^– formation during the adsorption of an NO + O₂ mixture was studied. The interaction of O₂ ^– with different molecules was studied. Adsorbed ammonia and methanol, as well as supported Mo⁶⁺ ions, were shown to inhibit this reaction. The involvement of the Zr⁴⁺ and O^2– Lewis sites in the reaction was concluded. The interaction of ammonia and methanol with the O₂ ^– radical anions changed the g tensor parameters and decreased the thermal stability of O₂ ^– in the case of methanol. O₂ ^– radical anions were formed on the reduced (0.1–2.0)% MoO₃/ZrO₂ samples during the interaction of O₂ with the Mo⁵⁺ ions in the octahedral configuration. As in the case of O₂ ^– formation during NO + O₂ adsorption on ZrO₂, the radical anions were localized in the coordination spheres of the coordinately unsaturated Zr⁴⁺ ions. A change in the MoO₃ content of the samples from 0.1 to 0.5% led to an increase in the amount of O₂ ^–, whereas a change from 0.5 to 2.0% led to a decrease in the O₂ ^– amount due to the screening of the Zr⁴⁺ ions by oxo complexes and polymolybdates.     

Spectrophotometric studies of reduced molybdoantimonylphosphoric acid

Spectrophotometric studies have been used to determine the optimal formation conditions and stoichiometry of the reduced molybdoantimonylphosphoric acid. It was found that a [H⁺]/[MoO^2-₄] ratio of70± 10 was optimal for formation between 0.0008 and 0.01 M molybdenum. This corresponds to solution conditions that favor the existence of the dimeric form of molybdenum. The [H⁺]/[MoO^2-₄] criteria allows simple variation of experimental conditions. The stoichiometry of the reduced heteropoly acid was surmised to be PSb₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ from spectral studies and elemental analysis.     

A one‐dimensional coordination polymer based on Cd2O2 clusters: poly[aqua(μ3‐4,4′‐sulfonyldibenzoato)(3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)cadmium(II)]

In the title mixed‐ligand metal–organic polymeric complex [Cd(C₁₄H₈O₆S)(C₁₆H₁₆N₂)(H₂O)]_n, the asymmetric unit contains a crystallographically unique Cd^II atom, one doubly deprotonated 4,4′‐sulfonyldibenzoic acid ligand (H₂SDBA), one 3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (TMPHEN) molecule and one water molecule. Each Cd^II centre is coordinated by two N atoms from the chelating TMPHEN ligand, three O atoms from monodentate carboxylate groups of three different SDBA²⁻ ligands and one O atom from a coordinated water molecule, giving a distorted CdN₂O₄ octahedral geometry. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that the compound is a one‐dimensional double‐chain polymer containing 28‐membered rings based on Cd₂O₂ clusters, with a Cd...Cd separation of 3.6889 (4) Å. These chains are linked by O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework. The framework is reinforced by π–π and C—O...π interactions.     

Determination of B,Si, P and S in steels by inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry with dynamic reaction cell

An inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with a dynamic reaction cell™ (DRC) was successfully used for the accurate determination of B, Si, P and S in steel samples, using the reaction of Si⁺, P⁺ and S⁺ ions with O₂ in the cell. The method obviated the effect of polyatomic isobaric interferences at m/z 28, 31 and 32 by detecting ²⁸Si⁺, ³¹P⁺ and ³²S⁺ as the oxide ion ²⁸Si¹⁶OH, ³¹P¹⁶O and ³²S¹⁶O at m/z 45, 47 and 48, respectively, which is less interfered. The effects of the operating conditions of DRC system were optimized to get the best signal to noise ratio for ²⁸Si¹⁶OH, ³¹P¹⁶O and ³²S¹⁶O. As there is no spectroscopic interference, boron was determined under the standard mode. Validation of the method was carried out by the determination of B, Si, P and S in steel standard reference materials (NIST SRM 361, 362 and 364). Since the sensitivities of Si, P and S in digested sample solutions and standard solutions were found to be quite different, standard addition method was used for the determination of B, Si, P and S in this study. Good agreement was obtained between the certified values and the experimental results. The precision between sample replicates was better than 6.3% for all the determinations.