Shpol'skii spectroscopy at the interface of two non-polar microenvironments: a novel approach for the analysis of polycylic aromatic compounds

This article presents a thorough investigation of quantitative parameters for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PDBFs) partitioning between an octadecyl silica extraction membrane and microliters of an n-alkane solvent spiked on the surface of the membrane. Shpol'skii spectrometry is directly performed on the surface of the membrane with the aid of a cryogenic fiber optic probe. The analyte concentration in the layer of Shpol'skii solvent follows a linear relationship with the analyte concentration in the water sample and the same is observed for the phosphorescence signal of the cryogenic probe. The accuracy and precision needed for quantitative analysis in aqueous samples is demonstrated. The analytical figures of merit show the feasibility to determine organic pollutants at the parts-per-trillion level with minimum solvent consumption.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with molecular weight 302 in water samples by solid-phase nano-extraction and laser excited time-resolved Shpol'skii spectroscopy

Monitoring of high-molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW-PAH) via simple and cost effective methods still remains a challenge. In this article, we combine solid-phase nano-extraction (SPNE) and 4.2 K laser-excited time resolved Shpol'skii spectroscopy (LETRSS) into a valuable alternative for the water analysis of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]pyrene, dibenzo[a,i]pyrene and naphtho[2,3-a]pyrene. In comparison to the original SPNE procedure, the present method improves PAH recoveries and reduces extraction time from 30 to 20 min per sample. Quantitative release of HMW-PAH into the Shpol'skii matrix (n-octane) is best accomplished with a mixture of 48 μL of methanol and 2 μL of 1-pentanethiol. Their migration into the 50 μL layer of n-octane provides highly resolved spectra with distinct fluorescence lifetimes for unambiguous isomer determination. Complete analysis takes less than 30 min per sample and consumes only 100 micro-liters of organic solvents. 500 μL of water are sufficient to obtain limits of detection ranging from 16 ng L(-1) (dibenzo[a,l]pyrene) to 55 ng L(-1) (dibenzo[a,i]pyrene), relative standard deviations better than 3% and analytical recoveries above 90%. Although a straightforward comparison to chromatographic methods is not possible because of the lack of analytical figures of merit on HMW-PAH, the excellent precision of measurements, limits of detection and overall recoveries makes SPNE-LETRSS an attractive approach to water analysis of HMW-PAH.     

Pressurized liquid extraction in determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in fish samples

Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) is a relatively new technique applicable for the extraction of persistent organic pollutants from various matrices. The main advantages of this method are short time and low consumption of extraction solvent. The effects of various operational parameters (i.e. temperature of extraction, number of static cycles and extraction solvent mixtures) on the PLE efficiency were investigated in this study. Fish muscle tissue containing 3.2% (w/w) lipids and native polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and other related compounds was used for testing. Purification of crude extracts was carried out by gel permeation chromatography employing Bio-Beads S-X3. Identification and quantitation of target indicator PCBs and OCPs was performed by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) with two parallel electron-capture detectors (ECDs). Results obtained by the optimized PLE procedure were compared with conventional Soxhlet extraction (the same extraction solvent mixtures hexane–dichloromethane (1:1 v/v) and hexane–acetone (4:1 v/v) were used). The recoveries obtained by PLE operated at 90–120 °C were either comparable to “classic” Soxhlet extraction (for higher-chlorinated PCB congeners and DDT group) or even better (for lower chlorinated analytes). The highest recoveries were obtained for three static 5 min extraction cycles.     

Direct determination of benzo[a]pyrene in water samples by a gold nanoparticle-based solid phase extraction method and laser-excited time-resolved Shpol'skii spectrometry

The strong affinity between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the surface of gold colloids is investigated to device an extraction method for water samples. Within the 20-100 nm particle diameter range, the 20 nm gold nanoparticles showed the best extraction efficiencies for all the studied analytes. The new approach is combined to laser-excited time-resolved Shpol'skii spectrometry for the direct analysis of benzo[a]pyrene in drinking water samples. For a 500 μL sample volume, the analytical figures of merit demonstrate precise and accurate analysis at the parts-per-trillion level. The extraction efficiencies are statistically equivalent to 100% with relative standard deviations lower than 2%. The average recoveries were varied from 87.5% to 96.5% for different concentration of analytes. The simplicity of the experimental procedure, the low analysis cost, and the excellent analytical figures of merit demonstrate the potential of this approach for routine analysis of drinking water samples.     

Shpol'skii spectrometry, a distinct method in environmental analysis

Whereas common fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra of organic molecules in solutions show little details, Shpol'skii spectra exhibit completely resolved vibronic transitions, enabling the analytical distinction between isomeric compounds. In a simplified qualification, the Shpol'skii technique combines the sensitivity inherent to luminescence spectroscopy with the selectivity of infrared spectra. There are however two main limitations as far as its applicability is concerned: (i) cryogenic temperature conditions are required and (ii) the analytes should be compatible with the solvent matrix, typically an-alkane.The present paper is focused on the potential and achievements of Shpol'skii spectrometry in environmental analysis. After a discussion of the fundamental aspects of spectral line-broadenings and the approaches to accomplish high-resolution, special attention is paid to experimental and instrumental aspects. Recent instrumental developments have made Shpol'skii spectroscopy not only attractive for qualitative but also for quantitative purposes.The main part of the review is devoted to recent applications, for instance the determination of parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in complex environmental samples as crude oils, sediments, soils and biota. The special features of large PAHs, i.e. PAHs with seven or more hexagonal aromatic rings are considered separately. The analysis of PAH-metabolites in samples like fish bile and human urine is extensively discussed. Subsequently the applicability of Shpol'skii spectroscopy to both in-ring and atring substituted polycyclic aromatics is concerned, including amino- and nitro-substituted PAHs and nitrogen-, oxygen- and sulphur-heterocyclic compounds. The review ends with an interesting new development i.e. the Shpol'skii spectra of fullerenes, the soccerball and rugbyball shaped molecules C₆₀ and C₇₀, compounds receiving wide attention in physics and chemistry.     

Development of a liquid-liquid extraction procedure for five 1,4-dihydropyridines calcium channel antagonists from human plasma using experimental design

A liquid–liquid extraction method using diethyl ether as organic solvent was optimized simultaneously for five 1,4-dihydropyridines (amlodipine, nitrendipine, felodipine, lacidipine and lercanidipine) belonging to the group of calcium channel blockers. Some experimental tools such as a full factorial design, a central composite design and the Multisimplex program were used to optimise the concentration of NaOH, volume of organic solvent and shaking time as main factors that influence the liquid–liquid extraction procedure. Following the extraction, the quantitation of the 1,4-dihydropyridines concentrations were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector. Therefore, the studied compounds were separated quantitatively on a Supelcosil ABZ+Plus, 25 cm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm column which was set at 30 °C, using as mobile phase, a mixture of acetonitrile–water (70:30, v/v) containing 10 mM acetate buffer (pH 5) and setting the detector at a wavelength value of 360 nm. It was concluded that the main factors that influence in the extraction process were the volume of organic solvent and the shaking time. The Multisimplex program suggested as optimal conditions an average of 6 ml of organic solvent and 23 min of shaking time. For these values, the optimised liquid–liquid extraction method showed good values of recoveries (80% for amlodipine and higher than 90% for the rest of the compounds) and low values of R.S.D. (<10%) in the reproducibility of the extraction what makes it reliable for the quantification of all the studied compounds in human plasma.     

Determination of organotin compounds in biological samples using accelerated solvent extraction,sodium tetraethylborate ethylation,and multicapillary gas chromatography–flame photometric detection

A method has been developed for species-selective analysis of organotin compounds in solid, biological samples. The procedure is based on accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of analytes and includes extraction of the tin species with a methanol–water (90% methanol) solution of acetic acid/sodium acetate containing tropolone (0.03% w/v), their ethylation with NaBEt₄, and separation and detection by GC–FPD. The analytical procedure was optimized with an unspiked sample of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) liver. Effects of ASE operational variables (extraction temperature and pressure, solvent composition, number of static extraction steps) are discussed. Method detection limits (MDL) were in the range 6–10 ng(Sn) g^–1 dry weight and 7–17 ng(Sn) g^–1 dry weight for butyl- and phenyltin compounds, respectively. Recoveries were comparable with or better than those obtained by use of other procedures reported in the literature. The analytical procedure was validated by analysis of NIES No. 11 (fish tissue) certified reference material.     

Dry,hydrophobic microfibrillated cellulose powder obtained in a simple procedure using alkyl ketene dimer

In order to produce dry and hydrophobic microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) in a simple procedure, its modification with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) was performed. For this purpose, MFC was solvent-exchanged to ethyl acetate and mixed with AKD dissolved in the same solvent. Curing at 130 °C for 20 h under the catalysis of 1-methylimidazole yielded a dry powder. Scanning electron microscopy of the powder indicated loss in nanofibrillar structure due to aggregation, but discrete microfibrillar structures were still present. Water contact angle measurements of films produced from modified and unmodified MFC showed high hydrophobicity after AKD treatment, which persisted even after extraction with THF for 8 h. The hydrophobized MFC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray analysis. In summary, strong indications for the presence of AKD on the surface of MFC before and after extraction with solvent were found, but only a very small amount of covalent β-ketoester linkages between the modification agent and cellulose was revealed.     

Microwave extraction of phthalate esters from marine sediment and soil

Summary As part of an on-going ASEAN⁺⁾-Canada Cooperative Programme on Marine Science, microwave-assisted solvent extraction has been employed for the extraction of six phthalate esters from marine sediment and soil samples. Five of the six esters studied are among the United States Environmental Protection Agency's list of top priority pollutants. The effects of extraction solvent, extraction temperature, duration of extraction and extraction volume on the mean recoveries of the six phthalate esters were quantitatively evaluated by means of an analysis of variance, followed by testing the differences among the level means for each condition with least significant difference method. Microwave-assisted solvent extraction allowed comparable or higher recoveries of the six phthalate esters (70.1–91.0%) in comparison with conventional soxhlet (65.5–89.5%) and sonication (64.6–88.6%). The precision of results by microwave-assisted solvent extraction was improved significantly compared to the conventional techniques. The microwave extraction system has many advantages over the soxhlet and sonication extraction, e.g., no laborious clean-up procedure, lower usage of hazardous organic solvent, and larger sample throughput. The technique has been employed for the analysis of native marine sediment and soil samples in Singapore.     

Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in HPLC fractions by laser-excited time-resolved Shpol'skii spectrometry with cryogenic fiber-optic probes

Laser-excited time-resolved Shpol'skii spectrometry at liquid helium temperature (4.2 K) is presented for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in high-performance liquid chromatography fractions. Fluorescence measurements are rapidly done with the aid of a fiber-optic probe, pulsed tunable dye laser, spectrograph, and intensified charge-coupled device. Analyte identification and peak-purity checking are made through wavelength-time matrix formats, which give simultaneous access to spectral and lifetime information. Sample preparation is rapid and simple. It involves liquid-liquid extraction or solid-liquid extraction of chromatographic fractions at the tip of the fiber-optic probe. The potential of both approaches is demonstrated with the semi-quantitative analysis of priority pollutants in heavily contaminated water samples.     

Spectrophotometric determination of Mo(VI) in steel using a homogeneous ternary solvent system after single-phase extraction

An alternative procedure for the determination of Mo(VI) with thiocyanate is proposed. According to this procedure, Mo(VI) is extracted with alpha-benzoinoxime by single-phase extraction in a water/ethanol/chloroform homogeneous ternary solvent system at a nominal pH of 2 and then is spectrophotometrically determined, after separation from the matrix in a similar solvent mixture. The determination is performed by forming a homogeneous phase using the solvent containing the extracted metal as one of the components of the reactional solvent system, eliminating the time-consuming metal complex destruction step. Under these experimental conditions, the calibration graph is linear up to 8.00 mug ml(-1), according to the equation A=0.005+0.143C(Mo(VI)) (r(2)=0.9999). Using the experimental conditions described, the absorbance readings are stable for periods up to 18 h. The interference of the most common interfering species for this method can be prevented by adding Fe(2+) and H(2)PO(4)(-) to the solvent system prior to the extraction step. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by comparing with standard samples determined by atomic absorption measurements with background correction.     

Multivariate optimization of solvent extraction with 1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetonates for the determination of total and labile Cu and Fe in river surface water by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A procedure for simultaneous solvent extraction of Cu(II) and Fe(III) from river surface waters as diethyldithiocarbamates (DDC) 1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetonates into isobutyl methyl ketone (IBMK) has been developed prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Experimental design approaches were used in order to obtain the best compromise conditions for simultaneous solvent extraction. Variables such as pH, sodium DDC or 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanodione (H(TFA)) concentrations, reaction time, IBMK volume and extraction time have been optimized. First, Plackett–Burman designs involving 13 experiments and 2 replicates were used as screening designs to determine which variables were significant. DDC or H(TFA) concentration, as well as pH and IBMK volume were found statistically significant and they were finally optimized by applying a central composite design (15 experiments and 2 replicates). Optimum values for these variables were selected for compromise extraction conditions of Cu(II) and Fe(III) species. An optimum pH of 5.3 was chosen for Cu–H(TFA) and Fe–H(TFA) formation with an optimum H(TFA) concentration of 0.20% (m/v). The optimum IBMK volume for extraction was 8 ml, allowing a pre-concentration factor of 10. A microwave-assisted peroxydisulfate oxidation was used to break down the metal–organic matter complexes in river surface waters in order to assess the total Cu and Fe contents. Applying the experimental design approach, optimum conditions was an irradiation for 5.0 min at a microwave power of 500 W using 0.5 g of ammonium peroxydisulfate. The method was applied to determine total Cu and Fe contents and also labile Cu(II) and Fe(III) contents in several river surface water samples.     

Conventional fluorescence spectrometry of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in Shpol'skii matrices at 77 K

A simple fluorimeter assembled from commercial components and its use for the study and application of the Shpol'skii effect on polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in n-alkane matrices at 77 K are described. The correlation between the dimensions and geometries of PAHs and their corresponding Shpol'skii solvents is considered. Analytical figures of merit have been evaluated, and the power of the Shpol'skii technique with a conventional fluorimeter in the direct qualitative and quantitative determination of 11 PAHs in mixture is demonstrated. Comparisons with conventional room-temperature fluorescence and laser-excited Shpol'skii spectrometry are also commented upon.     

Pressurised solvent extraction for organotin speciation in vegetable matrices

Because organotin compounds (OTC) are widely used in many fields of activity, they have become an ubiquitous environmental presence. The presence of organotins in the environment impacts upon food safety, making it important to monitor the levels of organotin pesticides in fruits and vegetables. Nevertheless, only a few studies have been published on organotin speciation in plants. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and optimise a specific procedure based on pressurised solvent extraction (PSE) that is suitable for monitoring organotin content in vegetables. In ASE, solvents are used at elevated temperatures and pressures to increase the rate and efficiency of the extraction process. The results from this procedure were compared to those from the technique usually employed, solid/liquid extraction (SLE) performed in an acidic solvent by mechanical shaking. Three extracting solutions were tested—methanol, ethyl acetate and a mixture of methanol and ethyl acetate—and the mixture was found to give the most quantitative results while preserving the speciation. French bean and lettuce leaves as well as potato tubers were used as the plant materials. These vegetables were considered because they are the vegatables consumed in the most quantities in Europe. The study focuses on trisubstituted OTCs, which are the most toxic tin species. The samples were spiked with four trisubstituted organotins: tributyltin (TBT), triphenyltin (TPhT), tricyclohexyltin (TcHexT) and trioctyltin (TOcT). The influence of the pressure and the temperature of the PSE on the quantitativity of the process and on species preservation was evaluated using the experimental design methodology. The optimised PSE allowed detection limits down to 1–2 ng (Sn) g^–1 to be reached. These are higher than those obtained by SLE (0.1–1 ng (Sn) g^–1). Although the repeatability is similar for both PSE and SLE (2–12% for triorganotin compounds), this appears to be highly time-dependent in the case of SLE. Comparison with SLE confirms that PSE is an interesting tool for vegetable analysis considering the satisfactory OTC preservation and repeatability obtained for a relatively short extraction duration (only 15 min against 2–12 h for SLE).     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies of hydrophilic surfaces modified via admicellar polymerization

Admicellar polymerization with styrene monomer was used to coat the surface of two porous solids: titanium dioxide and alumina. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements clearly indicate that after admicellar polymerization, organic material and surfactant are present on the surface of the solids. Water washes, performed immediately after admicellar polymerization, were successful in removing approximately 30% of the organic material, presumably mostly surfactant. The water wash was followed by Soxhlet extraction with toluene, with no measurable removal of organic material according to ignition loss measurements of the solid, gel permeation chromatography of the extracting solvent and also UV/VIS spectroscopy of the extracting solvent. However, there was a 5-15% drop in organic material after Soxhlet extraction according to XPS measurements. This difference is attributed to the difference in sampling; XPS samples only the exterior surface area while these bulk measurements sample both the interior and exterior surface area. This study details the ability of different washing steps to remove materials from the porous substrates used in this study.     

Solvent Extraction–Fluorimetric Determination of Thallium(III) in Manganese Oxide Ores with a Neutral Basic Red Dye

The solvent extraction of neutral red chlorothallate(III) from aqueous HCl solutions was studied. The compound formed is readily extracted with amyl acetate. The optimum conditions for the formation and extraction of the ion pair were found. The ratio of the reacting components in the compound formed was determined. The extraction selectivity in the presence of several interfering elements was studied. A procedure for the solvent extraction–fluorimetric determination of trace thallium(III) was developed. The procedure was used for the analysis of manganese oxide ores.     

Appraisal of “classic” and “novel” extraction procedure efficiencies for the isolation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives from biotic matrices

In this study the extraction efficiency of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), employing different extraction solvent mixtures under different extraction conditions, was compared with extraction efficiencies of commonly used procedures, Soxhlet extraction and extraction enhanced by sonication. Spruce needles and fish tissue were selected as test samples. Purification of obtained extracts was carried out by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) employing gel Bio-Beads S-X3. Identification and quantitation of target PAHs was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC–FLD).

Within optimisation of PLE conditions, temperature of extraction, type of solvent, duration and number of static cycles as well as the influence of sample pre-treatment (drying, homogenisation, etc.) were tested. Comparison of the extraction efficiency of PLE with the efficiencies of the other techniques was done under the optimised conditions, i.e. sample slurry obtained by desiccation with anhydrous sodium sulphate, extracted at 100 °C in 1 cycle lasting 5 min. Hexane:acetone (1:1, v/v) was chosen as the most suitable extraction solvent for isolation of analytes from test samples.

Comparison of mentioned isolation techniques with respect to the amount of co-extracts, procedure blank levels and time and solvent volume demands was also done.     

An improved sequential extraction method to determine element mobility in pyrite-bearing siliciclastic rocks

A sequential extraction method was developed for pyrite-bearing (FeS₂) siliciclastic rocks. The focus of this study was to enhance the procedure by an improved oxidation step to completely dissolve not only organic matter but also microcrystalline pyrite. In the first experiment, four oxidation procedures were compared for pure pyrite at extraction temperatures of 25°C and 85°C with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as the main oxidant. It was found that pyrite dissolution was most effective by using a mixture of H₂O₂, ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and nitric acid (HNO₃) at 25°C. This procedure dissolved >90% pyrite, and detected >75% using solute iron measurements. The difference between these two results was explained by reprecipitation of secondary iron minerals. The procedure worked best at 25°C, since solvent evaporation at 85°C amplified iron oversaturation and precipitation. For the pyrite-bearing siliciclastic rocks, two sequential extraction schemes were compared to optimise solid–solvent ratio, extraction step order and type of solvent. Eventually, the most effective step order identified for siliciclastic rocks containing pyrite and little organic matter was to first (1) remove the exchangeable fraction, followed by (2) dissolution with acid and afterwards (3) with a reducing agent. The (4) oxidation step was performed last.     

Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in aqueous samples by on-line membrane disk extraction and capillary gas chromatography

Summary A fast and simple procedure for the analysis of aqueous samples by on-line membrane disk extraction and capillary gas chromatography (GC) is presented. As an example, organophosphorus pesticides are preconcentrated from aqueous samples on three 0.5 mm thick, 4.2 mm diameter extraction disks. The layers are dried by a stream of nitrogen (10–15 min; ambient temperature). Desorption of the analytes is carried out with ethyl acetate which is directly introduced into a retention gap under partially concurrent solvent evaporation conditions, using an early solvent vapour exit. The final analysis is carried out by GC with thermionic detection. The technique is applied to the determination of a series of organophosphorus pesticides in tap water and water from two European rivers. With a sample volume of only 2.5 ml, detection limits of 10–30 ppt are achieved in tap water and of 50–100 ppt in river water.     

A two-step supercritical fluid extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from roadside soil samples

A two-step procedure for the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soil samples was developed. The procedure consists of a static supercritical fluid treatment in a closed extraction cell at a high temperature (T=250 or 340degreesC for 20 min) and an SFE with a solvent trapping. During the static phase, the sample is exposed to a supercritical organic solvent (methanol, toluene, dichloromethane, ACN, acetone, and hexane). The solvent penetrates particles of the matrix to substitute strongly bonded molecules and dissolves the analytes in the supercritical phase. At ambient temperature, supercritical fluids became liquid and lost their solvation abilities. Most of the analytes condense on the surface of the particles or on the extraction cell walls without forming strong bonds or penetrating deep into the matrix. Thus, the pretreatment liberates the analytes and they behave similar to those in freshly spiked samples. The common SFE with toluene-modified CO2 as an extraction fluid follows the static phase. With the use of the most suitable extraction phases (toluene, ACN), the extraction efficiency of the combined procedure is much higher (approximately100%). The results of the combined procedure are compared to the SFE procedure of the same untreated sample (difference less than 5%) and to the Soxhlet extraction. The extracts were analyzed using a GC with the flame ionization detection.