Probing the redox process of p-benzoquinone in dimethyl sulphoxide by using fluorescence spectroelectrochemistry

Quinones are common organic compounds frequently used as model dissolved organic matters in water, and their redox properties are usually characterized by either electrochemical or spectroscopic methods separately. In this work, electrochemical methodology was combined with two fluorescence spectroelectrochemical techniques, cyclic voltafluorescence spectrometry （CVF） and derivative cyclic voltafluorescence spectrometry （DCVF）, to determine the electrochemical properties of p-benzoQuinone in dimethvl sulfoxide, an aprotic solution. The CVF results show that the electrochemical reduction ofp-benzoquinone resulted in the formation of radical anion and dianion, which exhibited a lower fluorescence intensity and red-shift of the emission spectra compared to that of p-benzoauinone. The fluorescence intensity was found to vary along with the electrochemical oxidation and reduction ofp-benzoquinone. The CVF and DCVF results were in good consistence. Thus, the combined method offers a powerful tool to investigate the electrochemical process of p-benzoquinone and other natural organic compounds.

Simple and sensitive method for the determination of trace amounts of thorium using a benzoquinone derivative

A novel simple, sensitive, rapid, direct, and spectrophotometry-based procedure was investigated to determine Th(IV) at trace amounts. The new method is based on Th(IV) chelation with 3,6-dichloro-2,5-dihydroxy-l,4-benzoquinone(DDBQ). The reagent reacts with Th(IV) in 0.1 M HCl to form an orange 1:2 complex. The stability constant value is 6.62×10~4 for the Th(IV)complex. The Th(IV)-DDBQ obtained shows one peak with a maximum at about 346 nm. The chelate forms immediately and the absorbance remains stable for over24 h. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range0–10 μg mL^(-1). The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity were 4.4×10~4 L mol^(-1)cm^(-1) and 0.0053 μg cm^(-2), respectively. Different analytical parameters were tested in detail. Interfering ion(cations and anions) effects were tested. Methods for Th(IV) determination by second and third-derivative spectrophotometry were also introduced at about 344 and 341 nm, respectively. These two derivative orders offer the feature of sensitivity without the necessity for solvent extraction,heating, or pre-concentration steps. Finally, the methods were successfully utilized for Th(IV) determination in monazite, environmental water, and wastewater samples.

Bioreduction of quinone derivatives by immobilized Baker's yeast in hexane

Immobilization techniques and biocatalytic transformations performed in organic media are new developing methods for organic reactions. Baker's yeast was immobilized on the alginate supports. This preparation contained about 20% of dry yeast cells. The immobilized Baker's yeast were found to be very effective in the reduction of o-benzoquinone, p-benzoquinones, naphthoquinones, and anthraquinones in hexane.