Detection and quantitation of trace phenolphthalein (in pharmaceutical preparations and in forensic exhibits) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, a sensitive and accurate method.

Phenolphthalein, an acid-base indicator and laxative, is important as a constituent of widely used weight-reducing multicomponent food formulations. Phenolphthalein is an useful reagent in forensic science for the identification of blood stains of suspected victims and for apprehending erring officials accepting bribes in graft or trap cases. The pink-colored alkaline hand washes originating from the phenolphthalein-smeared notes can easily be determined spectrophotometrically. But in many cases, colored solution turns colorless with time, which renders the genuineness of bribe cases doubtful to the judiciary. No method is known till now for the detection and identification of phenolphthalein in colorless forensic exhibits with positive proof. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry had been found to be most sensitive, accurate method capable of detection and quantitation of trace phenolphthalein in commercial formulations and colorless forensic exhibits with positive proof. The detection limit of phenolphthalein was found to be 1.66 pg/L or ng/mL, and the calibration curve shows good linearity (r(2) = 0.9974).

Spectrophotometric, FTIR and theoretical studies of the charge-transfer complexes between isoniazid (pyridine-4-carboxylic acid hydrazide) and the acceptors (p-chloranil, chloranilic acid and tetracyanoethylene) in acetonitrile, their association constants, thermodynamic properties and other related properties.

Spectrophotometric, FTIR and theoretical studies of the charge-transfer complexes between Isoniazid (pyridine-4-carboxylic acid hydrazide) and the acceptors (p-chloranil, chloranilic acid and tetracyanoethylene) in acetonitrile, their association constants, thermodynamic properties and other related properties were studied. Isoniazid (INH), a widely used anti tubercular agent was found to form beautifully colored charge-transfer complexes with p-chloranil, chloranilic acid and tetracyanoethylene in acetonitrile. The absorption maxima of the complexes were 484, 519 and 479 nm, respectively (isoniazid had no absorption, but the acceptors had absorption in these regions). The composition of the complexes were determined to be 1:1 from Job's method of continuous variations depending on the time period of experiments as the stability of some of the complexes (p-chloranil and tetracyanoethylene complexes) was time dependent. Solid complexes formed between isoniazid and the acceptors were isolated but p-chloranil was found to form two different complexes. FTIR spectra of the complexes and the acceptors were measured. FTIR spectra of the complexes showed considerable shift in absorption peaks, changes in intensities of the peaks and formation of the new band (probably due to hydrogen bonding) on complexation. The thermodynamic association constants and other thermodynamic parameters of the complexes were determined spectrophotometrically taking D and A in varying ratios (2:8-8:2) and also in equimolar ratios. The complex formation was found to be spontaneous and associated with negative changes of ΔG(0), ΔH(0) and ΔS(0). The energies hν(CT) of the charge-transfer complexes were compared with the theoretical values of hν(CT) of the complexes obtained from HOMO and LUMO of the donor and the acceptors. Density function theory utilizing different basis sets was used for calculation. hν(CT) (experimental) values of the transition energies of the complexes in acetonitrile differed from hν(CT) (theoretical) values in the gaseous state. I(D)(V) value of isoniazid was calculated. Charge-transfer complexes were assumed to be partial electrovalent compounds with organic dative ions D(+) and A(-) (in the excited state) and attempts had been made to correlate the energy changes for the formation of the complexes with the energy changes for the formation of electrovalent compounds between M(+) and X(-) ions.

Estimation of blood alcohol concentration by horizontal attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Numerous methods like distillation followed by iodometric titrations, gas chromatograph (GC)-flame ionization detector, gas chromatograph-mass spectrophotometer, GC-Headspace, Breath analyzer, and biosensors including alcohol dehydrogenase (enzymatic) have been used to determine blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In the present study, horizontal attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy had been used to determine BAC in whole blood. The asymmetric stretching frequency of C-C-O group of ethanol in water (1,045 cm(-1)) had been used to calculate BAC using Beer's Law. A seven-point calibration curve of ethanol was drawn in the concentration range 24-790 mg dL(-1). The curve showed good linearity over the concentration range used (r(2)=0.999, standard deviation=0.0023). The method is accurate, reproducible, rapid, simple, and nondestructive in nature.

Novel method for identification and quantification of methanol and ethanol in alcoholic beverages by gas chromatography-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and horizontal attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Numerous methods are being used to identify and quantify methanol and ethanol in alcoholic beverages, including country liquors. Some of the known methods are density and refractive index measurements, and spectrophotometric measurements using Schiff's reagent or chromatropic acid. Other advanced techniques involve head space gas chromatography (GC), GC-flame ionization detection, high-performance liquid chromatography, enzymatic reactions, and biosensors. However, identification and quantification of methanol and ethanol in beverages can be accurately done using GC-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and horizontal attenuated total reflectance (HATR)-FTIR. Identification of alcohols is possible from library matching of the IR spectra obtained from GC-FTIR. In water, methanol and ethanol show a very strong peak for C-O, stretching at 1015.3 and 1044.2 cm(-1), respectively. The strong absorption of vibrational stretching frequency of C-O present in alcohols was used for quantification purposes. The absorptions of C-O group frequency of alcohols in water mixtures were measured using HATR-FTIR with a zinc-selenide crystal. Samples were placed directly on the HATR crystal, with alcohol concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 50.0% (v/v). The plot of absorptions against concentrations of methanol and ethanol obeyed Beer's law (r2 = 0.9998 and 0.9987, respectively), from which alcohol in the mixtures was quantified. Propan-2-ol and n-butanol showed no interference. The method is validated from absorption measurements of known mixtures of standard ethanol in water. This is a simple, specific, rapid, accurate, and nondestructive method of identification and quantification of methanol and ethanol in mixtures. It can be used to ascertain methanol contamination in alcoholic beverages that can lead to death or methanol poisoning by alcohol consumption.