D. Rekha

RETRACTED: Preconcentration and solid-phase extraction of beryllium, lead, nickel, and bismuth from various water samples using 2-propylpiperidine-1-carbodithioate with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS).

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editors-in-Chief. Please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). REASON: Considerable concern was raised about the research purportedly conducted at Sri Venkateswara University, India with the alleged involvement of Professor P. Chiranjeevi. Questions were raised as to the volume of publications, the actual capacity (equipment, orientation and chemicals) of the laboratory in which Professor Chiranjeevi worked, the validity of certain of the research data identified in the articles, the fact that a number of papers appear to have been plagiarized from other previously published papers, and some aspects of authorship. Professor Chiranjeevi was given the opportunity to respond to these allegations. Thereafter, a committee was constituted by the University to look into these allegations. Based on the enquiry committee report, we have been informed by the head of the Department of Chemistry at Sri Venkateswara University that the university authorities have taken disciplinary action against Professor Chiranjeevi, as the university considers that there are grounds for such action. Therefore, based on the results of this investigation, the Editors-in-Chief are retracting this article.

Novel solid-phase extraction and preconcentration technique coupled with ICP-AES for the determination of Cr(III), Ni(II), and Zn(II) in various water samples

Newly synthesized 2-propylpiperidine-1-carbodithioate (2-PPC) was used for the extraction of Cr(III), Ni(II), and Zn(II) from various water samples. In the present investigation, the use of a syringe loaded with sorbent for the separation and enrichment of Cr(III), Ni(II), and Zn(II) prior to their determination by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was proposed to substitute the batch and column techniques. The described method was compared with the column technique with respect to fastness, simplicity, recovery, and risk of contamination. The syringe was loaded with 1.0 g of sorbent in order to retain the analyte elements. Next, 7.0 mL of sample solution (pH 5.0 ± 0.2) was drawn into the syringe in 15 s and discharged over 15 s. Then, an eluent (3.0 M HCl) was drawn into the syringe and ejected back to desorb the analyte elements. At the optimum conditions, the percentage recoveries of Cr(III), Ni(II), and Zn(II) were in the range of 94.50 to 99.62% with a standard deviation (S.D.) of 0.03%. The elements could be concentrated by drawing and discharging several portions of sample successively and eluting only one time. The detailed study of various interferences proved the method to be highly selective. The risk of contamination is less than that with the column technique. The method was successfully applied to the determination of Cr(III), Ni(II), and Zn(II) in spiked and natural water samples. The results obtained are in good agreement with those obtained by the reported methods at the 95% confidence level.

Spectrophotometric determination of traces of selenium(IV) in various environmental samples using the flow-injection technique (FIT)

A simple, sensitive, and rapid flow-injection spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of selenium(IV). The method is based on the oxidation reaction of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) by selenium(IV) followed by the coupling reaction with chromotropic acid (4.5-dihydroxy naphthalene-2.7-disulphonic acid) in a basic medium (phosphate buffer, pH 10.5) to give a pink derivative with λmax 530 nm that is stable for more than 7 days at 35°C. The reaction and flow conditions of the full experimental design were optimized. A detection limit (2s) of 0.25 μg/L Se(IV) was obtained at a sampling rate of 10 samples per hour. Beer’s law is obeyed for a Se(IV) concentration range of 0.05–0.5 μg/mL at the wavelength of maximum absorption. The detailed study of various interference ions indicates that the method is highly selective. The method was successfully applied to the determination of traces of selenium(IV) in various water samples. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained by the reported methods at the 95% confidence level.

Analysis of fenvalerate in its formulations and environmental samples using spectrophotometry

Two rapid, simple, sensitive, and nonextractive spectrophotometric methods were described for the determination of fenvalerate (syntheitic pyrethroid) in its formulations, water and grain samples. The methods are based on the hydrolysis of fenvalerate with methanolic NaOH to form 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde. The resultant aldehyde group was condensed with 4-aminoantipyrine in the basic medium to form a red product having λmax at 489 nm or condensed with4,4′-methylene-bis-m-nitroaniline to form a plae red product with an absorption maximum of 513 nm. Beer’s law was obeyed over the range 0.6–10 μg/mL (molar absorptivity 2.184 × 104 L/mol cm) for 4-aminoantityrine and over the range of 1–12 μg/mL (molar absorptivity 4.162 × 104 L/mol cm) for 4,4′-methylene-bis-m-nitroaniline. The formations of color derivatives with the reagents are instantaneous and stable for 40 and 32 h, respectively. The methods were rapid, simple, sensitive, and free from nontarget species. The proposed methods have been applied to the determination of fenvalerate in its formulations and environmental samples.

RETRACTED: Development of novel reactions for the simple and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of vanadium in various samples

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editors-in-Chief. Please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). Reason: Considerable concern was raised about the research purportedly conducted at Sri Venkateswara University, India with the alleged involvement of Professor P. Chiranjeevi. Questions were raised as to the volume of publications, the actual capacity (equipment, orientation and chemicals) of the laboratory in which Professor Chiranjeevi worked, the validity of certain of the research data identified in the articles, the fact that a number of papers appear to have been plagiarized from other previously published papers, and some aspects of authorship. Professor Chiranjeevi was given the opportunity to respond to these allegations. Thereafter, a committee was constituted by the University to look into these allegations. Based on the enquiry committee report, we have been informed by the head of the Department of Chemistry at Sri Venkateswara University that the university authorities have taken disciplinary action against ProfessorChiranjeevi, as the university considers that there are grounds for such action. Therefore, based on the results of this investigation, the Editors-in-Chief are retracting this article.

A Sensitive Determination of Carbofuran by Spectrophotometer using 4, 4-azo-bis-3, 3′5, 5′-tetra bromoaniline in various Environmental Samples

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric technique was developed for the determination of carbofuran in its formulations, water and grain samples. The method was based on the alkaline hydrolyzed product of carbofuran phenol interacted with diazonium salt of 4,4-azo-bis-3,3′5,5′-tetra bromo aniline. The maximum absorbance of the red coloured derivative was measured at 470 nm. The beer’s law was obeyed in the concentration range of 0.1-16.0 µg/mL. The interference of the non target species were studied on the determination of carbofuran which increases the selectivity of the method. The present method was successfully applied for the determination of carbofuran in its formulations, water and grain samples.

New reagents for the facile and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of carbofuran in its formulations and environmental samples

Facile and sensitive spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of carbofuran in its formulations and environmental samples by using new reagents. The methods were based on the coupling reaction of hydrolysed product of cabofuran with diazotized reagents, namely, 2,6-dibromo-4-methylaniline, 2,6-dibromo-4-nitroaniline, and 2,4,6-tribromoaniline in basic medium to give color derivatives having the absorption maximum at 468, 474, and 410 nm, respectively. The color derivatives were correspondingly stable for 40, 30, and 16 h. Beer’s law was obeyed in the carbofuran concentration range 0.2–10.0 µg/mL. The proposed methods have been found to be applicable to the determination of carbofuran in its formulations, tap and distilled water, grains, polluted water, plant material (cabbage), and soil samples.

Spectrophotometric Determination of Chromium in Water, and Pharmaceutical Samples Using 1-Naphthol

Facile and sensitive spectrophotometric methods for the determination of trace and ultra trace amounts of chromium (VI) are described. 4-aminoantipyrine (APP) reacts with 1-naphthol (NPL) in presence of oxidising agent potassium dichromate in acidic medium to produce red coloured product having λmax of 485 nm. The molar absorptivity and Sandells sensitivity were 2.07x104 l mol-1 cm-1 and 0.00240 μg/cm2 respectively. The colour is stable for more than 6 h. The system obeys Beers law in the range, 2-18 μg for determination of chromium (VI). The detection limits of chromium (VI) is 0.048 μg mL-1. The method is highly reproducible and has been applied to the analysis of chromium in synthetic, natural water samples and pharmaceutical preparations and the results compared favourably with the reported method.

Extractive Spectrophotometric Determination of Malathion in Environmental Samples Using Gention Violet

A new simple and selective spectrophotometric method is developed for the determination of malathion by using Gention violet is described. The method was based on the alkaline hydrolysis of malathion in presence of sodium ethoxide to form sodium dimethyl dithiophosphate (Na-DMDTP). The Na-DMDTP was formed as an ion-pair complex with cationic dye, gention violet. The ion-pair complex was extracted into chloroform. The color of the organic layer was measured at 587 nm. The method was applied to the determination of malathion residues in water, grain and soil samples

Retraction notice to “Cloud point extraction of palladium in water samples and alloy mixtures using new synthesized reagent with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS)” [J. Hazard. Mater. 144 (1–2) (2007) 152–158]

This article has been retracted at the request of the editors. Considerable concern was raised about the research purportedly conducted at Sri Venkateswara University, India with the alleged involvement of Prof. P. Chiranjeevi. Questions were raised as to the volume of publications, the actual capacity (equipment, orientation and chemicals) of the laboratory in which Prof. Chiranjeevi worked, the validity of certain of the research data identified in the articles, the fact that a number of papers appear to have been plagiarized from other previously published papers, and some aspects of authorship. Prof. Chiranjeevi was given the opportunity to respond to these allegations. Thereafter, a committee was constituted by the university to look into these allegations. Based on the enquiry committee report, we have been informed by the head of the Department of Chemistry at Sri Venkateswara University that the university authorities have taken disciplinary action against Prof. Chiranjeevi, as the university considers that there are grounds for such action. Therefore, based on the results of this investigation, the editor is retracting this article, consistent with Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal. Please see http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy .