Preparation of 15N-labeled Potassium Ferrocyanide for Tracer Studies

Tsvetelina Dimitrova,Frank Repmann,Dirk Freese

doi:10.5539/ep.v6n2p41

Tsvetelina Dimitrova, Frank Repmann + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/ep.v6n2p41

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Abstract

Isotopic labels are widely used to trace the fate and cycling of common environmental contaminants. Many of the labeled materials are not available commercially and, depending on the complexity of the substance, the label and the enrichment level, custom syntheses are costly. A simple, straightforward, and cost effective method for the preparation of a highly enriched, 15N-labeled potassium ferrocyanide (K4[Fe(C15N)6]*3H2O) has been developed to meet the requirements of related tracer experiments and minimize their costs. In this case, the 15N label was used to quantify iron cyanide detoxification (biodegradation and/or transformation) within soil-plant-systems. 15N-labeled potassium cyanide (KC15N) and a ferrous iron salt have been used for the synthesis. Extensive qualitative and quantitative analyses showed a product, entirely identical in its functional and elemental components to commercial non-labeled K4[Fe(CN)6]*3H2O and in its 15N enrichment to the KC15N used for its synthesis. To investigate their behavior and fate in various environmental compartments, other labeled iron or metal cyanide complexes might be synthesized in analogous manner.

Highlights

IntroductionOne of the greatest iron cyanide sources are the sites of former manufactured gas plants and coke ovens, existing in a high number (>8700) in Europe and the United States (Wehrer, Rennert, Mansfeldt & Totsche 2011)
Iron cyanide contamination in the environment is primarily of anthropogenic origin
To better understand and predict the complex behavior of contaminants, isotopic tracers have increasingly been applied in the past decades, including in studies on biodegradation and detoxification of simple and complexed cyanide species within plant tissue (Ebbs, Bushey, Poston, Kosma, Samiotakis & Dzombak 2003; Ebbs, Piccinin, Goodger, Kolev, Woodrow & Baker 2008; Ebbs, Kosma, Nielson, Machingura, Baker & Woodrow 2010; Ebel, Evangelou & Schaeffer 2007; Samiotakis & Ebbs 2004)

Summary

Introduction

One of the greatest iron cyanide sources are the sites of former manufactured gas plants and coke ovens, existing in a high number (>8700) in Europe and the United States (Wehrer, Rennert, Mansfeldt & Totsche 2011). Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the product showed that it is entirely identical in its functional and elemental components and 15N enrichment to commercial products This is the first summary of such a synthesis procedure. The low costs and the high yield allow for the application of the product in large scale studies or even directly under real field conditions. Both have so far not been possible

Preparation Procedure

Analytical Procedures

Fundamental Vibrational Modes

CN and Elemental Components

Conclusions