Zinc(II) complexes with the commercial auxin herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D; C 8 H 6 O 3 Cl 2 ) and 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid (2,4DP; C 9 H 8 O 3 Cl 2 ) were prepared and characterized. The formulae of the solid complexes Zn 2 (C 8 H 5 O 3 Cl 2 ) 3 .5H 2 O (Zn-2,4D) and Zn(C 9 H 7 O 3 Cl 2 ) 2 . 1.5H 2 O (Zn-2,4DP) were established on the basis of the results of elemental analysis and Zn(II) determination. Water solubility of synthesized complexes at room temperature was examined. X-ray powder analysis was carried out. The discussion of IR spectra and conductivity data is presented. Thermal decomposition of these complexes in air was studied by TG, DTG, DTA and TG/MS methods with simultaneous analysis of the solid and gaseous products. The formation of complexes Zn-herbicide in the water solution by potentiometric pH titration was also investigated. The dissociation constants (pK) of 2,4D and 2,4DP were determined at 25°C and I = 0.1 (KNO 3 ).

New solid complexes of a herbicide known as dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) with Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II) of the general formula M(dicamba) 2 ·xH 2 O (M=metal, x=0-2) and Zn 2 (OH)(dicamba) 3 ·2H 2 O have been prepared and studied. The complexes have different crystal structures. The carboxylate groups in the lead, cadmium and copper complexes are bidentate, chelating, symmetrical, in Hg(dicamba) 2 ·2H 2 O - unidentate, and in the zinc salt - bidentate, bridging, symmetrical. The anhydrous compounds decompose in three stages, except for the lead salt whose decomposition proceeds in four stages. The main gaseous decomposition products are CO 2 , CH 3 OH, HCl and H 2 O. Trace amounts of compounds containing an aromatic ring were also detected. The final solid decomposition products are oxychlorides of metals and CuO.

The paper presents the conditions under which compounds of the commercial herbicides, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D; C8H6O3Cl2) and 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid (2,4DP; C9H8O3Cl2), with lead(II) and cadmium(II) are formed and the results of the examination of their properties.

Nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with the commercial herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D; C 8 H 6 O 3 Cl 2 ) and 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid (2,4DP; C 9 H 8 O 3 Cl 2 ) were prepared and characterized. On the basis of the results of elemental analysis and Ni and Co determination, the following molecular formulae were proposed for the obtained compounds: Ni(C 8 H 5 O 3 Cl 2 ) 2 ·6H 2 O, Co(C 8 H 5 O 3 Cl 2 ) 2 ·6H 2 O, Ni(C 9 H 7 O 3 Cl 2 ) 2 ·2H 2 O and Co(C 9 H 7 O 3 Cl 2 ) 2 ·2H 2 O. X-ray powder analysis was carried out. The IR, electronic (VIS) spectra and conductivity data were discussed. Water solubility of the synthesized complexes at room temperature was examined. Thermal decomposition of the compounds was studied. Dehydration processes occur during heating in air. The anhydrous compounds decompose via different intermediate products to oxides. TG/MS studies indicate formation of gaseous mass fragments of decomposition including H 2 O + , OH + , CO 2 + , HCl + , Cl 2 + , CH 3 Cl + , CH 2 O + , C 6 H 6 + and other.

New solid heavy metal complexes with 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) of the general formulae: Pb(MCPA)2·H2O and Cd(MCPA)2·2H2O have been prepared. Diffractometric, IR spectroscopic and thermal analyses of these complexes and the previously described Cu(MCPA)2 have been performed. The complexes have different structures, a low level of crystallinity and exhibit a tendency to form polymers. An attempt has been made to explain the mode of the ligand molecule coordination on the basis of the position of the bands of the characteristic νasym and νsym vibrations of the carboxylate group. The course of the TG, DTG and DTA curves indicates that the compounds decompose in two (the copper salt) or three stages. The decomposition of the cadmium complex is preceded by dehydration. The basic gaseous products of decomposition are H2O and CO2. HCOOH, HOCH2COOH, HCl and trace amounts of compounds containing an aromatic ring were also detected. The final solid decomposition product is a metal oxide.

The bis(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetato lead (11) monohydrate infinite polymer was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structure has been determined and the bond valences were computed. Molecules of the monomer, each occupying an asymmetric unit, are connected by the inversion center and a polymer chain is created by Pb(20)Pb rings in spiro arrangement. The lead atom is seven coordinate by four oxygen atoms from two chelating carboxyl groups, one water molecule, and two oxygen atoms provided by symmetry generated carboxyl groups. Each carboxyl group acts as a bidentate ligand toward one metal atom and as a monodentate ligand with respect to a second. The lead-oxygen distances are spread over a wide range of values. One molecule of (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetate in the monomer is close to planarity, and the second is bent. All 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy groups are almost parallel. The polymer infinite chains are assembled by weak hydrogen bonds to a layered structure.

Water-soluble complexes of lanthanum(III), cerium(III), neodymium(III) and erbium(III) with N-Phosphonomethylglycine (glyphosate, NPMG) of the general formulae: LaC3H5NO5P·H2O, CeC3H5NO5P · H2O, NdC3H5NO5P · 1,5H2O, ErC3H5NO5P · 2H2O were synthesized. Their solubility in water was determined. Thermal, diffractometric and IR spectrophotometric analyses were carried out. It was found that the lanthanide ions are bonded to N-phosphonomethylglycine through the oxygen atoms of the carboxylic and phosphonate groups and the nitrogen atom of the amine group. The final products of thermal decomposition at 900°C were determined.

Thermal decomposition of Bi(SCN)3, Cd(SCN)2, Pb(SCN)2 and Cu(SCN)2 has been studied. The thermal analysis curves and the diffraction patterns of the solid intermediate and final products of the pyrolysis are presented. The gaseous products of the decomposition (SO2 and CO2) were detected and quantitatively determined. Thermal, X-ray and chemical analyses have been used to establish the nature of the reactions occurring at each stage in the decomposition.

This work presents the results of determination of lead in the soils of six allotment gardens located in different parts of the city (in the centre and on the outskirts). Lead was determined spectrophotometrically in the form of pink lead(II) ditizonate.

Cadmium was determined in the soil of six allotment gardens of Lodz, situated in areas with different traffic patters (the centre of the city and its suburbs). It was determined in the form of cadmium (II) dithizonate by the extraction-spectrophotometric method.

Cadmium was determined in the soil of six allotment gardens of Lodz, situated in areas with different traffic patters (the centre of the city and its suburbs). It was determined in the form of cadmium (II) dithizonate by the extraction-spectrophotometric method.

In the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTA) perchlorates form a sparingly soluble compound. The analysis has proved that it is cetyltrimethylammonium perchlorate. In the present work gravimetric, nephelometric and turbidimetric methods of determination of perchlorates have been worked out. Measurements can be made in the pH range from 1.5 to 11.5. For 5 to 20 mg of perchlorate the gravimetric method and for 0.05 to 1.00 mg of perchlorate the nephelometric and turbidimetric methods can be used. The effect of foreign ions has been examined. Only large anions (e.g. MnO4-, CrO42-, Cr2O72-, I-) interfere with the determination.

Thermal decomposition of alkali metal thiocyanates of the general formula MSCN (M=Na, K, Rb, Cs), CuSCN and AgSCN has been studied. Thermal analysis curves and diffraction patterns of the solid intermediate, and final, products of their pyrolysis are presented. Gaseous products of the decomposition, SO2 and CO2, were quantified. Thermal, X-ray and chemical analyses have been used to establish the nature of the reactions occurring at each stage of decomposition.

A spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in complex gas mixtures emitted by the rubber industry. The method allows organic disulfides to be quantitated in amounts exceeding 1.5 mg/m3 gas (expressed as DMDS) and can be applied to the determination of disulfides in air at workplace as well as in gaseous products of thermal and biological decomposition of solid substances. The method enables disulfides and mercaptans to be determined simultaneously.