A new, simple, rapid and efficient solvent terminated-auxiliary solvent-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (ST-AS-DLLME) technique for determination of cyanide ions by microvolume UV-Vis spectrophotometry was developed. Effective parameters on the extraction and absorbance of cyanide were optimized using two optimization methods: fractional factorial design (FFD) and central composite design (CCD). Zinc(II) tetraphenylporphyrine (ZnTPP) was used as a selective cyanide receptor agent. Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), ethanol and 1-butanol were used as extraction solvent, dispersive solvent and demulsifier solvent, respectively. The method shows very good selectivity in presence of other species. The analytical curve was linear in the range of 4.0-130 µg L-1 with a limit of detection of 1.0 µg L-1. Relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method for ten replicate measurements of 100 µg L-1 of cyanide was 1.1%. The method was successfully applied for determination of cyanide in natural water and plasma samples with good spike recoveries.

N,N',N'',N'''-Tetrametil tetra(2,3-piridil)porfirazinato metil sulfato de cobre(II) ([Cu(2,3-tmtppa)](MeSO4)4) catalisou com sucesso a conversão direta de nitrilas a amidas N-substituídas. A síntese seletiva do tipo one pot de amidas N-substituídas a partir de nitrilas e aminas primárias foi realizada em refluxo de água. O catalisador foi recuperado e reusado no mínimo 4 vezes, mantendo a sua eficiência.

N,N',N'',N'''-Tetramethyl tetra-2,3-pyridinoporphyrazinato copper(II) methyl sulfate ([Cu(2,3-tmtppa)](MeSO4)4) efficiently catalyzed the direct conversion of nitriles to N-substituted amides. The one pot selective synthesis of the N-substituted amides from nitriles and primary amines was performed in refluxing H2O. The catalyst was recovered and reused at least four times, maintaining its efficiency.