The applications of deuterium, tritium and their compounds can usually be separated into two classes, (a) those in which the differences between the isotopic species are unimportant, and (b) applications in which these isotope effects, play a significant role.
Deuterium magnetic resonance spectroscopy has found wide applications, especially in broad line work, despite the low sensitivity and the existence of quadrupole moment. Deuterium is the obvious choice in molecular and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to provide insight into the proton vibrations and resonances. The location of exchanging hydrogen atoms can be determined from NMR spectra before and after deuteration. Because of the hazardous nature of radioactive tritium and its derivatives, tritium magnetic resonance spectroscopy is not popular.
Evans has discussed the use of tritium and its compounds in detail. These include functional group analysis of the labile hydrogens, isotope dilution analysis, self-diffusion and tracer studies. Although either deuterium or tritium can be used, tritium has the advantage that it can easily be detected by a liquid scintillation counter.
Tracer techniques employing deuterium and tritium for studying reaction mechanisms have been extensively used in all branches of science.
Because of the use of the commercial availability of high purity deuterium and tritium, many synthetic methods have been reported for deuterated and tritiated compounds. The majority of the reported methods however pertain to organic compounds. Either deuterium or tritium labeled water is a convenient starting material for synthesizing inorganic labeled compounds, but in the presence of suitable homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts isotopic exchange can occur even with the element.
Deuterium and tritium labeled compounds are used extensively in the measurement of isotope effects to study such diverse problems as molecular structure, super conductivity, quantum effects, chemical kinetics, NMR shifts, dipole moments, ESR hyperfine interactions etc. in the field of chemical physics, paleo temperature and biogenesis in geochemical studies, and growth and morphology of plants and animals and many other topics in biology and medicine.
Polio Vaccination
Poliomyelitis better known in common parlour as 'Polio' is a dreaded disease characterised by motor paralysis, and atrophy of skeletal muscles causing permanent disability and deformity. In tropical countries like India, its is more prevalent due in no small measure to the fact that the vaccine which is highly heat sensitive and hence is always stored under refrigerated conditions, loses its potency the moment it is exposed to ambient temperatures (say above 30oC). A break in 'cold-chain' follows resulting in irreversible damage to the vaccine and thereby reducing its effectiveness. To offset this and to maintain its stability, a continuous world wide search (under WHO's guidance) is on for a stabilised vaccine which will remain less sensitive to temperature.
HWB cognizant of R&D activities in this field of medical immunisation, has initiated a programmed through the Board of Research for Nuclear Science (BRNS) for developing a technologically feasible stabilised Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) suspended in Heavy Water medium. Research activities conducted by HWB in collaboration with Entrovirus Research Centre, Mumbai of the Indian Council of Medical Research, G.O.I has shown very encouraging results. The inputs received so far show that Heavy Water at Concentration above 80% IP provides stabilising effect on OPV with the vaccine retaining its potency at 37oC for 7 days (WHO's norm for stabilised vaccine). Its is now proposed to establish this product through clinical trials for which statutory bodies will be approached.
