Polydopamine‐assisted immobilization of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 for open‐tubular capillary electrochromatography

In this work, we developed a capillary column modified with zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 as a novel stationary phase for open‐tubular capillary electrochromatography. To immobilize zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 onto the inner surface of silica capillary, a bio‐inspired polydopamine functionalization was used to functionalize the capillary surface with polydopamine. First, a polydopamine layer was assembled inside the capillary. Second, due to noncovalent adsorption and covalent reaction ability, polydopamine could attract and anchor zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 onto the inner surface of capillary. It has been demonstrated that zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 was successfully grafted on the inner wall of the capillary by scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The electro‐osmotic flow characteristics of capillaries were also investigated by varying the pH value and acetonitrile content of mobile phase. The zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 coating not only increased the phase ratio of open‐tubular column, but also improved the interactions between tested analytes and the stationary phase. Three groups of isomers including acidic, basic, and neutral compounds were well separated on the zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 bonded column, with theoretic plate numbers up to 1.9 × 10⁵ N for catechol. The repeatability of the prepared columns was also studied, and the relative standard deviations for intra‐ and interday runs were less than 5%.     

Self‐assembled magnetic nanoparticle supported zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8: An efficient adsorbent for the enrichment of triazine herbicides from fruit,vegetables, and water

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks have positive surface charges and high adsorption capabilities. In this work, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks‐8 and negatively charged magnetic nanoparticles were self‐assembled by electrostatic attraction under sonication. The extraction performance of the synthesized hybrid material was evaluated by using it as a magnetic adsorbent for the enrichment of triazine herbicides in various sample matrices prior to analysis using ultrafast liquid chromatography. The main parameters, that is, extraction time, adsorbent dosage, salt concentration, and desorption conditions, were evaluated. Under the optimum conditions, good linear responses from 2.5 to 200 ng/mL for atrazine (simazine) and 1 to 200 ng/mL for prometryn (ametryn), with correlation coefficients (R ²) higher than 0.9992 were obtained. The detection limits of the method (S/N = 3) were 0.18–0.72 ng/mL. The proposed method was successfully used to determine triazine herbicides in six samples, namely, apple, pear, strawberry, pakchoi, lettuce, and water. The amounts of simazine in all the fruit and vegetable samples were 10.8–25.2 ng/mL. The recoveries of all the analytes were 88.0–101.9%, with relative standard deviations of less than 8.8%.     

Zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 reinforced hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction of free urinary biomarkers of whole grain intake followed by CE analysis

The whole grain intake is closely associated with human health. In this work, three‐phase dynamic hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction reinforced with 0.10 mg/mL 30 nm zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 nanoparticles was introduced for purification and enrichment of free urinary metabolite biomarkers of whole grain intake. Eight milliliters of HCl (pH 3.00) and 8 μL of 300 mM NaOH solutions were used as the donor and acceptor phases, respectively. The temperature and stirring rate were kept at 25℃ and 500 rpm, and the extraction time was 40 min. The extraction process required no further desorption, and the resultant extract was directly used for electrophoretic analysis without derivatization. Based on the synergistic effect of hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction and the electrophoretic stacking, the enrichment factors of 3,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3‐(3,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐1‐propionic acid reached 1018–1034 times, and their limits of detection achieved 0.33–0.67 ng/mL (S/N = 3) in urine matrix. The developed method has been successfully used for urine analysis, and the sample recovery data were in the range of 97.0–103.5%. This developed method provided an attractive alternative for the determination of urinary metabolite biomarkers of whole grain intake due to its sensitive, fast, low‐cost, and environmental‐friendly features.     

Microwave‐assisted Ionothermal Synthesis and Characterization of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐8

The zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) was successfully synthesized using ionic liquids as structure‐directing agent under microwave irradiation. Ionic liquids are green solvents with low vapour pressure and good thermal stability. They are appropriate templates for microporous materials and ideal microwave absorbers. The microwave‐assisted ionothermal synthesis applied in this paper was expected to be a promising method for the preparation of microporous materials. Results showed that the as‐synthesized samples (300–500 nm in diameter) could be synthesized in a short time (60 min) and possessed regular morphology, stable structure and high thermal stability (up to 720°C in argon atmosphere). Nitrogen adsorption‐desorption test illustrated that samples produced by microwave heating had a higher surface area. Carbon dioxide adsorption test indicated that the samples synthesized by microwave heating had better carbon dioxide adsorption ability than those by conventional heating.     

Highly sensitive analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental water with porous cellulose/zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 composite microspheres as a novel adsorbent coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography

In this work, novel cellulose/zeolitic imidazolate frameworks‐8 composite microspheres have been successfully fabricated and utilized as sorbent for environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons efficient extraction and sensitive analysis. The composite microspheres were synthesized through the in situ hydrothermal growth of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks‐8 on cellulose matrix, and exhibited favorable hierarchical structure with chemical composition as assumed through scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction patterns, and Brunauer?Emmett?Teller surface areas characterization. A robust and highly efficient method was then successfully developed with as‐prepared composite microspheres as novel solid‐phase extraction sorbent with optimum extraction conditions, such as sorbent amount, sample volume, extraction time, desorption conditions, volume of organic modifier, and ionic strength. The method exhibited high sensitivity with low limit of detection down to 0.1–1.0 ng/L and satisfactory linearity with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9988 to 0.9999, as well as good recoveries of 66.7–121.2% with relative standard deviations less than 10% for environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons analysis. Thus, our method was convenient and efficient for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons extraction and detection, potential for future environmental water samples analysis.     

Application of a dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction method for pre‐concentration and ultra‐trace determination of cadmium ions in water and biological samples

A method for the trace determination of cadmium ions in water, human urine and human blood serum samples using ultrasonic‐assisted dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction (UA‐D‐μSPE) was developed. Silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles were coated with polythiophene, and the resulting sorbent was characterized using thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and X‐ray diffraction. Following UA‐D‐μSPE, cadmium ions were quantified using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. A Box–Behnken design was used for optimization of important sorption and desorption parameters in UA‐D‐μSPE: in the sorption step, pH of solution, sorption amount and sonication time for sorption; in the desorption step, concentration of eluent, volume of eluent and sonication time. The optimum conditions for the method were: pH of solution, 7.5; sonication time for sorption, 3 min; sorption amount, 35 mg; type and concentration of eluent, HCl and 1.1 mol l^?1; volume of eluent, 360 μl; sonication time for desorption, 110 s. Under the optimized conditions the limit of detection and relative standard deviation for the detection of cadmium ions by UA‐D‐μSPE were found to be 0.8 ng l^?1 and <6%, respectively.     

A rapid MCM‐41 dispersive micro‐solid phase extraction coupled with LC/MS/MS for quantification of ketoconazole and voriconazole in biological fluids

A rapid dispersive micro‐solid phase extraction (D‐μ‐SPE) combined with LC/MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of ketoconazole and voriconazole in human urine and plasma samples. Synthesized mesoporous silica MCM‐41 was used as sorbent in d ‐μ‐SPE of the azole compounds from biological fluids. Important D‐μ‐SPE parameters, namely type desorption solvent, extraction time, sample pH, salt addition, desorption time, amount of sorbent and sample volume were optimized. Liquid chromatographic separations were carried out on a Zorbax SB‐C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 3.5 μm), using a mobile phase of acetonitrile–0.05% formic acid in 5 mm ammonium acetate buffer (70:30, v /v). A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with positive ionization mode was used for the determination of target analytes. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves showed good linearity in the range of 0.1–10,000 μg/L with satisfactory limit of detection (≤0.06 μg/L) and limit of quantitation (≤0.3 μg/L). The proposed method also showed acceptable intra‐ and inter‐day precisions for ketoconazole and voriconazole from urine and human plasma with RSD ≤16.5% and good relative recoveries in the range 84.3–114.8%. The MCM‐41‐D‐μ‐SPE method proved to be rapid and simple and requires a small volume of organic solvent (200 μL); thus it is advantageous for routine drug analysis.     

Guest‐Adaptable and Water‐Stable Peptide‐Based Porous Materials by Imidazolate Side Chain Control

The peptide‐based porous 3D framework, ZnCar, has been synthesized from Zn²⁺ and the natural dipeptide carnosine (β‐alanyl‐L ‐histidine). Unlike previous extended peptide networks, the imidazole side chain of the histidine residue is deprotonated to afford Zn–imidazolate chains, with bonding similar to the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) family of porous materials. ZnCar exhibits permanent microporosity with a surface area of 448 m² g^?1, and its pores are 1D channels with 5 Å openings and a characteristic chiral shape. This compound is chemically stable in organic solvents and water. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the ZnCar framework adapts to MeOH and H₂O guests because of the torsional flexibility of the main His‐β‐Ala chain, while retaining the rigidity conferred by the Zn–imidazolate chains. The conformation adopted by carnosine is driven by the H bonds formed both to other dipeptides and to the guests, permitting the observed structural transformations.     

Simultaneous Spray Self‐Assembly of Highly Loaded ZIF‐8–PDMS Nanohybrid Membranes Exhibiting Exceptionally High Biobutanol‐Permselective Pervaporation

The ability to obtain a maximum loading of inorganic nanoparticles while maintaining uniform dispersion in the polymer is the key to the fabrication of mixed‐matrix membranes with high pervaporation performance in bioalcohol recovery from aqueous solution. Herein, we report the simultaneous spray self‐assembly of a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)–polymer suspension and a cross‐linker/catalyst solution as a method for the fabrication of a well‐dispersed ZIF‐8–PDMS nanohybrid membrane with an extremely high loading. The ZIF‐8–PDMS membrane showed excellent biobutanol‐permselective pervaporation performance. When the ZIF‐8 loading was increased to 40 wt %, the total flux and separation factor could reach 4846.2 g m⁻² h⁻¹ and 81.6, respectively, in the recovery of n‐butanol from 1.0 wt % aqueous solution (80 °C). This new method is expected to have serious implications for the preparation of defect‐free mixed‐matrix membranes for many applications.     

Assay of urinary 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine by capillary electrophoresis with spectrophotometric detection using a high‐sensitivity detection cell and solid‐phase extraction

A sensitive capillary electrophoretic method featuring spectrophotometric detection using a commercial Z‐cell was devised for the assay of 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) in human urine. Solid‐phase extraction (SPE) based on hydrophilic‐lipophilic‐balanced RP sorbent was utilized for urine sample pretreatment and analyte preconcentration. The separation was carried out in conventional fused‐silica capillaries employing a Z‐cell with hydrodynamic sample injection (at 50 mbar for 12 s). The BGE (pH* 9.2, adjusted with 1 M NaOH) contained 0.15 M boric acid and 10% v/v ACN. The detection wavelength was 282 nm. The calibration curve for 8OHdG (measured in spiked urine) was linear in the range 10–1000 ng/mL; R² = 0.9993. The LOD was 3 ng/mL (11 nmol/L) of 8OHdG. Determination of the 8OHdG urinary levels was possible even in healthy individuals.     

(110)‐Oriented ZIF‐8 Thin Films on ITO with Controllable Thickness

(110)‐oriented zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)‐8 thin films with controllable thickness are successfully deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes at room temperature. The method applied uses 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) in the form of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs), followed by a subsequent adoption of the layer‐by‐layer (LBL) method. The crystallographic preferential orientation (CPO) index shows that the ZIF‐8 thin films are (110)‐oriented. A possible mechanism for the growth of the (110)‐oriented ZIF‐8 thin films on 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified ITO is proposed. The observed cross‐sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and photoluminescent (PL) spectra of the ZIF‐8 thin films indicate that the thickness of the ZIF‐8 layers is proportional to the number of growth cycles. The extension of such a SAM method for the fabrication of ZIF‐8 thin films as described herein should be applicable in other ZIF materials, and the as‐prepared ZIF‐8 thin films on ITO may be explored for photoelectrochemical applications.     

First synthesis of 2‐(2,4,4‐trimethyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[h]chromen‐2‐yl)‐1‐naphthol and 3‐(2,4,4‐trimethyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[g]chromen‐2‐yl)‐2‐naphthol from 1‐ and 2‐naphthol derivatives

Two new structurally isomeric, 2‐(2,4,4‐trimethyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[h]chromen‐2‐yl)‐1‐naphthol ( 1 ) and 3‐(2,4,4‐trimethyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[g]chromen‐2‐yl)‐2‐naphthol ( 3 ) have been synthesized from 2‐acetyl‐1‐naphthol and ethyl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoate, respectively, involving Grignard reaction, dehydration of the corresponding tertiary alcohols, and hetero Diels–Alder dimerization. The two benzochromenes ( 1 and 3 ) have been fully characterized by IR, NMR, and HRESIMS data. Their structures are further supported by crystallography of their corresponding acetates ( 2 and 4 ). J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

One‐pot synthesis of magnetic zeolitic imidazolate framework/grapheme oxide composites for the extraction of neonicotinoid insecticides from environmental water samples

Magnetic zeolitic imidazolate framework 67/graphene oxide composites were synthesized by one‐pot method at room temperature for the first time. Electrostatic interactions between positively charged metal ions and both negatively charged graphene oxide and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were expected to chemically stabilize magnetic composites to generate homogeneous magnetic products. The additional amount of graphene oxide and stirring time of graphene oxide, Co²⁺, and Fe₃O₄ solution were investigated. The zeolitic imidazolate framework 67 and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were uniformly attached on the surface of graphene oxide. The composites were applied to magnetic solid‐phase extraction of five neonicotinoid insecticides in environmental water samples. The main experimental parameters such as amount of added magnetic composites, extraction pH, ionic strength, and desorption solvent were optimized to increase the capacity of adsorbing neonicotinoid insecticides. The results show limits of detection at signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 were 0.06–1.0 ng/mL under optimal conditions. All analytes exhibited good linearity with correlation coefficients of higher than 0.9915. The relative standard deviations for five neonicotinoid insecticides in environmental samples ranged from 1.8 to 16.5%, and good recoveries from 83.5 to 117.0% were obtained, indicating that magnetic zeolitic imidazolate framework 67/graphene oxide composites were feasible for analysis of trace analytes in environmental water samples.     

Synthesis,characterization and application of 3‐methyl‐1‐sulfonic acid imidazolium tetrachloroferrate as nanostructured catalyst for the tandem reaction of β‐naphthol with aromatic aldehydes and amide derivatives

3‐methyl‐1‐sulfonic acid imidazolium tetrachloroferrate {[Msim]FeCl₄} was prepared and fully characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal gravimetric (DTG), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and used, as an efficient catalyst, for the tandem reaction of β‐naphthol with aromatic aldehydes and benzamide at 110 °C under solvent‐free conditions to give 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthols in high yields and very short reaction times.     

Polypyrrole‐magnetite dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction combined with ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry for the determination of rhodamine 6G and crystal violet in textile wastewater

Polypyrrole‐magnetite dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction method combined with ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry was developed for the determination of selected cationic dyes in textile wastewater. Polypyrrole‐magnetite was used as adsorbent due to its thermal stability, magnetic properties, and ability to adsorb Rhodamine 6G and crystal violet. Dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction parameters were optimized, including sample pH, adsorbent amount, extraction time, and desorption solvent. The optimum polypyrrole‐magnetite dispersive micro‐solid phase‐extraction conditions were sample pH 8, 60 mg polypyrrole‐magnetite adsorbent, 5 min of extraction time, and acetonitrile as the desorption solvent. Under the optimized conditions, the polypyrrole‐magnetite dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction with ultraviolet‐visible method showed good linearity in the range of 0.05–7 mg/L (R ² > 0.9980). The method also showed a good limit of detection for the dyes (0.05 mg/L) and good analyte recoveries (97.4–111.3%) with relative standard deviations < 10%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of dyes in textile wastewater samples where the concentration found was 1.03 mg (RSD ±7.9%) and 1.13 mg/L (RSD ± 4.6%) for Rhodamine 6G and crystal violet, respectively. It can be concluded that this method can be adopted for the rapid extraction and determination of dyes at trace concentration levels.     

Multi‐wall carbon nanotube supported Co (II) Schiff base complex: an efficient and highly reusable catalyst for synthesis of 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthol and tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivatives

An immobilized Co (II) Schiff base complex supported on multi‐wall carbon nanotubes was synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy , thermogravimetric analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It was shown that the supported complex is a facile, eco‐friendly, recyclable, reusable and green catalyst for three‐component condensation of 2‐naphthol and acetamide with various aldehydes for the synthesis of 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthol derivatives under solvent‐free conditions. Also, in a further study, the catalytic application was studied in the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b ]pyran derivatives via the condensation reaction of malononitrile and dimedone with several aromatic aldehydes. The procedures suggested here for the synthesis of 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthol and tetrahydrobenzo[b ]pyran derivatives offer several advantages, such as stability, recyclability and eco‐friendliness of the catalyst, simple experimental conditions, short reaction times, high to excellent yields and easy work‐up.     

Separation of Amyl Alcohol Isomers in ZIF‐77

The separation of pentanol isomer mixtures is shown to be very efficient using the nanoporous adsorbent zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF‐77. Through molecular simulations, we demonstrate that this material achieves a complete separation of linear from monobranched—and these from dibranched—isomers. Remarkably, the adsorption and diffusion behaviors follow the same decreasing trend, produced by the channel size of ZIF‐77 and the guest shape. This separation based on molecular branching applies to alkanes and alcohols and promises to encompass numerous other functional groups.     

Mixed hemimicelle magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction using carbon‐coated magnetic nanoparticles for the determination of tramadol in urine samples

Ionic liquid carbon‐coated magnetic nanoparticles were successfully applied as an adsorbent in a mixed hemimicelle magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction method for the determination of tramadol from urine samples coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV‐vis detection. The significant parameters affect the extraction efficiency including type and amount of adsorbent, sample volume, pH, ionic strength, type and amount of elution solvent, time of extraction and desorption, time of ionic liquid loading on the adsorbent and stirring rate were studied and optimized. The proposed method provided a fast, straightforward, environmentally friendly and adsorbent recyclable approach for tramadol analysis. The linear range for the tramadol determination was from 100 to 1500 ng/mL. Precisions and accuracies were within 6%. The applicability of the proposed method in clinical trial was tried successfully on determination of tramadol in addicted subjects under tramadol therapy. The mean percent recovery of the patient samples was 94%. The results proved that the proposed method could be applied in clinical and forensic laboratories for determination of tramadol from biological urine samples.     

Ultrasound‐assisted magnetic SPE based on Fe3O4‐grafted graphene for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in water samples

An ultrasound‐assisted magnetic SPE procedure with an Fe₃O₄‐grafted graphene nanocomposite as the magnetic adsorbent has been developed to determine seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs; PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153, and PCB180) simultaneously in 200 mL environmental water samples, in combination with GC–MS/MS. Several factors related to magnetic SPE efficiencies, such as the superparamagnetic intensity and amount of adsorbent, extraction time, sample pH, and desorption conditions were investigated. With the assistance of ultrasound, the extraction achieved the maximum within only 20 s, attributed to the powerful adsorptive ability of the magnetic adsorbent toward the PCBs. Under the optimized conditions, an excellent linearity was observed in the range of 0.1–100 ng/L for PCB28, 0.2–100 ng/L for PCB52, and 0.5–100 ng/L for the other five PCBs with the correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9988 to 0.9996. The mean recoveries at spiked levels of 5.0 and 10.0 ng/L were 84.9–108.5%, the coefficients of variations were <6.5%. With convenient magnetic separation, the synthesized magnetic adsorbent could be recycled more than ten times. The proposed method was demonstrated to be feasible, simple, rapid, and easy to operate for the trace analysis of the PCBs in environmental water samples.     

Rapid magnetic solid‐phase extraction of Congo Red and Basic Red 2 from aqueous solution by ZIF‐8@CoFe2O4 hybrid composites

Core–shell metal–organic framework materials have attracted considerable attention mainly due to their enhanced or new physicochemical properties compared with their single‐component counterparts. In this work, a core–shell heterostructure of CoFe₂O₄‐Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐8 (ZIF‐8@CoFe₂O₄) is successfully fabricated and used as an solid‐phase extraction adsorbent to efficiently extract Congo Red and Basic Red 2 dyes from contaminated aqueous solution. Vibrating sample magnetometry indicates that the saturated magnetization of ZIF‐8@CoFe₂O₄ is 3.3 emu/g, which is large enough for magnetic separation. The obtained hybrid magnetic metal‐organic framework based material ZIF‐8@CoFe₂O₄ can remove the investigated dyes very fast within 1 min of the contact time. The adsorbent ZIF‐8@CoFe₂O₄ also shows a good reusability. After regeneration, the adsorbent can still exhibit high removal efficiency (～97%) toward Congo Red for five cycles of desorption–adsorption. This work reveals the great potential of core–shell ZIF‐8@CoFe₂O₄ sorbents for the fast separation and preconcentration of organic pollutants in aqueous solution before high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis.