Enhanced peroxidase‐like activity of MMT‐supported cuprous oxide nanocomposites toward rapid colorimetric estimation of H2O2

Nanocomposites based on Cu₂O and Ca‐montmorillonite (Ca⁺‐MMT) with different composition were successfully prepared via a simple hydrothermal method. The as‐prepared Cu₂O‐MMT nanocomposites can rapidly catalytically oxidize the colorless chromogenic substrate, 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzydine (TMB) into blue oxTMB with the aid of the H₂O₂ only in 30 s, which were observed by the naked eye. The reaction catalyzed by the Cu₂O‐MMT nanocomposites followed the Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Compared to the MMT or Cu₂O alone, Cu₂O‐MMT with different mass ratio exhibited an enhanced peroxidase‐like activity. The fabricated H₂O₂ sensor exhibited a good response to H₂O₂ with a linear detection range from 3 to 80 μM as well as a detection limit of 2.395 μM. Taking the advantages of the Cu₂O‐MMT nanocomposites, including outstanding peroxidase‐like activity and high sensitivity for colorimetric detection of H₂O₂, a colorimetric sensor based on the Cu₂O‐MMT nanocomposites was designed and used to rapidly detect H₂O₂ in a short time.     

Peptide Conjugates for Directing the Morphology and Assembly of 1D Nanoparticle Superstructures

Designed peptide conjugates molecules are used to direct the synthesis and assembly of gold nanoparticles into complex 1D nanoparticle superstructures with various morphologies. Four peptide conjugates, each based on the gold‐binding peptide (AYSSGAPPMPPF; PEP_Au), are prepared: C₁₂H₂₃O‐AYSSGAPPMPP ( 1 ), C₁₂H₂₃O‐AYSSGAPPMPPF ( 2 ), C₁₂H₂₃O‐AYSSGAPPMPPFF ( 3 ), and C₁₂H₂₃O‐AYSSGAPPMPPFFF ( 4 ). The affect that C‐terminal hydrophobic F residues have on both the soft‐assembly of the peptide conjugates and the resulting assembly of gold nanoparticle superstructures is examined. It is shown that the addition of two C‐terminal F residues ( 3 ) leads to thick, branched 1D gold nanoparticle superstructures, whereas the addition of three C‐terminal F residues ( 4 ) leads to bundling of thin 1D nanoparticle superstructures.     

Two‐Dimensional Monovalent Copper Halide Coordination Polymers Incorporating Anti‐Conformation 3,3′‐Bipyridine

Hydrothermal treatment of aqueous mixtures of copper(II) halides and 3,3′‐bipyridine (3,3′‐bpy) has afforded the coordination polymers [CuCl(3,3′‐bpy)]_n ( 1 ) and [Cu₂Br₂(3,3′‐bpy)]_n ( 2 ), which were analyzed via single crystal X‐ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The structure of 1 consists of two‐dimensional (2‐D) layers constructed from the linkage of castellated one‐dimensional (1‐D) [CuCl]_n stepped chains through anti‐conformation 3,3′‐bpy tethers. Compound 2 presents a related 2‐D sheet motif, albeit built from infinite 1‐D [Cu₂Br₂]_n ladders strutted by 3,3′‐bpy ligands in anti conformation. In both cases neighboring 2‐D sheets stack into 3‐D via weak C–H···halogen interactions.     

Highly Facet‐Dependent Photocatalytic Properties of Cu2O Crystals Established through the Formation of Au‐Decorated Cu2O Heterostructures

This work confirms the presence of a large facet‐dependent photocatalytic activity of Cu₂O crystals through sparse deposition of gold particles on Cu₂O cubes, octahedra, and rhombic dodecahedra. Au‐decorated Cu₂O rhombic dodecahedra and octahedra showed greatly enhanced photodegradation rates of methyl orange resulting from a better separation of the photogenerated electrons and holes, with the rhombic dodecahedra giving the best efficiency. Au–Cu₂O core–shell rhombic dodecahedra also displayed a better photocatalytic activity than pristine rhombic dodecahedra. However, Au‐deposited Cu₂O cubes, pristine cubes, and Au‐deposited small nanocubes bound by entirely {100} facets are all photocatalytically inactive. X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) showed identical copper peak positions for these Au‐decorated crystals. Remarkably, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements indicated a higher production of hydroxyl radicals for the photoirradiated Cu₂O rhombic dodecahedra than for the octahedra, but no radicals were produced from photoirradiated Cu₂O cubes. The Cu₂O {100} face may present a high energy barrier through its large band edge bending and/or electrostatic repulsion, preventing charge carriers from reaching to this surface. The conventional photocatalysis model fails in this case. The facet‐dependent photocatalytic differences should be observable in other semiconductor systems whenever a photoinduced charge‐transfer process occurs across an interface.     

A Homochiral Metal‐Dipeptide Supramolecular Framework Including a Hydrogen‐bonded Guest Network of Water and Uncoordinated 4, 4′‐Bipyridine

Abstract. The self‐assembly of glycyl‐L ‐leucine, Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O and 4, 4′‐bipyridine resulted in the tetranuclear‐based metal‐dipeptide supramolecular framework [Cu₄(C₈H₁₄N₂O₃)₄(H₂O)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂] · (C₁₀H₈N₂) · 13H₂O ( 1 ). In the structure, the 4, 4′‐bipyridine‐bridged tetranuclear complex of Cu^II‐glycyl‐L ‐leucine interacts with each other to form a 1D hydrogen‐bonded chain including uncoordinated 4, 4′‐bipyridine and an interesting water chain in different channels. Under similar reaction conditions, racemic glycyl‐D ,L ‐leucine gave rise to the centrosymmetric dinuclear complex [Cu₂(C₈H₁₄N₂O₃)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)] · 2H₂O ( 2 ), which is linked into a 2D hydrogen‐bonded structure without 4, 4′‐bipyridine included.     

Poly[μ2‐chloro‐μ2‐1,4‐oxathiane‐κ2S:S‐copper(I)]

The title complex, [CuCl(C₄H₈OS)]_n, contains infinite spiral (CuS)_n chains linked by bridging Cl atoms into layers. The Cl atoms do not form polymeric fragments with Cu^I, but combine into isolated centrosymmetric Cu₂Cl₂ units. The compound is non‐isomorphous with the Br‐containing analogue, which contains Cu₈S₈ rings linked by Br atoms into chains. The O atom of the 1,4‐oxathiane mol­ecule does not realize its coordination abilities in the known copper(I)–halide complexes, while in copper(II)–halide complexes, oxathiane is coordinated via the S and O atoms. This falls into a pattern of the preferred inter­actions, viz. weak acid (Cu^I atom) with weak base (S atom) and harder acid (Cu^II atom) with harder base (O atom).     

Synergetic Effect of Dual Co‐catalysts on the Activity of p‐Type Cu2O Crystals with Anisotropic Facets

Spatial separation of reduction sites and oxidation sites to inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes plays a vital role in improving the efficiency of photocatalyst systems. It is very challenging to rationally deposit cocatalysts on the right facets (sites), namely, the reduction cocatalyst on the reduction facets (sites) and the oxidation cocatalyst on the oxidation facets (sites). Herein, we report that the reduction and oxidation cocatalysts can be selectively constructed on the different facets of p‐type Cu₂O crystals with anisotropic facets, but not on the Cu₂O crystal with isotropic facets. The deposition of dual cocatalysts on the different facets resulted in a remarkable synergetic effect in the photocatalytic performance, which could be attributed to the spatial separation of the photogenerated charges between facets. Our work reports an instructive strategy for constructing high‐efficiency photocatalyst systems for solar energy conversion.     

Photocorrosion of Cuprous Oxide in Hydrogen Production: Rationalising Self‐Oxidation or Self‐Reduction

Cuprous Oxide (Cu₂O) is a photocatalyst with severe photocorrosion issues. Theoretically, it can undergo both self‐oxidation (to form copper oxide (CuO)) and self‐reduction (to form metallic copper (Cu)) upon illumination with the aid of photoexcited charges. There is, however, limited experimental understanding of the “dominant” photocorrosion pathway. Both photocorrosion modes can be regulated by tailoring the conditions of the photocatalytic reactions. Photooxidation of Cu₂O (in the form of a suspension system), accompanied by corroded morphology, is kinetically favourable and is the prevailing deactivation pathway. With knowledge of the dominant deactivation mode of Cu₂O, suppression of self‐photooxidation together with enhancement in its overall photocatalytic performance can be achieved after a careful selection of sacrificial hole (h⁺) scavenger. In this way, stable hydrogen (H₂) production can be attained without the need for deposition of secondary components.     

catena‐Poly[[[bis(μ‐4,5‐dihydrothiazole‐2‐thiolato)‐tetrahedro‐tetracopper(I)]‐di‐μ‐4,5‐dihydrothiazole‐2‐thiolato] dihydrate]

The title compound, {[Cu₄(C₃H₄NS₂)₄]·2H₂O}_n, was produced by diffusing a solution of 2‐mercapto­thia­zoline in tetra­hydro­furan into a solution of CuCl in CH₃CN at room temperature. The structure is characterized by self‐assembled one‐dimensional chains that are condensed from butterfly‐like [Cu(C₃H₄NS₂)]₄ tetrameric units via double S‐bridging at opposite ends. The Cu—Cu distances within the Cu₄ butterfly cluster are in the range 2.7103 (10)–2.9764 (10) Å, while the shortest Cu?Cu intercluster distance is 3.468 (1) Å, much longer than the sum of the van der Waals radii.     

Syntheses,Structures, Electrochemistry,and Electrocatalysis of Three Copper(II) Coordination Polymers constructed from 5‐[4‐(1H‐Imidazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]‐1H‐tetrazole

Three coordination polymers (CPs) based on the 5‐[4‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]‐1H‐tetrazole ( HL ) ligand, namely, [Cu(μ₂‐ L )(μ₄‐pbda)(H₂O)] ( 1 ), [Cu₂(μ‐Hbtc)(H₂btc)(μ₃‐OH)(μ₄‐ HL )] ( 2 ) and [Cu₅(μ₃‐ L )(μ₄‐ L )(μ₃‐ip)(μ₃‐OH)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O ( 3 ) (H₂pbda = 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₃btc = 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid, H₂ip = isophthalic acid) were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 represents “weave”‐type 2D layers consisting of wave‐like 1D chains and 1D straight chains, which are further connected by hydrogen bonds to form a 3D supramolecular structure. Complex 2 exhibits a uninodal (4)‐connected 2D layer with a point symbol of {4⁴ · 6²}, in which the L ligand can be described as μ₅‐bridging and the H₂btc^– ions display multiple kinds of coordination modes to connect Cu^II ions into 1D “H”‐type Cu‐H₂btc chains. In complex 3 , 2D Cu‐ L layers with two kinds of grids and 1D “stair”‐type Cu‐ip chains link each other to construct a 3D {4¹² · 6³} framework, which contains the pentanuclear subunits. Deprotonated degree and coordination modes of carboxylate ligands may consequentially influence the coordination patterns of main ligands and the final structures of complexes 1 – 3 . Furthermore, electrochemical behaviors and electrocatalytic activities of the title complexes were analyzed at room temperature, suggesting practical applications in areas of electrocatalytic reduction toward nitrite and hydrogen dioxide in aqueous solutions, respectively.     

Aqua(2,2′‐bi‐1H‐imidazole)chloro­copper(II) chloro­(imino­diacetato)copper(II) monohydrate

In the title compound, [CuCl(C₆H₆N₄)(H₂O)][Cu(C₄H₅NO₄)Cl]·H₂O, the Cu^II atom in the cation is coordinated by one Cl⁻ ion, two N atoms of the 2,2′‐biimidazole ligand and one aqua ligand. Within the anion, the Cu^II atom is bonded to one Cl⁻ ion, and one N and two O atoms of the imino­diacetate ligand. Neighbouring cations and anions are connected to each other by Cu·Cl semi‐coordination bonds of 2.830 (12) and 3.071 (12) Å, forming a Cu₂Cl₂ rectangular unit. The dinuclear units further link into a polymeric chain along the a axis through Cu·O_aqua interactions of 2.725 (3) Å. Including the long coordination bonds, the geometries around the Cu atoms in the cation and anion are square‐pyramidal and distorted octahedral, respectively.     

Poly[di‐μ3‐chloro‐μ2‐trans‐1,2‐di‐4‐pyridylethyl­ene‐dicopper(I)]: a two‐dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid constructed from linear CuCl clusters and bridging ligands

The structure of the title compound, [Cu₂Cl₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)]_n, contains infinite CuCl staircase‐like chains, which lie about inversion centres. The trans‐1,2‐di‐4‐pyrid­ylethyl­ene mol­ecules also lie about inversion centres and connect the CuCl chains through Cu—N coordination bonds into a two‐dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid network. The planar sheets are stacked along the c axis and associated through weak C—H⋯Cl inter­actions. The results show a reliable structural motif with controllable separation of the CuCl chains by variation of the length of the ligand.     

Crystal‐Plane‐Controlled Selectivity of Cu2O Catalysts in Propylene Oxidation with Molecular Oxygen

The selective oxidation of propylene with O₂ to propylene oxide and acrolein is of great interest and importance. We report the crystal‐plane‐controlled selectivity of uniform capping‐ligand‐free Cu₂O octahedra, cubes, and rhombic dodecahedra in catalyzing propylene oxidation with O₂: Cu₂O octahedra exposing {111} crystal planes are most selective for acrolein; Cu₂O cubes exposing {100} crystal planes are most selective for CO₂; Cu₂O rhombic dodecahedra exposing {110} crystal planes are most selective for propylene oxide. One‐coordinated Cu on Cu₂O(111), three‐coordinated O on Cu₂O(110), and two‐coordinated O on Cu₂O(100) were identified as the catalytically active sites for the production of acrolein, propylene oxide, and CO₂, respectively. These results reveal that crystal‐plane engineering of oxide catalysts could be a useful strategy for developing selective catalysts and for gaining fundamental understanding of complex heterogeneous catalytic reactions at the molecular level.     

Zur Reaktion der Alkin‐Kupfer(I)‐Komplexe [CuCl(S‐Alkin)] und [Cu2Br2(S‐Alkin)(dms)] (S‐Alkin = 3,3,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐1‐thia‐4‐cycloheptin,dms = Dimethylsulfid) mit den Lithiumorganylen Phenyllithium und Fluorenyllithium

Organometallic Compounds of Copper. XX On the Reaction of the Alkyne Copper(I) Complexes [CuCl(S‐Alkyne)] and [Cu₂Br₂(S‐Alkyne)(dms)] (S‐Alkyne = 3,3,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐1‐thiacyclohept‐4‐yne; dms = Dimethylsulfide) with the Lithiumorganyls Phenyllithium und Fluorenyllithium The alkyne copper(I) bromide complex [Cu₂Br₂(S‐Alkyne)(dms)] ( 3 b ) (S‐Alkyne = 3,3,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐thiacyclohept‐4‐yne; dms = dimethylsulfide) reacts with phenyllithium to form a tetranuclear copper(I) complex of the composition [Cu₄(C₆H₅)₂(S‐Alkenyl)₂] ( 7 ) in low yield (4%). The reaction of the alkyne copper(I) chloride complex [CuCl(S‐Alkyne)] ( 2 a ) with fluorenyllithium in tetrahydrofuran (thf) affords a lithium cuprate of the composition [Li(thf)₄]⁺ [Cu₂(fluorenyl)₃(S‐Alkyne)₂]^– ( 8 ) (yield 32%). The structures of both new complexes 7 and 8 were determined by X–ray diffraction.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Electrochemical Properties of Two Bis‐triazole‐bis‐amide‐based Copper(II) Pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate Coordination Polymers

Abstract. Two bis‐triazole‐bis‐amide‐based copper(II) pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate coordination polymers (CPs), [Cu(2,3‐pydc)(dtb)_0.5(DMF)] · 2H₂O ( 1 ) and [Cu(2,3‐pydc)(dth)_0.5(DMF)] · 2H₂O ( 2 ) (2,3‐H₂pydc = pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid, dtb = N,N′‐bis(4H‐1,2,4‐triazole)butanamide, and dth = N,N′‐bis(4H‐1,2,4‐triazole)hexanamide), were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. CPs 1 and 2 show similar two‐dimensional (2D) structures. In 1 , the 2,3‐pydc anions bridge the Cu^II ions into a one‐dimensional (1D) chain. Such 1D chains are linked by the dtb ligands to form a 2D layer. The adjacent 2D layers are extended into a three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture by hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The electrochemical properties of 1 and 2 were investigated.     

New Entangled Coordination Networks Based on Charge‐Tunable Keggin‐Type Polyoxometalates

Investigation into a hydrothermal reaction system with transition‐metal (TM) ions, 1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐lmethyl)benzene (BBTZ) and various charge‐tunable Keggin‐type polyoxometalates (POMs) led to the preparation of four new entangled coordination networks, [Co^II(HBBTZ)(BBTZ)_2.5][PMo₁₂O₄₀] ( 1 ), [Cu^I(BBTZ)]₅[BW₁₂O₄₀] ? H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu^II(BBTZ)]₃[AsW^V₃W^VI₉O₄₀] ? 10 H₂O ( 3 ), and [Cu^II₅(BBTZ)₇(H₂O)₆][P₂W₂₂Cu₂O₇₇(OH)₂] ? 6 H₂O ( 4 ). All compounds were characterized by using elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The mixed valence of W centers in compound 3 was further confirmed by using XPS spectroscopy and bond‐valence sum calculations. In the structural analysis, the entangled networks of 1 – 4 demonstrate zipper‐closing packing, 3D polythreading, 3D polycatenation, and 3D self‐penetration, respectively. Moreover, with the enhancement of POM negative charges and the use of different TM types, the number of nodes in the coordination networks of 1 – 4 increased and the basic metal–organic building motifs changed from a 1D zipper‐type chain (in 1 ) to a 2D pseudorotaxane layer (in 2 ) to a 3D diamond‐like framework (in 3 ) and finally to a 3D self‐penetrating framework (in 4 ). The photocatalytic properties of compounds 1 – 4 for the degradation of methylene blue under UV light were also investigated; all compounds showed good catalytic activity and the photocatalytic activity order of Keggin‐type species was initially found to be {XMo₁₂O₄₀}>{XW₁₂O₄₀}>{XW_12?nTM_nO₄₀}.     

Chloro­bis­(thio­urea‐κS)copper(I) bis(4,5‐di­aza­fluoren‐9‐one) mono­hydrate

The title compound, [CuCl(CH₄N₂S)₂]·2C₁₁H₆N₂O·H₂O, consists of mol­ecules of a Cu^I–thio­urea complex, free 4,5‐di­aza­fluoren‐9‐one (dafone) and crystalline water. The planar complex mol­ecule has trigonal coordination geometry around the Cu^I atom. The dafone and water mol­ecules, which are hydrogen bonded to the Cu^I complex, are approximately coplanar with this complex. The crystal displays a sheet structure and π–π stacking is observed between neighbouring sheets.     

An Unprecedented Two‐Fold Nested Super‐Polyrotaxane: Sulfate‐Directed Hierarchical Polythreading Assembly of Uranyl Polyrotaxane Moieties

The hierarchical assembly of well‐organized submoieties could lead to more complicated superstructures with intriguing properties. We describe herein an unprecedented polyrotaxane polythreading framework containing a two‐fold nested super‐polyrotaxane substructure, which was synthesized through a uranyl‐directed hierarchical polythreading assembly of one‐dimensional polyrotaxane chains and two‐dimensional polyrotaxane networks. This special assembly mode actually affords a new way of supramolecular chemistry instead of covalently linked bulky stoppers to construct stable interlocked rotaxane moieties. An investigation of the synthesis condition shows that sulfate can assume a vital role in mediating the formation of different uranyl species, especially the unique trinuclear uranyl moiety [(UO₂)₃O(OH)₂]²⁺, involving a notable bent [O=U=O] bond with a bond angle of 172.0(9)°. Detailed analysis of the coordination features, the thermal stability as well as a fluorescence, and electrochemical characterization demonstrate that the uniqueness of this super‐polyrotaxane structure is mainly closely related to the trinuclear uranyl moiety, which is confirmed by quantum chemical calculations.     

Two Ala‐Gln Dipeptide‐based Supramolecular Layers Decorated with Amino Acid Residues

l‐Alanyl‐glutamine dipeptide assembles with Cu^II ions to give the 2D coordination framework [Cu₂(C₈H₁₃N₃O₄)₂·2H₂O]_n ( 1 ) in which amino acid residues result in specific void space. In presence of 4,4′‐bipyridine, framework 1 is turned into a binuclear complex [Cu₂(C₈H₁₃N₃O₄)₂(H₂O)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)·8H₂O] ( 2 ), which is further linked into a 2D hydrogen‐bonded layer in which amino acid residues induce a hydrogen‐bonded water cluster containing eight water molecules in the void space.     

The Functionality of Surface Hydroxy Groups on the Selectivity and Activity of Carbon Dioxide Reduction over Cuprous Oxide in Aqueous Solutions

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction in aqueous solutions is an attractive strategy for carbon capture and utilization. Cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) is a promising catalyst for CO₂ reduction as it can convert CO₂ into valuable hydrocarbons and suppress the side hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the nature of the active sites in Cu₂O remains under debate because of the complex surface structure of Cu₂O under reducing conditions, leading to limited guidance in designing improved Cu₂O catalysts. This paper describes the functionality of surface‐bonded hydroxy groups on partially reduced Cu₂O(111) for the CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) by combined density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental studies. We find that the surface hydroxy groups play a crucial role in the CO₂RR and HER, and a moderate coverage of hydroxy groups is optimal for promotion of the CO₂RR and suppression of the HER simultaneously. Electronic structure analysis indicates that the charge transfer from hydroxy groups to coordination‐unsaturated Cu (Cu_CUS) sites stabilizes surface‐adsorbed COOH*, which is a key intermediate during the CO₂RR. Moreover, the CO₂RR was evaluated over Cu₂O octahedral catalysts with {111} facets and different surface coverages of hydroxy groups, which demonstrates that Cu₂O octahedra with moderate coverage of hydroxy groups can indeed enhance the CO₂RR and suppress the HER.