Influence of the anion on the coordination mode of an unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic ligand in Cd(II) complexes: From discrete molecule to one- and two-dimensional structures

Five new 0D–2D Cd(II) complexes, [Cd₂(Hbimt)₂I₄] (1), [Cd(bimt)(Hbimt)Br]_n (2), [Cd(Hbimt)Cl₂(H₂O)]_n (3), {[Cd(Hbimt)(SO₄)(H₂O)₂]·1.5H₂O}_n (4) and [Cd(Hbimt)(SCN)₂]_n (5) (Hbimt = 2-((benzoimidazol-yl)methyl)-1H-tetrazole) have been synthesized by the reactions of Hbimt with suitable cadmium salts. Employment of different anions can influence the coordination modes of the Hbimt ligand, and accordingly result in different structures ranging from 0D to infinite 1D and 2D networks. Complex 1 displays a dimeric structure in which two Cd(II) ions are bridged through two iodine atoms. Complex 2 was caused by deprotonation of the Hbimt ligand, resulting in a 1D helical chain. While in complexes 3 and 4, Hbimt acts as a bidentate bridging ligand which joins two Cd(II) ions, leading to 1D stair-like chains. Complex 5 exhibits a 2D network structure with infinite 1D [Cd₂(SCN)₂]_n chains. The distinct structures of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 reveal that the anions and the versatile coordination modes of the ligand play an important role in the structures of the complexes. In addition, the luminescent properties of complexes 1–5 have been investigated in the solid state at room temperature.     

Salen-type nickel(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes having chiral and racemic camphoric diamine components

Chiral and racemic Salen-type Schiff-base ligands (H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³), condensed between D-(+)- and D,L-camphoric diamine (also known as (1R,3S)-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentane-1,3-diamine) and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde or 3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with a 1:2 molar ratio, have been synthesized and characterized. A series of new nickel(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes of these chiral and racemic ligands exhibiting different coordination number (4, 5 and 6) have been characterized with the formulae [NiL¹]·CH₃OH (3), [NiL¹]·H₂O (4), [NiL²] (5), [PdL²] (6), [Cu₂(L²)₂(H₂O)] (7) and [NiL³(DMF)(H₂O)] (8). Different solvent molecules in 3 and 4 (methanol and water molecules) as well as different apical ligands in 7 and 8 (water and DMF molecules) are involved in different O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions to further stabilize the structures. UV–Vis (UV–Vis), circular dichroism (CD) spectra and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses for the metal complexes have also been carried out.     

Tuning the electrocatalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes via surface functionalization

Polyelectrolytes with various characteristic functional groups as interlinkers to anchor Pt nanoparticles were used to functionalize carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as Pt electrocatalyst support. It was found that polyanions (poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS), and poly(acrylic acid sodium) (PAA)) have a beneficial effect on methanol electrooxidation on Pt nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes via modifying their electronic structure through charge transfer from polyanions to Pt sites and supply of oxygen-containing species. The increased electron density around Pt sites by the charge transfer from polyanions would cause partial filling of Pt 5d-bands, resulting in the downshift of d-band center and weaker chemisorption with oxygen-containing species (e.g. CO_ad). The weakened chemisorption of CO on Pt nanoparticles would promote the methanol electrooxidation. On the contrary, polycations would have an opposite effect on the electronic structure and chemisorption properties of Pt nanoparticles.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and photoluminescence of 7-(N,N′-diethylamino)-3-phenylcoumarin derivatives

Two new coumarin derivatives, 7-(N,N′-diethylamino)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-coumarin and 7-(N,N′-diethylamino)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-coumarin, were synthesized successfully. Their structures were verified by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The UV–vis absorption and fluorescence of the compounds were discussed. The compounds exhibit strong blue emission under ultraviolet light excitation. The molecular structures, the lowest energy transitions and the UV–vis spectra of 7-(N,N′-diethylamino)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-coumarin and 7-(N,N′-diethylamino)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-coumarin have been studied with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level.     

The immobilization of Cytochrome c on MWNT–PAMAM–Chit nanocomposite incorporated with DNA biocomposite film modified glassy carbon electrode for the determination of nitrite

A novel and sensitive biosensor was developed for the determination of nitrite. Firstly, multi-walled carbon nanotubes–poly(amidoamine)–chitosan (MWNT–PAMAM–Chit) nanocomposite along with the incorporation of DNA was used to modify the glassy carbon electrode. Then the immobilization of Cyt c was accomplished using electrochemical deposition method by consecutive cyclic voltammetry (CV) scanning in a neutral Cyt c solution. CV behaviors of the modified electrodes showed that the MWNT–PAMAM–Chit nanocomposite is a good platform for the immobilization of DNA and Cyt c in order, at the same time, an excellent promoter for the electron transfer between Cyt c and the electrode. At high potential, the immobilized Cyt c could be further oxidized into highly reactive Cyt c π-cation by two-step electrochemical oxidation, which could oxidize NO₂ ⁻ into NO₃ ⁻ in the solution. Therefore, a nitrite biosensor based on the biocatalytic oxidation of the immobilized Cyt c was fabricated, which showed a fast response to nitrite (less than 5 s). The linear range of 0.2–80 μM and a detection limit of 0.03 μM was obtained. Finally, the application in food analysis using sausage as testing samples was also investigated.     

Current Rectification in Temperature‐Responsive Single Nanopores

Herein we demonstrate a fully abiotic smart single‐nanopore device that rectifies ionic current in response to the temperature. The temperature‐responsive nanopore ionic rectifier can be switched between a rectifying state below 34 °C and a non‐rectifying state above 38 °C actuated by the phase transition of the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [PNIPAM] brushes. On the rectifying state, the rectifying efficiency can be enhanced by the dehydration of the attached PNIPAM brushes below the LCST. When the PNIPAM brushes have sufficiently collapsed, the nanopore switches to the non‐rectifying state. The concept of the temperature‐responsive current rectification in chemically‐modified nanopores paves a new way for controlling the preferential direction of the ion transport in nanofluidics by modulating the temperature, which has the potential to build novel nanomachines with smart fluidic communication functions for future lab‐on‐chip devices.