Mn3O4–Au nanozymes as peroxidase mimic and the surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanosensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide

The artificial enzyme-mimicking system using nanomaterials has attracted significant research interest in chemical and biological sensing for industrial and environmental applications. Mn₃O₄ nanostructure serves as an effective catalyst in oxidation and reduction reactions that mimic natural peroxidase enzymes. In this study, we synthesized Mn₃O₄–Au spindle nanocomposites (Mn₃O₄–Au SNCs) stabilized by L-cysteine using a simple hydrothermal reduction. The enzyme-mimicking peroxidase activity of these Mn₃O₄–Au SNCs with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was investigated in the presence of a chromogenic substrate, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine that catalyzed reduction of H₂O₂ in water and milk giving rise to a blue color inferring the nanozyme activity of Mn₃O₄–Au SNCs. The exceptional enzyme-like catalytic activity of Mn₃O₄–Au SNC probes later proved to be excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor nanoprobes for sensitive H₂O₂ detection over a wide concentration range from 0.005 to 10 μM. The developed Mn₃O₄–Au SERS sensor exhibited a lower detection limit (LoD) of 2 nM in water and 0.6 μM in spiked milk indicating sensitivity for H₂O₂ detection with excellent selectivity, reproducibility, and long-term stability. The developed Mn₃O₄–Au nanoprobes demonstrated unique combination of properties with visual and SERS methods for sensitively detecting H₂O₂ in food, overcoming limitations of existing H₂O₂ sensors. The developed SERS method using nanozymes potentially be extended to detecting a variety of other redox chemicals or explosives in industries, environments, and biomedical fields.     

A comparative FMR study of the reduction of Co-containing catalysts for the Fischer–Tropsch process in hydrogen and supercritical isopropanol

An in situ comparative study of the reduction of Co-containing catalysts for the Fischer–Tropsch process in hydrogen and supercritical (SC) isopropanol is performed by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy. According to the FMR data, the reduction of cobalt-containing oxide particles to metal in hydrogen starts at temperatures of ~360°C, which is substantially lower than a temperature of the formation of metal particles of the active phase according to powder X-ray diffraction and differential thermogravimetry data (Т ~ 450°C). In SC isopropanol, the reduction to Co metal occurs at lower temperatures (T ~ 245°C) as compared with the reduction temperature for these catalysts in hydrogen. It is shown that the reduction in SC isopropanol can lead to the formation of superparamagnetic Co nanoparticles with a narrow particle size distribution.     

Application of response surface methodology for modelling the enzymatic assay of hydrogen peroxide by Emerson–Trinder reaction using 4-iodophenol

In this work, an initial-rate spectrophotometric method and response surface methodology (RSM) were combined for modelling and optimizing the experimental parameters of the enzymatic Emerson–Trinder reaction, for the determination of hydrogen peroxide. This spectrophotometric indicator reaction is currently used in biotechnology for the determination of phenolic compounds (e.g. in industrial samples) and also for determination of various substrates (e.g. in clinical chemistry). Using 4-iodophenol as a hydrogen donor in this reaction, the quality of the generated second-order polynomial response model equation was checked by the kinetic assay of H₂O₂ in real samples (e.g. cosmetic and human pooled serum samples), where their resulting satisfactory analytical characteristics were reported.     

Do electrostatic interactions with positively charged active site groups tighten the transition state for enzymatic phosphoryl transfer?

The effect of electrostatic interactions on the transition-state character for enzymatic phosphoryl transfer has been a subject of much debate. In this work, we investigate the transition state for alkaline phosphatase (AP) using linear free-energy relationships (LFERs). We determined k(cat)/K(M) for a series of aryl sulfate ester monoanions to obtain the Br?nsted coefficient, beta(lg), and compared the value to that obtained previously for a series of aryl phosphorothioate ester dianion substrates. Despite the difference in substrate charge, the observed Br?nsted coefficients for AP-catalyzed aryl sulfate and aryl phosphorothioate hydrolysis (-0.76 +/- 0.14 and -0.77 +/- 0.10, respectively) are strikingly similar, with steric effects being responsible for the uncertainties in these values. Aryl sulfates and aryl phosphates react via similar loose transition states in solution. These observations suggest an apparent equivalency of the transition states for phosphorothioate and sulfate hydrolysis reactions at the AP active site and, thus, negligible effects of active site electrostatic interactions on charge distribution in the transition state.     

Density functional theory on the larger active site models for [NiFe] hydrogenases: Two-state reactivity?

The mechanism for H₂ activation catalyzed by [NiFe] hydrogenases is investigated with a series of models for the Ni(II) and Ni(III) forms in both high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) states by density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) calculations. The geometry optimizations include unconstrained models, partially constrained (to the crystal structure parameters) models and models with addition of nearby protein residues. Several uncertainties concerning the mechanism are addressed in our study: (1) the oxidation state of the active species that binds and cleaves H₂; (2) the structures and spin states prevalent in active site forms; (3) the influence of the surrounding protein environments on the active site. Adding the nearby protein residues to a fairly rigid active site framework stablizes the LS Ni(II) species. Although models for Ni–SI forms, with a vacant binding site, still prefer HS, addition of H₂ or CO stablizes the LS form. Thus, access to this LS state and two-state reactivity may play a role in the mechanism. Furthermore, the more complete protein models show that the energetic preference for the binding site for both H₂ and CO changes from Fe to Ni. This change brings the computational results in closer accord with the experimental ones.     

Is there hydrogen scrambling in the gas phase? Energetic and structural determinants of proton mobility within protein ions

The extent of internal hydrogen exchange (scrambling) within multiply charged solvent-free protein ions was investigated using a small model protein. The site-specific backbone amide protection data were obtained using protein ion fragmentation in the gas phase and compared with the available NMR data. Only minimal scrambling was detected when relatively high-energy collisional activation was used to fragment intact protein ions, while low-energy fragmentation resulted in more significant but not random internal exchange. Increased conformational flexibility of protein ions in the gas phase did not have any effect on the extent of hydrogen scrambling under the conditions of higher-energy collisional activation but resulted in totally random redistribution of labile hydrogen atoms when the protein ion fragmentation was induced by multiple low-energy collisions.     

Silica/A153–SO3H: An efficient catalyst for the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones with hydrogen peroxide

Silica/A153–SO₃H was prepared and characterized by FT–IR, TG and SEM. It proved to be an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst in the Baeyer–Villiger (BV) oxidation of cyclic ketones with H₂O₂ as an oxidant. Catalysts with different silica particle sizes were also made comparisons in terms of catalytic effect.     

Is scaffold hopping a reliable indicator for the ability of computational methods to identify structurally diverse active compounds?

Computational scaffold hopping aims to identify core structure replacements in active compounds. To evaluate scaffold hopping potential from a principal point of view, regardless of the computational methods that are applied, a global analysis of conventional scaffolds in analog series from compound activity classes was carried out. The majority of analog series was found to contain multiple scaffolds, thus enabling the detection of intra-series scaffold hops among closely related compounds. More than 1000 activity classes were found to contain increasing proportions of multi-scaffold analog series. Thus, using such activity classes for scaffold hopping analysis is likely to overestimate the scaffold hopping (core structure replacement) potential of computational methods, due to an abundance of artificial scaffold hops that are possible within analog series.     

Why does a reduction in hydrogen bonding lead to an increase in viscosity for the 1-butyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium-based ionic liquids?

1-Butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ([C(4)C(1)im]Cl) is a prototypical ionic liquid. Substitution for a methyl group at the 2-position of the cation to form 1-butyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium ([C(4)C(1)mim]+) eliminates the main hydrogen-bonding interaction between the Cl anion and the imidazolium cation. Loss of this hydrogen-bonding interaction could be expected to lead to a reduction in melting point and a decrease in viscosity; however the opposite is observed experimentally; melting points and viscosity increase. The gas-phase structure and electronic properties of ion pairs formed from [C(4)C(1)mim]+ and Cl- are investigated to offer insight into this counter-intuitive behavior. We hypothesize that the effects due to a loss in hydrogen bonding are outweighed by those due to a loss in entropy. The amount of disorder in the system is reduced in two ways: elimination of ion-pair conformers, which are stable for [C(4)C(1)im]Cl but not [C(4)C(1)mim]Cl, and an increase in the rotational barrier of the butyl chain, which limits free rotation and facilitates alkyl chain association. The reduction in entropy leads to greater ordering within the liquid raising the melting point and increasing viscosity. The relative stabilities of 15 conformers with respect to anion position and alkyl chain rotation are reported at the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level for [C(4)C(1)mim]Cl. Hydrogen bonding between the cation and the anion is examined on the basis of structural criteria and the computed vibrational spectra (IR and Raman). Spectra for the substituted and unsubstituted cations and ion pairs are compared, and modes are identified for [C(4)C(1)mim]Cl that could be used to differentiate between rotational conformers. A natural bond orbital analysis has also been carried out, and the resultant charge distribution is compared with that of the unsubstituted analogue [C(4)C(1)im]Cl.     

Is the hypothiocyanite anion (OSCN)- the major product in the peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of the thiocyanate anion (SCN)-? A joint experimental and theoretical study

The hypothiocyanate anion (OSCN)(-) is reported to be a major product of the lactoperoxidase/H(2)O(2)/(SCN)(-) system, and this anion is proposed to have significant antimicrobial properties. The collision induced (CID) negative ion mass spectrum of "(OSCN)(-)" has been reported: there is a pronounced parent anion at m/z 74, together with fragment anions at m/z 58 (SCN)(-) and 26 (CN)(-). These fragment anions are consistent with structure (OSCN)(-). However there is also a lesser peak at m/z 42 (OCN(-) or CNO(-)) in this spectrum which is either formed by rearrangement of (OSCN)(-) or from an isomer of this anion. The current theoretical investigation of (OSCN)(-) and related isomers, together with the study of possible rearrangements of these anions, indicates that ground-state singlet (OSCN)(-) is a stable species and that isomerization is unlikely. The three anions (OSCN)(-), (SCNO)(-), and (SNCO)(-) have been synthesized (in the ion source of a mass spectrometer) by unequivocal routes, and their structures have been confirmed by a consideration of their collision induced (negative ion) and charge reversal (positive ion) mass spectra. The CID mass spectrum of (SCNO)(-) shows formation of m/z 42 (CNO(-)), but the corresponding spectra of (OSCN)(-) or (SNCO)(-) lack peaks at m/z 42. Combined theoretical and experimental data support earlier evidence that the hypothiocyanite anion is a major oxidation product of the H(2)O(2)/(SCN)(-) system. However, the formation of m/z 42 in the reported CID spectrum of "(OSCN)(-)" does not originate from (OSCN)(-) but from another isomer, possibly (SCNO)(-).     

An interlaboratory study of quantitation procedures for the analysis of water and wastewater for organo-chlorine pesticides by gas chromatography–electron capture detector

An interlaboratory study was conducted to assess two widely used procedures for estimating quantitation levels. Six laboratories participated in the analysis of artificially prepared water samples for organo-chlorine compounds by liquid-liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography–electron capture detector using USEPA Method 608. The study consisted of three phases, including six months of results from analyte free samples, the replicate analysis of fortified samples at a single concentration by the laboratory, and finally the analysis of blind fortified samples prepared by a third party. Estimated detection and quantitation limits (Currie's L_C and L_Q and USEPA's MDL and ML) were determined for each laboratory-method-analyte combination and then compared to the observed detection and quantitation limits. The overwhelming majority of analyte free samples had a reported value of zero. As a result, observed quantitation and detection limits were frequently zero. When they were not zero, the observed quantitation limits were sometimes less than the observed detection limits and when they were not, there was no observed fixed ratio between the quantitation and detection limits. The variability between days of analysis and the use of noise reducing techniques proved to be a significant source of the observed non-normal distribution of results from distilled water samples with a concentration of zero. Conventional procedures and their underlying analytical and statistical assumptions did not provide useful predictions of laboratory quantitation based upon the results of this study. Rather than one time statistical determinations, ongoing verification of quantitation limits may be a better approach.     

Analysis of wines by ICP-MS: Is the pattern of the rare earth elements a reliable fingerprint for the provenance?

In a comparative analysis of young and finished product wines by semi-quantitative ICP-MS, a striking difference was observed: finished products exhibited significant concentrations of the rare earth elements whereas the concentrations in young wines which had not been subdued to any treatment after their initial preparation from the grapes were below the determination limits with a quadrupole instrument and could only be determined with a magnetic field instrument operated at a low mass resolution (R = 300). The reason was found in contamination from bentonites as usually applied for the purification of wines from tarnishing components such as proteins. Therefore, bentonites of different origin were extracted with a reference wine, and an increase of the rare earth element concentrations by more than one order of magnitude was observed in the extracts. The investigation leads to the conclusion that the concentration pattern of the rare earth elements can be strongly affected by the wine producing process and therefore is not generally suitable as a fingerprint for the provenance of wines.     

Analysis of wines by ICP-MS: Is the pattern of the rare earth elements a reliable fingerprint for the provenance?

In a comparative analysis of young and finished product wines by semi-quantitative ICP-MS, a striking difference was observed: finished products exhibited significant concentrations of the rare earth elements whereas the concentrations in young wines which had not been subdued to any treatment after their initial preparation from the grapes were below the determination limits with a quadrupole instrument and could only be determined with a magnetic field instrument operated at a low mass resolution (R = 300). The reason was found in contamination from bentonites as usually applied for the purification of wines from tarnishing components such as proteins. Therefore, bentonites of different origin were extracted with a reference wine, and an increase of the rare earth element concentrations by more than one order of magnitude was observed in the extracts. The investigation leads to the conclusion that the concentration pattern of the rare earth elements can be strongly affected by the wine producing process and therefore is not generally suitable as a fingerprint for the provenance of wines. Received: 3 December 1998 / Revised: 11 February 1999 / Accepted: 18 February 1999     

Quantum cluster size and solvent polarity effects on the geometries and Mössbauer properties of the active site model for ribonucleotide reductase intermediate X: a density functional theory study

In studying the properties of metalloproteins using ab initio quantum mechanical methods, one has to focus on the calculations on the active site. The bulk protein and solvent environment is often neglected, or is treated as a continuum dielectric medium with a certain dielectric constant. The size of the quantum cluster of the active site chosen for calculations can vary by including only the first-shell ligands which are directly bound to the metal centers, or including also the second-shell residues which are adjacent to and normally have H-bonding interactions with the first-shell ligands, or by including also further hydrogen bonding residues. It is not well understood how the size of the quantum cluster and the value of the dielectric constant chosen for the calculations will influence the calculated properties. In this paper, we have studied three models (A, B, and C) of different sizes for the active site of the ribonucleotide reductase intermediate X, using density functional theory (DFT) OPBE functional with broken-symmetry methodology. Each model is studied in gas-phase and in the conductor-like screening (COSMO) solvation model with different dielectric constants ε = 4, 10, 20, and 80, respectively. All the calculated Fe-ligand geometries, Heisenberg J coupling constants, and the Mössbauer isomer shifts, quadrupole splittings, and the ⁵⁷Fe, ¹H, and ¹⁷O hyperfine tensors are compared. We find that the calculated isomer shifts are very stable. They are virtually unchanged with respect to the size of the cluster and the dielectric constant of the environment. On the other hand, certain Fe-ligand distances are sensitive to both the size of the cluster and the value of ε. ε = 4, which is normally used for the protein environment, appears too small when studying the diiron active site geometry with only the first-shell ligands as seen by comparisons with larger models.     

Characterization of a titanium(IV)–porphyrin complex as a highly sensitive and selective reagent for the determination of hydrogen peroxide: a computational chemistry approach and a critical review

The Ti–TPyP reagent, i.e. an acidic aqueous solution of the oxo[5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrinato] titanium(IV) complex, TiO(tpyp), was developed as a highly sensitive and selective spectrophotometric reagent for determination of traces of hydrogen peroxide. Using this reagent, determination of hydrogen peroxide was performed by flow-injection analysis with a detection limit of 0.5 pmol per test. The method was actually applied to determination of several constituents of foods, human blood, and urine mediated by appropriate oxidase enzymes. The reaction specificity of the TiO(tpyp) complex for hydrogen peroxide was clarified from the viewpoint of the reaction mechanisms and molecular orbitals based on ab initio calculations. The results provided a well-grounded argument for determination of hydrogen peroxide using the Ti–TPyP reagent experimentally. This review deals with characterization of the high sensitivity and reaction specificity of the Ti–TPyP reagent for determination of hydrogen peroxide, to prove its reliability in analytical applications. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

An Accurate Barrier for the Hydrogen Exchange Reaction from Valence Bond Theory: Is this Theory Coming of Age?

One of the landmark achievements of quantum chemistry, specifically of MO-based methods that include electron correlation, was the precise calculation of the barrier for the hydrogen-exchange reaction (B. Liu, J. Chem. Phys. 1973, 58, 1925; P. Siegbahn, B. Liu, J. Chem. Phys. 1978, 68, 2457). This paper reports an accurate calculation of this barrier by two recently developed VB methods that use only the eight classical VB structures. To our knowledge, the present work is the first accurate ab initio VB barrier that matches an experimental value. Along with the accurate barrier, the VB method provides accurate bond energies and diabatic quantities that enable the barrier height to be analyzed by the VB state correlation diagram approach, VBSCD (S. Shaik, A. Shurki, Angew. Chem. 1999, 111, 616; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1999, 38, 586). This is a proof of principal that VB theory with appropriate account of dynamic electron correlation can achieve quantitative accuracy of reaction barriers, and still retain a compact and interpretable wave function. A sample of S(N)2 barriers and dihalogen bonding energies, which are close to CCSD(T) and G2(+) values, show that the H(3) problem is not an isolated case, and while it is premature to conclude that VB theory has come of age, the occurrence of this event is clearly within sight.     

Is the structure of hydroxide dihydrate OH−(H2O)2? An ab initio path integral molecular dynamics study

We carried out ab initio path integral molecular dynamics simulations at room temperature for OH^?(H₂O) _n (n = 1, 2) clusters to elucidate the ionic hydrogen bond structure with full thermal and nuclear quantum effects. We found that the hydrogen-bonded proton is located near the water molecule in the case of n = 2, while the proton is located at the center between hydroxide ion and the water molecule in the case of n = 1. Thus, the solvated hydroxide structure \({\text{HO}}{-}{\text{H}} \cdots{\text{OH}}\) is found in n = 2, while the proton sharing hydroxide structure \({\text{HO}} \cdots {\text{H}} \cdots {\text{OH}}\) is in n = 1. We found that the nature of hydrogen bonds significantly changes with the number of water molecules around the hydroxide. We also compared these results with those of F^?(H₂O) _n (n = 1, 2) clusters.