Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Sensitive Colorimetric Detection of Chromium(III)

A cost‐effective and sensitive colorimetric method was described for the determination of chromium(III) ion (Cr³⁺) by using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles (EDTA‐AuNPs) as a probe. The stable and dispersed EDTA‐AuNPs were prepared by reducing HAuCl4 with sodium borohydride in presence of EDTA as a capping agent. Upon the addition of Cr³⁺, the colour of EDTA‐AuNPs solution changed from red to violet, which was in response to the surface plasmon absorption of dispersed and aggregated EDTA‐AuNPs. The procedure allowed the determination of Cr³⁺ in the range of 0.1–1.0 mol/L. The limit of detection for Cr³⁺ was 0.08 mol/L. The relative standard deviation was 2.5 % for eight repeated measurements of 0.6 mol/L Cr³⁺ solution. The method was applied to the determination of Cr³⁺ in water samples.     

Preconcentration,Determination and Speciation of Chromium(III) Using Solid Phase Extraction and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A facile, reliable and reproducible method for speciation and determination of the traces amounts of chromium(III) in waste water has been developed. The method was based on complex formation on the surface of the ENVI‐18 DSK^? disks followed by stripping of the retained species by minimum amounts of appropriate organic solvents. The elution was efficient and quantitative. The effects of potential interfering ions, pH, ligand amount, stripping solvent, and sample flow rate were also investigated. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the break‐through volume was found to be about 1500 mL providing a preconcentration factor of 300. The maximum capacity of the disks was found to be 225 ± 3.9 μg for Cr³⁺. A limit of detection of 0.02 ng.mL ^?1 was obtained, and the method was applied for determination of chromium in electroplating industries waste water located in the eastern regions of Tehran.     

Chromium(IV) Stabilisation in New Ceramic Matrices by Coprecipitation Method: Application as Ceramic Pigments

In this paper the stabilization of Cr⁴⁺ in new ceramic matrices as willemite Zn₂SiO₄ and galium‐gadolinium garnet GGG (Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂) is studied and compared with the chromium‐sphene ceramic pigment using the traditional solid reaction and an unconventional coprecipitation method.The chromate amount etched from the powders using Cr^III and Cr^VI precursors on ceramic and coprecipitation routes are analysed in order to evaluate the environmental impact on the waste water. Cr‐willemite and codoped Ca, Cr‐GGG produces solid solutions of Cr⁴⁺ ion occupying tetrahedral and dodecahedral sites, respectively, while Cr⁴⁺ into sphene lattice occupies octahedral sites. Cr‐willemite are stable when used as ceramic pigment in habitual tile glazes but Cr‐GGG unstabilses and produces green colour associated to Cr³⁺ solved in the glaze. Coprecipitate powders are more reactive than ceramic powders but in Cr‐GGG stabilizes the metastable Ca₃Cr₂O₈ oxide. Chromate amount in washing hot water are not dependent of the chromium precursor but depends of the allowed reactivity level and the reaction media.     

Highly Selective Chromium(III) PVC‐Membrane Electrodes Based on Some Recently Synthesized Schiff's Bases

Three recently synthesized Schiff's bases were studied to characterize their ability as Cr³⁺ ion carrier in PVC‐membrane electrodes. The polymeric membrane (PME) and coated glassy carbon (CGCE) electrodes based on 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde‐O,O′‐(1,2‐dioxetane‐1,2‐diyl) oxime (L1) exhibited Nernstian responses for Cr³⁺ ion over wide concentration ranges (1.5×10^?6–8.0×10^?3 M for PME and 4.0×10^?7–3.0×10^?3 M for CGCE) and very low limits of detection (1.0×10^?6 M for PME and 2.0×10^?7 M for CGCE). The proposed potentiometric sensors manifest advantages of relatively fast response and, most importantly, good selectivities relative to a wide variety of other cations. The selectivity behavior of the proposed Cr³⁺ ion‐selective electrodes revealed a considerable improvement compared to the best previously PVC‐membrane electrodes for chromium(III) ion. The potentiometric responses of the electrodes are independent of pH of the test solution in the pH range 3.0–6.0. The electrodes were successfully applied to determine chromium(III) in water samples.     

Carcinogenic Chromium(VI) Compounds Formed by Intracellular Oxidation of Chromium(III) Dietary Supplements by Adipocytes

Chromium(III) nutritional supplements are widely consumed for their purported antidiabetic activities. X‐ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) studies have now shown that non‐toxic doses of [Cr₃O(OCOEt)₆(OH₂)₃]⁺ ( A ), a prospective antidiabetic drug that undergoes similar H₂O₂ induced oxidation reactions in the blood as other Cr supplements, was also oxidized to carcinogenic Cr^VI and Cr^V in living cells. Single adipocytes treated with A had approximately 1 μm large Cr hotspots containing Cr^III, Cr^V, and Cr^VI (primarily Cr^VI thiolates) species. These results strongly support the hypothesis that the antidiabetic activity of Cr^III and the carcinogenicity of Cr^VI compounds arise from similar mechanisms involving highly reactive Cr^VI and Cr^V intermediates, and highlight concerns over the safety of Cr^III nutritional supplements.     

A New Chromium(III) Microelectrode Based on Self‐Assembled Diethylenetriamminepentaacetic Acid‐Poly(fuchsin basic) Modified Electrode

A new selective, sensitive, and rapid response microelectrode for microamount chromium(III) determination was developed. For the electrode preparation, fuchsin basic was electropolymerized onto a carbon microdisk electrode, and then diethylenetriamminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) was self‐assembled on the electrode surface by the reaction between DTPA and poly(fuchsin basic). The determination conditions were optimized. The electrode showed a linear response to Cr³⁺ ions in the concentration range of 1.0×10^?6?1.0×10^?4 M and exhibits a super‐Nernstian slope of 32.5±0.4 mV per decade. The detection limit is 3.6×10^?7 M. The response time of the electrode is less than 10 s, and it can be used for at least 2 months with limited considerable divergences in its potentials. The proposed electrode was applied for monitoring the chromium ion level in wastewater of chromate industries.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of Chromium(III)‐guanosine 5‐Monophosphate Complex by Periodate

The kinetics of oxidation of the chromium(III)‐guanosine 5‐monophosphate complex, [Cr^III(L)(H₂O)₄]³⁺(L = guanosine 5‐monophosphate) by periodate in aqueous solution to Cr^VI have been studied spectrophotometrically over the 25–45 °C range. The reaction is first order with respect to both [IO₄^?] and [Cr^III], and increases with pH over the 2.38–3.68 range. Thermodynamic activation parameters have been calculated. It is proposed that electron transfer proceeds through an inner‐sphere mechanism via coordination of IO₄^? to chromium(III).     

Target-responsive DNAzyme hydrogel for portable colorimetric detection of lanthanide(III) ions

Lanthanide elements (Ln) play an important role in industry and agriculture. As a result of the increasing consumption of lanthanides, environmental emission of Ln has become detrimental to the health of flora and fauna. Current methods for trace lanthanides detection mainly rely on sophisticated instruments. In this article, a Ln³⁺ dependent DNAzyme was incorporated into a hydrogel to generate Ln³⁺ sensitive DNAzyme hydrogel for portable colorimetric detection. The enzyme strand and its substrate strand act as crosslinker and functional unit of the hydrogel with polyacrylamide chains as the scaffold and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as the indicator of hydrogel stability. Any ions in the Ln³⁺ series can trigger the cleavage of substrate strand by activating the enzyme strand, thereby decreasing the crosslink ratio and leading to collapse of the hydrogel. The release of the encapsulated AuNPs turns the supernatant wine red. Using this colorimetric method, Ln³⁺ can be detected with high sensitivity, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 20 nM for Ce³⁺. The hydrogel responds specifically to any Ln³⁺ ion and works well with the spiked lake sample without the need of instruments and skilled operators. Our results suggest that the lanthanide responsive hydrogel can be used for portable and sensitive detection of Ln³⁺ contamination in the field.     

Synthesis,Properties, and Structures of Chromium(VI) and Chromium(V) Complexes with Heterocyclic Nitrogen Ligands

The reaction of CrO₂Cl₂ with 2, 2′‐bipyridyl or 1, 10‐phenanthroline (diimine) in CCl₄ or anhydrous CH₃CO₂H solution, produces orange‐brown diamagnetic [CrO₂Cl₂(diimine)]. The X‐ray structure of [CrO₂Cl₂(2, 2′‐bipy)] shows a six‐coordinate central chromium(VI) atom with cis‐dioxo groups trans to the diimine. In contrast, the diimines react with CrO₃ in CH₃CO₂H / conc. aqueous HCl to form bright red paramagnetic Cr^V complexes, [CrOCl₃(diimine)]. The X‐ray structure of [CrOCl₃(2, 2′‐bipy)] shows a six‐coordinate central chromium atom with mer‐chlorines and the diimine trans to O/Cl. The addition of [2, 2‐bipyH₂]Cl₂ to a solution of CrO₃ in CH₃CO₂H saturated with HCl gas, produces the Cr^V anion [2, 2′‐bipyH₂][CrOCl₄]Cl, which loses HCl on heating in vacuo to form [CrOCl₃(2, 2′‐bipy)]. IR, UV/Vis, and ¹H NMR spectra (Cr^VI only) are reported for the new complexes. Attempts to extend these routes to oxygen donor ligands, including ethers and phosphine oxides, were unsuccessful. The diimine complexes are the first structurally autheticated adducts of chromium(VI) and (V) oxide‐chlorides with neutral ligands.     

Synthesis and Kinetic Study on the Chromium(III) Complex [Cr(ASA)(en)2]Cl·2H2O

In order to explore the transfer mechanism of chromium(III) in mammals, a novel complex [Cr(ASA)(en)₂]Cl· 2H₂O, bis(ethylenediamine‐ κ ² N,N′)(4‐aminosalicylic acid‐ κ ² O,O′) chromium(III) monochloride dihydrate was synthesized (4‐aminosalicylic acid=H₂ASA, ethylenediamine=en). The crystal structure belongs to orthorhombic system with the space group P2₁2₁2₁ by means of X‐ray diffraction. The characteristic for transfer of Cr³⁺ from the compound to the low‐molecular‐mass chelator EDTA and the iron‐binding protein apoovotransferrin (apoOTf) was followed by UV‐visible (UV‐Vis) and fluorescence spectra in 0.01 mol·L^?1 Hepes at pH 7.4. The second order rate constants were calculated. Those spectra in conjunction were used to obtain more accurate information about the interaction of chromium complex with apoOTf. The experimental results indicate that Cr³⁺ can be transferred from the complex to apoOTf with the retention of the 4‐aminosalicylic acid acting as a synergistic anion.     

Microcalorimetric Study on Effect of Chromium(III) and Chromium(VI) Species on the Growth of Escherichia coli

The effects of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species (Cr₂O₇^2?, CrO₄^2? and Cr³⁺) on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) have been investigated in detail by microcalorimetry at 37 °C. Parameters including the growth rate constant (k), inhibitory ratio (I), half‐inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀), total heat output (Q_total), time of the maximum heat production (t_log) in the log phase have been obtained. The results showed that Cr(VI) and Cr(III) had the inhibition effect on the growth of E. coli in aquatic environment; however, the inhibitory ratio of Cr(III) to E. coli was smaller than that of Cr(VI). The k values of E. coli in the presence of Cr(VI) and at high concentrations of Cr(III) were decreased with increasing the concentrations of these chromium species. Among the three chromium species investigated, Cr₂O₇^2? was found to be the most poisonous species against E. coli with an IC₅₀ value of 35.52 µg·mL^?1. CrO₄^2? exhibited moderate toxicity on E. coli with an IC₅₀ of 50.24 µg·mL^?1, and Cr³⁺ had the lowest toxicity with an IC₅₀ of 84.30 µg·mL^?1. Microcalorimetry can provide a convenient, sensitive and reliable method to study the effect of various metal species on the growth of bacteria or other microorganisms.     

An Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Cu2+ Based on Gold Nanoflowers‐modifed Electrode and DNAzyme Functionalized Au@MIL‐101 (Fe)

In this study, we developed an electrochemical sensor for sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ based on gold nanoflowers (AuNFs)‐modified electrode and DNAzyme functionalized Au@MIL‐101(Fe) (MIL: Materials of Institute Lavoisier). The AuNFs‐modified indium tin oxide modified conductive glass electrode(AuNFs/ITO) prepared via electrodeposition showed improved electronic transport properties and provided more active sites to adsorb large amounts of oligonucleotide substrate (DNA1) via thiol‐gold bonds. The stable Au@MIL‐101(Fe) could guarantee the sensitivity because of its intrinsic peroxidase mimic property, while the Cu²⁺‐dependent DNA‐cleaving DNAzyme linked to Au@MIL‐101(Fe) achieved the selectivity toward Cu²⁺. After the DNAzyme substrate strand (DNA2) was cleaved into two parts due to the presence of Cu²⁺, the oligonucleotide fragment linked to MIL‐101(Fe) was able to hybridize with DNA1 adsorbed onto the surface of AuNFs/ITO. Due to the peroxidase‐like catalytic activity of MIL‐101(Fe) and the affinity recognition property of DNAzyme toward Cu²⁺, the electrochemical biosensor showed a sensitive detection range from 0.001 to 100 μM, a detection limit of 0.457 nM and a high selectivity, demonstrating its potential for Cu²⁺ detection in real environmental samples.     

Hydrogen Storage and Selective,Reversible O2 Adsorption in a Metal–Organic Framework with Open Chromium(II) Sites

A chromium(II)‐based metal–organic framework Cr₃[(Cr₄Cl)₃(BTT)₈]₂ (Cr‐BTT; BTT³⁻=1,3,5‐benzenetristetrazolate), featuring coordinatively unsaturated, redox‐active Cr²⁺ cation sites, was synthesized and investigated for potential applications in H₂ storage and O₂ production. Low‐pressure H₂ adsorption and neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal moderately strong Cr–H₂ interactions, in line with results from previously reported M‐BTT frameworks. Notably, gas adsorption measurements also reveal excellent O₂/N₂ selectivity with substantial O₂ reversibility at room temperature, based on selective electron transfer to form Cr^III superoxide moieties. Infrared spectroscopy and powder neutron diffraction experiments were used to confirm this mechanism of selective O₂ binding.     

Hydrogen Storage and Selective,Reversible O2 Adsorption in a Metal–Organic Framework with Open Chromium(II) Sites

A chromium(II)‐based metal–organic framework Cr₃[(Cr₄Cl)₃(BTT)₈]₂ (Cr‐BTT; BTT^3?=1,3,5‐benzenetristetrazolate), featuring coordinatively unsaturated, redox‐active Cr²⁺ cation sites, was synthesized and investigated for potential applications in H₂ storage and O₂ production. Low‐pressure H₂ adsorption and neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal moderately strong Cr–H₂ interactions, in line with results from previously reported M‐BTT frameworks. Notably, gas adsorption measurements also reveal excellent O₂/N₂ selectivity with substantial O₂ reversibility at room temperature, based on selective electron transfer to form Cr^III superoxide moieties. Infrared spectroscopy and powder neutron diffraction experiments were used to confirm this mechanism of selective O₂ binding.     

Novel Plastic Chromium(III)‐Ion Selective Electrodes Based on Different Ionophoric Species and Plasticizing Solvent Mediators

Different ionophoric species, viz.: 18‐crown‐6 (18C6), dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 (DB18C6) and calix[6]arene (CAX), as electroactive materials, with 2‐nitrophenyloctylether (2‐NPOE), bis(ethylhexyl)sebacate (DOS), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), and didecyl phthalate (DDP) as plasticizing solvent mediators were used to construct Cr³⁺ selective electrodes in a PVC matrix in the ratio (w/w) PVC: ionophore: plasticizer (60 : 2 : 120). Seven electrodes out of the fabricated 12 electrodes, gave best results in terms of working concentration range (1.0×10^?5?1.0×10^?1 M) with a close to Nernstian slope of 18.5 and a Nernstian slope of 20.0 mV/decade of activity. The usable pH range of the sensors is 4.0–7.0. The detection limit of the selected electrodes is ≤1.0×10^?7 M. The response time of the sensors is 8–35 s, depending on the concentration of Cr³⁺ used. The selectivity coefficient values indicate that the electrodes are highly selective for Cr³⁺ over a number of other cations except Pb²⁺ and Na⁺ (for some electrodes). The electrodes have successfully been used to determine Cr³⁺ in certified and real alloys and in effluents of electroplating shops with a precision as relative standard deviation (RSD)<3%, for each of the proposed Cr³⁺‐ion selective electrodes. The results obtained by the proposed ISEs are in good agreement with the results obtained by direct flame AAS method.     

Detection of Metal Ions (Cu2+, Hg2+) and Cocaine by Using Ligation DNAzyme Machinery

The Cu²⁺‐dependent ligation DNAzyme is implemented as a biocatalyst for the colorimetric or chemiluminescence detection of Cu²⁺ ions, Hg²⁺ ions, or cocaine. These sensing platforms are based on the structural tailoring of the sequence of the Cu²⁺‐dependent ligation DNAzyme for specific analytes. The tethering of a subunit of the hemin/G‐quadruplex DNAzyme to the ligation DNAzyme sequence, and the incorporation of an imidazole‐functionalized nucleic‐acid sequence, which acts as a co‐substrate for the ligation DNAzyme that is tethered to the complementary hemin/G‐quadruplex subunit. In the presence of different analytes, Cu²⁺ ions, Hg²⁺ ions, or cocaine, the pretailored Cu²⁺‐dependent ligation DNAzyme sequence stimulates the respective ligation process by combining the imidazole‐functionalized co‐substrate with the ligation DNAzyme sequence. These reactions lead to the self‐assembly of stable hemin/G‐quadruplex DNAzyme nanostructures that enable the colorimetric analysis of the substrate through the DNAzyme‐catalyzed oxidation of 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid), ABTS^2?, by H₂O₂ into the colored product ABTS^.?, or the chemiluminescence detection of the substrate through the DNAzyme‐catalyzed oxidation of luminol by H₂O₂. The detection limits for the sensing of Cu²⁺ ions, Hg²⁺ ions, and cocaine correspond to 1 nM , 10 nM and 2.5 μM , respectively. These different sensing platforms also reveal impressive selectivities.     

Combining field‐amplified sample stacking with moving reaction boundary electrophoresis on a paper chip for the preconcentration and separation of metal ions

A common drawback of paper‐based separation devices is their poor detection limit. In this study, we combined field‐amplified sample stacking with moving reaction boundary electrophoresis on a paper chip with six array channels for the parallel separation and concentration of multiple samples. With a new hyphenated technique, the brown I₂ from the Fe³⁺/I⁻ oxidation–reduction reaction emerged near the boundary between the dilute ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and potassium iodide and highly concentrated KCl solutions. For the separation and concentration of three components, Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Fe³⁺, the Fe³⁺ detection limit was improved at least 266‐fold by comparing the hyphenated technique with moving reaction boundary electrophoresis. The detection limit of Fe³⁺ was found to be as low as 0.34 ng (20 μM) on the paper chip. We also demonstrated the analysis of a real sample of four metal ions, with detection limits as follows: 0.16 μg Cr³⁺, 1.5 μg Ni²⁺, 0.64 μg Cu²⁺, and 1.5 μg Co²⁺. The synergy of field‐amplified sample stacking and moving reaction boundary electrophoresis in the micron paper‐based array channels dramatically improved the detection limit and throughput of paper‐based electrophoresis.     

Homogeneous Chemiluminescent Determination of Mercury(II) Using a Peroxidase-Mimicking DNAzyme Assay

Environmental pollution in manufacturing sectors is often accompanied by the release of diverse forms of pollutants including heavy metals. Mercury is one of the most toxic heavy metals. Here, we describe a homogeneous chemiluminescent method for Hg²⁺ detection based on allosteric activation of peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme and formation of Hg²⁺-thymine bonds in DNA duplex with T–T mismatches in the presence of mercury. The formation of such duplex increased the activity of peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme. The analysis conditions and structures of probes were optimized. Under the favorable conditions, the limit of detection and a linear range of the assay were 12 and 12–600?nM, respectively. The values of coefficient of variation measured within the working range varied from 0.7 to 3.0%. The study of cross-reactivity of Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Bi³⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cr³⁺ showed that only mercury in concentration nanoscale activates peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme that indicates high specificity of the developed Hg²⁺ assay. Thus, an easy-to-use, specific, rapid, and sensitive method for Hg²⁺ detection was developed.     

DNAzyme‐Loaded Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Self‐Sufficient Gene Therapy

DNAzymes have been recognized as potent therapeutic agents for gene therapy, while their inefficient intracellular delivery and insufficient cofactor supply precludes their practical biological applications. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising drug carriers without in‐depth consideration of their disassembled ingredients. Herein, we report a self‐sufficient MOF‐based chlorin e6‐modified DNAzyme (Ce6‐DNAzyme) therapeutic nanosystem for combined gene therapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The ZIF‐8 nanoparticles (NPs) could efficiently deliver the therapeutic DNAzyme without degradation into cancer cells. The pH‐responsive ZIF‐8 NPs disassemble with the concomitant release of the guest DNAzyme payloads and the host Zn²⁺ ions that serve, respectively, as messenger RNA‐targeting agent and required DNAzyme cofactors for activating gene therapy. The auxiliary photosensitizer Ce6 could produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and provide a fluorescence signal for the imaging‐guided gene therapy/PDT.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reduction of Chromium(VI) and Chromium(V) by D‐Glucitol and D‐Mannitol

The oxidation of D ‐glucitol and D ‐mannitol by Cr^VI yields the aldonic acid (and/or the aldonolactone) and Cr^III as final products when an excess of alditol over Cr^VI is used. The redox reaction occurs through a Cr^VI→Cr^V→Cr^III path, the Cr^VI→Cr^V reduction being the slow redox step. The complete rate laws for the redox reactions are expressed by: a) −d[Cr^VI]/dt {k_{M2 H} [H⁺]²+k_MH [H⁺]}[mannitol][Cr^VI], where k_{M2 H} (6.7±0.3)⋅10 M s⁻¹ and k_MH (9±2)⋅10 M s⁻¹; b) −d[Cr^VI]/dt {k_{G2 H} [H⁺]²+k_GH [H⁺]}[glucitol][Cr^VI], where k_{G2 H} (8.5±0.2)⋅10 M s⁻¹ and k_GH (1.8±0.1)⋅10 M s⁻¹, at 33°. The slow redox steps are preceded by the formation of a Cr^VI oxy ester with λ_max 371 nm, at pH 4.5. In acid medium, intermediate Cr^V reacts with the substrate faster than Cr^VI does. The EPR spectra show that five‐ and six‐coordinate oxo‐Cr^V intermediates are formed, with the alditol or the aldonic acid acting as bidentate ligands. Pentacoordinate oxo‐Cr^V species are present at any [H⁺], whereas hexacoordinate ones are observed only at pH<2 and become the dominant species under stronger acidic conditions where rapid decomposition to the redox products occurs. At higher pH, where hexacoordinate oxo‐Cr^V species are not observed, Cr^V complexes are stable enough to remain in solution for several days to months.