A new class of low-molecular-weight amphiphilic gelators

A new powerful class of low-molecular-weight amphiphilic compounds has been synthesized and their structure-property relationships with respect to their gelation ability of organic solvents have been investigated. These compounds are able to gel organic solvents over a broad range of polarity. Especially polar solvents such as valeronitrile and gamma-butyrolactone can be gelled even at concentrations far below 1 wt %. It was found that the gelation ability of these asymmetrically substituted p-phenylendiamines depends on a well-balanced relation of the terminal head group, the units involved in hydrogen bonding (amide or urea groups), and on the length of the alkyl chain. With this class of new gelators it is possible to tailor thermal and mechanical properties in different organic solvents and open various application possibilities.     

A novel voltammetric sensor for ascorbic acid based on molecularly imprinted poly(o-phenylenediamine-co-o-aminophenol)

A molecularly imprinted copolymer, poly(o-phenylenediamine-co-o-aminophenol) (PoPDoAP), was prepared as a new ascorbic acid (AA) sensor. The copolymer was synthesized by incorporation of AA as template molecules during the electrochemical copolymerization of o-phenylenediamine and o-aminophenol, and complementary sites were formed after the copolymer was electrochemically reduced in ammonium aqueous solution. The molecularly imprinted copolymer sensor exhibited a high sensitivity and selectivity toward AA. Differential pulse voltammograms (DPVs) showed a linear concentration range of AA from 0.1 to 10 mM, and the detection limit was calculated to be 36.4 μM. Compared to conventional polyaniline-based AA sensors, the analytical performance of the imprinted copolymer sensor was improved due to the broadened usable pH range of PoPDoAP (from pH 1.0 to pH 8.0). The sensor also exhibited a good reproducibility and stability. And it has been successfully applied in the determination of AA in real samples, including vitamin C tablet and orange juices, with satisfactory results.     

Studies on a novel class of triaryl pyridine N-glycosylamine amphiphiles as super gelators

A novel class of six different triaryl pyridine N-glycosylamine amphiphiles was synthesised and characterized based on different spectral techniques, such as NMR and mass analysis. Gelation properties in different aromatic and aliphatic solvents were studied and gelation was observed predominantly in aliphatic solvents with CGC of 0.5% (w/v) and is attributed to the presence of long alkyl chain. All the gels thus obtained were studied using FE-SEM and powder XRD techniques which reveal fibrous entanglement of the molecules in the gel state with intermolecular spaces of 3.62 nm and 0.43 nm.     

Detection of ascorbic acid and folic acid based on water-soluble CuInS(2) quantum dots

In this paper, water-soluble CuInS(2) ternary quantum dots (QDs) modified by mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) were directly synthesized by hydrothermal method. Ascorbic acid (AA) can induce the fluorescence enhancement of MPA-capped CuInS(2) QDs and can be used for the detection of AA. Under the optimized conditions, the relationship between the fluorescence intensity of the CuInS(2) QDs and AA concentration was linear in the range of 0.25-200 μmol?L(-1). Most relevant molecules and physiological ions had no effect on the detection of AA. The fluorescence intensity of CuInS(2) QDs enhanced by a certain amount of AA could be reduced in the presence of folic acid (FA) and thus can be used for the detection of FA with the linear range of 0.2-100 μmol?L(-1). Compared with previous reports, the established approach utilized a simple, sensitive, and selective strategy to develop the QDs probe based on fluorescence enhancing and quenching phenomena without complicated immobilization.     

A novel bio-electrochemical ascorbic acid sensor modified with Cu4(OH)6SO4 nanorods

Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4) (brochantite) is an undesirable oxidation product of copper-bearing sulfides, and it is seldom considered to be biologically and electrochemically active. In this paper, we report that Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4) nanoparticles in fact possess an intrinsic electrocatalytic activity, which is explored as a biosensing material to oxidize L-ascorbic acid (AA). The Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4) nanorod modified biosensor exhibits excellent performance for the determination of l-ascorbic acid with a response time of less than 8 s, a linear range between 0.017 and 6 mM, and a sensitivity of 17.53 μA mM(-1). A high selectivity towards the oxidation of AA in the presence of dopamine (DA) and acetyl aminophenol (AP) is also observed at their maximum physiological concentrations. The good analytical performance and long-term stability, low cost and straightforward fabrication method made the Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4) nanomaterials promising for the development of effective electrochemical sensors for a wide range of potential applications in medicine, biotechnology and environmental chemistry.     

A novel dinuclear Schiff-base copper(II) complex modified electrode for ascorbic acid catalytic oxidation and determination

A new dinuclear copper salicylaldehyde-glycine Schiff-base complex [Cu(2)(Sal-Gly)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] was synthesized and structurally characterized. [Cu(2)(Sal-Gly)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] crystallized in the monoclinic system in the P2(1)/c space group. The molecule is a dinuclear complex, formed by two [Cu(Sal-Gly)(H(2)O)] units. The electropolymerization properties of the copper complex on a glass carbon electrode were studied at different potential ranges. The electropolymerization occurred when the high scan potential reached 1.4 V. The modified electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic oxidation properties to ascorbic acid and showed a sensitivity of 22.9 nA μM(-1) (r(2) = 0.9998) and detection limit of 0.39 μM (S/N = 3) in the amperometric determination of ascorbic acid. The designed determination method can be used to analyze vitamin C tablets.     

A novel and simple biosensor based on poly(indoleacetic acid) film and its application for simultaneous electrochemical determination of dopamine and epinephrine in the presence of ascorbic acid

A novel and simple biosensor based on poly(indoleacetic acid) film-modified electrode (PIAA/CPE) was fabricated by electrochemical polymerization of indoleacetic acid on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) through cyclic voltammetry. The resulting electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the electrochemical behaviors of dopamine (DA) and epinephrine (EP) at the electrode were studied. It was illustrated that PIAA/CPE had excellent electrochemical catalytic activities toward DA and EP. The anodic peak currents (I _pa) were dramatically enhanced by about seven-fold for DA and ten times for EP at PIAA/CPE. Thus, the determinations of DA and EP were carried out using PIAA/CPE successfully. The linear responses were obtained in the range of 3.0?×?10^?7～7.0?×?10^?4 and 1.0?×?10^?6 ～8.0?×?10^?4 mol L^?1 with the detection limits (3σ) of 1?×?10^?7 and 4?×?10^?7 mol L^?1 corresponding with DA and EP, respectively. Moreover, the cathodic peaks of DA and EP were well-separated with a potential difference about 325 mV in pH 5.3 phosphate-buffered saline, so simultaneous determination of DA and EP was carried out in this paper. Additionally, the interference studies showed that the PIAA/CPE exhibited excellent selectivity in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). With good selectivity and sensitivity, the present method has been successfully applied to the determination of DA and EP in pharmaceutical samples.     

Pyridine-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes as gelators for poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels

Pyridine-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are prepared from the addition of a pyridine diazonium salt to nanotubes. The location and distribution of the functional groups is determined by atomic force microscopy using electrostatic interactions with gold nanoparticles. The pyridine-functionalized SWNTs are able to act as cross-linkers and hydrogen bond to poly(acrylic acid) to form SWNT hydrogels. The pyridine-functionalized SWNTs are further characterized using Raman, FTIR, UV/vis-NIR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectrometry.     

Butylamide-terminated poly(amidoamine) dendritic gelators

Butylamide-terminated poly(amidoamine) dendrons with either a Boc group (C-n (n = 1, 2, 3)) or a carboxyl group (E-n (n = 1, 2)) at the focal point, as a new kind of dendritic gelators, were synthesized and their gelation properties were studied by TEM, WAXD, SAXS, NMR,and FTIR spectroscopy. It was found that the structure of focal groups impacted greatly on their gelation ability and the dendrons with higher generations facilitated the gel phase assembly. Hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions were proved to be the main driving forces responsible for the fibrous assembly with the diameter in the range of 30-100 nm. The molecular packing pattern of the xerogels of C-2, C-3, E-1, and E-2 all showed a lamellar structure, which was revealed by WAXD and SAXS.     

Combinatorial library of low molecular-weight organo- and hydrogelators based on glycosylated amino acid derivatives by solid-phase synthesis

A combinatorial approach for the synthesis of supramolecular gelators as new organic materials is described herein. In the course of the development of a convenient and flexible solid-phase synthesis of the artificial glycolipids, some of these compounds were accidentally found to act as low molecular-weight gelators toward organic solvents. Using this combinatorial solid-phase synthesis of glycosylated amino acetates, screening and optimization of low molecular-weight organo/hydro-gelators were efficiently carried out. We found that an N-acetyl-galactosamine-appended amino acid ester (GalNAc-aa) efficiently gelates a broad spectrum of organic solvents. More interestingly, some GalNAc-aa derivatives displayed an excellent hydrogelation capability. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and FT-IR were used for characterization of the gel structure. It is indicated that supramolecular fibers supported by strong hydrogen-bonding networks are entangled so that the resulting spaces can immobilize a number of solvent molecules effectively. In addition, the supramolecular hydrogel consisting of GalNAc-suc-glu(O-methyl-cyc-pentyl)(2) is stable even under high salt concentrations probably due to its nonionic character and as a result, a native protein is successfully entrapped in the gel matrix without denaturation.     

A novel one pot route to flavones under dual catalysis, an organo- and a Lewis acid catalyst

Substituted phenylacetylenes react with various o-hydroxy aromatic aldehydes under dual catalysis of piperidine and FeCl₃ in refluxing toluene to yield flavones in good to excellent yield. Atmospheric oxygen acts as stoichiometric oxidant in the process. Some of these compounds had been recently reported to show fair insecticidal activity against Spodoptera frugiperda.     

Enhanced sensing of dopamine in the present of ascorbic acid based on graphene/poly(p-aminobenzoic acid) composite film

Graphene/p-aminobenzoic acid composite film modified glassy carbon electrode (Gr/p-ABA/GCE) was first employed for the sensitive determination of dopamine (DA). The electrochemical behavior of DA at the modified electrode was investigated by cyclic voltametry (CV), differential pulse voltametry (DPV) and amperometric curve. The oxidation peak currents of DA increased dramatically at Gr/p-ABA/GCE. The modified electrode was used to electrochemically detect dopamine (DA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). The Gr/p-ABA composite film showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of DA in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.5). The peak separation between DA and AA was large up to 220 mV. Using DPV technique, the calibration curve for DA determination was obtained in the range of 0.05-10 μM. The detection limit for DA was 20 nM. AA did not interfere with the determination of DA because of the very distinct attractive interaction between DA cations and the negatively Gr/p-ABA composite film. The proposed method exhibited good stability and reproducibility.     

A novel salicylate-selective electrode based on a Sn(IV) complex of salicylal-imino acid Schiff base

A novel poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode with high selectivity toward salicylate (Sal^–), based on the use of the salicylal-imino acid Schiff base dibenyl complex of Sn(IV) [Sn(IV)-SIADBen] as ionophore is described. The influence of lipophilic charged additives on the performance of the electrode was studied. The results suggested that Sn(IV)-SIADBen according to a positively-charged carrier mechanism. The influence of several other variables was investigated in order to optimize the potentiometric response and selectivity of the electrode. The electrode based on Sn(IV)-SIADBen, with 30.44 wt% PVC, 64.55 wt% plasticizer [dioctyl phthalate (DOP)], 3.81 wt% ionophore, and 1.2 wt% anionic additive exhibited a linear response for the Sal^– ion over the concentration range 1.0×10^–1 to 2.5×10^–6 mol l^–1, and displayed an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence as follows: salicylate perchlorate > thiocyanate > benzoate > iodide > nitrate > chloride > nitrite acetate > citrate > sulfate. UV-Visible absorption spectra were used to examine the specific interaction of salicylate with the ionophore. The electrode was applied to clinical medical analysis, and the results obtained were consistent with those obtained by conventional methods.     

A novel synthesis of (±)-trans-chrysanthemic acid

A novel approach to ± $\text{trans}$ chrysanthemic acid, from commercially available 2,5-dimethyl 3 hexyne 2–5 diol (30 % overall yield) is described.     

A colorimetric probe for ascorbic acid based on copper-gold nanoparticles in electrospun nylon

We report on a colorimetric probe based on copper-gold alloy nanoparticles (NPs). The probe is capable of selectively detecting ascorbic acid (AA) as a result of the distance-dependent colour change of the nanoparticles immobilized in an electrospun nylon-6 nanofiber. The resulting white nanofibres undergo a colour change to blue as a result of the aggregation of the NPs induced by AA in the pH range 2–7. The probe is selective for AA even in the presence of dopamine, uric acid, saccharides, amino acids and certain organic acids. It covers the 1.76 x10^?2 mg L^?1 to 1.76 x10⁵ mg L^?1 concentration range, and exhibits a limit of detection of 1.76 x10^?2 mg L^?1 based on visual detection. Its application was demonstrated by the determination of ascorbic acid in fruit juices, urine, serum, and vitamin C tablets.

Determination of ascorbic acid based on a peroxidase oscillator reaction

This paper reports a new method for determination of ascorbic acid based on a peroxidase-oxidase (PO) biochemical oscillator reaction. The oscillation period changes linearly with concentration of ascorbic acid in the range 0.175–17.5 μM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9982 (n=6) based on oxygen measurement with an oxygen electrode. The results compared well with those obtained by an AOAC procedure.     

Geminal imidazolium salts: a new class of gelators

The gelling behavior of some geminal diimidazolium salts was investigated in solvents differing in polarity and hydrogen bond donor ability. The used salts, namely the 3,3'-di-n-decyl-1,1'(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium dibromide [p-Xyl-(decim)(2)][Br](2) (1), the 3,3'-di-n-dodecyl-1,1'(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium dibromide [p-Xyl-(dodecim)(2)][Br](2) (2), and the 3,3'-di-n-dodecyl-1,1'(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium ditetrafluoroborate [p-Xyl-(dodecim)(2)][BF(4)](2) (3), differ in the alkyl chain length and in the anion properties, such as size, shape, and coordination ability. In all cases in which gelation process was observed, the obtained gels were characterized by gel melting temperature determination, resonance light scattering, and UV-vis measurements. On the whole, the investigation allowed to get information about both the thermodynamic stability and the features of the aggregates characterizing the soft materials at the equilibrium. Data collected by us point out that the used organic salts are able to behave as both hydro- and organogelators. In particular, bromide salts formed hydrogels in the presence of α-cyclodextrin allowing to hypothesize that the gelation process is favored by the formation of supramolecular assemblies. To verify this hypothesis, 1D and 2D (1)H NMR measurements were carried out. Both the alkyl chain length and the anion ability to reticulate the three-dimensional network proved to be determinant factors in affecting the gelation process as well as the features of the gel phases. Finally, with the future aim to use the obtained gels as reaction media, the effect of a guest molecule such as the UV-vis active probe Nile Red was studied.     

A novel feature representation method based on Chou's pseudo amino acid composition for protein structural class prediction

During last few decades accurate determination of protein structural class using a fast and suitable computational method has been a challenging problem in protein science. In this context a meaningful representation of a protein sample plays a key role in achieving higher prediction accuracy. In this paper based on the concept of Chou's pseudo amino acid composition (Chou, K.C., 2001. Proteins 43, 246-255), a new feature representation method is introduced which is composed of the amino acid composition information, the amphiphilic correlation factors and the spectral characteristics of the protein. Thus the sample of a protein is represented by a set of discrete components which incorporate both the sequence order and the length effect. On the basis of such a statistical framework a simple radial basis function network based classifier is introduced to predict protein structural class. A set of exhaustive simulation studies demonstrates high success rate of classification using the self-consistency and jackknife test on the benchmark datasets.     

A selective and sensitive film for electrocatalysis of ascorbic acid based on polypyrrole doped with nitroso-R(1-nitroso-2-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid disodium)

An electrocatalytic detection of ascorbic acid on a nitroso-R modified polypyrrole electrode has been studied. This functionalized polypyrrole film was electropolymerized by constant potential method on a platinum electrode from solution including pyrrole as monomer and nitroso-R as anionic dopant. Electrocatalytic currents of ascorbic acid were linearly dependent on its concentration in the range of 0.12–18.54 mM, with detection limit and relative standard deviation of 0.02 mM and 1.32%, respectively. This modified electrode can be used for determination of ascorbic acid in various pharmaceutical samples. Also, electrochemical behavior of this system was studied by various methods (RDE voltammetry, chronoamperometry, hydrodynamic amperometry and cyclic voltammetry).