Removal of Chromium Anions with Nanofiltration-Complexation by Using p-Sulfonated Calix[4]arene

This article describes the removal of chromium anions from aqueous solutions by using nanofiltration-complexation consisting of pilot-scale nanofiltration equipment (Osmonics Sepa CF Membrane Cell) and water-soluble p-sulfonated calix[4]arene ligand. For the determination of optimum removal conditions of the chromium anions, the effect of pH, ligand cavity size, and foreign anions on the retention of the chromium anions in nanofiltration-complexation system was also evaluated. The results showed that water-soluble p-sulfonated calix[4]arene was an effective and selective ligand for the chromium anions over Cl^? , SO₄ ^2 ?  and NO₃ ^?  anions in nanofiltration-complexation system at pH 9.4.     

Supramolecular Detoxification of Colchicine through Electrochemical Recognition

The complex characteristics of p-sulfonated calix[n]arene and colchicine were examined using various techniques. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that the structural matching and electrostatic interactions were the dominant stabilizing factors for the host–guest complexes. The method showed a long linear voltammetric range for p-sulfonated calix[4]arene from 1?×?10^?8 to 1?×?10^?6?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 3?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1. Ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy confirmed that a 1:1 ratio complex was formed. Molecular mechanics showed that the benzene ring of colchicine entered the p-sulfonated calix[4]arene cavity. The solubility of colchicine increased with the p-sulfonated calix[4]arene concentration 50-fold from 0.13 to 6.4?mol?L^?1. The simulation of cell membrane permeability indicated that colchicine was released from the colchicine-p-sulfonated calix[4]arene complex and entered the hydrophobic micelles. These results show that p-sulfonated calix[4]arene is suitable as a drug carrier for colchicine. This work has expanded applications of drug loading, transport, and targeted release for the treatment of gout.     

Uranyl Microsensor: An Asymmetric Potentiometric Membrane Sensor Based on a New Calix[4]arene

The first asymmetric potentiometric UO₂(II) microsensor is introduced. 5,11,17,23-tetra-tertio butyl(25,27),-bis)2-)n-]2-hydroxy-5-dinitridphenilonitrilidine) amino etoxy(26,28)-di hydroxy calix[4]arene (HAECA) was synthesized. It was found that HAECA can be used as an excellent ionophore in construction of UO₂(II) microsensor. The best performance was obtained with a membrane composition containing 20% PVC, 73% dibutyl phthalate, 5% HAECA, and 2% sodium tetraphenyl borate. The proposed microsensor exhibits a Nernstian slope of 28.5 ± 0.3 mV per decade over a wide concentration range of 1.0 ×10^?10–1.0 × 10^?4 M and a detection limit of 6.0 × 10^?11 M. The potentiometric response of the sensor is independent to the pH of the solution in the range of 2.2–3.6.     

A New Fluorometric Method for the Detection of the Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine in Water Using a Dansylcholine Complex with p-Sulfonated Calix[8]arene

A new method for the fluorometric detection of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in water is presented. Use of the fluorescence of dansylcholine (DANCh) bound to p-sulfonated calix[8]arene affords a new fluorometric method for the detection of ACh (>10^-4 M) inaqueous solution (pH = 6.9). The fluorescence intensity of DANCh in aqueous solution was enhanced 1.8 fold after the complexation with p-sulfonated calix[8]arene. The addition of ACh to the aqueous solution of the DANCh-calix[8]arene complex significantly decreased the fluorescence intensity, which results from the replacement of DANCh in the complex with ACh. The effects of other synaptic neurotransmitters on the fluorescence of the DANCh complex were examined for dopamine, histamine, ATP, GABA, glycine, l-glutamic acid, and l-aspartic acid. Among the neurotransmitters studied, ACh was most effective in changing the fluorescence of the DANCh complex. Possible application of the DANCh complex dye for the detection of ACh in biological systems is discussed.     

Homooxacalix[3]arene Derivatives as Ionophores for Serotonin‐Selective Membrane Electrodes

Homooxacalix[3]arene derivatives are effective ionophores for constructing serotonin‐selective membrane electrodes. An electrode based on one of the derivatives, tris(methoxyphenylpropyloxy)hexahomooxacalix[3]arene‐triethyl ether, with potassium tetrakis(p‐chlorophenyl)borate (20 mol% relative to the ionophore) as an ionic additive and bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sebacate as a solvent mediator in a poly(vinyl chloride) membrane matrix, displayed much better selectivity for serotonin than for various organic ammonium ions and inorganic cations. The electrode exhibited a near‐Nernstian response to serotonin in the concentration range of 2×10^?4 to 1×10^?2 M with a slope of 56.4 mV per concentration decade in physiological saline containing 150 mM NaCl and 10 mM Na₂HPO₄/NaH₂PO₄ (pH 7.4). The limit of the detection was 8×10^?5 M. The selectivity pattern of this electrode was quite different from that of an electrode using calix[6]arene‐hexaacetic acid hexaethyl ester, a well‐known ionophore for primary organic ammonium ions, which did not induce an enhanced response to serotonin. The developed electrode was used for the active loading of serotonin in liposomes induced by transmembrane pH gradients.     

Salicylate Ion‐Selective Electrode Based on a Calix[4]arene as Ionophore

A salicylate‐selective electrode based on calix[4]arene derivative was developed and its response characteristics were investigated. The optimum membrane composition was 1 % ionophore, 30 % PVC, 69 % DOS. The electrode exhibited a Nernstian slope of 58.8±0.5 mV/pSal in the range of 1.0×10^?5–1.0×10^?1 M with a detection limit of 4.3×10^?6 M at pH 4.0, 20±1 °C. The potentiometric response of the electrode in the presence of different anions was investigated by the separate solution method. The lifetime was found at least 4 months, and its response time was 5–10 s. It was successfully used for the potentiometric determination of salicylate in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Comparative study of carbon paste electrodes modified by new pentaaza macrocyclic ligands and gold nanoparticles embedded in three-dimensional sol–gel network for determination of trace amounts of Ag(I)

Two new Ag(I) chemically modified carbon paste electrodes were prepared with comparative potentiometric study of 1,3,6,10,13-pentaaza-2,14-(2,6-pyridyl)-cyclotetradecane-4,12-dione (PPCT) and 1,3,6,9,11,12-pentaaza-2,13-(2,6-pyridyle)-bicycle[2,2,9]pentadecane-4,11-dione (PPBP) as ionophore. These sensors have been modified with sol–gel–Au nanoparticles to obtain a wide concentration range for potentiometric determination of Ag(I) in aqueous solutions. The sensors exhibit significantly enhanced selectivity toward Ag(I) ions over a wide concentration range of 4.0 × 10^?9–2.2 × 10^?2 and 2.2 × 10^?7–2.0 × 10^?2 mol L^?1 with a lower detection limit of 2.5 × 10^?9 and 2.0 × 10^?7 mol L^?1 for PPCT and PPBP modified electrodes respectively. The electrodes are highly selective to Ag(I) ions over a large number of mono, bi, and tri-valent cations. These electrodes were successfully used as indicator electrode for potentiometric determination of silver in sulphadiazine (burning cream) and radiological film.     

A new calix[4]arene Schiff base sensor for Hg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Au<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

This article reports the selective sensing ability of a newly synthesized calix[4]arene Schiff base (C4TSB) derivative. C4TSB exhibited strong turn-off fluorescence affinity for Hg²⁺ and Au³⁺. The selective sensing ability of receptor was investigated in the presence of different co-existing competing ions. The limit of detection for Hg²⁺ and Au³⁺ was determined as 1.9 × 10^?5 and 1.0 × 10^?6 M, respectively. Receptor forms 1:1 stoichiometric complex with both metals and their binding constants were calculated as 7.9 × 10³ M^?1 for Hg²⁺ and 5.7 × 10³ M^?1 for Au³⁺. Complexes were also characterized through FT-IR spectroscopy.     

Electrocatalytic studies of covalently immobilized metal tetra-amino phthalocyanines onto derivatized screen-printed gold electrodes

Metal tetra-amino phthalocyanine complexes (MTAPc; where M is Co or Mn) were immobilized on screen-printed gold electrodes pre-modified with monolayers of benzylamino groups. The functionalized electrodes were then activated using benzene-1,4-dicarbaldehyde as a linker before MTAPc complexes were immobilized. The surface coverages for the modified electrodes confirmed the perpendicular orientation of the MTAPcs. The apparent electron transfer constant (k_app) for the electrodes is 2.2?×?10^?5 cm.s^?1 for both CoTAPc and MnTAPc modified electrodes as calculated with data from impedance measurements. The k_app values for the bare and benzylamino modified electrodes were found to be 1.2?×?10^?4 cm.s^?1 and 4.9?×?10^?6 cm.s^?1, respectively. The electrocatalysis of the modified electrodes towards detection of H₂O₂ gave significant peak current densities and electrocatalytic potentials at ?0.28 V and ?0.31 V for the MnTAPc and CoTAPc modified electrodes, respectively.     

Inclusion complexes of Schiff bases as phytogrowth inhibitors

This article details the preparation, characterization and phytotoxic evaluation of several Schiff base inclusion complexes obtained from β-cyclodextrin and p-sulfonic acid calix[6]arene. The inclusion complexes (1:1 molar ratio) were prepared by mixing a 5 mmol L^?1 aqueous solution (containing 1 % DMSO) of Schiff bases (guests) with aqueous solution (containing 1 % DMSO) of 5 mmol L^?1 of β-cyclodextrin or p-sulfonic acid calix[6]arene (hosts). The host–guest systems were characterized via a series of NMR experiments. The ability of the complexes to interfere with the radicle elongation of Sorghum bicolor (dicotyledonous species) and Cucumis sativus (monocotyledonous species) was evaluated. After 48 h, the inclusion complexes inhibited the radicle elongation of both species from 11 to 56 %. The formation of inclusion complexes was also investigated theoretically by molecular dynamics simulations in aqueous solution through implicit approach. Based on the experimental observation, the phytotoxic activity evaluated can be attributed to the formation of host–guest systems. This was supported by the theoretical findings based on stable interaction energy analyses for all the studied supramolecular systems.     

Flip–flop Motion of Circular Hydrogen Bond Array in Thiacalix[4]arene

Thiacalix[4]arene contains a circular array of four equivalent hydrogen bonds on its lower rim. The array undergoes a flip–flop motion between two possible directions. The rate of this motion in the temperature range 223–313 K is assessed by means of measurements of the nuclear spin relaxation. The values of the activation enthalpy (38.7 kJ mol^? 1) and of the activation entropy ( ? 15 J mol^? 1 K^? 1) were determined. In addition, correlation times of molecular tumbling have been determined in the same temperature range. The measured properties of thiacalix[4]arene are compared to those of the “classical” calix[4]arene in order to utilize them for fine tuning of the building blocks in supramolecular chemistry.     

Determination of Copper at a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Langmuir–Blodgett Film of p‐tert‐Butylthiacalix[4]arene

A new type of voltammetric sensor, Langmuir–Blodgett film of p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arene modified glassy carbon electrode, was advanced and used for determining copper at trace levels by differential pulse stripping voltammetry. Calibration plot was found to be linear in the range of 2×10^?8 M to 5×10^?6 M; the detection limit was 2×10^?9 M. Possible recognition mechanism was also discussed. From determination of Copper in real samples (river, lake and tap water) it can be concluded that the method is rapid, sensitive in determining of copper and can be used in the analysis of natural water samples.     

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.     

Synthesis of nucleobase-calix[4]arenes via click chemistry and evaluation of their complexation with alkali metal ions and molecular assembly

In this study, calix[4]arene derivatives (11–14) bearing a single nucleobase (adenine, thymine, cytosine or guanine) were synthesised via click chemistry. The complexation ability of the synthesised derivatives with alkali metal ions was measured using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and their molecular assembly in CDCl₃ was determined using ¹H NMR. Calix[4]arene derivatives (11–14) formed 1:1 complexes with all alkali metal ions and the rank order for the complexation selectivity was Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ > K⁺ ? Na⁺ > Li⁺. The attachment of nucleobase at the upper rim of calix[4]arene had little effect on its complexation selectivity for alkali metal ions. Thymine-, adenine- and guanine-calix[4]arenes formed self-assembled structures in CDCl₃ via base–base interactions. In addition, adenine-calix[4]arene (11) bound to thymine-calix[4]arene (12) to form a discrete species via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding.     

Electrochemical Investigations of the Anticancer Drug Idarubicin Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon and Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes

The effect of surface modifications on the electrochemical behavior of the anticancer drug idarubicin was studied at multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon and edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes. The surface morphology of the modified electrodes was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The modified electrodes were constructed for the determination of idarubicin using adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetry. The experimental parameters such as supporting electrolyte, pH, accumulation time and potential, amount of carbon nanotubes for the sensitive assay of idarubicin were studied as details. Under the optimized conditions, idarubicin gave a linear response in the range 9.36×10^?8–1.87×10^?6 M for modified glassy carbon and 9.36×10^?8–9.36×10^?7 M for modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes. The detection limits were found as 1.87×10^?8 M and 3.75×10^?8 M based on modified glassy carbon and edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes, respectively. Interfering species such as ascorbic acid, dopamine, and aspirin showed no interference with the selective determination of idarubicin. The analyzing method was fully validated and successfully applied for the determination of idarubicin in its pharmaceutical dosage form. The possible oxidation mechanism of idarubicin was also discussed. The results revealed that the modified electrodes showed an obvious electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of idarubicin by a remarkable enhancement in the current response compared with bare electrodes.     

Synergistic extraction and spectrophotometric determination of palladium(II), iron(III), and tellurium(IV) at trace level by newly synthesized p-[4-(3,5-dimethylisoxazolyl)azophenylazo]calix(4)arene

A spectrophotometric method for the determination of palladium, iron and tellurium from nitric acid media after extraction of their p-[4-(3,5-dimethylisoxazolyl)azophenylazo]calix(4)arene [DMIAPAC] complexes has been developed and possible synergistic effects have been investigated. Chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, cyclohexane, 1,2-dichloroethane, toluene and xylene were used as the diluents. The maximum enhancement was obtained in the presence of 30% 1,2-dichloroethane. The trace amounts of metals were determined spectrophotometrically. Beer’s law obeyed in the concentration range of 5.0–95.0 μg, 8.0–120.0 μg and 10.0–140.0 μg/10 mL of the final solution of palladium, iron and tellurium, respectively. The molar absorptivities (l mol^?1cm^?1) and Sandell’s sensitivities (μg cm ^?1) were calculated: Pd(II) = 1.73 × 10⁴ and 0.0061; Fe(III) = 1.08 × 10⁴ and 0.0052; Te(IV) = 1.67 × 10⁴ and 0.0077. Ten replicate analyses containing 20 μg of Pd(II), 12.5 μg of Fe(III) and 32 μg of Te(IV) gave mean absorbance of 0.326, 0.242 and 0.418 with relative standard deviation of 0.36, 0.65 and 0.82% for Pd(II), Fe(III) and Te(IV), respectively. The interference of various ions was studied and optimum conditions were developed for the determination of these metals in certain alloys and synthetic mixtures.     

Oxidation of melatonin on a glassy carbon electrode modified with metallic glucosamines. Synthesis and characterization

In this study, a glassy carbon electrode modified with different cobalt glucosamines (CoGlu-R), iron glucosamines (FeGlu-R), and nickel glucosamines (NiGlu-R) was used for the electroanalytical determination of melatonin in buffer solutions at pH 7.3 using cyclic and square wave voltammetry. The complexes were synthesized and characterized by IR-TF, ¹H-NMR, and UV–visible spectroscopy. When comparing glucosamines of different metals, the influence of the nature of the metal on the activity is not very strong. The most active complex was CoGlu-R. The oxidation peak was used to determine melatonin in the concentration range of 10^?8–10^?5 M with a detection limit of 2.15?×?10^?7 M (LOD). Our results indicate that the current peak is under mass-transport control and probably suggest that chemical reactions coupled with electrochemical steps are involved. The melatonin oxidation current with this kind of modified electrodes is small but this modified electrode shows high selectivity in medium-199 (glutamine, phenol red, glucose, Na⁺, CO₃ ^2?) with human placental tissue; trophoblast and endothelial cells (K⁺, Ca²⁺, traces of Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺), yet the tryptophan causes interference.     

Synthesis and Molecular Recognition of Water‐Soluble S6‐Corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines

We report the efficient and scalable synthesis and molecular‐recognition properties of novel and water‐soluble S₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines. The synthesis comprises a one‐pot nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction between diesters of 2,5‐dimercaptoterephthalate and 3,6‐dichlorotetrazine followed by the inverse electron‐demand Diels–Alder reaction of the tetrazine moieties with an enamine and exhaustive saponification of esters. The resulting S₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines, which adopt a 1,3,5‐alternate conformation in the crystalline state, are able to selectively form stable 1:1 complexes with dicationic guest species in water with association constants ranging from (1.10±0.06)×10³ M ^?1 to (1.18±0.06)×10⁵ M ^?1. The easy availability, large cavity size, strong and selective binding power render the water‐soluble S₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines useful macrocyclic hosts in various disciplines of supramolecular chemistry.     

Calix[4]pyrrole virtuous sensor: a selective and sensitive recognition for Pb(II) ions by spectroscopic and computational study

A novel supramolecular sensor derived from calix[4]pyrrole system i.e. calix[4]pyrrole bearing aminoanthraquinone derivative (CAAQ) have been designed and synthesized. The complexation behavior of metal cations [Ag(I), Ba(II), Ca(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(III), Hg(II), Cu(II), Cr(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), (1 × 10^?4 M)] with CAAQ (1 × 10^?6 M) was studied by spectrophotometry and spectrofluorometry. Metal ion like Pb(II) produces red shift in absorption spectra and quenching in emission spectra likelihood of strong complexation of Pb(II) ions with CAAQ. Fluorescence cell imaging also supports the complexation of Pb(II) ions with CAAQ. The binding constants, quantum yield, stoichiometry of complex, mechanism of quenching by Stern–Volmer equation and Density functional theory calculation have been determined.     

Chromium(III) Potentiometric Sensor Based on Para‐Tertiary‐Butyl Calix[4]arene

A new chromium(III) PVC membrane sensor incorporating p‐tertiary‐butyl calix[4]arene as ionophore, potassium tetrakis as additive and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as plasticizer was constructed. The electrode exhibited an excellent potentiometric response over a wide concentration range of 1.0×10^?7–1.0×10^?1 M with a Nernstian slope of 20±0.5 mV per decade. The detection limit was 5.0×10^?8 M. The electrode showed a better performance over a pH range of 3.0–8.0, and had a short response time of about <15 s.The electrode was successfully applied to potentiometric titration of Cr (III) with EDTA and for direct determination of chromium(III) in waste water.