A novel colorimetric aptasensor for detection of chloramphenicol based on lanthanum ion–assisted gold nanoparticle aggregation and smartphone imaging

A label-free, rapid response colorimetric aptasensor for sensitive detection of chloramphenicol (CAP) was proposed, which was based on the strategy of ssDNA-modified gold nanoparticle (AuNP) aggregation assisted by lanthanum (La³⁺) ions. The AuNPs generated a color change that could be monitored in the red, green, and blue and analyzed by the smartphone imaging app. La³⁺, as a trigger agent, strongly combined with the phosphate groups of the surface of ssDNA-AuNPs probe, which helps create AuNP aggregation and the color change of AuNPs from red to blue. On the contrary, when mixing with CAP, the aptamer (Apt) bound to CAP to form a rigid structure of the Apt-CAP complex, and La³⁺ attached to the phosphate groups of the complex, which prevented the aptamer from binding to the surface of the AuNPs. As a result, the color of the AuNPs changed to violet-red. Finally, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and the smartphone imaging app were employed to determine CAP with a lower detection limit of 7.65 nM and 5.88 nM, respectively. The proposed strategy featuring high selectivity and strong anti-interference ability for detection of CAP in practical samples was achieved. It is worth mentioning that the simple and portable colorimetric aptasensor will be used for facilitating on-site detection of food samples.

     

A simple method for determining water content in organic solvents based on cobalt(Ⅱ)complexes

A method to determine water content in organic solvents was developed based on the color change of cobalt(Ⅱ) nitrate in different solvents.The color-change mechanism and optimal conditions for determining the water content were investigated.The results showed that there was a good linear relationships between the absorbance of cobalt(Ⅱ) complexes in organic solvents and water contents withγin 0.9989～0.9994.This method has the advantages of low cost,good reproducibility,good sensitivity,simple in operation,fast in detection,friendly to the environment and no limitation on linear range for determining water content.It was used to determine water in samples with a satisfactory recovery in 97.81%～101.24%.     

Selective “naked-eye” sensing of acetate ion based on conformational flexible amide-pyridinium receptor

A simple pincer-shape anion receptor L1 containing amide-pyridinium as binding unit was synthesized and its anion binding properties were investigated by UV–Vis, NMR titration spectra and molecular simulation. L1 displayed better affinity toward AcO^? ion with visible color change compared with other investigated anions, including F^?, H₂PO₄ ^?, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, NO₃ ^? and HSO₄ ^? ions. The selectivity was ascribed to the synergistic effects arising from hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction and induced-fit process.     

3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidme for the colorimetric determination of manganese in water

Manganese can be determined by colorimetry with previous oxidation of Mn(II) in a strong basic medium, using 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine as a chromogenic reagent. The molar absorptivity of the reaction product is 3.4 × 10⁴ mol^–1l cm^–1l, the detection limit 3 ng/ml, the RSD (0.5 mg/l,n = 8) 0.9% and the calibration range (1-cm cells) 0.02–0.8 mg/1 V(V), Cr(VI) and Co(II) are the most significant interferences. The new method was compared with an AAS procedure (air-acetylene flame) with previous solvent extraction and also with a colorimetric method for the determination of manganese in sea and drinking water.     

Fading of a novel colorimetric receptor after recognizing H2PO4−

A novel selective and sensitive colorimetric receptor 1 (1, 10-phenanthroline-2, 9-dialdehyde bis-(-p-nitrophenylureasemicarbo-hydrazone)) based on urea showing distinctive color fading phenomenon towards H₂PO₄^? ion was reported. Fancifully, the recognition process of receptor 1 to H₂PO₄^? was not interfered by the existence of others anions. We have probed the binding mechanism of 1-H₂PO₄^? that H₂PO₄^? ion induced competitive hydrogen binding process via intramolecular hydrogen-bond by UV–vis, fluorescence, ¹H NMR titrations and ESI-MS experiments.     

A novel analytical tool for quantification of estrogenicity in river water based on fluorescence labelled estrogen receptor α

A novel combined procedure for estrogen-affinity purification and labelling of estrogen receptor α ligand-binding domain with Cy™ 5.5 cystein reactive dye was established. By using this procedure, mainly functional proteins are recovered. It can be easily adapted to a large variety of other proteins for which ligand-coated affinity materials are available. The labelled receptor was used in a total internal reflection fluorescence-based binding inhibition assay for determination of the impact of pollutants in river water on the receptor. The great advantage compared to conventional methods is that the total effect on the receptor is measured instead of concentrations of single compounds and that even currently unknown ligands are found as well. Therefore, the obtained signal is related to the response of the organism, which is exposed to the water. The limit of detection was found to be 0.139 nM of estradiol equivalents. The assay also provides a highly sensitive tool for pharmaceutical research and can be adapted to diagnostic applications.      

A novel efficient synthetic method for 2,2′,3,3′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride

A novel approach to the synthesis of 2,2′,3,3′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride is described.The target compound was prepared by a nickel-catalyzed coupling reaction of dimethy 3-chlorophthalate(3-DMCP) for 4 h at 70-80℃,followed by subsequent hydrolysis of tetra-ester in acid solution and dehydration of tetra-acid,with overall yield of 68%.The structures of the products were characterized by IR,~1H NMR and ~(13)C NMR respectively.     

Transfer molding imide resins based on 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride

Phenylethynyl containing imide oligomers have been under investigation as part of an effort to develop resins for non-autoclave composite fabrication processes such as resin transfer molding (RTM). These high performance/high temperature composites are potentially useful on advanced aerospace vehicles such as reusable launch vehicles (RLVs). New phenylethynyl terminated imide oligomers (PETI) based upon 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (a-BPDA) were prepared and characterized primarily by rheological behavior and cured glass transition temperature (Tg). In comparison to resins from the symmetrical isomer (3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, s-BPDA), a-BPDA afforded corresponding resins with lower melt viscosities and upon curing, higher Tgs. Several resins exhibited an attractive combination of properties such as low and stable melt viscosities required for RTM composite fabrication, high cured Tgs, and moderate toughness. One resin (P10) was used to fabricate flat, void free laminates by RTM. The laminates exhibited high mechanical properties at temperatures to 288°C. The chemistry and physical properties of these new PETIs and the laminate properties of one composition are discussed.     

A simple colorimetric chemosensor for relay detection of Cu2+ and S2− in aqueous solution

A simple colorimetric chemosensor 1 was developed for the sequential detection of Cu²⁺ and S^2?. Sensor 1 could rapidly detect Cu²⁺ by an obvious color change from colorless to yellow. The binding mode of 1 to Cu²⁺ was determined to be a 1:1 complexation stoichiometry through Job plot and ESI-mass spectrometry analyses. The sensing mechanism of Cu²⁺ by 1 was proposed by theoretical calculations. Importantly, the detection limit for Cu²⁺ was found to be 0.12 μM, which was much lower than the recommended value (31.5 μM) of the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, 1 could detect and quantify Cu²⁺ in real water samples. Moreover, the resulting 1-Cu²⁺ complex could be used as a highly selective colorimetric sensor for S^2? in the presence of various anions without any interference. The detection limit for S^2? was determined to be 1.66 μM, which was much lower than the guideline (14.8 μM) recommended by WHO in fresh water.     

A rapid selective colorimetric and ‘On–Off’ fluorimetric sensor for detecting Cu2+ ions in aqueous media based on a simple bis-schiff-base derivative

A simple colorimetric and fluorimetric ‘On–Off’ sensor L (3,3′-dimethyl -[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diyl)bis(azanylylidene)bis(methanylylidene)bis(naphthalen-2-ol) for Cu²⁺ ions bearing o-tolidine substituents has been designed and synthesised, and exhibits significant fluorimetric and colorimetric response for Cu²⁺ in DMSO/H₂O (8:2, v/v) HEPES buffer (pH 7.2) solution. The detection limit of the sensor towards Cu²⁺ is 7.25 × 10^? 8 M and the association constant K_a of 9.86 × 10⁴ M^? 1 was determined. Furthermore, other anions, including Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺ and Mg²⁺ have almost no influence on the probe's behaviour. Test strips based on the sensor L were fabricated, which could act as convenient and efficient Cu²⁺ test kits.     

A simple,convenient preparation for enantiomerically pure 1,1′-bi-2-naphthols

A new preparative method for enantiomerically pure 1,1′-bi-2-naphthols is described. 1,1′-Bi-2-naphtholboric anhydride generated from the reaction of racemic 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol and boric acid in toluene is reacted with (S)-proline to produce 1,1′-bi-2-naphtholboric proline anhydride. Its two diastereomers were efficiently separated in THF. After treating successively with NaOH, HCl, and recrystallizing from benzene, enantiomerically pure (S)- and (R)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol were obtained in 71–79% yield and in 62–74% yield, respectively.     

A highly selective turn-on colorimetric and luminescence sensor based on a triphenylamine-appended ruthenium(Ⅱ) dye for detecting mercury ion

A dual colorimetric and luminescent sensor based on a heteroleptic ruthenium dye[Ru(Hipdpa)(Hdcbpy)(NCS)_2]~-·0.5H~+ 0.5[N(C_4H_9)_4]~+ Ru(Hipdpa) {where Hdcbpy = monodeprotonted-4,4'-dicarboxy-2.2'-bipyridineand Hipdpa = 4-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][l,10]phenanthroIin-2-yl)-N,N-diphenylaniIine} for selective detection of Hg~(2+) is presented.The results of spectrophotometric titrations revealed an evident luminescence intensity enhancement(I/I_0 =11) and a considerable blue shift in visible absorption and luminescence maxima with the addition of Hg~(2+).The sensitive response of the optical sensor on Hg~(2+) was attributed to the binding of the electron-deficient Hg~(2+) to the electron-rich sulfur atom of the thiocyanate(NCS) ligand in the Ru(Hipdpa).which led to an increase in the energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO).Accordingly,the blue shift in the absorption spectrum of Ru(Hipdpa) due to the binding of Hg~(2+) was obtained.Ru(Hipdpa) was found to have decreased Hg~(2+) detection limit and improved linear region as compared to di(tetrabutylammonium) ris-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,2'-bipyridine-4-carboxylic acid-4'-carboxylate)ruthenium(Ⅱ) N719.Moreover,a dramatic color change from pink to yellow was observed,which allowed simple monitoring of Hg~(2+) by either naked eyes or a simple colorimetric reader.Therefore,the proposed sensor can provide potential applications for Hg~(2+) detection.     

A Novel Fused Phosphorus Heterocycle: 4-(1′, 2′, 3′, 4′-Tetrahydro- 1, 3, 2-benzodiazaphosphorin-2′-sulfide)-3, 4b, 4a- thiazphosphaphenanthridine Derivative

The first example of fused phosphorus heterocyclic 4-[ l′-(β-bromoethyl)-4'-oxo-3'-prop yl-1′, 2′, 3′, 4-tetrahydro-1, 3, 2-benzodiazaphosphorin-2′-sulfide]-1, 2, 3, 4, 4a, 4b, 5, 6-octahydro -6-oxo-5-propyl-3, 4b, 4a-thiazphosphaphenanthridine 4a, 2′-dioxide was synthesized in excellent yield by refluxing a mixture of 1-(2-bromoethyt)-2, 3-dihydro-3-propyl-l, 3, 2-benzodiazaphos phorin-4(1H)-one 2-oxide with carbon disulfide in benzene in the presence of triethylamine.     

New organic materials based on D–π–A structure for application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Research on Chemical Intermediates - We used density functional theory at B3LYP level with 6-31G(d,p) basis set for all atoms to study the electrochemical, photovoltaic, and absorption properties...     

A novel Mo-based oxide β-SnMoO_4 as anode for lithium ion battery

Recently,the development of new electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)has received intensive attention.As an important family of inorganic materials,mixed Mo-based transition metal oxides system is focused as anode materials.In the present work,a simple route has been adopted for the synthesis of layered-flake-likeβ-SnMo04 Nano-assemblies,which have been explored as potential anode materials for the first time in lithium-ion battery(LIB).Overall,the current reports on metal molybdate as anode materials are still rarely.As the anode material for LIBs,it was observed that the fabricated anode is capable of delivering a steady state capacity of almost 400 mAh/g up to 300 cycles under the influence of200 mA/g current density.Further,the anode material is suitable for use as a rated capacity anode because of its high current density tolerance.The present study can be further extended for the generation of a wide variety of other novel materials for multidisciplinary energy related applications.     

A colorimetric sensing strategy based on enzyme@metal-organic framework and oxidase-like IrO2/MnO2 nanocomposite for α-glucosidase inhibitor screening

Microchimica Acta - Testing gluten content in food, before it reaches the consumer, becomes a major challenge where cross-contamination during processing and transportation is a very common...     

A new synthesis of 2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides for aids chemotherapy

Dideoxynucleosides were prepared in high optical purity from L-glutamic acid. The condensation reactions between activated 2,3-dideoxypentofuranoses and silylated purines or pyrimidines afforded separable β/α mixtures of dideoxynucleosides.     

The effect of solvents and organic acids on the p-doping behaviors of poly(3′,4′-Ethylenedioxy-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene)

Poly(3??,4??-Ethylenedioxy-2,2??:5??,2??-terthiophene) was synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of 3??,4??-Ethylenedioxy-2,2??:5??,2??-terthiophene using FeCl₃ as an oxidant. The resulting polymer was characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR. p-doping behaviors of substituted polyterthiophene with different organic sulfonic acids (methanesulfonic acid, p-toluene sulfonic acid, and ??-naphthalene sulfonic acid) in different solvents (CH₃CN, CHCl₃, THF and DMF) were studied by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The results from structural characterizations showed that the ??,????-bonding predominates in polyterthiophene. The spectroscopic changes in UV-VIS showed that ??-naphthalene sulfonic acid was an efficient doping acid for polymer while varying the solvents. Meanwhile, CH₃CN showed a high efficiency for p-doping of polyterthiophene while varying the doping acids.