An all-solid-state monohydrogen phosphate sensor based on a macrocyclic ionophore

An all-solid-state electrode, containing a synthesized chiral A₂B₂ macrocyclic compound namely (4R,5R,15R,16R)-4,5,15,16-tetraphenyl-3,6,14,17-tetraazatricyclo [13.3.1.18,12] tetracosa-1(23),8,10,12(24)19,21-hexaene-2,7,13,18-tetrone as an ionophore in polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/polyurethane (PU) membrane matrix, has been developed for the selective quantification of monohydrogen phosphate ions. The best performing membrane contained PVC, PU, ionophore, and nitrophenyl octyl ether as a plasticizer in the ratio 32.2:2.6:65.1 (w/w, %). It exhibited a near-Nernstian slope of 31.0 ± 1.0 mV/decade of activity for HPO₄²⁻ ions in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻² M at pH 7.4. The detection limit of the electrode was 8.4 × 10⁻⁷ M and the life time was six weeks. The electrode displayed excellent selectivity for monohydrogen phosphate over other anions and the selectivity sequence was determined as HPO₄²⁻ > SO₄²⁻ > Ac⁻ > NO₃⁻ > ClO₄⁻ > Cl⁻ > I⁻. The selective electrode for the monohydrogen phosphate ions was evaluated with a standard reference material (SRM 1548) and the titration of the sample solution.     

A novel cyclopentene derivative and a polyhydroxylated steroid from a South China Sea gorgonian Menella sp

A chemical investigation on a South China Sea gorgonian, Menella sp. resulted in the isolation and elucidation of menellin A (1), a highly oxygenated racemate with C(8) skeleton, and a polyhydroxylated steroid, menellsteroid C (2), along with eight known compounds (3-10). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and the relative stereochemistry of 1 was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. In addition, compound 7 was isolated as a new natural product. Compounds 1-3 and 7 were selected to test the anti-inflammatory inhibition against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages. 1 and 3 exhibited modest inhibitory effects with IC(50) of 71.3, 33.9 μM, respectively, compared to the positive control aminoguanidine (IC(50) 25.0 μM).     

Optical test strip for calcium determination based on a neutral ionophore

An optical strip test to determine calcium is proposed. The membrane consists of a polyester sheet and an active layer composed of a cation-selective neutral ionophore, such as 18-crown-6-ether, a proton selective neutral chromoionophore, such as lipophilised Nile Blue, and potassium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate as a lipophilic salt. The membrane responds reversibly to calcium ions by an ion-exchange mechanism, changing its colour from blue to red. All experimental variables that influence test strip response, especially in terms of selectivity and response time, have been studied. The system responded linearly in activities in the range 0.046-134 mM. The detection limit is 0.046 mM, the reproducibility intermembrane at a medium level of the range was 8.5%, as relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of loga_Ca²⁺ and 2.7% as intramembrane.Calcium was determined by using the test strip proposed in different types of waters (tap, mineral and spring) validating results against a reference procedure. This proposed method for calcium determination in waters is quick (less than 5 min), inexpensive, selective and sensitive and uses only conventional instrumentation.     

Hyper-Raman scattering enhanced by anisotropic dimer plasmons on artificial nanostructures

Silver nanodimers with a small gap of a few nanometers aligned on glass substrates were used to enhance hyper-Raman scattering of crystal violet dye molecules. When localized surface plasmon of the dimer array was resonantly excited along the interparticle axis, hyper-Raman intensity was significantly enhanced. Moreover, the spectral appearance was slightly different between the two excitation polarizations, suggesting a possibility of two resonance contributions at one-photon and two-photon energies. Since the plasmonic property of dimer arrays can be controlled by the dimer geometry, the dimer arrays are expected to be well-defined substrates for surface-enhanced hyper-Raman spectroscopy.     

Chloride anion-induced dimer capsule based on a polyfluorinated macrocycle meta-WreathArene

[1_n]metacyclophanes are a class of important building blocks for supramolecular assembly of artificial capsules. Herein we present the preparation and properties of a novel polyfluorinated macrocycle meta-WreathArene, a C₂-symmetrical [1₄]metacyclophane. Adopting a cone conformation in acetone solution, the macrocycle can form dimer capsules through hydrogen bonds induced by chloride anions. Each dimer capsule consists of two meta-WreathArene and two chloride anions, and has been unambiguously characterized both in solution and in solid state.     

An optically-active subphthalocyanine dimer

A subphthalocyanine (SubPc) dimer linked by racemic 1,1'-binaphth-2,2'-dioxy (BINOL), 1, has been synthesized and characterized by 1- and 2-D 1H NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry (FAB), X-ray crystallography and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Additionally, the dimer derived from optically-active (R)-(+)-BINOL, 2, has been made and studied using CD and MCD spectroscopies.     

Accelerated artificial ageing of new dimer fatty acid-based polyamides

Replacing petroleum-based raw materials with renewable resources is now a major challenge in terms of economical and environmental viewpoints. Vegetable oils are expected to be an interesting alternative to produce a new generation of bio-based polymers. Due to the possible outdoor exposure in diverse applications, knowledge of the resistance to weather of these new materials is an important issue, not only for aesthetic aspects as in rapid yellowing, but also for changes in their properties. New innovative dimer acid-based bio-polyamides (DAPA) were exposed to an artificial ageing environment produced by a UV/condensation weathering device for different times. To follow and to evaluate this material ageing, several techniques were employed to correlate the chemical modifications, with the morphology and the mechanical properties. The formation of peroxide was found to be very rapid and accompanied by high gel fraction formation and chain breaking. Infrared spectroscopy showed a build-up of carbonyl absorption in the range 1700-1780 cm⁻¹, due to primary and secondary photo-oxidation products. In correlation with these morphological evolutions and in agreement with the high decrease of fusion enthalpy by differential scanning calorimetry, X-Ray diffraction showed an amorphous solid state after ageing. Strain-stress measurements revealed a change in DAPA behaviour, varying from a ductile to an elastomeric material, before and after ageing, respectively.     

Molecularly imprinted polymers as artificial steroid receptors

The polymers selective to six different steroids (testosterone, Δ⁴-androstene-3,17-dione, 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione, β-estradiol, progesterone, testosterone propionate) have been synthesized using molecular imprinting based on noncovalent interactions. Analysis of the influence of structural features of the steroids under study has shown that molecules with a relatively rigid structure and the OH group at C-17 position are the most efficient templates for methacrylic acid-containing imprinted polymers. The chromatographic study of the polymers synthesized has demonstrated a strong dependence of the selectivity and intensity of interaction with analytes on the composition of solvents used both as porogen and chromatographic mobile phase. To obtain polymers with highly selective recognition sites and to create the optimal conditions for molecular recognition, all possible interactions (between template and functional monomer, template and solvent, solvent and functional monomer) should be taken into account. <?TF="palat-i"> The batch rebinding study of testosterone by the imprinted polymer in acetonitrile has revealed some heterogeneity of recognition sites, and permitted determination of K_ass = 1.05 × 10⁴ M ⁻¹, ΔG° = −5.4 kcal/mol and N = 1.2 μmol/g for high-affinity sites and K_ass = 0.33 × 10⁴ M ⁻¹, ΔG° = −4.8 kcal/mol and N = 2.2 μmol/g for low-affinity sites. <?TF="palat-i"> The results obtained show how it is possible to regulate in different modes the molecular recognition by imprinted polymers as well as to fabricate polymers possessing the necessary properties depending on their practical application.© 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fibre-optic potassium ion sensors based on a neutral ionophore and a novel lipophilic anionic dye

A novel lipophilic anionic dye, N-2,4-dinitro-6-octyloxyphenyl-2′,4′-dinitro-6′-trifluoromethylphenylamine (LAD), was synthesized. On deprotonation at neutral Ph it forms anions and brings about a change in the absorption spectrum in the visible region. This anionic dye was incorporated into a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membrane with dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) or valinomycin, which are K⁺-selective neutral ionophores. An optical K⁺ sensor was prepared using the polymeric membrane set 1 mm apart from the tip of a bifurcated optical fibre with a cylindrical plastic support. This sensor could detect a wide range of K⁺ concentrations (10^?6?1 M K⁺ for the DB18C6-based sensor, 10^?8?10^?2 M K⁺ for the valinomycin-based sensor) at Ph 7.0 by measuring the absorbance change at 513 nm. The factors that influence the response sensitivity of the sensor are discussed theoretically.     

An accurate quantitative analysis of polymorphs based on artificial neural networks

Measurement precision based on homogeneous and accurate standard samples has been reported to result in significant improvement in the sensitivity and accuracy of the quantitative analysis of polymorphic mixtures. The purpose of this study was to further improve the accuracy of the quantitation based on data processing by artificial neural networks (ANNs), using such high quality standard samples. Homogeneous powder mixtures of - and γ-forms of indomethacin (IMC) at various ratios (0–50% -form content) were subjected to X-ray powder diffractometry. The two diffraction peaks selected as the best combination in multiple linear regression (MLR) were used in the ANN with an extended Kalman filter as a training algorithm. The results obtained by ANN had better predictive accuracy at lower contents (0–5%) compared to those of MLR. ANNs for the diffraction data based on high quality standard samples provide an extremely precise and accurate quantification for polymorphic mixtures.     

A pH-responsive fluorescent probe and photosensitiser based on a self-quenched phthalocyanine dimer

A self-quenched zinc(ii) phthalocyanine dimer linked with an acid-sensitive ketal unit has been prepared, which can be activated in an acidic environment (pH = 5.0-6.5) as a result of the cleavage of the ketal linker and separation of the phthalocyanine units, resulting in enhanced fluorescence emission and singlet oxygen production.     

New cadmium(II)-selective electrode based on a tetraazacyclohexadeca macrocyclic ionophore.

A poly(vinyl chloride)-based membrane of 3,4:11,12-dibenzo-1,6,9,14-tetraazacyclohexadecane with sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder and dibutylphthalate (DBP), dibutyl(butyl)phosphonate (DBBP), tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEHP) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) as a plasticizing solvent mediator was prepared and investigated as a Cd2+-selective electrode. The best performance was observed with the membrane having a ligand-PVC-DBP-NaTPB composition of 2:25:60:1, which worked well over a wide concentration range (1.6 x 10(-6) - 1.0 x 10(-1) M) with a Nernstian slope of 29.5 mV per decade of activity between pH 2.0 - 6.0. This electrode showed a fast response time of 13 s and was used over a period of 4 months with good reproducibility (S = 0.4 mV). The selectivity coefficient for mono-, di- and trivalent cations indicated excellent selectivity for Cd2+ ions over a large number of cations. Anions such as NO3- and SO4(2-) , did not interfere. The membrane sensor has been successfully used to determine Cd2+ in real samples.     

A highly selective solid-contact electrode for Ag~+ based on a monoazathiacrown ether ionophore

A new solid-contact Ag⁺-selective electrode was prepared with 9,10,12,13,24,25-hexahydro-5H,15H,23H-dibenzo [b,q][1,7,10,13,19,4,16]-entathiadiazacyclodocosine-6,16（7H,17H）-dione as ionophore,and cc,a>-dihexylsexithiophene（DH- 6T） ion-to-electron transducer.The sensor exhibited a working concentration range of 10⁸ to 10^-3 mol/L,with a near-Nernstian slope of 55.1±0.2 mV/dec and detection limit of 1.7×10^-9 mol/L.The fabricated electrodes demonstrated excellent selectivity over the most common monovalent and divalent cations.     

Water assisted formation of a pseudorotaxane and its dimer based on a supramolecular cryptand

Water acts as a "molecular clip" to form a supramolecular cryptand structure that improves complexation of a diammonium salt by pseudorotaxane formation, and leads to a novel dimer in the solid state.     

Synthesis of a novel C-branched polyhydroxylated cyclic nitrone

A novel C-branched polyhydroxylated cyclic nitrone 25,which could be a valuable intermediate for the synthesis of C-branched pyrrolidine iminosugars,was synthesized starting from the commercially available L-arabinose in 29.0% total yield.     

Stereoselective synthesis of polyhydroxylated indolizidines based on pyridinium salt photochemistry and ring rearrangement metathesis

Ruthenium-catalyzed ring rearrangement metathesis (RRM) reactions of stereochemically diverse, differentially protected 4-N-allylacetamidocyclopenten-3,5-diols, prepared by using pyridinium salt photochemistry, have been explored as part of a program to develop novel routes for the synthesis of polyhydroxylated indolizidines. The RRM reactions, which produce selectively protected 1-acetyl-2-allyl-3-hydroxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines, were found to take in high yields and with high levels of regioselectivity. The significance of RRM reactions of 4-N-allylacetamidocyclopenten-3,5-diols in the context of polyhydroxylated indolizidine synthesis is demonstrated by an application to the concise preparation of the potent glycosidase inhibitor, (-)-swainsonine.     

A selective membrane electrode for iodide ion based on a thiopyrilium ion derivative as a new ionophore

A highly selective electrode for iodide ion based on a thiopyrilium derivative as an excellent ionophore is described. At pH 5.5-8.0, the electrode responds to iodide ion in a linear range from 1.0×10⁻¹ to 8.0×10⁻⁷ M with a slope of 60.2 mV per decade, and a detection limit of 2.0×10⁻⁷ M. Selectivity coefficients determined with the match potential method (MPM) indicate that the interference from inorganic and organic anions is very small. The proposed sensor shows a fast response time of approximately 15 s. It was applied as an indicator electrode in titration of iodide with Ag⁺.