A simple pyridine-based colorimetric chemosensor for highly sensitive and selective mercury(II) detection with the naked eye

Two easily-prepared pyridine-based derivatives of (Z)-2-(4-amino-phenyl)-3-(pyridine-4-yl)acrylonitrile (I)and (Z)-2-phenyl-3-(pyridin-4-yl)acrylonitrile (II) were designed, synthesised and characterised. Due to the formation of a complex with Hg²⁺, hence leading to an enhanced ICT effect, I exhibits a visible colour change from light yellow to orange, rendering it suitable for use as a naked-eye sensor for rapid detection of Hg²⁺ in an aqueous ethanol solution. When mixed with Hg²+, I interacts with Hg²⁺ in a2:1 (Y1-Hg²⁺) stoichiometry via a coordination bond with an association constant of 7.7 × 10⁸ M^−2 (R² = 0.96). The present probe I exhibits excellent reproducibility, reversibility, sensitivity and selectivity with the presence of low concentration of Hg²⁺ (1.74 × 10^−10 M).     

2,6-Disubstituted 4-azidopyrimidines: synthesis,kinetic and thermodynamic studies of azide-tetrazole rearrangement by NMR spectroscopy

Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the tautomeric tetrazole-azide rearrangement for a series of 2,6-disubstituted 4-azidopyrimidines are determined by NOESY/EXSY and DNMR: ΔH = 15—28 kJ mol^–1; ΔS = 47—65 J mol^–1 К–1; Е _a = 93—117 kJ mol^–1; lgA = 15.1—18.9. They are dependent on electronic properties of the substituents and the polarity of solvent.     

Evaluation of infection imaging potential of <Superscript>131</Superscript>I-labeled imidazolium salt

Effective antimicrobial compounds are necessary due to increased resistance of antibiotics against microorganisms causing infectious diseases. In this study, imidazolium-TFSI salt [ITFSI: octyl-bis(3-methylimidazolium)-di(bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide)] was labeled with ¹³¹I with high efficiency. In vitro uptake experiments of ¹³¹I-ITFSI showed high uptake in gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. ¹³¹I-ITFSI was also evaluated for comparison between bacterial infection and sterile inflammation by in vivo studies. The biodistribution results revealed that ¹³¹I-ITFSI might be used as a nuclear imaging agent for detection of bacterial infection.     

Synthesis,crystal, and molecular structure of coordination polymers constructed by self-assembly of NiN<Subscript>4</Subscript> cores with 2,2′-iminodibenzoate and nitroprusside ions

Two coordination compounds of compositions [Ni(L¹)(idba)(H₂O)]·1.5 H₂O (1) and [Ni(L²)Fe(CN)₅NO]·C₂H₅OH (2) where L¹ is N, N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine, L² is 2,12-dimethyl-3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),2,11,13,15-pentaene, and idba^2? is 2,2′-iminodibenzoate have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n (No. 14) with a=9.810(2) Å, b=10.230(2) Å, c=25.350(5) Å, V=2543.6(9) Å³, Z=4, and R=0.0727. The nickel atom is six-coordinated by four N atoms of amine and two O atoms of water and idba^2?. The molecular packing of the complex comprises of an infinite one-dimensional layered network in which the molecules in the crystal are held together by a system of hydrogen bonding. Complex 2, however, crystallizes in the space group C2/c (No. 15) of the monoclinic system with a=19.7990(4) Å, b=14.9440(3) Å, c=19.8800(3) Å, V=5115.90(17) Å³, Z=4, and R=0.0540. The Ni ion in compound 2 has a slightly distorted octahedral arrangement of the N₄ donor atoms of primary ligand L² and two N-donor atoms of the secondary nitroprusside ligand. The structure of 2 displays an extended one-dimensional network formed by linear [—Ni—NC—Fe—CN—] units. A cyclic voltammetric study shows that compound 1 undergoes a quasireversible oxidation attributable to Ni²⁺ → Ni³⁺ in the range 300–420 mV vs SCE.     

Dehydroxylation of high-energy ball-milled diasporic bauxite

The review consists of four parts. Part I is about the thermal transformation in clay minerals under firing and about the properties of fired clay. The transformations in the clay are expressed quantitatively with the extent of conversion, α, which is the function of two parameters of firing process, time t and temperature T: α?=?f(t, T). Part II is about the estimation of firing temperature after the analysis of the products of firing clays. All the estimations are speculative, without mathematical equations. It is impossible to derive the value of only one variable T from α?=?f(t,T), the function of two variables. Part III is about the long-term inverse transformation in fired ceramic paste under ambient conditions. The mass gain as a function of time is used for the evaluation of the time elapsed from the ancient firing, t. Part IV is about the visualization of the extent of conversion of the clay in the paste after all direct and reverse reactions, i.e., α.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of 3-Substituted 4-Oxoesters Using the SAMP-/RAMP-Hydrazone Method

Based on aldehydes 1a—f or ketone 1g, 3-substituted 4-oxo esters 6a—g were synthesized in three steps in moderate to good overall yield (12—50%) and in excellent enantiomeric excesses (ee >90—>95%) by an Umpolung-strategy employing the SAMP-/RAMP-hydrazone method. The key step in the synthesis is the highly diastereoselective alkylation of lithiated SAMP-hydrazones 3a—g (chiral d²-nucleophiles) with tert-butyl bromoacetate (4) (a²-electrophile) to furnish the alkylated 3-hydrazono tert-butylesters 5a—g in good yields (58—91%) and in excellent diastereomeric excesses (de >90—>98%). Regeneration of the carbonyl functionality by cleavage of the hydrazones 5a—g was accomplished either by acidic hydrolysis or ozonolysis to give the acid labile and oxidation-sensitive 3-substituted 4-oxo esters 6a—g in moderate yields (19—63%) and in excellent enantiomeric excesses (ee >90—>95%). The absolute configuration of compounds 6a—g were assigned by conversion of 4-oxo esters (S)-6d and (R)-6e into their corresponding known 3-substituted λ-butyrolactones (S)-7d and (R)-7e.     

Synthesis and conformational analysis of 6-[N,N-bis(dihydroxyphosphorylmethyl)amino]methyl-2-hydroxy-2-oxido-1,4,2-oxazaphosphorinane-4-methylphosphonic acid by NMR spectroscopy

The Kabachnik—Fields methylphosphorylation of 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol affords a mixture of 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakismethylphosphonic acid and its intramolecular cyclic ester. Subsequent heating of this mixture led to the thermal dehydration of the acid with the 1,4,2-oxazaphosphorinane ring closure and the formation of 6-[N,N-bis(dihydroxyphosphorylmethyl)amino]methyl-2-hydroxy-2-oxido-1,4,2-oxazaphosphorinane4-methylphosphonic acid. A predominant chair conformation of the formed six-membered heterocycle was inferred from the data of 2D homonuclear (¹H, ¹H; J-resolved) and heteronuclear (¹H, ¹³C; HSQC, HMBC) NMR correlation spectra.     

Prediction of changes in the heat capacity of the liquid–vapor phase transition based on modified Randič indices. Alkanes and oxygen-containing compounds

The work proposes a method to predict changes in the heat capacity of the liquid—vapor phase transition Δ _l ^g Ср ⁰ (298.2) based on modified Randi? indices for alkanes and acyclic oxygen-containing compounds: alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, and esters. Based on the obtained Δ _l ^g Ср ⁰ (298.2) values heat capacities in the liquid phase Cp _liq ⁰ (298.2) are calculated for the compounds under study.     

Heat capacity and thermodynamic functions of ferrocenemethanol

The heat capacity (C _{p, m}) of ferrocenemethanol (FM) C₅H₅FeC₅H₄CH₂OH have been measured by the low-temperature adiabatic calorimetry method in the range 6–371 K. The triple point temperature, the enthalpy of fusion, and the purity of the substance under consideration have been determined. The ideal gas thermodynamic functions of FM—absolute entropy S _m(g) ⁰ and change in the enthalpy Δ ₀ ^T H _m at 298.15 K—have been derived from the heat capacity data and the known values of the saturation vapor pressure and enthalpy of sublimation. The ideal gas thermodynamic functions C _{p, m} ⁰ and S _m(g) ⁰ and the enthalpy of formation of FM have been calculated by the empirical difference method at T = 298.15 K. The experimental and calculated values of the thermodynamic functions are consistent within error limits, which proves their reliability.     

Determination of mycotoxins,alkaloids, phytochemicals,antioxidants and cytotoxicity in Asiatic ginseng (Ashwagandha,Dong quai, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis>)

Mycotoxins and selected hazardous alkaloids in the medicinal plants (Panax ginseng, Angelica sinensis, and Withania somnifera) and dietary supplements were determined. Purine alkaloids were found in majority of samples; however, isoquinoline alkaloids were less abundant than indole. The predominant alkaloids appear to be caffeine (purine group), harman (indole group) and berberine (isoquinoline). Examined medicinal plants and dietary supplements were contaminated by mycotoxins (especially ochratoxin A 1.72–5.83 µg kg^?1), and many species of mold (e.g. Cladosporium, Eurotium, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Penicillium). MTT cytotoxicity tests revealed that plant and supplements extracts exhibited medium or high cytotoxicity (only Dong quai—low). Moreover, antioxidant activity, total phenolics content and selected phytochemicals were analyzed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. Quercetin and rutin were predominant flavonols (1.94-9.51 and 2.20–7.28 mg 100 g^?1, respectively). Analysis of phenolic acids revealed—gallic acid, as the most abundant, except Panax ginseng, where ferulic acid was prevailing. The results were analyzed by chemometric methods (cluster analysis, ANOVA).     

Synthesis and crystal structures of tetraacetylethylenediamine and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(2-ammoniumethyl)carbamate

Two ethylenediamine derivatives—N-(2-ammoniumethyl)carbamate HN(COO^?)CH₂CH₂N⁺H₃ (I) and tetraacetylethylenediamine (H₃CC(O))₂NCH₂CH₂N(C(O)CH₃)₂ (II) (synthesized for the first time)—have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Compounds I and II are isolated as minor admixtures upon an attempt to synthesize ethylenediamine complexes of lanthanum and neodymium nitrates, respectively. The crystals of I and II are monoclinic: a = 7.778 Å, b = 8.060 Å, c = 7.568 Å, β = 95.73°, Z = 4, space group P2₁/c (I); a = 5.946, b = 10.255, c = 9.343 Å, β = 95.72°, Z = 2, space group P2₁/c (II). The bond lengths and bond angles lie within the corresponding standard values. Compounds I and II have different conformations of the N-C-C-N ethylenediamine moiety: gauche in I and trans in II, and the corresponding torsion angles are equal to 66.6° and 180°, respectively.     

Teicoplanin-functionalized magnetic beads for detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> via inhibition of the luminol chemiluminescence by intracellular catalase

An affinity-based protocol is described for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). It is utilizing teicoplanin-functionalized magnetic beads as carriers. Teicoplanin, which binds to the walls of cells of S. aureus via five hydrogen bonds, acts as the recognition agent. Captured S. aureus is magnetically separated from the sample matrix and then specifically lysed by lysostaphin which cleaves the cross-linking pentaglycine bridges of peptidoglycan in the cell wall. Lastly, S. aureus is quantified via the inhibitory effect of released intracellular catalase on a chemiluminescent (CL) system composed of peroxidase, luminol, H₂O₂ and p-iodophenol because catalase decomposes H₂O₂. S. aureus can be detected with CL response in the 140 to 1.4?×?10⁷ CFU·mL^?1 concentration range and a detection limit as low as 47 CFU·mL^?1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The method was evaluated by analyzing spiked samples including milk, human urine and saline injection solutions. The reliability was demonstrated by a recovery test and by comparison with a conventional plate counting method.

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Graphical abstract An antibiotic-affinity protocol is developed to detect Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by utilizing teicoplanin-functionalized magnetic beads (Teic-MBs) as carriers. S. aureus can be quantified by measuring the inhibition of luminol chemiluminescence (CL) signal by intracellular catalase.

     

Structure of the hexanuclear Cu(II) β-diketonate complex

The structure of the hexanuclear copper(II) β-diketonate complex with gfa (hexafluoroacetylacetone) and dpm (dipivalylmethanate) ligands was studied by low-temperature (T = 100 K) X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for Cu₆(gfa)₄(dpm)₄(OH)₄ [C₆₄H₈₄Cu₆F₂₄O₂₀]: a = 28.2364(7) Å, b = 12.8072(3) Å, c = 24.7199(7) Å, β= 115.900(1)°, V = 8041.5(4) ų, space group C2/m, Z = 4, d _calc 1.661 g/cm³. The coordination polyhedra of the copper atoms — squares and octahedra — are formed by the oxygen atoms of the gfa and dpm ligands and groups. In all cases, the Cu-O distances vary from 1.89 Å to 2.13 Å. The complexes follow the sites of the rhombohedral sublattice with the parameters a _c ≈ 14.4 Å and a _c ≈ 61.5°.     

Synthesis of Ni(II) complexes with chiral derivatives of cyclohexane-1,2-diamine,bycyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,3-diamine,and 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine

Chiral ligands—derivatives of (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine, (1R,2R)-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine, and (2S,3S)-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,3-diamine—and octahedral Ni(II) complexes on their basis have been synthesized.     

Bis(citrato)germanates of bivalent 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> metals (Fe,Co, Ni,Cu, Zn): Crystal and molecular structure of [Fe(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>6</Subscript>][Ge(HCit)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] · 4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

In continuation of a systematic study of bis(citrate)germanates, we synthesized a number of heterometallic germanium(IV) and 3d metal complexes based in citric acid (H₄Cit) with the molecular formula [M(H₂O)₆][Ge(HCit)₂] · nH₂O, where M = Fe, n = 4 (I); Co, n = 2 (II); Ni, n = 2 (III); Cu, n = 1 (IV); Zn, n = 3 (V). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and IR spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction analysis of compound I was performed. Crystals are monoclinic, a = 10.091(4) Å, b = 11.126(4) Å, c = 10.996(4) Å, β = 100.966(6)°, V = 1212.1(8) ų, Z = 4, space group P2₁/n, R1 = 0.0561 for 2266 reflections with I > 2σ(I). Compound I is composed of centrosymmetric octahedral complexes-[Ge(HCit)₂]^2? anions and [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cations—and crystallization water molecules. Structural units in compound I are combined by a hydrogen bond system.     

Microbial Transformation of Curcumin to Its Derivatives with a Novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia kudriavzevii</Emphasis> ZJPH0802 Strain

Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound, has shown a wide range of pharmacological activities and has been widely used as a food additive. However, the clinical use of curcumin is limited to some extent because of its poor water solubility and low bioavailability. To overcome these problems, many approaches have been attempted and structural modification of curcumin by microbial transformation has been proven to be an alternative. In this study, we isolated a novel yeast strain Pichia kudriavzevii ZJPH0802 from a soil sample, which is capable of converting curcumin to its derivatives. The transformed products by this strain were evaluated by HPLC, (+) electrospray ionization (ESI)-MSⁿ, and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance methods. Compared with controls, two new peaks of the transformed broth appeared at retention times of 26 min (I) and 62 min (II) by HPLC analysis. The two transformed products were then further identified by (+) ESI-MSⁿ. The spectrum showed that compound I had an accurate [M+H+NH₃]⁺ ion at m/z 392, [M+H]⁺ ion at m/z 375, [M+H–H₂O]⁺ ion at m/z 357, and (+) ESI-MS³ spectrum showed that ion at m/z 357 could further form fragment ions at m/z 339, 177, and 163; compound II had an accurate [M+H]⁺ ion at m/z 373, [M+H–H₂O]⁺ ion at m/z 355, and (+) ESI-MS³ spectrum showed that ion at m/z 355 could further form fragment ions at m/z 219, 179, 177, 163, and 137. These two transformed products thereby were confirmed as hexahydrocurcumin (I) and tetrahydrocurcumin (II).     

Chromium ion incorporation in the crystal structure of BGO

Comprehensive investigations have been performed by EPR and optical spectroscopy for Bi₃GeO₄ crystals doped with chromium ions. It is demonstrated that the known optical absorption spectrum for chromium ions, specifically, the triplet in the region 600–900 nm has an analog in the EPR spectra — the center with electron spin S = 1. The spectrum is described by the spin-Hamiltonian with the parameters D = 550 G, E = 10 G, g _xx = g _yy = 1.915, g _zz = 1.932. The EPR spectrum is dictated by Cr⁴⁺ incorporation at the germanium sites. Luminescence observed in the region 1.2–1.7 μm is also caused by transitions of Cr⁴⁺ with tetrahedral surroundings to germanium sites. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2005 N. V. Chernei, V. A. Nadolinnyi, N. V. Ivannikova, V. A. Gusev, I. N. Kupriyanov, V. N. Shlegel, and Ya. V. Vasiliev __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 444–450, May–June, 2005.     

Electrochemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles using a polymeric mediator,whose reduced form is adsorbed (deposited) on an electrode

Efficient mediated electrosynthesis of nanocomposite Au@р(MVCA⁸⁺-co-St) (~6 nm), in which ultrasmall Au nanoparticles (Au-NP) were bound in nanocapsules of water-soluble nanoparticles of соpolymer р(MVCA⁸⁺-co-St) of tetraviologen calix[4]resorcinol (MVCA⁸⁺) with styrene (St), was accomplished by the reduction of Au^I in aqueous medium. The quanti- tative reduction of Au^I was carried out using the theoretically necessary amount of electricity and was not accompanied by the deposition of metal on the electrode. Radical cations of viologen units MV^?+ of the molecule р(MVCA^4?+-co-St) adsorbed on the electrode and π-dimers MV^?+···MV^?+ of π-polymers [р(MVCA^4?+-co-St)] _n deposited on the electrode act- ed as the reducing agents with respect to Au^I. During electrolysis, the nanoparticles agglo- merated to 37—50 nm. The nanocomposite particles dispersed in ethanol had sizes of 72±16 nm and also contained Au-NP with sizes of 51±8 and 19±3 nm. The catalytic activity of the nanocomposite in the reduction of p-nitrophenol with sodium borohydride was demon- strated. A similar reduction of AgCl nanoparticles (~250 nm) led to the formation of silver nanoparticles with crystallite sizes in the range of 7—11 nm, the process was inefficient, however, even when using 250% of electricity, an incomplete reduction of AgCl was still observed.     

Why is ‘amount of substance’ so poorly understood? The mysterious Avogadro constant is the culprit!

The base quantity ‘amount of substance’ is poorly understood and the name and symbol usually avoided. This is because of its formal interpretation as the number of entities multiplied by the reciprocal of the mysterious Avogadro constant, N _A. If X signifies the kind of entities involved, the number of entities in a sample, N(X), is easily comprehended, and if m _av(X) is the sample-average entity mass, the total mass, m(X) = N(X)m _av(X)—an aggregate of N(X) average entity masses—is also conceptually straightforward. However, the corresponding amount of substance, n(X) = N(X)(1/N _A)—an aggregate of N(X) ‘reciprocal Avogadro constants’—is incomprehensible unless some physical meaning can be attached to 1/N _A. By contrast, the base unit, mole, is thought of by chemists as an aggregate of a particular number of entities: mol = \( {\mathcal N}_{\rm{Avo}} \) ent, where \( {\mathcal N}_{\rm{Avo}} \) is the Avogadro number (equal to g/Da) and ent represents one entity. It makes sense, therefore, to interpret amount of substance as an aggregate of a general number of entities: n(X) = N(X) ent—an easily grasped concept. A ‘reciprocal Avogadro constant’ is thus seen to actually be exactly one entity. One mole then corresponds to setting N(X) = \( {\mathcal N}_{\rm{Avo}} \), for which the total mass is the relative entity mass in grams—conforming to the original mole concept.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of hydrated complexes of strontium and barium bromides with 18-crown-6

Two complexes, namely, triaqua(18-crown-6)strontium dibromide monohydrate (I) and diaquabromo(18-crown-6)barium bromide (II), are synthesized. Their crystal structures are determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. For complex I, space group C2/c, a = 17.547 Å, b = 10.246 Å, c = 14.786 Å, β = 123.08°, Z = 4. For complex II, space group Pnma, a = 17.753 Å, b = 17.465 Å, c = 6.629 Å, Z = 4. The structures are solved by a direct method and refined by the full-matrix least-squares method in the anisotropic approximation to R = 0.056 (I) and 0.042 (II) for 2696 (I) and 2440 (II) independent reflections (CAD-4 automated diffractometer, λMoK _α radiation). Both complex cations—randomly disordered [Sr(18C6)(H₂O)₃]²⁺ in complex I and [BaBr(18C6)(H₂O)₂]⁺ in complex II—are of the host-guest type. The Sr²⁺ (Ba²⁺) cation resides in the cavity of the 18-crown-6 ligand and coordinated by all six O atoms. In the structures complexes I and II, the coordination polyhedra of the Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ cations (coordination number 9) can be described as distorted hexagonal bipyramids with one apex at the O atom of the water molecule in complex I or at the Br^? ligand in complex II and the other split apex at the O atoms of two water molecules.