Sequential fluorometric quantification of γ-aminobutyrate and l-glutamate using a single line flow-injection system with immobilized-enzyme reactors

A single line flow-injection system with immobilized-enzyme reactors is proposed for the sequential quantification of γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) and l-glutamate. A co-immobilized l-glutamate oxidase and catalase reactor and an immobilized GABase reactor were introduced into the flow line in series. Sample and reagent were injected into the flow line using an open sandwich method. GABA was selectively detected by GABase when α-ketoglutarate at a high concentration and NADP⁺ were injected as the reagents with a sample. When GABA at a high concentration and NADP⁺ were injected as the reagents with a sample, l-glutamate only was determined by the series of enzymatic reactions. NADPH produced by the immobilized-enzyme reactors was monitored fluorometrically at 455 nm (excitation at 340 nm). Linear relationships between the responses and concentrations of GABA or l-glutamate were observed in the ranges of 5.0 × 10⁻⁶-5.0 × 10⁻⁴ M and 1.0 × 10⁻⁵-5.0 × 10⁻⁴ M, respectively. The relative standard deviations for ten successive injections were less than 2% at the 0.5 mM level. This analytical method was applied to the sequential quantification of GABA and l-glutamate that were produced and consumed, respectively, by lactic acid bacteria, and the results showed good agreement with those obtained using liquid chromatography.     

Flow-injection analysis for l-glutamate using immobilized l-glutamate oxidase: comparison of an enzyme reactor and enzyme electrode

An enzyme electrode and enzyme based on immobilized l-glutamate oxidase are used for the determination of l-glutamate in a flow-injection system. The hydrogen peroxide produced is monitored amperometrically. The enzyme reactor system surpasses the enzyme electrode system with regard to sensitivity and analytical speed. For both systems, the peak current is linearly related to the l-glutamate concentration in the range 5 × 10^?6-1 × 10^?3 M. l-Glutamate in seasoning can be determined very selectively with < 0.7% r.s.d.     

Periphery-substituted [4+6] salicylbisimine cage compounds with exceptionally high surface areas: influence of the molecular structure on nitrogen sorption properties

The synthesis of various periphery‐substituted shape‐persistent cage compounds by twelve‐fold condensation reactions of four triptycene triamines and six salicyldialdehydes is described, where the substituents systematically vary in bulkiness. The resulting cage compounds were studied as permanent porous material by nitrogen sorption measurements. When the material is amorphous, the steric demand of the cages exterior does not strongly influence the gas uptake, resulting in BET surface areas of approximately 700 m² g^?1 for all cage compounds 3 c – e , independently of the substituents bulkiness. In the crystalline state, materials of the same compounds show a strong interconnection between steric demand of the peripheral substituent and the resulting BET surface area. With increasing bulkiness, the overall BET surface area decreases, for example 1291 m² g^?1 (for cage compound 3 c with methyl substituents), 309 m² g^?1 (for cage compound 3 d with 2‐(2‐ethyl‐pentyl) substituents) and 22 m² g^?1 (for cage compound 3 e with trityl substituents). Furthermore, we found that two different crystalline polymorphs of the cage compound 3 a (with tert‐butyl substituents) differ also in nitrogen sorption, resulting in a BET surface area of 1377 m²g^?1, when synthesized from THF and 2071 m²g^?1, when recrystallized from DMSO.     

Post-Synthetic Modification of a Porous Hydrocarbon Cage to Give a Discrete Co24 Organometallic Complex**

A new alkyne-based hydrocarbon cage was synthesized in high overall yield using alkyne-alkyne coupling in the cage forming step. The cage is porous and displays a moderately high BET surface area (546 m² g⁻¹). The cage loses crystallinity on activation and thus is porous in its amorphous form, while very similar cages have been either non-porous, or retained crystallinity on activation. Reaction of the cage with Co₂(CO)₈ results in exhaustive metalation of its 12 alkyne groups to give the Co₂₄(CO)₇₂ adduct of the cage in good yield.     

Molecular Recognition of Hydrocarbon Guests by a Supramolecular Capsule Formed by the 4:4 Self-Assembly of Tris(Zn2+–Cyclen) and Trithiocyanurate in Aqueous Solution

We have previously reported that the trimeric Zn²⁺–cyclen complex (tris(Zn²⁺–cyclen), [Zn₃L¹]⁶⁺) and the trianion of trithiocyanuric acid (TCA³⁻) assembled in a 4:4 ratio to form a cuboctahedral supramolecular cage, [(Zn₃L¹)₄(TCA³⁻)₄]¹²⁺ (hereafter referred to as a Zn–cage), in neutral aqueous solution (cyclen=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane). Herein, we examined the molecular recognition of C₁–C₁₂ hydrocarbons (C_nH_(2n+2) (n≈1–12)), cyclopentane, cyclododecane, cis-decalin, and trans-decalin by the Zn–cage under normal atmospheric pressure. This cage complex was also able to encapsulate guest molecules that had larger volumes than that of the inner cavity of the Zn–cage, thereby suggesting that the inner shape of the Zn–cage was flexible. Computational simulations of Zn–cage–guest complexes provided support for this conclusion. Moreover, the solvent-accessible surface areas (SASA) of the Zn–cage host, guest molecules, and the Zn–cage-guest complexes were calculated and the data were used to explain the order of stability determined by the guest-replacement experiments. The storage of volatile molecules in aqueous solution by the Zn–cage is also discussed.     

A Reduced‐Symmetry Heterobimetallic [PdPtL4]4+ Cage: Assembly,Guest Binding,and Stimulus‐Induced Switching

A strategy is presented that enables the quantitative assembly of a heterobimetallic [PdPtL₄]⁴⁺ cage. The presence of two different metal ions (Pd^II and Pt^II) with differing labilities enables the cage to be opened and closed selectively at one end upon treatment with suitable stimuli. Combining an inert Pt^II tetrapyridylaldehyde complex with a suitably substituted pyridylamine and Pd^II ions led to the assembly of the cage. ¹H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry data were consistent with the quantitative formation of the cage, and the heterobimetallic structure was confirmed using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The structure of the host–guest adduct with a 2,6‐diaminoanthraquinone guest molecule was determined. Addition of N,N′‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) resulted in the formation of the open‐cage [PtL₄]²⁺ compound and [Pd(DMAP)₄]²⁺ complex. This process could then be reversed, with the reformation of the cage, upon addition of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH).     

A Reduced-Symmetry Heterobimetallic [PdPtL4]4+ Cage: Assembly,Guest Binding,and Stimulus-Induced Switching

A strategy is presented that enables the quantitative assembly of a heterobimetallic [PdPtL₄]⁴⁺ cage. The presence of two different metal ions (Pd^II and Pt^II) with differing labilities enables the cage to be opened and closed selectively at one end upon treatment with suitable stimuli. Combining an inert Pt^II tetrapyridylaldehyde complex with a suitably substituted pyridylamine and Pd^II ions led to the assembly of the cage. ¹H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry data were consistent with the quantitative formation of the cage, and the heterobimetallic structure was confirmed using single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The structure of the host–guest adduct with a 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone guest molecule was determined. Addition of N,N′-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) resulted in the formation of the open-cage [PtL₄]²⁺ compound and [Pd(DMAP)₄]²⁺ complex. This process could then be reversed, with the reformation of the cage, upon addition of p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH).     

Encapsulation Chalcogen Anions in Perfluorinated Silicon Fullerene: X2−@Si20F20 (X=O,S, Se)

The structures and stabilities of cage Si₂₀F₂₀ and its endohedral complexes X²⁻@Si₂₀F₂₀ (X=O, S, Se) were determined at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) levels of density functional theory (DFT). It is found that the adiabatic electron affinity (EA_ad) of host cage Si₂₀F₂₀ (I_h) is higher than that of isolated O atom (4.24 vs. 1.46 eV). This suggests the Si₂₀F₂₀ cage can selectively trap and stabilize the capsulated spherical anions. The calculations predict that X=S and Se are nearly located at the center of the cage, and O dramatically deviates from the center in C_3v symmetry. Moreover, the corresponding X²⁻@Si₂₀F₂₀ complexes have more negative inclusion energies (ΔE_inc) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔZ) than X²⁻@C₂₀F₂₀. The amount of charge that is being transferred from the encapsulated anions to the cage increases with the atomic radius, i.e., from O²⁻ (ca. 45%), S²⁻ (ca. 51%) to Se²⁻ (ca. 59%), and such a novel model of cage may have practical uses as potential and electrical building units of nanoscale materials.     

An Imine‐Based Molecular Cage with Distinct Binding Sites for Small and Large Alkali Metal Cations

The synthesis of a cylindrical, imine‐based cage composed of two trimeric metallamacrocycles is described. The cage acts as a heterotopic receptor for alkali metal cations. The small cations Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ bind to the outside of the cage with good selectivity for Li⁺, whereas the larger cations Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ are bound inside the cage to form unusual π complexes with a good selectivity for Cs⁺. Negative heterotopic cooperativity between the two binding sites is observed. The complexation of Cs⁺ is associated with a color change, which enables the cage to be used as a specific sensor for Cs⁺.     

一种C50Cl10富勒烯氯化物新的生成机理的密度泛函理论计算

过去广泛接受#271C50Cl10是由#271C50空笼直接氯化得到.我们通过研究拓扑结构弄清了C50富勒烯之间的相互关系.利用密度泛函理论(DFT)计算从最稳定 C50富勒烯#270C50出发,通过氯化和 Stone-Wales (SW)转变获得#271C50Cl10.结果表明：氯化后最终产物是热力学最有利的,并且在有氯存在下, SW 转变的活化能垒会降低.这些结果可以解释目前的相关实验事实,暗示了#270C50空笼先氯化得到不同#270C50氯化物,再进行两次SW旋转的路径,由于活化能垒更低因而是一条更为可行的路线.     

Role of metal co-cations in improving CuY zeolite performance for DMC synthesis: A theoretical study

First principle calculations based on density functional theory are conducted to investigate the influence of metal cations including Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, La (OH)²⁺ and Ce (OH)²⁺ in the small cage of zeolite on the electronic environment of adjacent active center, Cu⁺ in CuY zeolite as well as the process of CO insertion into CH₃O to form CH₃OCO for oxidative carbonylation of methanol. The study explains the theoretical reasons for the effects of metal cations on the catalytic activity of zeolites. It was found that, the presence of co-cations in the small cage can affect the electronic properties and also the catalytic activity in two ways. Firstly, the presence of co-cations, viz., Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺ and La species in small cage hinders the migration of active Cu⁺ cations from the super cage to small cage. Secondly, the co-cations greatly affect the charge transfer from zeolite framework to Cu⁺ present in the adjacent super cage, leading to the increase of the net charge and binding energy of Cu⁺. The findings can improve the CO adsorption and insertion efficiencies, and the stability of transition states, which results in the enhanced catalytic activity of corresponding zeolites.     

Preferential solvation and assisted substitution of chloropentaamminecobalt(III) ion in water-dimethyl sulfoxide media

The composition of the solvent cage of chloropentaamminechromium(III) ion was determined in water—dimethyl sulfoxide media using proton NMR line-broadening methods and the approach of Covington and coworkers. The number of solvent molecules in the solvent cage was found to be 10. The stepwise formation constants for the substitution of 10 water molecules by 10 dimethylsulfoxide molecules in this solvent cage were calculated. After the first such substitution each successive substitution becomes 1027 J mol⁻¹ more difficult, exclusive of statistical factors, than the preceding substitution. The solvent cage composition was assumed to apply to the chloropentaamminecobalt(III) ion. Mercury(II)-assisted removal of chloride ion from the latter complex gave [Co(NH₃)₅{OSMe₂}]³⁺/[Co(NH₃)₅(H₂O)]³⁺ product ratios which did not correlate with either the solvent cage composition or the activity ratio of the two solvent components in the bulk phase of the solvent.     

Synthesis of Long‐Sought C66 with Exohedral Stabilization

Previously reported fused‐pentagon fullerenes stabilized by exohedral derivatization do not share the same cage with those stabilized by endohedral encapsulation. Herein we report the crystallographic identification of ^#4348C₆₆Cl₁₀, which has the same cage as that of previously reported Sc₂@C₆₆. According to the geometrical data of ^#4348C₆₆Cl₁₀, both strain relief (at the fused pentagons) and local aromaticity (on the remaining sp²‐hybrided carbon framework) contribute to the exohedral stabilization of this long‐sought 66 carbon atom cage.     

From Discrete Molecular Cages to a Network of Cages Exhibiting Enhanced CO2 Adsorption Capacity

We have adopted the concept of “cage to frameworks” to successfully produce a Na–N connected coordination networked cage Na‐NC1 by using a [3+6] porous imine‐linked organic cage NC1 (Nanjing Cage 1) as the precursor. It is found that Na‐NC1 exhibits hierarchical porosity (inherent permanent voids and interconnected channel) and gas sorption measurements reveal a significantly enhanced CO₂ uptake (1093 cm³ g⁻¹ at 23 bar and 273 K) than that of NC1 (162 cm³ g⁻¹ under the same conditions). In addition, Na‐NC1 exhibits very low CO₂ adsorption enthalpy making it a good candidate for porous materials with both high CO₂ storage and low adsorption enthalpy.     

Encapsulation of the interstellar abundant H3+ in a C60 fullerene

The possible encapsulation of the interstellar abundant H₃⁺ ion inside a C₆₀ fullerene cage has been examined by using the Hartree‐Fock (HF) and the second order Møller‐Plesset perturbation (MP2) methods both with the 6‐31G** basis set. It was found that H₃⁺ forms various stable endohedral complexes inside the cage. Six configurations have been examined among which four were stable compared with the separated initial species, the dissociated H₂ + H⁺ inside the cage being the most stable. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

A Self-Assembled Capsule for Propylene/Propane Separation

The development of energy-saving technology for the efficient separation of olefin and paraffin is highly important for the chemical industry. Herein, we report a self-assembled Fe₄L₆ capsule containing a hydrophobic cavity, which can be used to encapsulate and separate propylene/propane. The successful encapsulation of propylene and propane by the Fe₄L₆ cage in a water solution was documented by NMR spectroscopy. The binding constants K for the Fe₄L₆ cage toward propylene and propane were determined to be (5.0±0.1)×10³ M⁻¹ and (2.1±0.7)×10⁴ M⁻¹ in D₂O at 25 °C, respectively. Experiments and theoretical studies revealed that the cage exhibited multiple weak interactions with propylene and propane. The polymer-grade propylene (>99.5 %) can be obtained from a mixture of propylene and propane by using the Fe₄L₆ cage as a separation material in a U-shaped glass tube. This work provides a new strategy for the separation of olefin/paraffin.     

A Porphyrin Coordination Cage Assembled from Four Silver(I) Triazolyl‐Pyridine Complexes

The synthesis of a zinc(II) porphyrin 1 with four appended triazolyl–pyridine chelates is reported. Complexation of the porphyrin peripheral ligands with Ag^I ions in a 1:2 binding stoichiometry afforded quantitatively the coordination cage [Ag₄( 1 )₂]⁴⁺. The assembly and disassembly processes of the cage were investigated in solution using UV/Vis spectroscopy. The mathematical analysis of the data obtained in the UV/Vis titration of 1 with Ag^I confirmed the assembly in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (90:10) solution of a species having a 1:2 porphyrin/silver stoichiometry and assigned to it an overall stability constant of 5.0×10²⁶ M ^?5. The use of a model system allowed an independent assessment of a microscopic binding constant value (K_m) for the interaction between the triazolyl‐pyridine ligand and Ag^I. The coincidence that existed between the K_m values extracted from the model system and the titration of 1 provided an indication of the quality and fit of the data analysis. It also allowed the calculation of the average effective molarity (EM) value for the three intramolecular processes that led to the cage assembly as 2.6 mM . Simulated speciation profiles supported the conclusion that at millimolar concentration and working under strict stoichiometric control of the silver/porphyrin ratio, the cage [Ag₄( 1 )₂]⁴⁺ was the species exclusively assembled in solution. On the other hand, when the concentration of added Ag^I was approximately 2.6 mM , 50 % of the coordination cage disassembled into open aggregates.     

Self-assembly of a quadrangular prismatic covalent cage templated by zinc ions: A selective fluorescent sensor for palladium ions

Herein we report a covalent cage TPE-Zn₄ based on a tetraphenylethylene molecule via subcomponent self-assembly, which is templated by zinc ions. TPE-Zn₄ features a quadrangular prismatic cage structure, which is characterized by NMR, mass spectrum, and single-crystal X-ray diffractions. TPE-Zn₄ emitted orange fluorescence (λ_em = 620 nm) in DMSO solution under the irradiation of UV light (λ_ex = 395 nm) and can be applied as a fluorescence sensor for selectively detecting Pd²⁺. The fluorescence of TPE-Zn₄ was quenched by Pd²⁺ in DMSO solution, and a very low detection limit of 62.3 nM was achieved. Mechanism studies reveal that the Pd²⁺ can replace the Zn²⁺, and the heavy atom effect and chelation-enhanced quenching effect between the Pd²⁺ and the cage probably cause the fluorescence quenching.     

Spontaneous Resolution of an Electron‐Deficient Tetrahedral Fe4L4 cage

A highly electron‐deficient C₃‐symmetric tris(bipyridyl) ligand was prepared in four steps and used for the coordination of Fe(OTf)₂, thereby resulting in the homochiral assembly of a new family of robust tetrahedral M₄L₄ cages. This homochiral T‐symmetric cage containing a relatively large cavity of 330 ų is capable of encapsulating an anionic guest, as was determined by mass spectrometry, ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, and finally shown from its crystal structure. Moreover, crystallization of the cage from CH₃CN led to crystals containing both (ΔΔΔΔ and ΛΛΛΛ) enantiomers, while crystallization from CH₃OH resulted in crystals containing only the right‐handed (ΔΔΔΔ) cage. The difference in the crystal packing of the two crystal structures is discussed and a feasible explanation for the unique phenomenon among supramolecular cages—spontaneous resolution—is given.     

Responsive Janus Cage Reactor

A Janus silica cage was synthesized by selectively grafting an ionic liquid (IL) and poly‐N‐isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) (lower critical solution temperature (LCST)≈32 °C) onto the exterior and interior sides of the mesoporous SiO₂ shell. The paramagnetic core inside the cavity is responsible for magnetic collection. The PW₁₂O₄₀^3? anion is further conjugated onto the IL side by anion exchange. The Janus cage acts as a thermal‐responsive reactor for catalytic oxidization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in the presence of H₂O₂. The sulfide in the model oil can be completely decomposed at 25 °C, whilst the oxidative products are more dissoluble in water and preferentially captured inside the Janus cage. The Janus cage reactor could be regenerated at high temperature above 32 °C after releasing the products.