Reaction-based colorimetric and fluorogenic signaling of hydrogen sulfide using a 7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole–coumarin conjugate

A novel reaction-based probe for the dual signaling of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) was investigated. The selective H₂S-induced cleavage of the ether linkage of the 7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD) and 7-hydroxycoumarin conjugate resulted in a dual signaling behavior. The colorimetric and fluorogenic signaling behaviors were attributed to the H₂S-induced generation of 7-nitrobenzo-2,1,3-oxadiazole-4-thiol (NBD-SH) and 7-hydroxycoumarin, respectively. The signaling behavior was analyzed by ratiometry. The selective signaling of H₂S over other common metal ions and anions was possible with a detection limit of 1.6 × 10⁻⁶ M in an aqueous DMSO solution.     

Determination of hydrogen sulfide and volatile thiols in air samples by mercury probe derivatization coupled with liquid chromatography-atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A new procedure is proposed for the sampling and storage of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and volatile thiols (methanethiol or methyl mercaptan, ethanethiol and propanethiol) for their determination by liquid chromatography. The sampling procedure is based on the trapping/pre-concentration of the analytes in alkaline aqueous solution containing an organic mercurial probe p-hydroxymercurybenzoate, HO-Hg-C₆H₄-COO⁻ (PHMB), where they are derivatized to stable PHMB complexes based on mercury-sulfur covalent bonds. PHMB complexes are separated on a C₁₈ reverse phase column, allowing their determination by liquid chromatography coupled with sequential non-selective UV-vis (DAD) and mercury specific (chemical vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry, CVGAFS) on-line detectors. PHMB complexes, S(PHMB)₂CH₃S-PHMB, C₂H₅S-PHMB and C₃H₇S-PHMB, are stable alt least for 12 h at room temperature and for 3 months if stored frozen (−20 °C).The best analytical figures of merits in the optimized conditions were obtained by CVGAFS detection, with detection limits (LODc) of 9.7 μg L⁻¹ for H₂S, 13.7 μg L⁻¹ for CH₃SH, 17.7 μg L⁻¹ for C₂H₅SH and 21.7 μg L⁻¹ for C₃H₇SH in the trapping solution in form of RS-PHMB complexes, the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) ranging between 1.0 and 1.5%, and a linear dynamic range (LDR) between 10 and 9700 μg L⁻¹. Conventional UV absorbance detectors tuned at 254 nm can be employed as well with comparable R.S.D. and LDR, but with LODc one order of magnitude higher than AFS detector and lower specificity. The sampling procedure followed by LC-DAD-CVGAFS analysis has been validated, as example, for H₂S determination by a certified gas permeation tube as a source of 3.071 ± 0.154 μg min⁻¹ of H₂S, giving a recovery of 99.8 ± 7% and it has been applied to the determination of sulfur compounds in real gas samples (biogas and the air of a plant for fractional distillation of crude oil).     

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide based on a coumarin-benzopyrylium platform

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for H₂S was developed based on a coumarin– benzopyrylium platform. The ratiometric sensing is realized by a selective conversion of acyl azide to the corresponding amide, which subsequently undergoes an intramolecular spirocyclization to alter the large π-conjugated system of CB fluorophore. Compared with the traditional azide-based H₂S probes, the proposed probe utilizes the acyl azide as the recognition moiety and exhibits a rapid response (∼1 min) towards H₂S, which is superior to most of the azide-based H₂S probes. Preliminary fluorescence imaging experiments show that probe 1 has potential to track H₂S in living cells.     

A novel polybenzimidazole-modified gold electrode for the analytical determination of hydrogen peroxide

The imine of polybenzimidazole (PBI) is chemically oxidized by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the presence of acetic acid (AcOH). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies (XPS) showed that when the AcOH concentration remained constant, the degree of oxidation increased with increasing H₂O₂ levels. Moreover, the imine also exhibited electrochemical redox behavior. Based on these properties, a PBI-modified Au (PBI/Au) electrode was developed as an enzyme-free H₂O₂ sensor. At an applied potential of −0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the current response of the PBI/Au electrode was linear with H₂O₂ concentration over a range from 0.075 to 1.5 mM, with a sensitivity of 55.0 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻². The probe had excellent stability, with <5% variation from its initial response current after storage at 50 °C for 10 days. Potentially interfering species such as ascorbic or uric acid had no effect on sensitivity. Sensitivity improved dramatically when multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were incorporated in the probe. Under optimal conditions, the detection of H₂O₂ using a MWCNT-PBI/Au electrode was linear from 1.56 μM to 2.5 mM, with a sensitivity of 928.6 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻². Analysis of H₂O₂ concentrations in urine samples using a MWCNT-PBI/Au electrode produced accurate real-time results comparable to those of traditional HPLC methods.     

A two-photon fluorescent probe with a large turn-on signal for imaging hydrogen sulfide in living tissues

A two-photon fluorescence turn-on H₂S probe GCTPOC–H₂S based on a two-photon platform with a large cross-section, GCTPOC, and a sensitive H₂S recognition site, dinitrophenyl ether was constructed. The probe GCTPOC–H₂S exhibits desirable properties such as high sensitivity, high selectivity, functioning well at physiological pH and low cytotoxicity. In particular, the probe shows a 120-fold enhancement in the presence of Na₂S (500 μM), which is larger than the reported two-photon fluorescent H₂S probes. The large fluorescence enhancement of the two-photon probe GCTPOC–H₂S renders it attractive for imaging H₂S in living tissues with deep tissue penetration. Significantly, we have demonstrated that the probe GCTPOC–H₂S is suitable for fluorescence imaging of H₂S in living tissues with deep penetration by using two-photon microscopy. The further application of the two-photon probe for the investigation of biological functions and pathological roles of H₂S in living systems is under progress.     

Nucleic acid biosensor for detection of hepatitis B virus using 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline copper complex as electrochemical indicator

In this study, an electrochemical DNA biosensor was developed based on the recognition of target DNA by hybridization detection. The study was carried out using glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with lable-free 21-mer single-stranded oligonucleotides related to hepatitis B virus sequence via covalent immobilization and [Cu(dmp)(H₂O)Cl₂] (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) as an electrochemical indicator, whose sizes are comparable to those of the small groove of native double-duplex DNA. The method, which is simple and low cost, allows the accumulation of copper complex within the DNA layer. Electochemical detection was performed by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry over the potential range where the [Cu(dmp)(H₂O)Cl₂] was active. Numerous factors affecting the probe immobilization, target hybridization, and indicator binding reactions were optimized to maximize the sensitivity and speed the assay time. With this approach, a sequence of the hepatitis B virus could be quantified over the ranges from 8.82 × 10⁻⁸ to 8.82 × 10⁻⁷ M with a linear correlation of r = 0.9937 and a detection limit of 7.0 × 10⁻⁸ M. The [Cu(dmp)(H₂O)Cl₂] signal observed from probe sequence before and after hybridization with four bases mismatch containing sequence is lower than that observed after hybridization with complementary sequence.     

Stimulated Raman scattering measurements of H2 vibration–vibration transfer

We present a new set of V–V rate coefficients for vibrational levels 0–5 in H₂ at 300 K, measured using a stimulated Raman–spontaneous Raman pump/probe apparatus. The measured rate of the non-resonant process, H₂(v = 1) + H₂(v = 1) → H₂(v = 0) + H₂(v = 2), is consistent with the previously reported experimental value of Kreutz et al. However, semi-classical predictions of such non-resonant processes, using the identical inter-molecular potential and methodology to that given by Cacciatore and Billing, results in rates which are too slow, by a factor of approximately 3. For the “resonant” V–V process, H₂(v = 1) + H₂(v = 0) → H₂(v = 0) + H₂(v = 1), the semi-classical rate is found to be too slow by an even larger factor, of approximately 30, compared to the experimental rate, but consistent with the previously reported experimental result of Farrow and Chandler. Further, unlike the semi-classical model prediction in which the (1, 1 → 2, 0) process rate is predicted to exceed that of the (1, 0 → 0, 1) process, the experimental data shows it to be a factor of approximately 2.5 less, suggesting that semi-classical methods that treat the rotational motion classically are unsuitable for the highly anharmonic H₂ molecule. The ratio of pure rotation and rotation–vibration Raman cross sections for scattering from levels 0 and 1 is also determined, with results which agree with calculations of Schwartz and LeRoy, but are somewhat larger than previous experimental results of Cureton.     

Catalytic gold nanoparticles for fluorescent detection of mercury(II) and lead(II) ions

In this study, we developed a fluorescence assay for the highly sensitive and selective detection of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions using a gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-based probe. The Hg–Au and Pb–Au alloys that formed on the Au NP surfaces allowed the Au NPs to exhibit peroxidase-mimicking catalytic activity in the H₂O₂-mediated oxidation of Amplex UltraRed (AUR). The fluorescence of the AUR oxidation product increased upon increasing the concentration of either Hg²⁺ or Pb²⁺ ions. By controlling the pH values of 5 mM tris–acetate buffers at 7.0 and 9.0, this H₂O₂–AUR–Au NP probe detected Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions, respectively, both with limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio: 3) of 4.0 nM. The fluorescence intensity of the AUR oxidation product was proportional to the concentrations of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions over ranges 0.05–1 μM (R² = 0.993) and 0.05–5 μM (R² = 0.996), respectively. The H₂O₂–AUR–Au NP probe was highly selective for Hg²⁺ (>100-fold) and Pb²⁺ (>300-fold) ions in the presence of other tested metal ions. We validated the practicality of this simple, selective, and sensitive H₂O₂–AUR–Au NP probe through determination of the concentrations of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions in a lake water sample and of Pb²⁺ ions in a blood sample. To the best of our knowledge, this system is the first example of Au NPs being used as enzyme-mimics for the fluorescence detection of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions.     

Hypervalence in germanium compounds containing the tetracylic moiety {S(C6H3S)2O}Ge via O···Ge transannular interactions: A structural study

Treatment of R_nGeCl_4−n with {S(C₆H₃SH)₂O} (1) afforded the stable phenoxathiin-4,6-dithiolate compounds [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeR₂] [n = 2; R = Et (2), Ph (3)] and [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeRCl] [n = 1; R = Et (4), Ph (5)]. Treatment of GeCl₄ with 1 in benzene afforded the dichloro compound [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeCl₂] (8) at 7 °C. Bromo compounds [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeRBr] [R = Et (6), Ph (7)] and [{S(C₆H₃S)₂O}GeBr₂] (9) were synthesized by halogen exchange from the appropriate chloro derivative using KBr/HBr. X-ray structure determinations of diorganyl dithiolate compounds 2 and 3 revealed that germanium atom is contained in a boat–chair-shaped eight-membered central ring and displays a tetrahedral geometry. In contrast, compounds 4–6 display a boat–boat-shaped central ring with a significant intramolecular transannular O···Ge interaction. The geometry of the pentacoordinate Ge atom in these last complexes may be described as distorted trigonal bipyramidal with a 62–65% distortion displacement.     

Microtiterplate phosphate assay based on luminescence quenching of a terbium complex amenable to decay time detection

We describe a terbium-ligand complex (TbL) for a microtiterplate assay for phosphate (P) in the 0.3-100 μmol L⁻¹ range based on luminescence quenching. As the pH optimum is at neutral pH (7.4) the probe is quenched by both, primary (H₂PO₄⁻) and secondary phosphate (HPO₄²⁻). The LOD is 110 nmol L⁻¹. A Stern-Volmer study revealed that quenching is mostly static. Due to the ms-decay time of TbL, the first luminescence lifetime assay for phosphate could also be developed. The lifetime-based calibration plot is linear between 0.5 and 5 μmol L⁻¹ of P. The effect of various surfactants on assay performance and a study on interferents are presented. The probe was successfully applied to determination of P in commercial plant fertilizers and validated against the molybdenum blue test. The probe is the most sensitive lanthanide-based probe for phosphate.     

Micelle-induced multiple performance improvement of fluorescent probes for H2S detection

In this paper, two colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent probes N-[2-(2-hydroxy)-ethoxy] ethyl-4-azido-1,8-naphthalimide (SS1) and N-butyl-4-azido-1,8-naphthalimide (SS2) for selective recognition of H₂S were designed and synthesized. The probes were constructed by incorporating an azido group into the naphthalimide fluorophore as a specifical reaction group for sulfide utilizing its reducing property. Once treated with H₂S, the azido groups of the probes were converted to amino groups and the solutions’ color changed from colorless to yellow companied with a strong yellow-green fluorescence. Rapid and sensitive responses of the probes towards H₂S were achieved in the presence of cationic surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB): the reaction was completed within 10 min in CTAB compared to more than 4 h in buffer solution, and the detection limit decreased from 0.5 μM to 20 nM. High selectivity and good competition of both probes towards H₂S over other 11 ions and 2 reducing agents were realized in CTAB micelle. An overall linear concentration range of 0.05 μM to 1 mM was achieved with the assistance of differently charged surfactants CTAB and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The probes were applied to rapidly and sensitively detect H₂S levels in fetal bovine serum without any pretreatment of the sample.     

Vapour pressure and excess Gibbs free energy of binary mixtures of hydrogen sulphide with ethane, propane, and n-butane at temperature of 182.33 K

The vapour pressure of binary mixtures of hydrogen sulphide with ethane, propane, and n-butane was measured at T = 182.33 K covering most of the composition range. The excess Gibbs free energy of these mixtures has been derived from the measurements made. For the equimolar mixtures for (H₂S + C₂H₆), (820.1 ± 2.4) J · mol⁻¹ for (H₂S + C₃H₈), and (818.6 ± 0.9) J · mol⁻¹ for (H₂S + n-C₄H₁₀). The binary mixtures of H₂S with ethane and with propane exhibit azeotropes, but that with n-butane does not.     

Two types of coordination polymers based on cluster anions [Re4Q4(CN)12] (Q = S, Se) and cations of rare-earth metals Ln: Syntheses and crystal structures

The reactions of aqueous solutions of the tetrahedral cluster anions [Re₄Q₄(CN)₁₂]⁴⁻ (Q = S, Se) with lanthanide chlorides resulted in the crystallization of the formed compounds into two main structural types [{Ln(H₂O)₄(H₂O)_2/3Cl_1/3}₃{Re₄Q₄(CN)₁₂}₂]·2H₂O (Ln = La-Gd, Q = S, Se) and K_0.5(H)_0.5[{Ln(H₂O)₄}{Re₄S₄(CN)₁₂}]·nH₂O or (H)[{Ln(H₂O)₄}{Re₄Se₄(CN)₁₂}]·nH₂O (Ln = Tb-Lu). Compounds of the first type crystallize in the hexagonal crystal system (space group Р6₃/m) and they have a three-dimensional polymeric structure; compounds of the second type crystallize in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Cmcm) and they have a two-dimensional crystal structure due to the polymeric anion {[{Ln(H₂O)₄}{Re₄Q₄(CN)₁₂}]⁻}_∞∞.     

Highly accessible Pt nanodots homogeneously decorated on Au nanorods surface for sensing

Some nanostructures are reported to possess enzyme-mimetic activities similar to those of natural enzymes. Herein, highly-dispersed Pt nanodots on Au nanorods (HD- PtNDs@AuNRs) with mimetic peroxidase activity were designed as an active electrode modifier for fabrication of a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) electrochemical sensor. The HD-PtNDs@AuNRs were synthesized by a seed-mediated growth approach and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The electrochemical and catalytical performances of HD-PtNDs@AuNRs towards H₂O₂ reduction were investigated in detail by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The HD-PtNDs@AuNRs modified electrode displayed a high catalytic activity to H₂O₂ at −0.10 V (versus SCE), a rapid response within 5 s, a wide linear range of 2.0–3800.0 μM, a detection limit of 1.2 μM (S/N = 3), and a high sensitivity of 181 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻². These results suggested a promising potential of fabricating H₂O₂ electrochemical sensor using HD- PtNDs@AuNRs.     

Development of novel and sensitive methods for the determination of sulfide in aqueous samples by hydrogen sulfide generation-inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy

Two new, simple and accurate methods for the determination of sulfide (S²⁻) at low levels (μg L⁻¹) in aqueous samples were developed. The generation of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) took place in a coil where sulfide reacted with hydrochloric acid. The resulting H₂S was then introduced as a vapor into an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and sulfur emission intensity was measured at 180.669 nm. In comparison to when aqueous sulfide was introduced, the introduction of sulfur as H₂S enhanced the sulfur signal emission. By setting a gas separator at the end of the reaction coil, reduced sulfur species in the form of H₂S were removed from the water matrix, thus, interferences could be avoided. Alternatively, the gas separator was replaced by a nebulizer/spray chamber combination to introduce the sample matrix and reagents into the plasma. This methodology allowed the determination of both sulfide and sulfate in aqueous samples. For both methods the linear response was found to range from 5 μg L⁻¹ to 25 mg L⁻¹ of sulfide. Detection limits of 5 μg L⁻¹ and 6 μg L⁻¹ were obtained with and without the gas separator, respectively. These new methods were evaluated by comparison to the standard potentiometric method and were successfully applied to the analysis of reduced sulfur species in environmental waters.     

Solid-phase microextraction—Gas chromatography to determine volatile organic sulfur compounds in the air at sewage treatment plants

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was applied to the determination of 7 volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs), which were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The compounds studied were ethyl mercaptan (CH₃CH₂SH), dimethyl sulfide ((CH₃)₂S), carbon disulfide (CS₂), propyl mercaptan (C₃H₈S), butyl mercaptan (C₄H₁₀S), dimethyl disulfide ((CH₃)₂S₂) and 1-pentanethiol (C₅H₁₂S). Temperature and time conditions of SPME extraction were optimised and the method was validated, with good linearity in a calibration range between 0.1 and 1000 μg m⁻³. Method detection limits ranged between 0.01 and 0.08 μg m⁻³ and method quantification limits were between 0.10 and 0.25 μg m⁻³, allowing real samples taken from several different areas of a sewage treatment plant to be analysed. Repeatability of the method between samples went from 5.6% for pentanethiol up to 14.2% for carbon disulfide, and concentrations of total target compounds were found between 18 and 529 μg m⁻³, depending on the sampling site.     

Uranyl ion complexes with long chain aminoalcoholbis(phenolate) [O,N,O,O′] donor ligands

The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and phenolic ligand precursor [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-4-amino-1-butanol) · HCl], H₃L1 · HCl, leads to a uranyl complex [UO₂(H₂L1)₂] (1a) and [UO₂(H₂L1)₂] · 2CH₃CN (1b). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-4-amino-1-butanol)H₃L2 · HCl], H₃L2 · HCl, yields a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(H₂L2)₂] · CH₃CN (2). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-5-amino-1-pentanol) · HCl], H₃L3 · HCl, produces a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(H₂L3)₂] · 2CH₃CN (3) and the ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-5-amino-1-pentanol) · HCl], H₃L4 · HCl, leads to a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(H₂L4)₂] · 2CH₃CN (4). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-6-amino-1-hexanol) · HCl], H₃L5 · HCl, leads to a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(H₂L5)₂] · 4toluene (5). The complexes 1–5 are obtained using a molar ratio of 1:2 (U to L) in the presence of a base (triethylamine). The molecular structures of 1a, 1b, 3, 4 and 5 were verified by X-ray crystallography. All complexes are neutral zwitterions and have similar centrosymmetric, mononuclear, distorted octahedral uranyl structures with the four coordinating phenoxo ligands in an equatorial plane. In uranyl ion extraction studies from water to dichloromethane with ligands H₃L1 · HCl–H₃L5 · HCl, ligands H₃L1 · HCl, H₃L4 · HCl and H₃L5 · HCl are the most effective ones.     

A method to detect metal–drug complexes and their interactions with pathogenic bacteria via graphene nanosheet assist laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and biosensors

A new method was proposed to probe the interactions between transition metals of Fe(II), Fe(III), Cu(II) with a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), flufenamic acid (FF) using graphene as a matrix for Graphene assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (GALDI-MS). Metal–drug complexation was confirmed via UV absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, pH meter, and change in solution conductivity. The optimal molar ratios for these complexation interactions are stoichiometry 1:2 in both Cu(II) and Fe(II) complexes, and 1:3 in Fe(III) complexes at physiological pH (7.4). Metal complexation of the drug could enhance fluorescence for 20 fold which is due to the charge transfer reaction or increase rigidity of the drug. The main interaction between graphene and flufenamic acid is the П–П interaction which allows us to probe the metal–drug complexation. The GALDI-MS could sensitively detect the drug at m/z 281.0 Da (protonated molecule) with detection limit 2.5 pmol (1.0 μM) and complexation at m/z 661.0, 654.0 and 933.0 Da corresponding to [Cu(II)(FF)₂(H₂O)₂ + H]⁺, [Fe(II)(FF)₂(H₂O)₂ + H]⁺ and [Fe(III) (FF)₃(H₂O)₂ + H]⁺, respectively (with limit of detection (LOD) 2.0 pmol (10.0 μM). Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) spectra show change in the protein profile of intact pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus). The change in the ionization ability (mainly proton affinity) of pathogenic bacteria may be due to the interactions between the bacteria with the drug (or its complexes). Shielding carboxylic group by metals and increase the hydrophilicity could enhance the biocompatibility of complexes toward the pathogenic bacteria which can be used as biosensors with high sensitivity and lowest detectable concentrations are in the range of 3.3 × 10³–3.9 × 10⁴ cfu mL⁻¹ with large linear dynamic range.     

Pentacoordination at antimony in dibenzostibocines via D–Sb transannular interactions (D = O,S): A structural study

Addition of M₂SCN(CH₂R)₂ to D(C₆H₄S)₂SbCl in methylene chloride solution leaded to the formation of the stable compounds D(C₆H₄S)₂SbS₂CN(CH₂R)₂ (D = O, R = Me, 1; D = S, R = Me, 2; R = Ph, 3). The new dibenzostibocines derivatives containing two different types of dithioligands were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic studies (IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR). Single crystal X-ray diffraction determinations of complexes 1–3 revealed that the antimony atom acts as an acceptor atom exhibiting an intramolecular transannular interaction with the donor D atom, expanding its coordination from three to five and displaying a skew trapezoidal local geometry.     

Anion effect on the construction of copper(II) coordination polymers with the twisted ligand bis(4-pyridylthio)methane

The reaction of CuSO₄ · H₂O with 4-bpytm [4-bpytm = bis(4-pyridylthio)methane] in EtOH afforded the complex [Cu(SO₄)(4-bpytm)(H₂O)₃] · H₂O (1 · H₂O) while the reaction of 4-bpytm with Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O in EtOH afforded the complex [Cu(NO₃)₂(4-bpytm)₂] · H₂O (2 · H₂O). The reaction of 4-bpytm with Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O in EtOH/dmf under microwave irradiation afforded the pseudo-polymorph [Cu(NO₃)₂(4-bpytm)₂] · Solv (2 · Solv). Compound 1 · H₂O forms helical chains while compounds 2 · H₂O and 2 · Solv are 2D coordination polymers with a (4,4) topology based on rhombic grids in 2 · H₂O and on a parquet motif in 2 · Solv. The 3D supramolecular organization through hydrogen bonding is analyzed for the three compounds and their thermal behaviour was also investigated.