Electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on heterogeneous carbon materials

Abstract  An overview of the use of electrochemical sensors made from heterogeneous carbon materials (carbon paste electrodes, screen-printed carbon electrodes) in the field of food analysis is presented. Sensors for inorganic and organic analytes as well as biosensors are summarized. Graphical abstract        

Recent applications of surface plasmon resonance biosensors for analyzing residues and contaminants in food

Abstract  Optical biosensors based on surface plasmon resonance are increasingly used to detect and (semi)quantify residues and contaminants in food. This review provides an overview of the methods published in this field since the year 2003. Such biosensors have mostly been applied to veterinary drug residues, like aminoglycosides, beta-agonists, cephalexin, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolones, levamisole, nicarbazin, nitroimidazoles, penicillins, ractopamine, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and tylosin in milk, egg, honey, prawn, muscle, liver and kidney. Only a few methods have been published on pesticide residues, mycotoxins, phycotoxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and surfactants. These procedures are described with regard to biological recognition element, type of sensor chip, immobilisation procedure, sample extraction and clean-up, crossreactivity, nonspecific binding, matrix interference, chip regeneration, assay formats, calibration, validation and instrumentation. Graphical Abstract        

Electrochemical biosensors for food analysis

Abstract  Food analysis has become a very important and interesting area of research because of the rapid expansion of food trade and highly increased mobility of today’s populations. Food quality control is essential both for consumer protection and also for the food industry. Application of the electrochemical biosensors in the field of food analysis is promising. This review covers the recent developments and issues in electrochemical biosensors for food analysis, such as ease of preparation, robustness, sensitivity, and realization of mass production of the detection strategies. This review also emphasizes the current development of electrochemical biosensors combined with nanotechnology. Graphical abstract        

Ultra-thin emissive molecular devices: polarized emission of Ln(III) complex films

Abstract  On ultra-thin films, Tb(III) shows polarized ff-emission in the visible wavelength region induced by intramolecular energy transfer from the photoexcited organic ligand, such as phenanthroline. Pr(III) causes polarized ππ* emission from the chromophore in the ultra-thin film (Langmuir–Blodgett film). Here, the unique optical properties of molecular devices with lanthanide complexes are summarized. Graphical Abstract        

Interaction of push–pull <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert-</Emphasis>enamines with phenylglyoxal

Abstract  The reaction of push–pull enamines with 1,2-biselectrophilic phenylglyoxal was investigated. Phenylglyoxal was found to react depending on the structure of the push–pull enamine, affording either a hydroxyalkylation product at the methyl group or the cyclic product via participation of the methyl group and the β-carbon of the enamine. Graphical abstract        

Synthesis and study of the fluorescent behavior of 3-pyridinecarbonitriles

Abstract  A series of (2E)-3-(1-chloro-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-1-(4-aryl)prop-2-en-1-ones (chalcones) have been synthesized by a new synthetic route. The 3-pyridinecarbonitrile derivatives were synthesized by the Michael reaction of malononitrile (in base) and aroylacetonitriles (in acid) with chalcones in one pot. The fluorescent properties and quantum yields of these compounds were studied. Graphical Abstract        

A highly efficient and ecofriendly procedure for tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols and phenols in the presence of in-situ generated I2 under heterogeneous and neutral conditions

Abstract  Molecular iodine generated in situ from Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O/NaI acts as a highly efficient catalyst for tetrahydropyranylation of various alcohols and phenols with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran in almost quantitative yields. The reaction occurs rapidly in dichloromethane at room temperature, and use of toxic molecular iodine is avoided. Graphical Abstract        

Electrochemical production of novel products from 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone in the presence of some β-diketones

Abstract  Electrochemical oxidation of 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone has been studied in the presence of β-diketones as nucleophiles in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the derivatives of 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone participate in a Michael addition reaction to form the corresponding benzofuran derivatives. The electrochemical synthesis has been successfully performed at pH 7.0 and E = 0.1 V versus an Ag|AgCl|KCl (3 M) in an undivided cell in good yield and purity. Graphical Abstract        

A synthesis of diethyl alkylsulfanylmethylmalonates catalyzed by KOH in an ionic liquid

Abstract  1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide was used as a green recyclable alternative to volatile organic solvents for KOH catalyzed three-component synthesis of diethyl alkylsulfanylmethylmalonates from aldehydes, diethyl malonate, and alkylthiols. Graphical Abstract  A synthesis of diethyl alkylsulfanylmethylmalonates catalyzed by KOH in an ionic liquid      

Amino acid derivatives, X [1]: synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of α-amino acid esters bearing a N1-protected tryptophan side chain

Abstract  A series of peptide derivatives conjugated with N¹-protected tryptophan residue was synthesized. The prepared compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against four different bacterial species displaying different degrees of antibacterial activities or inhibitory actions. Graphical Abstract        

Efficient conversion of aldoximes to nitriles using phosphoric acid diethyl ester 2-phenylbenzimidazol-1-yl ester

Abstract  Aromatic aldoximes were converted to the corresponding nitriles in good to excellent yields by employing phosphoric acid diethyl ester 2-phenylbenzimidazol-1-yl ester as reagent. The method was equally effective for oximes bearing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents. Graphical Abstract        

Practical and general method for the direct synthesis of alkyl fluorides from alcohols under mild conditions: a reinvestigation

Abstract  In contrast to the results presented in a previous report, the direct conversion of alcohols to alkyl fluorides with triphenylphosphine and potassium fluoride in CCl₄/DMF under mild conditions failed. Graphical Abstract        

An atomistic simulation study of oxygen-vacancy migration in perovskite electrolytes based on LaGaO3

Abstract  Static lattice simulation techniques were used to calculate the energetic barriers for oxygen-vacancy migration in the perovskite-type oxide LaGaO₃ substituted with alkaline earth cations. The calculated migration energies are found to vary with the number and size of the substituting cations in the immediate neigbourhood of the migrating defect. It is argued that not only the size but also the charge of the cations constituting the saddle-point configuration play a role in determining the migration energy. Graphical abstract        

DNA biosensors for the detection of aflatoxin producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus flavus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. parasiticus</Emphasis>

Abstract  In this work, we report on the development of a DNA-based piezoelectric biosensor specific for the detection of an amplicon of the aflD gene of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Expression of this gene is consistently correlated with a strain’s ability to produce aflatoxins that are considered very potent liver carcinogens in various animal species and humans. The DNA biosensor has been characterized with synthetic oligonucleotides and amplicons. Moreover, it has been applied to the analysis of real samples consisting of amplicons of DNA extracted from flours and feed contaminated with A. flavus and A. parasiticus. Graphical Abstract        

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]-oxazocine-3,5-dione and its derivatives

Abstract  The enzymatic cyclization of phenoxyacetylcyanomethylenetriphenylphosphorane derivatives using pre-treated baker’s yeast cells, a rapid one-pot assembly of heteromacrocyclic compounds, is described. Graphical abstract        

Structure and conductivity in CeNb<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>9-δ</Subscript>

Abstract  In the search of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells, a study of the structure and electrical conductivity of Mg-doped and nominally pure CeNb₃O_9-δ was undertaken. This material exhibits an orthorhombic crystal structure as determined by Rietveld refinement. Through a combined study of 4-point DC and AC impedance spectroscopy, it was determined that the material presents oxygen ion conductivity, electron conductivity and electron-hole conductivity according to the partial pressure of oxygen and temperature in agreement with a simple defect chemistry model. Finally, some experiments seem to indicate the presence of proton conduction. Graphical Abstract        

Synthesis of 3-(quinoxalin-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-ones under microwave irradiation

Abstract  A facile procedure for the synthesis of quinoxalines is being reported starting from 3-(2-bromoacetyl)coumarins or 3-(2-bromobutanoyl)coumarins and substituted o-phenylenediamines. The reactions were carried out under catalyst-free and microwave irradiation conditions producing the title compounds in moderate to excellent yields in a short time with easy workup. The structures of all new compounds have been confirmed on the basis of their IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS data. Graphical Abstract        

Enantioselective synthesis of 1-arylethanediols by rhodium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of α-tosyloxyarylketones

Abstract  Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of α-tosyloxyarylketones mediated by a chiral rhodium complex using an azeotropic mixture of formic acid/triethylamine afforded the corresponding 1-arylethanediol monotosylates in excellent yield with high enantioselectivity. Graphical abstract        

Three-components condensation catalyzed by molecular iodine for the synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines and 5-unsubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones under solvent-free conditions

Abstract  One-pot, three-components synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines and 5-unsubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones was performed under solvent-free conditions using molecular iodine as the catalyst in moderate to good product yields. Graphical abstract        

Polymer-supported zinc chloride: a highly active and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for one-pot synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles

Abstract  A polymer-supported Lewis acid catalyst was prepared and found to be extremely efficient for the preparation of imidazole derivatives via three-component condensation of benzil, aldehydes, and ammonium acetate under mild conditions. The catalyst is stable and can be easily recovered and reused at least four times without any loss of activity. Graphical Abstract