Polyaspartic acid-doped CaCO3 nanospheres: A novel signal-generation tag for electrochemical immunosensing with calcium ion-selective electrode

A novel signal-generation tag based on polyaspartic acid (PASA)-doped CaCO₃ nanospheres was utilized for development of the electrochemical immunosensing protocol with a calcium ion-selective electrode (Ca-ISE). The organic-inorganic hybrid nanospheres were synthesized via the reverse micellar method, and functionalized with the detection antibody through the carbodiimide coupling. Upon target analyte introduction, a sandwiched immunoreaction was carried out on the microplate between capture antibody and the labeled detection antibody on the CaCO₃ nanospheres. The carried CaCO₃ was dissolved under acidic conditions, and the released Ca^2 + ions were detected on a Ca-ISE. The detectable electronic signal increased with the increasing target concentration. By monitoring the shift in the potential, the concentration of the analyte could be quantitatively evaluated by using a portable ion-selective electrode. Importantly, our strategy can be readily applied in other electrochemical detection systems (e.g., DNA sensors, immunosensors and aptasensors) by controlling the corresponding labels on the CaCO₃ nanospheres.     

Resistive-type sensors based on few-layer MXene and SnO2 hollow spheres heterojunctions: Facile synthesis,ethanol sensing performances

High-performance and low-cost gas sensors are highly desirable and involved in industrial production and environmental detection. The combination of highly conductive MXene and metal oxide materials is a promising strategy to further improve the sensing performances. In this study, the hollow SnO₂ nanospheres and few-layer MXene are assembled rationally via facile electrostatic synthesis processes, then the SnO₂/Ti₃C₂T_x nanocomposites were obtained. Compared with that based on either pure SnO₂ nanoparticles or hollow nanospheres of SnO₂, the SnO₂/Ti₃C₂T_x composite-based sensor exhibits much better sensing performances such as higher response (36.979), faster response time (5 s), and much improved selectivity as well as stability (15 days) to 100 ppm C₂H₅OH at low working temperature (200 °C). The improved sensing performances are mainly attributed to the large specific surface area and significantly increased oxygen vacancy concentration, which provides a large number of active sites for gas adsorption and surface catalytic reaction. In addition, the heterostructure interfaces between SnO₂ hollow spheres and MXene layers are beneficial to gas sensing behaviors due to the synergistic effect.     

γ-Al2O3 supported Pd@CeO2 core@shell nanospheres: salting-out assisted growth and self-assembly,and their catalytic performance in CO oxidation

In this paper, we have successfully demonstrated the clean synthesis of high-quality Pd@CeO₂ core@shell nanospheres with tunable Pd core sizes in water, and furthermore loaded the as-obtained Pd@CeO₂ products on commercial γ-Al₂O₃via electrostatic interaction. KBr here plays two key roles in inducing the growth and self-assembly of Pd@CeO₂ core@shell nanospheres. First, Br^– ions can retard the reduction of Pd²⁺ ions via the formation of the more stable complex of [PdBr₄]^2– so as to tune the size of Pd cores. Second, it greatly decreases the colloidal stability, and hence the surface polarity-weakened Pd and CeO₂ NPs have to spontaneously self-assemble into more stable and ordered structures. Among different-sized Pd samples, the as-obtained 8 nm-Pd@CeO₂/Al₂O₃ one exhibits the best performance in catalytic CO oxidation, which can catalyze 100% CO conversion into CO₂ at 95 °C, which is much lower than the previously reported CeO₂-encapsulated Pd samples.     

The reactions of iminosulfur difluorides and chlorine monofluoride

The reactions of perfluoroalkyl- and perfluoroacyl-iminosulfur difluorides with chlorine monofluoride result in the preparation of perfluoroalkyldichloroamines and a new class of compounds N,N-dichloroperfluoroamides, R_fC(O)NCl₂, via the elimination of SF₄. The amides, FC(O)NCl₂ and CF₃C(O)NCl₂, in addition to 1,2-bis-(dichloroamino)tetrafluoroethane, Cl₂NCF₂CF₂NCl₂, are reported and characterized. The reactions of CIF with other sulfur(IV) imines proceed in an analogous manner to form perfluoroalkyl-dichloroamines via the elimination of the corresponding sulfur(IV) fluoride.     

5-Fluorouracil-containing inorganic iron oxide/platinum nanozymes with dual drug delivery and enzyme-like activity for the treatment of breast cancer

Intrinsic enzyme-mimic activity of inorganic nanoparticles has been widely used for nanozymatic anticancer and antibacterial treatment. However, the relatively low peroxidase-mimic activity (PMA) and catalse-mimic activity (CMA) of nanozymes in tumor microenvironment has hampered their potential application in the cancer therapy. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to fabricate platinum (Pt) nanozymes dispersed on the surface of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanosphere that, in addition to boosting the PMA and CMA, resulted in the formation of a pH-sensitive nano-platform for drug delivery in breast cancer therapy. After development of Fe₃O₄ nanospheres containing Pt nanozymes and loading 5-fluorouracil (abbreviated as: Fe₃O₄/Pt-FLU@PEG nanospheres), the physicochemical properties of the nanospheres were examined by electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric, BET surface, and PMA/CMA analyses. Then, the cytotoxicity of the Fe₃O₄/Pt-FLU@PEG nanospheres against 4T1 cells was investigated by the cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry. Also, the anticancer effect of fabricated nanoplatform was assessed in mouse bearing 4T1 cancer tumors, in vivo. The results showed that the Fe₃O₄/Pt-FLU@PEG nanospheres provide a platform for optimal FLU loading, continuous pH-sensitive drug release, and potential PMA and CMA to increase the level of ROS and O₂, respectively. Cytotoxicity outputs showed that the Fe₃O₄/Pt-FLU@PEG nanospheres mitigate the proliferation of 4T1 cancer cells mediated by apoptosis and intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, in vivo assays indicated a significant reduction in tumor size and overcoming tumor hypoxia. Overall, we believe that the developed nanospheres with dual enzyme-mimic activity and pH-sensitive drug delivery can be used for ROS/chemotherapy double-modality antitumor therapy.     

Vanadium 8-hydroxyquinolate as a reagent for the detection of alcohols,thiols and amines

The 8-hydroxyquinolate of pentavalent vanadium (“vanadium 8-hydroxyquinolate”, (C₉H₆ON)₂. VO.OH) dissolves in a number of chlorohydrocarbons to give deep blue-black solutions. These solutions undergo distinctive colour changes upon addition of acids (blue), alcohols (red via purple), thiols (yellow via green) and amines (yellow via green), provided that these reagents are soluble in the chlorohydrocarbon. These sensitive and specific qualitative tests are extended to the semiquantitative determination of alcohols. For comparable compounds the rate of reaction with vanadium 8-hydroxyquinolate is as follows: [—NH₂, NH,  N] > [—CH₂OH,—CH₂SH] > [CHOH, CHSH] > [COH,  CSH].     

Electrochemistry and biosensing activity of cytochrome c immobilized on a mesoporous interface assembled from carbon nanospheres

We report on an amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide. It is obtained via layer-by-layer assembly of ordered mesoporous carbon nanospheres and poly(diallyldimethylammonium) on the surface of an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass electrode and subsequent adsorption of cytochrome c. UV–vis absorption spectroscopy was applied to characterize the process of forming the assembled layers. Cyclic voltammetry revealed a direct and quasi-reversible electron transfer between cytochrome c and the surface of the modified ITO electrode. The surface-controlled electron transfer has an apparent heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constant (k _s ) of 5.9?±?0.2?s^?1 in case of the 5-layer electrode. The biosensor displays good electrocatalytic response to the reduction of H₂O₂, and the amperometric signal increase steadily with the concentration of H₂O₂ in the range from 5?μM to 1.5?mM. The detection limit is 1?μM at pH 7.4. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K _m ) of the sensor is 0.53?mM. We assume that the observation of a direct electron transfer of cytochrome c on mesoporous carbon nanospheres may form the basis for a feasible approach for durable and reliable detection of H₂O₂.

Bovine Serum Albumin Nanospheres Synchronously Encapsulating “Gold Selenium/Gold” Nanoparticles and Photosensitizer for High-Efficiency Cancer Phototherapy

Gold nanostructures have generated significant attention in biomedical areas because of their major role in cancer photothermal therapeutics. In order to conveniently combine gold nanostructures and drugs into one nanocomposite, Au₂Se/Au core–shell nanostructures with strong near-infrared-absorbing properties were synthesized using a simple method and embedded inside bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanospheres by using a spray dryer equipped with an ultrasonic atomizer followed by thermal denaturation. The nanospheres with narrow size distribution mainly ranging from 450 to 600 nm were obtained. The Au₂Se/Au-loaded BSA nanospheres (1 mg) adsorbed at least 0.01 mg of water-insoluble zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) photosensitizer. After irradiation with a 655-nm laser (20 min), the temperature of the Au₂Se/Au-loaded BSA nanospheres [200 μL, 2 mg/mL, BSA/Au₂Se/Au 10:1 (w/w)] increased by over 20 °C from the initial temperature of 24.82?±?0.15 °C, and the release of ZnPc was improved compared with a corresponding sample without irradiation. After being incubated with cancer cells (human esophageal carcinoma Eca-109), the nanospheres exhibited photothermal and photodynamic therapy with a synergistic effect upon laser irradiation. This work provides novel Au₂Se/Au-loaded polymer nanospheres prepared by a high-efficiency strategy for incorporating drugs for improving the efficiency in killing cancer cells.     

Synthesis of monoclinic WO3 nanosphere hydrogen gasochromic film via a sol–gel approach using PS-b-PAA diblock copolymer as template

A monoclinic tungsten trioxide (WO₃) nanosphere film was synthesized via a sol–gel approach using an amphiphilic diblock copolymer polystyrene-b-polyacrylic acid (PS-b-PAA) as template in toluene. The morphology, surface area and crystal structure of as-synthesized WO₃ were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET (N₂) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD pattern of WO₃ nanosphere film can be identified as a pure monoclinic WO₃ phase. The WO₃ precursor nanospheres had diameters ranging from 20 to 150 nm and surface area of 78.8 m² g^?1. The hydrogen gasochromic experiments revealed that such WO₃ nanosphere film with high surface area had a rapid response (5 ～ 10 s) to pure hydrogen at room temperature.     

Galvanic replacement synthesis of AgxAu1–x@CeO2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) core@shell nanospheres with greatly enhanced catalytic performance

A galvanic replacement strategy has been successfully adopted to design Ag_xAu_1–x@CeO₂ core@shell nanospheres derived from Ag@CeO₂ ones. After etching using HAuCl₄, the Ag core was in situ replaced with Ag_xAu_1–x alloy nanoframes, and void spaces were left under the CeO₂ shell. Among the as-prepared Ag_xAu_1–x@CeO₂ catalysts, Ag_0.64Au_0.36@CeO₂ shows the optimal catalytic performance, whose catalytic efficiency reaches even 2.5 times higher than our previously reported Pt@CeO₂ nanospheres in the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by ammonia borane (AB). Besides, Ag_0.64Au_0.36@CeO₂ also exhibits a much lower 100% conversion temperature of 120 °C for catalytic CO oxidation compared with the other samples.     

Highly active Pd(II) catalysts with pyridylbenzoimidazole ligands for the Heck reaction

The air-, and thermo-stable palladium(II) complexes C1-C10 are prepared by the reaction of PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ with pyridylbenzoimidazole. With various substituents on the pyridine ring, palladium atom was coordinated by two pyridylbenzoimidazole molecules via nitrogen atoms of benzoimidazole. The structure of complexes C3, C4, C6, and C7 has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Without substituents on the pyridine ring, palladium atom was directly coordinated with two nitrogen atoms of pyridine and benzoimidazole nitrogen via intramolecular chelation (C10). These complexes performed the Heck olefination of aryl bromides in a good to high yield under phosphine-free conditions.     

A vicarious approach to porphyrin aldehydes

The novel synthesis of nitro-porphyrin aldehydes via vicarious nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen in the corresponding nitro-meso-tetraphenylphyrinates (Zn^II, Cu^II) with haloform carbanions, followed by hydrolysis of the introduced dihalomethyl groups under mild conditions (H₂O–toluene, AgClO₄, reflux) is described.     

Reaction of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran. Lewis acid effect on the reaction pathway

Reaction of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran in the presence of lanthanide triflates, as well as CuOTf, Sn(OTf)₂, SnCl₂, ZnCl₂, GaCl₃, and MgI₂, proceeds as a formal [3+4]-cycloaddition leading to a newly formed seven-membered ring. This reaction was found to be typical of cyclopropane-1,1-diesters and dinitriles, as well as 1-nitrocyclo-propanecarboxylates containing aromatic, heteroaromatic, and vinylic substituents at the C(2) atom of the small ring. When Me₃SiOTf, TiCl₄, SnCl₄, or BF₃·OEt₂ were used as initiators, unusual cyclic hemiacetals were formed via the conjugate 1,4-addition of a cyclopropane and a nucleophile to the diene moiety.     

Chirally Functionalized Hollow Nanospheres Containing L‐Prolinamide: Synthesis and Asymmetric Catalysis

Chirally functionalized hollow nanospheres with different surface properties were successfully synthesized by co‐condensation of (2S,1′R,2′R)‐N‐tert‐butyloxycarbonylpyrrolidine‐2‐carboxylic acid [2′‐(4‐trimethoxysilylbenzylamide)cyclohexyl] amide with 1,2‐bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane or tetramethoxysilane using F127 (EO₁₀₆PO₇₀EO₁₀₆) as surfactant in water. The TEM and N₂ sorption characterizations show that the particle size of the hollow nanosphere is 15–21 nm with a core diameter of 10–16 nm. These L ‐prolinamide‐functionalized hollow nanospheres are highly efficient solid catalysts for the direct asymmetric aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and aromatic aldehydes. It was found that the addition of water in the reaction system not only enhanced the catalytic activity but also increased the enantioselectivity, which is probably due to the enhanced hydrogen bond between the amide oxygen atom and the hydroxyl group of water. Moreover, the catalytic activity increases sharply as the surface hydrophobicity of the hollow nanospheres increases. These hollow nanospheres are quite stable and can be reused with almost the same enantioselectivity and only a slight decrease in catalytic activity.     

The Hofmeister Anion Effect on Ionophore‐based Ion‐selective Nanospheres Containing Solvatochromic Dyes

Recently reported ionophore‐based ion‐selective nanospheres contained pH‐independent and positively charged solvatochromic dyes. Here, we evaluate systematically the effect of anions to the fluorescence response of the nanospheres. The anion interference was found significant for anion concentrations above 10 mM. The sensor responses in the presence of various anion background was studied. While target ion (K⁺) causes the fluorescence of the nanospheres to decrease, increasing anion background also leads to lower fluorescence intensity. Lipophilic anions such as ClO₄^?, SCN^?, and I^? exhibited much more interference than hydrophilic anions (e. g., NO₃^?, Cl^?, F^?, SO₄^2?). The trend of the anion interference followed the Hofmeister series. A theoretical model was also demonstrated based on anion adsorption on the surface of the nanospheres.     

Synthesis of 1,1-difluoroethylsilanes and their application for the introduction of the 1,1-difluoroethyl group

1,1-Difluoroethysilanes (R₃SiCF₂CH₃, R = Me or Et) were synthesized from 1,1-difluoroethyl phenyl sulfone and chlorosilanes using magnesium metal via reductive 1,1-difluoroethylation. It was confirmed that 1,1-difluoroethylsilanes were effective 1,1-difluoroethylating reagents for carbonyl compounds.     

A hydrogen pump: Transfer of four hydrogens from a cyclohexane ring to a triple bond during a menthofuran/bromoacetylene adduct rearrangement

The cycloadducts of menthofuran with acylbromoacetylenes, (3-bromo-1,6-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-2,4a-epoxynaphthalen-4-yl)(aryl)methanones, rearrange (CHCl₃, reflux, 1 h) to 2-(2-acylethyl)benzofurans (along with the expected 2-bromo-3-hydroxy-4,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalene-1-yl)(aryl)methanones) via 2-acylethynylmenthofurans, thus indicating the exceptionally mild and rapid transfer of four hydrogens from a cyclohexane ring to a triple bond through the furan moiety in the key intermediate 2-acylethynylmenthofuran.     

Substitution kinetics of biphenol at dichlorobis(acetylacetonato-O,O′)titanium(IV): Isolation,characterization, crystal structure and enhanced hydrolytic stability of the product bis(acetylacetonato-O,O′)(biphenyldiolato-O,O′)titanium(IV)

Novel bis(acetylacetonato-O,O′)(biphenyldiolato-O,O′)titanium(IV) is synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography and other physical methods. The kinetics of substitution of bidentate 2,2′-biphenyldiolato for the two monodentate Cl⁻ ligands in Ti(CH₃COCHCOCH₃)₂Cl₂ proceeds via a 7-coordinated transition state according to an associative mechanism. The Ti(CH₃COCHCOCH₃)₂biphen complex exhibits high hydrolytic stability.     

Sonochemical synthesis and luminescence properties of single-crystalline BaF2:Eu nanospheres

BaF₂ nanocrystals doped with 5.0 mol% Eu³⁺ has been successfully synthesized via a facile, quick and efficient ultrasonic solution route employing the reactions between Ba(NO₃)₂, Eu(NO₃)₃ and KBF₄ under ambient conditions. The product was characterized via X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron micrographs (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron micrographs (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The ultrasonic irradiation has a strong effect on the morphology of the BaF₂:Eu³⁺ particles. The caddice-sphere-like particles with an average diameter of 250 nm could be obtained with ultrasonic irradiation, whereas only olive-like particles were produced without ultrasonic irradiation. The results of XRD indicate that the obtained BaF₂:Eu³⁺ nanospheres crystallized well with a cubic structure. The PL spectrum shows that the BaF₂:Eu³⁺ nanospheres has the characteristic emission of Eu^{3+ 5}D₀-⁷F_J (J=1-4) transitions, with the magnetic dipole ⁵D₀-⁷F₁ allowed transition (590 nm) being the most prominent emission line.     

Preparation and structural characterization of nickel(II), cobalt(II), zinc(II) and tin(IV) complexes of the isatin Schiff bases of S-methyl and S-benzyldithiocarbazates

The molecular structures of the isatin Schiff bases of S-methyldithiocarbazate (Hisasme) and S-benzyldithiocarbazate (Hisasbz) have been determined by X-ray diffraction and their complexes of general formula [ML₂]·n(solvate) [M = Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺; L = anionic forms of Hisasme or Hisasbz; solvate = DMF, DMSO; n = 1, 2] and [Sn(L)Ph₂Cl]·nMeOH (n = 0, 1) have been synthesized and characterized by a variety of physicochemical techniques and X-ray diffraction. The bis-ligand complexes, [Ni(isasbz)₂]·2DMSO and [Co(isasme)₂]·DMF have a six-coordinate, distorted octahedral geometry with the two uninegatively charged tridentate ONS ligands coordinated to the metal ions meridionally via the amide O-atoms, the azomethine nitrogen atoms and the thiolate sulfur atoms. By contrast, the crystal structure of [Zn(isasbz)₂]·2DMF shows a four-coordinate distorted tetrahedral geometry with the two Schiff bases coordinated as NS bidentate ligands via the azomethine nitrogen atoms and the thiolate sulfur atoms. Steric constraints of the rigid tridentate ligands lead to unusual ‘pseudo-coordination’ of the O-donors which occupy sites close to the metal but too distant to be considered as true coordinate bonds.The crystal structures of the tin(IV) complexes [SnLPh₂Cl]·nMeOH (L = isasme and isasbz; n = 0, 1) also show that the Schiff bases act as monoanionic bidentate NS chelating agents coordinating the tin(IV) ion via the azomethine nitrogen atoms and the thiolate sulfur atoms, the tin atom in each complex is five-coordinate with a highly distorted geometry intermediate of square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal. Again Sn?O contacts are weak and do not qualify as coordinate bonds.