Application of artificial neural network to simultaneous potentiometric determination of silver(I), mercury(II) and copper(II) ions by an unmodified carbon paste electrode

The response characteristics and selectivity coefficients of an unmodified carbon paste electrode (CPEs) towards Ag⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ were evaluated. The electrode was used as an indicator electrode for the simultaneous determination of the three metal ions in their mixtures via potentiometric titration with a standard thiocyanate solution. A three-layered feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) trained by back-propagation learning algorithm was used to model the complex non-linear relationship between the concentration of silver, copper and mercury in their different mixtures and the potential of solution at different volumes of the added titrant. The network architecture and parameters were optimized to give low prediction errors. The optimized networks were able to precisely predict the concentrations of the three cations in synthetic mixtures.     

Unfolding with mercury: anthracene-oxyquinoline dyad as a fluorescent indicator for Hg(II)

An anthracene-oxyquinoline dyad (HQ-AN) is synthesized which acts as a selective fluorescent reporter for Hg(II) with a detection limit of 3.2 × 10⁻⁶ M in acetonitrile-water system. The phenomenon of unfolding of HQ-AN from its initial folded conformation in acetonitrile-water system, selectively in the presence of Hg(II) is indicated from spectrofluorometric studies. The sensing event is monitored by the marked change in fluorescence emission occurring due to quenching of the excimer and retaining of the monomer emission of the two anthracene units in HQ-AN.     

Cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) coordination compounds derived from aromatic amines

The structural and spectroscopic characterization of coordination compounds of four aromatic amines derived from benzimidazole, 2-aminobenzimidazole (L1), 1-(S-methylcarbodithioate)-2-aminobenzimidazole (L2), 2-(2-aminophenyl)-1H-benzimidazole (L3) and 6,6-dimethyl-5H-benzimidazolyl[1,2-c]quinazoline (L4) are reported. Cobalt(II) [Co(L1)₂(CH₃COO)₂] (1) and nickel(II) [Ni(L1)₂(CH₃COO)₂] (2) acetate coordination compounds of L1 are discussed. The synthesis and the X-ray crystal structure of the new 1-(S-methylcarbodithioate)-2-aminobenzimidazole (L2) is informed, together with its cobalt(II) [Co(L2)₂Cl₂] (3), [Co(L2)₂Br₂] (4) and zinc(II) [Co(L2)₂Cl₂] (5), [Zn(L2)₂Br₂] (6) coordination compounds. In these compounds the imidazolic nitrogen is coordinated to the metal center, while the ArNH₂ and the S-methylcarbodithioate groups do not participate as coordination sites. A co-crystal of L1 and L2 is analyzed. Structural analyses of the coordination compounds of L3 showed that this ligand behaves as a bidentate ligand through the aniline and the imidazole groups forming six membered rings in the cobalt(II) [Co(L3)Cl₂] (7) and zinc(II) [Zn(L3)Cl₂] (8) compounds, as well as the nickel(II) nitrate [Ni(L3)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (9). The quinazoline L4 was produced by insertion of one acetone molecule and water elimination in L3, its X-ray crystal diffraction analysis, as well as that of its zinc(II) coordination compound [Zn(L4)₂Cl₂] (10), are discussed.     

A highly selective and ratiometric fluorescence probe for the detection of Hg and pH change based on coumarin in aqueous solution

A simple but highly selective coumarin-based fluorescence probe 1, 8-(1,3-dithiane)-7-hydroxycoumarin was designed and synthesized for both the ratiometric detection of Hg²⁺ and the on–off response to pH change in aqueous solution. The sensor detected Hg²⁺ selectively via Hg²⁺-promoted thioacetal deprotection reaction within five minutes and reflected pH in the range from 7.8 to 11.9 as a result of the equilibrium between weak-fluorescent acid form and strong-fluorescent base form. In addition, the probe has an excellent selectivity towards Hg²⁺ over other competitive metal ions for biomedical and environmental applications. The sensing behavior of our probe was studied by UV–visible absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra.     

A new fluorescent sensor bearing three dansyl fluorophores for highly sensitive and selective detection of mercury(II) ions

A novel fluorometric sensor bearing three dansyl moieties based on tris[2-(2-aminoethylthio)ethyl]amine was prepared by a simple approach using a conventional two-step synthesis. The sensor exhibits highly Hg²⁺-selective ON-OFF fluorescence quenching behavior in aqueous acetonitrile solutions and is shown to discriminate various competing metal ions, particularly Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺ as well as Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Na⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺, with a detection limit of 1.15 × 10⁻⁷ M or 23 ppb.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for Hg based on naphthalimide derivative by fluorescence enhancement in aqueous solution

Naphthalimide derivative (compound 1) containing hydrophilic hexanoic acid group was synthesized and used to recognize Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution. The fluorescence enhancement of 1 is attributed to the formation of a complex between 1 and Hg²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 2.08 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of fabrication of the Hg²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for the determination of Hg²⁺ indicated that the method can be applied in aqueous solution rather than organic solution. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Hg²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of Hg²⁺ with a linear range covering from 2.57 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.27 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 4.93 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 toward Hg²⁺ is pH independent in medium condition (pH 4.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for Hg²⁺ in the presence of other metal ions, which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward Hg²⁺ is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of Hg²⁺ in hair samples with satisfactory results, which further demonstrates its value of practical applications.     

Rhodamine based derivative and its zinc complex: synthesis and recognition behavior toward Hg(II)

A simple fluorescent probe, which contains rhodamine and aminoquinoline moieties, was designed and prepared for selective detection of Hg²⁺ in acetonitrile. RbQ exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Hg²⁺ over other common metal ions. The recognition of RbQ toward Hg²⁺ can be detected by fluorescence spectra, absorption spectra, and even by naked eyes. The binding ratio of the RbQ–Hg²⁺ complex was found to be 1:1 according to Job plot experiment, and the limit of detection was 1.05×10⁻⁷ M. Moreover, the prepared complex RbQ–Zn²⁺ (RbQZ) could detect Hg²⁺ in a ratiometric way and showed lower limit of detection (2.95×10⁻⁸ M) than RbQ in the same condition. Finally, we also demonstrated that the aminoquinoline–zinc complex could be served as a new and effective FRET donor for rhodamine derivatives.     

One-dimensional zinc(II) fumarate coordination polymers

A new procedure developed for the synthesis and crystallization of various zinc(II) fumarate hydrate coordination polymers is described. In the first step, anhydrous Zn(II) fumarate, [Zn(C₄H₂O₄)] (1), is synthesized from Zn(II) acetate and fumaric acid in methanol. Subsequently, this product is used as a starting material for growing small crystals of bis–aqua Zn(II) fumarate, [Zn(H₂O)₂(C₄H₂O₄)] (2), triaqua Zn(II) fumarate monohydrate, [Zn(H₂O)₃(C₄H₂O₄)]·H₂O (3), tetraaqua Zn(II) fumarate, [Zn(H₂O)₄(C₄H₂O₄)] (4), and tetraaqua Zn(II) fumarate monohydrate, [Zn(H₂O)₄(C₄H₂O₄)]·H₂O (5). All structures were determined or redetermined by X-ray structure analyses. The hitherto unknown compound 3 exhibits a zig-zag chain structure with five-coordinate Zn(II) ions.     

Fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for rapid detection of mercury (II) ions in aqueous solution and blood from mice with toxicosis

The heavy metal mercury (Hg) is a threat to the health of people and wildlife in many environments. Among various chemical forms, Hg²⁺ salts are usually more toxic than their counterparts because of their greater solubility in water; thus, they are more readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into circulation. Therefore, new chemical receptors for detecting Hg²⁺ ions in circulation are needed. In this study, we developed a rhodamine-based turn-on fluorescence probe to monitor Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution and in blood of mice with toxicosis. The chemodosimeter responds to Hg²⁺ ions stoichiometrically, rapidly, and irreversibly at room temperature as a result of a chemical reaction that produces strongly fluorescent oxadiazole. The new fluorescent probe shows good fluorescence response, with high sensitivity and selectivity, toward Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous solution and in blood from mice with toxicosis and facilitates the naked-eye detection of Hg²⁺ ions.     

Characterization of rhodamine B hydroxylamide as a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence probe for copper(II)

Rhodamine B hydroxylamide (1) is characterized as a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence probe for Cu²⁺. Under the optimized conditions, the probe exhibits specific absorbance-on and fluorescence-on responses to Cu²⁺ only. This remarkable property may allow Cu²⁺ to be detected directly in the presence of the other transition metal ions, and such an application has been demonstrated to human serum. The reaction mechanism is also investigated and proposed as that the hydroxylamide group of 1 binds Cu²⁺, and the subsequent complexation of Cu²⁺ displays a high catalytic activity for the hydrolytic cleavage of the amide bond, causing the release of fluorophore (rhodamine B) and thereby the retrievement of absorbance and fluorescence. The recovered fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of Cu²⁺ in the range 1-20 μM. The detection limit for Cu²⁺ is 33 nM (k = 3). The reaction mechanism described here may be useful for developing excellent spectroscopic probes with cleavable active bonds for other analytes.     

基于硼二吡咯亚甲基类(BODIPY)衍生物的合成,光谱及汞离子识别(英文)

The synthesis and sensing properties of a new BODIPY derivative 1 are outlined. 1 shows fluorescence “turn-on” and colorimetric responses with high selectivity toward Hg²⁺ over the other metal cations. Coordination of Hg²⁺ influences the electronic properties of the receptor at meso-position and alter the efficiency of non-radiative decay, hence increase the fluorescence intensity and red shift the absorption spectrum.     

A two-photon excited luminescence of water-soluble rhodamine-platinum(II) complex: fluorescent probe specific for Hg2+ detection in live cell

The first example of cyclometalated platinum(II)-containing rhodamine probe (1) with two-photon induced luminescent properties was synthesized and investigated for mercury detection. A highly selective color change of 1, from light yellow to pink, is observed only in the presence of Hg²⁺ due to the formation of 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring in 2. This selectivity of Hg²⁺ with color changes can be observed easily by the naked-eye. Meanwhile, a remarkable turn-on and selective 20-fold fluorescent enhancement of 1 upon binding with Hg²⁺ over the other tested metal ions was observed. The water-soluble probe 1 was successfully applied in the visualizing of the site of Hg²⁺ accumulation as well as estimating of trace amounts of mercury ions in live HeLa cells by two-photon microscopy.     

Application of an Hg selective imprinted polymer as a new modifying agent for the preparation of a novel highly selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of ultratrace mercury ions

A simple and very selective electrode, based on a mercury ion imprinted polymer (IIP), and its application for the determination of Hg²⁺ ions in the real samples is introduced. Mercury ion selective cavities were created in the vinyl pyridine based cross-linked polymer. In order to fabricate the sensor carbon particles and polymer powder were mixed with melted n-eicosane. An explicit difference was observed between the responses of the electrodes modified with IIP and non imprinted polymer (NIP), indicating proper performance of the recognition sites of the IIP. Various factors, known to affect the response behavior of selective electrode, were investigated and optimized. The interference of different ionic species with the response of the electrode was also studied. The results revealed that, compared to previously developed mercury selective sensors, the proposed sensor was more selective, regarding the common potential interferer. This sensor showed a linear response range of 2.5 × 10⁻⁹–5.0 × 10⁻⁷ M and lower detection limit of 5.2 × 10⁻¹⁰ M (S/N). The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in real samples.     

Flow-injection chemiluminescence simultaneous determination of cobalt(II) and copper(II) using partial least squares calibration

A flow-injection chemiluminescence (CL) system is proposed for simultaneous determination of Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ using partial least squares (PLS) calibration. This method is based on the fact that both Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ catalyse the CL reaction of luminol-H₂O₂, and that their kinetic characteristics of Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ are significantly different in the luminol-H₂O₂ system. The CL intensity was measured and recorder at different reaction times of luminol-H₂O₂Co²⁺Cu²⁺, and the obtained data were processed by the chemometric approach of partial least squares. The experimental calibration set was composed of 16 sample solutions using an orthogonal calibration design for two component mixtures. The proposed method offers the potential advantages of high sensitivity, simplicity and rapidity for Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ determination, and was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of both analytes in real water sample. The present paper demonstrated that the simultaneous determination of two metal ions without any prior separation has been possible using flow-injection CL system.     

A series of 2D lanthanide (III) coordination polymers constructed from 2-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate

Reactions of 2-(pyridine-3-yl)-1H-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid (H₃PyIDC) with a series of Ln(III) ions affords ten coordination polymers, namely, {[Ln(H₂PyIDC)(HPyIDC)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n [Ln=Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3) and Gd (4)], {[Ln(HPyIDC)(H₂O)₃]·(H₂PyIDC)·H₂O}_n [Ln=Gd (5), Tb (6), Dy (7), Ho (8) and Er (9)], and {[Y₂(HPyIDC)₂(H₂O)₅]·(bpy)·(NO₃)₂·3H₂O}_n (10) (bpy=4,4′-bipyridine). They exhibit three types of networks: complexes 1-4 are isomorphous coordination networks containing neutral 2D metal-organic layers, while complexes 5-9 are isomorphous, which consist of cationic metal-organic layers and anionic organic layers, and complex 10 is a 2D network built up from 4-connected HPyIDC²⁻ anion and 4-connected Y(III) ions. In addition, thermogravimetric analyses and solid-state luminescent properties of the selected complexes are investigated. They exhibit intense, characteristic emissions in the visible region at room temperature.     

A novel electrochemical method to detect mercury (II) ions

A novel and sensitive electrochemical method for determination of mercury (II) ions (Hg²⁺) based on the formation of thymine–Hg²⁺–thymine complexes and gold nanoparticle-mediated signal amplification is reported. Two 5′ end thiolated complementary oligonucleotides containing six strategically placed thymine–thymine mistakes were introduced in this work. One of the two oligonucleotides was immobilized on a gold electrode and the other one on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Due to six thymine–thymine mistakes the two oligonucleotides were not able to be hybridized, so AuNPs could not be immobilized onto the electrode surface after the electrode was immersed in the DNA–AuNPs solution. However, if Hg²⁺ existed, T–Hg²⁺–T complexes could be formed and AuNPs could be immobilized onto the electrode surface. Meanwhile, large numbers of [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ molecules as electrochemical species could be localized onto the electrode surface. The Hg²⁺ detection limit of this assay could be as low as 10 nM, which is the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit of Hg²⁺ for drinkable water. This method is proven to be simple, convenient, high sensitive and selective.     

Unexpected highly selective fluorescence ‘turn-on’ and ratiometric detection of Hg based on fluorescein platform

Methylated fluorescein 1 was explored for fluorescence ‘turn-on’ and ratiometric detection of Hg²⁺ in THF and CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (v/v=9:1), respectively, with unexpected high selectivity. In the presence of Hg²⁺, characteristic structured absorption band of 1 diminished and a new sharp band appeared at 445 nm. Meanwhile a blue shifted and enhanced emission was observed. The ratio of the fluorescence intensity at 559 and 478 nm increased linearly with [Hg²⁺], and solution color changing from yellow to cyan under irradiation at 365 nm in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH. Job plot indicated a 1:1 stoichiometry for 1-Hg²⁺ complex in solution. ¹H NMR titration and IR spectra suggested the coordination of carbonyl group in xanthene moiety to Hg²⁺, affording its spectral behavior. Compound 2 bearing two triazolyl amino esters in place of methyl group showed quite similar behavior to Hg²⁺, which indicated that substituents did not interfere with the specific binding behavior of fluorescein platform. Our work presents a new way to explore xanthene dyes as new chemosensors by modulating electron density on the xanthene ring through non-covalent interactions with carbonyl group.     

Azo 8-hydroxyquinoline benzoate as selective chromogenic chemosensor for Hg and Cu

Azo 8-hydroxyquinoline benzoate (2) was synthesized and studied to detect metal ions. Distinct color change was found for compound 2 in the presence of transition metal ions Hg²⁺ or Cu²⁺ in CH₃CN, respectively, which makes it possible for distinguishing Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ from other metal ions by the ‘naked eye’.     

Silver(I) ions-enhanced electrochemiluminescence of tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)

In this paper, we demonstrate an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) enhancement of tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) by the addition of silver(I) ions. The maximum enhancement factor of about 5 was obtained on a glassy carbon electrode in the absence of co-reactant. The enhancement of ECL intensity was possibly attributed to the unique catalytic activity of Ag⁺ for reactions between Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ with OH. The higher enhancement was observed in phosphate buffer solutions compared with that from borate buffer solutions. This resulted from the fact that formation of nanoparticles with large surface area in the phosphate buffer solution exhibited high catalytic activity. The amount of Ag⁺, solution pH and working electrode materials played important roles for the ECL enhancement. We also studied the effects of Ag⁺ on Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/tripropylamine and Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/C₂O₄²⁻ ECL systems.