A supramolecular optic receptor for selective recognition CDP in neutral aqueous solution

We designed and synthesized a Cu-coordination complex based on a seven-membered amide cycle and studied its binding ability with nucleotides (cytidine 5′-monophosphate (CMP), cytidine 5′-diphosphate (CDP), cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTP), cytidine d-5′-monophosphate (dCMP), and thymidine d-5′-monophosphate (dTMP)) by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Results indicate that the compound shows the highest binding ability with CDP among the studied nucleotides and can selectively and strongly bind nucleotides in neutral aqueous solution. The compound can be used as optical receptor for the detection of CDP.     

Pulsed radiolysis of perrhenate in neutral aqueous solution: Comparison with pertechnetate

Reaction of perrhenate with the aquated electron in neutral aqueous solution yields ReO₄^2? (k_f 1.3 × 10¹⁰ M^?1 s^?1), with an absorption maximum at 290 nm (ε 1700). This decays by a second-order path (k_d 1.5 × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1) at a rate ～ 100-fold faster than the decay of TcO₄^2? under similar conditions.     

A novel product from the reaction of p-methylbenzyl chloride with guanosine in neutral aqueous solution

An unanticipated product from reaction of guanosine with $\text{p}$-methylbenzyl chloride in neutral aqueous solution has been identified as 4-($\text{p}$-methylbenzyl)-5-guanidino-1-β-D-ribofuranosylimidazole.     

A novel fluorescent sensor for hydrophobic amines in aqueous solution

A novel fluorescent tweezer was designed and synthesised to sense hydrophobic amines in aqueous solution. Association of the guest was driven by both hydrophobic effect and electrostatic interactions, with the hydrophobic interactions being dominant. The affinity and selectivity of the sensor for amine-based stimulants are reported.     

A fluorescent anion sensor that works in neutral aqueous solution for bioanalytical application

Anion recognition and anion sensing are of interest because anions play many important roles in living organisms. Most currently known anion sensors work only in organic solution, but sensors for biological applications are required to function in neutral aqueous solution. We have designed and synthesized a novel fluorescent sensor for anions. The sensor molecule 1-Cd(II) contains 7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin as a fluorescent reporter and Cd(II)-cyclen (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) as an anion host. In neutral aqueous solution, Cd(II) of 1-Cd(II) is coordinated by the four nitrogen atoms of cyclen and the aromatic amino group of coumarin. When various anions are added to 100 mM HEPES buffer solution (pH 7.4) containing 1-Cd(II), the aromatic amino group of coumarin is displaced from Cd(II), causing a change of the excitation spectrum. While pyrophosphate and citrate were detected with high sensitivity, fluoride and perchlorate produced no response. Among organic anions, ATP and ADP gave strong signals, while cAMP showed little signal. By utilizing the different affinities of the sensor for AMP and cAMP, the activity of phosphodiesterase, which cleaves cyclic nucleotide, was monitored in real-time. The sensor should have many biochemical and analytical applications and the sensing principle should be widely applicable to the sensing of other molecules.     

A novel thermally-activated crosslinking agent for chitosan in aqueous solution: a rheological investigation

The use of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran (DHF) as a temperature-controlled gelation agent for chitosan under acidic conditions has been examined by dynamic oscillatory and viscometry techniques. In particular, the rate and extent of gelation have been examined over a range of different temperatures (40–98 °C), DHF concentrations (10–100 mM) and pH conditions (0.9–2.1). The gelation time, t_G, decreases, and the maximum gelation rate increases substantially as a function of rising temperature. When fit with a simple Arrhenius function, the t_G data yield an activation energy for gelation of 55±8 kJ mol^-1. Gelation is found to occur on the shortest time-scale, and the strongest gels result, at the highest DHF concentrations investigated. Similarly, the gelation rate and gel strength are highest for the most acidic solution conditions examined. Experimental findings are interpreted in terms of a competition between the crosslinking reaction (which drives gel formation, and is initially dominant) and protolytic decomposition of chitosan (which disrupts the gel structure, and becomes increasingly important as time progresses). Syneresis phenomena additionally impact results obtained at DHF concentrations 50 mM.

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Color responses of novel receptors for AcO and a test paper for AcO in pure aqueous solution

An efficient AcO⁻ sensor L which contains 1,10-phenanthroline-based and nitrophenylhydrazine-based groups, and its water-soluble Ru(II) complex were synthesized, characterized and studied in this Letter. Via UV-vis experiments and ¹H NMR titration in DMSO solution, it was found that there were potential hydrogen bonds between the NCH and AcO⁻ after the deprotanation of two -NH during the reaction of L or its Ru complex with anions. Furthermore, an easy-to-prepare test paper was developed to detect AcO⁻ at 10 mg/L in pure aqueous solution.     

A self-assembled receptor for the recognition of phosphate and acetate anions in neutral aqueous solution

The reaction of [(benzene)RuCl(2)](2) with a piperazine-bridged bis(dihydroxypyridine) ligand and LiOH leads to the formation of an expanded helicate, which is able to bind phosphate and acetate in aqueous solution at neutral pH.     

A highly selective fluorescence chemosensor for Pb(II) in neutral buffer aqueous solution

A 3,4-dimethylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene-based fluorogenic probe bearing benzo[d]-thiazole-2-thio unit (sodium 3,4-bis ((benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)methyl) thieno [2, 3-b]thio-phene-2, 5-dicarboxylate) was developed as a novel fluorescent chemosensor with high selectivity towards Pb(II) over other cations tested. The new probe exhibited good water solubility and only sensed Pb(II) among metal ions examined in neutral 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid buffer solution. The selectivity and sensitivity of fluorogenic probe to Pb(II) were discussed on the basis of experimental results.     

Homogeneous chemiluminescence system in neutral and near neutral aqueous solution with ClO2 as oxidant and its analytical application

Using ClO₂ as chemiluminescence (CL) oxidant, a novel homogeneous CL system in neutral and near neutral aqueous solution is proposed in this paper. ClO₂ could oxidize sulfite in pH 5.0–8.5 acetate buffer to produce CL emission, and pipemidic acid could sensitize the CL system. The ClO₂–SO₃²⁻–pipemidic acid reaction was used as a model CL system and explored the possibility of highly active and eco-friendly ClO₂ being used as CL oxidant in neutral and near neutral aqueous solution. Combined with flow-injection analysis, the proposed CL system was applied to the automated dissolution testing of pipemidic acid tablet. Compared with the common strong acidic or strong basic CL system, this proposed CL owns its advantages.     

A methionine-based turn-on chemical sensor for selectively monitoring Hg2+ ions in 100% aqueous solution

Dansyl-labeled methionine is synthesized by solid-phase synthesis, and found to be a highly sensitive and selective sensor for Hg(2+). The sensor sensitively detects Hg(2+) ions in aqueous solution by a turn-on response; however, the sensor detects Hg(2+) ions by a turn-off response in organic and mixed aqueous-organic solutions. We investigated the binding stoichiometry, binding constant, and binding mode of the sensor under various solvent conditions. In 100% aqueous solution, 2 : 1 complexation of the sensor with Hg(2+) ions is more favorable than 1 : 1 complexation, whereas the sensor preferentially forms a 1 : 1 complex in 100% CH(3)CN or in 50% CH(3)CN-aqueous solutions. Results reveal that the stoichiometry of the sensor-Hg(2+) complex plays an important role in the type of response to Hg(2+) ions, and that 2 : 1 complexation is required for a turn-on response to Hg(2+) ions in aqueous solution.     

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2+ in neutral buffer aqueous solution

A selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2+, which was composed of two aminonaphthalimide fluorophores and a receptor of 2,6-bis(aminomethyl)pyridine, was synthesized through the reaction of 2,6-bis(chloromethyl)pyridine and N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl]-4-piperazino-1,8-naphthalimide. The chemosensor showed an about 17-fold increase in fluorescence quantum yield upon addition of 1 equiv of Hg2+ in neutral buffer aqueous solution, and the other common metal ions did not notably disturb the detection of Hg2+.     

A novel fluorescent distinguished probe for Cr (VI) in aqueous solution

Salicylaldehyde rhodamine B hydrazone (SRBH) was developed as a new spectrofluorimetric probe for the selective and sensitive detection of CrO₄²⁻ in acidic conditions. The proposed method was based on the special oxidation reaction between non-fluorescent SRBH by potassium dichromate to produce a highly fluorescent rhodamine B, as a product. Under the optimum conditions described, the fluorescence enhancement at 591 nm was good linearly related to the concentration of CrO₄²⁻ from 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 3.0 × 10⁻⁷ M (0.42–12.6 ng mL⁻¹) with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9989 (n = 10) and a detection limit of 1.5 × 10⁻⁹ M (0.063 ng mL⁻¹). The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was 2.0% (n = 6). The proposed method was also successfully applied to the determination of chromium (VI) in drinking water, river water and synthetic samples.     

A molecular oyster: a neutral anion receptor containing two cyclopeptide subunits with a remarkable sulfate affinity in aqueous solution

An artificial anion receptor is presented, in which two cyclohexapeptide subunits containing l-proline and 6-aminopicolinic acid subunits in an alternating sequence are connected via an adipinic acid spacer. This compound was devised to stabilize the 2:1 sandwich-type anion complexes that are observed when the two cyclopeptide moieties are not covalently connected and to obtain a 1:1 stoichiometry for these aggregates. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopic investigations showed that the bridged bis(cyclopeptide) does indeed form defined 1:1 complexes with halides, sulfate, and nitrate. ROESY NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling allowed a structural assignment of the sulfate complex in solution. The stabilities of various anion complexes were determined by means of NMR titrations and isothermal titration microcalorimetry in 50% water/methanol. Both methods gave essentially the same quantitative results, namely stability constants that varied in the range 105-102 M-1 and decreased in the order SO42- > I- > Br- > Cl- > NO3-. This order was rationalized in terms of the size of the anions with the larger anions forming the more stable complexes because they better fit into the cavity of the host. The ability of sulfate to form stronger hydrogen bonds to the NH groups of the receptor, in addition to its slightly larger ionic radius with respect to iodide, causes the higher stability of the sulfate complex. No significant effect of the countercation on complex stability was observed. Furthermore, complex stability is enthalpically as well as entropically favored. A comparison of the iodide and sulfate complex stabilities of the ditopic receptor with those of a cyclopeptide that forms 1:1 anion complexes in solution showed that the presence of a second binding site increases complex stability by a factor of 100-350.     

Polyaniline doped with modified gold nanoparticles and its electrochemical properties in neutral aqueous solution

Doping polyaniline with COO(-)-modified gold nanoparticles by forming stable layer-by-layer multilayer films can shift its electroactivity to neutral pH. The films can electrocatalyze the oxidation of NADH and offer potential applications in other fields, e.g., optoelectronics or biosensing.     

Thermodynamic modeling of CO2 and H2S solubilities in aqueous DIPA solution, aqueous sulfolane-DIPA solution, and aqueous sulfolane-MDEA solution with electrolyte NRTL model

A thermodynamic model developed for CO₂ and H₂S solubilities in aqueous MDEA solution is extended to cover CO₂ and H₂S solubilities in aqueous DIPA solution, aqueous sulfolane-DIPA solution, and aqueous sulfolane-MDEA solution. The model makes use of the 2009 version of the electrolyte NRTL model for liquid phase activity coefficient calculations and the PC-SAFT equation of state for vapor phase fugacity coefficient calculations. The NRTL binary parameters for the molecule-electrolyte pairs required for the H₂O-DIPA-CO₂ ternary and the H₂O-sulfolane-DIPA-CO₂ quaternary are regressed against the solubility data of CO₂ in aqueous DIPA solution and aqueous sulfolane-DIPA solution, respectively. The NRTL binary parameters for the molecule-electrolyte pairs required for the H₂O-DIPA-H₂S ternary and the H₂O-sulfolane-DIPA-H₂S quaternary are regressed against the solubility data of H₂S in aqueous DIPA solution and aqueous sulfolane-DIPA solution simultaneously. The NRTL binary parameters for the electrolyte-electrolyte pairs involved in the H₂O-DIPA-CO₂-H₂S quaternary are regressed against the solubility data of the acid gas mixtures in aqueous DIPA solution. Likewise, the NRTL binary parameters for the sulfolane-electrolyte pairs required for the H₂O-sulfolane-MDEA-CO₂ quaternary and the H₂O-sulfolane-MDEA-H₂S quaternary are regressed against the solubility data of the acid gases in aqueous sulfolane-MDEA solution. The predicted enthalpies of acid gas absorption are compared favorably with the literature data available for the H₂O-DIPA-CO₂ system, the H₂O-DIPA-H₂S system, and the H₂O-sulfolane-MDEA-CO₂ system.     

Boronic acid based peptidic receptors for pattern-based saccharide sensing in neutral aqueous media, an application in real-life samples

The advent of the alternative sweeteners market has signaled a demand for chemosensors which target multiple saccharides and saccharide derivatives, in aqueous media at physiological pH. This demand has largely been unmet as existing molecular receptors for saccharides have generally not shown sufficient degrees of affinity and selectivity in aqueous media. A chemosensor array for saccharides and saccharide derivatives, fully operational in aqueous media at physiological pH, has been developed and is reported herein. Boronic acid based peptidic receptors, derived from a combinatorial library, served as the cross-reactive sensor elements in this array. The binding of saccharides to these receptors was assessed colorimetrically using an indicator uptake protocol in the taste-chip platform. The differential indicator uptake rates of these receptors in the presence of saccharides were exploited in order to identify patterns within the data set using linear discriminant analysis. This chemosensor array is capable of classifying disaccharides and monosaccharides as well as discriminating compounds within each saccharide group. Disaccharides have also been distinguished from closely related reduced-calorie counterparts. This linear discriminant analysis set was then employed as a training set for identifying a specific saccharide in a real-world beverage sample. The methodology developed here augurs well for use in other real-world samples involving saccharides as well as for sensing other desired analytes.     

A novel quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical approach to the free energy calculation for isomerization of glycine in aqueous solution

The free energy change associated with the isomerization reaction of glycine in water solution has been studied by a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) approach combined with the theory of energy representation (QM/MM-ER) recently developed. The solvation free energies for both neutral and zwitterionic form of glycine have been determined by means of the QM/MM-ER simulation. The contributions of the electronic polarization and the fluctuation of the QM solute to the solvation free energy have been investigated. It has been found that the contribution of the density fluctuation of the zwitterionic solute is estimated as -4.2 kcal/mol in the total solvation free energy of -46.1 kcal/mol, while that of the neutral form is computed as -3.0 kcal/mol in the solvation free energy of -15.6 kcal/mol. The resultant free energy change associated with the isomerization of glycine in water has been obtained as -7.8 kcal/mol, in excellent agreement with the experimental data of -7.3 or -7.7 kcal/mol, implying the accuracy of the QM/MM-ER approach. The results have also been compared with those computed by other methodologies such as the polarizable continuum model and the classical molecular simulation. The efficiency and advantage of the QM/MM-ER method has been discussed.     

Novel hydrostable Z-scheme Ag/CsPbBr3/Bi2WO6 photocatalyst for effective degradation of Rhodamine B in aqueous solution

In this study, a hydrostable Z-scheme Ag/CsPbBr₃/Bi₂WO₆ photocatalyst was designed and fabricated for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The structural instability of CsPbX₃ perovskites in water is one of the main obstacles that restrict their practical application in photocatalytic wastewater treatment. The photocatalyst was prepared in three steps: passivation of CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals (NCs) with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), construction of a heterojunction between MPA-passivated CsPbBr₃ NCs and Bi₂WO₆ ultrathin nanosheets, and doping Ag nanoparticles as charge mediators in the heterojunction. The as-obtained 5%Ag/20%CsPbBr₃/Bi₂WO₆ exhibits good stability and excellent photocatalytic activity. The degradation rate is 93.9% in 120 min, which is 4.41 times than that of Bi₂WO₆.     

Ab initio QM/MM simulation of Ag+ in 18.6% aqueous ammonia solution: structure and dynamics investigations

Structure and dynamics investigations of Ag(+) in 18.6% aqueous ammonia solution have been carried out by means of the ab initio quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. The most important region, the first solvation shell, was treated by ab initio quantum mechanics at the Restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) level using double-zeta plus polarization basis sets for ammonia and plus ECP for Ag(+). For the remaining region in the system, newly constructed three-body corrected potential functions were used. The average composition of the first solvation shell was found to be [Ag(NH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2.8)](+). No ammonia exchange process was observed for the first solvation shell, whereas ligand exchange processes occurred with a very short mean residence time of 1.1 ps for the water ligands. No distinct second solvation shell was observed in this simulation.