Direct electrochemical behavior of hemoglobin at surface of Au@Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of an Fe₃O₄ core and a thin gold shell (referred to as Au@Fe₃O₄ NPs) were self-assembled on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode modified with ethylenediamine. Following adsorption of hemoglobin, its interaction with the NPs was studied by UV–Vis spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Stable and well-defined redox peaks were observed at about ?350 mV and ?130 mV in pH 6.0 buffer. The modified electrode was used as a mediator-free sensor for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), with a linear range from 3.4 µM to 4.0 mM of H₂O₂, and with a 0.67 µM detection limit (at an S/N of 3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant is 2.3 mM.     

Emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene by radiation. V. Effect of reaction conditions on the stability of polytetrafluoroethylene latex

The stability of PTFE latex prepared in the absence of emulsifier by radiation-induced polymerization was investigated by electrophoresis and conductometric titration. The storage stability depends on total dose rather than dose rate, and the stable latex can be obtained in the region log D > 0.026 V₁ ? 0.6, where D is the total dose (10⁴ rad) and V₁ is a polymer concentration in latex (g/liter). The stability increases only during polymerization in the presence of enough TFE monomer. The ζ potential of the latex particles lies in the region from ?25 to ?50 mV in an as-polymerized state (near pH 3) and from ?50 to ?65 mV at pH 10. The number of carboxyl end groups and surface charge density were examined by conductometric titration with NaOH and calculation from the G values of radiolysis of water. All the surface charge densities measured by conductometric titration are larger than those calculated from the G values. These results suggest that some acids have been formed on the surface of the particles. The acids may be the carboxyl end groups of polymer chains or hydrofluoric acid (HF) adsorbed on the surface. PTFE particles prepared in this polymerization system are stabilized mainly due to the carboxyl end groups and adsorptions of OH? and HF on the particles.     

A detailed investigation on the global minimum structures of mixed rare‐gas clusters: Geometry,energetics, and site occupancy

We performed a global minimum search of mixed rare‐gas clusters by applying an evolutionary algorithm (EA), which was recently proposed for binary atomic systems (Marques and Pereira, Chem. Phys. Lett. 2010, 485, 211). Before being applied to the potentials used in this work, the EA was further tested against results previously reported for the Ar_NXe_38?N clusters and several new putative global minima were discovered. We employed either simple Lennard‐Jones (LJ) potentials or more realistic functions to describe pair interactions in Ar_NKr_38?N, Ar_NXe_38?N, and Kr_NXe_38?N clusters. The long‐range tail of the pair‐potentials shows some influence on the energetic features and shape of the structure of clusters. In turn, core–shell type structures are mostly observed for global minima of the binary rare‐gas clusters, for both accurate and LJ potentials. However, the long‐range tail of the potential may have influence on the type of atoms that segregate on the surface or form the core of the cluster. While relevant differences for the preferential site occupancy occur between the two potentials for Ar_NKr_38?N (for N > 21), the type of atoms that segregate on the surface for Ar_NXe_38?N and Kr_NXe_38?N clusters is unaffected by the accuracy of the long‐range part of the interaction in almost all cases. Moreover, the global minimum search for model‐potentials in binary systems reveals that the surface‐site occupancy is mainly determined by the combination of two parameters: the size ratio of the two types of particles forming the cluster and the minimum‐energy ratio corresponding to the pair‐interactions between unlike atoms. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Darstellung,Kristallstrukturen, Schwingungsspektren und Normalkoordinatenanalyse der bindungsisomeren Chlororhodanoiridate(III) trans-[IrCl2(SCN)4]3− und trans-[IrCl2(NCS)(SCN)3]3−

Preparation, Crystal Structures, Vibrational Spectra, and Normal Coordinate Analysis of the Linkage Isomeric Chlororhodanoiridates(III) trans-[IrCl₂(SCN)₄]^3? and trans-[IrCl₂(NCS)(SCN)₃]^3? By treatment of Na₂[IrCl₆] with NaSCN in 2N HCl the linkage isomers trans-[IrCl₂(SCN)₄]^3? and trans-[IrCl₂(NCS)(SCN)₃]^3? are formed which have been separated by ion exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. X-ray structure determinations on single crystals of trans-(n-Bu₄N)₃[IrCl₂(SCN)₄] ( 1 ) (monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, a = 18.009(4), b = 15.176(3), c = 23.451(4) Å, β = 93.97(2)°, Z = 4) and trans-(Me₄N)₃[IrCl₂(NCS)(SCN)₃] ( 2 ) (monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, a = 17.146(5), b = 9.583(5), c = 18.516(5) Å, β = 109.227(5)°, Z = 4) reveal the complete ordering of the complex anions. The via S or N coordinated thiocyanate groups are bonded with Ir? S? C angles of 105.7–109.7° and the Ir? N? C angle of 171.4°. The torsion angles Cl? Ir? S? C and N? Ir? S? C are 3.6–53.0°. The IR and Raman spectra of ( 1 ) are assigned by normal coordinate analysis using the molecular parameters of the X-ray determination. The valence force constants are f_d(IrS) = 1.52 and f_d(IrCl) = 1.72 mdyn/Å.     

Redox Properties of the Iron Complexes of Orally Active Iron Chelators CP20, CP502, CP509, and ICL670

Redox cycling of iron is a critical aspect of iron toxicity. Reduction of a low‐molecular‐weight iron(III)‐complex followed by oxidation of the iron(II)‐complex by hydrogen peroxide may yield the reactive hydroxyl radical (OH^.) or an oxoiron(IV) species (the Fenton reaction). Complexation of iron by a ligand that shifts the electrode potential of the complex to either to far below ?350 mV (dioxygen/superoxide, pH=7) or to far above +320 mV (H₂O₂/HO^., H₂O pH=7) is essential for limitting Fenton reactivity. The oral chelating agents CP20, CP502, CP509, and ICL670 effectively remove iron from patients suffering from iron overload. We measured the electrode potentials of the iron(III) complexes of these drugs by cyclic voltammetry with a mercury electrode and determined the dependence on concentration, pH, and stoichiometry. The standard electrode potentials measured are ?620 mV, ?600 mV, ?535 mV, and ?535 mV with iron bound to CP20, ICL670, CP502, and CP509, respectively, but, at lower chelator concentrations, electrode potentials are significantly higher.     

Electrocatalytic reduction of molecular oxygen at electrodes coated with a new cobalt(II)–platinum(II) bimetallic porphyrin

Cobalt(II) inserts into 5-(4-pyridyl)-10,15,20-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)porphyrin (1) by reaction of the porphyrin with the cobalt(II) acetate salt in refluxing N,N′-dimethylformamide solutions. When the porphyrin and the cobalt porphyrin are reacted with PtCl₂(DMSO)₂ in dichloromethane at ambient temperatures the platinum complex coordinates to the peripheral pyridyl group of the porphyrin. Roughened EPG electrodes coated with the cobalt(II)–platinum(II) bimetallic porphyrin, complex (4), show a 500?mV shift in the reduction of molecular oxygen in acidic media when compared to the bare electrode. Oxidation of the bimetallic porphyrin coated electrodes at 1.20?V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE) results in an additional shift of ca 100?mV for the reduction of molecular oxygen when compared to the bimetallic porphyrin coated electrode prior to oxidation. In addition the oxidized surface shows the ability to reduce approximately 50% of the oxygen to water and the other 50% to hydrogen peroxide according to rotating disk electrode measurements.     

Oxidation of electrodeposited cobalt electrodes in an alkaline electrolyte

The oxidation of electrodeposited Co electrodes has been studied in 0.1 M KOH_aq at potentials more negative than ?880 mV vs. Hg|HgO by means of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and rotating ring disk electrode coupled with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). Dissolution of cobalt was found to be insignificant and does not constitute a step in the overall process of formation of the oxidised layer. The irreversibility of the oxidation process depends on the electrode potential and oxidation time. The composition of the oxidised layer depends on the oxidation potential: Co(OH)₂ is formed at more negative potentials, while at more positive potentials CoO is the prevailing product. The results obtained by means of three techniques (CV, CA and EQCM) reveal that at potentials not higher than ?880 mV, the oxidation of Co follows a direct logarithmic law. The mechanism of the process is discussed.     

Features of composites prepared by radical graft-polymerization of styrene to a hydrophilic macromer adsorbed on ultrafine colloidal particles

Polymer modifications of ultrafine monodispersed colloidal metal oxide particles, smaller than 80 nm in diameter, by the graft-polymerization of styrene to a hydrophilic macromer adsorbed on the surface were investigated. The polymerization in ethanolic silica and titania colloid solution, which had negatively larger ζ-potentials, ?30 and ?42 mV in neutral aqueous solution respectively, gave poly(styrene)–silica or titania composite, being of nonspherical shape. The modifications of colloidal particles, having lower surface energy, such as Al(OH)₃ and CeO₂–TiO₂–SiO₂ complex, led to the formation of spherical composites, ranging in size from 500 to 3000 nm, of scattered metal oxide or hydroxide particles.     

Effects of thermal history,crystallinity, and solvent on the transitions and relaxations in poly(bisphenol-A carbonate)

The following system of nomenclature for the transitions and relaxations in polycarbonate has been proposed: α = T_g = 150, β = 70, γ = ?100, and δ = ?220°C (frequency range of 10–50 Hz). The three component peaks of the γ relaxation are denoted by γ₁, γ₂, and γ₃ relaxations correspond to phenylene, coupled phenylene-carbonate, and carbonate motions, respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis of poly(bisphenol-A carbonate) using the DuPont 981–990 DMA system shows that the magnitude of the β relaxation depends upon the thermal history of the polycarbonate; annealing greatly reduces the intensity of the β relaxation. A relaxation map constructed for the β relaxation gives an activation energy of 46 kcal/mol. Exposure of polycarbonate to methylene chloride vapor for various times shows that after an induction period of about 5 min the intensity of the γ₃ relaxation at ?78°C decreases whereas the intensity of the γ₁ relaxation of ?30°C is unaffected and the ratio E″(γ₁)/E″(γ₃) increases linearly with the square root of time. This has been ascribed to the interaction of methylene chloride on the carbonate group in polycarbonate. Thermal crystallization of polycarbonate does not affect the positions of the γ relaxation and the glass transition peaks, but merely reduces their intensity. The glass transition peak intensity falls off sharply in comparison to the γ relaxation intensity. Both the γ₃ and γ₁ peaks in polycarbonate have been observed simultaneously for the first time by dynamic mechanical analysis. Impact strength measurements show that methylene chloride treatment of polycarbonate results in a change in mode of failure from ductile to brittle with a resultant 40-fold reduction in impact energy for fracture. Thermally crystallized polycarbonate exhibits brittle fracture with very low force and energy at break.     

The electrical double layer of micelles in ionic surfactant solutions in the presence of a background electrolyte: 2. Moderately concentrated micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate

To continue previous studies [1], a model is developed for calculating electrostatic potentials ¹ψ₀ and ¹ψ_d corresponding to the surface of micelle core and the Stern layer, respectively, and the degree ¹β of binding of counterions in moderately concentrated micellar solutions of ionic surfactants. By the example of sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar solutions, dependences of ¹ψ₀ and ¹ψ_d on overall concentration n varying over the range from 0.1 to 0.9 M are determined at different NaCl concentrations in the system. The absolute values of ¹ψ₀ and ¹ψ_d potentials are found to grow with a rise in the degree of micellization and a reduction in the average intermicellar distances. This growth is greatly pronounced at a low content of the background electrolyte, whereas, in concentrated NaCl solutions (of approximately 0.1 M), potentials ¹ψ₀ and ¹ψ_d remain practically constant. Dependence 1 ? ¹β(n) is monotonically decreasing function.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and magnetic properties of three new iron(II) complexes with pyrrolyl-substituted triaryltriazoles

Three pyrrolyl-substituted triaryltriazoles, 3-(N-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)-4-(p-R-phenyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (L¹: R = MeO; L²: R = Cl; L³: R = Br), and their mononuclear iron(II) complexes, trans-[Fe(L^1–3)₂(NCS)₂]?2MeOH (1: L¹; 2: L²; 3: L³), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ESI-MS, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Crystallographic studies revealed that 1–3 are isomorphous and crystallize in the triclinic space group P-1. All the complexes have a similar octahedral [FeN₆] core with two trans-NCS^? ions. Each ligand adopts a chelating bidentate coordination mode via the pyridyl N and one N of the triazole. Intermolecular O–H?O hydrogen bonding and C–H?π interactions link the molecules of 1–3 to form a 1-D chain or 2-D framework. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicated that all the complexes remained in a high-spin state from 1.8 to 300 K and had a weak antiferromagnetic interaction.     

Tri-nuclear phthalocyanine complexes carrying N/O donor ligands as hydrogen peroxide catalysts,and their bleaching activity measurements by an online spectrophotometric method

A phthalocyanine (4) with four salicylhydrazone ligating groups that are directly linked through oxygen bridges to the macrocyclic core has been synthesized by condensation of tetrakis(4-formylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato zinc(II) (3) with salicylhydrazine. Salicylhydrazine was crystallized in methanol during the synthetic procedure. The crystal structure has triclinic space group P-1 with a = 5.8292(6) Å, b = 7.3039(7) Å, c = 17.9798(18) Å, α = 84.272(8)°, β = 89.184(8)°, γ = 81.469(8)°, and Z = 4. Intramolecular O–H?O and intermolecular O–H?O, N–H?N, N–H?O hydrogen bonds were determined in the crystal structure. In addition, there is a weak C–H?π interaction. Complexation on the periphery to yield tri-nuclear Zn(II)Pcs (5–7) was performed through the reaction of a Schiff base-substituted phthalocyanine (4) with MnCl₂·4H₂O, CoCl₂·6H₂O, or Ni(OAc)₂ salts. Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–Vis, ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy), mass spectroscopies, and elemental analyses were applied to characterize the prepared compounds. Bleach catalyst activity of the prepared phthalocyanine complexes (5–7) was examined by the degradation of morin and curcumin, respectively. The catalysts had better activity for color removing in solutions at ambient temperature than to that of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED).     

Basis sets for the evaluation of van der Waals complex interaction energies: Ne–N2 intermolecular potential and microwave spectrum

In order to obtain efficient basis sets for the evaluation of van der Waals complex intermolecular potentials, we carry out systematic basis set studies. For this, interaction energies at representative geometries on the potential energy surfaces are evaluated using the CCSD(T) correlation method and large polarized LPol‐n and augmented polarization‐consistent aug‐pc‐2 basis sets extended with different sets of midbond functions. On the basis of the root mean square errors calculated with respect to the values for the most accurate potentials available, basis sets are selected for fitting the corresponding interaction energies and getting analytical potentials. In this work, we study the Ne–N₂ van der Waals complex and after the above procedure, the aug‐pc‐2–3321 and the LPol‐ds‐33221 basis set results are fitted. The obtained potentials are characterized by T‐shaped global minima at distances between the Ne atom and the N₂ center of mass of 3.39 Å, with interaction energies of ?49.36 cm^?1 for the aug‐pc‐2–3321 surface and ?50.28 cm^?1 for the LPol‐ds‐33221 surface. Both sets of results are in excellent agreement with the reference surface. To check the potentials further microwave transition frequencies are calculated that agree well with the experimental and the aV5Z‐33221 values. The success of this study suggests that it is feasible to carry out similar accurate calculations of interaction energies and ro‐vibrational spectra at reduced cost for larger complexes than has been possible hitherto. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Bio‐inspired iron/sulfur/graphene nanocomposite and its use in the catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction at room temperature in alkaline media on a glassy carbon electrode

This work demonstrates the performance of a bio‐inspired iron/sulfur/graphene nanocomposite as a non‐platinum electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in an alkaline medium. The catalyst shows the most positive ORR onset potential (1.1 V vs. RHE) according to its unique structure in the alkaline medium (KOH solution, pH = 13) at low temperature (T = 298 K). The catalyst is evaluated by the rotating‐disk electrode (RDE) method under various rotating speeds (0–2,000 rpm) in the potential range ?0.02–1.18 V vs. a rechargeable hydrogen electrode (RHE). The number of transferred electrons, as one of the most important parameters, is almost constant over a wide range of potentials (0.1–0.8 V), which indicates a more efficient four‐electron pathway from O₂ to H₂O on the FePc‐S‐Gr surface. The mean size of catalyst centers are in the nanoscale (<10 nm). The estimated Tafel slope in the appropriate range is about ?110 mV per decade at low current density, and E_1/2 of FePc‐S‐Gr displays a negative shift of only 7.1 mV after 10,000 cycles.     

Synthesis and DNA studies of a copper(II) complex of 5,6-dihydro-5,6-epoxy-1,10-phenanthroline

A new copper(II) complex, [Cu(epoxy)(phen)(NO₃)](NO₃)·H₂O (epoxy = 5,6-dihydro-5,6-epoxy-1,10-phenanthroline, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV–vis spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallized in a monoclinic system with space group P21/n, a = 13.3199(8) Å, b = 11.2917(7) Å, c = 16.0832(9) Å, α = 90°, β = 107.827(4)°, and γ = 90°. The complex cation possesses a distorted octahedral geometry, with Jahn–Teller distortion occurring in the CuN₄O₂ core. The binding interaction with calf thymus DNA (CT–DNA) was investigated by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and viscometry. The results support a partially intercalative binding mode. Efficient cleavage of plasmid DNA by the complex was observed by gel electrophoresis.     

Influence of insertion of a noble gas atom on halogen bonding in H2O···XCCNgF and H3N···XCCNgF (X = Cl and Br; Ng = Ar, Kr, and Xe) complexes

The H₂O···XCCNgF and H₃N···XCCNgF (X = Cl and Br; Ng = Ar, Kr, and Xe) complexes have been studied with quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level. The results show that the inserted noble gas atom has an enhancing effect on the strength of halogen bond, and this enhancement is weakened with the increase of noble gas atomic number. The methyl and Li substituents in the electron donor strengthen the halogen bond. The interaction energy increases from ?3.75 kcal/mol in H₃N–BrCCF complex to ?9.66 kcal/mol in H₂LiN–BrCCArF complex. These complexes have been analyzed with atoms in molecules, natural bond orbital, molecular electrostatic potentials, and energy decomposition calculations.     

A Schiff base N-(2-hydroxylacetophenone)-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamine and its copper(II) coordination polymer: synthesis,crystal structure,antioxidation, and DNA-binding properties

A Schiff base, N-(2-hydroxylacetophenone)-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamine (HL) and its Cu(II) coordination polymer, [Cu(L)(NO₃)] _n , have been synthesized and characterized. [Cu(L)(NO₃)] _n is a 1?:?1 (Cu?:?L) polymer, in which copper is six-coordinate with distorted octahedral geometry. The polymer has a 1-D infinite chain structure in which coppers are bridged by a single nitrate. The interaction of HL and complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated; the linear Stern–Volmer quenching constants (K _SV) suggest that the two compounds bind to DNA via intercalation. The binding affinity of complex was higher than HL. Antioxidant assay in vitro shows that the Cu(II) complex possesses significant antioxidant activities.     

Synthesis and electrochemical sensing behaviour of a new ferrocene functionalized tet ‘a’ macrocyclic receptor towards transition metal ions

A new ferrocene functionalized macrocyclic receptor 1,8‐bis(ferrocenylmethyl)‐5,5,7,12,12,14‐hexamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (R) has been designed and synthesized to study its potential application as chemosensor. The receptor has been characterized by spectral techniques and X‐ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pcab with four molecules in a unit cell (half‐a‐molecule in the asymmetric unit). The electrochemical studies of the receptor in dioxane–water (7:3 v/v, 25 °C) indicate that the receptor is pH‐dependent with a displacement of E_1/2 to more anodic potentials with a decrease in the pH from 12 to 5. The electrochemical behaviour of R was also studied in the presence of Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in dioxane–water (7:3 v/v, 25 °C, [Buⁿ₄N][ClO₄]), showing that upon complexation the ferrocene–ferrocenium half‐wave potential shifts anodically in relation to that of the free receptor. The maximum electrochemical shift (ΔE_1/2) of 46 mV was found in the presence of Cu²⁺, followed by Co²⁺ (20 mV), Mn²⁺ (15 mV), Ni²⁺ (13 mV) and Zn²⁺ (9 mV). Moreover, the receptor R is able to electrochemically and selectively sense Cu²⁺ in the presence of the other transition metal cations studied. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kristallstrukturen und Normalkoordinatenanalyse der bindungsisomeren Pentachloroselenocyanatorhenate (IV)

Crystal Structure and Normal Coordinate Analysis of Linkage Isomeric Pentachloroselenocyanatorhenates (IV) The X-ray structure determinations on single crystals of (Ph₃PNPPh₃)₂[ReCl₅(NCSe)] ( 1 ) (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 10.806(2), b = 13.349(2), c = 46.071(4) Å, β = 94.947(9)°, Z = 4) and (Py₂CH₂)[ReCl₅(SeCN)] ( 2 ) (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 12.044(1), b = 9.838(1), c = 15.686(2) Å, β = 105.913(8)°, Z = 4) reveal, that the nearly linear selenocyanate group (178°) is coordinated via N with the Re–N–C angle of 172.7 ( 1 ) and via Se with the Re–Se–C angle of 107.4° ( 2 ). Based on the molecular parameters of the X-ray determinations the IR and Raman spectra, known from literature for both linkage isomers, have been assigned by normal coordinate analysis. The valence force constants are f_d(ReN) = 1.72 and f_d(ReSe) = 1.20 mdyn/Å.