Simple Characterization of Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles by Capillary Electrophoresis

The development of methodologies for the characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using natural products has received increasing attention, especially to monitoring its stability and size for further application. In this paper, a capillary electrophoretic (CE) method is presented for characterization of AgNPs synthesized using honey or glucose as reducing agents. A simple electrolyte solution composed of 20 mM sodium borate and 20 mM sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) at pH 8.5 was used for separation of AgNPs within a short analysis time (<12 min). The obtained results were compared with the traditional characterization techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), showing satisfactory correlation in terms of size distribution. In addition, valuable information about electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential values of AgNPs was obtained by applying the CE-UV/Vis method. Thus, the proposed methodology represents a straightforward tool for the fast and cost-effective characterization of AgNPs within a single analysis, employing minimal amounts of reagents and samples.     

Biolabeling with nanoparticles based on Y2O3: Nd and luminescence detection in the near-infrared

Neodymium based fluorescence presents several advantages in comparison to conventional rare earth or enzyme-substrate based fluorescence emitting sources (e.g.Tb, HRP) . Based on this fact we have herein explored a Nd-based fluoroimmunoassay. We efficiently detected the presence of an oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in human plasma a well-known marker for cardiovascular diseases, which causes around 30% of deaths worldwide. Conventional fluoroimmunoassay uses time-resolved luminescence techniques, with detection in the visible range, to eliminate the fluorescence background from the biological specimens. By using an immunoassay based on functionalized Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ nanoparticles, where the excitation and emission processes in the Nd³⁺ ion occur in the near-infrared (NIR) region, we have succeeded in eliminating the interferences from the biological fluorescence background, avoiding the use of time-resolved techniques. This yields higher emission intensity from the Nd³⁺-nanolabels and efficient detection of anti-oxidized low-density lipoproteins (anti-oxLDL) by Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺-antibody-antigen conjugation, leading to a novel biolabeling method.     

Reaction mechanism and rate constants of the CH+CH4 reaction: a theoretical study

Ab initio and density functional calculations have been performed to elucidate the mechanism of CH radical insertion into methane. The results show that the reaction can be viewed to occur via two stages. On the first stage, the CH radical approaches methane without large structural changes to acquire proper positioning for the subsequent stage, where H-migration occurs from CH₄ to CH, along with a C–C bond formation. Where the first stage ends and the second begins, a tight transition state was located using the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and MP4(SDQ)/6-311++G(d,p) methods. Using a rigid rotor – harmonic oscillator approach within transition state theory, we show that at the MP5/6-311++G(d,p)//MP4(SDQ)/6-311++G(d,p) level the calculated rate constants are in a reasonably good agreement with experiment in a broad temperature range of 145–581 K. Even at low temperatures, the insertion reaction bottleneck is found about the location of the tight transition state, rather than at long separations between the CH and CH₄ reactants. In addition, high level CCSD(T)-F12/CBS calculations of the remainder of the C₂H₅ potential energy surface predict the CH+CH₄ reaction to proceed via the initial insertion step to the ethyl radical which then can emit a hydrogen atom to form highly exothermic C₂H₄+H products.     

ONE-POT SYNTHESIS OF N-ALKYL SUBSTITUTED PHOSPHORYL GUANIDINES

This article describes an attractive and one-pot synthesis of the title compound by phosphorylation of just prepared N-substituted guanidines from cyanamide and the desired amine. The method allows a variety of N-substituents to hang on the final phosphoryl guanidine as a function of the wider availability of commercial simple amines.     

Endo-cavity Complexes between Calix[6]arene Dianions and Aliphatic Ammonium Cations: Structure of a Hexylammonium Complex by X-ray Crystallography

The interactions of calix[6]arene and p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene with aliphatic amines in acetonitrile solution were studied by spectrophotometric titrations in the UV region and ¹H NMR spectrometry. Calix[6]arenes can undergo two deprotonations by aliphatic amines and the extent of the second proton transfer is mainly governed by the size of the α-substituent of the amine. ¹H NMR spectra show that the macrocycle adopts a 1,2,3-alternate conformation and that the α-hydrogens of the ammonium ions are shielded by the π-clouds of the aromatic rings. The X-ray crystal structure of the dihexylammonium complex of the p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene dianion, reported here, confirms the 1,2,3-alternate conformation and shows one of the two ammonium moieties encapsulated in the inner cavity of the macrocycle.     

Molecular Recognition of Aromatic Nitro Compounds at Cyclodextrin Dithiocarbamate-modified Electrodes

Silver electrodes were modified by the adsorption of α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin dithiocarbamates (2α–γ) and characterized by reductive desorption experiments. Their molecular recognition properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry using three families of positional isomers of aromatic nitro compounds. Electrodes modified with 2α and 2β were selective for meta and para isomers while 2γ showed little selectivity. These observations are explained in terms of cavity sizes and guest structure. Computational studies suggest that the main reason for the observed selectivity is the different position of the NO² group in ortho and para isomers with respect to the CD cavity.