Two 2D Polyoxometalate-Based Metal-Organic Complexes Constructed from a New Flexible N-Donor Ligand with High Capacitance Performances and Low Detection Limits of Cr(VI)

By designing and using a new flexible bis(pyrimidine)-bis(amide) ligand H₂L [H₂L=N,N′-bis(4-pyrimidinecarboxamido)-1,3-propane], two new polyoxometalate (POM)-based metal-organic complexes (MOCs), H₃[Cu₂(L)₂(PMo₁₂O₄₀)] ( 1 ) and [Cu₂(H₂L)₂(β-Mo₈O₂₆)] ( 2 ), were synthesized under solvothermal and hydrothermal conditions, respectively. In complexes 1 and 2 , metal-organic units and POM anions are linked together to form two distinct 2D structures. The [PMo₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ (PMo₁₂) anions were used as μ₄-bridging ligands in complex 1 and linked the 1D [Cu(L)]_n metal-organic chains to form a 2D layered structure. The [β-Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ (Mo₈) anions adopted two diverse coordination modes in complex 2 and connected the 1D [Cu(H₂L)]_n²ⁿ⁺ metal-organic chains to generate a 2D grid structure. Complexes 1 – 2 can serve as electrode materials of supercapacitor and show large specific capacitances, up to 1065 and 956 F g⁻¹ at current density of 2 A g⁻¹, respectively, which surpass the parent POM and most of the previous reported POM-based electrode materials, thus demonstrating the important role of introducing metal-organic units in improving capacitive performances. Besides, the electrocatalytic redox activities of complexes 1 – 2 were also studied, both of them can be used as electrochemical sensors to detect Cr(VI) ions. They possess high sensitivity of 0.537 and 0.455 μA μM⁻¹ and low detection limits of 0.16 and 0.33 μM, which are below the maximum content of Cr(VI) in groundwater required by the WHO.     

Fast and Selective Luminescent Sensing by Langmuir–Schaeffer Films Based on Controlled Assembly of Perylene Bisimide Modified with A Cyclometalated AuIII Complex

Condensed films of functional luminophores dominated by the magnitude and dimensionality of the intermolecular interactions play important roles in sensing performance. However, controlling the molecular assembly and regulating photophysical properties remain challenging. In this study, a new luminophore, ortho-PBI-Au, was synthesized by anchoring a cyclometalated alkynyl-gold(III) unit at the ortho-position of perylene bisimide. An unprecedented T-type packing model driven by weak Au-π interaction and Au−H bonds was observed, laying foundation for striking properties of the luminophore. Controlled assembly of ortho-PBI-Au at the air-water interface, realized using the classical Langmuir–Schaeffer technique, afforded the obtained luminescent films with different packing structures. With an optimized film, sensitive, selective, and rapid detection of a hazardous new psychoactive substance, phenylethylamine (PEA), was achieved. The detection limit, response time, and recovery time were <4 ppb, <1 s, and <5 s, respectively, surpassing the performance of the PEA sensors known thus far. The relationship between the characters of films and the sensing performance was systematically examined by grey relational analysis (GRA). The present study suggests that designing novel molecular aggregation with definite adlayer structure is a crucial strategy to enhance the sensing performance, which could be favorable for the film-based fluorescent sensors.     

Chemodosimetric Mechanistic Insight through Trapping Intermediate for Selective Detection of Picric Acid in Aqueous Medium by a Dinuclear CdII Complex

A fluorescent dinuclear cadmium(II) based discrete metal complex of composition [Cd^II₂L(μ-Cl)Cl₂]( 1 ) is used {HL=2,6-bis[2-(methylamino)ethyliminomethyl]-4-Ethylphenol} for the specific recognition of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid; PA) via fluorescence quenching phenomenon among various nitroaromatic compounds through a chemodosimetric approach. It has been established that 1 is a chemodosimeter in pure water. We have successfully been able to isolate three compounds: chemodosimeter 1 ; an intermediate complex 2 of composition [Cd^II(LH₂)Cl₂](Picrate) and final association complex 3 of composition [NH₃(CH₂CH₂)NH₂CH₃](Picrate)₂. Compounds have been characterised by CHN elemental analyses, single crystal X-ray crystallography, PXRD, NMR and FTIR. Selective interaction of 1 with PA was evaluated by fluorescence, UV-Vis and life time measurements. Fluorescence quenching of 1 occurs definitely due to the formation of compound 3 via intermediate 2 involving partial decomplexation, hydrolysis and proton transfer phenomena in solution during the course of sensing. The quenching constant (K_sv), association constant (K_a) and detection limit (LOD) of the complex 1 for picric acid are ∼1.55×10⁵ M⁻¹, ∼1.8×10¹⁰ M⁻² and ∼0.47 μM (0.108 ppm), respectively. Mechanism of sensing is proposed and the very rare case of isolation and characterization of intermediate in picric acid sensing is discussed.     

Recent Advances in Real-Time Analysis of Electrochemical Reactions by Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry†

Electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC-MS) is a powerful tool to capture and analyze the intermediates and products during electrochemical reactions. This hyphenated technique combines electrochemistry with mass spectrometry using specific apparatuses, which helps researchers study mechanisms of redox reactions by in situ detecting chemical composition changes. Recently, various EC-MS methods have been applied in a series of electrochemical reactions to reveal the mechanisms, mainly in the areas of electrochemical sensors, organic electrochemistry, and electrocatalysis. In this review, we intend to summarize the recent advances in real-time analysis of different types of electrochemical reactions by EC-MS and offer an outlook on the perspectives in these areas.      

Harnessing Deep Neural Networks to Analyze Multi-Channel Anion Sensing Characteristics of a Ru(II)-Pyrazolyl-Bis(Benzimidazole) Complex

In this work, the anion-responsive conduct of a Ru(II)-bipyridine complex incorporating pyrazolyl-bis (benzimidazole) ligand is thoroughly investigated in acetonitrile and water via absorption and emission spectroscopy as well as by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). Substantial alteration of the photo-redox behavior of the complex is observed in the presence of the selected anions. The free form of the complex exhibits emission indicating the “on-state”, while inclusion of anions leads to quenching of emission and represents the “off-state”. The restoration of the initial state of the complex is feasible in the presence of acid and the process is reversible and can be recycled. In essence, the complex functions as anion- and acid-responsive molecular switches. Additionally, we applied herein neural network based deep learning methodologies, viz. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)} for thorough analysis and fully understand the multi-channel anion sensing behavior of the complex.