Redox‐induced configuration conversion for thioacetamide dimer can function as a molecular switch

The electronic switching properties of thioacetamide dimer (TAD) were investigated using the nonequilibrium Green's function method combined with density functional theory for design of a novel molecular switch. The H‐bonded TAD can be converted upon hole‐trapping to a three‐electron (3e)‐bonded configuration with a S∴S linkage which could provide a more favorable channel for charge transfer than the before. The redox‐induced configuration conversion between the H‐bonded and the 3e‐bonded TADs could govern the charge migration through the molecular junction with a considerable difference in conduction currents. The calculated I–V characteristic curves of two configurations exhibit a switching behavior with an On‐Off ratio in a range of about 4.3–7.6 within the applied voltages. Clearly, this hypothetical scheme provides a potential way to explore the novel conformation‐dependent molecular switch. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2010     

A selective colorimetric chemosensor based on calixarene framework for lanthanide ions-Dy and Er

A novel photochromic Schiff base derivative, 5,17-N,N′-(5,5′-di-methoxyl-benzlaldehyde)diimine-25,27-dipropoxy-calix[4]arene has been synthesized through incorporation of two imine groups into the upper rims of calix[4]arene. The experiments showed that the addition of Dy³⁺ or Er³⁺ ions to compound 4 results in the solution color change, but other metal ions caused less change. It indicated that the synthetic receptor can selectively recognize Dy³⁺ and Er³⁺ ion by naked eye over other lanthanide cations. Thus, these systems can be applied as chemosensor for Dy³⁺ and Er³⁺ ion in analytical chemistry.     

Highly sensitive detection of S-nitrosylated proteins by capillary gel electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence

S-nitrosylated proteins are biomarkers of oxidative damage in aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we report a new method for detecting and quantifying nitrosylated proteins by capillary gel electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection (CGE-LIF). Dylight 488 maleimide was used to specifically label thiol group (SH) after switching the S-nitrosothiol (S-NO) to SH in cysteine using the "fluorescence switch" assay. In vitro nitrosylation model-BSA subjected to S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) optimized the labeling reactions and characterized the response of the LIF detector. The method proves to be highly sensitive, detecting 1.3 picomolar (pM) concentration of nitrosothiols in nanograms of proteins, which is the lowest limit of detection of nitrosothiols reported to date. We further demonstrated the direct application of this method in monitoring protein nitrosylation damage in MQ mediated human colon adenocarcinoma cells. The nitrosothiol amounts in MQ treated and untreated cells are 14.8±0.2 and 10.4±0.5 pmol/mg of proteins, respectively. We also depicted nitrosylated protein electrophoretic profiles of brain cerebrum of 5-month-old AD transgenic (Tg) mice model. In Tg mice brain, 15.5±0.4 pmol of nitrosothiols/mg of proteins was quantified while wild type contained 11.7±0.3 pmol/mg proteins. The methodology is validated to quantify low levels of S-nitrosylated protein in complex protein mixtures from both physiological and pathological conditions.     

Photochromic Free MOF‐Based Near‐Infrared Optical Switch

We demonstrate herein an all‐optical switch based on stimuli‐responsive and photochromic‐free metal–organic framework (HKUST‐1). Ultrafast near‐infrared laser pulses stimulate a reversible 0.4 eV blue shift of the absorption band with up to 200 s^?1 rate due to dehydration and concomitant shrinking of the structure‐forming [Cu₂C₄O₈] cages of HKUST‐1. Such light‐induced switching enables the remote modulation of intensities of photoluminescence of single crystals of HKUST‐1 as well visible radiation passing through the crystal by 2 order of magnitude. This opens up the possibility of utilyzing stimuli‐responsive MOFs for all‐optical data processing devices.     

基于P2 Mo18O6-62@Tb3+溶液可逆变色-荧光开关性质对维生素C和H2O2的光谱检测

基于变色多酸P₂Mo₁₈{\mathrm{O}}_{62}^{6-}与绿光Tb³⁺之间的功能互补及分子间能量转移的原理, 在维生素C(VC)的还原下, P₂Mo₁₈{\mathrm{O}}_{62}^{6-}@Tb³⁺溶液由浅黄色变为蓝色, 发生荧光猝灭; 相反, 在H₂O₂氧化下, 溶液的蓝色褪去, 荧光得以恢复, P₂Mo₁₈{\mathrm{O}}_{62}^{6-}@Tb³⁺溶液呈现出可逆的化学响应变色及荧光开关性质. 利用紫外-可见(UV-Vis)及荧光(PL)光谱法对VC浓度进行定量检测, 分别以800 nm处的吸光度和 547 nm处荧光强度的对数值对VC浓度作图, 获得光谱法对VC检测的线性方程, 检出限分别为3.40×10^-3和0.21 μmol/L; 利用UV-Vis及PL动力学方法对VC和H₂O₂检测的响应速度进行了考察, 响应时间分别为52和320 s; 通过UV-Vis光谱及动力学方法考察了VC检测的选择性及可重复使用性.     

A Photochemical/Thermal Switch Based on 4,4′-Bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene: Synthesis and Supramolecular Properties.

Stilbene derivatives are well-recognised substructures of molecular switches based on photochemically and/or thermally induced (E)/(Z) isomerisation. We combined a stilbene motif with two benzimidazolium arms to prepare new sorts of supramolecular building blocks and examined their binding properties towards cucurbit[n]urils (n=7, 8) and cyclodextrins (β-CD, γ-CD) in water. Based on the ¹H NMR data and molecular dynamics simulations, we found that two distinct complexes with different stoichiometry, i. e., guest@β-CD and guest@β-CD₂, coexist in equilibrium in a water solution of the (Z)-stilbene-based guests. We also demonstrated that the bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene guests can be transformed from the (E) into the (Z) form via UV irradiation and back via thermal treatment in DMSO.     

Ratiometric fluorescent Zn chemosensor constructed by appending a pair of carboxamidoquinoline on 1,2-diaminocyclohexane scaffold

By appending a pair of carboxamidoquinoline pendants onto 1,2-diaminocyclohexane scaffold via N-alkylation, multifunctionalized ACAQ was designed and synthesized as a water soluble fluorescent ratiometric chemosensor for Zn²⁺. In 50% aqueous methanol buffer pH 7.4 solution, upon excitation at 316 nm, ACAQ (5 μM) displayed a selective ratiometric fluorescence changes with a shift from 410 to 490 nm in response to the interaction with Zn²⁺. After binding with 1 equiv of Zn²⁺, ACAQ exhibited a 12-fold enhancement in I₄₉₀/I₄₁₀ characterized by a clear isoemissive point at 440 nm. The metal sensor binding mode was established by Job’s plot and the combined fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopic method. The selectivity of the probe toward biological relevant cations and transition metal ions was proven to be good. In addition, the interference caused by Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in the quantitation of Zn²⁺ can be completely eliminated by the use of diethyldithiocarbamate as the screening agent. Exploitation of ACAQ as the sensing probe, ratiometric determination of Zn²⁺ with the limit of detection (LOD) at 28.3 nm can be realized. In addition, the unique responsive properties of the probe toward Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺ were used to construct a fluorescent switch. The membrane permeability of ACAQ to living cells and bio-imaging of Zn²⁺ were demonstrated.     

[Ru(phen)2dppz]2+二聚及对DNA键合性质的影响

研究发现, [Ru(phen)2dppz]2+表现出非常强的自聚合倾向, 并显著影响DNA的键合性质, 有关方面的研究应引起科研工作者的足够重视.     

基于稀土离子介导石墨烯量子点荧光开关的凝血酶生物传感器

稀土离子(Er3+)可与荧光石墨烯量子点(GQDs)表面的含氧基团发生配位,在Er3+介导下形成高配位数的GQDs/Er3+配合物,引起GQDs聚集而使其荧光减弱.凝血酶(Tb)中的氮和氧等原子可与Er3+发生配位作用,从而与GQDs竞争结合Er3+,减弱了GQDs与Er3+的作用而使其荧光恢复.通过检测GQDs的荧光即可实现对Tb活性的高灵敏分析,构建了基于Er3+介导GQDs荧光开关的Tb传感方法,采用透射电镜、原子力显微镜、红外吸收光谱以及荧光光谱等对传感机理进行了研究.本方法对Tb的检出限低至0.049 nmol/L,其它蛋白质对Tb检测无明显干扰,实际样品中Tb加标回收率为98.0%~105.3%,相对标准偏差为0.6%~4.2%.     

Conformational analysis of N-aryl-N-(2-azulenyl)acetamides

Aromatic amides bearing 2-azulenyl group on the amide nitrogen were synthesized and their structures were investigated. The π-electron density of the N-aryl group was found to influence the cis-trans conformational preferences of these compounds in solution. X-ray crystallography revealed that the plane of the 2-azulenyl ring has a strong tendency to lie coplanar with the amide plane when the azulene group is located on the same side as the amide oxygen atom.