Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy: A Powerful Technique to Directly Study Small Gas Molecules Adsorbed in Metal–Organic Frameworks

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown great potential in gas separation and storage, and the design of MOFs for these purposes is an on-going field of research. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy is a valuable technique for characterizing these functional materials. It can provide a wide range of structural and motional insights that are complementary to and/or difficult to access with alternative methods. In this Concept article, the recent advances made in SSNMR investigations of small gas molecules (i.e., carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen gas and light hydrocarbons) adsorbed in MOFs are discussed. These studies demonstrate the breadth of information that can be obtained by SSNMR spectroscopy, such as the number and location of guest adsorption sites, host–guest binding strengths and guest mobility. The knowledge acquired from these experiments yields a powerful tool for progress in MOF development.     

Platinum nanoparticle-modified electrodes, morphologic, and electrochemical studies concerning electroactive materials deposition

The present work describes the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles followed by their electrophoretic deposition onto transparent fluorine-doped tin oxide electrodes. The nano-Pt-modified electrodes were characterized by voltammetric studies in acidic solutions showing a great electrocatalytic behavior towards H⁺ reduction being very interesting for fuel cell applications. Morphological characterization was performed by atomic force microscopy on different modified electrodes showing a very rough surface which can be tuned by means of time of deposition. Also, nickel hydroxide thin films were galvanostatically grown onto these electrodes showing an interesting electrochemical behavior as sharper peaks, indicating a faster ionic exchange from the electrolyte to the film.     

Selective excitation through tapered silica fibers of fluorescent two-photon polymerized structures

Two-photon polymerization has emerged as a powerful tool to design complex three-dimensional microstructures for applications ranging from biology to nanophotonics. To broaden the application spectrum of such microstructures, different materials have been incorporated to the polymers, aiming at specific applications. In this paper we report the fabrication of microstructures containing rhodamine 610, which display strong fluorescence upon one- and two-photon excitation. The latter increases light-penetration depth and spatial selectivity of luminescence. We also demonstrate that by using silica submicrometric wires we were able to select individual microstructures to be excited, which could be explored for designing microstructure-based optical circuits.     

Determination of arsenic in diesel, gasoline and naphtha by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using microemulsion medium for sample stabilization

A procedure for the determination of As in diesel, gasoline and naphtha at μg L⁻¹ levels by GFAAS is proposed. Sample stabilization was achieved by the formation of three component solutions prepared by mixing appropriate volumes of the samples propan-1-ol and nitric acid aqueous solution. This mixture resulted in a one-phase medium, which was indefinitely stable. No changes in the analyte signals were observed over several days in spiked samples, proving long-term stabilization ability. The use of conventional (Pd) and permanent (Ir) modification was investigated and the former was preferred. Central composite design multivariate optimization defined the optimum microemulsion composition as well as the temperature program. In this way, calibration using aqueous analytical solutions was possible, since the same sensitivity was observed in the investigated microemulsion media and in 0.2% v/v HNO₃. Coefficients of correlation larger than 0.999 and an As characteristic mass of 22 pg were observed. Recoveries (n=4) obtained from spiked samples were 98±4, 99±3 and 103±5%, and the limits of detection in the original samples were 1.8, 1.2 and 1.5 μg L⁻¹ for diesel, gasoline and naphtha, respectively. Validation was performed by the analysis of a set of commercial samples by independent comparative procedures. No significant difference (Student’s t-test, p<0.05) was observed between comparative and proposed procedure results. The total determination cycle lasted 4 min for diesel and 3 min for gasoline and naphtha, equivalent to a sample throughput of 7 h⁻¹ for diesel and 10 h⁻¹ for gasoline and naphtha.     

Structural and spectroscopic properties of the diazocarbene radical (CNN) and its ions CNN+ and CNN−: a high-level theoretical investigation

The diazocarbene radical, CNN, and the ions CNN⁺ and CNN^? were investigated at a high level of theory. Very accurate structural parameters for the states X ³Σ^? and A ³Π of CNN, and X ²Π of both CNN⁺ and CNN^? were obtained with the UCCSD(T) method using correlated-consistent basis functions with extrapolations to the complete basis set limit, with valence only and also with all electrons correlated. Harmonic and anharmonic frequencies were obtained for all species and the Renner parameter and average frequencies evaluated for the Π states. At the UCCSD(T)/CBS_T-5 level of theory, Δ_f H(0 K) = 138.89 kcal/mol and Δ_f H(298 K) = 139.65 kcal/mol were obtained for diazocarbene; for the ionization potential and the electron affinity of CNN, 10.969 eV (252.95 kcal/mol), and 1.743 eV (40.19 kcal/mol), respectively, are predicted. Geometry optimization was also carried out with the CASSCF/MRCI/CBS_T-5 approach for the states X ³Σ^?, A ³Π, and a ¹Δ of CNN, and with the CASSCF/MRSDCI/aug-cc-pVTZ approach for the states b ¹Σ⁺, c ¹Π, d ¹Σ^?, and B ³Σ^?, and excitation energies (T_e) evaluated. Vertical energies were calculated for 15 electronic states, thus improving on the accuracy of the five transitions already described, and allowing for a reliable overview of a manifold of other states, which is expected to guide future spectroscopic experiments. This study corroborates the experimental assignment for the vertical transition X ³Σ^? ← E ³Π.     

Nanostructure-Driven Indocyanine Green Dimerization Generates Ultra-Stable Phototheranostics Nanoparticles

Indocyanine green (ICG) is the only near-infrared (NIR) dye approved for clinical use. Despite its versatility in photonic applications and potential for photothermal therapy, its photobleaching hinders its application. Here we discovered a nanostructure of dimeric ICG (Nano-dICG) generated by using ICG to stabilize nanoemulsions, after which ICG enabled complete dimerization on the nanoemulsion shell, followed by J-aggregation of ICG-dimer, resulting in a narrow, red-shifted (780 nm→894 nm) and intense (≈2-fold) absorbance. Compared to ICG, Nano-dICG demonstrated superior photothermal conversion (2-fold higher), significantly reduced photodegradation (−9.6 % vs. −46.3 %), and undiminished photothermal effect (7 vs. 2 cycles) under repeated irradiations, in addition to excellent colloidal and structural stabilities. Following intravenous injection, Nano-dICG enabled real-time tracking of its delivery to mouse tumors within 24 h by photoacoustic imaging at NIR wavelength (890 nm) distinct from the endogenous signal to guide effective photothermal therapy. The unprecedented finding of nanostructure-driven ICG dimerization leads to an ultra-stable phototheranostic platform.     

Determination of manganese in diesel,gasoline and naphtha by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using microemulsion medium for sample stabilization

The determination of Mn in diesel, gasoline and naphtha samples at µg L^− 1 level by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, after sample stabilization in a three-component medium (microemulsion) was investigated. Microemulsions were prepared by mixing appropriate volumes of sample, propan-1-ol and nitric acid aqueous solution, and a stable system was immediately and spontaneously formed. After multivariate optimization by central composite design the optimum microemulsion composition as well as the temperature program was defined. In this way, calibration using aqueous analytical solution was possible, since the same sensitivity was observed in the optimized microemulsion media and 0.2% v/v HNO₃. The use of modifier was not necessary. Recoveries at the 3 µg L^− 1 level using both inorganic and organic Mn standards spiked solutions ranged from 98 to 107% and the limits of detection were 0.6, 0.5 and 0.3 µg L^− 1 in the original diesel, gasoline and naphtha samples, respectively. The Mn characteristic mass 3.4 pg. Typical relative standard deviation (n = 5) of 8, 6 and 7% were found for the samples prepared as microemulsions at concentration levels of 1.3, 0.8, and 1.5 µg L^− 1, respectively. The total determination cycle lasted 4 min for diesel and 3 min for gasoline and naphtha, equivalent to a sample throughput of 7 h^− 1 for duplicate determinations in diesel and 10 h^− 1 for duplicate determinations in gasoline and naphtha. Accuracy was also assessed by using other method of analysis (ASTM D 3831-90). No statistically significant differences were found between the results obtained with the proposed method and the reference method in the analysis of real samples.     

Paper spray mass spectrometry and PLS-DA improved by variable selection for the forensic discrimination of beers

Paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) combined with partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was applied for the first time in a forensic context to a fast and effective differentiation of beers. Eight different brands of American standard lager beers produced by four different breweries (141 samples from 55 batches) were studied with the aim at performing a differentiation according to their market prices. The three leader brands in the Brazilian beer market, which have been subject to fraud, were modeled as the higher-price class, while the five brands most used for counterfeiting were modeled as the lower-price class. Parameters affecting the paper spray ionization were examined and optimized. The best MS signal stability and intensity was obtained while using the positive ion mode, with PS(+) mass spectra characterized by intense pairs of signals corresponding to sodium and potassium adducts of malto-oligosaccharides. Discrimination was not apparent neither by using visual inspection nor principal component analysis (PCA). However, supervised classification models provided high rates of sensitivity and specificity. A PLS-DA model using full scan mass spectra were improved by variable selection with ordered predictors selection (OPS), providing 100% of reliability rate and reducing the number of variables from 1701 to 60. This model was interpreted by detecting fifteen variables as the most significant VIP (variable importance in projection) scores, which were therefore considered diagnostic ions for this type of beer counterfeit.     

Thalidomide analogs from diamines: Synthesis and evaluation as inhibitors of TNF-alpha production

Fourteen thalidomide analogs bearing two phthalimido units were prepared in high yields (83-94%) by condensation of different diamines with phthalic or 3-nitrophthalic anhydride. An in vitro investigation of the compounds as inhibitors of the TNF-alpha production was performed. The inhibition was higher for compounds bearing amino and nitro groups and was modulated by increasing the size of the spacers between the phthalimide groups.