Utilizing a CdTe quantum dots-enzyme hybrid system for the determination of both phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide

In this paper, we attempt to construct a simple and sensitive detection method for both phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide, with the successful combination of the unique property of quantum dots and the specificity of enzymatic reactions. In the presence Of H2O2 and horseradish peroxidase, phenolic compounds can quench quantum dots' photoluminescence efficiently, and the extent of quenching is severalfold to more than 100-fold increase. Quinone intermediates produced from the enzymatic catalyzed oxidation of phenolic compounds were believed to play the main role in the photoluminescence quenching.

Separation of ternary systems of hydrophilic ionic liquid with miscible organic compounds by RPLC with refractive index detection

A rapid and simple analytical method was developed for the simultaneous and quantitative determination and separation of hydrophilic imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C(4)mim]Cl; 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C(6)mim]Cl; 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C(8)mim]Cl; 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [Amim]Cl; or 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [Amim]Br) with miscible ethyl acetate and EtOH and their mixtures using reverse phase liquid chromatography coupled with refractive index detection (RPLC-RI). The influence of 60 to 100% (volume percentage) methanol in the mobile phase on the IL systems ([C(4)mim]Cl, [C(6)mim]Cl, [C(8)mim]Cl, [Amim]Br, or [Amim]Cl)-ethyl acetate-EtOH was investigated.

DNAzyme-based Colorimetric Sensing of Lead (Pb2+) Using Unmodified Gold Nanoparticle Probes

Novel functional oligonucleotides, especially DNAzymes with RNA-cleavage activity, have been intensively studied due to their potential applications in therapeutics and sensors. Taking advantage of the high specificity of 17E DNAzyme for Pb2+, highly sensitive and selective fluorescent, electrochemical and colorimetric sensors have been developed for Pb2+. In this work, we report a simple, sensitive and label-free 17E DNAzyme-based sensor for Pb2+ detection using unmodified gold nanoparticles (GNPs) based on the fact that unfolded single-stranded DNA could be adsorbed on the citrate protected GNPs while double-stranded DNA could not. By our method the substrate cleavage by the 17E DNAzyme in the presence of Pb2+ could be monitored by color change of GNPs, thereby Pb2+ detection was realized.

Synthesis and structure of new low dimensional polymeric haloplumbate(II) complexes [Pb4Br12(C40H40N8)] and [Pb4Cl12(C40H40N8)]center dot H2O

New low dimensional polymeric haloplumbate(II) complexes of the dication of (4,4'-bis(imidazolyl-ylmethyl)biphenyl) were synthesised and their crystal structures determined. Complex 1, [Pb4Br12(C40H40N8)], has cis-edge-shared, octahedral, lead bromide double chains. In compound 2 [Pb4Cl12(C40H40N8)]center dot H2O, the inorganic chains are corner-shared, square pyramidal chains of lead chloride. In both compounds the organic ammoniums form regular layers that alternate with the inorganic chains.

Well-defined higher-molecular-weight polyacrylonitrile via RAFT technique in the presence of disulfide compounds as a source of chain transfer agent

Well-defined polyacrylonitrile with a higher number-average molecular weight (R.) up to 200,000 and a lower polydispersity index (PDI, 1.7-2.0) was firstly obtained via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process. This was achieved by selecting a stable, easy way to prepare disulfide compound intermediates including bis(thiobenzoyl) disulfide (BTBDS) and bis(thiophenylacetoyl) disulfide (BTPADS) to react with azobis(isobutyronitrile) to directly synthesize RAFT agents in situ.

Assembly of supramolecular compounds with water-soluble calix[4]arenes

Three new copper compounds, Cu-2[C12H8N2](2)[C28H2OS4O16][H2O](11.9) (1), Cu-2[C12H8N2](3)[C28H20S4O16][H2O](5) (2), and Cu-2[C12H8N2](4)[C24H12S8O16][H2O](10.5) (3), were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally determined by X-ray diffraction and TG-DTA analyses. Interestingly, Compounds 1 and 2 were synthesized in a one-pot reaction. Complexes 1 and 3 contain capsule units, which are further assembled into three-dimensional (3-D) architectures with a-Po-related topology by pi-pi stacking and/or hydrogen-bonding interactions.

Preparation, structure and dielectric properties of (Ba1-xSrx)(2)NaNb5O15 ceramics

In this study the tungsten-bronze type tetragonal (Ba1-xSrx)(2)NaNb5O15 system as a kind of lead-free ferroelectric ceramics has been synthesized by low-temperature combustion method. Microstructure and dielectric properties of (Ba1-xSrx)(2)NaNb5O15 system were also investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirms the formation of single-phase tetragonal compounds in the crystal system at room temperature. The TEM photograph shows that the particles synthesized by low-temperature combustion method are uniform with an average particle size of 30nm in diameter.

Structures and physical properties of n=3 Ruddlesden-Popper compounds Ca4Mn3-xNbxO10 (0 <= x <= 0.2)

The Ruddlesden-Popper series of compounds Ca4Mn3-xNbxO10(x = 0-0.2) have been prepared by solid-state methods. Structural, magnetic, electrical, and magnetoresistive studies were performed on the compounds. Nb doping caused increases in both unit cell volume and octahedral distortion. The magnetization measurements indicated that the doped samples displayed ferromagnetism-like behavior, which could be explained by the double-exchange interaction between Mn4+ and Mn3+ induced by the charge-compensation effect.

Promoting carbonization of polypropylene during combustion through synergistic catalysis of a trace of halogenated compounds and Ni2O3 for improving flame retardancy

The effect of combination between a trace of halogenated compounds (such as ferric chloride and ammonium bromide) and Ni2O3 particles on the carbonization of polypropylene (PP) was investigated during combustion. The results showed a synergistic catalysis of combined halogenated compounds with Ni2O3 in promoting the formation of the residual char during combustion. The investigation on the promotion mechanism showed that halide radical releasing from halogen-containing additives worked as a catalyst to accelerate dehydrogenation-aromatization of degradation products of PR which promote the degradation products to form the residual char catalyzed by nickel catalyst.

Two Mn(2)(II)Ln(4)(III) (Ln = Gd, Eu) hexanuclear compounds of p-tert-butylsulfinylcalix[4]arene

Two 3d-4f heterometallic compounds of p-tert-butylsulfinylcalix[4] arene were synthesized by the solvothermal method and characterized by some hinged double-dumbbell-like subunits in which two perpendicular dumbbell entities were constructed by an in-between isosceles triangle Mn(II)Ln(2)(III), and two tail-to-tail calixarene molecules, and hinged by the lanthanide-sulfinyl group bonding. The magnetic properties of the title compounds were examined.

Five supramolecular compounds of water-soluble sulfonylcalix[4]arenetetrasulfonate showing two calixarene conformations

Five new compounds of sulfonylcalix[4]arenetetrasulfonate (SC4AS), [H7Na(H2O)(3)(SC4AS)(phen)(5)](H2O)(11.9) (1), [H6Mn(H2O)(4)(SC4AS)(phen)(5)] (H2O)(12.7) (2), [Cu-4(SC4AS) (phen)(6)] (H2O)(4.5) (3), {[Cu (2)(SC4AS) (bpy)(2)][Cu(bpy)(2)(H2O)](2)} (H2O)(6.6) (4), and {[Zn-2(SC4AS) (phen)(2)][Zn(phen)(2)(H2O)(2)](2)} (H2O)(7) (5) (where phen 1,10-phenanthroline and bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and structurally determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The SC4AS ligand adopts partial cone conformation in compounds 1 and 2 and 1,2-alternate form in compounds 3-5. According to the structural analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we suggest that the metal can affect the conformation of SC4AS.

Assembly of Seven Supramolecular Compounds with p-Sulfonatocalix[6]arene

Seven supramolecular compounds comprising p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene and transition metals, {[Cu(Imz)-(phen)(H2O)](4)[C6AS]}center dot 10H(2)O (1), {[Cu(Imz)(2)(phen)](2)[Cu(Imz)(phen)(H2O)(2)](2)[C6AS]}center dot 13.3H(2)O (2), {[M(phen)(2)(H2O)]-[(M(phen)(2)](2)[C6AS]}center dot nH(2)O (3 and 4) (3: M = Co and n = 29.6; 4: M = Zn and n = 29.9), {[Cu(phen)(2)](4)[C6AS]}(2)center dot 13H(2)O (5), [H3O](2)[Co(phen)(3)](2)[C6AS]center dot 10.7H(2)O(6), and [Cu(phen)(2)(H2O)](2){[Cu(phen)(2)](2)[C6AS]}center dot 8H(2)O(7)(phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, C6AS = p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene, Imz = imidazole), have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Self-Assembly from Two-Dimensional Layered Networks to Tetranuclear Structures: Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of Four Copper-Thiacalix[4]arene Compounds

Two new copper-thiacalix[4]arene compounds, [Cu-2(1)-Cl-2(H(4)TC4A)](CH3OH) (1) and [Cu(I)2Cl(2)(H(4)PTC4A)](CH3OH)(CHCl3)(0.5) (2) (where H(4)TC4A = p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene and H(4)PTC4A = p-phenylthiacalix[4]arene), were synthesized by the solvothermal method in the mixed CH3OH/CHCl3 (1: 1) solvent and reassembled in air at room temperature to two other structures, [(Cu4Cl3)-Cl-II(HCO2)(TC4A)(CH3-OH)(2)(H2O)](CHCl3)(CH3OH)(2.7) (3) and [(Cu4Cl4)-Cl-II(PTC4A)(CH3OH)(4)] (4), respectively. All these four compounds were characterized by TG analyses, FTIR spectroscopy, and singlecrystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 feature two-dimensional layered networks, while compounds 3 and 4 are assembled by some tetranuclear units.

Starburst substituted hexaazatriphenylene compounds: synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties

Starburst-substituted hexaazatriphenylene Compounds have been designed and synthesized by introducing various peripheral aryl substituents to the central heterocyclic core. The effects of various substituent groups on the photophysical and electrochemical properties of the substituted hexaazatriphenylene have been investigated. Significant red-shifts of the absorption peak (from 413 nm to 530 nm) and emission peak (from 432 nm to 700 nm) were observed when the electron-donating ability of the aryl substituents was increased, corresponding to a decrease in the band gap from 2.90 eV to 2.05 eV. Introducing bulky substituents with weak electron-donating ability enhances the fluorescence quantum yield from 23% to 87%. In contrast, incorporating aryl substituents with strong electron-donating ability decreases the fluorescence quantum yield.

Potassium-Lead-Switched G-Quadruplexes: A New Class of DNA Logic Gates

A cation-driven allosteric G-quadruplex DNAzyme (PW17) was utilized to devise a conceptually new class of DNA logic gate based on cation-tuned ligand binding and release. K+ favors the binding of hemin to parallel-stranded PW17, thereby promoting the DNAzyme activity, whereas Pb2+ induces PW17 to undergo a parallel-to-antiparallel conformation transition and thus drives hemin to release from the G-quadruplex, deactivating the DNAzyme. Such a K+-Pb2+ switched G-quadruplex, in fact, functions as a two-input INHIBIT logic gate. With the introduction of another input EDTA, this G-quadruplex can be further utilized to construct a reversibly operated IMPLICATION gate.