A reaction-based scenario for fluorescence probing of Au(III) ions in human cells and plants.

A BODIPY-based fluorophore decorated with a gold specific reactive handle (, 2-alkynylallyl alcohol) displayed a ratiometric fluorescence change in response to Au ions with extraordinary selectivity over other competing metal species, including Hg, Cu, Zn and Pd. By way of a gold-catalyzed intramolecular cyclisation-isomerisation reaction sequence, a BODIPY construct with an extended π-conjugation transformed into a new structure with a relatively short π-system. This unique chemical transformation was accompanied by, and resulted in, a dramatic shift in the emission and absorption wavelength, which could be monitored as distinct changes in the color of the solution's emission.

Adsorption of dyes on Sahara desert sand.

Sahara desert sand (SaDeS) was employed as a mineral sorbent for retaining organic dyes from aqueous solutions. Natural sand has demonstrated a strong affinity for organic dyes but significantly lost its adsorption capacity when it was washed with water. Therefore, characterization of both natural and water washed sand was performed by XRD, BET, SEM and FTIR techniques.