Investigation of a bimetallic terbium(III)/copper(II) chemosensor for the detection of aqueous hydrogen sulfide.

The chemosensor properties of a bimetallic terbium(III)/copper(II) complex functionalized with a 4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazole ligand for the detection of Cu ions and, aqueous and gaseous hydrogen sulfide was investigated. The 4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazole ligand functions both as an antenna chromophore and a receptor for Cu ions; the Cu complex was shown to be a chemosensor for the detection of aqueous hydrogen sulfide. The chemosensor exhibited significant reversibility over multiple cycles, observed with the sequential addition of NaS followed by Cu ions.

A Reduced-Symmetry PdL Cage from a Heterotopic Dipyridyl Ligand.

Two dipyridyl ligands, and , have been used in combination with palladium(II) in the construction of metallosupramolecular species that show anion-dependent behavior in solution. A rare example of a low-symmetry () lantern-type cage is formed in one instance, [Pd(L)], while the isomeric ligand yields a larger double-walled square complex, [Pd(L)]. [Pd(L)](NO) was isolated in crystalline form revealing two anions within the interior of the -symmetry cage.

-Sulfonylphenoxazines as neuronal calcium ion channel blockers.

Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain, usually caused by nerve damage, that responds poorly to traditional pain therapies. The N-type calcium channel (Ca2.2) is a well-validated pharmacological target to treat this condition.

Salt-Induced Linker Dehydration Modulates Micellar Structure in Ether-Linked Sulfate Surfactants.

Ether-linked surfactants are widely used in formulations such as liquid soaps, but despite their ubiquity, it is unclear how -ethylene glycol linkers in surfactants, such as sodium lauryl -(ethylene glycol) sulfate (SLEnS), influence micellar packing in the presence of NaCl. In the present work, we probe the structure and hydration of ether linkers in micelles comprising monodisperse SLEnS surfactants using contrast-variation small-angle neutron scattering (CV-SANS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Using SAXS, changes in micellar structure were observed for SLEnS ( = 1, 2, or 3) arising from the extent of ethoxylation.

Rapid Concentration and Detection of Bacteria in Milk Using a Microfluidic Surface Acoustic Wave Activated Nanosieve.

Rapid detection of microbes is a key feature for monitoring food quality. Unfortunately, current detection systems rely on labor-intensive and time-consuming lab-based processes that are not suitable for point-of-interest applications and typically require several days before results are available. Here, we demonstrate a microfluidic system capable of rapidly concentrating, fluorescent staining, and detecting bacteria in unprocessed complex biological media such as milk.

Carbon Dioxide Capture by Emerging Innovative Polymers: Status and Perspectives.

A significant amount of research has been conducted in carbon dioxide (CO) capture, particularly over the past decade, and continues to evolve. This review presents the most recent advancements in synthetic methodologies and CO capture capabilities of diverse polymer-based substances, which includes the amine-based polymers, porous organic polymers, and polymeric membranes, covering publications in the last 5 years (2019-2024). It aims to assist researchers with new insights and approaches to develop innovative polymer-based materials with improved capturing CO capacity, efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effective, thereby addressing the current obstacles in carbon capture and storage to sooner meeting the net-zero CO emission target.

Inhibition of N-type calcium channels by phenoxyaniline and sulfonamide analogues.

Building on previous investigations, structural modifications to the neuronal calcium ion channel blocker MONIRO-1 and related compounds were conducted that included replacement of the amide linker with an aniline and isosteric sulfonamide moiety, and the previously used strategy of substitution of the guanidinium group with less hydrophilic amine functionalities. A comprehensive SAR study revealed a number of phenoxyaniline and sulfonamide compounds that were more potent or had similar potency for the Ca2.2 and Ca3.

A Study on Auto-Catalysis and Product Inhibition: A Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reaction Catalysed within the Cavity of an Octanuclear Coordination Cage.

The ability of an octanuclear cubic coordination cage to catalyse a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction on a cavity-bound guest was studied with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) as the guest/substrate. It was found that DNFB undergoes a catalysed reaction with hydroxide ions within the cavity of the cubic cage (in aqueous buffer solution, pH 8.6).

Stabilization of Lantern-Type Metal-Organic Cages (MOCs) by Protective Control of Ligand Exchange Rates.

Self-assembling systems in nature display remarkable complexity with assemblies of different sub-units to generate functional species. Synthetic analogues of such systems are a challenge, often requiring the ability to bias distributions that are under thermodynamic assembly control. Using lantern-type MOCs (metal-organic cages) as a prototypical self-assembling system, herein we explore the role that steric bulk plays in controlling the exchange rate of ligands in paddlewheel-based assemblies, and thus the stability of cages, in competitive self-assembling scenarios.

Influence of Surfactant Structure on Polydisperse Formulations of Alkyl Ether Sulfates and Alkyl Amidopropyl Betaines.

Surfactants provide detergency, foaming, and texture in personal care formulations, yet the micellization of typical industrial primary and cosurfactants is not well understood, particularly in light of the polydisperse nature of commercial surfactants. Synergistic interactions are hypothesized to drive the formation of elongated wormlike self-assemblies in these mixed surfactant systems. Small-angle neutron scattering, rheology, and pendant drop tensiometry are used to examine surface adsorption, viscoelasticity, and self-assembly structure for wormlike micellar formulations comprising cocoamidopropyl betaine, and its two major components laurylamidopropyl betaine and oleylamidopropyl betaine, with sodium alkyl ethoxy sulfates.

Detection of aqueous and gaseous hydrogen sulfide with lanthanide-macrocycle binary complexes.

Two novel, discrete lanthanide-macrocycle binary complexes for the detection of hydrogen sulfide are reported. The hydrogen sulfide sensing mechanism utilises the copper sequestration at a secondary binding site, with resulting bimetallic lanthanide(III)/copper(II) complexes (Ln = Eu and Tb) exhibiting high selectivity, good sensitivity and excellent reversibility for aqueous hydrogen sulfide. The inclusion of the DO2A macrocycle and 4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazole dipicolinic acid ligand, results in a complex with good solubility and stability.

Structure-Performance Relationships for Tail Substituted Zwitterionic Betaine-Azobenzene Surfactants.

Azobenzene-containing surfactants (azo-surfactants) have garnered significant attention for their use in generating photoresponsive foams, interfaces, and colloidal systems. The photoresponsive behavior of azo-surfactants is driven by the conformational and electronic changes that occur when the azobenzene chromophore undergoes light-induced ⇌ isomerization. Effective design of surfactants and targeting of their properties requires a robust understanding of how the azobenzene functionality interacts with surfactant structure and influences overall surfactant behavior.

Dual-Labelling Strategies for Nuclear and Fluorescence Molecular Imaging: Current Status and Future Perspectives.

Molecular imaging offers the possibility to investigate biological and biochemical processes non-invasively and to obtain information on both anatomy and dysfunctions. Based on the data obtained, a fundamental understanding of various disease processes can be derived and treatment strategies can be planned. In this context, methods that combine several modalities in one probe are increasingly being used.

Inhibition of N-type calcium ion channels by tricyclic antidepressants - experimental and theoretical justification for their use for neuropathic pain.

A number of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly prescribed off-label for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The blockade of neuronal calcium ion channels is often invoked to partially explain the analgesic activity of TCAs, but there has been very limited experimental or theoretical evidence reported to support this assertion. The N-type calcium ion channel (Ca2.

Colorimetric Detection of Extracellular Hydrogen Peroxide Using an Integrated Microfluidic Device.

It is well known that hydrogen peroxide (HO) is a signaling molecule essential for vital physiological reactions in mammalian cells, such as cell survival, intercellular communication, and cancer metabolism. However, to fully understand the function of HO, it is critical to monitor its intracellular and/or extracellular concentrations. Current techniques implemented to address this need require large sample volumes, expensive instrumentation, and long sample preparation and analysis times, inapplicable to inline or online monitoring.

Steric control of sorting regimes in self-assembled cages.

Control of self-sorting regimes is achieved through adjustment of steric interactions in self-assembled coordination cages. The self-assembly regime of dynamic mixtures of heteroleptic cages is followed by HPLC to show that statistical or biased distributions can be selectively obtained, including isolation of a single heteroleptic species.

Heads or tails? The synthesis, self-assembly, properties and uses of betaine and betaine-like surfactants.

Betaines are a key class of zwitterionic surfactant that exhibit particularly favorable properties, making them indispensable in modern formulation. Due to their composition, betaines are readily biodegradable, mild on the skin and exhibit some antimicrobial activity. Vital to their function, these surfactants self-assemble into diverse micellar geometries, some of which contribute to increased solution viscosity, and their surface activity results in strong detergency and foaming.

The neuronal calcium ion channel activity of constrained analogues of MONIRO-1.

Structural modifications of the neuronal calcium channel blocker MONIRO-1, including constraining the phenoxyaniline portion of the molecule and replacing the guanidinium functionality with tertiary amines, led to compounds with significantly improved affinities for the endogenously expressed Ca2.2 channel in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. These analogues also showed promising activity towards the Ca3.

Mixed-ligand lanthanide complexes supported by ditopic bis(imino-methyl)-phenol/calix[4]arene macrocycles: synthesis, structures, and luminescence properties of [Ln(L)(MeOH)] (Ln = La, Eu, Tb, Yb).

The lanthanide binding ability of a macrocyclic ligand HL comprising two bis(iminomethyl)phenol and two calix[4]arene units has been studied. HL is a ditopic ligand which provides dinuclear neutral complexes of composition [Ln(L)(MeOH)] (Ln = La (1), Eu (2), Tb (3), and Yb (4)) in very good yield. X-ray crystal structure analyses for 2 and 3 show that (L) accommodates two seven coordinated lanthanide ions in a distorted monocapped trigonal prismatic/octahedral coordination environment.

High-Aspect-Ratio SU-8-Based Optofluidic Device for Ammonia Detection in Cell Culture Media.

Miniaturization of sensing technology has led to the development of multifunctional micro total analysis systems (μTAS) that benefit from microfluidic technology. Optical sensing is one of the most commonly used sensing approaches integrated into μTAS devices and features high sensitivity and low detection limits. Different materials have been used for the fabrication of μTAS devices, each having their advantages and disadvantages.