Functionalizing Carbon Substrates with a Covalently Attached Cobalt Redox Buffer for Calibration-Free Solid-Contact Ion-Selective Electrodes

With a view to potentiometric sensing with minimal calibration requirements and high long-term stability, colloid-imprinted mesoporous (CIM) carbon was functionalized by the covalent attachment of a cobalt redox buffer and used as a new solid contact for ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). The CIM carbon surface was first modified by electroless grafting of a terpyridine ligand (Tpy-ph) using diazonium chemistry, followed by stepwise binding of Co(II) and an additional Tpy ligand to the grafted ligand, forming a bis(terpyridine) Co(II) complex, CIM-ph-Tpy-Co(II)-Tpy. Half a molar equivalent of ferrocenium tetrakis(3-chlorophenyl)borate was then used to partially oxidize the Co(II) complex. Electrodes prepared with this surface-attached CIM-ph-Tpy-Co(III/II)-Tpy redox buffer as a solid contact were tested as K+ sensors in combination with valinomycin as the ionophore and Dow 3140 silicone or plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as the matrixes for the ion-selective membrane (ISM). This solid contact is characterized by a redox capacitance of 3.26 F/g, ensuring a well-defined interfacial potential that underpins the transduction mechanism. By use of a redox couple as an internal reference element to control the phase boundary potential at the interface of the ISM and the CIM carbon solid contact, solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (SC-ISEs) with a standard deviation of E° as low as 0.3 mV for plasticized PVC ISMs and 3.5 mV for Dow 3140 silicone ISMs were obtained. Over 100 h, these SC-ISEs exhibit an emf drift of 20 μV/h for plasticized PVC ISMs and 62 μV/h for silicone ISMs. The differences in long-term stability and reproducibility between electrodes with ISMs comprising either a plasticized PVC or silicone matrix offer valuable insights into the effect of the polymeric matrix on sensor performance.

Nanoscale Carbonate Ion-Selective Amperometric/Voltammetric Probes Based on Ion-Ionophore Recognition at the Organic/Water Interface: Hidden Pieces of the Puzzle in the Nanoscale Phase

Here, we report on the successful demonstration and application of carbonate (CO₃^2-) ion-selective amperometric/voltammetric nanoprobes based on facilitated ion transfer (IT) at the nanoscale interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions. This electrochemical study reveals critical factors to govern CO₃^2--selective nanoprobes using broadly available Simon-type ionophores forming a covalent bond with CO₃^2-, i.e., slow dissolution of lipophilic ionophores in the organic phase, activation of hydrated ionophores, peculiar solubility of a hydrated ion-ionophore complex near the interface, and cleanness at the nanoscale interface. These factors are experimentally confirmed by nanopipet voltammetry, where a facilitated CO₃^2- IT is studied with a nanopipet filled with an organic phase containing the trifluoroacetophenone derivative CO₃^2-ionophore (CO₃^2-ionophore VII) by voltammetrically and amperometrically sensing CO₃^2- in water. Theoretical assessments of reproducible voltammetric data confirm that the dynamics of CO₃^2- ionophore VII-facilitated ITs (FITs) follows the one-step electrochemical (E) mechanism controlled by both water-finger formation/dissociation and ion-ionophore complexation/dissociation during interfacial ITs. The yielded rate constant, k⁰ = 0.048 cm/s, is very similar to the reported values of other FIT reactions using ionophores forming non-covalent bonds with ions, implying that a weak binding between CO₃^2- ion-ionophore enables us to observe FITs by fast nanopipet voltammetry regardless of the nature of bondings between the ion and ionophore. The analytical utility of CO₃^2--selective amperometric nanoprobes is further demonstrated by measuring the CO₃^2- concentration produced by metal-reducing bacteria Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 as a result of organic fuel oxidation in bacterial growth media in the presence of various interferents such as H₂PO₄^-, Cl^-, and SO₄^2-.

Voltammetric Ion Sensing with Ionophore-Based Ion-Selective Electrodes Containing Internal Aqueous Solution, Improving Lifetime of Sensors

The possibility of voltammetric ion sensing is demonstrated, for the first time, for ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) containing an internal aqueous solution. ISEs selective to calcium, lithium and potassium ions are used as model systems. The internal solution of the ISEs contains a chloride salt of the respective cation and a ferrocenemethanol or ferrocyanide/ferricyanide redox couple. A platinum wire is used as the internal reference electrode. It is shown, theoretically and experimentally, that the dependence of oxidation and reduction peak potentials on the sample composition obeys the Nernst law, while the peak currents virtually do not depend on the sample composition. Thus, the electrode behavior is similar to that reported by Bakker's group for solid contact ISEs with ultra-thin membranes (200-300 nm). It is shown that the use of classical ISEs with relatively thick membranes (100-300 µm) and internal aqueous solution allows for the sensor lifetime of about one month. It is also shown that use of a suitable background electrolyte allows for improvement of the detection limits in voltammetric measurements with ISEs.

Acetylene Derivatives of Cationic Diazaoxatriangulenes and Diaza [4]Helicenes ‐ Access to Red Emitters and Planar Chiral Stereochemical Traits

Cationic triangulenes, and related helicenes, constitute a rich class of dyes and fluorophores, usually absorbing and emitting light at low energy, in the orange to red domains. Recently, to broaden the scope of applications, regioselective late‐stage functionalizations on these core moieties have been developed. For instance, with the introduction of electron‐donating groups (EDGs), important bathochromic shifts are observed pushing absorptions towards or in the near‐infrared (NIR) spectral domain while emissive properties disappear essentially completely. Herein, to upset this drawback, acetylene derivatives of cationic diazaoxa triangulenes (DAOTA) and [4]helicenes are prepared (16 examples). Contrary to other EDG‐functionalized derivatives, C≡C− functionalized products remain broadly fluorescent, with red‐shifted absorptions (Δλ_abs up to 25 nm) and emissions (Δλ_em up to 73 nm, Φ_PL up to 51 %). Quite interestingly, a general dynamic stereoisomerism phenomenon is evidenced for the compounds derived from achiral DAOTA cores. At low temperature in ¹H NMR spectroscopy (218 K), N−CH₂ protons become diastereotopic with chemical shifts differences (Δδ) as high as +1.64 ppm. The signal coalescence occurs around 273 K with a barrier of ∼12 kcal mol⁻¹. This phenomenon is due to planar chiral conformations (S_p and R_p configurations), induced by the geometry of the alkyl (n‐propyl) side‐chains next to the acetylenic substituents. Ion pairing studies with Δ‐TRISPHAT anion not only confirm the occurrence of the chiral conformations but evidence a moderate but definite asymmetric induction from the chiral anion onto the cations. Finally, DFT calculations offer a valuable insight on the geometries, the corresponding stereodynamics and also on the very large difference in NMR for some of the diastereotopic protons.

Ionophore-Based Ion-Selective Electrodes in Non-Zero Current Modes: Mechanistic Studies and the Possibilities of the Analytical Application

Abstract

This mini review briefly describes (i) literature data on the non-zero current measurements with ionophore-based ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) aimed at fundamental studies of the mechanism of their potentiometric response, and (ii) the data on the possibilities of analytical applications of ISEs in voltametric and constant potential chronoamperometric/coulometric modes, in particular the K+ ion assay in blood serum with the sensitivity of 0.1%. A special attention is paid to the basics of voltammetry and chronoamperometry/coulometry with the ionophore-based ISEs, and to how and why these methods differ from the classical voltammetry and coulometry.

Synthesis, Resolution, Configurational Stability, and Properties of Cationic Functionalized [5]Helicenes

A straightforward approach to the synthesis of two different series of cationic [5]helicenes has been achieved including, in dioxa series, the possibility to introduce aromatic functional groups at the periphery of the helical structure. While photophysical study highlights that the introduction of aryl substituents at position 23 of the helical moieties has a negligible impact on the optical properties, styryl substituents allow a welcoming extension of the conjugation pathways. Finally, a red shift of the optical properties was evidenced upon introduction of nitrogen atoms in the helicene scaffold, leading to particularly good fluorescence efficiencies in the red domain for a helicenic dye. Detailed information on racemization kinetics was collected for the most stable species upon direct high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) resolution or, when configurational lability was too high, through VT-HPLC analysis on the chiral stationary phase (ΔG^‡ values ranging from 85.0 to 137.1 kJ·mol^-1 and above).

Cellulose-based fluorescent sensor for visual and versatile detection of amines and anions

It is practical and challenging to construct ultrasensitive and multi-responsive sensors for visual and real-time monitoring of the environment. Herein, a cellulose-based multi-responsive fluorescent sensor (Phen-MDI-CA) is fabricated, and realizes a visual and ultrasensitive detection of not only various amines but also three anions based on the change of the fluorescence and/or visible colors. Once exposure to various amines in both the solution and vapor state, the Phen-MDI-CA solution and test paper exhibit different fluorescence colors, which can be used to distinguish triethylamine, ethylenediamine, methylamine, aniline, hydrazine and pyrrolidine from other amines. Moreover, via combining the Phen-MDI-CA with the Phen-MDI-CA/malachite green ratiometric system, phosphate (PO₄^3-), carbonate (CO₃^2-) and borate (B₄O₇^2-) can be visually and accurately recognized depending on the change of the visible and fluorescence colors. In fluorescent mode, the LOD for B₄O₇^2-, PO₄^3- and CO₃^2- ions is as low as 0.18 nmol, 0.69 nmol and 0.86 nmol, respectively. Significantly, the Phen-MDI-CA can readily make a qualitative and quantitative detection of B₄O₇^2-, PO₄^3- and CO₃^2- anions in the mixture of anions. The state-of-the-art responsive behavior of Phen-MDI-CA originates from the amplification effect of cellulose polymer chain and the differentiated interactions between the sensor and analytes.

Electrochemical Anion Sensing: Supramolecular Approaches

Anions play a vital role in a broad range of environmental, technological, and physiological processes, making their detection/quantification valuable. Electroanalytical sensors offer much to the selective, sensitive, cheap, portable, and real-time analysis of anion presence where suitable combinations of selective (noncovalent) recognition and transduction can be integrated. Spurred on by significant developments in anion supramolecular chemistry, electrochemical anion sensing has received considerable attention in the past two decades. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of all electroanalytical techniques that have been used for this purpose, including voltammetric, impedimetric, capacititive, and potentiometric methods. We will confine our discussion to sensors that are based on synthetic anion receptors with a specific focus on reversible, noncovalent interactions, in particular, hydrogen- and halogen-bonding. Apart from their sensory properties, we will also discuss how electrochemical techniques can be used to study anion recognition processes (e.g., binding constant determination) and will furthermore provide a detailed outlook over future efforts and promising new avenues in this field.

Recent advances in solid-contact ion-selective electrodes: functional materials, transduction mechanisms, and development trends

This article presents a comprehensive overview of recent progress in the design and applications of solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (SC-ISEs).

Stereochemical significance of O to N atom interchanges within cationic helicenes: experimental and computational evidence of near racemization to remarkable enantiospecificity

Oxygen atoms of cationic dioxa and azaoxa [6]helicenes can be exchanged by amino groups to form azaoxa and diaza [6]helicenes respectively. The mild reaction conditions developed herein allow the construction of libraries of derivatives with sensitive and/or functionalized side chains. Using enantioenriched dioxa or azaoxa helicene precursors, these exchanges lead to either near racemization (es 3%) or to a remarkable enantiospecificity (es up to 97%). This unusual behavior is fully characterized via experimental and computational mechanistic evidence. Based on these investigations, the enantiospecificity of the first transformation can be improved to 57-61%.

From Molecular and Emulsified Ion Sensors to Membrane Electrodes: Molecular and Mechanistic Sensor Design

Selective molecular ion probes are often insoluble in water and require a hydrophobic solvent environment for strong and selective binding, which runs counter to the desire of utilizing them in a homogeneous solution. This Account aims to guide the reader on how such molecules, often coined ionophores, can be harnessed to design exceptionally useful optical and electrochemical sensors. We start here with some historical context on the design of such ionophores and continue with the explanation of the response mechanism of optical and potentiometric sensors and the role of combined components to build a robust ion sensor. This Account is addressed to nonspecialist readers and for this reason avoids extensive use of equations or theoretical considerations. The interested reader should turn to the original literature for further reading. Emulsified optical sensors are introduced as an initial example. Here, multiple reagents are confined in an attoliter sensing nanodroplet of the organic phase, immiscible with the aqueous sample phase. In this case, the ionophore molecules may retain their high affinity and selectivity to the target ion and the aqueous sample phase does not have to be modified. Emulsified optical sensors allow one to achieve the selective chemical sensing of ions, even with optically silent ionophores. Such ionophore-based nanodroplets are also discussed as a useful novel class of complexometric titration reagents and optical end point indicators with unique selectivities. We then turn our attention to potentiometric sensing probes and briefly discuss the unique opportunity of a direct characterization of ion-ionophore complexation properties offered by membrane electrodes. A carbonate-selective membrane electrode containing a highly selective tweezer-type ionophore with trifluoroacetophenone functional groups is then used as an example for the construction of a robust all-solid-state sensor. This potentiometric probe, in combination with a pH electrode, can directly measure PCO₂ in freshwater lakes, demonstrating a dramatically improved response time relative to traditional sensors equipped with a gas-permeable membrane. In recent years, new sensing modes and electrode designs have been introduced to expand the application scope of ionophore-based potentiometric sensors. Membrane electrodes containing ionophores are placed under dynamic electrochemistry control to give important progress in the field. We specifically highlight our recent works by membranes that are controlled by chronopotentiometry (controlled current) for speciation analysis, by ion transfer voltammetry on thin sensing films for multianalyte detection, by exhaustive coulometry for potentially calibration-free sensors and with coulometric membrane pumps for the selective delivery of reagents.