Recognition of aromatic amino acids and proteins with p -sulfonatocalix[4]arene - A luminescence and theoretical approach

Binding propensity and selectivity of cationic, anionic, and neutral guests with model hydrophobic hosts: A first principles study

Computations play a critical role in deciphering the nature of host-guest interactions both at qualitative and quantitative levels. Reliable quantum chemical computations were employed to assess the nature, binding strength, and selectivity of ionic, and neutral guests with benzenoid hosts. Optimized complex structures reveal that alkali and ammonium ions are found to be in the hydrophobic cavity, while halide ions are outside, while both complexes elicit substantial binding energy. The origin of the selectivity of host toward the guest has been traced to the interaction and deformation energies, and the nature of associated interactions is quantified using energy decomposition and the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules analyses. While the larger hosts lead to loosely bound complexes, as assessed by the longer intermolecular distances, the binding strengths are proportional to the size of the host systems. The binding of cationic complexes is electrostatic or polarization driven while exchange term dominates the anionic complexes. In contrast, dispersion contribution is a key in neutral complexes and plays a pivotal role in stabilizing the polyatomic complexes.

Density Functional Theory Studies on Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 and Ionic Liquid-Based Composite Materials

The identification of suitable density functional methods for predicting the properties of nanoporous composite materials is highly significant in the field of chemical and material sciences. The stability of the composite materials depends on the nature of bonding and dispersive interaction at the interface. Thus, we have studied the effect of dispersion correction in the incorporation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic ionic liquids (ILs) into zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanostructures using the density functional theory (DFT)-based approaches. These structures were analyzed employing selected methods (Becke-Lee-Yang-Parr and Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof) with dispersion correction (D2 or D3) and different basis sets (such as double-zeta valence polarized (DZVP), triple-zeta valence polarized (TZVP), and triple-zeta valence doubly polarized (TZV2P)) for the understanding of microscopic features of IL@ZIF-8 nanopores. It is found that the result obtained from DFT-D2/TZVP is more reliable for the prediction of the experimental crystal structure as well as stability and spectral information of the complexes. Furthermore, the microscopic analysis of geometries reveals that ILs are highly dispersed and stabilized at the nanopores of ZIF-8, particularly the ZIF-8 structure is highly preferable for the hydrophobic group in ILs. It is found that fluorine-containing anions are highly dispersed on the ZIF-8 surface compared to the nonfluorinated anion (i.e., [BMIM]⁺[Cl]^-). This is confirmed from the adsorption energies (E _ads), charge transfer, electron density analyses, and IR spectral analysis. These findings can provide more insights into the stability of composite materials, which are suitable for applications of catalytic conversion at the confined state, gas storage, and separation techniques.

Selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor for Pd2+ using coumarin 460 for real-time and biological applications

The efficient fluorescent property of coumarin 460 (C460) is utilized to sense the Pd²⁺ selectively and sensitively. Fabrication of a sensor strip using commercial adhesive tape is achieved and the detection of Pd²⁺ is attempted using a handy UV torch. The naked eye detection in solution state using UV chamber is also attempted. The calculated high binding constant values support the strong stable complex formation of Pd²⁺ with C460. The detection limit up to 2.5 × 10^-7 M is achieved using fluorescence spectrometer, which is considerably low from the WHO's recommendation. The response of coumarin 460 with various cations also studied. The quenching is further studied by the lifetime measurements. The binding mechanism is clearly explained by the ¹H NMR titration. The sensing mechanism is established as ICT. C460 strip's Pd²⁺ quenching detection is further confirmed by solid-state PL study. The in-vitro response of Pd²⁺ in a living cell is also studied using fluorescent imaging studies by means of HeLa cell lines and this probe is very compatible with biological environments. It could be applicable to sense trace amounts of a Pd²⁺ ion from various industries. Compared with previous reports, this one is very cheap, sensitive, selective and suitable for biological systems.

Supramolecular Chemistry Targeting Proteins

The specific recognition of protein surface elements is a fundamental challenge in the life sciences. New developments in this field will form the basis of advanced therapeutic approaches and lead to applications such as sensors, affinity tags, immobilization techniques, and protein-based materials. Synthetic supramolecular molecules and materials are creating new opportunities for protein recognition that are orthogonal to classical small molecule and protein-based approaches. As outlined here, their unique molecular features enable the recognition of amino acids, peptides, and even whole protein surfaces, which can be applied to the modulation and assembly of proteins. We believe that structural insights into these processes are of great value for the further development of this field and have therefore focused this Perspective on contributions that provide such structural data.

A selective, long-lived deep-red emissive ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes for the detection of BSA

A selective, label free luminescence sensor for bovine serum albumin (BSA) is investigated using ruthenium(II) complexes over the other proteins. Interaction between BSA and ruthenium(II) complexes has been studied using absorption, emission, excited state lifetime and circular dichroism (CD) spectral techniques. The luminescence intensity of ruthenium(II) complexes (I and II), has enhanced at 602 and 613 nm with a large hypsochromic shift of 18 and 5 nm respectively upon addition of BSA. The mode of binding of ruthenium(II) complexes with BSA has analyzed using computational docking studies.

Protein surface recognition by calixarenes

The present review summarizes recently developed calixarene derivatives for protein surface recognition which are able to identify, inhibit, and separate specific proteins.