Conjugation of Azide-functionalised CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots with Tetrakis(5-hexyn-oxy) Fe(II) phthalocyanine via Click Chemistry for Electrocatalysis

A Label-Free Photoelectrochemical Biosensor Based on CRISPR/Cas12a System Responsive Deoxyribonucleic Acid Hydrogel and "Click" Chemistry

A novel label-free photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor is presented in this work. As a barrier, the DNA hydrogel could block the coupling between g-C₃N₄ and CdS quantum dots (QDs). Therefore, extremely low photocurrent signals were obtained. The presence of target microRNA-21 can initiate the rolling circle amplification (RCA) reaction, which in turn produces many repeated sequences to activate the CRISPR/Cas12a system. The trans-cleavage activity of the CRISPR/Cas12a system led to the degradation of DNA hydrogels efficiently. As a result, the g-C₃N₄/CdS QDs heterojunction was formed through "click" chemistry. Through the amplification of the RCA and CRISPR/Cas12a system, the sensitivity of the PEC biosensor was improved significantly with the detection limit of 3.2 aM. The proposed sensor also showed excellent selectivity and could be used to detect actual samples. In addition, the modular design could facilitate the detection of different objects. Thus, the proposed CRISPR/Cas12a system responsive DNA hydrogel provides a simple, sensitive, and flexible way for label-free PEC analysis.

Charge-Transfer Spectroscopy of Bisaxially Coordinated Iron(II) Phthalocyanines through the Prism of the Lever's EL Parameters Scale, MCD Spectroscopy, and TDDFT Calculations

The position of the experimentally observed (in the UV-vis and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra) low-energy metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) band in low-spin iron(II) phthalocyanine complexes of general formula PcFeL₂, PcFeL'L″, and [PcFeX₂]^2- (L, L', or L″ are neutral and X^- is an anionic axial ligand) was correlated with the Lever's electrochemical E_L scale values for the axial ligands. The time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT)-predicted UV-vis spectra are in very good agreement with the experimental data for all complexes. In the majority of compounds, TDDFT predicts that the first degenerate MLCT band that correlates with the MCD A-term observed between 360 and 480 nm is dominated by an e_g (Fe, d_π) → b_1u (Pc, π*) single-electron excitation (in traditional D_4h point group notation) and agrees well with the previous assignment discussed by Stillman and co-workers[ Inorg. Chem. 1994, 33, 573-583]. The TDDFT calculations also suggest a small energy gap for b_1u/b_2u (Pc, π*) orbital splitting and closeness of the MLCT₁ e_g (Fe, d_π) → b_1u (Pc, π*) and MLCT₂ e_g (Fe, d_π) → b_2u (Pc, π*) transitions. In the case of the PcFeL₂ complexes with phosphines as the axial ligands, additional degenerate charge-transfer transitions were observed between 450 and 500 nm. These transitions are dominated by a_2u (Pc + L, π) → e_g (Pc, π*) single-electron excitations and are unique for the PcFe(PR₃)₂ complexes. The energy of the phthalocyanine-based a_2u orbital has large axial ligand dependency and is the reason for a large energy deviation for B1 a_2u (Pc + L, π) → e_g (Pc, π*) transition. The energies of the axial ligand-to-iron, axial ligand-to-phthalocyanine, iron-to-axial ligand, and phthalocyanine-to-axial ligand charge-transfer transitions were discussed on the basis of TDDFT calculations.

The synergistic effects of coupling Au nanoparticles with an alkynyl Co(II) phthalocyanine on the detection of prostate specific antigen

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) aptasensors are fabricated using a novel asymmetrically substituted Co phthalocyanine (CoPc), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and PSA-specific antigen. The fabricated aptasensors are: GCE-AuNPs-Aptamer, GCE@CoPc-Aptamer and GCE-AuNPs@CoPc-Aptamer (GCE = glassy carbon electrode). The fabricated sensors are characterized at each modification step to monitor the changes occurring at the sensor surface. Concentration studies were carried out using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to determine detection limits. All the fabricated aptasensors were found to be highly specific and selective but the GCE-AuNPs@CoPc-Aptamer nanoconjugate performed the best. The aptasensors were also tested in spiked serum samples and detection limits, as well as % recoveries were determined. The results obtained showed that the GCE-AuNPs@CoPc-Aptamer has the potential to be used for clinical studies as the results agree with those obtained for detection of PSA in buffer.

Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of novel ferrocene-substituted metallophthalocyanines

In this paper, a series of new metallophthalocyanines, including ferrocene groups, were designed, synthesized and, characterized, and their photovoltaic properties were investigated as alternative electron-donor materials in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. These products were synthesized by a Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction between tetraiodophthalocyanine and ethynyl ferrocene. The newly synthesized phthalocyanines (4-6) were characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR, and MALDI-TOF spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis. The electrochemical characterizations were carried out by cyclic voltammetry as well as differential pulse voltammetry. Density functional theory calculations were realized to prove the charge separation between ferrocene as an electron-donor and the phthalocyanine ring as an acceptor. According to UV-Vis measurements, a 25 nm red-shift was observed for complex 4 compared with complexes 5 and 6. Finally, the photovoltaic performance of these compounds used as an electron-donor moiety in a BHJ device were investigated. A function of different blend ratios was tested by fabricating a series of BHJ devices with the architecture of FTO/PEDOT:PSS/4-6: PCBM blend/Ag with an identical thickness of the active layer. The results indicated that the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of BHJ devices exhibited a strong blend-ratio dependence. The maximum power conversion efficiency was obtained by 5-based devices, as 3.65%, with a blend ratio of 1.5 : 1.0 under standard AM 1.5 illumination.

Application of Lever's EL Parameter Scale toward Fe(II)/Fe(III) versus Pc(2-)/Pc(1-) Oxidation Process Crossover Point in Axially Coordinated Iron(II) Phthalocyanine Complexes

The electronic structures and, particularly, the nature of the HOMO in a series of PcFeL₂, PcFeL'L″, and [PcFeX₂]^2- complexes (Pc = phthalocyaninato(2-) ligand; L = NH₃, n-BuNH₂, imidazole (Im), pyridine (Py), PMe₃, PBu₃, t-BuNC, P(OBu)₃, and DMSO; L' = CO; L″ = NH₃ or n-BuNH₂; X = NCO^-, NCS^-, CN^-, imidazolate (Im^-), or 1,2,4-triazolate(Tz^-)) were probed by electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and chemical oxidation as well as theoretical (density functional theory, DFT) studies. In general, energies of the metal-centered occupied orbitals in various six-coordinate iron phthalocyanine complexes correlate well with Lever Electrochemical Parameter E_L and intercross the phthalocyanine-centered a_1u orbital in several compounds with moderate-to-strong π-accepting axial ligands. In these cases, an oxidation of the phthalocyanine macrocycle (Pc(2-)/Pc(1-)) rather than the central metal ion (Fe(II)/Fe(III)) was theoretically predicted and experimentally confirmed.

Accurate Prediction of Mössbauer Hyperfine Parameters in Bis-Axially Coordinated Iron(II) Phthalocyanines Using Density Functional Theory Calculations: A Story of a Single Orbital Revealed by Natural Bond Orbital Analysis

Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations coupled with several exchange-correlation functionals were used for the prediction of Mössbauer hyperfine parameters of 36 bis-axially coordinated iron(II) phthalocyanine complexes with the general formulas PcFeL₂, PcFeL'L″, and [PcFeX₂]^2-, including four new compounds. Both gas-phase and PCM calculations using BPW91 and MN12L exchange-correlation functionals were found to accurately predict both Mössbauer quadrupole splittings and the correct trends in experimentally observed isomer shifts. In comparison, hybrid exchange-correlation functionals underestimated quadrupole splittings, while still accurately predicted isomer shifts. Out of ∼40 exchange-correlation functionals tested, only MN12L was found to correctly reproduce quadrupole splitting trends in the PcFeL₂ complexes coordinated with phosphorus-donor axial ligands (i.e., P(OnBu)₃ ≈ P(OEt)₃ < PMe₃ < P[(CH₂O)₂CH₂]-p-C₆H₄NO₂ < PEt₃ ≈ PnBu₃). Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis was successfully used to explain the general trends in the observed quadrupole splitting for all compounds of interest. In particular, the general trends in the quadrupole splitting correlate well with the axial ligand dependent, NBO-predicted population of the 3d_z2 orbital of the Fe ion and are reflective of the hypothesis proposed by Ohya and co-workers ( Inorg. Chem., 1984, 23, 1303) on the adaptability of the phthalocyanine's π-system toward Fe-L_ax interactions. The first X-ray crystal structure of a PcFeL₂ complex with axial phosphine ligands is also reported.

Synthesis of axially disubstituted quaternized silicon phthalocyanines as a promising photosensitizer for the photodynamic treatment of HCT-116, A549 and SH-SY5Y cancer cell lines

In this study, novel silicon(iv) phthalocyanines axially disubstituted with bis[(4-{3-[3-(dimethylamino)phenoxy]propoxy}phenyl)methoxy] and bis[(4-{3-[3-(diethylamino)phenoxy]propoxy}phenyl)methoxy] groups and their quaternized derivatives were synthesized and characterized. Then, their supercoiled pBR322 plasmid DNA cleavage properties were investigated using agarose gel electrophoresis. The in vitro PDT effects of Si-3a and Si-4a were investigated using the MTT cell viability assay against HCT-116, A549 and SH-SY5Y cell lines. Si-3a and Si-4a did not show cleavage effects upon increasing concentrations in the dark but both compounds showed cleavage activities upon irradiation for 30 and 60 min, respectively. The MTT cell viability assay indicated that Si-4a had a cytotoxic effect in a concentration-dependent manner on the HCT-116 cell line but it did not show any statistical difference with regard to phototoxicity. Otherwise, Si-3a and Si-4a had significant phototoxic effects when compared to cytotoxic effects against A549 and SH-SY5Y. The results suggested that Si-3a and Si-4a showed better cell death against SH-SY5Y than other cell lines with irradiation.

A career in photophysicochemical and electrochemical properties of phthalocyanine — a Linstead Career Award paper

This manuscript highlights the author’s contributions to phthalocyanine chemistry, especially the applications based on their electrochemistry and photophysicochemistry. In particular, the use of phthalocyanines as electrocatalysts and photocatalysts is presented. For photocatalysis, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and pollution control using green technologies are highlighted. For electrocatalysis the phthalocyanines are employed for the detection of pollutants and environmentally important molecules. Phthalocyanines are combined with nanomaterials for improved photocatalysis and electrocatalysis.

Phthalocyanine Modified Electrodes in Electrochemical Analysis

Phthalocyanines are aromatic or macrocyclic organic compounds and attract great attention due to their numerous properties. They have many high-tech applications in different areas of the industry such as dyestuffs, thermal printing screens, photovoltaic solar cells, membrane catalytic reactors, semiconductor materials and gas sensors. In the last decade, electrochemical sensor studies have accelerated with the catalytic lighting. It plays a dominant role in the development and implementation of new generation sensors. The aim of this study is to review the electrochemical methods based on electrode modification with phthalocyanines and to shed light on new application areas of phthalocyanines. The focal point was based on the sensor applications of phthalocyanines in the determination of drugs, pesticides, organic materials and metals etc. by electrochemical methods. Experimental conditions and some validation parameters of the sensor applications such as metal phthalocyanine types, indicator electrodes, selectivity, working ranges, detection limits, and analytical applications were discussed. Consequently, this is the first review dealing with the applications of phthalocyanines in electrochemical sensors for the sensitive determination of analytes in a variety of matrices.

Azides and Porphyrinoids: Synthetic Approaches and Applications. Part 2-Azides, Phthalocyanines, Subphthalocyanines and Porphyrazines

The reaction between organic azides and alkyne derivatives via the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) is an efficient strategy to combine phthalocyanines and analogues with different materials. As examples of such materials, it can be considered the following ones: graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, silica nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, and quantum dots. This approach is also being relevant to conjugate phthalocyanines with carbohydrates and to obtain new sophisticated molecules; in such way, new systems with significant potential applications become available. This review highlights recent developments on the synthesis of phthalocyanine, subphthalocyanine, and porphyrazine derivatives where CuAAC reactions are the key synthetic step.

Two-Dimensional Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on Truxene

Two dimensional conductive metal-organic frameworks (2D cMOFs) have been widely applied as electrocatalysts, electronic devices, and sensors. In addition, their intrinsic electronic properties could be efficiently tuned via varying the conjugated linkers. Herein, we report a novel 2D cMOF based on complexation of 2,3,7,8,12,13-hexahydroxyl truxene and copper ions via the energy economical interfacial reaction. This 2D cMOF was obtained as a brilliant black powder and showed a bulk electrical conductivity of 3.5 × 10^-3 S cm^-1 at 30 °C. Additionally, the cMOF-modified glassy carbon electrode could act as an electrochemical sensor for sensing paraquat with a limit of detection at 4.1 × 10^-8 M (S/N = 3). The accession of truxene-Cu to the cMOF family would shed new light on the impact of the organic conjugated linker and broaden the scope of cMOFs' applications.

Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of cobalt phthalocyanines when “clicked” to graphene oxide nanosheets

Alkyne-terminated Co phthalocyanine (CoPc) derivatives are linked to reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (GONS) via click chemistry and the conjugates are used for the electrocatalytic oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol. CoPc derivatives where the alkyne group is separated from the Pc ring by an aliphatic and benzene ring (complex 3) showed the best catalytic activity (in terms of oxidation potential) in comparison to when only aliphatic chains were employed without the benzene ring (complex 2) and when there were no substituents (complex 1). The anodic oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol on 3-GONS (linked) occurred at the least positive oxidation potential (-0.22 V vs. Ag|AgCl). 3-GONS (linked) was found to have the highest sensitivity with the lowest limit of detection of 0.08 [Formula: see text]M. When the CoPc derivative and GONS were not linked but placed sequentially on the electrode, the electrocatalytic activity (in terms of LOD) was poorer than when linked. The electrodes modified with CoPc clicked to GONS are highly promising electrochemical sensors in terms of stability, sensitivity, good catalytic activity and ease of fabrication.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Click Chemistry as a Tool for the Functionalization of Nanomaterials and the Preparation of Electrochemical (Bio)Sensors

Proper functionalization of electrode surfaces and/or nanomaterials plays a crucial role in the preparation of electrochemical (bio)sensors and their resulting performance. In this context, copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) has been demonstrated to be a powerful strategy due to the high yields achieved, absence of by-products and moderate conditions required both in aqueous medium and under physiological conditions. This particular chemistry offers great potential to functionalize a wide variety of electrode surfaces, nanomaterials, metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) and polymers, thus providing electrochemical platforms with improved electrocatalytic ability and allowing the stable, reproducible and functional integration of a wide range of nanomaterials and/or different biomolecules (enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acids and peptides). Considering the rapid progress in the field, and the potential of this technology, this review paper outlines the unique features imparted by this particular reaction in the development of electrochemical sensors through the discussion of representative examples of the methods mainly reported over the last five years. Special attention has been paid to electrochemical (bio)sensors prepared using nanomaterials and applied to the determination of relevant analytes at different molecular levels. Current challenges and future directions in this field are also briefly pointed out.

Immobilization of alkynyl functionalized manganese phthalocyanine via click electrochemistry for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction

Modified electrodes (ITO/PANI-N₃-MnPc and GCE/PANI-N₃-MnPc) were constructed by click electrochemistry (CEC). The GCE/PANI-N₃-MnPc electrode was tested as a potential electrocatalyst for water splitting reaction.