A novel dinuclear zirconium (IV) complex derived from [Zr(acac)4] and a pentadentate Schiff base ligand: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance in synthesis of indole derivatives

Electrochemiluminescence enhanced by molecular engineering linear π-conjugated polymer: An ingenious ECL emitter for the construction of exosome sensing platform

Linear π-conjugated polymers (LCPs) with π-electron conjugation system have many remarkable optical characteristics such as fluorescence and electrochemiluminescence (ECL). However, the extremely strong interchain interaction and π-π stacking limit the luminescence efficiency. In this work, 1H-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diamine was chosen as the polymer monomer and reacted with terephthalaldehyde via simple Schiff base condensation to synthesize LCPs. Subsequently, molecular engineering strategy was adopted to construct zirconium-based LCPs (MLCPs), which not only prevented π-π stacking but also ensured that extended π-coupling was maintained in the LCPs, thus effectively promoting charge transport and achieving strong luminescence. Second, the coreactant polyethyleneimine (PEI) was assembled onto the MLCPs (MLCPs@PEI) to further promote the emission of ECL. To further explore the potential of the obtained MLCPs@PEI as emerging ECL emitter, colorectal cancer exosome was chosen as model biomarker, and an innovative ECL ratiometric system based on MLCPs@PEI and luminol was designed to improve the validity and accuracy of the sensors. This research provides a fresh nanoplatform for exosome detection and broadens the application of LCPs in ECL immunoassay.

MOF-Mediated Interfacial Polymerization to Fabricate Polyamide Membranes with a Homogeneous Nanoscale Striped Turing Structure for CO2/CH4 Separation

Control of the surface morphology of polyamide membranes fabricated by interfacial polymerization is of great importance in dictating the separation performance. Herein, polyamide membranes with a specific nanoscale striped Turing structure are generated through facile addition of Zr-based metal-organic framework UiO-66-NH₂ in the aqueous triethylenetetramine phase. Interestingly, accompanied by the degradation of UiO-66-NH₂ in aqueous solution, an intermediate complex is in situ formed through the strong interaction between the Zr metal center and the amine group from triethylenetetramine, which can lower amine diffusion and induce a local interfacial reaction, contributing to the generation of a homogeneous nanoscale striped Turing structure. The resulting membranes are used for CO₂/CH₄ gas separation. Compared with the parent polyamide membrane displaying a CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of 43.1 and a CO₂ permeance of 31.5 GPU, the membrane with 0.02 wt % of UiO-66-NH₂ introduced into the aqueous phase shows a higher CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of 58.3, along with a CO₂ permeance of 27.1 GPU. Additionally, when 0.1 wt % of UiO-66-NH₂ is incorporated into the aqueous phase, the membrane exhibits a combination of a higher CO₂/CH₄ selectivity and an enhanced CO₂ permeance in contrast with the parent polyamide membrane.

DFT study and crystal structure analysis of a new nano-structure five coordinated Hg(II) complex involving C-H⋯O, N⋯O and π⋯π interactions in a supra-molecular structure

In this research, template synthesis and crystal structure of a new HgLI₂ complex are presented (L=N(1)-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-N(2)-(2-((E)-(4-nitrobenzylidene)amino)ethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine). The mercury complex crystallizes in the triclinic system with space group of P1¯. The crystal structure of the complex shows a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the mercury(II) center; including two I and an N atoms of Schiff base ligand in equatorial plane and two iminic N atoms in axial positions. Two five membered mercury containing rings [Hg(-N-C-C-N-)] are found in the structure. Some C-H⋯O, N⋯O and π⋯π intermolecular interactions causes a supra-molecular network in the solid-state. In addition to crystal structure analysis, density functional theory (DFT) study at the B3LYP/LanL2DZ level of theory has been also performed on the structure. Thereafter some theoretical structural and spectral data were compared with experimental results. Furthermore, total energy levels of HOMO and LUMO orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential, Mullikan atomic charges, thermodynamic and polarizability properties of the complex were calculated. Finally the mercury complex was prepared in nano-structure size confirmed by SEM and XRD analyses. The particles size of the titled complex was evaluated under 40 nm based on Sherrer's formula.