Unexpected Sequential NH3/H2O Solid/Gas Phase Ligand Exchange and Quasi-Intramolecular Self-Protonation Yield [NH4Cu(OH)MoO4], a Photocatalyst Misidentified before as (NH4)2Cu(MoO4)2

Developing a novel antibacterial copper tetraamine fluoride

OBJECTIVE

To develop a novel and biocompatible copper tetraamine fluoride (CTF) with antibacterial and nondiscolouring properties.

METHOD

This study used copper fluoride and ammonia solution to develop CTF solution. The CTF was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cytotoxicity was evaluated by stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1). The fluoride concentration was determined using ion-selective electrode. The alkalinity was measured by a pH electrode. The human dentine blocks were treated with CTF and then incubated with Streptococcus mutans to evaluate the antimicrobial and discolouring effects. The silver diamine fluoride (SDF) was employed as the positive control, and water was the negative control. The colony-forming units (CFUs) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to examine the kinetics and viability of the biofilm. The discolouring property on dentine was assessed by spectrophotometry. One-way analysis of variance with the Bonferroni post hoc test was performed to assess and compare the data.

RESULTS

XPS confirmed synthesis of CTF solution. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of CTF on SHED and HGF-1 was 195±16 ppm and 137±11 ppm. The fluoride concentration was 121,000±5,000 ppm. The pH value was 9. Log10 CFU of the CTF, SDF and water group were 5.0 ± 0.2, 4.9 ± 0.1 and 7.4 ± 0.1 (p < 0.001, CTF, SDFWater). Spectrophotometry showed that the ΔE of the CTF, SDF and water group were 5 ± 2, 6 ± 3 and 45±2 (p < 0.001, CTF, Water

CONCLUSION

This study developed an alkaline 58% CTF solution, which is biocompatible, antibacterial and non-discolouring.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

If CTF is successfully translated into clinical care, CTF can be a simple and affordable anti-caries agent for clinicians to prevent dental caries.

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Key Words

• Antibacterial
• Caries
• Copper
• Dentine
• Fluoride

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Affiliation(s)

Veena Wenqing Xu Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Iris Xiaoxue Yin Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
John Yun Niu Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Ollie Yiru Yu Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Mohammed Zahedul Islam Nizami Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Mineralized Tissue Biology and Bioengineering, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Chun Hung Chu Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

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Thermally Induced Solid-Phase Quasi-Intramolecular Redox Reactions of [Hexakis(urea-O)iron(III)] Permanganate: An Easy Reaction Route to Prepare Potential (Fe,Mn)Ox Catalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation

Research on new reaction routes and precursors to prepare catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation has enormous importance. Here, we report on the preparation of the permanganate salt of the urea-coordinated iron(III), [hexakis(urea-O)iron(III)]permanganate ([Fe(urea-O)6](MnO4)3) via an affordable synthesis route and preliminarily demonstrate the catalytic activity of its (Fe,Mn)Ox thermal decomposition products in CO2 hydrogenation. [Fe(urea-O)6](MnO4)3 contains O-coordinated urea ligands in octahedral propeller-like arrangement around the Fe3+ cation. There are extended hydrogen bond interactions between the permanganate ions and the hydrogen atoms of the urea ligands. These hydrogen bonds serve as reaction centers and have unique roles in the solid-phase quasi-intramolecular redox reaction of the urea ligand and the permanganate anion below the temperature of ligand loss of the complex cation. The decomposition mechanism of the urea ligand (ammonia elimination with the formation of isocyanuric acid and biuret) has been clarified. In an inert atmosphere, the final thermal decomposition product was manganese-containing wuestite, (Fe,Mn)O, at 800 °C, whereas in ambient air, two types of bixbyite (Fe,Mn)2O3 as well as jacobsite (Fe,Mn)T-4(Fe,Mn)OC-62O4), with overall Fe to Mn stoichiometry of 1:3, were formed. These final products were obtained regardless of the different atmospheres applied during thermal treatments up to 350 °C. Disordered bixbyite formed first with inhomogeneous Fe and Mn distribution and double-size supercell and then transformed gradually into common bixbyite with regular structure (and with 1:3 Fe to Mn ratio) upon increasing the temperature and heating time. The (Fe,Mn)Ox intermediates formed under various conditions showed catalytic effect in the CO2 hydrogenation reaction with <57.6% CO2 conversions and <39.3% hydrocarbon yields. As a mild solid-phase oxidant, hexakis(urea-O)iron(III) permanganate, was found to be selective in the transformation of (un)substituted benzylic alcohols into benzaldehydes and benzonitriles.

Structure and Vibrational Spectra of Pyridine Solvated Solid Bis(Pyridine)silver(I) Perchlorate, [Agpy2ClO4]·0.5py

A hemipyridine solvate of bis(pyridine)silver(I) perchlorate, [Agpy2ClO4]·0.5py (compound 1) was prepared and characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis and vibrational spectroscopy (R and low-temperature Raman). Compound 1 was prepared via the trituration of [Agpy2ClO4] and 4[Agpy2ClO4]·[Agpy4]ClO4 (as the source of the solvate pyridine) in a mixed solvent of acetone:benzene =1:1 (v = v) at room temperature. The monoclinic crystals of compound 1 were found to be isomorphic with the analogous permanganate complex (a = 19.1093(16) Å, b = 7.7016(8) Å, c = 20.6915(19) Å, β = 105.515(7)°; space group: C2/c). Two [Agpy2]+ cations formed a dimeric unit [Agpy2ClO4]2, and each silver ion was connected to two ClO4− anions via oxygen atoms. The Ag∙∙∙Ag distance was 3.3873(5) Å, the perchlorate ions were coordinated to silver ions, and the Ag∙∙∙O distances were 2.840(2) Å and 2.8749(16) Å in the centrosymmetric rectangle of Ag-O-Ag-O. The stoichiometric ratio of the monomer [Agpy2ClO4] and the solvent pyridine was 1:0.5. The guest pyridine occupied 527.2 Å3, which was 18.0% of the volume of the unit cell. There was no additional residual solvent-accessible void in the crystal lattice. The solvate pyridine was connected via its a-CH to one of the O atoms of the perchlorate anion. Correlation analysis, as well as IR and low-temperature Raman studies, were performed to assign all perchlorate and pyridine vibrational modes. The solvate and coordinated pyridine bands in the IR and Raman spectra were not distinguishable. A perchlorate contribution via Ag-O coordination to low-frequency Raman bands was also assigned.

Solid-Phase "Self-Hydrolysis" of [Zn(NH3)4MoO4@2H2O] Involving Enclathrated Water-An Easy Route to a Layered Basic Ammonium Zinc Molybdate Coordination Polymer

An aerial humidity-induced solid-phase hydrolytic transformation of the [Zn(NH3)4]MoO4@2H2O (compound 1@2H2O) with the formation of [(NH4)xH(1-x)Zn(OH)(MoO4)]n (x = 0.92-0.94) coordination polymer (formally NH4Zn(OH)MoO4, compound 2) is described. Based on the isostructural relationship, the powder XRD indicates that the crystal lattice of compound 1@2H2O contains a hydrogen-bonded network of tetraamminezinc (2+) and molybdate (2-) ions, and there are cavities (O4N4(μ-H12) cube) occupied by the two water molecules, which stabilize the crystal structure. Several observations indicate that the water molecules have no fixed positions in the lattice voids; instead, the cavity provides a neighborhood similar to those in clathrates. The @ symbol in the notation is intended to emphasize that the H2O in this compound is enclathrated rather than being water of crystallization. Yet, signs of temperature-dependent dynamic interactions with the wall of the cages can be detected, and 1@2H2O easily releases its water content even on standing and yields compound 2. Surprisingly, hydrolysis products of 1 were observed even in the absence of aerial humidity, which suggests a unique solid-phase quasi-intramolecular hydrolysis. A mechanism involving successive substitution of the ammonia ligands by water molecules and ammonia release is proposed. An ESR study of the Cu-doped compound 2 (2#dotCu) showed that this complex consists of two different Cu2+(Zn2+) environments in the polymeric structure. Thermal decomposition of compounds 1 and 2 results in ZnMoO4 with similar specific surface area and morphology. The ZnMoO4 samples prepared from compounds 1 and 2 and compound 2 in itself are active photocatalysts in the degradation of Congo Red dye. IR, Raman, and UV studies on compounds 1@2H2O and 2 are discussed in detail.

A Quasi-Intramolecular Solid-Phase Redox Reaction of Ammonia Ligands and Perchlorate Anion in Diamminesilver(I) Perchlorate

The reaction of ammoniacal AgNO3 solution (or aq. solution of [Ag(NH3)2]NO3) with aq. NaClO4 resulted in [Ag(NH3)2]ClO4 (compound 1). Detailed spectroscopic (correlation analysis, IR, Raman, and UV) analyses were performed on [Ag(NH3)2]ClO4. The temperature and enthalpy of phase change for compound 1 were determined to be 225.7 K and 103.04 kJ/mol, respectively. We found the thermal decomposition of [Ag(NH3)2]ClO4 involves a solid-phase quasi-intramolecular redox reaction between the perchlorate anion and ammonia ligand, resulting in lower valence chlorine oxyacid (chlorite, chlorate) components. We did not detect thermal ammonia loss during the formation of AgClO4. However, a redox reaction between the ammonia and perchlorate ion resulted in intermediates containing chlorate/chlorite, which disproportionated (either in the solid phase or in aqueous solutions after the dissolution of these decomposition intermediates in water) into AgCl and silver perchlorate. We propose that the solid phase AgCl-AgClO4 mixture eutectically melts, and the resulting AgClO4 decomposes in this melt into AgCl and O2. Thus, the final product of decomposition is AgCl, N2, and H2O. The intermediate (chlorite, chlorate) phases were identified by IR, XPS, and titrimetric methods.

Solid-Phase Quasi-Intramolecular Redox Reaction of [Ag(NH3)2]MnO4: An Easy Way to Prepare Pure AgMnO2

Two monoclinic polymorphs of [Ag(NH3)2]MnO4 containing a unique coordination mode of permanganate ions were prepared, and the high-temperature polymorph was used as a precursor to synthesize pure AgMnO2. The hydrogen bonds between the permanganate ions and the hydrogen atoms of ammonia were detected by IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Under thermal decomposition, these hydrogen bonds induced a solid-phase quasi-intramolecular redox reaction between the [Ag(NH3)2]+ cation and MnO4- anion even before losing the ammonia ligand or permanganate oxygen atom. The polymorphs decomposed into finely dispersed elementary silver, amorphous MnOx compounds, and H2O, N2 and NO gases. Annealing the primary decomposition product at 573 K, the metallic silver reacted with the manganese oxides and resulted in the formation of amorphous silver manganese oxides, which started to crystallize only at 773 K and completely transformed into AgMnO2 at 873 K.

Temperature-Limited Synthesis of Copper Manganites along the Borderline of the Amorphous/Crystalline State and Their Catalytic Activity in CO Oxidation

Copper manganese oxides (CMO) with CuMn2O4 composition are well-known catalysts, which are widely used for the oxidative removal of dangerous chemicals, e.g., enhancing the CO to CO2 conversion. Their catalytic activity is the highest, close to those of the pre-crystalline and amorphous states. Here we show an easy way to prepare a stable CMO material at the borderline of the amorphous and crystalline state (BAC-CMO) at low temperatures (<100 °C) followed annealing at 300 °C and point out its excellent catalytic activity in CO oxidation reactions. We demonstrate that the temperature-controlled decomposition of [Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2 in CHCl3 and CCl4 at 61 and 77 °C, respectively, gives rise to the formation of amorphous CMO and NH4NO3, which greatly influences the composition as well as the Cu valence state of the annealed CMOs. Washing with water and annealing at 300 °C result in a BAC-CMO material, whereas the direct annealing of the as-prepared product at 300 °C gives rise to crystalline CuMn2O4 (sCMO, 15-40 nm) and ((Cu,Mn)2O3, bCMO, 35-40 nm) mixture. The annealing temperature influences both the quantity and crystallite size of sCMO and bCMO products. In 0.5% CO/0.5% O2/He mixture the best CO to CO2 conversion rates were achieved at 200 °C with the BAC-CMO sample (0.011 mol CO2/(m2 h)) prepared in CCl4. The activity of this BAC-CMO at 125 °C decreases to half of its original value within 3 h and this activity is almost unchanged during another 20 h. The BAC-CMO catalyst can be regenerated without any loss in its catalytic activity, which provides the possibility for its long-term industrial application.

(Me2NH2)10[H2-Dodecatungstate] polymorphs: dodecatungstate cages embedded in a variable dimethylammonium cation + water of crystallization matrix

Two polymorphs and a solvatomorph of a new dimethylammonium polytungstate-decakis(dimethylammonium) dihydrogendodecatungstate, (Me₂NH₂)₁₀(W₁₂O₄₂)·nH₂O (n = 10 or 11)-have been synthesized. Their structures were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-phase NMR methods. The shape of the dodecatungstate anions is essentially the same in all three structures, their interaction with the cations and water of crystallization, however, is remarkably variable, because the latter forms different hydrogen-bonded networks, and provides a highly versatile matrix. Accordingly, the N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are positioned in each crystal lattice in a variety of environments, characteristic to the structure, which can be distinguished by solid-state ¹H-CRAMPS, ¹³C, ¹⁵N CP MAS and ¹H-¹³C heteronuclear correlation NMR. Thermogravimetry of the solvatomorphs also reflect the difference and multiformity of the environment of the water molecules in the different crystal lattices. The major factors behind the variability of the matrix are the ability of ammonium cations to form two hydrogen bonds and the rigidity of the polyoxometalate anion cage. The positions of the oxygen atoms in the latter are favourable for the formation of bifurcated and trifurcated cation-anion hydrogen bonds, some which are so durable that they persist after the crystals are dissolved in water, forming ion associates even in dilute solutions. The H atom involved in furcated hydrogen bonds cannot be exchanged by deuterium when the compound is dissolved in D₂O. An obvious consequence of the versatility of the matrix is the propensity of these compounds to form multiple polymorphs.

Investigation into the synthesis conditions of CuMoO4 by an in situ method and its photocatalytic properties under visible light irradiation

A kind of molybdenum and copper compound, CuMoO4, was prepared by a hydrothermal method. The construction and photocatalytic properties of CuMoO4 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectrometry and comprehensive thermal analysis. XRD analysis showed that samples which were synthesized under different hydrothermal time conditions were consistent, but the crystallinities of the samples were different. In another situation, disparate hydrothermal temperatures during the synthesis of CuMoO4 would lead to the appearance of different samples. The band gap of CuMoO4 was estimated to be 1.97 eV. It could be found from the results that CuMoO4 was an indirect band gap semiconductor by simulating its band structure. The photocatalytic activities of CuMoO4 were studied by means of monitoring the abilities of these compounds to degrade rhodamine B or 1H-benzotriazole in liquid media under visible light irradiation. Under different synthesis conditions, the hydrothermal time for obtaining the optimal degradation efficiency was 10 h, and the hydrothermal temperature was 180 °C. The results showed that CuMoO4 had excellent degradation performance for rhodamine B or 1H-benzotriazole. CuMoO4 showed excellent mineralization efficiency for rhodamine B compared with N-doped TiO2 based on the reduction of total organic carbon (TOC) during the photocatalytic process. The photocatalytic degradation rate of rhodamine B by CuMoO4 was 1.39 times that by N-doped TiO2, and the degradation rate of TOC by CuMoO4 was 1.53 times that by N-doped TiO2. Based on the intermediate products which were detected by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), the possible degradation pathway of rhodamine B was derived.

Photocatalytic and Gas Sensitive Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/TiO2-ZnO and ZnO-TiO2 Composites Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition

TiO₂ and ZnO single and multilayers were deposited on hydroxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes using atomic layer deposition. The bare carbon nanotubes and the resulting heterostructures were characterized by TG/DTA, Raman, XRD, SEM-EDX, XPS, TEM-EELS-SAED and low temperature nitrogen adsorption techniques, and their photocatalytic and gas sensing activities were also studied. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were uniformly covered with anatase TiO₂ and wurtzite ZnO layers and with their combinations. In the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange, the most beneficial structures are those where ZnO is the external layer, both in the case of single and double oxide layer covered CNTs (CNT-ZnO and CNT-TiO₂-ZnO). The samples with multilayer oxides (CNT-ZnO-TiO₂ and CNT-TiO₂-ZnO) have lower catalytic activity due to their larger average densities, and consequently lower surface areas, compared to single oxide layer coated CNTs (CNT-ZnO and CNT-TiO₂). In contrast, in gas sensing it is advantageous to have TiO₂ as the outer layer. Since ZnO has higher conductivity, its gas sensing signals are lower when reacting with NH₃ gas. The double oxide layer samples have higher resistivity, and hence a larger gas sensing response than their single oxide layer counterparts.