A highly sensitive and selective thiosemicarbazone chemosensor for detection of Co2+ in aqueous environments using RSM and TD/DFT approaches

A Review on Small Organic Colorimetric and Fluorescent Hosts for the Detection of Cobalt and Nickel Ion

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in efforts to advance efficient hosts for detecting cobalt and nickel ions, driven by their extensive industrial applications and environmental significance. This review meticulously examines the progress made in small organic colorimetric and fluorescent hosts tailored specifically for the sensitive and selective detection of cobalt and nickel ions. It delves into a diverse range of molecular architectures, including organic ligands, elucidating their unique attributes such as sensitivity, selectivity, and response time. Moreover, the review precisely explores the underlying principles governing the colorimetric and fluorescent mechanisms employed by these hosts, shedding light on the intricate interactions between the sensing moieties and the target metal ions. Furthermore, it critically evaluates the practical applicability of these hosts, considering crucial factors such as detection limits, recyclability, and compatibility with complex sample matrices. Additionally, exploration extends to potential challenges and prospects in the field, emphasizing the imperative for ongoing innovation to address emerging environmental and analytical demands. Eventually, through this comprehensive examination, the review seeks to contribute to the ongoing endeavor to develop robust and efficient tools for monitoring and detecting cobalt and nickel metal ions in diverse analytical scenarios.

Nanomaterials Based on 2,7,12,17-Tetra-tert-butyl-5,10,15,20-tetraaza-21H,23H-porphine Exhibiting Bifunctional Sensitivity for Monitoring Chloramphenicol and Co2

Monitoring antibiotic retention in human body fluids after treatment and controlling heavy metal content in water are important requirements for a healthy society. Therefore, the approach proposed in this study is based on developing new optical sensors using porphyrin or its bifunctional hybrid materials made with AuNPs to accomplish the accurate detection of chloramphenicol and cobalt. To produce the new optical chloramphenicol sensors, 2,7,12,17-tetra-tert-butyl-5,10,15,20-tetraaza-21H,23H-porphine (TBAP) was used, both alone in an acid medium and as a hybrid material with AuNPs in a water-DMSO acidified environment. The same hybrid material in the unchanged water-DMSO medium was the sensing material used for Co2+ monitoring. The best results of the hybrid materials were explained by the synergistic effects between the TBAP azaporphyrin and AuNPs. Chloramphenicol was accurately detected in the range of concentrations between 3.58 × 10-6 M and 3.37 × 10-5 M, and the same hybrid material quantified Co2+ in the concentration range of 8.92 × 10-5 M-1.77 × 10-4 M. In addition, we proved that AuNPs can be used for the detection of azaporphyrin (from 2.66 × 10-5 M to 3.29 × 10-4 M), making them a useful tool to monitor porphyrin retention after cancer imaging procedures or in porphyria disease. In conclusion, we harnessed the multifunctionality of this azaporphyrin and of its newly obtained AuNP plasmonic hybrids to detect chloramphenicol and Co2+ quickly, simply, and with high precision.

Structural, optimization of and mechanistic insights into a new thiosemicarbazone derivative as a highly sensitive and selective chemosensor for Hg2+ recognition using DFT, COSMO-RS, RSM, and molecular dynamics simulation approaches

A new thiosemicarbazone derivative, N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-[1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide (HPEH), has been synthesized, characterized, and further developed as a highly selective and sensitive colorimetric chemosensor for Hg2+ recognition in environmental water samples. Structural conformers of HPEH were successfully identified using a combination of the potential energy surface (PES) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods. The synthesized HPEH was successfully characterized further and analyzed based on its harmonic vibrational frequencies, NMR spectra, and electronic transitions using the DFT approach. Sigma profiles were generated using the COSMO-RS approach to identify a compatible medium for HPEH to act as a chemosensor. The conditions for the highly sensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ by HPEH were successfully optimized using the statistical response surface methodology approach. The optimum sensing of HPEH occurred in an 8:2 v/v DMSO/pH 7.8 solution at a 20:60 μM HPEH/Hg2+ concentration and after a reaction time of 18 min, with statistically significant independent variables (p < 0.05) for all parameters. Under optimal conditions, the lowest Hg2+ concentration detected by HPEH was 3.56 µM, indicating that HPEH can serve as an alternative and comparable probe for the detection of Hg2+ in aqueous systems. Using the optimized results, the interaction between HPEH and Hg2+ in the chemosensor system was successfully modeled, and the model was subsequently used with the TD-DFT, non-covalent interaction-reduced density gradient (NCI-RDG), and molecular dynamics approaches to gain mechanistic insights into the interaction. The results showed that the newly synthesized HPEH, in addition to being cost-effective, could serve as a suitable alternative and comparable chemosensor for Hg2+ recognition in water samples, with the advantages of being efficient, portable, and eco-friendly, and offering rapid analysis without the need of specialized training.

Insight into the photodegradation mechanism of bisphenol-A by oxygen doped mesoporous carbon nitride under visible light irradiation and DFT calculations

Oxygen doped mesoporous carbon nitride (O-MCN) was successfully synthesized through one-step thermal polymerization of urea and glucose utilizing nanodisc silica (NDS) from rice husk ash as a hard template. The CO2 gas, NH3 and water vapor produced during the thermal process reshaped the morphology and textural properties of the of O-MCN compared to pristine mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN). Highest bisphenol A (BPA) removal achieved under visible light irradiation was 97%, with 60% mineralization ([BPA] = 10 mg L-1: catalyst dosage = 40 mg L-1; pH = 10; 180 min). In addition to mesoporosity, the sub-gap impurity states created from the oxygen doping reduced recombination rate of photogenerated carriers. Holes (h+) and superoxide (O2˙-) were identified as the predominant active species responsible for the photodegradation process. The photodegradation route was proposed based on the intermediates detected by LC-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (LC/TOF-MS). The Density of States (DOS) showed that oxygen doping resulted in a higher photoactivity due to the stronger localization and delocalization of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). The adsorption pathway of the BPA on the O-MCN and MCN was successfully predicted using the DFT calculations, namely molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), global and local descriptors.

Influence of the Reaction Conditions in the Crystal Structures of Zn(II) and Ni(II) Coordination Compounds with a Dissymmetric Bis(Thiosemicarbazone) Ligand

The new ligand HMeATSM, derived from condensation of 2-3-butanedione with 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide and 2,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazide, has been synthesized. Its reactivity with nickel(II) and zinc(II) nitrates was explored and the resulting complexes were thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity, mass spectrometry, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies and their structures were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the complex [Ni(MeATSM)]NO3 1 is formed under every reaction condition. In contrast, the reaction with zinc(II) nitrate depends on the temperature and the presence of LiOH.H2O, leading to the obtaining of complexes [Zn(MeATSM)(OH2)](NO3) 2 and [Zn(Me2TS)2(OH2)](NO3)2 3. The crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 show that the dissymmetric ligand acts as a N2S2 tetradentate monoanionic ligand. The structural preferences of the metals also determine the structure of the complexes: whereas nickel(II) is in a square-planar environment, the zinc atom prefers a distorted square-base pyramid geometry imposed by the coordination mode and the planarity of the bis(thiosemicarbazone) ligand. In contrast, in complex 3, containing two bidentate Me2TS ligands, the Zn(II) is in a trigonal bipyramid arrangement. In all the complexes, the nitrate ion is not coordinated to the metal and acts as a counterion.