Hydrogen-bond forming ionophore for highly efficient transport of phosphate anions across the nitrobenzene-water interface

In vivo dynamic tracking of cerebral chloride regulation using molecularly tailored liquid/liquid interfacial ultramicro iontronics

Chloride ion, a pivotal cerebral anion involved in neuronal inhibition, is implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases. Conventional direct faradaic detection based on electron transfers at solid electrode/solution interfaces has been proven ineffective due to the electrochemically inactive nature of Cl-. Here, we present an approach involving molecularly tailored liquid/liquid interfacial ultramicro iontronics (L/L-UIs) supported at ultramicropipettes filled with organic gel containing lipophilic bis-thioureas ionophores, which represents the first application of amperometric methodology based on electrochemical facilitated ion transfers reactions at a soft L/L ultramicrointerface to achieve in vivo sensing of electrochemically inactive ions, and dynamically tracking cerebral Cl- in vivo. Furthermore, evidence of dynamic neuronal Cl- regulation via KCC2 modulated through GABAB receptors was provided, further substantiating GABAB receptor-mediated Cl--related neuronal inhibition. The proposed L/L-UIs have notable potential for in situ tracking of other crucial electrochemically inactive ions or ionized biomolecules in vivo, thereby facilitating the study of brain diseases and the diagnosis and treatment of related disorders.

Ion-Selective Electrode Based on a Novel Biomimetic Nicotinamide Compound for Phosphate Ion Sensor

Phosphorus is not only an import nutrient to aquatic habitats, but it also acts as a growth inhibitor in aquatic ecosystems; however, it also aggravates environmental issues, such as eutrophication. There is a growing interest in rapid phosphorus detection to manage and protect water resources. Due to the large molecular structure and high hydration energy of phosphate ions, ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) remain in their infancy for real-time measurements in terms of practical application. In this study, a newly developed ionophore based on a biomimetic nicotinamide functional group was used to detect phosphate selectively, displaying efficient binding through charge interactions and hydrogen bonds. The ISE membrane containing silicone rubber demonstrated an effective detection performance over a long period of time. With a dynamic range between 10-6 and 10-2 M and a limit of detection of 0.85 × 10-6 M (26 μg/L), the newly synthesized ISE membranes demonstrated selectivity for phosphate ions over other ions, including acetate, sulfate, and chloride.

Tetraphenylantimony(V)-assisted transfer of hydroxide and fluoride anions across the 1,6-dichlorohexane | water interface

The ion-transfer reaction at the 1,6-dichlorohexane (DCH) | water (W) interface in the presence of an organometallic cation, tetraphenylantimony (TPhSb⁺), in DCH was studied voltammetrically. When TPhSb⁺ salt with [(C₄F₉SO₂)₂N]^- ion was added to the DCH-phase and the W-phase was buffered at pH < 6, a reversible cyclic voltammogram due to the simple transfer of TPhSb⁺ ion across the DCH | W interface was observed within the polarizable potential window. When the W-phase was buffered at pH > 7, the midpoint potential shifted to more positive potentials with increasing pH. The voltammogram could be attributed to the transfer of the OH^- ion assisted by the formation of TPhSbOH, which is stable in DCH. Also, a 7reversible voltammogram due to the TPhSb⁺-assisted transfer of F^- ion was observed at the TPhSb⁺ (DCH) | F^- (W, unbuffered) interfacial system. The same results were achieved when TPhSb[(C₄F₉SO₂)₂N] in DCH was replaced by TPhSbOH or TPhSbF, indicating the applicability of the TPhSb⁺ and TPhSbOH (DCH) | OH^- (W) interfacial system to a pH sensor for alkaline solution and that of the TPhSb⁺ and TPhSbF (DCH) | F^- (W) interface to a F^- ion sensor.

Electroanalytical Opportunities Derived from Ion Transfer at Interfaces between Immiscible Electrolyte Solutions

This review presents an introduction to electrochemistry at interfaces between immiscible electrolyte solutions and surveys recent studies of this form of electrochemistry in electroanalytical strategies. Simple ion and facilitated ion transfers across interfaces varying from millimetre scale to nanometre scales are considered. Target detection strategies for a range of ions, inorganic, organic, and biological, including macromolecules, are discussed.

Ion amperometry at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions in view of realizing the amperometric ion-selective electrode

This article reviews the development in ion amperometry at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) in view of realizing the amperometric ion-selective electrode (ISE). The concept of polarizability of ITIES in a multi-ion system is outlined. Principle aspects of ion amperometry at ITIES are discussed including the use of amperometry as a tool for the clarification of the ion sensing mechanism, and for determining the concentrations of ions in the solution. The reference is made to recent amperometric measurements at the supported liquid membrane (SLM) and polymer composite liquid membranes (PCLM), which, together with the micro-hole supported ITIES, appear to be particularly suitable for realization of the amperometric ISE.

Sensing and analysis of soluble phosphates in environmental samples: a review

Excess phosphate levels in water can lead to increased algal growth, eutrophication and reduced water quality. Phosphate levels in water are regulated by the EU through the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (annual mean total phosphorus concentrations of 1-2 mg/l) and the Water Framework Directive that will enforce "good ecological and chemical status" by 2015. Legislation is therefore driving the need for increased monitoring of soluble phosphate in water, escalating the desire for a direct, label free approach that could provide remote, continuous monitoring in real-time. The standard method for measuring soluble phosphate in water is a colourimetric technique developed in the 1960s. This colourimetric approach is difficult to adapt for on-line measurements, uses specific reagents which require safe disposal and thus incurs significant costs to the water industry when carried out on a large scale. This review considers optical and electrochemical sensors plus recent advances with synthetic receptors and molecularly imprinted polymers. Progress in the development of phosphate sensors, designed for use in a variety of disciplines, is highlighted with a view to adapting successful approaches for use in the water sector. Additional considerations include the need for long term stability, low maintenance, specificity for phosphate and the capability of measuring total phosphorus concentrations down to at least 1 mg/l, as required by legislation. A sensor that could directly measure soluble, inorganic phosphate concentrations would draw significant interest from the environment sector and other disciplines, including the agricultural, detergent and bio-medical industries.

Voltammetric ion-selective electrodes for the selective determination of cations and anions

A general theory has been developed for voltammetric ion sensing of cations and anions based on the use of an electrode coated with a membrane containing an electroactive species, an ionophore, and a supporting electrolyte dissolved in a plasticizer. In experimental studies, a membrane coated electrode is fabricated by the drop coating method. In one configuration, a glassy carbon electrode is coated with a poly(vinyl chloride) based membrane, which contains the electroactive species, ionophore, plasticizer and supporting electrolyte. In the case of a cation sensor, ionophore facilitated transfer of the target cation from the aqueous solution to the membrane phase occurs during the course of the reduction of the electroactive species present in the membrane in order to maintain charge neutrality. The formal potential is calculated from the cyclic voltammogram as the average of the reduction and oxidation peak potentials and depends on the identity and concentration of the ion present in the aqueous solution phase. A plot of the formal potential versus the logarithm of the concentration exhibits a close to Nernstian slope of RT/F millivolts per decade change in concentration when the concentration of K(+) and Na(+) is varied over the concentration range of 0.1 mM to 1 M when K(+) or Na(+) ionophores are used in the membrane. The slope is close to RT/2F millivolts for a Ca(2+) voltammetric ion-selective electrode fabricated using a Ca(2+) ionophore. The sensor measurement time is only a few seconds. Voltammetric sensors for K(+), Na(+), and Ca(2+) constructed in this manner exhibit the sensitivity and selectivity required for determination of these ions in environmentally and biologically important matrixes. Analogous principles apply to the fabrication of anion voltammetric sensors.

Anion transfer at a micro-water/1,2-dichloroethane interface facilitated by beta-octafluoro-meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole

The facilitated transfer of four hydrophilic anions, i.e., Cl-, Br-, NO2-, and CH3CO2-, at the micro-water/1,2-dichloroethane interface supported at the tip of a micropipet has been observed successfully using beta-octafluoro-meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole 2 as the receptor. We have also shown for the first time that the dynamics of this process can be studied by micropipet voltammetry. The standard kinetic rate constants (kdegrees) for facilitated anion transfer at such an interface were determined to be (2.11 +/- 0.90) x 10(-2) and (0.75 +/- 0.50) x 10(-2) cm/s in the case of Cl- and CH3CO2-, respectively. These values are much smaller than those associated with the facilitated transfer of analogous alkali metal ions. This difference is thought to reflect a number of underlying factors, including the higher hydration of anions as compared to similar sized cations. Studies such as these are expected to be useful in understanding the mechanism of anion transport at soft interfaces and for the design of yet-improved anion receptors and carriers.

A disposable on-chip phosphate sensor with planar cobalt microelectrodes on polymer substrate

Disposable microsensors on polymer substrates consisting of fully integrated on-chip planar cobalt (Co) microelectrodes, Ag/AgCl reference electrodes, and microfluidic channels have been designed, fabricated, and characterized for phosphate concentration measurement in aqueous solution. The planar Co microelectrode shows phosphate-selective potential response over the range from 10(-5) to 10(-2)M in acidic medium (pH 5.0) for both inorganic (KH(2)PO(4)) and organic (adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine 5'-diphosphates (ADP)) phosphate compounds. This microfabricated sensor also demonstrates significant reproducibility with a small repeated sensing deviation (i.e. relative standard deviation (R.S.D.)<1%) on a single chip and a small chip-to-chip deviation (i.e. R.S.D.<2.5%). Specifically, while keeping the high selectivity, sensitivity, and stability of a conventional bulk Co-wire electrode, the proposed phosphate sensor yields advantages such as ease of use, cost effectiveness, reduced analyte consumption, and ease of integrating into disposable polymer lab-on-a-chip devices. The capability to sense both inorganic and organic phosphate compounds makes this sensor applicable in diverse areas such as environmental monitoring, soil extract analysis, and clinical diagnostics.

Potentiometric evaluation of calix[4]arene anion receptors in membrane electrodes: Phosphate detection

Ion-selective membrane electrodes doped with the urea- or thiourea-functionalised calix[4]arenes, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[[4-N'-(phenylureido)butyl]oxy]-26,28-dipropoxy calix[4]arene (I) and 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[[4-(N'-phenylthioureido)-butyl]oxy]-26,28-dipropoxy calix[4]arene (II), were evaluated for anion sensing. Potentiometric results show that these calixarene ionophore-based membrane electrodes exhibit a good sensitivity to aqueous solutions of the monohydrogen orthophosphate species HPO(4)(2-) in the concentration range 5.0 x 10(-5) to 1.0 x 10(-1)M, with near-Nernstian response slopes of -33.0 and -28.0 mV dec(-1) for ionophores I and II, respectively. Selectivity coefficient values for monohydrogen orthophosphate over a range of common anions were determined by the fixed interference and matched potential methods and indicated that these membrane electrodes exhibit a good selectivity for HPO(4)(2-) with respect to the other anions, including sulfate and nitrate.

De novo structure-based design of bisurea hosts for tetrahedral oxoanion guests

This paper presents a computational approach to the deliberate design of improved host architectures. De novo molecule building software, HostDesigner, is interfaced with molecular mechanics software, GMMX, providing a tool for generating and screening millions of potential structures. The efficacy of this computer-aided design methodology is illustrated with a search for bisurea podands that are structurally organized for complexation with tetrahedral oxoanions.

Receptor for Anionic Pyrene Derivatives Provides the Basis for New Biomembrane Assays

This study describes a new receptor cyclen 1 capable of strong selective binding of pyrene-based anionic dyes under near-physiological conditions. This receptor comprises four naphthylthiourea groups tethered to a cyclen core via an ester linkage. The complexation behavior of cyclen 1 receptor is characterized by a series of (1)H NMR, microcalorimetry, UV-vis, and fluorometry experiments. The relevance of structural features of this receptor to its recognition function is assessed using control compounds that lack some of the groups found in cyclen 1. The specificity of cyclen 1 toward pyrene-based dyes is assessed through experiments using dyes with different molecular organization. The most important finding was the ability of cyclen 1 to bind efficiently to a pH-sensitive dye pyranine, a dye that is commonly used in various biomembrane assays. The high affinity of cyclen 1 to pyranine, its impermeability to the lipid bilayer membrane, fast kinetics of binding, and ability to quench the pyranine's fluorescence were used as a basis for a new membrane leakage assay. This membrane leakage assay is fully compatible with the commonly applied pH-stat transport assay, and therefore it allows for differentiation of the ion transport and nonselective leakage mechanisms within a single set of experiments. The ability of cyclen 1 to quench the fluorescence of pyranine also finds limited applicability to the detection of endovesiculation.

Adsorption behavior of lauric acid at heptane/water interface as studied by second harmonic generation spectroscopy and interfacial tensiometry

Interfacial tensiometry and second harmonic generation (SHG) spectroscopy were applied to examine the adsorption behavior of lauric acid (LA) at a heptane/water interface. From interfacial tensiometry measurements, the adsorption kinetics of LA was revealed to be diffusion-controlled, and the adsorption constant of LA was estimated to be 9.6 x 10(4) M(-1). The adsorption isotherms obtained by SHG measurements were analyzed by taking account of both the molecular orientation of LA at the interface and a surface electric field generated by the adsorbed LA layer. It was confirmed that the carboxylic groups of adsorbed LA molecules were well ordered at the heptane/water interface and the orientation of the carboxylate group was invariant during the adsorption process.

Facilitated Sulfate Transfer across the Nitrobenzene-Water Interface as Mediated by Hydrogen-Bonding Ionophores

Facilitated SO4(2-) transfers by hydrogen bond-forming ionophores are investigated across the nitrobenzene (NB)-water interface by using polarography with a dropping electrolyte electrode. Bis-thiourea 1, alpha,alpha'-bis(N'-p-nitrophenylthioureylene)-m-xylene, is found to significantly facilitate the transfer of the highly hydrophilic SO4(2-) whereas its counterpart, N-(p-nitrophenyl)-N'-propylthiourea (ionophore 2), cannot. In contrast to the predominant formation of a 1:1 complex with SO4(2-) in the bulk NB phase, the SO4(2-) transfer assisted by 1 is indeed based on the formation of a 1:2 complex between SO4(2-) and ionophore, even under the condition of [SO4(2-)]aq >> [1]org. Such an exclusive formation of the 1:2 (SO4(2-) to ionophore) complex at the NB-water interface is not observed with structurally similar bis-thiourea 3, alpha,alpha'-bis(N'-phenylthioureylene)-m-xylene, where p-nitrophenyl moietes of bis-thiourea 1 are simply replaced by phenyl groups. The facilitated transfer of SO4(2-) with bis-thiourea 1 is further compared to that of HPO4(2-) and H2PO4- across the NB-water interface, which was previously shown to be assisted by 1 through the formation of the 1:1 and 2:1 (anion to ionophore) complexes, respectively. On the basis of these examinations, unique binding behaviors of hydrogen bond-forming ionophores at the NB-water interface are discussed, with a view towards development of ionophore-based anion-selective chemical sensors.

Voltammetric Study of the Transfer of Fluoride Ion at the Nitrobenzene | Water Interface Assisted by Tetraphenylantimony

The transfer of F- ion assisted by an organometallic complex cation tetraphenylantimony (TPhSb+) across the polarized nitrobenzene / water (NB / W) interface has been studied by means of ion-transfer voltammetry. A well-defined voltammetric wave was observed within the potential window at the NB / W interface when tetraphenylantimony tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl) borate and F- ion were present in NB and W, respectively. The voltammogram can be interpreted as being due to the reversible transfer of F- ion assisted by the formation of the TPhSbF complex through the coordination of F- to Sb atom in NB. The formal formation constant of TPhSbF in NB has been determined to be 10(1.95 +/- 0.2 M(-1). No voltammetric wave due to the TPhSb(+)-assisted transfer of other anions such as Cl-, Br, I-, NO3-, CH3COO- and H2PO4(-) ions has been observed within the potential window.

Direct Observation of Molecular Recognition Mediated by Triple Hydrogen Bonds at a Water/Oil Interface: Time-Resolved Total Internal Reflection Fluorometry Study

Molecular recognition mediated by hydrogen-bonding interactions at a water/CCl(4) interface was investigated directly by means of time-resolved total internal reflection (TIR) fluorescence spectroscopy. The TIR fluorescence decay profile of riboflavin (RF) in the absence of a guest in the CCl(4) phase was fitted satisfactorily by a single-exponential function. In the presence of N,N-dioctadecyl-[1,3,5]triazine-2,4,6-triamine (DTT) as a guest in the CCl(4) phase, on the other hand, the fluorescence decay profiles were best fitted by double-exponential functions with the relevant amplitude (A(i)) being varied with the concentration of DTT. Furthermore, the rotational reorientation time of RF at the interface determined by fluorescence dynamic anisotropy was 210 ps in the absence of DTT, while fast (160-220 ps) and slow (670-750 ps) rotational reorientation times were observed in the presence of DTT. This slow rotational reorientation time was shown to ascribe to that of the RF-DDT complex formed at the water/CCl(4) interface. These results indicate that molecular recognition mediated by complementary hydrogen bonding takes place effectively at the water/CCl(4) interface, which was observed directly by both fluorescence dynamics and fluorescence dynamic anisotropy measurements under the TIR conditions.