A pH-stable Ag(i) multifunctional luminescent sensor for the efficient detection of organic solvents, organochlorine pesticides and heavy metal ions

Fluorescent chemosensors facilitate the visualization of plant health and their living environment in sustainable agriculture

Globally, 91% of plant production encounters diverse environmental stresses that adversely affect their growth, leading to severe yield losses of 50-60%. In this case, monitoring the connection between the environment and plant health can balance population demands with environmental protection and resource distribution. Fluorescent chemosensors have shown great progress in monitoring the health and environment of plants due to their high sensitivity and biocompatibility. However, to date, no comprehensive analysis and systematic summary of fluorescent chemosensors used in monitoring the correlation between plant health and their environment have been reported. Thus, herein, we summarize the current fluorescent chemosensors ranging from their design strategies to applications in monitoring plant-environment interaction processes. First, we highlight the types of fluorescent chemosensors with design strategies to resolve the bottlenecks encountered in monitoring the health and living environment of plants. In addition, the applications of fluorescent small-molecule, nano and supramolecular chemosensors in the visualization of the health and living environment of plants are discussed. Finally, the major challenges and perspectives in this field are presented. This work will provide guidance for the design of efficient fluorescent chemosensors to monitor plant health, and then promote sustainable agricultural development.

Analytical and regulatory considerations to mitigate highly hazardous toxins from environmental matrices

The ubiquitous occurrence, toxicological influence, and bioaccumulation of toxic entities, e.g., pesticides and toxic elements in the environment, biota, and humans, directly or indirectly, are posing severe social, ecological, and human health concerns. Much attention has been given to the rising bioaccumulation of toxins and their adverse impact on various environmental matrices. For example, the inappropriate and exacerbated use of xenobiotics and related hazardous substances have caused the deterioration of the agricultural environment, e.g., fertile soils where plants are grown. Moreover, the harmful toxins have negatively impacted human health through the trophic chains. However, the analytical and regulatory considerations to effectively monitor and mitigate any or many pesticides and toxic elements from environmental matrices are still lacking in the existing literature. For decades, the scientific community has overseen the consequences caused by pollutants, however, the improvement of analytical detection methods and regulatory considerations are not yet fully covered. This review covers the notable literature gap by stressing the development and deployment of robust analytical and regulatory considerations for an efficient abatement of hazardous substances. Following detailed information on occurrence, toxicological influence, and bioaccumulation of pesticides and toxic elements, the most relevant analytical detection tools and regulatory measures are given herein, with suitable examples, to mitigate or reduce the damage caused by these pollutants.

Two new bis(pyridine)-bis(amide)-based copper(II) coordination compounds for the electrochemical detection of trace Cr(VI) and efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

Two new metal-organic compounds (MOCs) [Cu(L)0.5(3-nba)2] (1) and [Cu(L)(2,5-tdc)] (2) have been hydrothermally synthesized by employing the ligand N,N′-di(3-pyridyl)adipoamide (L) and two carboxylic acids (3-Hnba = 3-nitrobenzoic acid, 2,5-H2tdc = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid) as ligands. Compound 1 displays a metal-organic chain-like structure formed by the {Cu2(3-nba)4} double-paddle wheel units and the µ 2-bridging L ligands. The adjacent polymeric chains form a supramolecular layered structure through hydrogen bonding. Compound 2 shows a 3D metal-organic polymeric framework derived from Cu-L layers and µ 2-bridging 2,5-tdc ligands, which presents a 3,5-connected {4.62}{4.66.83} topology. The electrochemical and electrocatalytic behavior of the two compounds has been studied in detail. Carbon paste working electrodes modified with compounds 1 and 2 can be used as highly selective sensors for detecting traces Cr(VI). Both electrodes show also electrocatalytic performance in oxygen evolution reactions (OERs).

A water-stable Zn4O-based MOF decorated with carbazolyl chromophores for multi-responsive fluorescence sensing of Fe3+, Cr2O72− and nitro-compounds

A MOF with strong deep blue light emission and high quantum efficiency has high selectivity and sensitivity for detecting 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline.

Rapid and reliable triple-emissive detection of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline as a pesticide based on a high-nuclear Cd(ii)–Sm(iii) nanocluster

A 56-metal Cd(ii)–Sm(iii) nanocluster (molecular sizes: 4.5 × 2.7 × 2.7 nm) was constructed for the rapid and reliable triple-emissive detection of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline (DCN) as a pesticide.

Zn(ii) and Co(ii) coordination polymers based on semi-rigid bis-pyridyl-bis-amide and angular dicarboxylate ligands: synthesis, structures and properties

Hydro(solvo)thermal reactions of N,N′-di(3-methylpyridyl)oxalamide (L1) and N,N′-di(4-methylpyridyl)oxalamide (L2) with angular dicarboxylic acids and metal salts afforded six new coordination polymers showing interesting properties.

Synthesis of some new distyrylbenzene derivatives using immobilized Pd on an NHC-functionalized MIL-101(Cr) catalyst: photophysical property evaluation, DFT and TD-DFT calculations

In this study the catalytic application of a heterogeneous Pd-catalyst system based on metal organic framework [Pd-NHC-MIL-101(Cr)] was investigated in the synthesis of distyrylbenzene derivatives using the Heck reaction. The Pd-NHC-MIL-101(Cr) catalyst showed high efficiency in the synthesis of these π-conjugated materials and products were obtained in high yields with low Pd-contamination based on ICP analysis. The photophysical behaviors for some of the synthesized distyrylbenzene derivatives were evaluated. The DFT and TD-DFT methods were employed to determine the optimized molecular geometry, band gap energy, and the electronic absorption and emission wavelengths of the new synthesized donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) molecules in the gas phase and in various solvents using the chemical model B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory.