Supramolecular Based Membrane Sensors

New potentiometric sensors for methylphenidate detection based on host-guest interaction

The study aims to develop simple, sensitive, and selective methods for detecting methylphenidate in its bulk, dosage form and human urine. Sensing materials include β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), and 4-tertbutylcalix[8]arene as ionophores or electroactive materials have been used for construction of sensors 1, 2, and 3, respectively; Potassium tetrakis (4-chlorophenyl)borate (KTpClPB) as an ion additive was used and dioctyl phthalate as a plasticizer. The sensors displayed a fast, stable response over a wide concentration range of methylphenidate (8 × 10⁻⁶ M to 1 × 10⁻³ M) with 10⁻⁶ M detection limit over the pH range of 4–8. The developed sensors displayed a Near-Nernstian cationic response for methylphenidate at 59.5, 51.37, and 56.5 mV/decade for sensors β-CD, γ-CD, or 4-tertbutylcalix[8]arene respectively. Validation of the proposed sensors is supported by high accuracy, precision, stability, fast response, and long lifetimes, as well as selectivity for methylphenidate in the presence of different species. Sensitive and practical sensors for the determination of methylphenidate in bulk, in pharmaceutical forms and urine were developed and validated for routine laboratory use. The results were comparable to those obtained by HPLC method.

Potentiometric Signal Transduction for Selective Determination of 1-(3-Chlorophenyl)piperazine “Legal Ecstasy” Through Biomimetic Interaction Mechanism

1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) is a wide spread new psychoactive substance produces stimulant and hallucinogenic effects similar to those sought from ecstasy. Hence, in the recent years, mCPP has been introduced by the organized crime through the darknet as a part of the illicit ecstasy market with a variable complex profile of pharmacologically active substances that pose problematic risk patterns among people who take these seized products. Accordingly, the design of selective sensors for the determination of mCPP is a very important demand. In this respect, a supramolecular architecture; [Na(15-crown-5)][BPh4] from the assembly of 15-crown-5 and sodium tetraphenylboron has been utilized as an ionophore, for the first time in the selective recognition of mCPP in conjunction with potassium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)borate and dioctylphthalate through polymeric membrane ion sensors. The ionophore exhibited a strong binding affinity that resulted in a high sensitivity with a slope closed to the ideal Nernstian value; 58.9 ± 0.43 mV/decade, a larger dynamic range from 10−6 to 10−2 M, a lower limit of detection down to 5.0 × 10−7 M and a fast response time of 5 s. Very important also is it was afforded excellent selectivity towards mCPP over psychoactive substances of major concern, providing a potentially useful system for the determination of mCPP in the illicit market. On comparison with the natural β-cyclodextrin as an ionophore, it exhibited more sensitivity and selectivity estimated to be the superior.

Crown-Ether Derived Graphene Hybrid Composite for Membrane-Free Potentiometric Sensing of Alkali Metal Ions

We report the design and synthesis of newly functionalized graphene hybrid material that can be used for selective membrane-free potentiometric detection of alkali metal ions, represented by potassium ions. Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) functionalized covalently by 18-crown[6] ether with a dense surface coverage is achieved by the introduction of a flexible linking molecule. The resulting hybrid composite is highly stable and is capable of detecting potassium ions down to micromolar ranges with a selectivity over other cations (including Ca(2+), Li(+), Na(+), NH4(+)) at concentrations up to 25 mM. This material can be combined further with disposable chips, demonstrating its promise as an effective ion-selective sensing component for practical applications.

Novel surfactant-selective membrane electrode based on polyelectrolyte-surfactant complex

Novel class of active ionophores for surfactant selective electrodes is proposed. PVC membrane doped with polyelectrolyte-surfactant stoichiometric complex is used for ion-selective electrode construction responsive to cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide and related surfactants. New ionophore is quite stable and completely insoluble in aqueous media in wide range of pH. The electrode displays nearly Nernstian slope in CTAB concentration range 10(-6)-10(-3)M. Polyelectrolyte platform allows to design wide range of different ionophores responsive to cationic organic substances.

Synthesis and properties of calix[4]arene telluropodant ethers as Ag+ selective sensors and Ag+, Hg2+ extractants

Three novel phenyltelluroalkoxyl functionalized tweezer-like calix[4]arenes 6-8 and two monophenyltelluropropoxyl functionalized calix[4]arenes 10 (cone conformer) and 12 (partial cone conformer) were synthesized and characterized. They are good Ag(+)-selective ionophores in ion-selective electrodes evaluated by electromotive force measurements of polymer membrane electrodes. The tweezer-like ionophores 6-8 showed excellent extraction ability towards Ag(+) and Hg(2+).

Synthesis of calix[4]arenes bearing benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl and benzoimidazolyl heterocycles

A novel series of calix[4]arenes bearing benzothiazole, benzoxazole, and benzoimidazole groups were obtained by the reaction of the corresponding 2-mercaptoheterocycle with 5,11,17,23-tetra- tert-butyl-25,27-bis[2-(chloroacetamido) ethoxy]-26,28-di-hydroxycalix[4]arene and structurally characterised by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Mass spectra and elemental analyses. From their analytical data, it was found these compounds had cone conformations.

Developments in the Field of Conducting and Non-conducting Polymer Based Potentiometric Membrane Sensors for Ions Over the Past Decade

Many research studies have been conducted on the use of conjugated polymers in the construction of chemical sensors including potentiometric, conductometric and amperometric sensors or biosensors over the last decade. The induction of conductivity on conjugated polymers by treating them with suitable oxidizing agents won Heeger, MacDiarmid and Shirakawa the 2000 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Common conjugated polymers are poly(acetylene)s, poly(pyrrole)s, poly(thiophene)s, poly(terthiophene)s, poly(aniline)s, poly(fluorine)s, poly(3-alkylthiophene)s, polytetrathiafulvalenes, polynapthalenes, poly(p-phenylene sulfide), poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyparaphenylene, polyazulene, polyparaphenylene sulfide, polycarbazole and polydiaminonaphthalene. More than 60 sensors for inorganic cations and anions with different characteristics based on conducting polymers have been reported. There have also been reports on the application of non-conducting polymers (nCPs), i.e. PVC, in the construction of potentiometric membrane sensors for determination of more than 60 inorganic cations and anions. However, the leakage of ionophores from the membranes based on these polymers leads to relatively lower life times. In this article, we try to give an overview of Solid-Contact ISE (SCISE), Single-Piece ISE (SPISE), Conducting Polymer (CP)-Based, and also non-conducting polymer PVC-based ISEs for various ions which their difference is in the way of the polymer used with selective membrane. In SCISEs and SPISEs, the plasticized PVC containing the ionophore and ionic additives govern the selectivity behavior of the electrode and the conducting polymer is responsible of ion-to-electron transducer. However, in CPISEs, the conducting polymer layer is doped with a suitable ionophore which enhances the ion selectivity of the CP while its redox response has to be suppressed.

Schiff's Bases and Crown Ethers as Supramolecular Sensing Materials in the Construction of Potentiometric Membrane Sensors

Ionophore incorporated PVC membrane sensors are well-established analyticaltools routinely used for the selective and direct measurement of a wide variety of differentions in complex biological and environmental samples. Potentiometric sensors have someoutstanding advantages including simple design and operation, wide linear dynamic range,relatively fast response and rational selectivity. The vital component of such plasticizedPVC members is the ionophore involved, defining the selectivity of the electrodes' complexformation. Molecular recognition causes the formation of many different supramolecules.Different types of supramolecules, like calixarenes, cyclodextrins and podands, have beenused as a sensing material in the construction of ion selective sensors. Schiff's bases andcrown ethers, which feature prominently in supramolecular chemistry, can be used assensing materials in the construction of potentiometric ion selective electrodes. Up to now,more than 200 potentiometric membrane sensors for cations and anions based on Schiff's bases and crown ethers have been reported. In this review cation binding and anioncomplexes will be described. Liquid membrane sensors based on Schiff's bases and crownethers will then be discussed.