New trends in V–P–O solids

On the basis of the industrial interest of the oxovanadium phosphate catalysts, current research effort in this field is focused mainly on the development of synthetic strategies directed towards obtaining open-framework materials. There is a growing body of work describing preparations using hydrothermal procedures under a diversity of conditions. A great number of new solids, whose nets range from lamellar arrays to micro- and mesostructured organizations, has been prepared in last years. In this context, the applicability of concepts and procedures from the zeolites chemistry to systems involving transition elements is critically analyzed.

Chromogenic Detection of Nerve Agent Mimics by Mass Transport Control at the Surface of Bifunctionalized Silica Nanoparticles

Chemical warfare (CW) agents are toxic chemicals that have been used in several terrorist attacks in recent years. Among CW species, nerve agents are probably the most dangerous; their high toxicity and facile synthesis underscores the need to detect these lethal compounds with quick, reliable procedures. Analytical methods based on enzymatic assays and physical measurements have generally been used to detect these hazards. However, these protocols usually have limitations such as low selectivity, poor portability, and a certain level of complexity. In recent years, several chromogenic and fluorogenic sensors, and reagents for the detection of nerve agents have been described. For instance,…

Monitoring of chicken meat freshness by means of a colorimetric sensor array

A new optoelectronic nose to monitor chicken meat ageing has been developed. It is based on 16 pigments prepared by the incorporation of different dyes (pH indicators, Lewis acids, hydrogenbonding derivatives, selective probes and natural dyes) into inorganic materials (UVM-7, silica and alumina). The colour changes of the sensor array were characteristic of chicken ageing in a modi¿ed packaging atmosphere (30% CO2¿70% N2). The chromogenic array data were processed with qualitative (PCA) and quantitative (PLS) tools. The PCA statistical analysis showed a high degree of dispersion, with nine dimensions required to explain 95% of variance. Despite this high dimensionality, a tridimensional re…

Selective, Highly Sensitive, and Rapid Detection of Genomic DNA by Using Gated Materials:MycoplasmaDetection

The coupling of gated-indicator delivery with highly specific biochemical recognition is an innovative strategy for the detection of DNA sequences, able to compete with classical methods which need PCR amplification, in important areas such as point-of-care diagnostics or detection of specific biological contaminations with pathogens. Such comparatively simple and cheap yet highly selective and sensitive assays hold promise for use in less-developed areas of the world.

Nanoscopic hybrid systems with a polarity-controlled gate-like scaffolding for the colorimetric signalling of long-chain carboxylates

Hybrid mesoporous systems containing a gate-like ensemble functionalised with imidazolium groups and a dye are used for the selective colorimetric sensing of long-chain carboxylates. Amoros del Toro, Pedro Jose, Pedro.Amoros@uv.es

Ceramic foam supported active materials for boron remediation in water

Due to the narrowrange between boron necessities and toxicity in the environment, there is a high interest in the design of effective boron remediation procedures. We have previously reported a promising boron adsorptionmaterial based on the affinity of boron aqueous species for cis-diol groups that were anchored on differentmesoporous silica matrices.However, the small particle size of these systemsmakes themdifficult to be applied on real remediation situations. In this context we report herein a novel systemfor boron adsorption fromaqueous solutions inwhich the high boron affinity for functionalized mesoporousmaterials is combined with themechanical properties of ceramic foams as macrosc…

Highly selective and sensitive chromo-fluorogenic detection of the Tetryl explosive using functional silica nanoparticles

Silica nanoparticles containing polyamines and thiol groups have been used as probes for the selective detection of Tetryl. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Precatalyst or dosing-device? The [Pd2{μ-(C6H4) PPh2}2{μ-O2C(C6H5)}2] complex anchored on a carboxypolystyrene polymer as an effective supplier of palladium catalytically active nanoparticles for the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction

Abstract A new catalyst has been synthesized from the precursor [Pd2{μ-(C6H4) PPh2}2 {μ-O2C(C6H5)}2] immobilized on a carboxypolystyrene polymer that exhibits an excellent dispersion of the Pd (II) centers, reusability, and catalytic activity in front of phenyl bromides. The activity of this new material was studied in detail for the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction and compared to that of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) supported on UVM-7 (a mesoporous silica), and Pd NPs stabilized with polyvinylpirrolydone. The homogeneous/heterogeneous character of the catalytic process was determined from the results of the hot-filtration, centrifugation, poisoning, three phases tests, and from differential sensitivity …

Host Solids Containing Nanoscale Anion-Binding Pockets and Their Use in Selective Sensing Displacement Assays

Enzyme-Responsive Intracellular Controlled Release Using Nanometric Silica Mesoporous Supports Capped with "Saccharides"

The synthesis of new capped silica mesoporous nanoparticles for on-command delivery applications is described. The gate-like functional hybrid systems consisted of nanoscopic MCM-41-based materials functionalized on the pore outlets with different “saccharide” derivatives and a dye contained in the mesopores. A series of hydrolyzed starch products as saccharides were selected. The mesoporous silica nanoparticles S1, S2, and S3 containing the grafted starch derivatives Glucidex 47, Gludicex 39, and Glucidex 29 were synthesized. Additionally, for comparative purposes solid S4 containing lactose was prepared. Delivery studies in pure water in the presence of pancreatin or -D-galactosidase were…

11B-MAS NMR approach to the boron adsorption mechanism on a glucose-functionalised mesoporous silica matrix

[EN] Boron chemistry has raised much interest because, despite the difference between necessities and toxicity being very narrow, it is still widely used in industrial processes. In a previous work we reported an adsorbent for boron extraction from water by the functionalisation of a UVM-7 mesoporous silica matrix with gluconamide moieties. The ability of this material to adsorb boron is based on its well-known affinity for coordinating the cis-diols present in attached saccharide. Although much research on the formation of boron esters with sugars and sugar derivatives in solution has been done, very few reports have dealt with the adsorption mechanism of boron onto functionalised material…

Oligonucleotide-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles as DNA-responsive dye delivery systems for genomic DNA detection

[EN] New hybrid oligonucleotide-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles able to detect genomic DNA were designed.

Highly Active Hydrogenation Catalysts Based on Pd Nanoparticles Dispersed along Hierarchical Porous Silica Covered with Polydopamine as Interfacial Glue

New catalysts based on Pd(0) nanoparticles (Pd NPs) on a bimodal porous silica of the UVM-7/polydopamine (PDA) support have been synthesized following two preparative strategies based on the sequential or joint incorporation of two components of the composite (Pd and PDA). We analyzed the role played by the PDA as &lsquo

Enzyme-Mediated Controlled Release Systems by Anchoring Peptide Sequences on Mesoporous Silica Supports

[EN] Gated community: Peptides anchored to the surface of silica mesoporous supports by a valid procedure act as gatekeepers. In this way, "zero release" supports that selectively deliver the cargo in the presence of a suitable peptidase are obtained (see picture, red spheres: cargo, colored chains: peptides). © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Low-cost materials for boron adsorption from water

[EN] Knowing the affinity of boron aqueous species for cis-diol organic groups, five different hybrid materials have been prepared by anchoring glucose groups onto the surface of silica matrices with a different surface topology: UVM-7 bimodal mesoporous silica, UVM-11 unimodal non-templated mesoporous silica, commercial silica fume and two silica xerogels with pores within the mesoporous range (13-50 nm). After optimizing the experimental conditions, a comparison was made of the boron adsorption capacities in water. The relationship of the structural and functionalization parameters is discussed and the importance of the surface topology in the final adsorption behaviour is revealed. Hence…

Very high titanium content mesoporous silicas

Titanium content in mesoporous titanosilicate catalysts has been modulated up to a minimum Si/Ti value of 1.9 by using complexing agents able to coordinate both Si and Ti atoms and harmonize the reactivity of the resulting precursors avoiding subsequent phase segregation and leading to chemically very homogeneous materials. El Haskouri, Jamal, Jamal.Haskouri@uv.es ; Beltran Porter, Aurelio, Aurelio.Beltran@uv.es ; Beltran Porter, Daniel, Daniel.Beltran@uv.es ; Amoros del Toro, Pedro Jose, Pedro.Amoros@uv.es

Towards chemical communication between gated nanoparticles.

The design of comparatively simple and modularly configurable artificial systems able to communicate through the exchange of chemical messengers is, to the best of our knowledge, an unexplored field. As a proof-of-concept, we present here a family of nanoparticles that have been designed to communicate with one another in a hierarchical manner. The concept involves the use of capped mesoporous silica supports in which the messenger delivered by a first type of gated nanoparticle is used to open a second type of nanoparticle, which delivers another messenger that opens a third group of gated nanoobjects.We believe that the conceptual idea that nanodevices can be designed to communicate with …

Borate-driven gatelike scaffolding using mesoporous materials functionalised with saccharides.

We report the development of an MCM-41 mesoporous support that is functionalised with saccharides at the pore outlets and contains the dye [Ru(bipy)(3)](2+) in the pores (solid S1; bipy = 2,2'-bipyridyl). For this hybrid system, the inhibition of mass transport of the dye from the pore voids to the bulk solution in the presence of borate is demonstrated in water at neutral pH. The formation of the corresponding boroester derivative is related to the selective reaction of borate with the appended saccharides. This control is selective and only anion borate, among several anions and cations, can act as a molecular tap and inhibit the delivery of the entrapped guest. Additionally, the S1-borat…

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Novel Lamellar Barium Derivative:  Ba(VOPO4)2·4H2O. Synthetic Pathways for Layered Oxovanadium Phosphate Hydrates M(VOPO4)2·nH2O

A unified synthetic strategy has allowed us to rationalize the preparative chemistry of the layered oxovanadium phosphates M(VOPO4)2·nH2O. Thus, we have been able to isolate as single phases with reasonable yields both all the previously characterized phosphates and a new solid containing Ba2+ cations as guest species as well as to prepare new related derivatives involving arsenate anions. In order to organize the experimental results, we have used two complementary models:  a simple restatement of the partial charge model (PCM), and the valence matching principle (VMP) (derived from the bond valence method). The crystal structure of the new barium lamellar derivative, Ba(VOPO4)2·4H2O, has …

Efficient boron removal by using mesoporous matrices grafted with saccharides.

Highly efficient boron removal from water was achieved by using mesoporous silica materials functionalised with saccharides. Beltran Porter, Daniel, Daniel.Beltran@uv.es ; Amoros del Toro, Pedro Jose, Pedro.Amoros@uv.es

Functional Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Microparticles Capped with an Azo-Derivative: A Promising Colon Drug Delivery Device

[EN] Magnetic micro-sized mesoporous silica particles were used for the preparation of a gated material able to release an entrapped cargo in the presence of an azo-reducing agent and, to some extent, at acidic pH. The magnetic mesoporous microparticles were loaded with safranin O and the external surface was functionalized with an azo derivative 1 (bearing a carbamate linkage) yielding solid S1. Aqueous suspensions of S1 at pH 7.4 showed negligible safranin O release due to the presence of the bulky azo derivative attached onto the external surface of the inorganic scaffold. However, in the presence of sodium dithionite (azoreductive agent), a remarkable safranin O delivery was observed. A…

Improving epoxide production using Ti-UVM-7 porous nanosized catalysts

Nanosized Ti-UVM-7 materials with a hierarchical system of pores at two different length scales have been prepared through a one-pot procedure by using a simple template agent; the catalytic activity and selectivity of the resulting materials in bulky olefin epoxidation by organic peroxides are the highest reported to date.

Synthetic Pathways for New Tubular Transition Metal Hydroxo- and Fluoro-Selenites: Crystal Structures ofM12(X)2(SeO3)8(OH)6(M=Co2+,Ni2+;X= OH−)

The dumortierite-family structuresM12X2(SeO3)8(OH)6(M= Co2+and Ni2+;X= OH−and F−) have been synthesized. The crystal structures of the hydroxo-derivatives have been refined from X?ray powder diffraction data in the space groupP63mc(Z= 1) witha= 12.887(3) A andc= 4.981(4) A (M= Co2+,X= OH−or F−) anda= 12.704(5) A andc= 4.925(6) A (M= Ni2+,X= OH−or F−). Application of the Partial Charge Transference Model allows the understanding of the selenite derivatives crystal chemistry.

Chromo-Fluorogenic Detection of Nitroaromatic Explosives by Using Silica Mesoporous Supports Gated with Tetrathiafulvalene Derivatives

[EN] Three new hybrid gated mesoporous materials (SN3-1, SNH2-2, and SN3-3) loaded with the dye [Ru(bipy)(3)](2+) (bipy=bipyridine) and capped with different tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives (having different sizes and shapes and incorporating different numbers of sulfur atoms) have been prepared. The materials SN3-1 and SN3-3 are functionalized on their external surfaces with the TTF derivatives 1 and 3, respectively, which were attached by employing the click chemistry reaction, whereas SNH2-2 incorporates the TTF derivative 2, which was anchored to the solid through an amidation reaction. The final gated materials have been characterized by standard techniques. Suspensions of these s…

Antibody-Capped Mesoporous Nanoscopic Materials: Design of a Probe for the Selective Chromo-Fluorogenic Detection of Finasteride

[EN] The synthesis of capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) conjugated with an antibody (AB) as a gatekeeper has been carried out in order to obtain a delivery system able to release an entrapped cargo (dye) in the presence of a target molecule (antigen) to which the conjugated antibody binds selectively. In particular, MSN loaded with rhodamine B and functionalized on the external surface with a suitable derivative of N-(t-butyl)- 3-oxo-(5a,17b)-4-aza-androst-1-ene-17-carboxamide (finasteride) have been prepared (S1). The addition of polyclonal antibodies against finasteride induced capping of the pores due to the interaction with the anchored hapten-like finasteride derivative to g…

A new method for fluoride determination by using fluorophores and dyes anchored onto MCM-41Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: IR spectra, SEM images, X-ray diffraction patterns and TG/TD analysis. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b1/b111128k/

A new colourimetric and fluorimetric method for fluoride determination in aqueous samples based on the specific reaction between fluoride and silica has been developed and applied on real samples.

Delivery modulation in silica mesoporous supports via alkyl chain pore outlet decoration

This article focuses on the study of the release rate in a family of modified silica mesoporous supports. A collection of solids containing ethyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, octadecyl, docosyl, and triacontyl groups anchored on the pore outlets of mesoporous MCM-41 has been prepared and characterized. Controlled release from pore voids has been studied through the delivery of the dye complex tris(2,2¿-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II). Delivery rates were found to be dependent on the alkyl chain length anchored on the pore outlets of the mesoporous scaffolding. Moreover, release rates follow a Higuchi diffusion model, and Higuchi constants for the different hybrid solids have been calculated. A decr…

The Determination of Methylmercury in Real Samples Using Organically Capped Mesoporous Inorganic Materials Capable of Signal Amplification

Nitroarene hydrogenation catalysts based on Pd nanoparticles glued with PDA on inorganic supports: Multivariate Curve Resolution as an useful tool to compare the catalytic activity in multi-step reactions

[EN] Two green catalysts based on Pd(0) nanoparticles (Pd NPs) anchored through PDA on porous silica and magnetite have been synthesized using a generalized simple and reproducible "two-step" methodology. Both catalysts were tested for a model reaction, the hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol using NaBH4 as the hydrogenating agent, and especially good activity has been achieved in the case of the catalysts containing magnetite as inorganic core (Pd NPs-PDA@Fe3O4). We analyzed the effect associated with the catalyst separation method (centrifugation or magnetically) that affect to the distribution and aggregation degree of the Pd NPs. In addition, we also correlate the final catalyst morphology w…

ChemInform Abstract: Enhanced Surface Area in Thermally Stable Pure Mesoporous TiO2.

Abstract We describe here for the first time the surfactant-assisted synthesis of thermally stable mesoporous pure TiO 2 having a high surface area. Our synthetic approach to the chemistry of this system is based on the equilibrium between the hydrolysis and condensation reactions of the inorganic species and the organic–inorganic self-assembling processes. The use of titanatrane complexes helps to retard the hydrolysis and condensation reactions, thus allowing us to overcome the difficulties in preparing titanium dioxide mesoporous materials starting from highly reactive Ti-alkoxides. The mesoporous material has been characterized by TEM, XRD and N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and dis…

Glucose-triggered release using enzyme-gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

[EN] A new gated nanodevice design able to control cargo delivery using glucose as a trigger and cyclodextrin-modified glucose oxidase as a capping agent is reported.

A new efficient, highly dispersed, Pd nanoparticulate silica supported catalyst synthesized from an organometallic precursor. Study of the homogeneous vs. heterogeneous activity in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction

[EN] A new Pd(0) catalyst supported on silica UVM-7 has been synthesized from the organometallic [Pd-2(mu-(C6H4) Pp(2))(2)(CH3CN)(4)](BF4)(2) precursor, characterized by the high dispersion, activity, and small size of the palladium nanoclusters fixed on the silica surface. The catalyst was tested for the Suzuki-Miyaura (SM) reaction of different 4-substitutedphenyl halides with phenylboronic acid. The kinetic study concurs with most of the catalytic action was carried out by Pd species originated by the partial solubilization of Pd immobilized on mesoporous silica. The Schmidt's analysis of differential selectivity (SADS) in several competitive SM reactions, together the STEM-HAADF and HRT…

Polyaza and azaoxa macrocyclic receptors functionalised with fluorescent subunits; Hg2+ selective signalling

A polyazacycloalkane containing naphthyl groups, 1,4,8,11-tetrakis(naphthylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L1), and the azaoxa cycloalkane receptors containing anthracenyl groups, 7,13-bis(anthracenylmethyl)-1,4,10-trioxa-7,13-diazacyclopentadecane (L2) and 10-anthracenylmethyl-1,4,7-trioxa-10-azacyclododecane (L3), have been synthesized and their activity as fluorescent chemosensors studied towards the metal cations Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+ in THF–water (70∶30 v/v, 0.1 mol dm−3 tetrabutylammonium perchlorate, 25 °C) for L1 and 1,4-dioxane–water (70∶30 v/v, 0.1 mol dm−3 potassium nitrate, 25 °C) for L2 and L3. The crystal structure of the complex [Cd(L1)(Cl)][PF6] has been…

Dual Enzyme-Triggered Controlled Release on Capped Nanometric Silica Mesoporous Supports

The development of nanoscopic hybrid materials equipped with “molecular gates” showing the ability of releasing target entrapped guests upon the application of an external trigger has attracted great attention and has been extensively explored during recent years.1 These nanodevices are composed of two subunits, namely, a suitable support and certain capping entities grafted on the surface of the scaffolding.2 The support is used as a suitable reservoir in which certain chemicals can be stored whereas the molecules grafted in the outer surface act as a “gate” and can control the release of the entrapped molecules at will. Both components are carefully selected and arranged in order to achie…

Gold Nanoparticle-Assisted Virus Formation by Means of the Delivery of an Oncolytic Adenovirus Genome

[EN] Oncolytic adenoviruses are a therapeutic alternative to treat cancer based on their ability to replicate selectively in tumor cells. However, their use is limited mainly by the neutralizing antibody (Nab) immune response that prevents repeated dosing. An alternative to facilitate the DNA access to the tumor even in the presence of anti-viral Nabs could be gold nanoparticles able to transfer DNA molecules. However, the ability of these nanoparticles to carry large DNA molecules, such as an oncolytic adenovirus genome, has not been studied. In this work, gold nanoparticles were functionalized with different amounts of polyethylenimine to transfer in a safe and efficient manner a large on…

Enzyme-responsive silica mesoporous supports capped with azopyridinium salts for controlled delivery applications

11 páginas, 7 figuras, 3 tablas y 2 esquemas

Enhanced surface area in thermally stable pure mesoporous TiO2

Abstract We describe here for the first time the surfactant-assisted synthesis of thermally stable mesoporous pure TiO 2 having a high surface area. Our synthetic approach to the chemistry of this system is based on the equilibrium between the hydrolysis and condensation reactions of the inorganic species and the organic–inorganic self-assembling processes. The use of titanatrane complexes helps to retard the hydrolysis and condensation reactions, thus allowing us to overcome the difficulties in preparing titanium dioxide mesoporous materials starting from highly reactive Ti-alkoxides. The mesoporous material has been characterized by TEM, XRD and N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and dis…

Surfactant-Assisted Synthesis of Mesoporous Alumina Showing Continuously Adjustable Pore Sizes

Porous materials displaying tailor-made pore sizes and shapes are particularly interesting in a great variety of real and potential applications where molecular recognition is needed, such as shape-selective catalysis, molecular sieving, and selective adsorption. Classically, apart from silica, materials most commonly used for catalysis and catalyst supports have been those based on high surface aluminas, owing to their thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability and their low cost. Earlier aluminas with high surface areas (~500 m/g) had been prepared using structure-directing agents. However, they were X-ray amorphous materials and their porosity was purely textural, characterized by wide …

Towards the Loewenstein limit (Si/Al = 1) in thermally stable mesoporous aluminosilicates

The use of complexing agents to generate polynuclear precursor species containing both Al and Si allows the synthesis of thermally stable mesoporous aluminosilicates including solely tetrahedrally coordinated aluminium, in which the Si/Al ratio can be modulated down to a minimum Si/Al value of 1.06(4). Cabrera Medina, Saul, Saul.Cabrera@uv.es ; El Haskouri, Jamal, Jamal.Haskouri@uv.es ; Latorre Saborit, Julio, Julio.Latorre@uv.es ; Beltran Porter, Aurelio, Aurelio.Beltran@uv.es ; Beltran Porter, Daniel, Daniel.Beltran@uv.es ; Amoros del Toro, Pedro Jose, Pedro.Amoros@uv.es

Amidase-responsive controlled release of antitumoral drug into intracellular media using gluconamide-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles

MCM-41 silica nanoparticles were used as inorganic scaffolding to prepare a nanoscopic-capped hybrid material S1, which was able to release an entrapped cargo in the presence of certain enzymes, whereas in the absence of enzymes, a zero release system was obtained. S1 was prepared by loading nanoparticles with Safranine O dye and was then capped with a gluconamide derivative. In the absence of enzymes, the release of the dye from the aqueous suspensions of S1 was inhibited as a result of the steric hindrance imposed by the bulky gluconamide derivative, the polymerized gluconamide layer and the formation of a dense hydrogen-bonded network around the pore outlets. Upon the addition of amidase…

Silica-based powders and monoliths with bimodal pore systemsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: UV–Vis spectrum of sample 3. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b1/b110883b/

Porous pure and doped silicas with pore sizes at two length scales (meso/macroporous) have been prepared and shaped both as powders and monoliths through a one-pot surfactant assisted procedure by using a simple template agent and starting from atrane complexes as inorganic precursors.

Cu2+-cyclam complex functionalised with naphthylmethyl fluorescent signalling subunits as fluorescent chemosensors for sulfate in aqueous environment.

Abstract The fluorescent behaviour of the polyazacycloalkane containing naphthyl groups 1,4,8,11-tetrakis(naphthylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L 1 ) and its Cu 2+ complex in the presence of anions are compared in aqueous environment (THF:water 70:30 v/v, 0.1 mol dm −3 tetrabutylammonium perchlorate, 25°C). The emission fluorescent intensity of the L 1 –Cu 2+ system is selectively enhanced in the presence of sulfate at acid pH.

High content and dispersion of Gd in bimodal porous silica: T2 contrast agents under ultra-high magnetic fields

Silica-based UVM-7-type bimodal mesoporous materials with high gadolinium content (∞ ≥ Si/Gd ≥ 13) have been synthesized through a one-pot surfactant-assisted procedure from hydroalcoholic solution using a cationic surfactant as template, and starting from atrane complexes of Gd and Si as inorganic precursors. The novel synthetic pathway developed in the study preserves the UVM-7-type architecture while optimizing the dispersion of the Gd-guest species at the nanoscale and even at atomic level. It has been determined that the number of Gd atoms forming clusters is always less than 10. The behaviour under exposure to ultra-high magnetic fields reveals a significant increase in the transversa…

New Methods for Anion Recognition and Signaling Using Nanoscopic Gatelike Scaffoldings

Co2+ Translocation in a Terpyridine−Cyclam Ditopic Receptor

The coordination behaviour of the ditopic receptor of 1-[p-(2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyrid-4′-yl)tolyl]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L1) towards Co2+ in acetonitrile/water (70:30, v/v) has been investigated. At acidic pH values, the L1−H+−Co2+ system shows an oxidation wave at 150 mV vs. SCE, characteristic of Co2+ in a bis(terpyridine) environment. Upon addition of OH−, a reduction in the intensity of the wave at 150 mV is observed and a new oxidation wave appears at 1.30 V. This new wave is close to that found for [Co(cyclam)]2+ under similar working conditions. The electrochemical data thus suggest that there is a pH-controlled translocation of the Co2+ ion from the bis(terpyridine) to the c…

Selective opening of nanoscopic capped mesoporous inorganic materials with nerve agent simulants; an application to design chromo-fluorogenic probes.

A hybrid nanoscopic capped mesoporous material, that is selectively opened in the presence of nerve agent simulants, has been prepared and used as a probe for the chromo-fluorogenic detection of these chemicals. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

One‐Pot Synthesis of Superparamagnetic CoO‐MCM‐41 Nanocomposites with Uniform and Highly Dispersed Magnetic Nanoclusters

Superparamagnetic CoO-MCM-41 mesoporous nanocomposites, with variable cobalt amounts, in the form of well-dispersed CoO-like clusters, were prepared in a large compositional range by a one-step reproducible procedure employing co-hydrolysis and co-condensation of the inorganic precursors in a water/triethanolamine medium. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)

Bases for the synthesis of nanoparticulated silicas with bimodal hierarchical porosity

Porous silicas with pore sizes at two length scales (meso and large meso/macroporous) have been prepared through a one-pot surfactant assisted procedure by using a simple template agent and starting from silicon atrane complexes as hydrolytic inorganic precursors. The special organization of these bimodal porous silicas can be related to the nanometric character of their constituent mesoporous particles. Whereas the small intra-particle mesopore system is generated by the templating effect of the surfactant, the large pore system is defined by inter-particle voids. We have studied the effect of different procedural parameters on the small pore system and also on the nucleation and growth of…

Design of enzyme-mediated controlled release systems based on silica mesoporous supports capped with ester-glycol groups

[EN] An ethylene glycol-capped hybrid material for the controlled release of molecules in the presence of esterase enzyme has been prepared. The final organic-inorganic hybrid solid S1 was synthesized by a two-step procedure. In the first step, the pores of an inorganic MCM-41 support (in the form of nanoparticles) were loaded with [Ru(bipy) 3]Cl 2 complex, and then, in the second step, the pore outlets were functionalized with ester glycol moieties that acted as molecular caps. In the absence of an enzyme, release of the complex from aqueous suspensions of S1 at pH 8.0 is inhibited due to the steric hindrance imposed by the bulky ester glycol moieties. Upon addition of esterase enzyme, del…

Anthrylmethylamine functionalised mesoporous silica-based materials as hybrid fluorescent chemosensors for ATP

A number of functionalised mesoporous solids containing anchored anthrylmethylamine groups have been prepared using different co-hydrolysis or grafting synthetic routes. The solids have been characterised using standard solid-state techniques. Solids with a low loading of the anthrylmethylamine probe show typical well defined and structured emission bands centred at ca. 415 nm. Addition of ATP to suspensions of these solids at pH 2.8 resulted in a quenching of the anthracene emission. These solids showed a cooperative effect that resulted in quite a remarkable improvement in ATP response with respect to the free anthrylmethylamine probe in solution. Certain prepared solids showed a remarkab…

Selektiver, hoch empfindlicher und schneller Nachweis genomischer DNA mit gesteuerten Materialien am Beispiel vonMycoplasma

[DE] Mit DNA verschlossene und mit Farbstoff beladene mesoporöse Siliciumdioxid-Nanopartikel wurden zum Nachweis von Mycoplasma bis zu einer Nachweisgrenze von ca. 70 genomischen DNA-Kopien pro mu-L in real kontaminierten Zellkulturmedien ohne die Hilfe von PCR-Techniken eingesetzt.

Biocompatibility and internalization assessment of bare and functionalised mesoporous silica nanoparticles

[EN] We report herein an evaluation of the effect of several mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) on the cellular uptake and in vitro cytotoxicity in human cells. Bare MSNs and MSNs functionalized with polyethylene glycol or hyaluronic acid are employed to evaluate uptake efficiency and mechanisms of endocytosis in cancer (MDA-MB-231) and non-cancer (MCF10A) cells. Moreover, changes in viability, cell cycle, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial membrane potential are evaluated. Our results confirm that MSNs are internalized efficiently by human cells and that uptake mechanisms differ for cell types and particles. We also confirm that MSNs are biocompatible materials that do not induce ROS/…

Über den chemischen Informationsaustausch zwischen gesteuerten Nanopartikeln

Das Design von vergleichsweise einfachen und modular konfigurierbaren k nstlichen Systemen, die ber den Austausch von chemischen Botenstoffen miteinander kommunizieren kçnnen, ist unseres Wissens ein bislang unerforschtes Gebiet. In einer grundlegenden Arbeit pr sentieren wir hier eine Serie von Nanopartikeln, die in hierarchischer Art und Weise miteinander kommunizieren kçnnen. Das Konzept beruht auf gedeckelten mesoporçsen Silikat-Tr gern, bei denen der aus einem ersten Typ von gesteuerten Nanopartikeln freigesetzte chemische Botenstoff einen zweiten Typ von gedeckelten Nanopartikeln çffnet, welche wiederum einen anderen Botenstoff freisetzen, die eine dritte Gruppe von gesteuerten Nanoob…

Fluorogenic detection of Tetryl and TNT explosives using nanoscopic-capped mesoporous hybrid materials

[EN] A hybrid capped mesoporous material, which was selectively opened in the presence of Tetryl and TNT, has been synthesised and used for the fluorogenic recognition of these nitroaromatic explosives.

Fluorogenic Sensing of Carcinogenic Bisphenol A using Aptamer-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

[EN] Mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with rhodamine B and capped with a bisphenol A aptamer were used for the selective and sensitive detection of this lethal chemical. The pores of the nanoparticles are selectively opened in the presence of bisphenol A (through its selective coordination with the aptamer) with subsequent rhodamine B delivery. With this capped material a limit of detection as low as 3.5 mu m of bisphenol A was measured.

Fatty Acid Carboxylate- and Anionic Surfactant-Controlled Delivery Systems That Use Mesoporous Silica Supports

We report the preparation of a MCM-41 mesoporous material that contains the dye [Ru(bipy) 3 ]Cl 2 (bipy= bipyridine) inside the mesopores and functionalised with suitable binding groups at the entrance of the pores. Solids S1―S3 were obtained by the reaction of the mesoporous material with N-methyl-N'-propyltrimethoxysilylimidazolium chloride, N-phenyl-N'-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]thiourea, or N-phenyl-N'-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propy1]urea, respectively. A study of the dye delivery of these systems in buffered water (pH 7.0, 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES), 10 ―3 mol dm ―3 ) in the presence of a family of carboxylate ions was carried out. In the interaction of …

X-ray powder diffraction data for some transition metal phosphites and hypophosphites

A set of nine transition metal oxophosphorous compounds, consisting of four hypophosphites and five phosphites has been synthesized and studied using X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The compounds are α-Mn(H2PO2)2·H2O, Co(H2PO2)2 ·0.53H2O, MCl(H2PO2)2·H2O (M = Co2+, Ni2+), M2(HPO3)2·2H2O (M = Co2+, Ni2+), and M11 (HPO3)8(OH)6 (M = Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+). Unit cells and X-ray powder patterns are reported.

Ferrocene containing chelating ligands 3. Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, electrochemical behaviour and interaction with metal ions of new ligands obtained by condensation of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde with 2-amino-benzoic acid derivatives. Crystal structures of 2-ferrocenylmethylamino-5-methyl-benzoic acid and 2-bis(ferrocenylmethyl)ammonium-5-methyl-benzoic acid perchlorate

Abstract Ferrocenecarboxaldehyde reacts with 2-amino-benzoic acid, 2-amino-5-methyl-benzoic acid or 3-amino-2-naphthoic acid to give the corresponding Schiff-base derivatives 2-ferrocenylmethylidenimino-benzoic acid (1), 2-ferrocenylmethylidenimino-5-methyl-benzoic acid (2) and 3-ferrocenylmethylidenimino-2-naphthoic acid (3). 1, 2 and 3 are stable in the solid state but easily hydrolyze in solution. This hydrolysis has been studied kinetically in a methanol-water medium. In order to increase the stability in solution to use these compounds as ligands, the imino group from 1, 2 and 3 was reduced by NaBH4 to give the amino derivatives 2-ferrocenylmethylamino-benzoic acid (4), 2-ferrocenylmet…

Sensory hybrid host materials for the selective chromo-fluorogenic detection of biogenic amines

[EN] Pyrylium-containing mesoporous materials have been used for the chromo-fluorogenic sensing of biogenic amines in an aqueous environment.

Tuning the pore size from micro- to meso-porous in thermally stable aluminophosphates

Thermally stable porous aluminophosphates (ICMUV-3) with P/Al molar ratios in the range 0.15 <= P/Al <= 0.75 and showing continuously adjustable pore sizes from 13 to 37 Å have been prepared through a surfactant-assisted procedure without changing the surfactant length and/or addition of organic expansors. Cabrera Medina, Saul, Saul.Cabrera@uv.es ; El Haskouri, Jamal, Jamal.Haskouri@uv.es ; Beltran Porter, Aurelio, Aurelio.Beltran@uv.es ; Beltran Porter, Daniel, Daniel.Beltran@uv.es ; Amoros del Toro, Pedro Jose, Pedro.Amoros@uv.es

Gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the controlled delivery of drugs in cancer cells

In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been used as effective supports for the development of controlled-release nanodevices that are able to act as multifunctional delivery platforms for the encapsulation of therapeutic agents, enhancing their bioavailability and overcoming common issues such as poor water solubility and poor stability of some drugs. In particular, redox-responsive delivery systems have attracted the attention of scientists because of the intracellular reductive environment related to a high concentration of glutathione (GSH). In this context, we describe herein the development of a GSH-responsive delivery system based on poly(ethylene glycol)- (PEG-)…

Prediction of Magnetic Properties in Oxovanadium(IV) Phosphates: The Role of the Bridging PO4 Anions

Oxovanadium phosphates constitute a crystallochemically very rich family that, in turn, results in a seemingly intricate magnetochemistry including from isolated dimers to 3-D systems. This magnetic diversity is due, in part, to the possible participation of phosphate groups in the spin transfer between VIV centers. This way, 31P solid-state NMR becomes a key tool in determining the exchange paths involving phosphorus orbitals. The magnetic behavior of several layered oxovanadium phosphates M(VOPO4)2·4H2O (M = Na+, Ca2+, Ba2+, and Pb2+) has been investigated. Like it occurs in the case of other previously studied lamellar derivatives, the best fit of the temperature-dependent magnetic susce…

Generalised syntheses of ordered mesoporous oxides: the atrane route

Abstract A new simple and versatile technique to obtain mesoporous oxides is presented. While implying surfactant-assisted formation of mesostructured intermediates, the original chemical contribution of this approach lies in the use of atrane complexes as precursors. Without prejudice to their inherent unstability in aqueous solution, the atranes show a marked inertness towards hydrolysis. Bringing kinetic factors into play, it becomes possible to control the processes involved in the formation of the surfactant–inorganic phase composite micelles, which constitute the elemental building blocks of the mesostructures. Independent of the starting compositional complexity, both the mesostructu…

Crystal structure of a new polytype in the V–P–O system: is ω-VOPO4 a dynamically stabilised metastable network?

Abstract ω-VOPO 4 has been prepared by thermal decomposition of different oxovanadium hydrogen phosphates, namely VO(HPO 4 ) n H 2 O ( n =2( α ), 2(β) and 4) and β-NH 4 (VO 2 )(HPO 4 ). The ω-VOPO 4 phase only remains well crystallised at relatively high temperatures. Its crystal structure has been determined ab initio from X-ray powder diffraction data collected at 475°C. The cell is tetragonal (space group P4 2 /mmc) with a =4.8552(3) A and c =8.4301(6) A. Starting positional parameters were obtained by direct methods, and the structure was refined using Rietveld profile refinement principles. Disorder of two oxygen sublattices is observed. To rationalise some features of the crystal stru…

Finely Tuned Temperature-Controlled Cargo Release Using Paraffin-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

[EN] Trapped: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles were loaded with a fluorescent guest and functionalized with octadecyltrimethoxysilane. The alkyl chains interact with paraffins, which build a hydrophobic layer around the particle (see picture). Upon melting of the paraffin, the guest molecule is released, as demonstrated in cells for the guest doxorubicin. The release temperature can be tuned by choosing an appropriate paraffin. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

ChemInform Abstract: New Trends in V-P-O Solids

On the basis of the industrial interest of the oxovanadium phosphate catalysts, current research effort in this field is focused mainly on the development of synthetic strategies directed towards obtaining open-framework materials. There is a growing body of work describing preparations using hydrothermal procedures under a diversity of conditions. A great number of new solids, whose nets range from lamellar arrays to micro- and mesostructured organizations, has been prepared in last years. In this context, the applicability of concepts and procedures from the zeolites chemistry to systems involving transition elements is critically analyzed.

Generalized “one-pot” preparative strategy to obtain highly functionalized silica-based mesoporous spherical particles

In this work we present a synthesis strategy for the preparation of Stöber-type mesoporous particles functionalized with inorganic species. The procedure is based on a combination of the Atrane and the Stöber methods. Both as a source of silicon and of the incorporated heteroelements (Fe, Zn, Al, Ti) the corresponding atrane complexes are used as hydrolytic reagents. These complexes are easily formed by reaction with triethanolamine. Mesoporosity is achieved using surfactant micelles as templates. Obtaining uniform spherical particles is achieved by optimizing the amount of water-ethanol in the reaction medium. The particle sizes have been modulated by controlling simple parameters such as …

Bis(terpyridyl)-ruthenium(II) units attached to polyazacycloalkanes as sensing fluorescent receptors for transition metal ions

A synthetic strategy has been devised for the preparation of new compounds in which terpyridyl fragments are linked to 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam). Reaction of excess cyclam with 4′-[(4-bromomethyl)phenyl]-2,2′:2″,6′-terpyridine afforded the ligand 1-[4′-p-tolyl-(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridyl)]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L1) in which the tetraaza macrocycle was covalently attached to one benzyl-terpyridyl fragment. Under similar conditions reaction of cyclam with excess 4′-[(4-bromomethyl)phenyl]-2,2′:2″,6′-terpyridine gave the tetra substituted cyclam derivative 1,4,8,11-[4′-p-tolyl-(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridyl)]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L2). The multidentate ligand L2 w…

A Mesoporous 3D Hybrid Material with Dual Functionality for Hg2+Detection and Adsorption

Dual-function hybrid material U1 was designed for simultaneous chromofluorogenic detection and removal of Hg(2+) in an aqueous environment. Mesoporous material UVM-7 (MCM41 type) with homogeneously distributed pores of about 2-3 nm in size, a large specific surface area exceeding 1000 m(2) g(-1), and nanoscale particles was used as an inorganic support. The mesoporous solid is decorated with thiol groups that were treated with squaraine dye III to give a 2,4-bis(4-dialkylaminophenyl)-3-hydroxy-4-alkylsulfanylcyclobut-2-enone (APC) derivative that is covalently anchored to the inorganic silica matrix. The solid was characterised by various techniques including X-ray diffraction, transmission…

Nanosensor for Sensitive Detection of the New Psychedelic Drug 25I-NBOMe.

[EN] This work reports the synthesis, characterization, and sensing behavior of a hybrid nanodevice for the detection of the potent abuse drug 25I-NBOMe. The system is based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles, loaded with a fluorescent dye, functionalized with a serotonin derivative and capped with the 5-HT2A receptor antibody. In the presence of 25I-NBOMe the capping antibody is displaced, leading to pore opening and rhodamine B release. This delivery was ascribed to 5-HT2A receptor antibody detachment from the surface due to its stronger coordination with 25I-NBOMe present in the solution. The prepared nanodevice allowed the sensitive (limit of detection of 0.6 mm) and selective recogniti…