Combined use of hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin and ionic liquids for the simultaneous enantioseparation of four azole antifungals by CE and a study of the synergistic effect

A CE method employing a dual system of hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD) and ionic liquids (ILs) has been developed for the simultaneous enantioseparation of four azole antifungals for the first time. In this study, three different types of ILs were employed as modifiers and among them dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride was found to be the most effective. The effects of the concentration, cations, and anions of ILs on the enantioseparation were investigated. With the developed dual system, all the enantiomers were well separated in resolutions of 3.8, 3.5, 2.8, and 2.5 for miconazole, econazole, ketoconazole, and itraconazole, respectively. The interactions between dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and HP‐β‐CD were also studied using a neutral polyacrylamide coated capillary and ¹H NMR spectroscopy to further explore the synergistic effect involved. It was found that ILs improved the enantioseparation not only by changing the EOF, but also by interactions with HP‐β‐CD that could change its ability of forming inclusion complex with the enantiomers.     

Development of a solid‐phase microextraction fiber by the chemical binding of graphene oxide on a silver‐coated stainless‐steel wire with an ionic liquid as the crosslinking agent

Graphene oxide was bonded onto a silver‐coated stainless‐steel wire using an ionic liquid as the crosslinking agent by a layer‐by‐layer strategy. The novel solid‐phase microextraction fiber was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and Raman microscopy. A multilayer graphene oxide layer was closely coated onto the supporting substrate. The thickness of the coating was about 4 μm. Coupled with gas chromatography, the fiber was evaluated using five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (fluorene, anthracene, fluoranthene, 1,2‐benzophenanthrene, and benzo(a)pyrene) as model analytes in direct‐immersion mode. The main conditions (extraction time, extraction temperature, ionic strength, and desorption time) were optimized by a factor‐by‐factor optimization. The as‐established method exhibited a wide linearity range (0.5–200 μg/L) and low limits of determination (0.05–0.10 μg/L). It was applied to analyze environmental water samples of rain and river water. Three kinds of the model analytes were quantified and the recoveries of samples spiked at 10 μg/L were in the range of 92.3–120 and 93.8–115%, respectively. The obtained results indicated the fiber was efficient for solid‐phase microextraction analysis.     

Development and evaluation of gas and liquid chromatographic methods for the analysis of fatty amines

In contrast to the plethora of publications on the separation of fatty acids, analogous studies involving fatty amines are scarce. A recently introduced ionic‐liquid‐based capillary column for GC was used to separate trifluoroacetylated fatty amines focusing on the analysis of a commercial sample. Using the ionic liquid column (isothermal mode at 200°C) it was possible to separate linear primary fatty amines from C₁₂ to C₂₂ chain length in less 25 min with MS identification. The log of the amine retention factors are linearly related to the alkyl chain length with a methylene selectivity of 0.117 kcal/mol for the saturated amines and 0.128 kcal/mol for the mono‐unsaturated amines. The sp² selectivity for unsaturated fatty amines also could be calculated as 0.107 kcal/mol for the ionic liquid column. The commercial sample was quantified by GC with flame ionization detection (FID). An LC method also was developed with a reversed phase gradient separation using acetonitrile/formate buffer mobile phases and ESI‐MS detection. Native amines could be detected and identified by their single ion monitoring chromatograms even when partial coelution was observed. The analysis of the commercial sample returned results coherent with those obtained by GC–FID and with the manufacturer's data.     

GPCR A2A AR腺苷受体蛋白的激动剂结合及其诱导的蛋白活性开关构象变化

运用分子动力学模拟,研究了腺苷酸（激动剂）与A2AAR腺苷受体蛋白的相互作用和配体结合诱导的蛋白动力学变化．识别了与腺苷酸结合力强于0．5kcal／mol的关键基团：A63^2．61,I66^2．64,V84^3.32,L85^3.33,T88^3.36,F168^5.29,M177^5.38,L249^6.51,H250^6.52和N253^6.55,观察到腺苷酸没有与L167^5.28相互作用,这一结果支持了L167^5.28是抑制剂特异性结合位点,不与激动剂结合．未结合配体（激动剂或抑制剂）的单体A2AAR和腺苷酸结合后的A2AAR在构象上有三个不同功能性开关．腺苷酸结合可以诱导A2AAR腺苷受体蛋白的构象调整,使得三个功能性开关器件的构象与单体A2AAR不同．     

Density and viscosity of three (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) ionic liquid binary systems

Densities and viscosities were determined for binary mixtures of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]) or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([bmim][NTf₂]) over the entire range of composition. The experimental measurements were carried out at temperatures ranging from 278.15 K to 333.15 K, at atmospheric pressure. The densities and viscosities of the pure ionic liquids and their mixtures with TFE were described successfully by an empirical third-order polynomial and by the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equation, respectively. In addition, excess molar volumes and viscosity deviations were determined from densities and viscosities of mixtures, respectively, and fitted by using the Redlich–Kister equation.     

Quaternary (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data for the extraction of toluene from alkanes using the ionic liquid [EMim][MSO4]

(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) studies for the extraction of aromatics from alkanes present in the petroleum fractions are important to develop theoretical/semiempirical (liquid + liquid) equilibrium models, which are used in the design of extraction processes. In this work, the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, [EMim][MSO₄], was evaluated as potential solvent for the separation of toluene from heptane and cyclohexane. The LLE data for the quaternary system {heptane (1) + cyclohexane (2) + toluene (3) + [EMim][MSO₄] (4)} were experimentally determined at T = 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. Moreover, the LLE data for the ternary systems {heptane or cyclohexane (1) + toluene (2) + [EMim][MSO₄] (3)} were also determined. Solute distribution ratios and selectivities were calculated and analysed in order to evaluate the capability of the ionic liquid to accomplish the separation target. A comparison between the solute distribution ratios and selectivities for the quaternary and the ternary systems was also made. Finally, the experimental tie-line data were correlated with the NRTL model.     

水下超疏油聚(3,4-乙烯基二氧)噻吩薄膜的制备简

以离子液体溴化(1-己基-3-甲基咪唑盐)作为电解质和掺杂剂采用电化学一步法制备了微纳米复合结构的聚(3,4-乙烯基二氧噻吩)薄膜,薄膜由槽内排布着纳米珠链的棒状结构组成. 研究表明,通过控制电流密度的大小,可以调节棒状结构和珠状结构的平均直径. 离子液体中的咪唑阳离子和对阴离子均掺杂到聚合物中,该薄膜具有可逆的电化学活性及水下超疏油特性.     

Ionic liquids as precursors for highly luminescent,surface-different nitrogen-doped carbon dots used for label-free detection of Cu/Fe and cell imaging

Carbon nanodots (C-Dots) have attracted much attention in recent years due to their low cost, ready scalability, excellent chemical stability, biocompatibility and multicolor luminescence. Here, we report a facile strategy for producing highly luminescent, surface-different nitrogen-doped carbon dots (C-Dots) by using different ionic liquids (ILs). Intriguingly, the surface-different C-Dots show different selectivity for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example which shows that ILs are excellent precursors for producing luminescent nanomaterial used for detection of different metal ions. The resultant nitrogen-doped C-Dots are highly photoluminescent and can be used for multicolor bioimaging. Most notable, by taking different ILs as precursors, we obtain surface-different C-Dots, which can be directly used for selective detection of Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ without any modification. These C-Dots based sensors exhibit high sensitivity and selectivity and the sensing process can be easily accomplished with one-step rapid operation. More importantly, compared with other method using QDs, organic dyes and organic solvent, this strategy is much more eco-friendly. This work may offer a new approach for developing low cost and sensitive C-Dots-based sensors for biological and environmental applications.     

Organic-coated silver nanoparticles in biological and environmental conditions: Fate,stability and toxicity

This review paper presents the overview of processes involved in transformation of organic-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in biological systems and in the aquatic environment. The coating on AgNPs greatly influences the fate, stability, and toxicity of AgNPs in aqueous solutions, biological systems, and the environment. Several organic-coated AgNP systems are discussed to understand their stability and toxicity in biological media and natural water. Examples are presented to demonstrate how a transformation of organic-coated AgNPs in an aqueous solution is affected by the type of coating, pH, kind of electrolyte (mono- or divalent), ionic strength, organic ligands (inorganic and organic), organic matter (fulvic and humic acids), redox conditions (oxic and anoxic), and light. Results of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and ecotoxicity of coated AgNPs to food chain members (plants, bacteria, and aquatic and terrestrial organisms) are reviewed. Key factors contributing to toxicity are the size, shape, surface coating, surface charge, and conditions of silver ion release. AgNPs may directly damage the cell membranes, disrupt ATP production and DNA replication, alternate gene expressions, release toxic Ag⁺ ion, and produce reactive oxygen species to oxidize biological components of the cell. A progress made on understanding the mechanism of organic-coated AgNP toxicity using different analytical techniques is presented.     

Prussian blue–gold nanoparticles-ionic liquid functionalized reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite as label for ultrasensitive electrochemical immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein

In this work, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) protected Prussian blue/gold nanoparticles/ionic liquid functionalized reduced graphene oxide (IL-rGO-Au-PDDA-PB) nanocomposite was fabricated. The resulting nanocomposite exhibited high biocompatibility, conductivity and catalytic activity. To assess the performance of the nanocomposite, a sensitive sandwich-type immunosensor was constructed for detecting alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Greatly enhanced sensitivity for this immunosensor was based on triple signal amplification strategies. Firstly, IL-rGO modified electrode was used as biosensor platform to capture a large amount of antibody due to its increased surface area, thus amplifying the detection response. Secondly, a large number of Au-PDDA-PB was conjugated on the surface of IL-rGO, which meant the enrichment of the signal and the more immobilization of label antibody. Finally, the catalytic reaction between H₂O₂ and the IL-rGO-Au-PDDA-PB nanocomposite further enhanced the signal response. The signals increased linearly with AFP concentrations in the range of 0.01–100 ng mL⁻¹. The detection limit for AFP was 4.6 pg mL⁻¹. The immunosensor showed high sensitivity, excellent selectivity and good stability. Moreover, the immunosensor was applied to the analysis of AFP in serum sample with satisfactory result.