Analysis of NAD(P) and NAD(P)H cofactors by means of imprinted polymers associated with Au surfaces:: A surface plasmon resonance study

Crosslinked films consisting of the acrylamide-acrylamidophenylboronic acid copolymer that are imprinted with recognition sites for β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate NADP⁺, and their reduced forms (NAD(P)H), are assembled on Au-coated glass supports. The binding of the oxidized cofactors NAD⁺ or NADP⁺ or the reduced cofactors NADH or NADPH to the respective imprinted sites results in the swelling of the polymer films through the uptake of water. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is employed to follow the binding of the different cofactors to the respective imprinted sites. The imprinted recognition sites reveal selectivity towards the association of the imprinted cofactors. The method enables the analysis of the NAD(P)⁺ and NAD(P)H cofactors in the concentration range of 1×10⁻⁶ to 1×10⁻³ M. The cofactor-imprinted films associated with the Au-coated glass supports act as active interfaces for the characterization of biocatalyzed transformations that involve the cofactor-dependent enzymes. This is exemplified with the characterization of the biocatalyzed oxidation of lactate to pyruvate in the presence of NAD⁺ and lactate dehydrogenase using the NADH-imprinted polymer film.     

Features of the complexation of octadecane-2,4-dione and lanthanide ions in Langmuir monolayers

Monolayers of octadecane-2,4-dione on the surfaces of EuCl₃ and TbCl₃ solutions in the concentration range of 1 × 10^–4 to 5 × 10^–3 M at pH 5.8 are studied. It is found that the limiting area of octadecane-2,4-dione molecule in a monolayer dependence on Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ concentration is of extreme nature. The formation of complex compounds in the ligand monolayer is postulated, and structures are proposed for these compounds at different concentrations of metal ions.     

Langmuir-Blodgett composite films for the selective determination of calcium in aqueous solutions

A sensitive membrane of a new type was suggested for the determination of calcium ions in aqueous solutions. Polylayer membranes were formed by the Langmuir-Blodgett method from octadecylamine and 1,2-bis-(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid. When brought in contact with an aqueous solution of a calcium salt, the ultrathin film sorbs metal ions. The chelator then transports metal ions over the whole membrane volume, and the ions are accumulated in the form of calcium hydroxide crystallites in regions enriched in the diphilic base. The main analytic parameters were determined by piezoquartz weighing, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The response of sensor elements of this type was shown to be a linear function of the logarithm of the concentration of calcium ions over the concentration range 10^?8–10^?1 mol/l at the contact time between the film and the solution under study no more than 10 s. The conclusion was drawn that the membranes obtained remained highly sensitive with respect to calcium ions in 0.1 M solutions of NaCl and were selective with respect to other biologically relevant cations.     

Electrochemically controlled multistability of ultrathin films of double-decker cerium phthalocyaninates

The spectral and electrochemical properties of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of homoleptic double-decker cerium bis-[tetra-15-crown-5]-phthalocyaninate Ce[R₄Pc]₂ and its heteroleptic analog [Pc]Ce[R₄Pc] were studied. It was shown that during formation of Langmuir monolayers upon contact of both complexes solutions with water subphase the metal center with valent state IV in the solution transforms into one with the valent state III in the monolayer. Upon cyclic compression-expansion of these monolayers, orientation-induced reversible intramolecular transfers of electron from 4f orbital of cerium ion to the phthalocyanine macrocycle (compression) and in reverse direction (expansion) occur in a planar supramolecular system. Scheme of reversible electrochemical transformations occurring in ultrathin films of double-decker cerium crown-phthalocyaninates, one of which is associated with the Ce⁺³/Ce⁺⁴ redox-transition of metal center of the complex, was proposed and substantiated using the results of spectro-electrochemical investigations. It was shown that one of these transformations is associated with the Ce⁺³/Ce⁺⁴ redox transition of metal center of the complex and upon change of metal center oxidation state its size changes, and, consequently, the distance between the decks of the complex also changes. This change in the distance can lead to a substantial (13–15%) modulation of the linear size of molecular assemblies with a large number of molecules in stack. On the basis of this effect the supramolecular device that can perform mechanical work can be developed. Using surface plasmon resonance technique we have demonstrated that a step change in electrode potential in region of 200–1000 mV induces a corresponding optical response reflected in a step change of the resonance angle. High operation speed and reversibility of switching between stable states can serve as a basis for development of optoelectronic switching systems.     

THE EFFECT OF ACIDS ON THE INFRARED SPECTRA OF SCHIFF BASES—II. IMINES CONTAINING THE C=C-C=N AND C=C-C=C-C=N UNITS

Abstract— The Fourier-transform infrared spectra of chloroform-d solutions of conjugated imines CH₃CH=CHCH=NCH(CH₃)₂ and CH₃CH₂CH=CHCH=CHCH=NCH(CH₃)₂ and the related protonated species with HCl, HBr, HI, trichloro, dichloro, monobromo and monochloroacetic acids or propionic acid are presented. The effects of conjugation and protonation are examined. The results show that conjugation slightly increases the basicity of the Schiff bases. HCl, HBr and HI protonate the Schiff bases completely. The carboxylic acids protonate partially depending on their p K _a, values. When the Schiff base contains two (or more) C=C bonds conjugated with C=N, the main C=C stretching band undergoes a strong intensification showing that sizeable dipole moment variations occur along the conjugated chain.     

Integration of polyaniline/poly(acrylic acid) films and redox enzymes on electrode supports: an in situ electrochemical/surface plasmon resonance study of the bioelectrocatalyzed oxidation of glucose or lactate in the integrated bioelectrocatalytic systems

Electropolymerization of aniline in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) on Au electrodes yields a polyaniline/poly(acrylic acid) composite film, exhibiting reversible redox functions in aqueous solutions at pH = 7.0. In situ electrochemical-SPR measurements are used to identify the dynamics of swelling and shrinking of the polymer film upon the oxidation of the polyaniline (PAn) to its oxidized state (PAn(2+)) and the reduction of the oxidized polymer (PAn(2+)) back to its reduced state (PAn), respectively. Covalent attachment of N(6)-(2-aminoethyl)-flavin adenin dinucleotide (amino-FAD, 1) to the carboxylic groups of the composite polyaniline/poly(acrylic acid) film followed by the reconstitution of apoglucose oxidase on the functional polymer yields an electrically contacted glucose oxidase of unprecedented electrical communication efficiency with the electrode: electron-transfer turnover rate approximately 1000 s(-1) at 30 degrees C. In situ electrochemical-SPR analyses are used to characterize the bioelectrocatalytic functions of the biomaterial-polymer interface. The current responses of the bioelectrocatalytic system increase as the glucose concentrations are elevated. Similarly, the SPR spectra of the system are controlled by the concentration of glucose. The glucose concentration controls the steady-state concentration ratio of PAn/PAn(2+) in the film composition. Therefore, the SPR spectrum of the film measured upon its electrochemical oxidation is shifted from the spectrum typical for the oxidized PAn(2+) at low glucose concentration to the spectrum characteristic of the reduced PAn at high glucose concentration. Similarly, the polyaniline/poly(acrylic acid) film acts as an electrocatalyst for the oxidation of NADH. Accordingly, an integrated bioelectrocatalytic assembly was constructed on the electrode by the covalent attachment of N(6)-(2-aminoethyl)-beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (amino-NAD(+), 2) to the polymer film, and the two-dimensional cross-linking of an affinity complex formed between lactate dehydrogenase and the NAD(+)-cofactor units associated with the polymer using glutaric dialdehyde as a cross-linker. In situ electrochemical-SPR measurements are used to characterize the bioelectrocatalytic functions of the system. The amperometric responses of the system increase as the concentrations of lactate are elevated, and an electron-transfer turnover rate of 350 s(-1) between the biocatalyst and the electrode is estimated. As the PAn(2+) oxidizes the NADH units generated by the biocatalyzed oxidation of lactate, the PAn/PAn(2+) steady-state ratio in the film is controlled by the concentration of lactate. Accordingly, the SPR spectrum measured upon electrochemical oxidation of the film is similar to the spectrum of PAn(2+) at low lactate concentration, whereas the SPR spectrum resembles that of PAn at high concentrations of lactate.     

Electrical contacting of glucose dehydrogenase by the reconstitution of a pyrroloquinoline quinone-functionalized polyaniline film associated with an Au-electrode: an in situ electrochemical SPR study

A novel method to generate an integrated electrically contacted glucose dehydrogenase electrode by the surface reconstitution of the apo-enzyme on a pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-modified polyaniline is described. In situ electrochemical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is used to characterize the bioelectrocatalytic functions of the system.     

Two-dimensional arrays of amphiphilic Zn2+-cyclens for guided molecular recognition at interfaces

The sterically guided molecular recognition of nucleobases, phosphates, adenosine, and uridine nucleotides on Langmuir monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of amphiphilic mono- or bis(Zn2+-cyclen)s assembled on thiolated surfaces was investigated. The stepwise selective binding of metal ions, uracil, or phosphate by dicetyl cyclen monolayers with variously tuned structures at the air/water interface was corroborated by the measurements of the corresponding LB films deposited onto quartz crystals. Two types of recognition surfaces were fabricated from Zn2+-dicetyl cyclen. The surface covered with a complex preformed in the Langmuir monolayer was capable both of imide and of phosphate binding. The similar complex formed directly in an LB film on thiolated gold was inactive with respect to imide. The surface plasmon resonance measurements evidenced the stepwise assembly of complementary nucleotides on SAM/LB templates through consecutive phosphate-Zn2+-cyclen coordination. Base pairing between nucleotides resulted in a formation of A-U bilayers comprising two complementary monolayers. Finally, we report on SAM/LB patterns designed for divalent molecular recognition of uridine phosphate by amphiphilic bis(Zn2+-cyclen).     

Orientation-induced redox transformations in Langmuir monolayers of double-decker cerium bis[tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyaninate] and multistability of its Langmuir-Blodgett films

The spectral, electrochemical, and optical properties of Langmuir-Blodgett films (LBFs) and cast films from a solution of new double-decker cerium bis[tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyaninate] (Ce(R₄Pc)₂) are studied. Based on analysis of compression isotherms and quantum-chemical calculations, schemes of the organization of Ce(R₄Pc)₂ molecules at different states of its monolayers are proposed. Correlation dependences are determined in order to relate the optical and electrochemical characteristics of monolayers and LBFs of sandwich-type lanthanide phthalocyaninates to the ionic radii of their metal centers. The valent state of Ce ions in a monolayer-forming complex is determined, and a sequence of redox transformations occurring in LBF uppon appliance of a potential is proposed, one of the transformations being associated with the Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ redox transition. Orientation-induced intramolecular electron transfer is revealed in the planar supramolecular system. It is shown that, during the formation of a monolayer from a Ce(R₄Pc)₂ solution, a tetravalent metal center passes to a trivalent state. Monolayer compression to a high surface pressure reverts the complex to the electronic state typical of the solution. The reversible transformations observed upon the monolayer compression result from intramolecular electron transfer from the 4f-orbital of Ce to the phthalocyanine ring and backwards. The high operation rate and the reversibility of switching between the stable states, which are determined by means of the surface plasmon resonance technique, upon a stepwise change in the electrode potential within the range of 200?C850 mV may underlie the development of optoelectronic systems. With a large number of molecules in a stacking aggregate, changes in the distance between the decks of the complex that occur with changes in the oxidation level of the metal center can substantially modulate the sizes of molecular ensembles. A supramolecular device capable of performing mechanical work can be developed based on this effect.     

Ultrasound effect on neutron Bragg diffraction in a perfect and deformed silicon single crystal

The features of neutron Bragg diffraction in a perfect and bent (deformed) silicon single crystal have been studied under ultrasound excitation. In contrast to a perfect crystal where an increase in the diffraction intensity has been observed with an increase in the ultrasound wave’s amplitude, in a deformed silicon crystal the intensity sharply decreases (two times) already at small voltages on a piezoelectric transducer. The depth and position of minima of the total intensity depend on the ultrasound wave’s amplitude and the bending radius of a crystal. To explain the observed effects the modified Penning-Polder-Kato model has been successfully used, in which the role of ultrasound is reduced to the formation of resonance transitions of imaging points between different sheets of dispersion surface. Experimental proofs of validity of the used model are presented. Estimations of the probabilities of one- and multiphonon scattering processes obtained from experimental data have a good agreement with theoretical ones.