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A supramolecular chiral electrode was constructed by layer-by-layer assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and an S-chiral multifarene [3,2,1] (S-CMF) on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode, which was applied for the electroreduction of acetophenone. The host-guest encapsulation of the substrate within the chiral cavity was confirmed by 1H NMR, fluorescence titration, and molecular simulation. The composite on the electrode surface was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Optimization of the electrolysis process was performed to give a high yield of 70.9% and high enantioselectivity of 63.9% ee, which exhibited superior reactivity to the previously reported materials. The repeatability of the experiment was tested via five separate experiments and indicated consistent stability, recyclability, and reusability of the novel chiral electrode. The proposed mechanism involved supramolecular encapsulation, two single-electron transfer steps, and proton addition. The chiral electroorganic reduction was extended to more substrates to provide successful yields and enantioselectivity.

Organophosphate esters (OPs) are substitutes for polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. China is the largest producer of OPs globally, with the production rate increasing at 15% annually. Since some OPs are neurodevelopmental and/or carcinogenic toxicants, human exposure is a concern. In this study, concentrations of eight OP metabolites (mOPs) were measured in human urine samples collected from 13 cities located in Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Southwestern China. All target mOPs were frequently detected with detection rates of 50% to 100%, indicating widespread human exposure to OPs. Bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP; median: 0.68 ng/mL), bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCIPP; 0.30 ng/mL), diphenyl phosphate (DPHP; 0.30 ng/mL), and dibutyl phosphate (DBP; 0.29 ng/mL) were the dominant mOPs across all participants. Regional differences in concentrations (ΣmOPs varied from 0.86 to 3.7 ng/mL) and composition profiles (contribution of chlorinated mOPs to ΣmOPs varied from 35% to 95%) of mOPs were observed within China. In comparison to the concentrations reported worldwide, urinary DPHP and bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) levels in China were lower, whereas BCEP and DBP levels were comparable or higher. The total daily intake (TDI) of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) were estimated from daily urine excretion rate and the fraction of OP metabolized in human liver microsomes (TDIHLM) or S9 fraction (TDIS9). The intake estimates showed that Chinese residents were exposed to TCEP from 96.9 to 46,700 (or 52.2 to 25,200) ng/kg bw/day. Depending on the reference dose, we found that approximately 5% of the individuals exceeded the limit (i.e., 2200 ng/kg bw/day) for TCEP intake. To our knowledge, this is the first nationwide baseline survey to determine urinary levels of mOPs in Chinese residents. Keywords: Organophosphate esters, Urinary levels, Total daily intake, Health risk

Multiple photoluminescence, involved in monomer emission, excimer emission and charge transfer emission origin from new pyrene-fused hexaarylbenzenes (HAB) compounds were observed, which were designed and synthesized (in high yield) via the Diels-Alder reaction of bis(2-tert-butylpyren-6-yl)acetylene and tetraphenylcyclopentadienone. Although the distinction of between two molecules arises only from the geometrical position of one of the pyrenes, the NMR spectra, the crystal packing and the physicochemical properties of these pyrene-based HAB hybrids are distinctly different both in their solution state and in aggregation-state. The X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicated that the pyrene moieties in this system would form different crystal packing in crystal state that can induce a fantastic multiple photoluminescence phenomenon.

The supramolecular interaction between hemicucurbit[6]uril (HemiQ[6]) and ferrocene is investigated using 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and quantum chemistry. By means of the 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR spectra, the host-guest interaction is confirmed by the slight shift in the resonance peaks of ferrocene. Cyclic voltammetry shows the diffusion current of ferrocene was enhanced with a slight improvement in the voltammetric behavior in the presence of HemiQ[6]. Isothermal titration calorimetry provides thermodynamic data for the host-guest interaction and an association constant of K a = 4.9 × 10 4 L mol −1 in a 1:1 ratio has been obtained. Quantum chemistry suggests the encapsulation complex was stabilized by the formation of hydrogen bonding between the aromatic protons on the ferrocene guest molecule and the carbonyl groups on hemicucurbit[6]uril, and the electron transfer of the interaction complex is more easy than in free ferrocene.

Three novel thiacalix[4]arene receptors 4a–c each with a 1,3-alternate conformation and possessing two urea moieties linking various phenyl groups substituted with either para electron-donating or -withdrawing groups have been synthesized. The binding properties of these receptors were investigated by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy and UV-vis absorption titration experiments using various anions. The structures and complexation energies were also studied by density functional theory (DFT) methods. The results suggested that receptor 4c, which possesses two p-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl ureido moieties, can complex most efficiently in the urea cavity and exhibits high selectivity towards F− and AcO− ions.

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) have been commonly observed in indoor dust, food, and drinking water in China, but little is known about their exposure levels or factors leading to exposure in Chinese children. In this study, we measured eight metabolites of OPFRs (mOPFRs) in 227 urine samples collected from 0- to 5-year-old children in China. The high detection rates of mOPFRs (60%-100%) in the collected urine samples demonstrated the widespread exposure of this population to OPFRs. The median concentrations indicated that bis(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (BCEP, 0.85 ng/mL) and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP, 0.27 ng/mL) were the dominant chlorinated mOPFRs and nonchlorinated mOPFRs, respectively. Interestingly, the median urinary levels of bis(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate (BCIPP, 6.48 ng/mL) and bis(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (BBOEP, 0.31 ng/mL) in inpatient infants were one order of magnitude higher (p 0.01) than those observed in outpatient infants. For home-stay participants, furthermore, infants (0-1 year) had the highest median levels of BCIPP (0.72 ng/mL) and dibutyl phosphate (DBP, 0.14 ng/mL) among the three age groups (i.e., 0-1,1-3, and3-5 years), and significantly (p 0.05) negative age-related relationships were found for both urinary mOPFRs. Two set of data on estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were calculated based on the fraction of OPFR excreted as the corresponding mOPFR (F

A new thiacalix[4]arene based fluorescent chemosensor L bearing two pyrenyl groups in a 1,3-alternate conformation has been synthesized, and its metal ion-binding and fluorescence-sensing properties were investigated in ethanol. The designed chemosensor L exhibited high selectivity toward Cu²⁺ ions versus the other tested metal ions with a detection limit of up to 1.44 × 10⁻⁷ M. The chemosensor L was capable of acting an efficient ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor at low ion concentration or as a fluorescence quenching type chemosensor due to the PET and heavy atom effects operating in high ionic strength solution. Further studies revealed that chemosensor L acted as a reversible sensor in the presence of Cu²⁺ and ethylenediamine.

Heating a mixture of Nd(NO3)3·6H2O, KCl, Q[10] and Q[5] in HCl for 10 min affords the inclusion complex {NdQ[5]K@Q[10](H2O)4}·4NO3·20H2O. The structure of the inclusion complex has been investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction and by X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

The host–guest interactions between phenazine hydrochloride salt (PheH+) and hemicucurbit[n]uril (n = 6 or 12) (HemiQ[6 or 12]) have been studied by 1H NMR, UV–vis, IR, mass spectrometry (MS) and quantum chemistry. In 1H NMR spectra, the broadening of proton resonances of the hosts suggests the interactions of PheH+ with HemiQs. The quantitative stabilities of the host–guest systems have been obtained by UV–vis titration experiments, that is, the stoichiometric interactions of PheH+ with HemiQ[6] have been observed with an association constant of Ka = (2.5 ± 1.2) × 106 L mol− 1, while the 2:1 ratio complexes of PheH+ with HemiQ[12] are formed with stepwise association constants of K1 = (9.2 ± 2.8) × 104 L mol− 1 and K2 = (6.4 ± 0.9) × 105 L mol− 1, respectively, which induce a total association constant of Ka = 5.9 × 1010 L2 mol− 2. Both the 1:1 and 2:1 complexes have been detected by MS. Quantum chemistry calculations have been used to understand the static structures and thermodynamic stabilities of the supramolecular assemblies.

A heterotritopic hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene receptor with the capability of binding two alkali metals and a transition metal in a cooperative fashion was synthesized. The binding model was investigated by using 1H NMR titration experiments in CDCl3–CD3CN (10 : 1, v/v), and the results revealed that the transition metal was bound at the upper rim and the alkali metals at the lower and upper rims. Interestingly, the alkali metal ions Li+ and Na+ bind at the lower and upper rim respectively depending on the dimensions of the alkali metal ions versus the size of the cavities formed by the calix[3]arene derivative. The hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene receptor acts as a heterotritopic receptor, binding with the transition metal ion Ag+ and the alkali metals ions Li+ and Na+. These findings were not applicable to other different sized alkali metals, such as K+ and Cs+.

A pyridine-appended π-conjugated ligand 1,4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]benzene (bpeb) has proved to be highly selective and sensitive as a chemosensor for Hg2+ in buffered aqueous solution. Remarkable changes in the UV-vis and fluorescence emission spectra were observed upon addition of Hg2+ ions to a solution of bpeb. In particular, the interaction of the lone-pair electrons on the pyridine nitrogen with Hg2+ ions results in a significant red-shift in the fluorescence spectrum and a large Stokes shift of up to 65 nm. DFT calculations have revealed that the energy levels of the HOMO and LUMO of bpeb are critically decreased upon coordination to Hg2+ ions, thereby accounting for this red-shift of the fluorescence spectrum. Furthermore, bpeb has been shown to be applicable as a fluorescent probe for imaging Hg2+ ions in PC3 cell lines, which may help in the understanding of relevant biological processes at the molecular level.

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The aerobic oxidation of furan in aqueous solution in the presence of HemiQ[6] has been investigated, and the product furan-2,5-diol is stabilized by encapsulation of HemiQ[6], which could be transformed to the dione confirmation in acidic solution and escape from the macrocyclic compound. The 1 H NMR titration experiments of the host–guest interaction at different pH values suggest protonation should improve the encapsulation, and therefore an unique property that HemiQ[6] can be protonated has been revealed. The oxidizing kinetics suggests that the procedure is a consecutive reaction with a series of constants k 1 = 2.9 × 10 −2 min −1 , k 2 = 2.7 × 10 −2 min −1 , and k 3 = 5.7 × 10 −3 min −1 , respectively. The kinetic investigation at pD = 2.0 indicates the HemiQ[6]-catalytic oxidation of furan could be accelerated by acidification. As a consequence, a plausible mechanism has been established on the above evidences. 2-Methylfuran is employed to give the product 2-methylfuran-5-ol exhibiting a satisfied activity in this aerobic oxidation with the supramolecular catalysis of HemiQ[6], but the oxidation of thiophene is very slow in either neutral or acidic condition.

Based on the formation of the ternary host–guest inclusion complex between veratryl alcohol, o-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) and cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]), the effect of substrate substituents on the IBX oxidation of aryl alcohols to the corresponding aldehyde subject to supramolecular catalysis by Q[8] in aqueous solvent is described. Aryl alcohols with different substituent effect on electron, for example, 2,3,4-methoxybenzyl alcohols and 2,3,4-pyridinemethanol hydrochlorides, have been subjected to the procedure for IBX oxidizing in the absence and presence of Q[8] at room temperature. The catalytic ability of Q[8] reveals that the electronic effect of the substituent on the α-carbon of the aryl alcohol is crucial to the Q[8]-catalytic oxidation, and the supramolecular catalysis of Q[8] is mechanistically suggested to contribute to the alcohols with mainly negative inductive effect of substituent.

Efficient selectivity for the supramolecular catalysis by cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) for the oxidation of aryl, allyl, and alkyl alcohols to corresponding aldehydes by o-Iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) in aqueous solvent is reported. The relationship between the catalytic ability of Q[8] and the structure of the substrate has revealed that the catalyst prefers aryl and allyl alcohols to alkyl alcohols, and the conversions of most aryl and allyl alcohols have been increased by 30–50% in the presence of Q[8]. The catalytic selectivity suggests that the IBX oxidation proceeds via a stabilized α-Carbanion intermediate and the supramolecular catalysis should be mechanistically related to the electron density and reactivity of the α-Carbanion.

The interaction between tetramethylcucurbit[6]uril (host) and 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl hydrochloride (guest) was studied by 1H NMR, X-ray crystallography, electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectra and quantum chemistry calculations. This experimental-computational study that indicated the host can orientationally encapsulate the guest with a moderate association constant value. Computation qualitatively explained the split UV-visible absorption peak of the inclusion complex.

Interaction between tetramethylcucurbit[6]uril (TMeQ[6], host) with hydrochloride salts of 2-phenylpridine (G1), 2-benzylpyridine (G2), and 4-benzylpyridine (G3) (guests) have been investigated by using 1H NMR spectroscopy and electronic absorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The 1H NMR spectra analysis established an interaction model in which the host selectively included the phenyl moiety of the HCl salt of the above three guests, and formed inclusion complexes with a host-guest ratio of 1:1. Absorption spectrophotometric analysis allowed quantitative measurement of the stability of these host-guest inclusion complexes. Particularly, we have established a competitive interaction in which one host-guest inclusion complex pair is much more stable than another host-guest inclusion complex pair. The stability constants for the three host-guest inclusion complexes of TMeQ[6]-G1, TMeQ[6]-G2, and TMeQ[6]-G3 are approximately 2x10(6), 60.7, and 19.9 mol-1.L, respectively. To understand how subtle differences in the structure of the title guests lead to a significant difference in the stability of the corresponding host-guest inclusion complexes with the TMeQ[6], ab initio theoretical calculations have been performed, not only for the gas phase but also the solution phase (water as solvent) in all cases. The calculation results revealed that when the phenyl moiety of the three pyridine derivate guests was included, the host-guest complexation reached the minimum, and the corresponding energy differences for the formation of the title host-guest inclusion complexes are qualitatively consistent with the experimental results.

The host–guest interaction of cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) with the new fluorescent sensor guest molecule (BIBPAH+), formed by alkylation of the secondary amine site in N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine with 2-(bromomethyl)benzimidazole, was investigated by fluorescence and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate the formation of an inclusion complex in a 1:1 ratio with an association constant of Ka = (2.9 ± 0.7) × 105 L ∙ mol−1. There is minimal difference in the fluorescence intensities upon the introduction of each of Mn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cr3+, Ho3+ and Lu3+. However, the emission was slightly quenched on the addition of Cu2+ or Fe3+ whether Q[7] is present or not. Further investigation showed that encapsulation of BIBPAH+ in Q[7] improves Cd2+ and Zn2+ recognition by enhancing the fluorescence intensity, leading to an improvement in the limits of detection. In contrast, comparative parallel experiments in which Cu2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Fe3+, Cr3+, Ho3+ or Lu3+ were substituted for Zn2+ or Cd2+ resulted in minimal changes in the fluorescence that occurs for the corresponding metal-free system. The natures of the encapsulated Zn2+ and Cd2+ complexes have been investigated using fluorescence and 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as by quantum chemistry. The selectivity of a fluorescent sensor for Cd2+ and Zn2+ was improved by its encapsulation within the cavity of cucurbit[7]uril.

In the title compound, C12H11N3O3S·H2O, the pyridine ring makes a dihedral angle of 24.78 (14)° with the phenyl ring. Intramolecular N—H...O and intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds are observed and stabilize the packing in the crystal structure.