Pyridine-biquinoline-metal complexes for sensing pyrophosphate and hydrogen sulfide in aqueous buffer and in cells.

Herein, we report a new pyridine-biquinoline-derivative fluorophore L for effectively sensing pyrophosphate (PPi) and monohydrogen sulfide (HS(-)) in aqueous buffer and in living cells. L could selectively coordinate with metal ions (M(n+)) in Groups IB and IIB to form L-M(n+) complexes with 1:1 stoichiometry, resulting in fluorescence quenching via photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. L-Zn(2+) complex was applied to competitively coordinate with PPi to form a new "ate"-type complex, turning on the fluorescence by a 21-fold-increase. The limit of detection (LOD) of this assay for PPi detection in aqueous buffer is 0.85 µM. L-Cu(2+) complex was applied for highly selective detection of HS(-) with an excellent sensitivity by 25-fold decomplexation-induced fluorescence increase. LOD of L-Cu(2+) complex for HS(-) detection in aqueous buffer is 2.24 µM. With the in vitro data obtained, we successfully applied these two complexes for sequential imaging Zn(2+) and PPi, Cu(2+) and HS(-) in living cells, respectively. Since PPi and HS(-) occur in vascular calcification in positive correlation, our multifunctional probe L might help doctors to more precisely diagnose this disease in vivo in the future. For example, we could use radioactive tracer L-(64)Cu for qualitative and quantitative positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging of HS(-) in vivo.

Copper-catalyzed radical methylation/C-H amination/oxidation cascade for the synthesis of quinazolinones.

A copper-catalyzed radical methylation/sp(3) C-H amination/oxidation reaction for the facile synthesis of quinazolinone was developed. In this cascade reaction, dicumyl peroxide acts not only as a useful oxidant but also as an efficient methyl source. Notably, a methyl radical, generated from peroxide, was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance for the first time.

Polarization filter characteristics of photonic crystal fibers with square lattice and selectively filled gold wires.

A novel design of Au-filled photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with square lattice has been proposed in this paper. The resonance strength of the surface plasmon mode and the impacts of structural parameters of the PCF on the polarization filter characteristics are studied through the finite element method. Numerical results show that the sizes of Au wires and the symmetry of the air holes near the fiber core have a great effect on the polarization filter characteristics. In the optimization process, it was found that the resonance strengths can reach 279.10 and 399.18 dB/cm at wavelengths of 1.02 µm and 1.55 µm, respectively, which can be applied in many polarization filter devices.

Tetraphenyladamantane-based microporous polyimide for adsorption of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, organic and water vapors.

Tetraphenyladamantane-based microporous polyimide was synthesized. It can uptake 14.6 wt% CO2 at 273 K and 1 bar, 99.2 wt% benzene and 59.7 wt% cyclohexane at 298 K and 0.9 bar, exhibiting potential applications in gas storage and recovery of organic pollutants.