Hong Yeong Kim

Reaction-based colorimetric signaling of Cu2+ ions by oxidative coupling of phenols with 4-aminoantipyrine

A new Cu(2+)-selective chromogenic probe system based on the oxidative coupling of phenols with 4-aminoantipyrine was developed. Cu(2+) ions promoted facile coupling of phenols with 4-aminoantipyrine to yield quinoneimine dyes. Signaling with a number of phenols having no para-substituent, such as o-cresol and m-cresol, as well as p-chlorophenol having para substituent that could be expelled during the oxidation process was possible. The signaling of Cu(2+) ions was not interfered by the presence of representative metal ions except for Al(3+) ions. The possible interference from Al(3+) ions was successfully removed by using fluoride ions as a masking agent. The phenol-4-aminoantipyrine probe system showed chromogenic Cu(2+) signaling by prominent color change from colorless to pink with a detection limit of 8.5×10(-7) M. The signaling of Cu(2+) ions in practical samples using tap water and simulated semiconductor wastewater was also tested.

Modulation of Quinone PCET Reaction by Ca2+ Ion Captured by Calix[4]quinone in Water

Calix[4]arene-triacid-monoquinone (CTAQ), a quinone-containing water-soluble ionophore, was utilized to investigate how proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions of quinones were influenced by redox-inactive metal ions in aqueous environment. This ionophoric quinone derivative captured a Ca(2+) ion that drastically altered the voltammetric behavior of quinone, showing a characteristic response to pH and unique redox wave separation. Spectroelectrochemistry verified significant stabilization of the semiquinone, and electrocatalytic currents were observed in the presence of Ca(2+)-free CTAQ. Using digital simulation of cyclic voltammograms to clarify how the thermodynamic properties of quinones were altered, a simple scheme was proposed that successfully accounted for all the observations. The change induced by Ca(2+) complexation was explained on the basis of the combined effects of the electrostatic influence of the captured metal ion and hydrogen bonding of water molecules with the support of DFT calculation.