Rezeda K. Mukhitova

Mediated electrochemical synthesis of Pd0 nanoparticles in solution

Efficient electrosynthesis of palladium(0) nanoparticles is carried out in solution by mediated electrochemical reduction of a complex dianion [PdCl4]2– in the DMSO/0.1 M Bu4NCl medium. The mediator function was performed by methylviologen and tetraviologen calix[4]resorcines MVCA-Cn8+ with methyl (n = 1), n-pentyl (n = 5), and n-decyl (n = 10) substituents in resorcinol rings at the potentials of redox pairs MV2+/MV•+, MVCA-Cn8+/MVCA-Cn4•+. The resulting metal nanoparticles gradually aggregate to yield coarser particles. The smallest size (255 nm) have metal particles obtained in the presence of MVCA-C58+ for the rest mediators, metal particles of the micron size are formed. Sonication results in disintegration of aggregates to nanoparticles.

Electrochemical mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles in solution

Methyl viologen MV2+ and tetraviologen calix[4]resorcinol MVCA-C58+ with n-pentyl substituents in the resorcinol rings at potentials of MV2+/MV•+ and MVCA-C58+ /MVCA-C54•+ redox couples proved to be effective mediators of the electrochemical reduction of Ag+ ions in DMF/0.1 M Bu4NPF6. The potentiostatic nondiaphragm electrolysis at controlled mediator reduction potentials at room temperature using an Ag anode as an in situ supplier of Ag+ led to the formation of metallic silver nanoparticles in solution. The only resulting effect of electrolysis was the quantitative transfer of the metal anode into the metal nanoparticles in solution. In the case of MV2+, the nanoparticles aggregated into larger particles. MVCA-CC58+ serves not only as a mediator, but also, to some extent, as a stabilizer of silver nanoparticles and can be recorded by a set of experimental methods.

Self-assembly of an aminoalkylated resorcinarene in aqueous media: host–guest properties

A new water-soluble resorcinarene, with a negatively-charged lower rim and a positively-charged upper rim self-assembles into supramolecular oligomers to bind 1,5-diaminonaphthalene in water.

Controlling the Size and Morphology of Supramolecular Assemblies of Viologen–Resorcin[4]arene Cavitands

A novel class of self-assembling nanoparticles is formed with viologen-resorcin[4]arene cavitands; the association model is strongly controlled by their hydrophobicity. Interestingly, the cavitand assemblies are designed through click chemistry to form self-assembled noncovalently connected aggregates through counterion displacement. The iodide and benzoate ions are utilized as strongly polarizable counterions to induce cavitand self-assembly. The counterion-mediated decrease in hydrophilicity of the viologen-resorcin[4]arenes is the underlying trigger to induce particle formation. These particles can be used as nanocontainers and find their applications in delivery systems.

Electrochemical synthesis of nanocomposite of palladium nanoparticles with polymer viologen-containing nanocapsule

An efficient mediated electrosynthesis of the spherical (85 nm) nanocomposite material Pd@p(MVCA8+-co-St) was carried out in an aqueous medium. Ultrasmall palladium nanoparticles (3—8 nm) are stabilized in nanocapsules of water-soluble nanoparticles of the copolymer p(MVCA8+-co-St) consisting of tetraviologen calix[4]resorcinol (MVCA8+) with styrene (St). The role of the mediator is played by viologen units of a polymer nanoparticle at potentials of the MV2+/MV∙+ redox couple. The high catalytic activity of the nanocomposite material in the reduction of nitrophenol with sodium borohydride is shown.

Controlling the release of hydrophobic compounds by a supramolecular amphiphilic assembly

Here, we report a novel approach of using a supramolecular system based on calix[4]resorcinarene and surfactant to facilitate the release of hydrophobic compounds. This finding is an important step towards the development of controlled-release formulations for water-insoluble drugs.

pH-controlled photoinduced electron transfer in the [(Mo6Cl8)L6]-calix[4]resorcine-dimethylviologen system.

A pH-controlled photoinduced electron transfer in the supramolecular system [(Mo(6)Cl(8))L(6)]-calix[4]resorcine-dimethylviologen is reported.

Application of ferrocene-resorcinarene in silver nanoparticle synthesis

An amphiphilic resorcinarene with ferrocene groups at the lower rim has been applied as both reductant and stabilizer in the synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles. The structure of the nanocomposite obtained was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, dynamic light scattering, and UV and IR spectroscopy. In the nanocomposite, the silver nanoparticles are stabilized by the multi-layers formed by ferrocene-resorcinarene. The diameter of the nanoparticles is 20–30 nm while the size of the nanocomposite is about 45 nm. The nanoparticles demonstrate good catalytic activity for p-nitrophenol reduction. 40 nanomoles of the silver nanoparticles is sufficient to complete the reduction of p-nitrophenol over ten minutes.

Closed polymer containers based on phenylboronic esters of resorcinarenes

Novel polymer nanospheres (p(SRA-B)) were prepared by cross-linking a sulfonated resorcinarene (SRA) with phenylboronic acid. p(SRA-B) shows good stability in water and can be used as a nanocontainer for the pH- and glucose-controlled substrate release. Fluorescent dyes (fluorescein, pyrene and 1,3,6,8-pyrenetetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt) were successfully loaded into p(SRA-B). The release of dye is achieved by lowering the pH value to 3 or by adding glucose.