Xian Zhang

Two-photon fluorescence and fluorescence imaging of two styryl heterocyclic dyes combined with DNA

Two new styryl heterocyclic two-photon (TP) materials, 4-[4-(N-methyl)styrene]-imidazo [4,5-f][1,10] phenanthroline-benzene iodated salt (probe-1) and 4,4-[4-(N-methyl)styrene]-benzene iodated salt (probe-2) were successfully synthesized and studied as potential fluorescent probes of DNA detection. The linear and nonlinear photophysical properties of two compounds in different solvents were investigated. The absorption, one- and two-photon fluorescent spectra of the free dye and dye-DNA complex were also examined to evaluate their photophysical properties. The binding constants of dye-DNA were obtained according to Scatchard equation with good values. The results showed that two probes could be used as fluorescent DNA probes by two-photon excitation, and TP fluorescent properties of probe-1 are superior to that of probe-2. The fluorescent method date indicated that the mechanisms of dye-DNA complex interaction may be groove binding for probe-1 and electrostatic interaction for probe-2, respectively. The MTT assay experiments showed two probes are low toxicity. Moreover, the TP fluorescence imaging of DNA detection in living cells at 800 nm indicated that the ability to locate in cell nuclei of probe-1 is better than that of probe-2.

Fluorescent detection and imaging of Hg(2+) using a novel phenanthroline derivative based single- and two-photon excitation.

A novel phenanthroline derivative, 4-[4-(N-methyl)styrene]-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline-benzene iodated salt (MSIPBI), was synthesized, and the linear absorption and fluorescent spectra of MSIPBI in different solvents were investigated. The photophysical properties in unbound and in ligand-metal complexes were evaluated by UV absorption and one- and two-photon fluorescent spectra, and the quantum yields, two-photon active cross-sections and the binding constant of dye-metal were calculated. The results indicated that MSIPBI has a large Stokes shift (more than 167nm), and the dye was selective and sensitive for the detection of Hg(2+) with a two-photon active cross-section of 55.5GM in tris-HCl buffer solution at 800nm. Furthermore, the results of the fluorescence microscopy imaging indicated that MSIPBI is an efficient fluorescent probe for the detection of Hg(2+) in living cells by one- and two-photon excitation. Moreover, the experiments of determination Hg(2+) in river water and tap water were finished.

New optically active poly(amide-imide)s based on N,N′-(pyromellitoyl)-bis-L-amino acid and methylene diphenyl-4,4′-diisocyanate: synthesis and characterization

Five new optically active poly(amide-imide)s were synthesized through the direct polycondensation reaction between chiral N,N′-(pyromellitoyl)-bis-L-amino acids and methylene diphenyl-4,4′-diisocyanate in a medium consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and xylene. The resulted polymers were fully characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and solubility tests. Thermal properties of these polymers were investigated by using thermal gravimetric analysis/SDTA. All of the polymers were soluble at room temperature in polar solvents such as N,N′-dimethyl acetamide, N,N′-dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), NMP, sulfuric acid, and para-methyl phenol. Same specific rotations of these polymers in these different solvents were obtained.

Removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using novel dye-based adsorbent prepared by flocculation

ABSTRACT In this paper, the dye sludge which was prepared from Congo red solution by flocculation method was further modified by catechol and 1, 6-hexanediamine before usage to remove Cr(VI) ions. This particles were characterized by multiple testing means and the effects of removal, such as contact time, pH value, initial concentration, and temperature, were studied by batch mode. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) was 282.48 mg/g and the whole process was spontaneous and endothermic. Hopefully, with the advantages of facile preparation and high adsorption capacity, the dye-based adsorbent has broad application prospects in the field of wastewater treatment.

Highly Sensitive Detection of Melamine Based on the Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer between Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles and Gold Nanoparticles

Adding melamine as additives in food products will lead to many diseases and even death. However, the present techniques of melamine detection require time-consuming steps, complicated procedures and expensive analytical apparatus. The fluorescent assay method was facile and highly sensitive. In this work, a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system for melamine detection was constructed based on conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The energy transfer efficiency is up to 82.1%, and the system is highly selective and sensitive to melamine detection with a lower detection limit of 1.7 nmol/L. Moreover, the interaction mechanism was explored. The results showed that the fluorescence of CPNs were firstly quenched by AuNPs, and then restored after adding melamine because of reducing FRET between CPNs and AuNPs. Lastly, the proposed method was carried out for melamine detection in powdered infant formula with satisfactory results.

Facile Synthesis of New Optically Active Unsaturated Amides Monomers Based on S-(+)-α-Phenyl Ethylamine

Three new optically active unsaturated amides monomers which could be polymerized were synthesized through the direct condensation between S-(+)-α-phenyl ethylamine and prop-2-enoyl chloride, 2-methyl-prop-2-enoyl chloride and undec-10-enoyl chloride, respectively. The resulted unsaturated amides were proven by means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and specific rotations. The polymerization of one of synthesized monomers, N-(1S-1-phenylethyl)-undec-10-enamide, is reported for the first time.