The example of calix[4]pyrrole derivative containing Bodipy unit: fluorometric and colorimetric sensor for F- ion.

A novel chemosensor based on calix[4]pyrrole derivative modified by Bodipy unit has been synthesized, and its complexes with various anions were investigated. The results show that the receptors can selectively recognize biologically important fluoride ions. The binding affinity for fluoride ions was investigated by naked-eye color change, absorption, emission, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The addition of fluoride ions to an acetonitrile solution of chemosensor can result in an obvious color change (brownish yellow color to straw yellow). The stoichiometries between the receptor and fluoride were determined from the molar ratio plots using the UV-visible spectra, which showed evident 1:1. The proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data supported the fluoride anion recognition with the disappearance of the amino proton peaks.

Effect of Au and Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles on the SERS of bridging organic molecules.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with about 6 nm size were produced and stabilized with mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) film to produce a monolayer protected cluster (MPC) of AuS(CH(2))(2)COOH. 4-Aminothiophenol (ATP) molecules were introduced to the activated carboxylic acid ends of the film surrounding the AuNPs to produce AuS(CH(2))(2)CONHPhSH MPC. These modified AuNPs were again self-assembled with Au@Ag core-shell bimetallic nanoparticles via the -SH groups to produce an organic bridge between Au and Au@Ag metallic nanoparticles. An unusually strong enhancement of the Raman signals was observed and assigned to the plasmon coupling between the AuNPs and Au@Ag NPs bridged assembly. Formation of AuS(CH(2))(2)COOH and AuS(CH(2))(2)CONHPhSH clusters and AuS(CH(2))(2)CONHPhS(Au@Ag) assembly is confirmed by UV-Vis, reflection-absorption IR spectroscopy (RAIRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as by TEM analysis. The SERS activity of the AuNPs and Au@Ag NPs was tested using the HS(CH(2))(2)CONHPhSH molecule as a probe to compare the effectiveness of monometallic and bimetallic systems. SERS spectra show that Au@Ag bimetallic nanoparticles are very effective SERS-active substrates.