Inorganic Ion Analysis

Inorganic ion analysis plays a crucial role in many fields such as agriculture, environmental protection, and food. Most reported inorganic ion sensors are fluorescence/colorimetric or electrochemical sensors. Nowadays, click chemistry can also be applied to inorganic ions analysis. Those ions that participate in click chemistry can be determined directly by the electrochemical or electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method. If the target ions can react with the products of the click reactions, they can also be indirectly determined^[1].

Applications

• In Cu²⁺ analysis

Identification and detection of copper ions (Cu²⁺) have attracted special attention as copper is an essential trace element for life and excess copper is highly toxic to organisms. A high-sensitive method for Cu²⁺ analysis has been developed by Zhang and co-workers via the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction between water-soluble azide-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and alkyne-modified glass slides (Scheme 1)^[2]. The assay does not rely on any organic solvents, enzymatic magnification reactions, or complicated instruments. More importantly, it need only a small amount of sample, which benefits the analysis of rare samples. This method provides an innovative idea for Cu²⁺ analysis in food and the environment.

Scheme 1. Cu²⁺ detection by CuAAC click reaction.

• In Pt²⁺ analysis

Although platinum (Pt²⁺) is applied in many fields such as dental crowns, catalytic converters, fuel cells, jewelry, and anticancer drugs, it is considered potentially hazardous to human health. Current analytical methods for Pt²⁺ mainly include atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), which need serious sample preparation steps. Kim et al^[3]. developed a rhodamine triazole-based fluorescent chemosensor with highly selective and sensitive by a click reaction between a rhodamine 6G hydroxamate and a propargyl group. This fluorescent chemosensor can be applied to monitor Pt²⁺ in aqueous solutions.

Scheme 2. Synthesis of the rhodamine triazole-based fluorescent chemosensor and analysis of Pt²⁺.

What Can We Do?

Alfa Chemistry has a strong research foundation in the preparation of chemical sensors for inorganic ion analysis. We have ability to help you explore the various applications of click chemistry and provide you with related click chemistry reagents, technical advice and services. If you have problems, please don't hesitate to contact us.

References

1. Ji, N.; et al. Progress on click chemistry and its application in chemical sensors. Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry. 2015, 4 (43): 609-617.
2. Zhang, Z.; et al. Highly sensitive visual detection of copper (II) using water-soluble azide-functionalized gold nanoparticles and silver enhancement. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 2014, 59: 40-44.
3. Kim, H.; et al. Rhodamine triazole-based fluorescent probe for the detection of Pt²⁺. Organic Letters. 2010, 12(22): 5342-5345.