Electrochemical detection of mercuric(ii) ions in aqueous media using glassy carbon electrode modified with synthesized tribenzamides and silver nanoparticles

This study reports the synthesis, characterization, and mercuric ion detection ability of novel tribenzamides having flexible and rigid moieties.

Organocatalytic Atroposelective Construction of Axially Chiral Nonsymmetric Biaryltriols and Their Applications on Asymmetric Synthesis and Heavy Metal Ion Detection

An organocatalytic methodology toward the atroposelective construction of axially chiral nonsymmetric biaryltriols has been successfully developed. Quinine-derived thiourea-catalyzed intramolecular reaction through VQM (vinylidene ortho-quinone methides) intermediate enabled efficient access to...

Cyclic vs Acyclic Alkyne towards Hg2+ ion detection: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Studies

Alkynes constitute a versatile class of functional groups, which can potentially undergo a variety of transformations in organic synthesis. The interaction between alkyne unit and Hg2+ ion is well-known since...

High-performance Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based biosensor for heavy metal detection

Heavy metals, i.e., Cu(II), are harmful to the environment. There is an increasing demand to develop inexpensive detection methods for heavy metals. Here, we developed a yeast biosensor with reduced-noise and improved signal output for potential on-site copper ion detection. The copper-sensing circuit was achieved by employing a secondary genetic layer to control the galactose-inducible (GAL) system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The reciprocal control of the Gal4 activator and Gal80 repressor under copper-responsive promoters resulted in a low-noise and ultrasensitive yeast biosensor for the copper ion detection. Furthermore, we developed a betaxanthin-based colorimetric assay, as well as 2-phenylethanol and styrene-based olfactory outputs for the copper ion detection. Notably, our engineered yeast sensor confers a narrow range switch-like behavior, which can give a “yes/no” response when coupled with betaxanthin-based visual phenotype. Taken together, we envision that the design principle established here might be applicable for developing other sensing systems for various chemical detections.