A new nickel based layered double hydroxide nanomaterial, Ni0.8Ce0.2-LDH, constituted by about 3 nm large nanoparticles exhibiting enhanced electrocatalytic properties towards oxidation of glycerol in alkaline media, was prepared by incorporation of 20 wt.% of CeIII ions into α-nickel hydroxide. This can be oxidized to CeIV, as demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, a much electron withdrawing and oxidizing species responsible for electronic interactions and additional electrocatalytic active sites giving rise to synergic effects. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images and the X-ray diffractograms indicated a material with a significantly lower size and degree of crystallinity than α-Ni(OH)2, one of the factors contributing to its enhanced electrochemical and electrocatalytic activity, as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, suggesting a good potentiality for development of glycerol fuel cells.

The free-base meso-tetra(4-pyridylvinylphenyl)porphyrin (1a) and its zinc(II) complex were synthesized and then functionalized with [Ru(bpy)2Cl]+ units (2a and 2b) via conventional methods and evaluated in terms of photophysical, electrochemical and biological aspects. All porphyrins present moderate singlet oxygen production and fluorescence quantum yield, and did not show any aggregation process. The photo-oxidation ability of those porphyrins decreased in the order 2b > 1a > 2a. The electrochemical behavior of 2a and 2b modified electrodes was evaluated by electroanalytical methods. Also the 2b electrode showed a smaller charge transfer resistance (36.70 Ω) when compared to 2a electrode (45.17 Ω). In addition, even after 30 consecutive injections of nitrite solution (1.0 × 10−4 mol L−1) using the flow injection analysis (FIA) system, the modified 2b electrode showed an relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 30) of 1.36% exhibiting a great potential as amperometric sensor for nitrite. Moreover, the biological evaluation towards human serum albumin (HSA) indicated spontaneous, weak and ground-state association in the IB subdomain (site III) and possibily a second site, changing the conventional interaction mode of porphyrins with biomolecules as consequence of the longer arms (porphyrin ring substituents at meso-positions) ending with a ruthenium polypyridyl complex, that may enhance the photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficiency of photogenerated reactive oxygen species (ROS) species.

Minimizing the emission of industrial effluents and realizing the recovery/extraction of key elements such as the rare earths from low concentration solutions, or during water decontamination processes, are some of the biggest challenges of modern society. Accordingly, the preparation and characterization of a low cost recyclable and reusable superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION)/zeolite nanocomposite (Zmag) is described, and the possibility of their use for removal of heavy metals and ammonium/ammonia is discussed, generating water whose quality is in compliance with the more strict modern environmental laws. Such materials are suitable for realization of a more efficient dispersion method for adsorption in combination with magnetically aided concentration/separation processes for removal of contaminants. In fact, Zmag was shown to efficiently remove PbII and HgII, as well as NH4+ from water, generating effluents that can be directly disposed in water bodies according to the current environmental law requirements, as stated by EPA (North America Environmental Protection Agency). That nanocomposite material has a competitive production cost and allowed a cutback in the nitrogen (NH3) content from 300 mg L-1 (diluted slurry source) to less than 36 mg L-1. Furthermore, Zmag demonstrated high capacity to concentrate and recover in a cyclic way LaIII.

An electrocatalytic active hybrid material prepared by successive stepwise coordinative deposition of 20 nm diameter gold nanoparticles (AuNP) with 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TPyP) on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates previously modified with 3-mercaptopropylsilane is described. Their interaction and assembly were studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy to understand the kinetics as well as the conformation on the porphyrin macrocycle on the electrode surface as a function of its concentration. The hybrid nanomaterial was a build-up in reproducible successive deposition steps as confirmed by the linear rise of the absorption bands assigned to AuNP and TPyP as a function of the number of AuNP/porphyrin hybrid deposition steps, as supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Electrodes modified with the hybrid nanomaterials were prepared and characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), as well as their electrocatalytic properties for the oxidation of nitrite and sulfite investigated. FTO electrodes modified with the AuNP/TPyP hybrid showed remarkable electrocatalytic activity as confirmed by reproducible and sensitive amperometric responses for sensing nitrite and sulfite in comparison to the bare electrode while reducing overpotentials respectively to 0.8 and 0.4 V and improving the dynamic range (linear response allowing quantification in the 50 to 500 µmol L-1 range) for detection of analytes.

A new series of tris-(bipyridyl)ruthenium-like complexes based on the 4-tripheylamine-2,2’:6’,2’’-terpyridine (TPA) push-pull ligand was prepared by incorporation of 4-carboxypyridine (cpy), 4,4’-dicarboxi-2,2’-bipyridine (dcbpy) and 4-carboxyterpyridine ligands (ctpy) ligands, in order to adsorb them on TiO2 in different anchoring conformations. The electron photoinjection and electron recombination processes of the respective dye-sensitized solar cells were greatly influenced by the molecular structure, which defined the surface concentration and surface charge on TiO2, such that the photoconversion efficiency was 10 times larger for [Ru(py)(dcbpy)(TPAtpy)] than for the [Ru(cpy)(bpy)(TPAtpy)](PF6) dye. Molecules anchoring in a more upright position and by a larger number of sites were shown to enhance the electron injection into TiO2 conduction band (CB) improving the short-circuit current (JSC), open circuit voltage (Voc) and the overall photoconversion efficiency. However, a positive net charge in the dye increased the back electron-transfer reactions and induced a decrease in both Voc and conversion efficiency.

Magnetic iron oxides are of great scientific and technological relevance. Therefore, herein, we report the research on developing methodologies for their sustainable and reproducible preparation. We discuss the synthesis of iron oxides involving citrus pectin as a source of energy (42 MJ kg-1) to promote the formation of the magnetic phases. The method involved two simple steps: gelation of the pectin (80 °C, 4 h) with iron nitrate nonahydrate [Fe(NO3)3.9H2O], and calcination (600 °C, 1 h). X-ray diffraction indicated the major formation of hematite (α-Fe2O3) and ferrite phases. Microscopy images show materials with an average size below 50 nm. Textural properties indicated pore sizes of 7-30 nm while magnetic measurements indicated the formation of soft and hard oxides (coercivity between 90 and 400 Oe) and high magnetization saturation (50 emu g-1).

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive and effective procedure for treatment of cancer, based on the combination of a drug (photosensitizer, PS), light (visible or near-infrared, NIR) and induced local formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and radicals. Despite its less significant side effects as compared with conventional therapies, many efforts still are been focused on enhancing the selectivity and efficiency of PSs and thus, of commercial drugs. Nanotechnology is providing many interesting possibilities and tools to develop drug delivery systems (DDS) and multifunctional platforms for therapy, diagnosis and theranostics. More recently, their effectiveness against tumor cells and tissues is being improved by combining the synergic effects of chemotherapeutic agents and other therapies, making them more interesting therapeutic alternatives. Accordingly, this review is focused on the recent contributions of nanotechnology on PDT, converging to the development of DDSs and multifunctional systems and their application for cancer therapy.

The [Ru3O(Ac)6(py)2(CH3OH)]+ cluster provides an effective electrocatalytic species for the oxidation of methanol under mild conditions. This complex exhibits characteristic electrochemical waves at -1.02, 0.15 and 1.18 V, associated with the Ru3III,II,II/Ru3III,III,II/Ru 3III,III,III /Ru3IV,III,III successive redox couples, respectively. Above 1.7 V, formation of two RuIV centers enhances the 2-electron oxidation of the methanol ligand yielding formaldehyde, in agreement with the theoretical evolution of the HOMO levels as a function of the oxidation states. This work illustrates an important strategy to improve the efficiency of the oxidation catalysis, by using a multicentered redox catalyst and accessing its multiple higher oxidation states.

Nas nanopartículas de ouro, as propriedades químicas e físicas são ditadas principalmente pelos átomos da superfície, os quais podem interagir com espécies doadoras-aceitadoras, ou ligantes, da mesma forma que os complexos metálicos correspondentes. Além disso, os elétrons podem entrar em ressonância com a luz incidente dando origem aos plasmons de superfície, que levam à intensificação do campo elétrico local e ao efeito SERS, proporcionando uma ampla variedade de aplicações na química, biologia e nanotecnologia. Ligantes de ponte, multifuncionais, podem ser usados para intermediar a ligação de íons metálicos aos átomos de ouro da superfície. Essa estratégia permite controlar a estabilização em solução através das cargas dos complexos metálicos, acrescentando, ao mesmo tempo, novas características químicas e maior funcionalidade às nanopartículas modificadas. Dessa forma, uma nova química de coordenação pode ser vislumbrada, combinando nanopartículas metálicas, como as de ouro, e complexos, à luz da química supramolecular e dos efeitos de ressonância plasmônica de superfície.

In gold nanoparticles the surface metal atoms play a major role, determining their chemical and physical properties by interacting with donor-acceptor species or ligands in a similar way as the related metal complexes. In addition, coherent oscillations of the metal electrons in resonance with the frequency of the exciting light give rise to localized surface plasmons responsible for an enhancement of the local electric field and SERS effect, allowing a wide range of applications in chemistry, biology and nanotechnology. Multifunctional bridging ligands can be employed for simultaneously binding metal ions and surface atoms. The attractive point of this approach is the possibility of exploiting the charge controlled stabilization by the metal complexes, while imparting new characteristics and properties to the modified nanoparticles. As a matter of fact, a new, exciting field of coordination chemistry can be envisaged, combining metal nanoparticles and metal complexes, in the light of supramolecular and surface plasmon resonance effects.

Uma nova espécie cobre(II)-tetra(3,4-piridil) porfirazina tetrarrutenada, [CuTRPyPz]4+ foi sintetizada e sua caracterização conduzida por meio de métodos analíticos, espectroscópicos e eletroquímicos. Sua extensa conjugação-À a distingue dos derivados análogos da meso-tetrapiridilporfirina, levando à ocorrência de interações eletrônicas mais fortes entre os complexos periféricos e o anel porfirazínico central. Com base nas interações eletrostáticas e de empilhamento-À, foram realizadas montagens, camada-por-camada, de filmes funcionais, combinando-se a [CuTRPyPz]4+ com a ftalocianina de cobre(II) tetrassulfonada, [CuTSPc]4-. As propriedades condutoras e eletrocatalíticas desses filmes foram investigadas através de técnicas de impedância e de voltametria de disco rotatório, observando-se um comportamento metálico nas proximidades do potencial do par redox Ru(III)/(II), bem como uma pronunciada atividade catalítica na oxidação de íons nitrito e sulfito, em meio aquoso.

A new tetraruthenated copper(II)-tetra(3,4-pyridyl)porphyrazine species, [CuTRPyPz]4+, has been synthesized and fully characterized by means of analytical, spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. This À-conjugated system contrasts with the related meso-tetrapyridylporphyrins by exhibiting strong electronic interaction between the coordinated peripheral complexes and the central ring. Based on favorable À-stacking and electrostatic interactions, layer-by-layer assembled films were successfully generated from the appropriate combination of [CuTRPyPz]4+ with copper(II)-tetrasulfonated phtalocyanine, [CuTSPc]4-. Their conducting and electrocatalytic properties were investigated by means of impedance spectroscopy and rotating disc voltammetry, exhibiting metallic behavior near the Ru(III/II) redox potential, as well as enhanced catalytic activity for the oxidation of nitrite and sulphite ions.

Brazilian science is evolving rapidly and steadly in the last 10 years, reaching the 15º place in the international ranking. Research in nanotechnology is following a similar way generating new scientific and technological knowledge in several frontiers but specially in the interfaces of two or more areas, where Chemistry is consolidating itself as a central science. In this context, the supramolecular approach is a very promissing one because it allows the build-up of a chemical inteligence using all the sistematized knowledge for the design and development of new nanomaterials and products. The great challenge of Chemistry is not decrease the dimensionality of the materials but instead find ways to increase the dimensionality and structural complexity keeping strict control on the interactions between the components, in order to generate materials with new properties and functionalities. Unfortunately, the current vigorous advancement of scientific research has not been followed by the transformation of such know-how into patents and produts. Therefore much efforts should be devoted to build a national science and technology program, joining all the segments of the society involved in the technological development (university, institutes of technological research, industry and government) in order to promote the furtherance of the Brazilian technological base. Only in this way it is possible to evolve to a technological society capable to transform the scientific knowledge into wealthy, thus sustaining the socioeconomic development of the country.

Meso (3- e 4-piridil)porfirinas coordenadas a quatro complexos [Ru(bipy)2Cl]+, M(3-TRPyP) e M(4-TRPyP), onde M = 2H+ e Zn2+, foram obtidas e caracterizadas por métodos eletroquímicos, espectroscopia e espectrometria de massas. Os filmes eletrostaticamente montados camada por camada com ftalocianina de cobre tetrassulfonada, CuTSPc, apresentaram atividade eletrocatalítica diferenciada para a oxidação de sulfito e nitrito. Em geral, os filmes derivados dos isômeros M(4-TRPyP) são mais ativos para a oxidação de nitrito, enquanto aqueles contendo os isômeros M(3-TRPyP) são mais eficientes para a oxidação de sulfito. Os resultados revelaram uma influência significativa da geometria molecular no sítio ativo dos nanomateriais porfirínicos, que favorece os processos de transferência eletrônica nos derivados de M(3-TRPyP), através de mudanças no empacotamento molecular com a CuTSPc.

Meso(3- and 4-pyridyl)porphyrins coordinated to four [Ru(bipy)2Cl]+ complexes, M(3-TRPyP) or M(4-TRPyP), where M=2H+ and Zn2+, have been obtained and characterized by electrochemistry, spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Layer-by-layer electrostatic assembled films with tetrasulfonated phthalocyaninatecuprate(II) anion, CuTSPc, displayed distinct electrocatalytic activity towards sulfite and nitrite oxidation. In general, the films derived from the M(4-TRPyP) isomers are more effective for the oxidation of nitrite, whereas those containing the M(3-TRPyP) isomers are more efficient for the oxidation of sulfite. The results demonstrated the influence of molecular geometry on the active sites of porphyrinic nanomaterials, enhancing the electron-transfer process in the M(3-TRPyP) derivative. This effect results from changes in the chemical environment around the active sites, induced by the contrasting molecular packing interactions with CuTSPc.

Meso (З- e 4-piridil)porfirinas coordenadas a quatro complexos [Ru(bipy)2Cl]+, M(3-TRPyP) e M(4-TRPyP), onde M = 2H+ e Zn2+, foram obtidas e caracterizadas por métodos eletroquímicos, espectroscopia e espectrometria de massas. Os filmes eletrostaticamente montados camada por camada com ftalocianina de cobre tetrassulfonada, CuTSPc, apresentaram atividade eletrocatalítica diferenciada para a oxidação de sulfito e nitrito. Em geral, os filmes derivados dos isômeros M(4-TRPyP) são mais ativos para a oxidação de nitrito, enquanto aqueles contendo os isômeros M(3-TRPyP) são mais eficientes para a oxidação de sulfito. Os resultados revelaram uma influência significativa da geometria molecular no sítio ativo dos nanomateriais porfirínicos, que favorece os processos de transferência eletrônica nos derivados de M(3-TRPyP), através de mudanças no empacotamento molecular com a CuTSPc.

Meso(3- and 4-pyridyl)porphyrins coordinated to four [Ru(bipy)2Cl]+ complexes, M(3-TRPyP) or M(4-TRPyP), where M=2H+ and Zn2+, have been obtained and characterized by electrochemistry, spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Layer-by-layer electrostatic assembled films with tetrasulfonated phthalocyaninatecuprate(II) anion, CuTSPc, displayed distinct electrocatalytic activity towards sulfite and nitrite oxidation. In general, the films derived from the M(4-TRPyP) isomers are more effective for the oxidation of nitrite, whereas those containing the M(3-TRPyP) isomers are more efficient for the oxidation of sulfite. The results demonstrated the influence of molecular geometry on the active sites of porphyrinic nanomaterials, enhancing the electron-transfer process in the M(3-TRPyP) derivative. This effect results from changes in the chemical environment around the active sites, induced by the contrasting molecular packing interactions with CuTSPc.

Supramolecular chemistry is expected to keep a high developing pace in the next years, giving support to the advancement of molecular devices and nanotechnology. In this sense, porphyrins and their analogues should play a significant role as a consequence of their catalytic, electrocatalytic, photochemical and photoelectrochemical properties. In this review we focused on our own strategy based on coordination chemistry for the design and build-up of supermolecules and supramolecular structures constituted by polynuclear porphyrins and metalloporphyrins. Included are also their properties and potential applications.