Metallocalix[4]arene Polymers for Gravimetric Detection of N- Nitrosodialkylamines

J Am Chem Soc. 2021 Dec 1;143(47):19809-19815. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c08739. Epub 2021 Nov 18.

Abstract

N-Nitrosamines are found in food, drugs, air, water, and soil. They pose a significant risk to human health because of their carcinogenicity; consequently, materials that can be used to selectively and sensitively detect nitrosamines are needed. In this work, we designed and synthesized two polymers bearing calix[4]arene or 4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene tungsten-imido complexes (PCalixH and PCalixtBu) as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) receptors. The interaction between metallocalix[4]arene monomers/polymers and NDMA was confirmed by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray analysis further revealed that the host-guest interaction is based on binding of the terminal oxygen of NDMA to tungsten within the calixarene cavity. Gravimetric detection of NDMA was performed on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) in air. Both polymers show responses to NDMA, with PCalixtBu exhibiting a low theoretical limit of detection of 5 ppb for NDMA. The sensor also shows high selectivity toward NDMA and moderate humidity tolerance. This work provides a sensitive sensor for detection of NDMA and also offers a class of new, selective, and efficient NDMA receptors for the future design of NDMA sensors and NDMA extraction materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Calixarenes / chemical synthesis
  • Calixarenes / chemistry*
  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry*
  • Limit of Detection
  • Nitrosamines / analysis*
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Quartz Crystal Microbalance Techniques
  • Receptors, Artificial / chemical synthesis
  • Receptors, Artificial / chemistry*
  • Tungsten / chemistry

Substances

  • Coordination Complexes
  • Nitrosamines
  • Polymers
  • Receptors, Artificial
  • Calixarenes
  • Tungsten