In this report, the effects of conductive polymer oxidation states and structures on the design and development of ionic liquid (IL)/conductive polymer (CP) composite films for gas sensing are systematically characterized. Four different polyvinyl ferrocene (PVF) films synthesized by varying the conditioning potential (0.7 vs 0.0 V) and the electrolyte are tested for their gas-sensing properties (e.g., sensitivity, selectivity, response time, linearity, and dynamic range against various gas analytes such as dichloromethane, ethanol, natural gas, methane, formaldehyde (37%), and benzene) utilizing the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and ATR-FT-IR. The best available film is further studied as a substrate for the immobilization of various ILs that enhanced both the sensitivity and selectivity. Finally, two arrays, each comprising four sensors with the following scheme are developed and characterized for their ability to classify the four target analytes by using linear discriminant analysis: (1) the highest sensitivity PVF film immobilized with four different ILs and (2) the highest sensitivity IL immobilized in four different PVF films. Array 2 is proven to be much better than array 1 in discriminating the analytes, which is very significant in establishing the fact that a diverse set of PVF redox states allow the rational development of a PVF/IL composite-based sensor array in order to analyze complex mixtures utilizing structural differences and the extent of intermolecular interactions.

A simple method was used to prepare a "switchable" electrode surface by using self-assembled monolayers of dodecanethiol on a gold electrode. The dodecane-modified electrode was electrochemically inactive until the monolayer was soaked in solutions of 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridine. The electroactive form of the electrode could be reverted back to the nonelectroactive form by rinsing the electrode. Surface IR results showed that both dodecanethiol and 1,10-phenanthroline exist in the mixed monolayer.

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Kelsoenethiol and Dikelsoenyl Ether, Two Unique Kelsoane-Type Sesquiterpenes, from the Formosan Soft Coral Nephthea erecta. -Kelsoenethiol (I) and dikelsoenyl ether (II) are screened in vitro for their cytotoxicity against A-459, P-388, and HT-29 cancer cell lines. Compound (I) exhibits moderate cytotoxicity against P-388 and HT-29 cells. -(CHENG, S.-Y.; SHIH, N.-L.; HOU, K.-Y.; GER, M.-J.; YANG, C.-N.; WANG, S.-K.; DUH*, C.-Y.; Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 24 (2014) 2, 473-475, http://dx.