One-pot Process Research Articles

One-pot synthesis of foamable bio-resin: High solid content, low viscosity and rapid low-temperature curing

The increasing global concerns surrounding sustainable resource development and energy-efficient utilisation have positioned the functional utilisation of natural biomass materials as a critical research hotspot in materials science. This study aims to enhance the utilisation of lignocellulose, a highly promising and abundant renewable energy source, to replace petroleum-based materials with wood-based materials. To achieve this objective, the study employed techniques such as liquefaction degradation, molecular reconstruction and directional induction to synthesise wood-based resin through a one-pot process, using poplar powder. The resulting resin exhibited a solid content ranging from 65 % to 68 % and viscosity between 8000 and 4000 mPa·s. Compared with resin formulations lacking divalent metal ions, the resin containing these ions demonstrated an approximate reduction of 8°C in peak curing temperature and a 42.96 % decrease in curing time. These characteristics satisfy the requirements for foaming resins, including high solid content, low viscosity and rapid curing at low temperatures. Additionally, the impacts of resin rheology and thermosetting on the foam pore structure were analysed using principles of rheology and thermodynamics. The integrated manufacturing process of the resin resulted in zero waste or by-products, thereby enhancing efficiency, conserving energy and demonstrating promising market prospects.

Precisely Prepared Hierarchical Micelles of Polyfluorene-block-Polythiophene-block-Poly(phenyl isocyanide) via Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly.

The precise preparation of hierarchical micelles is a fundamental challenge in modern materials science and chemistry. Herein, poly(di-n-hexylfluorene)-block-poly(3-tetraethylene glycol thiophene) (poly(1m-b-2n)) diblock copolymers and polyfluorene-block-polythiophene-block-poly(phenyl isocyanide) triblock copolymers were synthesized using a one-pot process via the sequential addition of corresponding monomers using a Ni(II) complex as a single catalyst for living/controlled polymerization. The crystallization-driven self-assembly of amphiphilic conjugated poly(1m-b-2n) led to the formation of nanofibers with controlled lengths and narrow dispersity. The block copolymers exhibited white, yellow, and red emissions in different self-assembly states. By using uniform poly(1m-b-2n) nanofibers as seeds, introducing the polyfluorene-block-polythiophene-block-poly(phenyl isocyanide) triblock polymer as a unimer in the seed growth process, and adjusting the structure of the poly(phenyl isocyanide) block and the polarity of self-assembly solvent, A-B-A triblock micelles, multiarm branched micelles, and raft micelles were prepared.

Diarenofuran[b]-fused BODIPYs: One-Pot SNAr-Suzuki Synthesis and Properties.

We present a streamlined methodology that integrates regioselective tetrahalogen-BODIPY and o-hydroxyphenylboronic acid in a one-pot process, leveraging SNAr nucleophilic substitution in conjunction with Suzuki coupling to afford diarenofuran [b]-fused BODIPYs (DBFB1-9) with commendable yields (85-95%) and short reaction times (0.5-1.0 h). X-ray structure analyses of DBFB5,7-9 elucidate that these diarenofuran[b]-fused BODIPYs adopt a "butterfly" conformation, maintaining a highly rigid planarity. A comprehensive examination of the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of these diarenofuran[b]-fused BODIPY derivatives, incorporating various substituents, reveals intriguing characteristics, including pronounced absorption and emission in the near-infrared region (NIR), elevated fluorescence quantum yields (ΦF = 75-89% in dichloromethane), and tunable HOMO-LUMO levels. Remarkably, compared to DBFB1-8, DBFB9 possesses a large extended π-conjugated system, resulting in significant red shifts in its absorption and emission maxima, reaching 623 and 635 nm, respectively, and a reduced HOMO-LUMO gap. Despite this substantial structural expansion, DBFB9 maintains a surprisingly high fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF = 80%), underscoring its exceptional photophysical performance and strong potential for applications requiring efficient NIR emission and robust fluorescence retention.

Production of Branched Alkanes by Upcycling of Waste Polyethylene over Controlled Acid Sites of SO4/ZrO2-Al2O3 Catalyst.

Branched alkanes, which enhance the octane number of gasoline, can be produced from waste polyethylene. However, achieving highly selective production of branched alkanes presents a significant challenge in the upcycling of waste polyethylene, and the maximum selectivity for branched alkanes reported up to date is about 70%. Here, we report a one-pot process to convert polyethylene into gasoline-range hydrocarbons (C4-C13) with yield of 73.3% over SO42-ZrO2-Al2O3 catalyst at 280 °C. The proportion of branched alkanes reaches 90.1% within the C4-C13 fraction. Incorporation of sulfate group endows the catalyst with strong Lewis acid sites and weak and moderate Brønsted acid sites. In situ X-ray absorption, in situ infrared spectroscopy, in situ small angle neutron scattering, and DFT calculations reveal that polyethylene activation occurs through the synergy between sulfate groups and strong Lewis acid sites (Zr sites). The weak and moderate Brønsted acid sites preferentially catalyze the isomerization and type A β-scission processes, which favors the formation of branched alkanes, while suppressing competing reactions that produce straight-chain alkanes.

C–H Trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehyde hydrazones

The selective C–H trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehyde hydrazones afforded interesting fluorinated building blocks, which could be used as a synthetic platform. Starting from readily available (hetero)aromatic and aliphatic hydrazones, the formation of a C–SCF3 bond was achieved under oxidative and mild reaction conditions in the presence of the readily available AgSCF3 salt via a one-pot sequential process (28 examples, up to 91% yield). Mechanistic investigations revealed that AgSCF3 was the active species in the transformation.

Concise Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted 1,6-Dihydropyridazine and Pyridazine Derivatives

AbstractA novel one-pot three-steps process has been developed, including phosphine-catalyzed Rauhut–Currier reaction of γ-alkyl allenoates, Diels–Alder reaction with di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate, followed by deprotection of Boc group to prepare tetra-substituted 1,6-dihydropyridazines in good yields. The 1,6-dihydropyridazines were easily converted to pyridazine derivatives via oxidative aromatization by DDQ.

Solvent-Dependent Sequence-Controlled Copolymerization of Lactones: Tailoring Material Properties from Robust Plastics to Tough Elastomers.

Copolymerization stands as a versatile and potent method for tailoring polymer properties by adjusting structural unit composition and sequence distribution. However, achieving sequence-controlled copolymerization in a one-step and one-pot process remains challenging. This study introduces a solvent-dependent sequence-controlled copolymerization strategy to produce block and statistical copolyesters from 4-phenyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.1.1]hexan-3-one (4Ph-BL) and ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). The distinct kinetics of the two monomers enable the facile synthesis of diblock and triblock copolyesters, PCL-b-P(4Ph-BL) and P(4Ph-BL)-b-PCL-b-P(4Ph-BL), in non-coordinating solvents, such as dichloromethane and toluene. Conversely, coordinating solvents like tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane facilitate frequent transesterifications, yielding statistical copolyesters P[CL-stat-(4Ph-BL)] with varying ratios of heterosequences. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that coordinating solvents stabilize the transition state for transesterification, thereby validating their role in triggering this process. By varying the microstructures and compositions, the resultant copolyesters display tunable thermal and mechanical properties, evolving from robust plastics with an ultimate tensile strength of up to 46.3 ± 3.1 MPa to tough elastomers with >99.3% elastic recovery. All the copolyesters exhibit remarkable thermal stability (Td,5% = 376 °C) and maintain desirable chemical circularity (>92%), supporting a closed-loop life cycle for sustainable material economy.

Iron-Tannin Coating Reduces Clearance and Increases Tumor Colonization of Systemically Delivered Bacteria.

Engineered bacteria offer a novel approach to targeted cancer therapy, but challenges remain in delivering enough bacteria safely for effective treatment. Previous efforts have used either a native or synthetic coating to achieve better control over the half-life of bacteria in the body but have limitations in delivery or versatility. In this work, we optimized and evaluated a synthetic coating for probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 to increase its half-life in blood and thereby increase the bioavailability of intravenous doses of bacteria to colonize and treat tumors. Using a simple one-pot chemical process, we coated bacteria with iron and tannic acid (FeTA) to form a temporary adhesive protective coating surrounding the bacterial cell surface. The iron to tannic acid ratio of the coating was optimized for intravenous use, and FeTA-coated bacteria of several different genetic backgrounds showed 15-fold higher survival in blood survival assays for up to 4 hours. We found that the FeTA coating reduced both complement-mediated bacterial killing and phagocyte-mediated bacterial killing in vitro. As a result, systemic delivery of attenuated bacteria had up to 60% colonization efficiency of FeTA-coated bacteria in an orthotopic breast cancer mouse model compared to 10% for the non-coated control, all the while maintaining a two-fold decrease in weight loss of attenuated bacteria compared to wild-type. Altogether, we show that an optimized FeTA coating significantly extends the half-life and colonization efficiency of engineered bacteria, overcoming a key limitation of their application in cancer therapy.

Synthesis of cubic mesoporous silica SBA16 functionalized with carboxylic acid in a one-pot process for efficient removal of wastewater containing Cu2+: Adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics

Wastewater containing heavy metal ions, such as Cu2+, that are released into the environment will cause irreparable damage to the nature and human health of living. It is, therefore, absolutely crucial to remove these toxic ions from water. Herein, this paper utilizes the cyano group as a functional reagent to prepare carboxyl-functionalized SBA16 for adsorbing Cu2+ in water. In this paper, 2-cyanoethyltriethoxysilane is employed as a functionalizing reagent to prepare carboxyl-functionalized SBA16 through a one-pot method. The prepared material was characterized using various techniques, such as WXRD, TEM, FT-IR, and XPS. The results indicated that the introduction of the functionalizing reagent did not disrupt the original cage-like cubic mesoporous structure (Im3m symmetry) of SBA16. Crucial adsorption factors, namely pH, adsorbent dosage, Cu2+ initial concentration, and contact time, affecting the removal of Cu2+ were monitored and the optimum adsorption conditions were determined. Isotherm and kinetic investigations were conducted and a non-linear fitting method of experimental data was used to obtain isotherm and kinetic parameters. Maximum adsorption capacity reaches 181.3 mg g−1 was achieved in 60 min at pH = 3. Adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm followed the pseudo-second-order (R2 = 0.999) and Langmuir (R2 = 0.999) models, respectively. This suggests that the adsorption process primarily involves chemisorption and monolayer coverage. Thermodynamic parameters showed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption process. After 5 cycles, the adsorbent still maintains a good adsorption capacity for Cu2+. This suggests promising applications for the adsorbent in treating wastewater containing Cu2+.

Continuous Flow Optimisation of the Pudovik Reaction and Phospha-Brook Rearrangement Using DBN

Flow chemistry has shown significant versatility over the last two decades, offering advantages in efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. In this study, the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) was used to optimise the synthesis of α-hydroxyphosphonates via the Pudovik reaction and their subsequent conversion to phosphates through the phospha-Brook rearrangement. The study highlights that using CSTRs allows for better control over reaction parameters, leading to reduced reaction times and improved yields compared to traditional batch methods. The optimised conditions successfully facilitated a range of organophosphates, including electron-rich and electron-poor derivatives, with high efficiency. Additionally, a one-pot tandem process combining the Pudovik reaction and the phospha-Brook rearrangement was developed, reducing reaction times to two hours while maintaining comparable yields. This work demonstrates the potential of CSTRs in flow chemistry for synthesising complex organophosphorus compounds, achieving higher reaction yields and shorter reaction times, highlighting the effectiveness of continuous flow methodologies.

Mixed Matrix PVDF Microfiltration Membranes with In-situ Synthesized Polyethyleneimine Particles as a Platform for Flow Through, High Capacity, Weak Base and Salt Tolerant Anion Exchange Membrane Adsorbers for Downstream Bioprocessing

The rapid growth of the monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutic market has led to a need for improved downstream bioprocessing, including mAb capture and release from bioreactor harvests followed by product purification and polishing. Membrane chromatography (MC) is poised to displace resin-based column chromatography in mAb product polishing. To remove negatively charged product impurities (e.g., host cell proteins, DNA, viruses, and endotoxins), anion exchange (AEX) membrane adsorbers offer higher process rates and eliminate the risks of cross contamination as they can be deployed as single use separation devices, which are increasingly being utilized in downstream bioprocessing to increase manufacturing speed and decrease production cost. Here, we describe a one-pot and single step phase inversion casting process for the preparation of a family of mixed matrix polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microfiltration (MF) membranes with in-situ synthesized polyethyleneimine (PEI) microparticles that can serve as flow through, high capacity, and salt tolerant weak base AEX membrane adsorbers. These new membranes have a high content of weak base (WB) groups (primary and secondary amines) by virtue of the utilization of bis(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride (BCAH) as crosslinker in the in-situ synthesis of PEI microparticles in the dope dispersions prior to membrane casting. By varying the concentration of PEI and BCAH in the casting dispersions, we successfully utilized nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS) with isopropyl alcohol as the nonsolvent in the membrane coagulation bath to prepare a mixed matrix PVDF-PEI MF membrane with (i) a relatively uniform and open microstructure in which the PEI particles completely cover the PVDF spherulites present at the membrane surface and cross section, (ii) high water flux (>1000 liters/m2/hr. at 2 bar) and (iii) a high loading of BCAH crosslinked PEI microparticles (51.0 wt.%) containing weak base primary, secondary, and tertiary amine groups. The protein binding measurements show that this new mixed matrix PVDF-PEI MF membrane can serve as a flow through, high capacity, and salt tolerant WB AEX membrane adsorber with a bovine serum albumin (BSA) dynamic binding capacity of ∼60 mg BSA per mL of membrane in a 50 mM TRIS buffer containing 100 mM of NaCl (15 mS/cm) at 10% breakthrough and flow rate of 10 MV/min. The overall results of this study indicate that our mixed matrix PVDF-PEI MF membranes with in-situ synthesized and BCAH crosslinked PEI microparticles have a promising potential to serve as a platform for the design, preparation, and scale up of a new generation of flow through, high capacity, salt tolerant, WB AEX membrane adsorber materials for downstream bioprocessing.

Facile fabrication of a starch-based wood adhesive showcasing water resistance, flame retardancy, and antibacterial properties via a dual crosslinking strategy

The demand for non-toxic, environmentally friendly, easily processable, water-resistant, flame-retardant and antimicrobial adhesives in the wood processing industry is becoming increasingly urgent. Few adhesives can possess these functions altogether while being synthesized easily. This paper presents a one-pot process utilizing corn starch, sodium hypochlorite, itaconic acid, and borax to synthesize a starch-based adhesive with dual crosslinking. Initial crosslinking takes place between the carboxyl groups of itaconic acid and hydroxyl groups on oxidized starch due to the formation of ester bonds. Secondary crosslinking by borate ester bonds occurs between starch hydroxyl groups and boric acid. The entire reaction process is environmentally benign, generating no waste, with all reactants converted into final products, aligning with “green” chemistry principles. When used to bond wooden boards, this adhesive achieved a dry shear strength of 5.34 ± 0.24 MPa, and a wet shear strength of 1.22 ± 0.06 MPa after soaking in water. Additionally, this starch-based adhesive exhibited antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, with borax incorporated, the adhesive demonstrated flame-retardancy. The limiting oxygen index for bonded wooden boards was 30.9 %, qualifying it as a flame-retardant material. These multiple functions render it promising for applications in the wood processing industry.

A simple synthesis of bio-based cathode catalyst of microbial fuel cell with bio-oil recovery through pyrolysis of defatted yeast-biomass

Biomass of plant, yeast and bacterial origin is a promising source of activated biochar or carbon for electrode and catalytic material applications, as it is abundant, diverse, and inexpensive. In this work, the defatted biomass of Meyerozyma caribbica, an oleaginous yeast, was used as the feedstock for biochar production. Activated yeast biochar that was synthesized by using KOH in a single-step one-pot process carried out at 700 °C was found to have a honeycomb-like structure with a surface area of around 412 m2/g. The porous activated-biochar exhibited good electrical properties when applied as a cathode-catalyst material of a microbial fuel cell (MFC). Both coulombic and COD removal efficiencies increased by 1.9 and 1.3 times, respectively, as compared to bare carbon-felt as the cathode. In contrast, the internal resistance of the MFC using activated-biochar-based cathode decreased by 2.6-fold as compared to MFC using carbon felt as cathode. The investigation suggested that defatted yeast-based modified bio-charcoal could be a promising carbon-enriched biomaterial for synthesizing cathode catalyst for application in MFCs. This one-pot process of synthesizing cathode catalyst is based on a net zero-discharge approach with concomitant bio-oil recovery.

Synthesis of spiroindolenines through a one-pot multistep process mediated by visible light.

Spiro-heterocyclic indolenines are privileged scaffolds widely present in numerous indole alkaloids. Here, we develop a novel approach for the one-pot multistep synthesis of different spiro[indole-isoquinolines]. The protocol proposed involves the visible light mediated oxidation of N-aryl tertiary amines using bromochloroform with the generation of a reactive iminium species, which reacts with an isocyanide and an electron-rich aniline in a three-component Ugi-type reaction to give an α-aminoamidine. This compound might undergo an additional visible light-mediated oxidation to furnish a second iminium intermediate, which acts as electrophile in an intramolecular electrophilic aromatic substitution giving the final spiro-indolenine. The scope of the process has been investigated with respect to all three components. Simple operations, mild conditions, and good yields make this strategy a convenient and sustainable way to obtain novel spiro-indolenine derivatives.

Multicomponent synthesis of 7-(diethylamino)coumarin–pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-one conjugates and modulation of their twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) processes

By coupling an Ugi-Zhu three-component reaction to a cascade sequence (aza Diels-Alder cycloaddition/N-acylation/decarboxylation/dehydration) into a one-pot process, seven new 7-(diethylamino)coumarin-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-one bis-heterocyclic conjugates were synthesized in moderate overall yields (15–38 %). Next, the photophysical properties of all products were determined using UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. These products exhibited fluorescence quantum yields (FQY) ranging from 17 % to 25 %. In contrast, one of their precursors, the free 7-(diethylamino)-3-carbaldehyde displayed a low FQY of 2 %, and, also exhibited dual emission across all solvents used for the measurements. The increase in quantum yield observed upon incorporation of the coumarin moiety into MCR products was attributed to the inhibition of the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) process. This one naturally occurs in the free coumarin but was suppressed in the products due to a decrease in the acceptor strength of the substituent at position 3 of the coumarin moiety. Furthermore, the electronic structure of the compounds was computed by DFT/TD-DFT calculations allowing to determine which molecular orbitals (MO) were involved in the electronic transitions.

Tridentate chelate ligand-based Dy-Cu adduct: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

One discrete 3d-4f adduct with formula {[Cu(hfac)(Nit-PhCH2-PyN)]+[Dy(hfac)4]–} (hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate, Nit-PhCH2-PyN=2-[4-[bi(2-pyridylmethyl)amine]-tolyl]-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) has been afforded on the basis of a one-pot process of Dy(hfac)3·2H2O, Cu(hfac)2·2H2O and a tridentate chelate ligand Nit-PhCH2-PyN. Interestingly, one discrete [Dy(hfac)4]– anion and [Cu(hfac)(Nit-PhCH2-PyN)]+ serving as the counter-ion are present in the 3d-4f complex. In addition, magnetic studies have shown field-induced slow magnetic relaxation is derived from the [Dy(hfac)4]– anion, involving the eight-coordinated DyIII ion with D4d symmetry.

Improved Reductive Catalytic Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass through the Application of a Recyclable Magnetic Catalyst.

The reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) of second generation lignocellulosic biomass is an elegant one-pot process to obtain a highly delignified cellulose pulp, sugar-derived polyols, and depolymerized and stabilized lignin oils. However, the need of noble metal catalysts to prompt the reactions may impact the economic sustainability of the overall "lignin-first" biorefinery if the catalyst recovery and recyclability are not guaranteed. Herein, the use of a novel catalyst based on supported ruthenium over maghemite for the RCF of poplar sawdust is reported for the first time. This material allows us to obtain a pure cellulose pulp with a quantitative magnetic recovery efficiency after the first cycle. The obtained lignin oil is composed by a 12% yield in phenolic monomers (i.e., benzyl alcohol, 4-n-propylguaiacol, and 4-n-propylsyringol), together with dimers and trimers as confirmed by GPC analyses. The catalytic material was found to be stable and recyclable for three reaction cycles with only minor loss of RCF efficiency. On the other hand, the straightforward, lab-scale, magnetic recovery procedure needs to be further improved in the future to ensure quantitative recovery of the catalyst also after several RCF cycles.

Inkjet-based facile fabrication of a copper ferrocyanide-embedded magnetic alginate microadsorbent for highly enhanced cesium removal

For the first time, simple and facile fabrication of a magnetic alginate microadsorbent via piezoelectric inkjet technology was developed for the selective removal of 137Cs via magnetic separation. Through the ejection of an alginate solution containing potassium ferrocyanide and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into a Cu2+ solution via an inkjet device, the fabrication of a copper ferrocyanide-embedded magnetic alginate microadsorbent (CuFC-MAM) with an average size of 39.38 μm was easily achieved in a one-pot fabrication process; here, the Cu2+ ions acted as both a cross-linker for the gelation of alginate and a Cu source for the in situ synthesis of CuFC with potassium ferrocyanide. The Cs adsorption behavior of CuFC-MAM was effectively fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. Owing to the increased specific surface area of CuFC-MAM, its pseudo-second-order rate constant and maximum adsorption capacity were 76.54 and 1.486 times greater than those of CuFC-embedded magnetic alginate macroadsorbents fabricated without inkjet devices. Compared with other Cs adsorbents, CuFC-MAM presented the highest maximum capacity and Kd value; these results were attributed to the high content of CuFC in CuFC-MAM (50.15%). In addition, our CuFC-MAM exhibited an excellent removal efficiency of radioactive Cs, exceeding 99% from seawater.

A pH visual sensing platform based on dual-emission chiral carbon dots for discrimination of normal/cancer cells and monitoring food freshness

Accurate detection of pH is important in pathological processes and food freshness. Developing sensors of sensitive response and visualization for pH is highly demanded. In this work, Chiral carbon dots (CCDs) was synthesized via one-pot hydrothermal process using o-phenylenediamine and L-Tryptophan, which displayed circular dichroism (CD) signals at 200–255 nm and 255–300 nm. The CCDs exhibited dual-emission peaks with blue and red emission bands when excited at 360 nm. The ratiometric signals of UV–vis absorption and fluorescence intensity of L-CDs were responsive over the pH range of 2.0–11.0 with significant color changes in solution. Fluorescence imaging of live cells displayed different signals related to pH in both the blue and red channels, allowing accurate measurement of the pH of the cellular environment. Furthermore, the pH test paper based on L-CDs enabled monitoring the freshness of shrimp and pork under 365 nm UV light. Therefore, L-CDs provided a multifunctional visual pH sensing platform for environmental monitoring and biosensing.

Enhancing heavy metals removal from water by thiol-incorporation of UiO-66 based metal organic framework nanosheets with l-cysteine

A new adsorbent, Cys-2D-UiO-66, was developed and applied to effectively eliminate heavy metal ions from water. The synthesis of 2D-UiO-66 involved developing a two-dimensional structure of UiO-66, created through an alkaline reaction medium, deviating from the normal three-dimensional structure. The advantage of 2D-UiO-66 nanosheet with a high aspect surface-to-thickness ratio is its ability to easily expose active sites on their surface to contaminants in solution, without diffusion limitations. Further attempts were made to enhance the adsorption capacity of the 2D-UiO-66 adsorbent by attaching l-cysteine to its surfaces through a simple one-pot process. This resulted in the modified adsorbent, Cys-2D-UiO-66, which exhibited exceptional adsorption performance. The adsorption experiments revealed that using Cys-2D-UiO-66 significantly improved the adsorption of Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ compared to 3D-UiO-66 (i.e. a 52 % increase for Hg2+, a 9.5-fold increase for Pb2+, and a 20-fold increase in Cd2+ adsorption). The adsorption equilibria of Cys-2D-UiO-66 align more closely with the Langmuir model, indicating that monolayer chemisorption mainly dominates the adsorption behavior. The thermodynamic study demonstrated that the adsorption of heavy metals onto the Cys-2D-UiO-66 favors higher temperatures. This fact is supported by thermodynamic calculations showing exothermic, favorable, and spontaneous chemisorption. The Cys-2D-UiO-66 adsorbent exhibited exceptional reusability with a marginal (less than 4 %) drop in adsorption performance after five successive cycles. Multicomponent adsorption results indicated a decline in the amount of adsorption for all species compared to the single component state due to competitive adsorption. FTIR analysis indicated that S–H and N–H groups aid in heavy metal ion adsorption, with Hg2+ ions being more easily adsorbed than Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions due to their higher electronegativity and ability to form covalent bonds with sulfur.