Highly sensitive and selective colorimetric and off-on fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ in aqueous solution and living cells

A dual-mode fluorometric/colorimetric sensor for Cu2+ detection based on hybridized carbon dots and gold-silver core-shell nanoparticles

A fluorometric and colorimetric dual mode sensing platform based on hybridized carbon dots (Cdots) and gold-silver core-shell nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs) has been established for the sensitive detection of trace Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous solution. In this system, the fluorescence of Cdots was quenched by Au@Ag NPs due to the surface plasmon-enhanced energy transfer. Due to the fact that Cu²⁺ could accelerate the etching process of Au@Ag NPs in the presence of thiosulfate, the fluorescence of Cdots was recovered. The limit of detection (LOD) is 4.81 nM for fluorometric measurements and 3.85 nM for colorimetric measurements. The dynamic range from these two modes is 0.005-1 μM. Importantly, Cu²⁺ in solution can also be directly visualized by this sensor via evident color change from the solution. Therefore, this dual mode nanosensor has potential applications for the efficient detection of Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous samples with great selectivity and high sensitivity.

A Doubly-Quenched Fluorescent Probe for Low-Background Detection of Mitochondrial H2O2

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is an important product of oxygen metabolism and plays a crucial role in regulating a variety of cellular functions. Fluorescent probes have made a great contribution to our understanding of the biological role of endogenous H₂O₂. However, fluorescent probes for H₂O₂ featuring aryl boronates can suffer from moderate turn-on fluorescence responses. Strategies that can reduce the background fluorescence of these boronate-masked probes would significantly improve the sensitivity of endogenous H₂O₂ detection. In this work, we propose a general and reliable double-quenching concept for the design of fluorescent probes with low background fluorescence. A new fluorescent probe was developed for the detection of endogenous H₂O₂ in mitochondria of live cancer cells. This probe exploits a boronate-driven lactam formation and an eliminable quenching moiety simultaneously (i.e., the double-quenching effect) to reduce the background fluorescence, which ultimately results in the achievement of a >50-fold fluorescence turn-on. A linear concentration range of response between 1 and 60 μM and a detection limit of 0.025 μM can be obtained. This study not only presents a highly sensitive fluorescent probe for the detection of H₂O₂ but also provides a new concept for the design of fluorescent probes with a previously unachievable fluorescence off-on response ratio for other types of ROS and many other biologically relevant analytes.

Ratiometric fluorescent sensor for visual determination of copper ions and alkaline phosphatase based on carbon quantum dots and gold nanoclusters

In this work, a novel ratiometric fluorescent sensor, based on carbon dots (CDs) and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), is developed for highly sensitive and selective visual colorimetric detection of Cu²⁺ and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The ratiometric fluorescent sensor was synthesized by covalently linking 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA)-stabilized AuNCs to the surface of amino-functionalized CD/SiO₂ nanoparticles. The red fluorescence of the AuNCs can be quenched by Cu²⁺ owing to coordination between Cu²⁺ and 11-MUA; however, the blue emission of the CDs was insensitive to Cu²⁺ owing to the protective silica shell. The quenching of the AuNCs' fluorescence returned when PPi was added because of the higher affinity between Cu²⁺ and PPi than that between Cu²⁺ and 11-MUA. In the presence of ALP, PPi was catalytically hydrolyzed into phosphate (Pi), which showed a much weaker affinity for Cu²⁺. Thus, Cu²⁺ ions were released, and the fluorescence of the AuNCs was quenched once more. Based on this principle, Cu²⁺ and ALP could be simultaneously detected. The developed ratiometric fluorescent sensor could detect Cu²⁺ over a range from 0.025 to 4 μM with a detection limit of 0.013 μM and ALP over a range from 0.12 to 15 U/L with a detection limit of 0.05 U/L. The present method was successfully applied for the detection of Cu²⁺ and ALP in real water samples and in human serum samples, respectively. This ratiometric fluorescent approach may provide a highly sensitive and accurate platform for visual Cu²⁺ and ALP sensing in environmental monitoring and medical diagnosis.

A coumarin based fluorescent probe for rapidly distinguishing of hypochlorite and copper (II) ion in organisms

A dual-functional fluorescent probe based on coumarin fluorophore for monitoring ClO^- and Cu²⁺ was synthesized and characterized. The identification mechanisms for ClO^- and Cu²⁺ induced different colorimetric and ratiometric changes. ClO^- caused a colorimetric change from yellow to colorless and 120 nm blue-shifted emission spectra from red to blue. Besides, Cu²⁺ induced a remarkable fluorescence quenching behavior and 36 nm blue-shifted absorption spectra accompanied by the color change from yellow to luminous yellow. As expected, Probe 1 displayed excellent selectivity and sensitivity for detecting ClO^- and Cu²⁺ over other competing ions in their respective systems. The limits of detection for ClO^- and Cu²⁺ were 24.62 nM and 0.39 nM, respectively. The recognition mechanisms were proved by ¹H NMR, mass spectrum and theoretical calculations. More importantly, the reversibility of Cu²⁺ could be applicable to rapid quantification for ClO^-/Cu²⁺. Thus, the strategy for sensing ClO^-/Cu²⁺ was carried out, which revealed broad applications of Probe 1 in multiple actual water and biology.

An amide probe as a selective Al3+ and Fe3+ sensor inside the HeLa and a549 cell lines: Pictet–Spengler reaction for the rapid detection of tryptophan amino acid

Newly synthesized amide-based probe for the selective and specific detection of (i) Al³⁺ or Fe³⁺ ions as a cation sensor and (ii) tryptophan as an amino acid sensor.

Dansyl-appended CuII-complex-based nitroxyl (HNO) sensing with living cell imaging application and DFT studies

We introduce herein, a novel copper complex-based fluorescent probe[Cu^II(DQ₄₆₈)Cl]⁺that exhibits a significant fluorescence turn-on response towards nitroxyl with high selectivity over other biological reactive oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur species, including nitric oxide.

Crystal structure of (E)-3′,6′-bis(ethylamino)-2′,7′-dimethyl-2-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)spiro[isoindoline-1,9′-xanthen]-3-one, C32H31N5O2

C32H31N5O2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 9.9226(4) Å, b = 11.1446(7) Å, c = 12.6719(6) Å, α = 90.693(4)°, β = 109.858(4)°, γ = 95.382(4)°, Z = 2, V = 1310.72(12) Å3, Rgt(F) = 0.0497, wRref(F2) = 0.1419, T = 173(10) K.

A quinoline-based fluorescence "on-off-on" probe for relay identification of Cu2+ and Cd2+ ions

A novel fluorescent probe based 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) has been designed and synthesized. The probe 1 exhibits fast relay recognition performance for Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ via a fluorescence "on-off-on" response signal. The probe 1 itself has a strong emission peak at 471 nm in EtOH/H₂O (v/v = 1:9) solution with a blue fluorescence. The addition of Cu²⁺ immediately results in the quenching of fluorescence and the limit of detection is 2.7 × 10^-8 M. Moreover, the formation of [1-Cu²⁺] complexes can also serve as a new efficient probe system for the relay recognition of Cd²⁺ with the emergence of a new fluorescence signal under the same conditions. The study also found that the probe 1 has high selectivity for target ions in the presence of other competing ions. The probe 1 has been successfully applied to detect and analyze the trace amount of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in environmental water samples.

Two new cobalt(II) rhodamine 6G hydrazone complexes: structure, fluorescence and magnetism

Two new Co^II complexes, namely bis{N-[(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-2-[6-ethylamino-3-(ethyliminiumyl)-2,7-dimethyl-3H-xanthen-9-yl]benzene-1-carbohydrazonate}cobalt(II) bis(perchlorate)-dichloromethane-methanol (1/1/2), [Co(C₃₂H₃₀BrN₅O₂)₂](ClO₄)₂·CH₂Cl₂·2CH₃OH or [Co^II(L)₂](ClO₄)₂·CH₂Cl₂·2CH₃OH, (1), and the bis(tetrafluoridoborate) salt, [Co(C₃₂H₃₀BrN₅O₂)₂](BF₄)₂·CH₂Cl₂·2CH₃OH or [Co^II(L)₂](BF₄)₂·CH₂Cl₂·2CH₃OH, (2) (L is commonly 6-bromopyridine-2-carbaldehyde rhodamine 6G hydrazone), have been successfully constructed and characterized. The crystal structure analysis revealed that complexes (1) and (2) are mononuclear and have a Co^IIN₄O₂ distorted octahedral structure. The large π-conjugated xanthene moiety of the L ligand causes strong intermolecular π-π stacking interactions, yielding a supramolecular one-dimensional chain. Complexes (1) and (2) display an obvious fluorescence emission near 560 nm in the solid state. Magnetic investigations show that both (1) and (2) are paramagnetic, dominated by the structural distortion and spin-orbit coupling of Co^II.

Ultrasensitive Fluorescence Detection of Peroxymonosulfate Based on a Sulfate Radical-Mediated Aromatic Hydroxylation

Recently, peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based advanced oxidation processes have exhibited broad application prospects in the environment field. Accordingly, a simple, rapid, and ultrasensitive method is highly desired for the specific recognition and accurate quantification of PMS in various aqueous solutions. In this work, SO₄^•--induced aromatic hydroxylation was explored, and based on that, for the first time, a novel fluorescence method was developed for the PMS determination using Co²⁺ as a PMS activator and benzoic acid (BA) as a chemical probe. Through a suite of spectral, chromatographic, and mass spectrometric analyses, SO₄^•- was proven to be the dominant radical species, and salicylic acid was identified as the fluorescent molecule. As a result, a whole radical chain reaction mechanism for the generation of salicylic acid in the BA/PMS/Co²⁺ system was proposed. This fluorescence method possessed a rapid reaction equilibrium (<1 min), an ultrahigh sensitivity (detection limit = 10 nM; quantification limit = 33 nM), an excellent specificity, and a wide detection range (0-100 μM). Moreover, it performed well in the presence of possible interfering substances, including two other peroxides (i.e., peroxydisulfate and hydrogen peroxide), some common ions, and organics. The detection results for real water samples further validated the practical utility of the developed fluorescence method. This work provides a new method for the specific recognition and sensitive determination of PMS in complex aqueous solutions.

A novel jointly colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for Cu2+ recognition and its complex for sensing S2- by a Cu2+ displacement approach in aqueous media

In this work, a simple and easily synthesized Schiff-based derivative colorimetric and fluorescent sensor (1), 4-dimethylamino-benzoic acid (2-imidazole formaldehyde)-hydrazide, was obtained for the detection of Cu²⁺ and S^2-. The compound 1 exhibited dual spectral responses to Cu²⁺, that is, vivid color change and fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Cu²⁺. The detection limits were valued as 0.46 μM and 15 nM according to absorption and fluorescent response, respectively. Both of them are below the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water (31.5 μM). In addition, the ensemble (1-Cu²⁺) selectively and sensitively detected a low concentration of S^2-. As the addition of S^2- instantly removed Cu²⁺ from the ensemble (1-Cu²⁺) resulting in a color change from yellow to colorless and a "turn-off" fluorescent response. The detection limit for S^2- was estimated as 0.12 μM (from fluorescent method) and 0.68 μM (from absorption method), respectively, each of which was also lower than the maximum allowable level of S^2- (15 μM) in drinking water defined by the WHO. The binding process was confirmed via UV-vis absorption, fluorescence measurements, ¹H NMR, mass spectroscopy and density functional theory calculation. What's more, successful practical application of test paper is used to inspect the S^2- which means the convenient and rapid assay in real samples can be achieved.

Potentially toxic elements and environmentally-related pollutants recognition using colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probes

A safer detection or sensing of toxic pollutants is one among several environmental contamination issues, across the globe. The ever-increasing industrial practices and controlled or uncontrolled release of toxic pollutants from various industrial sectors is a key source of this environmental problem. Significant research efforts have been or being made to tackle this problematic issue to fulfill the growing needs of the modern world. Despite many useful aspects, heavy metals are posing noteworthy toxicological concerns and human-health related issues at various levels of the ecosystem. In this context, notable efforts from various regulatory authorities, the increase in the concentration of these toxic heavy metals in the environment is of serious concern, so real-time monitoring is urgently required. Herein, we reviewed fluorescent sensor based models and their potentialities to address the detection fate of hazardous pollutants including chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc as model elements. The novel aspects of turn-on/off fluorescent sensors have also been discussed from a state of the art viewpoint. In summary, comprehensive literature regarding fluorescent sensor based models and their potentialities to detect various types of toxic pollutants is reviewed.

A highly selective pH switchable colorimetric fluorescent rhodamine functionalized azo-phenol derivative for thorium recognition up to nano molar level in semi-aqueous media: Implication towards multiple logic gates

A new rhodamine functionalized Schiff base (3',6'-bis(diethylamino)-2-((Z)-(5-((E)-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)diazenyl)-2,4-dihydroxybenzylidene) amino)spiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one (1) has been synthesized and was characterized spectroscopically. The optical properties of the schiff base have been studied using UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. Schiff base 1 displayed a selective behaviour towards Th⁴⁺ ions, as evidenced by UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. It shows visible colour change from orangish-yellow to red upon addition of Th⁴⁺ ions. A strong new emission band at 586 nm and about 24-fold enhancement in fluorescence intensity was observed upon binding with Th⁴⁺ which could be quenched by subsequent addition of oxalate and chromate ions. Probe 1 also acts as a reversible pH sensor in the highly acidic region (pH < 4, pK_{a =} 2.01) via the photophysical response to pH as well as visible detectable colour change from orangish-yellow to red to pink. The absorbance and emission intensities of 1 diminished in the pH region from 4 to 11.5 and could be recovered by adding acid to adjust the pH < 4. Probe 1 exhibited high binding constant (8.595 × 10⁶ M^-1) and low limit of detection (1.122 × 10^-9) compared to most previously reported sensors for Th⁴⁺ ions. Furthermore, two multiple logic gates i.e. 3 and 5 input, have been constructed.

Green silver-nanoparticle-based dual sensor for toxic Hg(II) ions

The present study focuses on the utilization of green silver nanoparticles, as they are preferred for sensing applications due to their environmentally friendly nature. We have examined the optical and electrochemical sensing behavior of silver nanoparticles from Agaricus bisporus (AgNP-AB) towards Hg(II) ions. The AgNP-AB was prepared by microwave reactor. The synthesized AgNP was used for the sensing of Hg(II) ions without the use of modifiers or further sophisticated instrumentation. The synthesized nanoparticles were successfully characterized by different techniques. AgNP-AB leads to aggregation with the addition of Hg(II) ions in aqueous medium, and develops a color change from brown to black which leads to the formation of AgNP-AB-Hg(II) complex. Moreover, the metal sensing ability of AgNP has been explored using electrochemical studies. AgNP-AB modified platinum electrode (AgNP-AB/PE) was developed for the fast sensing of toxic Hg(II) ions. The sensor exhibits a good limit of detection at 2.1 × 10^-6 M. The sensitivity of AgNP-AB/PE towards Hg(II) ions was analyzed with various metal ions. The sensing skill of the developed system was successfully checked with real water samples from Vembanade Lake, Kumarakom, Kerala. AgNP from A. bisporus is highly versatile and promising for different environmental applications.

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for Cu2+ based on a novel naphthalimide-rhodamine platform and its application in live cell imaging

Copper plays important roles in a variety of fundamental physiological processes. At the cell organelle level, aberrant copper homeostasis in lysosomes can lead to various serious diseases. Herein, a bifluorophore-based, lysosome-targetable Cu²⁺-selective ratiometric fluorescent probe (V) has been synthesized by reasonable design. The probe V shows high selectivity toward Cu²⁺ ions over other cations and exhibits high sensitivity (1.45 nM) for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions. Meanwhile, the probe is cell permeable and suitable for ratiometric visualization of lysosomal Cu²⁺ in the living cell.

Highly selective and sensitive determination of Cu2+ in drink and water samples based on a 1,8-diaminonaphthalene derived fluorescent sensor

A new simple and efficient fluorescent sensor L based on 1,8‑diaminonaphthalene Schiff-base for highly sensitive and selective determination of Cu²⁺ in drink and water has been developed. This Cu²⁺-selective detection over other tested metal ions displayed an obvious color change from blue to colorless easily detected by naked eye. The detection limit is determined to be as low as 13.2 nM and the response time is very fast within 30 s. The 1:1 binding mechanism was well confirmed by fluorescence measurements, IR analysis and DFT calculations. Importantly, this sensor L was employed for quick detection of Cu²⁺ in drink and environmental water samples with satisfactory results, providing a simple, rapid, reliable and feasible Cu²⁺-sensing method.

A simple, reversible, colorimetric and water-soluble fluorescent chemosensor for the naked-eye detection of Cu2+ in ~100% aqueous media and application to real samples

A simple, reversible, colorimetric and water-soluble fluorescent chemosensor ADA for the naked-eye detection of Cu²⁺ was developed. Sensor ADA showed high selectivity and sensitivity toward Cu²⁺ in ~100% aqueous media over wide pH range. Sensor ADA exhibited a red-shift in the absorption spectra from 466 to 480nm that is accompanied by significant color change from light yellow to yellowish brown instantaneously. The Cu²⁺ recognition is based on the chelation-enhanced fluorescence quenching (CHEQ) effect of the paramagnetic nature. The lowest detection limit is determined to be 15.8nM, which is much lower than the allowable level of Cu²⁺ in drinking water set by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (~20μM) and the World Health Organization (~30μM). The 1:1 binding process was confirmed by fluorescence measurements, IR analysis and DFT studies. Moreover, sensor ADA was successfully applied for determination of trace level of Cu²⁺ with 4 reuse cycles in various water samples, which affords promising potential in ion-detection field.

A single rhodamine spirolactam probe for localization and pH monitoring of mitochondrion/lysosome in living cells

Rh-BMDZ with neutral pK_a6.9 succeeds in indicating and discriminating mitochondria and lysosomes simultaneously in MCF-7 cells.

Carbon dot doped silica nanoparticles as fluorescent probe for determination of bromate in drinking water samples

A simple and effective strategy for designing a fluorescent probe for bromate was described in this work. Organosilane modified carbon dots were prepared by pyrolysis of citric acid in N-(β-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropyl methyldimethoxysilane solvent at 230 °C and further doped onto silica nanoparticles by a silylation reaction. The fluorescence of carbon dot doped silica nanoparticles was quenched by bromate in acidic medium. By utilizing this property, the nanoparticle could be used as a sensor to detect bromate. The parameters affecting the performance of the sensor probe such as types of acid medium, acid concentration, reaction temperature, and time were investigated and optimized. The detection limit of the sensor was found to be 1.1 ng mL−1, with a linear range from 8 to 400 ng mL−1 and relative standard deviation of 2.0% (150 ng mL−1, n = 9). The method was successfully applied to the determination of bromate in drinking water samples, and the recoveries were in the range of 96.3%–103.7%.

Design and application of a fluorogenic receptor for selective sensing of cations, small neutral molecules, and anions

An unprecedented single multi-analyte fluorogenic receptor, a sodium salt of N-(methyl-2-thiophenyl)-tyrosine (NaHTyrthio), is reported for the selective sensing of cations (Cu²⁺), small neutral molecules (nitrobenzene and aniline) and anions (F⁻) by variable spectral responses.

Nanomolar-level selective dual channel sensing of Cu2+and CN−from an aqueous medium by an opto-electronic chemoreceptor

A novel chromogenic and fluorogenic chemoreceptor exhibiting a proclivity towards Cu²⁺and CN⁻, with applications in bioimaging and molecular electronics, was developed.

A turn-on fluorescent BOPHY probe for Cu2+ ion detection

A novel D–π–A type fluorine–boron compound BOPHY-PTZ was synthesized and employed as a “turn on” fluorescent probe for the sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ ions.

A novel, highly sensitive, selective, reversible and turn-on chemi-sensor based on Schiff base for rapid detection of Cu(II)

In this work, a novel optical fluoro-chemisensor was designed and synthesized for copper (II) ions detection. The sensor film is created by embedded N,N-Bis(2-hydroxo-5-bromobenzyl)ethylenediamine in poly vinyl chloride (PVC) film in presence of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as plasticizer. The receptor Schiff base reveals "off-on" mode with high selectivity, significant sensitivity to Cu(II) ions. The selectivity of optical sensor for Cu(II) ions is the result of chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). The optimal conditions of pH and response time at which higher efficiency of sensor film is performed was found to be 6.8 and 2.48min. The possible interference of other metal ions in solution was examined in presence of different types of metal ions. This film shows high selectivity and ultra-sensitivity with low detection limit LOD (1.1×10^-8M). Thus, these considerable properties make it viable to monitor copper metal ions within very low concentration range (0-15×10^-6M Cu(II)) and highly selective even in the presence of different types of metal ions. The sensor reversibility was achieved by utilizing EDTA solution with concentration of 0.1M solution.

Label-free, Water-soluble Fluorescent Peptide Probe for a Sensitive and Selective Determination of Copper Ions

This study aimed to develop a label-free, sensitive, selective, and environment-friendly fluorescent peptide probe His-His-Trp-His (HHWH) for determining the concentration of copper ion (Cu²⁺) in aqueous solutions. The results demonstrated that the designed HHWH has a high selectivity and sensitivity for monitoring the concentration of free Cu²⁺ via quenching of the probe fluorescence upon a binding of Cu²⁺. The fluorescence intensity of the HHWH had a linear relationship with the concentration of Cu²⁺ between 10 nM and 10 μM, and the detection limit was 8 nM. Furthermore, HHWH could be regenerated with sulfide ions at least five times. The concentrations of Cu²⁺ in three different real water samples were detected using this probe, and the results were consistent with the one detected using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Thus, HHWH can be used as an accurate and feasible fluorescent peptide probe for detecting Cu²⁺ in aqueous solutions.

Fluorescent probe based subcellular distribution of Cu(II) ions in living electrotrophs isolated from Cu(II)-reduced biocathodes of microbial fuel cells

Based on the four indigenous electrotrophs (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia JY1, Citrobacter sp. JY3, Pseudomonas aeruginosa JY5 and Stenotrophomonas sp. JY6) isolated from well adapted Cu(II)-reduced biocathodes of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), a rhodamine based Cu(II) fluorescent probe was used to imaginably and quantitatively track subcellular Cu(II) ions in these electrotrophs. Cathodic electrons led to more Cu(II) ions (14.3-30.1%) in the intracellular sites at operation time of 2-3h with Cu(II) removal rates of 2.90-3.64mg/Lh whereas the absence of cathodic electrons prolonged the appearance of more Cu(II) ions (16.6-22.5%) to 5h with Cu(II) removal rates of 1.96-2.28mg/Lh. This study illustrates that cathodic electrons directed more Cu(II) ions for quicker entrance into the electrotrophic cytoplasm, and gives an alternative approach for developing imaging and functionally tracking Cu(II) ions in the electrotrophs of MFCs.

Recent Advances in Macrocyclic Fluorescent Probes for Ion Sensing

Small-molecule fluorescent probes play a myriad of important roles in chemical sensing. Many such systems incorporating a receptor component designed to recognise and bind a specific analyte, and a reporter or transducer component which signals the binding event with a change in fluorescence output have been developed. Fluorescent probes use a variety of mechanisms to transmit the binding event to the reporter unit, including photoinduced electron transfer (PET), charge transfer (CT), Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), excimer formation, and aggregation induced emission (AIE) or aggregation caused quenching (ACQ). These systems respond to a wide array of potential analytes including protons, metal cations, anions, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules. This review surveys important new fluorescence-based probes for these and other analytes that have been reported over the past five years, focusing on the most widely exploited macrocyclic recognition components, those based on cyclam, calixarenes, cyclodextrins and crown ethers; other macrocyclic and non-macrocyclic receptors are also discussed.

A triple action chemosensor for Cu2+by chromogenic, Cr3+by fluorogenic and CN−by relay recognition methods with bio-imaging of HeLa cells

A rhodamine-B based triple action chemosensor has been developed with recycling ability, and its application towards bio-imaging of HeLa cells is studied. It selectively senses Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺and CN⁻ions in aqueous medium.

Perimidine based selective colorimetric and fluorescent turn-off chemosensor of aqueous Cu2+: studies on its antioxidant property along with its interaction with calf thymus-DNA

A perimidine derivative 1 selectively senses nanomolar aqueous Cu²⁺ spectrophotometrically, exhibits better antioxidant capability than l-ascorbic acid, and interacts with CT-DNA.

An azo-phenol derivative probe: colorimetric and “turn-on” fluorescent detection of copper(ii) ions and pH value in aqueous solution

The optical properties of a novel, rhodamine-based derivative, synthesized by reacting rhodaminehydrazide and an azo-phenol derivative in ethanol, were investigated in ethanol–water solution.

A hybrid magnetic core–shell fibrous silica nanocomposite for a chemosensor-based highly effective fluorescent detection of Cu(ii)

Herein, a novel hybrid magnetic core–shell fibrous silica nanocomposite (RhB–Fe₃O₄/MnO₂/SiO₂/KCC-1) probe-based chemosensor was designed and its behaviour towards Cu(ii) metal ion was investigated using a fluorescence spectrometer.

A novel ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probe for imaging of Pd(2+) ions in living cells and tissues

Ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probes can not only eliminate interferences from environmental factors but also achieve deep-tissue imaging with improved spatial localization. To quantitatively track Pd(2+) in biosystems, herein, we reported a ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probe, termed as Np-Pd, which based on a D-π-A-structure two-photon fluorophore of the naphthalimide derivative and deprotection of aryl propargyl ethers by palladium species. The probe Np-Pd displayed a more than 25-fold enhancement towards palladium species with high sensitivity and selectivity. Additionally, the probe Np-Pd was further used for fluorescence imaging of Pd(2+) ions in living cells and tissues under two-photon excitation (820nm), which showed large tissue-imaging depth (19.6-184.6μm), and a high resolution for ratiometric imaging.