Chemically diverse small molecule fluorescent chemosensors for copper ion

A novel ratiometric and reversible fluorescence probe with a large Stokes shift for Cu2+ based on a new clamp-on unit

A novel ratiometric and reversible chemosensor 4-((2-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)phenyl)ethynyl)-N,N-diethylaniline (BT-1) based on ortho-arylethynyl benzothiazole with large Stokes shift (Δλ≈190 nm) was designed and synthesized to recognize Cu²⁺. Copper ion induces a remarkable fluorescence enhancement and causes formation of a BT-1-Cu complex. The clamp-on coordination mode of BT-1 to Cu²⁺ was demonstrated using Job's plot, mass spectrum (MS) and DFT calculations. The calculations also indicate that Cu²⁺ was chelated to BT-1 through N and alkyne instead of S and alkyne. The probe could quantify Cu²⁺ with the detection limit of 3.2 × 10^-9 M. The in vitro imaging results indicated that the probe BT-1 was membrane-permeable and could be applied into the recognition of Cu²⁺ ions in living cells.

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.

One-pot synthesis of dual carbon dots using only an N and S co-existed dopant for fluorescence detection of Ag. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2019;208:162-171. [PMID: 30312843 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2018.10.004]

Luminescent carbon-based nanoparticles, named often as carbon dots (CDs), were synthesized from citric acid (CA) and guanidine thiocyanate (GITC) via an N and S co-doped hydrothermal procedure. In the present structure characterization, N and S elements could be sufficiently doped by means of the heteroatom or the functional groups bonded on the surface of CDs. The as-prepared CDs solution showed blue color fluorescence under ultraviolet excitation, yet the PL spectra exhibited a repetitive emission process from excitation-independent to excitation-dependent. In view of the triexponential feature of fluorescence lifetimes of CDs, one possibility was proposed to be co-existence of two types of CDs with different surface states. Additionally, the as-prepared CDs were used as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag⁺ taking into consideration of the possible interactions between Ag⁺ and various fluorophores attached to the CD surface. As expected, the changes of fluorescence intensities were linearly proportional to the different concentration ranges of Ag⁺, which suggests the complex nature of the quenching mechanism. And for the first time, the SCN group was found to accelerate the quenching of CDs towards Ag⁺, promising a new approach for efficient detection of Ag⁺ for the application in industrial pollutants.

Near-infrared fluorescent probes based on TBET and FRET rhodamine acceptors with different pK a values for sensitive ratiometric visualization of pH changes in live cells

Three near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent probes (A-C) based on TBET and FRET near-infrared rhodamine acceptors with different pK a values were designed and synthesized to achieve sensitive ratiometric visualization of pH variations in lysosomes in visible and near-infrared channels. Tetraphenylethene (TPE) was bonded to near-infrared rhodamine dyes through short electrical π -conjugation linkers to prevent an aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect and allow highly efficient energy transfer of up to 98.9% from TPE donors to rhodamine acceptors. Probes A-C respond to pH variation from 7.4 to 3.0 in both buffer solutions and live cells with significant decreases of donor fluorescence and concomitant extraordinary increases of rhodamine acceptor fluorescence because of highly efficient energy transfer. In addition, probe C is capable of determining pH fluctuations in live cells treated with chloroquine. The probes show good photostability, excellent cell membrane permeability, high selectivity to pH, and two well-resolved emission peaks to ensure accurately comparative and quantitative analyses of intracellular pH changes.

Raposo MM, Martínez-Máñez R, Sancenón F. N,N-Diphenylanilino-heterocyclic aldehyde-based chemosensors for UV-vis/NIR and fluorescence Cu(ii) detection

Cu(ii) coordination with aldehyde-containing probes induced the appearance of NIR bands coupled with remarkable colour changes.

Antimicrobial activities of self-assembled copper(ii), nickel(ii), and cobalt(iii) complexes combined with crystallographic, spectroscopic, DFT calculations and Hirshfeld surfaces analyses

Three 2-D and 3-D Cu(ii), Ni(ii), and Co(iii) complexes were obtained by reaction of HL1 with different metal salts. The complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods, as well as Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT studies.

Remarkable difference in Al3+ and Zn2+ sensing properties of quinoline based isomers

Two positional isomers, 4-methyl-2-((quinolin-6-ylimino)methyl)phenol (6-QMP) and 4-methyl-2-((quinolin-2-ylimino)methyl)phenol (2-QMP), have been synthesized to compare their fluorescence sensing properties. 6-QMP and 2-QMP have been synthesized by Schiff-base condensation between 2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde and the respective amine (6-aminoquinoline for 6-QMP and 2-aminoquinoline for 2-QMP) under mild conditions. These compounds have been characterized by standard methods. 6-QMP and 2-QMP have been found to be dual fluorescence chemosensors for Al3+ and Zn2+ ions but the increment of fluorescence intensity varies. 6-QMP can detect Al3+ (emission at 543 nm) and Zn2+ (emission at 525 nm) by the enhancement of emission intensity by 97 and 79 fold, respectively, with the same excitation wavelength at 415 nm. However, 2-QMP shows two different excitation and emission wavelengths for the detection of Al3+ (emission at 376 nm; λex = 330 nm) and Zn2+ (emission at 550 nm; λex = 435 nm). The increase in emission intensity is low (4.5 fold for Al3+ and 35 fold for Zn2+) compared to that with 6-QMP. The enhancement of intensity may be explained by the PET mechanism. Both the probes form a 1 : 1 complex with both the metal ions as indicated by the elemental and different spectral analysis. 6-QMP shows better sensitivity towards both the metal ions than 2-QMP. Both the probes are able to detect Al3+ and Zn2+ ions by producing distinct color changes that can be observed by the naked eye. Some theoretical calculations have been performed to investigate spectral transitions of the probes along with their aluminum and zinc compounds. These compounds have been used for living cell imaging studies. A comparison with the recently published studies has been made.

Triazole-imidazole (TA-IM) derivatives as ultrafast fluorescent probes for selective Ag+ detection

1,2,3-Triazole-imidazole derivatives (TA-IM) were prepared as fluorescent probes for silver ion detection. The design principle is the incorporation of an intramolecular H-bond between the imidazole and triazole moiety that enables a co-planar conformation to achieve fluorescence emission in the UV-blue range. Screening of different metal ions revealed excellent binding affinity of this new class of compounds toward silver ions in aqueous solution. The novel probe provided ultrafast detection (<30 s) even for a very low concentration of silver ions (in the nM range) with good linear correlation, making it a practical sensor for detection of silver ions.

Novel thiophene-based colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on sensor for highly sensitive and selective simultaneous detection of Al3+ and Zn2+ in water and food samples and its application in bioimaging

A novel bifunctional thiophene-based Schiff base TS as a colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on sensor for rapid and simultaneous detection of Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions with high selectivity and sensitivity has been developed. The sensor shows remarkable fluorescence enhancement response for Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ over a broad pH range with good anti-interference capability, which accompanied with an obvious color change easily detected by naked eyes. Sensor TS can detect as low as 3.7 × 10^-9 M for Al³⁺ and 3.0 × 10^-8 M for Zn²⁺, whereas respective association constants are 1.16 × 10⁴ M^-1 and 2.08 × 10⁴ M^-1. With the help of fluorescence titration and Job's plot, the stoichiometric ratio of TS with Al³⁺/Zn²⁺ was determined to be 1:1. The sensing mechanism of sensor TS with Al³⁺/Zn²⁺ based on the chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) was analyzed in detail through ¹H NMR titration, FTIR, HRMS and DFT studies. Moreover, sensor TS has been applied to the detection of Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ in real environmental water and food samples as well as the filter paper-based test strips. Furthermore, sensor TS has good cell-permeability and can be used to selectively sense intracellular Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ by bioimaging.

A selective chemosensor and fluorescence probe for relay recognition of cations and fluoride ions in aqueous media with logic gate function

Cation to anion relay recognition was studied for the first time with sequential specificity (Cu²⁺ → F^- or Co²⁺ → F^-) using a fluorescence "ON-OFF-ON" mechanism. L₁ is a receptor with high selectivity for F^-, Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions in the solution of DMSO/H₂O with a 9:1 vol ratio. Absorption and fluorescence spectra were used to investigate the sensing process. Fluorescent emission intensity of L₁ at 324 is quenched (switch-Off) after the addition of Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺. Surprisingly, complex L₁ + Cu²⁺ or L₁ + Co²⁺ is restored with addition of F^- into the compound (switch-On). Consequently, implication (from emission) and inhibit (from absorption) logic gates are constructed at molecular level. The gates operate in fluorescence and absorption modes when Cu²⁺ and F^- or Co²⁺ and F^- are used as input materials and the fluorescence intensity signal as outputs. Based on reversible and reproducible system, a sequential memory unit with integrated ''Writing-Reading-Erasing-Reading'' behavior, is developed.

Preparation of Macrometallocycle and Selective Sensor for Copper Ion

Two bis-imidazolium salts 1,8-bis[2'-(N-R-imidazoliumyl)acetylamino]naphthalene chloride (L1H4·Cl2: R = Et; L2H4·Cl2: R = nBu), as well as their four NHC metal complexes [L1H2Ag]Cl (1), [L1Ni] (2), [L2Ni] (3) and [L1H2Hg(HgCl4)] (4) have been synthesized. In each of the cationic moieties of complexes 1 or 4, there is a groove-like 14-membered macrometallocycle, and each macrometallocycle is consisted of one biscarbene ligand L1H2 and one metal ion (silver(I) ion for 1 and mercury(II) ion for 4). Three 6-membered cycles are contained in each molecule of complexes 2 or 3. Additionally, the selective recognition of macrometallocycle 1 for Cu2+ was studied with the methods of fluorescence and ultraviolet spectroscopy, 1H NMR titrations, MS and IR spectra. The experimental results display macrometallocycle 1 can discriminate Cu2+ from other cations effectively.

New near-infrared rhodamine dyes with large Stokes shifts for sensitive sensing of intracellular pH changes and fluctuations

New near-infrared rhodamine dyes with large Stokes shifts were developed and applied for sensitive detection of cellular pH changes and fluctuations by incorporating an additional amine group with fused rings into the rhodamine dyes to enhance the electron donating ability of amine groups and improve the spectroscopic properties of the dyes.

A Schiff base receptor as a fluorescence turn-on sensor for Ni2+ ions in living cells and logic gate application

A new receptor (R) with easily available “off–on–off” colorimetric and fluorescent responses was synthesized and characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and ESI-MS studies.

A fluorescent layered oxalato-based canted antiferromagnet

The first fluorescent oxalato-based canted antiferromagnet maintains the quantum nature of the emitters thanks to the isolation provided by the honeycomb matrix.

A highly sensitive fluorescent probe for bioimaging zinc ion in living cells and zebrafish models

A simple OFF–ON fluorescent probe was prepared and successfully applied for bioimaging Zn²⁺ in living systems.

Use of rhodamine-allyl Schiff base in chemodosimetric processes for total palladium estimation and application in live cell imaging

An allyl-rhodamine Schiff base shows excellent palladium sensitivity (LOD, 95 nM) irrespective of Pd(0,ii,iv) and practical applicability is judged in living cells of RAW 264.7 (macrophage) cells.

Rhodamine–benzothiazole conjugate as an efficient multimodal sensor for Hg2+ ions and its application to imaging in living cells

A rhodamine B dye bearing a benzothiazole conjugate is designed and synthesized, it shows a highly selective and sensitive naked-eye color change and turn-on fluorescence response to Hg²⁺ ions.

Anti-cancer effects of wedelolactone: interactions with copper and subcellular localization

Wedelactone forms a 2 : 1 coordination complex with Cu²⁺ in cancer cells to exert cytotoxic effects.