Colorimetric "naked eye" sensing of anions in aqueous solution

Resonance scattering spectral detection of trace Hg2+ using aptamer-modified nanogold as probe and nanocatalyst

Single-strand DNA (ssDNA) was used to modify 10 nm nanogold to obtain an aptamer-modified nanogold resonance scattering (RS) probe (AussDNA) for detection of Hg(2+). In the presence of NaCl, Hg(2+) interacts with AussDNA to form very stable double-strand T-Hg(2+)-T mismatches and release nanogold particles that aggregate to large nanogold clusters causing the RS intensity at 540 nm to be enhanced linearly. On those grounds, 1.3-1667 nM Hg(2+) can be detected rapidly by the aptamer-modified nanogold RS assay, with a detection limit of 0.7 nM Hg(2+). If the large nanogold clusters were removed by membrane filtration, the excess AussDNA in the filtrate solution exhibits a catalytic effect on the new Cu(2)O particle reaction between NH(2)OH and Cu(2+)-EDTA complex at 60 degrees C. The excess AussDNA decreased with the addition of Hg(2+), which led the Cu(2)O particle RS intensity at 602 nm to decrease. The decreased RS intensity (DeltaI(602nm)) had a linear response to Hg(2+) concentration in the range of 0.1-400 nM, with a detection limit of 0.03 nM Hg(2+). This aptamer-modified nanogold catalytic RS method was applied for the detection of Hg(2+) in water samples, with sensitivity, selectivity, and simplicity.

Tunability of anion binding strength based on acyl-thiourea receptors containing isatin group

Some acyl-thiourea derivatives containing isatin group were synthesized and their interactions with anions were investigated using UV-vis spectroscopy and (1)H NMR titrations in DMSO and DMSO-d(6), respectively. These compounds have a same molecular framework, functionalising with different groups lead to different anion binding strength of these receptors. Receptor 1 showed a higher binding affinity for AcO(-) than for F(-), due to the cooperative multiple hydrogen bond interactions of AcO(-) with the acyl-thiourea group and N-H group in the indole unit of receptor 1. Displacing the N-H proton in the indole unit with -CH(3) group, receptor 2 showed no obviously discriminative responses for F(-), AcO(-) and H(2)PO(4)(-) due to lack of such additional binding. In the case of receptor 3, which was functionalised with strong electron-withdrawing group, it showed selectively chromogenic response for F(-) based on double deprotonation of the receptor in DMSO, whereas AcO(-) and H(2)PO(4)(-) induced single deprotonation only.

A high selective anion colorimetric sensor based on salicylaldehyde for fluoride in aqueous media

A new and simple salicylaldehyde-based sensor 1 designed for fluoride sensing has been investigated in DMSO and even in the 9/1 DMSO/H(2)O (v/v) mixtures. The affinity constants of receptor 1 for anionic species in the 9/1 DMSO/H(2)O (v/v) reveal that it is sensitive to F. Also, the color changes induced by anions can provide a way of detection by 'naked-eye'. These result can be substantiated by the spectrum changes upon the addition of 25equiv. anions to 1 in the 9/1 DMSO/H(2)O solution. The further insights to the nature of interactions between the sensor 1 and F(-) were investigated by (1)H NMR titration experiments in 9/1 DMSO-d(6)/H(2)O (v/v). In addition, the proposed binding mode between 1 and F(-) was suggested.

Recognition and sensing of fluoride anion

Fluoride anion recognition is attracting a mounting interest in the scientific community due to its duplicitous nature. It is a useful chemical for many industrial applications, and it has been used in human diet, but, recently it has been accused for several human pathologies. Here we describe the ample panorama of different approaches the chemists world-wide have employed to face the challenge of fluoride binding, and we outline some of the research which in our view can contribute to the development of this field, especially when fluoride binding has to be achieved in highly competitive protic solvents and water.

A synthetically simple, click-generated cyclam-based zinc(II) sensor

A cyclam-based macrocyclic sensor has been prepared using synthetically simple "click" chemistry to link a fluorophore to the macrocyclic receptor. This sensor shows high selectivity for Zn(II) over a range of other metals, providing a significant enhancement of fluorescence intensity over a wide pH range. As such, this is the first cyclam-based sensor demonstrated to be selective for Zn(II) and is the first example of a triazole being used as a coordinating ligand on an azamacrocycle. The sensor can access biologically available zinc in mammalian cells, sensing the Zn(II) flux that exists during apoptotic cell death.

A C3-symmetric colorimetric anion sensor bearing hydrazone groups as binding sites

Tris-hydrazone (1) functioned as a colorimetric chemosensor for a variety of anions such as F(-), AcO(-) and H(2)PO(4)(-). The anion binding could be easily detected by naked-eye according to color changes. The high binding ability of the receptor 1 to anions was further investigated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy in DMSO. The results of job plot of the receptor 1 with different anions demonstrated that the stoichiometry of the complex between 1 and F(-) was 1:1 (1:anion) and the stoichiometry of the other complexes studied was 1:3 (1:anion).

A ditopic colorimetric sensor for fluoride ion based on thiourea mercury complex

A novel ditopic chromogenic receptor, N-5-(8-hydroxy)quinoline-N'-4'-nitro-phenyl thiourea (1), was synthesized. The metal complex 1-Hg(2+) showed sensitive and highly selective responses to F(-) over other anions such as CH(3)CO(2)(-), H(2)PO(4)(-), HSO(4)(-) and Cl(-). 1-Hg(2+)-F(-) complex formed, which promoted the intramolecular charge transfer and led to a dramatic spectral change. The color of 1-Hg(2+) solution changed from colorless to red upon addition of F(-). Thus, a colorimetric assay of F(-) was developed in acetonitrile by naked-eye detection. F(-) behaved linearly in the 8.0 x 10(-6) to 2.0 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) concentration range with LOD as 1.4 x 10(-6) mol L(-1).

A novel fluorescent and colorimetric anion sensor based on thiourea derivative in competitive media

A novel and simple fluorescent receptor bearing thiourea moiety as recognition site was described. The recognition behavior of the receptor toward different anions was investigated in DMSO/H2O (95:5 v/v) and dry DMSO through two various channels: the colorless-yellow color change and a remarkable enhancement of the fluorescence. And the enhancement of the fluorescence was attributed to an anion-induced increase of the rigidity of the host molecule.

A simple and efficient colorimetric anion receptor for H(2)PO(4)(-)

A novel and neutral anion sensor bearing a urea group as binding sites and 2,4-di nitrophenylhydrazine unit as a molecular architecture and a chromophore was synthesized and the visible color changes, the UV-vis and (1)H NMR spectral responses toward anions were assessed.

A highly selective fluorescent probe for pyrophosphate in aqueous solution

A new 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensor bearing a guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole moiety has been synthesized. The sensor displays a selective fluorescent enhancement with pyrophosphate over ATP, ADP, AMP and other inorganic anions in aqueous solution.