Urea Hydrogen Peroxide and Ethyl Lactate, an Eco-Friendly Combo System in the Direct C(sp2)-H Bond Selenylation of Imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and Related Structures

Herein, we describe a urea hydrogen peroxide-mediated sustainable protocol for the synthesis of selenylated imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole by using half molar equivalent diorganyl diselenides in ethyl lactate as a greener solvent. The reaction features high yields, easy performance on gram scale, metal-free conditions, as well as applicability to imidazopyridine and imidazopyrimidine.

Fluorescence detection of Al3+ ion in aqueous medium and live cell imaging by ESIPT probe (E)-N'-(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-hydroxybenzohydrazide

The molecule (E)-N'-(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-hydroxybenzohydrazide (BHHB) has been synthesized and its photophysical properties have been investigated by using steady state absorption, emission and time resolved emission spectroscopy. The molecule shows excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process with characteristics large Stoke shifted emission. Fluorescence enhancement of BHHB only in presence of Al³⁺ ion is used as selective aluminium ion sensor in the sub-nano molar scale in aqueous solution. BHHB-Al³⁺ ion complex can penetrate through live Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) cell membranes and is capable for imaging of nucleus of live cells by fluorescence confocal microscopy.

Discriminative 'Turn-on' Detection of Al3+ and Ga3+ Ions as Well as Aspartic Acid by Two Fluorescent Chemosensors

In this work, two Schiff-base-based chemosensors L1 and L2 containing electron-rich quinoline and anthracene rings were designed. L1 is AIEE active in a MeOH-H₂O solvent system while formed aggregates as confirmed by the DLS measurements and fluorescence lifetime studies. The chemosensor L1 was used for the sensitive, selective, and reversible 'turn-on' detection of Al³⁺ and Ga³⁺ ions as well as Aspartic Acid (Asp). Chemosensor L2, an isomer of L1, was able to selectively detect Ga³⁺ ion even in the presence of Al³⁺ ions and thus was able to discriminate between the two ions. The binding mode of chemosensors with analytes was substantiated through a combination of ¹H NMR spectra, mass spectra, and DFT studies. The 'turn-on' nature of fluorescence sensing by the two chemosensors enabled the development of colorimetric detection, filter-paper-based test strips, and polystyrene film-based detection techniques.

Application of 2,4,5-Tris(2-pyridyl)imidazole as "Turn-Off" Fluorescence Sensor for Cu (II) and Hg (II) ions and in vitro Cell Imaging

The 2,4,5-tris(2-pyridyl)imidazole (L) molecule has been evaluated as a probe for dual sensing of Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in EtOH/HEPES buffer medium (5mM, pH=7.34, 1:1, v/v). Probe L shows a good sensitive and selective turn-off response in the presence of both Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, which is comprehensible under long UV light. The probe can detect Cu²⁺ ion in the pH range of 3-11 and Hg²⁺ ion in 6-8. The limit of detection for Cu²⁺ (0.77 μM) is well under the allowable limit prescribed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Two metal (Cu²⁺ /Hg²⁺ ) ions are needed per L for complete fluorescence quenching. The probe shows remarkable reversibility on treatment with Na₂ EDTA, making the protocol more economical for practical purposes. Paper strip coated with the L solution of EtOH can detect the presence of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions in the sample by visible quenching of the fluorescence intensity. DFT-TDDFT calculations support experimental observations, and d-orbitals of Cu²⁺ /Hg²⁺ provide a non-radiative decay pathway. Cell imaging study using HDF and MDA-MB-231 cells also supported the viability of L in detecting Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions in living cells.