A Colorimetric and Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Selective Detection of Cu2+ and Zn2+ Ions

A highly selective coumarin-based chemosensor for dual sensing of Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions with logic gate integration and live cell imaging

In this paper, a coumarin-based Schiff base chemosensor has been synthesized and developed to detect Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions in nanomolar concentrations. The probe selectively distinguishes Cu2+ and Zn2+ from among several metal ions in DMF : H2O (7 : 3, v/v, pH 7.4) HEPES buffer. The structure of the probe and its sensing behavior were investigated by FT-IR, UV-vis, fluorescence, HRMS, and NMR analyses, along with X-ray crystallography and computational studies. CIH detects Zn2+ and Cu2+ using different strategies: CHEF-induced fluorescence enhancement and paramagnetic fluorescence quenching, respectively. Job's plots show a 1 : 1 binding interaction between CIH and Cu2+ or Zn2+ ions. The binding constant values for Cu2+ (1.237 × 105 M-1) and Zn2+ (1.24 × 104 M-1) suggest a better ability for Cu2+ to interact with CIH than Zn2+. An extremely high sensitivity of the probe was highlighted by its very low detection limits (LOD) of 5.36 nM for Cu2+ and 3.49 nM for Zn2+. The regeneration of the probe with the addition of EDTA in its complexes allows the formation of molecular logic gates. CIH has been successfully employed in mitotracking and intracellular detection of Zn2+ and Cu2+ in SiHa cells.

A naphthyl appended ninhydrin based colorimetric chemosensor for Cu2+ ion: Detection of cysteine and ATP

A ninhydrin-based colorimetric chemosensor (LH) was synthesized using 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic hydrazide and 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one. It was characterized by spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. In a semi-aqueous (MeOH/HEPES) system, LH displayed a characteristic chromogenic change from colorless to yellow upon adding Cu2+ ion, with the appearance of a new peak at λmax = 460 nm. A 1:1 binding stoichiometry between LH and Cu2+ ion has been found, with LOD = 2.3 μM (145 ppb) and LOQ = 8 μM (504 ppb). Based on experimental results the formula of [Cu(L)Cl(H2O)2] (1) was assigned and this in-situ generated 1 was found to exhibit a discoloration of upon gradual addition of cysteine (LOD = 60 nM) as well as ATP (LOD = 130 nM) having 1:2 and 1:1 stoichiometry respectively. The LH was useful for recognition of Cu2+ ion in real water samples and on filter paper strips. A two-input-two-output logic gate circuitry was also constructed by employing 1 and cysteine. The DFT/TDDFT calculations performed on LH and 1 were consistent with experimental findings. The binding affinity of LH towards HSA and BSA were determined with HSA having greater affinity than BSA, which was also supported by theoretical calculations.

AIEE activated Pyrene-Dansyl coupled FRET probe for discriminating detection of lethal Cu2+ and CN-: Bio-Imaging, DNA binding studies and prompt prognosis of Menke's disease

In present work a pyrene-dansyl dyad functionalized chemoreceptor, DPNS is unveiled towards ultrasensitive chromo-fluorogenic detection of heavy and transition metal ions (HTMs) like Cu2+ and pernicious CN-. It demonstrated distinct chromogenic responses; colorless to faint yellow (Cu2+), intense yellow (CN-) from contaminant aqueous sources. Cu2+ instigated alteration in DPNS fluorescence from feeble emission to sparkling green with LOD: 37.75 × 10-9 M, cyan emission for CN- having LOD 61.51 × 10-8M. In particular, chemical scaffold of DPNS consists of -C = N, O = S = O donor entitities that escalates overall polarity thereby providing an excellent binding pocket for simultaneous Cu2+ and CN- recognition with distinct photophysical signaling. Impressively, presence of two fluorophoric moieties triggers FRET, CHEF phenomenon. The conceivable host:guest interactive pathway is manifested by LMCT- FRET-PET-CHEF, C = N isomerization for Cu2+ and ICT-H-bonding for CN-. An exquisite experimental and theoretical corroboration further strengthened the recognition phenomenon. In addition owing to pyrene excimer formation, DPNS exhibits AIEE with increasing water fraction. Notably, DPNS could successfully undergo intracellular tracking of Cu2+ in Tecoma Stans, Peperomia Pellucida. DPNS•••Cu2+ adduct displayed significant intercalative DNA binding activity rationalized by spectral investigation, competitive EB binding, viscosity study. The overall findings, excellent properties endows DPNS a potential contender towards discriminative detection of Cu2+ and CN- like toxic industrial contaminants.

Benzil Bis-Hydrazone Based Fluorescence 'Turn-on' Sensor for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Zn(II) Ions

In this study, a novel Benzil Bis-Hydrazone (BBH) sensor with two C = N-N = C moieties was designed and synthesized based on the condensation reaction between benzil-dihydrazone (b) and cinnamaldehyde. The BBH probe in dimethylsulfoxide showed extremely weak fluorescence. However, the same solution exhibited an intensive fluorescence enhancement (152-fold) with the introduction of Zn(II) ions. In contrast, no or negligible fluorescence changes were observed when other ions were added. The fluorogenic behavior of BBH towards the examined cations indicated an excellent selectivity of the BBH sensor for Zn(II) cations without any interference from other cations like Fe(II), Mg(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Cr(III), Hg(II), Sn(II), Al(I), La(III), Ca(II), Ba(II), Na(I), K(I), and especially Cd(II). Moreover, the UV-vis spectrophotometric titrations revealed that a 1:1 stoichiometric complex BBH-Zn(II) was formed during the Zn(II) sensing and the binding constant value for this complex was calculated to be equal to 106.8. Further, in order to show the affinity of the BBH sensor for Zn(II) cations, it was deemed necessary to determine the limit of detection (LOD) which was found to equal to 2.5 10-4 M.

Phentroimidazole Based Fluorescence "Turn on" Sensor for Highly Sensitive Detection of Zn2+ Ions

FIH sensor-based fluorescence was fabricated and analyzed employing ¹H, ¹³C-, APT-NMR, elemental analysis and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The fluorescence properties of the fabricated FIH sensor towards metal ions were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. It was determined that prepared sensor had the highest fluorescence sensitivity towards Zn²⁺ ions which was 35 times more than other metal ions (Ag⁺, Li⁺, Ba²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cr³⁺, Pb²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Rb²⁺, Cs²⁺, and Al³⁺) while it was being no effect for the commonly used metal ions. From the point of this view, it can be easily said that this system can be applied as fluorescence sensor for Zn²⁺ ions.

A Novel Thiophene-Based Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Detection of Zn2+ and CN-: Imaging Applications in Live Cells and Zebrafish

A novel fluorescent turn-on chemosensor DHADC ((E)-3-((4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)-2,3-dihydrothiophene-2-carboxamide) has been developed and used to detect Zn2+ and CN-. Compound DHADC displayed a notable fluorescence increase with Zn2+. The limit of detection (2.55 ± 0.05 μM) for zinc ion was far below the standard (76 μM) of the WHO (World Health Organization). In particular, compound DHADC could be applied to determine Zn2+ in real samples, and to image Zn2+ in both HeLa cells and zebrafish. Additionally, DHADC could detect CN- through a fluorescence enhancement with little inhibition with the existence of other types of anions. The detection processes of compound DHADC for Zn2+ and CN- were demonstrated with various analytical methods like Job plots, 1H NMR titrations, and ESI-Mass analyses.

A dual-function probe based on naphthalene for fluorescent turn-on recognition of Cu2+ and colorimetric detection of Fe3+ in neat H2O

A simple naphthalene derivative, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazide (NAH), was designed and synthesized through two facile steps reactions with the 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (NCA) as the starting material. In neat H₂O (10% 0.01 M HEPES buffer, v/v, pH = 7.4), probe NAH showed a highly selective and sensitive response towards Fe³⁺ via perceptible color change and displayed "turn-on" dual-emission fluorescence response for Cu²⁺. The binding stoichiometry ratio of NAH/Cu²⁺ and NAH/Fe³⁺ were all confirmed as 1:1 by the method of fluorescence job's plot and UV-Vis job's plot, respectively. Probe NAH can be used over a wide pH range for the determination of Fe³⁺ (2.0-10.0) and Cu²⁺ (6.0-10.0) without interference from other co-existing metal ions. A possible detection mechanism was the hydrolysis of NAH upon the addition of Fe³⁺ or Cu²⁺, thereby leading to the formation of 6-hydroxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (NCA) which was further confirmed by the various spectroscopic techniques including FT-IR, ¹H NMR titration and HRMS. Moreover, NAH was successfully applied to the detection of Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in tap water, ultrapure water and BSA.

A coumarin based highly sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for selective detection of zinc ion

A very effective and highly sensitive fluorescent chemosensor, based on 4-hydroxycoumarin skeleton substituted by benzothiazole moiety was synthesized and investigated for the detection of zinc ion. This chemosensor displays highly selective and sensitive fluorescence enhancement to Zn²⁺ over other metal ions examined in solution and in biological systems. The detection limit for the fluorescent chemosensor 1 toward Zn²⁺ was 3.58 × 10^-8 M. A simple and efficient approach was improved for the synthesis of chemosensor 1 starting from 4-hydroxycoumarin.

Ultrasensitive Colorimetric and Ratiometric Detection of Cu2+: Acid-Base Properties, Complexation, and Binding Studies

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a chemosensor, 5-(diethylamino)-2-(2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidin-2-yl)phenol (HL), synthesized from a condensation between 4-(diethylamino)salicylaldehyde and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene. Upon investigation of the sensing properties of HL, it was found that this sensor may be employed for simple yet efficient detection of Cu2+ in aqueous methanol solutions. The selective and ratiometric response to Cu2+ yielded an outstandingly low limit of detection of 3.7 nM by spectrophotometry and is also useful as a naked-eye sensor from 2.5 μM. The system was studied by spectrophotometric pH titrations to determine Cu2+ binding constants and complex speciation. Binding of Cu2+ to HL occurs in 1:1 stoichiometry, in good agreement with high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) results, Cu2+ titrations, and Job's plot experiments, while the coordination geometry was tentatively assigned as square pyramidal by spectroscopic studies.

An Ultrasensitive Fluorescence Sensor with Simple Operation for Cu2+ Specific Detection in Drinking Water

Whether short-term or long-term, overexposure to an abnormal amount of copper ion does significant harm to human health. Considering its nonbiodegradability, it is critical to sensitively detect copper ion. Herein, a novel fluorescent strategy with a "turn-on" signal was developed for highly sensitive and specific detection of copper ion (Cu2+). In the present investigation, we found that Cu2+ exhibits excellent peroxidase-like catalytic activity toward oxidizing the nonfluorescent substrate of Amplex Red into the product of resofurin with outstanding fluorescence emission under the aid of H2O2. Thus, an enzyme-free and label-free sensing system was constructed for copper ion detection with quite simple operation. To ensure the detection sensitivity and reproducibility, the amount of H2O2 and incubation time were optimized. The limit of detection can reach as low as 1.0 nM. In addition, the developed assay demonstrated excellent specificity and could be utilized to detect copper ion in water samples including tap water and bottled purified water without standing recovery.

Ligand-Capped CdTe Quantum Dots as a Fluorescent Nanosensor for Detection of Copper Ions in Environmental Water Sample

In this work, as a novel fluorescent nano-sensor, a ligand-capped CdTe QDs (CdTe-L QDs) was designed for the detection and quantification of Cu²⁺ ions in environmental water samples. The synthesized QDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermo-gravimetric (TG) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-Vis spectrophotometry and fluorescence spectroscopy. Optical properties of the produced nanosensor were monitored by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry. It was observed that fluorescence intensity of the produced nano-sensor selectively quenched by adding Cu²⁺ ions in comparison to other metal ions tested. Using CdTe-L QDs, a rapid and facile analytical method was developed to determine Cu²⁺ ions in the concentration range of 5.16 ± 0.07 × 10^- 8 mol L^- 1-1.50 ± 0.03 × 10^- 5 mol L^- 1 with a detection limit of 1.55 ± 0.05 × 10^- 8 mol L^- 1. The nanosensor was successfully applied for the determination of Cu²⁺ ions in various water samples, and the results were compared with the standard method. Graphical Abstract.