Turn-on selective fluorescent probe for trivalent cations

An Indole-based Chromofluorogenic Probe for Detection of Trivalent Al3+, Ga3+, In3+ and Fe3+ Ions

An easily synthesizable indole-derived chromofluorogenic probe InNS has been demonstrated for recognition of trivalent metal ions (i. e., Al3+, Ga3+, In3+ and Fe3+). Both UV-Vis and emission spectral studies have been employed to assess the cation sensing ability of InNS in semi-aqueous medium. This probe exhibited a chromogenic response for these metal ions, and the related change was accompanied with the appearance of a new absorption near 376 nm. An obvious color change from pale yellow to dark yellow could also be noticed upon addition of the aforementioned metal ions to the probe's solution. Distinctively from the UV-Vis analysis, the fluorescence behavior of InNS was completely different; it displayed a 'turn-on' fluorescence response for only Al3+ among all the studied cations. The detection limit and the association constant (Ka) for Al3+ were determined to be 12.5 nM and 6.85×106 M-1, respectively. A potential 1 : 1 binding mode of Al3+-InNS has been established based on Job's plot, 1H NMR and DFT analyses. The reversibility experiment was conducted using strongly chelating EDTA ion, and a corresponding logic gate has been devised. In terms of practical applications, the InNS has been utilized to detect Al3+ in human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines displaying promising 'turn-on' bioimaging experiments.

Two rhodamine-azo based fluorescent probes for recognition of trivalent metal ions: crystal structure elucidation and biological applications

Two rhodamine and azo based chemosensors (HL1 = (3',6'-bis(ethylamino)-2-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(phenyldiazenyl)benzylidene)amino)-2',7'-dimethylspiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one) and HL2 = (3',6'-bis(ethylamino)-2-(((2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(p-tolyldiazenyl)benzylidene)amino)-2',7'-dimethylspiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one) have been synthesized for colorimetric and fluorometric detection of three trivalent metal ions, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺ and Fe³⁺. The chemosensors have been thoroughly characterized by different spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. They are non-fluorescent due to the presence of a spirolactam ring. The trivalent metal ions initiate an opening of the spirolactam ring when excited at 490 nm in Britton-Robinson buffer solution (H₂O/MeOH 1 : 9 v/v; pH 7.4). The opening of the spirolactam ring increases conjugation within the probe, which is supported by an intense fluorescent pinkish-yellow colouration and an enhancement of the fluorescence intensity of the chemosensors by ∼400 times in the presence of Al³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions and by ∼100 times in the presence of Fe³⁺ ions. Such a type of enormous fluorescence enhancement is rarely observed in other chemosensors for the detection of trivalent metal ions. A 2 : 1 binding stoichiometry of the probes with the respective ions has been confirmed by Job's plot analysis. Elucidation of the crystal structures of the Al³⁺ bound chemosensors (1 and 4) also justifies the 2 : 1 binding stoichiometry and the presence of an open spirolactam ring within the chemosensor framework. The limit of detection (LOD) values for both the chemosensors towards the respective metal ions are in the order of ∼10^-9 M which supports their application in the biological field. The biocompatibility of the ligands has been studied with the help of the MTT assay. The results show that no significant toxicity was observed up to 100 μM of chemosensor concentration. The capability of our synthesized chemosensors to detect intracellular Al³⁺, Cr³⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in the cervical cancer cell line HeLa was evaluated with the aid of fluorescence imaging.

Pomegranate Punica granatum peel waste as a naked-eye natural colorimetric sensor for the detection and determination of Fe+3 and I- ions in water

The utilization of renewable and abundant agricultural waste such as Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract has been developed wherein a simple extraction of dried peel in water offered a natural sensor; ensuing yellowish solution comprising phenolic compounds reacted explicitly to detect Fe⁺³ and I^- solutions by naked-eye. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the resulting extracted mixture was drastically changed toward the longer wavelengths only after the addition of the Fe³⁺ and I^- while there was no discernible spectral change due to the addition of a broad range of other common cations and anions. In the case of Fe³⁺ and I^-, the transformation can be followed by the naked eye in the concentration range of 5 × 10^-4 M and 1 × 10^-2 M, respectively. An acceptable and reasonable detection with 47.05426 μM efficiency was attained in comparison to other Fe³⁺ indicators such as ferroin.

A quinoline-benzothiazole-based chemosensor coupled with a smartphone for the rapid detection of In3+ ions

A newly designed quinoline-benzothiazole probe 2-((Z)-((E)-benzo[d]thiazol-2(3H)-ylidenehydrazono)methyl)quinolin-8-ol (L) was synthesized by reacting 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carbaldehyde with 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole and structurally characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The sensing ability of probe L was studied with various cations using colorimetry, test paper strips, a red-green-blue (RGB) model and UV-visible spectrophotometry in DMSO : H₂O (3 : 7, v/v). The pale yellow colour of L turns into orange on contact with In³⁺ ions, whereas other tested metal ions did not show any change in colour. The probe L exhibits an absorbance band at 360 nm due to ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT); upon interaction with In³⁺ ions, it exhibits a band at 445 nm due to ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT). The probe L binds In³⁺ in a 2 : 1 ratio with an association constant of 8.1 × 10⁵ M^-1 and this is established using the Job's and Benesi-Hildebrand (B-H) methods. The probe L can work in the pH range of 4-8 without interfering with other competing ions. It can be used to detect quantities as low as 2.3 ppb and 85 ppb by spectrophotometry and RGB, respectively. The binding mechanism was studied by ¹H NMR titration, ESI mass and FT-IR spectral analysis and well supported by theoretical studies. Overall, probe L demonstrates promising potential for the detection of In³⁺ ions in the semi-aqueous phase and this is its first report as a colorimetric chromogenic probe.

Novel Benzothiazole-Based Highly Selective Ratiometric Fluorescent Turn-On Sensors for Zn2+ and Colorimetric Chemosensors for Zn2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ Ions

Metal ions play a very important role in environmental as well as biological fields. The detection of specific metal ions at a minute level caught much attention, and hence, several probes are available in the literature. Even though benzothiazole-based molecules have a special place in the medicinal field, only very few chemosensors are reported based on this moiety. The current work describes the design and synthesis of the benzothiazole-based chemosensor for a highly selective and sensitive detection of biologically important metal ions such as Zn2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+. The sensing studies of compound-1 showed a ratiometric as well as colorimetric response toward Zn2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ ions and color changes from colorless to yellow and is found to be insensitive toward various metal ions (Cd2+, Cr3+, Mn2+, Pb2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Ca2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+). Further, compound-1 exhibited ratiometric as well as turn-on-enhanced fluorescence response toward Zn2+ ions and turn off response for Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions. The Job plots revealed that the binding stoichiometry of compound-1 and metal ions is 2:1. The detection limits were found to be 0.25 ppm for Zn2+, while it was 0.30 ppm and 0.34 ppm for Ni2+ and Cu2+, respectively. In addition, density functional theory results strongly support the colorimetric response of metals, and the reversibility studies suggested that compound-1 can be used as a powerful chemosensor for the detection of Zn2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ ions. The bioimaging data illustrated that compound-1 is a very effective ratiometric sensor for Zn2+ ions in live cells.

Carbon dots as naked eye sensors

Optical sensors are always fascinating for chemists due to their selectivity, sensitivity, robustness and cost-effective nature.

A Schiff base sensor for relay monitoring of In3+ and Fe3+ through “off–on–off” fluorescent signals

A Schiff base N′-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4,5-dihydronaphtho[1,2-b]thiophene-2-carbohydrazide (LB2) was designed and synthesized and could be used as a sensor to identify In³⁺ and Fe³⁺ through fluorescence ‘off–on–off’ behavior.

A Thiourea-Containing Fluorescent Chemosensor for Detecting Ga3

A thiourea-based fluorescent chemosensor NADA, (E)-2-(4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-N-(naphthalen-1-yl)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide, has been designed and synthesized. NADA could detect Ga³⁺ through a fluorescent turn-on with a low detection limit (0.29 μM). Importantly, NADA could effectively discriminate Ga³⁺ from Al³⁺ and In³⁺. The binding mechanism of NADA with Ga³⁺ was identified by ESI-mass, NMR titration, and DFT calculations.

Dual sensing and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopic monitoring of Cr3+and Al3+ using a luminescent Schiff base: Extraction and DFT studies

A well designed, new pyrene based small molecule (L) was synthesized from 1:1 condensation reaction of 1-aminopyrene and 6-(1,3-benzodioxal-5-yl)-2-pyridine carboxaldehyde which was characterized by absorption, emission spectrometry, FTIR, NMR and mass studies. Interestingly the UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic studies revealed that the ligand (L) works as a dual turn-on luminescent chemosensor for chromium(III) (Cr³⁺) and aluminium(III) (Al³⁺) in aqueous environment which were further supported by DFT and TDDFT studies. L shows a significant colour change from pale yellow to reddish yellow with a detection limit of ~10^-9 M in the presence of Cr³⁺ and Al³⁺ whereas there were no noteworthy changes in the presence of other monovalent and divalent metal ions. The molecular signaling in the presence of Cr³⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺ and EDTA was compared with advanced level combinational INHIBIT gate based on 4 input logic gates. Herein, first derivative constant wavelength synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (1^st DCWSFS) was applied for the determination of Cr³⁺, Al³⁺ ion concentrations in a mixture via increment of spectral resolution of the respective overlapping peaks. 1^st DCWSFS is reported to be used in pharmaceuticals but very few works have been done for determination of metal ion concentration in environmental sample without prior separation. The individual Cr³⁺and Al³⁺ ion concentrations in a mixture were determined through liquid-liquid extraction process and the efficiencies were compared with 1^st derivative SFS method. It was observed that 1^st derivative SFS process is more efficient than conventional liquid-liquid extraction process. Therefore, 1^st DCWSFS method using sensor L might be useful as a diagnostic tool for detection of individual metal ion concentrations (Cr³⁺ and Al³⁺) from a mixture which will be cost-effective, time saving and more precise.

A selective “turn-on” sensor for recognizing In3+ and Zn2+ in respective systems based on imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole

An imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-based compound (X) was designed and synthesized as an “off–on–off” sensor for the multiple recognition of In³⁺ and Zn²⁺ in different systems.

Luminescence sensing, DFT, extraction and monitoring of Cr3+ and Al3+via the application of first derivative fluorescence spectroscopy

Turn-on recognition of an anthracene-based Schiff base followed by the use of a sensitive technique for metal estimation without prior separation.

A Naphthalimide-Based Fluorescence "Off-on-Off" Chemosensor for Relay Detection of Al3+ and ClO. Front Chem 2019;7:549. [PMID: 31428604 PMCID: PMC6687763 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00549]

A novel Al³⁺ chemosensor NPA was designed and synthesized on basis of the mechanism of ICT and CHEF. Upon addition of Al³⁺, the probe NPA displayed a bright green fluorescence under UV radiation and visual color change from yellow to colorless. Spectrum titrations showed that NPA could be recognized as a fluorescent turn-on probe with 10^-8 M detection level. The probe was successfully applied in real water sample and test paper. More important, NPA-Al³⁺ complex were used as a fluorescent turn-off probe for the detection of ClO^- with the detection as low as 2.34 × 10^-8 M. The performance of NPA to Al³⁺ and NPA-Al³⁺ complex to ClO^- demonstrated that NPA could be served as a sensitive probe and exhibit INHIBIT logic gate behavior with Al³⁺ and ClO^- as inputs.

A hydrazono-quinoline-based chemosensor sensing In3+ and Zn2+via fluorescence turn-on and ClO−via color change in aqueous solution

A multi-target sensor, based on hydrazono-quinoline, was developed for fluorescence turn-on detection of In³⁺ and Zn²⁺ and colorimetric detection of ClO⁻.

Highly selective fluorescence 'turn off' sensing of picric acid and efficient cell labelling by water-soluble luminescent anthracene-bridged poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)

A novel, water-soluble, luminescent anthracene-bridged AA-type bi-arm poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (ATC-PNVP) was synthesized using a click reaction between alkyne-terminated PNVP and 9,10-bis(azidomethyl)anthracene. The resultant anthracene-bridged PNVP (ATC-PNVP) was characterized using 1H NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopic methods and GPC analysis. ATC-PNVP showed effective fluorescence properties in an aqueous medium. It showed highly selective "turn off" sensing behaviour towards picric acid, a common nitro-aromatic explosive, with a wide linear range of detection of 0.01-0.3 mM and LOD value of 0.006 mM in water. ATC-PNVP-based paper sensors also showed very effective detection of picric acid in the concentration range 0.001-1.0 mM. Its binding with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied using steady-state, synchronous and 3D fluorescence spectroscopy and this study showed effective quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA and occurrence of a FRET-type interaction. Furthermore, this luminescent ATC-PNVP was efficiently used as a fluorescence microscopy labelling agent in NIH-3T3 and HeLa cells, and showed greater uptake and hence better fluorescent labelling in the cytosols of the tested cells than free 9,10-bis(azidomethyl) anthracene. The cell viability study also showed a very good biocompatible and non-toxic nature of ATC-PNVP at lower working concentrations towards each of the types of cells tested.

A dual target chemosensor for the fluorometric detection of In3+ and colorimetric detection of Fe3

A new dual target chemosensor 1, 1,1'‑((1E,1'E)‑((thiobis(ethane‑2,1‑diyl))bis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(naphthalen‑2‑ol), was prepared by the reaction of a hydroxy-naphthaldehyde and a thiobis(ethylamine). Sensor 1 detected In³⁺ with turn-on fluorescence and Fe³⁺ via the change of color from colorless to pale violet. The sensing behaviors of 1 toward In³⁺ and Fe³⁺ were studied through photophysical experiments, ESI-mass, NMR titration, and theoretical calculations. In particular, 1 can discriminate In³⁺ from Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ from Fe²⁺. Limits of detection for the analysis of In³⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions turned out to be 5.89 μM and 0.30 μM, respectively. In addition, sensor 1 functioned practically as a naked-eye test strip for Fe³⁺ and could be recycled by using EDTA for In³⁺ and DFO for Fe³⁺.

Monitoring ADP and ATP in vivo using a fluorescent Ga(iii)-probe complex

A naphthol-based sensor (L) was designed and synthesized for the specific recognition of Ga3+ using fluorescence enhancement. An in situ generated L-Ga3+ ensemble detected ADP and ATP more selectively through a fluorescence "switch off" response, which was confirmed both in cells and in adult zebrafish.

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 Fluorescent Chemosensor for Detecting Indium(III) with a Low Detection Limit and its Application

A highly selective chemosensor BHC ((E)-N-benzhydryl-2-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide) for detecting indium(III) was synthesized. Sensor BHC can detect In(III) by a fluorescence turn-on method. The detection limit was analyzed to be 0.89 μM. Importantly, this value is the lowest among those previously known for fluorescent turn-on In(III) chemosensors. Based on the analytical methods like ESI-mass, Job plot, and theoretical calculations, the detection mechanism for In(III) was illustrated to be chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect. Additionally, sensor BHC was successfully applied to test strips.

A multifunctional selective “turn-on” fluorescent chemosensor for detection of Group IIIA ions Al3+, Ga3+ and In3+

A versatile chemosensor was developed for highly distinguishable and selective recognition of group IIIA metal ions (Al³⁺, Ga³⁺ and In³⁺).

Spiropyran-Isoquinoline Dyad as a Dual Chemosensor for Co(II) and In(III) Detection

Spiropyran derivatives have been studied as light-regulated chemosensors for a variety of metal cations and anions, but there is little research on chemosensors that simultaneously detect multiple metal cations. In this study, a spiropyran derivative with isoquinoline, SP-IQ, was prepared and it functions investigated as a light-regulated sensor for both Co²⁺ and In³⁺ cations. A colorless nonfluorescent SP-IQ converts to a pink-colored fluorescent MC-IQ by UV irradiation or standing in the dark, and MC-IQ returns to SP-IQ with visible light. Upon UV irradiation with the Co²⁺ cation for 7 min, the stronger absorption at 540 nm and the similar fluorescence intensity at 640 nm are observed, compared to when no metal cation is added, due to the formation of a Co²⁺ complex with pink color and pink fluorescence. When placed in the dark with the In³⁺ cation for 7 h, the colorless solution of SP-IQ changes to the In³⁺ complex with yellow color and pink fluorescence, which shows strong absorption at 410 nm and strong fluorescence at 640 nm. Selective detection of the Co²⁺ cation with UV irradiation and the In³⁺ cation in the dark could be possible with SP-IQ by both absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy or by the naked eye.

A new fluorescent sensor containing glutamic acid for Fe3+ and its resulting complex as a secondary sensor for PPi in purely aqueous solution

A new fluorescence sensor L with benzimidazo[2,1-α]benz[de]isoquinoline-7-one as the fluorophore and glutamic acid moiety as the receptor was synthesized and characterized.

A novel graphene oxide-based fluorescent nanosensor for selective detection of Fe(3+) with a wide linear concentration and its application in logic gate

A graphene oxide-based fluorescent nanosensor AGO has been designed and synthesized by covalent grafting allylamine onto GO surface. In aqueous media, AGO displays a highly selective and sensitive discrimination of Fe(3+) from Fe(2+) and other metal ions through electron transfer-induced fluorescence quenching. The quenching of AGO fluorescence is linearly proportional to Fe(3+) concentration in a wide range of 0-120 μM (correlation coefficient R(2)=0.9994). Moreover, AGO can be used to construct a combinational three-input logic gate to discriminate Fe(3+) and Fe(2+). The logic gate works well in intracellular fluorescence imaging, which shows a potential as a promising platform for biosensing analysis.

A differentially selective molecular probe for detection of trivalent ions (Al3+, Cr3+and Fe3+) upon single excitation in mixed aqueous medium

A chemosensor was developed which could selectively detect and differentiate trivalent metal ions (Al³⁺, Cr³⁺and Fe³⁺) upon single excitation at two different wavelengths in aqueous medium.

One single molecule as a multifunctional fluorescent probe for ratiometric sensing of Fe3+, Cr3+ and colorimetric sensing of Cu2+

The reagent Rh-C, incorporating a rhodamine moiety and a coumarin backbone and prepared via click chemistry, was developed as the first single molecule for detecting Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cr³⁺. Its response to Cu²⁺ in different solutions is visible to the naked eye and it exhibits a ratiometric fluorescence response to Fe³⁺ in methanol and Cr³⁺ in acetonitrile.