A benzyl carbazate-based colorimetric chemosensor for relay detection of Cu2+ and S2− in near-perfect aqueous media

A water-soluble colorimetric chemosensor for sequential probing of Cu2+ and S2- and its practical applications to test strips, reversible test, and water samples

A water-soluble colorimetric chemosensor NHOP ((E)-1-(2-(2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylidene)hydrazineyl)-2-oxoethyl)pyridin-1-ium) chloride) was developed for the sequential probing of Cu2+ and S2-. NHOP underwent a color change from pale yellow to colorless in the presence of Cu2+ in pure water. The binding ratio between NHOP and Cu2+ was confirmed to be 1:1 by the Job plot and ESI-MS (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry). The detection limit of NHOP for Cu2+ was calculated as 0.15 μM, which was far below the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standard (20 μM). The NHOP-coated test strip was able to easily monitor Cu2+ in real-time. Meanwhile, the NHOP-Cu2+ complex reverted from colorless to pale yellow in the presence of S2- through the demetallation. The stoichiometric ratio between NHOP-Cu2+ and S2- was determined to be 1:1 by analyzing the Job plot and ESI-MS. The detection limit of NHOP-Cu2+ for S2- was calculated as 0.29 μM, which was very below the WHO (World Health Organization) guideline (14.7 μM). NHOP successfully achieved the quantification for Cu2+ and S2- in water samples. NHOP could work as a sequential probe for Cu2+ and S2- at the biological pH range (7.0-8.4). Moreover, NHOP could successively probe Cu2+ and S2- at least three cycles because of its reversible property. The detection mechanisms of NHOP for Cu2+ and NHOP-Cu2+ for S2- were demonstrated with Job plot, ESI-MS, and DFT (density functional theory) calculations. Therefore, NHOP could work as an efficient sequential probe for Cu2+ and S2- in environmental systems.

Colorimetric Cu2+ Detection of (1E,2E)-1,2-Bis((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)hydrazine Using a Custom-Built Colorimeter

The compound (1E,2E)-1,2-bis((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)hydrazine (1) was investigated for its chemosensor application. The colorimetric response of 1 with various ions was investigated, and the selective optical change upon mixing with Cu²⁺ was found. The Cu²⁺ binding stoichiometry of 1 derived from Job's plot and the in silico study give us the tentative structural detail of the binding mode of 1 and Cu²⁺ being 1:1. The binding constant between 1 and Cu²⁺ from the Benesi-Hildebrand plot was 1.49 × 10⁴ M^-1. The limit of detection of 1 in Cu²⁺ detection was 0.64 μM (0.040 ppm), which is much lower than the WHO and US EPA maximum allowable Cu²⁺ level in drinking water (2 and 1.3 ppm, respectively). The custom-built colorimeter demonstrates a good linear relationship between Cu²⁺ concentration and electrical resistance (Ω) upon 1-Cu²⁺ ion binding.

Detection of S2− in Water by a Glucose Enhanced Water-Soluble Fluorescent Bioprobe

That sulfide anions (S2−) in aquatic environments are produced by microorganisms through degrading sulfur-containing proteins and other organics are harmful to human health. Thus, it is of significance to develop a convenient method for the detection of S2− in water. Small molecular fluorescent probes are very popular for their advantages of visualization, real-time, high sensitivity, and convenience. However, low solubility in water limits the application of existing S2− probes. In this work, we found that our previously developed water-soluble glycosylated fluorescent bioprobe Cu[GluC] can achieve detection of S2− in water. Cu[GluC] can restore fluorescence within 20 s when it encounters S2− and shows good sensitivity towards S2− with a detection limit of 49.6 nM. Besides, Cu[GluC] derived fluorescent test strips were obtained by immersion and realized conveniently visual S2− detection in water by coupling with a UV lamp and a smartphone app. This work provides a fluorescent bioprobe with good water solubility as well as its derived fluorescent test strip for sensitive and simple detection of S2− in water, which shows good prospects in on-site water quality monitoring.