Dual-channel ratiometric recognition of Al3+ and F- ions through an ESIPT-ESICT signalling mechanism

Modulating the ESIPT Mechanism and Luminescence Characteristics of Two Reversible Fluorescent Probes by Solvent Polarity: A Novel Perspective

As reversible fluorescent probes, HTP-1 and HTP-2 have favourable applications for the detection of Zn2+ and H2S. Herein, the impact of solvent on the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of HTP-1 and HTP-2 was comprehensively investigated. The obtained geometric parameters and infrared (IR) vibrational analysis associated with the intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB) indicated that the strength of IHB for HTP-1 was weakened in the excited state. Moreover, structural torsion and almost no ICT behaviour indicated that the ESIPT process did not occur in HTP-1. Nevertheless, when the 7-nitro-1,2,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD) group replaced the H atom, the IHB strength of HTP-2 was enhanced after photoexcitation, which inhibited the twisting of tetraphenylethylene, thereby opening the ESIPT channel. Notably, hole-electron analysis and frontier molecular orbitals revealed that the charge decoupling effect was the reason for the fluorescence quenching of HTP-2. Furthermore, the potential energy curves (PECs) revealed that HTP-2 was more inclined to the ESIPT process in polar solvents than in nonpolar solvents. With a decrease in solvent polarity, it was more conducive to the ESIPT process. Our study systematically presents the ESIPT process and different detection mechanisms of the two reversible probe molecules regulated by solvent polarity, providing new insights into the design and development of novel fluorescent probes.

Spectroscopic and Biological Properties of the 3-Imino-1,8-naphthalimide Derivatives as Fluorophores for Cellular Imaging

This paper presents the photophysical and biological properties of eight 3-imino-1,8-naphthalimides. The optical properties of the compounds were investigated in the solvents that differed in their polarity (dichloromethane, acetonitrile, and methanol), including three methods of sample preparation using different pre-dissolving solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide or chloroform. In the course of the research, it was found that there are strong interactions between the tested compounds and DMSO, which was visible as a change in the maximum emission band (λem) of the neat 3-imino-1,8-naphthalimides (λem = 470-480 nm) and between the compounds and DMSO (λem = 504-514 nm). The shift of the emission maximum that was associated with the presence of a small amount of DMSO in the sample was as much as 41 nm. In addition, the susceptibility of imines to hydrolysis in the methanol/water mixture with increasing water content and in the methanol/water mixture (v/v; 1:1) in the pH range from 1 to 12 was discussed. The studies showed that the compounds are hydrolysed in the CH3OH/H2O system in an acidic environment (pH in the range of 1 to 4). In addition, it was found that partial hydrolysis occurs in systems with an increased amount of water, and its degree may depend on the type of substituent on the imine bond. The compounds tended to quench the emission (ACQ) in the aggregated state and increase the emission related to the protonation of the imine bond. Moreover, it was found that the substituent in the imine bonds influenced a compound's individual photophysical properties. Biological tests, including cytotoxicity studies and cellular localisation, were also performed for all of the molecules. All of the tested compounds exhibited green fluorescence in the MCF-7 cells and showed co-localisation in the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosome. The obtained photophysical and biological results indicate the promising potential use of the tested compounds as cellular dyes.

A novel ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric sensor based on a 1,8-naphthalimide derivative for nanomolar Cu2+ sensing: smartphone and food applications

A novel 1,8-naphthalimide-based chemical sensor with ratiometric fluorescence behavior, as well as “naked-eye” response was developed for the sensitive and specific determination of Cu2+ at nanomolar levels.

Luminescence and Electrochemical Activity of New Unsymmetrical 3-Imino-1,8-naphthalimide Derivatives

A new series of 1,8-naphtalimides containing an imine bond at the 3-position of the naphthalene ring was synthesized using 1H, 13C NMR, FTIR, and elementary analysis. The impact of the substituent in the imine linkage on the selected properties and bioimaging of the synthesized compounds was studied. They showed a melting temperature in the range of 120-164 °C and underwent thermal decomposition above 280 °C. Based on cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry, the electrochemical behavior of 1,8-naphtalimide derivatives was evaluated. The electrochemical reduction and oxidation processes were observed. The compounds were characterized by a low energy band gap (below 2.60 eV). Their photoluminescence activities were investigated in solution considering the solvent effect, in the aggregated and thin film, and a mixture of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) and 2-tert-butylphenyl-5-biphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD) (50:50 wt.%). They demonstrated low emissions due to photoinduced electron transport (PET) occurring in the solution and aggregation, which caused photoluminescence quenching. Some of them exhibited light emission as thin films. They emitted light in the range of 495 to 535 nm, with photoluminescence quantum yield at 4%. Despite the significant overlapping of its absorption range with emission of the PVK:PBD, incomplete Förster energy transfer from the matrix to the luminophore was found. Moreover, its luminescence ability induced by external voltage was tested in the diode with guest-host configuration. The possibility of compound hydrolysis due to the presence of the imine bond was also discussed, which could be of importance in biological studies that evaluate 3-imino-1,8-naphatalimides as imaging tools and fluorescent materials for diagnostic applications and molecular bioimaging.

Solvation effect on the ESIPT mechanism of nitrile-substituted ortho-hydroxy-2-phenyl-oxazolines

In this study, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) were used to unveil the solvation effects on the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of nitrile-substituted ortho-hydroxy-2-phenyl-oxazoline (NOHPO) molecules in three different solvents. According to the functional analysis of the reduced density gradient, hydrogen bond in low-polar solvents is stronger compared to that in high-polar solvents, indicating that proton transfer (PT) can be influenced by the polarity of the solvent. Moreover, the geometric parameters and infrared vibration spectrum of NOHPO in different types of solvents in the S₀ and S₁ state were compared, which confirmed the above results. By analyzing electronic spectra and frontier molecular orbitals, it was found that the spectral properties were affected by different polar solvents. Molecular electrostatic potential surface calculations proved that PT took place between the H₂ atom and N₃ atom, and the natural population analysis and Hirshfeld charge reveal the charge distribution after photoexcitation. To investigate the ESIPT progress intensively, the potential energy curves of NOHPO in three types of solvents were established. The findings revealed that NOHPO could transform from enol to keto form in the S₁ state spontaneously, and ESIPT progress was promoted with the decrease in polarity.

After photoexcitation, NOHPO could transform from enol to keto form spontaneously, and ESIPT progress was promoted with the decrease in polarity.

A “turn-on” small molecule fluorescent sensor for the determination of Al3+ ion in real samples: theoretical calculations, and photophysical and electrochemical properties

The fluorescence sensing properties of a naphthalene-based acetohydrazide (3) were investigated. A highly selective “turn-on” response was obtained towards Al3+ ions, and this was used for real sample analysis and development of paper test strips.