Selective colorimetric sensing of Cu2+ using triazolyl monoazo derivative

Analyte Detection: A Decade of Progress in the Development of Optical/Fluorescent Sensing Probes

The development of selective and sensitive chemical sensors capable of detecting metal ions, anions, neutral species, explosives and hazardous substances, selectively and sensitively has attracted considerable interest of various research groups. The presence of such analytes within the permissible limits is often beneficial, but the excess amounts may lead to lethal effects to both the environment as well as the living organisms. Owing to the toxicity of the heavy metal ions, toxic anions and nitro-aromatics which are main constituents of explosives, the timely detection of these materials is most desirable to ensure safety and security of the mankind. In this personal account, we present several classes of molecular sensors that were specifically designed in our lab during the past decade for detecting several species in solutions, solid state as well as biological media. Modulation of the optical properties in response to the presence of guest species, led to selective and sensitive detection protocols, and was supported by the theoretical studies wherever possible. We have also extended the application of some of these probes for the on-site detection of analytes by developing the paper strips, glass slides and even the wool and cotton fabrics loaded with probes. One such development represents detection of palladium in human urine and blood samples collected from clinical samples. Additionally, the sensing events in some cases have successfully been reproduced in the live cancer cells. Based on the ease and cost-effective synthesis of the molecular probes, we hope that this account shall provide significant information to researchers in understanding the structure dependent sensing capabilities of the molecular probes.

A Novel Quinoline Derivative for Selective and Sensitive Visual Detection of PPB Level Cu2+ in an Aqueous Solution

Aim:

Selective and sensitive visual detection of Cu2+in aqueous solution at PPB level using easily synthesized compound.

Background:

The search for a chemosensor that can detect Cu2+ is very long owing to the fact that an optimum level of Cu2+ is required for human health and the recommended amount of Cu2+ in drinking water is set to be 1-2 mgL-1 . Thus, it is very important to detect Cu2+ even at a very low concentration to assess the associated health risks.

Objective:

We are still seeking for the easiest, cheapest, fastest and greenest sensor that can selectively, sensitively and accurately detect Cu2+ with lowest detection limit. Our objective of this work is to find one such Cu2+ sensor.

Methods:

We have synthesized a quinoline derivative following very easy synthetic procedures and characterize the compound by standard methods. For sensing study, we used steady state absorption and emission spectroscopy.

Results:

Our sensor can detect Cu2+ selectively and sensitively in aqueous solution instantaneously even in the presence of excess amount of other salts. The pale-yellow color of the sensor turns red on the addition of Cu2+ . There is no interference from other cations and anions. A 2:1 binding mechanism of the ligand with Cu2+ is proposed using Jobs plot with binding constant in the order of 109 M-2 . We calculated the LOD to be 18 ppb, which is quite low than what is permissible in drinking water.

Conclusion:

We developed a new quinoline based chemo-sensor following straightforward synthetic procedure from very cheap starting materials that can detect Cu2+ visually and instantaneously in aqueous solution with ppb level sensitivity and zero interference from other ions.

Fluorescent and colorimetric assay for determination of Cu(II) and Hg(II) using AuNPs reduced and wrapped by carbon dots

To improve the accuracy and specificity of visual sensors for detecting Cu(II) and Hg(II), a fluorescent and colorimetric dual-modal sensor based on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared by using carbon dots (CDs) was designed. If a sensor is to be applied for the detection of targets in different environmental backgrounds, it needs to have high stability against heat, pH, and salt. To this end, CD-wrapped AuNP probes were fabricated by the in situ reaction of chloroauric acid and reductive CDs. The reductive CDs were prepared with hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (HPEI) as a carbon source. HPEI-CDs not only acted as a reducing agent but also as an excellent stabilizer in the preparation and detection application of the AuNPs. Based on multiple signal responses, including color, UV-Vis absorption, and fluorescence intensity, the HPEI-CD/AuNP nanosensor was used to realize the detection of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in the linear range 9.0×10^-10-9.0×10^-4 M and 9.0×10^-7-9.0×10^-5 M with low detection limits of 75.6 nM and 281 nM, respectively. In tap water analysis, the recovery of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ by fluorescent range from 109.98-113.31% and 100.65-100.81%, and the RSD values were 0.1159-1.6317% and 3.2-5.4%, respectively. The recovery of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ by colorimetric detection were 99.72-100.14% and 99.88-100.12%, and RSD values were 0.6527-0.6842% and 0.4400-0.8386%, respectively. Importantly, this sensor was applied to the accurate and sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in tap water and sea water. The multimode readout nanosensor exhibited strong potential for achieving simultaneous detection of two different heavy metal ions in practical applications. The novel multi-mode readout carbon dots/AuNPs sensor for Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ detectionshowed high sensitivity and selectivity.

A dansyl-based fluorescent probe for sensing Cu2+ in aqueous solution

A fluorescent probe based on a glycyl-L-tyrosine-modified dansyl derivative (D-GT) is designed and synthesized. D-GT demonstrated great detection performance toward Cu²⁺ in an aqueous solution. Fluorescence quenching occurred due to the coordination of Cu²⁺ with D-GT. The sensitive detection of D-GT to Cu²⁺ was applied in aqueous solution within a wide pH span (6-12). A 1:1 coordinate stoichiometric way and an association constant of 6.47 × 10⁴ M^-1 between D-GT and Cu²⁺ were determined. The measured detection limit for Cu²⁺ in HEPES buffer solution (10 mM, pH 7.4) was 0.69 μM. The probe displayed an appropriate sensitivity toward Cu²⁺ in real drinking water samples and living cells, which reveals the potential applications of D-GT in complicated environments.

Highly Sensitive and Selective Spiropyran-Based Sensor for Copper(II) Quantification

The metal-binding capabilities of the spiropyran family of molecular switches have been explored for several purposes from sensing to optical circuits. Metal-selective sensing has been of great interest for applications ranging from environmental assays to industrial quality control, but sensitive metal detection for field-based assays has been elusive. In this work, we demonstrate colorimetric copper sensing at low micromolar levels. Dimethylamine-functionalized spiropyran (SP1) was synthesized and its metal-sensing properties were investigated using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The formation of a metal complex between SP1 and Cu²⁺ was associated with a color change that can be observed by the naked eye as low as ≈6 μM and the limit of detection was found to be 0.11 μM via UV-vis spectrometry. Colorimetric data showed linearity of response in a physiologically relevant range (0-20 μM Cu²⁺) with high selectivity for Cu²⁺ ions over biologically and environmentally relevant metals such as Na⁺, K⁺, Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺. Since the color change accompanying SP1-Cu²⁺ complex formation could be detected at low micromolar concentrations, SP1 could be viable for field testing of trace Cu²⁺ ions.

A novel highly sensitive dual-channel chemical sensor for sequential recognition of Cu2+ and CN− in aqueous media and its bioimaging applications in living cells

A simple and unique dual-channel chemical probe (DH) was designed and synthesized, which not only realized sequential recognition of Cu2+ and CN− by colorimetric and fluorometric methods, but also realized fluorescence detection of CN−.

Exploring the Chelating Potential of an Easily Synthesized Schiff Base for Copper Sensing

The present study deals with the investigation of Cu2+, Ni2+ and Pd2+ chelating potential of the Schiff base, (E)-N-(2-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)benzyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (H2SB). Crystal structures of Ni(HSB)2, Pd(HSB)2 and Cu(HSB)2 have been elucidated from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. NMR spectroscopy showed the presence of two conformers of Pd(HSB)2 in solution, both with an E configuration of the ligand. The determination of binding constants by fluorescence quenching showed that affinity of H2SB to Cu2+ in solution is higher than for Ni2+ and Pd2+. Since there is a high demand for selective, sensitive, rapid and simple methods to detect copper in aqueous samples (both as Cu2+ ions and as CuO NPs), we have explored H2SB as an optical chemosensor. H2SB interacts with increasing concentrations of Cu2+ ions, giving rise to a linear increase in the absorbance of a band centered at about 392 nm. H2SB displays a high selectivity toward Cu2+, even in the presence of the most common metal ions in water (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Al3+ and Fe3+), and some heavy transition metal ions such as the soft acids Pd2+ and Cd2+. H2SB also interacts with increasing concentrations of CuO NPs, which gives rise to a linear decrease in its fluorescence intensity (λem = 500 nm, λex = 390 nm). Quenching has occurred as a result of the formation of a non-fluorescent ground-state surface complex H2SB–CuO NPs. The limits of detection and quantification of CuO NPs were 9.8 mg/L and 32.6 mg/L, respectively. The presence of TiO2, Ag and Au NPs does not interfere with the determination of CuO NPs.

Paper based field deployable sensor for naked eye monitoring of copper (II) ions; elucidation of binding mechanism by DFT studies

The study demonstrates the fabrication of test strips made from newly synthesized ortho-Vanillin based colorimetric chemosensor (probe P) that could be employed as field deployable tool for rapid and naked eye detection of Cu²⁺. Upon addition of Cu²⁺ to the chemosensor, it exhibits rapid pink color from colorless and can be easily seen through the naked eye. This probe exhibits a remarkable colorimetric "ON" response and the absorbance intensity of the probe enhances significantly in presence of Cu²⁺. The sensing mechanism has been deduced using FTIR, XPS, LCMS and DFT studies. The binding mechanism of the probe to Cu²⁺ was substantiated by DFT studies. HOMO of the probe suggests that a high electronic density resides on O, N atoms and thus these are the favorable binding site for the metal ions. Study revealed that the P + Cu²⁺ complex is -35.64 eV more stable than individual reactants. The Cu²⁺ binds to the probe in 1:1 stoichiometry with a binding constant of 2.6 × 10⁴ M^-1 as calculated by Job's plot and Benesi-Hildebrand plot. The chemosensor shows 1.8 × 10^-8 M detection limit, which is considerably lesser than that of the WHO admissible limit of [Cu²⁺] in drinking water. Possible interfering ions namely Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Al³⁺ and Cr³⁺ do not show any appreciable interference in the colorimetric response of the probe towards Cu²⁺. Particularly, the colorimetric "ON-OFF-ON" responses are proved to be repeated over 5 times by the sequential inclusion of Cu²⁺ and S^2-. Sensitivity of the probe in real-time water and blood samples is found at par with results with AAS and ICP-OES techniques. Further, the reversibility of the probe and the easy fabrication of deployable strips for real-field naked eye detection of Cu²⁺ suggest importance of synthesized probe.

Simple admixture of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and 2,4-dimethylpyrrole for efficient colorimetric sensing of copper(II) ions

An easily accessible chemo-probe based on physical mixture of 2,4-dimethylpyrrole and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde has been developed. Based on NMR spectroscopic analysis, catalyst free formation of dipyrromethane was observed in the physical mixture of chemo-probe. The probe is utilized in effective colorimetric sensing of copper(II) ions present in environmental solutions by instantaneous appearance of red colour, even in the co-existence of various metal ions. The lowest detection limit of 2.51 μM for this chemo-probe towards copper(II) sensing is significantly lower than the WHO prescribed level (<30 μM of copper(II) ions) in potable water. The sensing mechanism is explained via rapid formation of bis(dipyrrinato)copper(II) complex, as confirmed by Jobs plot, UV-Vis spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy.

Exploration of surface plasmon resonance for sensing copper ion based on nanocrystalline cellulose-modified thin film

In this research, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy was used for sensing copper ion by combining the SPR with nanocrystalline cellulose modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and graphene oxide composite (CTA-NCC/GO) thin film. The binding of Cu²⁺ on CTA-NCC/GO thin film was monitored by using SPR spectroscopy. By using the obtained SPR curve, detection range, binding affinity, sensitivity, full width at half maximum (FWHM), data accuracy (DA), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) have been calculated. The results showed that the sensor detection range was 0.01 until 0.5 ppm, and that it reached a saturation value. Moreover, the resonance angle shift followed the Langmuir isotherm model with a binding affinity constant of 4.075 × 10³ M^-1. A high sensitivity of 3.271° ppm^-1 also was obtained for low Cu²⁺ concentration ranged from 0.01 to 0.1 ppm. For the FWHM, the lowest value calculated was at 0.08 and 0.1 ppm, which is 3.35°. The DA of the SPR signal consecutively highest at 0.08 and 0.1 ppm. Besides that, the SNR of the SPR signal increases with the Cu²⁺ concentrations. The CTA-NCC/GO thin film morphological properties were also studied by using atomic force microscopy. The rms roughness values, which were obtained before and after in contact with Cu^2+, were 3.51 nm and 2.46 nm, respectively.

Ultrasound assisted fabrication of a novel optode base on a triazine based Schiff base immobilized on TEOS for copper detection

This work introduces novel selective and sensitive optical sensor based on a nano sized triazine based Schiff base (H₂L) immbolized on a transparent glass substrate through the sol-gel process to detection of copper (II) ions in aqueous solutions. This sensor can determine the copper (II) in the range of 8.54 × 10^-8-1.0 × 10^-5 mol L^-1 with a low detection limit of 1.53 × 10^-8 mol L^-1. The optimized geometry of H₂L and its copper complex was obtained based on DFT/B3LYP levels of theory with B3LYP/6-311 + G(d,p) and LANL2DZ/6-311 + G(d,p) basis sets respectively. The calculated electronic properties of them including the molecular orbital, Mulliken population analysis, contour of electrostatic potential, and molecular electrostatic potential map confirmed the behavior of the sensor. Some advantage of the fabricated sensor such as high selectivity, sensitivity, short response time, easy production, fast regeneration, low cost, being portable and user friendly can make it a good choice to detection of Cu(II) ion in various application. The suggested sensor was revealed excellent sensitivity in the natural samples that confirmed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass (ICP) spectrometry method.

A highly selective “ON–OFF” probe for colorimetric and fluorometric sensing of Cu2+in water

A new diformyl phenol based probe for selective detection of Cu²⁺in aqueous medium, applicable for cell imaging in Vero cells. Theoretical studies were performed to establish the underlying keto–enol tautomerism and optimization of the Cu²⁺complex.

C–H oxidation and chelation of a dipyrromethane mediated rapid colorimetric naked-eye Cu(ii) chemosensor

Selective C–H oxidation and chelation of DPMs mediated by copper is demonstrated and utilized in the development of a rapid colorimetric naked-eye Cu(ii) chemosensor.

Functionalized calix[4]arene as a colorimetric dual sensor for Cu(ii) and cysteine in aqueous media: experimental and computational study

The sensors developed detect Cu²⁺and the metal complex recognizes cysteine, detectable by the naked eye, and DFT calculations corroborate the experimental results.

Colorimetric chemosensor for multiple targets, Cu2+, CN−and S2−

New Schiff-base was developed as colorimetric sensor for Cu²⁺, CN⁻and S²⁻with the detection limits lower than the given guidelines.

Solvent-dependent fluorescent-colorimetric probe for dual monitoring of Al3+ and Cu2+ in aqueous solution: an application to bio-imaging

A solvent-dependent reversible fluorescent-colorimetric bis-iminopyridyl Schiff base receptor (N¹E,N⁴E)-N¹,N⁴-bis(quinolin-4-ylmethylene)benzene-1,4-diamine (L) has been developed for the first time for sensitive and selective determination of Al³⁺ and Cu²⁺ in aqueous solution.

Organosilatranes with thioester-anchored heterocyclic ring assembly: Cu2+ ion binding and fabrication of hybrid silica nanoparticles

Thioester allied organosilatranes were synthesized by the CDI mediated coupling of carboxylic acids with mercaptopropylsilatrane. One of the silatrane was further immobilized onto silica nanospheres, characterized and tested for copper ion binding.

Optical sensor: a promising strategy for environmental and biomedical monitoring of ionic species

In this review, we cover the recent developments in fluorogenic and chromogenic sensors for Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺and Hg²⁺.

A highly selective chemosensor for naked-eye sensing of nanomolar Cu(ii) in an aqueous medium

A colorimetric chemosensor was developed for the sensitive detection and quantification of Cu²⁺with a short response time in an aqueous medium.

Selective colorimetric sensing of Co2+ and Cu2+ using 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol derivative immobilized polyvinyl alcohol microspheres

A novel optical sensor was proposed. The sensor can be used to monitor Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions.

A colorimetric chemosensor for the sequential detection of copper ion and amino acids (cysteine and histidine) in aqueous solution

A simple and selective colorimetric chemosensor was reported for the sequential detection of Cu²⁺, cysteine and histidine.

Supramolecular analyte recognition: experiment and theory interplay

Synergy of experimental and theoretical tools has made significant impact in the assessment of supramolecular recognition of analytes of relevance to biology and the environment.

A single colorimetric sensor for multiple target ions: the simultaneous detection of Fe2+ and Cu2+ in aqueous media

The receptor 1 provides a novel approach for the simultaneous colorimetric recognition of two metal ions Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺.

A highly selective turn-off fluorescent probe for Cu(ii) based on a dansyl derivative and its application in living cell imaging

A novel dansyl derivative (1) was designed and synthesized with high yield.