A highly selective dual channel hypochlorite probe based on fluorescein and 1,10-phenanthroline

Fifty Shades of Phenanthroline: Synthesis Strategies to Functionalize 1,10-Phenanthroline in All Positions

1,10-Phenanthroline (phen) is one of the most popular ligands ever used in coordination chemistry due to its strong affinity for a wide range of metals with various oxidation states. Its polyaromatic structure provides robustness and rigidity, leading to intriguing features in numerous fields (luminescent coordination scaffolds, catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, sensors, theranostics, etc.). Importantly, phen offers eight distinct positions for functional groups to be attached, showcasing remarkable versatility for such a simple ligand. As a result, phen has become a landmark molecule for coordination chemists, serving as a must-use ligand and a versatile platform for designing polyfunctional arrays. The extensive use of substituted phenanthroline ligands with different metal ions has resulted in a diverse array of complexes tailored for numerous applications. For instance, these complexes have been utilized as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells, as luminescent probes modified with antibodies for biomaterials, and in the creation of elegant supramolecular architectures like rotaxanes and catenanes, exemplified by Sauvage's Nobel Prize-winning work in 2016. In summary, phen has found applications in almost every facet of chemistry. An intriguing aspect of phen is the specific reactivity of each pair of carbon atoms ([2,9], [3,8], [4,7], and [5,6]), enabling the functionalization of each pair with different groups and leading to polyfunctional arrays. Furthermore, it is possible to differentiate each position in these pairs, resulting in non-symmetrical systems with tremendous versatility. In this Review, the authors aim to compile and categorize existing synthetic strategies for the stepwise polyfunctionalization of phen in various positions. This comprehensive toolbox will aid coordination chemists in designing virtually any polyfunctional ligand. The survey will encompass seminal work from the 1950s to the present day. The scope of the Review will be limited to 1,10-phenanthroline, excluding ligands with more intracyclic heteroatoms or fused aromatic cycles. Overall, the primary goal of this Review is to highlight both old and recent synthetic strategies that find applicability in the mentioned applications. By doing so, the authors hope to establish a first reference for phenanthroline synthesis, covering all possible positions on the backbone, and hope to inspire all concerned chemists to devise new strategies that have not yet been explored.

Aza-BODIPY-based Fluorescent and Colorimetric Sensors and Probes

Aza-boron-dipyrromethenes (Aza-BODIPYs) represent an important class of chromophores absorbing and emitting in the near-infrared (NIR) region. They have unique optical and electronic features and higher physiological and photo stability than other NIR dyes. Especially after the development of facile synthetic routes, Aza-BODIPYs have become indispensable fluors that can find various applications ranging from chemosensors, bioimaging, phototherapy, solar energy materials, photocatalysis, photon upconversion, lasers, and optoelectronics. Herein, we review Aza-BODIPY based fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors. We show the potential and untapped toolbox of Aza-BODIPY based fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors. Hence, we divide the fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors and probes into five sections according to the target analytes. The first section begins with the chemosensors developed for pH. Next, we discuss Aza-BODIPY based ion sensors, including metal ions and anions. Finally, we present the chemosensors and probes concerning reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) along with biologically relevant species in the last two sections. We believe that Aza-BODIPYs are still in their infancy, and they have a promising future for translation from the bench to real biomedical and materials science applications. After two decades of intensive research, it seems that there are many more to come in this already fertile field. Overall, we hope that future work will further expand the applications of Aza-BODIPY in many areas.

BODIPY and 2,3-Dihydrophthalazine-1,4-Dione Conjugates As Heavy Atom-Free Chemiluminogenic Photosensitizers

We disclose an interesting concept for developing heavy atom-free chemiluminogenic photosensitizers. To accomplish this, conjugates 2 and 3, which are composed of boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) and 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione units, are investigated. 2 and 3 are compared in terms of their photophysical properties, chemiluminescence responses, and singlet oxygen production. Strikingly, the results indicate that decoration of BODIPY with the 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione scaffold boosts the singlet oxygen generation. Furthermore, treatment of epidermoid laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 (Hep-2) cells with conjugates 2 and 3 results in efficient cellular internalization which ensures live- cell imaging of Hep-2 cells. Finally, it is noteworthy that in vitro cytotoxicity assays reveal that both 2 and 3 induce cytotoxicity when illuminated with red light. Thus, 2 and 3 represent heavy atom-free chemiluminogenic photosensitizers.

A fluorescein-carbazole-based fluorescent probe for imaging of endogenous hypochlorite in living cells and zebrafish

In this article, a fluorescent probe FCZ with fluorescein-carbazole as the basic skeleton was designed and synthesized. In contrast to the presences of other coexisting anions, active oxygen and organic thiols, the probe could be "turn-on", exhibiting specific fluorescence performance towards hypochlorite (ClO-). Comprehensive analyses by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and density functional theory/time-dependent density functional theory (DFT/TDDFT) revealed that ClO^- could react with the imine bond of the probe, forming fluorescein, resulting in a significant increase of fluorescence emission intensity. The probe has a detection limit for ClO^- in water of 0.056 μmol/L. In addition, the probe was successfully applied to detect ClO^- in water samples, as well as in the imaging of ClO^- in RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish.

A twist six-membered rhodamine-based fluorescent probe for hypochlorite detection in water and lysosomes of living cells

A novel six-membered rhodamine-based fluorescent probe (6G-ClO) was developed from 2-formyl rhodamine (6G-CHO) and used for hypochlorite detection in water and HUVEC cells. Different from planar penta cycle of rhodamine spirolactam, there was a twist six-membered spirocyclic hydrazone in 6G-ClO optimized by Gaussian software at DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The high selectivity, high sensitivity and fast response of 6G-ClO towards ClO^- would be attributed to the twist six-membered spirocycle. Test-strip prepared with 6G-ClO was successfully used to semi-quantitatively indicate the concentration of ClO^- in water. 6G-ClO can also quantitatively detect the concentration of ClO^- in tap water and swimming pool water. The detection limit of 6G-ClO was as low as 12 nM. The co-localization staining of HUVEC cells further verified that 6G-ClO could specifically accumulate in lysosomes and capture exogenous/endogenous ClO^- in living lysosomes. 6G-ClO would be a practical probe for real-time monitoring of ClO^- in the biological and real water samples.

A highly specific and sensitive turn-on fluorescence probe for hypochlorite detection and its bioimaging applications

Development of high performance fluorescent chemosensors for the detection of ClO- in vitro and in vivo is very desirable, because many human diseases are caused by ClO-. In this paper, a highly selectivity and sensitive fluorescent probe, EDPC, based on 3-acetylcoumarin, was synthesized, which could respond to ClO- and exhibit an "off-on" mode in Tris-HCl buffer (pH = 7.2, 10 mM, 50% C2H5OH) solutions. The detection limit of the EDPC probe for ClO- was as low as 1.2 × 10-8 M. Moreover, the high selectivity and high sensitivity of EDPC towards ClO- are attributed to the oxidation reaction between the C-O of the coumarin lactone and the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C formed by aldol condensation and the mechanism was further verified using ESI-MS and DFT. Additionally, the concentrations of ClO- in real water were also calculated using the EDPC probe and showed good recovery. Finally, the distribution of intracellular endogenous ClO- was gained by confocal fluorescence microscopy in living HEK293T cells.

A novel isolongifolanone based fluorescent probe with super selectivity and sensitivity for hypochlorite and its application in bio-imaging

In this study, a novel biocompatible fluorescent probe (DN) capable of detecting ClO^- in physiological medium was rationally designed and synthesized from natural and renewable isolongifolanone. This probe underwent a highly specific and sensitive oxidation reaction with ClO^- and liberated an isolongifolanone derivative (PA) emitting intensive blue fluorescence. In response to ClO^-, the fluorescence emission of DN was obviously enhanced within a short time. The detection limit of DN toward ClO^- was found to be as low as 5.86 × 10^-9 M. IR, MS and DFT calculation were employed to further confirm the sensing mechanism. Moreover, the test strips coated with DN could easily recognize ClO^- from other relevant species through the changes of fluorescence color under 365 nm UV lamp. More importantly, we also successfully demonstrated the potential application of DN for the detection of intracellular hypochloritein living cells.

A phosphorescent fluoride probe based on Eu(ııı)-DO3A clicked with a 2,5-di(thien-2-yl)pyrrole scaffold

A novel material that can be used as a turn-on phosphorescent fluoride probe is designed and synthesized.

Sequential Detection of CN- and HSO4- Anions in an Aqueous Environment Utilizing a New Colorimetric Azoimine Receptor: Mimicking Logic Gate Behaviour and a Security Keypad Lock

A new isonicotiamide-based azoimine receptor has been successfully devised and synthesised for dual-recognition of CN− and HSO4− anions in aqueous media (3 : 2 DMSO–water solution). The devised azomethine probe detected lethal cyanide ions under UV-vis spectroscopy through the rapid appearance of an orange colour. More importantly, the colour and spectroscopic changes of the devised chemosensor could be revived upon the addition of HSO4− to the sensor containing cyanide ions. Furthermore, other surveyed anions failed to induce a similar response. Interestingly, based on changes in absorption intensity at a particular wavelength in the presence of two aforementioned anions, as two chemical inputs, an INHIBIT logic gate has been elaborated. Moreover, the reversibility of the sensory system provided an opportunity to present a sequential logic circuit at a molecular level. In accession, the target chemosensor could operate as a molecular keypad lock with sequential chemical inputs of CN− and HSO4− anions.

A fast response fluorescence probe specific for hypochlorous acid detection and its applications in bioimaging

The features ofDNPH-NA, including its high sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability at physiological pH, together with a rapid response, enable its successful application in the detection of endogenous HOClin vitroandin vivo.

A Simple and Selective Fluorescent Sensor for Zn(2+) and H(+) Ions in Aqueous Solution with OR Logic Gate Function

The synthesis and properties of a new compound, viz., (N,N'-[1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-diyldi((E)methylylidene)]bis(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-amine) (1), is described. Compound 1 can be used as a selective fluorescent Zn(2+) sensor in buffered solution. Furthermore, 1 induces turn on fluorogenic response to H(+) ions. Finally, it is shown that an OR logic gate can be constructed with 1 by using Zn(2+) and H(+) as two-inputs. Graphical Abstract In this paper, the design, synthesis and physicochemical properties of a new compound 1 based on 1,10-phenanthroline scaffold, is reported. It is noted that 1 can be used as a selective fluorescent Zn(2+) sensor in 0.01 M HEPES buffer containing DMF (2 % v/v, pH = 7.4) at room temperature. Furthermore, the spectrophotometric results suggest that compound 1 can be used as a pH reporter in highly acidic conditions (pH < 5). Finally, it was also shown that an OR logic gate can be constructed with 1 by using Zn(2+) and H(+) as two-inputs.

A colorimetric and “turn-on” fluorimetric chemosensor for the selective detection of cyanide and its application in food samples

A simple cyanide highly selective and sensitive fluorescent enhanced chemosensor HY had been designed and synthesized.