A highly selective coumarin-based chemosensor for the sequential detection of Fe3+ and pyrophosphate and its application in living cell imaging

Small-Molecule Fluorescent Probes for Binding- and Activity-Based Sensing of Redox-Active Biological Metals

Although transition metals constitute less than 0.1% of the total mass within a human body, they have a substantial impact on fundamental biological processes across all kingdoms of life. Indeed, these nutrients play crucial roles in the physiological functions of enzymes, with the redox properties of many of these metals being essential to their activity. At the same time, imbalances in transition metal pools can be detrimental to health. Modern analytical techniques are helping to illuminate the workings of metal homeostasis at a molecular and atomic level, their spatial localization in real time, and the implications of metal dysregulation in disease pathogenesis. Fluorescence microscopy has proven to be one of the most promising non-invasive methods for studying metal pools in biological samples. The accuracy and sensitivity of bioimaging experiments are predominantly determined by the fluorescent metal-responsive sensor, highlighting the importance of rational probe design for such measurements. This review covers activity- and binding-based fluorescent metal sensors that have been applied to cellular studies. We focus on the essential redox-active metals: iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, chromium, and nickel. We aim to encourage further targeted efforts in developing innovative approaches to understanding the biological chemistry of redox-active metals.

The Ultrasensitive Detection of Aflatoxin M1 Using Gold Nanoparticles Modified Electrode with Fe3+ as a Probe

The increasing incidence of diseases caused by highly carcinogenic aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in food demands a simple, fast, and cost-effective detection technique capable of sensitively monitoring AFM₁. Recent works predominantly focus on the electrochemical aptamer-based biosensor, which still faces challenges and high costs in experimentally identifying an efficient candidate aptamer. However, the direct electrochemical detection of AFM₁ has been scarcely reported thus far. In this study, we observed a significant influence on the electrochemical signals of ferric ions at a gold nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrode (AuNPs/GCE) by adding varying amounts of AFM₁. Utilizing ferricyanide as a sensitive indicator of AFM₁, we have introduced a novel approach for detecting AFM₁, achieving an unprecedentedly low detection limit of 1.6 × 10^-21 g/L. Through monitoring the fluorescence quenching of AFM₁ with Fe³⁺ addition, the interaction between them has been identified at a ratio of 1:936. Transient fluorescence analysis reveals that the fluorescence quenching process is predominantly static. It is interesting that the application of iron chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) cannot prevent the interaction between AFM₁ and Fe³⁺. With a particle size distribution analysis, it is suggested that a combination of AFM₁ and Fe³⁺ occurs and forms a polymer-like aggregate. Nonetheless, the mutual reaction mechanism between AFM₁ and Fe³⁺ remains unexplained and urgently necessitates unveiling. Finally, the developed sensor is successfully applied for the AFM₁ test in real samples, fully meeting the detection requirements for milk.

A coumarin-based fluorescent chemosensor as a Sn indicator and a fluorescent cellular imaging agent†

In the present study, fluorogenic coumarin-based probes (1–3) through condensation of 4-hydroxy coumarin with malondialdehyde bis(diethyl acetal)/triethyl orthoformate were prepared. The absorption and fluorescence emission properties of 2b and 3 in different solvents were studied, and a considerable solvatochromic effect was observed. The sensitivity of chemosensors 2b and 3 toward various cations and anions was investigated. It was revealed that compound 3 had a distinct selectivity toward Sn²⁺, possibly via a chelation enhanced quenching mechanism. The fluorescence signal was quenched over the concentration range of 6.6–120 μM, with an LOD value of 3.89 μM. The cytotoxicity evaluation of 3 against breast cancer cell lines demonstrated that the chemosensor was nontoxic and could be used successfully in cellular imaging. The probe responded to tin ions not only via fluorescence quenching, but also through colorimetric signal change. The change in optical properties was observed in ambient conditions and inside living cells.

A fluorogenic and colorimetric coumarin-based probe was synthesized and used for sensing Sn²⁺ inside and ouside of living cells.

Triphenylamine-embedded copper(II) complex as a "turn-on" fluorescent probe for the detection of nitric oxide in living animals

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of three major signaling molecules, which is involved in a large amount of physiological and pathological processes in biological systems. Furthermore, more and more evidence indicates that NO levels are closely associated with several aspects of human health. Accordingly, it is of great significance to develop a convenient and reliable detection method for NO in biological systems. In this work, a novel triphenylamine-embedded copper(II) complex (NZ-Cu²⁺) has been developed to be used as a fluorescence probe for the detection of NO in living animals. The proposed sensing mechanism of NZ-Cu²⁺ towards NO has been confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry, spectroscopic titration and density functional theory calculation. NO induced the conversion of paramagnetic Cu²⁺ to diamagnetic Cu⁺, which blocked the photoinduced electron transfer process of NZ-Cu²⁺, resulting in a remarkable enhancement of the emission spectra. The NZ-Cu²⁺ probe possesses several advantages including high selectivity, low detection limit (12.9 nM), long emission wavelength (640 nm), large Stokes shift (201 nm), fast response time (60 s) and low cytotoxicity. More importantly, NZ-Cu²⁺ has been successfully applied to detect NO in vivo by fluorescence imaging.

A Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluorescein-Based Cu2+ Probe and Its Bioimaging in Cell

Copper is a vital trace metal in human body, which plays the significant roles in amounts of physiological and pathological processes. The application of copper-selective probe has attracted great interests from environmental tests to life process research, yet a few of sensitive Cu²⁺ tests based on on-site analysis have been reported. In this paper, a novel fluorescein-based fluorescent probe N4 was designed, synthesized, and characterized, which exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity to Cu²⁺ comparing with other metal ions in ethanol–water (1/1, v/v) solution. The probe N4 bonded with Cu²⁺ to facilitate the ring-opening, and an obvious new band at 525 nm in the fluorescence spectroscopy appeared, which could be used for naked-eye detection of Cu²⁺ within a broad pH range of 6–9. Meanwhile, a good linearity between the fluorescence intensity and the concentrations of Cu²⁺ ranged 0.1–1.5 eq. was observed, and the limit of detection of N4 to Cu²⁺ was calculated to be as low as 1.20 μm. In addition, the interaction mode between N4 and Cu²⁺ was found to be 1:1 by the Job's plot and mass experiment. Biological experiments showed that the probe N4 exhibited low biological toxicity and could be applied for Cu²⁺ imaging in living cells. The significant color shift associated with the production of the N4-Cu²⁺ complex at low micromolar concentrations under UV light endows N4 with a promising probe for field testing of trace Cu²⁺ ions.

Fluorescence determination of Fe(iii) in drinking water using a new fluorescence chemosensor

A new fluorescence chemosensor based on (Z)-2-(1-(3-oxo-3H-benzo[f]chromen-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide (CEHC) has been developed for the determination of Fe(iii) in drinking water. The optimum conditions were acetate buffer solution with a pH 5.0. In this approach, the determination of Fe(iii) is based on static quenching of the luminescence of the probe upon increasing concentrations of Fe(iii). The CEHC sensor binds Fe(iii) in a 1 : 1 stoichiometry with a binding constant K_a = 1.30 × 10⁴ M⁻¹. CEHC responds to Fe(iii) in a way that is more sensitive, selective, and quick to turn off the fluorescence than to other heavy metal ions. Selectivity was proved against seven other metal ions (Mn(ii), Al(iii), Cu(ii), Ni(ii), Zn(ii), Pb(ii), and Cd(ii)). The calibration curve was constructed based on the Stern–Volmer equation. The linear range was 2.50–150 μM with the correlation coefficient of 0.9994, and the LOD was 0.76 μM. The method was successfully applied to determine Fe(iii) in drinking water samples, and the accuracy of the chemosensor was validated by atomic absorption spectrometry.

A new fluorescence chemosensor based on (Z)-2-(1-(3-oxo-3H-benzo[f]chromen-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide (CEHC) has been developed for the determination of the fluorescence probe of Fe(iii) in drinking water.

Novel Fluorescent Probe toward Fe3+ Based on Rhodamine 6G Derivatives and Its Bioimaging in Adult Mice, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Plant Tissues

A new fluorescent probe LXY based on the rhodamine 6G platforms has been designed, synthesized, and characterized, which could recognize Fe³⁺ effectively in HEPES buffer (10 mM, pH = 7.4)/CH₃CN (2:3, v/v). And the distinct color change and the rapid emergence of fluorescence emission at 550 nm achieved "naked eye" detection of Fe³⁺. The interaction mode between them was achieved by Job's plot, MS, SEM, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Importantly, the crystal structures proved that Fe³⁺ could induce the rhodamine moiety transform the closed-cycle form to the open-cycle form. But it is interesting that Fe³⁺ did not appear in the crystal structures. Meanwhile, the limit of detection (LOD) of LXY to Fe³⁺ was calculated to be 3.47 × 10^-9. In addition, the RGB experiment, test papers, and silica gel plates all indicated that the probe LXY could be used to distinguish Fe³⁺ quantitatively and qualitatively on-site. Moreover, the probe LXY has also been successfully applied to Fe³⁺ image in Caenorhabditis elegans, adult mice, and plant tissues. Thus, LXY was considered to have some potential for application in bioimaging.

Highly Selective Recognition of Pyrophosphate by a Novel Coumarin-Iron (III) Complex and the Application in Living Cells

In this paper, a novel NL-Fe3+ ensemble was designed as a fluorescent chemosensor for highly selective detection of pyrophosphate (PPi) in DMSO/H2O (2:8/v:v, pH = 7.2) solution and living cells. NL showed a strong affinity for Fe3+ and was accompanied by obvious fluorescence quenching. Upon the addition of PPi to the generated NL-Fe3+ ensemble, the fluorescence and absorption spectra were recovered completely. Spectroscopic investigation showed that the interference provoked by common anions such as adenosine-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and phosphates (Pi) can be ignored. The detection limit of NL-Fe3+ to PPi was calculated to be 1.45 × 10−8 M. Intracellular imaging showed that NL-Fe3+ has good membrane permeability and could be used for the detection of PPi in living cells. A B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) basis set was used to optimize NL and NL-Fe3+ complex.

A new 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxycoumarin based reversible colorimetric/fluorometric probe for sequential detection of Al3+/PPi and its potential use in biodetection and bioimaging applications

A new 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxycoumarin appended acylhydrazone probe was prepared and utilized for the sequential detection of Al³⁺/PPi in a reversible off–on–off emissive manner. The various practical applications of the probe were established.

Polymerization and coordination synergistically constructed photothermal agents for macrophages-mediated tumor targeting diagnosis and therapy

Developing an ideal photothermal agent is one of the challenges for effective photothermal therapy (PTT). Herein, a green and simple yet versatile method is developed to construct a novel poly-(iron-dopamine coordination complexes) nanoparticles (P[Fe-DA]-NPs) based on polymerization and coordination synergistically by using Fe³⁺ ions and dopamine (DA) in aqueous solution, and simultaneously poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) is applied to improve dispersion stability. P[Fe-DA]-NPs can be laden into macrophages directly with no further purification required to target tumor tissue to perform cell-mediated strategy. P[Fe-DA]-laden macrophages as an ideal photothermal agent has the advantages of good biocompatibility, simple preparation process, high photothermal performance, and effective tumor targeting. Furthermore, the P[Fe-DA]-laden macrophages possess excellent photoacoustic imaging (PAI) capacity for guiding the precise PTT. The results show that the tumors are significantly suppressed after PTT with the help of the accurate PAI diagnosis. This cell-mediated strategy may be the most promising avenue for the future clinical cancer therapy.

Furo[3,2-c]coumarin-derived Fe3+ Selective Fluorescence Sensor: Synthesis, Fluorescence Study and Application to Water Analysis

Furocoumarin (furo[3,2-c]coumarin) derivatives have been synthesized from single step, high yielding (82-92%) chemistry involving a 4-hydroxycoumarin 4 + 1 cycloaddition reaction. They are characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR, and, for the first time, a comprehensive UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy study has been carried out to determine if these compounds can serve as useful sensors. Based on the fluorescence data, the most promising furocoumarin derivative (2-(cyclohexylamino)-3-phenyl-4H-furo[3,2-c]chromen-4-one, FH), exhibits strong fluorescence (ФF = 0.48) with long fluorescence lifetime (5.6 ns) and large Stokes' shift, suggesting FH could be used as a novel fluorescent chemosensor. FH exhibits a highly selective, sensitive and instant turn-off fluorescence response to Fe3+ over other metal ions which was attributed to a charge transfer mechanism. Selectivity was demonstrated against 13 other competing metal ions (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Al3+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Pb2+ and Ru3+) and aqueous compatibility was demonstrated in 10% MeOH-H2O solution. The FH sensor coordinates Fe3+ in a 1:2 stoichiometry with a binding constant, Ka = 5.25 × 103 M-1. This novel sensor has a limit of detection of 1.93 µM, below that of the US environmental protection agency guidelines (5.37 µM), with a linear dynamic range of ~28 (~2-30 µM) and an R2 value of 0.9975. As an exemplar application we demonstrate the potential of this sensor for the rapid measurement of Fe3+ in mineral and tap water samples demonstrating the real-world application of FH as a "turn off" fluorescence sensor.

Oxidation-Induced Differentially Selective Turn-On Fluorescence via Photoinduced Electron Transfer Based on a Ferrocene-Appended Coumarin-Quinoline Platform: Application in Cascaded Molecular Logic

Differentially selective molecular sensors that exhibit differential response toward multiple analytes are cost-effective and in high demand for various practical applications. A novel, highly differentially selective electrochemical and fluorescent chemosensor, 5, based on a ferrocene-appended coumarin-quinoline platform has been designed and synthesized. Our designed probe is very specific toward Fe³⁺ via a reversible redox process, whereas it detects Cu²⁺ via irreversible oxidation. Interestingly, it exhibits differential affinity toward the Cu⁺ ion via complexation. High-resolution mass spectrometry, ¹H NMR titration, and IR spectral studies revealed the formation of a bidentate Cu⁺ complex involving an O atom of the amide group attached to the quinoline ring and a N atom of imine unit, and this observation was further supported by quantum-chemical calculations. The metal binding responses were further investigated by UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis. Upon the addition of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, the fluorescence emission of probe 5 shows a "turn-on" signal due to inhibition of the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process from a donor ferrocene unit to an excited-state fluorophore. The addition of sodium l-ascorbate (LAS) as a reducing agent causes fluorescence "turn off" for the Fe³⁺ ion because of reemergence of the PET process but not for the Cu²⁺ ion because it oxidizes the ferrocene unit to a ferrocenium ion with its concomitant reduction to Cu⁺, which further complexes with 5. Thermodynamic calculations using the Weller equation along with density functional theory calculations validate the feasibility of the PET process. A unique combination of Fe³⁺, LAS, and Cu²⁺ ions has been used to produce a molecular system demonstrating combinational "AND-OR" logic operation.

Naphthalimide based smart sensor for CN−/Fe3+ and H2S. Synthesis and application in RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish imaging

Probe R designed as tailor-fit triple action smart chemosensor for the sequential detection of CN⁻ and Fe³⁺via colorimetric and fluorometric ‘on–off’ method and H₂S through colorimetric method in semi-aqueous conditions.

2-Sulfanylhydroquinone Dimer as a Switchable Fluorescent Dye

A new dye was developed, the photoluminescence properties of which are controlled by a chemical reaction. The fluorescence properties of 2-sulfanylhydroquinone dimers depend on the number of hydroxyl groups that are acylated. Unprotected or monoacylated 2-sulfanylhydroquinone dimers displayed good fluorescence properties, whereas diacylated and tetraacylated 2-sulfanylhydroquinone dimers showed dramatically decreased fluorescence. A monomesylated derivative was devised, which shows good fluorescence characteristics as a switching fluorescence dye through a chemical reaction.

Coumarin-Based Small-Molecule Fluorescent Chemosensors

Coumarins are a very large family of compounds containing the unique 2H-chromen-2-one motif, as it is known according to IUPAC nomenclature. Coumarin derivatives are widely found in nature, especially in plants and are constituents of several essential oils. Up to now, thousands of coumarin derivatives have been isolated from nature or produced by chemists. More recently, the coumarin platform has been widely adopted in the design of small-molecule fluorescent chemosensors because of its excellent biocompatibility, strong and stable fluorescence emission, and good structural flexibility. This scaffold has found wide applications in the development of fluorescent chemosensors in the fields of molecular recognition, molecular imaging, bioorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, materials chemistry, as well as in the biology and medical science communities. This review focuses on the important progress of coumarin-based small-molecule fluorescent chemosensors during the period of 2012-2018. This comprehensive and critical review may facilitate the development of more powerful fluorescent chemosensors for broad and exciting applications in the future.

A new “ON–OFF–ON” fluorescent probe for sequential detection of Fe3+ and PPi based on 2-pyridin-2-ylethanamine and benzimidazo [2,1-a]benz[de]isoquinoline-7-one-12-carboxylic acid

A new fluorescent probe X based on 2-pyridin-2-ylethanamine and benzimidazo[2,1-a]benz[de]isoquinoline-7-one-12-carboxylic acid was designed and synthesized for the detection of Fe³⁺ and PPi.

Donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) dyad for ratiometric detection of Hg2+ and PPi

A donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) dyad 1 has been successfully synthesized by linking phenanthrenequinone as an electron donor unit and anthraquinone as an electron acceptor unit through a phenyl ring.