Catalytic Hydrolysis of Esters of 2-Hydroxypyridine Derivatives for Cu2+ Detection

A new hydroxynaphthyl benzothiazole derived fluorescent probe for highly selective and sensitive Cu(2+) detection

A new reactive probe, 1-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)naphthalen-2-yl-picolinate (BTNP), was designed and synthesized. BTNP acts as a highly selective probe to Cu(2+) in DMSO/H2O (7/3, v/v, Tris-HCl 10mM, pH=7.4) solution based on Cu(2+) catalyzed hydrolysis of the picolinate ester moiety in BTNP, which leads to the formation of an ESIPT active product with dual wavelength emission enhancement. The probe also possesses the advantages of simple synthesis, rapid response and high sensitivity. The pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant was calculated to be 0.205min(-1). Moreover, application of BTNP to Cu(2+) detection in living cells and real water samples was also explored.

Chloride accelerated Fenton chemistry for the ultrasensitive and selective colorimetric detection of copper

A highly selective, ultrasensitive (visual and instrumental detection limits of 40 nM and 0.1 nM, respectively), environmentally-friendly, simple and rapid colorimetric sensor was developed for the detection of copper(II) in water. This sensor is based on a novel signal-amplification mechanism involving reactive halide species (RHSs) including chlorides or bromides, which accelerate copper Fenton reactions oxidizing the chromogenic substrate to develop colour. The results of this study expand our understanding of copper-based Fenton chemistry.

A reaction-based fluorescent turn-on probe for Cu2+ in complete aqueous solution

FP can detect Cu²⁺ in complete aqueous solution with a rapid response time, high sensitivity, and high selectivity.

Proton donor modulating ESIPT-based fluorescent probes for highly sensitive and selective detection of Cu2+

Two novel ESIPT-based fluorescent probes for Cu²⁺ detection were developed. Altering the linker in probe molecules reversed their sensing behavior. Both probes exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity to Cu²⁺, and can be used for cell imaging.

A catalytic chemodosimetric approach for detection of nanomolar cyanide ions in water, blood serum and live cell imaging

The nano-molar detection of cyanide in live cell imaging and blood serum has been achieved through cyanide catalysed fluorescence enhancement with a TON between 70 and 360.

Chemodosimeter approach for nanomolar detection of Cu2+ ions and their bio-imaging in PC3 cell lines

A new rhodamine–azaindole based fluorescence probe for Cu²⁺ has been synthesized which shows fluorescence resonance energy transfer process in acetonitrile. Further, the probe undergoes Cu²⁺ promoted hydrolysis in mixed aqueous media as well as in the intracellular systems.

Colorimetric sensing of Cu(II) in aqueous media with a spiropyran derivative via a oxidative dehydrogenation mechanism

A spiropyran derivative containing a simple NO bidentate ligand (2) was synthesized. The ligand acts as a colorimetric chemodosimeter for selective Cu(2+) detection in aqueous media. The ligand, even when treated at elevated temperature (60 °C), exists as a spirocyclic form and shows almost no absorption in the visible region. This is because the electron donation by an amine substituent suppresses spirocycle-opening. Treatment of the solution with Cu(2+) at 60 °C, however, creates a strong absorption at 450-650 nm, whereas other metal cations do not promote spectral change. IR, NMR, and ab initio calculation revealed that Cu(2+) is coordinated with two 2 ligands and produces 1:2 Cu(2+)-amine complex intermediately. This is converted to the 1:2 Cu(+)-imine complex via oxidative dehydrogenation of amine moieties, along with the reduction of Cu(2+). The formation of the imine complex decreases the electron density of nitrogen atoms and weakens the electron donation ability. This thus promotes thermal spirocycle opening and facilitates coloration of the solution.

Reaction-based small-molecule fluorescent probes for chemoselective bioimaging

The dynamic chemical diversity of elements, ions and molecules that form the basis of life offers both a challenge and an opportunity for study. Small-molecule fluorescent probes can make use of selective, bioorthogonal chemistries to report on specific analytes in cells and in more complex biological specimens. These probes offer powerful reagents to interrogate the physiology and pathology of reactive chemical species in their native environments with minimal perturbation to living systems. This Review presents a survey of tools and tactics for using such probes to detect biologically important chemical analytes. We highlight design criteria for effective chemical tools for use in biological applications as well as gaps for future exploration.

Cu2+-controlled hybridization of peptide nucleic acids

We have prepared cyclic peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). These compounds do not bind complementary nucleic acids. One carboxylic ester group was introduced in the backbone of the cyclic PNAs. This group is cleaved in the presence of Cu(2+) or coordinatively unsaturated Cu(2+) complexes. The cleavage products are linear PNAs. In contrast to the cyclic PNAs, they are efficient nucleic acid binders. The rate of formation of the linear PNAs is proportional to the concentration of the cleaving agents. Therefore, one may apply highly sensitive methods of detection of linear PNAs for determination of Cu(2+) concentration. In particular, we have demonstrated that both fluorescent spectroscopy in combination with molecular beacons and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry are suitable for the detection of Cu(2+). A range of related divalent metal ions and Eu(3+), Ln(3+), Pr(3+), Ce(3+), and Zr(4+) do not interfere with Cu(2+) detection.