Discrimination of Organic Acids Using a Three Molecule Array Based upon Cruciform Fluorophores

Peroxidase-Like FeCoZn Triple-Atom Catalyst-Based Electronic Tongue for Colorimetric Discrimination of Food Preservatives

Recently, single-atom catalysts are attracting much attention in sensor field due to their remarkable peroxidase- or oxidase-like activities. Herein, peroxidase-like FeCoZn triple-atom catalyst supported on S- and N-doped carbon derived from ZIF-8 (FeCoZn-TAC/SNC) serves as a proof-of-concept nanozyme. In this paper, a dual-channel nanozyme-based colorimetric sensor array is presented for identifying seven preservatives in food. Further experiments reveal that the peroxidase-like activity of the FeCoZn TAzyme enables it to catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and o-phenylenediamine (OPD) in the presence of H₂ O₂ , yielding the blue oxTMB and yellow oxOPD, respectively. However, food preservatives are adsorbed on the nanozyme surface through π-π stacking interaction and hydrogen bond, and the reduction in catalytic activity of FeCoZn TAzyme causes differential colorimetric signal variations, which provide unique "fingerprints" for each food preservative.

Optical sensor arrays for the detection and discrimination of natural products

Covering: up to the end of 2022Natural products (NPs) have found uses in medicine, food, cosmetics, materials science, environmental protection, and other fields related to our life. Their beneficial properties along with potential toxicities make the detection and discrimination of NPs crucial for their applications. Owing to the merits of low cost and simple operation, optical sensor arrays, including colorimetric and fluorometric sensor arrays, have been widely applied in the detection of small molecule NPs and discrimination of structurally similar small molecule NPs or complex mixtures of NPs. This review provides a brief introduction to the optical sensor array and focuses on its progress toward the detection and discrimination of NPs. We summarized the design principle of sensor arrays toward various NPs (i.e., saccharides and polyhydroxy compounds, organic acids, flavonoids, organic sulfur compounds, amines, amino acids, and saponins) based on their functional groups and characteristic chemical properties, along with representative examples. Moreover, the challenges and potential directions for further research of optical sensor arrays for NPs are proposed.

One metal-ion-regulated AgTNPs etching sensor array for visual discrimination of multiple organic acids

The detection and discrimination of organic acids (OAs) is of great importance in the early diagnosis of specific diseases. In this study, we established an effective visual sensor array for the identification of OA. This is the first time, to our best knowledge, that metal ions were used to regulate the etching of silver triangular nanoprisms (AgTNPs) in an OA discrimination sensor array. The sensor array was based on the oxidation etching of AgTNPs by three metal ions (Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cr³⁺) and accelerated etching of AgTNPs by OA. The introduction of metal ions alone led to a slight wavelength shift of the AgTNPs colloid solution, signifying the incomplete etching of the AgTNPs. Nevertheless, when metal ions and OA were introduced simultaneously to the solution, a significant blueshift of the localized surface plasmon resonance peak was detected, and a color change of the AgTNPs was observed, which were the consequences of morphological transitions of the AgTNPs. The addition of different OA accelerated AgTNPs etching in varying degrees, generating diverse colorimetric response patterns (i.e., RGB variations) as "fingerprints" associated with each specific organic acid. Pattern recognition algorithms and neural network simulation were employed to further data analysis, indicating the outstanding discrimination capability of the provided array for eight OA at the 33 µM level. Moreover, excellent results of selective experiments as well as real samples tests demonstrate that our proposed method possesses great potential for practical applications.

Discrimination and Quantitation of Biologically Relevant Carboxylate Anions Using A [Dye•PAMAM] Complex

Carboxylate anions are analytical targets with environmental and biological relevance, whose detection is often challenging in aqueous solutions. We describe a method for discrimination and quantitation of carboxylates in water buffered to pH 7.4 based on their differential interaction with a supramolecular fluorescent sensor, self-assembled from readily available building blocks. A fifth-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM G5), bound to organic fluorophores (calcein or pyranine) through noncovalent interactions, forms a [dye•PAMAM] complex responsive to interaction with carboxylates. The observed changes in absorbance, and in fluorescence emission and anisotropy, were interpreted through linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and principal component analysis (PCA) to differentiate 10 structurally similar carboxylates with a limit of discrimination around 100 μM. The relationship between the analytes’ chemical structures and the system’s response was also elucidated. This insight allowed us to extend the system’s capabilities to the simultaneous identification of the nature and concentration of unknown analytes, with excellent structural identification results and good concentration recovery, an uncommon feat for a pattern-based sensing system.

Mitochondria-Targeted Sensor Array with Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens for Identification of Various Cells

Accurate discrimination of cancerous cells is a good solution for early diagnosis of tumors. The mitochondrion plays an important role in cells. Herein, the five aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) with various double positive charges are synthesized to image mitochondria. Tetraphenylethylene (TPE) molecules are modified by methoxy groups, conjugated donor-acceptor, and different positive charges to achieve multicolor emission. The five AIEgens form the PTx-Sa (positive mitochondria-target molecular sensor array) to perform cross-fluorescence response based on the mitochondria-targeted imaging to achieve the discrimination of various cells. Principal component analysis of the cross-response fluorescence data of PTx-Sa shows that 100% accurate identification of various cells, including cancer cells and normal cells, digestive tract cancer cells, gastric cancer cells, and mixed gastric cancer cells. By support vector machine to show the predictive ability of PTx-Sa to unknown cells by using blind samples. This is the first time to apply mitochondria-targeted sensor array to identification of various cells.

A novel acid-sensitive quantum dot sensor array for the identification of Chinese baijiu

The organic acid content plays important roles in the flavor and taste of Chinese baijiu. Developing a detection and discrimination technique for organic acids and employing it as a basis in baijiu classification has great practical significance. We employed 3 kinds of acid-sensitive quantum dots (QDs) to construct a fluorescence sensor array for the detection and identification of organic acids in baijiu. We report the first directional use of array sensing detection technology for the evaluation of organic acids in baijiu. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was successfully employed to evaluate the ability of the as-developed sensor array to classify organic acids. The Euclidean distance analysis was introduced to prove the provided sensor array possesses good quantitative detection. On this basis, our sensor array was successfully applied to distinguish 16 kinds of baijiu samples. The results were supported by principal component analysis (PCA), LDA, and systematic cluster analysis (HCA). Furthermore, Pearson correlation results indicated a strong correlation between the detection results and the organic acids in baijiu. This simple and accurate method shows potential for quality control and detection in baijiu factories and markets.

Linear and Star-Shaped Extended Di- and Tristyrylbenzenes: Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Response to Acid and Metal Ions

Two linear 1,4-distyrylbenzenes and five star-shaped 1,3,5-tristyrylbenzene derivatives (L2a and L2b , Y0 -Y3 and YNBu ) were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The photophysical properties, optical response to acid and metal ions were investigated. Upon backbone extension of linear distyrylbenzenes or the introduction of dibutylanilines, the electronic spectra are redshifted. Incorporation of electron-deficient pyridyl units does not significantly affect the optical properties. Variation of the number of pyridine rings and substitution pattern tune the fluorescence response to acids and metal ions. The novel arenes discriminate Al3+ , Mn2+ , Fe3+ , Fe2+ , Cd2+ , Ag+ and Hg2+ .

Donor-/Acceptor-Substituted Tetrakis(arylethynyl)benzenes: The Influence of Donor Group on Optoelectronic Properties

We have prepared nine structural isomers of a tetrakis(arylethynyl)benzene chromophore functionalized with 4-butoxyphenyl and pyridyl units as the respective donor and acceptor units and examined their steady-state spectroscopic parameters to study how small structural variations effect the electronic absorption and emission spectra. Unlike their 4-dibutylaminophenyl congeners that exhibited dynamic hypsochromic or bathochromic shifts in response to Lewis and Brønsted acids, the current class of compounds simply showed quenched fluorescence upon protonation; only AlCl₃ elicited a red-shifted fluorescence response. Computational studies of each system were also performed to provide additional insight into the energy levels and electronic transitions present.

Fluorescent electronic tongue based on soluble conjugated polymeric nanoparticles for the discrimination of heavy metal ions in aqueous solution

A fluorescence sensing array (or fluorescent electronic tongue) based on six sorts of soluble conjugated polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) decorated with PEG chains is designed for the rapid identification of heavy metal ions in water.

Poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)-based tongues discriminate fruit juices

We describe a simple optoelectronic tongue, consisting of a positively charged, fluorescent poly(para-phenyleneethynylene), P2, that reacts to fruit juices, when employed at three different pH-values (pH 3, 7, 13). This minimal tongue identifies and discriminates 14 different commercially available apple juices, 6 different grape juices and 5 different black currant juices from each other. A similar, negatively charged fluorescent polymer, P1, also achieved discrimination, but the analyte concentration had to be increased by a factor of 50. A mixture of black currant juice and red grape juice is identified as red grape juice, for specific combinations of grape and black currant juices. A mixture of red and green grape juice passes as red grape juice in our sensing system when it contains more than 70% of red grape juice. The data were obtained by fluorescence quenching of the conjugated polymers and processed by linear discriminant analysis of the collected data.

Non-contact identification and differentiation of illicit drugs using fluorescent films

Sensitive and rapid identification of illicit drugs in a non-contact mode remains a challenge for years. Here we report three film-based fluorescent sensors showing unprecedented sensitivity, selectivity, and response speed to the existence of six widely abused illicit drugs, including methamphetamine (MAPA), ecstasy, magu, caffeine, phenobarbital (PB), and ketamine in vapor phase. Importantly, for these drugs, the sensing can be successfully performed after 5.0 × 10⁵, 4.0 × 10⁵, 2.0 × 10⁵, 1.0 × 10⁵, 4.0 × 10⁴, and 2.0 × 10² times dilution of their saturated vapor with air at room temperature, respectively. Also, presence of odorous substances (toiletries, fruits, dirty clothes, etc.), water, and amido-bond-containing organic compounds (typical organic amines, legal drugs, and different amino acids) shows little effect upon the sensing. More importantly, discrimination and identification of them can be realized by using the sensors in an array way. Based upon the discoveries, a conceptual, two-sensor based detector is developed, and non-contact detection of the drugs is realized.

Sensitive and rapid identification of illicit drugs in a non-contact mode remains a challenge. Here, the authors report three film-based fluorescent sensors showing remarkable sensitivity, selectivity and response speed to six widely abused illicit drugs in vapor phase.

Proton triggered emission and selective sensing of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol using a fluorescent hydrosol of 2-phenylquinoline

Compound 2-phenylquinoline (PhQ) displayed novel aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) characteristics in its aggregate/solid state. It allows reversible fluorescence switching in acidic and basic media and ‘turn off’ fluorescence sensor for TNP.

Patterned Colloidal Photonic Crystals

Colloidal photonic crystals (PCs) have been well developed because they are easy to prepare, cost-effective, and versatile with regards to modification and functionalization. Patterned colloidal PCs contribute a novel approach to constructing high-performance PC devices with unique structures and specific functions. In this review, an overview of the strategies for fabricating patterned colloidal PCs, including patterned substrate-induced assembly, inkjet printing, and selective immobilization and modification, is presented. The advantages of patterned PC devices are also discussed in detail, for example, improved detection sensitivity and response speed of the sensors, control over the flow direction and wicking rate of microfluidic channels, recognition of cross-reactive molecules through an array-patterned microchip, fabrication of display devices with tunable patterns, well-arranged RGB units, and wide viewing-angles, and the ability to construct anti-counterfeiting devices with different security strategies. Finally, the perspective of future developments and challenges is presented.

Fingerprinting antibiotics with PAE-based fluorescent sensor arrays

We outline an evolution process for tongue elements composed of poly(p-aryleneethynylene)s (PAE) and detergents, resulting in a chemical tongue (24 elements) that discerns antibiotics. Cross-breeding of this new tongue with tongue elements that consist of simple poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPE) at different pH-values leads to an enlarged sensor array, composed of 30 elements. This tongue was pruned, employing principal component analysis. We find that a filial tongue featuring three elements from each original array (i.e. a six element tongue) is superior to either of the prior tongues and the composite tongue in the discrimination of structurally different antibiotics. Such a selection process should be general and give an idea how to successfully generate powerful low-selectivity sensor elements and configure them into discriminative chemical tongues.

Proton triggered emission and selective sensing of picric acid by the fluorescent aggregates of 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-bis-(2-pyridyl)-quinoxaline

A heteroatom containing organic fluorophore 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-bis-(2-pyridyl)-quinoxaline (BPQ) is weakly emissive in solution but its emission properties are highly enhanced in the aggregated state due to the restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR) and large amplitude vibrational modes, demonstrating the phenomenon, aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE). It has strong proton capture capability, allowing reversible fluorescence switching in basic and acidic medium and the emission color changes from blue to green in the aggregated state through protonation. It has been explained as a competition between intramolecular charge transfers (ICTs) and the AIEE phenomena at a lower pH range (pH ∼1-4). Such behavior enables it as a fluorescent pH sensor for detection in acidic and basic medium. Morphologies of the particles are characterized using optical and field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) studies. The turn off fluorescence properties of aggregated BPQ have been utilized for the selective detection of picric acid and the fluorescence quenching is explained due to ground state complexation with a strong quenching constant, 7.81 × 10(4) M(-1).

Water-Soluble Poly(p-aryleneethynylene)s: A Sensor Array Discriminates Aromatic Carboxylic Acids

A chemical tongue consisting of 11 elements (four poly(p-aryleneethynylene)s (PAE) at pH 7 and pH 13, and seven electrostatic complexes formed from oppositely charged poly(p-aryleneethynylene)s at pH 7) discriminate 21 benzoic and phenylacetic acid derivatives in aqueous solution. The mechanism of discrimination is the fluorescence modulation of the PAEs, leading to quenching or fluorescence turn-on. The PAEs alone at both pH values and the tongue, consisting of the complexes only, discriminate the 21 acids with 92% (PAEs at pH 7), 95% (PAEs at pH 13), and 99% (complexes at pH 7) reliability after linear discriminant analysis (LDA). A sensor field with all 14 elements, according to LDA, discriminates all of the 21 acids with 100% accuracy.

Alphabet-Inspired Design of (Hetero)Aromatic Push-Pull Chromophores

Push-pull molecules represent a unique and fascinating class of organic π-conjugated materials. Herein, we provide a summary of their recent extraordinary design inspired by letters of the alphabet, especially focusing on H-, L-, T-, V-, X-, and Y-shaped molecules. Representative structures from each class were presented and their fundamental properties and prospective applications were discussed. In particular, emphasis is given to molecules recently prepared in our laboratory with T-, X-, and Y-shaped arrangements based on indan-1,3-dione, benzene, pyridine, pyrazine, imidazole, and triphenylamine. These push-pull molecules turned out to be very efficient charge-transfer chromophores with tunable properties suitable for second-order nonlinear optics, two-photon absorption, reversible pH-induced and photochromic switching, photocatalysis, and intercalation.

Amine detection with distyrylbenzenedialdehyde-based Knoevenagel adducts

Eight acceptor-substituted distyrylbenzene (DSB) derivatives were obtained by postfunctionalization of dialdehyde precursor 1 using Knoevenagel condensation. Solubility in a water/THF 9:1 mixture was achieved through the addition of branched oligoethylene glycol side chains. The acceptor compounds discriminate primary and secondary amines in aqueous solution. The fluorescence responses were analyzed by the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) protocol, a statistical tool. In contrast to 1, the adducts show reactivity toward secondary and aromatic amines. Nitroolefin 2f is the most active dosimeter molecule. Reaction with amines is completed after less than 3 min, and the limit of detection (LOD) is improved by a factor of 10. Propylenediamine can be detected at 75 μM. This is a 10-fold improvement for the detection limit when compared to the detection limit of the starting dialdehyde.

A novel supramolecular metallogel-based high-resolution anion sensor array

A novel anion sensor array based on supramolecular metallogels has been developed. The sensor array could accurately identify CN⁻, SCN⁻, S²⁻ and I⁻ in water. Interestingly, the metallogel-based sensor array needs only one synthesized gelator G1.

Proton-Triggered Hypsochromic Luminescence in 1,1'-(2,5-Distyryl-1,4-phenylene) Dipiperidine

A proton-triggered hypsochromic luminescent chromophore 1,1'-(2,5-distyryl-1,4-phenylene) dipiperidine (DPD) was designed and synthesized. Upon treatment by hydrochloric acid (HCl), the emission of DPD showed a large hypsochromic shift in both THF solution and microcrystals. Theoretical calculations and powder X-ray diffraction experiments reveal that the switchable emission of DPD originated from the change of the distribution and the spatial arrangement of the frontier molecular orbitals, and the different stacking modes of DPD in microcrystals also contribute to the switchable emission of DPD in aggregates.

Intramolecular indicator displacement assay for anions: supramolecular sensor for glyphosate

One of the well-known strategies for anion sensing is an indicator (dye) displacement assay. However, the disadvantage of the dye displacement assays is the low sensitivity due to the excess of the dye used. To overcome this setback, we have developed an "Intramolecular Indicator Displacement Assay (IIDA)". The IIDAs comprise a receptor and a spacer with an attached anionic chromophore in a single-molecule assembly. In the resting state, the environment-sensitive anionic chromophore is bound by the receptor, while the anionic substrate competes for binding into the receptor. The photophysical properties of the dye exhibit change in fluorescence when displaced by anions, which results in cross-reactive response. To illustrate the concept, we have prepared IID sensors 1 and 2. Here, the characterization of sensors and microtiter arrays comprising the IIDA are reported. The microtiter array including IID sensors 1 and 2 is capable of recognizing biological phosphates in water. The utility of the IIDA approach is demonstrated on sensing of a phosphonate herbicide glyphosate and other biologically important anions such as pyrophosphate in the presence of interferent sodium chloride.

Benzobisoxazole cruciforms as fluorescent sensors

CONSPECTUS: Cross-conjugated molecular cruciforms are intriguing platforms for optoelectronic applications. Their two intersecting π-conjugated arms allow independent modulation of the molecules' HOMO and LUMO levels and guarantee a well-defined optical response to analyte binding. In addition, the rigid cross-conjugated geometries of these molecules allow their organization in two- and three-dimensional space with long-range order, making them convenient precursors for the transition from solution-based to the more practical solid-state- and surface-based devices. Not surprisingly, a number of molecular cruciform classes have been explored because of these appealing properties. These include tetrakis(arylethynyl)benzenes, tetrastyrylbenzenes, distyrylbis(arylethynyl)benzenes, tetraalkynylethenes, biphenyl-based "swivel" cruciforms, and benzobisoxazole-based cruciforms. In this Account, we summarize our group's work on benzobisoxazole molecular cruciforms. The heterocyclic central core of these molecules forces their HOMOs to localize along the vertical bisethynylbenzene axis; the HOMO localization switches to the horizontal benzobisoxazole axis only in cases when that axis bears electron-rich 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl substituents and the vertical axis does not. In contrast, the LUMOs are generally delocalized across the entire molecule, and their localization occurs only in cruciforms with donor-acceptor substitution. Such spatially isolated frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) of the benzobisoxazole cruciforms make their response to protonation very predictable. Benzobisoxazole cruciforms are highly solvatochromic, and their fluorescence quantum yields reach 80% in nonpolar solvents. Solutions of cruciforms in different solvents change emission colors upon addition of carboxylic and boronic acid analytes. These changes are highly sensitive to the analyte structure, and the emission color responses permit qualitative discrimination among structurally closely related species. In self-assembled complexes with boronic acids, benzobisoxazole fluorophores switch their analyte preferences and become responsive to Lewis basic species: phenoxides, amines, ureas, and small organic and inorganic anions. These sensing complexes allow the decoupling of the sensor's two functions: a nonfluorescent boronic acid does the chemistry through the exchange of its labile B-O bonds for other nucleophiles, and it can be optimized for solubility and analyte specificity; the benzobisoxazole fluorophore senses the electronic changes on the boron and reports them to the operator through changes in its emission colors, allowing this sensing element to be kept constant across a broad range of analytes. We have recently expanded our studies to benzimidazole-based "half-cruciforms", which are L-shaped rigid fluorophores that maintain most of the spatial separation of FMOs observed in benzobisoxazole cruciforms. Unlike benzobisoxazoles, benzimidazoles are acidic on account of their polar N-H bonds, and this feature allows them to respond to a broader range of pH values than their benzobisoxazole counterparts. The deprotonated benzimidazolate anions maintain their fluorescence, which makes them promising candidates for incorporation into solid-state sensing materials known as zeolithic imidazolate frameworks.

Detection of amines with extended distyrylbenzenes by strip assays

We herein describe the synthesis and property evaluation of three novel aldehyde-substituted pentameric phenylenevinylenes carrying branched oligo(ethylene glycol) (swallowtail, Sw) substituents. The targets were synthesized by a combination of Heck coupling and Wittig or Horner reactions of suitable precursor modules. If the pentameric phenylenevinylene carries only two of these Sw substituents, it is no longer water-soluble. When six of the Sw substituents are attached, regardless of their position, the pentameric phenylenevinylenes are well water-soluble. The dialdehydes were investigated with respect to their amine-sensing capabilities both in water as well as in the solid state, sprayed onto thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates (alox, silica gel, reversed phase silica gel). The recognition of amine vapors using the sprayed-on phenylenevinylene dialdehydes is superb and allows the identification of different amines on regular silica TLC plates via color changes, analyzed by a statistical tool, the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) protocol.

A continuous and multi valued system as molecular answer for data processing and data storage

Two molecular logic systems are presented with two independent input factors resulting in a continuous system and a system with a quaternary basis.

Qualitative identification of carboxylic acids, boronic acids, and amines using cruciform fluorophores

Molecular cruciforms are X-shaped systems in which two conjugation axes intersect at a central core. If one axis of these molecules is substituted with electron-donors, and the other with electron-acceptors, cruciforms' HOMO will localize along the electron-rich and LUMO along the electron-poor axis. This spatial isolation of cruciforms' frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) is essential to their use as sensors, since analyte binding to the cruciform invariably changes its HOMO-LUMO gap and the associated optical properties. Using this principle, Bunz and Miljanić groups developed 1,4-distyryl-2,5-bis(arylethynyl)benzene and benzobisoxazole cruciforms, respectively, which act as fluorescent sensors for metal ions, carboxylic acids, boronic acids, phenols, amines, and anions. The emission colors observed when these cruciform are mixed with analytes are highly sensitive to the details of analyte's structure and - because of cruciforms' charge-separated excited states - to the solvent in which emission is observed. Structurally closely related species can be qualitatively distinguished within several analyte classes: (a) carboxylic acids; (b) boronic acids, and (c) metals. Using a hybrid sensing system composed from benzobisoxazole cruciforms and boronic acid additives, we were also able to discern among structurally similar: (d) small organic and inorganic anions, (e) amines, and (f) phenols. The method used for this qualitative distinction is exceedingly simple. Dilute solutions (typically 10(-6) M) of cruciforms in several off-the-shelf solvents are placed in UV/Vis vials. Then, analytes of interest are added, either directly as solids or in concentrated solution. Fluorescence changes occur virtually instantaneously and can be recorded through standard digital photography using a semi-professional digital camera in a dark room. With minimal graphic manipulation, representative cut-outs of emission color photographs can be arranged into panels which permit quick naked-eye distinction among analytes. For quantification purposes, Red/Green/Blue values can be extracted from these photographs and the obtained numeric data can be statistically processed.

Click to bind: metal sensors

The copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne "click" cycloaddition reaction is an efficient coupling reaction that results in the formation of a triazole ring. The wide range of applicable substrates for this reaction allows the construction of a variety of conjugated systems. The additional function of triazoles as metal-ion ligands has led to the click reaction being used for the construction of optical sensors for metal ions. The triazoles are integral binding elements, which are formed in an efficient modular synthesis. Herein, we review recent examples of triazoles as a metal-binding element in conjugated metal-ion sensors.