Highly selective recognition of lead ion in water by a podand fluoroionophore/γ-cyclodextrin complex sensor

A novel self-assembled Na{Cu12Zn4} multifunctional material: first report of a discrete coordination compound for detection of Ca2+ions and selective adsorption of cationic dyes in water

A novel discrete Na{Cu₁₂Zn₄} unit is discovered with the ability to sense calcium ions (with ultra-low detection limit) as well as to adsorb cationic dyes in the aqueous phase with high performance.

Fluorescent sensor based models for the detection of environmentally-related toxic heavy metals

The quest for industrial and biotechnological revolution has been contributed in increasing environmental contamination issues, worldwide. The controlled or uncontrolled release of hazardous pollutants from various industrial sectors is one of the key problems facing humanity. Among them, adverse influences of lead, cadmium, and mercury on human health are well known to cause many disorders like reproductive, neurological, endocrine system, and cardiovascular, etc. Besides their presence at lower concentrations, most of these toxic heavy metals are posing noteworthy toxicological concerns. In this context, notable efforts from various regulatory authorities, the increase in the concentration of these toxic heavy metals in the environment is of serious concern, so real-time monitoring is urgently required. This necessitates the exploration for novel and efficient probes for recognition of these toxic agents. Among various methodologies adopted for tailoring such probes, generally the methodologies, in which changes associated with spectral properties, are preferred for the deceptive ease in the recognition process. Accordingly, a promising modality has emerged in the form of radiometric and colorimetric monitoring of these toxic agents. Herein, we review fluorescent sensor based models and their potentialities to address the detection fate of hazardous pollutants for a cleaner environment. Second, recent advances regarding small molecule and rhodamine-based fluorescent sensors, radiometric and colorimetric probes are discussed. The information is also given on the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism, chelation enhancement fluorescence (CHEF) effect and spirocyclic ring opening mechanism.

A simple design of fluorescent probes for indirect detection of β-lactamase based on AIE and ESIPT processes

A fluorescent probe with both AIE and ESIPT characteristics has been developed for β-lactamase based on an indirect approach.

Hydrogels of polyaniline with graphene oxide for highly sensitive electrochemical determination of lead ions

Conducting polymers with graphene/graphene oxide hydrogels represent a unique class of electrode materials for sensors and energy storage applications. In this article, we report a facile in situ method for the polymerisation of aniline resulting in the decoration of 1D conducting polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers onto the surface of 2D graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets followed by hydrogel formation at elevated temperature. The synthesized nanomaterial exhibits significant properties for the highly sensitive electrochemical determination as well as removal of environmentally harmful lead (Pb²⁺) ions. The square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) determination of Pb²⁺ ions showed good electroanalytical performance with two linear ranges in 0.2-250 nM (correlation coefficient = 0.996) and 250-3500 nM (correlation coefficient = 0.998). The developed protocol has shown a limit of detection (LOD) of about 0.04 nM, which is much lower than that of the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold limits. The prepared electrode showed an average of ∼99.4% removal of Pb²⁺ ions with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.4%. Selectivity of the electrode towards Pb²⁺ ions were tested in presence of potential interferences such as Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ of similar and higher concentrations. The sensor showed good repeatability and reproducibility. The developed protocol was used to analyse samples from industrial effluents and natural water samples. The results obtained were correlated with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).

A fluorescent light-up probe based on AIE and ESIPT processes for β-galactosidase activity detection and visualization in living cells

A novel fluorescent probe SA-βGal is reported here with light-up response to β-galactosidase. SA-βGal possesses the β-galactopyranoside group to react with β-galactosidase and releases the fluorescent salicylaldehyde azine with both aggregation induced emission (AIE) and excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) characteristics. The linear fluorescent response enables the in vitro quantification of β-galactosidase activity in a range of 0-0.1 U mL^-1 with a detection limit of 0.014 U mL^-1. The probe exhibits significant advantages, such as no self-quenching at high concentrations, a large Stokes shift (190 nm) and high specificity to β-galactosidase with an excellent light-up ratio of 820 fold. Moreover, thanks to its good retention in living cells, the application of SA-βGal for the imaging of cellular β-galactosidase was also achieved with high contrast.

A 2 : 2 stilbeneboronic acid-γ-cyclodextrin fluorescent ensemble highly selective for glucose in aqueous solutions

By designing a long and hydrophobic stilbeneboronic acid (STDBA) and allowing it to be included within the cavity of γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CyD) we succeeded in developing a fluorescent 2 : 2 STDBA-γ-CyD ensemble that shows a selective and sensitive response toward glucose in aqueous solutions, with satisfactory application in artificial urine samples.

Fluorescent sensors for Ca(2+) and Pb(2+) based on binaphthyl derivatives

Two novel binaphthyl compounds have been synthesized for the selective fluorescent recognition of Ca(2+) or Pb(2+). By introducing different terminal groups to the receptor unit, the fluorescence signals of the receptors are significantly changed: 1 is fluorescence enhancement for Ca(2+), 2 is fluorescence quenching for Pb(2+). The binding properties for metal ions were examined by the absorption and fluorescence spectra. The fluorescence intensity enhancement was ascribed to the complex formation between Ca(2+) and 1 which blocked the photo-induced electron transfer process.

Selective glucose recognition by boronic acid azoprobe/gamma-cyclodextrin complexes in water

The phenylboronic acid azoprobe (BA-Azo)/gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD) complex exhibits a selective response for D-glucose by forming a supramolecular 2:1 inclusion complex of the azoprobes with D-glucose inside the gamma-CD cavity.

Chemical Sensors Based on Cyclodextrin Derivatives

This review focuses on chemical sensors based on cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives. This has been a field of classical interest, and is now of current interest for numerous scientists. First, typical chemical sensors using chromophore appended CDs are mentioned. Various "turn-off" and "turn-on" fluorescent chemical sensors, in which fluorescence intensity was decreased or increased by complexation with guest molecules, respectively, were synthesized. Dye modified CDs and photoactive metal ion-ligand complex appended CDs, metallocyclodextrins, were also applied for chemical sensors. Furthermore, recent novel approaches to chemical sensing systems using supramolecular structures such as CD dimers, trimers and cooperative binding systems of CDs with the other macrocycle [2]rotaxane and supramolecular polymers consisting of CD units are mentioned. New chemical sensors using hybrids of CDs with p-conjugated polymers, peptides, DNA, nanocarbons and nanoparticles are also described in this review.

Thermodynamics and fluorescence studies of the interactions of cyclooctapeptides with Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+

The purpose of this work is to characterize the interactions of cyclooctapeptides (CP) containing glutamyl and/or cysteinyl residues with common heavy-metal ions in order to facilitate the design of cyclopeptides as sensors for metal ions. Isothermal titration calorimetry studies show that cyclooctapeptides containing glutamyl and/or cysteinyl residues bind these Hg(2+) and Pb(2+) over Cd(2+) and other common metal ions. Differential binding isotherms, in their interactions with Hg(2+), support a two-binding site model, whereas pertinent interactions with Pb(2+) support a 2:1 stoichiometry, suggesting a CP/Pb(2+)/CP mode of complexation. The cyclooctapeptide containing both glutamyl and cysteinyl residues shows a significant binding affinity for Hg(2+) (K(a)=7.6x10(7)M(-1)), which is both enthalpically and entropically driven. The fluorescence of these cyclooctapeptides showed pronounced fluorescence quenching responses to Hg(2+) over Pd(2+) and Cd(2+). Stern-Volmer analyses of the dependence of fluorescence intensity on Hg(2+) and Pb(2+) are reported. The observed trends are useful for the design of Hg(2+) sensors based on fluorophore-tagged cyclooctapeptides.

FTIR spectroscopic study on the interaction between a fluoroionophore and metal ions

A fluoroionophore sensor, N-[4-(1-pyrene)butyroyl]-L-tryptophan (PLT), has been reported. It can distinguish lead ion from other 12 metal ions via forming a pyrene dimer and it exhibits a very high sensitivity (0.15 microM) in aqueous solution (Chem. Commun., 2006, 2702). When the indole moiety in PLT was changed to benzene, in forming a new fluoroionophore of N-[4-(1-pyrene)butyroyl]-L-phenylalanine (PLP), it could not form a pyrene dimer in response to Pb(2+) in water. The present study describes the spectroscopic clarification of the intrinsic differences of the binding model between PLP and PLT in binding with Pb(2+). The model shows identical chelating bidentate coordination between COO(-) and Pb(2+) both in PLP-Pb and PLT-Pb; however, there is no indication of the interaction between the phenyl ring and the metal ion or the hydrogen bonding between amide groups in PLP-Pb. These differences in the binding model between PLP-Pb and PLT-Pb illustrate that the indole ring in PLT appears to play a crucial role in the high selectivity and sensitivity of PLT to lead(II) ion.

Test Strips for Lead(II) Based on a Unique Color Change of PVC-film Containing O-Donor Macrocycles and an Anionic Dye

Glassy test strips partially coated with PVC-film including O-donor macrocyclic receptors (L), tetrabromophenolphthalein ethyl ester (TBPE(-)), and a plasticizer sensed Pb(2+) in aqueous solutions by a unique color change. Yellow films successively changed color to green, dark-blue and purple with increases of the Pb(2+) concentration. In contrast with the ordinary "optode", a characteristic absorption band at 525 nm was newly appeared independently of the protonation and deprotonation of HTBPE (yellow to blue). The unique color change occurred only when asymmetric receptors with respect to the basal plane were coupled with Pb(2+). This optical-structural correlation is likely to be induced by the H aggregate of two sets of TBPE(-) in the 1:2 ion-pair, [Pb-L](2+).(TBPE(-))(2). The color change, based on metachromasy, was exclusive for Pb(2+) among common metal cations (Ca(2+), Al(3+), Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Hg(2+)) and anions (Cl(-), SO(4)(2-), PO(4)(3-), S(2)O(3)(2-)).

Synthesis, Characterization, Spectroscopic, and Electrochemiluminescence Properties of a Solvatochromic Azacrown-Containing Cyanoruthenate(II): Potential Applications in Separation and Indirect Photometric Detection of Cations and Amino Acids in HPLC

A new anionic ruthenium(II) complex, (Et4N)[Ru(tpyA18C6)(CN)3] (tpyA18C6=N-[4'-(2,2':6',2''-terpyridyl)]-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxa-16-azacyclohexadodecane), has been synthesized and characterized. The complex was found to show pronounced solvatochromic behavior and, when dissolved in solution, changed its color from purple to yellow when the solvent system was varied from pure acetonitrile to pure water. Its absorption and emission energies in various solvents showed a linear dependence of the Gutman's acceptor number. The characteristic photoluminescence and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of the complex were also found to be progressively quenched as the proportion of water in a water/acetonitrile mixture increased. Large changes in the chemical shifts of the 1H NMR and 13C NMR signals of [Ru(tpyA18C6)(CN)3]- in different solvents were observed. The complex has also been demonstrated to serve as a mobile-phase additive in high-performance liquid chromatography for separation of metal cations and amino acids. Comparison studies with the crown-free analogue, (Et4N)[Ru(tpy)(CN)3] (tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine), showed that other than the ion-pair effect, the allosteric host-guest interaction provided by the presence of the pendant crown was essential to the separation performance of the complex. Indirect detection of nonabsorbing analytes has been achieved by monitoring the absorbance changes of the eluent at the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption band maximum of the complex at 445 nm. The effects of pH, ionic strength, and polarity of the mobile phase as well as the complex concentration on the selectivity and resolution have also been studied.

A tryptophan-containing fluoroionophore sensor with high sensitivity to and selectivity for lead ion in water

We report herein a fluoroionophore sensor derivated from tryptophan that shows high sensitivity (detection limit up to 0.15 microM) and specific selectivity for lead ion (Pb2+) over Ca2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ in aqueous solution.

Structural Insights into the Coordination and Extraction of Pb(II) by Disulfonamide Ligands Derived from o-Phenylenediamine

The o-phenylenediamine-derived disulfonamide ligands 1 and 2 complex and efficiently extract Pb(II) from water into 1,2-dichloroethane via ion-exchange, in combination with 2,2'-bipyridine (97.5% and 95.0%, respectively, for 1:1 ligand-to-Pb ratios). The corresponding Pb(II)-sulfonamido binary complexes of ligands 1 and 2 (3 and 4, respectively), and ternary complexes with 2,2'-bipyridine (5 and 6, respectively), were isolated and characterized. (1)H NMR spectra of the organic phases after extraction show the formation of ternary Pb-sulfonamido-bipy complexes. X-ray characterization of 3, 4, and the ternary complex 5 consistently demonstrates four primary coordination sites and a stereochemically active lone pair on Pb. The X-ray structure of 3 shows a pseudo trigonal bipyramidal configuration on Pb, with the lone pair occupying one of the equatorial sites, and the formation of an unusual "hemidirected" coordination polymer via axial S=O-Pb coordination. The same axial S=O-Pb coordination pattern with two DMSO molecules is observed in the structure of 4.[2(CH(3))(2)SO)], thus rationalizing the high solubility of the binary complexes in strongly coordinating solvents. In contrast, the X-ray structure of the ternary complex 5 reveals a distorted four-coordinate configuration with only weak S=O-Pb coordination leading to dimer formation, thus explaining its higher solubility in weakly coordinating solvents. FT-IR spectroscopy confirms the X-ray data, since the ligand nu(S)(=)(O) stretching frequencies shift to lower values in the binary Pb(II)-sulfonamido complexes and are again altered upon formation of the ternary Pb(II)-sulfonamido-bipy complexes, as would be expected for 2,2'-bipy complexation and hindered S=O-Pb coordination.

Fluorescent sensing and selective Pb(II) extraction by a dansylamide ion-exchanger

The (bis)dansylated sulfonamide 1,2-C6H4(NHSO2C10H6-5-N(CH3)2)2 (1) extracted Pb(II) selectively from water into 1,2-dichloroethane via an ion-exchange mechanism and showed fluorescence quenching upon Pb(II) extraction. The distribution ratios for metal extraction (determined by ICP-MS) for Pb(II) were 133-1410 times higher than those for other metal cations [Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II)] under identical conditions. Fluorescence quenching was observed upon Pb(II) extraction, which was dependent on Pb(II) concentration. The monodansylated control, C6H5NHSO2C10H6-5-N(CH3)2 (2), showed neither extraction nor quenching, indicating that the fluorescence effects are a direct result of Pb coordination to 1. The observed selectivity for Pb(II) is ascribed to the formation of a low-coordinate binary Pb(II)-Sulfonamido complex in the organic phase.

Selective Calcium Ion Sensing with a Bichromophoric Squaraine Foldamer

Several squaraine tethered bichromophoric podand systems 1a-d and a monochromophoric analogue 2 were prepared and characterized. Among these, the bichromophore, 1b, containing five oxygen atoms in the flexible podand moiety was found to specifically bind Ca(2+) in the presence of other metal ions such as K(+), Na(+), and Mg(2+). The selective binding of Ca(2+) is clear from the absorption and emission spectral changes as well as by the visual color change of 1b from light-blue to an intense purple-blue. Benesi-Hildebrand and Job plots confirmed a 1:1 binding between 1b and Ca(2+). Signaling of the binding event is achieved by the cation-induced folding of the bichromophore and the resultant exciton coupling between the squaraine chromophores. The monochromophoric squaraine dye 2 failed to give optical signals upon Ca(2+) binding, due to the absence of exciton interaction in the bound complex. Titration of the folded complex 9 with EDTA released the metal ion from the complex, thereby regaining the original absorption and emission properties of the bichromophore. The squaraine foldamer 1b reported here is the first example of a selective chromogenic Ca(2+) sensor, which works on the principle of exciton interaction in the folded Ca(2+) complex of a bichromophore, the optical properties of which are similar to those of the "H"-type aggregates of analogous squaraine dyes.

Lead and Mercury Sensing by Calixarene-Based Fluoroionophores Bearing Two or Four Dansyl Fluorophores

A detailed study on the photophysical and complexing properties of calixarenes bearing two and four dansyl derivatives (Calix-DANS2 and Calix-DANS4) in a CH3CN/H2O mixture (60:40 v/v) is reported. Calix-DANS2 shows a high selectivity towards Hg2+ over interfering cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+) and a sensitivity in the 10(-7) mol L(-1) concentration range. The complexation of mercury ion induces a strong fluorescence quenching due to a well-defined electron transfer process from the fluorophore to the metal center. Calix-DANS4 exhibits an extremely high affinity for Pb2+ with a high selectivity over various competing ions. The unprecedented detection limit (4 microg L(-1)) is fully compatible with the level defined by the World Health Organisation. The affinity of Calix-DANS4 for Pb2+ can be rationalized by the activation of the inert pair of electrons on Pb2+. The number of fluorophores involved in the complexation can be determined from a careful time-resolved fluorescence characterization.

Interaction between β-cyclodextrin and 1,10-phenanthroline: uncommon 2:3 inclusion complex in the solid state

The crystallographic structure of the complex formed by beta-cyclodextrin with 1,10-phenanthroline has been studied by X-ray diffraction. The result shows that the complex adopts an uncommon 2:3 stoichiometry in solid state, that is, every complex unit contains three 1,10-phenanthroline molecules and two beta-cyclodextrin molecules, where two 1,10-phenanthroline molecules individually occupy two cyclodextrin cavities, and the third guest molecule is located in the interstitial space between two head-to-head cyclodextrin molecules. The intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the adjacent complex units further link these individual monomers to a channel-type assembly. Furthermore, 1H and 2D NMR spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the inclusion behavior between the host beta-cyclodextrin and guest 1,10-phenanthroline in aqueous solution.

A Controlled Supramolecular Approach toward Cation-Specific Chemosensors: Alkaline Earth Metal Ion-Driven Exciton Signaling in Squaraine Tethered Podands

Three different squaraine tethered bichromophoric podands 3a-c with one, two, and three oxygen atoms in the podand chain and an analogous monochromophore 4a were synthesized and characterized. Among these, the bichromophores 3a-c showed high selectivity toward alkaline earth metal cations, particularly to Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) ions, whereas they were optically silent toward alkali metal ions. From the absorption and emission changes as well as from the Job plots, it is established that Mg(2+) ions form 1:1 folded complexes with 3a and 3b whereas Ca(2+) ions prefer to form 1:2 sandwich dimers. However, 3c invariably forms weak 1:1 complexes with Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and Sr(2+) ions. The signal output in all of these cases was achieved by the formation of a sharp blue-shifted absorption and strong quenching of the emission of 3a-c. The signal transduction is achieved by the exciton interaction of the face-to-face stacked squaraine chromophores of the cation complex, which is a novel approach of specific cation sensing. The observed cation-induced changes in the optical properties are analogous to those of the "H" aggregates of squaraine dyes. Interestingly, a monochromophore 4a despite its binding, as evident from (1)H NMR studies, remained optically silent toward Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) ions. While the behavior of 4a toward Mg(2+) ion is understood, its optical silence toward Ca(2+) ion is rationalized to the preferential formation of a "Head-Tail-Tail-Head" arrangement in which exciton coupling is not possible. The present study is different from other known reports on chemosensors in the sense that cation-specific supramolecular host-guest complexation has been exploited for controlling chromophore interaction via cation-steered exciton coupling as the mode of signaling.