Fluorescent deactivation behaviors based on ESIPT and TICT of novel double target fluorescent probe and its sensing mechanism for Al3+/Mg2+: A TD-DFT study

Based on density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods with integral equation formula polarized continuum model (IEFPCM), the fluorescent behavior and recognizing mechanism of probe N'-((1-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)methylene)isoquinoline-3-carbohydrazide (NHMI) for Al³⁺/Mg²⁺ ion were investigated in more detail. Excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process in probe NHMI occurs in the stepwise pattern. The proton H₅ of enol structure (E1) firstly moves from O₄ to N₆ to form single proton-transfer (SPT2) structure, and then the proton H₂ of SPT2 transfers from N₁ to N₃ to form the stable double proton-transfer (DPT) structure. Subsequently, the transformation from DPT to its isomer (DPT1) induces the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) process. Two non-emissive TICT states (TICT1 and TICT2) were obtained, and TICT2 state quenches the fluorescence observed in the experiment. With the addition of aluminum (Al³⁺) or magnesium (Mg²⁺) ion, TICT process is prohibited by the coordination interaction between NHMI and Al³⁺/Mg²⁺, and the strong fluorescent signal is turned on. For probe NHMI, the twisted C-N single bond of acylhydrazone part leads to the TICT state. This sensing mechanism may inspire researchers to develop new probes from a different direction.

Role of Metal-Chloride Anions in Photoluminescence Regulations for Hybrid Metal Halides

Organic-inorganic hybrid metal halides with emissive organic cations are of great interest due to their structural diversity and interesting photophysical properties. Here, we assemble emissive organic cations (EnrofloH₂²⁺) with different metal-chloride anions (Pb₂Cl₆^2- to Bi₂Cl₁₀^4- to SnCl₆^2-) to form the new single crystal phases, and thus the photoluminescence properties of the metal halides, including Stokes shift, full width at half-maximum (FWHM), and photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) have been studied accordingly. (EnrofloH₂)SnCl₆·H₂O, as an example, possesses narrow FWHM and high PLQY, which are caused by the strong π-π stacking and inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds interactions. Compared with EnrofloH₂²⁺ cation in solution, the interactions generate a restraining effect and increase the rigid degree of EnrofloH₂²⁺ cation in the bulk single crystals. Our work clarifies the photophysical properties of the EnrofloH₂²⁺ organic cations by constructing the inter- and intramolecular interactions and boosts the further study of organic-inorganic hybrid metal halides materials with different luminescence mechanisms.

Novel PET-pperated rosamine pH-sensor dyes with substitution pattern-tunable pKa values and temperature sensitivity

We present the synthesis and characterization of a family of regioisomerically pure pH-sensitive rosamine fluorophores consisting of xanthene fluorophore cores and differently substituted phenol moieties.

N-Doped zinc oxide as an effective fluorescence sensor for urea detection

This paper reports on the development of N-doped zinc oxide nanoparticle (N–ZnO) based optical biosensor for selective urea detection.

Optical Sensing and Imaging of pH Values: Spectroscopies, Materials, and Applications

This is the first comprehensive review on methods and materials for use in optical sensing of pH values and on applications of such sensors. The Review starts with an introduction that contains subsections on the definition of the pH value, a brief look back on optical methods for sensing of pH, on the effects of ionic strength on pH values and pKa values, on the selectivity, sensitivity, precision, dynamic ranges, and temperature dependence of such sensors. Commonly used optical sensing schemes are covered in a next main chapter, with subsections on methods based on absorptiometry, reflectometry, luminescence, refractive index, surface plasmon resonance, photonic crystals, turbidity, mechanical displacement, interferometry, and solvatochromism. This is followed by sections on absorptiometric and luminescent molecular probes for use pH in sensors. Further large sections cover polymeric hosts and supports, and methods for immobilization of indicator dyes. Further and more specific sections summarize the state of the art in materials with dual functionality (indicator and host), nanomaterials, sensors based on upconversion and 2-photon absorption, multiparameter sensors, imaging, and sensors for extreme pH values. A chapter on the many sensing formats has subsections on planar, fiber optic, evanescent wave, refractive index, surface plasmon resonance and holography based sensor designs, and on distributed sensing. Another section summarizes selected applications in areas, such as medicine, biology, oceanography, bioprocess monitoring, corrosion studies, on the use of pH sensors as transducers in biosensors and chemical sensors, and their integration into flow-injection analyzers, microfluidic devices, and lab-on-a-chip systems. An extra section is devoted to current challenges, with subsections on challenges of general nature and those of specific nature. A concluding section gives an outlook on potential future trends and perspectives.

Super-resolution Microscopy with Single Molecules in Biology and Beyond-Essentials, Current Trends, and Future Challenges

Single-molecule super-resolution microscopy has developed from a specialized technique into one of the most versatile and powerful imaging methods of the nanoscale over the past two decades. In this perspective, we provide a brief overview of the historical development of the field, the fundamental concepts, the methodology required to obtain maximum quantitative information, and the current state of the art. Then, we will discuss emerging perspectives and areas where innovation and further improvement are needed. Despite the tremendous progress, the full potential of single-molecule super-resolution microscopy is yet to be realized, which will be enabled by the research ahead of us.

Synthesis of fluorescent and water-soluble silicon nanoparticles with a high pH response and its application to pH measurement and gastric parietal cell imaging

In this work, an effective, simple and facile approach was applied to prepare Si NPs, which emitted yellow fluorescence and were used for pH measurement and fluorescence imaging.

Rapid naked-eye colorimetric detection of gaseous alkaline analytes using rhodamine B hydrazone-coated silica strips

Development of rhodamine B hydrazone-coated silica strips for rapid detection of alkaline vapors by the naked-eye or using a smartphone camera.

Imaging stressed organellesviasugar-conjugated color-switchable pH sensors

Sugar-conjugated pH sensors discriminate stressed lysosomes in different cell starvation conditionsviared-to-green fluorescence switch.

In Vivo Multicolor Imaging with Fluorescent Probes Revealed the Dynamics and Function of Osteoclast Proton Pumps

In vivo two-photon fluorescence imaging is a powerful modality to monitor cell dynamics in biomedical studies. To detect protein functions in living animals in real-time, fluorescent probes must show a quick response to the target function in specific tissues. Here, we developed a rhodamine-based small-molecule fluorescent probe called Red-pHocas (red pH-activatable fluorescent probe for osteoclast activity sensing) to reversibly detect the acidic environments for the spatiotemporal analysis of the function of osteoclast proton pumps. The introduction of electron-withdrawing N-alkyl substituents in the rhodamine spirolactam fluorophore remarkably increased the kinetics of the fluorescence response to acidic pHs, which allowed the rapid and reversible monitoring of acidic compartments and the analysis of the dynamics of osteoclast proton pumps during osteoclastic bone resorption. In vivo multicolor two-photon imaging using Red-pHocas in fluorescent reporter mice revealed that bone acidification occurred synchronously with the accumulation of proton pumps onto the bone surfaces. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the direct involvement of osteoclast proton pumps in bone acidification under intravital conditions by means of an imaging probe.

Diverse applications of TMB-based sensing probes

Extending the research on 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and its derivatives in analytical chemistry is important, considering that TMB is widely used as an enzyme catalytic substrate. In this work, two TMB derivatives, TMBS and TMBB, were synthesized via a facile and one-step condensation reaction between the -NH2 group of TMB and the -CHO group of salicylaldehyde or benzaldehyde. Because at low pH the two Schiff base compounds can release TMB which can emit strong fluorescence, the probes could show dual-modal signal responses, fluorescence and UV-vis absorption, towards the pH. Practical applications of pH sensing in Chinese rice vinegar and lemon juice samples were successfully demonstrated. On the basis of these findings, a catalytic chromogenic reaction was developed to monitor the pH with the naked eye, too. Furthermore, considering the chemical equilibrium reaction between CO2 and H2O and that glucose oxidase (GOD) can catalyse the dehydrogenation and oxidation reaction of β-d-glucose to produce gluconic acid, both of which can result in lowering the pH values of the two Schiff base systems, highly sensitive and selective dual-modal sensing systems for detecting CO2 and β-d-glucose have also been successfully established. Therefore, the two synthesized TMB derivatives can demonstrate their robust application potential.

Ligand free surface of CdS nanoparticles enhances the energy transfer efficiency on interacting with Eosin Y dye - Helping in the sensing of very low level of chlorpyrifos in water

With an aim to sense the presence of chlorpyrifos (CP) pesticide in water, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the chemically synthesized ligand free CdS nanocrystals (donor) and Eosin Y dye (acceptor) has been studied in presence and absence of CP in the FRET pair system. This prepared water soluble CdS nanocrystals have been characterized by Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM), which shows that CdS nanocrystals are spherical in shape with an average size of 5 nm approximately. Further, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic (FTIR) study confirms that these CdS nanocrystals are ligand free stable nanocrystals. It has been observed that this CdS nanocrystals and Eosin Y FRET pair can strongly sense the presence of chlorpyrifos (CP) pesticide in water up to a very low concentration of 10 ppb, which is the sensitivity of detection or detection limit. This FRET pair is found to be very simple and cost effective for the sensing of toxic pesticide CP.

Nanoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with a fluorescent turn-on spirorhodamineamide as pH indicators

pH sensing by silica nanoparticles carrying a fluorescent turn-on spirorhodamineamide. Left/Right: Confocal imaging pH 7.4/2.0. Inset: SEM.

Rhodamine-Functionalized Mechanochromic and Mechanofluorescent Hydrogels with Enhanced Mechanoresponsive Sensitivity

Smart materials responsible to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, solvents, light, redox agents, and mechanical or electric/magnetic field, have drawn considerable attention recently. Herein, we described a novel rhodamine (Rh) mechanophore-based mechanoresponsive micellar hydrogel with excellent mechanochromic and mechanofluorescent properties. We found with astonishment that, due to the favorable activation of rhodamine spirolactam in the presence of water, together with the stress concentration effect, the mechanoresponsive sensitivity of this hydrogel was enhanced significantly. As a result, the stress needed to trigger the mechanochromic property of Rh in the hydrogel was much lower than in its native polymer matrix reported before. The hydrogel based on Rh, therefore, exhibited excellent mechanochromic property even at lower stress. Moreover, due to the reversibility of color on/off, the hydrogel based on Rh could be used as a reusable and erasable material for color printing/writing. Of peculiar importance is that the hydrogel could emit highly bright fluorescence under sufficient stress or strain. This suggested that the stress/strain of hydrogel could be detected quantificationally and effectively by the fluorescence data. We also found that the hydrogel could respond to acid/alkali and exhibited outstanding properties of acidichromism and acidifluorochromism. Up to now, hydrogels with such excellent mechanochromic and mechanofluorescent properties have rarely been reported. Our efforts may be essentially beneficial to the design of the mechanochromic and mechanofluorescent hydrogels with enhanced mechanoresponsive sensitivity, fostering their potential applications in a number of fields such as damage or stress/strain detection.

In Situ Construction of Protein-Based Semisynthetic Biosensors

Chemically constructed biosensors consisting of a protein scaffold and an artificial small molecule have recently been recognized as attractive analytical tools for the specific detection and real-time monitoring of various biological substances or events in cells. Conventionally, such semisynthetic biosensors have been prepared in test tubes and then introduced into cells using invasive methods. With the impressive advances seen in bioorthogonal protein conjugation methodologies, however, it is now becoming feasible to directly construct semisynthetic biosensors in living cells, providing unprecedented tools for life-science research. We discuss here recent efforts regarding the in situ construction of protein-based semisynthetic biosensors and highlight their uses in the visualization and quantification of biomolecules and events in multimolecular and crowded cellular systems.

Aggregation-induced emission spectral shift as a measure of local concentration of a pH-activatable rhodamine-based smart probe

Generating activatable probes that report about molecular vicinity through contact-based mechanisms such as aggregation can be very convenient. Specifically, such probes change a particular spectral property only at the intended biologically relevant target. Xanthene derivatives, for example rhodamines, are able to form aggregates. It is typical to examine aggregation by absorption spectroscopy but for microscopy applications utilizing fluorescent probes it is very important to perform characterization by measuring fluorescence spectra. First we show that excitation spectra of aqueous solutions of rhodamine 6G can be very informative about the aggregation features. Next we establish the dependence of the fluorescence emission spectral maximum shift on the dimer concentration. The obtained information helped us confirm the possibility of aggregation of a recently designed and synthesized rhodamine 6G-based pH-activatable fluorescent probe and to study its pH and concentration dependence. The size of the aggregation-induced emission spectral shift at specific position on the sample can be measured by fluorescence microspectroscopy, which at particular pH allows estimation of the local concentration of the observed probe at microscopic level. Therefore, we show that besides aggregation-caused quenching and aggregation-induced emission also aggregation-induced emission spectral shift can be a useful photophysical phenomenon.

Multifunctional PHPMA-Derived Polymer for Ratiometric pH Sensing, Fluorescence Imaging, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

In this paper, we report synthesis and characterization of a novel multimodality (MRI/fluorescence) probe for pH sensing and imaging. A multifunctional polymer was derived from poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) (PHPMA) and integrated with a naphthalimide-based-ratiometric fluorescence probe and a gadolinium-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid complex (Gd-DOTA complex). The polymer was characterized using UV-vis absorption spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectrofluorophotometry, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and confocal microscopy for optical and MRI-based pH sensing and cellular imaging. In vitro labeling of macrophage J774 and esophageal CP-A cell lines shows the polymer's ability to be internalized in the cells. The transverse relaxation time (T₂) of the polymer was observed to be pH-dependent, whereas the spin-lattice relaxation time (T₁) was not. The pH probe in the polymer shows a strong fluorescence-based ratiometric pH response with emission window changes, exhibiting blue emission under acidic conditions and green emission under basic conditions, respectively. This study provides new materials with multimodalities for pH sensing and imaging.

A new red fluorophore with aggregation enhanced emission by an unexpected “One-step” protocol

In this work, a triphenylamine-benzothiadiazole-based new fluorophore is obtained from a facile “one-step” protocol. A possible reduction mechanism is proposed, and an amine containing α-H plays a key role in the reduction reaction. The resultant product A1H2 exhibits bright red emission in solid state, with an absolute quantum yield of 44.5%. Aggregation induced emission enhancement of A1H2 is also observed with the increased water fraction in THF-H₂O mixture. The nanoparticles of A1H2 reveal good stability and biocompatibility, which are successfully applied in cellular cytoplasm imaging.

Compound A1H2 was synthesized via the reductive Knoevenagel alkylation, whose nanoparticles exhibit bright red emission in aqueous solution.

A versatile quinoxaline derivative serves as a colorimetric sensor for strongly acidic pH

A strongly acidic colorimetric pH sensor induced by the acidity of [Fe(H₂O)₆]³⁺, and single crystal to single crystal transformation between the protonated and deprotonated form.