Visual Cu2+ Detection of Gold-Nanoparticle Probes and its Employment for Cu2+ Tracing in Circuit System

Highly sensitive, simple and reliable colorimetric probe for Cu²⁺-ion detection was visualized with the L-cysteine functionalized gold nanoparticle (LS-AuNP) probes. The pronounced sensing of Cu²⁺ with high selectivity was rapidly featured with obvious colour change that enabled to visually sense Cu²⁺ ions by naked eyes. By employing systemic investigations on crystallinities, elemental compositions, microstructures, surface features, light absorbance, zeta potentials and chemical states of LS-AuNP probes, the oxidation-triggered aggregation effect of LS-AuNP probes was envisioned. The results indicated that the mediation of Cu²⁺ oxidation coordinately caused the formation of disulfide cystine, rendering the removal of thiol group at AuNPs surfaces. These features reflected the visual colour change for the employment of tracing Cu²⁺ ions in a quantitative way.

A dimedone-phenylalanine-based fluorescent sensor for the detection of iron (III), copper (II), L-cysteine, and L-tryptophan in solution and pharmaceutical samples

The development of fluorescence molecules for the fast and effective detection of L-tryptophan (L-Trp) has attracted a lot of attention because it is an important amino acid for baby growth, nitrogen equilibrium in adults, improving sleep, and mood regulation. A dimedone-phenylalanine-based chiral sensor (SDPA) was synthesized and exhibited a strong fluorescence quenching by Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ in a water/DMSO (3/7) solution with a detection limit of 2.29 × 10^-6 M and 6.37 × 10^-6 M, respectively. The factors affecting fluorescence sensings, such as the pH and competing cations, were studied. The sensor can be reused at least five times after being treated with EDTA. The Job plot, ESI-MS spectra, ¹H NMR spectra, absorbance, and fluorescence titration experiments were investigated to study the mechanism of SDPA-Fe³⁺ and SDPA-Cu²⁺ complexation. The SDPA-Cu²⁺ complex can detect L-tryptophan and L-cysteine at trace levels by turn-on fluorescence with a detection limit of 9.35 × 10^-6 M and 8.86 × 10^-6 M, respectively. Moreover, applying the SDPA-Cu²⁺ complex for quantitative analysis of L-tryptophan in real sleep-improving capsules resulted in good recovery. The L-tryptophan level of the Elining capsule was determined at 190.8 ± 10.5 mg/g (mg L-tryptophan/g medicine), which is close to the announced quantity of 180 mg/g. Besides, the SDPA-Cu²⁺ complex can selectively detect free L-Try molecules and L-Try residues in proteins.

A simple pyrimidine based colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for sequential detection of copper (II) and cyanide ions and its application in real samples

In this study, a new pyrimidine-based chemosensor (PyrCS) has been developed for sequential detection of copper (II) and cyanide ions. The PyrCS has revealed high sensitivity and selectivity toward copper ion over other metal ions in aqueous media. The PyrCS as an optical probe exhibited a distinct color change and a bathochromic shift in UV spectra in the presence of copper ion in a few seconds due to the formation of stable complex (PyrCS-Cu²⁺). The results confirmed that the PyrCS has a widely linear detection range of 0.3-30 μM toward Cu²⁺. The calculated limit of detection for Cu²⁺ ions was low as 0.116 μM. Moreover, the fluorescent intensity of PyrCS at 507 nm was significantly quenched in the presence of Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺ ions. Additionally, complex PyrCS-Cu²⁺ was successfully used to detect cyanide ions via Cu²⁺ displacement approach. The free PyrCS was recovered after adding the CN‾ ions in a few seconds due to the formation of the stable copper cyanide complex Cu(CN)_x. The calculated LOD for CN‾ ions was low as 0.320 μM. The data also clarified that the other competing anions did not create a clear color change in solutions. Since the proposed method could provide a vivid colorimetric response in the presence of detected analytes within the pH range of 3-9, we can claim that the developed chemosensor can be utilized in any physical and biological conditions.

A new phthalimide based chemosensor for selective spectrophotometric detection of Cu(II) from aqueous medium

A new phthalimide based chemosensor 2-(Pyridin-2-yl-(pyridine-2-ylimino)methyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione (PP3) was synthesized and characterized by IR, LCMS and NMR spectroscopic methods. The metal ions sensing ability of PP3 was examined by naked-eye and UV-Vis absorption techniques. The colorless solution of PP3 turned to yellow upon addition of Cu²⁺ and a new absorption band appeared at 434 nm. The Job's plot and HR-MS data confirms the formation of a new complex species between PP3 and Cu²⁺ in 1:1 binding stoichiometry. The sensor PP3 allowed the detection of Cu²⁺ down to 1.65 μM without any remarkable interference from the other tested metal cations.

Coumarin based hydrazone as an ICT-based fluorescence chemosensor for the detection of Cu2+ ions and the application in HeLa cells

We have constructed a new coumarin based fluorescence probe BENZPYR with ICT character through condensation of N, N-diethylamino-3-acetyl coumarin with 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole. The absorbance and fluorescence spectral characteristics of BENZPYR revealed that the chemosensor can specifically detect for Cu²⁺ ions over other different metal ions and the lowest limit of detection was found in nano molar range. The turn off sensor of BENZPYR is related to chelation enhanced quenching (CHEQ) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) processes were serve as excellent fluorescent detection of Cu²⁺ ions in DMF medium. Fluorescence microscopy experiments revealed that probe BENZPYR may have application as a fluorophore to detect the Cu²⁺ in living cells. The simulated DFT analysis of electronic and structural properties and also UV-vis absorption spectra are in well accordance with the experimental UV-vis absorption spectra.

Preparation of Macrometallocycle and Selective Sensor for Copper Ion

Two bis-imidazolium salts 1,8-bis[2'-(N-R-imidazoliumyl)acetylamino]naphthalene chloride (L1H4·Cl2: R = Et; L2H4·Cl2: R = nBu), as well as their four NHC metal complexes [L1H2Ag]Cl (1), [L1Ni] (2), [L2Ni] (3) and [L1H2Hg(HgCl4)] (4) have been synthesized. In each of the cationic moieties of complexes 1 or 4, there is a groove-like 14-membered macrometallocycle, and each macrometallocycle is consisted of one biscarbene ligand L1H2 and one metal ion (silver(I) ion for 1 and mercury(II) ion for 4). Three 6-membered cycles are contained in each molecule of complexes 2 or 3. Additionally, the selective recognition of macrometallocycle 1 for Cu2+ was studied with the methods of fluorescence and ultraviolet spectroscopy, 1H NMR titrations, MS and IR spectra. The experimental results display macrometallocycle 1 can discriminate Cu2+ from other cations effectively.

A novel terephthalaldehyde based turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ and its application in imaging of living cells

A new terephthaldehyde-based chemosensor 1 bearing an aminophenol recognition unit has been synthesized and applied to the fluorescent sensing of metal ions. Molecular system 1 acts as a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence turn-on sensor for Cu²⁺. The sensing mechanism has been explored. It is proposed that Cu²⁺ binds with the imine and hydroxyl moiety of 1 in 1 : 2 binding stoichiometry, thereby enhancing the fluorescence at 386 nm. The detection limit and association constant (K_a) of 1 with Cu²⁺ were found to be 0.62 μM and 6.67 × 10⁴ M^-1, respectively. Chemosensor 1 has shown excellent specificity towards Cu²⁺ and has been successfully applied to the determination of Cu²⁺ in live L929 cells.

BINOL-based differential chromo-fluorescent sensor and its application in miniaturized 1-2/4-2 bit encoders and decoders

A BINOL (1,1′-bi-2-naphthol)-based probe 1 with a diamide group has been synthesized and investigated for its photophysical behavior towards various cations and anions.

Cu2+ recognition by N,N'-benzylated bis(amino amides)

Two new C₂-symmetric N,N'-benzylated bis(amino amides) have been synthesised and their interaction with different transition metals studied using a variety of techniques including UV-Vis and CD spectroscopy or ESI-MS. The determination of the corresponding stability constants with Cu²⁺ has been possible, in H₂O/CH₃CN 7/3 v/v, for one of these ligands (4) using potentiometric titrations. The results obtained reveal that N-benzylation affords significant changes to their properties and is accompanied by an appreciable decrease in the corresponding complexation stability constants. However, this, along with the low kinetics associated to Ni²⁺, facilitates the recognition of Cu²⁺ by 4 that can be followed by the naked-eye up to the submillimolar range. Very interestingly, the chiral nature of this ligand provides an intense and well defined CD curve for the corresponding Cu²⁺ complex, very sensitive to the coordination geometry, facilitating the analysis of this interaction even at the μM range. The formation by both ligands (3 and 4) of square planar complexes with Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ displaying a 1 : 1 stoichiometry was confirmed by their X-ray crystal structures.

A highly selective fluorescent chemosensor based on naphthalimide and Schiff base units for Cu2+ detection in aqueous medium

A new Schiff base, 4-allylamine-N-(N-5-methylsalicylidene)-1,8-naphthalimide (1), has been designed and synthesized by combining a 1,8-naphthalimide moiety as a fluorophore and a Schiff base as a recognition group. Its photophysical properties were investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, and this sensor exhibits a high fluorescence quantum yield of 0.75–0.91 inorganic solvents of different polarity. It also shows high selectivity for Cu2+ over other ions with fluorescence quenching in aqueous medium (pH=7.2). The reason for this phenomenon (fluorescence quenching) is attributed to the formation of a 1:1 complex between 1 and Cu2+ according to the Job plot and fluorescence titration. The sensor can be applied to the quantification of Cu2+ in a linear fashion from 0.5 to 5 μM with a detection limit of 0.23 μM. Additionally, the association constant (K a) between Cu2+ and 1 is 1.328×106 M− 1 in aqueous media.

A Colorimetric and Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Selective Detection of Cu2+ and Zn2+ Ions

A new bi-functional chemosensor 1 based on 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde and 2-(methylthio)aniline has been synthesized. It can detect Cu²⁺ with a color change from pale yellow to dark yellow in aqueous solution. The selective mechanism of 1 for Cu²⁺ was proposed to be the enhancement of the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) band, which was explained by theoretical calculations. The sensor 1 could be used to detect and quantify Cu²⁺ in water samples. In addition, the sensor 1 displayed "turn-on" fluorescence response only to Zn²⁺, based on an effect of chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). Therefore, 1 can serve as a 'single sensor for two different targets' with dual modes.

A new rhodamine-based colorimetric chemosensor for naked-eye detection of Cu(2+) in aqueous solution

A new colorimetric probe 1 based on rhodamine B lactam was developed for naked-eye detection of Cu(2+). The optical feature of 1 for Cu(2+) was investigated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Upon the addition of Cu(2+), the 1 displayed a distinct color change from colorless to pink, which can be directly detected by the naked eye. The stoichiometry of 1 to Cu(2+) complex was found to be 1:1 and the naked-eye detection limit was determined as low as 2 μM. The results suggest that the probe 1 may provide a convenient method for visual detection of Cu(2+) with high sensitivity.

A colorimetric sensor for the sequential detection of Cu(2+) and CN(-) in fully aqueous media: practical performance of Cu(2+)

A new highly selective colorimetric chemosensor 1 (E)-9-(((5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)imino)methyl)-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H,5H-pyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-8-ol was designed and synthesized for the sequential detection of Cu(2+) and CN(-). This sensor 1 exhibited an obvious color change from yellow to orange in the presence of Cu(2+) in a fully aqueous solution. The detection limit (0.9 μM) of 1 for Cu(2+) is far lower than the WHO limit (31.5 μM) for drinking water. In addition, the resulting Cu(2+)-2· 1 complex can be further used to detect toxic cyanide through a color change from orange to yellow, indicating the recovery of 1 from Cu(2+)-2·1. Importantly, chemosensor 1 could be used to detect and quantify Cu(2+) in water samples, and a colorimetric test strip of 1 for the detection of Cu(2+) could be useful for all practical purposes.

Oxaazamacrocycles incorporating the quinoline moiety: synthesis and the study of their binding properties towards metal cations

Nitrogen- and oxygen-containing macrocycles with an endocyclic quinoline moiety synthesized via Pd(0)-catalyzed amination were found to be prospective fluorescent chemosensors for Cu(ii).

Highly selective and sensitive colorimetric chemosensors for Hg2+ based on novel diaminomaleonitrile derivatives

Five novel soluble chemosensors in EtOH/H₂O based on Schiff-base diaminomaleonitrile derivatives which were modified by different aromatic functional moieties have been synthesized.

Bromine substituted aminonaphthoquinones: synthesis, characterization, DFT and metal ion binding studies

Bromine substituted aminonaphthoquinones – chemosensors for metal ions.

Dual-channel detection of Cu(2+) and F(-) with a simple Schiff-based colorimetric and fluorescent sensor

A simple and easily synthesized colorimetric and fluorescent receptor 1, based on 4-diethylaminosalicylaldehyde moieties as a binding and signaling unit, has been synthesized and characterized. The receptor 1 has a selective colorimetric sensing ability for copper (II) ion by changing color from colorless to yellow in aqueous solution, and could be utilized to monitor Cu(II) over a wide pH range of 4-11. In addition, the detection limit (12μM) of 1 for Cu(2+) is much lower than that (30μM) recommended by WHO in drinking water, and its copper complex could be reversible simply through treatment with a proper reagent such as EDTA. Moreover, receptor 1 exhibited both a color change from colorless to yellow and fluorescence enhancement with a red shift upon addition to F(-) in DMSO. The recognition mechanism was attributed to the intermolecular proton transfer between the hydroxyl group of the receptor and the fluoride.

A small-molecule chemosensor for the selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP)

A pyridine-based receptor (L) was synthesised and characterized, which can serve as a small-molecule sensor for the specific recognition of TNP.

Chromogenic naked-eye detection of copper ion and fluoride

Colorimetric chemosensor was reported for detection of Cu²⁺ and F⁻via the color change from colorless to yellow and to orange.

A diaminomaleonitrile based selective colorimetric chemosensor for copper(ii) and fluoride ions

A chemosensor showed colorimetric sensing for copper(ii) and fluoride by changing color from yellow to colorless and to orange.

A colorimetric chemosensor for the sequential detection of copper ion and amino acids (cysteine and histidine) in aqueous solution

A simple and selective colorimetric chemosensor was reported for the sequential detection of Cu²⁺, cysteine and histidine.

A cap-type Schiff base acting as a fluorescence sensor for zinc(II) and a colorimetric sensor for iron(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) in aqueous media

A simple and low cost chemosensor is described. This sensor could simultaneously detect three biologically important metal ions through fluorogenic (Zn(2+)) and chromogenic (Fe(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+)) methods in aqueous solution. The sensor could function as a "turn-on" fluorescence receptor only to Zn(2+) ions. In addition, the sensor could be successfully applied to the detection of intracellular Zn(2+). Meanwhile, the sensor displayed an obvious red color upon selective binding with Fe(2+). Therefore, the sensor could serve as a useful tool for the discrimination of Fe(2+) from Fe(3+) in aqueous media. Moreover, the sensor also showed color changes from yellow to colorless upon selective binding with Zn(2+) and Cu(2+), respectively. The detection limit of the sensor for Cu(2+) (1.5 μM) is far below the guidelines of the World Health Organization (30 μM) as the maximum allowable copper concentration in drinking water, and therefore it is capable of being a practical system for the monitoring of Cu(2+) concentrations in aqueous samples. These results provide a new approach for selectively recognizing the most important three trace elements in the human body simultaneously, for Zn(2+) by emission spectra and Fe(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+) by the naked eye.

Selectively sensing first-row transition metal ions through fluorescence enhancement

Fluorescence signaling systems that give enhancement in the presence of first-row transition metal ions are discussed.

A colorimetric “naked-eye” Cu(ii) chemosensor and pH indicator in 100% aqueous solution

A highly selective and sensitive colorimetric Cu²⁺-chemosensor and pH probe for practical use in water has been developed.

A novel colorimetric and fluorogenic chemosensor for selective detection of Cu2+ ions in mixed aqueous media

A novel and easy-to-synthesize chemosensor (L) was developed for the selective sensing of Cu²⁺ ions in mixed aqueous medium.