Ultrasensitive Fluorescence Detection of Ascorbic Acid Using Silver Ion-Modulated High-Quality CdSe/CdS/ZnS Quantum Dots

Improving the sensitivity of the fluorescence method for the detection of bioactive molecules is crucial in biochemical analysis. In this work, an ultrasensitive sensing strategy was constructed for the detection of ascorbic acid (AA) using high-quality 3-mercaptopropionic acid-capped CdSe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots (MPA-CdSe/CdS/ZnS QDs) as the fluorescent probe. The prepared water-soluble QDs exhibited a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) of up to 96%. Further, the fluorescence intensity of the QDs was intensively quenched through the dynamic quenching of Ag+ ions due to an efficient photoinduced electron transfer progress. While the existence of AA before adding Ag+ ions, Ag+ ions were reduced. Thus, the interaction of the QDs and Ag+ ions was destroyed, which led to the fluorescence distinct recovery. The detection limit of AA could be as low as 0.2 nM using this sensing system. Additionally, most relevant small molecules and physiological ions had no influence on the analysis of AA. Satisfactory results were obtained in orange beverages, showing its great potential as a meaningful platform for highly sensitive and selective AA sensing for clinical analysis.

A nonconjugated radical polymer with stable red luminescence in the solid state

Organic radicals are unstable and stable radicals usually display non-luminescent properties. Luminescent radicals possess the all-in-one properties of optoelectronics, electronics, and magnetics. To date, the reported structures of luminescent radicals are limited to triphenylmethyl radical derivatives and their analogues, which are stabilized with extended π-conjugation. Here, we demonstrate the first example of a nonconjugated luminescent radical. In spite of the lack of delocalized π-stabilization, the radical polymer readily emits red luminescence in the solid state. A traditional luminescent quencher, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl turned into a red chromophore when grafted onto a polymer backbone. Experimental data confirm that the emission is associated with the nitroxide radicals and is also affected by the packing of the polymer. This work discloses a novel class of luminescent radicals and a distinctive pathway for luminescence from open-shell materials.

Distorted Porphyrins with High Stability: Synthesis and Characteristic Electronic Properties of Mono- and Di-Nuclear Tricarbonyl Rhenium Tetraazaporphyrin Complexes

Mono- and di-nuclear tricarbonyl Re(I) tetraazaporphyrin complexes (Re₁ TAP and Re₂ TAP) are investigated and compared with Re(I) phthalocyanine complexes (Re₁ Pc and Re₂ Pc). Although Re₂ Pc is unstable in polar solvents, and easily undergoes demetallation reaction, the coordination of the TAP ligand significantly improves the tolerance toward polar solvents, affording more stability to Re₂ TAP. Additionally, the incorporation of [Re(CO)₃ ]⁺ unit(s) and the TAP ligand results in remarkable positive shifts in both oxidation and reduction potentials. Consequently, the more positive oxidation potentials of the ReTAP complexes significantly increase the tolerance toward oxidation, while the reduction potential indicates that Re₂ TAP is suitable for a soluble electron acceptor. In contrast to Re₁ Pc and Re₂ Pc, Re₁ TAP and Re₂ TAP show unique broad Q bands, which can be attributed to the admixture of the π-π* and metal-to-ligand charge transfer characters, owing to the lowered π orbital energy in the TAP complexes. This study is useful for controlling electronic properties and realizing high stability in Pc analogues.

Photochemistry of phthalocyanine based on spin angular momenta: a kinetic study of fluorescent probes for ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid, i.e., vitamin C, is a well-known essential nutrient, and has attracted considerable attention as a new candidate for cancer therapy. Previously, R2c consisting of silicon tetra-tert-butylphthalocyanine (SiPc) and two 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) radicals has been encapsulated into the hydrophobic cavity of dimeric bovine serum albumin (BSA), i.e., R2c@(BSA)2, and the system was found to behave as a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probe for detecting ascorbic acid not only in aqueous solutions but also in vivo. In this study, kinetics of the reaction of R2c@(BSA)2 with ascorbic acid have been studied based on the temporal evolution of fluorescence. Global fitting of the concentration dependence using the Runge-Kutta method revealed the existence of stepwise two proton-coupled electron transfer processes. The rate constants for the reactions with ascorbic acid (k AA ) and ascorbate radical (k AR ) were 3 × 10 and 1 × 105 min−1 M−1, respectively, suggesting that the reaction with ascorbate radical was much faster than that with ascorbic acid. These results were further corroborated by theoretical calculations of the Gibbs free energy differences and by spin statistical factors. The analysis presented herein will aid in understanding the two proton-coupled electron transfer processes in the reaction with ascorbic acid.

Spectral investigation of phthalocyanine complexes of high-valence silver and their aggregates

Several novel silver(II) complexes ligating a tetra-substituted phthalocyaninate, [Ag(tbpc)] (where tbpc denotes tetra-tert-butylphthalocyaninate), [Ag(tppc)] (tppc = tetrakis(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)phthalocyaninate), [Ag(tObpc)] (tObpc = tetra-n-butoxyphthalocyaninate), and [Ag(tpySpc)] (tpySpc = tetrakis(4-pyridylthio)phthalocyaninate) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, MALDI-TOF MS, optical absorption, and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy. Although all the compounds are well soluble in common organic solvents, concentration studies on their optical spectra in solutions have found that they are prone to strongly aggregate in a cofacial manner (i.e., H-aggregate). Silver(II) complexes, which are essentially non-fluorescent, are readily demetallated in the presence of appropriate reductant (e.g., I^- or BH₄^-) to liberate the corresponding macrocyclic ligand, which emits intense red fluorescence. Chemical oxidation by using NOBF₄ generates the corresponding silver(III) species.

An Open-shell, Luminescent, Two-Dimensional Coordination Polymer with a Honeycomb Lattice and Triangular Organic Radical

The use of organic radicals as building blocks is an effective approach to the production of open-shell coordination polymers (CPs). Two-dimensional (2D) CPs with honeycomb spin-lattices have attracted attention because of the unique electronic structures and physical properties afforded by their structural topology. However, radical-based CPs with honeycomb spin-lattices tend to have low chemical stability or poor crystallinity, and thus novel systems with high crystallinity and persistence are in strong demand. In this study, a novel triangular organic radical possessing three pyridyl groups, tris(3,5-dichloro-4-pyridyl)methyl radical (trisPyM) was prepared. It exhibits luminescence, high photostability, and a coordination ability, allowing formation of defined and persistent 2D CPs. Optical measurements confirmed the luminescence of trisPyM both in solution and in the solid state, with emission wavelengths, λ_em, of 665 and 700 nm, respectively. trisPyM exhibits better chemical stability under photoirradiation than other luminescent radicals: the half-life of trisPyM in CH₂Cl₂ was 10 000 times that of the tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical (TTM), a conventional luminescent radical. Complexation between trisPyM and Zn^II(hfac)₂ yielded a single crystal of a 2D CP trisZn, possessing a honeycomb lattice with graphene-like spin topology. The coordination structure of trisZn is stable under evacuation at 60 °C. Moreover, trisZn exhibits luminescence at 79 K, with λ_em = 695 nm, and is a rare example of a luminescent material among 2D radical-based CPs. Our results indicate that trisPyM may be a promising building block in the construction of a new class of 2D honeycomb CPs with novel properties, including luminescence.

A "switch-on" fluorescence assay based on silicon quantum dots for determination of ascorbic acid

Water dispersible silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) showing blue fluorescence were synthesized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as silicon source. Based on the synthesized SiQDs as the photoluminescence unit, MnO₂ nanosheets (NS) as the quencher, a "switch-on" fluorescence assay for the determination of ascorbic acid (AA) was designed. The fluorescence of SiQDs can be effectively quenched by MnO₂ NS because of the internal filtration effect. In the presence of AA, MnO₂ is reduced to Mn²⁺, so that the fluorescence of SiQDs is partially recovered. The recovered fluorescence intensity was related to the concentration of AA. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the linear response range of the assay to AA is 1-80 µM, and the detection limit is 0.48 µM. The method for the determination of AA has the advantages of simple, low cost, good selectivity and sensitivity. The assay has been successfully applied to the quantification of AA in beverage (mizone) samples, which proves the practicability of the assay.

A highly sensitive, fast responsive and reversible naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe for hypochlorous acid and ascorbic acid in aqueous solution and living cells

It is very important to exploit real-time, ultrasensitive and specific visualization detection methods for hypochlorous acid/hypochlorite (HOCl/ClO^-) in biological systems as they are the guardians of the human immune system against pathogens invasion. In our work, we designed a novel reversible naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe NAP-OH to recognize HClO/ClO^- with a unique selective colorimetric and fluorescent response, a short response time (<8 s) and a high sensitivity (10.3 nM). In addition, NAP-OH exhibits a novel on-off-on fluorescence response to ClO^-/ascorbic acid (AA) with good cycle stability. The fluorescence signal is quenched because HClO/ClO^- oxidizes the subunit of NAP-OH to the segment 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxo-piperidinium in NAP-O, which can be reduced by AA with the recovery of fluorescence. Finally, the confocal fluorescence imaging has been performed, which proves that NAP-OH can satisfactorily monitor intracellular endogenous and exogenous HClO/AA redox cycles.

Activity-Based Sensing of Ascorbate by Using Copper-Mediated Oxidative Bond Cleavage

Ascorbate is an important biological reductant and enzyme cofactor. Although direct detection through ascorbate-mediated reduction is possible, this approach suffers from poor selectivity due to the wide range of cellular reducing agents. To overcome this limitation, we leverage reduction potential of ascorbate to mediate a copper-mediated oxidative bond cleavage of ether-caged fluorophores. The copper(II) complexes supported by a {bis(2-pyridylmethyl)}benzylamine or a {bis(2-pyridylmethyl)}(2-methoxybenzyl)amine ligand were identified as an ascorbate responsive unit and their reaction with ascorbate yields a copper-based oxidant that enables rapid benzylic oxidation and the release of an ether-caged dye (coumarin or fluorescein). The copper-mediated bond cleavage is specific to ascorbate and the trigger can be readily derivatized for tuning photophysical properties of the probes. The probes were successfully applied for the fluorometric detection of ascorbate in commercial food samples, human plasma, and serum, and within live cells by using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.

In-situ growth of cobalt oxyhydroxide on graphitic-phase C3N4 nanosheets for fluorescence turn-on detection and imaging of ascorbic acid in living cells

Cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) was grown on the surface of graphitic-phase C₃N₄ nanosheets to obtain an activatable fluorescent nanoprobe for ascorbic acid (AA). The probe was applied to the detection of AA in biological fluids and to image AA in HeLa cells. The negatively charged nanosheets first adsorb Co²⁺, and then the CoOOH nanoflakes are generated in-situ on the surface of g-C₃N₄. This results in the quenching of the blue fluorescence (with excitation/emission maxima of 345/435 nm) via fluorescence resonance energy transfer from g-C₃N₄ to CoOOH. The AA-induced redox reaction reduces the trivalent cobalt ion in CoOOH to Co²⁺ which then becomes released from the nanosheets. This leads to the recovery of fluorescence. The method can quantify AA in the 1.0 to 800 μM concentration range at near neutral pH values. When applied to cell extracts, the limit of detection is 0.14 μM. The nanoprobe was successfully applied to the determination of AA in serum and urine, and to image AA in living HeLa cells. Additional attractive features include the ease of preparation, low cytotoxicity, rapid fluorometric turn-on response, and good biocompatibility. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of an activatable fluorescent nanoprobe. It consists of CoOOH nanoflakes that were modified withg-C₃N₄ nanosheets. It enables monitoring of AA in the biological samples as well as imaging of AA in living cells.

Sandwich-structured nanoparticles-grafted functionalized graphene based 3D nanocomposites for high-performance biosensors to detect ascorbic acid biomolecule

We present a highly sensitive and selective nano-biosensor for rapid, stable and highly reproducible detection of ascorbic acid (AA) in the presence of dopamine, uric acid and other interferences by a three-layer sandwich arrangement of nitrogen-doped functionalized graphene (NFG), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and nanostructured polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite. The enhanced AA electrochemical properties of the NFG/AgNPs/PANI electrode is attributed to the superior conductivity of the NFG-PANI and the excellent catalytic activity of AgNPs. The critical modification of the AgNPs-grafted NFG-PANI coated on very low-cost fluorine doped tin oxide electrode (FTOE) increased the charge transfer conductivity of the electrode (the resistance drops down from 11,000 Ω to 6 Ω). The nano-biosensor was used to accurately detect AA in vitamin C tablets with the recovery of 98%. The sensor demonstrated a low detection limit of 8 µM (S/N = 3) with a very wide linear detection range of 10–11,460 µM, good reproducibility and excellent selectivity performance for AA detection. The results demonstrate that this nanocomposite is a promising candidate for rapid and selective detection of AA in practical clinical samples.

In vivo fluorescence bioimaging of ascorbic acid in mice: Development of an efficient probe consisting of phthalocyanine, TEMPO, and albumin

After a groundbreaking study demonstrated that a high dose of ascorbic acid selectively kills cancer cells, the compound has been tested in the clinic against various forms of cancers, with some success. However, in vivo tracing of intravenously injected ascorbic acid has not been achieved. Herein, we successfully imaged ascorbic acid intravenously injected into mice based on the discovery of a novel, highly sensitive, and appropriately selective fluorescent probe consisting of silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc) and two 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) radicals, i.e., R2c. The radicals in this R2c were encapsulated in dimeric bovine serum albumin, and the sensitivity was >100-fold higher than those of other R2c-based probes. Ascorbic acid intravenously injected into mice was efficiently transported to the liver, heart, lung, and cholecyst. The present results provide opportunities to advance the use of ascorbic acid as cancer therapy.

New strategy for the azido–ascorbic acid reaction: a convenient chemosensor and its imaging in garlic slice tissues

Three chemosensors with azide groups at different sites were designed for rapid detection of ascorbic acid in garlic slice tissues.

Cation-responsive turn-on fluorescence and absence of heavy atom effects of pyridyl-substituted triarylmethyl radicals

Pyridyl-substituted triarylmethyl radicals showed cation-responsive turn-on fluorescence and did not suffer from quenching by internal and external heavy atom effects.

Near Infrared Graphene Quantum Dots-Based Two-Photon Nanoprobe for Direct Bioimaging of Endogenous Ascorbic Acid in Living Cells

Ascorbic acid (AA), as one of the most important vitamins, participates in various physiological reactions in the human body and is implicated with many diseases. Therefore, the development of effective methods for monitoring the AA level in living systems is of great significance. Up to date, various technologies have been developed for the detection of AA. However, few methods can realize the direct detection of endogenous AA in living cells. In this work, we for the first time reported that near-infrared (NIR) graphene quantum dots (GQD) possessed good two-photon fluorescence properties with a NIR emission at 660 nm upon exciting with 810 nm femtosecond pulses and a two-photon (TP) excitation action cross-section (δΦ) of 25.12 GM. They were then employed to construct a TP nanoprobe for detection and bioimaging of endogenous AA in living cells. In this nanosystem, NIR GQDs (NGs), which exhibited lower fluorescence background in living system to afford improved fluorescence imaging resolution, were acted as fluorescence reporters. Also CoOOH nanoflakes were chosen as fluorescence quenchers by forming on the surface of NGs. Once AA was introduced, CoOOH was reduced to Co²⁺, which resulted in a "turn-on" fluorescence signal of NGs. The proposed nanoprobe demonstrated high sensitivity toward AA, with the observed LOD of 270 nM. It also showed high selectivity to AA with excellent photostability. Moreover, the nanoprobe was successfully used for TP imaging of endogenous AA in living cells as well as deep tissue imaging.

Using a redox-sensitive phosphorescent probe for optical evaluation of an intracellular redox environment

A reducing intracellular environment is necessary for living cells. Here a redox-sensitive phosphorescent probe Ir-NO has been developed for evaluating the redox environment in living cells. Upon addition of reducing molecules, such as glutathione and ascorbic acid, the phosphorescent intensity of the probe is turned on, and the emission lifetime is elongated evidently. Furthermore, this probe has been used for optical imaging of the intracellular reducing environment by utilizing confocal laser scanning microscopy and phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

Reversibly monitoring oxidation and reduction events in living biological systems: Recent development of redox-responsive reversible NIR biosensors and their applications in in vitro/in vivo fluorescence imaging

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes in their redox cycles have great therapeutic potential for treating serious redox-related human diseases such as acute and chronic inflammation, diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. This article presents a survey of the recently (2011-2016) developed NIR small-molecule biosensors for reversibly monitoring oxidation and reduction events in living cells and small animals through in vitro/in vivo fluorescence imaging. Emission and absorption profile, design strategy and fluorescence sensing mechanism, ROS selectivity and sensitivity, reversibility, ability of subcellular location and cytotoxicity are discussed for the NIR small-molecule biosensors capable of quantitatively, continuously and reversibly detecting transient ROS burst and redox changes at cellular level.

Efficient Two-Photon Fluorescence Nanoprobe for Turn-On Detection and Imaging of Ascorbic Acid in Living Cells and Tissues

Ascorbic acid (AA) serves as a key coenzyme in many metabolic pathways, and its abnormal level is found to be associated with several diseases. Therefore, monitoring AA level in living systems is of great biomedical significance. In comparison with one-photon excited fluorescent probes, two-photon (TP) excited probes are more suitable for bioimaging, as they could afford higher imaging resolution with deeper imaging depth. Here, we report for the first time an efficient TP fluorescence probe for turn-on detection and imaging of AA in living cells and tissues. In this nanosystem, the negatively charged two-photon nanoparticles (TPNPs), which were prepared by modifying the silica nanoparticles with a two-photon dye, could adsorb cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanoflakes which carried positive charge by electrostatic force, leading to a remarkable decrease in their fluorescence intensity. However, the introduction of AA could induce the fluorescence recovery of the nanoprobe because it could reduce CoOOH into Co(2+) and result in the destruction of the CoOOH nanoflakes. The nanosystem exhibits a high sensitivity toward AA, with a LOD of 170 nM observed. It also shows high selectivity toward AA over common potential interfering species. The nanoprobe possessed both the advantages of TP imaging and excellent membrane-permeability and good biocompatibility of the silica nanoparticles and was successfully applied in TP-excited imaging of AA in living cells and tissues.

An ascorbic acid sensor based on cadmium sulphide quantum dots

We present a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based fluorescence detection of vitamin C [ascorbic acid (AA)] using cadmium sulphide quantum dots (CdS QDs) and diphenylcarbazide (DPC). Initially, DPC was converted to diphenylcarbadiazone (DPCD) in the presence of CdS QDs to form QD-DPCD. This enabled excited-state energy transfer from the QDs to DPCD, which led to the fluorescence quenching of QDs. The QD-DPCD solution was used as the sensor solution. In the presence of AA, DPCD was converted back to DPC, resulting in the fluorescence recovery of CdS QDs. This fluorescence recovery can be used to detect and quantify AA. Dynamic range and detection limit of this sensing system were found to be 60-300 nM and 2 nM, respectively. We also performed fluorescence lifetime analyses to confirm existence of FRET. Finally, the sensor responded with equal accuracy to actual samples such as orange juice and vitamin C tablets. Graphical abstract Schematic showing the FRET based fluorescence detection of ascorbic acid.

Fluorescence probe for the convenient and sensitive detection of ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid is an important antioxidant that plays an essential role in the biosynthesis of numerous bioactive substances. The detection of ascorbic acid has traditionally been achieved using high-performance liquid chromatography and absorption spectrophotometry assays. However, the development of fluorescence probes for this purpose is highly desired because they provide a much more convenient and highly sensitive technique for the detection of this material. OFF-ON-type fluorescent probes have been developed for the detection of non-fluorescent compounds. Photo-induced electron transfer and fluorescence resonance energy transfer are the two main fluorescence quenching mechanisms for the detection of ascorbic acid, and several fluorescence probes have been reported based on redox-responsive metals and quantum dots. Profluorescent nitroxide compounds have also been developed as non-metal organic fluorescence probes for ascorbic acid. These nitroxide systems have a stable unpaired electron and can therefore react with ascorbic acid and a strong fluorescence quencher. Furthermore, recent synthetic advances have allowed for the synthesis of α-substituted nitroxides with varying levels of reactivity towards ascorbic acid. In this review, we have discussed the design strategies used for the preparation of fluorescent probes for ascorbic acid, with particular emphasis on profluorescent nitroxides, which are unique radical-based redox-active fluorescent probes.

Application of graphene quantum dots decorated with TEMPO-derivatized zinc phthalocyanine as novel nanoprobes: probing the sensitive detection of ascorbic acid

A nanocomposite of (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl substituted zinc phthalocyanine and graphene quantum dots is a selective fluorescence sensor for ascorbic acid.

TEMPO-functionalized zinc phthalocyanine: synthesis, magnetic properties, and its utility for electrochemical sensing of ascorbic acid

Zinc(ii) phthalocyanine (TEMPO-ZnPc), peripherally functionalized with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) radicals is synthesized and its magneto structural and electrochemical sensing properties are investigated.

A profluorescent nitroxide probe for ascorbic acid detection and its application to quantitative analysis of diabetic rat plasma

15-((9-(Ethylimino)-10-methyl-9Hbenzo[a]phenoxazin-5-yl)amino)-3,11-dioxa-7-azadispiro[5.1.58.36]hexadecan-7-yloxyl, (Nile-DiPy) has been synthesized and examined as an off–on profluorescent nitroxide probe for measuring ascorbic acid in plasma.

Fluorescence probe for the convenient and sensitive detection of ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid is an important antioxidant that plays an essential role in the biosynthesis of numerous bioactive substances. The detection of ascorbic acid has traditionally been achieved using high-performance liquid chromatography and absorption spectrophotometry assays. However, the development of fluorescence probes for this purpose is highly desired because they provide a much more convenient and highly sensitive technique for the detection of this material. OFF-ON-type fluorescent probes have been developed for the detection of non-fluorescent compounds. Photo-induced electron transfer and fluorescence resonance energy transfer are the two main fluorescence quenching mechanisms for the detection of ascorbic acid, and several fluorescence probes have been reported based on redox-responsive metals and quantum dots. Profluorescent nitroxide compounds have also been developed as non-metal organic fluorescence probes for ascorbic acid. These nitroxide systems have a stable unpaired electron and can therefore react with ascorbic acid and a strong fluorescence quencher. Furthermore, recent synthetic advances have allowed for the synthesis of α-substituted nitroxides with varying levels of reactivity towards ascorbic acid. In this review, we have discussed the design strategies used for the preparation of fluorescent probes for ascorbic acid, with particular emphasis on profluorescent nitroxides, which are unique radical-based redox-active fluorescent probes.

Background-free in-vivo Imaging of Vitamin C using Time-gateable Responsive Probe

Sensitive optical imaging of active biomolecules in the living organism requires both a molecular probe specifically responsive to the target and a high-contrast approach to remove the background interference from autofluorescence and light scatterings. Here, a responsive probe for ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been developed by conjugating two nitroxide radicals with a long-lived luminescent europium complex. The nitroxide radical withholds the probe on its “off” state (barely luminescent), until the presence of vitamin C will switch on the probe by forming its hydroxylamine derivative. The probe showed a linear response to vitamin C concentration with a detection limit of 9.1 nM, two orders of magnitude lower than that achieved using electrochemical methods. Time-gated luminescence microscopy (TGLM) method has further enabled real-time, specific and background-free monitoring of cellular uptake or endogenous production of vitamin C, and mapping of vitamin C in living Daphnia magna. This work suggests a rational design of lanthanide complexes for background-free small animal imaging of biologically functional molecules.

Fluorescence sensing of chromium (VI) and ascorbic acid using graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as a fluorescent "switch"

Using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets, an effective and facile fluorescence sensing approach for the label-free and selective determination of chromium (VI) (Cr(VI)) was developed. The fluorescence of the solution of g-C3N4 nanosheets was quenched effectively by Cr(VI) via the inner filter effect. Under optimal conditions, a wide detection linear range for Cr(VI) was found to be from 0.6 μM to 300 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.15 μM. In addition, the fluorescence of the solution of g-C3N4 nanosheets-Cr(VI) could be sensitively turned on in the presence of a reductant such as ascorbic acid (AA) via an "on-off-on" fluorescence response through the oxidation-reduction between Cr(VI) and AA. And a wide detection linear range for AA was found to be from 0.5 μM to 200 μM with an LOD of 0.13 μM. Furthermore, the proposed method has the potential application for detection of Cr(VI) in lake waters and AA in biological fluids.

A phthalocyanine-based fluorescent sensor for Zn2+ ion

This paper describes the preparation and spectral properties of a near-infrared fluorophore in which two bis(2-picolyl)amino moieties are axially linked to a silicon(IV) phthalocyanine core. The effects of various metal ions on its absorption and fluorescence spectra have been examined. The results indicate that this compound shows a high sensitivity and moderate selectivity toward Zn2+ ion.

Development of reversible fluorescence probes based on redox oxoammonium cation for hypobromous acid detection in living cells

We describe the synthesis, properties, and application of two reversible fluorescent probes, mCy-TemOH and Cy-TemOH, for HOBr sensing and imaging in live cells. The two probes contain a hydroxylamine functional group for the monitoring of HOBr oxidation/ascorbic acid reduction events. Confocal fluorescence microscopy has established the HOBr detection in live-cells.

A TEMPO-conjugated fluorescent probe for monitoring mitochondrial redox reactions

We report a mitochondrial targeted redox probe (MitoRP) that comprises a nitroxide radical (TEMPO) moiety and coumarin 343. Using isolated mitochondria in the presence/absence of substrates and inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation, we demonstrated that MitoRP is a useful probe to monitor the electron flow associated with complex I.

"Turn on" electron-transfer-based selective detection of ascorbic acid via copper complexes immobilized on glass

"Turn-on" optical detection of parts-per-million (ppm) levels of ascorbic acid (AA) in water has been determined using a redox-active monolayer on glass.

DNA-decorated nanoparticles as nanosensors for rapid detection of ascorbic acid

We designed an assay for rapid detection of ascorbic acid (AA) with a DNAzyme cleaving its DNA substrate in the presence of Cu(2+) and AA. The sensor consists of two DNA strands that form a complex between each other. The 5'-end of the DNAzyme binds the substrate DNA via Watson-Crick bonding and the 3'-end binds through formation of a DNA-triplex via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. The substrate DNA was prepared by two different methods. In the first case the nucleic acid was modified with fluorescein/dabcyl FRET pair across the cleavage site. In the second case the nucleic acid modified with fluorescein was immobilised on gold nanoparticles. DNAzyme contains a loop forming a complex with Cu(2+) ions. The oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) with oxygen yields hydrogen peroxide. The latter interacts with Cu(2+) to give hydroxyl radicals. They break substrate DNA in close vicinity to the copper/DNA complex to separate fluorescein from gold nanoparticles leading to the increase in fluorescence intensity. Use of substrate DNA modified with the fluorescein/dabcyl couple allowed to measure AA concentration within 3 min with the detection limit of 2.5 μM. Employment of gold nanoparticles decorated with fluorescein-modified DNA allowed to improve the detection limit of AA quantification by two orders of magnitude due to enhanced cleavage of DNA catalysed by Au clusters. Fructose, sucrose, glucose, urea, and citric acid did not interfere with our assay even at concentration of 1mM. Good selectivity allowed us to apply our rapid and sensitive assays to detection of AA in vitamin C tablets, urine and orange juice.

A novel dinuclear Schiff-base copper(II) complex modified electrode for ascorbic acid catalytic oxidation and determination

A new dinuclear copper salicylaldehyde-glycine Schiff-base complex [Cu(2)(Sal-Gly)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] was synthesized and structurally characterized. [Cu(2)(Sal-Gly)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] crystallized in the monoclinic system in the P2(1)/c space group. The molecule is a dinuclear complex, formed by two [Cu(Sal-Gly)(H(2)O)] units. The electropolymerization properties of the copper complex on a glass carbon electrode were studied at different potential ranges. The electropolymerization occurred when the high scan potential reached 1.4 V. The modified electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic oxidation properties to ascorbic acid and showed a sensitivity of 22.9 nA μM(-1) (r(2) = 0.9998) and detection limit of 0.39 μM (S/N = 3) in the amperometric determination of ascorbic acid. The designed determination method can be used to analyze vitamin C tablets.