A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for iron: discrimination of Fe2+ and Fe3+ and living cell application

Polymerization-induced emission and selective detection to Fe3+/ Fe2+ of triazine-containing polyureas

In this study, four polyureas with triazine moiety (PUAs) were successfully synthesized through the polymerization of triazine-containing diamine and diisocyanate. The intramolecular aggregation of triazine rings and urea groups along the macromolecular backbone gives PUAs a significant polymerization-induced emission (PIE). Among the four PUAs, PUA-LP shows a significant fluorescent emission at 450 nm, compared to non/weak fluorescent 2,4-diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine and L-Lysine diisocyanate ethyl ester monomers. Additionally, the external factors such as solution concentration, excitation wavelength, and precipitants also play a crucial role in the fluorescence of PUAs. As expected, PUA-LP can selectively recognize and detect Fe3+/Fe2+ ions even in the presence of 12 other metal ions and 10 anions. The limit of detection of PUA-LP to Fe3+/Fe2+ is as low as 1.02 μM (0.06 mg/L) and 0.86 μM (0.05 mg/L), respectively, and far below 0.3 mg/L of the allowable national standard for drinking water by WHO. Furthermore, the quenching mechanism of Fe3+/Fe2+ to PUA-LP is attributed to static quenching caused by the coordination of Fe3+/Fe2+ ions with a coordination ratio of 2:1. Based on PIE, the fluorescent PUA-LP was made into an observable and portable testing paper for detecting Fe3+/Fe2+ ions. Finally, we measured the recovery rate of the actual tap water samples and compared the performance of PIE-active PUA-LP with the other reported fluorescent probes to Fe3+/Fe2+ ions.

Fast, Selective and Sensitive Fluorescence Detection of Levofloxacin, Fe3+ and Cu2+ Ions in 100% Aqueous Solution Via Their Reciprocal Recognition

The fluorescence detection of ions and pharmaceutical effluents by using organic chemosensors is a valuable surrogate to the currently existing expensive analytical methods. In this regard, the design of multi-functional chemosensors to recognize desirable guests is of utmost importance. In this study, we first show that levofloxacin (LVO) is able to use as a fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of biologically important Cu2+ (turn-off) and Fe3+ (turn-on) ions via independent signal outputs in 100% aqueous buffer solutions. Next, using the reciprocal recognition of LVO and Fe3+ provides a unique emission pattern for the detection of LVO. This approach exhibited a high specificity to LVO among various pharmaceutical samples, namely acetaminophen (AC), azithromycin (AZ), gemifloxacin (GEM) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) and also showed great anti-interference property in urine. The attractive features of this sensing system are availability, easy-to-use, high sensitivity (limit of detection = 18 nM for Cu2+, 22 nM for Fe3+ and 0.12 nM for LVO), rapid response (5 s) with an excellent selectivity.

Chalcone-based Turn-Off Chemosensor for Selective and Susceptible Detection of Fe2+ Ions: Spectroscopic and DFT Investigations

Herein, in this report we are introducing newly synthesized chalcone derivative, "(E)-1-phenyl-3-(4-((5-(((Z)-thiophen-2-ylmethylene)amino)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)thio)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one" (5), as a chemosensor to detect Fe2+ metal ions in HEPES buffer solution of pH 7.5. Spectroscopic techniques were used to confirm the synthesized sensor. To determine the chemical reactivity and molecular stability of the probe, a frontier molecular orbitals investigation was carried out. A molecular electrostatic potential map was investigated to know the binding site of 5 for metal ion coordination. The theoretical absorption and fluorescence emission properties were estimated and correlated with the experimental observations. The sensor showed excellent selectivity for Fe2+ compared to all other studied metal ions. The fluorescence binding studies were carried out by adding different amounts of Fe2+ ions for a fixed concentration of probe 5. The inclusion of Fe2+ ions resulted in a decrease in fluorescence intensity with a bathochromic shift of emission wavelength of 5 due to the 5-Fe2+ complexation. The binding affinity value for the probe was found to be 576.2 M-1 with the help of the Stern-Volmer plot. The Job's plot and mass spectra supported the 2:1 (5: Fe2+) stoichiometry of complex formation. The detection limit and limit of quantification of 5 for Fe2+ were calculated to be 4.79 × 10-5 M and 14.54 × 10-5 M. Further, in addition to this, the photophysical parameters such as fluorescence lifetime of 5 and 5-Fe2+ complex measured to be 0.1439 and 0.1574 ns. The quantum yield of 5 and 5-Fe2+ was found to be 0.0398 and 0.0376. All these experimental findings revealed that probe 5 has excellent selectivity and sensitivity for Fe2+ ions.

A single probe for solvent dependent optical recognition of iron(II/III) and arsenite: discrimination between iron redox states with single crystal X-ray structure evidence

The detection and discrimination of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions have been investigated using a simple probe (L), produced by the condensation of ethylenediamine and 3-ethoxysalicyaldehyde. Single crystal X-ray structures demonstrate that L interacts with Fe2+ and Fe3+. In aqueous-DMSO media, the L recognises AsO2- by fluorescence and colorimetry techniques. The AsO2- aided PET inhibition and H-bond assisted chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) boost fluorescence by 91-fold. The L can detect 0.354 ppb Fe2+, 0.22 ppb Fe3+ and 0.235 ppt AsO2-.

Development of a Golgi-targeted fluorescent chemosensor for detecting ferrous ions overload under Golgi stress

Ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) is a crucial metal ion in the body and participates in the diseases related to oxidation and reduction. Golgi apparatus is the main subcellular organelle of Fe²⁺ transport in cells, and the stability of its structure is related to the Fe²⁺ at an appropriate concentration. In this work, a turn-on type Golgi-targeting fluorescent chemosensor Gol-Cou-Fe²⁺ was rationally designed for sensitive and selective detection of Fe²⁺. Gol-Cou-Fe²⁺ showed excellent capacity of detecting exogenous and endogenous Fe²⁺ in HUVEC and HepG2 cells. It was used to capture the up-regulated Fe²⁺ level during the hypoxia. Moreover, the fluorescence of sensor was enhanced over time under Golgi stress combining with the reduce of Golgi matrix protein GM130. However, elimination of Fe²⁺ or addition of nitric oxide (NO) would restore the fluorescence intensity of Gol-Cou-Fe²⁺ and the expression of GM130 in HUVEC. Thus, development of chemosensor Gol-Cou-Fe²⁺ provides a new window for tracking Golgi Fe²⁺ and elucidating Golgi stress-related diseases.

Sulfonamide functionalized silica nano-composite: characterization and fluorescence "turn-on" detection of Fe3+ ions in aqueous samples

We have synthesized novel sulfonamide-based nano-composite (SAN) for selective and sensitive detection of Fe³⁺ ions in aqueous samples. Morphological characterization of SAN was carried out with TGA, FT-IR, UV-Vis, ninhydrin assay, FE-SEM, pXRD, BET, EDX, and elemental analysis. The sensing nature, effect of pH, sensor concentration and response time analysis were accomplished with the help of emission spectral studies and SAN was assessed as "turn-on" emission detector for the biologically important Fe³⁺ ions. Here, the LOD and LOQ were computed to be 26.68 nM and 88.93 nM, respectively, and it was found to be much lower than the permissible limit of Fe³⁺ ions in drinking water. The accuracy of the sensor (SAN) was determined by testing the aqueous samples spiked with known concentrations of Fe³⁺ ions and results demonstrated 98.00-99.66% recovery, which made SAN a reliable, selective and sensitive chemosensor for the quantification of Fe³⁺ ions in fully aqueous media.

Ratio fluorescence sensor based on CD/Cu-MOFs for detection of Hg2

Trace detection of toxic heavy metals is a very important and difficult problem in several areas: convenience, sensitivity, and reliability. Herein, we develop an innovative fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based ratio fluorescence sensor for the detection of heavy metal mercury ion (H g ²⁺). The sensing platform is composed of coumarin derivatives (CDs) and a copper metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) named CD/Cu-MOF. The constructed CD/Cu-MOFs ratio fluorescence sensor exhibits dual emission peaks at 430 and 505 nm under the single excitation wavelength of 330 nm. With the addition of H g ²⁺, the fluorescence intensity of the system at 430 nm gradually increased, and the fluorescence intensity at 505 nm remained stable, resulting in a change in the fluorescence ratio. There is a good logarithmic relationship between the H g ²⁺ concentration in the range from 2×10^-8 to 0.001 nM and the ratio of the fluorescence emission intensity of the system (F ₄₃₀/F ₅₀₅) (R ²=0.9901), and its calculated detection limit is 3.76×10^-9 n M. In addition, the CD/Cu-MOFs ratio fluorescence sensor has achieved a good recovery rate of standard addition in the actual food sample recovery experiment, which provides an effective method for the detection of H g ²⁺ in food samples.

Fast preparation of Eu(BTB) MOFs in dielectric barrier discharge liquid plasma for luminescent sensing of trace iron

Lanthanide metal-organic frameworks Eu(BTB) MOFs was synthesized in low-temperature plasma produced by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). This DBD synthesis possesses the characteristics of rapid reaction (within 20 min), mild condition (low temperature and atmospheric pressure) and simple operation compared with many traditional synthesis methods. The prepared Eu(BTB) MOF material exhibits typical red light emitting of europium (Eu³⁺ ) at 617 nm, which can selectively and sensitively be quenched in the presence of trace iron(III) ion (Fe³⁺ ). A simple, fast and sensitive fluorescence sensing strategy of Fe³⁺ was thus constructed, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 μM. Compared with reported fluorescence probes, Eu(BTB) MOFs have also demonstrated the advantages of low cost, easy and fast preparation, great stability, and excellent optical properties, thus making them a promising fluorescence candidate for trace Fe³⁺ sensing for the potential application in biological systems in the future.

An efficient 2-aminothiazolesalicylaldehyde fluorescent chemosensor for Fe2+ ion detection and a potential inhibitor of NUDT5 signaling hormone for breast cancer cell and molecular keypad lock application

A novel thiazole phenol conjugate, 2-aminothiazolesalicylaldehyde (receptor1) was designed and synthesized for the first time through a single step process via Schiff base condensation reaction. The formation of receptor1 was confirmed by FTIR, ¹³C NMR, and ¹H NMR. The IR spectra confirmed the presence of the aldimine formation. It is further supported by the proton NMR, showing the disappearance of aldehyde peaks and the formation of a new imine peak. This is further corroborated by the ¹³C NMR. The receptor1 complexing with various metal ions were studied through fluorescence spectroscopy showed its selectivity toward Fe²⁺ ion following a reverse photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process compared to all other potentially competing ions. The receptor1 was applied as a sensor to sense Fe²⁺ ion in water samples. The detection limit for Fe²⁺ ion in drinking water was substantially lower (0.003 µM) than the EPA (environmental protection agency) recommendation (5.37 M). The capability of receptor1 in recovering Fe²⁺ ion in bore water, tap water, and drinking water was up to 99.5%. The receptor1 was also used as a chelating ligand (receptor1) in molecular docking and it was assessed as a potential inhibitor of NUDT5, a silence hormone signaling for breast cancer. The test compound (PDB: 5NWH) showed good affinity toward the target receptor1 with the binding energy of – 5.23 kcal mol⁻¹. Furthermore, the receptor1 showed excellent reversibility property on adding EDTA solution. Due to the marvelous reversible property, a molecular-scale sequential information processing circuit is designed for the multi-task behavior such as ‘Writing-Reading-Erasing-Reading’ in the form of binary logic gate. The consecutive addition of Fe²⁺ ion and EDTA solution to receptor1 paves a way for the construction of INHIBIT logic gate. Additionally, the receptor1 showed the mimicking behavior of molecular keypad lock.

Multi-dentate chelation induces fluorescence enhancement of pyrene moiety for highly selective detection of Fe(III)

Fluorescence enhancement has great advantages and various promising applications for a fluorescent molecular probe, which shows high sensitivity and high selectivity. In this report, a novel pyrene-based fluorescent probe with multidentate ligand (PPD) was synthesized for highly selective detection of Fe(III), which exhibited great fluorescence enhancement response upon the addition of Fe(III) in aqueous solution of pH 3.5 ~ 7.5, with a detection limit of 115 nM. The probe also has good water solubility and photostability. Further fluorescence titration confirmed 1:1 stoichiometric ratio for the probe PPD-Fe(III), which can be applied for quantification of Fe(III). The probe was validated for ferric detection in real water samples by spike and recovery test.

A dual-response fluoran-phenothiazine hybrid fluorescent probe for selective sensing of Fe3+ and ClO- and cell imaging application

Bifunctional fluorescent probes with dual-emission response attract extensive attention. A novel fluorescent probe FP, a hybrid of fluoran and phenothiazine, has been designed and synthesized for selective sensing of Fe³⁺ and ClO^- with dual-emission changes, which involes mechanisms of Fe³⁺-promoted spirolactone ring opening and ClO^--induced oxidation of phenothiazine moiety, respectively. In addition, the detection limits for Fe³⁺ and ClO^- were estimated to be 49.1 and 35.9 nM, respectively. Significantly, FP can be employed as an tracer for the detection of Fe³⁺ ions within living HeLa cells by fluorescence imaging.

A novel near-infrared fluorimetric method for point-of-care monitoring of Fe2+ and its application in bioimaging

Iron is one of the essential trace elements in the human body, which is involved in many important physiological processes of life. The abnormal amount of iron in the body will bring many diseases. Therefore, a novel near-infrared fluorimetric method was developed. The method is based on a fluorescent probe (E)-4-(2-(3-(dicyanomethylene)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)vinyl)-N, N-diethylaniline oxide (DDED) which uses N-oxide as a recognition group to real-time monitoring and imaging of Fe²⁺ in vivo and in vitro. The method exhibits excellent selectivity and high sensitivity (LOD = 27 nM) for Fe²⁺, fast reaction rate (< 4 min), extremely large Stokes shift (＞ 275 nm), low cytotoxicity. The strip test strongly illustrates the potential application of DDED in real environment. In particular, DDED has been successfully applied to real-time monitoring and imaging of Fe²⁺ in HepG² cells and zebrafish. That is, the method has great potential for the detection of Fe²⁺ in living systems.

A highly selective sequential recognition probe for Zn2+ and HSO4-/H2PO4- based on a diarylethene chemosensor

A novel diarylethene derivative chemosensor DTP-o connected to Schiff base unit for fluorescent detection of Zn²⁺ and relay-detection of HSO₄^-/H₂PO₄^- was designed and synthesized successfully. DTP-o displayed excellent photochromism and fluorometric sensing toward Zn²⁺ to form DTP-o-Zn²⁺ complex in acetonitrile with the detection limit of 5.62 × 10^-7 M. And the form of DTP-o combined with Zn²⁺ could further be verified by Job's plot titrations and mass spectrometry analysis. Furthermore, the complex of DTP-o-Zn²⁺ showed an excellent characteristic of fluorescent relay-response toward HSO₄^- and H₂PO₄^- with high sensitivity and selectivity. The detection limits for HSO₄^- and H₂PO₄^- were as low as 3.04 × 10^-8 M and 3.41 × 10^-8 M, respectively. Moreover, the sensor DTP-o could also be applied to detect Zn²⁺ on practical samples and test strips with high accuracy.

A multi-functional picolinohydrazide-based chemosensor for colorimetric detection of iron and dual responsive detection of hypochlorite

A novel effective chemosensor HPHN, (E)-6-hydroxy-N'-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene) picolinohydrazide, was synthesized. HPHN sensed Fe^3+/2+ with the changes of color from yellow to orange without obvious inhibition from other cations. In addition, HPHN could detect ClO^- by both the color change from yellow to colorless and the fluorescence quenching. The binding modes of HPHN with Fe^3+/2+ and ClO^- were determined to be 1:1 with Job plot and ESI-mass analysis. HPHN displayed low detection limits of 0.29 μM for Fe³⁺ and 0.77 μM for Fe²⁺. For ClO^-, the detection limit was 6.20 μM by colorimetric method and 3.99 μM by fluorescent one, respectively. Moreover, HPHN can be employed to quantify Fe³⁺ and ClO^- in environmental samples and apply to cell imaging for ClO^-.

A highly stable Zn coordination polymer exhibiting pH-dependent fluorescence and as a visually ratiometric and on–off fluorescent sensor

A thermally and chemically stable Zn coordination polymer exhibiting pH-dependent fluorescence behaves as a multi-responsive fluorescent sensor for ratiometric and on–off detection of multiple analytes.

A Novel Fluorescent Probe Based on Pyrazole-Pyrazoline for Fe (III) Ions Recognition

Firstly, a novel pyrazole-pyrazoline fluorescent probe was developed and synthesized. The probe can be used to determine Fe³⁺ ions in a series of cations in tetrahydrofuran aqueous solution with high selectivity and high sensitivity. After the addition of iron ions, the fluorescence intensity is significantly reduced, Its structure was characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HR-ESI-MS. UV absorption spectra and Fluorescence spectroscopy were used to study the selective recognition of probe M on metal ions. The probe M can selectivity and sensitivity to distinguish the target ion from other ions through different fluorescence phenomena. In addition, the binding modes of M with Fe³⁺ were proved to be 1:1 stoichiometry in the complexes by Job's plot, IR results. The combination of probe M and iron ions is 1:1, and the detection limit is 3.9 × 10^-10 M. The binding mode and sensing mechanism of M with Fe³⁺ was verified by theoretical calculations using Gaussian 09 based on B3LYP/6-31G(d) basis.

Detection of ferrous ion by etching-based multi-colorimetric sensing of gold nanobipyramids

Colorimetric sensing methods based on non-spherically symmetric gold (Au) nanoparticles have become a powerful tool in the field of biomedical detection due to their intriguing plasmonic properties. In this study, Au nanobipyramids (Au NBPs) were used as colorimetric sensing probes to detect ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) through tip etching. The quick etching of Au NBPs along the longitudinal direction by superoxide radicals generated by the reaction of Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂ led local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) to blue shift and produced vivid color change that could be used for visual inspection. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the peak shift of the Au NBPs and the logarithm of the concentrations of Fe²⁺ had a linear relationship in the range of 10 nM to 10 μM, with a very low detection limit of 1.29 nM. During the etching process, a different end shape of the Au nanoparticles results in a different process for the morphology transition, which makes the degree of spectral change and detection sensitivity significantly different. In the presence of trace amounts of Fe²⁺ (<1000 nM), the detection sensitivity of Au NBPs with sharp ends which rely on aspect ratio and truncation is nine times higher than that of gold nanorods with round ends which only rely on aspect ratio. Although the color change of larger-sized Au NBPs was not clear during detection, the LSPR peak shift was more severe. Therefore, the system provides different modes for detecting Fe²⁺ according to Au NBPs with different sizes and characteristics.

A novel pyrazole bearing imidazole frame as ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Al3+/Fe3+ ions and its application in HeLa cell imaging

New pyrazole bearing imidazole derivative was successfully synthesized and thoroughly characterized by various spectroanalytical techniques. The sensor DIBI shows a highly selective and sensitive fluorescent response with the addition of Al³⁺/Fe³⁺ ions in acetonitrile-water mixture. The strong fluorescent molecule exhibits a notable ratiometric emissions at 462 nm and 470 nm for Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions, respectively (λ_ex = 280 nm). Job's plot studies conclude that the coordination between DIBI with Al³⁺/Fe³⁺ was 1:1 binding stoichiometry. The limit of detection of DIBI with Al³⁺/Fe³⁺ was calculated as 2.12 × 10^-7 M and 1.73 × 10^-6 M, respectively. The TD-DFT calculations further supported the photonics performances of the free probe and its complexes. The reversibility and reusability of the sensor molecule are studied using EDTA. The probe was used to track Al³⁺/Fe³⁺ in cancer cells via fluorescence microscopy.

Oxidation-Induced Differentially Selective Turn-On Fluorescence via Photoinduced Electron Transfer Based on a Ferrocene-Appended Coumarin-Quinoline Platform: Application in Cascaded Molecular Logic

Differentially selective molecular sensors that exhibit differential response toward multiple analytes are cost-effective and in high demand for various practical applications. A novel, highly differentially selective electrochemical and fluorescent chemosensor, 5, based on a ferrocene-appended coumarin-quinoline platform has been designed and synthesized. Our designed probe is very specific toward Fe³⁺ via a reversible redox process, whereas it detects Cu²⁺ via irreversible oxidation. Interestingly, it exhibits differential affinity toward the Cu⁺ ion via complexation. High-resolution mass spectrometry, ¹H NMR titration, and IR spectral studies revealed the formation of a bidentate Cu⁺ complex involving an O atom of the amide group attached to the quinoline ring and a N atom of imine unit, and this observation was further supported by quantum-chemical calculations. The metal binding responses were further investigated by UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis. Upon the addition of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, the fluorescence emission of probe 5 shows a "turn-on" signal due to inhibition of the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process from a donor ferrocene unit to an excited-state fluorophore. The addition of sodium l-ascorbate (LAS) as a reducing agent causes fluorescence "turn off" for the Fe³⁺ ion because of reemergence of the PET process but not for the Cu²⁺ ion because it oxidizes the ferrocene unit to a ferrocenium ion with its concomitant reduction to Cu⁺, which further complexes with 5. Thermodynamic calculations using the Weller equation along with density functional theory calculations validate the feasibility of the PET process. A unique combination of Fe³⁺, LAS, and Cu²⁺ ions has been used to produce a molecular system demonstrating combinational "AND-OR" logic operation.

Triazatruxene-Rhodamine-Based Ratiometric Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Sensitive, Rapid Detection of Trivalent Metal Ions: Aluminium (III), Iron (III) and Chromium (III)

We investigated the ability of a novel triazatruxene-rhodamine-based (TAT-ROD) chemosensor to detect the trivalent metal ions aluminium (Al³⁺), iron (Fe³⁺) and chromium (Cr³⁺). Operating via the through-bond energy transfer (TBET) pathway, the chemosensor exhibited low detection limits of 23.0, 25.0 and 170.0 nM for Al³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cr³⁺, respectively, along with high sensitivity and selectivity during a brief period (<15 s). The binding ratio of the chemosensor and trivalent metal ions achieved by Job's method was 3:1, and when we added ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), the sensing process reversed. Altogether, our TAT-ROD chemosensor marks the first triazatruxene-based colorimetric and fluorometric metal ion sensor reported in the literature.

Recent Advances on Iron(III) Selective Fluorescent Probes with Possible Applications in Bioimaging

Iron(III) is well-known to play a vital role in a variety of metabolic processes in almost all living systems, including the human body. However, the excess or deficiency of Fe3+ from the normal permissible limit can cause serious health problems. Therefore, novel analytical methods are developed for the simple, direct, and cost-effective monitoring of Fe3+ concentration in various environmental and biological samples. Because of the high selectivity and sensitivity, fast response time, and simplicity, the fluorescent-based molecular probes have been developed extensively in the past few decades to detect Fe3+. This review was narrated to summarize the Fe3+-selective fluorescent probes that show fluorescence enhancement (turn-on) and ratiometric response. The Fe3+ sensing ability, mechanisms along with the analytical novelties of recently reported 77 fluorescent probes are discussed.

Sequential and recyclable sensing of Fe3+ and ascorbic acid in water with a terbium(iii)-based metal-organic framework

A water-stable three-dimensional (3D) metal-organic framework (MOF) of {[Tb(Cmdcp)(H₂O)₃]₂(NO₃)₂·5H₂O}_n (1, H₃CmdcpBr = N-carboxymethyl-(3,5-dicarboxyl)pyridinium bromide) has been synthesized and characterized. MOF 1 is highly emissive, giving rise to green luminescence that can be quenched by Fe³⁺ due to the partial overlap of its excitation spectrum with the absorption spectrum of Fe³⁺. The subsequent introduction of ascorbic acid (AA) leads to the reduction of Fe³⁺ into Fe²⁺, accompanied by the near-entire recovery of MOF 1 emission. The density functional theory (DFT) calculation results support the proposed mechanism. Such a sensing cycle is further transferable to urine and serum samples with a satisfactory near-quantitative recovery, highlighting its good potential in biologically relevant applications.

A Highly Selective "Turn-on" Fluorescent Probe for Detection of Fe3+ in Cells

A new "turn-on" fluorescent probe Py based on rhodamine and piperonaldehyde was designed and synthesized for detecting Fe³⁺ in cells. The free probe Py was non-fluorescent. While only upon addition of Fe³⁺, the significant increase of the fluorescence and color were observed which could be visible directly by "naked-eye". The probe Py shows high selectivity and sensitivity for Fe³⁺ over other common metal ions in EtOH-H₂O (3/2, v/v) mixed solution. The association constant and the detection limit were calculated to be 4.81 × 10⁴ M^-1 and 1.18 × 10^-8 mol/L respectively. The introduction of piperonaldehyde unit could increase probe rigidity which could enhance its optical properties. Meanwhile, the binding mode between Py and Fe³⁺ was found to be a 1:1 complex formation. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed which would further confirm the recognition mechanism between probe Py and Fe³⁺. In addition, the probe has been proved to be reversible for detecting Fe³⁺. Moreover, the probe Py was used to detect Fe³⁺ in cells successfully.

Selective Sensing of Iron by Pyrrolo[2,3-c]Quinolines

This paper reports development of an iron sensor, 2-(3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinolin-4-yl)aniline (APQ). The fluorophore facilitates micromolar detection of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ in the presence of various cations, including well-known interfering cations Co²⁺and Cu²⁺ by the process of fluorescence quenching. Graphical Abstract.

When the strategies for cellular selectivity fail. Challenges and surprises in the design and application of fluorescent benzothiadiazole derivatives for mitochondrial staining

Design, synthesis, molecular architecture and the unexpected behavior of fluorescent benzothiadiazole for selective mitochondrial and plasma membrane staining are investigated.

A visible chemosensor based on carbohydrazide for Fe(ii), Co(ii) and Cu(ii) in aqueous solution

A colorless sensor with pyridyl and carbohydrazide components shows a unique photoresponse when exposed to Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺. The sensor's colorimetric response is unique to these metal ions and is stable around neutral pH.