Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and biological activities of complexes of light lanthanide ions with 3-hydroxyflavone

New solid compounds of light lanthanide ions with 3-hydroxyflavone were synthesized in good yields (up to 85 %). The resulting complexes have been thoroughly characterized using various analytical and spectral techniques, including elemental analysis, complexometry, thermogravimetry, UV-VIS, FT-IR, 1H NMR, 109AgNPET LDI MS and fluorescence spectroscopy. The molecular formulas of the complexes were determined as follows: Ln(3HF)3, where 3HF-3-hydroxyflavone, Ln = La(III), Pr(III), Nd(III) and Ln(3HF)3·nH2O, where n = 1 for Ln = Ce(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), and n = 2 for Gd(III). Thermogravimetric studies revealed that the water molecules in the hydrated compounds are located in the outer coordination sphere. Based on the spectral data, it was noted that lanthanide ions interacted with the 3OH and 4CO groups of 3-hydroxyflavone. The effect of lanthanide ion chelation on the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process and fluorescence emission of 3HF was investigated. It was found that coordination with metal ions can suppress the ESIPT process and enhance the fluorescence emission of 3HF. The synthesized compounds were also screened for their antibacterial activity, free radical scavenging capacity, and interaction with BSA. The results showed that the complexes exhibit higher biological activity compared to the ligand.

Water stable fluorescent organotin(iv) compounds: aggregation induced emission enhancement and recognition of lead ions in an aqueous system

Water stable fluorescent organotin(iv) compounds are investigated for their structural aspects, aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) properties and ability to recognize lead ions in the aqueous medium.

Spectrophotometric, fluorimetric and electrochemical selective pyrophosphate/ATP sensing based on the dimethyltin(IV)-tiron system

Sensing of pyrophosphate anion (PPi) in the presence of nucleotide triphosphates allows the real time monitoring of the polymerase chain reaction. To get a deeper understanding of the factors involved in PPi/nucleotide triphosphate discrimination, a detailed study on the performance of a dimethyltin (IV)-catecholate complex capable of both separate fluorimetric or electrochemical detection of PPi in the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has been undertaken. Dimethyltin (IV) tightly binds PPi or ATP, and forms a stable 1:1 complex with tiron (4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid) in water. The complexation equilibria with all components are characterized quantitatively by potentiometric and spectroscopic titrations. Pyrophosphate anion can be detected owing to its ability to release free tiron from the complex by measuring either a fluorimetric or an electrochemical signal. On the contrary, ATP does not displace tiron but causes an interference with PPi in the fluorimetric detection method due to the formation of a ternary Me₂Sn(IV)-tiron-ATP complex with optical properties intermediate between those of free and bound tiron. In the electrochemical (square wave voltammetry) method, the ternary ATP complex shows a separate peak which does not coincide with the peaks of neither free nor bound tiron, thus making possible the simultaneous detection of ATP in addition to PPi.

Organotin(iv) differential fluorescent probe for controlled subcellular localization and nuclear microviscosity monitoring

A dual-emissive fluorescent probe based on the organotin(iv) ion enabled unique tracking of the local microviscosity through a differential and controlled nuclear–cytosolic redistribution.

3-Hydroxyflavone derivatives synthesized by a new simple method as chemosensors for cyanide anions

Two 3-hydroxyflavone derivatives as chemosensors for cyanide were synthesized by one step simple condensation, cyclization and subsequent oxidation reaction catalyzed by pyrrolidine, which shows great convenience compared with traditional method.

Study of fluorescence probe transfer mechanism based on a new type of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer

3-Hydroxyflavone (3-HF) is a typical representative of a new type of fluorescent molecular probe. The intramolecular proton transfer mechanisms of 3-HF and its derivatives have been studied theoretically based on detailed density functional theory. An optical physical cycle diagram of intramolecular proton transfer of 3-HF and its derivatives has been found based on the optimal configuration before and after proton transfer. An analysis of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of these probes explains their optical physical mechanism, which agrees well with experimental results. This correlation indicates that the adopted theory is reasonable and effective. The primary bond lengths, angles and infrared vibrational spectra indicate that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds were strengthened, which is an indication of the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) processes. The constructed potential energy curves of the ground and first excited state based on these three chromophores provide the ESIPT mechanism, which demonstrates that potential barriers lower than the 6kcal/mol and justifies the ESIPT processes occur in the first excited state. The fluorescence quenching phenomenon has been explained based on the ESIPT mechanism.

Tetraphenylethene-pyridine salts as the first self-assembling chemosensor for pyrophosphate

We presented a novel approach for pyrophosphate (PPi) sensing. Two tetraphenylethene (TPE)-functionalised pyridine salts (TPM and TPH) were designed and synthesized. Both of them exhibited weak emission in the solution state that originates from intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) from TPE to the pyridine; the addition of PPi into the TPM aqueous solution would enhance the fluorescence intensity, which eliminates the emission quenching effect of the iodide ion by the formation of PPi-sensor nanoparticles. The detection limit of TPM was determined to be as low as 133 nM. Meanwhile, a thin solid film of TPM that could detect PPi rapidly was conveniently prepared.

Acid–base and coordination properties of 2-phenyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolones in aqueous media

2-Phenyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolones bind metal ions with selective fluorescence response in aqueous media.

Multi-analyte, ratiometric and relay recognition of a 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-based fluorescent sensor through modulating ESIPT

A novel 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-based fluorescent sensor for multi-analyte, ratiometric and relay recognition of a through modulating ESIPT has been developed.

Properties and applications of flavonoid metal complexes

Flavonoid metal complexes have a wide spectrum of activities as well as potential and actual applications.

Fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors for pyrophosphate

In this review, we will cover the fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors developed for the detection of pyrophosphate (PPi) since 2010.

An efficient probe for rapid detection of cyanide in water at parts per billion levels and naked-eye detection of endogenous cyanide

A new molecular probe based on an oxidized bis-indolyl skeleton has been developed for rapid and sensitive visual detection of cyanide ions in water and also for the detection of endogenously bound cyanide. The probe allows the "naked-eye" detection of cyanide ions in water with a visual color change from red to yellow (Δλmax =80 nm) with the immediate addition of the probe. It shows high selectivity towards the cyanide ion without any interference from other anions. The detection of cyanide by the probe is ratiometric, thus making the detection quantitative. A Michael-type addition reaction of the probe with the cyanide ion takes place during this chemodosimetric process. In water, the detection limit was found to be at the parts per million level, which improved drastically when a neutral micellar medium was employed, and it showed a parts-per-billion-level detection, which is even 25-fold lower than the permitted limits of cyanide in water. The probe could also efficiently detect the endogenously bound cyanide in cassava (a staple food) with a clear visual color change without requiring any sample pretreatment and/or any special reaction conditions such as pH or temperature. Thus the probe could serve as a practical naked-eye probe for "in-field" experiments without requiring any sophisticated instruments.

Label-free fluorescence polarization detection of pyrophosphate based on 0D/1D fast transformation of CdTe nanostructures

A novel and label-free fluorescence polarization method for detecting PPi is constructed based on 0D/1D fast transformation of CdTe nanostructures