A new N-imidazolyl-1,8-naphthalimide based fluorescence sensor for fluoride detection

Novel 1,8-Naphthalimide Derivatives As Antitumor Agents and Potent Demethylase Inhibitors

Functional 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives are rapidly developing in the field of anticancer research. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of naphthalimide derivatives with different substituents. Interestingly, 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives 1 and 7 inhibited a human demethylase FTO (the fat mass and obesity-associated protein). Computer simulation studies further indicated that 1 and 7 entered the FTO's structural domain II binding pocket through hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions. Anticancer mechanism studies showed that 1 and 7 induced DNA damage and autophagic cell death in A549 cells. The high antiproliferative activity of 1 and 7 was further confirmed by 3D multicellular A549 tumor spheroid assays. This study focuses on the cytotoxicity and mode of action of naphthalimide derivatives, which not only have potential anticancer activity but also are potent demethylase inhibitors.

Anion-assisted supramolecular polymerization of luminescent organic π-conjugated chromophores in a moderately polar solvent: tunable nanostructures and their corresponding effects on electronic properties

Supramolecular polymers of π-conjugated organic chromophores have emerged as promising candidates in organic electronics because of their dynamic and highly ordered molecular organization. Herein, we demonstrate the formation of luminescent, highly conducting supramolecular polymers of a functionalized naphthalimide π-chromophore-based organic semiconductor in a moderately polar organic solvent (tetrahydrofuran) by overcoming solute-solvent H-bonding via assistance from fluoride anions. The polymerization is exclusively guided by the synergistic effects of cascade H-bonding (F-⋯H-N- of primary amines, followed by -CO⋯H-N- of amides), π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions. An increasing molar equivalent of anions leads to a morphology transition from 1D nanowires to 2D nanosheets via nanotubes and nanorings, but above a particular threshold of the same anion, depolymerization-mediated disruption of long-range order and formation of non-luminescent spherical particles was observed. Such significant impacts of anions in supramolecular polymerization-depolymerization were utilized in modulating the electronic properties of this naphthalimide-based organic semiconductor.

Solvatochromism and solution π-stacking of N-(4-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthalimide and its corresponding triruthenium coordination complex

Due to the scarcity of spectroscopic studies on metal-coordinated naphthalimides, and aiming to investigate fundamental spectroscopic aspects, we have described here the aggregates of N-(4-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthalimide (NI-py) in solution as well as solvatochromism displayed by it and by the coordination compounds [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(NI-py)₃]ⁿ, n = +1 or 0. Based both on theoretical calculations and luminescence spectra, we demonstrated that in aqueous media, the NI-py π-stacking is thermodynamically favored, suggesting a preferable conformation where the pyridine and naphthalene moieties of two NI-py molecules are parallel to each other, but are not co-planar within an individual molecule, due to steric hindrance. The NI-py ππ* band displayed positive solvatochromism, to which the major contribution was the Catalan's SP parameter (solvent polarizability). This observation is fully consistent with the extended π-electron cloud of the NI-py naphthalene ring. However, a secondary contribution of the SA (solvent acidity) was also observed, owing to the electron pairs available at the N-heteroatom of the pyridine rings and at the carbonyl-group oxygen atoms. Finally, the multiparametric solvent effect analysis indicated that the electronic coupling between coordinated NI-py and the metallic core is modulated by the charge of the [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆] core, being higher for the reduced species [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(NI-py)]⁰. In addition, in this reduced species, there is no overlap between NI-py ππ* and the [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆] charge transfer (CT) transitions, leading to the observation of the dependence of the CT energy with the SdP parameter (solvent dipolarity) since the CT transition implies in a charge-separation state.

Fluorescence 'Turn-on' Dual Sensor for Selective Detection of Cd2+ and H2AsO4- in Water

A multi responsive fluorescent probe, N',2-bis(E-4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothiohydrazideV(H₂L) has been synthesized through one step condensation method. Probe, H₂L shows 'turn-on' dual sensing properties towards Cd²⁺ and H₂AsO₄^- at two distinct wavelength. The probe (H₂L) is spectroscopically characterized and the chemo-sensing mechanism has been demonstrated through ¹H NMR, absorption, steady state and time resolved emission study. The most promising advantage of the probe is its application in the one-pot detection of Cd²⁺ (λ_em = 462 nm) and H₂AsO₄^-(λ_em = 492 nm) where intense emission appears at two different wavelengths and the observed limit of detection (LOD) of H₂L towards Cd²⁺ and H₂AsO₄^- are 2.67 × 10^-8 M and 5.14 × 10^-6 M respectively. Further the 'turn-on' emission property of H₂L towards Cd²⁺ is applied to construct INHIBIT logic gate.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel 3-Carboranyl-1,8-Naphthalimide Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents

We synthesized a series of novel 3-carboranyl-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives, mitonafide and pinafide analogs, using click chemistry, reductive amination and amidation reactions and investigated their in vitro effects on cytotoxicity, cell death, cell cycle, and the production of reactive oxygen species in a HepG2 cancer cell line. The analyses showed that modified naphthalic anhydrides and naphthalimides bearing ortho- or meta-carboranes exhibited diversified activity. Naphthalimides were more cytotoxic than naphthalic anhydrides, with the highest IC₅₀ value determined for compound 9 (3.10 µM). These compounds were capable of inducing cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 or G2M phase and promoting apoptosis, autophagy or ferroptosis. The most promising conjugate 35 caused strong apoptosis and induced ROS production, which was proven by the increased level of 2′-deoxy-8-oxoguanosine in DNA. The tested conjugates were found to be weak topoisomerase II inhibitors and classical DNA intercalators. Compounds 33, 34, and 36 fluorescently stained lysosomes in HepG2 cells. Additionally, we performed a similarity-based assessment of the property profile of the conjugates using the principal component analysis. The creation of an inhibitory profile and descriptor-based plane allowed forming a structure–activity landscape. Finally, a ligand-based comparative molecular field analysis was carried out to specify the (un)favorable structural modifications (pharmacophoric pattern) that are potentially important for the quantitative structure–activity relationship modeling of the carborane–naphthalimide conjugates.

Constructing triplet trap in Eu(III) complexes and corresponding application for halogen fluorescent optical sensing

In this paper, a series of Eu(III) complexes was designed using 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) as the first ligand, and phenanthroline derivatives as the second ligand. Their molecular structure was analyzed via their single crystals. Detailed photophysical analysis on these Eu(III) complexes suggested that ligand TTA was the major energy transfer antenna for emissive Eu(III). The phenanthroline-derived ligands showed low triplet levels (T₁), leading to a reverse energy transfer (triplet trap) from Eu(III) ⁵D₀ to T₁ of diamine ligands. This procedure actually compromised emission performance of these Eu(III) complexes. It was found that halogen anions, especially fluorine ion, interacted with these diamine ligands, which heightened triplet level of these diamine ligands. With the elimination of such triplet trap in these Eu(III) complexes, their Eu(III) emission was greatly improved, showing emission turn-on effect. Detailed sensing performance was discussed carefully. Eu(TTA)₃Phen showed a down-bending working curve following a two-site model Stern-Volmer equation. Eu(TTA)₃DPPZ and Eu(TTA)₃DPOX showed linear working curves with good selectivity. In addition to its emission turn-on sensing, Eu(TTA)₃DPOX still showed ratiometric sensing. Detailed sensing mechanism was discussed and confirmed.

A novel sustainable metal organic framework as the ultimate aqueous phase sensor for natural hazards: detection of nitrobenzene and F− at the ppb level and rapid and selective adsorption of methylene blue

A novel metal organic framework (MOF) exhibits good aqueous phase sensing properties towards nitrobenzene and fluoride anions and selective adsorption/separation ability for methylene blue.

A potential naphthyl-thiazole-based organic dye and a ditopic chromogenic probe for CN− and Fe3+ with molecular logic functions

Dye sensitizers are entities designed primarily to serve the function of harvesting light photons in the functional wavelength, which is centered on charge transfer mechanisms.

A new multifunctional benzimidazole tagged coumarin as ratiometric fluorophore for the detection of Cd2+/F- ions and imaging in live cells

A novel multifunctional ratiometric fluorescent probe has been designed and synthesized for the selective recognition of Cd²⁺/F^- ions. The probe (3)-((2)-(1H-benzoimidazole-2-yl)-phenylimino) methyl-4-chloro-methyl-2H-chromen-2-ene (BIMC) displays excellent ratiometric responses towards Cd²⁺/F^- ions over the tested cations/anions. The lowest detection limits observed for Cd²⁺ and F^- are 1.5 × 10^-10 mol/l and 1.2 × 10^-10 mol/l respectively. Job's plot and Electro spray Ionization mass spectral (ESI-MS) studies confirms 1:1 binding stoichiometry of BIMC with Cd²⁺/F^- ions, which is further evidenced by ¹H NMR titration studies. The reversibility studies of BIMC with Cd²⁺ have been investigated using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Upon binding to Cd²⁺/F^- ions, the probe features strong ratiometric response in both UV-Visible and fluorescence spectra due to the inhibition of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Furthermore, the mechanism of ICT has been rationalized via solvatochromism and DFT calculations.

Novel Isophthalohydrazide-cDB24C8 cryptand derivative for the selective recognition of fluoride ion: An experimental and DFT study

A highly selective and sensitive novel Isophthalohydrazide-cDB24C8 cryptand derivative was developed for fluoride recognition at a very low concentration of 2.31 × 10^-10 M. The binding was established by UV-Vis, fluorescence and ¹H NMR titration. The receptor formed very strong H-bonded complex with fluoride, furnished a sharp new UV-Vis absorption peak at 280 nm which was also supported by the DFT-study. The fluorescence emission spectra showed large quenching up to 79.13% upon addition of fluoride.

A new Al3+ selective fluorescent turn-on sensor based on hydrazide-naphthalic anhydride conjugate and its application in live cells imaging

In this communication, we have developed an optical chemosensor 2-amino N-(6-bromo-1,3-dioxo-1H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2(3H)-yl)benzamide (NAPH) for selective detection of Al³⁺ by reacting 4-bromo-1,8-naphthalic anhydride with 2-aminobenzohydrazide. In (DMSO:H₂O, 1:1, v/v) medium, the selective and specific nature of NAPH towards Al³⁺ was observed by the quenching along with a blue-shift in the absorption of NAPH at 465 nm that resulted in the distinct colour change from light brown to colourless. The selective complexation that occurred between NAPH and Al³⁺ was investigated by ¹H NMR and DFT methods. Under similar conditions, the weakly fluorescent receptor NAPH showed a distinct fluorescence enhancement at 555 nm in the presence of Al³⁺ among the other tested metal ions and anions. The NAPH·Al³⁺ complex formation is reversible upon addition of strong chelating agent EDTA. The receptor NAPH can be applied to detect Al³⁺ down to 2.9 μM without any interference from other tested metal ions. In addition, the receptor NAPH was successfully applied to detect Al³⁺ in live HeLa cells.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of extended π conjugated naphthalimides

A series of π conjugated naphthalimide derivatives having an imide group as an acceptor conjugated with a methoxy arylethynyl or a methoxyphenyl triazole as a donor were prepared by Sonogashira coupling or "click" chemistry. Their photophysical properties were investigated by steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and modelled by TD-DFT calculations. Compound Naphth-AlkyneOMe has a high fluorescence quantum yield and displays efficient photoinduced charge transfer in solution as well as in the powder state. Compound Naphth-TriazoleOMe exhibits a very high Stokes shift and its fluorescence quantum yield is low, which can be rationalized by theoretical calculations.

A multi-analyte responsive chemosensor vanilinyl Schiff base: fluorogenic sensing of Zn(ii), Cd(ii) and I−

A single fluorescence probe recognizes multiple ions and grabs the great attention of scientists.

Anthraimidazoledione Based Reversible and Reusable Selective Chemosensors for Fluoride Ion: Naked-Eye, Colorimetric and Fluorescence "ON-OFF"

Novel anthraimidazoledione-based compounds (1-3) are synthesized as selective colorimetric and fluorescent sensors for fluoride ion. The binding properties of the probes (1-3) are studied with different anions in acetonitrile solvent. Spectral red shifts in the absorption spectra and 'turn-off' emission are observed when fluoride is added to 1-3. The striking green to orange color change in the ambient light is thought to be due to the deprotonation of the N-H proton of the imidazole moiety of the probes by the basic F^- ion. Interestingly, in all three cases the nonfluorescent probe-F^- solutions, on treatment with copper perchlorate, show distinct color change from orange to golden yellow with resumption of fluorescence intensity. Furthermore, the reversibility of sensors (1-3) for the detection of F^- ion is tested for four cycles indicating that "ON-OFF-ON" mechanism is operative. Test strip based on sensor 2 acts as a reusable cost-effective F^- sensor.

Recent advances in 1,10-phenanthroline ligands for chemosensing of cations and anions

This review encompasses and highlights recent developments of 1,10-phenanthroline ligands behaving as a customized moiety used in recognition and sensing of cations and anions.

In vivo detection of fluoride at trace levels and its removal from raw water at neutral pH utilizing a cyanobacterium pigment as a luminescent probe

A selective method has been developed for trace level (0.01 mg L⁻¹) fluoride detection in HEPES buffer in the presence of interfering ions (such as Cl⁻, I⁻, Br⁻, SO₄²⁻, ClO₄⁻, and CH₃COO⁻) using a cyanobacterium as a luminescent probe.

Lighting up fluoride ions in cellular mitochondria using a highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe

We report a highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe () for detecting fluoride ions, for the first time, lighting up the fluoride ions in mitochondria with a strong green fluorescence. could be easily prepared as fluoride paper test strips to detect fluoride ions in aqueous solutions with a detection limit as low as 19 ppb.

Cystine-derived bis-naphthalimides as stimuli-responsive fluorescent gelators

Stimuli-responsive fluorescence modulation of two cystine-derived bis-naphthalimide gelators was demonstrated using fluoride/tetrafluoroborate anions as the chemical inputs.

A sole multi-analyte receptor responds with three distinct fluorescence signals: traffic signal like sensing of Al3+, Zn2+and F−

A dialdehyde-based ligand rendered discriminatory sensing of Al³⁺, Zn²⁺and F⁻ions. The non-toxic receptor could also facilitate target metal sensing in live HeLa cells through imaging studies.

Cyclic aromatic imides as a potential class of molecules for supramolecular interactions

Prospects of stacking interactions of imides beneficial to generation of new soft materials are projected by analysing examples of primary building blocks that provide a basis for understanding at the molecular level.

Colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for fluoride ions based on phenanthroimidazole (PI): spectroscopic, NMR and density functional studies

Phenanthro-imidazole conjugate of biscarbanohyrazone, probe PI was designed, synthesized and characterized for selective detection of fluoride ion.

Auto-reusable receptors for selective colorimetric recognition of fluoride

Two auto-reusable colorimetric receptors for selective recognition of fluoride in polar medium are reported.

A simple and efficient fluorophoric probe for dual sensing of Fe3+and F−: application to bioimaging in native cellular iron pools and live cells

A quinoline functionalized fluorophore exhibited high selectivity towards Fe³⁺ions and the ligand–metal complex showed excellent selectivity towards F⁻ions.

Rational design of a rapid fluorescent approach for detection of inorganic fluoride in MeCN–H2O: a new fluorescence switch based on N-aryl-1,8-naphthalimide

A desilylation based sensor showed high selectivity and sensitivity to fluoride in MeCN–H₂O media.

Excimer–monomer switch: a reaction-based approach for selective detection of fluoride

Desilylation triggered excimer–monomer switch based on 1,8-naphthalimide was used as a sensing strategy for detection of fluoride.

Vitamin B6 cofactor based fluorescent probe for sensing an anion (F−) and cation (Co2+) independently in a pure aqueous medium

A new highly selective and sensitive bifunctional fluorescent probe for Co²⁺ and F⁻ ions has been derived from a vitamin B₆ cofactor and the response mechanism has been analyzed using DFT calculations.

Colorimetric and luminescent sensors for chloride: hydrogen bonding vs deprotonation

The synthesis and photophysical properties of four squaramide based fluorescent anion sensors (1-4) are described. These luminescent compounds showed selectivity for Cl(-) over various other anions with concomitant changes in both their UV/visible and fluorescence properties upon Cl(-) addition, attributed to initial H-bonding followed by NH deprotonation in the presence of excess Cl(-), signaled by a color change. The nature of the electron withdrawing aryl substituents is directly related to the H-bonding ability/acidity of the squaramide protons and can be used to tune the deprotonation behavior.

Comprehensive review in current developments of imidazole-based medicinal chemistry

Imidazole ring is an important five-membered aromatic heterocycle widely present in natural products and synthetic molecules. The unique structural feature of imidazole ring with desirable electron-rich characteristic is beneficial for imidazole derivatives to readily bind with a variety of enzymes and receptors in biological systems through diverse weak interactions, thereby exhibiting broad bioactivities. The related research and developments of imidazole-based medicinal chemistry have become a rapidly developing and increasingly active topic. Particularly, numerous imidazole-based compounds as clinical drugs have been extensively used in the clinic to treat various types of diseases with high therapeutic potency, which have shown the enormous development value. This work systematically gives a comprehensive review in current developments of imidazole-based compounds in the whole range of medicinal chemistry as anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antitubercular, anti-inflammatory, antineuropathic, antihypertensive, antihistaminic, antiparasitic, antiobesity, antiviral, and other medicinal agents, together with their potential applications in diagnostics and pathology. It is hoped that this review will be helpful for new thoughts in the quest for rational designs of more active and less toxic imidazole-based medicinal drugs, as well as more effective diagnostic agents and pathologic probes.

Highly selective fluorescence turn-on sensor for fluoride detection

Through click chemistry, triazole and triazolium groups have been explored to recognize anions through C-H···A(-) hydrogen-bonding complexion. Herein, we demonstrate evidence of fluoride-induced deprotonation of a C-H bond and its application in fluoride detection. The combination of fluorene and triazolium units produced a highly selective fluorescence turn-on prototype sensor for fluoride. The interactions between the C-H bond and F(-) were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and (1)H NMR titrations. Test papers were prepared to detect fluoride in aqueous media at concentrations down to 1.9 ppm, important for estimating whether the fluoride concentration in drinking water is at a safe level.