Low Molecular Weight Fluorescent Probes (LMFPs) to Detect the Group 12 Metal Triad

Fluorescence sensing, of d-block elements such as Cu2+, Fe3+, Fe2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, and Zn2+ has significantly increased since the beginning of the 21st century. These particular metal ions play essential roles in biological, industrial, and environmental applications, therefore, there has been a drive to measure, detect, and remediate these metal ions. We have chosen to highlight the low molecular weight fluorescent probes (LMFPs) that undergo an optical response upon coordination with the group 12 triad (Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+), as these metals have similar chemical characteristics but behave differently in the environment.

Low-Affinity Zinc Sensor Showing Fluorescence Responses with Minimal Artifacts

The study of the zinc biology requires molecular probes with proper zinc affinity. We developed a low-affinity zinc probe (HBO-ACR) based on an azacrown ether (ACR) and an 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) fluorophore. This probe design imposed positive charge in the vicinity of a zinc coordination center, which enabled fluorescence turn-on responses to high levels of zinc without being affected by the pH and the presence of other transition-metal ions. Steady-state and transient photophysical investigations suggested that such a high tolerance benefits from orchestrated actions of proton-induced nonradiative and zinc-induced radiative control. The zinc bioimaging utility of HBO-ACR has been fully demonstrated with the use of human pancreas epidermoid carcinoma, PANC-1 cells, and rodent hippocampal neurons from cultures and acute brain slices. The results obtained through our studies established the validity of incorporating positively charged ionophores for the creation of low-affinity probes for the visualization of biometals.

An excited state intramolecular proton transfer dye based fluorescence turn-on probe for fast detection of thiols and its applications in bioimaging

In this study, a new fluorescent probe 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-N-maleimide phenyl)-benzothiazole (probe 1), was designed and synthesized by linking the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) fluorophore to the maleimide group for selective detection of thiols in aqueous solution. The fluorescence of probe 1 is strongly quenched by maleimide group through the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism, but after reaction with thiol, the fluorescence of ESIPT fluorophore is restored, affording a large Stokes shifts. Upon addition of cysteine (Cys), probe 1 exhibited a fast response time (complete within 30s) and a high signal-to-noise ratio (up to 23-fold). It showed a high selectivity and excellent sensitivity to thiols over other relevant biological species, with a detection limit of 3.78×10^-8M (S/N=3). Moreover, the probe was successfully applied to the imaging of thiols in living cells.

Molecular characteristics of a fluorescent chemosensor for the recognition of ferric ion based on photoresponsive azobenzene derivative

Metal ion recognition is of great significance in biological and environmental detection. So far, there is very few research related to the ferric ion sensing based on photoresponsive azobenzene derivatives. In this work, we report a highly selective fluorescent "turn-off" sensor for Fe³⁺ ions and the molecular sensing characteristics based on an azobenzene derivative, N-(3,4,5-octanoxyphenyl)-N'-4-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)azophenyl]1,3,4-oxadiazole (AOB-t8). The binding association constant was determined to be 6.07×10³M^-1 in ethanol and the stoichiometry ratio of 2:2 was obtained from Job's plot and MS spectra. The AOB-t8 might be likely to form the dimer structure through the chelation of ferric ion with the azobenzene moiety. Meanwhile, it was found that the photoisomerization property of AOB-t8 was regulated by the binding with Fe³⁺. With the chelation of Fe³⁺, the regulated molecular rigidity and the perturbed of electronic state and molecular geometry was suggested to be responsible for the accelerated isomerization of AOB-t8 to UV irradiation and the increased fluorescence lifetime of both trans- and cis-AOB-t8-Fe(III). Moreover, the reversible sensing of AOB-t8 was successfully observed by releasing the iron ion from AOB-t8-Fe(III) with the addition of citric acid.

Benzothiazole based multi-analyte sensor for selective sensing of Zn2+and Cd2+and subsequent sensing of inorganic phosphates (Pi) in mixed aqueous medium

A multi-analyte sensor selectively senses Zn²⁺and Cd²⁺ions and subsequently responds to phosphates in mixed aqueous medium.

ESIPT blocked CHEF based differential dual sensor for Zn2+ and Al3+in a pseudo-aqueous medium with intracellular bio-imaging applications and computational studies

A novel H3SAL-NH probe exhibits ESIPT from the phenolic OH group to the azomethine N atom in the excited state. This is blocked in the presence of Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ giving turn on fluorescence which is useful for imaging in live HepG2 cells.

A new ICT and CHEF based visible light excitable fluorescent probe easily detects in vivo Zn2+

A new chelator and ICT donor based visible light excitable Zn²⁺ sensor was designed and developed by integrating quinoline and 2-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methylbenzaldehyde.

A novel chromo- and fluorogenic dual sensor for Mg2+and Zn2+with cell imaging possibilities and DFT studies

A diformyl-p-cresol-8-aminoquinoline based probe exhibits dual colorimetric and fluorogenic properties on selective binding towards Mg²⁺and Zn²⁺. This probe could be made selective towards Mg²⁺over Zn²⁺in the presence of TPEN.