A rhodamine-based fluorescent probe bearing 8-hydroxyquinoline group for the highly selective detection of Hg2+ and its practical application in cell imaging

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe, RHOQ, was designed for the detection of Hg2+ by incorporating an 8-hydroxyquinoline moiety onto a rhodamine molecular platform with a suitable linker. In MeOH-Tris (20 mM, pH = 7.4, 1 : 9, v/v) buffer solution, RHOQ exhibited 550-fold fluorescence enhancement at 594 nm upon addition of Hg2+, with a fast response and a low detection limit (9.67 × 10-8 M). The 1 : 1 binding mode of RHOQ with Hg2+ was established using Job's plot, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopic titration methods. Furthermore, RHOQ was successfully applied for the detection of Hg2+ in living cells with good membrane permeability.

Activity-Based Fluorescent Probes for Hydrogen Sulfide and Related Reactive Sulfur Species

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is not only a well-established toxic gas but also an important small molecule bioregulator in all kingdoms of life. In contemporary biology, H2S is often classified as a "gasotransmitter," meaning that it is an endogenously produced membrane permeable gas that carries out essential cellular processes. Fluorescent probes for H2S and related reactive sulfur species (RSS) detection provide an important cornerstone for investigating the multifaceted roles of these important small molecules in complex biological systems. A now common approach to develop such tools is to develop "activity-based probes" that couple a specific H2S-mediated chemical reaction to a fluorescent output. This Review covers the different types of such probes and also highlights the chemical mechanisms by which each probe type is activated by specific RSS. Common examples include reduction of oxidized nitrogen motifs, disulfide exchange, electrophilic reactions, metal precipitation, and metal coordination. In addition, we also outline complementary activity-based probes for imaging reductant-labile and sulfane sulfur species, including persulfides and polysulfides. For probes highlighted in this Review, we focus on small molecule systems with demonstrated compatibility in cellular systems or related applications. Building from breadth of reported activity-based strategies and application, we also highlight key unmet challenges and future opportunities for advancing activity-based probes for H2S and related RSS.

Recent Advances on the Development of Chemosensors for the Detection of Mercury Toxicity: A Review

The harmful impact of mercury on biological systems is of great concern. Regardless of the efforts made by the regulating agencies, a decrease in Hg2+ concentration has not been realized, and hence mercury accumulation in the environment remains of utmost concern. Designing novel and efficient probes for recognition and detection of toxic metals in environmental samples has been of primary importance. Among the available techniques, probe designs involving the study of spectral properties has been preferred because of its obvious ease of instrumentation. Furthermore, occurrence of significant changes in the visible portion of electronic spectra enables detection by the naked eye, thereby endorsing the preference for development of probes with off-on binary responses to aid in the in-field sample analysis. The prominence is further streamlined to the use of fluorescence to help characterize on-response the cellular detection of Hg2+ with ease. In order to overcome the problem of developing efficient probes or sensors bearing fluorescence on-response mechanism that can work effectively in physiological conditions, various methodologies, such as chemo-dosimetric reaction mechanisms for the designing of new luminescent ligands, are being adopted. Additionally, modified charge transfer processes are also being considered for optical detection of the mercury (II) ion. In this review, all such possible techniques have been discussed in detail.

A Metallosupramolecular Coordination Polymer for the 'Turn-on' Fluorescence Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide

A coumarin based probe for the efficient detection of hydrogen sulfide in aqueous medium is reported. The investigated coumarine-based derivative forms spherical nanoparticles in aqueous media. In presence of Pd2+, a metallosupramolecular coordination polymer is formed, which is accompanied by quenching of the coumarin emission at 390 nm. Its Pd2+ complex could be used as a probe for chemoselective detection of monohydrogensulfide (HS-). Presence of HS- leads to a'turn-on' fluorescence signal, resulting from decomplexation of Pd2+ from the metallosupramolecular probe. The probe was successfully applied for qualitative and quantitative detection of HS- in different sources of water directly collected from sea, river, tap and laboratory drain water, as well as in growth media for aquatic species.

A new half-condensed Schiff base platform: structures and sensing of Zn2+ and H2PO4- ions in an aqueous medium

A newly designed and synthesized half-condensed organic moiety 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-[(2-phenylamino-phenylimino)-methyl]-benzaldehyde (HL') and a Zn₂L₄ complex sequentially detect Zn²⁺ and H₂PO₄^- ions as low as 1.13 nM and1.23 μM, respectively. HL' and a dinuclear Zn(ii) complex of in situ generated L^- in a solution formulated as Zn₂L₄ under investigation were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic studies along with detailed structural analyses by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The selectivity and sensitivity of HL' towards Zn²⁺ ions and of the Zn₂L₄ complex towards H₂PO₄^- ions are based on CHEF and via displacement pathways, respectively. Dual sensing of Zn²⁺ ions and H₂PO₄^-ions in an aqueous medium via "Green-Blue-Green" emission with the reversible transformation of in situ formed HL' to HL was established by detailed electronic absorption and emission spectroscopic studies. This non-cytotoxic probe (HL', i.e. produced HL in solution) and Zn₂L₄ complexes are able to monitor the subcellular distribution changes of Zn²⁺ and H₂PO₄^- ions, respectively, by fluorescence microscopy using the human semen sample.

Pyrene derivative-functionalized mesoporous silica-Cu2+ hybrid ensemble for fluorescence "turn-on" detection of H2S and logic gate application in aqueous media

The ensemble system PyH-SBA-15-Cu²⁺ was obtained via coordination interaction of pyrene derivative-functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 and Cu²⁺, and applied for the selective and sensitive detection of H₂S over pH 6.0-12.0 in aqueous media. The sensing strategy was designed on the basis of the H₂S-induced dissolution of Cu²⁺ from PyH-SBA-15-Cu²⁺. Cu²⁺ has good binding affinity to N atoms in PyH-SBA-15; therefore, the organic-inorganic hybrid ensemble PyH-SBA-15-Cu²⁺ was formed, which is nonfluorescent in aqueous solution because of the Cu²⁺-promoted emission quenching of PyH-SBA-15. The addition of H₂S induces the dissolution of PyH-SBA-15-Cu²⁺ by the formation of stable CuS, thereby producing fluorescence revival of PyH-SBA-15. The correlative "turn-on" fluorescence signals of this ensemble system are linearly proportional to [H₂S] in the concentration region of 0-1.0 × 10^-4 M, showing a low detection limit of 3.7 × 10^-7 M. Other common anions do not induce distinct fluorescence changes. When using the fluorescence intensity signal changes of PyH-SBA-15 as outputs and Cu²⁺ and S^2- as inputs, PyH-SBA-15 can act as an XNOR logic gate.

An ultra-sensitive and ratiometric fluorescent probe based on the DTBET process for Hg2+ detection and imaging applications

In this article, we present an ultra-sensitive and ratiometric fluorescent probe (TR-Hg) for Hg²⁺ detection based on the mechanism of aggregation induced emission (AIE) and dark through-bond energy transfer (DTBET). The probe was constructed using tetraphenylethene as the dark donor and rhodamine B thiolactone as the acceptor. By exploiting the advantages of DTBET, which eliminates emission leakage from dark donors and provides nearly 100% energy transfer efficiency, TR-Hg exhibits more than a 30 000-fold fluorescence ratio enhancement after reacting with Hg²⁺. TR-Hg demostrates (i) a detection limit of 43 pM, which is the lowest among the reported ratiometric Hg²⁺ probes, (ii) excellent selectivity, fast response-time (<10 s) and a wide pH application range, (iii) strong applicability for paper-based colorimetric assay, where readout can be performed by the naked eye, and (iv) fluorescent imaging of Hg²⁺ in onion epidermal tissues, indicating its potential use in living organisms.

A turn-on green channel Zn2+ sensor and the resulting zinc(ii) complex as a red channel HPO42− ion sensor: a new approach

A turn-on green channel Zn²⁺ sensor and the resulting zinc(ii) complex as a red channel HPO₄²⁻ ion sensor: a new approach.

A FRET-based fluorescent probe for mercury ions in water and living cells

On the basis of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), a new rhodamine derivative (DRh) was synthesized as a ratiometric fluorescent probe for detecting Hg(2+) in water and living cells samples. The recognition properties of the probe DRh with metal ions had been investigated in H2O/CH3CN (9:1, v/v; Tris-HCl 50mmolL(-1); pH=7.0) solution by the UV-Vis spectrophotometry and the fluorescence spectrophotometry. The results showed that the probe DRh exhibited the selective recognition of Hg(2+). Upon the addition of Hg(2+), the spirolactam ring of probe DRh was opened. The 1:1 stoichiometric structure between DRh and Hg(2+) were supported by Job's plot, MS and DFT theoretical calculations. The linearly fluorescence intensity ratio (I582/I538) is proportional to the concentration of Hg(2+) in the range 0-30μmolL(-1). The limit of detection (LOD) of Hg(2+) is 0.008μmolL(-1) (base on S/N=3). The present probe was applied to the determination of Hg(2+) in neutral water samples and gave recoveries ranging from 104.5 to 107.9%. Furthermore, the fluorescent probe also can be applied as a bioimaging reagent for Hg(2+) detection in HeLa cells.

Highly sensitive fluorescent determination of sulfide using BSA-capped CdS quantum dots

Schematic illustration of the BSA-CdS QD-based sensing system for sulfide detection.

Single excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) chemodosimeter based on rhodol for both Hg2+ and OCl−: ratiometric detection with live-cell imaging

We have synthesised a ratiometric fluorescence chemodosimeter, STBR, for the detection of Hg²⁺ and OCl⁻ in one platform over other cations, anions and oxidants in aqueous solution.

Silver nanoparticles as highly efficient and selective optical probe for sulphide via dendrimer formation in aqueous medium

1-[(4-Nitrophenyl)azo]-2-naphthol capped AgNPs were evaluated as a colorimetric sensor for S²⁻ in aqueous medium over pH 4 to 10 with a nanomolar detection limit. The TEM, SEM and AFM images revealed the transition of spherical AgNPs into dendrimers.

Rhodamine-based ratiometric fluorescent probes based on excitation energy transfer mechanisms: construction and applications in ratiometric sensing

Rhodamine is a convenient platform for the construction of “OFF–ON” ratiometric excitation energy transfer fluorescent probes.

Metal ion induced fluorescence resonance energy transfer between crown ether functionalized quantum dots and rhodamine B: selectivity of K+ ion

A ratiometric fluorescent metal ion sensor based on the mechanism of fluorescence resonance energy transfer between 15-crown-5-ether capped CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and 15-crown-5-ether attached rhodamine B.

A simple yet effective fluorescent probe for detecting and imaging mercury ions in cells

The mechanism of probes to Hg(ii) and images under UV lamp and daylight.

A rhodamine-based ‘turn-on’ Al3+ ion-selective reporter and the resultant complex as a secondary sensor for F− ion are applicable to living cell staining

A new cell permeable rhodamine based Schiff base (L) senses nanomolar level of Al³⁺ ions through CHEF process and its Al(iii) complex (2) behaves as a highly F⁻ ions selective biomarker through fluorescence quenching in HEPES buffer.

A FRET-based ‘off–on’ molecular switch: an effective design strategy for the selective detection of nanomolar Al3+ ions in aqueous media

A FRET-based ratiometric chemosensor (L1) is highly selective for Al³⁺ ions (as low as 6.19 × 10⁻⁹ M) and could be used to acquire images of Al³⁺ ions in living cells.

Development of a rhodamine–benzimidazol hybrid derivative as a novel FRET based chemosensor selective for trace level water

A newly designed FRET-based rhodamine–benzimidazol hybrid molecule has been developed as a dual channel chemosensor for the detection of trace level water in both protic and aprotic organic solvents.

Development of a cell permeable ratiometric chemosensor and biomarker for hydrogen sulphate ions in aqueous solution

A newly designed benzimidazol-based water soluble ratiometric chemosensor selective for HSO₄⁻ ions behaves as an efficient biomarker for the detection of the distribution of HSO₄⁻ ions in living cells in HEPES buffer (1 mM; water : ethanol (v/v), 98 : 2).