a Versatile Schiff Base Chemosensor for the Determination of Trace Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ in the Water and Its Bioimaging Applications

In this work, a simple and versatile Schiff base chemosensor (L) was developed for the detection of four adjacent row 4 metal ions (Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) through colorimetric or fluorescent analyses. L could recognize the target ions in solutions containing a wide range of other cations and anions. The recognition mechanisms were verified with a Job's plot, HR-MS assays, and ¹H NMR titration experiments. Then, L was employed to develop colorimetric test strips and TLC plates for Co²⁺. Meanwhile, L was capable of quantitatively measuring the amount of target ions in tap water and river water samples. Notably, L was used for imaging Zn²⁺ in HepG2 cells, zebrafish, and tumor-bearing mice, which demonstrated its potential biological applications. Therefore, L can probably serve as a versatile tool for the detection of the target metal ions in environmental and biological applications.

A series of benzothiazole-based Schiff bases for the colorimetric sensing of fluoride and acetate ions: acetate-induced turn-on fluorescence for selectivity

Benzothiazole-based Schiff bases show colorimetric sensing of fluoride and acetate ions. It also exhibits selective acetate-induced turn-on fluorescence.

A Novel Thiophene-Based Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Detection of Zn2+ and CN-: Imaging Applications in Live Cells and Zebrafish

A novel fluorescent turn-on chemosensor DHADC ((E)-3-((4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)-2,3-dihydrothiophene-2-carboxamide) has been developed and used to detect Zn2+ and CN-. Compound DHADC displayed a notable fluorescence increase with Zn2+. The limit of detection (2.55 ± 0.05 μM) for zinc ion was far below the standard (76 μM) of the WHO (World Health Organization). In particular, compound DHADC could be applied to determine Zn2+ in real samples, and to image Zn2+ in both HeLa cells and zebrafish. Additionally, DHADC could detect CN- through a fluorescence enhancement with little inhibition with the existence of other types of anions. The detection processes of compound DHADC for Zn2+ and CN- were demonstrated with various analytical methods like Job plots, 1H NMR titrations, and ESI-Mass analyses.

Execution of julolidine based derivative as bifunctional chemosensor for Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions: Applications in bio-imaging and molecular logic gate

A simple julolidine based chemosensor (JT) was designed and synthesized by single condensation step. JT displayed excellent selectivity and sensitivity with on-off responses towards Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ over other biologically relevant metal ions in aqueous media. Upon addition of Zn²⁺ ions, JT exhibited a significant blue shift in emission followed by turn-on enhancement while with Cu²⁺, the fluorescence intensity of JT was completely vanished. The 1:1 binding affinity between JT and Zn²⁺/Cu²⁺ was proposed by Job's plot analysis. The detection limit for Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions reached at 3.5 × 10^-8 M and 1.46 × 10^-6 M, respectively. The sensing mechanism of JT with Zn²⁺/Cu²⁺ was supported by DFT calculations. Based on photophysical studies and its reversibility environment with EDTA, molecular logic gates were fabricated. Furthermore, JT was successfully established to detect intracellular Zn²⁺ ions in live cells by turn-on response.

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.

Novel fluorescent probes for relay detection copper/citrate ion and application in cell imaging

Two novel fluorescent probes, 2‑(2'‑hydroxyphenyl)‑4‑(2'‑hydroxymethyl‑8‑quinolinamino)methyloxazole (L1), and 2‑(2'‑hydroxyphenyl)‑4‑(2'‑methyl‑8‑quinolinamino)methyloxazole (L2), exhibited colorimetric and "turn off" fluorometric response to Cu²⁺ ion in DMSO/H₂O solution (v/v = 1/1, 0.01 M, Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.20) and the corresponding detection limit were found to be 2.14 × 10^-8 and 2.70 × 10^-8 M, which were much lower than drinking water permission concentrations by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO). The L1-Cu²⁺ and L2-Cu²⁺ complexes ensemble detected citrate anions (CA) sequentially through fluorescence recovery response due to the extrusion of Cu²⁺ ion from the complexes. The binding processes were investigated by UV-vis, fluorescence, IR and DFT calculation. Furthermore, the vivo sensitivity experiments of Cu²⁺ ion and CA was demonstrated through fluorescence imaging in living cells.

An ESIPT based chromogenic and fluorescent ratiometric probe for Zn2+ with imaging in live cells and tissues

A benzothiazole based fluorescent probe for selective and efficient detection of Zn²⁺ showing potential application in human breast cancer cells.

Highly selective and sensitive recognition of Zn(ii) by a novel coumarinyl scaffold following spectrofluorometric technique and its application in living cells

A biocompatible coumarinyl Schiff base scaffold (H2L), a nontoxic probe and a fluorescent sensor to Zn²⁺, with an LOD of 11 nM, was used for living cell imaging.

A new fluorescence turn-on chemosensor for nanomolar detection of Al3+ constructed from a pyridine–pyrazole system

A pyridine–pyrazole based fluorescence turn-on chemosensor provides access to selective detection of Al³⁺ in solution as well as in HepG2 living cells.

A highly sensitive turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for recognition of Zn2+ and Hg2+ and applications

A fluorescence probe has been designed and synthesized, and applied with a combined theoretical and experimental study. Research suggests that the probe can be used to sense Zn²⁺ and Hg²⁺ through selective turn-on fluorescence responses in the aqueous HEPES buffer (0.05M, pH=7.4). The limit of detection (LOD) were determined as 1.46×10^-7M (Zn²⁺) and 2.50×10^-7M (Hg²⁺). Moreover, based on DFT, the geometry optimizations of probe 1, [1-Hg²⁺] complex and [1-Zn²⁺] complex were carried out using the Gaussian 09 program, in which the B3LYP function was used. The electronic properties of free probe 1 and the metal complexes were studied based on the Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analyses. The probe 1 has also been successfully applied to detection of Zn²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in living cells.

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for Zn2+based on a diarylethene derivative

A promising photochromic fluorescent chemosensor1olinked with Schiff base unit was synthesized and the sensitivity test of1otoward Zn²⁺has been performed with detection limit up to 8.10 × 10⁻⁸M without any interference from Cd²⁺.

A Colorimetric and Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Selective Detection of Cu2+ and Zn2+ Ions

A new bi-functional chemosensor 1 based on 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde and 2-(methylthio)aniline has been synthesized. It can detect Cu²⁺ with a color change from pale yellow to dark yellow in aqueous solution. The selective mechanism of 1 for Cu²⁺ was proposed to be the enhancement of the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) band, which was explained by theoretical calculations. The sensor 1 could be used to detect and quantify Cu²⁺ in water samples. In addition, the sensor 1 displayed "turn-on" fluorescence response only to Zn²⁺, based on an effect of chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). Therefore, 1 can serve as a 'single sensor for two different targets' with dual modes.

Highly photostable zinc selective molecular marker bearing flexible pivotal unit: opto-fluorescence enhancement effect and imaging applications in living systems

Novel molecular probes for imaging zinc in biological systems are gaining interest as they help in understanding the role of zinc in regulating various bio-events. In this regard, a new C2-symmetric molecular system has been developed and successfully applied as light-up material for signaling divalent zinc with green emission. The fluorescence enhancement was highly zinc specific and this newly developed probe bears a submicromolar detection capability. While probe and the ensemble -Zn(2+) exhibited remarkably high photostability, light-triggered fluorescence enhancement was observed in the case of -Zn(2+). The nature of the -Zn(2+) complex and the associated spectral shift are further supported by theoretical calculations. As the present probe absorbs in the visible region and emits in the green, it was preferred as a potential material for imaging zinc in biological systems including animal and plant cells such as pollen grains and fish egg cells. Such fluorescence imaging of zinc revealed the efficacy of the probe in detection and localization of zinc in various biological systems.

Chromogenic and fluorogenic multianalyte detection with a tuned receptor: refining selectivity for toxic anions and nerve agents

In the present study, a chemical probe was finely tuned for the highly selective and sensitive chromogenic and fluorogenic detection of toxic anions and a nerve agent.

A highly selective fluorescent sensor for the detection of Al3+ and CN− in aqueous solution: biological applications and DFT calculations

A new turn-on fluorescent chemosensor 1 was developed to detect both Al³⁺ and CN⁻ and used for practical and biological applications.

Imine-functionalized thioether Zn(ii) turn-on fluorescent sensor and its selective sequential logic operations with H2PO4−, DFT computation and live cell imaging

Thioether Schiff base (H₂L), a nontoxic Zn²⁺-sensor (LOD, 0.050 μM) has shown selective ON–OFF emission following INHIBIT logic circuit with H₂PO₄⁻and useful agent for the identification of Zn²⁺and H₂PO₄⁻in intracellular fluid in living cells.

A novel 2-(2′-aminophenyl)benzothiazole derivative displays ESIPT and permits selective detection of Zn2+ ions: experimental and theoretical studies

Synthesis of a novel 2-(2′-aminophenyl)benzothiazole based probe (1) and demonstration of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) with a large Stokes shift (∼246 nm) are presented.

A multi-responsive turn-on flurogenic probe to sense Zn2+, Cd2+and Pb2+: left-right-center emission signal swing

A rationally designed multi-target probe can sense Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺and Pb²⁺through individual TURN-ON emission signals in physiological pH with signal swing.

Cysteine-based silver nanoparticles as dual colorimetric sensors for cations and anions

The synthesis of amide–triazole-based Ag NPs and their sensing ability towards anions and cations in aqueous solution were investigated. The importance of amide–triazole as a binding motif, in conjunction with Ag NPs, and the mode of the sensing ability of these amide–triazole Ag NPs as dual colorimetric sensors have been studied in detail.

A highly selective and sensitive acylhydrazone-based turn-on optical sensor for Al3+

The fluorescence turn-on probing of Al³⁺ in ethanol was realized by the utilization of a type of conjugated acylhydrazone-based compound.

Single Chemosensor for Double Analytes: Spectrophotometric Sensing of Cu(2+) and Fluorogenic Sensing of Al(3+) Under Aqueous Conditions

(E)-N-((8-Hydroxy-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydropyrido-[3,2,1-ij]-quinolin-9-yl)methylene)-4-tert-butyl -benzhydrazide has been developed as a single, dual-functional chemosensor. The chemosensor showed a good selectivity and sensitivity toward to Al(3+) and Cu(2+) at a low detection limit, respectively. Theoretical calculations have also been carried out to understand the configuration of the complexes.

Optical sensor: a promising strategy for environmental and biomedical monitoring of ionic species

In this review, we cover the recent developments in fluorogenic and chromogenic sensors for Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺and Hg²⁺.

1,8-Naphthyridine-based molecular clips for off–on fluorescence sensing of Zn2+ in living cells

New 1,8-naphthyridine-based clip-like receptor as “off–on” fluorescent probe was designed and synthesised for selectively sensing Zn²⁺ in living cells.

A highly selective CHEF-type chemosensor for monitoring Zn2+ in aqueous solution and living cells

A new quinolone-based chemosensor was synthesized and successfully applied to quantify and image Zn²⁺ in water samples and living cells.

A novel peptide-based fluorescent chemosensor for measuring zinc ions using different excitation wavelengths and application in live cell imaging

A novel peptide-based fluorescent chemosensor containing both tryptophan and a dansyl fluorophore has been designed to detect Zn²⁺ in 100% aqueous solution and living cells via two pathways including fluorescence resonance energy transfer and chelation enhanced fluorescence.

An easy and accessible water-soluble sensor for the distinctive fluorescence detection of Zn2+ and Al3+ ions

A water-soluble fluorescence sensor was facilely synthesized and it can be used for the distinctive fluorescence detection of Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ ions.

Dual colorimetric sensing of mercury and iodide ions by steroidal 1,2,3-triazole-stabilized silver nanoparticles

Bile acid-based 1,2,3-triazole ligands have been synthesized, which show excellent ability to stabilize silver nanoparticles. These AgNPs have been found to exhibit highly selective dual colorimetric sensing of Hg²⁺ and I⁻ ions.