Synthesis of Fluorescent Pyrazoline Sensors as Versatile Tool for Zinc ion Detection: A Mini-Review

Zinc ions are one of the 2nd most abundant mineral after iron and it is important for immune system, enzymatic catalysis, DNA synthesis, and maintaining structural integrity in humans. But, monitoring the Zn levels in human body poses more challenges. This review paper investigates (paper from 2010 to 2023) the synthesis of pyrazoline derivatives by different methods, including conventional methods and green chemistry protocol. These Pyrazoline derivatives highlighted for their potential application as chemo-sensor for Zn2+ ions recognition. Pyrazoline compounds exhibit excellent sensitivity & selectivity and emitting blue-light with high quantum yields and electroluminescence, along with a superior limit of detection. These derivatives are stable bioactive molecule, with well-known diverse biological activities. This review not only gives valuable insights into the essential role of Zinc in human physiology but also provides a practical method for accurate Zinc detection in various samples. Which holds the potential for advancements in health diagnostics and environmental monitoring. Because of their significant biological application and selectivity as sensors, researchers have much more attention to prepare green environmentally-friendly pyrazoline derivatives.

Novel pyrazoline and pyrazole "turn on" fluorescent sensors selective for Zn2+/Cd2+ at λem 480 nm and Fe3+/Fe2+ at λem 465 nm in MeCN

A small series of simple pyrazoline and pyrazole based sensors, all derived from the same chalcone precursors, were synthesised, characterised and screened for their fluorescence "turn on" properties in the presence of multiple metals. Pyrazole 8 displayed an excellent fluorescence profile with approx. 20× fold increase in λem 480 nm with Zn2+ compared to a 2.5× fold increase with Cd2+. Pyrazole 9 displayed a 30× fold increase at λem 465 nm for Fe3+ compared to Fe2+ with a Fe3+ limit of detection of 0.025 μM. The corresponding pyrazolines displayed contrasting properties with important implications for future pyrazoline and pyrazole sensor design.

Synthesis and photophysical investigation of Schiff base as a Mg2+ and Zn2+ fluorescent chemosensor and its application

In view of the fluorescent switching properties and anti-fatigue properties of diarylethene, a diarylethene fluorescent chemosensor for the immediate detection of zinc ion (Zn²⁺ ) and magnesium ion (Mg²⁺ ) in acetonitrile was synthesized in this article. The structure of 1o was determined by performing spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The presence of Zn²⁺ or Mg²⁺ made the chemosensor 1o show an obvious "turn-on" fluorescent signal (bright yellow-green for Mg²⁺ and bright cyan for Zn²⁺ ). The fluorescent change caused by the 1:1 binding of 1o and Zn²⁺ or Mg²⁺ might be due to hindering the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process, which were bolstered by Benesi-Hildebrand analysis, Job's plot curves, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹ H-NMR) titration and mass spectrometry. The limits of detection were acquired from the standard curve plots for Mg²⁺ at 44.6 nM and for Zn²⁺ at 14 nM. Based on the fluorescent behaviors, a logic gate was constructed with the emission intensity at 528/518 nm as output signal, the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) lights, Mg²⁺ /Zn²⁺ and EDTA as input signals. Exogenous Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ fluorescent bioimaging were performed on Hela cells with 1o, indicating its potential application in biodiagnostic analysis. In particular, 1o was manufactured into test paper, and Zn²⁺ or Mg²⁺ can be conveniently, efficiently and qualitatively identified by the fluorescent color variation of the test strips.

Recent progress in chemosensors based on pyrazole derivatives

Colorimetric and fluorescent probes based on small organic molecules have become important tools in modern biology because they provide dynamic information concerning the localization and quantity of the molecules and ions of interest without the need for genetic engineering of the sample. In the past five years, these probes for ions and molecules have attracted great attention because of their biological, environmental and industrial significance combined with the simplicity and high sensitivity of absorption and fluorescence techniques. Moreover, pyrazole derivatives display a number of remarkable photophysical properties and wide synthetic versatility superior to those of other broadly used scaffolds. This review provides an overview of the recent (2016-2020) findings on chemosensors containing pyrazole derivatives (pyrazoles, pyrazolines and fused pyrazoles). The discussion focuses on the design and physicochemical properties of chemosensors in order to realize their full potential for practical applications in environmental and biological monitoring (sensing of metal ions, anions, explosives, and biomolecules). We also present our conclusions and outlook for the future.

A nopinone based multi-functional probe for colorimetric detection of Cu2+ and ratiometric detection of Ag. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2020;19:49-55. [PMID: 31793618 DOI: 10.1039/c9pp00297a]

A dual-signal probe PPN based on the natural β-pinene derivative nopinone was synthesized for the colorimetric detection of Cu2+ and ratiometric detection of Ag+. Upon the addition of Ag+, a significant fluorescence change from blue to green was observed with a low detection limit (0.86 μM). However, upon the addition of Cu2+, a significant color change from colorless to yellow was observed with a low detection limit (0.56 μM). The novel probe PPN was applied as a probe for the colorimetric detection of Cu2+ and ratiometric detection of Ag+ with a high selectivity, good sensitivity and fast response time. The detection mechanisms of probe PPN for Cu2+/Ag+ were confirmed by 1H NMR and HRMS-ESI. Besides, probe PPN could sense Cu2+/Ag+ on test strips. Additionally, probe PPN could be applied to quantitatively detect the concentration of Ag+ in water samples and image Ag+ in living cells.

Intrinsically fluorescent and highly functionalized polymer nanoparticles as probes for the detection of zinc and pyrophosphate ions in rabbit serum samples

Intrinsically fluorescent polymer nanoparticles (F-PNPs) were synthetized from 2-hydroxy-5-methylisophthalaldehyde and melamine by solvothermal method. F-PNPs can emit strong yellow green fluorescence at 542 nm without the conjugation to any external fluorescent agent and surface modification. Owing to the abundant amino and hydroxyl groups on their surface, the F-PNPs possess multiple binding sites, good biocompatibility and excellent water-solubility. Addition of Zn²⁺ to the F-PNPs solution resulted in a blue shift (Δλ=40 nm) with obvious enhancement in the fluorescence intensity at 502 nm; while there was negligible change in the presence of other metal ions. The subsequent treatment with pyrophosphate (PPi) can cause fluorescence recovery of F-PNPs by pulling the Zn²⁺ out of the coordination cavity of F-PNPs-Zn²⁺ nanocomposites. No interference was observed from other anions and nucleotides, making the F-PNPs-Zn²⁺ ensembles highly sensitive and selective nanoprobes for PPi. The detection limit is 2.75 × 10^-8 M/L and 7.63 × 10^-8 M/L for Zn²⁺ and PPi, respectively. The proposed nanoprobes were then used for detecting the recovery of Zn²⁺ and PPi in rabbit serum samples, which were found to be 99.4-104.2% and 98.6-104.7%, respectively. The present strategy for the fabrication of nanoparticles may offer a new sight for the preparation of polymer nanostructures. The F-FNPs based probes can provide an accurate method for the detection of Zn²⁺ and PPi in serum samples.

Facile construction of a hyperbranched poly(acrylamide) bearing tetraphenylethene units: a novel fluorescence probe with a highly selective and sensitive response to Zn2+

Thermo-responsive hyperbranched copoly(bis(N,N-ethyl acrylamide)/(N,N-methylene bisacrylamide)) (HPEAM-MBA) was synthesized by using reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (RAFT). Interestingly, the zinc ion (Zn²⁺) was found to have a crucial influence on the lowest critical solution temperature (LCST) of the thermo-responsive polymer. The tetraphenylethylene (TPE) unit was then introduced onto the backbone of the as-prepared thermo-responsive polymer, which endows a Zn²⁺-responsive “turn-off” effect on the fluorescence properties. The TPE-bearing polymer shows a highly specific response over other metal ions and the “turn-off” response can even be tracked as the concentration of Zn²⁺ reduces to 2 × 10⁻⁵ M. The decrement of fluorescence intensity was linearly dependent on the concentration of Zn²⁺ in the range of 4–18 μmol L⁻¹. The flexible, versatile and feasible approach, as well as the excellent detection performance, may generate a new type of Zn²⁺ probe without the tedious synthesis of the moiety bearing Zn²⁺ recognition units.

A novel fluorescent HPEAM-TPEAH, possessing a highly selective and sensitive response to Zn²⁺, was synthesized using RAFT.

High Solid Fluorescence of a Pyrazoline Derivative through Hydrogen Bonding

Pyrazoline and its derivatives often exhibit strong emissions in dilute solutions, but their emission intensity is often dramatically reduced in the solid state due to strong intermolecular interactions between neighboring molecules. In this report, we successfully synthesized a new pyrazoline 4-(3-(4-(decyloxy)phenyl)-1-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-N,N-diethylaniline (PPDPD), into which seven fluorine (F) atoms were incorporated. In the solid state, PPDPD emits a strong blue light at λ_max 430 nm with a fluorescence quantum yield of up to 41.3%. Single-crystal analysis showed the presence of intra/intermolecular C-H···F bonds that may impede molecular motion and block the non-radiative decay channel. Compound PPDPD therefore shows high emission efficiency in the solid state.

Charge transfer based "turn-on" chemosensor for Zn²⁺ ion recognition using new triaryl pyrazoline derivative

The fluoroionophore PY serves as a selective and fluorimetric chemosensor for Zn(2+) based on charge transfer (CT). A mechanism for the binding mode was proposed based on fluorescence changes, NMR experiments and theoretical calculations. The 1:1 stoichiometry between Zn(2+) and the sensor was deduced from Job's plot. The addition of EDTA quenches the fluorescence of PY.Zn(2+) complex offers PY as a reversible chemosensor.

Stoichiometry-controlled cycloaddition of nitrilimines with unsymmetrical exocyclic dienones: microwave-assisted synthesis of novel mono- and dispiropyrazoline derivatives

The Microwave-assisted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of (E,E)-1,3-bisarylidenetetral-2-ones with nitrilimines affords a series of mono- and dispiropyrazolines in good to excellent yields.

A new on-fluorescent sensor for Ag+ based on benzimidazole bearing bis(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)amino groups

A new fluorescent sensor based on a benzimidazole unit bearing bis(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)amino groups was designed and synthesized. The ligand exhibits strong sensitivity and selectivity for Ag+ by enhanced fluorescent intensity in the presence of a wide range of other tested metal ions in methanol. The colorimetric and fluorescent response to Ag+ can be conveniently detected even by the naked eye, which offers a facile method for visual detection of Ag+.

Synthesis of novel boron chelate complexes and proposed mechanism of new rearrangement

We synthesized novel boron chelate complexes by the reaction of pyrazoline derivatives and boron trifluoride diethyl etherate followed by a new rearrangement. The structures of the compounds were characterized by IR, NMR and HRMS, especially, a typical compound 3c was confirmed by X-ray single crystal analysis. We proposed a mechanism of the rearrangement. Moreover, the absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy of these compounds were measured.

Novel pyrazoline-based selective fluorescent probe for the detection of hydrazine

A novel pyrazoline-based fluorescent probe, 2-[4-(3,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-pyrazol-1-yl)-benzylidene]-malononitrile, with a simple structure and low detection limit (6.16×10(-6)M) for the detection of hydrazine is designed and synthesized. The probe responds selectively to hydrazine over other molecules with marked fluorescence enhancement. The probe can detect hydrazine effectively at pH 5.0-9.0 with a special emission wavelength at 520nm. Moreover, the probe can be used to detect hydrazine from variety of natural source water.

Novel pyrazoline-based fluorescent probe for detecting thiols and its application in cells

A new compound, N-(4-(1,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenyl)-acrylamide (probe L), was designed and synthesized as a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probe for recognizing and detecting thiol from other amino acids. On being mixed with thiol in buffered DMSO:HEPES=1:1 solution at pH 7.4, the probe exhibited the blue emission at 474 nm. This probe is very sensitive and displayed a linear fluorescence off-on response to thiol. The fluorescence emission of the probe is pH independent in the physiological pH range. Living cell imaging of HeLa cells confirmed its cell permeability and its ability to selectively detect thiol in cells. The structure of the probe was characterized by IR, NMR and HRMS spectroscopy analysis.

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.