A novel switch on and reversible optical sensor as an efficient, selective receptor for Zn(II) ion and its biological application

In the present study, a promising optical sensor (TR) was designed, synthesized, characterized and its chemosensing mechanism has been explored through ¹H NMR, ESI-MS, UV-Vis absorption and emission spectral studies. This compound exhibits a drastic change in its optical properties when treated with Zn²⁺, whereas other metal ions do not respond. This provides a naked eye detection for Zn²⁺ ion. In methanolic medium, Zn²⁺ ion induces strong fluorescence in TR with large Stokes shifts up to ∼132 nm. A 5-fold increase in fluorescence intensity of TR in presence Zn²⁺ ion is due to inhibition of ESIPT (Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer) and -C=N isomerization with large increase in the ICT (Intramolecular Charge Transfer) character of TR in the excited state. The Job's plot and BH plots reveal the formation of 1: 1 stoichiometry with an estimated binding constant of 3.9 × 10⁷ M^-1. The detection limit of TR was found to be 3.85 nM. The TR could be regenerated by adding EDTA solution to the complex formed during interaction. The pH studies indicate that TR could render pH dependent fluorescence measurements in a live physiological environment. Computational technique was used to optimize the structures and the theoretical results are correlated with the experimental results. The possible utilization of TR as bio-imaging fluorescent sensor with 98.57% cell viability to detect Zn²⁺ in HeLa cells was also explored by fluorescent cell imager.

Evaluating the merit of a diethylamino coumarin-derived thiosemicarbazone as an intramolecular charge transfer probe: efficient Zn(ii) mediated emission swing from green to yellow

We report the synthesis and photophysical properties of a coumarin based probe (1E)-1-(1-(7-(diethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl) ethylidene) thiosemicarbazide (DIDOT). DIDOT shows a polarity dependent change in the emission maxima in the solution phase. This is explained by the increased dipole moment in the excited state by an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) process. DIDOT can successfully detect Zn(ii) in aqueous methanol by a shift in the charge transfer emission maxima from approximately 506 to approximately 535 nm. This shift led to a change in the color of the emission from green to yellow under UV-light. The mechanism of Zn(ii) detection has been delineated using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and fluorescence time resolved studies coupled with theoretical calculations. The increment in the charge transfer in the Zn(ii) complex of DIDOT over the bare receptor as a consequence of conformational locking was determined to be the underlying cause of the cation detection phenomenon. The limit of detection and binding constant values of DIDOT towards Zn(ii) were approximately 3 × 10^-8 M and 2.35 × 10⁵ M^-1 respectively. Finally, the practical utility of DIDOT has been demonstrated by successful detection and quantification of Zn(ii) in spiked water samples.

A Schiff's base receptor for red fluorescence live cell imaging of Zn2+ ions in zebrafish embryos and naked eye detection of Ni2+ ions for bio-analytical applications

A quinoline based chemosensor for dual detection of Ni²⁺/Zn²⁺ ions and its bio-analytical applications.

Resonance-Assisted Hydrogen Bonding as a Driving Force in Synthesis and a Synthon in the Design of Materials

Resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding (RAHB), a concept introduced by Gilli and co-workers in 1989, concerns a kind of intramolecular H-bonding strengthened by a conjugated π-system, usually in 6-, 8-, or 10-membered rings. This Review highlights the involvement of RAHB as a driving force in the synthesis of organic, coordination, and organometallic compounds, as a handy tool in the activation of covalent bonds, and in starting moieties for synthetic transformations. The unique roles of RAHB in molecular recognition and switches, E/Z isomeric resolution, racemization and epimerization of amino acids and chiral amino alcohols, solvatochromism, liquid-crystalline compounds, and in synthons for crystal engineering and polymer materials are also discussed. The Review can provide practical guidance for synthetic chemists that are interested in exploring and further developing RAHB-assisted synthesis and design of materials.

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.