Design of a Highly Selective Benzimidazole-Based Derivative for Optical and Solid-State Detection of Zinc Ion

A novel series of benzimidazole-based molecules mimicking biological receptors, which exhibit selective coordination with zinc ions, were designed and synthesized. The photochromic behavior of these derivatives with various metal ions suggests a selective interaction of one of the receptors 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)-3H-benzo[d]imidazole (2c) with zinc ion. The lower limit of detection by photoluminescence quenching was determined to be 16 nM. The mechanism of selective complexation was elucidated by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance titrations and dynamic light scattering analysis. The stoichiometry of the formation of the Zn(2c)₂ complex was evaluated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and mass spectral techniques and calculated to be 2:1 (L:M). A change in the electronic energy levels on the sensor analyte interaction was observed by both ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and by density functional theory calculations, suggesting an electroactive semiconductor behavior. A symmetric Schottky structured sensor device was fabricated using the receptor 2c as the active sensing layer. A distinct change in current-voltage characteristics between the receptor and the complex suggests that the fabricated device could be used as a solid-state sensor for detecting zinc ion.

A Highly Selective Turn-On Fluorescent Probe for the Detection of Zinc

A novel turn-on fluorescence probe L has been designed that exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity with a detection limit of 9.53 × 10⁻⁸ mol/L for the quantification of Zn²⁺. ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the unsymmetrical nature of the structure of the Schiff base probe L. An emission titration experiment in the presence of different molar fractions of Zn²⁺ was used to perform a Job’s plot analysis. The results showed that the stoichiometric ratio of the complex formed by L and Zn²⁺ was 1:1. Moreover, the molecular structure of the mononuclear Cu complex reveals one ligand L coordinates with one Cu atom in the asymmetric unit. On adding CuCl₂ to the ZnCl₂/L system, a Cu-Zn complex was formed and a strong quenching behavior was observed, which inferred that the Cu²⁺ displaced Zn²⁺ to coordinate with the imine nitrogen atoms and hydroxyl oxygen atoms of probe L.

The Role of Zinc(II) Ion in Fluorescence Tuning of Tridentate Pincers: A Review

Tridentate ligands are simple low-cost pincers, easy to synthetize, and able to guarantee stability to the derived complexes. On the other hand, due to its unique mix of structural and optical properties, zinc(II) ion is an excellent candidate to modulate the emission pattern as desired. The present work is an overview of selected articles about zinc(II) complexes showing a tuned fluorescence response with respect to their tridentate ligands. A classification of the tridentate pincers was carried out according to the binding donor atom groups, specifically nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur donor atoms, and depending on the structure obtained upon coordination. Fluorescence properties of the ligands and the related complexes were compared and discussed both in solution and in the solid state, keeping an eye on possible applications.

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.

Coumarin-based colorimetric-fluorescent sensors for the sequential detection of Zn2+ ion and phosphate anions and applications in cell imaging

Two novel coumarin based fluorescent sensors CHP and CHS have been synthesized for the sequential detection of Zn²⁺ ion and phosphate anion (PA) in DMF/HEPES buffer medium (1/5 v/v, 10 mM, pH = 7.4). On the addition of Zn²⁺ ion to the solution of CHP or CHS resulted in a pronounced fluorescence enhancement, accompanying noticeable color change (under UV or daylight), while there was hardly obvious change with other competing metal ions co-existing. The detection limits (DL) of CHP and CHS toward Zn²⁺ were separately determined as 1.03 × 10^-7 (R² = 0.9886) and 1.87 × 10^-7 (R² = 0.9902). The PET binding processes were affirmed by spectroscopic techniques, HRMS experiments and theoretical calculations. Subsequently, the CHP-Zn²⁺ or CHS-Zn²⁺ complexes showed high selectivity fluorescence quenching toward PA by snatching Zn²⁺ ion from its complex and the binding processes were reversible. DLs were calculated as 2.07 × 10^-7 M (R² = 0.9928) and 2.63 × 10^-7 M (R² = 0.9954), respectively. Furthermore, the cell imaging experiments demonstrated that the sensors were capable of detecting of Zn²⁺ and PA in vitro cells.

A novel turn on fluorescent probe for the determination of Al3+ and Zn2+ ions and its cells applications

Early detection of probes is very important for limiting toxic effects of various transition metal ions for example aluminum and zinc. Monitoring of these metal ions can be challenging via conventional methods since they are high cost instrumentations, time consuming and so on. We report facile preparation of a fluorescence probe containing biphenyl groups that effectively selective and superb sensitivity towards aluminum (III) and zinc (II) in neutral solutions without interference from each other and other ions. In neutral pH value, the probe FOB displayed the OFF-ON fluorescence enhancement at 464 nm and 512 nm toward aluminum (III) and zinc (II), respectively. The detection limit values of FOB for Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ in neutral solutions were 1.27 and 1.02 nM, respectively and these values were significantly lower than permitted Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ concentrations in drinking water determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Water Quality. Also, fabricated cyano-biphenyl based probe is effective for sensing for aluminum (III) and zinc (II) in living human colon cancer cells even when employed at low concentrations (1.0 μM). Overall, this work allows us to obtain a great potential to be applied to detect Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺.

Fluorescent determination of zinc by a quinoline-based chemosensor in aqueous media and zebrafish

A quinoline-based fluorescence sensor QDTD was developed for Zn²⁺. QDTD can detect Zn²⁺ by fluorescence turn-on. Detecting limit (0.27 μM) of QDTD for Zn²⁺ was far below WHO standard (76.0 μM). For the practical application, compound QDTD could be used to determine Zn²⁺ in real samples and applied to the test kit. More importantly, QDTD was expertly applied for Zn²⁺ imaging in HeLa cells and zebrafish with good membrane-permeability. Detection mechanism of Zn²⁺ ion by compound QDTD was suggested through the analytical tools like ¹H NMR titration, ESI-MS, Job plot, fluorescent and UV-vis titration, and theoretical calculations, and through the synthesis and applications of a model compound AAQA.

A unique benzimidazole-naphthalene hybrid molecule for independent detection of Zn2+ and N3- ions: Experimental and theoretical investigations

Single crystal X-ray structurally characterized benzimidazole-naphthalene hybrid (NABI) functions as a unique dual analyte sensor that can detect Zn²⁺ cation and N₃^- anion independently. The NABI forms chelate with Zn²⁺ to inhibit internal charge transfer (ICT) and CHN isomerisation resulting chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). On the other hand, the sensing of N₃^- is based on formation of supramolecular H-bonded rigid assembly. The association constant of NABI for Zn²⁺ and N₃^- ions are 19 × 10⁴ M^-1 and 11 × 10² M^-1, respectively. Corresponding limit of detections (LOD) are 6.85 × 10^-8 and 1.82 × 10^-7 M, respectively. NABI efficiently detects intracellular Zn²⁺ and N₃^- ions with no cytotoxicity on J774A.1cells under fluorescence microscope. DFT studies unlock underlying spectroscopic properties of free NABI and Zn²⁺/N₃^- bound forms.

Subtle structural variation in azine/imine derivatives controls Zn2+ sensitivity: ESIPT-CHEF combination for nano-molar detection of Zn2+ with DFT support

Excited-state intra-molecular proton transfer (ESIPT)-active imine and azine derivatives, structurally characterised by XRD, and denoted L1, L2, L3 and L4, possess weak fluorescence. The interaction of these probes with Zn²⁺ turns ON the fluorescence to allow its nano-molar detection. Among the four ESIPT-active molecules, L2, L3 and L4 are bis-imine derivatives while L1 is a mono-imine derivative. Among the three bis-imine derivatives, one is symmetric (L3) while L2 and L4 are unsymmetrical. The lowest detection limits (DL) of L1, L2, L3 and L4 for Zn²⁺ are 32.66 nM, 36.16 nM, 15.20 nM and 33.50 nM respectively. All the probes bind Zn²⁺ (10⁵ M⁻¹ order) strongly. Computational studies explore the orbital level interactions responsible for the associated photo-physical processes.

Single crystal X-ray structurally characterised ESIPT-active weakly fluorescent imine and azine derivatives undergo Zn²⁺ assisted turn ON fluorescence.

One-pot synthesis of highly fluorescent Fe2+-doped carbon dots for a dual-emissive nanohybrid for the detection of zinc ions and histidine

Fe²⁺ was confirmed to be the only definitive one of the common metal ions to synthesize the highly fluorescent carbon dots with proline as the carbon resource at 80 °C for visual fluorescence sensing Zn2+ and histidine, respectively.

Photoluminescence light-up detection of zinc ion and imaging in living cells based on the aggregation induced emission enhancement of glutathione-capped copper nanoclusters

In this work, we prepared glutathione (GSH)-capped copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) with red emission by simply adjusting the pH of GSH/Cu²⁺ mixture at room temperature. A photoluminescence light-up method for detecting Zn²⁺ was then developed based on the aggregation induced emission enhancement of GSH-capped Cu NCs. Zn²⁺ could trigger the aggregation of Cu NCs, inducing the enhancement of luminescence and the increase of absolute quantum yield from 1.3% to 6.2%. GSH-capped Cu NCs and the formed aggregates were characterized, and the possible mechanism was also discussed. The prepared GSH-capped Cu NCs exhibited a fast response towards Zn²⁺ and a wider detection range from 4.68 to 2240μM. The detection limit (1.17μM) is much lower than that of the World Health Organization permitted in drinking water. Furthermore, taking advantages of the low cytotoxicity, large Stokes shift, red emission and light-up detection mode, we explored the use of the prepared GSH-capped Cu NCs in the imaging of Zn²⁺ in living cells. The developed luminescence light-up nanoprobe may hold the potentials for Zn²⁺-related drinking water safety and biological applications.

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.

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.

Fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) for selective recognition of Al3+: application to bio-imaging for bacterial sample

(a) Changes in fluorescence upon successive addition of Al³⁺ ions to salpn-ONPs; (b) titration profile of fluorescence; (c) recognition of Al³⁺ through bio-fluorescence Staphylococcus aureus bacterial cells.

Deciphering the CHEF-PET-ESIPT liaison mechanism in a Zn2+ chemosensor and its applications in cell imaging study

Proper fusion of fluorescence mechanisms in a single fluorophore unit is highly desirable to obtain better sensitivity, as well as selectivity towards a particular metal ion.

Dimethyl yellow-based colorimetric chemosensors for “naked eye” detection of Cr3+ in aqueous media via test papers

New dimethyl yellow-based dipodal receptors as colorimetric probes were designed and synthesised for selectively sensing Cr³⁺ in a “naked eye” output manner via test papers.

Metal ion binding properties of a bimodal triazolyl-functionalized calix[4]arene on a multi-array microcantilever system. Synthesis, fluorescence and DFT computation studies

A bimodal calix[4]arene functionalized with triazolyl-linked anthracenyl and 3-propylthioacetate groups is described.

Fluorescence response of a thiazolidine carboxylic acid derivative for the selective and nanomolar detection of Zn(ii) ions: quantum chemical calculations and application in real samples

A turn-on fluorescent sensor (L) for Zn²⁺detection in nano molar scale was synthesized and characterized. L shows fluorescence withKlebsiella pneumoniaandE. coli. L was utilized to detect Zn²⁺ions and bacteria in environmental water samples.

A new pyridoxal based fluorescence chemo-sensor for detection of Zn(ii) and its application in bio imaging

A new pyridoxal-based chemosensor (PydDmen) was reported for selective detection of Zn²⁺ in solution. The experimental and theoretical supports are provided to establish Zn²⁺ induced transformation of PydDmen to 3-pyridone tautomeric form.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel, ditopic, reversible and highly selective, “Turn-On” fluorescent chemosensor for Al3+ ion

A ditopic Schiff base fluorescent chemosensor, L (OFF state), selectively senses Al³⁺ by inhibition of ESIPT/GSIPT, CN isomerization and CHEF (ON state).