Imidazopyridine Family: Versatile and Promising Heterocyclic Skeletons for Different Applications

In recent years, there has been increasing attention focused on various products belonging to the imidazopyridine family; this class of heterocyclic compounds shows unique chemical structure, versatile optical properties, and diverse biological attributes. The broad family of imidazopyridines encompasses different heterocycles, each with its own specific properties and distinct characteristics, making all of them promising for various application fields. In general, this useful category of aromatic heterocycles holds significant promise across various research domains, spanning from material science to pharmaceuticals. The various cores belonging to the imidazopyridine family exhibit unique properties, such as serving as emitters in imaging, ligands for transition metals, showing reversible electrochemical properties, and demonstrating biological activity. Recently, numerous noteworthy advancements have emerged in different technological fields, including optoelectronic devices, sensors, energy conversion, medical applications, and shining emitters for imaging and microscopy. This review intends to provide a state-of-the-art overview of this framework from 1955 to the present day, unveiling different aspects of various applications. This extensive literature survey may guide chemists and researchers in the quest for novel imidazopyridine compounds with enhanced properties and efficiency in different uses.

Exploring Biological Interactions: A New Pyrazoline as a Versatile Fluorescent Probe for Energy Transfer and Cell Staining Applications

Fluorescent dyes are used in biological systems, because they are highly sensitive and selective. In this work, we investigated the fluorescent probe properties of 2-(5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl) phenol (PYDP) in two media [sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and human serum albumin (HSA)]. Energy transfer parameters, photophysical and thermodynamic parameters of probe were determined. We investigated cytotoxicity of PYDP against colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (HT-29), breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) and 3T3-L1 adipocytes (3T3 L1) cells. The cell staining property of PYDP was monitored using a confocal microscope. The results showed that PYDP binds to HSA, bindings are due to electrostatic/ionic interactions, and the binding process is spontaneous. PYDP was found to exhibit negligible cytotoxicity at high concentrations, and confocal microscope images showed that PYDP stained the cytoplasm of MCF-7 cells.

Organelle-targeting ratiometric fluorescent probes: design principles, detection mechanisms, bio-applications, and challenges

Biological species, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive sulfur species (RSS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), F-, Pd2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, and others, are crucial for the healthy functioning of cells in living organisms. However, their aberrant concentration can result in various serious diseases. Therefore, it is essential to monitor biological species in cellular organelles such as the cell membrane, mitochondria, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and nucleus. Among various fluorescent probes for species detection within the organelles, ratiometric fluorescent probes have drawn special attention as a potential way to get beyond the drawbacks of intensity-based probes. This method depends on measuring the intensity change of two emission bands (caused by an analyte), which produces an efficient internal referencing that increases the detection's sensitivity. This review article discusses the literature publications (from 2015 to 2022) on organelle-targeting ratiometric fluorescent probes, the general strategies, the detecting mechanisms, the broad scope, and the challenges currently faced by fluorescent probes.

Mono-, Bis-, and Tris-Chelate Zn(II) Complexes with Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine: Luminescence and Structural Dependence

New mono-, bis-, and tris-chelate Zn(II) complexes have been synthesized starting from different Zn(II) salts and employing a fluorescent 1,3-substituted-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine as a chelating ligand. The products have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction; mass spectrometry; and vibrational spectroscopy. The optical properties have been investigated to compare the performances of mono-, bis-, and tris-chelate forms. The collected data (in the solid state and in solution) elucidate an important modification of the ligand conformation upon metal coordination; which is responsible for a notable increase in the optical performance. An intense modification of the emission quantum yield along the series in the solid state is observed comparing mono-, bis-, and tris-chelate adducts; independently from the anionic ligand introduced by ionic exchange.

A ratiometric luminescence pH sensor based on YAG:V3+,V5+ nanoparticles

A new type of ratiometric luminescence-based pH sensor is described.

Organic-inorganic hybrid tetrachlorocadmates as promising fluorescent agents for cross-linked polyurethanes: synthesis, crystal structures and extended performance analysis

The aim of this work is to apply organic–inorganic hybrid salts made of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium-based cations and halometallate anions as fluorescent agents to modify cross-linked polyurethane (CPU) for the creation of flexible photoluminescent films. The use of ionic compounds ensures excellent dispersion of the luminescent components in the polymer matrix and prevents solid-state quenching. The absence of phase segregation makes it possible to fabricate uniformly luminescent films with a large area. To this, new tetrachlorocadmate salts [L]₂[CdCl₄] (1) and [L′]₂[CdCl₄] (2), where L⁺ is 2-methyl-3-(pyridin-2-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium and [L′]⁺ is 2-methylimidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium cations, have been prepared and characterized by IR, NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The organic cations resulted from the oxidative cyclization-condensation involving CH₃NH₂·HCl and 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde in methanol (1), and formaldehyde, CH₃NH₂·HCl and 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde in an aqueous media (2). In the crystal of 1, loosely packed tetrahedral cations and π–π stacked anions are arranged in separate columns parallel to the a-axis. The pseudo-layered structure of 2 is built of the organic and inorganic layers alternating along the a axis. The adjacent CdCl₄²⁻ anions in the inorganic layer show no connectivity. The organic–inorganic hybrids 1 and 2 were immobilized in situ in the cross-linked polyurethane in low content (1 wt%). The photoluminescent properties of 1 and 2 in the solid state and in the polymer films were investigated. The semi-transparent CPU films, that remain stable for months, retain the photoluminescent ability of both hybrids in the blue region with a prominent red shift in their emission.

Hybrid salts made of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium-based cations with easily tunable electronic structures, and halometallate anions that do not include any rare-earth or noble metals were used to fabricate flexible luminescent CPU films.

Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives: useful, luminescent and versatile scaffolds for different applications

In the last few years, imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine nuclei and derivatives have attracted growing attention due to their unique chemical structure and versatility, optical behaviours, and biological properties.

A “weak acid and weak base” type fluorescent probe for sensing pH: mechanism and application in living cells

A simple pH fluorescent probe, N-(6-morpholino-1, 3-dioxo-1H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2(3H)-yl) isonicotinamide (NDI), based on naphthalimide as the fluorophore and isonicotinic acid hydrazide as the reaction site was synthesized and characterized. It is useful for monitoring acidic and alkaline pH. The results of pH titration indicated that NDI exhibits obvious emission enhancement with a pK_a of 4.50 and linear response to small pH fluctuations within the acidic range of 3.00–6.50. Interestingly, NDI also displayed strong pH-dependent characteristics with pK_a 9.34 and linearly responded to an alkaline range of 8.30–10.50. The sensing response mechanism was confirmed by ¹H NMR and ESI-MS spectroscopy. The mechanism of the optical responses of NDI toward pH was also determined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, NDI displayed a highly selective and sensitive response to hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions. The probe was successfully applied to image acidic and alkaline pH value fluctuations in HeLa cells and has lysosomal targeting ability.

When the probe was in the protonation process, the fluorescence intensity gradually decreased, whereas when the probe was in the deprotonation process, the fluorescence intensity gradually increased.

A pH probe inhibits senescence in mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are gradually getting attention because of its multi-directional differentiation potential, hematopoietic support, and promotion of stem cell implantation. However, cultured BMSCs in vitro possess a very limited proliferation potential, and the presence of stem cell aging has substantially restricted the effect together with the efficiency in clinical treatment. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the connection between cellular aging and lysosomal acidification as new reports indicated that vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (v-ATPase) activity was altered and lysosomal pH was dysregulated in the process of cellular aging. Therefore, promoting lysosomal acidification might contribute to inhibition of cell senescence. Our previous studies showed that a novel small molecule, 3-butyl-1-chloro imidazo [1, 5-a] pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (SGJ), could selectively and sensitively respond to acidic pH with fast response (within 3 min), but whether SGJ can promote lysosomal acidification and inhibit senescence in BMSCs is unknown.

METHODS

Rat BMSCs were cultured based on our system that had been already documented. BMSCs were treated with SGJ and/or Bafilomycin-A1 (Baf-A1). The co-localization between SGJ and lysosomes was assessed by a confocal microscope. Acridine orange (AO) staining and the Lysosensor™ Green DND-189 reagents were used for indicating changes in lysosomal concentration of H⁺. Changes of senescence were detected by immunoblotting of p21 and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining as well as immunofluorescence assay of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF). Changes of autophagy were detected by immunoblotting of MAP1LC3 (LC3B) and SQSTM1 (p62). Cell proliferation was determined by flow cytometry. Cell viability was calculated by sulforhodamine B assay (SRB). The V0 proton channel of v-ATPase was knocked down by transfecting with its small interfering RNA (si-ATP6V0C).

RESULTS

Our work showed that SGJ can promote lysosomal acidification and inhibit senescence in BMSCs. Firstly, SGJ and lysosomes were well co-located in senescent BMSCs with the co-localization coefficient of 0.94. Secondly, SGJ increased the concentration of H⁺ and the protein expression of lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) and lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2). Thirdly, SGJ suppressed the expression of p21 in the senescent BMSCs and reduced SA-β-gal positive cells. Fourthly, SGJ promoted senescent BMSCs' proliferation and protein level of LC3B but reduced the p62/SQSTM1 protein level. Furthermore, experimental group pretreated with 20 μM SGJ showed a stronger red fluorescent intensity, thinner cell morphology, less SA-β-gal positive cell, and less p21 protein level as well as higher cell viability in the presence of Baf-A1. Notably, ATP6V0C knockdown decreased the activity of v-ATPase and SGJ increased the concentration of H⁺.

CONCLUSION

Our work showed that SGJ could inhibit senescence in BMSCs and protect lysosomes by promoting expression of LAMP1 and LAMP2. Meanwhile, SGJ could promote autophagy. Furthermore, our study also suggested that SGJ was a new Baf-A1 antagonist because SGJ could target and occupy the V0 proton channel of v-ATPase.

Synthesis and application of a water-soluble phosphorescent iridium complex as turn-on sensing material for human serum albumin

A novel water-soluble cyclometallated iridium complex [Ir(pq-COOH)₂FDS]^- (pq-COOH = 2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxylic acid, FDS = 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-bis(4-sulfophenyl)-1,2,4-triazine dianions) (abbreviated as Ir) was synthesized and its phosphorescent property was comprehensively studied. It was found that the complex exhibited strong phosphorescence, which peaked at 634 nm in neutral conditions (maximized at pH 8.0). Its phosphorescence decreased with an increase in acidity of the aqueous solution. At pH 2.0, the quenched phosphorescence could be resumed upon the addition of human serum albumin (HSA) because of the hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between HSA and Ir. Based on this phenomenon, a "turn on" type phosphorescence probe was developed for the detection of HSA. Under optimal conditions, a wide calibration range of 1-280 nM was obtained with a limit of detection of 0.8 nM for HSA. The phosphorescence probe was successfully used for the determination of HSA in blood serum and urine samples.

A reaction-based luminescent switch-on sensor for the detection of OH- ions in simulated wastewater

A series of luminescent iridium(iii) complexes were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to interact with hydroxide ions in semi-aqueous media at ambient temperature. Upon the addition of OH^-, a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction takes place at the bromine groups of the N^N ligand of complex 1, resulting in the generation of a yellow-green luminescence. Complex 1 showed a 35-fold enhanced emission at pH 14 when compared to neutral pH, and the detection limit for OH^- ions was 4.96 μM. Complex 1 exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity, long-lived luminescence and impressive stability. Additionally, we have demonstrated the practical application of complex 1 to detect OH^- ions in simulated wastewater.

A mitochondria-targeting ratiometric fluorescent probe for the detection of hypochlorite based on the FRET strategy

A novel mitochondria-targeting ratiometric probe (IRP) for ⁻OCl based on an imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-rhodamine FRET platform was developed.

A novel NBD-based pH “on–off” fluorescent probe equipped with the N-phenylpiperazine group for lysosome imaging

A novel PET-based fluorescent probe (LN6) targeting to lysosome was found from the synthesized NBD derivatives.

A ratiometric lysosomal pH probe based on the imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine–rhodamine FRET and ICT system

A new pH-activatable ratiometric fluorescent probe (RhMP) has been developed based on FRET. This probe displayed good selectivity, and excellent reversibility. In addition, RhMP has low cytotoxicity and has been successfully applied in HeLa cells.