Dual channel chemosensor for successive detection of environmentally toxic Pd2+ and CN- ions and its application to cancer cell imaging

BACKGROUND

Detecting and neutralizing Pd2+ ions are a significant challenge due to their cytotoxicity, even at low concentrations. To address this issue, various chemosensors have been designed for advanced detection systems, offering simplicity and the potential to differentiate signals from different analytes. Nonetheless, these chemosensors often suffer from limited emission response and complex synthesis procedures. As a result, the tracking and quantification of residual palladium in biological systems and environments remain challenging tasks, with only a few chemosensing probes available for commercial use.

RESULTS

In this paper, a straightforward approach for the selective detection of Pd2+ ions is proposed, which involves the design, synthesis, and utilization of a propargylated naphthalene-derived probe (E)-N'-((2-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)naphthalen-1-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (NHP). The NHP probe exhibits sensitive dual-channel colorimetry and fluorescence Pd2+ detection over other tested metal ions. The detection process is performed through a catalytic depropargylation reaction, followed by an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process, the detection limit is as low as 11.58 × 10-7 M under mild conditions. Interestingly, the resultant chemodosimeter adduct (E)-N'-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (NHH) was employed for the consecutive detection of CN- ions, exhibiting an impressive detection limit of 31.79 × 10-8 M. Validation of both detection processes was achieved through 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and density functional theory calculations. For real-time applications of the NHP and NHH probes, smartphone-assisted detection, and intracellular detection of Pd2+ and CN- ions within HeLa cells were studied.

SIGNIFICANCE

This research presents a novel naphthalene derivative for visually detecting environmentally toxic Pd2+ and CN- ions. The synthesized probe selectively binds to Pd2+, forming a chemodosimeter. It successfully detects CN- ions through colorimetry and fluorimetry, offering a low detection limit and quick response. Notably, it's the first naphthalene-based small molecule to serve as a dual probe for toxic analytes - palladium and cyanide. Moreover, it effectively detects Pd2+ and CN- intracellularly in cancer cells.

Exploring the Mechanism of Anionic Chemosensing by Imidazoles: A Review

Chemosensing of ions has gained considerable attention by chemists. Insight into the mechanism involved between sensors and ions always fascinates researchers to develop economical, sensitive, selective, and robust sensors. This review comprehensively explores the mechanism of interaction between Imidazole sensors and anions. With most of the research concentrating only on fluoride and cyanide, this review has highlighted a large gap in various anions detection including SCN^-, Cr₂O₇^2-, CrO₄^2-, H₂PO₄^-, NO₂^-, and HSO₄^-.This study also includes a critical analysis of different mechanisms and their respective limits of detection, with a discussion of the reported results.

A cycloruthenated 2-phenylimidazole: chromogenic sensor for nitrite in acidic buffer and fluoride in CH3CN

A cycloruthenated 2-phenylimidazole as a colorimetric sensor can detect fluoride in CH3CN by a great red-shift in absorption. However, it demonstrated sensitivity and selectivity to nitrite rather than fluoride in acidic buffer.

Selective chromogenic detection of cyanide in aqueous solution - Spectral, electrochemical and theoretical studies

A bisimidazole ensemble (R) possessing naphthoquinone as signaling unit is synthesized and characterized using ¹H and ¹³C NMR and LC-MS spectral techniques. Anion sensing behaviour of the receptor has been investigated using electronic and fluorescence spectral techniques. The receptor exhibits a striking colour change from yellow to brown selectively with cyanide in aqueous HEPES buffer-DMSO (1:1 v/v) medium with a detection limit of 1 μM. Job's continuous variation method suggests that the stoichiometry of the interaction is 1:2 (R:CN^-). The binding constant for receptor-cyanide complex was found to be 8.7 × 10² M^-1. The mechanism of detection of cyanide occurs via deprotonation of imidazole N-H protons, which is well supported by electrochemical study. DFT based theoretical calculations shows that the energy gap between HOMO and LUMO decreases from 3.3086 (in R) to 1.7799 eV (in R + CN^-), which is responsible for the red-shift observed in the UV-Vis spectrum of R upon addition of cyanide ions. The present quinone-bisimidazole based receptor shows few advantages over similar bisimidazoles reported elsewhere.

A novel indolium salt as a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent sensor for cyanide detection in water

A highly sensitive fluorescent turn-on cyanide probe is developed based on benzylidenes containing methylindolium group. Three benzylidene derivatives were synthesized from the condensations of three benzaldehyde derivatives and methyleneindoline. Only one of these three derivatives shows strong blue fluorescent response selectively to CN^- which can be clearly observed in submicromolar range as the result of the cyanide addition to the indolium group. The detection of cyanide with this compound is optimized in aqueous media using non-ionic surfactant and sonication method to give very low limit of detection in subnanomolar range. The probe is also developed into a paper-based and gel-based sensing kits that can readily detect cyanide ion in micromolar range by naked eye under a common black light (360nm) illumination.

Evaluation of electron or charge transfer processes between chromenylium-based fluorophores and protonated–deprotonated aniline

PET and ICT processes in chromenylium hybrid fluorescent dyes.