Advances in ionic liquids as fluorescent sensors

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a class of liquid salts with characteristics such as a low melting point, an ionic nature, non-volatility, and tunable properties. Because of their adaptability, they have a significant influence in the field of fluorescence. This paper reviews the primary literature on the use of ILs in fluorescence sensing technologies. The kind of target material is utilized to classify the fluorescence sensors made with the use of ILs. They include using ILs as probes for metals, nitro explosives, small organic compounds, anions, and gases. The efficacy of an IL-based fluorescence sensor depends on the precise design to guarantee specificity, sensitivity, and a consistent reaction to the desired analyte. The precise method can differ depending on the chemical properties of the IL, the choice of fluorophore, and the interactions with the analyte. Overall, the viability of the aforementioned materials for chemical analysis is evaluated, and prospective possibilities for further development are identified.

Acid-base equilibrium in non-aqueous medium: colorimetric visualization, estimation of acidity constants and construction of molecular logic gates

A reversible acid-base probe, (N1E, N4E)-N1, N4-bis((Z)-3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)allylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine (MM1), is introduced for the colorimetric visualization of acid-base equilibria in non-aqueous media. MM1 displays reversible acidochromic behavior, showing exciting colorimetric change varying from weak to strong acid. Also, we have fabricated a colorimetric paper strip-based test kit to visualize acid-base equilibria. A dipstick experiment has been demonstrated to visualize the acid-base equilibria in the gaseous state. This acid-base probe has also been employed to estimate the pKa values of several acidic compounds in a non-aqueous medium using overlapping indicator methods. Based on reversible acidochromic UV-visible absorption spectral and colorimetric behavior, we have constructed a reconfigurable dual input and dual output combinational logic circuit and set-reset memorized device employing acid and base as chemically encoded inputs and corresponding optical outputs. The current report evokes a new protocol for developing various reversible acidochromic probes and its implication for constructing opto-chemical molecular logic gates and estimating the acid dissociation constants of various acidic compounds in non-aqueous media.

A Reversible Optical Sensor Film for Mercury Ions Discrimination Based on Isoxazolidine Derivative and Exhibiting pH Sensing

We developed a new optical sensor for tracing Hg(II) ions. The detection affinity examines within a concentration range of 0-4.0 µM Hg(II). The sensor film is based on Methyl 2-hydroxy-3-(((2S,2'R,3a'S,5R)-2-isopropyl-5,5'-dimethyl-4'-oxotetrahydro-2'H-spiro[cy-clohexane-1,6'-im-idazo[1,5-b]isoxazol]-2'-yl)methyl)-5-methylbenzoate (IXZD). The novel synthesized compound could be utilized as an optical turn-on chemosensor for pH. The emission intensity is highly enhanced for the deprotonated form concerning the protonated form. IXZD probe has a characteristic fluorescence peak at 481 nm under excitation of 351 nm with large Stocks shift of approximately 130 nm. In addition, the binding process of IXZD:Hg(II) presents a 1:1 molar ratio which is proved by the large quench of the 481 nm emission peak of IXZD and the growth of a new emission peak at 399 nm (blue shift). The binding configurations with one Hg(II) cation and its electronic characteristics were investigated by applying the Density Functional Theory (DFT) and the time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations. Density functional theory (DFT) and the time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) theoretical results were provided to examine Hg(II)-IXZD structures and their electronic properties in solution. The developed chemical sensor was offered based on the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. The sensor film has a significantly low limit of detection (LOD) for Hg(II) of 0.025 μM in pH 7.4, with a relative standard deviation RSD_r (1%, n = 3). Lastly, the IXZD shows effective binding affinity to mercury ions, and the binding constant K_b was estimated to be 5.80 × 10⁵ M^-1. Hence, this developed optical sensor film has a significant efficiency for tracing mercury ions based on IXZD molecule-doped sensor film.

Dual Optical Nanosensor Based on Ormosil Nanoparticles for Monitoring O2 and pH

Monitoring O₂ and pH has excellent potential in different sensing applications, especially in biological and clinical applications. This report presents a protocol for synthesizing an optical dual nanosensor for those two parameters. The organically modified silica (ormosil) nanoparticles were prepared based on phenytrimethoxysilane in an aqueous solution using an acid-base one-pot strategy. Ormosil was selected as a lipophilic matrix for loading fluorescent O₂-sensitive dye platinum(II)-tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin (Pt-TPFPP), which was quenched in the presence of O₂ gas and exhibited a considerable detection proficiency within a percentage range of (0-100%) O₂. Commercially available drug ingredient salicylamide was labeled on the surface of the nanoparticles using a coupling agent (3-glycidoxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTMS). For measuring pH, salicylamide acted for the first time as a pH-sensitive probe based on a turn-on process with increasing pH. The nanosensor displayed a significant pH detection efficiency in the range of (pH = 6-10). Salicylamide turn-on fluorescence was attributed to the excited state intramolecular transfer (ESIPT) process followed by the inter charge transfer (ICT). The presented dual nanosensor opens new opportunities as a promising candidate material for industrial systems and medical applications.

Reversible acidochromism of a benzoxazole based scaffold and construction of reconfigurable dual output molecular logic gates

This report explores the reversible acidochromism of a benzoxazole-based scaffold (BPP), which is highly sensitive to the acid-base in the liquid and gas phases. With the addition of acid, the solution of BPP changes its color from yellow to pink fuchsia due to the transformation of its imine into quinonoid form. Colour change is completely reversible in the presence of the base, confirming the reversible acidochromic behavior of the present BPP system. Further, a paper strips-based test kit has been demonstrated for the practical utility of the present acidochromic BPP to identify a trace amount of acid-base in solution and gas-phase, respectively. The mechanistic aspect of detection of acid-base and colorimetric change in the presence of acid-base have been explored by density functional theoretical investigations and ¹H NMR experiments. Moreover, we have constructed a reconfigurable dual-output combinatorial logic circuit by utilizing the spectral shift between two wavelengths at 404 nm and 552 nm, respectively, and colorimetric change of the BPP in the presence and absence of acid-base.

Nanoparticle and surfactant controlled switching between proton transfer and charge transfer reaction coordinates

The reaction coordinates of a molecular photo-switch 2-(4'-diethylamino-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (DHP) was tuned with a nanoparticle and surfactant. DHP undergoes excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and emits normal and tautomer emissions in N,N-dimethylformamide. Silver nanoparticles suppress the ESIPT and induce twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT). Further addition of surfactants alters the process. Interestingly, different surfactants cause different effects. Accordingly, the luminescence characteristics are altered. The anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) restores the ESIPT process by completely detaching the molecule from the nanoparticle. The nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (TX-100), at lower concentration, enhances the TICT emission and the ESIPT process is also observed due to the release of some fluorophore from the nanoparticle complex. But at higher concentration the fluorophores are released completely and the ESIPT process is restored. The cationic surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), at lower concentration, simply restores the ESIPT process by releasing the fluorophore. But at higher CTAB concentration, DHP enters the metalparticle-CTAB aggregate and shows enhanced ESIPT.

Fine-tuning of the pharmacological potential of novel thiazolium ionic liquids by anion alteration

A novel series of thiazolium ionic liquids (TILs) bound to chloride (2a–c), tetrafluoroborate (BF₄) (3a–c), and bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf₂N) anions (4a–c) was synthesized and their physicochemical characteristics were investigated using various microanalytical techniques. The pharmacological potential of the new TILs was assessed as chemotherapeutic agents for bacterial infections and ovarian cancer (SKOV-3). Notably, ILs with the same cations become more bactericidal upon their binding with the strongest chaotropic anion (TN₂f). The in vitro toxicity of the TILs toward ovarian carcinoma cell lines (SKOV-3) and normal human skin fibroblast cells (HSF) revealed that all tested TILs have the capacity to induce a dose- and time-dependent decline in SKOV-3 cell viability, with Tf₂N-linked TILs (4a–c) having a preferable efficacy. In addition, the new compounds showed excellent selectivity for cancer cells (SKOV-3) over healthy cells (HSF). [ⁱPBzTh][Tf₂N] (4b) is the most cytotoxic and specific one and may act as a promising anti-ovarian cancer agent.

A novel series of thiazolium ionic liquids (TILs) bound to chloride (2a–c), tetrafluoroborate (BF₄) (3a–c), and bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (Tf₂N) anions (4a–c) was synthesized and their physicochemical characteristics were investigated.

Optical Sensing and Imaging of pH Values: Spectroscopies, Materials, and Applications

This is the first comprehensive review on methods and materials for use in optical sensing of pH values and on applications of such sensors. The Review starts with an introduction that contains subsections on the definition of the pH value, a brief look back on optical methods for sensing of pH, on the effects of ionic strength on pH values and pKa values, on the selectivity, sensitivity, precision, dynamic ranges, and temperature dependence of such sensors. Commonly used optical sensing schemes are covered in a next main chapter, with subsections on methods based on absorptiometry, reflectometry, luminescence, refractive index, surface plasmon resonance, photonic crystals, turbidity, mechanical displacement, interferometry, and solvatochromism. This is followed by sections on absorptiometric and luminescent molecular probes for use pH in sensors. Further large sections cover polymeric hosts and supports, and methods for immobilization of indicator dyes. Further and more specific sections summarize the state of the art in materials with dual functionality (indicator and host), nanomaterials, sensors based on upconversion and 2-photon absorption, multiparameter sensors, imaging, and sensors for extreme pH values. A chapter on the many sensing formats has subsections on planar, fiber optic, evanescent wave, refractive index, surface plasmon resonance and holography based sensor designs, and on distributed sensing. Another section summarizes selected applications in areas, such as medicine, biology, oceanography, bioprocess monitoring, corrosion studies, on the use of pH sensors as transducers in biosensors and chemical sensors, and their integration into flow-injection analyzers, microfluidic devices, and lab-on-a-chip systems. An extra section is devoted to current challenges, with subsections on challenges of general nature and those of specific nature. A concluding section gives an outlook on potential future trends and perspectives.

A Heparin based dual ratiometric sensor for Thrombin

Thrombin is an important enzyme that plays a pivotal role in the blood clotting pathways. An imbalance in the activity of this enzyme is clinically known to be associated with various diseases, such as thrombosis, inflammation, atherosclerosis, and haemophilia, suggesting the need to devise sensors for Thrombin detection. However, the majority of the fluorescence-based Thrombin assays rely on fluorescence labelling assays or Thrombin specific recognition biomolecules, such as, aptamers or antibody which requires sophisticated techniques and makes it very expensive. Herein, we report a simple, selective, sensitive and label-free fluorescence detection scheme for Thrombin which is based on the interaction between Thrombin and a fluorescent complex of Heparin with a molecular rotor dye, Thioflavin-T. The detection scheme exploits selective interaction between cationic Thrombin and anionic Heparin to modulate the monomer-aggregate equilibrium of the Thioflavin-T-Heparin system. Importantly, the present system offers a ratiometric response that has the ability for robust quantification of Thrombin concentration even in complex medium. The involvement of all commercially available components is a crucial advantage of this detection scheme. Further, the detection scheme also shows reasonable response in diluted serum matrix.

A simple, quantitative method for spectroscopic detection of metformin using gold nanoclusters

We synthesized bovine serum albumin (BSA)-stabilized gold nanoclusters (BSA-GNCs) and confirmed their ultra-small size using HRTEM (High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscope) and DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering). The fluorescence intensity of BSA-GNCs is "turned off" in the presence of Cu(II) metal ions. The resulting Cu(II)-mediated BSA-GNCs were utilized to detect metformin, a drug used to control diabetes. Metformin binds to and displaces Cu(II) ions from the BSA on the surface of the nanoclusters, which turns on the fluorescence of the nanoclusters. The interactions between the protein-stabilized nanoclusters were investigated in the absence and presence of Cu(II) using circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cu(II)-quenched BSA-GNCs had an extremely high sensitivity to detect metformin, with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.068 μM and a dynamic range of limit of quantification (LOQ = 10/3 LOD) of 0.22 to 11 μM. The ability of this novel "turn-on" nanosensor to detect metformin in human serum and urine samples was confirmed: the percentage recovery in fluorescence for spiked analyte ranged from 96.00-98.50% and 92.60-96.62% in human serum and urine samples, respectively. Thus, BSA-GNCs provide a valid, sensitive, specific fluorometric methodology for the detection of metformin in biomedical applications.

Optical sensor film for metribuzin pesticide detection

We present a new ratiometric and colorimetric optical sensor film for detection one of the most prevalent pesticide metribuzin. The detection proceeds within the low concentration range between 0 and 1.5 μM. The optical film is based on (a) near infrared (NIR) dye 2-[2-[2-Chloro-3-[2-[1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-sulfobutyl)-2H-indol-2-ylidene]-ethylidene]-1-cyclopen-ten-1-yl]-eth-enyl]-3,3-di-methyl-1-(4-sulfobutyl)-3H-indolium hydroxide and (b) upconverting nanoparticles UCNPs of the NaYF₄:Yb,Er type (diameter ~40-100 nm) that can be emitted a dual (green and red) emission under 980 nm laser diode excitation. Commercially available polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was utilized as a homogeneous matrix for immobilizing NIR dye and UCNPs. The color of the NIR dye in the PVC matrix is based on the concentration of the metribuzin. When the sensor film is exposed to metribuzin the color changes from green to blue with a significant blue shift in the absorption peak (656 nm) of the NIR dye. Furthermore, the quenching of the red emission (659 nm) of the UCNPs is proceeded due to an inner filter effect. Thus, increasing the metribuzin concentration causes the red emission of UCNPs to be reduced. Conversely, the green emission (545 nm) of the UCNPs persists uninfluenced by metribuzin and can act as a reference signal. This optical sensor film provides great sensitivity based on their unique luminescence properties of UCNPs and recognition abilities within a very low detection limit for the metribuzin LOD 6.8 × 10^-8 M with a linear range of 0.23 to 1.5 μM and a relative standard deviation RSD_r (1%, n = 3). The novel optical sensor was applied to the detection of metribuzin in real water samples (surface and ground waters). The sensor film exhibits great selectivity in presence of different types of ions and pesticide molecules. But, atrazine pesticide interferes the analytical signal of the sensor film due to the presence of reactive amino groups in its structure. Memorably, we report the first optical chemical sensor film based on polymer film for metribuzin detection.

Ultrasensitive Optical Chemosensor for Cu(II) Detection

Herein, the main objective of this research is to design and synthesize a novel optical chemosensor, 2,6-Bis(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-4-(dicyanomethylene)-cyclohexane-1,1-dicarbo-nitrile (BDC), for detection of one of the most significant metal ions Cu(II). This novel fluorescent chemosensor exhibits unique optical properties with large Stokes shift (about 170 nm) approximately. The fluorescence and UV–vis absorption performance among the BDC probe and Cu(II) ions were examined in 1:9 (v/v) methanol–HEPES buffer (pH = 7.2) solution. Also, BDC displays high selectivity for Cu(II) concerning other cations. Moreover, this probe provides high selectivity and sensitivity based on their fluorescence properties and recognition abilities within a detection limit of the Cu(II) contents (LOD 2.3 x 10⁻⁷ M). The suggested mechanism of BDC sensor is attributed to the chelation process with Cu(II), to establish a 1:1 metal-ligand ratio complex with a binding constant (K_bind = 7.16 x 10⁴ M⁻¹). The detection process is accompanied by quenching the main emission peak of the BDC at 571 nm. All the experimental data were collected to investigate the effects of several important parameters such as reversibility and the concentration limits. Besides, we study the interference of various metal ions on selectivity and detection capacity of this significant Cu (II) ion. This novel chemosensor shows ultrasensitive, fast tracing of Cu(II) in the physiological pH range (pH 7.2) and therefore may propose a novel promising method for the investigation of the biological functions of Cu(II) in living cells.

Novel chemical sensor for detection Ca(II) ions based on ferutinin

A new optical chemical sensor based on medicinal compound, jaeschkeanadiol p-hydroxyben-zoate (Ferutinin), has been designed and utilized for Ca(II) ions detections. This natural optical sensor exhibits immense selectivity including fluorescence and absorption ratiometric for Ca(II) ions within precious physiological pH range. Further, the chelation process of the Ca(II) ions with the medicinal optical sensor ferutinin yields a 1:1 (metal: ligand) complex which is accompanied by fluorescence enhancement of the main emission band centered at 355 nm of the medicinal probe. The fluorescence "turn-on" effect is a clear evidence for the chelation process between ferutinin medicinal probe and Ca(II) ions and this could be simply detected. The new sensor was proposed depending on significant fluorescence mechanism, (MLCT, metal-ligand charge transfer). However, the interaction of the medicinal optical sensor with Ca(II) in presence of other cations was examined without any significant interference. Also, the new developed optical sensor consecutively exhibits low limit of detection (LOD) 1.5 nM for Ca(II) which is detected in very significant physiological pH range (pH = 7.4). Also, the probe provides high binding affinity towards Ca(II) with large binding constant K_b 5.97 × 10⁴ M^-1. As a result, this optical sensor may apply for detection Ca(II) in cell or biological samples.

ESIPT-capable 2,6-di(1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenols with very strong fluorescent sensing signals towards Cr(iii), Zn(ii), and Cd(ii): molecular variation effects on turn-on efficiency

The derivatization influence was studied for twelve 2,6-di(1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenols, whereby a strong fluorescent sensitivity for Cr(iii) was reported, while Zn(ii)/Cd(ii) sensing potentials also appeared.

A novel, highly sensitive, selective, reversible and turn-on chemi-sensor based on Schiff base for rapid detection of Cu(II)

In this work, a novel optical fluoro-chemisensor was designed and synthesized for copper (II) ions detection. The sensor film is created by embedded N,N-Bis(2-hydroxo-5-bromobenzyl)ethylenediamine in poly vinyl chloride (PVC) film in presence of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as plasticizer. The receptor Schiff base reveals "off-on" mode with high selectivity, significant sensitivity to Cu(II) ions. The selectivity of optical sensor for Cu(II) ions is the result of chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). The optimal conditions of pH and response time at which higher efficiency of sensor film is performed was found to be 6.8 and 2.48min. The possible interference of other metal ions in solution was examined in presence of different types of metal ions. This film shows high selectivity and ultra-sensitivity with low detection limit LOD (1.1×10^-8M). Thus, these considerable properties make it viable to monitor copper metal ions within very low concentration range (0-15×10^-6M Cu(II)) and highly selective even in the presence of different types of metal ions. The sensor reversibility was achieved by utilizing EDTA solution with concentration of 0.1M solution.