Evaluation of naked-eye sensing and anion binding studies in meso-fluorescein substituted one-walled calix[4]pyrrole (C4P)

In this paper, we have design, synthesized and fully characterized a new meso-fluorescein substituted one-walled calix[4]pyrrole (C4P7), obtained from simple and easily available starting materials such as fluorescein, 4-hydroxyacetophenone and pyrrole. The anion sensing studies reveal that the C4P7 system displays selective and sensitive naked-eye sensing towards fluoride, phosphate, and acetate anions with the limit of detection of 4.27 mg L-1, 6.4 mg L-1, and 5.94 mg L-1, respectively. Moreover, the C4P7 receptor displays good results of binding (host-guest, 1 : 1) towards a variety of anions. The 1 : 1 binding stoichiometry was further confirmed by means of Job's plots. TD-DFT calculations showed that the HOMO-LUMO gap decreases in all the complexes (C4P7@anions) in comparison to the free C4P7 system. The authors are of the opinion that this work may provide a good platform to explore calix[4]pyrrole chemistry in the arena of recognition/sensing of biologically significant analytes in future studies.

Ratiometric fluorescence-based and chromogenic sensors for the detection of fluoride ions and their application in real samples

This review focuses on the results of synthetic ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric probes, which have been applied to qualitatively and quantitatively detect fluoride anions in cells, living organisms, and real samples. Primary attention is given to progress made in the working mechanism and applications of these probes to detect fluoride ions in living systems. In addition, design strategies and detection limit for these probes are discussed. This review aims to deliver a comprehensive compilation of the examples reported from 2005 to 2021 on the developments of ratiometric chromogenic and fluorogenic chemosensors for fluoride anions. A total of 20 different ratiometric/colorimetric sensors have been selected for the novelty in their design, sensitivity, detection limit, dynamic range, and speed of detection based on the three fundamental principles of F- ion detection, namely Si-O bond cleavage; excimer emission; and intramolecular charge transfer emission through the B-F monomer, B-F-B bridged dimers, and deprotonation of the amide N-H. Special emphasis has been given to categorize the fluorophores that work in aqueous media, and possible strategies that might be adopted to design green sensors are discussed. Finally, a tabular summary of the comparative studies of all the sensors based on their sensitivity, detection limit, working solvent, and applications is provided. This extensive review may expedite improvements in the development of advanced fluorescent probes for vast and stimulating applications in the future.

Synthesis, Spectral, Redox, and Sensing Studies of β-Dicyanovinyl-Appended Corroles and Their Metal Complexes

A new family of β-dicyanovinyl (DCV)-appended corroles represented as MTPC(MN) (where M = 3H, Cu, Ag, and Co(PPh₃) and MN = malononitrile and TPC = 5,10,15-triphenylcorrole) were synthesized starting from the free base mono β-formyl corrole, H₃TPC(CHO), and characterized along with their respective MTPC(CHO) and MTPC complexes as to their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties in nonaqueous media. Comparisons between the two series of corroles demonstrate a pronounced substituent effect of the β-DCV group on the physicochemical properties making the MTPC(MN) derivatives substantially easier to reduce and more difficult to oxidize than the formyl or unsubstituted corroles. In addition, the colorimetric and spectral detection of 11 different anions (X) in the form of tetrabutylammonium salts (TBAX, X = PF₆^-, OAc^-, H₂PO₄^-, CN^-, HSO₄^-, NO₃^-, ClO₄^-, F^-, Cl^-, Br^-, and I^-) were also investigated in nonaqueous media. Of the investigated anions, only CN^- was found to induce changes in the UV-vis and ¹H NMR spectra of the β-DCV metallocorroles. This data revealed that CuTPC(MN) and AgTPC(MN) act as chemodosimeters for selective cyanide ion detection via a nucleophilic attack at the vinylic carbon of the DCV substituent, while (PPh₃)CoTPC(MN) acts as a chemosensor for cyanide ion sensing via axial coordination to the cobalt metal center. A low-limit detection of cyanide ions was observed at 1.69 ppm for CuTPC(MN) and 1.17 ppm for AgTPC(MN) in toluene.

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.

A Coumarin-azo Derived Colorimetric Chemosensor for Hg2+ Detection in Organic and Aqueous Media and its Extended Real-world Applications

Pollution caused by the release of toxic heavy metals into the environment by industrial and farming processes has been regarded as a major problem worldwide. This has attracted a great deal of attention into restoration and remediation. Mercury is classified as a toxic heavy metal which has posed significant challenges to public and environmental health. To date, conventional methods for mercury detection rely on expensive, destructive, complex, and highly specialized methods. Evidently, there is a need to develop systems capable of easily identifying and quantifying mercury within the environment. In this way, organic-based colorimetric chemosensors are gaining increasing popularity due to their high sensitivity, selectivity, cost-effectiveness, ease of design, naked-eye, and on-site detection ability. The formation of coumarin-azo derivative AD1 was carried out by a conventional diazotization reaction with coumarin-amine 1c and N,N-dimethylaniline. Sensor AD1 displayed remarkable visual colour change upon mercury addition with appreciable selectivity and sensitivity. The detection limit was calculated as 0.24 µM. Additionally, the reversible nature of AD1 allowed for the construction of an IMPLICATION type logic gate and Molecular Keypad Lock. Chemosensor AD1 displayed further sensing applications in real-world water samples and towards on-site assay methods. Herein, we describe a coumarin-derived chemosensor bearing an azo (N = N) functionality for the colorimetric and quantitative determination of Hg²⁺ in organic and aqueous media.

Water-soluble Al(iii), Fe(iii) and Cu(ii) formazanates: synthesis, structure, and applications in alkane and alcohol oxidations

The synthesis, structure and catalytic performance of water-soluble Al(iii), Fe(iii) and Cu(ii) formazanates in the oxidation of cyclohexane and cyclohexanol to the coresponding organic products are reported.

Highly efficient coumarin-derived colorimetric chemosensors for sensitive sensing of fluoride ions and their applications in logic circuits

In this study, three new compounds 6-substituted-3-acetylcoumarin 4-(2'-isocamphanyl)thiosemicarbazones (3a, 3b, and 3c) were facilely synthesized and employed as colorimetric chemosensors for fluoride ions. The recognition behaviors of receptors 3a, 3b, and 3c toward F^- were investigated by using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Among them, the receptor 3c displayed more superior sensitivity and rapid response time toward F^- with a swift naked-eye color change from colorless to purple, and its detection limit was as low as 6.3 × 10^-7 M, and the binding constant was calculated to be 2.58 × 10⁴ M^-1. Furthermore, the interaction mechanism between the receptor 3c and F^- was studied by ¹H NMR, HRMS, and density functional theory (DFT) studies, suggesting that initial formation of a hydrogen-bonded host-guest complex and the subsequent deprotonation of receptor 3c upon the addition of excess F^-, which was responsible for the remarkable changes in the absorption spectra of 3c. Besides, a combinatorial logic circuit of IMPLICATION and INHIBITION gates at the molecular level was fabricated using the reversibility of receptor 3c toward F^- and Mg²⁺. Finally, the test strips coated with receptor 3c revealed a good sensitivity for F^- in an aqueous medium. Apart from that, the excellent performance of receptor 3c for detecting F^- was reconfirmed by grinding them with KBr powder.

A novel colorimetric and ratiometric fluoride ion sensor derived from gallic acid

We report a novel colorimetric and ratiometric fluoride ion sensor derived from gallic acid.

A simple colorimetric and ratiometric fluoride ion probe with large color change

Two colorimetric and ratiometric fluoride ion probes SHJ-1 and SHJ-2 based on the acylhydrazone skeleton have been developed. Among the eight anions (F-, Cl-, Br-, I-, ClO4 -, H2PO4 -, HSO4 -, CH3COO-), the present probes showed high selectivity and sensitivity toward fluoride ion detection with obvious color change. Notably, the probe SHJ-1 exhibited a red shift of 145 nm upon fluoride sensing, which is the largest value among fluoride ion probes based on acylhydrazone derivates to date. 1HNMR titration study and theoretical calculations suggested that the strong binding of the probe SHJ-1 to fluoride as well as the further deprotonation may facilitate the intramolecular charge transfer transition. These two probes are 1 : 1 complexed with fluoride ions, and the detection limits were calculated to be 1.24 μM for SHJ-1 and 15.73 μM for SHJ-2.