Hg2+-sensing system based on structures of complexes

The first example of a new Hg(2+)-sensing system based on the structures of complexes is reported. The system uses a combination of a new chiral bidentate ligand and CD spectroscopy. Significant CD spectral changes are observed when Hg(2+) is added, whereas no CD spectral changes are observed in the cases of Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Rb(+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), La(3+), Gd(3+), and Pb(2+).     

Incorporation of triazole into a quinoline-rhodamine conjugate imparts iron(iii) selective complexation permitting detection at nanomolar levels

Two new rhodamine based probes 1 and 2 for the detection of Fe(3+) were synthesized and their selectivity towards Fe(3+) ions in the presence of other competitive metal ions tested. The probe 1 formed a coloured complex with Fe(3+) as well as Cu(2+) ions and revealed the lack of adequate number of coordination sites for selective complexation with Fe(3+). Incorporation of a triazole unit to the chelating moiety of 1 resulted in the probe 2, that displayed Fe(3+) selective complex formation even in the presence of other competitive metal ions like Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Cu(2+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Pb(2+). The observed limit of detection of Fe(3+) ions (5 × 10(-8) M) confirmed the very high sensitivity of 2. The excellent stability of 2 in physiological pH conditions, non-interference of amino acids, blood serum and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the detection process, and the remarkable selectivity for Fe(3+) ions permitted the use of 2 in the imaging of live fibroblast cells treated with Fe(3+) ions.     

Interferences in the atomic-absorption: determination of silicon

The following substances have been investigated with regard to their interfering effect in the determination of silicon by AAS: HCl, HNO(3), H(2)SO(4), Na(+), K(+), Cs(+), A1(3+), Ni(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), V(5+), Mg(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+) and Ti(4+). Some ternary systems with aluminium have been studied to examine the additive effects. Most of the interferents enhance the silicon absorption; only nickel and the acids exert depressive effects; the interference of copper and zinc is negligible.     

Dual-mode unsymmetrical squaraine-based sensor for selective detection of Hg2+ in aqueous media

A novel chemosensor based on unsymmetrical squaraine dye (USQ-1) for the selective detection of Hg(2+) in aqueous media is described. USQ-1 in combination with metal ions shows dual chromogenic and "turn-on" fluorogenic response selectivity toward Hg(2+) as compared to Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Al(3+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Ag(+), Pb(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+) and Co(2+) due to the Hg(2+)-induced deaggregation of the dye molecule. A recognition mechanism based on the binding mode is proposed based on the absorption and fluorescence changes, (1)H NMR titration experiments, ESI-MS study, and theoretical calculations.     

A highly selective fluorescence-based polymer sensor incorporating an (R,R)-salen moiety for Zn(2+) detection

A chiral polymer incorporating an (R,R)-salen moiety was synthesized by the polymerization of (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane with 2,5-dibutoxy-1,4-di(salicyclaldehyde)-1,4-diethynyl-benzene by a nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction. The fluorescence responses of the (R,R)-salen-based polymer toward various metal ions were investigated by fluorescence spectra. Compared with other cations, such as Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), and Pb(2+), Zn(2+) can lead to a pronounced fluorescence enhancement as high as 7.8-fold together with an obvious blue-shift change of the chiral polymer. More importantly, the fluorescent color of the polymer changed to bright blue instead of weak yellow after addition of Zn(2+), which can be easily detected by the naked eye. The results indicate that this kind of chiral polymer, incorporating an (R,R)-salen moiety as a receptor in the main chain backbone, can exhibit high sensitivity and selectivity for Zn(2+) recognition.     

A new ion sensor based on fiber optics

A fluorimetric ion sensor based on fiber optics has been developed that employs Rhodamine 6G hydrophobically and electrostatically "trapped" on a Nafion film. The sensor is based on the measurement of quenching or enhancement of the Rhodamine 6G fluorescence by various ions. It was found that ions such as Co(2+), Cr(3+), Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+) and NH(+)(4) rapidly quench the Rhodamine 6G fluorescence at an initial rate that depends on the concentration of the ion. This quenching is then readily reversed by the addition of "reverser" ions such as H(+), Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Ba(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+) and Mg(2+). Again, the initial rate for the attainment of the original fluorescence was found to depend on the concentration of the reverser ion. Therefore, by monitoring the quenching directly the concentration of quencher ions can be determined. In addition, by loading the film with quencher and monitoring the initial rate of return towards the original baseline signal, it is possible to determine non-quenching ions.     

A highly selective on/off fluorescence sensor for cadmium(II)

A polypyridyl ligand, 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(2-pyridyl)dipyrazino[2,3-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline (HPDQ), was found to have excellent fluorescent selectivity for Cd(2+) over many other metal ions (K(+), Na(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Ag(+), Hg(2+), Zn(2+), and Cr(3+)) based on the intramolecular charge-transfer mechanism, which makes HPDQ a potential fluorescence sensor or probe for Cd(2+). An obvious color change between HPDQ and HPDQ + Cd(2+) can be visually observed by the naked eye. The structure of the complex HPDQ-Cd has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Density functional theory calculation results on the HPDQ and HPDQ-Cd complexes could explain the experimental results.     

Salicylimine-based fluorescent chemosensor for aluminum ions and application to bioimaging

In this study, an assay to quantify the presence of aluminum ions using a salicylimine-based receptor was developed utilizing turn-on fluorescence enhancement. Upon treatment with aluminum ions, the fluorescence of the sensor was enhanced at 510 nm due to formation of a 1:1 complex between the chemosensor and the aluminum ions at room temperature. As the concentration of Al(3+) was increased, the fluorescence gradually increased. Other metal ions, such as Na(+), Ag(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Hg(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+), Cr(3+), Fe(3+), and In(3+), had no such significant effect on the fluorescence. In addition, we show that the probe could be used to map intracellular Al(3+) distribution in live cells by confocal microscopy.     

Selective colorimetric sensing of Cu2+ using triazolyl monoazo derivative

Although the high sensitivity, high selectivity and fast response make emission (fluorescence) based technique as one of the most promising tool for developing the chemosensors for metal ions, the past few years have witnessed a demand for the absorption based chemosensors for paramagnetic heavy metal ions, especially Cu(2+). Being paramagnetic, Cu(2+) leads to the low signal outputs ("turn-off") caused by decreased emission which may sometimes give false positive response, rendering the emission based technique less reliable for analytical purposes. Herein, we report synthesis and characterization of a hetarylazo derivative, characterized by a strong charge-transfer band which gets attenuated convincingly in the presence of Cu(2+) leading to distinct naked-eye color change (yellow to purple), and to a lesser extent in the presence of Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Co(2+), Pb(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Fe(3+) and Hg(2+) for which the naked eye sensitivity was comparatively (w.r.t. Cu(2+)) much less. No response was observed for the other metal ions including Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Mn(2+), Ag(+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+), and lanthanides Ce(3+), La(3+), Pr(3+), Eu(3+), Nd(3+), Lu(3+), Yb(3+), Tb(3+), Sm(3+), Gd(3+). The proposed sensing mechanism has been ascribed to the stabilization of LUMO after complexation with Cu(2+) and a 1:1 stoichiometry has been deduced.     

Development and applications of fluorescent indicators for Mg2+ and Zn2+

In a study of the spectroscopic behavior of two Schiff base derivatives, salicylaldehyde salicylhydrazone (1) and salicylaldehyde benzoylhydrazone (2), Schiff base 1 has high selectivity for Zn(2+) ion not only in abiotic systems but also in living cells. The ion selectivity of 1 for Zn(2+) can be switched for Mg(2+) by swapping the solvent from ethanol-water to DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide)-water mixtures. Imine 2 is a good fluorescent probe for Zn(2+) in ethanol-water media. Many other ions tested, such as Li(+), Na(+), Al(3+), K(+), Ca(2+), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Sn(2+), Ba(2+), Hg(2+), and Pb(2+), failed to induce any spectral change in various solvents. The selectivity mechanism of 1 and 2 for metal ions is based on a combinational effect of proton transfer (ESPT), C═N isomerization, and chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). The coordination modes of the complexes were investigated.     

Oxidative cyclization of thiosemicarbazone: an optical and turn-on fluorescent chemodosimeter for Cu(II)

A weakly fluorescent thiosemicabazone (L(1)H) was found to be a selective optical and "turn-on" fluorescent chemodosimeter for Cu(2+) ion in aqueous medium. A significant fluorescence enhancement along with change in color was only observed for Cu(2+) ion; among the other tested metal ions (viz. Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Cr(3+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+), Ag(+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Fe(3+) and Mn(2+)). The Cu(2+) selectivity resulted from an oxidative cyclization of the weak fluorescent L(1)H into highly fluorescent rigid 4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-4-(naphthalen-5-yl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione (L(2)). The signaling mechanism has been confirmed by independent synthesis with detail characterization of L(2).     

Colorimetric detection of Fe3+ ions using pyrophosphate functionalized gold nanoparticles

A sensitive, selective colorimetric Fe(3+) detection method has been developed by using pyrophosphate functionalized gold nanoparticles (P(2)O(7)(4-)-AuNPs). Gold nanoparticles were prepared by reducing HAuCl(4) with sodium borohydride, in the presence of Na(4)P(2)O(7). IR spectra suggested that pyrophosphates were capped on the surface of the gold nanoparticles. Aggregation of P(2)O(7)(4-)-AuNPs was induced immediately in the presence of Fe(3+) ions, yielding a color change from pink to violet. This Fe(3+)-induced aggregation of P(2)O(7)(4-)-AuNPs was monitored using first the naked eye and then UV-vis spectroscopy with a detection limit of 5.6 μM. The P(2)O(7)(4-)-AuNPs bound by Fe(3+) showed excellent selectivity compared to other metal ions (Ca(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Fe(2+), Hg(2+), K(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Na(+), Ni(2+), Pb(2+), and Zn(2+)). The best detection of Fe(3+) was achieved in a pH range from 3 to 9. In addition, the P(2)O(7)(4-)-AuNPs were also used to detect Fe(3+) in lake water samples, with low interference.     

Highly sensitive and fast responsive fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for Cu2+ and its application in live cell imaging

A rhodamine B derivative 4 containing a highly electron-rich S atom has been synthesized as a fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for Cu(2+). Following Cu(2+)-promoted ring-opening, redox and hydrolysis reactions, comparable amplifications of absorption and fluorescence signals were observed upon addition of Cu(2+); this suggests that chemodosimeter 4 effectively avoided the fluorescence quenching caused by the paramagnetic nature of Cu(2+). Importantly, 4 can selectively recognize Cu(2+) in aqueous media in the presence of other trace metal ions in organisms (such as Fe(3+), Fe(2+), Cu(+), Zn(2+), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), and Ni(2+)), abundant cellular cations (such as Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+)), and the prevalent toxic metal ions in the environment (such as Pb(2+) and Cd(2+)) with high sensitivity (detection limit < or =10 ppb) and a rapid response time (< or =1 min). Moreover, by virtue of the chemodosimeter as fluorescent probe for Cu(2+), confocal and two-photon microscopy experiments revealed a significant increase of intracellular Cu(2+) concentration and the subcellular distribution of Cu(2+), which was internalized into the living HeLa cells upon incubation in growth medium supplemented with 50 muM CuCl(2) for 20 h.     

A highly selective turn-on colorimetric, red fluorescent sensor for detecting mobile zinc in living cells

We describe ZRL1, a turn-on colorimetric and red fluorescent zinc ion sensor. The Zn(2+)-promoted ring opening of the rhodamine spirolactam ring in ZRL1 evokes a 220-fold fluorescence turn-on response. In aqueous media, ZRL1 turn-on luminescence is highly selective for Zn(2+) ions, with no significant response to other competitive cations, including Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), or Hg(2+). In addition to these characteristics, preliminary results indicate that ZRL1 can be delivered to living cells and can be used to monitor changes in intracellular Zn(2+) levels.     

A BODIPY-based colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor for Hg(II) ions and its application to living cell imaging

A new monostyryl boron dipyrromethene derivative (MS1) appended with two triazole units indicates the presence of Hg(2+) among other metal ions with high selectivity by color change and red emission. Upon Hg(2+) binding, the absorption band of MS1 is blue-shifted by 29 nm due to the inhibition of the intramolecular charge transfer from the nitrogen to the BODIPY, resulting in a color change from blue to purple. Significant fluorescence enhancement is observed with MS1 in the presence of Hg(2+); the metal ions Ag(+), Ca(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(2+), Fe(3+), K(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), Pb(2+), and Zn(2+) cause only minor changes in the fluorescence of the system. The apparent association constant (K(a)) of Hg(2+) binding in MS1 is found to be 1.864 × 10(5) M(-1). In addition, fluorescence microscopy experiments show that MS1 can be used as a fluorescent probe for detecting Hg(2+) in living cells.     

A squaraine-based colorimetric and "turn on" fluorescent sensor for selective detection of Hg2+ in an aqueous medium

A novel squaraine-based chemosensor SQ-1 has been synthesized, and its sensing behavior toward various metal ions was investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. In AcOH-H(2)O (40:60, v/v) solution, Hg(2+) ions coordinate with SQ-1 causing a deaggregation which induces a visual color and absorption spectral changes as well as strong fluorescence. In contrast, the addition of other metals (e.g., Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Al(3+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Fe(3+), Ca(2+), K(+), Mg(2+), Na(+), and Ag(+)) does not induce these changes at all. Thus SQ-1 is a specific Hg(2+) sensing agent due to the inducing deaggregation of the dye molecule by Hg(2+).     

Selective detection of mercury (II) ion using nonlinear optical properties of gold nanoparticles

Contamination of the environment with heavy metal ions has been an important concern throughout the world for decades. Driven by the need to detect trace amounts of mercury in environmental samples, this article demonstrates for the first time that nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of MPA-HCys-PDCA-modified gold nanoparticles can be used for rapid, easy and reliable screening of Hg(II) ions in aqueous solution, with high sensitivity (5 ppb) and selectivity over competing analytes. The hyper Rayleigh scattering (HRS) intensity increases 10 times after the addition of 20 ppm Hg(2+) ions to modified gold nanoparticle solution. The mechanism for HRS intensity change has been discussed in detail using particle size-dependent NLO properties as well as a two-state model. Our results show that the HRS assay for monitoring Hg(II) ions using MPA-HCys-PDCA-modified gold nanoparticles has excellent selectivity over alkali, alkaline earth (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+)), and transition heavy metal ions (Pb(2+), Pb(+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+)).     

A new Schiff base system bearing two naphthalene groups as fluorescent chemodosimeter for Zn2+ ion and its logic gate behavior

1-((E)-(2-((2-nitrobenzyl)(2-((E)-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methyleneamino)ethyl)amino)ethylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (H(2)L), The new compound featuring two naphthalene units was synthesized and characterized. We find that H(2)L has high selectivity and sensitivity to detect Zn(2+) ion over other metal ions such as Na(+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+), Hg(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), Fe(3+), and the sensitivity is about 10(-7)M. The fluorescent changes of H(2)L upon the addition of cations Zn(2+) and triethylamine is utilized as an AND logic gate at the molecular level, using Zn(2+) and triethylamine as chemical inputs and the fluorescence intensity signal as output.     

Poly(amine ester) dendrimer with naphthyl units as a fluorescent chemosensor for Al(III), Cu(II), and Zn(II).

A poly(amine ester) dendrimer with naphthyl units (G1N6) has been synthesized as a fluorescent chemosensor for metal ions. We investigated the metal-ion recognition of G1N6 by adding each of Ag(+), Al(3+), Ba(2+), Ca(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), Mg(2+), Ni(2+), and Zn(2+) in acetonitrile solution. Large changes were observed in the fluorescence spectra of G1N6 upon the addition of Al(3+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+).     

Terbium hybrid particles with spherical shape as luminescent probe for detection of Cu2+ and Fe3+ in water

A novel green emissive terbium inorganic-polymeric hybrid particle was designed and this material could detect cations in water. Polyvinyl alcohol as an amphiphilic surfactant rendered the powders dispersible in water with regular round shape (10-20 μm). Interestingly, we noticed that not only Cu(2+) (detection limit 10(-4)M) but also Fe(3+) (detection limit 10(-4) M) can give rise to emission quenching to this target material in comparison with K(+), Na(+), Fe(2+), Mn(2+), Pd(2+), Cd(2+) and Co(2+) (10(-3) mol L(-1)). We regarded that the coordination interactions between ligand and metal ions resulted in these quenching processes. Additionally, it was found that the sensing material can be repeatedly used at least 5 cycles. More importantly, this novel material demonstrated higher thermal-stability in aqueous media than pure silica hybrid material.