A Novel Hg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Selective Ratiometric Fluorescent Chemodosimeter Based on an Intramolecular FRET Mechanism

A irreversible Hg²⁺ selective ratiometric fluorescence probe FR, a fluorescein fluorophore linked to a rhodamine B hydrazide by a thiourea spacer, was designed and synthesized. The developed probe FR exhibited great ratiometric fluorescence enhancement and remarkable yellow-magenta color change toward Hg²⁺ with excellent selectivity in aqueous acetone solution, and the ratiometric fluorescence response to Hg²⁺ was not interfered by other metal cations including Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cr³⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Mn²⁺. The linear range and the detection limit of this supposed ratiometric fluorescence method for Hg²⁺ were 0.0–10.0 × 10⁻⁶ and 5 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively.     

An NBD-based Sensitive and Selective Fluorescent Sensor for Copper(II) Ion

A new 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD) derived fluorescent probe (1) exhibiting high selectivity for Cu²⁺ detection, produced significant fluorescence quenching in the presence of Cu²⁺ ion, while the metal ions Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ produced only minor changes in fluorescence. The apparent association constant (K _a) for Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was found to be 1.22 × 10³ M⁻¹. The maximum fluorescence quenching activity caused by Cu²⁺ binding to 1 was observed over the pH range 6–10.     

Studies on Interaction of Norfloxacin,Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, and DNA by Spectral Methods

The interactions of norfloxacin (NFA), DNA, and Cu²⁺ are studied by fluorescence and UV-spectra method. According to the experimental results, it can be concluded that NFA can form a steady binary complex with Cu²⁺. There is a linear relationship between the Fluorescence intensity of the norfloxacin–Cu²⁺–DNA system and the concentration of DNA. And when the concentration of the NFA is 1.95×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, they possess a good linearity in the concentration of DNA ranged from 4.7×10⁻⁶ to 2.8×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹.It is a good method due to the high sensitivity and selectivity.     

A Coumarin-Based Fluorescent Chemosensor for Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> in Aqueous Ethanol Media

A coumarin-based fluorescent chemosensor 1 for Zn²⁺ was designed and synthesized. Compound 1 exhibits lower background fluorescence due to intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer. However, upon mixing with Zn²⁺ in 30% (v/v) aqueous ethanol, a “turn-on” fluorescence emission is observed. The fluorescence emission increases linearly with Zn²⁺ concentration in the range 0.5–10 μmol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.29 μmol L⁻¹. No remarkable emission enhancement was, however, observed for other metal ions. The proposed chemosensor was applied to the determination of Zn²⁺ in water samples with satisfactory results.     

Spectroscopic Studies of a New Multi-Element Sensitive Fluorescent Probe Derived from 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole: Selective Discrimination of Zn2+ from Its Congeners

ABSTRACT

A new multielement sensitive fluorescent probe, 1-(2-(phenylthio)ethyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (L), has been synthesized by the reaction between 2-(pyridyl) benzimidazole and 2-chloroethyl phenyl sulfide. Excitation and emission wavelength of L are at 330 and 371 nm, respectively. Among various transition and nontransition metal ions, it can selectively read Zn²⁺ ion as the emission wavelength of L undergoes a red shift by 31 nm upon binding with Zn²⁺ in methanol. In the presence of Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and other common cations, the emission wavelength of L remains unchanged, and thus allows us to discriminate Zn²⁺ from its congeners. Both L and its Zn²⁺ complex are well characterized by different spectroscopic techniques like ¹H-NMR, ESI-TOF (+) mass, FT-IR, and elemental analysis data. The binding constant value of the complexation reaction between L and Zn²⁺ is found as 724.6 M^?1 in methanol. Density functional theoretical (DFT) studies nicely demonstrate the red shift in the emission wavelength of L upon binding with Zn^2+.     

Study on the New Fluorescence Enhancement System of Tb –N-(2 - Pyridinyl) Ketoacetamide-Et<Subscript>3</Subscript>N-Zn and its Application

A sensitive fluorescence enhancement system was developed for the determination of zinc (II). The fluorescence intensity of the Tb- N- (2 - Pyridinyl) ketoacetamide (PKA) system was greatly enhanced by the addition of triethylamine (Et₃N) and zinc nitrate in the methanol solution. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 329 nm and 546 nm, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensities varied linearly with the concentration of Zn²⁺ in the range of 8.0×10⁻⁷−5.0×10⁻⁶ M with a detection limit of 9.9×10⁻⁸ M. The interferences of some substances were described. This method was applied to the determination of amounts of Zn²⁺ in soybean, rice, and wheat, respectively. The results showed that the proposed procedure is a high selective, simple, and rapid method to the determination of Zn²⁺ ion. The mechanism of fluorescence enhancement was also studied.     

Design and Synthesis of Highly Photostable Yellow–Green Emitting 1,8-Naphthalimides as Fluorescent Sensors for Metal Cations and Protons

Two highly photostable yellow–green emitting 1,8-naphthalimides 5 and 6, containing both N-linked hindered amine moiety and a secondary or tertiary cation receptor, were synthesized for the first time. Novel compounds were configured as “fluorophore–spacer–receptor” systems based on photoinduced electron transfer. Photophysical characteristics of the dyes were investigated in DMF and water/DMF (4:1, v/v) solution. The ability of the new compounds to detect cations was evaluated by the changes in their fluorescence intensity in the presence of metal ions (Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺) and protons. The presence of metal ions and protons was found to disallow a photoinduced electron transfer leading to an enhancement in the dye fluorescence intensity. Compound 5, containing secondary amine receptor, displayed a good sensor activity towards metal ions and protons. However the sensor activity of dye 6, containing a tertiary amine receptor and a shorter hydrocarbon spacer, was substantially higher. The results obtained indicate the potential of the novel compounds as highly photostable and efficient “off–on” pH switchers and fluorescent detectors for metal ions with pronounced selectivity towards Cu²⁺ ions.     

A New Sensitive and Selective Off-On Fluorescent Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Chemosensor Based on 3,3′,5,5′-Tetraphenylsubstituted Dipyrromethene

3,3′,5,5′-Tetraphenyl-2,2′-dipyrromethene was described as a highly sensitive and selective Off-on fluorescent colorimetric chemosensor for Zn²⁺ based on the chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect. The reaction of dipyrromethene ligand with Zn²⁺ induces the formation of the [ZnL₂] complex, which exhibits the increasing fluorescence in 120 fold compared with ligand in the propanol-1/cyclohexane (1:30) binary mixture. The Zn²⁺ detection limit was 1.4 × 10^?7 М. The UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic studies demonstrated that the dipyrromethene sensor was highly selective toward Zn²⁺ cations over other metal ions (Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺), excluding Hg²⁺.     

A New Fluorescent Chemosensor Detecting Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and K<Superscript>+</Superscript> in DMF Buffered Solution

A new fluorescent chemosensor 2-(2-thiophene)imidazo [4,5,f]-1,10-phenanthroline (L) was prepared and characterized. By adding univalent or divalent metal ions such as Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions into the solution of L in DMF under buffered conditions with the working pH ranging from 7.0 to 8.0, we found that L could be used to detect K⁺ ratiometricly and it could also be applied to sense Co²⁺ with the phenomenon of fluorescence quenching of L. While the response behavior of L was not discernibly affected by other examined metal ions.     

A Pyrene-based Highly Selective Turn-on Fluorescent Sensor for Copper(II) Ion and its Application in Live Cell Imaging

A new pyrene derivative (chemosensor 1) containing a picolinohydrazide moiety exhibits high selectivity for Cu²⁺ ion detection in mixed aqueous media (CH₃OH:H₂O = 7:3). Significant fluorescence enhancement was observed with chemosensor 1 in the presence of Cu²⁺. However, the metal ions Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺ produced only minor changes in fluorescence for the system. The apparent association constant (K _a) of Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was found to be 2.75*10³ M⁻¹. The maximum fluorescence enhancement caused by Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was observed over the pH range 5–8. Moreover, by means of fluorescence microscopy experiments, it is demonstrated that 1 can be used as a fluorescent probe for detecting Cu²⁺ in living cells.     

Rhod-5N as a Fluorescent Molecular Sensor of Cadmium(II) Ion

The photophysical and complexing properties of Rhod-5N (commercially available) in MOPS buffer are reported. This fluorescent molecular sensor consists of a BAPTA chelating moiety bound to a rhodamine fluorophore. Its fluorescence quantum yield is low and a drastic enhancement of fluorescence intensity upon cation binding was observed. Special attention was paid to the complexation with Cd²⁺, a well known toxic metal ion. Possible interference with other metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺) was examined. Rhod-5N was found to be highly selective of Cd²⁺ over those interfering cations except Pb²⁺. The limit of detection is 3.1 μg l⁻¹.     

Determination of Trace Mercury by Solid Substrate-Room Temperature Phosphorimetry Quenching Method Based on Catalytic Effect of Hg2+on Formation of the Ion Association Complex [Sn(XO)6]4+·[(Fin)4]

A new method for the determination of trace mercury by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) quenching method has been established. In glycine-HCl buffer solution, xylenol orange (XO) can react with Sn⁴⁺ to form the complex [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺. [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺ can interact with Fin⁻ (fluorescein anion) to form the ion associate [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺·[(Fin)₄]⁻, which can emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on polyamide membrane (PAM). Hg²⁺ can catalyze H₂O₂ oxidizing the ion association complex [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺·[(Fin)₄]⁻, which causes the RTP to quench. The ΔIp value is directly proportional to the concentration of Hg²⁺ in the range of 0.016–1.6 fg spot⁻¹ (corresponding concentration: 0.040–4.0 pg ml⁻¹, 0.40 μl spot⁻¹), and the regression equation of working cure is ΔIp=10.03+83.15 m Hg²⁺ (fg spot⁻¹), (r=0.9987, n=6) and the detection limit (LD) is 3.6 ag spot⁻¹(corresponding concentration: 9.0×10^–15 g ml⁻¹, the sample volume: 0.4 μl). This simple, rapid, accurate method is of high selectivity and good repeatability, and it has been successfully applied to the determination of trace mercury in real samples. The reaction mechanism for catalyzing H₂O₂ oxidizing the ion association complex ([Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺·[(Fin)₄]⁻) SS-RTP quenching method to determine trace mercury is also discussed.     

Effect of Pendant Group Length Upon Metal Ion Complexation in Acetonitrile by Di-Ionized Calix[4]Arenes Bearing Two Dansyl Fluorophores

A series of three di-ionizable calix[4]arenes with two pendant dansyl (1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl) groups linked to the lower rims was synthesized. Structures of the three ligands were identical except for the length of the spacers which connected the two dansyl groups to the calix[4]arene scaffold. Following conversion of the ligands into their di-ionized di(tetramethylammonium) salts, absorption and emission spectrophotometry were utilized to probe the influence of metal cation (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺) complexation in acetonitrile. Upon complexation with these metal cations, emission spectra underwent marked red shifts and quenching of the dansyl group fluorescence for the di-ionized ligand with the shortest spacer. A similar effect was noted for the di-ionized ligand with an intermediate spacer for all of the metal ions, except Ba²⁺. For the di-ionized ligand with the longest spacer, the metal cations showed different effects on the emission spectrum. Li⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ caused enhancement of emission intensity with a red shift. Other metal cations produce quenching with red shifts in the emission spectra. Transition metal cations interacted strongly with all three di-ionized ligands. In particular, Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ caused greater than 99% quenching of the dansyl fluorescence in the di-ionized ligands.     

Oxygen-dependent Oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) and Interaction of Fe(III) with Bovine Serum Albumin, Leading to a Hysteretic Effect on the Fluorescence of Bovine Serum Albumin

The serum albumin is the most abundant protein in blood plasma and the iron is essential for many cellular processes. However, the interaction between Fe³⁺ and haem-free serum albumin remains unclear. Here we provide evidence for the fact that haem-free BSA possesses one specific Fe³⁺-binding site. The binding of Fe³⁺ to BSA results in a significant quenching of the Trp fluorescence of BSA. The average apparent dissociation constant value for the interaction of Fe³⁺ and BSA is 3.46 × 10⁻⁸ ± 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ M at 37 °C and 3.30 × 10⁻⁸ ± 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ M at 25 °C, respectively, as determined by fluorescence titration. Addition of 50 μM Fe²⁺ to 1 μM BSA results in an obvious hysteretic effect on the fluorescence of BSA. The time-dependent fluorescence quenching of BSA by Fe²⁺ is not caused by the Fe²⁺-induced conformational change of BSA, but the oxygen-dependent oxidation of Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺. Fe²⁺ undergoes an oxygen-dependent oxidation to Fe³⁺ under aerobic conditions, which is accelerated by the interaction of BSA with Fe³⁺ and extensively inhibited under anaerobic conditions. The results suggest that BSA may take part in non-transferrin bound iron transfer.     

A Novel Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluorescent Sensor for Imaging Copper (II) in Living Cells

In this work, we designed and synthesized a novel quinolin-based derivative which exhibited signaling behaviors for Cu²⁺. Upon the addition of Cu²⁺ to the solution of the molecule, it displayed an obvious fluorescence quenching in a linear fashion due to the formation of a 1:1 metal–ligand complex. This fluorescent sensor exhibited a rare sensitivity toward Cu(II) (the level of magnitude could be 6?×?10^?8), a rapid response (<10 s) and also high selectivity toward Cu²⁺ over other metal ions such as Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺. Simultaneously, the cell imaging experiments and filter paper test demonstrated its extensive applicability.     

Azathia crown ethers carrying pyrene pendant as receptor molecules for metal sensor systems

A series of crown ethers carrying a pyrene group with nitrogen–sulfur donor atoms, that differ in having three, four and five sulfur atoms in the macrocycle was designed and synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding macrocyclic compound and 1-bromomethylpyrene. The influence of metal cations such as Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Al³⁺ on the spectroscopic properties of the ligands was investigated in acetonitrile–dichloromethane (1:1) by means of absorption and emission spectrometry. Absorption spectra show isosbestic points in the spectrophotometric titration of Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺. The results of spectrophotometric titration experiments disclosed the complexation compositions and complex stability constants of the novel ligands with Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ cations. The monoazatetrathia crown ether showed good sensitivity for Cu²⁺ with linearity in the range 5.0×10^?7–2.5×10^?6 M and detection limit of 1.6×10^?8 M.     

Interaction of a New Fluorescent Probe with DNA and its Use in Determination of DNA

In this paper we reported a metal complex 1-Zn (2,5-di-[2-(3,5-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethylene]-pyrazine-Zn) as a fluorescent probe sensing DNA. The result of the competitive experiment of the probe with ethidium bromide (EB) to bind DNA, absorption spectral change and polarization change in the presence and absence of DNA revealed that interaction between the probe and DNA was via intercalation. Ionic strength experiment showed the existence of electrostatic interaction as well. Scatchard plots also confirmed the combined binding modes. The fluorescence enhancement of the probe was ascribed to highly hydrophobic environment when it bound the macromolecules such as DNA, RNA or denatured DNA. The binding constant between the probe and DNA was estimated as 3.13 × 10⁷ mol⁻¹ L. The emission intensity increase was proportional to the concentration of DNA. Based on this, the probe was used to determine the concentration of calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA). The corresponding linear response ranged from 2.50 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.75 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, and detection limit was 1.93 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for ct-DNA.     

Fluorescent Method for the Determination of Sulfide Anion with ZnS:Mn Quantum Dots

Water-soluble Mn²⁺-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were prepared using mercaptoacetic acid as the stabilizer. The optical properties and structure features were characterized by X-Ray, absorption spectrum, IR spectrum and fluorescence spectrum. In pH 7.8 Tris-HCl buffer, the QDs emitted strong fluorescence peaked at 590 nm with excitation wavelength at 300 nm. The presence of sulfide anion resulted in the quenching of fluorescence and the intensity decrease was proportional to the S²⁻ concentration. The linear range was from 2.5 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.8 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ with detection limit as 1.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. Most anions such as F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, CH₃CO₂ ⁻, ClO₄ ⁻, CO₃ ²⁻, NO₂ ⁻, NO₃ ⁻, S₂O₃ ²⁻, SO₃ ²⁻ and SO₄ ²⁻ did not interfere with the determination. Thus a highly selective assay was proposed and applied to the determination of S²⁻ in discharged water with the recovery of ca. 103%.     

Turn-off Fluorescence Chemosensor for Iron with Bis(2-aminoethyl)-2-(9-fluorenyl)malonamide Functionlized SBA-15

An bis(2-aminoethyl)-2-(9-fluorenyl)malonamide as fluorophore ligand was immobilized onto mesoporous silica type SBA-15 via post synthesis grafting. The obtained material was characterized by small and wide angle X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis that indicate the successful immobilization of the ligand on the surface of mesoporous silica. The sensing ability of the obtained material was studied by addition of the cations Fe³⁺, Mg²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ to water suspensions of the assayed solid. Of all the cations tested addition of Fe³⁺ ion to a suspension of this material resulted in the largest decrease in the fluorescence intensity. Turn-off photoluminescence of this material was remarkably observed for iron ions in comparing of the other cations. A good linearity between the fluorescence intensity of this material and the concentration of Fe³⁺ ion is constructed, which enables it as a fluorescence chemosensor for detecting the Fe³⁺ ion with a suitable detection limit of 1.35?×?10^?5. It can be introduced as a novel fluorescent sensor in aqueous solution for a lot of practical applications in chemical, environmental and biological systems.