A New Fluorescent Chemosensor for Metal Ions Based upon 1,8‐Naphthalimide and 8‐Hydroxyquinoline

A new fluorescent chemosensor based upon 1,8‐naphthalimide and 8‐hydroxyquinoline was synthesized, and its fluorescent properties in the presence of different metal cations (Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ba²⁺) were investigated. It displayed fluorescence quenching with some heavy and transition metal (HTM) ions, and the quenching strongly depended on the nature of HTM ions.     

New green fluorescent polyvinylcarbazole copolymer with 1,8‐naphthalimide side chains as chemosensor for iron cations

The synthesis and basic photophysical characteristics of a novel green fluorescent polyvinylcarbazole polymer containing 4‐N,N‐dimethylaminoethyleneamino‐1,8‐naphthalimide side chains has been described. The ability to sense metal cations has been monitored by fluorescence emission spectroscopy. It is shown that the fluorescent intensity is very sensitive to the Fe²⁺ cations and the copolymer can be used as an homogeneous and heterogeneous fluorescent sensor for Fe²⁺ cations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel blue fluorescent chemosensor for metal cations and protons,based on 1,8‐naphthalimide and its copolymer with styrene

A new blue emitting 2‐allyl‐6‐(2‐dimethylaminoethyloxy)‐benzo[de]isoquinoline‐1,3‐dione, bearing an allylic group has been designed and synthesized. Bulk radical copolymerization has been carried out in order to prepare a fluorescent copolymer, based on styrene. The main photophysical characteristics of the monomeric and polymeric fluorophores have been investigated both in the absence and presence of metal cations and protons. It has been found that the monomeric naphthalimide can be used as a sensor for protons and Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ce³⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ag⁺ cations. The polymeric fluorophore has been shown to be a selective chemosensor for Cu²⁺ cations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluorescence Chemosensor for Cu2+ and Zn2+ Based on Solvent Effect

A novel fluorescence chemosensor 1 based on (R)‐binaphthyl‐salen can exhibit highly sensitive and selective recognition responses toward Cu²⁺ by "turn‐off" fluorescence quench type in THF/H₂O, and Zn²⁺ by "turn‐on" fluorescence enhancement type in CHCl₃/CH₃CN, respectively, suggesting that solvents can dramatically affect the responsive properties of salen‐based chemosensor. In addition, Cu²⁺ can lead to the most pronounced changes of CD spectra without the influence of solvents, which indicates this kind chemosensor can also be used as a sole Cu²⁺ probe based on CD spectra.     

A New,Highly Potent 1,8‐Naphthalimide‐based Fluorescence “Turn off” Chemosensor Capable of Cu2+ Detection in China's Yellow River Water Samples

A new 1,8‐naphthalimide‐based fluorescence “turn off” chemosensor, N‐phenyl‐4‐(3,3′‐((2‐aminoethyl)azanediyl)dipropanoic acid)‐1,8‐naphthalimide ( MAST ), for the detection of Cu²⁺ was synthesized. Upon treatment with Cu²⁺, in coexistence with various competitive metal ions in HEPES‐buffered dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution (v/v, 1:1; pH 7.4), MAST displayed a high selectivity toward Cu²⁺ with a fluorescence quenching of 83.67%. Additionally, a good linear response of MAST for the detection of Cu²⁺ was obtained in the concentration range of 10 × 10⁻⁶ to 50 × 10⁻⁶ M. A 1:1 stoichiometric interaction of MAST with Cu²⁺ was observed, and the association constant and detection limit were calculated to be 1.37 × 10⁶ and 0.69 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively. The sensing mechanism of the chemosensor toward Cu²⁺ was proposed due to the effect of the paramagnetic nature of Cu²⁺ and reverse‐photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) process. Ultimately, the proposed chemosensor was applied to quantify Cu²⁺ in real‐world water samples, with excellent recovery rates of 98.00–109.80% observed.     

Reversible fluorescence sensing of Zn2+ based on pyridine-constrained bis(triazole-linked hydroxyquinoline) sensor

Zinc ion (Zn²⁺) is an important and a most useful biological trace nutrient responsible for the activity of several enzymes. Zn²⁺ concentrations in the environment as well as in the human body increase beyond permissible limits as a consequence of its mining and widespread industrial applications. Such excess Zn²⁺ concentrations are toxic to humans and many aquatic organisms. The magnetic inertness and spin paired electronic configuration of Zn²⁺ makes it hard to detect by common analytical techniques. Therefore, fluorometric detection using chemosensor is the most effective tool for the environmental and biological detection of Zn²⁺. We have developed a novel pyridine-constrained bis(triazole-linked hydroxyquinoline) ligand as a reversible fluorescent chemosensor for Zn²⁺. The symmetrical ligand is highly selective for Zn²⁺ and fluoresces brightly upon complexation compared with other metal ions based on chelation-enhanced fluorescence mechanism. Interestingly, free ligand can be regenerated by treating the ligand–Zn²⁺ complex with aqueous ammonia.     

Ion Interactions with a New Ditopic Naphthalimide‐Based Receptor: A Photophysical,NMR and Theoretical (DFT) Study

A new multi‐component chemosensor system comprising a naphthalimide moiety as fluorophore is designed and developed to investigate receptor–analyte binding interactions in the presence of metal and non‐metal ions. A dimethylamino moiety is utilized as receptor for metal ions and a thiourea receptor, having acidic protons, for binding anions. The system is characterized by conventional analytical methods. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the system consist of a broad band typical for an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The effects of various metal‐ion additives on the spectral behavior of the present sensor system are examined in acetonitrile. It is found that among the metal ions studied, alkali/alkaline earth‐metal ions and transition‐metal ions modulate the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the system. As an additional feature, the anion signaling behavior of the system in acetonitrile is studied. A decrease in fluorescence efficiency of the system is observed upon addition of fluoride and acetate anions. Fluorescence quenching is most effective in the case of fluoride ions. This is attributed to the enhancement of the photoinduced electron transfer from the anion receptor to the fluorophore moiety. Hydrogen‐bond interactions between the acidic NH protons of the thiourea moiety and the F^? anions are primarily attributed to the fluoride‐selective signaling behavior. Interestingly, a negative cooperativity for the binding event is observed when the interactions of the system are studied in the presence of both Zn²⁺ and F^? ions. NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations are also carried out to better understand the receptor–analyte binding.     

An NBD-based colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for Zn and its use for detection of intracellular zinc ions

A new 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD) based colorimetric and fluorescence chemosensor for Zn²⁺, an ion involved in many biological processes, was designed and synthesized. The NBD-probe 1 displays a red-to-yellow color change and an enhancement of fluorescent intensity in the presence of an aqueous solution of Zn²⁺ ions (pH 7.2). Internal charge transfer (ICT) and photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanisms are responsible for these changes. The practical use of this probe was demonstrated by its application to the biologically relevant detection of Zn²⁺ ions in pancreatic β-cells.     

Fluorescent chemosensor for mercury(II) cations in an aqueous solution based on 4-acetylamino-1, 8-naphthalimide derivative containing the N-phenylazadithia-15-crown-5-ether receptor

The 4-acetylamino-1,8-naphthalimide derivative containing the N-phenylazadithia-15-crown-5-ether fragment in the N-aryl substituent at the imide nitrogen atom of the naphthalimide core was synthesized, and its cation-dependent spectral properties were studied. The resulting compound in the photoexcited state exhibits low-intensity fluorescence due to the process of electron transfer from the N-aryl group to the naphthalimide residue, which is confirmed by the data of quantum chemical calculations performed using the PM6 method. The binding of Hg²⁺ in an aqueous acetate buffer solution at pH 6.0 is accompanied by the formation of a 1: 1 metal—ligand complex in which the electron transfer is suppressed leading to fluorescence enhancement. The observed spectral changes were used for the determination of the stability constant K of the complex (logK = 6.51±0.03). The found limit of Hg²⁺ detection using the synthesized sensor (28 nmol L^?1) is fairly close the maximum permissible concentration for mercury in drinking water. The study of the selectivity of complexation showed that the presence of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺ Cd²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Fe²⁺ cations did not impede the determination of Hg²⁺. The presented results indicate that the synthesized chemosensor is promising as a selective and highly sensitive fluorescent reagent for Hg²⁺ ions in an aqueous solution.

     

A Highly Sensitive Fluorescent Sensor for Palladium and Direct Imaging of Its Ecotoxicity in Living Model Organisms

Rhodamine is an ideal platform for fluorescence probes owing to its spiro‐lactam framework and excellent photochemical properties. Herein, a novel rhodamine‐based palladium fluorescent chemosensor, Rd‐Eb , showing a fast response time (3 min), high sensitivity for palladium species over other ions, and a low detection limit (1.91×10^?7 m ), was synthesized. It can act as an obvious colorimetric as well as a fluorescent “off/on” sensor for Pd²⁺. In addition, it is also an excellent sensor for in vivo imaging of Pd²⁺ in zebra fish and Daphnia magna, illuminating the impact of palladium on organisms at different growth stages with respect to biological toxicology.     

Naphthalimide as Highly Selective Fluorescent Sensor for Ag^＋ Ions

The naphthalimide derivative. NA1 was synthesized, which consists of a bis（2-（ethylthio）ethyl）amine group binding cations and naphthalimide unit as chromogenic and fluorogenic signaling subunit. Absorption and emission spectra and the effect of polarity of solvents and pH values were studied. The photo-induced electron transfer （PET） occurred from the donor of bis（2-（ethylthio）ethyl）amine group to the naphthalimide fluorophore. The present study demonstrates that NA1 is a viable candidate as a fluorescent receptor for a new Ag^＋ ion sensor. This silver ion chemosensor can discriminate Ag^＋ ion well among heavy metal ions by an enhancement of the fluorescence intensity in ethanol-water （1 ： 9, V ： V）. And NA1 is also a pH-sensor because the fluorescence of the compound varies with the pH values.     

1,8-萘酰亚胺为发色团的Zn2+荧光探针的合成及性能研究

合成了以1,8-萘酰亚胺为发色团,以联吡啶为离子受体的Zn²⁺荧光探针,并进行了表征及离子识别性能的研究。研究表明该化合物对Zn²⁺具有良好的识别性能,同时相对于Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺等金属离子具有良好的选择性。     

Polymorph‐Dependent Solid‐State Fluorescence and Selective Metal‐Ion‐Sensor Properties of 2‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐4(3H)‐quinazolinone

2‐(2‐Hydroxy‐phenyl)‐4(3H)‐quinazolinone (HPQ), an organic fluorescent material that exhibits fluorescence by the excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer (ESIPT) mechanism, forms two different polymorphs in tetrahydrofuran. The conformational twist between the phenyl and quinazolinone rings of HPQ leads to different molecular packing in the solid state, giving structures that show solid‐state fluorescence at 497 and 511 nm. HPQ also shows intense fluorescence in dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution and selectively detects Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions at micromolar concentrations in DMF. Importantly, HPQ not only detects Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions selectively, but it also distinguishes between the metal ions with a fluorescence λ_max that is blue‐shifted from 497 to 420 and 426 nm for Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions, respectively. Hence, tunable solid‐state fluorescence and selective metal‐ion‐sensor properties were demonstrated in a single organic material.     

Studying the photophysical properties of a polymerizable 1,8‐naphthalimide dye and its copolymer with styrene as potential fluorescent sensors for metal cations

The photophysical characteristics of a polymerizable 1,8‐naphthalimide dye and its copolymer with styrene have been investigated. The functional properties of both low and high molecular weight fluorophores in the presence of different metal cations have been discussed with regard to their potential application as fluorosensors for the metal cations and protons. In acetonitrile solution the monomeric 1,8‐naphthalimide enhances its fluorescence emission in the presence of metal cations (Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Mn²⁺). In aqueous media the poly(St‐co‐MD) exhibits a selective response to Fe³⁺ cations. The monomeric and polymeric fluorophores also exhibit a considerable increase in their fluorescence intensity at acidic pH values (pH < 6) which suggest that they could be used as ON–OFF probes in analytical devices for signaling the presence of protons. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A quinoline-based selective ‘turn on’ chemosensor for zinc(II) via quad-core complex,and its application in live cell imaging

An efficient quinoline-based fluorescent chemosensor (QLNPY) was successfully developed for the detection of zinc ions (Zn²⁺). This novel chemosensor displayed higher sensitivity and selectivity toward Zn²⁺ over other competitive metal ions accompanying with obvious fluorescence enhancement. The QLNPY-Zn²⁺ complex can be further used as a new fluorescent “turn-off” sensor for pyrophosphate (PPi) and sulfur ion (S^2?) via a Zn²⁺ displacement approach. The limits of detection were calculated to be 3.8 × 10^?8 M for Zn²⁺, 3.7 × 10^?7 M for PPi and 4.9 × 10^?7 M for S^2?. The binding mechanism of QLNPY and Zn²⁺ was investigated through NMR, HR-MS analysis and further studied by crystallographic analysis. Additionally, further application of QLNPY for sequential bioimaging of Zn²⁺ and PPi was studied in HepG2 cells, suggesting that the quinoline-based chemosensor possesses great potential applications for the detection of intracellular Zn²⁺ and PPi in vivo.     

Selective Chemosensor of Fe3+ Based on Fluorescence Quenching by 2,2′‐Bisbenzimidazole Derivative in Aqueous Media

2,2′‐Bisbenzimidazole derivative ( L ) was designed as a fluorescent chemosensor for Fe³⁺. This structurally simple chemosensor displays significant fluorescence quenching with increasing concentrations of Fe³⁺. L exhibited high selectivity and antidisturbance for Fe³⁺ among environmentally relevant metal ions in aqueous media. The method of Job's plot indicated the formation of 1:2 complex between L and Fe³⁺, and the possible binding mode of the system was also proposed. In addition, further study demonstrates the detection limit on fluorescence response of the sensor to Fe³⁺ is down to 10^?7 mol·L^?1 range. The binding mode was investigated by fluorescence spectra, ESI‐MS, IR data, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and crystal data.     

A New Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cu2+ Based on a Dianthracene-Derivative

Abstract

Besides being of interest in photochemistry, photoinduced electron transfer (PET) is a process largely used in the design of fluorescent ion sensing molecules. One of the simplest systems is based on fluorescent aromatic groups linked to amino groups and proposed as possible fluorescent transition metal ion chemosensor [1]. In this case, the fluorescence of the fluorophore “ligths on” when the amino group is complexed. On the other hand, in the absence of metal ions, the fluorescence is quenched by a PET originating from the nitrogen lone electron pairs [2]. We prepared a new fluorescent chemosensor, abbreviated as Ant-NH-O-O-NH-Ant (shown in Fig. 1) in which the intramolecular PET is expected to be efficient. The chemosensor consists of a metal-binding dioxodiamino unit linked to two light-emitting anthracene fragments. This type of supramolecules when irradiated in methanol solution (conc. 1.89—10^?5 M.) at 368 nm displays a characteristic fluorescence spectrum for anthracene group with the most intensive band at 415 nm [Fig. 2(a)]. The emission is slightly enhanced upon coordination of such metal ions as Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ by the ligand fragment of the Ant-NH-O-O-NH-Ant molecule [Fig. 2(b) and (d)]. However, much higher intensity of emission is observed in the case of Cu²⁺ complex [see Fig 2(c)]. The fluorescence enhancement is presumably due to suppression of photoinduced fluorophore-to-metal electron-transfer mechanism.     

Anchoring of 1,8-naphthalimide derivative into mesoporous MCM-41 molecular sieves

The fluorescent dye molecules, 4-piperidine-1,8-naphthalimide, were successfully fixed into the amino modified pore channel of mesoporous MCM-41 type materials by in situ reaction of 4-piperidinyl-1,8-naphthalic anhydride with the amino group. The formation of amide bonds on the pore surface was verified by infrared spectra. The maximum fluorescence emission peak of this hybrid material has a red shift of 13 nm compared to that of a naphthalimide derivative in ethanol solution. Moreover, the fluorescence intensity of dye molecules grafted into Ce-doped MCM-41 is higher than that in pure silica MCM-41. This phenomenon is attributed to the inhibited internal electron transfer from piperidine to naphthalimide groups by Ce⁴⁺, thus improving the fluorescence intensity of the naphthalimide group. The unique fluorescence behavior of the 1,8-naphthalimide derivative doped hybrid mesoporous material makes it a good candidate for the metal ions microdetection.     

A Fluorescent Chemosensor for Al3+ Based on CO Isomerization Derivated from Curcumin

A simple and nontoxic fluorescent chemosensor of di‐O‐methyl curcumin has been prepared from curcumin. The sensor exhibited selective and sensitive fluorescent responses toward Al³⁺ over a wide range of metal ions, such as Mn²⁺, Ce³⁺, Pt²⁺, Sn⁴⁺, Hg⁺, Sb³⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cr³⁺ in ethanol/water. The free ligand showed quite weak fluorescence emission due to the isomerization of C?O double bond in the excited state, however, after addition of Al³⁺, fluorescence emission results in a prominent fluorescence enhancement.     

A Highly Selective and Sensitive Turn-On Fluorescent Chemosensor Based on Rhodamine 6G for Iron(III)

Recently, more and more rhodamine derivatives have been used as fluorophores to construct sensors due to their excellent spectroscopic properties. A rhodamine-based fluorescent and colorimetric Fe³⁺ chemosensor 3’,6’-bis(ethylamino)-2-acetoxyl-2’,7’-dimethyl-spiro[1H-isoindole-1,9’-[9H]xanthen]-3(2H)-one (RAE) was designed and synthesized. Upon the addition of Fe³⁺, the dramatic enhancement of both fluorescence and absorbance intensity, as well as the color change of the solution, could be observed. The detection limit of RAE for Fe³⁺ was around 7.98 ppb. Common coexistent metal ions showed little or no interference in the detection of Fe³⁺. Moreover, the addition of CN⁻ could quench the fluorescence of the acetonitrile solution of RAE and Fe³⁺, indicating the regeneration of the chemosensor RAE. The robust nature of the sensor was shown by the detection of Fe³⁺ even after repeated rounds of quenching. As iron is a ubiquitous metal in cells and plays vital roles in many biological processes, this chemosensor could be developed to have applications in biological studies.