Selective fluorescent sensing of chloride

The urea functionalised phenanthroline sensor 1, which was characterised by several methods, including X-ray crystallography, gives rise to large changes in the fluorescence emission spectra upon interaction with several anions such as acetate, phosphate, fluoride and chloride in CH₃CN. However, only in the presence of Cl⁻ was the emission enhanced, as for the other ions photoinduced electron transfer (PET) quenching was observed. Fitting these fluorescence changes, using non-linear regression analysis, showed that these anions bind to 1 in 1:1 (anion:sensor) stoichiometry, with the exception of Cl⁻, which was shown to give rise to 1:1 as well as 1:2 binding, as a result of coordination of the chloride to two equivalents of 1.     

Theoretical study on a chemosensor for fluoride anion‐based on a urea derivative

The sensing mechanism of the N‐Phenyl‐N′‐(3‐quinolinyl)urea (PQU) chemosensor for fluoride anion has been investigated by density functional theory/time‐dependent density function theory. The double intermolecular hydrogen bonds are formed between the three anions (X^??F^?, AcO^?, Cl^?) and the urea fragment of PQU. In the S₀ states, the H_b? X^? hydrogen bonds are slightly stronger than the H_a? X^? hydrogen bonds and the fluoride‐induced deprotonation occurs at the N? H_b position rather than at the N? H_a position. Consequently, the absorption peaks, including an intramolecular charge transfer transition and a ππ* transition, are significantly red‐shifted. Thermodynamic calculations confirm that the deprotonation in the ground state is favorable in energy only when excess fluoride anion exists. Along with the S₀ → S₁ transition, the H_a? X^? hydrogen bonds strengthen and the H_b? X^? hydrogen bonds weaken. However, the emission spectra of [PQU‐H_b]^?, instead of [PQU‐H_a]^?, are observed upon addition of fluoride anion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A chloride selective sensor based on a calix[4]arene possessing a urea moiety

New calix[4]arene derivative 1 of 1,3-alternate conformation with a ureido moiety has been synthesized in high yield and examined for its anion recognition abilities towards anions such as fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate and acetate by ¹H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results show that receptor has strong binding affinity for chloride ions. A chloride ion selective electrode (ISE) was also formed which showed excellent selectivity over all the other anions tested. The limit of detection is 2.51 × 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³.     

A tetra-sulfonamide derivative bearing two dansyl groups designed as a new fluoride selective fluorescent chemosensor

A new fluorescent chemosensor based on an acyclic tetra-sulfonamide derivative linked to two dansyl groups has been conveniently synthesized. Its high selective binding ability to fluoride ions over other halide ions was demonstrated by using fluorescence as well as ¹H NMR spectra.     

Metal-free synthesis of calixsalen-type cavitands for the recognition of fluoride ion

Novel calixsalen-type cavitands have been synthesized using metal-free synthesis from simple and inexpensive materials, such as ethylenediamine and 5,5′-methylene-bis-salicylaldehyde derivatives. The cavitand 1 containing salen functionality recognizes fluoride ion. Fluoride ions switch on fluorescence on binding with the cavitand 1. Substitution on bis-salicylaldehyde part of calixsalen-type cavitand shows change in recognition behavior. On the attachment of electron withdrawing substituent, such as nitro group, the cavitand lost its fluorescence properties but proved to be a better colorimetric probe showing marked color change from pale yellow to red on addition of tetrabutyl ammonium salt of fluoride ion to the solution of cavitand. The nitro substituted cavitand is highly sensitive and selective for fluoride anion and hence is a promising candidate for development of colorimetric chemosensor. The binding of the cavitands with fluoride ion is investigated using ¹H NMR-titration experiments.     

A new fluorescent chemosensor for F based on inhibition of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer

New fluorescent chemosensor 1 with two amidoanthraquinone groups (1-AAQs) at the lower rim of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene has been synthesized. The significant changes of absorption and fluorescence bands show that chemosensor 1 is selective toward fluoride ion (F⁻) over other anions such as Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, CH₃COO⁻, , , and OH⁻. The ESIPT process of 1 is inhibited by the fluoride-induced H-bonding followed by deprotonation of NH of the 1-AAQ.     

A new fluorescent-colorimetric chemosensor for fluoride anion based on benzimidazolium salt

Two new benzimidazolium salts with the same cationic moiety and different anions 3-(2′-((8″-hydroxy-9″,10″-dioxo-9″,10″-dihydroanthracen-1″-yl)oxy)ethyl)-1-(pyridin-2?-ylmethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-3-ium bromide and 3-(2′-((8″-hydroxy-9″,10″-dioxo-9″,10″-dihydroanthracen-1″-yl)oxy)ethyl)-1-(pyridin-2?-ylmethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate were prepared and characterized. The single crystal structure of 3-(2′-((8″-hydroxy-9″,10″-dioxo-9″,10″-dihydroanthracen-1″-yl)oxy)ethyl)-1-(pyridin-2?-ylmethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-3-ium bromide was determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Particularly, anion recognition using 3-(2′-((8″-hydroxy-9″,10″-dioxo-9″,10″-dihydroanthracen-1″-yl)oxy)ethyl)-1-(pyridin-2?-ylmethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate as a chemosensor was carried out via fluorescence and ultraviolet spectroscopy, ¹H NMR titrations, HRMS and IR spectra. The response of this chemosensor to fluoride anion can be observed through both remarkable fluorescence quenching and color change under visible light (from orange to purple). The results indicated that this chemosensor can distinguish fluoride anion from other anions via the instrument and naked eyes, and this is greatly convenient in practical operation.     

A novel and synthetically facile coumarin-thiophene-derived Schiff base for selective fluorescent detection of cyanide anions in aqueous solution: Synthesis,anion interactions,theoretical study and DNA-binding properties

A colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor (chemosensor 2) for the detection of cyanide anions in aqueous solution has been designed and synthesized in high yield. The sensing mechanism of the chemosensor was verified via UV–vis, fluorimetric, and NMR titrations, and was theoretically explained using DFT and TD-DFT calculations. The chemosensor could optically discriminate the presence of fluoride ions over other anions by a color change from yellow to red with an enhancement of pink fluorescence in DMSO. However, it showed strong green fluorescence when CN^? was added to a mixture of DMSO/water (6:4 v/v). Thus, the chemosensor can be employed in selective detecting of CN^? besides other interference anions (F^?, AcO^? and H₂PO₄^?) in aqueous solution. Moreover, 2 can be used to detect CN^? at a concentration as low as 0.32?μM, which is lower than the WHO guideline (2.7?μM) for cyanide. A low quantity of CN^? (1.08?μM) can be detected and quantified using the prepared chemosensor. Moreover, the UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy studies of the interactions between 2 and dublex DNA revealed intercalative binding of calf thymus DNA to the chemosensor.     

A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor, 1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-dione, for anions in aqueous-organic media

A new fluorescent chemosensor, 1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-dione (1), which is capable of the ratiometric sensing of anions in aqueous MeCN, was developed. Chemosensor 1 recognized an anion via two NH groups in the molecule, and showed a much higher affinity for F⁻ than that of 4-quinolone, which binds to an anion at one NH group of the molecule. Upon binding to F⁻, the intensity of the emission band ascribed to the complex of 1-F⁻ was drastically enhanced, while the emission intensity of unbound 1 gradually decreased. The changes in these two emission bands enabled the successful ratiometric sensing.     

Isophorone‐boronate ester: A simple chemosensor for optical detection of fluoride anion

A highly selective isophorone‐boronate ester based chemosensor, ( 1 ) , having a dicyanovinyl moiety as a convenient colorimetric probe, has been designed. Different types of anionic analyte such as CH₃COO^?, ClO₄^?, Cl^?, F^?, PF₆^?, Br^? and HSO₄^? were tested and among them only highly nucleophilic F^? anion displayed significant response towards the sensor. Addition of the fluoride anion across the boron atom disrupts the π‐conjugation thereby shifts the absorption wavelength towards the redshift region due to the decrease in the HOMO‐LUMO energy gap and a colour change from yellow to blue is observed under visible light condition. The detection limit of this probe was calculated to be 3.25 × 10^—8 M for fluoride anion. The binding constants and the detection limits of the sensor were calculated using absorption titration studies. The silica gel TLC strips dip‐coated by the chemosensor ( 1 ) revealed a colour change from yellow to brick red to naked eye.     

Colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for citrate based on a rhodamine and Pb complex in aqueous solution

In this paper we unveil a novel rhodamine compound based fluorescent chemosensor (1-Pb²⁺) for colormetric and fluorescent detection of citrate in aqueous solution. This is the first fluorescent chemosensor for citrate based on rhodamine compound. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for citrate indicates that the method can detect citrate in aqueous solution by both color changes and fluorescent changes with long emission wavelength. In the new developed sensing system, 1-Pb²⁺ is fluorescent due to Pb²⁺-induced fluorescence enhancement of 1. However, the addition of citrate may release 1 into the solution with quenching of fluorescence. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of citrate with a linear range covering from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 2.5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1-Pb²⁺ towards citrate is pH independent in medium condition (pH 6.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for citrate in the presence of other anions (even those that exist in high concentration), which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward citrate is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of citrate in urine samples with satisfactory results.     

A new imidazolium acridine derivative as fluorescent chemosensor for pyrophosphate and dihydrogen phosphate

A new acridine derivative bearing two imidazolium groups has been synthesized. This chemosensor displayed a large fluorescent quenching effect with pyrophosphate and a unique fluorescent enhancement with H₂PO₄⁻. The strong (C-H)⁺?X⁻ hydrogen bonding between the imidazolium moieties and anions is the key interaction for the recognition. The association constant of 1 with pyrophosphate was calculated as 4.9×10⁷ M⁻¹.     

Cooperative NH?O and CH?O interactions for sulfate encapsulation in a thiophene-based macrocycle

A thiophene-based macrocycle containing four secondary and two tertiary amines has been synthesized and its binding affinity has been investigated toward sulfate anion in solution and solid states. Structural analysis of the sulfate salt suggests that the ligand in its hexaprotonated form is capable of encapsulating one sulfate within the cavity through cooperative NH?O and CH?O interactions. As investigated by ¹H NMR titrations, the ligand forms a 1:1 complex with sulfate in water at pH 2.1, showing a binding constant (K) of 3200 M⁻¹. The formation of the complex has been further confirmed by ESI-MS, indicating that the complex can exist in solution with considerable stability.     

Tight and Selective Caging of Chloride Ions by a Pseudopeptidic Host

The selective molecular recognition of chloride versus similar anions is a continuous challenge in supramolecular chemistry. We have designed and prepared a simple pseudopeptidic cage ( 1 a ) that defines a cavity suitable for the tight encapsulation of chloride. The interaction of the protonated form of 1 a with different inorganic anions was studied in solution by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐MS, and in the solid state by X‐ray diffraction. The solution binding data showed that the association constants of 1 a to chloride are more than two orders of magnitude higher than to any other tested inorganic anion. Remarkably, 1 a displayed a high selectivity for chloride over other closely related halides such as bromide (selectivity=111), iodide (selectivity=719), and fluoride (selectivity >1000). Binding experiments (¹H NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐MS) suggested that 1 a has a high‐affinity (inner) binding site and an additional low‐affinity (external) binding site. The supramolecular complexes with F^?, Cl^?, and Br^? have been also characterized by the X‐ray diffraction of the corresponding [ 1 a? nHX] crystalline salts. The structural data show that the chloride anion is tightly encapsulated within the host, in a binding site defined by a very symmetric array of electrostatic H‐bonds. For the fluoride salt, the size of the cage cavity is too large and is occupied by a water molecule, which fits inside the cage efficiently competing with F^?. In the case of the bigger bromide, the mismatch of the anion inside the cage caused a geometrical distortion of the host and thus a large energetic penalty for the interaction. This minimalistic pseudopeptidic host represents a unique example of the construction of a simple well‐defined binding pocket that allows the highly selective molecular recognition of a challenging substrate.     

Anion recognition by a novel Fipronil-based receptor: efficient deprotonation or stable intermolecular hydrogen bonding

Strong electron-deficient heterocycles of acetyl Fipronil (F3) was designed and synthesized, its ability for anion recognition was investigated by UV and NMR analyses. This novel Fipronil-based receptor F3 shows strong binding affinity with acetate (?10⁷ M⁻¹), phosphate or fluoride ion through efficient deprotonation. In addition, its interaction with chloride anion or other weak base anions through stable intermolecular H-bonding was also reported.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for Hg based on naphthalimide derivative by fluorescence enhancement in aqueous solution

Naphthalimide derivative (compound 1) containing hydrophilic hexanoic acid group was synthesized and used to recognize Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution. The fluorescence enhancement of 1 is attributed to the formation of a complex between 1 and Hg²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 2.08 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of fabrication of the Hg²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for the determination of Hg²⁺ indicated that the method can be applied in aqueous solution rather than organic solution. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Hg²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of Hg²⁺ with a linear range covering from 2.57 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.27 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 4.93 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 toward Hg²⁺ is pH independent in medium condition (pH 4.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for Hg²⁺ in the presence of other metal ions, which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward Hg²⁺ is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of Hg²⁺ in hair samples with satisfactory results, which further demonstrates its value of practical applications.     

TD‐DFT study on the sensing mechanism of a fluorescent chemosensor for fluoride: Excited‐state proton transfer

An excited‐state proton transfer (ESPT) process, induced by both intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions, is proposed to account for the fluorescence sensing mechanism of a fluoride chemosensor, phenyl‐1H‐anthra(1,2‐d)imidazole‐6,11‐dione. The time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) method has been applied to investigate the different electronic states. The present theoretical study of this chemosensor, as well as its anion and fluoride complex, has been conducted with a view to monitoring its structural and photophysical properties. The proton of the chemosensor can shift to fluoride in the ground state but transfers from the proton donor (NH group) to a proton acceptor (neighboring carbonyl group) in the first singlet excited state. This may explain the observed red shifts in the fluorescence spectra in the relevant fluorescent sensing mechanism. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Novel thiophene based colorimetric and fluorescent receptor for selective recognition of fluoride ions

A colorimetric anion sensor 2,2′-(1E,1′E)-(thiophene-2,5-diylbis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)) was synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Anion binding studies were carried out using UV-visible spectrophotometric titrations and emission spectra studies, revealed that the receptor exhibits selective recognition toward F⁻over other anions. The selectivity for F⁻among the halides is attributed mainly to the hydrogen-bond interaction of the receptor with F⁻. Receptor 1 showed color change from fluorescent green to orange in the presence of tetrabutylammonium fluoride with 1:1 stoichiometry. Receptor 1 exhibits remarkably enhanced fluorescence intensity.     

A porphyrin derivative containing 2-(oxymethyl)pyridine units showing unexpected ratiometric fluorescent recognition of Zn2+ with high selectivity

A porphyrin derivative (1), containing two 2-(oxymethyl)pyridine units has been designed and synthesized as chemosensor for recognition of metal ions. Unlike many common porphyrin derivatives that show response to different heavy metal ions, compound 1 exhibits unexpected ratiometric fluorescence response to Zn²⁺ with high selectivity. The response of the novel chemosensor to zinc was based on the porphyrin metallation with cooperating effect of 2-(oxymethyl)pyridine units. The change of fluorescence of 1 was attributed to the formation of an inclusion complex between porphyrin ring and Zn²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 1.04 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of the fabrication of the Zn²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Zn²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The sensor can be applied to the quantification of Zn²⁺ with a linear range covering from 3.2 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.8 × 10⁻⁴ M and a detection limit of 5.5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 to Zn²⁺ is pH-independent in medium condition (pH 4.0-8.0) and show excellent selectivity for Zn²⁺ over transition metal cations.     

Highly selective fluorescent sensing of Cu ion by an arylisoxazole modified calix[4]arene

A novel fluorescent chemosensor 1 with two anthraceneisoxazolymethyl groups at the lower rim of calix[4]arene has been synthesized, which revealed a dual emission (monomer and excimer) when excited at 375 nm. This chemosensor displayed a selective fluorescence quenching only with Cu²⁺ ion over all other metal ions examined. When Cu²⁺ ion was bound to 1, the fluorescence intensities of both monomer and excimer were quenched. Furthermore, the association constant for the 1:1 complex of 1·Cu²⁺ was determined to be (1.58 ± 0.03) × 10⁴ M⁻¹.