A ratiometric fluorescent probe for zinc ions based on the quinoline fluorophore

A ratiometric fluorescent zinc probe 1 of carboxamidoquinoline with a carboxylic acid group was designed and synthesised. Probe 1 exhibits high selectivity for sensing Zn²⁺; about a 13-fold increase in fluorescence emission intensity and an 82?nm red-shift of fluorescence emission are observed upon binding Zn²⁺ in EtOH/H₂O (1?:?1, V/V) solution. The ratiometric fluorescence response is attributed to the 1?:?1 complex formation between probe 1 and Zn²⁺ which has been utilised as the basis for the selective detection of Zn²⁺. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Zn²⁺-sensitive probe were investigated. The linear response range covers a concentration range of Zn²⁺ from 2.0?×?10^?6 to 5.0?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 and the detection limit is 2.7?×?10^?7?mol?L^?1. The determination of Zn²⁺ in both tap and river water samples shows satisfactory results.     

A Triazatruxene‐Based Glycocluster as a Fluorescent Sensor for Concanavalin A

A new triazatruxene‐based fluorescent glycocluster has been designed, synthesized, and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, its specific and selective binding properties with concanavalin A (Con A) have been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and turbidity assay. The obtained results showed that the multivalent mannose‐modified triazatruxene exhibited specific binding with Con A, but no binding to peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectin or bovine serum albumin (BSA), corresponding to a two‐orders‐of‐magnitude higher affinity than that of monovalent mannose ligands. Most interestingly, a fluorescence enhancement of the triazatruxene‐based glycocluster was observed upon binding with Con A because of hydrophobic interactions involving sites close to the triazatruxene moiety. Furthermore, the inhibitory ability of the triazatruxene‐based glycocluster against ORN178‐ induced haemagglutination has been investigated by haemagglutination inhibition assay. The results indicated selective binding with ORN178.     

Integration of the 1,2,3‐Triazole “Click” Motif as a Potent Signalling Element in Metal Ion Responsive Fluorescent Probes

In a systematic approach we synthesized a new series of fluorescent probes incorporating donor–acceptor (D‐A) substituted 1,2,3‐triazoles as conjugative π‐linkers between the alkali metal ion receptor N‐phenylaza‐[18]crown‐6 and different fluorophoric groups with different electron‐acceptor properties (4‐naphthalimide, meso‐phenyl‐BODIPY and 9‐anthracene) and investigated their performance in organic and aqueous environments (physiological conditions). In the charge‐transfer (CT) type probes 1 , 2 and 7 , the fluorescence is almost completely quenched by intramolecular CT (ICT) processes involving charge‐separated states. In the presence of Na⁺ and K⁺ ICT is interrupted, which resulted in a lighting‐up of the fluorescence in acetonitrile. Among the investigated fluoroionophores, compound 7 , which contains a 9‐anthracenyl moiety as the electron‐accepting fluorophore, is the only probe which retains light‐up features in water and works as a highly K⁺/Na⁺‐selective probe under simulated physiological conditions. Virtually decoupled BODIPY‐based 6 and photoinduced electron transfer (PET) type probes 3 – 5 , where the 10‐substituted anthracen‐9‐yl fluorophores are connected to the 1,2,3‐triazole through a methylene spacer, show strong ion‐induced fluorescence enhancement in acetonitrile, but not under physiological conditions. Electrochemical studies and theoretical calculations were used to assess and support the underlying mechanisms for the new ICT and PET 1,2,3‐triazole fluoroionophores.     

Fluorescent Protein Capped Mesoporous Nanoparticles for Intracellular Drug Delivery and Imaging

A multifunctional system for intracellular drug delivery and simultaneous fluorescent imaging was constructed by using histidine‐tagged, cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)‐capped magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSNs). This protein‐capped multifunctional nanostructure is highly biocompatible and does not affect cell viability or proliferation. The CFP acts not only as a capping agent, but also as a fluorescent imaging agent. The nanoassembly was activated by histidine‐based replacement, leading to release of drug molecules encapsulated in the nanopores into the bulk solution. The fluorescent imaging functionality would allow noninvasive tracking of the nanoparticles in the body. By combining the drug delivery with cell‐imaging capability, these nanoparticles may provide valuable multifunctional nanoplatforms for biomedical applications.     

Multifunctional Core‐Shell‐Corona‐Type Polymeric Micelles for Anticancer Drug‐Delivery and Imaging

We have developed core‐shell‐corona‐type polymeric micelles that can integrate multiple functions in one system, including the capability of accommodating hydrophobic dyes into core and hydrophilic drug into the shell, as well as pH‐triggered drug‐release. The neutral and hydrophilic corona sterically stabilizes the multifunctional polymeric micelles in aqueous solution. The mineralization of calcium phosphate (CaP) on the PAA domain not only enhances the diagnostic efficacy of organic dyes, but also works as a diffusion barrier for the controlled release.     

A Versatile Long‐Wavelength‐Absorbing Scaffold for Eu‐Based Responsive Probes

Coumarin‐sensitized, long‐wavelength‐absorbing luminescent Eu^III‐complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The lanthanide binding site consists of a cyclen‐based chelating framework that is attached through a short linker to a 7‐hydroxycoumarin, a 7‐B(OH)₂‐coumarin, a 7‐O‐(4‐pinacolatoboronbenzyl)‐coumarin or a 7‐O‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐coumarin. The syntheses are straightforward, use readily available building blocks, and proceed through a small number of high‐yielding steps. The sensitivity of coumarin photophysics to the 7‐substituent enables modulation of the antenna‐absorption properties, and thus the lanthanide excitation spectrum. Reactions of the boronate‐based functionalities (cages) with H₂O₂ yielded the corresponding 7‐hydroxycoumarin species. The same species was produced with peroxynitrite in a ×10⁶–10⁷‐fold faster reaction. Both reactions resulted in the emergence of a strong ≈407 nm excitation band, with concomitant decrease of the 366 nm band of the caged probe. In aqueous solution the methoxybenzyl caged Eu‐complex was quenched by ONOO^?. We have shown that preliminary screening of simple coumarin‐based antennae through UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy is possible as the changes in absorption profile translate with good fidelity to changes in Eu^III‐excitation profile in the fully elaborated complex. Taken together, our results show that the 7‐hydroxycoumarin antenna is a viable scaffold for the construction of turn‐on and ratiometric luminescent probes.     

A PEGylated Fluorescent Turn‐On Sensor for Detecting Fluoride Ions in Totally Aqueous Media and Its Imaging in Live Cells

Owing to the considerable significance of fluoride anions for health and environmental issues, it is of great importance to develop methods that can rapidly, sensitively and selectively detect the fluoride anion in aqueous media and biological samples. Herein, we demonstrate a robust fluorescent turn‐on sensor for detecting the fluoride ion in a totally aqueous solution. In this study, a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is incorporated into the sensing system to ensure water solubility and to enhance biocompatibility. tert‐Butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) groups were then covalently introduced onto the fluorescein moiety, which effectively quenched the fluorescence of the sensor. Upon addition of fluoride ion, the selective fluoride‐mediated cleavage of the Si? O bond leads to the recovery of the fluorescein moiety, resulting in a dramatic increase in fluorescence intensity under visible light excitation. The sensor is responsive and highly selective for the fluoride anion over other common anions; it also exhibits a very low detection limit of 19 ppb. In addition, this sensor is operative in some real samples such as running water, urine, and serum and can accurately detect fluoride ions in these samples. The cytotoxicity of the sensor was determined to be Grade I toxicity according to United States Pharmacopoeia and ISO 10993‐5, suggesting the very low cytotoxicity of the sensor. Moreover, it was found that the senor could be readily internalized by both HeLa and L929 cells and the sensor could be utilized to track fluoride level changes inside the cells.     

Eu（TTA）3AA-NBR/PVP同轴超细纤维的制备及荧光性能研究

用同轴静电纺丝制备了含有稀土铕配合物(Eu(TTA)3AA)的芯-壳结构的丁腈橡胶/聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(NBR/PVP)超细荧光纤维。考察了在外层PVP纺丝参数不变的情况下,改变芯层丁腈橡胶纺丝液的纺丝速度、Eu(TTA)3AA含量等对纤维形貌的影响。通过研究Eu(TTA)3AA-NBR/PVP同轴超细纤维中Eu(TTA)3AA微观结构、含量与纤维的荧光性能之间的关系,发现在同轴纤维形成过程中由于溶剂的快速挥发可使Eu(TTA)3AA形成无定形结构,进而在纤维中形成分子簇级别的分散,在Eu(TTA)3AA含量为30%时,同轴纤维比Eu(TTA)3AA粉末的荧光强度提高了2倍。     

LiBa0.95-yBO3:0.05Tb3+,yBi3+荧光粉的制备及荧光性质

以硼酸和碳酸盐为原料,用高温固相法制备了可被（近）紫外光（369、254 nm）有效激发的Tb³⁺单掺杂LiBa_1-xBO₃：xTb³⁺（物质的量分数x=0.02、0.03、0.04、0.05、0.06、0.07）及Bi³⁺和Tb³⁺共掺杂LiBa_0.95-yBO₃：0.05Tb³⁺,yBi³⁺（物质的量分数y=0.02、0.03、0.04、0.05、0.06、0.07）的2个系列荧光粉,产物的结构和形貌分别用粉末X射线衍射（PXRD）和扫描电子显微镜进行表征。PXRD测定结果表明2个系列的产物均为纯相LiBaBO₃。通过对第一系列产物荧光光谱的测定,筛选出发光强度最好的产物,据此确定铽离子的最佳掺杂量;在此基础上制备出铋离子掺杂量不同的第二系列荧光粉。荧光光谱测定的实验结果表明,Tb³⁺/Bi³⁺共掺杂的荧光粉的发光强度好于Tb³⁺单掺杂的荧光粉,这说明Bi³⁺对Tb³⁺有敏化作用;而且随着Bi³⁺掺杂量的增加,产物的荧光强度表现出先增加后减小的趋势,当Bi³⁺的掺杂量y=0.03时,产物的荧光强度达到最大。Bi³⁺和Tb³⁺之间存在偶极-四极相互作用而进行能量传递。系列荧光粉的CIE坐标显示其发光颜色在一定程度上呈现出由绿色光到白光的渐变趋势。     

MOF-1和Tb@MOF-1荧光探针的设计、 合成及对痕量Cr2O72-、 S2O82-离子的识别

采用5-((4-吡啶基)甲氧基)-异烟酸(H₂PLIA)、1,3,5-三(1-咪唑基)-苯(TIB)合成了金属有机骨架[Cd(PLIA)(TIB)]_n (MOF-1),MOF-1是具有理想一维孔道的二维结构化合物,其一维孔道由柔性三角形PLIA^2-配体和刚性三角形TIB配体间隔形成。利用MOF-1 易掺杂的优势,采用后修饰合成策略制备了Tb@MOF-1。对MOF-1 和Tb@MOF-1 进行了基本表征及荧光探针性能研究。2种探针材料具有相同的结构。MOF-1和Tb@MOF-1分别对水溶液中的Cr₂O₇^2-和S₂O₈^2-离子具有较强荧光识别能力,均有响应时间快,稳定性、选择性、灵敏度高的特点。研究了MOF-1和Tb@MOF-1对Cr₂O₇^2-和S₂O₈^2-的荧光识别机理,其不同可能与Tb³⁺离子掺杂有关。