Epoxy-based polymer bearing 1-naphthylamine units: highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for ferric ion

A simple epoxy-based polymer 1 bearing 1-naphthylamine units has been synthesized and its recognition behaviors toward various metal ions have been investigated in THF-water (8:2, v/v) solution. The designed polymer 1 was found to exhibit selective ON-OFF-type fluorosensing behavior toward Fe³⁺ ions over other representative metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions.     

A bifunctional probe for Al3+ and Zn2+ based on diarylethene with an ethylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-6-hydrazide unit

A new diarylethene with ethylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-6-hydrazide unit was synthesized, and its photochromic and fluorescent behaviors have been systematically investigated by the stimulation of lights and metal ions in methanol. This new diarylethene exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺. The addition of Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ displayed excellent colorimetric response behaviour with the concomitant color change from colorless to yellow, which could be easily observed by the naked eye. Upon addition of Al³⁺, the fluorescence intensity was enhanced by 180–fold and the emission peak of 1O–Al³⁺ blue-shifted by 15?nm accompanied with a color change from colorless to bright blue. In contrast, when stimulated with Zn²⁺, its fluorescence intensity was enhanced by 35–fold and the emission peak of 1O–Zn²⁺ red-shifted by 16?nm with an evident color change from black to bright green. The LOD for Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ were determined to be 2.97?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1 and 5.98?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1, respectively. Moreover, a logic circuit was constructed with the fluorescence intensity as the output signal responding to the light and chemical species as the inputs.     

A highly selective ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Zn2+ ion based on a polyimine macrocycle

A new ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor based on a polyimine macrocycle ligand 1 has been synthesized. The chemosensor can exhibit a pronounced fluorescence response and high selectivity to Zn²⁺ ion over other 15 metal ions, including Cd²⁺. Sensor 1 appears an emission peak at 370 nm. Upon the addition of Zn²⁺ ion, the typical emission peak for 1 at 370 nm is obviously quenched, but a new emission peak at around 470 nm appears and shows a large enhancement due to the formation of a 1:1 Zn²⁺-1 complex. In addition, there is a good linear relationship between the fluorescence ratio I_470nm/I_370nm and the concentration of Zn²⁺, which makes a ratiometric assay of Zn²⁺ ion possible.     

Reaction of Zn(II) with a BINOL-amino-acid Schiff base: An unusual off-on-off fluorescence response

An amino-acid based Schiff base (S)-2 is prepared from the condensation of (S)-3,3′-diformyl BINOL (BINOL?=?1,1′-bi-2-naphthol) with l-valine in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in methanol. This compound is found to exhibit off-on-off fluorescence response toward Zn²⁺. The spectroscopic studies reveal that (S)-2 reacts with 1 equiv Zn²⁺ to form a dimeric [2+2] complex with greatly enhanced fluorescence. Excess amount of Zn²⁺ might cause dissociation of this dimeric complex to give significantly reduced fluorescence.     

Ratiometric fluorescent Zn chemosensor constructed by appending a pair of carboxamidoquinoline on 1,2-diaminocyclohexane scaffold

By appending a pair of carboxamidoquinoline pendants onto 1,2-diaminocyclohexane scaffold via N-alkylation, multifunctionalized ACAQ was designed and synthesized as a water soluble fluorescent ratiometric chemosensor for Zn²⁺. In 50% aqueous methanol buffer pH 7.4 solution, upon excitation at 316 nm, ACAQ (5 μM) displayed a selective ratiometric fluorescence changes with a shift from 410 to 490 nm in response to the interaction with Zn²⁺. After binding with 1 equiv of Zn²⁺, ACAQ exhibited a 12-fold enhancement in I₄₉₀/I₄₁₀ characterized by a clear isoemissive point at 440 nm. The metal sensor binding mode was established by Job’s plot and the combined fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopic method. The selectivity of the probe toward biological relevant cations and transition metal ions was proven to be good. In addition, the interference caused by Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in the quantitation of Zn²⁺ can be completely eliminated by the use of diethyldithiocarbamate as the screening agent. Exploitation of ACAQ as the sensing probe, ratiometric determination of Zn²⁺ with the limit of detection (LOD) at 28.3 nm can be realized. In addition, the unique responsive properties of the probe toward Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺ were used to construct a fluorescent switch. The membrane permeability of ACAQ to living cells and bio-imaging of Zn²⁺ were demonstrated.     

Synthesis and cation complexation of calix[4]azacrowns and a spirobiscalix[4]azacrown

The synthesis and complexation properties of three new derivatives, one spirobiscalix[4]azacrown (1) and two calix[4]azacrown (2 and 3), are reported. Complexation studies of the three ligands toward transition and heavy metal cations have been carried out and monitored by UV absorption spectrophotometry in acetonitrile. Mononuclear complexes were detected for all complexes, whereas binuclear species (M₂L) were also formed in the case of ligand 1 with Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The extraction properties of 1, 2 and 3 toward Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag²⁺ and Cd²⁺ are also reported. The results showed that complexation is the main factor affecting extraction with ligands 2 and 3, while with ligand 1 it is not.     

8-Methoxyquinoline based turn-on metal fluoroionophores

Novel turn-on fluoroionophores 2 and 3 based on highly fluorescent 8-methoxyquinoline were developed in which a sequential singlet-singlet energy transfer, ISC, and triplet-triplet energy transfer occurred leading to a fluorescence ‘off’ state. They showed substantially enhanced fluorescence in the presence of transition metal ions such as Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ and an extremely high selectivity toward Zn²⁺ by 3.     

Gadolinium(III)–fluorescein complex as a dual modal probe for MRI and fluorescence zinc sensing

A bimodal imaging Gd–Zpy probe based on magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence sensing has been synthesized and characterized. Gd–Zpy features a bright green emission and a turn-on fluorescent response manner with high sensitivity for Zn²⁺ in aqueous solution and is able to luminescent imaging intracellular Zn²⁺ levels within living cells. It exhibits a 130% increase of the longitudinal relaxation time and a 115% increase of transverse relaxive time upon addition of Zn²⁺. The results demonstrated that the incorporating of the fluorescein dye having the efficient chelators within a high-spin Gd³⁺ system was a powerful approach to achieve dual modal probes for MRI and fluorescence sensing.     

Solvent-dependent chromogenic sensing for Cu and fluorogenic sensing for Zn and Al: a multifunctional chemosensor with dual-mode

A new multifunctional chemosensor 1 was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic tools along with a single crystal X-ray crystallography. It can exhibit selective recognition responses toward Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ in different solvent systems with bimodal methods (colorimetric and fluorescence). This sensor 1 detected Cu²⁺ ions through a distinct color change from colorless to yellow in aqueous solution. Interestingly, the receptor 1 was found to be reversible by EDTA. The detection limit (11 μM) of 1 for Cu²⁺ is much lower than WHO guideline (30 μM) in drinking water. In addition, the sensor 1 showed significant fluorescence enhancements in the presence of Zn²⁺ ion and Al³⁺ ion in two different organic solvents (DMF and MeCN), respectively. The binding modes of the three complexes were determined to be a 1:1 complexation stoichiometry through Job plot, ESI-mass spectrometry analysis, and ¹H NMR titration.     

Coumarin-based fluorescent chemosensor for the selective quantification of Zn2+ and AcO− in an aqueous solution and living cells

In this work, we report a novel fluorescence chemosensor HM based on the coumarin fluorophore for the quantification of Zn²⁺ and AcO^?. HM specifically binds to Zn²⁺ in the presence of other competing cations, and evident changes in UV–vis and fluorescence spectra in HEPES buffer are noticed. The in situ generated HM-Zn²⁺ complex solution exhibit a high selectivity toward AcO^? via Zn²⁺ displacement approach. The detection limits of HM for Zn²⁺ and HM-Zn²⁺ for AcO^? were estimated to be 7.24 × 10^?8 M and 9.41 × 10^?8 M, respectively. HM and the resultant complex HM-Zn²⁺ exhibit low cytotoxicity and cell-membrane permeability, which makes them capable of Zn²⁺ and AcO^? imaging in living Hep G2 cells. A B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) basis set was employed for optimization of HM and HM-Zn²⁺ complex.     

A novel carbazole-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor for Zn recognition through excimer formation and application of the resultant complex for colorimetric recognition of oxalate through IDAs

A new carbazole-based Zn²⁺ selective fluorescent sensor L has been developed. In CH₃CN/H₂O (1:1, v/v, HEPES 10 mM, pH=7.4) solution, L displays selective and ratiometric responses to Zn²⁺ through excimer formation. The Zn²⁺ recognition process has good anti-interference ability over other metal ions. The dinuclear complex Zn₂L₂ was further used as a receptor for oxalate. Through constructing a chemosensing ensemble with chromeazurol S, colorimetric recognition of oxalate in water solution was achieved via indicator displacement assays. The oxalate recognition process exhibits obvious color changes from blue to yellow and is naked eye detectable.     

Three new turn-on fluorescent sensors for the selective detection of Zn2+: Synthesis,properties and DFT studies

The design and synthesis of three new 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent sensors (1–3) for the detection of Zn²⁺ in aqueous solution is described. The structural architect of these sensors contains 1,8-naphthalimide scaffold as a fluorophore attached to 2,2′-dipicolylamine (DPA) and bis(2-quinolinylmethyl)amine (DQA) receptors through an amide linkage. The addition of Zn²⁺ to the solutions of sensors (1–3) led to enhanced fluorescence intensity, ranging between 2.5 and 14 folds. At physiological pH (pH = 7.4), these sensors exhibited high selectivities for Zn²⁺ over a wide range of competing metal cations, displaying high sensitivities with a limit of detections of 120, 81.7 and 79.2 nM, respectively. This suggests that these sensors can detect chronic Zn²⁺ concentration for freshwater (>1.84 μM), designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. DFT simulations performed on the more stable stacked conformations of unbound and Zn²⁺ bounded states suggested that the latter display higher density of excited states than the unbound sensors. Moreover, the stacked conformer of sensor 3 was significantly more stable as compared to sensors 1 and 2, which was attributed to a stronger Van Der Waals (VDW) interaction between DQA and 1,8-naphthalimide. The Zn²⁺ binding leads to enhanced electronic coupling between the HOMOs and LUMOs, making excited states more populated which then undergoes geometric relaxation before emitting light and relaxing back to the ground states. The lower energy separation (5.0 eV) between the HOMO and the first Zn²⁺ d-orbital in sensor 3 as compared to sensors 1 and 2 results in enhanced density of the generated states and subsequently higher intensity upon binding with Zn²⁺.     

A luminescence probe for measurements of electron-exchange rates in polymer films on electrodes

The effect of metal ions on the, reduction of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-quinone (1), 5,8-quinolinequinone (II) and 6,7-dichloro-5, 8-quinolinequinone (III) has been investigated in 50% dimethylsulfoxide+water solvent. 1 contains the 1,10-phenanthroline structure in both its quinone and hydroquinone forms, while II and III contain the 8-hydroxyquinoline structure in the hydroquinone forms. Complexation of the hydroquinones of II and III by metal ions causes positive shifts in the quinone half-wave potentials. These shifts have been used to calculate conditional formation constants for Pb²⁺(II) and Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺(III). The quinone form of I binds strongly to Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺ but not to Ca²⁺. Mg²⁺. Mg₂₊. Mn²⁺ and Pb²⁺. With the latter four metals, binding to the hydroquinone from of I was detected and formation constants were determined. In addition to binding both the quinone and hydroquinone forms at the nitrogen atoms, Ni₂₊ Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺ formed complexes at the 1,2-dihydroxy site of the hydroquinone of I.     

Fluorescence properties of polyamines bearing two terminal quinoline fragments in water

Fluorescence properties of polyamines bearing two terminal quinoline fragments with different polyamine chain length, such as ethylenediamine (L0), diethylenetriamine (L1), and triethylenetetramine (L2), have been studied in water. These ligands show Zn²⁺-induced fluorescence enhancement, while showing almost no enhancement with other cations. However, stability constants for Zn²⁺ coordination and fluorescence response against Zn²⁺ depend strongly on the polyamine chain length. The chain length also affects the fluorescence wavelength. The Zn²⁺-L1 and Zn²⁺-L2 complexes show emission at 410 nm, while Zn²⁺-L0 complexes show a blue-shifted emission at 375 nm due to the partial charge transfer from the excited state quinoline to the Zn²⁺ center.     

Synthesis of a new pyrene-devived fluorescent probe for the detection of Zn2+

A novel pyrene-based receptor bearing benzothiazole was synthesized as a good turn-on fluorescent sensor for the recognition of Zn²⁺. The probe showed an excellent selectivity for Zn²⁺over most other competing ions (eg, Cr³⁺, Li⁺, Cd²⁺, Al³⁺, Pb²⁺, Li⁺, Mg²⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Ba²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺) in EtOH-HEPES (65:35, v/v, pH?=?7.20), which might be attributed to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. The formation of 1:1 stoichiometric PBZ-Zn²⁺ complex was determined based on the Job's plot, ¹H NMR titration and ESI-MS. The binding constant of the complex was 4.04?×?10⁴?M^?1 with a detection limit of 2.58?×?10^?7?M. The potential application of the PBZ in real water samples for recognizing Zn²⁺ was investigated. Bio-imaging study also revealed that PBZ could be applied to detecting Zn²⁺ in live cells. These results indicated that PBZ could be a favorable probe for Zn²⁺.     

Synthesis and metal extraction studies of a novel chromogenic 5,17-bisazocalix[4]arenes

Three novel chromogenic cone azocalix[4]arenes 5a–c, which have cavity and the azo groups as metal-binding sites and as coloration sites were synthesized. They were studied by the liquid–liquid extraction of selected metal cations (Sr²⁺, Ag⁺, Hg⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺). Through examination of the extraction, a novel selectivity of these compounds toward Hg²⁺ cations has been determined. Besides, it has been also found that azocalix[4]arene 5c is highly sensitive to acid–base titration, which can be detected by the naked eye.     

A convenient synthesis of new thiaazacrown ethers and study of their complexation reactions with some transition metal cations in binary acetonitrile–chloroform mixture using the conductometric method

Three novel thiaazacrown ethers 1, 2 and 3 were synthesized in a simple way and in high yield. The complex formation between Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ metal cations with thiaazacrown ethers 1, 2 and 3 have been studied in acetonitrile:chloroform (1:1) binary solvent system using conductometric technique. The conductance data show that the stochiometry of the complexes with Ag⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ cations is 1:1 (L:M), but in the case of Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ cations, a 1:2 (L:M) complex is formed in solutions. The formation constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes were determined from the molar conductance-mole ratio data at 25 °C. It was found that the stability constants of 1-Ag²⁺, 2-Ag⁺ and 3-Ag⁺ complexes are higher than those of their corresponding Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ complexes and found to vary in order 3 > 1 > 2 for Ag⁺.     

Syntheses and structures of tetranuclear Zn（Ⅱ） complexes with in situ generated macrocyclic Schiff base ligands:Applications in Zn2+ sensing

Three novel Zn（II） complexes,[Zn₄L¹Cl₄]-3H₂O（1）,[Zn₄L²Cl₄]-2DMF（2） and[Zn₄L³Cl₄]H₂O（3）,have been synthesized and structurally characterized.In these complexes,interesting 32-membered dodecadentate macrocyclic ligands were generated in situ by ’2 + 2’ type condensation reactions between a tetraamine and various dialdehydes.All the complexes are isostructurally tetranuclear Zn（Ⅱ） complexes,containing endogenous alkoxo and phenoxo bridges.Applications of the macrocyclic ligands as Zn²⁺ sensors have been investigated.Take H₄L¹ for example,it exhibits a 4-fold fluorescence enhancement upon the addition of 2 equiv.of Zn²⁺ in MeOH.     

A turn-on and reversible fluorescence sensor with high affinity to Zn in aqueous solution

A new simple receptor 1 based on aminosalicylimine was prepared. It exhibited an ‘off–on fluorescence type’ mode with high sensitivity in the presence of Zn²⁺. In particular, this chemosensor could clearly distinguish Zn²⁺ from Cd²⁺. Also, it could be a reusable chemosensor because the addition of EDTA quenched the fluorescence of the Zn²⁺-2·1 complex. Furthermore, receptor 1 had a sufficiently low detection limit (68 nM) in aqueous solutions, which implies that 1 could sense the nanomolar concentration of Zn²⁺. Therefore, this sensor has the ability to be a practical system for the monitoring of Zn²⁺ concentrations in aqueous samples.     

Synthesis and metal ion complexation of spin labeled 18-crown-6 ethers containing an acridone or an acridine fluorophore unit

Double (spin and fluorescence) labeled pyrroline derivatives of crown ethers containing an acridone or an acridine fluorophore unit (1 and 2) and their diamagnetic analogues (3 and 4) were synthesized. Their fluorescent behavior as well as their complexation properties toward selected metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺) were examined.