A new fluorescent chemosensor for copper(II) and molecular switch controlled by light

A novel fluorescent chemosensor with two 5-nitro-salicylaldehyde groups at the upper rim of calix[4]arene has been synthesized. The chemosensor can effectively recognize copper(II) ion. This system could be considered as a molecular switch. By alternating the light irradiation of mixed solution formed by the host and Cu²⁺, off-on-off fluorescent switching is carried out.     

A new rhodamine-based fluorescent chemosensor for transition metal cations synthesized by one-step facile condensation

A new rhodamine-based fluorescent chemosensor (1) for transition metal cations was synthesized by one-step facile condensation of rhodamine B and 2-aminopyridine. Without metal cations, 1 is colorless and nonfluorescent, whereas addition of metal cations (Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Fe²⁺) leads to an obvious color change to pink and an appearance of orange fluorescence.     

The Design of a Highly Selective Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cu(II) within Wide pH Region and a Molecular Switch Controlled by pH

A new calix[4]arene-based fluorescent compound with two thio-ether groups as ionophore and one 3-alkoxy-2-naphthoic acid moiety as fluorophore has been designed, which exhibited highly selective binding of Cu ²⁺ over alkali, alkaline earth and some transition metal ions, including Co ²⁺, Ni ²⁺, Zn ²⁺, Mn ²⁺, Cd ²⁺, Pb ²⁺, Hg ²⁺, Ag ⁺, Cu ⁺, in CH ₃OH–H ₂O (2:1) within wide pH region. Moreover, the change of pH induces the consecutive quenching/revival of the fluorescence, with a concomitant distinct difference of the fluorescence quantum yield. In consequence, this system could be considered as a molecular switch.     

Calix[4]arene based selective fluorescent chemosensor for organic acid recognition

A novel calix[4]arene-based fluorescent chemosensor bearing a 2-aminopyridine moiety and a naphthalenic fluorophore was synthesized The chemical structure of the product was elucidated by FT-IR, MS-FAB, NMR and elemental analyses. Then, the properties and identification mechanism of the synthesized chemosensor were investigated. The results show that the chemosensor exhibits selective fluorescent quenching in the presence of aromatic organic acid in acetonitrile solution, and that the binding ability of the chemosensor with organic acid is in the order of p-cyanic-benzyl acid > p-chloric-benzyl acid > p-methoxyl-benzyl acid > benzyl acid. __________ Translated from Journal of South China University of Technology (Natural Science Edition), 2007, 35(4): 20–24 [译自: 华南理工大学学报(自然科学版)]     

A new fluorescent chemosensor for anion based on an artificial cyclic tetrapeptide

A cyclic tetrapeptide composed of alternating glycine and 8-amino-4-iso-butoxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid was designed and synthesized. Its complexation properties with anions were performed by fluorescence spectroscopy and ¹H NMR method.     

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.     

A new fluorescent as well as chromogenic chemosensor for anions based on an anthracene carbamate derivative

A new fluorescent as well as chromogenic anion sensor, 1,8-anthradiol bis(N-phenylcarbamate) 2, was synthesized. It exhibits new selective red-shifted absorption and fluorescence bands with F⁻ and AcO⁻, which could be attributed to the anthracene moiety directly involved in the bonding interaction with the anions.     

A fluorescent molecular switch driven by the input sequence of metal cations: an azamacrocyclic ligand containing bipolar anthracene fragments

An azamacrocyclic ligand (L) containing two anthracene (AN) fragments connected through two triethylenetetramine bridges has been synthesized, in which each of the bridges can coordinate with one metal cation. The effects of pH and metal cations (Zn2+ and Cd2+) on the emission properties of L were studied in water. Without metal cations, L does not show any emission at basic pH values. The addition of Zn2+ leads to the production of excimer emission, which is due to a static excimer formed by direct excitation of the intramolecular ground-state dimer of the bipolar AN fragments that approach each other by Zn2+ binding. In contrast, Cd2+ addition does not result in excimer emission because the Cd2+-AN pi complex, formed by donation of a pi electron of the AN fragments to the adjacent Cd2+, suppresses pi-stacking interactions of the AN fragments. The most notable feature is the appearance of excimer emission controlled by the input sequence of metal cations: Zn2+-->Cd2+ sequential addition (each one equivalent) allows excimer emission, whereas the reverse sequence (Cd2+-->Zn2+) does not. In the Zn2+-->Cd2+ sequence, Cd2+ coordination is structurally restricted by the first Zn2+ coordination with the other polyamine bridge, leading to the formation of a weak Cd2+-AN pi complex. In contrast, for the reverse sequence, the first Cd2+ coordination forms a stable Cd2+-AN pi complex, which is not weakened by sequential Zn2+ coordination, resulting in no excimer emission.     

A ratiometric chemosensor for fluorescent determination of Hg based on a new porphyrin-quinoline dyad

Quinolin-8-ol p-[10′,15′,20′-triphenyl-5′-porphyrinyl]benzoate (1) was synthesized for the first time and developed as a ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for recognition of Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous ethanol with high selectivity. The 1–Hg²⁺ complexation quenches the fluorescence of porphyrin at 646 nm and induces a new fluorescent enhancement at 603 nm. The fluorescent response of 1 towards Hg²⁺ seems to be caused by the binding of Hg²⁺ ion with the quinoline moiety, which was confirmed by the absorption spectra and ¹H NMR spectrum. The fluorescence response fits a Hill coefficient of 1 (1.0308), indicating the formation of a 1:1 stoichiometry for the 1–Hg²⁺ complex. The analytical performance characteristics of the chemosensor were investigated. The sensor shows a linear response toward Hg²⁺ in the concentration range of 3 × 10⁻⁷ to 2 × 10⁻⁵ M with a limit of detection of 2.2 × 10⁻⁸ M. Chemosensor 1 shows excellent selectivity to Hg²⁺ over transition metal cations except Cu²⁺, which quenches the fluorescence of 1 to some extent when it exists at equal molar concentration. Moreover, the chemosensor are pH-independent in 5.0–9.0 and show excellent selectivity for Hg²⁺ over transition metal cations.     

核苷磷酸盐对含双芘侧链荧光敏感器化合物的荧光猝灭与分子识别

合成了一种在水溶液中对核苷磷酸盐ATP,ADP,AMP阴离子具有识别能力的荧光化学敏感器分子---化合物1。通过检测化合物1在水溶液中芘激基缔合物荧光发射强度随核苷磷酸盐、腺嘌呤等的加入而引起的变化,求出不同核苷磷酸盐及腺嘌呤对芘激基缔合物荧光发射的猝灭常数,并进行了比较研究。利用荧光发射强度随不同核苷磷酸盐引入而发生的变化计算出化合物1对不同核苷磷酸盐进行配位的配位稳定常数。结果表明所合成的化合物1对ATP有着良好的识别力选择功能。此外,还利用分子力学的计算方法对化合物1及其与核苷磷酸盐形成配合物后的分子构象及几何尺寸作了计算,并结合实验结果进行了初步讨论。     

A hydrophilic fluorescent polymer containing naphthalimide moiety as chemosensor for microbioreactors

A novel hydrophilic copolymer P(NI-HEMA) containing the pendant group of naphthalimide moiety has been prepared. In the aqueous buffer solution, its film on the glass substrate shows an obvious fluorescence change and excellent linear relevance in the pH range of 5.8–8.0. Specifically, using the isobestic point at 406 nm as excitation wavelength can avoid the UV irradiation and the tedious calibration process. The film stability and hydrophilicity of copolymer P(NI-HEMA) were studied. Because of the easy synthesis, low price and high linear relevance to pH, the hydrophilic chemosensor film of P(NI-HEMA) could be potentially applied as a low-cost pH indicator for high-throughput bioprocessing in microreactors. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20672036), Program for Shanghai Shuguang Project (Grant No. 07SG34), and New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. NCET-06-0418)     

A colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for detection of Hg2+ using counterion exchange of cationic polydiacetylene

In this study, a colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for mercury ions (Hg²⁺) was developed. Cationic polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicles with a quaternary ammonium cation and iodide as a counterion show a blue-to-red color transition; the color change is accompanied by a fluorescence enhancement in selective response to Hg²⁺ ions because of a perturbation of the ene–yne conjugated backbone induced by counterion exchange. It allows for selective detection of Hg²⁺ with the naked eye and the sensor is used to determine Hg²⁺ concentrations in tap water samples.     

Novel fluorescent chemosensor for Ag^ ＋ based on coumarin fluorophore

A novel chemosensor 1 （CS1） bearing one coumarin and two carbodithioate groups was synthesized and its fluorescent sensing behavior toward metal ions was investigated. Ag^＋ addition to a CH3COCH3/H2O （3：7, v：v） solution of CS1 gave a significantly quenched fluorescence. Other ions including Pb^2＋, Zn^2＋, Cu^2＋, Ca^2＋, Cd^2＋, Co^2＋, Mg^2＋, Mn^2＋, Hg^2＋, Ag^＋, Ni^2＋ induced no or much smaller spectral changes. This constitutes an ON-OFF Ag^＋-selective fluorescent chemosensor.     

A novel selective fluorescent chemosensor for Cu（Ⅱ）

A novel fluorescence enhancement Cu~(2 ) chemosensor derived from coumarin was prepared.Emission study found that it exhibits evident Cu~(2 )-amplified fluorescence prior to Co~(2 ),Pb~(2 ),Mg~(2 ),Mn~(2 ),Ni~(2 ),Zn~(2 ),Fe~(3 ),Ag~ and Cd~(2 ),and the largest emission enhancement factor is about 9 at a ratio of 2:1 (chemosensor 1/Cu~(2 )).     

Label-free fluorescent strategy for sensitive detection of tetracycline based on triple-helix molecular switch and G-quadruplex

In this assay, a label-free fluorescent sensing platform based on triple-helix molecular switch (THMS) and G-quadruplex was developed for the detection of tetracycline. We demonstrated this approach by using THMS, which consists of a central section with a shortened 8-mer aptamer sequence with high affinity to tetracycline and flanked by two arm segments. G-rich oligonucleotide can specifically bind to thioflavin T (ThT) as a signal transduction probe (STP). In the absence of tetracycline, THMS remains stable, the fluorescence of background is low. By the addition of target tetracycline, the aptamer-target binding results in the formation of a structured aptamer-target complex, which disassembles the THMS and releases the STP. The free STP self-assembles into G-quadruplex and specifically binds to ThT which generates a obvious fluorescence enhancement. Using the triple-helix molecular switch, the developed aptamer-based fluorescent sensing platform showed a linear relationship with the concentration of tetracycline ranging from 0.2 to 20.0 nmol/L. The detection limit of tetracycline was determined to be 970.0 pmol/L. The assay avoids complicated modifications or chemical labeling, making it simple and cost-effective. So, it is expected that this aptamer-based fluorescent assay could be extensively applied in the field of food safety inspection.     

A macrocycle/molecular-clip complex that functions as a quadruply controllable molecular switch

Herein, we report the synthesis of a molecular clip with TTF side-walls and its binding behavior towards electron-deficient guests, namely the formation of macrocycle/molecular-clip supramolecular complexes in solution. Four different sets of external stimuli--the K(+)/[2.2.2]cryptand, NH(4) (+)/Et(3)N and (p-BrPh)(3)NSbCl(6)/Zn pairs, and heating/cooling cycles-control the movement of this molecular switch between its threaded and unthreaded states and provide color changes that are observable by the naked eye. This macrocycle/molecular-clip complex system can be considered not only as a quadruple-use molecular switch, but can also be operated by three of these stimuli as a three-input molecular NOR-functioning logic gate that may be monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy.     

A highly selective turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for copper(II) ion

A new pyrene derivative (1) containing a diaminomaleonitrile moiety exhibits high selectivity for Cu²⁺ detection. Significant fluorescence enhancement was observed with chemosensor 1 in the presence of Cu²⁺. However, the metal ions Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺ produced only minor changes in fluorescence values for the system. The apparent association constant (K_a) of Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was found to be 5.55×10³ M⁻¹. The maximum fluorescence enhancement caused by Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was observed over the pH range 5-7.5.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization and biological evaluation of a novel chemosensor with different metal ions

A novel chemosensor, namely 3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one, CPPEO, and its metal complexes have been synthesized and characterized by using sets of chemical and spectroscopic techniques, such as elemental analysis, mass, Fourier transform‐infrared and UV–Vis spectral analysis. The thermal properties of the metal complexes have been investigated by thermogravimetric techniques. The decomposition mechanism of the titled complexes was suggested. The results showed that the Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺ complexes have an octahedral geometry, while Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ complexes have tetrahedral geometry. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the thermal decomposition stages have been evaluated using the Coats–Redfern method. The optical sensing response of the investigated chemosensor to the different metal ions was investigated. It responds well to the tested metal ions as reflected from the significant change in both absorption and emission spectra upon adding different concentrations of the metal salts, confirming the intramolecular charge transfer of the chemosensor upon effective coordination with the used metal ions. This leads to enhancing ICT interaction, causing a significant shift in the presence of strongly complexing metal ions. This was fully reversible, where the solution of dye‐metal ion complex was decomplexed by adding an EDTA solution to revert the original spectrum of the dye. The stability constants, K, for the complexes of the investigated chemosensor with the mentioned metal ions were calculated, indicating that Co²⁺ is the most effectively detected, and the potential of the novel dye was highly efficient switchers for Co²⁺ ions. Additionally, the molecular modeling was carried out for the chemosensor and its metal complexes. Finally, the solid complexes have been tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activities against some bacterial strains (Gram +ve and Gram ?ve bacteria), as well as antifungal strains.     

A thiocyanate-based hybrid molecular salt as a new fluorescent chemosensor for fluoride

An organic–inorganic hybrid solid [(dpaH)⁺(NCS)^?] (1) (dpa?=?2,2′-dipyridylamine) based on an anionic template NCS^? has been synthesized. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis reveals that NCS^? templates assemble dpaH⁺ units into a 3-D layer structure along the b axis through strong hydrogen bonding. Molecular salt 1 works as an anion-binder efficiently and selectively for recognition and sensing purposes in aprotic solvents. This receptor shows changes both in its UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra upon the addition of F^?, resulting in high selectivity for fluoride detection in CH₃CN. It is promising to use these systems in various sensing applications.