A multifunctional aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active fluorescent chemosensor for detection of Zn2+ and Hg2+

An aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active fluorescent chemosensor based on a tetraphenylethene (TPE) unit has been successfully designed and synthesized. Interestingly, the luminogen could detect Zn²⁺ selectively in a THF solution with the detection limit of 1.24 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. Meanwhile, the luminogen could also detect Hg²⁺ selectively in a THF-water mixture with the water content of 90%, and the detection limit was 2.55 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. Furthermore, the solid-state mechanochromic fluorescence behavior of the luminogen was investigated systematically. Indeed, the AIE-active luminogen also exhibited reversible mechanofluorochromic phenomenon involving fluorescent color change from blue to green, and powder X-ray diffraction results indicated that the switchable morphology conversion between crystalline and amorphous states was responsible for this mechanochromism phenomenon.     

A highly selective colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for Cr2+ in aqueous solutions

A new rhodamine-based chemosensor was synthetized through a modified copper-catalyzed [3+2]-cycloaddition of an azidocoumarin with an alkynyl-rhodamine. Its sensing properties toward various metal cations in aqueous solutions were investigated by colorimetric changes, UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. The sensor exhibited a high selectivity for Cr²⁺ over Cr³⁺ and other divalent cations such as Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Ni²⁺. The linear range of detection by fluorescence spectroscopy is 0.07–3.5 mM, with a detection limit of ca. 64 μM. The binding mode of Cr²⁺ with the sensor was rationalized through experimental evidences.     

A pyrene-based dual chemosensor for colorimetric detection of Cu2+ and fluorescent detection of Fe3+

A pyrene based chemosensor was designed and synthesized. The pyrene fluorophore was connected with a pyridine unit through a Schiff base structure to give the sensor (L). L was tested with a variety of metal ions and exhibited high colorimetric selectivities for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ over other ions. Upon binding with Cu²⁺ or Fe³⁺, L showed an obvious optical color change from colorless to pink for Cu²⁺ or orange for Fe³⁺ over a wide pH range from 3 to 12. Moreover, the fluorescence of L at 370 nm decreased sharply after bonding with Fe³⁺, while other metal ions including Cu²⁺ had no apparent interference. Thus, using such single chemosensor, Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ can be detected independently with high selectivity and sensitivity. The limits of detection toward Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were 8.5 and 2.0 μM, respectively. DFT calculation results also proved the formation of stable coordination complexes and the phenomenon of fluorescence quenching by Fe³⁺. Furthermore, L was also successfully used as a bioimaging reagent for detection of Fe³⁺ in living cells.     

A dual-function chemosensor based on coumarin for fluorescent turn-on recognition of Hg2+ and colorimetric detection of Cu2+ in aqueous media

A novel coumarin derivative CTT was synthesized via the condensation of 7-(N,N-diethylamino) coumarin-3-aldehyde with 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol and its structure was characterized using infrared spectroscopy (IR), ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, and elemental analysis. The recognition properties of CTT with metal ions were investigated in CH₃CN–H₂O (v/v = 1/1) solution using UV–vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectrum method. The results showed that CTT could monitor Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ simultaneously as a dual-function chemosensor in CH₃CN–H₂O (v/v = 1/1). CTT could be used to detect Cu²⁺ colorimetrically; when using CTT, a color change from yellowish-brown to yellowish-green could be readily observed by the naked eye. CTT showed turn-on fluorescent recognition of Hg²⁺, the fluorescence enhancement was attributed to the inhibited C=N isomerization and the obstructed excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of CTT. The recognition mechanism of CTT for Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ was studied by experiments and theoretical calculations, respectively. Therefore, CTT has the ability to be a “single chemosensor for dual targets.”     

Squaraine-based colorimetric and fluorescent sensors for Cu-specific detection and fluorescence imaging in living cells

New squaraine-based chemosensors SQ1 and SQ2 functionalized with 2-picolyl units were first synthesized and used as highly selective and sensitive colorimetric and fluorometric dual-channel sensors for Cu²⁺-specific recognition in aqueous systems. Among a series of individual metal ions, only Cu²⁺ could result in dramatic color changes. We also evaluated their capability of biological applications and found that SQ2 could be successfully employed as a Cu²⁺-selective probe in the fluorescence imaging of living cells.     

A colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on chemosensor for Zn based on an azobenzene-containing compound

This paper presents a new colorimetric reversible fluorescent turn-on chemosensor molecule for zinc ion based on an azobenzene derivative. The basal fluorescence intensity of the chemosensor molecule is little affected under physiological pH 5-9, whilst the excitation (507 nm) and emission (610 nm) wavelength of the molecular probe for zinc ion is in the visible range.     

A novel rhodamine-based turn-on probe for fluorescent detection of Au3+ and colorimetric detection of Cu2+

In this work, we design and synthesize the novel probe RC through introduction the 1-aza-4,13-dithia-15-crown-5 ring into the structure of rhodamine 6G hydrazide, where the N atom of crown ring is responsible for quenching of rhodamine fluorescence. The compound obtained behaves as multifunctional cation sensor providing selective fluorescent response to Au³⁺ and selective colorimetric response to Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous acetonitrile (1/1, v/v) at pH 7.0. The use of 10^?5?M RC solution allowed reliable determination of target cations in the presence of a wide range of environmentally relevant ions with detection limits of 2?×?10^?6?M and 5?×?10^?7?M for gold and copper, respectively.     

Ratiometric chemosensor for fluorescent determination of Zn2+ in aqueous ethanol

A new ratiometric and selective fluorescent chemosensor (1) for quantification of zinc ions in aqueous ethanol has been synthesized and investigated in this work. In an environmentally friendly media of 30% (v/v) water/ethanol and 10 mM Tris-HCl neutral buffer (pH 7.03), 1 displayed selective Zn²⁺ ratiometric fluorescence response, with a dynamic working range of 1.0-8.0 μM and a detection limit of 0.5 μM Zn²⁺. The determination of Zn²⁺ in synthesized water sample was also successful.     

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.     

A TCF-based colorimetric and fluorescent probe for palladium detection in an aqueous solution

A new fluorescent probe (TCF-AC) that contains 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (TCF) skeleton has been developed. Probe TCF-AC exhibits highly selective and sensitive detection toward Pd⁰ in EtOH/H₂O (1:1, v/v, PBS 20?mM, pH?=?7.4) solution with fluorescence “turn on” and colorimetric changes. The Pd⁰ detection by TCF-AC holds some advantages including good anti-interference ability, a relative large Stokes shift (>100?nm), and a low detection limit (7.05?×?10^?7?M). Cell imaging studies demonstrate that TCF-AC is applicable to detect Pd⁰ in living HeLa cells.     

A coumarin-based fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor for rapid detection of fluoride ion

A novel coumarin-based compound 1 featuring thiosemicarbazone as binding unit, was reported as a colorimetric and fluorescent probe for the detection of fluoride anion. The addition of F^? to a solution of probe 1 in tetrahydrofuran resulted in evident naked-eye color change from green-yellow to orange-red under daylight and obvious fluorescence quenching within 3 s. And the detection limit toward F^? was calculated to be as low as 2.16 × 10^?7 mol/L. ¹H NMR titrations proved that the interaction between 1 and fluoride ion: hydrogen bond at low fluoride ion concentration, deprotonation at high fluoride ion concentration. Besides, it exhibited highly sensitivity and selectivity for F^? over other examined ions (Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, AcO^?, NO₃^?, HSO₄^?, H₂PO₄^?) in tetrahydrofuran solution.     

A benzothiazole-based receptor-immobilised silica nanoparticle as chemosensor for Hg2+

Fluorogenic benzothiazole-based receptor has been easily immobilised onto filter paper and silica nanoparticle by sol-gel reaction. The sensing ability of the benzothiazole-immobilised thin layer filter paper chromatography (TLC-1) was evaluated on the basis of fluorescent changes caused by metal ions that were dropped onto the TLC plate. The TLC-1 exhibited a high affinity and selectivity for Hg²⁺ over other competing metal ions. Therefore, the TLC-1 holds promise as a portable sensor for the detection of Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of a column packed with SiO₂-1 was evaluated by the application of metal ions under various experimental conditions, such as pH, flow rate and concentration. The SiO2-1 column removed 98% of Hg²⁺ from drinking water containing 10 ppb of Hg²⁺. The adsorption capacity of the SiO₂-1 column was not strongly affected by pH and flow rates.     

A coumarin-based colorimetric and fluorescent probe for the highly selective detection of Au3+ ions

We develop a novel coumarin-alkyne derivative(NC7-AL), which can specifically react with Au~(3+) and give a colorimetric and fluorescent ‘‘turn-on' response toward Au~(3+). Notably, other alkynophilic metal species such as Au+, Ag+, Pd~(2+), Ni~(2+), Cu~(2+), and Hg~(2+) do not produce an interfering signal. A good linear relationship between emission intensity at 420 nm and Au~(3+) concentration from 0 to 2 equivalent is observed, and the detection limit(3s/k) is estimated to be ca. 3.58 nmol/L. Harnessing the Au~(3+)-induced color change from light yellow to colorless, we find that NC7-AL-based modified TLC plate can be used for convenient naked-eye detection of Au~(3+).     

A colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for sequential detection of copper ion and cyanide

A simple cation sensor 1 ((E)-9-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-ylimino)methyl)-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydropyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-8-ol) bearing both a julolidine moiety and a naphthol moiety was designed and synthesized as a colorimetric sensor for Cu²⁺. In methanol solution of 1, the presence of Cu²⁺ led to a distinct naked-eye color change from yellow to purple. The proposed sensing mechanism might be attributed to the decrease in internal charge transfer band. Moreover, the resulting 1–Cu²⁺ complex sensed cyanide in a fluorometric way via fluorescent changes. These results demonstrate a novel type of the sequential recognition of Cu²⁺ and CN⁻ using two different sensing methods, color change, and fluorescence.     

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.     

Highly selective colorimetric naked-eye Cu2+ detection using new bispyrazolone silver nanoparticle-based chemosensor

In this work, we have successfully developed novel silver nanoconjugates of pyrazolone analogue and screened its chemosensing potential in aqueous medium. Bispyrazolone silver nanoparticles (Bispyra-AgNPs) were synthesised and characterised through FTIR, UV-visible spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The sensing ability was explored towards Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Li⁺, Pb²⁺, La³⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Ba²⁺ metal ions, respectively. Bispyra-AgNPs showed a highly quenching potential in selective recognition of Cu²⁺and colour of the solution immediately turned from yellow to purple, after the addition of Cu²⁺ in to the solution. The developed method also displayed a remarkable selectivity for Cu²⁺ over others interfering metal ions. The binding ratio and stoichiometry of host-guest complex was found to be 1:1 and determined by Job’s method. The propose method is facile and sensitive to detect Cu²⁺ with detection limit of 10 µM.     

Electroanalytical and spectral investigation of organic receptors as colorimetric and absorption ratiometric anion chemosensor

Colorimetric receptors R1 and R2 have been designed and synthesized by Schiff base condensation and characterised by standard spectroscopic techniques. Anion binding ability of the receptors have been investigated quantitatively through optical, electrochemical and ¹HNMR titration studies. UV-vis spectra of receptor R1 and R2 exhibited a significant red shift for F^? and AcO^? ions with a visual color response. Receptor R1 exhibited selective response towards AcO^? ion in the presence of HEPES buffer media. Incremental color change of receptor R2 with the higher equivalence of AcO^? ions clearly represent the ratiometric response. Cyclic voltammetric studies of R1 and R2 exhibits shift in oxidation and reduction peak with successive addition of AcO^? ions indicating the anion induced oxidation of -NH and reduction of the keto group and nitro species. Electrooptical and ¹H NMR titration studies of R2 collectively reflects the anion induced change of chromophore from C=N to N=N indicative of azo-hydrazone tautomeric signaling in the presence of AcO^? ions. Lower detection limit of 2.1 and 0.41 ppm achieved with sodium salt of AcO^? ion with R1 and R2 reflects their utility as colorimetric chemosensor.     

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.     

A colorimetric chemosensor based on new water-soluble PODIPY dye for Hg2+ detection

The phosphorus-containing PODIPY 1 as a chemosensor can detect Hg~(2+) by a color change from pink to violet red without the use of any instrumentation. PODIPY 1 was selective to Hg~(2+)with a remarkable absorption change, and addition of other relevant metal ions caused almost no absorption change. The new PODIPY dye 1 was sensitive to various concentrations of Hg~(2+). The energy gap between the HOMO and LUMO of the metal complex 1–Hg~(2+)is smaller than that of chemosensor 1, which is in good agreement with the red shift in the absorption observed upon treatment of 1 with Hg~(2+). The 1-based test strips were easily fabricated and low-cost, useful in practical and efficient Hg~(2+)test kits.     

A novel colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor: synthesis and selective detection for Cu and Hg

A novel two-channel metal ion sensor has been synthesized from macrocyclic dioxotetraamine and 1,8-naphthalimide derivative. The metal ion-selective signaling behaviors of the sensor were investigated. The sensor presented the selective coloration for Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ that can be detected by the naked-eye, respectively. Besides, the addition of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ quenched the fluorescence of 1 obviously and the detection limit was found to be 3 × 10⁻⁷ M for Cu²⁺ and 7 × 10⁻⁷ M for Hg²⁺. This sensor can be utilized for the visual and spectroscopic detection of Cu²⁺ or Hg²⁺ in the presence of the other competing metal ions.