Advances in anion binding and sensing using luminescent lanthanide complexes

Luminescent lanthanide complexes have been actively studied as selective anion receptors for the past two decades. Ln(iii) complexes, particularly of europium(iii) and terbium(iii), offer unique photophysical properties that are very valuable for anion sensing in biological media, including long luminescence lifetimes (milliseconds) that enable time-gating methods to eliminate background autofluorescence from biomolecules, and line-like emission spectra that allow ratiometric measurements. By careful design of the organic ligand, stable Ln(iii) complexes can be devised for rapid and reversible anion binding, providing a luminescence response that is fast and sensitive, offering the high spatial resolution required for biological imaging applications. This review focuses on recent progress in the development of Ln(iii) receptors that exhibit sufficiently high anion selectivity to be utilised in biological or environmental sensing applications. We evaluate the mechanisms of anion binding and sensing, and the strategies employed to tune anion affinity and selectivity, through variations in the structure and geometry of the ligand. We highlight examples of luminescent Ln(iii) receptors that have been utilised to detect and quantify specific anions in biological media (e.g. human serum), monitor enzyme reactions in real-time, and visualise target anions with high sensitivity in living cells.

This minireview highlights advances in anion binding and sensing using luminescent lanthanide(iii) complexes.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of lanthanide complexes incorporating a hydralazine-derived chromophore

Reaction of 1-hydrazinophthalazine with chloroacetyl chloride yields 3-chloromethyl-1,2,4-triazolo-phthalazine. Reaction of this product with the tris tert-butyl ester of DO3A yields a triazolophthalazine appended macrocycle. Hydrolysis and complexation with lanthanide ions gives access to a series of lanthanide complexes (Ln = Nd, Eu, Yb, Er); these are all luminescent and exhibit sensitisation of the lanthanide centre by the chromophore.     

Anion sensing with luminescent lanthanide complexes of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines: pronounced effects of lanthanide center and ligand chirality on anion selectivity and sensitivity

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands exhibited anion-specific sensory functions, and their anion selectivity and response sensitivity were modulated by a combination of lanthanide center and chiral ligand.     

Cyclometallated platinum(II) complexes incorporating ethynyl-flavone ligands: switching between triplet and singlet emission induced by selective binding of Pb2+ ions

Platinum-ethynylflavone complexes featuring various polyether arms display (3)IL phosphorescence associated with the appended flavone perturbed by the platinum centre (tau approximately 20 mus), but switch dramatically to flavone-localised (1)IL fluorescence (tau approximately 2 ns) upon selective binding of Pb(2+).     

Highly emissive,nine-coordinate enantiopure lanthanide complexes incorporating tetraazatriphenylenes as probes for DNA

The interaction of q = 0 delta- and lambda-Tb and Eu complexes with poly(dAdT), poly(dGdC) and calf-thymus DNA has been examined by absorption, emission and chiroptical spectroscopy and is sensitive to complex helicity, base-pair type and the nature of the lanthanide excited state.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with stereocontrolled tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands: chirality effects on lanthanide complexation and luminescence properties

A series of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines including one and two asymmetric centers were synthesized in a stereo-controlled fashion as potential ligands of lanthanide cations. The reaction of chiral pyridylethyl methanesulfonates and bis(pyridylmethyl)amines occurred via an S(N)2 mechanism with complete inversion of asymmetric centers and gave the stereocontrolled tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines, the stereochemical purity of which was ascertained by GPC, NMR, X-ray, and polarimetry experiments. They formed stable Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) complexes having 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 stoichiometry (metal:ligand) in CH(3)CN solutions. NMR and UV titration experiments revealed that their complexation behaviors were rarely influenced by ligand chirality but significantly affected by the nature of the counteranion and the concentration ratio of metal to ligand. The Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) complexes with these tripodal ligands exhibited characteristic luminescence spectra upon excitation for pyridine chromophores (260 nm), the intensities of which were largely dependent on the ligand chirality. The meso isomer of the disubstituted tripods particularly exhibited the enhanced terbium luminescence ca. three times more than its diastereomer and un- and monosubstituted tripods. Direct excitation at the lanthanide center had similar chirality effects on the luminescence profiles, indicating that the stereochemistry of the employed ligand largely influenced the lanthanide emitting processes. Since the ligand chirality finely modified the local coordination environments around the lanthanide center, the use of stereocontrolled ligands is applicable in design of the luminescent lanthanide complexes.     

Towards aqueous chiral heptadentate lanthanide complexes as selective shift and relaxation agents for MRS

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is of prime importance in diagnostics and offers a means of analyzing, in vivo, the chemical content of living tissue, as a non-invasive alternative to biopsy. Several heptadentate, lanthanide complexes have been synthesized and their potential to act as shift and relaxation agents in MRS (for lactate, in particular) has been assessed through (1)H NMR analysis. The binding affinity and enantiopurity of the complexes have been modulated by systematic variation of the lanthanide ion and ligand structure, in particular the peripheral electrostatic charge of the complex (cationic versus neutral) and the local charge and steric demand at the metal centre.     

Metal salen complexes incorporating triphenoxymethanes: efficient, size selective anion binding by phenolic donors with a visual report

A metal salen complex has been designed to orientate four phenol groups into a tetrahedral array that tightly binds fluoride ion though four OH...F hydrogen bonding interactions.     

Cucurbit[n]uril binding of platinum anticancer complexes

The encapsulation of cisplatin by cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) and multinuclear platinum complexes linked via a 4,4'-dipyrazolylmethane (dpzm) ligand by Q[7] and cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) has been studied by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The NMR studies suggest that some cisplatin binds in the cucurbituril cavity, while cis-[PtCl(NH3)2(H2O)]+ only binds at the portals. Alternatively, the dpzm-linked multinuclear platinum complexes are quantitatively encapsulated within the cavities of both Q[7] and Q[8]. Upon encapsulation, the non-exchangeable proton resonances of the multinuclear platinum complexes show significant upfield shifts in 1H NMR spectra. The H3/H3* resonances shift upfield by 0.08 to 0.55 ppm, the H5/H5* shift by 0.9 to 1.6 ppm, while the methylene resonances shift by 0.74 to 0.88 ppm. The size of the resonance shift is dependent on the cavity size of the encapsulating cucurbituril, with Q[7] encapsulation producing larger shifts than Q[8]. The upfield shifts of the dpzm resonances observed upon cucurbituril encapsulation indicate that the Q[7] or Q[8] is positioned directly over the dpzm linking ligand. The terminal platinum groups of trans-[{PtCl(NH3)2}2 mu-dpzm]2+ (di-Pt) and trans-[trans-{PtCl(NH3)2}2-trans-{Pt(dpzm)2(NH3)2}]4+ (tri-Pt) provide a barrier to the on and off movement of cucurbituril, resulting in binding kinetics that are slow on the NMR timescale for the metal complex. Although the dpzm ligand has relatively few rotamers, encapsulation by the larger Q[8] resulted in a more compact di-Pt conformation with each platinum centre retracted further into each Q[8] portal. Encapsulation of the hydrolysed forms of di-Pt and tri-Pt is considerably slower than for the corresponding Cl forms, presumably due to the high-energy cost of passing the +2 platinum centres through the cucurbituril portals. The results of this study suggest that cucurbiturils could be suitable hosts for the pharmacological delivery of multinuclear platinum complexes.     

A receptor incorporating OH, NH and CH binding motifs for a fluoride selective chemosensor

An anion receptor combined different types of hydrogen bond donors such as OH, NH and CH groups has been synthesized. By rotation of the sub methyl group, this receptor showed evident (1)H NMR response to both fluoride and sulfate, while colorimetric and fluorescent responses were only observed in the presence of fluoride.     

DNA binding and antibacterial properties of ternary lanthanide complexes with salicylic acid and phenanthroline

Twelve ternary lanthanide complexes RE(sal)₃phen (RE³⁺ = La³⁺, Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Ho³⁺, Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺, Lu³⁺, sal = salicylic acid, phen = phenanthroline) were prepared. Interactions between the complexes and calf thymus DNA (ct‐DNA) were investigated using UV–visible spectrophotometry, fluorescence quench experiment and viscosity measurement. Hypochromicity and red shift of the absorption spectra of complexes were observed in the presence of DNA. The enhanced emission intensity of ethidium bromide (EB) in the presence of DNA was quenched by the addition of lanthanide complexes, which indicated that the lanthanide complexes displaced EB from its binding sites in DNA. Based on the systematic research of the binding constant (K_b) and the fluorescence quenching constant (K_q) of the 12 complexes, we found that the complexes with smaller lanthanide ion radius had stronger binding abilities with DNA. Viscosity measurement showed that the relative viscosity of the DNA solution was enhanced with increasing the amounts of the complexes. All these results suggested that the complexes could bind to DNA and the major binding mode was intercalative binding. Moreover, all these complexes exhibited excellent antibacterial abilities against Escherichia coli. Also, the antibacterial activities of complexes with heavy rare earth were higher than those of complexes with light rare earth. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fluorescence sensing and selective binding of L- and D-tryptophan-modified permethylated beta-cyclodextrins for aliphatic oligopeptides

Two tryptophan-modified permethylated beta-cyclodextrins, 6I-L-Trp-6I-deoxy-2I,3I-di-O-methyl-hexakis(2II-VII,3II-VII,6II-VII-tri-O-methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (3) and 6I-D-Trp- 6I-deoxy-2I,3I-di-O-methyl-hexakis(2II-VII,3II-VII,6II-VII-tri-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (4), were synthesized, and their binding behaviors were investigated with the aliphatic oligopeptides, Leu-Gly, Gly-Leu, Gly-Pro, Glu-Glu, and Gly-Gly. Fluorescence spectrophotometric studies indicated that 3 and 4 can act as efficient fluorescence sensors for aliphatic oligopeptides. Due to their intermolecular co-inclusion binding mode with substrates, 3 and 4 not only afforded high binding constants of up to 10(3)-10(4) M(-1) for guest oligopeptides but also good molecular selectivities of up to ca. 7 for Gly-Gly/Leu-Gly and Glu-Glu/Gly-Gly pairs.     

Combined use of platinum(II) complexes and palladium(II) complexes for selective cleavage of peptides and proteins

This study shows, for the first time, the advantages of combining two transition-metal complexes as selective proteolytic reagents. In this procedure, cis-[Pt(en)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) is followed by [Pd(H(2)O)(4)](2+). In the peptide AcAla-Lys-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Met-Ala-Ala-Arg-Ala, the Pt(II) reagent cleaves the Met6-Ala7 peptide bond, whereas the Pd(II) reagent cleaves the Gly4-Gly5 bond. In the peptide AcVal-Lys-Gly-Gly-His-Ala-Lys-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Met-Ala-Ala-Arg-Ala, the Pt(II) reagent cleaves the Met11-Ala12 peptide bond, whereas the Pd(II) reagent cleaves the Gly3-Gly4 bond. All cleavage reactions are regioselective and complete at pH 2.0 and 60 degrees C. Each metal ion binds to an anchoring side chain and then, as a Lewis acid, activates a proximal peptide bond toward hydrolysis by the solvent water. The selectivity in cleavage is a consequence of the selectivity in this initial anchoring. Both Pt(II) and Pd(II) reagents bind to the methionine side chain, whereas only the Pd(II) reagent binds to the histidine side chain under the reaction conditions. Consequently, only methionine residues direct the cleavage by the Pt(II) reagent, whereas both methionine and histidine residues direct the cleavage by the Pd(II) reagent. The Pt(II) reagent cleaves the first bond downstream from the anchor, i.e., the Met-Z bond. The Pd(II) reagent cleaves the second bond upstream from the anchor, i.e., the X-Y bond in the X-Y-Met-Z and in the X-Y-His-Z segments. The diethylenetriamine complex [Pt(dien)(H(2)O)](2+) cannot promote cleavage. Its prior binding to the Met11 residue in the second peptide prevents the Pd(II) reagents from binding to Met11 and cleaving the Gly9-Gly10 bond and directs the cleavage by the Pd(II) reagent exclusively at the Gly3-Gly4 bond. Our new method was tested on equine myoglobin, which contains 2 methionine residues and 11 histidine residues. The complete methionine-directed cleavage of the Met55-Lys56 and Met131-Thr132 bonds by the Pt(II) reagent produced three fragments, suitable for various biochemical applications because they are relatively long and contain amino and carboxylic terminal groups. The deliberately incomplete histidine-directed cleavage of the long fragments 1.55 and 56.131 at many sites by the Pd(II) reagent produced numerous short fragments, suitable for protein identification by mass spectrometry. The ability of combined Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes to cleave proteins with explicable and adjustable selectivity and with good yields bodes well for their greater use in biochemical and bioanalytical practice.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes as analytical tools in anion sensing, pH indication and protein recognition

Although lanthanide complexes are recently used in luminescence labeling of bio-targets, this review focuses on sensing profiles of synthetic and biological lanthanide complexes. Rational design and combinatorial screening approaches toward synthetic lanthanide complexes applicable as luminescent sensing materials are described. Iron-carrying transferrin and ferritin proteins further form lanthanide complexes working as pH indicators and protein recognition reagents.     

Luminescent cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes with amino acid ligands for protein binding

Pt(C/N)(phe)(1, C/N = 2-(2'-thienyl)pyridine, phe = phenylalanine) shows a high binding affinity (ca. 10(6) dm(3) mol(-1)) and selectivity towards human serum albumin (HSA) and such binding is accompanied by an enhancement of photoluminescence at 562 nm; both the protein binding affinity and cytotoxicities of [Pt(C/N)(phe)(1), Pt(C/N)(trp)(2, trp = tryptophan) and Pt(C/N)(gly)(3, gly = glycine)] are affected by the amino acid ligand with having an IC(50) of up to 1 microM against a number of carcinoma cell lines.     

Enantiopure lanthanide complexes incorporating a tetraazatriphenylene sensitiser and three naphthyl groups: exciton coupling,intramolecular energy transfer,efficient singlet oxygen formation and perturbation by DNA binding

In cationic nine-coordinate chiral terbium and europium complexes incorporating exciton-coupled naphthyl groups and a tetraazatriphenylene sensitising chromophore, efficient intramolecular energy transfer occurs leading to population of the naphthyl triplet state. With the terbium complex, the absolute quantum yield of singlet oxygen formation is 51% (lambda(exc) 355 nm), and for the Eu complex the intensity of metal-based emission increases by up to 350% on binding to poly(dGdC) or calf-thymus DNA, and was greater for the delta-isomer.     

Synthesis of electron-rich platinum centers: Platinum0(carbene)(alkene)2 complexes

The synthesis and molecular structure of the zero-valent platinum-mono-carbene-bis-alkene complexes [Pt⁰(NHC)(dimethyl fumarate)₂] (NHC = 1,3-dimesityl-imidazol-2-ylidene (1a); 1,3-dimesityl-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (2a); diphenyl-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (2b) are described. Two routes have been evaluated for the synthesis of 1a and 2a, involving reaction of a zero-valent platinum compound either with an isolated carbene ligand, or with an in situ generated carbene ligand. The in situ method proved to be easier and gave similar yields of about 50% after crystallization. Attempts have been made to synthesize similar compounds with N-phenyl and N-alkyl groups, of which the latter met with little success. However, (1,3-diphenyl-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene)-bis(η²-dimethyl fumarate) platinum(0) (2b) could be obtained in 49% yield, after crystallization, from the appropriate Wanzlick dimer.Compound 1a reacts with H₂ and D₂ in sequences of oxidative addition, migration–insertion involving dimethyl fumarate, and reductive elimination to form neutral hydrido platinum (II) carbene complexes, probably containing a metallacyclic (R)–CO … Pt unit.     

Combined effects of electrostatic and pi-pi stacking interactions: selective binding of nucleotides and aromatic carboxylates by platinum(II)-aromatic ligand complexes

Adduct formations of Pt(II) complexes containing an aromatic diimine (DA) and an L-amino acid (A) with an aromatic carboxylate (AR) or a mononucleotide (NMP) has been studied by synthetic, structural, spectroscopic, and calorimetric methods. Several adducts between Pt(II) complexes, [Pt(DA)(L-A)] (charges are omitted; DA=2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpm); A=L-arginine (L-Arg), L-alaninate (L-Ala), and AR (=indole-3-acetate (IA), gentisate (GA)) or GMP were isolated as crystals and structurally characterized by the X-ray diffraction method. GMP in [Pt(bpm)(Arg)](GMP).5 H(2)O was revealed to be bound through the pi-pi stacking and guanidinium-phosphate hydrogen bonds. The [Pt(DA)(A)]-AR and -NMP systems in aqueous solution exhibited NMR upfield shifts of the aromatic ring proton signals due to stacking. The stability constants (K) for the adducts were determined by absorption and NMR spectra and calorimetric titrations. The log K values were found to be in the range 1.40-2.29 for AR and 1.8-3.3 for NMP, the order for NMP being GMP>AMP>CMP>UMP. The DeltaH degrees values were negative for all the systems studied, and the values for AR (=IA and GA) were more negative than those for NMP, indicating that ARs are stronger electron donors than NMPs. Comparison of the log K values for [Pt(bpm)(L-Arg)] and [Pt(bpm)(L-Ala)] (Ala=alaninate) indicated that the Arg moiety further stabilized the adducts by the guanidinium-carboxylate or -phosphate hydrogen bonds. The combined effects of weak interactions on the stability of the adducts in solution are discussed on the basis of the thermodynamic parameters and solid state structures.     

Chemistry of phosphine-borane adducts at platinum centers: synthesis and reactivity of PtII complexes with phosphinoborane ligands

Reaction of [Pt(PEt(3))(3)] with the primary and secondary phosphine-borane adducts PhRPH x BH(3) (R=H, Ph) resulted in oxidative addition of a P-H bond at the Pt(0) center to afford the complexes trans-[PtH(PPhR x BH(3))(PEt(3))(2)] (1: R=H; 2: R=Ph). The products 1 and 2 were characterized by (1)H, (11)B, (13)C, (31)P, and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structures were verified by X-ray crystallography. In both cases, a trans arrangement of the hydride ligand with respect to the phosphidoborane ligand was observed. When 2 was treated with PhPH(2) x BH(3), a novel phosphidoborane ligand-exchange reaction occurred which yielded 1 and Ph(2)PH x BH(3). Treatment of 2 with one equivalent of depe (depe=1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane) resulted in the formation of the complex cis-[PtH(PPh(2) x BH(3))(depe)] (3), in which the hydride ligand and the phosphidoborane ligand are in a cis arrangement. Treatment of 3 with PhPH(2) x BH(3) was found to result in an exchange of the phosphidoborane ligands to give the complex cis-[PtH(PPhH x BH(3))(depe)] (4) and Ph(2)PH x BH(3). Complex 4 was found to undergo further reaction in the presence of PhPH(2) x BH(3) to give meso-cis-[Pt(PPhH x BH(3))(2)(depe)] (5) and rac-cis-[Pt(PPhH x BH(3))(2)(depe)] (6).