Detection strategies for bioassays based on luminescent lanthanide complexes and signal amplification

Two attractive detection strategies for bioassays are reviewed in this article. Both approaches use the highly sensitive time-resolved luminescence detection of lanthanide complexes in combination with a signal amplification scheme. While enzyme-amplified lanthanide luminescence (EALL) has been an established technique for more than a decade, nanoparticles doped with luminescent lanthanide complexes have been introduced very recently. In this paper, the basic properties and major applications of both techniques are presented, and their future perspectives are discussed critically.     

Thermal and luminescence characterization of lanthanide 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylates series

The lanthanide 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylates series of the formulas Ln₂(ndc)₃·nH₂O, where Ln = lanthanides from La(III) to Lu(III); ndc - C₁₀H₆(COO)₂²⁻; n = 4, 4.5 or 5 have been prepared by the precipitation method. All obtained products were examined and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, simultaneous thermal analyses TG-DSC and TG-FTIR, X-Ray diffraction patterns as well as luminescence measurements. The crystalline compounds form three isostructural groups: Ce-Sm; La and Eu-Dy; Ho-Lu. In all complexes, the ndc²⁻ ligand appears in the deprotonated form. Heating of the complexes resulted in the multi-steps decomposition process. The dehydration process leads to the formation of stable crystalline Ln₂ndc₃ compounds which further decompose to the corresponding lanthanide oxides (air atmosphere). In argon atmosphere they decompose with releasing of water, carbon oxides and naphthalene molecules. The luminescence properties of Eu(III), Nd(III), Tb(III) and Er(III) complexes were investigated. The complexes of Eu(III) and Tb(III) emitted red and green light when excited by ultraviolet light whereas Nd(III) and Er(III) display emissions in the NIR region.     

Dual-emissive complexes: Visible and near-infrared luminescence from bis-pyrenyl lanthanide(III) complexes

The syntheses and photophysical attributes of a range of dual-emissive lanthanide complexes are described. The simple ligand architecture is based upon a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) core and appended with two aminopyrenyl chromophores to yield the fluorescent free ligand L^pyr. Reaction of the ligand with Ln(tris-trifluoromethanosulfate) gave the mononuclear complexes Ln · L^pyr (Ln = Nd, Er, Yb). Luminescence studies revealed that the complexes were emissive in both the near-IR and UV–Vis, the latter resulting from pyrene localised emission (λ_em = 390 nm), the former from pyrene-sensitised emission of the lanthanide ion (λ_ex = 337 nm). Time-resolved measurements in the near-IR indicated that the number of coordinated solvent molecules for Nd and Yb was <1, confirming the proposed coordination mode of the octadentate L^pyr. The suitability of pyrene as a sensitiser for near-IR emitting lanthanides was further demonstrated in the rare observation of Er^III emission in a non-deuteriated protic medium.     

Syntheses, structures and luminescence properties of lanthanide coordination polymers with helical character

A series of lanthanide coordination polymers, (Him)_n[Ln(ip)₂(H₂O)]_n [Ln=La(1), Pr(2), Nd(3) and Dy(4), H₂ip=isophthalic acid, im=imidazole] and [Y₂(ip)₃(H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O (5), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared (IR), ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The isostructural compounds 1–4 possess 3-D structures with three different kinds of channels. Compound 5 features a 2-D network making of two different kinds of quadruple-helical chains. Compounds 2 and 3 present the characteristic emissions of Pr(III) and Nd(III) ions in NIR region, respectively. Compound 4 shows sensitized luminescence of Dy(III) ions in visible region.     

Lanthanide complexes of new polyaminocarboxylate complexes with two chromophores derived from bispyrazolylpyridine and aceto or benzophenone: synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties

New ionophores derived from 2,6-bis(N-pyrazolyl)pyridine and aceto/benzophenone have been synthesized and fully characterized. The lanthanide complexes of these new ligands were studied from their UV-vis and fluorescence data. Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ complexes were easily formed and their photophysical properties measured. In all cases, lanthanide emission lifetimes were in the range of ms albeit quantum yields were relatively low. Possible flaws in the energy-transfer mechanisms are discussed.     

Detection scheme for bioassays based on 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid derivatives and enzyme-amplified lanthanide luminescence

2,6-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDC) and its derivatives are introduced as a new sensitizer system for enzyme-amplified lanthanide luminescence (EALL), a detection scheme for bioassays, which combines enzymatic amplification with time-resolved luminescence measurements of lanthanide chelates. Various PDC esters have been synthesized as esterase substrates that are cleaved to PDC in the presence of the enzyme. PDC forms luminescent complexes with Tb(III) or Eu(III), and the evaluation of the reaction is used for the selective and sensitive detection of esterases. For an esterase from hog liver a limit of detection of 10⁻³ u/mL (equivalent to 10⁻⁹ mol/L) and a limit of quantification of 3 × 10⁻³ u/mL (equivalent to 3 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L) could be achieved. As a second model reaction, xanthine oxidase (XOD) catalyzes the oxidation of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldehyde to PDC. Here, the limit of detection was 3 × 10⁻³ u/mL and the limit of quantification 10⁻² u/mL for XOD from microorganisms. Major advantage of the tridentate PDC ligand is the possibility to perform all steps of the assay within or close to the physiological pH range, while the established EALL schemes based on bidentate salicylates or bisphenols have to be carried out at strongly alkaline pH to ensure sufficient complexation with the lanthanides.     

Syntheses, structures and luminescent properties of a series of 3D lanthanide coordination polymers with tripodal semirigid ligand

Reactions of the tripodal bridging ligand 5-(4-carboxy-phenoxy)-isophthalic acid (abbreviated as H₃cpia) with lanthanide salts lead to the formation of a family of different coordination polymers, that is, [Ln(cpia)(H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O (Ln=Ce (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Gd (6), Dy (7), Er (8), Tm (9) and Y (10)) in the presence of formic acid or diethylamine, which are characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), XRPD spectrum and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-10 are isostructural and exhibit three-dimensional microporous frameworks. Furthermore, the photoluminescent properties of 4, 5 and 7 have been studied in detail.     

X-ray structure and temperature dependent luminescent properties of two bimetallic europium complexes

The structural, luminescent and temperature dependent luminescent properties of two homodinuclear europium complexes bridged by 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpm) are reported. β-Diketonate ligands 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-furyl)-1,3-butanedione (tfa) and 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione (tta) are used as capping ligands resulting in complexes of the form [Eu(tfa)₃]₂bpm (1) and [Eu(tta)₃]₂bpm (2). All Eu^III ions are eight coordinate with six O atoms from the β-diketones and two N atoms from the polyazine bridging ligand. Excitation of the β-diketonate ligands tfa or tta at ca. 340 nm in toluene solutions results in the characteristic Eu^III emission in the visible region of the spectrum. The emission intensity and lifetime associated with the Eu^III centers decrease as the temperature of the solution is increased. Lifetime measurements are fit to a monoexponential while the temperature dependent lifetime data is fit to an Arrhenius-type equation. Evaluation of the data in comparison to data obtained from the monometallic Eu^III analogs reveal very similar photoluminescent properties. This suggests little electronic communication between Eu^III ions via the polyazine bpm bridging ligand.     

The luminescent properties of divalent europium complexes of crown ethers and cryptands

The luminescent properties of divalent europium complexes with crown ether, azacrown ether, N-pivot-azacrown ether, and cryptand in methanol or water have been systematically investigated under UV irradiation. These divalent europium complexes show greatly enhanced emission from 417 nm to 488 nm in the visible blue region in comparison with that of the methanol solution of EuCl₂. The aqueous solution of EuCl₂ is non-luminescent. This obvious distinction in luminescent properties between the macrocyclic ligand-coordinated divalent europium and uncoordinated divalent europium is attributed to the “insulation effect” of Eu²⁺ ion from the solvent molecules of CH₃OH and H₂O by the macrocyclic crown ether or cryptand encapsulation to divalent europium. Moreover, these macrocyclic ligands provide an additional restriction to the electronic charge expansion of the excited Eu²⁺. This also contributes to the enhancement of the Eu²⁺ luminescence. Among all the investigated macrocyclic ligands, 15-crown-5 (15C5) affords the largest enhancement to the Eu²⁺ emission. The intensity of the Eu²⁺–15C5 complex is 690 times that of the EuCl₂ methanol solution with the same Eu²⁺ concentration. This special emission enhancement effect is related to the particular complex composition of 1:3 (Eu²⁺:15C5) and corresponding configuration of Eu²⁺–15C5 complex in methanol. Concerning the mechanism, the luminescence enhancement of divalent europium by complexation with these macrocyclic crown ether or cryptand ligands is found to be initiated from the decrease in non-radiative rate constant rather than from the increase in radiative one.

The divalent europium complexes of methacrylate polymeric polyether derivatives such as 15C5-, 18-crown-6- (18C6), and cryptand [2.2.1]- or [2.2.2]-containing polymer and copolymer have also been prepared. Their luminescent properties in solid state have been studied to aim for practical application. As a similar situation to the simple polyether complexes, the divalent europium complex with 15C5-containing polymer or copolymer shows the largest luminescent enhancement effect. Its emission intensity reaches about 20% that of the commercial inorganic luminescence product CaWO₄:Pb (NBS 1026). In addition, the doping effect of several divalent ions, namely Mg, Sr, Ba and Zn in polymeric complexes, has also been investigated according to the luminescence concentration quenching mechanism in solid state luminescence materials. The emission intensity of 15C5-containing polymer europium(II) complex is raised to twice stronger by doping of Zn²⁺ ion.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and luminescence of three europium complexes with 2-iodobenzoic acid

Three new complexes, [Eu(2-IBA)₃?·?H₂O] _n (1), [Eu(2-IBA)₃?·?2,2′-bpy]₂ (2), and [Eu(2-IBA)₃?·phen]₂ (3) (2-IBA?=?2-iodobenzoato; 2,2′-bpy?=?2,2’-bipyridine; phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized, and their crystal structures determined by X-ray diffraction. In complex 1, Eu³⁺ ions are linked through carboxylate groups via bridging – chelating – bridging coordination modes to form a one-dimensional polymeric chain. The carboxylate groups are tetradentate-bridged. Complex 2 is binuclear with an inversion center, in which europium is nine-coordinated with seven oxygen atoms from five 2-IBA ligands and two nitrogen atoms from one 2,2′-bpy molecule in a distorted monocapped square antiprism. The crystal structure of 3 is similar to that of 2. These complexes emit red light luminescence. The ⁵ D ₀?→?⁷ F _j (j?=?1–4) transition emission of Eu³⁺ ion has been observed.     

Lanthanide(III) nitrobenzenesulfonates and p-toluenesulfonate complexes of lanthanide(III), iron(III), and copper(II) as novel catalysts for the formation of calix[4]resorcinarene

Lanthanide(III) salts of p-toluenesulfonic acid [lanthanide(III) tosylates, Ln(TOS)₃] and nitrobenzenesulfonic acid [Ln(NBSA)₃], and p-toluenesulfonate complexes of iron(III) and copper(II) were prepared, characterized, and examined as catalysts for the synthesis of resorcinol-derived calix[4]resorcinarenes. The reaction of resorcinol with benzaldehyde yields two isomers, the all-cis isomer (rccc) and the cis-trans-trans isomer (rctt) with the relative isomer ratios depending on the reaction conditions. However, in the reaction of resorcinol with octanal only one isomer, the all-cis isomer, is formed in high yields with less than 0.1 mol % of Yb(TOS)₃. Examination of lanthanide(III) tosylates and lanthanide(III) nitrobenzenesulfonates revealed that ytterbium(III) 4-nitrobenzenesulfonate [ytterbium(III) nosylate, Yb(4-NBSA)₃] and ytterbium(III) 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonate [Yb(2,4-NBSA)₃] are the most active catalysts. The catalysts could be easily recovered and reused several times for resorcinarene formation without loss of efficiency. Surprisingly good results were also obtained with iron(III) and copper(II) p-toluenesulfonates. Besides optimizing the reaction conditions, new insights into the reaction mechanism were also obtained.     

Integrated X-ray crystallography, optical and computational methods in studies of structure and luminescence of new synthesized complexes of lanthanides with ligands derived from 2,6-diformylpyridine

The reaction of 2,6-diformylpyridine-bis(benzoylhydrazone) [dfpbbh] and 2,6-diformylpyridine-bis(4-phenylsemicarbazone) [dfpbpsc] with lanthanides salts yielded the new chelates complexes [Eu(dfpbpsc-H⁺)₂]NO₃ (1), [Dy(fbhmp)₂][Dy(dfpbbh-2H⁺)₂]·2EtOH·2H₂O (fbhmp = 2-formylbenzoylhydrazone-6-methoxide-pyridine; Ph = phenyl; Py = pyridine; Et = ethyl) and [Er₂(dfpbbh-2H⁺)₂(μ-NO₃)(H₂O)₂(OH)]·H₂O.X-ray diffraction analysis was employed for the structural characterization of the three chelate complexes. In the case of complex 1, optical, synthetic and computational methods were also exploited for ground state structure determinations and triplet energy level of the ligand and HOMO-LUMO calculations, as well as for a detailed study of its luminescence properties.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and magnetic and luminescent properties of a series of lanthanide coordination polymers with chelidamic acid ligand

A series of lanthanide(III) complexes with chelidamic acid ligand, [Ln(C₇H₂NO₅)·3H₂O]_n·nH₂O (Ln = La (1), Y (2), Sm (3), and Nd (4)), [Gd₂(C₇H₂NO₅)₃·4H₂O]_n·2nH₂O (5) and [Ce(C₇H₂NO₅)·1.5H₂O]_n (6), have been synthesized by hydrothermal method and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1–4 are isostructural and possess 2D framework. Complex 5 contains two different Gd(III) ions linked through carboxylate group to form a 2D framework. Complex 6 exhibits a (4⁴) topology 2D network. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 3 and 5 have been investigated. Furthermore, the photoluminescent properties of 1, 2, 3, and 5 at room temperature were also studied.     

Synthesis, structure and luminescence property of the ternary and quaternary europium complexes with furoic acid

A ternany europium complex with furoic acid (α-FURA) and 1,10-phenanthroline(phen), [Eu(α-FURA)₃phen]H₂O(I) and a quaternary europium furoate complex with 1,10-phenanthroline and nitrate, Eu(α-FURA)₂NO₃phen(II) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The two europium ions in each of the complexes (I) and (II) are held together by four carboxylato groups with the two modes, namely bidentate bridging and tridentate bridging, and each europium ion is further bonded to two nitrogen atoms from 1,10-phenanthroline and one chelated bidentate furoate group for the complex (I) and one chelated nitrato group for the complex (II), making a coordination number of 9. Luminescence spectra observed at 77 K show that the europium ion site in the crystals of the complexes (I) and (II) has low symmetry and lifetimes of the solid complexes (I) and (II) are 1.13 and 1.20 ms, respectively.     

Ion size dominated 1D and 2D Salen lanthanide coordination complexes and their luminescence

Lewis acid/base addition between Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb and Lu) and H₂salen [H₂salen = N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneimine)] gives rise to an array of coordination polymeric structures. Crystal structural analysis reveals that Salen effectively functions as a bridging ligand in these compounds. The size of the lanthanide ions controls the structures of these Salen lanthanide complexes. Two representative structures with one dimensional and two dimensional topologies, viz. [Pr(H₂salen)(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)₂]_n (1) and [Ln(H₂salen)_1.5(NO₃)₃]_n [Ln = Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Tb (6) and Lu (7)] are reported. Luminescent spectra of complexes 4 and 5 exhibit characteristic metal-centered emission lines. However, the characteristic luminescence of the terbium(III) ion is not observed either in solution or in the solid state of complex 6.     

Polymetallic lanthanide complexes with PAMAM-naphthalimide dendritic ligands: luminescent lanthanide complexes formed in solution

Generation 3 PAMAM dendrimers functionalized with 2,3-naphthalimide chromophoric groups on the end branches were synthesized, and the formation of Eu3+ polymetallic complexes was investigated. The luminescence properties of these complexes upon binding were fully characterized. On addition of Eu3+ to the dendrimer solution, lanthanide luminescence appears. The formation of a luminescent species corresponding to a dendrimer:lanthanide ratio of 1:8 was determined by luminescence batch titration and indicated by the maximum of Eu3+ emission. This indicates an overall average coordination number of 7.5 around each lanthanide metal cation. This is the first report of such characterization in the literature. Luminescence lifetimes indicate that the metal cation is well protected from nonradiative deactivation by the dendritic structure. Despite the limited efficiency of the sensitization of Eu3+, the absolute quantum yield being 0.0006, the good protection of the eight lanthanide cations bound in the dendrimer structure and the high absorptivity leads to the red emission from Eu3+ that is easily observed in solution under irradiation with 354 nm UV light.     

Design and synthesis of europium luminescent bio-probes featuring sulfobetaine moieties

Herein we report the straightforward preparation of chromophore-functionalized TACN ligand via Cu-free cross-coupling reactions using a common halogenated platform. This versatile methodology allows the preparation of original macrocyclic ligand featuring both optimized antenna for the sensitization of europium luminescence and sulfobetaine zwitterionic groups to ensure water solubility of the complex. In addition preliminary two-photon excited microscopy imaging experiments of fixed cells reveal that sulfobetaine groups are able to limit undesirable non specific interactions with biological surrounding.     

Solution structure of chiral lanthanide complexes

The determination of solution structure of small to medium size chiral lanthanide complexes through paramagnetic NMR and circular dichroism is briefly reviewed. The main focus is on ytterbium as the rare earth, because of its negligible contact contribution to the hyperfine shift and of its intense CD spectrum in the near IR. The structures discussed contain various stereogenic elements: classical chiral centres, atropisomeric axes, slowly interconverting conformations, which gives rise to a manifold of situations to be identified, classified, and characterised through spectroscopic tools. The fallout of these structural properties are in enantioselective catalysis, in molecular recognition, or even in biomedicine, on account of the role of Gd³⁺ complexes as MRI contrast agents. Moreover, the information encoded in the NMR and CD spectra of Ln³⁺ complexes may be used to extract original data on the solution stereochemistry of organic molecules used as ligands. The first part summarises some basic theoretical aspects, with special emphasis onto those which have practical consequences in the experimental design. A discussion of selected applications can be found in the second part.     

Spectral and temporal luminescent properties of Eu(III) in humic substance solutions from different origins

Although a high heterogeneity of composition is awaited for humic substances, their complexation properties do not seem to greatly depend on their origins. The information on the difference in the structure of these complexes is scarce. To participate in the filling of this lack, a study of the spectral and temporal evolution of the Eu(III) luminescence implied in humic substance (HS) complexes is presented. Seven different extracts, namely Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA) and humic acid (SRHA), and Leonardite HA (LHA) from the International Humic Substances Society (USA), humic acid from Gorleben (GohyHA), and from the Kleiner Kranichsee bog (KFA, KHA) from Germany, and purified commercial Aldrich HA (PAHA), were made to contact with Eu(III). Eu(III)-HS time-resolved luminescence properties were compared with aqueous Eu³⁺ at pH 5. Using an excitation wavelength of 394 nm, the typical bi-exponential luminescence decay for Eu(III)-HS complexes is common to all the samples. The components τ₁ and τ₂ are in the same order of magnitude for all the samples, i.e., 40 ≤ τ₁ (μs) ≤ 60, and 145 ≤ τ₂ (μs) ≤ 190, but significantly different. It is shown that different spectra are obtained from the different groups of samples. Terrestrial extract on the one hand, i.e. LHA/GohyHA, plus PAHA, and purely aquatic extracts on the other hand, i.e., SRFA/SRHA/KFA/KHA, induce inner coherent luminescent properties of Eu(III) within each group. The ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition exhibits the most striking differences. A slight blue shift is observed compared to aqueous Eu³⁺ (λ_max = 615.4 nm), and the humic samples share almost the same λ_max ≈ 614.5 nm. The main differences between the samples reside in a shoulder around λ ≈ 612.5 nm, modelled by a mixed Gaussian–Lorentzian band around λ ≈ 612 nm. SRFA shows the most intense shoulder with an intensity ratio of I_612.5/I_614.7 = 1.1, KFA/KHA/SRHA share almost the same ratio I_612.5/I_614.7 = 1.2–1.3, whilst the LHA/GohyHA/PAHA group has a I_612.5/I_614.5 = 1.5–1.6. This shows that for the two groups of complexes, despite comparable complexing properties, slightly different symmetries are awaited.