A highly selective pyrene based fluorescent sensor toward Hg detection

A new pyrene-containing fluorescent sensor has been synthesized from 2,3,3-trimethylindolenine. Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of sensor are presented. The large change in fluorescence intensity (I/I₀ = 0.13) at 381 nm and affinity to Hg²⁺ over other cations such as K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cu²⁺ make this compound a useful chemosensor for Hg²⁺ detection in hydrophilic media. The sensor (6.0 × 10⁻⁶ M) displays significant fluorescence quenching upon addition of Hg²⁺ in pH 7.4 HEPES buffer without excimer formation. Job’s plot analysis shows the binding stoichiometry to be 2:1 (host/guest).     

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.     

A novel Hg2+ fluorescence sensor TPE-TSC based on aggregation-induced emission

Abstract

A fluorescent sensor TPE-TSC with aggregation induced emission (AIE) characteristic is synthesized for detecting Hg²⁺ by attaching thiosemicarbazide (TSC) unit into tetraphenylethylene (TPE) group. TPE-TSC exhibits intense green emission in DMSO/H₂O (V:V?=?1:9) solution with the formation of the aggregation. TPE-TSC shows outstanding fluorescence quenching toward Hg²⁺ over other metal ions due to the formation of complex TPE-TSC/Hg²⁺ with a 2:1 binding ratio. The detection limit of TPE-TSC for Hg²⁺ is 1?×?10^?5 mol·L^?1.     

A hybrid mesoporous material functionalized by 1,8-naphthalimide-base receptor and the application as chemosensor and absorbent for Hg2+ in water

A novel hybrid material (SBA-P1) is prepared through the functionalization of mesoporous silica (SBA-15) with a 1,8-naphthalimide-based dye by sol-gel reaction. The characterization results of elemental analysis (EA), X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and spectroscopic methods demonstrate the fluorescence dye P1 is successfully grafted onto the inner surface of SBA-15 and the organized structure is preserved. SBA-P1 can detect Hg²⁺ with high selectivity to Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Ag⁺, Cr³⁺, and Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ in water and sensitivity to environmentally relevant mercury in complex natural samples. The quenching fluorescence detection is also reversible by treating with EDTA/base. Furthermore, its fluorescence intensity keeps stable in the physiologically relevant pH range. The extraction ability of SBA-P1 is also estimated by inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometer (ICP), showing that approximately 90% of the Hg²⁺ ion is extracted. These results imply that the hybrid material has potential application for sensing and removing of Hg²⁺ ions in waste water and working as toxicide for acute mercury poisoning.     

Rhodamine based derivative and its zinc complex: synthesis and recognition behavior toward Hg(II)

A simple fluorescent probe, which contains rhodamine and aminoquinoline moieties, was designed and prepared for selective detection of Hg²⁺ in acetonitrile. RbQ exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Hg²⁺ over other common metal ions. The recognition of RbQ toward Hg²⁺ can be detected by fluorescence spectra, absorption spectra, and even by naked eyes. The binding ratio of the RbQ–Hg²⁺ complex was found to be 1:1 according to Job plot experiment, and the limit of detection was 1.05×10⁻⁷ M. Moreover, the prepared complex RbQ–Zn²⁺ (RbQZ) could detect Hg²⁺ in a ratiometric way and showed lower limit of detection (2.95×10⁻⁸ M) than RbQ in the same condition. Finally, we also demonstrated that the aminoquinoline–zinc complex could be served as a new and effective FRET donor for rhodamine derivatives.     

Ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric sensors for Cu based on 4,5-disubstituted-1,8-naphthalimide and sensing cyanide via Cu displacement approach

Two 4,5-disubstituted-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives 1 and 2 were synthesized as ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric sensors for Cu²⁺, respectively. In 100% aqueous solutions of 1, the presence of Cu²⁺ induces a strong and increasing fluorescent emission centered at 478 nm at the expense of the fluorescent emission of 1 centered at 534 nm. Compound 2 senses Cu²⁺ by means of a colorimetric (primrose yellow to pink) method with a thorough quench in emission attributed to the deprotonation of the secondary amine conjugated to the naphthalimide fluorophore. 1-Cu²⁺ and 2-Cu²⁺ sense cyanide in ratiometric way via colorimetric and fluorescent changes.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for Hg based on naphthalimide derivative by fluorescence enhancement in aqueous solution

Naphthalimide derivative (compound 1) containing hydrophilic hexanoic acid group was synthesized and used to recognize Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution. The fluorescence enhancement of 1 is attributed to the formation of a complex between 1 and Hg²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 2.08 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of fabrication of the Hg²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for the determination of Hg²⁺ indicated that the method can be applied in aqueous solution rather than organic solution. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Hg²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of Hg²⁺ with a linear range covering from 2.57 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.27 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 4.93 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 toward Hg²⁺ is pH independent in medium condition (pH 4.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for Hg²⁺ in the presence of other metal ions, which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward Hg²⁺ is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of Hg²⁺ in hair samples with satisfactory results, which further demonstrates its value of practical applications.     

A new Hg-selective fluorescent sensor based on a dansyl amide-armed calix[4]-aza-crown

A new fluorescent chemosensor for Hg²⁺ based on a dansyl amide-armed calix[4]-aza-crown was reported. It exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity toward Hg²⁺ over a wide range of metal ions in MeCN-H₂O (4:1, v/v). The association constant of the 1:1 complex formation for 2-Hg²⁺ was calculated to be 1.31 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, and the detection limit for Hg²⁺ was found to be 4.1 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹.     

A novel small molecule fluorescent sensor for Zn2+ based on pyridine-pyridone scaffold

The development of a water-soluble and small molecular weight fluorescent probe, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(methylsulfanyl)-6-(pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-2(1H)-one (3), for detecting Zn²⁺ based on pyridine-pyridone skeleton is reported. We observed a clear chelation enhanced fluorescence effect of 3 in the presence of Zn²⁺. Other fluorescent properties of 3 are discussed.     

Ratiometric and turn-on monitoring for heavy and transition metal ions in aqueous solution with a fluorescent peptide sensor

A novel fluorescent peptide sensor containing tryptophan (donor) and dansyl fluorophore (acceptor) was synthesized for monitoring heavy and transition metal (HTM) ions on the basis of metal ion binding motif (Cys-X-X-X-Cys). The peptide probe successfully exhibited a turn on and ratiometric response for several heavy metal ions such as Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ag⁺ in aqueous solution. The enhancements of emission intensity were achieved in the presence of the HTM ions by fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) and chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effects. The detection limits of the sensor for Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ag⁺ were lower than the EPA's drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCL). We described the fluorescent enhancement, binding affinity, and detection limit of the peptide probe for HTM ions.     

A squaraine-based chemosensor for Hg and Pb

A novel unsymmetrical cationic squaraine dye (USqH⁺), absorbing in the near-infrared region (600-850 nm), was synthesized by reacting a semi-squaric acid derivative 3-[4-(N,N-dioctylamino)phenyl]-4-hydroxycyclobutene-1,2-dione with the squarylium dye, bis(3-methylbenzothiazol-2-ylidene)squaraine. Addition of micromolar amounts of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ to solutions of USqH⁺ in dichloromethane brings about significant changes in its absorption spectrum, resulting in a change in colour of the solution from green to pink. The absorption spectrum of the dye is relatively insensitive to other environmentally relevant metal ions, making it possible to visually detect Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in the presence of other metal ions. Molecular modeling of the complexes at the density functional theory (DFT) and semiempirical PM3 levels strongly suggests that the oxygen atoms are the most likely choice for cation binding. The calculations also indicate a high affinity of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ toward the formation of 2:1 complexes, which is in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Imidazo-benzo-15-crown-5 ethers bearing arylthienyl and bithienyl moieties as novel fluorescent chemosensors for Pd and Cu

Novel fluorescent ionophores bearing imidazo-arylthienyl or imidazo-bithienyl π-conjugated bridges functionalized with one or two fused benzo-15-crown-5 ethers as receptor units are reported. The sensing ability of the compounds in the presence of metallic cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pd²⁺, and Hg²⁺) and fluoride ion was studied in MeCN/DMSO solutions by absorption and emission spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that all compounds could act as selective fluorimetric sensors for Cu²⁺ and Pd²⁺ and also for the fluoride ion, in the case of the bis-substituted crown ether derivatives.     

Zn selective luminescent ‘off-on’ probes derived from diaryl oxadiazole and aza-15-crown-5

New photo-induced electron transfer (PET) probes OMOX and OBOX, carrying an additional binding site in the form of ‘oxadiazole nitrogen’ have been designed to evaluate binding interactions with biologically significant Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Zn²⁺ including environmentally toxic Ba²⁺ and Cd²⁺ using optical spectral techniques. While Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ did not appreciably perturb either the absorption or emission spectra, Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ induced slight red shifts (2-8 nm) in the UV-visible spectra as well as pronounced chelation induced enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). Both OMOX and OBOX exhibited the highest CHEF in contact with the zinc ion, whereas Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ induced relatively less emission enhancements. OBOX, which is a poorer emitter (Φ_f=0.0062) than OMOX (Φ_f=0.015), showed highly promising 160-fold emission enhancement in the presence of Zn²⁺. Potential, therefore is available in OBOX to function as a selective luminescent ‘off-on’ sensor for Zn²⁺ in the presence of coordinatively competing Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions.     

An ion-responsive fluorescent compound based on NO-photoisomerisation styryl derivative linked to monoaza-15-crown-5

A novel 15-aza-5-crown ether linked to styryl chemosensory 13-(4-((9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)methyl)-2-nitrophenyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecane was designed and synthesised, it would not occur during photoisomerisation under radiation of light but shows special capability of selectively recognising for Sr²⁺.     

Unexpected highly selective fluorescence ‘turn-on’ and ratiometric detection of Hg based on fluorescein platform

Methylated fluorescein 1 was explored for fluorescence ‘turn-on’ and ratiometric detection of Hg²⁺ in THF and CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (v/v=9:1), respectively, with unexpected high selectivity. In the presence of Hg²⁺, characteristic structured absorption band of 1 diminished and a new sharp band appeared at 445 nm. Meanwhile a blue shifted and enhanced emission was observed. The ratio of the fluorescence intensity at 559 and 478 nm increased linearly with [Hg²⁺], and solution color changing from yellow to cyan under irradiation at 365 nm in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH. Job plot indicated a 1:1 stoichiometry for 1-Hg²⁺ complex in solution. ¹H NMR titration and IR spectra suggested the coordination of carbonyl group in xanthene moiety to Hg²⁺, affording its spectral behavior. Compound 2 bearing two triazolyl amino esters in place of methyl group showed quite similar behavior to Hg²⁺, which indicated that substituents did not interfere with the specific binding behavior of fluorescein platform. Our work presents a new way to explore xanthene dyes as new chemosensors by modulating electron density on the xanthene ring through non-covalent interactions with carbonyl group.     

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescein-based chemodosimeter for Hg2+ ions in aqueous media

A new fluorescein-based chemodosimeter (II) for Hg²⁺ ion was designed and synthesized, and it displayed excellent selective and sensitive toward Hg²⁺ ion over other commonly metal ions in aqueous media. II was a colorless, non-fluorescent compound. Upon addition of Hg²⁺ to the solution of II, the thiosemicarbazide moiety of II would undergo an irreversible desulfurization reaction to form its corresponding oxadiazole (IV), a colorful and fluorescent product. During this process, the spirocyclic ring of II was opened, causing instantaneous development of visible color and strong fluorescence emission in the range of 500-600 nm. Based on the above mechanism, a fluorogenic Hg²⁺-selective chemodosimeter was developed. The fluorescence increase is linearly with Hg²⁺ concentration up to 1.0 μmol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 8.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ (3σ). Compared with the rhodamine-type chemodosimeter, II is more stable in aqueous media and exhibits higher sensitivity toward Hg²⁺. The findings suggest that II will serve as a practical chemodosimeter for rapid detection of Hg²⁺ concentrations in realistic media.     

A highly selective and ratiometric fluorescence probe for the detection of Hg and pH change based on coumarin in aqueous solution

A simple but highly selective coumarin-based fluorescence probe 1, 8-(1,3-dithiane)-7-hydroxycoumarin was designed and synthesized for both the ratiometric detection of Hg²⁺ and the on–off response to pH change in aqueous solution. The sensor detected Hg²⁺ selectively via Hg²⁺-promoted thioacetal deprotection reaction within five minutes and reflected pH in the range from 7.8 to 11.9 as a result of the equilibrium between weak-fluorescent acid form and strong-fluorescent base form. In addition, the probe has an excellent selectivity towards Hg²⁺ over other competitive metal ions for biomedical and environmental applications. The sensing behavior of our probe was studied by UV–visible absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra.     

Azo 8-hydroxyquinoline benzoate as selective chromogenic chemosensor for Hg and Cu

Azo 8-hydroxyquinoline benzoate (2) was synthesized and studied to detect metal ions. Distinct color change was found for compound 2 in the presence of transition metal ions Hg²⁺ or Cu²⁺ in CH₃CN, respectively, which makes it possible for distinguishing Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ from other metal ions by the ‘naked eye’.     

Two dansyl fluorophores bearing amino acid for monitoring Hg in aqueous solution and live cells

A series of compounds (1-4) bearing one or two dansyl fluorophore(s) based on a Lys amino acid were synthesized in solid phase synthesis. Among them, two dansyl labeled Lys amino acid 3 detected Hg²⁺ in a 100% aqueous solution with high sensitivity (K_d=4.3 nM) via a turn-on response. Compound 3 was applied for monitoring Hg²⁺ in environmental and biological fields. 3 showed a hypersensitive response to Hg²⁺ without interferences from other metal ions and satisfied the requirements for monitoring the maximum allowable level (2 ppb) of mercury ions in drinking water demanded by EPA. In addition, 3 penetrated living HeLa cells and detected intracellular Hg²⁺. The organic spectroscopic data revealed the two sulfonamide and amide groups of 3 played a key role in stabilizing the 3-Hg²⁺ complex.     

Synthesis, complexation, and fluorescence behavior of 3,4-dimethylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene carrying two monoaza-15-crown-5 ether groups

A novel fluoroionophore 1 based on 3,4-dimethylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene bearing two monoaza-15-crown-5 ethers at 3- and 4-positions was prepared. UV–vis and fluorescence responses of compound 1 upon the addition of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations were evaluated in acetonitrile solution. Receptor 1 showed unique response for Ba²⁺ due to the formation of an intramolecular sandwich complex.