Bright,Color-Tunable Fluorescent Dyes in the Vis/NIR Region: Establishment of New “Tailor-Made” Multicolor Fluorophores Based on Borondipyrromethene

A new series of high-performance fluorophores named Keio Fluors (KFL), which are based on borondipyrromethene (BODIPY), are reported. The KFL dyes cover a wide spectral range from the yellow (547 nm) to the near-infrared (NIR, 738 nm) region, and their emission wavelength could be easily and subtly controlled based on simple molecular modifications only, without losing their optical properties. This “tailor-made” synthetic strategy for tuning the emission wavelength enabled the creation of fourteen KFL dyes with well-controlled emission colors (yellow, orange, red, far-red, and NIR). Moreover, these KFL dyes also retain their excellent optical properties, such as spectral bands sharper than quantum dots, high extinction coefficients (140 000–316 000 M ⁻¹ cm⁻¹), and high quantum yields (0.56–0.98), without any critical solvent polarity dependent decrease of their brightness. These advantageous characteristics make the KFL dyes potentially useful as new candidates of fluorescent standard dyes to substitute or to complement existing long-wavelength fluorescent dyes, such as cyanines, oxazines, rhodamines, or other BODIPY dyes.     

A new route towards fluorescent organic nanoparticles with red-shifted emission and increased colloidal stability

Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction with a new boron reagent has been used to conveniently and efficiently synthetize a dipolar chromophore having an elongated π-conjugated system (i.e., bithiophene based), which displays a red-shifted emission while maintaining fluorescence. Bright orange emitting FONs made from this ‘naked’ dipole have been easily prepared and studied. Very interestingly, these FONs with red-shifted emission combine markedly enhanced colloidal and structural stability in water with giant one- and two-photon brightness. As such, they hold promises as fluorescent probes for bioimaging.     

Simple Michael acceptor type coumarin derived turn-on fluorescence probes to detect cyanide in pure water

The present article describes design and synthesis of coumarin derived chemical reaction based chemodosimeter to recognize cyanide in aqueous medium. The Michael acceptor type coumarin derived probes 3 and 4 upon interaction with cyanide undergo Michael type nucleophilic addition reaction to form adducts in which fluorescence intensity was significantly enhanced, ‘turn-on’ by the change in intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. The nonfluorescent color of solutions changed to a naked-eye sensitive fluorescent blue (switched-on). Job’s plot analysis revealed a 1:1 stoichiometry for the interaction between the probe and cyanide anion with a high detection limit.     

Total synthesis of novel bioactive natural product paracaseolide A and analogues: computational evaluation of a ‘proposed’ biomimetic Diels–Alder reaction

A short and generally applicable synthesis of bioactive tetracyclic natural product paracaseolide A has been accomplished employing a ‘proposed’ biomimetic Diels–Alder reaction as the key strategic step. The Diels–Alder precursors for this purpose were readily assembled through a versatile Suzuki coupling on preformed α-halo butenolides. The mechanistic aspects of the ‘putative’ biomimetic Diels–Alder reaction have been probed using computational methods, which suggest that this [4+2]-cycloaddition proceeds through a step-wise process and product profile is thermodynamically governed.     

Coumarin‐based Fluorescent Probes for Selectively Targeting and Imaging the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Mammalian Cells

Developing improved fluorescent probes for imaging the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is necessary for structure‐activity studies of this dynamic organelle. Two coumarin‐based compounds with sulfonamide side groups were synthesized and characterized as ER‐targeting probes. Their selectivity to target the ER in HeLa and GM07373 mammalian cells was shown with co‐localization experiments using commercially available probes that localize in the ER, mitochondria, or lysozymes. The hydrophobicity of the coumarin‐based probes was comparable to known probes that partition into the ER membrane. Their cytotoxicity in mammalian cells was low with IC50 values that range from 205 to 252 μm . The fluorescent quantum yields of the coumarin‐based probes when excited with 400 nm light were 0.60, and they have a much narrower emission spectrum (from 435 to 525 nm in methanol) than that of the only commercially available ER probe that is exited with 400 nm light (ER‐Tracker? Blue‐White DPX). Thus, the coumarin‐based probes are more useful for multicolor imaging with yellow and red emitting fluorophores. In addition to the above benefits, ER labeling was achieved with the coumarin‐based probes in both live cells and fixed cells, revealing their versatility for a wide range of cellular imaging applications.     

Efficient ‘one-pot’ methodology for the synthesis of novel tetrahydro-β-carboline,tetrahydroisoquinoline and tetrahydrothienopyridine derivatives

A simple and efficient ‘one-pot’ methodology was developed to generate a new series of tetrahydro-β-carboline (THBC), tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) and tetrahydrothienopyridine (THTP) derivatives. The key step of the methodology is based on a Pictet–Spengler type cyclization of a reactive N-carbamyliminium ion. This methodology was applied to the synthesis of a library of 32 compounds with potential anti-tumoral activity.     

A highly selective and sensitive perylenebisimide-based fluorescent PET sensor for Al determination in MeCN

A novel ‘turn-on’ fluorescent probe with perylene tetracarboxylic bisimide (PBI) as the fluorophore and di(2-(salicylideneamino))ethylamine (DSEA) as the metal ion receptor was designed. The capability of the prepared probe to detect metal ions was evaluated by the changes in its emission intensity. The probe demonstrated a considerable emission enhancement (ca. 110-fold) in the presence of Al³⁺ in MeCN with high selectivity and sensitivity. Furthermore, the considerably ‘off–on’ fluorescence response concomitantly led to the apparent color change from colorless to brilliant yellow, which could also be identified by naked eye easily under UV lamp.     

Synthesis and photochemical reactivity of caged glutamates with a π-extended coumarin chromophore as a photolabile protecting group

‘Caging’ and ‘uncaging’ bioactive substrates are key techniques in studying a wide variety of biological processes. In the present study, two-types of novel caged glutamates with a two-photon absorption (TPA) core, that is, π-extended coumarin, were synthesized and their photochemical release of glutamate was analyzed. The high yields of glutamate (>92%) were observed in the photolysis of compounds 1 and 10, respectively.     

Evolution of peptides that modulate the spectral qualities of bound, small-molecule fluorophores

Background: Fluorophore dyes are used extensively in biomedical research to sensitively assay cellular constituents and physiology. We have created, as proof of principle, fluorophore dye binding peptides that could have applications in fluorescent dye-based approaches in vitro and in vivo.Results: A panel of Texas red, Rhodamine red, Oregon green 514 and fluorescein binding peptides, termed here ‘fluorettes’, was selected via biopanning of a combinatorial library of 12-mer peptides fused to a minor coat plll protein of the filamentous bacteriophage M 13, The ‘best’ fluorette sequences from each of the groups were subjected to further mutagenesis, followed by a second biopanning to select a new generation of improved fluorettes. Phage were selected that had higher avidity for each fluorophore except Rhodamine red, Of these, peptides were characterized that could specifically and with high affinity bind at least one dye, Texas red, in solution, In addition, the binding of certain peptides to Texas red shifted the peak excitation and/or the emission spectra of the bound dye.Conclusions: Peptides in the context of phage display could readily be selected that could bind to small-molecule fluorophores. The affinities of selected mutant fluorettes could be increased by mutation and further selection, Only a subset of the free peptides could bind free dyes in solution, suggesting that phage context contributed to the selection and ability of certain peptidic regions to independently bind the dyes, Future screens might lead to the creation of other dye-binding peptides with novel characteristics or Texas red derivatives with cross-linking substituents might be designed to increase the utility of the system.     

A novel two-fluorophore approach to ratiometric sensing of Zn(2+)

We present a small molecule ratiometric Zn2+-sensing system based on two fluorophores excited by visible light, a Zn2+-insensitive reporter fluorophore, coumarin 343, and a Zn2+-sensitive fluorescein-based compound, ZPA-1. The two fluorophores are linked by an ester to give Coumazin-1, a membrane-permeable, essentially nonfluorescent compound. Upon exposure to esterases, Coumazin-1 is hydrolyzed to its constituent fluorophores. Measurement of the ratio of coumarin emission at 488 nm (lambdaexc = 445 nm) and comparison with ZPA-1 emission at 534 nm (lambdaexc = 505 nm) affords information about the amount of sensor present as well as the amount of Zn2+ present. A generally applicable synthetic route to amide-functionalized ZP1 sensors is also described. The Zn2+-sensing properties of one member of this class are similar to those of the parent ZP1 sensor, with slightly tighter binding and lower background signal.     

Synthesis of imidazolium and pyridinium-based ionic liquids and application of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salts as pre-catalysts for the benzoin condensation using solvent-free and microwave activation

An efficient one-pot procedure for the synthesis of ionic liquids based on nitrogen-containing heterocycles, imidazolium or pyridinium under ‘green chemistry’ conditions has been described. Imidazolium salts and DBU have been found to catalyze efficiently the benzoin condensation giving good yields within very short reaction time using solvent-free microwave activation conditions.     

Reinvestigation of the synthesis of “covalent-assembly” type probes for fluoride ion detection. Identification of novel 7-(diethylamino)coumarins with aggregation-induced emission properties

An unprecedented C-3 functionalization of 4-(diethylamino)salicylaldehyde through a Friedel-Crafts type alkylation reaction has been discovered during the synthesis of “covalent-assembly”-based fluorescent probes for detection of fluoride ions. The resulting Friedel-Crafts adduct was successfully used for the preparation of two novel 8-substituted 7-(diethylamino)coumarin dyes. The photophysical study of these fluorophores has enabled us to highlight their remarkable aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties characterized by a yellow-orange emission of aggregates in water. Therefore, 4-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)benzyl substituent was identified as a novel AIE-active moiety which could be seen as a possible alternative to popular tetraphenylethylene (TPE).     

Chemometric classification of gunshot residues based on energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and inductively coupled plasma analysis with mass-spectrometric detection

A gunshot residue sample that was collected from an object or a suspected person is automatically searched for gunshot residue relevant particles. Particle data (such as size, morphology, position on the sample for manual relocation, etc.) as well as the corresponding X-ray spectra and images are stored. According to these data, particles are classified by the analysis-software into different groups: ‘gunshot residue characteristic’, ‘consistent with gunshot residue’ and environmental particles, respectively. Potential gunshot residue particles are manually checked and – if necessary – confirmed by the operating forensic scientist.     

F-Induced ‘turn-on’ fluorescent chemosensor based on 1,3-alt thiacalix[4]arene

A new thiacalix[4]arene based fluorescent sensor 1 bearing two naphthyl groups has been synthesized in 1,3-alternate conformation. In the absence of fluoride ion, the receptor 1 is in ‘off-state’ showing no fluorescence emission. The presence of fluoride ion triggered the fluorescence emission to ‘on-state’. The receptor shows pronounced selectivity for fluoride ions. In THF, the presence of F⁻ ions induces the formation of a 1:1 (G:H) complex.     

One-step synthesis of 2-arylbenzothiazole (‘BTA’) and -benzoxazole precursors for in vivo imaging of β-amyloid plaques

We report the simple and efficient synthesis of 2-arylbenzothiazoles (‘BTA’) and 2-arylbenzoxazoles by direct coupling of benzothiazoles or benzoxazoles with aryl bromides. This method permits direct one-step access to precursors of radiolabeled BTA-1 and BTA-2 and their 6-methoxy analogues, used for in vivo imaging of β-amyloid plaques with positron emission tomography (PET).     

Arsenic in marine tissues — The challenging problems to electrothermal and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry

Analytical problems in determination of arsenic in marine tissues are addressed. Procedures for the determination of total As in solubilized or extracted tissues with tetramethylammonium hydroxide and methanol have been elaborated. Several typical lyophilized tissues were used: NIST SRM 1566a ‘Oyster Tissue’, BCR-60 CRM ‘Trace Elements in an Aquatic Plant (Lagarosiphon major)’, BCR-627 ‘Forms of As in Tuna Fish Tissue’, IAEA-140/TM ‘Sea Plant Homogenate’, NRCC DOLT-1 ‘Dogfish Liver’ and two representatives of the Black Sea biota, Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and Brown algae (Cystoseira barbata). Tissues (nominal 0.3 g) were extracted in tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) 1 ml of 25% m/v TMAH and 2 ml of water) or 5 ml of aqueous 80% v/v methanol (MeOH) in closed vessels in a microwave oven at 50 °C for 30 min. Arsenic in solubilized or extracted tissues was determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) after appropriate dilution (nominally to 25 ml, with further dilution as required) under optimal instrumental parameters (pyrolysis temperature 900 °C and atomization temperature 2100 °C) with 1.5 μg Pd as modifier on Zr–Ir treated platform. Platforms have been pre-treated with 2.7 μmol of zirconium and then with 0.10 μmol of iridium which served as a permanent chemical modifier in direct ETAAS measurements and as an efficient hydride sequestration medium in flow injection hydride generation (FI-HG)–ETAAS. TMAH and methanol extract 96–108% and 51–100% of As from CRMs. Various calibration approaches have been considered and critically evaluated. The effect of species-dependent slope of calibration graph or standard additions plot for total As determination in a sample comprising of several individual As species with different ETAAS behavior has been considered as a kind of ‘intrinsic element speciation interference’ that cannot be completely overcome by standard additions technique. Calibration by means of CRMs has given only semi-quantitative results. The limits of detection (3σ) were in the range 0.5–1.2 mg kg^− 1 As dry weight (wt.) for direct ETAAS analysis of extracts in both TMAH and MeOH. Within-run precision (RSD%) was 5–15% and 7–20% for TMAH and MeOH extracts at As levels 4–50 mg kg^− 1 dry wt., respectively.     

Synthesis and fluorescent properties of a new photostable thiol reagent “BACM”

The 3-maleimidocoumarin BACM ( 2d ) is a new tag designed to react with thiols in biological materials to form fluorescent derivatives whose emission is in the 500 nm (green) region with good resistance to fading. The fluorescence properties of its N-acetyl-L-cysteine derivative are described. BACM itself is non-fluorescent, as is its predecessor, DACM ( 1a ). A synthesis of BACM is reported which avoids the formation of nitrocoumarin isomers obtained in the reported synthesis of DACM. The synthesis of the related 3-(4-maleimidophenyl)coumarin is also described.     

Cyclometalated iridium-coumarin ratiometric oxygen sensors: improved signal resolution and tunable dynamic ranges

In this work we introduce a new series of ratiometric oxygen sensors based on phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium centers partnered with organic coumarin fluorophores. Three different cyclometalating ligands and two different pyridyl-containing coumarin types were used to prepare six target complexes with tunable excited-state energies. Three of the complexes display dual emission, with fluorescence arising from the coumarin ligand, and phosphorescence from either the cyclometalated iridium center or the coumarin. These dual-emitting complexes function as ratiometric oxygen sensors, with the phosphorescence quenched under O₂ while fluorescence is unaffected. The use of blue-fluorescent coumarins results in good signal resolution between fluorescence and phosphorescence. Moreover, the sensitivity and dynamic range, measured with Stern–Volmer analysis, can be tuned two orders of magnitude by virtue of our ability to synthetically control the triplet excited-state ordering. The complex with cyclometalated iridium ³MLCT phosphorescence operates under hyperoxic conditions, whereas the two complexes with coumarin-centered phosphorescence are sensitive to very low levels of O₂ and function as hypoxic sensors.

Cyclometalated iridium(iii) coumarin complexes with improved signal resolution for ratiometric oxygen sensing are described. Dynamic ranges are tunable over >2 orders of magnitude.     

β-Diketones bearing electron-donating chromophores and a novel β-triketone: synthesis and reversible fluorescence behavior

Saturated and unsaturated β-diketones bearing 4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl substituent and a novel β-triketone were synthesized. These β-diketones exist in both cis-enol and keto forms in solution, and their relative contents were determined by ¹H NMR measurements. In contrast, for the β-triketone, only enol form was observed in a solution. A strong fluorescence quenching was observed for unsaturated diketones as compared with the saturated ones. These β-diketones displayed reversible photoinduced ketonization as revealed by UV-vis spectroscopy. The fluorescence emission of the saturated β-diketones faded gradually during UV irradiation. The fluorescence emission of these saturated β-diketones can thus be reversibly switched between the enol form ‘ON’ and the keto form ‘OFF’ based on keto-enol tautomerization.     

Synthetic aspects of the oxidative amidation of phenols

The oxidative amidation of phenols effects the conversion of appropriately substituted phenols into 4-amidodienones (‘para-oxidative amidation’) or 2-amidodienones (‘ortho-oxidative amidation’) by the action of hypervalent iodine reagents. The reagent, (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (‘DIB’) is especially effective in these transformations. This paper focuses on techniques for the desymmetrization of the dienoes thus obtained, leading to the stereocontrolled creation of N-substituted spiro carbons. The methodology creates new opportunities in alkaloid synthesis, as apparent from a number of examples.