Creation of 3,4-bis-triazolocoumarin-sugar conjugates via flourogenic dual click chemistry and their quenching specificity with silver(I) in aqueous media

Fluorogenic click chemistry has recently emerged as an ingenious and powerful tool toward numerous biochemical purposes. We describe herein the use of dual click chemistry toward the fluorescence restoration of a fluorogenic coumarin on epimeric dipropargyl sugar scaffolds and their practical utility in selective metal ion detection. The dual click reactions were smoothly proceeded under microwave irradiation between silylated 3,4-di-O-propynyl gluco- or galactoside and 3-azidocoumarin, forming fluorescently reactivated bis-triazolocoumarins on sugar templates. Subsequent desilylation resulted in the OH-glycosides with desired water solubility. The following photochemical study disclosed that their fluorescence could be uniquely quenched by silver(I) in aqueous media with very minor responses to the addition of other metal ions. This research would presumably prompt the efficient creation of water soluble and potentially low toxic chemosensors via the fluorogenic dual click chemistry in using the universally existent sugars as the central scaffold.     

A simple click generated probe for highly selective sequential recognition of Cu(II) and pyrophosphate

A click generated quinoline derivative (1) has been synthesized and used as a fluorescent probe for sequential recognition of Cu²⁺ and pyrophosphate (PPi) in DMSO/H₂O (1:1, v/v, HEPES 20 mM, pH = 7.4) solution. Probe 1 displays high selectivity to Cu²⁺ ions, and the in-situ prepared probe 1-Cu²⁺ exhibits high selectivity toward pyrophosphate (PPi) with emission recovery of probe 1. Therefore, 1-Cu²⁺ complex can be applied as a fluorescence turn-on probe for PPi with high selectivity and sensitivity.     

Highly selective ratiometric fluorescent sensor for Cu(II) with two urea groups

A new Naphthalene derivative with two urea groups, 1,8-bis[N-(o-methoxyphenyl)ureido]naphthalene (BMPUN), was synthesized for detecting Cu(II) ratiometrically. Complexation between urea groups of BMPUN and Cu(II) with high selectivity gives rise to a great red-shift from 380 to 440 nm in the emission spectra. The introduction of electron donating groups is helpful to increase the electron density of the nitrogen atom of urea groups and then enhance the ability of complexation for Cu(II).     

Cu(II) complex of an abiotic receptor as highly selective fluorescent sensor for acetate

A copper complex having quinoline moiety as fluorophore has been synthesized. The anion recognition behavior of the receptor and its copper complex has been studied in acetonitrile and in acetonitrile: H₂O (95:5 v/v). The copper complex shows high selectivity toward acetate over other anions studied such as F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, OAc⁻, dl-malate, l-mandelate, benzoate, isophthalate, , and .     

Fluorescent coumarinyldithiane as a selective chemodosimeter for mercury(II) ion in aqueous solution

A coumarin-based dithiane (1) was synthesized for the selective detection of Hg²⁺ with respect to dual chromo- and fluorogenic changing events in an aqueous solution by the mercury-promoted transformation of a dithiane group into an aldehyde functional unit. The Hg²⁺-selective response of the chemodosimeter was clearly observed in aqueous buffer as well as in human blood plasma medium.     

A click fluorophore sensor that can distinguish Cu(II) and Hg(II) via selective anion-induced demetallation

A cyclam‐based fluorescent sensor featuring a novel triazole pendant arm has been synthesised using click chemistry. The sensor is highly responsive to both Cu^II and Hg^II in neutral aqueous solution and displays excellent selectivity in the presence of various competing metal ions in 50‐fold excess. The addition of specific anions such as I^? and S₂O₃^2? causes a complete revival of fluorescence only in the case of Hg^II, providing a simple and effective method for distinguishing solutions containing Cu^II, Hg^II or a mixture of both ions, even in doped seawater samples. X‐ray crystal structures of both the Hg^II sensor complex and a model Cu^II complex show that pendant triazole coordination occurs through the central nitrogen atom (N2), providing to the best of our knowledge the first reported examples of this unusual coordination mode in macrocycles. Fluorescence, mass spectrometry and ¹H NMR experiments reveal that the mechanism of anion‐induced fluorescence revival involves either displacement of pendant coordination or complete removal of the Hg^II from the macrocycle, depending on the anion.     

Rapid aqueous ‘click chemistry’ using Cu(I)-loaded dendrimers as macromolecular catalysts

Here, we investigate the catalytic activity of various copper (Cu)-loaded poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers towards the Cu(I)-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Reactivity is tested on a model reaction between azido propanol and propargyl alcohol in aqueous solution. We observe significantly faster conversion using PAMAM dendrimers as macromolecular Cu(I) ligands compared to traditional small molecular ligand systems, and demonstrate that the macromolecular catalyst can be removed by ultrafiltration.     

Adding diversity to ruthenium(II)-arene anticancer (RAPTA) compounds via click chemistry: The influence of hydrophobic chains

The application of click chemistry to develop libraries of organometallic ruthenium-arene complexes with potential anticancer properties has been investigated. A series of ruthenium-imidazole-triazole complexes, with hydrophobic tails, were prepared from a common precursor via click chemistry. The tail could be attached to the ligand prior to coordination to the ruthenium complex or following coordination, the former giving the product in superior yield. The complexes were screened for cytotoxicity in tumourigenic and non-tumourigenic cell lines, and while the compounds were only moderately cytotoxic, good selectivity for tumourigenic cells was observed.     

Efficient synthesis of a labile copper(I)-rotaxane complex using click chemistry

Copper(I)-induced threading of 5,5′-diazidomethyl-2,2′-bipyridine through a coordinating ring followed by reaction of a propargyl ether attached to a stopper group leads to the desired rotaxane in 62% yield. The reaction is carried out under the ‘click chemistry’ conditions with 0.75 equiv of additional copper(I).     

A novel BINOL-based cyclophane via click chemistry: synthesis and its applications for sensing silver ions

A novel BINOL-based cyclophane 1 incorporating two triazole moieties was synthesized via click chemistry and characterized. Among the metal ions screened, only Ag⁺ was found to have the ability to quench the fluorescence of 1 in methanol solution. The 1:1 binding mode of 1-Ag⁺ was confirmed. The competitive experiment showed that compound 1 can be used as a specific fluorescent sensor for Ag⁺ over a wide range of competing cations.     

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.     

Novel coumarin-based containing denrons selective fluorescent chemosesor for sequential recognition of Cu2+ and PPi

In this study, we have successfully synthesized a novel coumarin-based dendrons derivative CD and its chemical structure was characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and ESI-HR-MS. The sensor CD showed an obvious “on-off” fluorescence quenching response toward Cu²⁺ with a maximum quenching efficiency of 99.8%. The CD-Cu²⁺ complex showed an “off-on” fluorescence enhancement response toward PPi over many competitive anions. The detection limit of the sensor CD was 0.29?×?10^?6?M to Cu²⁺ and 2.39?×?10^?9?M to PPi. In addition, the sensor CD showed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry to Cu²⁺ and the sensor CD-Cu²⁺ showed a 2:1 binding stoichiometry to PPi in CH₃CN/HEPES buffer medium (9:1 v/v, pH?=?7.2). The stable pH range of sensor CD to Cu²⁺ and CD-Cu²⁺ to PPi was from 3 to 8.     

Light-induced copper(I)-catalyzed click chemistry

Light can be used as an activator for the in situ generated copper(I)-catalyzed click reaction between azides and alkynes without adding reducing agents. The accumulation of sufficient concentration of copper(I) throughout the reaction can successfully be achieved by UV irradiation, in the presence of air.     

Thermodynamic studies of dynamic metal ligands with copper(II), cobalt(II), zinc(II) and nickel(II)

The self-assembly of unsymmetrical metal ligands from simpler components circumvents complex synthetic approaches. We show herein how a recently developed three-component assembly to create tripicolylamine-like ligands can be extended to the use of azides rather than pyridines. Substituent effects, metal dependence, and reversibility of the assembly are explored. Further, we show that the extent of assembly directly correlates with the differential binding of the templating metals between dipicolylamine-like and tripicolyamine-like ligands.     

Novel fluorescent sensor for Ag and Hg based on the BINOL-pyrene derivative via click reaction

A novel BINOL-pyrene derivative sensor 1 for Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ incorporating the triazole moieties and pyrenes was synthesized via click reaction. Binding of Ag⁺ ion induces the formation of 1:1 Ag⁺-1 chelating complex, and occurs in a ratiometric manner through an enhanced monomer and declining excimer emission, which make it possible to ratiometrically detect Ag⁺. The competitive experiment shows 1 can be used as an Ag⁺ specific fluorescence sensor over a wide range of competing cations. In the meanwhile, the sensor 1 was found to be selectively quenched by only Hg²⁺ at both monomer and excimer emission. Furthermore, we obtained evidences for different fluorescence signaling behaviors with Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ by ¹H NMR titration experiments.     

Highly selective and sensitive fluorescence turn-on probe for a catalytic amount of Cu(I) ions in water through the click reaction

A simple azide-functionalized coumarin (1) was utilized as a fluorescence turn-on probe for a catalytic amount of Cu(I) ions in HEPES buffer. The probe has shown a selective and sensitive response to the cuprous ions over other various cations through a Cu(I)-mediated click reaction of 1 to an alkyne. When a catalytic amount of copper sulfates was added in the presence of ascorbate, the prominent fluorescence ‘Off-On’ change of 1 was observed so that submicromolar concentration of copper ions was detectable by the naked eye.     

Alternate pathway for the click reaction of 2-(2-azidophenyl)-4,5-diaryloxazoles

The CuSO₄/ascorbate-mediated ‘click’ reaction of 2-(2-azidophenyl)-4,5-diaryloxazoles and arylacetylenes proceeded through an alternate pathway whereby reduction of the azide predominated over formation of the 1,2,3-triazole-forming cycloaddition. The unimolecular product, 2-(2-aminophenyl)-4,5-diphenyloxazole, was isolated which appears to be a formal reduction of the arylazide to the corresponding arylamine. A series of oxazoles which possessed various substituents (F, Cl, Br, OCH₃) on the 4,5-diaryl rings and having the 2-azido group on the 2-oxazolylphenyl position were submitted to the same ‘click’ conditions and gave the corresponding arylamine products (73–99%). The reaction appears to be specific toward the ortho-azido substitution of the polycyclic system, as the corresponding azidomethyl-substituted phenyl oxazoles do not give the ‘reduction’ products but gave the expected click products with the acetylenic co-reactants.     

N-(Propargyl)diazenecarboxamides for ‘click’ conjugation and their 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with azidoalkylamines in the presence of Cu(II)

Propargyl functionalized diazenes 1 were prepared by two different approaches and were examined as alkyne click components in copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC) with 2-(azidomethyl)pyridine 5a and four α-azido-ω-aminoalkanes C2-C5 (5b-e). Whereas the reactions with azidoalkylamines 5b-e reached completion with copper(II) sulfate without the need of reducing agent typically in no more than few minutes, 2-(azidomethyl)pyridine 5a required the addition of metallic copper and much longer reaction times (2-24 h). This difference in the reactivity was studied and addressed in terms of base effect and proximity effect to CuAAC.     

Synthesis of a novel fluorescent anthryl calix[4]arene as picric acid sensor

A novel and sensitive fluorescence sensor has been designed by click chemistry. Based on the obvious and selective fluorescence quenching of anthryl calix[4]arene, a sensitive and robust platform were developed for visual detection of picric acid (TNP) in the mixture of nitro aromatics. The computational calculations revealed the formation of host–guest complex driven by π–π stacking interactions.     

A sensitive fluorescence biosensor for alkaline phosphatase activity based on the Cu(II)-dependent DNAzyme

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) plays an important role in phosphate metabolism processes; deviation from its normal level may indicate different kinds of diseases, so it is highly necessary to develop some simple and sensitive methods to monitor the ALP level. In this study, a simple, high selective, and sensitive fluorescent biosensor has been proposed for ALP activity determination. The Cu(II)-dependent DNAzyme (Cu-Enzyme) are divided into two parts: Cu-Enzyme 1 and Cu-Enzyme 2, and labelled with alkyne and azido groups, respectively. The Cu-substrate (Cu-Sub) is labelled with a FAM fluorophore (6-carboxyfluorescein) at the 3′-end and an additional quencher (BHQ1) at the 5′-end. The 5′-end of Cu-Enzyme 1 is labelled with BHQ1 as well. The hybridization of the Cu-Enzyme 1 and Cu-Enzyme 2 with Cu-Sub strand results in the low background fluorescence signal because the fluorescence from FAM is quenched. The addition of ALP can hydrolyze AA-P into AA, which can reduce Cu(II) into Cu(I) and in turn catalyze the cycloaddition of Cu-Enzyme 1 and Cu-Enzyme 2 to form a modified Cu-Enzyme. Then the modified Cu-Enzyme catalyzes the cleavage of the Cu-Sub strands into two pieces. One piece containing FAM fluorophore can easily diffuse into solution and give off a strong fluorescence signal. The enhanced fluorescent intensity has a linear relationship with the ALP concentration in the range of 0.36–54.55 U L⁻¹ with the detection limit of 0.14 U L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The proposed biosensor has been successfully applied to detect ALP in serum samples with satisfied results.