Hg- and Cu-selective fluoroionophoric behaviors of a dioxocyclam derivative bearing anthrylacetamide moieties

New dioxocyclam derivatives bearing two anthracene fluorophores were prepared, and their fluoroionophoric properties toward transition metal ions were investigated. Chemosensor 2 having anthrylacetamide moieties exhibited pronounced Hg²⁺- and Cu²⁺-selective fluoroionophoric properties in aqueous acetonitrile solution over other representative transition metal ions, as well as alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. Chemosensor 2 also exhibited Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ selectivity under competitive conditions in the presence of physiologically and environmentally important metal ions. The detection limits for the sensing of Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions were 7.8 × 10⁻⁶ and 1.5 × 10⁻⁶ M, respectively, in aqueous 95% acetonitrile solution.     

Hg-selective fluoroionophoric behavior of pyrene appended diazatetrathia-crown ether

Bis(pyrene) derivative of diazatetrathia-crown ether has been prepared and its Hg²⁺-selective fluoroionophoric properties were investigated. The compound showed a pronounced Hg²⁺-selectivity and other metal ions except for Cu²⁺ showed almost no discernible responses. The Hg²⁺-selectivity of the compound was also confirmed by the competitive experiments performed in the presence of physiologically important metal ions and the detection limit was found to be 1.6 × 10⁻⁶ M. The prominent selective and efficient fluorescence quenching behavior could be utilized as a new chemosensing system for the analysis of toxic Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous environment.     

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 new fluorescent sensor bearing three dansyl fluorophores for highly sensitive and selective detection of mercury(II) ions

A novel fluorometric sensor bearing three dansyl moieties based on tris[2-(2-aminoethylthio)ethyl]amine was prepared by a simple approach using a conventional two-step synthesis. The sensor exhibits highly Hg²⁺-selective ON-OFF fluorescence quenching behavior in aqueous acetonitrile solutions and is shown to discriminate various competing metal ions, particularly Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺ as well as Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Na⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺, with a detection limit of 1.15 × 10⁻⁷ M or 23 ppb.     

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.     

Multiplex sensor for detection of different metal ions based on on–off of fluorescent gold nanoclusters

In this study, a multiplex fluorescence sensor for successive detection of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions based on “on–off” of fluorescence of a single type of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) is described. Any of the Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions can cause quenching fluorescence of Au NCs, which established a sensitive sensor for detection of these ions respectively. With the introduction of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) to the system of Au NCs and metal ions, a restoration of fluorescence may be found with the exception of Hg²⁺. A highly selective detection of Hg²⁺ ion is, thus, achieved by masking Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺. On the other hand, the masking of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ leads to the enhancement of fluorescence of Au NCs, which in turn provides an approach for successive determination of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ based on “on–off” of fluorescence of Au NCs. Moreover, this assay was applied to the successful detection of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in fish, a good linear relationship was found between these metal ions and the degree of quenched fluorescent intensity. The dynamic ranges of Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ were 1.96 × 10⁻¹⁰–1.01 × 10⁻⁹, 1.28 × 10⁻⁷–1.27 × 10⁻⁶ and 1.2 × 10⁻⁷–1.2 × 10⁻⁶ M with high sensitivity (the limit of detection of Fe³⁺ 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, Cu²⁺ 1.9 × 10⁻⁸ M and Hg²⁺ 2 × 10⁻¹⁰ M). These results indicate that the assay is suitable for sensitive detection of these metal ions even under the coexistence, which can not only determine all three kinds of metal ions successively but also of detecting any or several kinds of metal ions.     

Naked-eye colorimetric analysis of Hg2+ with bi-color CdTe quantum dots multilayer films

A novel direct quantificational method through naked-eye colorimetric analysis of Hg²⁺ was constructed based on different degree of the fluorescence quenching of bi-color quantum dots (QDs) multilayer films (2-QDMF). The functional multilayer films were assembled by layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of oppositely charged CdTe QDs and poly(dimethyldiallylemmonium chloride) (PDDA). Then the outermost layer of 2-QDMF was cross-linked to bovine serum albumin (BSA), polyethylene glycol (PEG) or glutathione (GSH). It was found that when BSA modified quartz slides were immersed into solutions containing Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ respectively, the 2-QDMF can be quenched by Hg²⁺, but not by Cu²⁺. Under the optimization conditions, the quenched photoluminescence (PL) intensities of multilayer films were almost linearly proportional to the concentration of Hg²⁺ in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ and the detection limit was 4.5 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. The proposed method is intuitional and convenient, which can be applied to the determination of trace Hg²⁺ in the artificial water sample with satisfactory results.     

A new rhodamine-based dual chemosensor for Al and Cu

A new rhodamine B derivative bearing a hydrazone group has been designed and prepared. The synthesized colorimetric and fluorescent molecular chemosensor can be used as a dual probe, selectively detecting Al³⁺ and Cu²⁺ in acetonitrile solution by monitoring changes in the absorption and fluorescence spectral patterns. The results show that Al³⁺ ions can induce a greater fluorescence enhancement, while the addition of Cu²⁺ ions induces a strong UV–vis absorption enhancement with weak fluorescence. The limits of detection of Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺ were estimated to be 2.9 × 10⁻⁷ M and 8.3 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively.     

Dimethylcyclam based fluoroionophore having Hg- and Cd-selective signaling behaviors

Diametrically disubstituted bis(anthrylmethyl) derivative of 1,8-dimethylcyclam exhibited pronounced Hg²⁺- and Cd²⁺-selective fluorogenic behaviors in aqueous acetonitrile solution. A distinctive OFF-ON type signaling was observed for Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions in aqueous acetonitrile (CH₃CN-H₂O = 90:10, v/v) solution, while a selective ON-OFF type switching behavior toward Hg²⁺ ions was observed in solution having higher water content (CH₃CN-H₂O = 50:50, v/v). The detection limit for the analysis of Hg²⁺ ions in 50% aqueous acetonitrile was found to be 3.8 × 10⁻⁶ M. The selective OR logic gate behavior of the prepared compound toward two toxic heavy metal ions of Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions in CH₃CN-H₂O (90:10, v/v) suggests the possibility as a new chemosensing device for the two important target metal ions.     

Fabrication and application of a new modified electrochemical sensor using nano-silica and a newly synthesized Schiff base for simultaneous determination of Cd,Cu and Hg ions in water and some foodstuff samples

A new chemically modified carbon paste electrode was constructed and used for rapid, simple, accurate, selective and highly sensitive simultaneous determination of cadmium, copper and mercury using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The carbon paste electrode was modified by N,N′-bis(3-(2-thenylidenimino)propyl)piperazine coated silica nanoparticles. Compared with carbon paste electrode, the stripping peak currents had a significant increase at the modified electrode. Under the optimized conditions (deposition potential, −1.100 V vs. Ag/AgCl; deposition time, 60 s; resting time, 10 s; SW frequency, 25 Hz; pulse amplitude, 0.15 V; dc voltage step height, 4.4 mV), the detection limit was 0.3, 0.1 and 0.05 ng mL⁻¹ for the determination of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺, respectively. The complexation reaction of the ligand with several metal cations in methanol was studied and the stability constants of the complexes were obtained. The effects of different cations and anions on the simultaneous determination of metal ions were studied and it was found that the electrode is highly selective for the simultaneous determination of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺. Furthermore, the present method was applied to the determination of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in water and some foodstuff samples.     

Dual optical detection of a novel selective mercury sensor based on 7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazolyl subunits

A novel macromolecule based on 2-[3-(2-aminoethylthio)propylthio]ethanamine covalently bound to two 7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazolyl moieties was prepared as a fluoroionophore and a chromophore for the selective optical detection of Hg²⁺. The sensor was prepared in two steps and its fluoroionophoric and chromophoric properties toward various transition metal, alkali, and alkali earth cations were investigated. Compound 4 selectively binds Hg²⁺, and the binding is indicated by both fluorescence quenching and a chromogenic change which can be detected by the naked eye. In an 80:20 acetonitrile/water solvent mixture, 4 acts as an ON-OFF fluorescence switch upon Hg²⁺ binding, exhibiting efficient quenching and a detection limit of 10⁻⁷ M or 20 ppb.     

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.     

Synthesis of Cu-mediated nano-sized salbutamol-imprinted polymer and its use for indirect recognition of ultra-trace levels of salbutamol

Cu²⁺-mediated salbutamol-imprinted polymer nanoparticles, synthesized by precipitation polymerization, were mixed with graphite powder and n-eicosane in order to fabricate a modified carbon paste electrode. This electrode was then applied for indirect differential pulse voltammetry determination of salbutamol. In the presence of Cu²⁺ ions, the formed Cu²⁺–salbutamol complex was adsorbed in to the pre-designed cavities of the MIP particles, situated on the electrode surface. Since the electrochemical signal of salbutamol was intrinsically small, the oxidation peak of the participant Cu²⁺, after reduction step, was recorded and used as an indication of salbutamol amount, adsorbed in the electrode. Different variables influencing the sensor performance were studied and the best conditions were chosen for the determination purpose. Correlation between the sensor response to salbutamol and its concentration was linear in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁹–5.5 × 10⁻⁸ M. Detection limit was calculated equal to 6.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ M (S/N). Five replicated determination of salbutamol (1 × 10⁻⁸ M) resulted in standard error of 3.28%, meaning a satisfactory precision of the determination method. The prepared sensor was applied for real sample analysis. In order to minimize the interference effect, the synthesized polymer was successfully used as a solid phase sorbent for salbutamol extraction, before analysis of real samples by the developed sensor.     

Ultrasensitive Cu sensing by near-infrared-emitting CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots

The near-infrared (NIR)-emitting CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots (AQdots) that capped with l-cysteine were applied for ultrasensitive Cu²⁺ sensing. The sensing approach was based on the fluorescence of the AQdots selectively quenched in the presence of Cu²⁺. Experimental results showed a low interference response towards other metal ions. The possible quenching mechanism was discussed on the basis of the binding between l-cysteine and the metal ions. In addition, biomolecules have low effect on the fluorescence due to the minimized interferences in NIR region. The response of the NIR optical sensor was linearly proportional to the concentration of Cu²⁺ ranging from 2 × 10⁻⁸ to 2 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. Furthermore, it has been successfully applied to the detection of Cu²⁺ in vegetable samples.     

Construction of a new Cu2+ coated wire ion selective electrode based on 2-((2-(2-(2-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylidene amino)phenyl)disufanyl)phenylimino)methyl)-4-methoxyphenol Schiff base

In this article a new coated platinum Cu²⁺ ion selective electrode based on 2-((2-(2-(2-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylideneamino)phenyl)disufanyl)phenylimino) methyl)-4-methoxyphenol Schiff base (L₁) as a new ionophore is described. This sensor has a wide linear range of concentration (1.2 × 10⁻⁷-1.0 × 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹) and a low detection limit of 9.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹of Cu(NO₃)₂. It has a Nernstian response with slope of 29.54 ± 1.62 mV decade⁻¹ and it is applicable in the pH range of 4.0-6.0 without any divergence in potentioal. The coated electrode has a short response time of approximately 9 s and is stable at least for 3.5 months. The electrode shows a good selectivity for Cu²⁺ ion toward a wide variety of metal ions. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of Cu²⁺ ion in different real and environmental samples and as indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Cu²⁺ ion with EDTA.     

Poly(vinyl chloride)-membrane ion-selective bulk optode based on 1,10-dibenzyl-1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 and 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol for Cu and Pb ions

An ion-selective bulk optode (ISBO) for sensing Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions based on plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) containing 1,10-dibenzyl-1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 (DBzDA18C6) as ionophore and 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as chromoionophore was prepared. The effects of DBzDA18C6/PAN and NaTPB/PAN mole ratios on the response behavior of the ISBO were investigated. The ISBO membrane shows enhanced selectivities for Cu²⁺ (at 530 nm) and Pb²⁺ (at 467 nm) over alkali, alkaline earth and other transition metal ions. The optical selectivity coefficients were measured using the separate solution method (SSM) in the two corresponding wavelengths at pH=5. The detection limit for Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ are 3.2×10⁻⁷ and 1.0×10⁻⁸ M, respectively.     

Complexation of metal ions with the novel azathia crown ethers carrying anthracene pendant in acetonitrile–dichloromethane

A series of crown ethers carrying an anthracene group with nitrogen–sulfur donor atom, which differ in having three, four and five sulfur atoms in the macrocycle was designed and synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding macrocyclic compound and 9-chloromethyl-anthracene. The influence of metal cations such as Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ on the spectroscopic properties of the ligands was investigated in acetonitrile–dichloromethane (1:1) by means of absorption and emission spectrometry. Absorption spectra show isosbestic points in the spectrophotometric titration of Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ the results of which disclosed the complexation compositions and complex stability constants of the novel ligands with these cations. The monoazapentathia crown ether showed sensitivity for Al³⁺ with linear range and detection limit of 2.6 × 10⁻⁶ M–2.6 × 10⁻⁵ M and 8.1 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively.     

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.     

Bifunctional fluorescent thiacalix[4]arene based chemosensor for Cu and F ions

A new thiacalix[4]arene based fluorescent sensor bearing two dansyl groups has been synthesized in cone conformation. In CH₃CN:CH₂Cl₂ (1:1), the presence of Cu (II) induces the formation of a 1:1 metal:ligand complex, which exhibits increasing emission at 433 nm at the expense of the fluorescent emission of 1 centered at 504 nm. The detection limit of the sensor for Cu²⁺ is 2×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. For anion sensing, 1 shows a high selectivity for fluoride ions over other anions tested.     

Novel potentiometric copper (II) selective membrane sensors based on cyclic tetrapeptide derivatives as neutral ionophores

Two novel membrane sensors sensitive and reasonably selective for Cu²⁺ ions are described. These are based on the use of newly synthesized cyclic tetrapeptide derivatives as neutral ionophores and sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an anionic excluder in plasticized PVC membranes. The sensors exhibit fast and stable near-Nernstian response over the concentration range 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol l⁻¹ Cu²⁺ with a cationic slope of 30.2-25.9 mV per decade at pH 4.5-7 with a lower detection limit of 0.05-0.13 μg ml⁻¹. Effects of plasticizers, lipophilic salts and various foreign common ions are tested. The sensors display long life-span, long term stability, high reproducibility, and short response time. Selectivity of both sensors is significantly high for Cu²⁺ over Fe³⁺, Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, alkaline earth and alkali metal ions. The sensors are used for direct measurement of copper content in different rocks and industrial wastewater samples from electroplating factories. The results agree fairly well with data obtained using atomic absorption spectrometry.