A Novel Colorimetric and Fluorescent pH Sensor Derived from Iminocoumarin and Thiophene‐Carboxaldehyde

A novel colorimetric and fluorescent pH sensor derived from iminocoumarin and thiophene‐carboxaldehyde was designed and synthesized. The structures of the dye and related compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectra. Color change from green to yellow of the new sensor solution in ethanol–water with the decrease in the pH value from 7 to 2 was observed by the naked eye. Under acidic conditions, the intensity of the maximum fluorescence emission peak of the sensor increased gradually with the decrease in the acidity of the solution (the increase in the pH value from 2 to 7) and attained to the maximum value at about pH 6. Under basic conditions, the fluorescence intensity of the emission peak of the sensor did not exhibit a distinct change at pH ≤ 11.85, and the fluorescence was quenched at pH 13.36, concomitant with the green color of the solution turning pale. The sensor can be used as a fluorescent pH probe in the presence of common metal cations and anions without interference.     

A new colorimetric and fluorescent ratiometric sensor for Hg2+ based on 4-pyren-1-yl-pyrimidine

A novel fluorescent ratiometric chemosensor based on 4-pyren-1-yl-pyrimidine (PPM) has been designed and prepared for the detection of Hg²⁺ in the presence of other competing metal ions in acetonitrile. The photo exhibits fluorescence color change of PPM from blue to green without and with Hg²⁺, which red shift of wavelength about 105 nm in fluorescence emission spectra. It can serve as a highly selective chemodosimeter for Hg²⁺ with ratiometric and naked-eye detection. The photophysical properties of PPM confirmed a 2:1 (PPM–Hg²⁺) binding model and the spectral response toward Hg²⁺ was proved to be reversible.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of 7-(N-arylsulfonyl)aminocoumarins,a new class of fluorescent pH indicators

7-Arylsulfonylamino-coumarins 3 and 5 , with electron-delocalizing substituents in position 3 were obtained by condensation of 4-arylsulfonylamino-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with various (hetero)arylacetic esters and by other methods. Oxidative cyanation using potassium cyanide and elemental bromine gave the corresponding 4-cyano derivatives 6a,b. The absorption and emission maxima of coumarins 3 and 5 in organic solvents and in water of different pH were determined. All showed bright blue fluorescence in organic or acidic aqueous solution, which is shifted to the green in alkaline solution. The 4-cyano derivatives 6a, b exhibit green fluorescences, which change to yellow in alkaline solution. Simultaneously the color changes from yellow to orange. The pKa values of compounds 3 and 5 were found to lie between 6.33 and 7.06, whereas for the 4-cyano derivatives they were distinctly lower (5.66-5.95). The spectral changes observed in the near neutral pH range may render the new compounds useful indicators for the measurement of physiological pH's.     

Developing a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe based on ESIPT for the detection of pH changes in living cells

As an important parameter of intracellular metabolism, pH plays important roles in maintaining normal physiological processes. The abnormal pH could cause disorder of cell function which may cause neurological diseases. Herein, we present two novel ratiometric fluorescent probes to detect pH changes. The probes employed 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole as fluorescent platform, and displayed desirable fluorescence response to pH on the basis of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. The probe BtyC-1 showed green fluorescence at 546 nm under acidic conditions, while it displayed strong blue fluorescence at 473 nm and weak green fluorescence at 546 nm under alkaline conditions. Biological experiments demonstrated that the probe BtyC-1 could be successfully applied for the ratiometric imaging of cellular pH and the NH₄Cl-induced pH changes in living cells.     

Ratiometric fluorescence and colorimetric sensing of anion utilizing simple Schiff base derivatives

Two ratiometric fluorescence and colorimetric anion sensors were designed and synthesized according to simple Schiff base reaction. Two compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by ESI–MS, elemental analyses and ¹H NMR. The sensors could give fast and visible color changes from yellow to red upon presence of the strong basic anions such as acetate ion. In particular, two compounds exhibited marked blue shifts (about 136 nm) in their emission spectra, when interacting with anions. Accordingly, the compounds 1 and 2 could act as real-time ratiometric fluorescence and colorimetric sensors for anions.     

Fluorescent azophenol-quinazoline dyad as multichannel reversible pH indicator in aqueous media: an innovative concept on diazo based dyads

A novel azophenol-quinazoline dyad 1 has been designed, synthesized and demonstrated as an efficient reversible multichannel pH indicator through distinct signalling in aqueous media. Owing to the competence between highly fluorescent quinazoline moiety and a well known fluorescence quencher diazo group, dyad 1 is moderately fluorescent in nature. Under acidic conditions 1 displays diverse fluorogenic changes (blue emission at pH 4.25; green at pH 1.80) while under basic condition (pH 11.80) chromogenic changes were observed.     

Synthesis and Solvatochromatic properties of 9-(4-Aminophenylethynyl)-10-(4-nitrophenylethynyl)anthracene

9-(4-Aminophenylethynyl)-10-(4-nitrophenylethynyl)anthracene (2) was synthesized in high yield by using a route involving sequential Sonogashira cross coupling reactions of 9-bromo-10-iodoanthracene with 4-nitrophenylacetylene and 4-aminophenylacetylene. Solvatochromism was observed in the absorption and fluorescence spectra of 2 in a variety of solvents. In less polar solvents, such as hexane and benzene, the fluorescence emission band of 2 appears in the green to orange region while this substance does not fluoresce in polar solvents, such as acetonitrile and DMF.     

Two D-π-A type fluorescent probes based on isolongifolanone for sensing acidic pH with large Stokes shifts

Two novel isolongifolanone derivatives (2–3) with D-π-A configuration, which had a N,N-dimethylaniline unit attached to pyrazole and pyrimidine cores, were synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR and HRMS. As the protonation of the nitrogen atoms, the probes 2–3 displayed the significant pH-dependent spectral properties. The probe 2 exhibited a remarkable ratiometric fluorescence emission (I₄₄₅/I₃₇₃) characteristic with pK_a 2.59 and the linear response over the extremely acidic range of 1.5–4.0. The probe 3 showed an obvious emission quenching at 434?nm (λ_ex?=?300?nm) with a pK_a of 3.69 and responded linearly to monitor the pH fluctuations with the weakly acidic range of 3.5–7.0, while exhibited a linear emission enhancement at 519?nm (λ_ex?=?425?nm) over the extremely acidic range of 1.0–3.5. These pH probes also displayed favorable features including large Stokes shift under acidic conditions, high selectivity, rapid response, excellent photostability and good reversibility for sensing acidic pH which were further applied to response to acidic solid and gas phase using their solid-state samples, causing dramatic fluorescence color changes. In addition, the logic gates for probe 2 were constructed to develop its potential for practical applications.     

Chromo‐Fluorogenic Detection of Nerve‐Agent Mimics Using Triggered Cyclization Reactions in Push–Pull Dyes

A family of azo and stilbene derivatives ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ) are synthesized, and their chromo‐fluorogenic behavior in the presence of nerve‐agent simulants, diethylchlorophosphate (DCP), diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), and diethylcyanophosphate (DCNP) in acetonitrile and mixed solution of water/acetonitrile (3:1 v/v) buffered at pH 5.6 with MES, is investigated. The prepared compounds contain 2‐(2‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)ethanol or 2‐[(2‐N,N‐dimethylamino)phenoxy]ethanol reactive groups, which are part of the conjugated π‐system of the dyes and are able to give acylation reactions with phosphonate substrates followed by a rapid intramolecular N‐alkylation. The nerve‐agent mimic‐triggered cyclization reaction transforms a dimethylamino group into a quaternary ammonium, inducing a change of the electronic properties of the delocalized systems that results in a hypsochromic shift of the absorption band of the dyes. Similar reactivity studies are also carried out with other “non‐toxic” organophosphorus compounds, but no changes in the UV/Vis spectra were observed. The emission behaviour of the reagents in acetonitrile and water–acetonitrile 3:1 v/v mixtures is also studied in the presence of nerve‐agent simulants and other organophosphorous derivatives. The reactivity between 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 and DCP, DCNP, or DFP in buffered water–acetonitrile 3:1 v/v solutions under pseudo first‐order kinetic conditions, using an excess of the corresponding simulant, are studied in order to determine the rate constants (k) and the half‐life times (t_1/2=ln2/k) for the reaction. The detection limits in water/acetonitrile 3:1 v/v are also determined for 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 and DCP, DCNP, and DFP. Finally, the chromogenic detection of nerve agent simulants both in solution and in gas phase are tested using silica gel containing adsorbed compounds 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , or 5 with fine results.     

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of 7-hydroxy-3-(2-pyridyl)coumarin derivatives

Three coumarin derivatives, 7-hydroxy-3-(2-pyridyl)coumarin (HPC), 7-(4-(5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzyloxy)-3-(2-pyridyl)coumarin (Ox-PC), and 7-(4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)butoxy)-3-(2-pyridyl)coumarin (Cz-PC), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, FT-IR, and UV?Cvis absorption spectra. The fluorescence behaviors of the compounds in methanol solutions and solid states were investigated. HPC exhibits weak green emission, whereas Cz-PC and Ox-PC show strong blue emissions in dilute solutions.     

Effect of extended conjugation with a phenylethynyl group on the fluorescence properties of water-soluble arylboronic acids

Boronic acids that change fluorescence properties upon sugar binding are very important reporter units for the development of small molecule lectin mimics (boronolectins). Aimed at developing long wavelength fluorescent boronic acid reporter compounds, we have designed and synthesized a series of boronic acid analogs 2a-d with an extended π conjugation. Such designs are based on earlier fluorescent boronic acids that change fluorescence properties upon sugar binding. Compared with the corresponding parent chromophores, these new compounds with extended conjugations show longer excitation and emission wavelengths as designed. The patterns of fluorescence changes for the new compounds are also different from that of the corresponding parent compounds.     

Liquid Chromatographic Behavior of Nitrogen Compounds

Abstract

Chromatographic behavior of nitrogen compounds differed from others. The column efficiency was poor for the compounds and sometimes solutes were not eluted out from a column. Therefore, the elution volume of alkylamines, anilines, pyridines, pyrazines, quinolines and aminopolyaromatic hydrocarbons was measured on a methacrylate gel and octadecyl bonded silica gels in pH controlled acetonitrile/water mixtures. The solvent effect on the dissociation constant differs from that obtained for aromatic acids. The values in acetonitrile/water mixtures are smaller than those obtained in 100% water. The linear relation between log P and log k′ values is obtained in eluents of pH 7 where the retention of these compounds is maximized. Some hydrophobic fragmental constants are proposed from this result. Prediction of retention time of these compounds from their log P values can be done in the individual groups on octadecyl bonded silica gels in pH controlled acetonitrile/water mixtures.     

Highly selective fluorescent chemosensors for cadmium in water

The design, synthesis and photophysical evaluation of two new chemosensors 1 and 2 is described for the selective detection of Cd(II) in water at pH 7.4. Both are based on the use of aromatic iminodiacetate receptors that connected to an anthracene fluorophore by covalent methyl spacers. These are highly water-soluble sensors where the fluorescence is ‘switched off’ between pH 3-11, due to photoinduced electron transfer (PET) quenching of the anthracene excited state by the receptor. Upon protonation of the receptor, the emission was however, ‘switched on’. From these changes pK_as of 1.8 and 2.5 were determined for 1 and 2 respectively. Both showed good selectivity for Cd(II) over competitive ions such as group II and Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II). For 1, having a single receptor, only a weak monomer anthracene emission was observed for the free sensor at pH 7.4 (HEPES buffer, 135 mM NaCl). Upon Zn(II) titration, a broad red shifted emission occurred, centred at 468 nm. In the presence of Cd(II), a similar red shifted emission was also observed, however, this time centred at 506 nm. In contrast to these results, the fluorescence of 2 in the presence of Zn(II) gave rise to typical monomeric anthracene emission, due to suppression of PET, that is, the anthracene emission was ‘switched on’. Nevertheless, in the presence of Cd(II) a broad emission centred at 500 nm was observed, similar to that seen for 1. These ion induced long wavelength emission bands were assigned to the formation of charge-transfer complexes (exciplexes) between the anthracene moieties and the ion-receptor complexes. Importantly, for both 1 and 2, a selective detection of Cd(II) was possible, even in the presence of Zn(II).     

Gadolinium(III)–fluorescein complex as a dual modal probe for MRI and fluorescence zinc sensing

A bimodal imaging Gd–Zpy probe based on magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence sensing has been synthesized and characterized. Gd–Zpy features a bright green emission and a turn-on fluorescent response manner with high sensitivity for Zn²⁺ in aqueous solution and is able to luminescent imaging intracellular Zn²⁺ levels within living cells. It exhibits a 130% increase of the longitudinal relaxation time and a 115% increase of transverse relaxive time upon addition of Zn²⁺. The results demonstrated that the incorporating of the fluorescein dye having the efficient chelators within a high-spin Gd³⁺ system was a powerful approach to achieve dual modal probes for MRI and fluorescence sensing.     

Open-chain polyazaalkanes functionalised with pyrene groups as sensing fluorogenic receptors for metal ions

The new open-chain polyazaalkanes ligands L¹, L², L³ and L⁴ functionalised with one or two pyrene groups were synthesised and characterised and their potential use as selective cation and anion sensing chemosensors studied. Solution studies by potentiometric methods were carried out in the presence of the metal cations Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in acetonitrile–water (70:30 v/v, 0.1 mol dm⁻³ tetrabutylammonium perchlorate, 25 °C) The results are compared with those reported for the analogous non-functionalised ligand triethylentetraamine (tta). The fluorescence behaviour of the ligands L¹–L⁴ has been studied as a function of the pH in the presence of the metal cations Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in acetonitrile–water 70:30 v/v mixtures. The Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ cations enhance the fluorescence emission of the L¹–L⁴ chemosensors at basic pH, whereas Cu²⁺ induce quenching of the fluorescence emission at acid pH. The fluorescence behaviour of L¹–L⁴ receptors was also studied as a function of the pH in acetonitrile–water 70:30 v/v in the presence of anions.     

Dimerization of 2-pyridylisonitriles produces π-extended fused heteroarenes useful as highly selective colorimetric and optical probes for copper ion

A very simple synthesis of pyrido[2″,1″:2′,3′]imidazo[4′,5′:4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines 2 was achieved from the dimerization of 2-pyridylisonitriles. The optical responses of these π-extended fused heteroarenes to a series of metal ions were investigated by means of UV-visible absorption spectrum in acetonitrile. It was found that most of compounds 2 selectively responded to Cu²⁺, and the limit of detection was about 3.5×10⁻⁷ M when using the best probe, 3,9-dimethylpyrido[2″,1″:2′,3′]imidazo[4′,5′:4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine 2d. Meanwhile some compounds 2 specifically showed a color change from colorless to red or yellow when they are exposed to copper ion in acetonitrile, whereas other transitional, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions could not induce a color change. This work not only established a direct access to π-extended fused heteroarenes, but also supplied novel sensitive and selective colorimetric and optical probes for copper ion.     

An NBD-based colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for Zn and its use for detection of intracellular zinc ions

A new 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD) based colorimetric and fluorescence chemosensor for Zn²⁺, an ion involved in many biological processes, was designed and synthesized. The NBD-probe 1 displays a red-to-yellow color change and an enhancement of fluorescent intensity in the presence of an aqueous solution of Zn²⁺ ions (pH 7.2). Internal charge transfer (ICT) and photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanisms are responsible for these changes. The practical use of this probe was demonstrated by its application to the biologically relevant detection of Zn²⁺ ions in pancreatic β-cells.     

On the syntheses and photochemical properties of heterocyclic ketones as photosensitizers

The syntheses, and the electrochemical and photochemical properties of the fluorenone analogues 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole-9-one (1), and 9H-pyrido[3,4,b] pyrrolizin-9-one (2), which absorb in the visible region (ε^400nm = 4711 mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ for 1 and ε^400nm = 872 1 mol cm⁻¹ for 2), are described. 9-Fluorenone as well as compounds 1 and 2 were able to reduce methyl viologen in the presence of 2-propanol under irradiation with UV light (λ⪢ 280 nm). Compounds 1 and 2 showed an interesting absorption and fluorescence behavior depending on concentration, solvent and pH value. Aqueous solutions of compound 1 gave two fluorescence maxima at 395 and 478 nm, when excited by λ^EX = 302 and 368 nm, respectively. In contrast, aqueous solutions of compound 2 showed only one emission maximum at 417 nm (excited by λ^EX = 296 or 378 nm). Fluorescence quantum yields (solvent: propanol, excitation wavelength λ^Ex = 436 nm) for compounds 1 and 2 were 0.2%. Compounds 1 and 2 showed irreversible reduction potentials at −850 and −560 mV (vs NHE), respectively. The results were compared with benzophenone and 9-fluorenone.     

Two new indole derivatives as anion receptors for detecting fluoride ion

Two new compounds（1 and 2）based on indole were successfully synthesized and characterized.They display highly selective response to Fàin aqueous DMSO medium and pure DMSO with remarkable color and fluorescent changes.Therefore,both receptors may serve as colorimetric sensors for Fàby visual detection.     

A new click reaction generated AIE-active polymer sensor for Hg2+ detection in aqueous solution

We described herein a new AIE-active polymer sensor incorporating triazole moiety for Hg²⁺ detection in aqueous solution. The polymer sensor P1 was synthesized from tetraphenylethene and diazidobenzene via click reaction. It shows typical AIE feature, and emits cyan fluorescence in the mixture of tetrahydrofuran and water, reaching the strongest fluorescence when the fraction of water (f_w) is 90%. In aqueous solution (f_w?=?90%), the polymer sensor can exhibit fluorescence quenching response towards Hg²⁺ over other competing metal ions, with the fluorescence color changed from cyan to almost no emission, which can be clearly observed by the naked eyes under 365?nm UV lamp.