Two chemodosimeters for fluorescence recognition of biothiols in aqueous solution and their bioimaging application

Two fluorescein derivatives containing 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl group have been developed as fluorescent probes to detect the biothiols (Cys, Hcy and GSH) in aqueous solution. Probes 1 and 2 can distinguish these biothiols in the presence of other amino acids. While probe 1 can recognize the biothiols in PBS/DMSO (v:v = 95:5, pH = 7.40) solution, notably probe 2 could be used in PBS buffer solution (pH = 7.40). The detection limit of Cys for probe 2 reached at 0.021 μM in aqueous solution, which was lower than the intracellular concentration of Cys. In the recognition process, a reaction between the probes and the biothiols occurred, in which the S–O bond was cleaved to remove 2, 4-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl group. The data of ¹H NMR, MS and DFT/TD-DFT calculation further confirmed the detection mechanism. Moreover, two probes were successfully applied to the HeLa cell imaging.     

A novel ratiometric fluorescent probe based on coumarin derivative for the recognition of Al(III) and its application on test strips

A novel ratiometric probe (L) which was composed of chromone and coumarin moieties has been designed and synthesized for sensing Al³⁺ in EtOH in view of the internal charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. The free probe L exhibited a strong fluorescence emission at 477 nm, and the fluorescence emission here almost disappeared after adding Al³⁺ (10 equiv.) while a new peak appeared at 524 nm. This may be due to the enhancement of intramolecular electron transfer efficiency from donor to acceptor. In addition, this probe L could be form a 1:1 complex with Al³⁺, which could be explained by the ESI-MS spectra, and L had a low detection limit for Al³⁺ with a binding constant of 1.32 × 10⁴ M⁻¹. More importantly, L could be applied to a solid probe for rapid detection of Al³⁺ with a significant color change.     

Design and synthesis of novel rhodamine-based chemodosimeters derived from [2.2]paracyclophane and their application in detection of Hg2+ion

For a better insight into the spectroscopic properties of [2.2]paracyclophane in fluorescent probes, a novel rhodamine-based chemodosimeter bearing [2.2]paracyclophane 4a has been designed and synthesized. The probe 4a exhibits a highly selective and sensitive response to Hg²⁺ over other transition metal ions in aqueous solution. Its detection limit is determined to be 77 nM. The significant changes in the fluorescence color could be used for the naked-eye detection. Furthermore, the probe 4a shows good membrane permeability and can be applied to detect intracellular Hg²⁺ in human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549 cells). The crystal structure and spectral properties of its congener 4b that contains one 12-bromo [2.2]paracyclophane group and rhodamine moiety are also investigated for a comparison.     

Simple and practical,highly sensitive and responsive recognition of cysteine: Design,synthesis and mechanism study of a novel curcumin fluorescent probe

A novel class of curcumin-derived fluorescent probes was designed. This kind of probe introduces easy leaving groups methylsulfonyl and phenylsulfonyl respectively to achieve the detection effect through the nucleophilic attack of amino acids. At the same time, BF₂ group is introduced to increase the emission wavelength of the probe. Probes 4 and 5 can respond quickly with amino acids, but can specifically recognize Cys. In UV detection, the maximum absorption wavelength of the probes can be blue-shifted by 81 nm with the addition of Cys and still show a strong fluorescence signal. The detection limits for compounds 4 and 5 were determined to be 0.40 μM and 0.87 μM, respectively, with a goodness-of-fit of 0.99. In addition, a rapid response of the probe to Cys could be observed with the naked eye within 1 min. These results provide a new method for rapid detection of Cys; And this kind of probe has the drug structure of curcumin, which can provide ideas for the design of drug-probe.     

A highly sensitive fluorescence probe for thiophenol in living cells via a substitution-cyclization strategy

A novel fluorescent probe 1 was synthesized for the detection of thiophenol on the basis of a unique thiophenol-mediated substitution-cyclization reaction. The probe 1 displayed 420-fold fluorescence intensity enhancement and highly selective and sensitive response for thiophenol over other competing sulfur species. This probe showed an excellent linear relationship in 10–140 μM and the low detection limit of 29 nM. The recognition mechanism of probe 1 toward PhSH was supported by the NMR spectrum and ESI-MS. Furthermore, the probe 1 was successfully applied for detection of thiophenol in living HepG2 cells.     

A highly selective naked-eye probe for hypochlorite with the p-methoxyphenol-substituted aniline compound

A highly selective naked-eye detection of ClO⁻ is successfully established with probe 1 by taking advantage of the oxidation transformation of p-methoxyphenol into benzoquinone with ClO⁻ and the ICT absorption within the electron donor-acceptor compound. The color of the solution of probe 1 was changed, obviously upon addition of ClO⁻ and ClO⁻ with concentration as low as 1.74 μM can be analyzed in aqueous solution with probe 1. Moreover, the interferences of other anions can be neglected.     

A novel AIEE and EISPT fluorescent probe for selective detection of cysteine

We designed and synthesized a simple and readily available fluorescent probe 3 for cysteine (Cys) based on naphthalene derivative. The probe is composed of a new class of aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) active dye 2 based on excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and an acrylate group as the Cys recognition unit as well as the ESIPT blocking agent, which can be cut off by Cys from the probe in aqueous solution with mild conditions. The probe had great sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of Cys over homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH) with a detection limit of 0.05 µM. In addition, we have successfully applied the probe for bioimaging studies of Cys in living cells, indicating that the probe holds great potential for biological applications.     

A fluorescent probe for Hg2+sensing in solutions and living cells with a wide working pH range简

In this paper, 2-carboxybenzaldehyde rhodamine B thiohydrazine(1) was synthesized and developed as a fluorescent probe to recognize Hg2+in DMF/H2 O(1:9, v/v) solution with high selectivity. The probe can be applied to the quanti?cation of Hg2+with a linear concentration range covering from 1.0×10-7mol/L to 1.0×10-5mol/L(R2= 0.9985) and a detection limit of 4.2×10-8mol/L. The experiment results show that the response of probe 1 to Hg2+is pH-independent in a wide range from 4.0 to 9.0. Moreover, the probe 1 exhibits excellent selectivity toward Hg2+over other common metal cations. Most importantly, the probe can be employed to monitor Hg2+in living cells using fluorescent imaging technique with satisfied results.     

A highly selective fluorescent probe for nanomolar detection of ferric ions in the living cells and aqueous media

A dipodal fluorescent probe 3, with imine and hydroxyl moieties as binding sites, has been synthesized and characterized with spectroscopic methods, single-crystal X-ray techniques, and DFT. The synthesized probe 3 (φ = 0.0028) showed highly sensitive and highly specific fluorescent ‘turn-on’ effect (λ_em = 453 nm) for the 1:1 binding with Fe³⁺ ions to form probe 3.Fe³⁺ complex (φ = 0.203) in semi-aqueous medium (acetonitrile:water (50:50; v/v)) and live cells. The 1:1 binding stoichiometry of probe 3 and Fe³⁺ ions was proposed by DFT calculations and confirmed by the NMR spectroscopy, crystal structures of probe 3 and 3.Fe³⁺ complex, and mass spectrum of probe 3.Fe³⁺ complex. The stability of probe 3.Fe³⁺ complex in a wide pH range (pH 2–12) and reversibility for binding with Fe³⁺ ions in the presence of EDTA indicates that it can be an effective chemosensor for the detection of Fe³⁺ ions in various samples, including living cells. Importantly, with the LOD of 21.5 nM for the detection of Fe³⁺ ions, probe 3 did not show any interference from potentially competing ions even at a 1:3 ratio, indicates its biocompatibility. The nanomolar limit of detection (21.5 nM), cell permeability, and low cytotoxicity allows the probe 3 to be an excellent tool for the live-cell imaging and detection of ferric ions in live cells.     

Quinoline-based highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe specific for Cd2+ detection in mixed aqueous media

Quinoline-based fluorescent probe as a recognition unit was designed and synthesized in this study. The probe R1 displayed excellent selectivity and sensitivity for cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) over a wide range of metal ions in acetonitrile-water (MeCN-H₂O) mixed solution. In order to better understand the recognition mechanism between probe and Cd²⁺, the density functional theory calculations were performed. Finally, the colorimetric experiment result was observed and conveniently monitored by the naked eye, and a visual detection limit of 4 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 was achieved. These experimental results indicated the promising potential of the probe to detect Cd²⁺ in biological system. Furthermore, the probe R1 was successfully used for the highly sensitive detection of Cd²⁺ in living cells.     

A highly selective turn-on fluorescent probe for hypochlorous acid based on hypochlorous acid-induced oxidative intramolecular cyclization of boron dipyrromethene-hydrazone

A BODIPY-based fluorescent probe, HBP, was developed for the detection of hypochlorous acid based on the specific hypochlorous acid-promoted oxidative intramolecular cyclization of heterocyclic hydrazone in response to the amount of HOCl. The reaction is accompanied by a 41-fold increase in the fluorescent quantum yield (from 0.004 to 0.164). The fluorescence intensity of the reaction between HOCl and HBP is linear in the HOCl concentration range of 1–8 μM with a detection limit of 2.4 nM (S/N = 3). Confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging using RAW264.7 cells showed that the new probe HBP could be used as an effective fluorescent probe for detecting HOCl in living cells.     

A simple coumarin-based fluorescent probe for specific detection of cysteine over homocysteine and glutathione

In this work, we designed and synthesized 3-cyano-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl acrylate as a simple and effective probe 1, which is capable of detecting cysteine (Cys) over other biothiols, such as homocysteine and glutathione. Remarkably, with the addition of cysteine, the 125-fold increase in fluorescence intensity of probe 1 was observed at 450 nm with excitation at 413 nm and 5 min incubation time. Furthermore, it is more important that probe 1 possesses the detection limit of 80 nM, and there is good linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and concentration of Cys from 0 to 100 μM. Thus, these made a powerful safeguard for the detection of Cys in the biological system. Simultaneously, probe 1 showed low toxicity and could be used in living cell imaging.     

A new turn-on fluorescence probe for Zn in aqueous solution and imaging application in living cells

We designed and synthesized a new pyrazoline-based turn-on fluorescence probe for Zn²⁺ by the reaction of chalcone and thiosemicarbazide. The structure of the probe was characterized by IR, NMR and HRMS spectroscopy. The probe (L) exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity for detecting Zn²⁺ in buffered EtOH/HEPES solution (EtOH/HEPES = 1/1, pH 7.2) with 80-fold fluorescence enhancement, which is superior to previous reports. Job’s plot analysis revealed 1:1 stoichiometry between probe L and Zn²⁺ ions. The association constant estimated by the Benesi–Hildebrand method and the detection limit were 3.92 × 10³ M⁻¹ and 5.2 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively. A proposed binding mode was confirmed by ¹H NMR titration experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The probe is cell-permeable and stable at the physiological pH range in biological systems. Because of its fast response to Zn²⁺, the probe can monitor Zn²⁺ in living cells. Moreover, the selective binding of L and Zn²⁺ was reversible with the addition of EDTA in buffered EtOH/HEPES solution and Zn²⁺ could be imaged in SH-SY5Y neuron cells.     

A coumarin-based fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor for rapid detection of fluoride ion

A novel coumarin-based compound 1 featuring thiosemicarbazone as binding unit, was reported as a colorimetric and fluorescent probe for the detection of fluoride anion. The addition of F^? to a solution of probe 1 in tetrahydrofuran resulted in evident naked-eye color change from green-yellow to orange-red under daylight and obvious fluorescence quenching within 3 s. And the detection limit toward F^? was calculated to be as low as 2.16 × 10^?7 mol/L. ¹H NMR titrations proved that the interaction between 1 and fluoride ion: hydrogen bond at low fluoride ion concentration, deprotonation at high fluoride ion concentration. Besides, it exhibited highly sensitivity and selectivity for F^? over other examined ions (Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, AcO^?, NO₃^?, HSO₄^?, H₂PO₄^?) in tetrahydrofuran solution.     

A new ESIPT-based fluorescent probe for highly selective and sensitive detection of HClO in aqueous solution

A new ESIPT-based fluorescent probe, PHC2, for the detection of hypochlorous acid has been rationally designed and developed. Endowed by the specific reaction between hypochlorous acid and phenyl azo group, PHC2 features high degree of selectivity and sensitivity for HClO with a low detection limit (13.2 nM) under physiological conditions in neutral aqueous solution.     

Signaling of chloramine: a fluorescent probe for trichloroisocyanuric acid based on deoximation of a coumarin oxime

A new chloramine signaling probe, based on a coumarin oxime, was developed. The coumarin oxime 1 exhibited efficient off–on type fluorescent signaling behavior toward trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) in an aqueous acetonitrile solution. The signaling is due to the TCCA-assisted transformation of the oxime function to its carbonyl analogue. The presence of common metal ions and anions did not interfere with the TCCA signaling of this probe. Probe 1 was found to be useful for the sensitive determination of the concentration of the practical oxidant TCCA in an aqueous environment, with a detection limit of 7.58 × 10⁻⁷ M.     

An AIE and ESIPT active Schiff base as colorimetric probe of Fe3+ and turn-on fluorescent probe of Al3+: Experimental and theoretical studies

In this present study, a simple cation chemoprobe 1 bearing naphthol OH and imine group was designed and synthesized, which was identified as an aggregation induced emission (AIE) active molecule with excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) features. In addition, 1 showed both colorimetric detection for Fe³⁺ and turn-on fluorescence response for Al³⁺. The binding ratio of 1 to Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ were determined both to be 1:1 via Job’s plot and ESI-mass spectrometry analysis. The limit of detection (LOD) of probe 1 to Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ were 0.10 and 0.43 μM, respectively. Moreover, probe 1 could be used to quantify Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ in environmental water samples.     

Spectroscopic studies of a BINAM-based sensor: Highly selective fluorescent recognition of lysine in water solution through a nucleophilic substitution reaction

A BINAM-based compound (R)-1 is found to show significant fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Lys in aqueous solution (1%DMF). This probe achieves highly selective fluorescent recognition of Lys even in the presence of other natural amino acids. It can be used as a sensitive as well as selective fluorescent probe for Lys. The mechanism for the interaction of (R)-1 with Lys was studied by NMR and HRMS.     

A highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probe for Fe3+ containing two rhodamine B and thiocarbonyl moieties and its application to live cell imaging

A novel turn-on rhodamine B-based fluorescent chemosensor (RBCS) was designed and synthesized by reacting N-(rhodamine B)lactam-1,2-ethylenediamine and carbon disulfide. Upon addition of Fe³⁺ in EtOH/H₂O solution (2:1, v/v, HEPES buffer, 0.6?mM, pH 7.20), the RBCS displayed a significant fluorescence enhancement at 582?nm and a dramatic color change from colorless to pink, which can be detected by the naked eye. Significantly, the RBCS exhibited a highly selective and sensitive ability toward Fe³⁺. The detection limit of the probe was 2.05?×?10^?7?M. Job's plot indicated the formation of 1:1 complex between the RBCS and Fe³⁺. Moreover, the practical use of the RBCS is demonstrated by its application in the detection of Fe³⁺ in HeLa cells.     

Hypochlorous acid turn-on boron dipyrromethene probe based on oxidation of methyl phenyl sulfide

A boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based fluorometric probe, HCS, has been successfully developed for the highly sensitive and selective detection of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). The probe is based on the specific HOCl-promoted oxidation of methyl phenyl sulfide. The reaction is accompanied by a 160-fold increase in the fluorescent quantum yield (from 0.003 to 0.480). The fluorescent turn-on mechanism is accomplished by suppression of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the methyl phenyl sulfide group to BODIPY. The fluorescence intensity of the reaction between HOCl and HCS shows a good linearity in the HOCl concentration range 1–10 μM. The detection limit is 23.7 nM (S/N = 3). In addition, confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging using RAW264.7 macrophages demonstrates that the HCS probe could be an efficient fluorescent detector for HOCl in living cells.