Highly sensitive and selective fluorescent sensor for Zn2+/Cu2+ and new approach for sensing Cu2+ by central metal displacement

An "off-on" Zn(2+) and "on-off" Cu(2+) fluorescent chemosensor C was designed and synthesized. The binding of C and Zn(2+)/Cu(2+) is chemically reversible by the addition of EDTA disodium solution; moreover, the fluorescence emission signal of ZnC decreased with the addition of Cu(2+), demonstrating that ZnC could detect Cu(2+)via metal displacement.     

Selective sensors for Zn2+ cations based on new green fluorescent poly(amidoamine) dendrimers peripherally modified with 1,8-naphthalimides

The paper reports on the spectral photophysical characteristics of two new fluorescent PAMAM dendrimers of zero and second generation decoreted with 1,8-naphthalimide units, designed for ionic detection. The dendrimers were studied by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Their ability to detect ions has been evaluated in acetonitrile by monitoring the quenching of the fluoresence intensity. Different ions have been tested: Zn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+) and Fe(3+) for the purpose. The results have shown clearly that only Zn(2+) could be efficiently detected using the dendrimer of second generation. In addition, it has been shown that for both dendrimers in a acetonitrile-water solution, the fluoresence intensity is pH dependant, hence could find application as a detector of harmful pH changes in the environment.     

An 2-(2'-aminophenyl)benzoxazole-based OFF-ON fluorescent chemosensor for Zn2+ in aqueous solution

A water-soluble fluorescent sensor, 1, based on the "receptor-spacer-fluorophore" [2-(2'-aminophenyl)benzoxazole-amide-2-picolylamine] sensor platform, demonstrates the high sensitivity for Zn(2+) with a 25-fold fluorescence enhancement upon chelation to Zn(2+) and also exhibits high selectivity to Zn(2+) over other metal ions. X-ray crystal structure of Zn(2+) complex reveals that the amide oxygen (O2) cooperates with 2-picolylamine unit (N3, N4) as a receptor bind Zn(2+).     

ZP4, an improved neuronal Zn2+ sensor of the Zinpyr family

A second-generation fluorescent sensor for Zn(2+) from the Zinpyr family, ZP4, has been synthesized and characterized. ZP4 (Zinpyr-4, 9-(o-carboxyphenyl)-2-chloro-5-[2-(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)-N-methylaniline]-6-hydroxy-3-xanthanone) is prepared via a convergent synthetic strategy developed from previous studies with these compounds. ZP4, like its predecessors, has excitation and emission wavelengths in the visible range ( approximately 500 nm), a dissociation constant (K(d)) for Zn(2+) of less than 1 nM and a high quantum yields (Phi = approximately 0.4), making it well suited for biological applications. A 5-fold fluorescent enhancement is observed under simulated physiological conditions corresponding to the binding of the Zn(2+) cation to the sensor, which inhibits a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) quenching pathway. The metal-binding stereochemistry of ZP4 was evaluated through the synthesis and X-ray structural characterization of [M(BPAMP)(H(2)O)(n)](+) complexes, where BPAMP is [2-(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)-N-methylaniline]-phenol and M = Mn(2+), Zn(2+) (n = 1) or Cu(2+) (n = 0).     

Highly sensitive and fast responsive fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for Cu2+ and its application in live cell imaging

A rhodamine B derivative 4 containing a highly electron-rich S atom has been synthesized as a fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for Cu(2+). Following Cu(2+)-promoted ring-opening, redox and hydrolysis reactions, comparable amplifications of absorption and fluorescence signals were observed upon addition of Cu(2+); this suggests that chemodosimeter 4 effectively avoided the fluorescence quenching caused by the paramagnetic nature of Cu(2+). Importantly, 4 can selectively recognize Cu(2+) in aqueous media in the presence of other trace metal ions in organisms (such as Fe(3+), Fe(2+), Cu(+), Zn(2+), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), and Ni(2+)), abundant cellular cations (such as Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+)), and the prevalent toxic metal ions in the environment (such as Pb(2+) and Cd(2+)) with high sensitivity (detection limit < or =10 ppb) and a rapid response time (< or =1 min). Moreover, by virtue of the chemodosimeter as fluorescent probe for Cu(2+), confocal and two-photon microscopy experiments revealed a significant increase of intracellular Cu(2+) concentration and the subcellular distribution of Cu(2+), which was internalized into the living HeLa cells upon incubation in growth medium supplemented with 50 muM CuCl(2) for 20 h.     

Different binding thermodynamics of Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ to bacitracin A1 determined by capillary electrophoresis

Thermodynamics of the binding of Ni(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) to bacitracin A(1) was studied by capillary electrophoresis measuring the peptide effective mobility at different pH in the presence of increasing concentration of the three ligands. The affinity follows the order Ni(2+) > Cu(2+) > Zn(2+), with association constant values of (2.3 +/- 0.1)x10(4), (4.9 +/- 0.2)x10(3), and (1.5 +/- 0.1)x10(3) M(-1), respectively. The only model able to rationalize mobility data implies that metal ion binds to the P(0) peptide form. Moreover, mobility values indicated a change of bacitracin A(1) acidic properties on Ni(2+) and Cu(2+) binding, with a shift of the pK(a) of N-terminal Ile-1 from 7.6 to about 5 and of the pK(a) of the delta-amino group of D-Orn-7 from 9.7 to about 7. Even though on Zn(2+) binding a shift of the N-terminal Ile-1 pK(a) was observed, restrictions in the pH range suitable for investigation, due to precipitation phenomena, did not allow establish if the shift of D-Orn-7 lateral chain pK(a) also occurred. Nonetheless, if present, the shift should be limited to the 7.8-9.7 range. Mobility data indicated that the Stokes radius of the complexes is ca. 3 A lower than that of the free peptide. The present results indicate that metal-ion binding to bacitracin A(1) is more complex than previously assumed.     

Calix[4]arene-based 1,3-diconjugate of salicylyl imine having dibenzyl amine moiety (L): synthesis, characterization, receptor properties toward Fe2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+, crystal structures of its Zn2+ and Cu2+ complexes, and selective phosphate sensing by the [ZnL

A calix[4]arene conjugate bearing salicylyl imine having dibenzyl moiety (L) has been synthesized and characterized, and its ability to recognize three most important essential elements of human system, viz., iron, copper, and zinc, has been addressed by colorimetry and fluorescence techniques. L acts as a sensor for Cu(2+) and Fe(2+) by exhibiting visual color change and for Zn(2+) based on fluorescence spectroscopy. L shows a minimum detection limit of 3.96 ± 0.42 and 4.51 ± 0.53 ppm and 45 ± 4 ppb, respectively, toward Fe(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+). The in situ prepared [ZnL] exhibits phosphate sensing among 14 anions studied with a detection limit of 247 ± 25 ppb. The complexes of Zn(2+), Cu(2+), and Fe(2+) of L have been synthesized and characterized by different techniques. The crystalline nature of the zinc and copper complexes and the noncrystalline nature of simple L and its iron complex have been demonstrated by powder XRD. The structures of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) complexes have been established by single crystal XRD wherein these were found to be 1:1 monomeric and 2:2 dimeric, respectively, using N(2)O(2) as binding core. The geometries exhibited by the Zn(2+) and the Cu(2+) complexes were found to be distorted tetrahedral and distorted square planar, respectively. The iron complex of L exists in 1:1 stoichiometry as evident from the mass spectrometry and elemental analysis.     

The inorganic perspective of nerve growth factor: interactions of Cu2+ and Zn2+ with the N-terminus fragment of nerve growth factor encompassing the recognition domain of the TrkA receptor

There is a significant overlap between brain areas with Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) pathological dys-homeostasis and those in which the nerve growth factor (NGF) performs its biological role. The protein NGF is necessary for the development and maintenance of the sympathetic and sensory nervous systems. Its flexible N-terminal region has been shown to be a critical domain for TrkA receptor binding and activation. Computational analyses show that Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) form pentacoordinate complexes involving both the His4 and His8 residues of the N-terminal domain of one monomeric unit and the His84 and Asp105 residues of the other monomeric unit of the NGF active dimer. To date, neither experimental data on the coordination features have been reported, nor has one of the hypotheses according to which Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) may have different binding environments or the Ser1 α-amino group could be involved in coordination been supported. The peptide fragment, encompassing the 1-14 sequence of the human NGF amino-terminal domain (NGF(1-14)), blocked at the C terminus, was synthesised and its Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) complexes characterized by means of potentiometric and spectroscopic (UV/Vis, CD, NMR, and EPR) techniques. The N-terminus-acetylated form of NGF(1-14) was also investigated to evaluate the involvement of the Ser1 α-amino group in metal-ion coordination. Our results demonstrate that the amino group is the first anchoring site for Cu(2+) and is involved in Zn(2+) coordination at physiological pH. Finally, a synergic proliferative activity of both NGF(1-14) and the whole protein on SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cell line was found after treatment in the presence of Cu(2+). This effect was not observed after treatment with the N-acetylated peptide fragment, demonstrating a functional involvement of the N-terminal amino group in metal binding and peptide activity.     

A new Schiff base system bearing two naphthalene groups as fluorescent chemodosimeter for Zn2+ ion and its logic gate behavior

1-((E)-(2-((2-nitrobenzyl)(2-((E)-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methyleneamino)ethyl)amino)ethylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (H(2)L), The new compound featuring two naphthalene units was synthesized and characterized. We find that H(2)L has high selectivity and sensitivity to detect Zn(2+) ion over other metal ions such as Na(+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+), Hg(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), Fe(3+), and the sensitivity is about 10(-7)M. The fluorescent changes of H(2)L upon the addition of cations Zn(2+) and triethylamine is utilized as an AND logic gate at the molecular level, using Zn(2+) and triethylamine as chemical inputs and the fluorescence intensity signal as output.     

A Zn2+-specific turn-on fluorescent probe for ratiometric sensing of pyrophosphate in both water and blood serum

A novel fluorescent sensor composed of a naphthalene functionalized tetraazamacrocycle ligand 3,6,9,15-tetraazabicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-1(15),11,13-triene-3-methyl naphthalene (1) and Zn(2+) has been designed and prepared, which can be utilized for selective and ratiometric sensing of pyrophosphate (PPi) over other phosphate-containing anions in aqueous solution at physiological pH. Notably, the water soluble 1 itself also exhibits a selective enhanced fluorescent response to Zn(2+), and the complex 1-Zn(2+) thus formed eventually fulfils the synergic Zn(2+) coordination-altered strategy with PPi. Furthermore, the ratiometric sensing of 1-Zn(2+) towards PPi performed well even in blood serum milieu. Finally, the sensor 1-Zn(2+) was successfully employed to monitor a real-time assay of inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase) by means of ratiometric fluorescent measurements for the first time.     

Dansyl-anthracene dyads for ratiometric fluorescence recognition of Cu2+

Dansyl-anthracene dyads 1 and 2 in CH(3)CN-H(2)O (7:3) selectively recognize Cu(2+) ions amongst alkali, alkaline earth and other heavy metal ions using both absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy. In absorbance, the addition of Cu(2+) to the solution of dyads 1 or 2 results in appearance of broad absorption band from 200 nm to 725 nm for dyad 1 and from 200 nm to 520 nm for dyad 2. This is associated with color change from colorless to blue (for 1) and fluorescent green (for 2). This bathochromic shift of the spectrum could be assigned to internal charge transfer from sulfonamide nitrogen to anthracene moiety. In fluorescence, under similar conditions dyads 1 and 2 on addition of Cu(2+) selectively quench fluorescence due to dansyl moiety between 520-570 nm (for 1)/555-650 nm (for 2) with simultaneous fluorescence enhancement at 470 nm and 505 nm for dyads 1 and 2, respectively. Hence these dyads provide opportunity for ratiometric analysis of 1-50 μM Cu(2+). The other metal ions viz. Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Hg(2+), Ag(+), Pb(2+), Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Ba(2+) do not interfere in the estimation of Cu(2+) except Cr(3+) in case of dyad 1. The coordination of dimethylamino group of dansyl unit with Cu(2+) causes quenching of fluorescence due to dansyl moiety between 520-600 nm and also restricts the photoinduced electron transfer from dimethylamino to anthracene moiety to release fluorescence between 450-510 nm. This simultaneous quenching and release of fluorescence respectively due to dansyl and anthracene moieties emulates into Cu(2+) induced ratiometric change.     

Aroylhydrazone derivative as fluorescent sensor for highly selective recognition of Zn2+ ions: syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and spectroscopic properties

A new Zn(2+) fluorescent chemosensor N'-(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazine (H(3)L(1)) and its complexes [Zn(HL(1))C(2)H(5)OH](∞) (1) and [Cu(HL(1))(H(2)O)]CH(3)OH (2) have been synthesized and characterized in terms of their crystal structures, absorption and emission spectra. H(3)L(1) displays high selectivity for Zn(2+) over Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+) and other transition metal ions in Tris-HCl buffer solution (pH = 7.13, EtOH-H(2)O = 8?:?2 v/v). To obtain insight into the relation between the structure and selectivity, a similar ligand 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene benzoylhydrazine (H(2)L(2)), which lacks the hydroxyl group substituent in salicyloyl hydrazide compared with H(3)L(1), and its complex [Zn(2)(HL(2))(2)(CH(3)COO)(2)(C(2)H(5)OH)] (3), [Co(L(2))(2)][Co(DMF)(4)(C(2)H(5)OH)(H(2)O)] (4), [Fe(HL(2))(2)]Cl·2CH(3)OH (5), have also been investigated as a reference. H(3)L(1) exhibits improved selectivity for Zn(2+) compared to H(2)L(2). The findings indicate that the hydroxyl group substituent exerts an effect on the spectroscopic properties, complex structures and selectivity of the fluorescent sensor.     

An efficient sensor for Zn2+ and Cu2+ based on different binding modes

An efficient sensor for Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) was designed based on different binding modes. The sensor displays ratiometric signals for Zn(2+), due to the Zn(2+)-triggered amide tautomerization; while dual-mode selective behaviors for Cu(2+) result from the deprotonation of the amide tautomer.     

Development and applications of fluorescent indicators for Mg2+ and Zn2+

In a study of the spectroscopic behavior of two Schiff base derivatives, salicylaldehyde salicylhydrazone (1) and salicylaldehyde benzoylhydrazone (2), Schiff base 1 has high selectivity for Zn(2+) ion not only in abiotic systems but also in living cells. The ion selectivity of 1 for Zn(2+) can be switched for Mg(2+) by swapping the solvent from ethanol-water to DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide)-water mixtures. Imine 2 is a good fluorescent probe for Zn(2+) in ethanol-water media. Many other ions tested, such as Li(+), Na(+), Al(3+), K(+), Ca(2+), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Sn(2+), Ba(2+), Hg(2+), and Pb(2+), failed to induce any spectral change in various solvents. The selectivity mechanism of 1 and 2 for metal ions is based on a combinational effect of proton transfer (ESPT), C═N isomerization, and chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). The coordination modes of the complexes were investigated.     

Comparative density functional theory study on thiacalix[4]arene binding modes for Zn2+ and Cu2+

A comparative study of the Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) complexation with thiacalix[4]arene is presented using density functional theory methods. The structures and energetics of the possible binding modes of both metal complexes are investigated in detail. Two types of patterns were found in the second deprotonated species, adjacent or opposite phenolate groups, which determine the stability of the different binding modes. The most stable structure for both metal ions was predicted to be a distorted square planar coordination at lower rim with opposite phenolate groups, which has never been referred to in the literature. The results show a higher complexation ability of Cu(2+) than Zn(2+) for all of the binding modes, which is in good agreement with the previous study on liquid-liquid extraction experiments. The analysis of the electrostatic potential surfaces of the metal complexes allows us to conclude that the different complexation features can also be explained by a bigger charge transfer from the metal to the coordinated atoms in the case of the Cu(2+) complex.     

Catalytic hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl picolinate by copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of N‐(2‐deoxy‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐2‐salicylaldimino)

D‐glucosamine Schiff base N‐(2‐deoxy‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐2‐salicylaldimino) and its Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl picolinate (PNPP) catalyzed by ligand and complexes was investigated kinetically by observing the rates of the release of p‐nitrophenol in the aqueous buffers at 25°C and different pHs. The scheme for reaction acting mode involving a ternary complex composed of ligand, metal ion, and substrate was established and the reaction mechanisms were discussed by metal–hydroxyl and Lewis acid mechanisms. The experimental results indicated that the complexes, especially the Cu(II) complex, efficiently catalyzed the hydrolysis of PNPP. The catalytic reactivity of the Zn(II) complex was much smaller than the Cu(II) complex. The rate constant k_N showing the catalytic reactivity of the Cu(II) complex was determined to be 0.299 s^?1 (at pH 8.02) in the buffer. The pK_a of hydroxyl group of the ternary complex was determined to be 7.86 for the Cu(II) complex. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 345–350, 2002     

A naphthalene exciplex based Al3+ selective on-type fluorescent probe for living cells at the physiological pH range: experimental and computational studies

2-((Naphthalen-6-yl)methylthio)ethanol (HL) was prepared by one pot synthesis using 2-mercaptoethanol and 2-bromomethylnaphthalene. It was found to be a highly selective fluorescent sensor for Al(3+) in the physiological pH (pH 7.0-8.0). It could sense Al(3+) bound to cells through fluorescence microscopy. Metal ions like Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Cr(3+) and Pb(2+) did not interfere. No interference was also observed with anions like Cl(-), Br(-), F(-), SO(4)(2-), NO(3)(-), CO(3)(2-), HPO(4)(2-) and SCN(-). Experimentally observed structural and spectroscopic features of HL and its Al(3+) complex have been substantiated by computational calculations using density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT).     

2,1,3-Benzoxadiazole-based selective chromogenic chemosensor for rapid naked-eye detection of Hg2+ and Cu2+

We report a simple twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) chromogenic chemosensor for rapid and selective detection of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+). The sensor was composed of an electron-acceptor 4-fluoro moiety and an electron-donor 7-mercapto-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole species where the S together with the 1-N provided the soft binding unit. Upon Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) complexation, remarkable but different absorbance spectra shifts were obtained in CH(3)CN-H(2)O mixed buffer solution at pH 7.6, which can be easily used for naked-eye detection. The sensor formed a stable 2:1 complex with Cu(2+), and both 2:1 and 3:1 complexes with Hg(2+). While alkali-, alkaline earth- and other heavy and transition metal ions such as Na(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Ag(+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+) and Cd(2+) did not cause any significant spectral changes of the sensor. This finding is not only a supplement to the detecting methods for Hg(2+) and Cu(2+), but also adds new merits to the chemistry of 4,7-substituted 2,1,3-benzoxadiazoles.     

EPR spectra of Cu(2+) doped [Zn(sac)2(dmen)] and [Zn(sac)2(paen)] single crystals

Cu(2+) doped single crystals of [Zn(sac)2(dmen)] (sac: saccharinate, dmen: N,N'-dimethylethylendiamine) and [Zn(sac)2(paen)], (paen: N,N'-bis(3-propylamine)ethylendiamine) complexes have been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique. Detailed investigations of the EPR spectra indicate that Cu(2+) ion substitute with Zn(2+) ion and forms tetrahedral complex in [Zn(sac)2(dmen)] and octahedral complex in [Zn(sac)2(paen)] hosts. Principal values of the g and hyperfine tensors are determined and the ground state wave functions of Cu(2+) ions are obtained using EPR parameters.     

Functional mimicry of carboxypeptidase A by a combination of transition state stabilization and a defined orientation of catalytic moieties in molecularly imprinted polymers

An artificial model for the natural enzyme carboxypeptidase A has been constructed by molecular imprinting in synthetic polymers. The tetrahedral transition state analogues (TSAs 4 and 5) for the carbonate hydrolysis have been designed as templates to allow incorporation of the main catalytic elements, an amidinium group and a Zn(2+) or Cu(2+) center, in a defined orientation in the transition state imprinted active site. The complexation of the functional monomer and the template in presence of Cu(2+) through stoichiometric noncovalent interaction was established on the basis of (1)H NMR studies and potentiometric titration. The Cu(2+) center was introduced into the imprinted cavity during polymerization or by substitution of Zn(2+) in Zn(2+) imprinted polymers. The direct introduction displayed obvious advantages in promoting catalytic efficiency. With substrates exhibiting a very similar structure to the template, an extraordinarily high enhancement of the rate of catalyzed to uncatalyzed reaction (k(cat)/k(uncat)) of 10(5)-fold was observed. If two amidinium moieties are introduced in proximity to one Cu(2+) center in the imprinted cavity by complexation of the functional monomer 3 with the template 5, the imprinted catalysts exhibited even higher activities and efficiencies for the carbonate hydrolysis with k(cat)/k(uncat) as high as 410,000. These are by far the highest values obtained for molecularly imprinted catalysts, and they are also considerably higher compared to catalytic antibodies. Our kinetic studies and competitive inhibition experiments with the TSA template showed a clear indication of a very efficient imprinting procedure. In addition, this demonstrates the important role of the transition state stabilization during the catalysis of this reaction.