Ratiometric chemosensor for fluorescent determination of Zn2+ in aqueous ethanol

A new ratiometric and selective fluorescent chemosensor (1) for quantification of zinc ions in aqueous ethanol has been synthesized and investigated in this work. In an environmentally friendly media of 30% (v/v) water/ethanol and 10 mM Tris-HCl neutral buffer (pH 7.03), 1 displayed selective Zn²⁺ ratiometric fluorescence response, with a dynamic working range of 1.0-8.0 μM and a detection limit of 0.5 μM Zn²⁺. The determination of Zn²⁺ in synthesized water sample was also successful.     

A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor, 1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-dione, for anions in aqueous-organic media

A new fluorescent chemosensor, 1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-dione (1), which is capable of the ratiometric sensing of anions in aqueous MeCN, was developed. Chemosensor 1 recognized an anion via two NH groups in the molecule, and showed a much higher affinity for F⁻ than that of 4-quinolone, which binds to an anion at one NH group of the molecule. Upon binding to F⁻, the intensity of the emission band ascribed to the complex of 1-F⁻ was drastically enhanced, while the emission intensity of unbound 1 gradually decreased. The changes in these two emission bands enabled the successful ratiometric sensing.     

Dual-signaling fluorescent chemosensor based on bisthiazole derivatives

A new bisthiazole chemosensor (3) with phenolic substituents at the position 2 of the thiazole rings was prepared. The chemosensor 3 acts as a potential dual-function fluorescence chemosensor with Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions causing complete quenching and ratiometric change of fluorescence, respectively. The mechanism of fluorescence was based on the cation-induced inhibition of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT).     

A “turn-on” fluorescent chemosensor for zinc ion with facile synthesis and application in live cell imaging

Compound 1 was facilely synthesized through a one step reaction from commercially available materials. As a sensitive and selective “turn-on” fluorescent chemosensor for Zn(II), 1 exhibits a 40-fold fluorescence enhancement response to Zn(II) over other physiological relevant metal ions in aqueous solution at neutral pH. Furthermore, 1 could be efficiently delivered to live cells for bioimaging of Zn(II).     

A ratiometric chemosensor for fluorescent determination of Hg based on a new porphyrin-quinoline dyad

Quinolin-8-ol p-[10′,15′,20′-triphenyl-5′-porphyrinyl]benzoate (1) was synthesized for the first time and developed as a ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for recognition of Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous ethanol with high selectivity. The 1–Hg²⁺ complexation quenches the fluorescence of porphyrin at 646 nm and induces a new fluorescent enhancement at 603 nm. The fluorescent response of 1 towards Hg²⁺ seems to be caused by the binding of Hg²⁺ ion with the quinoline moiety, which was confirmed by the absorption spectra and ¹H NMR spectrum. The fluorescence response fits a Hill coefficient of 1 (1.0308), indicating the formation of a 1:1 stoichiometry for the 1–Hg²⁺ complex. The analytical performance characteristics of the chemosensor were investigated. The sensor shows a linear response toward Hg²⁺ in the concentration range of 3 × 10⁻⁷ to 2 × 10⁻⁵ M with a limit of detection of 2.2 × 10⁻⁸ M. Chemosensor 1 shows excellent selectivity to Hg²⁺ over transition metal cations except Cu²⁺, which quenches the fluorescence of 1 to some extent when it exists at equal molar concentration. Moreover, the chemosensor are pH-independent in 5.0–9.0 and show excellent selectivity for Hg²⁺ over transition metal cations.     

A new fluorescent chemosensor for transition metal cations and on/off molecular switch controlled by pH

A new fluorescent chemosensor with imidazole as ionophore was synthesized by the selective derivation of calixarene, which can effectively recognize Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ leading to different fluoroscopic behaviors in CH₃OH-H₂O. This system could be considered as a molecular switch. By modulating the pH of the solution, on-off-on fluorescent switching is carried out upon combinatory addition of acid, base and Cu²⁺.     

Exploiting the deprotonation mechanism for the design of ratiometric and colorimetric Zn fluorescent chemosensor with a large red-shift in emission

The design, synthesis, and photophysical evaluation of a new naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensor, N-butyl-4-[di-(2-picolyl)amino]-5-(2-picolyl)amino-1,8-naphthalimide (1), were described for the detection of Zn²⁺ in aqueous acetonitrile solution at pH 7.0. Probe 1 showed absorption at 451 nm and a strong fluorescence emission at 537 nm (Φ_F=0.33). The capture of Zn²⁺ by the receptor resulted in the deprotonation of the secondary amine conjugated to 1,8-naphthalimide so that the electron-donating ability of the N atom would be greatly enhanced; thus probe 1 showed a 56 nm red-shift in absorption (507 nm) and fluorescence spectra (593 nm, Φ_F=0.14), respectively, from which one could sense Zn²⁺ ratiometrically and colorimetrically. The deprotonated complex, [(1-H)/Zn]⁺, was calculated at m/z 619.1800 and measured at m/z 618.9890. In contrast to these results, the emission of 1 was thoroughly quenched by Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺. The addition of other metal ions such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Al³⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺ produced a nominal change in the optical properties of 1 due to their low affinity to probe 1. This means that probe 1 has a very high fluorescent imaging selectivity to Zn²⁺ among metal ions.     

Rational design of a colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT)

A simple colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent anion sensor 1, 3,6-dichloro-1,8-dinitrocarbazole, was rationally designed and synthesized on basis of the mechanism of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). In DMSO solutions of 1, the presence of AcO⁻, F⁻ and H₂PO₄⁻ gave birth to the formation of a 2:1 host-to-guest complex, which was synchronously accompanied by a ‘naked-eye’ color change from light yellow to purple, a red-shift of the absorption spectrum and a blue-shift of the emission spectrum.     

A pyrene-based dual chemosensor for colorimetric detection of Cu2+ and fluorescent detection of Fe3+

A pyrene based chemosensor was designed and synthesized. The pyrene fluorophore was connected with a pyridine unit through a Schiff base structure to give the sensor (L). L was tested with a variety of metal ions and exhibited high colorimetric selectivities for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ over other ions. Upon binding with Cu²⁺ or Fe³⁺, L showed an obvious optical color change from colorless to pink for Cu²⁺ or orange for Fe³⁺ over a wide pH range from 3 to 12. Moreover, the fluorescence of L at 370 nm decreased sharply after bonding with Fe³⁺, while other metal ions including Cu²⁺ had no apparent interference. Thus, using such single chemosensor, Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ can be detected independently with high selectivity and sensitivity. The limits of detection toward Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were 8.5 and 2.0 μM, respectively. DFT calculation results also proved the formation of stable coordination complexes and the phenomenon of fluorescence quenching by Fe³⁺. Furthermore, L was also successfully used as a bioimaging reagent for detection of Fe³⁺ in living cells.     

Ratiometric and selective two-photon fluorescent probe based on PET-ICT for imaging Zn2+in living cells and tissues简

A two-photon fluorescent probe TPZn was developed for specific ratiometric imaging Zn2＋ in living cells and tissues. Significant ratiometric fluorescence change was based on photoinduced electron transfer and intramolecular charge transfer. The synthetic method of TPZn was simple. It was successfully used to selectively image Zn2＋ based on the higher binding affinity for Zn2＋ than for Cd2＋. TPZn was easily loaded into the living cell and tissues with high membrane permeability in a complex biological environment. TPZn could clearly visualize endogenous Zn2＋ by TP ratiometric imaging in hippocampal slices at a depth of 120 μm. Thus, TPZn is a useful tool to image of Zn2＋ in living cells and tissues without interference from Cd2＋.     

A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Al in aqueous solution based on aggregation-induced emission and its application in live-cell imaging

A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor 1 was developed for the detection of Al³⁺ in aqueous solution based on aggregation-induced emmision (AIE). The chemosensor showed the fluorescence of its aggregated state and Al³⁺-chelated soluble state in the absence and in the presence of Al³⁺, respectively, and resulted in a fluorescence ratio (I₄₆₁/I₅₃₇) response to Al³⁺ in neutral aqueous solution at a detection limit as low as 0.29 μmol L⁻¹. The method was also highly selective to Al³⁺ over other physiological relevant metal ions investigated in this study. Taking advantage of its AIE characteristics, the chemosensor was successfully applied on test papers for simple and rapid detection of Al³⁺. Moreover, the application of 1 for the imaging of Al³⁺ in living cells by ratiometric fluorescence changes was also achieved.     

Selective sensing of Zn(II) ion by a simple anthracene-based tripodal chemosensor

A new and an easy-to-make simple tripodal shaped chemosensor 1, comprising an anthracene moiety as a fluorophore and amide, alcohol functionalities as ligating groups has been designed and synthesized for Zn(II). In CH₃CN containing 0.1% DMSO, upon excitation at 370 nm, the chemosensor 1 exhibited an emission at 412 nm, which increased to a large extent upon complexation of Zn(II). Among the other metal ions examined in the study, Cd²⁺ moderately perturbed the emission of 1 under similar conditions.     

An anthracene-based Cd fluorescent chemosensor with a 4,7-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-9-hydroxy-1,4,7-triazanonyl group as a highly selective chelator to Cd over Zn

We have developed a Cd²⁺ fluorescent chemosensor with high selectivity as well as sensitivity by tethering a 4,7-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-9-hydroxy-1,4,7-triazanonyl chelator to anthracene. This sensor features the ability to discriminate Cd²⁺ from Zn²⁺ to a high degree (K_dZn/K_dCd = 560) in a pH 7.2 buffer.     

"Off-On" based fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ in aqueous media and living cells

A novel Cu²⁺-specific “off-on” fluorescent chemosensor of naphthalimide modified rhodamine B (naphthalimide modified rhodamine B chemosensor, NRC) was designed and synthesized, based on the equilibrium between the spirolactam (non-fluorescence) and the ring-opened amide (fluorescence). The chemosensor NRC showed high Cu²⁺-selective fluorescence enhancement over commonly coexistent metal ions or anions in neutral aqueous media. The limit of detection (LOD) based on 3 × δ_blank/k was obtained as low as 0.18 μM of Cu²⁺, as well as an excellent linearity of 0.05-4.5 μM (R = 0.999), indicating the chemosensor of high sensitivity and wide quantitation range. And also the coordination mode with 1:1 stoichiometry was proposed between NRC and Cu²⁺. In addition, the effects of pH, co-existing metal ions and anions, and the reversibility were investigated in detail. It was also demonstrated that the NRC could be used as an excellent “off-on” fluorescent chemosensor for the measurement of Cu²⁺ in living cells with satisfying results, which further displayed its valuable applications in biological systems.     

A colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on chemosensor for Zn based on an azobenzene-containing compound

This paper presents a new colorimetric reversible fluorescent turn-on chemosensor molecule for zinc ion based on an azobenzene derivative. The basal fluorescence intensity of the chemosensor molecule is little affected under physiological pH 5-9, whilst the excitation (507 nm) and emission (610 nm) wavelength of the molecular probe for zinc ion is in the visible range.     

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.     

FRET-based ratiometric fluorescent detection of arginine in mitochondrion with a hybrid nanoprobe

A ratiometric fluorescent hybrid nanoprobe CDs-1 for arginine(Arg),exhibiting high sensitivity(the limit of detection,LOD,being 6.5×10^-8 mol/L) and excellent selectivity and anti-interference ability,was fabricated through fluorescence resonance energy transfer(FRET) and the electrostatic attraction between positively-charged hemicyanine molecules and negatively-charged carbon dots(CDs).Arg can be quantitatively detected in the concentration range from 6.0×10^-5 mol/L to 2.7×10^-4 mol/L.Further,due to its ability to target mitochondrion and low cytotoxicity,intracellular Arg was succes s fully tracked through ratiometric fluorescence imaging.     

Ratiometric fluorescent determination of Zn(II): a new class of tripodal receptor using mixed imine and amide linkages

We synthesized a novel receptor with a unique combination of sp² nitrogen (-CHN-) and carbonyl groups from amide linkages. These two moieties are judiciously incorporated into the receptor design such that these sites simultaneous binding a metal ion may generate a stable five-member ring. The receptor has been used to selectively detect Zn²⁺ through changes in the fluorescence spectra. Upon Zn²⁺ binding with the receptor, the fluorescence band shifted to enhance fluorescence intensity, allowing ratiometric determination of Zn²⁺ concentration.     

A novel ratiometric fluorescent Fe sensor based on a phenanthroimidazole chromophore

Phenanthroimidazole derivative 1 has been developed as a rare example of ratiometric fluorescent sensors for Fe³⁺. Interestingly, upon treatment with Fe³⁺, the sensor displayed a ratiometric fluorescent response with an enhancement of the ratios of emission intensities at 440 and 500 nm from 0.36 to 3.24. The detection range of the sensor for Fe³⁺ is in the 1.0 × 10⁻⁵-1.5 × 10⁻⁴ M concentration range and the detection limit is 5.26 × 10⁻⁶ M. In addition, the sensor showed good selectivity to Fe³⁺ with the selectivity coefficients (KFe3+=SFe3+/S₀) of Fe³⁺ over other metal ions tested in the range of 5-68.