An iron(III) selective dendrite chelator based on polyamidoamine dendrimer modified with 4-bromo-1,8-naphthalimide

A new 4-bromo-1,8-naphthalimide-labelled polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer from zero generation has been synthesised and characterised. Its functional characteristics, determined in acetonitrile solvent are discussed. The ability of the dendrimer to detect metal cations has been evaluated in acetonitrile by monitoring the quenching of the fluorescence intensity. Different metal cations have been tested Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+) and Fe(3+) for the purpose. The results have shown clearly that only Fe(3+) could be efficiently detected using the dendrimer.     

Sensor activity, photodegradation and photostabilisation of a PAMAM dendrimer comprising 1,8-naphthalimide functional groups in its periphery

The colouristic and fluorescent characteristics of a new composite material based on a PAMAM dendrimer of second generation whose periphery is modified with 4-N,N-dimethylaminoethylamino-1,8-naphthalimide and polyamide-6 have been investigated. This dendrimer has been investigated with regard to its application as a heterogenic sensor capable of detecting metal cations and protons in aqueous solutions. In the presence of metal cations (Ni²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co²⁺) and protons the fluorescence intensity of the composite increases due to their coordination with dendrimer molecule. The results obtained reveal the capacity of this system to act as a sensitive sensor of environmental pollution by metal cations and protons. It has been shown that in N,N-dimethylformamide solution the metal cations inhibit the processes of photodegradation of the dendrimer.     

Studying the photophysical properties of a polymerizable 1,8‐naphthalimide dye and its copolymer with styrene as potential fluorescent sensors for metal cations

The photophysical characteristics of a polymerizable 1,8‐naphthalimide dye and its copolymer with styrene have been investigated. The functional properties of both low and high molecular weight fluorophores in the presence of different metal cations have been discussed with regard to their potential application as fluorosensors for the metal cations and protons. In acetonitrile solution the monomeric 1,8‐naphthalimide enhances its fluorescence emission in the presence of metal cations (Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Mn²⁺). In aqueous media the poly(St‐co‐MD) exhibits a selective response to Fe³⁺ cations. The monomeric and polymeric fluorophores also exhibit a considerable increase in their fluorescence intensity at acidic pH values (pH < 6) which suggest that they could be used as ON–OFF probes in analytical devices for signaling the presence of protons. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sorption of divalent metal ions on CrPO4

The divalent metal ion sorption (Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Ni(2+), and Pb(2+)) on chromium phosphate (CrPO(4)) was studied as a function of pH, temperature, and concentration of metal ions. The sorption of metal ions is observed to increase with the increase in pH, temperature, and concentration of metal ions in solution. The mechanism of sorption is found to be the exchange of the hydrolyzed metal cations with the protons from solid at high temperature. The sorption at low temperature is found to be accompanied by the precipitation of the corresponding metal phosphates such as Pb(3)(PO(4))(2).     

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.     

New green fluorescent polymer sensors for metal cations and protons

A new 4-(N-methylpiperazine)-N-allyl-1,8-naphthalimide with intense yellow-green fluorescence has been synthesized. Then it has been copolymerized with styrene and methylmetacrylate. The photophysical characteristics of the fluorescent dye and its copolymers (poly(St-co-NI) and poly(MAA-co-NI)) have been determined viewing their sensor properties for protons and transition metal cations (Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺). Fluorescence enhancement is the photophysical response of the 4-(N-methylpiperazine)-N-allyl-1,8-naphthalimide to the presence of metal cations and protons, while fluorescence quenching is observed for both copolymers.     

Interactions of metal ions with monoaza crown ethers A15C5 and A18C6 carrying dansyl fluorophore as pendant in acetonitrile solution

The influence of metal cations Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Cs(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+) and Al(3+) on the spectroscopic properties of the dansyl (1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl) group covalently linked to monoaza crown ethers 1-aza-15-crown-5 (1,4,7,10,-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecane) (A15C5) and 1-aza-crown-6 (1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxa-16-azacyclooctadecane) (A18C6) was investigated by means of absorption and emission spectrophotometry. Interaction of the alkali metal ions with both fluoroionophores is weak, while alkaline earth metal ions interact strongly causing 50 and 85% quenching of dansyl fluorescence of N-(5-dimethylamine-1-naphthalenesulfonylo)-1,4,7,10,-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecane (A15C5-Dns) and N-(5-dimethylamine-1-naphthalenesulfonylo)-1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxa-16-azacyclooctadecane (A18C6-Dns), respectively. The Cu(2+), Pb(2+) and Al(3+) cations interact very strongly with dansyl chromophore, causing a major change in absorption spectrum of the chromophore and forming non-fluorescent complexes. The Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Mg(2+) cations interact moderately with both fluoroionophores causing quenching of dansyl fluorescence by several percent only.     

Fluorescence and NMR binding studies of N-aryl-N'-(9-methylanthryl)diaza-18-crown-6 derivatives

N-Aryl-N'-(9-methylanthryl)diaza-18-crown-6 derivatives perform as fluorescent photoinduced electron-transfer (PET) sensors with very selective response toward Ca(2+) versus Mg(2+), Na(+), and K(+). The fluorescence intensity was increased by a factor of up to 170 in the presence of Ca(ClO(4))(2). (1)H NMR studies show that metal cations affect these molecules very differently: Ca(2+) has a global effect on each molecule, while Mg(2+) affects part of each molecule, and K(+) and Na(+) affect each molecule moderately, which is very consistent with the fluorescence response.     

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.     

Theoretical study of interaction of urate with li(+), na(+), k(+), be(2+), mg(2+), and ca(2+) metal cations

The geometries and energetics of complexes of Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Be(2+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+)metal cations with different possible uric acid anions (urate) were studied. The complexes were optimized at the B3LYP level and the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Complexes of urate with Mg(2+), and Ca(2+)metal cations were also optimized at the MP2/6-31+G(d) level. Single point energy calculations were performed at the MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level. The interactions of the metal cations at different nucleophilic sites of various possible urate were considered. It was revealed that metal cations would interact with urate in a bi-coordinate manner. In the gas phase, the most preferred position for the interaction of Li(+), Na(+), and K(+) cations is between the N(3) and O(2) sites, while all divalent cations Be(2+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+) prefer binding between the N(7) and O(6) sites of the corresponding urate. The influence of aqueous solvent on the relative stability of different complexes has been examined using the Tomasi's polarized continuum model. The basis set superposition error (BSSE) corrected interaction energy was also computed for complexes. The AIM theory has been applied to analyze the properties of the bond critical points (electron densities and their Laplacians) involved in the coordination between urate and the metal cations. It was revealed that aqueous solvation would have significant effect on the relative stability of complexes obtained by the interaction of urate with Mg(2+) and Ca(2+)cations. Consequently, several complexes were found to exist in the water solution. The effect of metal cations on different NH and CO stretching vibrational modes of uric acid has also been discussed.     

Ultrasensitive CE for heavy metal ions using the variations in the chemical structures formed from new octadentate fluorescent probes and cationic polymers

Novel fluorescent probes have been developed for the ultratrace detection of heavy metal ions by capillary electrophoresis using laser-induced fluorescence detection. Based on a molecular design, the probes are composed of an octadentate chelating moiety, a macrocyclic DOTA (tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid) and an acyclic DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) frame, a spacer and a fluorophore (fluorescein). These were chosen on the basis of their ability to form kinetically inert and highly emissive complexes, and to prevent a quenching effect even with heavy and paramagnetic metal ions. Addition of a cationic polymer, polybrene, in the separation buffer provided high resolution and simultaneous detection of Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Mn(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+). The direct fluorescence detection of these metal ions with high sensitivity at lower ppt levels, typically 2-7 × 10(-11) M (potentially sub-ppt), was successfully achieved. While separation of anionic compounds using a counter cation ("Ion Association (IA)" mode) is typically controlled by the ion association equilibrium constants, K(ass), it was found that differences in the mobilities, μ(ep(IAC)), of the ion association complexes formed between the probe complexes and counter cations are the driving forces for separation in this new method. This suggests that each of the polybrene-probe complexes has different chemical structures among metal ions, which were able to be determined by CD spectra in this investigation. This novel separation mode was termed the "Ion Association Complex (IAC)" mode, distinct from the IA mode.     

Design and synthesis of a new fluorescent tripod for chemosensor applications

A new yellow-green fluorescent tripod based 1,8-naphthalimide has been synthesized and characterised. Its photophysical properties have been investigated in organic solvents of different polarity. The effect that the metal ions (Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ba²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ag⁺) produce upon the fluorescent intensity of acetonitrile solutions of the tripod has been discussed viewing its potential applications as a detector for metal cations. The influence of protons on the fluorescence intensity of the tripod in DMF and methanol–water (1:4 v/v) solutions has also been investigated.     

Chemically modified dansyl probes: a fluorescent diagnostic for ion and proton detection in solution and in polymers

[reaction: see text] The fluorescence emission intensity of the dansyl group is significantly diminished upon appending an ethyldimethylamino group to the N1 nitrogen substituent. Addition of acids and metal ions (i.e., Zn(2+)) to solutions of trimethylethylenediamine naphthalene sulfonamide (trinsyl) 2 produces a >25-fold increase in fluorescence intensity. Trinsyl probe 2 has been used as a diagnostic for the diffusion of protons and metal ions in a network polymer as well as an optical reporter for the glass transition temperature.     

Cruciforms as functional fluorophores: response to protons and selected metal ions

The photophysics of dialkylamino- and/or pyridine-containing functional chromophores, 1,4-distyryl-2,5-bis(ethynylaryl)benzenes (cruciforms) was investigated; their fluorescence quantum yields and emissive lifetimes were determined. Depending upon their substituents, the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) of these cruciforms are either congruent, i.e., HOMO and LUMO occupy the same real space, or disjoint, i.e., the HOMO is located on one branch of the cruciform while the LUMO is located on the second one. Donor-acceptor substitution leads to a disjoint FMO pattern, while the parent 1,4-distyryl-2,5-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene shows congruent FMOs. The photophysics of the cruciforms was investigated upon addition of either an excess of trifluoroacetic acid or an excess of selected metal (Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+)) trifluoromethanesulfonate salts. Addition of either metal ions or protons led to analogous but not identical changes in the spectroscopic properties of the investigated cruciforms. The collected data suggest that the metals bind preferentially at the aniline nitrogen and not at the electron-rich arene. The spatially separated FMOs permit the independent manipulation of the HOMO and the LUMO of such cruciforms. If the branches contain metal-complexing moieties, metal binding leads to either a hypsochromic or a bathochromic shift in emission via interaction of the metal cations with either the HOMO or the LUMO.     

Synthesis and photopysical properties of a polioxo ethylene chain alkaline earth metal fluorescent sensor with 2-aminoanthracene as terminal group

A new symmetric polioxo ethylene chain fluorescent probe containing 2-aminoanthracene bichromophoric as the terminal group for the alkaline earth metal cation, 2,2'-[oxybis(3-oxapentamethyleneoxy)]-bis[N-(2-anthryl)benzamide)] (1), has been synthesized. The photophysical properties of 1 have been studied by means of absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and (1)H NMR. The difference in emission spectra response to concentration of model compound 2-acetamido-anthracene and 1 in acetonitrile implies that intermolecular excited dimers is likely to occur. Fluorescence decay profiles of 2-acetamido-anthracene can be described by a biexponential fit, while three lifetimes, two of which are similar as those of 2-acetamido-anthracene, are found for 1. The third lifetime might be attributed to intramolecular excited dimers. Complex formation with alkaline earth metal ions are investigated in acetonitrile as solvent via fluorimetric titrations. Fluorescence intensity trend of the complex with Mg(2+) differed from those of other alkaline earth metal ions. The compound forms 1:2 (ligand/Mg(2+)) complex with Mg(2+) while formed 1:1 complexes with Ca(2+), Sr(2+), and Ba(2+), producing large hypochromic shifts in the emission spectra and significant cation-induced fluorescence amplifications. On the contrary, the addition of Ca(2+), Sr(2+), or Ba(2+) lead to a decrease in the fluorescence emission first, then an increase and blue shift in emission could be found at the end.     

Complexes of bivalent metal cations in electrospray mass spectra of common organic compounds

In the standard electrospray ionization mass spectra of many common, low molecular mass organic compounds dissolved in methanol, peaks corresponding to ions with formula [3M + Met](2+) (M = organic molecule, Met = bivalent metal cation) are observed, sometimes with significant abundances. The most common are ions containing Mg(2+), Ca(2+) and Fe(2+). Their presence can be easily rationalized on the basis of typical organic reaction work-up procedures. The formation of [3M + Met](2+) ions has been studied using N-FMOC-proline methyl ester as a model organic ligand and Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+) and Zn(2+) chlorides or acetates as the sources of bivalent cation. It was found that all ions studied form [3M + Met](2+) complexes with N-FMOC-proline methyl ester, some of them at very low concentrations. Transition metal cations generally show higher complexation activity in comparison with alkaline earth metal cations. They are also more specific in the formation of [3M + Met](2+) complexes. In the case of alkaline earth metal cations [2M + Met](2+) and [4M + Met](2+) complex ions are also observed. It has been found that [3M + Met](2+) complex ions undergo specific fragmentation at relatively low energy, yielding fluorenylmethyl cation as a major product. [M + Na](+) ions are much more stable and their fragmentation is not as specific.     

Bis-azamacrocyclic anthracene as a fluorescent chemosensor for cations in aqueous solution

A bis-azamacrocyclic anthracene (L2), which has two a 12-membered cyclic tetraamine (cyclen) connected through a 9,10-dimethylanthracene spacer, has been synthesized as a new fluorescent chemosensor for detection of pH and metal cations in aqueous solution (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane, L2 = 9,10-bis(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-ylmethyl)anthracene). The fluorescence response of L2 has been studied in comparison to that of the previously reported monoazamacrocyclic anthracene (L1 = 1-(9-anthrylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane). Plots of the fluorescence intensity of L2 against pH demonstrate a sigmoidal curve with pKa 7.4, which is lower than that of L1 (8.3). Potentiometric titration reveals that the increase in the L2 fluorescence requires protonation of both cyclen rings, thus resulting in the lower pKa value. L2 demonstrates impressive fluorescence response against metal cations. At basic pH, upon addition of Zn2+ or Cd2+, L1 leads to an increase in the fluorescence intensity with a 1:1 metal-intensity response. L2, however, shows a 2:1 response to Zn2+, while showing a 1:1 response to Cd2+. At neutral pH, L1 fluorescence decreases upon addition of Zn2+ or Cd2+ because of a formation of metal-anthracene pi complex. L2, however, still demonstrates a Zn2+-induced increase in intensity with a 2:1 response, while no change in intensity is observed upon Cd2+ addition. The obtained findings suggest potential utilities of L2 as a new type fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of cations in aqueous solution.     

Exploring the emissive properties of new azacrown compounds bearing aryl, furyl, or thienyl moieties: a special case of chelation enhancement of fluorescence upon interaction with Ca(2+), Cu(2+), or Ni(2+)

Three new compounds bearing furyl, aryl, or thienyl moieties linked to an imidazo-crown ether system (1, 2, and 3) were synthesized and fully characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, UV-vis absorption, and emission spectroscopy, X-ray crystal diffraction, and MALDI-TOF-MS spectrometry. The interaction toward metal ions (Ca(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), and Hg(2+)) and F(-) has been explored in solution by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Mononuclear and binuclear metal complexes using Cu(2+) or Hg(2+) as metal centers have been synthesized and characterized. Compounds 2 and 3 show a noticeable enhancement of the fluorescence intensity in the presence of Ca(2+) and Cu(2+) ions. Moreover compound 3 presents a dual sensory detection way by modification of the fluorimetric and colorimetric properties in the presence of Cu(2+) or Hg(2+). EPR studies in frozen solution and in microcrystalline state of the dinuclear Cu(II)3 complex revealed the presence of an unique Cu(2+) type.     

Terphenyl-phenanthroline conjugate as a Zn(2+) sensor: H(2)PO(4)(-) induced tuning of emission wavelength

A new terphenyl-based macrocycle 5 incorporating phenanthroline as a fluorophore has been designed, synthesized and examined for its recognition ability toward various cations (Pb(2+), Hg(2+), Ba(2+), Cd(2+), Ag(+), Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), K(+), Mg(2+), Na(+) and Li(+)) by UV-vis, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy. The receptor 5 showed highly selective 'Off-On' fluorescence signaling behavior for Zn(2+) ions in THF. Interestingly, the addition of H(2)PO(4)(-) ions to the [5-Zn] complex regulates the binding site for additional Zn(2+) ions and hence leads to a blue-shifted emission band.     

Rational design of a minimal size sensor array for metal ion detection

The focus of this study was to demonstrate that, in the luminescent sensors, the signal transduction may possibly be the most important part in the sensing process. Rational design of fluorescent sensor arrays for cations utilizing extended conjugated chromophores attached to 8-hydroxyquinoline is reported. All of the optical sensors utilized in the arrays comprise the same 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) receptor and various conjugated chromophores to yield a different response to various metal cations. This is because the conjugated chromophores attached to the receptor are partially quenched in their resting state, and upon the cation coordination by the 8-HQ, the resulting metalloquinolinolate complex displays a change in fluorescence. A delicate balance of conjugation, fluorescence enhancement, energy transfer, and a heavy metal quenching effect results in a fingerprint-like pattern of responses for each sensor-cation complex. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) are used to demonstrate the contribution of individual sensors within the array, information that may be used to design sensor arrays with the smallest number of sensor elements. This approach allows discriminating between 10 cations by as few as two or even one sensor element. Examples of arrays comprising various numbers of sensor elements and their utility in qualitative identification of Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Co(2+), Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Al(3+), and Ga(3+) ions are presented. A two-member array was found to identify 11 analytes with 100% accuracy. Also the best two of the sensors were tested alone and both were found to be able to discriminate among the samples with 99% and 96% accuracy, respectively. To illustrate the utility of this approach to a real-world application, identification of enhanced soft drinks based on their Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and Zn(2+) cation content was performed. The same approach to reducing array elements was used to construct three- and two-member arrays capable of identifying these complex analytes with 100% accuracy.