Dimethylcyclam based fluoroionophore having Hg- and Cd-selective signaling behaviors

Diametrically disubstituted bis(anthrylmethyl) derivative of 1,8-dimethylcyclam exhibited pronounced Hg²⁺- and Cd²⁺-selective fluorogenic behaviors in aqueous acetonitrile solution. A distinctive OFF-ON type signaling was observed for Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions in aqueous acetonitrile (CH₃CN-H₂O = 90:10, v/v) solution, while a selective ON-OFF type switching behavior toward Hg²⁺ ions was observed in solution having higher water content (CH₃CN-H₂O = 50:50, v/v). The detection limit for the analysis of Hg²⁺ ions in 50% aqueous acetonitrile was found to be 3.8 × 10⁻⁶ M. The selective OR logic gate behavior of the prepared compound toward two toxic heavy metal ions of Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions in CH₃CN-H₂O (90:10, v/v) suggests the possibility as a new chemosensing device for the two important target metal ions.     

Hg-selective fluoroionophoric behavior of pyrene appended diazatetrathia-crown ether

Bis(pyrene) derivative of diazatetrathia-crown ether has been prepared and its Hg²⁺-selective fluoroionophoric properties were investigated. The compound showed a pronounced Hg²⁺-selectivity and other metal ions except for Cu²⁺ showed almost no discernible responses. The Hg²⁺-selectivity of the compound was also confirmed by the competitive experiments performed in the presence of physiologically important metal ions and the detection limit was found to be 1.6 × 10⁻⁶ M. The prominent selective and efficient fluorescence quenching behavior could be utilized as a new chemosensing system for the analysis of toxic Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous environment.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for Hg based on naphthalimide derivative by fluorescence enhancement in aqueous solution

Naphthalimide derivative (compound 1) containing hydrophilic hexanoic acid group was synthesized and used to recognize Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution. The fluorescence enhancement of 1 is attributed to the formation of a complex between 1 and Hg²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 2.08 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of fabrication of the Hg²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for the determination of Hg²⁺ indicated that the method can be applied in aqueous solution rather than organic solution. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Hg²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of Hg²⁺ with a linear range covering from 2.57 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.27 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 4.93 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 toward Hg²⁺ is pH independent in medium condition (pH 4.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for Hg²⁺ in the presence of other metal ions, which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward Hg²⁺ is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of Hg²⁺ in hair samples with satisfactory results, which further demonstrates its value of practical applications.     

Dual optical detection of a novel selective mercury sensor based on 7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazolyl subunits

A novel macromolecule based on 2-[3-(2-aminoethylthio)propylthio]ethanamine covalently bound to two 7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazolyl moieties was prepared as a fluoroionophore and a chromophore for the selective optical detection of Hg²⁺. The sensor was prepared in two steps and its fluoroionophoric and chromophoric properties toward various transition metal, alkali, and alkali earth cations were investigated. Compound 4 selectively binds Hg²⁺, and the binding is indicated by both fluorescence quenching and a chromogenic change which can be detected by the naked eye. In an 80:20 acetonitrile/water solvent mixture, 4 acts as an ON-OFF fluorescence switch upon Hg²⁺ binding, exhibiting efficient quenching and a detection limit of 10⁻⁷ M or 20 ppb.     

A new fluorescent sensor bearing three dansyl fluorophores for highly sensitive and selective detection of mercury(II) ions

A novel fluorometric sensor bearing three dansyl moieties based on tris[2-(2-aminoethylthio)ethyl]amine was prepared by a simple approach using a conventional two-step synthesis. The sensor exhibits highly Hg²⁺-selective ON-OFF fluorescence quenching behavior in aqueous acetonitrile solutions and is shown to discriminate various competing metal ions, particularly Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺ as well as Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Na⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺, with a detection limit of 1.15 × 10⁻⁷ M or 23 ppb.     

Epoxy-based oligomer containing dithia-aza-based naphthylazobenzene pendant: a chemosensor for Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions

A simple epoxy-based oligomer 1 containing naphthylazobenzene-appended dithia-aza moieties was prepared. In UV–vis measurements, the proposed oligomer showed the ion-sensing ability to Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. The discrimination between two differently responding Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions was also realised from ‘ON–OFF’ type fluorescence responses of 1.     

Azo 8-hydroxyquinoline benzoate as selective chromogenic chemosensor for Hg and Cu

Azo 8-hydroxyquinoline benzoate (2) was synthesized and studied to detect metal ions. Distinct color change was found for compound 2 in the presence of transition metal ions Hg²⁺ or Cu²⁺ in CH₃CN, respectively, which makes it possible for distinguishing Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ from other metal ions by the ‘naked eye’.     

Photoactive chemosensors 4: a Cu protein cavity mimicking fluorescent chemosensor for selective Cu recognition

Fluorescent chemosensor 3 can sense Cu²⁺ ions (1-8 μM) even in the presence of elevated levels of Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺ (5000 μM). 3 can also analyze for Ag⁺ ions (50-500 μM) in the presence of Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ (5000 μM) but Cu²⁺ strongly interferes.     

Imidazo-benzo-15-crown-5 ethers bearing arylthienyl and bithienyl moieties as novel fluorescent chemosensors for Pd and Cu

Novel fluorescent ionophores bearing imidazo-arylthienyl or imidazo-bithienyl π-conjugated bridges functionalized with one or two fused benzo-15-crown-5 ethers as receptor units are reported. The sensing ability of the compounds in the presence of metallic cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pd²⁺, and Hg²⁺) and fluoride ion was studied in MeCN/DMSO solutions by absorption and emission spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that all compounds could act as selective fluorimetric sensors for Cu²⁺ and Pd²⁺ and also for the fluoride ion, in the case of the bis-substituted crown ether derivatives.     

Unexpected highly selective fluorescence ‘turn-on’ and ratiometric detection of Hg based on fluorescein platform

Methylated fluorescein 1 was explored for fluorescence ‘turn-on’ and ratiometric detection of Hg²⁺ in THF and CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (v/v=9:1), respectively, with unexpected high selectivity. In the presence of Hg²⁺, characteristic structured absorption band of 1 diminished and a new sharp band appeared at 445 nm. Meanwhile a blue shifted and enhanced emission was observed. The ratio of the fluorescence intensity at 559 and 478 nm increased linearly with [Hg²⁺], and solution color changing from yellow to cyan under irradiation at 365 nm in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH. Job plot indicated a 1:1 stoichiometry for 1-Hg²⁺ complex in solution. ¹H NMR titration and IR spectra suggested the coordination of carbonyl group in xanthene moiety to Hg²⁺, affording its spectral behavior. Compound 2 bearing two triazolyl amino esters in place of methyl group showed quite similar behavior to Hg²⁺, which indicated that substituents did not interfere with the specific binding behavior of fluorescein platform. Our work presents a new way to explore xanthene dyes as new chemosensors by modulating electron density on the xanthene ring through non-covalent interactions with carbonyl group.     

A new lawsone azo-dye for optical sensing of Fe3+ and Cu2+ and their DFT study

A new lawsone-based azo-dye 2-hydroxy-3-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)diazenyl)naphthalene-1,4-dione (1) was synthesized and applied for sensing of metal ions. Receptor 1 showed selective fluorescent and colorimetric response for the detection of Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ over other tested metal ions. The fluorescence intensity of 1 was significantly quenched allowing detection of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ down to 0.61 and 6.06 μM, respectively. The binding has been established by fluorescence spectroscopic method. Receptor 1 provided a 1?:?1 binding scaffold for recognition of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions with the association constant of 3.33 × 10⁶ and 3.33 × 10⁵ M^?1, respectively. The B3LYP/6-31G/LANL2DZ method was employed for the optimization of 1 and 1·Fe³⁺ and 1·Cu²⁺.     

Unfolding with mercury: anthracene-oxyquinoline dyad as a fluorescent indicator for Hg(II)

An anthracene-oxyquinoline dyad (HQ-AN) is synthesized which acts as a selective fluorescent reporter for Hg(II) with a detection limit of 3.2 × 10⁻⁶ M in acetonitrile-water system. The phenomenon of unfolding of HQ-AN from its initial folded conformation in acetonitrile-water system, selectively in the presence of Hg(II) is indicated from spectrofluorometric studies. The sensing event is monitored by the marked change in fluorescence emission occurring due to quenching of the excimer and retaining of the monomer emission of the two anthracene units in HQ-AN.     

A squaraine-based chemosensor for Hg and Pb

A novel unsymmetrical cationic squaraine dye (USqH⁺), absorbing in the near-infrared region (600-850 nm), was synthesized by reacting a semi-squaric acid derivative 3-[4-(N,N-dioctylamino)phenyl]-4-hydroxycyclobutene-1,2-dione with the squarylium dye, bis(3-methylbenzothiazol-2-ylidene)squaraine. Addition of micromolar amounts of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ to solutions of USqH⁺ in dichloromethane brings about significant changes in its absorption spectrum, resulting in a change in colour of the solution from green to pink. The absorption spectrum of the dye is relatively insensitive to other environmentally relevant metal ions, making it possible to visually detect Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in the presence of other metal ions. Molecular modeling of the complexes at the density functional theory (DFT) and semiempirical PM3 levels strongly suggests that the oxygen atoms are the most likely choice for cation binding. The calculations also indicate a high affinity of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ toward the formation of 2:1 complexes, which is in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Ratiometric chemosensing of Mg ions by a calix[4]arene diamide derivative

A new chemosensor with a phenanthroimidazole subunit based upon calix[4]arene-diamide has been synthesized, and its Mg²⁺-selective fluoroionophoric properties were investigated in an aqueous DMSO solution. The compound exhibited a pronounced Mg²⁺-selective fluoroionophoric behavior over other physiologically relevant metal ions. A significant red shift in fluorescence emission (Δλ = 86 nm) provided the ratiometric determination as well as naked-eye detection of Mg²⁺ ions.     

苯乙烯三嗪衍生物的合成及在重金属离子识别中的应用

合成了2,4-二(2-噻吩乙烯基)-6-(4'-N,N-二甲氨基苯乙烯基)-1,3,5-均三嗪(2)并鉴定了其结构。在乙腈-水混合介质中,化合物2在355和416nm处呈现双吸收峰,加入Cu²⁺,Hg²⁺ 和Fe³⁺ 后,均在520nm附近形成新的吸收峰。化合物2与Cu²⁺、Hg²⁺ 和Fe³⁺ 均形成1:1型配合物,其结合常数分别为1.9×10⁵L·mol^-1,6.6×10³L·mol^-1,2.7×10³L·mol^-1。对照化合物4与金属离子的光谱响应与化合物2相似,仅吸收峰的位置不同。因此,可认为化合物2和4中三嗪环中的N和噻吩环中的S与Cu²⁺、Hg²⁺ 和Fe³⁺ 共同配位形成了稳定的金属配合物。     

Rhodamine based derivative and its zinc complex: synthesis and recognition behavior toward Hg(II)

A simple fluorescent probe, which contains rhodamine and aminoquinoline moieties, was designed and prepared for selective detection of Hg²⁺ in acetonitrile. RbQ exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Hg²⁺ over other common metal ions. The recognition of RbQ toward Hg²⁺ can be detected by fluorescence spectra, absorption spectra, and even by naked eyes. The binding ratio of the RbQ–Hg²⁺ complex was found to be 1:1 according to Job plot experiment, and the limit of detection was 1.05×10⁻⁷ M. Moreover, the prepared complex RbQ–Zn²⁺ (RbQZ) could detect Hg²⁺ in a ratiometric way and showed lower limit of detection (2.95×10⁻⁸ M) than RbQ in the same condition. Finally, we also demonstrated that the aminoquinoline–zinc complex could be served as a new and effective FRET donor for rhodamine derivatives.     

Hg and Cu selective detection using a dual channel receptor based on thiopyrylium scaffoldings

2,4,6-Triphenylthiopyrylium functionalized with an aza-oxa-thia macrocycle is able to selectively recognize Hg²⁺ cation by a color change and Cu²⁺ cation by a remarkable significant emission enhancement.     

A selective and sensitive chemosensor for Cu based on 8-hydroxyquinoline

A novel 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative 3 was synthesized. Significant fluorescent quenching was found in the presence of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ with notably higher selectivity for Cu²⁺ than Hg²⁺.     

Hg-selective fluoroionophore of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-diaza-crown ether having pyrenylacetamide subunits

A new ionophore having two pyrenylacetamide moieties based on the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-diaza-crown ether has been prepared and its fluoroionophoric properties were investigated. Bis(pyrenyl) derivative was found to exhibit selective ON-OFF type sensing behavior toward Hg²⁺ ions over other representative transition and heavy metal ions. The fluorescence quenching efficiency of larger than 20-fold was observed with 100 equiv of Hg²⁺ ions and the association constant was found to be 4.5 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ in methanol. The ionophore also exhibited a very efficient quenching of excimer fluorescence selectively upon treatment with Hg²⁺ ions in 50% aqueous methanol solution. The observed Hg²⁺-selective ON-OFF type fluorescence behavior could be utilized as efficient sensing and switching devices for the design of other supramolecular systems.     

A novel colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor: synthesis and selective detection for Cu and Hg

A novel two-channel metal ion sensor has been synthesized from macrocyclic dioxotetraamine and 1,8-naphthalimide derivative. The metal ion-selective signaling behaviors of the sensor were investigated. The sensor presented the selective coloration for Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ that can be detected by the naked-eye, respectively. Besides, the addition of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ quenched the fluorescence of 1 obviously and the detection limit was found to be 3 × 10⁻⁷ M for Cu²⁺ and 7 × 10⁻⁷ M for Hg²⁺. This sensor can be utilized for the visual and spectroscopic detection of Cu²⁺ or Hg²⁺ in the presence of the other competing metal ions.