A new fluorescent fluoride chemosensor based on conformational restriction of a biaryl fluorophore

A new fluorescent anion sensor 1, based on a biaryl–thiourea system, exhibits a fluorescence emission enhancement via conformational restriction upon a hydrogen bond-mediated complexation of fluoride anions.     

Contrasting Response of Two Dipolar Fluorescence Probes in a Leucine‐Based Organogel and Its Implications

The microenvironments of a leucine‐based organogel are probed by monitoring the fluorescence behavior of coumarin 153 (C153) and 4‐aminophthalimide (AP). The steady‐state data reveals distinctly different locations of the two molecules in the gel. Whereas AP resides close to the hydroxyl moieties of the gelator and engages in hydrogen‐bonding interactions, C153 is found in bulk‐toluene‐like regions. In contrast to C153, AP exhibits excitation‐wavelength‐dependent emission, indicating that the environments of the hydrogen‐bonded AP molecules are not all identical. A two‐component fluorescence decay of AP in gel, unlike C153, supports this model. A time‐resolved fluorescence anisotropy study of the rotational motion of the molecules also reveals the strong association of only AP with the gelator. That AP influences the critical gelation concentration implies its direct involvement in the gel‐formation process. The results highlight the importance of guest–gelator interactions in gels containing guest molecules.     

Fluoride-responsive gelator and colorimetric sensor based on simple and easy-to-prepare cyano-substituted amide

A new and easy-to-prepare gelator based on cyano-substituted amide (BPNIA) was designed and synthesized. BPNIA could form thermoreversible gel in DMSO-H(2)O (v/v, 9?:?1) and ultrasound-stimulated gel in DMSO. FT-IR, UV-vis and XRD spectra indicated that the gelator molecules self-assemble into a fibrous network resulting from the cooperation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking and cyano interactions. BPNIA can act as a highly selective colorimetric sensor for fluoride in DMSO, overcoming the interference of H(2)PO(4)(-), AcO(-) and other halide anions. The deprotonation of the NH groups is responsible for the dramatic color change from colorless to yellow. Interestingly, the organogel of BPNIA could allow a two channel fluoride response by proton controlled reversible sol-gel transition and color changes.     

Design, synthesis and photophysical studies of simple fluorescent anion PET sensors using charge neutral thiourea receptors

The synthesis of four fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer (PET) chemosensors 1-4 for anions is described. These are all based on a simple design employing charge neutral aliphatic or aromatic thiourea anion receptors connected to an anthracene fluorophore via a methylene spacer. Here the anion recognition occurred through 1 : 1 hydrogen bonding between the thiourea protons and the anion, as demonstrated by observing the changes in the (1)H NMR in DMSO-d(6) where the two thiourea protons were shifted downfield upon addition of anions. Whereas 1-3 were designed for the detection of anions such as fluoride, acetate or phosphate, 4 was made for the recognition of N-protected amino acids. All the sensors showed 'ideal' behaviour where only the fluorescence emission was quenched upon anion recognition, due to enhanced efficiency of electron transfer quenching from the receptor to the excited state of the fluorophore. By simply varying the nature of the thiourea substituent it was possible to modulate, or tune, the acidity of the thiourea receptor moiety, altering the sensitivity of the anion recognition. For, the anion selectivity and the degree of the fluorescence quenching were in the order of F(-) > AcO(-) > H(2)PO(4)(-), with Cl(-) or Br(-) not being detected.     

Fluorescent gel from a self-assembling new chromophoric moiety containing azobenzene based tetraamide

A new chromophoric low molecular weight (LMW) organic molecule, 1, was synthesized, and it forms gels in various organic solvents including toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene. The resultant gel phase materials exhibit enhanced and red-shifted fluorescence emission in the respective gelling solvents. This gelator molecule is self-assembled using various noncovalent interactions including hydrogen bonding, pi-pi staking and van der Waals interactions to get the gel phase materials. The molecule 1 is very weakly fluorescent in solution, but its intensity is increased by almost 40 times in their respective gelled state depending on the nature of the gelling solvents. Self-assembly of this molecule in the above-mentioned organic solvents gives an elongated nanofibrillar network that can be visualized through Field Emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).     

New dendritic gelator bearing carbazole in each branching unit: selected response to fluoride ion in gel phase

A new dendritic gelator with carbazole as the building block (HBCD) was synthesized. It was found that H-bonding between the amide groups and π-π interaction between the aromatic rings played predominant roles in the gel formation. Meanwhile, significant aggregation-induced emission enhancement was observed in the gel state due to the formation of J-aggregates and the restricted molecular motion. Notably, the gel state of HBCD can be destroyed upon addition of F(-), accompanied by fluorescence enhancement on account of the formation of N-HF(-), which could further lead to the increased coplanarity of HBCD. The sensory capability of HBCD exhibited a high selectivity towards F(-) instead of the Cl(-), Br(-), I(-) and AcO(-) anions, which could be explained by the fact that the steric hindrance of the dendrimer would go against the interactions between the larger anions and HBCD.     

Anion detection by aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) of urea-functionalized tetraphenylethylenes

Substituted tetraphenylethylenes (TPEs) have been prepared that feature four alkyl or aryl urea groups arrayed along the periphery. Exposure of these TPEs to monovalent anions (halide, carboxylate, nitrate, and azide) resulted in enhanced fluorescence emission attributed to aggregation of the TPE molecules via urea-anion hydrogen bonding. Emission enhancement correlated with anion basicity, with fluoride ion eliciting the largest fluorescence response. Increased fluorescence emission could also be detected visually in solutions viewed under UV light. This study demonstrates the feasibility of TPE-based fluorescent anion sensors/detectors, and it is envisioned that additional design modifications may afford anion-selective fluorescent sensors.     

New chromogenic and fluorescent probes for anion detection: formation of a [2 + 2] supramolecular complex on addition of fluoride with positive homotropic cooperativity

Two new chromogenic and fluorescent probes for anions have been designed, synthesized, and characterized. These probes contain multiple hydrogen bonding donors including hydrazine, hydrazone, and hydroxyl functional groups for potential anion interacting sites. Despite the possible flexible structural framework due to the presence of sp3 carbon linkage, X-ray structure analysis of probe 2 displayed an essentially planar conformation in the solid state owing to strong crystal packing interactions comprising a combination of favorable pi-pi stacking effect and hydrogen bonding to cocrystallized CH3OH molecules. Both probes 1 and 2 display orange color in DMSO solution and show fairly weak fluorescence at room temperature. Binding studies revealed that both probes 1 and 2 show noticeable colorimetric and fluorescent responses only to F-, OAc-, and H2PO4- among the nine anions tested (F-, Cl-, Br-, I-, OAc-, H2PO4-, HSO4-, ClO4-, and NO3-). The general trend of the sensitivity to anions follows the order of F- > OAc- > H2PO4- > Cl- > Br- approximately I- approximately HSO4- approximately ClO4- approximately NO3-. A 1:2 (probe to anion) binding stoichiometry was found for probe 1 with OAc- and H2PO4- and probe 2 with F-, OAc-, and H2PO4-. The binding isotherm of probe 1 to F- was found to be complicated with apparent multiple equilibria occurring in solution. The formation of an aggregated supramolecular complex upon addition of fluoride is proposed to rationalize the observed optical responses and is supported by ESI mass spectrometry and pulsed-field gradient NMR spectroscopy. Data analysis suggests that the binding of probe 1 to F- shows positive homotropic cooperativity.     

Gelation-induced fluorescence enhancement of benzoxazole-based organogel and its naked-eye fluoride detection

The benzoxazole derivative gelator forms a stable DMF/toluene cosolvent gel with dramatically enhanced fluorescence emission compared to its mother solution. The translucent colorless gel was changed to a solution with strong greenish fluorescence in the presence of fluoride anion with disruption of the gel structure.     

一种含芘葡萄糖衍生物的合成及其胶凝行为

合成并表征了一种荧光活性小分子胶凝剂——芘磺酰基-丙二胺-葡萄糖(PSDAPG), 考察了其在36种常见溶剂中的胶凝行为. 结果发现, PSDAPG可使其中16种溶剂胶凝. 对癸醇, PSDAPG表现出罕见的超级胶凝能力, 室温下最低胶凝浓度(MGC)达7.0×10-4 g·mL-1. 此外, PSDAPG还是一种既可胶凝水又可胶凝有机溶剂的双性胶凝剂. 扫描电镜(SEM)、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、核磁共振(1HNMR)和荧光光谱研究表明,在不同溶剂中, PSDAPG具有不同的聚集结构, 除了芘基之间的疏水π-π堆积作用外, 氢键作用是PSDAPG自发形成三维网络结构的重要驱动力. 实验研究还表明, 溶液态和凝胶态的PSDAPG荧光光谱均同时呈现芘的单体荧光和激基缔合物荧光光谱特征, 但两者的光谱形貌差异显著. 随凝胶的形成, 体系单体荧光发射增强, 激基缔合物荧光发射减弱,表明形成的三维网络结构阻碍了PSDAPG中芘单元的运动性, 使得以Birks途径形成激基缔合物的效率降低.     

Low molecular weight fluorescent organogel for fluoride ion detection

The design, synthesis, and the photophysical properties of a Low Molecular Weight Gel (LMWG) based on AB(3) and AB(2) type poly(aryl ether) dendrons with an anthracene chromophore attached through an acylhydrazone linkage are described. The gel is utilized for an efficient 'naked eye' detection of fluoride ions (as low as 0.1 equiv with respect to the gelator concentration), through a reversible gel-sol transition, which is associated with a color change from deep yellow to bright red.     

Induction-driven stabilization of the anion-π interaction in electron-rich aromatics as the key to fluoride inclusion in imidazolium-cage receptors

Intermolecular interactions that involve aromatic rings are key processes in both chemical and biological recognition. It is common knowledge that the existence of anion-π interactions between anions and electron-deficient (π-acidic) aromatics indicates that electron-rich (π-basic) aromatics are expected to be repulsive to anions due to their electron-donating character. Here we report the first concrete theoretical and experimental evidence of the anion-π interaction between electron-rich alkylbenzene rings and a fluoride ion in CH(3)CN. The cyclophane cavity bridged with three naphthoimidazolium groups selectively complexes a fluoride ion by means of a combination of anion-π interactions and (C-H)(+)···F(-)-type ionic hydrogen bonds. (1)H NMR, (19)F NMR, and fluorescence spectra of 1 and 2 with fluoride ions are examined to show that only 2 can host a fluoride ion in the cavity between two alkylbenzene rings to form a sandwich complex. In addition, the cage compounds can serve as highly selective and ratiometric fluorescent sensors for a fluoride ion. With the addition of 1 equiv of F(-), a strongly increased fluorescence emission centered at 385 nm appears at the expense of the fluorescence emission of 2 centered at 474 nm. Finally, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments were performed to obtain the binding constants of the compounds 1 and 2 with F(-) as well as Gibbs free energy. The 2-F(-) complex is more stable than the 1-F(-) complex by 1.87 kcal mol(-1), which is attributable to the stronger anion-π interaction between F(-) and triethylbenzene.     

水分子凝胶聚集态的DSC和AFM研究

合成了一种新型凝胶因子，能在很低的浓度下使水发生凝胶化，形成水分子凝 胶。通过原子力显微镜(AFM)以及透射电子显微镜(TEM)对水分子凝胶的微观形态进 行了表征，表明凝胶因子可以在水中聚集、自组装成延伸的螺旋缠绕细纤维结构， 并且得出了纤维束的平均直径在100nm左右，平均孔径在100nm左右。利用示差扫描 量热(DSC)的数据，计算了水分子凝胶体系的平均孔径大小在50～100nm左右，与 AFM和TEM观测的结果较吻合，从而验证了DSC理论推导计算的正确性。同时还得到 了不同浓度的水分子凝胶的凝胶—溶胶相转变温度Tcs在55—72℃之间，而且随着 凝胶因子浓度的增加，水分子凝胶体系的平均孔径呈减小的趋势，凝胶—溶胶相转 变温度呈上升的趋势。     

Hydrogen bonding of excited states in supramolecular host-guest inclusion complexes

Host-guest inclusion complexes represent an important type of supramolecular structure, one which finds widespread applications in diverse areas including separations science, the food industry, molecular sensors and optical devices. There are several driving forces for the formation of such inclusion complexes in solution; one of the most important is hydrogen bonding between the guest and host molecules. The nature or strength of the hydrogen bonding may change upon electronic excitation of the guest, for example during fluorescence studies or when the inclusion complex is used as an optical sensor. In this Perspective article, the impact of hydrogen bonding between excited state guests and their hosts is examined in detail, in terms of the impact on the formation and stability of such excited state complexes, the effects on guest fluorescence, changes in the stability of ground state guest complexes upon electronic excitation, the application of inclusion complexes as fluorescent sensors and materials, and the use of fluorescence spectroscopy for their study.     

A BODIPY derivative as a highly selective "Off-On" fluorescent chemosensor for hydrogen sulfate anion

A new fluorescent receptor for anions has been synthesized by the combination of BODIPY dye and indole moiety. The binding and sensing abilities of receptor toward various anions have been studied by absorption, emission and (1)H NMR titrations spectroscopies. Receptor could act as a highly selective "Off-On" fluorescent sensor for hydrogen sulfate anion in CH(3)CN solvent and CH(3)CN-H(2)O medium. The fluorescence response of receptor toward HSO(4)(-) in CH(3)CN solvent could be due to the suppressed PET (photo-induced electron transfer) process induced by the multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between receptor and HSO(4)(-). In CH(3)CN-H(2)O medium, the HSO(4)(-)-induced change is mainly the consequence of a simple protonation of the CH[double bond, length as m-dash]N- moiety of receptor , which inhibited the PET process and "turned on" the fluorescence of .     

Hybrid Gels Assembled from Fmoc–Amino Acid and Graphene Oxide with Controllable Properties

A supramolecular gel is obtained from the self‐assembly of an ultralow‐molecular‐weight gelator (N‐fluorenyl‐9‐methoxycarbonyl glutamic acid) in good and poor solvents. The gelators can self‐assemble into a lamellar structure, which can further form twisted fibers and nanotubes in the gel phase. Rheological studies show that the gels are robust and rigid, and are able to rapidly self‐recover to a gel after being destroyed by shear force. Fluorescence experiments reveal the aggregation‐induced emission effects of the gel system; the fluorescence intensity is significantly enhanced by gel formation. Graphene oxide (GO) is introduced into the system efficiently to give a hybrid material, and the interaction between gelators–GO sheets is studied. Rheological and fluorescent studies imply that the mechanical properties and the fluorescent emission of the hybrid materials can be fine‐tuned by controlling the addition of GO.     

A reversible dual-channel chemosensor for fluoride anion

A colorimetric and fluorescent fluoride probe bearing phenolic hydroxy and imine groups has been designed and synthesised. This receptor could visually and spectroscopically recognise F^?  with high selectivity over other anions. After the addition of fluoride ions to the solution of ([1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diylbis (azanylylidene)) bis (methanylylidene)) bis (naphthalen-2-ol) (TY), since the deprotonation reaction occurred between the sensor and fluoride, the fluorescence intensity of the solution changed significantly. Furthermore, the quenched fluorescence caused by fluoride ions could be recovered upon the addition of calcium ions to this complex solution. This resulted in an ‘OFF-ON-OFF’ type sensing. In particular, an IMP logic gate has been proposed using the output obtained from the fluorescence studies. The fluorescence, UV-vis titration and ¹H NMR titration experiments indicated that the effects might occur via a combined process including hydrogen bond and deprotonation between the sensor and F^? .     

Semiconducting Fabrics by In Situ Topochemical Synthesis of Polydiacetylene: A New Dimension to the Use of Organogels

A diyne functionalized 4,6‐O‐benzylidene β‐d ‐galactopyranoside gelator, which can align its diyne motifs upon self‐assembly (gelation) have been synthesized. The organogel formed by this gelator undergoes topochemical polymerization to polydiacetylene (PDA) under photoirradiation. This strategically designed gelator has been used to make semi‐conducting fabrics. By developing the organogel on the fabrics, the gelator molecules were made not only to self‐assemble on the fibers, but also to adhere to fabrics through hydrogen bonding. UV irradiation of the gel‐coated fabric/fiber resulted in the formation of PDA on fibers. The benzylidene motif could be deprotected to get PDA with pendant free sugars that strongly bind to the cotton fibrils through multiple hydrogen bonds. Conductivity measurements revealed the semiconducting nature of these fabrics.     

A novel low-molecular-mass gelator with a redox active ferrocenyl group: tuning gel formation by oxidation

A novel low-molecular-mass gelator containing a redox-active ferrocenyl group, cholesteryl glycinate ferrocenoylamide (CGF), was intentionally designed and prepared. It was demonstrated that the gelator gels 13 out of the 45 solvents tested. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements revealed that the gelator self-assembled into different supramolecular network structures in different gels. Chemical oxidation of the ferrocenyl residue resulted in phase transition of the gel from gel state to solution state. FTIR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy studies revealed that hydrogen bonding between the gelator molecules in the gel was one of the main driving forces for the formation of the gels.