A simple and highly selective fluorescent sensor for palladium based on benzofuran-2-boronic acid

Benzofuran-2-boronic acid could be used as a fluorescent sensor for the detection of Pd²⁺ because it was rapidly converted to highly fluorescent derivative after mixing with Pd²⁺ under basic condition at room temperature. We found that dimerization of benzofuran was occurred to form fluorescent derivative by the catalytic activity of palladium. The fluorescence intensity at 360 nm increased with increasing the concentration of Pd²⁺. The excellent selectivity for Pd²⁺ was demonstrated among other metal ions. Based on this findings, we successfully applied benzofuran-2-boronic acid to develop a microplate-based assay for high-throughput measurement of Pd²⁺. The detection limit (blank + 3SD) for Pd²⁺ of the proposed assay was 9.8 nM.     

Self-assembly of a quadrangular prismatic covalent cage templated by zinc ions: A selective fluorescent sensor for palladium ions

Herein we report a covalent cage TPE-Zn₄ based on a tetraphenylethylene molecule via subcomponent self-assembly, which is templated by zinc ions. TPE-Zn₄ features a quadrangular prismatic cage structure, which is characterized by NMR, mass spectrum, and single-crystal X-ray diffractions. TPE-Zn₄ emitted orange fluorescence (λ_em = 620 nm) in DMSO solution under the irradiation of UV light (λ_ex = 395 nm) and can be applied as a fluorescence sensor for selectively detecting Pd²⁺. The fluorescence of TPE-Zn₄ was quenched by Pd²⁺ in DMSO solution, and a very low detection limit of 62.3 nM was achieved. Mechanism studies reveal that the Pd²⁺ can replace the Zn²⁺, and the heavy atom effect and chelation-enhanced quenching effect between the Pd²⁺ and the cage probably cause the fluorescence quenching.     

A cost-effective and practical polybenzanthrone-based fluorescent sensor for efficient determination of palladium (II) ion and its application in agricultural crops and environment

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor suitable for practical measurement of palladium ion (Pd²⁺) in agricultural crops and environment samples has been successfully fabricated using polybenzanthrone (PBA). PBA was facilely electrosynthesized in the mixed electrolyte of acetonitrile and boron trifluoride diethyl etherate. The fluorescence intensity of PBA showed a linear response to Pd²⁺ in the concentration range of 5 nM–0.12 mM with a detection limit of 0.277 nM and quantification limit of 0.925 nM. Different compounds existing in agricultural crops and environment such as common metal ions, anions, natural amino acids, carbohydrates, and organic acids were used to examine the selectivity of the as-fabricated sensor, and no obvious fluorescence change could be observed in these interferents and their mixtures. A possible mechanism was proposed that the coordination of PBA and Pd²⁺ enhance the aggregation of polymer chains, which led to a significant quenching of PBA emission, and this was further confirmed by absorption spectra monitoring and transmission electron microscopy. The excellent performance of the proposed sensor and satisfactory results of the Pd²⁺ determination in practical samples suggested that the PBA-based fluorescent sensor for the determination of Pd²⁺ will be a good candidate for application in agriculture and environment.     

A dual chemosensor for Cu2+ and Fe3+ based on π-extend tetrathiafulvalene derivative

A new dual chemosensor (TTF-PBA) for Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ in different signal pathways was designed and synthesized. The absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum and cyclic voltammograms changed in the presence of Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺. The optical color changed within 5 s from yellow to orange upon the addition of Cu²⁺, and it changed to dark yellow when Fe³⁺ existed. The cyclic voltammogram of Cu²⁺/TTF-PBA changed from E_ox = 0.50 V, E_red = 0.32 V to E_ox = 0.64 V, E_red = 0.80 V (vs Ag/AgCl) upon the addition of 2.0 equiv. Cu²⁺. As for Fe³⁺/TTF-PBA, its oxidation wave disappeared, and its reduction wave appeared at E_red = ?0.59 V (vs Ag/AgCl) upon the addition of 4.0 equv. Fe³⁺. The sensor displayed high selectivity for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ over other ions including Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ag⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Al³⁺, Co²⁺, Pd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe^2+, Cd²⁺, Ce³⁺, Bi³⁺ and Au³⁺, the detection limits for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ion reached as low as 5.33 × 10^?7 mol/L and 5.34 × 10^?7 mol/L, respectively. Furthermore, when Fe³⁺ existed, Cu²⁺ can be detected sequentially by the sensor through the absorption spectrum and the color change observed by naked-eyes.     

A Highly Sensitive Fluorescent Sensor for Palladium and Direct Imaging of Its Ecotoxicity in Living Model Organisms

Rhodamine is an ideal platform for fluorescence probes owing to its spiro‐lactam framework and excellent photochemical properties. Herein, a novel rhodamine‐based palladium fluorescent chemosensor, Rd‐Eb , showing a fast response time (3 min), high sensitivity for palladium species over other ions, and a low detection limit (1.91×10^?7 m ), was synthesized. It can act as an obvious colorimetric as well as a fluorescent “off/on” sensor for Pd²⁺. In addition, it is also an excellent sensor for in vivo imaging of Pd²⁺ in zebra fish and Daphnia magna, illuminating the impact of palladium on organisms at different growth stages with respect to biological toxicology.     

Fluorescence detection of mercury(II) and lead(II) ions using aptamer/reporter conjugates

We have developed a fluorescence technique for the detection of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions using polythymine (T₃₃)/benzothiazolium-4-quinolinium dimer derivative (TOTO-3) and polyguanine (G₃₃)/terbium ions (Tb³⁺) conjugates, respectively. Hg²⁺ ions induce T₃₃ to form folded structures, leading to increased fluorescence of the T₃₃/TOTO-3 conjugates. Because Pb²⁺ ions compete with Tb³⁺ ions to form complexes with G₃₃, the extent of formation of the G₃₃-Tb³⁺ complexes decreases upon increasing the Pb²⁺ concentration, leading to decreased fluorescence at 545 nm when excited at 290 nm. To minimize interference from Hg²⁺ ions during the detection of Pb²⁺ ions, we conducted two-step fluorescence measurements; prior to addition of the G₃₃/Tb³⁺ probe, we recorded the fluorescence of a mixture of the T₃₃/TOTO-3 conjugates and Hg²⁺ ions. The fluorescence signal obtained was linear with respect to the Hg²⁺ concentration over the range 25.0-500 nM (R² = 0.99); for Pb²⁺ ions, it was linear over the range 3.0-50 nM (R² = 0.98). The limits of detection (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3) for Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions were 10.0 and 1.0 nM, respectively. Relative to other techniques for the detection of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions in soil and water samples, our present approach is simpler, faster, and more cost-effective.     

Simultaneous determination of Hg(II) and Cu(II) in water samples using fluorescence quenching sensor of N-doped and N,K co-doped graphene quantum dots

The present study was aimed to use of N doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) and N,K co-doped graphene quantum dots (N,K-GQDs) as a fluorescence quenching sensor to determine both mercury and copper in water sample, simultaneously using simple fluorescence protocol. Each of N-GQDs or N,K-GQDs was optimized separately with 1–5% (w/v) HNO₃ or KNO₃, respectively, and their quantum yields were determined and compared. It was found that N-GQDs, obtained from 3% (w/v) HNO₃ doped resulted higher fluorescence intensity at the maximum excitation and emission wavelengths of 370 and 460 nm, respectively, with higher quantum yield (QY = 83.42%) compared with that of undoped GQDs (QY = 16.35%). While N,K-GQDs obtained from 5%(w/v) KNO₃ gave somewhat different fluorescence spectrum, but still had the same maximum excitation and emission wavelengths with rather highest QY (94.07%). However, it is interesting that detection sensitivity expressed as slope of their calibration curve (y = 5.43x − 19.48; r² = 0.9971) of the N-GQDs is rather higher than that (y = 1.29x + 17.66; r² = 0.9977) of the N,K-GQDs for Hg²⁺ fluorescence quenching sensor, and the fluorescence intensity of N-GQDs had better selectively quenching effect only by both Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺. Thus, their quenching effects were selected to develop the fluorescence turn-off sensor for trace level of both metal ions in real water samples. For method validation, the N-GQDs exhibited high sensitivity to detect both Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ with wide linear ranges of 20–100 μM and 100–500 μM, respectively. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 0.42 μM & 1.41 μM for Hg²⁺ and 13.19 μM & 43.97 μM for Cu²⁺, respectively, with their precision expressed as an intra-day and an inter-day analysis of 6.98% & 11.35% for Hg²⁺ and 11.78% & 9.43% for Cu²⁺, respectively. Also the study of matrix analysis of the water samples (drinking water and tap water), was carried out using N-GQDs and N,K-GQDs resulted good percentage recoveries in comparison with those using undoped GQDs under the same optimum conditions.     

Highly Sensitive and Fast‐Responsive Fluorescent Chemosensor for Palladium: Reversible Sensing and Visible Recovery

The well‐known rhodamine spiro‐lactam framework offers an ideal model for the development of fluorescence‐enhanced chemosensors through simple and convenient syntheses. Herein, we report a new tridentate PNO receptor, which was introduced into a rhodamine spiro‐lactam system to develop Pd²⁺‐chemosensor RPd4 , that displayed significantly improved sensing properties for palladium. Compound RPd4 shows a very fast response time (about 5 s), high sensitivity (5 nM ), and excellent specificity for Pd²⁺ ions over other PGE ions (Pt²⁺, Rh³⁺, and Ru³⁺). In addition, RPd4 displays quite different responses to different valence states of the Pd ions, that is, very fast response towards Pd²⁺ ions but slow response towards Pd⁰, which may provide us with a convenient method for the selective discrimination of Pd species in different valence states. According to proof‐of‐concept experiments, RPd4 has potential applications in Pd²⁺‐analysis in drug compounds, water, soil, and leaf samples. Owing to its good reversibility, RPd4 can also be used as a sensor material for the selective detection and visual recovery of trace Pd²⁺ ions in environmental samples.     

Ultrasensitive Silicon Nanoparticle Ratiometric Fluorescence Determination of Mercury(II)

A novel ratiometric fluorescence sensing system for the ultrasensitive detection of Hg²⁺ was developed. It used aminofunctionalized silicon nanoparticles and rhodamine B, which exhibit two distinct fluorescence emission peaks at 449 and 581?nm, respectively, under a single excitation wavelength (350?nm). The fluorescence of the amino-functionalized silicon nanoparticles was selectively quenched by Hg²⁺, while that of rhodamine B was insensitive to Hg²⁺. The ratio of fluorescence intensities at 449–581?nm linearly decreased with increasing concentrations of Hg²⁺ from 0.005–0.1 and 0.1–7?µM within 0.5?min, and a detection limit as low as 3.3?nM was achieved. Moreover, the ratiometric fluorescence sensing system exhibited good selectivity toward Hg²⁺ over other metal ions with relatively low background interference, even in a complex matrix such as lake water. Most importantly, the practical use of this sensing system for Hg²⁺ detection in real water samples was also demonstrated.     

Self‐assembly and Cycling of a Three‐state PdxLy Metallosupramolecular System

The use of stimuli to induce reversible structural transformations in metallosupramolecular systems is of keen interest to chemists seeking to mimic the way that Nature effects conformational changes in biological machinery. While a wide array of stimuli have been deployed towards this end, stoichiometric changes have only been explored in a handful of examples. Furthermore, switching has generally been between only two distinct states. Here we use a simple 2‐(1‐(pyridine‐4‐methyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine “click” ligand in combination with Pd^II in various stoichiometries and concentrations to quantitatively access and cycle between three distinct species: a [PdL₂]²⁺ monomer, a [Pd₂L₂]⁴⁺ dimer, and a [Pd₉L₁₂]¹⁸⁺ cage.     

基于T-T碱基错配的荧光传感器特异性检测汞离子

在本文中,我们研制了一种基于T-T碱基错配特异性键合汞离子的荧光传感器用于汞离子的检测。该传感器由两条分别标记了荧光基团（F）和淬灭基团（Q）的DNA探针组成,并且含有两对用于结合汞离子的T-T错配碱基。当汞离子存在时,两条探针之间形成T-Hg2+-T结构,作用力增强,从而拉近了荧光基团与淬灭基团之间的距离,发生能量转移,使荧光信号在一定程度上被淬灭。在优化的条件下,我们使用该传感器对汞离子进行检测,动力学响应范围为50nM到1000nM,线性相关方程为y= 5281.13 - 1650.56 lg[Hg2+] ( R2 = 0.985),检测下限为79nM。此外,我们还考察了该传感器的选择性,当用其它干扰离子（浓度都为1.0µM）代替待测离子进行实验时,没有发生明显的荧光淬灭,说明该传感器具有较高的选择性。该传感器的构建为汞离子的检测提供了一条快速、简便的新途径。     

Perylene diimide based ‘turn-on’ fluorescence sensor for detection of Pd in mixed aqueous media

A perylene diimide (PDI) based fluorescence chemosensor (PDI-1) for Pd²⁺ was prepared. PDI-1 showed a remarkable fluorescence enhancement (over 120-fold) in the presence of Pd²⁺ in mixed aqueous media with high selectivity and sensitivity. Moreover, the dramatically ‘off–on’ fluorescence response concomitantly induced the obvious color change from dark purple to brilliant pink, which could also be identified by naked eyes easily. The low limit for Pd²⁺ detection was found to be as small as 10⁻⁹ mol/L. Hence, PDI-1 is a highly promising fluorescent chemosensor for the direct determination of residual Pd²⁺ in chemical medicines and environment samples.     

A Metallosupramolecular Coordination Polymer for the ‘Turn-on’ Fluorescence Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide

A coumarin based probe for the efficient detection of hydrogen sulfide in aqueous medium is reported. The investigated coumarine-based derivative forms spherical nanoparticles in aqueous media. In presence of Pd²⁺, a metallosupramolecular coordination polymer is formed, which is accompanied by quenching of the coumarin emission at 390 nm. Its Pd²⁺ complex could be used as a probe for chemoselective detection of monohydrogensulfide (HS⁻). Presence of HS⁻ leads to a'turn-on' fluorescence signal, resulting from decomplexation of Pd²⁺ from the metallosupramolecular probe. The probe was successfully applied for qualitative and quantitative detection of HS⁻ in different sources of water directly collected from sea, river, tap and laboratory drain water, as well as in growth media for aquatic species.     

A specific and selective chemiluminescent probe for Pd2+ detection

A modified 1,2-dioxetane is reported as a chemiluminescent imaging (CLI) approach for monitoring palladium(Ⅱ).     

A mercury(II) ion-selective electrode based on neutral salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone

A new ion-selective PVC membrane electrode based on salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone as an ionophore is developed successfully as sensor for mercury(II) ions. The electrode shows excellent potentiometric response characteristics and displays a linear log[Hg²⁺] versus EMF response over a wide concentration range of 1.778×10⁻⁶-1.0×10⁻¹ M with Nernstian slope of 29 mV per decade with the detection limit of 1.0×10⁻⁶ M. The response time of the electrode is less than 30 s and the membrane electrode operates well in the pH range of 1.0-3.0. The lifetime of the sensor is about 2 months. The electrode shows better selectivity towards Hg²⁺ ions in comparison with the alkali, alkaline and some heavy metal ions; most of these metal ions do not show significant interference (K^Pot_Hg,M values of the order of 10⁻³-10⁻⁴). The present sensor showed comparable or even better performance vis-à-vis similar PVC based ion-selective electrodes reported in literature. The sensor was also applied as an indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Hg²⁺ions with I⁻ and Cr₂O₇²⁻.     

A highly selective turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for copper(II) ion

A new pyrene derivative (1) containing a diaminomaleonitrile moiety exhibits high selectivity for Cu²⁺ detection. Significant fluorescence enhancement was observed with chemosensor 1 in the presence of Cu²⁺. However, the metal ions Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺ produced only minor changes in fluorescence values for the system. The apparent association constant (K_a) of Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was found to be 5.55×10³ M⁻¹. The maximum fluorescence enhancement caused by Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was observed over the pH range 5-7.5.     

Optical detection of cyanide by palladium(II)-dithiazolopyridine probe at the parts per billion level

Abstract

The ensemble of 2,6-bis(2-chlorophenyl)dithiazolo[4,5-b:5',4'-e]pyridine 1 with Pd²⁺ ions (1?Pd²⁺) was prepared for the detection of cyanide ions (CN^¯) in 50% aqueous methanol. Among the tested metal ions, only Pd²⁺ sensitively induced the red shift of the absorption bands and the complete decrease of fluorescence emission. The detection limit toward Pd²⁺ was 2?ppb. The ensemble 1?Pd²⁺ selectively and rapidly detected a low concentration of cyanide ions by a colorimetric change (40?ppb) as well as a “turn-on” fluorescent response (5?ppb). Job’s plot revealed the complex formation with 1:1 stoichiometry. The binding and replacement mode of 1?Pd²⁺ and CN^¯ were also confirmed by ¹H NMR titrations and IR analysis. In general, a fast and selective recognition of CN^¯ is reported.     

A fast,highly selective and sensitive dansyl-based fluorescent sensor for copper (II) ions and its imaging application in living cells

Since the copper ions (Cu²⁺) play a fatal role in many foundational physiological processes, it is important to develop a simple, highly sensitive and selective sensor for Cu²⁺ detection in living systems. Herein, an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and dansyl-based fluorescent chemosensor 1 was designed, synthesized and characterized for the sensitive and selective quantification of Cu²⁺. It exhibited remarkable fluorescence quenching upon addition of Cu²⁺ over other selected metal ions, attributed to the complex formation between 1 and Cu²⁺ with the association constant 6.7 × 10⁵ M^?1. The sensor 1 showed a fast and linear response towards Cu²⁺ in the concentration range from 0 to 12.5 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 with the detection limit of 2.5 × 10^?7 mol L^?1. This detection could be carried out in a wide pH range of 5.0–14. Furthermore, sensor 1 can be used for detecting Cu²⁺ in living cells.     

Determination of Thiourea by On–Off Fluorescence Using Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots

A thiourea-detecting fluorescence sensor with Hg²⁺ as a switch was developed using nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs). The surface of N-GQDs had many organic functional groups on which Hg²⁺ was effectively bound and turned off the fluorescence of the N-GQDs. The fluorescence of N-GQDs was turned on by the thiol functional group of thiourea that bound strongly with Hg²⁺ and formed Hg²⁺/thiourea complexes. After constructing the sensor, the experimental conditions and parameters, such as the pH and Hg²⁺ concentration, were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the constructed fluorescence sensor showed high sensitivity to thiourea at concentrations from 0.5 to 14?µM with a low detection limit of 41.7?nM. The sensor also exhibited high specificity, excellent stability, and good reproducibility so that the determination of thiourea in various samples had acceptable values with good recoveries from 99% to 106%. The relative standard deviation was less than 4.1% (n?=?3).     

Two highly selective fluorescence probes for imaging Pd2+ in cells and mice

Two rhodamine-based probes were designed and prepared, which exhibited highly sensitive and selective fluorescence enhancement upon binding to Pd²⁺ by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. Meanwhile the distinct color changes and rapid switch-on fluorescence also provided “naked-eyes” detection for Pd²⁺ over a broad pH range. The recognition mechanism was explored through Job’s plot, MS data, IR spectra and related theoretical calculations. Furthermore, the probes were applied for biological imaging to confirm that they can be used for monitoring Pd²⁺ in living cells (L929 and A549 cells) and living mice with satisfying results, which further demonstrated their value of practical applications in environmental and biological systems.