Zinc selective chemosensor based on pyridyl-amide fluorescence

Chemosensors are developed to image zinc ions. Fluorescence enhancement due to Zn²⁺ binding is an excellent way to detect its presence. A chemosensor for Zn²⁺ based on dipicolylamine (DPA) groups connected by a pyridyl amide backbone has been synthesized. Addition of 2-chloroacetyl chloride to 2,6-diaminopyridine affords 2,6-bis(chloroethylamido)pyridine, which is converted to the sensor BADPA-P by 2,2′-dipicolylamine displacement of chlorine. This compound along with two others, the mono-DPA, ADPA-P and the benzyl in place of pyridyl, BADPA-B, present three potential Zn²⁺ sensors. It was found that BADPA-P in the presence of Zn²⁺ shows a large increase in fluorescence, whether in polar organic or aqueous environments. Its fluorescence in the presence of Cd²⁺, unlike with Zn²⁺, is not enhanced when excited at longer wavelengths. Proton NMR measurements, indicate two Zn²⁺ ions bind to BADPA-P. Also, Zn²⁺ enhances fluorescence even when other metal ions are present.     

A porphyrin derivative containing 2-(oxymethyl)pyridine units showing unexpected ratiometric fluorescent recognition of Zn2+ with high selectivity

A porphyrin derivative (1), containing two 2-(oxymethyl)pyridine units has been designed and synthesized as chemosensor for recognition of metal ions. Unlike many common porphyrin derivatives that show response to different heavy metal ions, compound 1 exhibits unexpected ratiometric fluorescence response to Zn²⁺ with high selectivity. The response of the novel chemosensor to zinc was based on the porphyrin metallation with cooperating effect of 2-(oxymethyl)pyridine units. The change of fluorescence of 1 was attributed to the formation of an inclusion complex between porphyrin ring and Zn²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 1.04 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of the fabrication of the Zn²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Zn²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The sensor can be applied to the quantification of Zn²⁺ with a linear range covering from 3.2 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.8 × 10⁻⁴ M and a detection limit of 5.5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 to Zn²⁺ is pH-independent in medium condition (pH 4.0-8.0) and show excellent selectivity for Zn²⁺ over transition metal cations.     

Auxiliary aromatic-acid effect on the structures of a series of Zn coordination polymers: Syntheses, crystal structures, and photoluminescence properties

Five novel Zn^II-(pyridyl)imidazole derivative coordination polymers, [Zn(L)₂] (1), [Zn₂(μ₃-OH)L(m-BDC)] (2), [Zn₂(μ₃-OH)L(p-BDC)]·H₂O (3), [Zn₂L(BTC)(H₂O)]·2.5H₂O (4) and [Zn_3.5(μ₃-OH)L₂(BTEC)(H₂O)]·H₂O (5) (L=4-((2-(pyridine-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoic acid, p-H₂BDC=1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, m-H₂BDC=1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₃BTC=1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, H₄BTEC=1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid), were successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions through varying auxiliary aromatic-acid ligands and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 exhibits a 1D chain linked via double L bridges. Compound 2 features a well-known pcu topology with bent dicarboxylate ligand (m-H₂BDC) as an auxiliary ligand, while 3 displays a bcu network with linear dicarboxylate ligand (p-H₂BDC) as an auxiliary ligand. The structure of compound 4 is a novel 3D (3,5)-connected network with (4·6²)(4·6⁴·8²·10·12²) topology. It is interesting that compound 5 shows an intricate (3,4,8)-connected framework with (4·6²)(4²·6³·8)(4²·6⁴)(4²·6¹⁸·7·8⁶·10) topology. In addition, their infrared spectra (IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XPRD) and photoluminescent properties were also investigated in detail.     

Synthesis, NMR characterization and ion binding properties of 1,3-bridged p-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]crown-6 bearing pyridyl pendant groups

1,3-Di(2-pyridylmethoxy)-p-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene-crown-6 (2) was synthesized for the first time. 2 was isolated in a cone conformation in solution at room temperature, as established by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C and NOESY). Complete assignment of both proton and carbon NMR spectra was achieved by a combination of COSY, HSQC and HMBC experiments. The binding properties of ligand 2 towards alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal cations have been assessed by phase transfer and proton NMR titration experiments. The results are compared to those obtained with other dihomooxacalix[4]arene-crowns-6 and closely-related calix[4]arene-crown derivatives. 2 shows a preference for the soft heavy metal cations (except for Cd²⁺), with a very strong affinity for Ag⁺. Some transition metal cations are also well extracted. 2 forms 1:1 complexes with K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ag⁺, and ¹H NMR titrations indicate that they should be encapsulated into the cavity defined by the crown ether unit and by the two pyridyl pendant arms. A 1:2 (ML₂) complex is formed with Zn²⁺ and two species, probably 1:1 and 1:2 complexes, are obtained with Pb²⁺.     

Conformationally regulated fluorescent sensors. Study of the selectivity in Zn versus Cd sensing

The Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ complexing properties of four ligands containing a 4,4′-substituted biphenyl moiety are described. Ligands 1 and 3, containing only one 1-aza-18-crown-6 cavity, lead to selective complexation of Cd²⁺ versus Zn²⁺. Ligand 4, with two crown cavities linked to a tetramethylbenzidine unit, is able to form 1:1 complexes with Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺, showing a higher complexing constant with Zn²⁺ than with Cd²⁺, probably due to enthalpic factors. Several complementary experiments suggest that the 1:1 complexes formed by ligand 4 involve both crown cavities acting together to give rise to clamp structures. The formation of this type of zinc complex gives rise to red shifted emission bands and distinct quenching of the fluorescence. A similar situation is observed with cadmium but the change is then less pronounced. When mixtures of both salts are used, ligand 4 selectively responds to zinc. Finally, ligand 2, which also has two crown cavities but contains nitro rather than amino groups in the biphenyl moiety, shows no propensity to form clamp complexes and, for this reason, it complexes cadmium much more strongly than zinc and binds the former selectively when mixtures of both salts are used in complexing experiments.     

Metallomesogens derived from benzoxazoles-salicylaldimine conjugates

The synthesis, characterization, and mesomorphic properties of a new series of Schiff bases 2a-h and metal complexes 1a-h-M are prepared and their mesomorphic properties studied. Two single crystallographic structures of 2d (n=12, m=1) and 1g-Pd (n=m=12) were determined by X-ray analysis. Both compounds crystallize in a triclinic space group P−1. A dimeric structure formed by intermolecular H-bonds in 2d was observed, giving nematic phase due to a better aspect ratio. The central geometry at Pd²⁺ ion is nearly perfect square plane. All Schiff bases 2a-h formed N or/and SmC phases. The formation of mesophases of complexes 1a-h-M was strongly dependent on metal ions incorporated. All Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Pd²⁺ complexes exhibited N or/and SmC phase, respectively. However, Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺ complexes were not mesogenic. The lack of mesomorphism was probably attributed to a preferred tetrahedral geometry at Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺ over a square-planar geometry at Cu²⁺ and Pd²⁺.     

Ruthenium monoterpyridine complexes with 2,6-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)pyridine as an ancillary ligand: Synthesis,structure and spectral studies

Ruthenium monoterpyridine complexes, [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺, with 2,6-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)pyridine as an ancillary ligand, L, have been synthesized and characterized by UV–Vis, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The formulations of the complexes were confirmed by the single crystal structure of their perchlorate salts. In both complexes, the Ru^II center is hexa-coordinated in a distorted geometry. In complex [1]⁺, the ancillary ligand L behaves as a bidentate ligand; in [2]²⁺, however, it binds the metal center as a tridentate ligand. The central pyridine nitrogen of terpyridine (N_p,trpy) is in a cis position with respect to the central pyridine nitrogen of the ancillary ligand (N_p,benz) in complex [1]⁺ and in a trans-position in complex [2]²⁺. The cis orientation of N_p,trpy and N_p,benz in complex [1]⁺ forces L to behave as bidentate. The quasi-reversible Ru^II/Ru^III couple appears at 0.90 and 1.44 V versus SCE in the case of complex [1]⁺ and [2]²⁺, respectively. [1]⁺, in the presence of aqueous AgNO₃, affords [2]²⁺ through an intramolecular dissociative interchange pathway.     

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.     

Selective turn-on fluorescence for Zn and Zn + Cd metal ions by single Schiff base chemosensor

Chemosensor based on Schiff base molecules (1, 2) were synthesized and demonstrated the selective fluoro/colorimetric sensing of multiple metal ions (Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺) in acetonitrile–aqueous solution. Both 1 and 2 showed a highly selective naked-eye detectable colorimetric change for Mn²⁺ ions at 10⁻⁷ M. Fluorescence sensing studies of 1 and 2 exhibited a strong fluorescence enhancement (36 fold) selectively upon addition of Zn²⁺ (10⁻⁷ M, λ_max = 488 nm). Fluorescence titration and single crystal X-ray analysis confirmed the formation of 1:1 molecular coordination complex between 1 and Zn²⁺. Interestingly, a rare phenomenon of strong second turn-on fluorescence (190 fold, λ_max = 466 nm) was observed by the addition of Cd²⁺ (10⁻⁷ M) into 1 + Zn²⁺ or Zn²⁺ (10⁻⁷ M) into 1 + Cd²⁺. Importantly both 1 and 2 exhibited different fluorescence λ_max with clearly distinguishable color for both Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺.     

CATALYTIC HYDROLYSIS OF P-NITROPHENYL PICOLNATE BY BIOXOCYLAM ZINC(II) COMPLEXES IN MICELLAR SOLUTION

The effects of dioxocyclam Zn³ ion complexes in micellar solution on ihe hydrolysis of PNPP have been investigated in this paper. Second order rate constants of Ihe hydrolysis of PNPP catalyzed by dio*ocyclam Zn²⁺ion complexes at various pH and the deprotonation constants of H₂ cooriinated to the dioxocyclam Zn²⁺ion complexes pKwere determined kinetically, and the catalytic mechanism was discussed. The results unexpectedly showed that the activation was much larger for Itpophilic ligand under miccllar condition than for bydrophilic ligands under non-miccllar conditions, indicating the dioxocyclam Zn²⁺ ion complex to be an excellent model of carbonic anhydnue.     

A novel dinuclear double-stranded helical complexes of bis(terdentate) N4O2 donor ligand with silver(I) and zinc(II) d metal ions

Reaction of the hexadentate N₄O₂-donor ligand 6,6′-bis(3-hydrazonobutan-2-one)-2,2′-bipyridine (L) with Ag^(I) and Zn^(II) affords a dinuclear double stranded helicate species [Ag₂L₂]²⁺ (1a) and [Zn₂L₂]²⁺ (1b), in which partitioning of the ligand into two bis-tridentate pyridyl-ketoimine chelating units allow each ligand to bridge both metal centres. X-ray crystallography, ESI-MS and UV–Vis spectrophotometric titration experiments reveal that the complex (1a) retains its solid-state structure in solution. The crystal structure of (1a) provides the first example of dinuclear silver(I) complex in which both of the metal centres can be approximated as a seven coordinate distorted mono-capped trigonal prism in which the Ag?Ag close contact of 3.034(4) Å is taken into account and forms the cap. The counter-ions do not interact with metal centres but hydrogen bond to N–H protons of the hydrazonic arms from the separate strands. The adjacent helical units are cross-linked together via NH?O_keto hydrogen bonding to maintain the supramolecular structure.     

Salicylaldehyde hydrazones as fluorescent probes for zinc ion in aqueous solution of physiological pH

Salicylaldehyde hydrazones of 1 and 2 were synthesized and their potential as fluorescent probes for zinc ion was investigated in this paper. Both of the probes were found to show fluorescence change upon binding with Zn²⁺ in aqueous solutions, with good selectivity to Zn²⁺ over other metal ions such as alkali/alkali earth metal ions and heavy metal ions of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺. They showed 1:2 metal-to-ligand ratio when their Zn²⁺ complex was formed. By introducing pyrene as fluorophore, 2 showed interesting ratiometric response to Zn²⁺. Under optimal condition, 2 exhibited a linear range of 0-5.0 μM and detection limit of 0.08 μM Zn²⁺ in aqueous buffer, respectively. The detection of Zn²⁺ in drinking water samples using 2 as fluorescent probe was successful.     

A quinoline-polyamine conjugate as a fluorescent chemosensor for quantitative detection of Zn(II) in water

A simple ligand (L1), a diethylenetriamine bearing two end quinoline fragments, was synthesized. Without metal cations, L1 shows no fluorescence at pH 2-13; however, Zn²⁺ addition creates strong fluorescence at pH 5-12. The emission intensity exhibits linear and stoichiometrical response to the Zn²⁺ amount. No remarkable emission enhancement was, however, observed for other cations.     

Syntheses, structures and photoelectronic properties of a series of tri- and tetra-nuclear metal complexes based on a 36-membered tetraphenol macrocyclic ligand

In this article, tetranuclear Zn^II coordination complexes [Zn₄L(μ₂-OH)₂]·2(NO₃)·6(CH₃OH)·H₂O (1) and [Zn₄L(μ₂-OH)₂(H₂O)₂]·(p-bdc)·2(CH₃OH)·3H₂O (2), dinuclear Zn^II complex [Zn₄L(NH₂-bdc)₂]·2(CH₃OH)·3H₂O (3), and trinuclear Cd^II complexes [Cd₃L(m-bdc)]·6.5H₂O (4) and [Cd₃L(NH₂-bdc)]·5.5H₂O (5), based on a tetraphenol 36-membered macrocycle (L) having four ethylenediamine and four 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol functionalities, have been synthesized at room temperature (p-bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, NH₂-bdc = 5-aminoisophthalate and m-bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate). In 1 and 2, four Zn^II centers are bridged by phenoxide and hydroxy atoms of the L ligands to form tetranuclear Zn^II complexes. The inorganic and organic anions in 1 and 2 do not coordinate to Zn^II centers, but act as counter anions. In 3, two Zn^II centers are bridged by two phenoxide O atoms to form a Zn^II cluster (Zn₂O₂N₄). Moreover, two (Zn₂O₂N₄) clusters within the ring of the L ligand are further bridged by two NH₂-bdc anions in a monodentate fashion. Compound 4 possesses the trinuclear Cd^II clusters (Cd₃N₈O₈), which has a similar structure to compound 5. The trinuclear Cd^II clusters are bridged by the dicarboxylate anions to yield an infinite coordination polymers chain. The photoelectric transfer properties of complexes 1, 2 and 4 were investigated by surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and the field-induced surface photovoltage spectra (FISPS) techniques. The results reveal that the complexes exhibit positive surface photovoltage (SPV) responses in the range of 300-600 nm, possessing the p-type semiconductor characteristics. So far, the surface photovoltage properties of the macrocycle complexes based on tetraphenol macrocyclic ligands were investigated for the first time. Moreover, elemental analyses, IR spectra, and luminescent properties of these compounds were also studied.     

Structural characterization of a copper(II) complex containing oxidative cyclization of N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea,new ligands of 4-picolylthiourea derivatives and the precursor molecular structure of oxidative cyclization of N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea

Three new compounds of aryl thiourea derivatives, namely N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea (L1), N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea (L2) and N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-(4-nitrophenyl)thiourea (L3), and the new copper(II) complex [Cu(4PicTz4OMePh)(OAC)(EtOH)] (C1), as a result of oxidative cyclization of the ligand (L1), were synthesized. In addition, pure precursor (P1), as the product of the oxidative cyclization of N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea (L4), was isolated and characterized. Ligands (L1) and (L2) were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and single crystal X-ray analysis. ¹H NMR spectroscopy showed strong hydrogen bonding interactions between N′H-functionalities and the pyridine nitrogen atoms as well as weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the thione sulfur and the NH hydrogen. Structural studies of complex (C1) showed that the copper ion is five-coordinated with a square-pyramidal environment. The oxidative cyclization of ligand (L1) results in an anionic bidentate ligand in complex (C1). Both ligand (L1) and precursor (P1) crystallize as centrosymmetric dimers.     

A chemosensor showing discriminating fluorescent response for highly selective and nanomolar detection of Cu and Zn and its application in molecular logic gate

A fluorescent based receptor (4Z)-4-(4-diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene amino)-1,2dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenylpyrazol-3-one (receptor 3) was developed for the highly selective and sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in semi-aqueous system. The fluorescence of receptor 3 was enhanced and quenched, respectively, with the addition of Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions over other surveyed cations. The receptor formed host-guest complexes in 1:1 stoichiometry with the detection limit of 5 nM and 15 nM for Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions, respectively. Further, we have effectively utilized the two metal ions (Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) as chemical inputs for the manufacture of INHIBIT type logic gate at molecular level using the fluorescence responses of receptor 3 at 450 nm.     

Imino-enamine tautomerism and dynamic prototropy in 1-imino-3-amino-1H-indens

The tautomeric structures and dynamic prototropic behavior of the products 1 and 2 obtained in the condensation reaction of 1,3-indandione and 2-pyridyl-1,3-indandione with p-toluidine, respectively, were investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. In the solid state, compound 1 is in an imino-enamine tautomeric form, whereas in solution it coexists with an imino-imino tautomeric form. Dynamic 1,5-prototropic interconversion of the imino-enamine form was revealed to be very fast at room temperature by temperature-dependent ¹H NMR spectra. For 2, the imino-enamine form is the only species present in solution. The hydrogen of the enamine NH is hydrogen-bonded intramolecularly with the nitrogen in the pyridine ring. When the temperature is raised, the NH proton enters into dynamic 1,5-migration, which is accompanied by internal rotation around the pivot bond, which changes the hydrogen-bonding sites. For the condensation product 3 of 2-(2-quinolyl)-1,3-indandione with p-butylaniline, dynamic behavior similar to that found in 2 was observed also in ¹³C NMR spectra.     

Synthesis and complexation properties of novel triazoyl-based ferrocenyl ligands

Two new ligand derivatives of ferrocene, namely N-4-[3,5-di-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazoyl]ferrocene carbimine (L1) and N-4-[3,5-di-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazoyl]ferrocene carbamide (L2), were synthesised in good yields by reacting the known compound 3,5-di-pyridine-2-yl-[1,2,4]triazol-4-ylamine (1) with ferrocenecarbaldehyde and chlorocarbonyl ferrocene, respectively. The structures of L1 and L2 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexation of L1 and L2 with Cu^I, Ag^I, Zn^II and Cd^II was studied by NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, as well as by electrochemistry, with titrations used to determine metal:ligand stoichiometries. The cyclic voltammograms of L1 and L2 and their respective complexes indicated reversible one-electron transfers corresponding to the Fc^0/+ redox couple (Fc = ferrocene), with formal electrode potentials shifting to more positive values upon metal complexation.     

Hydrothermal syntheses, crystal structures and properties of three coordination frameworks based on a new semirigid ligand and benzenedicarboxylate

Three novel polymers, {[Cd(m-bdc)(L)]·H₂O}_n (1), [Co(m-bdc)(L)_0.5(H₂O)]_n (2) and [Zn₅(L)₂(p-bdc)₅(H₂O)]_n (3) based on 1,1′-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-2,2′-biimidazole (L) ligand and benzenedicarboxylate isomers, have been prepared and structurally characterized. Compound 1 exhibits a 2D architecture with (4²·6)(4²·6⁷·8) topology, which is synthesized by L and 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate (m-bdc) ligands. Compound 2 is constructed from 1D chains that are linked by L ligands extending a 2D (4,4) grid. Compound 3 is a 3D framework with (4³)(4⁶·6¹⁸·8⁴) topology, which is composed of trinuclear clusters and five-coordinated metal centers joined through 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (p-bdc) and L ligands. Moreover, the fluorescent properties of L ligand, compounds 1 and 3 are also determined.     

Biologically inspired one-pot access routes to 4-hydroxybenzothiazole amino acids, red hair-specific markers of UV susceptibility and skin cancer risk

The first practical access to 4-hydroxy-6-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)benzothiazole and 4-hydroxy-7-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)benzothiazole (1b and 2b) and the corresponding 2-carboxy-derivatives 1a and 2a is reported, involving one-pot sequential Zn²⁺-assisted biomimetic oxidation of l-dopa and l-cysteine, 5-S-cysteinyldopa or 2-S-cysteinyldopa.