Isothiouronium-modified gold nanoparticles capable of colorimetric sensing of oxoanions in aqueous MeOH solution

Isothiouronium-modified gold nanoparticles 1 with an average diameter of 5.8 nm were synthesized from bis(5-(N,N′-dimethyl-S-isothiouronio)pentyl) disulfide 2. The surface plasmon band at 524 nm in 10% (v/v) H₂O-MeOH showed a selective red shift upon adding anions, making this potentially useful as a new anion sensor material.     

A fluorescence-active 1,3-bis(isothiouronium)-derived naphthalene exhibiting versatile binding modes toward oxoanions in aqueous MeCN solution: new methodology for sensing oxoanions

A unique binding property of the PET (photoinduced electron transfer) sensor 1 is described, in which a naphthalene moiety at the 1,3-positions is attached by isothiouronium units that serve as anion-binding units. Fluorescence emission (λ_max=339 nm) was significantly switched on at an excitation wavelength of 279 nm upon recognition of anion in 6% (v/v) H₂O/MeCN solution at 25 °C. Titration curves with HPO₄²⁻ and AcO⁻ differ greatly; that with HPO₄²⁻ shows a stoichiometric 2:1 host-to-guest binding, whereas that with AcO⁻ shows a biphasic 1:1 and 1:2 host-to-guest binding, reflecting principally the charged shapes of the oxoanions. This finding is attributable to the plural built-in isothiouronium units with a high anion-binding ability, and suggests a new way to develop fluorescent sensors for oxoanion recognition.     

Evaluation of anion selectivity in protic media by squaramide-Cresol Red ensembles

A new series of positively charged squaramide-ammonium compounds 1-6 bind sulfate and hydrogen phosphate in ethanol-water mixtures by a combination of electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. A sensing ensemble composed of Cresol Red and an squaramide receptor signals the association events of these anions. Competitive experiments in ethanol-water mixtures (9:1) reveal a moderate selectivity for sulfate over hydrogen phosphate and suggest that squaramide 4, featuring an intermediate distance between squaramide subunits, is better suited for complexation of sulfate.     

Influence of dimensionality and charge on anion binding in amide-based macrocyclic receptors

The influence of dimensionality and charge on anion binding and structure is explored for a selected series of amide-based macrocyclic receptors. Monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic hosts are described in terms of affinities towards simple oxo anions (including acetate) and halides. Binding propensities tend to vary, although some selectivity patterns emerge for similar ligand frameworks. Some anions also exert a template influence the cyclization reactions during the synthesis of host precursors. Structurally sandwich complexes are often formed in the monocycles, while bicycles tend to encapsulate their guests. Multiple anions plus water molecules are often found in the larger bicycles. Added charge via quaternization or protonation tends to enhance binding by one or two orders of magnitude while maintaining the same selectivity patterns.     

Tunable fluorescent sensing of cysteine and homocysteine by intramolecular charge transfer

An amphiphilic oligo p-phenylene derivative (DCHO) bearing electron-donating group (–NH(CH₂)₂OH) and electron-withdrawing group (–CHO) has been synthesised and characterised. The sensing characteristics of this probe (DCHO) for cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy) are studied in a mixture solution of DMSO–HEPES by UV–vis and fluorescence spectra. ¹H NMR, MALDI-TOF and UV–vis titration experiments proved that thiazolidine and thiazinane derivatives were formed. The highly Cys/Hcy-selective fluorescence hypsochromic shift (>110 nm) can be observed due to the switching of intramolecular charge transfer, leading to potential fabrication of ratiometric fluorescent detection of Cys/Hcy.     

Rotaxanes capable of recognising chloride in aqueous media

A new, versatile chloride-anion-templating synthetic pathway is exploited for the preparation of a series of eight new [2]rotaxane host molecules, including the first sulfonamide interlocked system. (1)H NMR spectroscopic titration investigations demonstrate the rotaxanes' capability to selectively recognise the chloride anion in competitive aqueous solvent media. The interlocked host's halide binding affinity can be further enhanced and tuned through the attachment of electron-withdrawing substituents and by increasing its positive charge. A dicationic rotaxane selectively binds chloride in 35% water, wherein no evidence of oxoanion binding is observed. NMR spectroscopy, X-ray structural analysis and computational molecular dynamics simulations are used to account for rotaxane formation yields, anion binding strengths and selectivity trends.     

Tunability of anion binding strength based on acyl-thiourea receptors containing isatin group

Some acyl-thiourea derivatives containing isatin group were synthesized and their interactions with anions were investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy and ¹H NMR titrations in DMSO and DMSO-d₆, respectively. These compounds have a same molecular framework, functionalising with different groups lead to different anion binding strength of these receptors. Receptor 1 showed a higher binding affinity for AcO⁻ than for F⁻, due to the cooperative multiple hydrogen bond interactions of AcO⁻ with the acyl-thiourea group and N–H group in the indole unit of receptor 1. Displacing the N–H proton in the indole unit with –CH₃ group, receptor 2 showed no obviously discriminative responses for F⁻, AcO⁻ and H₂PO₄⁻ due to lack of such additional binding. In the case of receptor 3, which was functionalised with strong electron-withdrawing group, it showed selectively chromogenic response for F⁻ based on double deprotonation of the receptor in DMSO, whereas AcO⁻ and H₂PO₄⁻ induced single deprotonation only.     

An anthracene based bispyridinium amide receptor for selective sensing of anions

A new receptor has been designed and synthesized for selective recognition of anions through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The recognition ability has been studied by fluorescence, UV-vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopic methods. The results demonstrate that the receptor exhibits good recognition ability towards anions and shows strong binding to AcO⁻, and F⁻.     

An efficient thiourea-based colorimetric chemosensor for naked-eye recognition of fluoride and acetate anions: UV-vis and HNMR studies

An efficient colorimetric chemosensor with a thiourea binding site and 2-amino-6-nitrobenothiazole as a signaling unit has been synthesized by dithiocarbamate approach. The chemosensor has been utilized for selective recognition of fluoride and acetate anions in dry DMSO solution by UV-vis and ¹H NMR titration experiments. The chemosensor has shown naked-eye sensitivity for both the anions in solution.     

Benzobis(imidazolium)-cucurbit[8]uril complexes for binding and sensing aromatic compounds in aqueous solution

The utilities of benzobis(imidazolium) salts (BBIs) as stable and fluorescent components of supramolecular assemblies involving the macrocyclic host, cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]), are described. CB[8] has the unusual ability to bind tightly and selectively to two different guests in aqueous media, typically methyl viologen (MV) as the first guest, followed by an indole, naphthalene, or catechol-containing second guest. Based on similar size, shape, and charge, tetramethyl benzobis(imidazolium) (MBBI) was identified as a potential alternative to MV that would increase the repertoire of guests for cucurbit[8]uril. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies showed that MBBI binds to CB[8] in a 1:1 ratio with an equilibrium association constant (K(a)) value of 5.7×10(5) M(-1), and that the resulting MBBI·CB[8] complex binds to a series of aromatic second guests with K(a) values ranging from 10(3) to 10(5) M(-1). These complexation phenomena were supported by mass spectrometry, which confirmed complex formation, and a series of NMR studies that showed the expected upfield perturbation of aromatic peaks and of the MBBI methyl peaks. Surprisingly, the binding behavior of MBBI is strikingly similar to that of MV, and yet MBBI offers a number of substantial advantages for many applications, including intrinsic fluorescence, high chemical stability, and broad synthetic tunability. Indeed, the intense fluorescence emission of the MBBI·CB[8] complex was quenched upon binding to the second guests, thus demonstrating the utility of MBBI as a component for optical sensing. Building on these favorable properties, the MBBI·CB[8] system was successfully applied to the sequence-selective recognition of peptides as well as the controlled disassembly of polymer aggregates in water. These results broaden the available guests for the cucurbit[n]uril family and demonstrate potentially new applications.     

A rigid conjugated pyridinylthiazole derivative and its nanoparticles for divalent copper fluorescent sensing in aqueous media

A rigid conjugated pyridinylthiazole derivative (1) and two bithiazole derivatives with similar structures (2, 3) were synthesized and characterized. Their optical properties were investigated through spectral analysis. By applying the three compounds to Cu²⁺ ions detection, it was shown that compound 1 could be employed as a selective and sensitive Cu²⁺ ions fluorescent chemosensor. For aqueous assay, the nanoparticles of compound 1 were prepared in aqueous media. Compared to the monomer, 1 nanoparticles were more fluorescence sensitive to Cu²⁺ ions. Its binding mode with Cu²⁺ ions was correlated well with Langmuir equation. Compound 1 nanoparticles exhibit a dynamic working range for Cu²⁺ ions from 0.02 to 0.50 μM with a detection limit of 10 nM. The proposed chemosensor has been used for the direct measurement of Cu²⁺ content in drinking water samples with satisfying results.     

Unique fluoride anion complexation in basic media by 5,5-dioxophenothiazine bis(phenylurea) and bis(phenylthiourea)

The anion recognition properties of the newly synthesized 5,5-dioxophenothiazine bis(phenylurea) and bis(phenylthiourea) were investigated in acetonitrile using UV–vis spectroscopy. While most of the studied anions were bound only by the neutral receptors, fluoride and acetate were complexed even by the deprotonated ones.     

Anion recognition and sensing in organic and aqueous media using luminescent and colorimetric sensors

This review article focuses primarily on the work carried in our laboratories over the last few years using luminescent and colorimetric sensors, where the anion recognition occurs through hydrogen bonding in organic or aqueous solvents. This review begins with the story of the discovery of fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer (PET) sensors for anions using charged neutral urea or thiourea receptors where both fluorescent and NMR spectroscopic methods monitored anion recognition. This work led to the development of dual luminescent and colorimetric anion sensors based on the use of the ICT based naphthalimide chromophore, where ions such as fluoride gave rise to changes in both the fluorescence and the absorption spectra of the sensors, but at different concentrations. Here, the former changes were due to hydrogen bonding interactions, whereas the latter was due to the deprotonation of acidic protons, giving rise to the formation of the bifluoride anion (HF₂⁻). Modification of the 4-amino-l,8-naphthalimide moiety has facilitated the formation of colorimetric anion sensors that work both in organic or aqueous solutions. Such charge neutral receptor motifs have also been incorporated into organic scaffolds with norbomyl and calixarene backbones, which have enabled us to produce anion directed self-assembled structures.     

The hydrolysis of pyridilmonoimines in acidic aqueous media

The rates of hydrolysis of some pyridilmonoimines have been investigated in aqueous methanol medium of acetate buffer. The hydrolysis of the studied bases found to be slower than that of benzylideneaniline. It is evident from the dependent of the rate constants upon the buffer concentration that the rate equation has the form of special and general acid catalysis. From the results it is suggested that the rate-determining step appears to be the protonation of the nitrogen atom of the imino group of the monoamines at the employed pH.     

A new terpyrrolic analogue of dipyrrolylquinoxalines: an efficient optical-based sensor for anions in organic media

The synthesis and X-ray structural characterization of a new terpyrrolic analog of dipyrrolylquinoxaline (DPQ) is described that contains two pyrrole anion recognition groups bridged by a central 1,2-linked pyrrole. Relative to the ‘parent’ DPQ system, this new terpyrrolic scaffold acts as an improved colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for halide and dihydrogen phosphate anions in organic media. This enhancement is particularly dramatic in the case of H₂PO₄⁻ (studied as its tetrabutylammonium salt); in CH₂Cl₂ it is bound with an affinity constant, K, of 17,500 M⁻¹ by the terpyrrole of this report vs. 80 M⁻¹ in the case of DPQ. The present findings thus support the emerging notion that a range of pyrrole-based anion recognition and sensing systems may be produced by replacing the central quinoxaline spacer in DPQs by other bridging subunits and that these new receptors may have properties that differ dramatically from their DPQ ‘parents’.     

Anion binding and transport by steroid-based receptors

The steroid nucleus is well-established as a scaffold for anion receptors. The bile acids are especially useful, providing inexpensive starting points with helpful substitution patterns. This article describes developments since an earlier review in 2003. Included are podand and cyclic structures, uncharged and positive receptors, and various arrays of H-bond donor and other binding functionality. Applications have been found in anion sensing, selective extractions, transport across bilayer membranes, and the discovery of antibiotics.