A H+/Ag+ Dual‐Target Responsive Label‐Free Light‐Up Probe Based on a DNA Triplex

We developed a dual‐target responsive sensor for label‐free light‐up fluorescent detection of protons (H⁺) and silver ions (Ag⁺) using an “OR′′ logic gate. Berberine, a cost‐effective and non‐toxic indicator, partially intercalates the formed triplex DNA in the presence of H⁺ or Ag⁺, generating enhanced fluorescence. The designed Ag⁺ probe has high selectivity and desirable sensitivity, which is necessary for practical use. The robust ”OR“ logic gate is capable of a rapid and reversible response to the H⁺ and/or Ag⁺ inputs.     

A Reusable DNA Single‐Walled Carbon‐Nanotube‐Based Fluorescent Sensor for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Ag+ and Cysteine in Aqueous Solutions

Here we report a reusable DNA single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)‐based fluorescent sensor for highly sensitive and selective detection of Ag⁺ and cysteine (Cys) in aqueous solution. SWNTs can effectively quench the fluorescence of dye‐labeled single‐stranded DNA due to their strong π–π stacking interactions. However, upon incubation with Ag⁺, Ag⁺ can induce stable duplex formation mediated by C–Ag⁺–C (C=cytosine) coordination chemistry, which has been further confirmed by DNA melting studies. This weakens the interactions between DNA and SWNTs, and thus activates the sensor fluorescence. On the other hand, because Cys is a strong Ag⁺ binder, it can remove Ag⁺ from C–Ag⁺–C base pairs and deactivates the sensor fluorescence by rewrapping the dye‐labeled oligonucleotides around the SWNT. In this way, the fluorescence signal‐on and signal‐off of a DNA/SWNT sensor can be used to detect aqueous Ag⁺ and Cys, respectively. This sensing platform exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity toward Ag⁺ and Cys versus other metal ions and the other 19 natural amino acids, with a limit of detection of 1 nM for Ag⁺ and 9.5 nM for Cys. Based on these results, we have constructed a reusable fluorescent sensor by using the covalent‐linked SWNT–DNA conjugates according to the same sensing mechanism. There is no report on the use of SWNT–DNA assays for the detection of Ag⁺ and Cys. This assay is simple, effective, and reusable, and can in principle be used to detect other metal ions by substituting C–C base pairs with other native or artificial bases that selectively bind to other metal ions.     

Polymer‐based colorimetric and “turn off” fluorescence sensor incorporating benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole moiety for Hg2+ Detection

A conjugated polymer was synthesized by the polymerization of 4,7‐dibromobenzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole ( M‐1 ) with tri{1,4‐diethynyl‐2,5‐bis(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)‐ethoxy)}‐benzene ( M‐2 ) via Pd‐catalyzed Sonogashira reaction. The polymer shows strong orange fluorescence. The responsive optical properties of the polymer on various metal ions were investigated through photoluminescence and UV–vis absorption measurements. The polymer displays highly sensitive and selective on‐off Hg²⁺ fluorescence quenching property in tetrahydrofuran solution in comparison with the other cations including Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺. More importantly, the fluorescent color of the polymer sensor disappears after addition of Hg²⁺, which could be easily detected by naked eyes. The results indicate that this kind of polymer sensor incorporating benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole moiety as a ligand can be used as a novel colorimetric and fluorometric sensor for Hg²⁺ detection. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

A Highly Copper‐Selective Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensor Based on BODIPY

A new ratiometric fluorescent sensor ( 1 ) for Cu²⁺ based on 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene (BODIPY) with di(2‐picolyl)amine (DPA) as ion recognition subunit has been synthesized and investigated in this work. The binding abilities of 1 towards different metal ions such as alkali and alkaline earth metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) and other metal ions ( Ba²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺) have been examined by UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. 1 displays high selectivity for Cu²⁺ among all test metal ions and a ～10‐fold fluorescence enhancement in I₅₈₂/I₅₅₈ upon excitation at visible excitation wavelength. The binding mode of 1 and Cu²⁺ is a 1:1 stoichiometry determined via studies of Job plot, the nonlinear fitting of the fluorometric titration and ESI mass.     

A Fluorescent Chemosensor for Al3+ Based on CO Isomerization Derivated from Curcumin

A simple and nontoxic fluorescent chemosensor of di‐O‐methyl curcumin has been prepared from curcumin. The sensor exhibited selective and sensitive fluorescent responses toward Al³⁺ over a wide range of metal ions, such as Mn²⁺, Ce³⁺, Pt²⁺, Sn⁴⁺, Hg⁺, Sb³⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cr³⁺ in ethanol/water. The free ligand showed quite weak fluorescence emission due to the isomerization of C?O double bond in the excited state, however, after addition of Al³⁺, fluorescence emission results in a prominent fluorescence enhancement.     

A New Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cu2+ Based on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10‐Decahydroacridine‐1,8‐dione Fluorophore

A new chemosensor for Cu²⁺ was synthesized based on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10‐decahydroacridine‐1,8‐dione dyes, which exhibited an obvious fluorescent selectivity to the sensing of Cu²⁺ ions over other cations, such as Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺. Moreover, it presented a fluorescent switch function when EDTA was added to the compound‐Cu²⁺ complex in examined systems.     

A New Fluorescent Chemosensor for Metal Ions Based upon 1,8‐Naphthalimide and 8‐Hydroxyquinoline

A new fluorescent chemosensor based upon 1,8‐naphthalimide and 8‐hydroxyquinoline was synthesized, and its fluorescent properties in the presence of different metal cations (Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ba²⁺) were investigated. It displayed fluorescence quenching with some heavy and transition metal (HTM) ions, and the quenching strongly depended on the nature of HTM ions.     

Synthesis of a novel poly(para‐phenylene ethynylene) for highly selective and sensitive sensing mercury (II) ions

A new poly(p‐phenylene ethynylene) derivative with pendant 2,2′‐bipyridyl groups and glycol units (PPE‐bipy) has been prepared, and its metal ion sensing properties were investigated. The polymer of PPE‐bipy exhibited high selectivity for Hg²⁺ as compared with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, Mn²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co,²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in THF/EtOH (1:1, v/v) solution. The fluorescence of PPE‐bipy was efficiently quenched by Hg²⁺ ions, and the detection limit was found to be 8.0 nM in a THF/EtOH (1:1, v/v) solvent system. PPE‐bipy also showed a selective chromogenic behavior toward Hg²⁺ ions by changing the color of the solution from slight yellow to colorless, which can be detected with the naked eye. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1998–2007, 2008     

Highly Efficient and Selective Membrane Transport of Silver(I) Using Dibenzodiaza‐15‐Crown‐4 as a Selective Ion Carrier

A chloroform membrane system containing dibenzodiaza‐15‐crown‐4 was found to be a highly efficient and selective transport of Ag⁺ ions through a chloroform liquid membrane. In the presence of thiosulfate ion as a suitable ion stripping agent in the receiving phase, the amount of silver transported across the liquid membrane after 105 minis 95 ± 1.3%. The selectivity of Ag⁺transport from aqueous solutions containing Tl⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺was investigated. The interfering effect of Cu²⁺ ions was drastically diminished in the presence of EDTA as a proper masking agent in the source phase.     

Reversible and Highly Selective Fluorescent Sensor for Mercury(II) Based on a Water‐Soluble Poly(para‐phenylene)s Containing Thymine and Sulfonate Moieties

A novel water‐soluble poly(para‐phenylene) derivative with pendant thymine and sulfonate units (PBTS) has been prepared and its metal ion sensing properties have been investigated. PBTS exhibited a reversible and selective fluorescence quenching behavior toward Hg²⁺ ions as compared to Ag⁺, Ni²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions in aqueous solution. The fluorescence quenching resulted from the interpolymeric π‐stacking aggregation which was induced by the specific thymine–Hg–thymine interaction.

     

A Highly Selective Colorimetric Sensor for Cu2+ Based on Phenolic Group Biscarbonyl Hydrazone

A novel copper selective sensor 2 based on hydrazide and salicylaldehyde has been designed and prepared. Sensor 2 behaves a single selectivity and sensitivity in the recognition for Cu²⁺ over other metal ions such as Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cr³⁺ and Mg²⁺ in DMSO. The distinct color change and the rapid changement of fluorescence emission provide naked‐eyes detection for Cu²⁺. The UV‐vis data indicate that 1:2 stoichiometry complex is formed by sensor 2 and Cu²⁺. The association constant K_s was 3.51×10⁴ mol^?1·L. The detection limitation of Cu²⁺ with the sensor 2 was 2.2×10^?7 mol·L^?1. The sensing of Cu²⁺ by this sensor was found to be reversible, with the Cu²⁺‐induced color being lost upon addition of EDTA.     

A pH optical and fluorescent sensor based on rhodamine modified on activated cellulose paper

A rhodamine‐based colorimetric and fluorescent pH chemosensor ( RhA ) was designed and synthesized via a coupling reaction between rhodamine ethylenediamine and succinic anhydride. RhA showed excellent pH response in aqueous solutions. In addition, common cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ag⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, Au³⁺, Pt²⁺, and Ru²⁺) did not interfere with the pH response. As it has the potential to be used as a portable pH sensor, RhA was immobilized on activated cellulose paper using N,N'‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and N,N'‐dimethylpyridin‐4‐amine (DMAP) as the coupling reagent to obtain a composite pH sensor ( CP‐RhA ). CP‐RhA was characterized by ATR‐FTIR, UV–vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy, and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CP‐RhA showed a rapid response in the pH range 1–8 through color and fluorescence changes. DFT calculations showed a blue‐shifted spectrum in the protonated form compared to the neutral form. Moreover, the pH sensor paper could be reused by dipping in NaOH. Thus, our work demonstrates the potential of the rhodamine dye composite for visualizing pH changes in real systems.     

Dulplex analysis of mercury and silver ions using a label-free fluorescent aptasensor

Label-free Hg²⁺ aptamer was used as a sensing element and the PicoGreen dye was specific to ultra-sensitive double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), which achieved novel fluorescence assay for detection of both mercury and silver ions. In this aptasensor, Hg²⁺ bound to thymidine (T) to form T–Hg^2+-T base pairs and Ag⁺ specifically interacted with C–C mismatches to produce C–Ag⁺–C base pairs. The conformation changes prevented the aptamer from binding to its complementary sequences to form dsDNA and caused a fluorescence intensity decrease with PicoGreen. The change in the fluorescence intensity made it possible to detect both Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ in a dose-dependent manner. The sensing system could detect as low as 5 × 10^–8 mol/L of Hg²⁺ and 9.3 × 10^–10 mol/L of Ag⁺. The fluorescent intensity changes in the system were specific for Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺, making this simple and cost-effective method extremely valuable in its future applications in monitoring Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ pollution in environmental analysis.     

Polymer‐based fluorescence sensors incorporating chiral binaphthyl and benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole moieties for Hg2+ detection

Three chiral polymers P‐1 , P‐2 , and P‐3 could be obtained by the polymerization of (R)‐6,6′‐dibutyl‐3,3′‐diiodo‐2, 2′‐binaphthol (R‐M‐1) , (R)‐6,6′‐dibutyl‐3,3′‐diiodo‐2,2′‐bisoctoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl ( R‐M‐2 ), and (R)‐6,6′‐dibutyl‐3,3′‐diiodo‐2,2′‐bis (diethylaminoethoxy)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl ( R‐M‐3 ) with 4,7‐diethynyl‐benzo[2,1,3]‐thiadiazole ( M‐1) via Pd‐catalyzed Sonogashira reaction, respectively. P‐1 , P‐2 , and P‐3 can show pale red, blue–green, and orange fluorescence. The responsive optical properties of these polymers on various metal ions were investigated by fluorescence spectra. Compared with other cations, such as Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺ can exhibit the most pronounced fluorescence response of these polymers. P‐1 and P‐2 show obvious fluorescence quenching effect upon addition of Hg²⁺, on the contrary, P‐3 shows fluorescence enhancement. Three polymer‐based fluorescent sensors also show excellent fluorescence response for Hg²⁺ detection without interference from other metal ions. The results indicate that these kinds of tunable chiral polybinaphthyls can be used as fluorescence sensors for Hg²⁺ detection. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 997–1006, 2010     

Silver(I)‐Selective PVC Membrane Potentiometric Sensor Based on a Recently Synthesized Calix[4]arene

A new PVC membrane potentiometric sensor for Ag(I) ion based on a recently synthesized calix[4]arene compound of 5,11,17,23‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐25,27‐dihydroxy‐calix[4]arene‐thiacrown‐4 is developed. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Ag(I) ions over a wide concentration range (1.0×10^?2?1.0×10^?6 M) with a slope of 53.8±1.6 mV per decade. It has a relatively fast response time (5–10 s) and can be used for at least 2 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed electrode shows high selectivity towards Ag⁺ ions over Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Sr²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ ions and can be used in a pH range of 2–6. Only interference of Hg²⁺ is found. It is successfully used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of a mixture of chloride, bromide and iodide ions.     

A Bis‐Oxime Derivative of Diaza‐18‐Crown‐6 as an Ionophore for Silver Ion

A new pendant‐arm derivative of diaza‐18‐crown‐6, containing two oxime donor groups, has been synthesized and incorporated into a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane ion‐selective electrode. The electrode shows selectivity for Ag⁺ ion, with a near Nernstian response. Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Tl⁺ are major interfering ions, with Cd²⁺ having minor interference. The electrode shows no potentiometric response for the ions Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, and La³⁺, and is responsive to H⁺ at pH<6.     

Bifunctional Ion‐Selective Electrode Based on C60‐Cryptand 22 for Silver and Iodine Ions

Fullerence C60‐cryptand 22 was prepared and successfully applied as the electric carrier in the PVC electrode membrane of a bifunctional ion‐selective electrode for cations, e.g., Ag⁺ ions as well as anions, e.g., I^? ions. The bifunctional ion‐selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 can be applied as a Silver (Ag⁺) ion selective electrode with an internal electrode solution of 10^?3 M AgNO₃ in water (pH = 6.3), or as an Iodide (I^?) ion selective electrode with an acidic internal electrode solution of 10^?4 M KI_(aq) (pH = 2) in which the cryptand 22 is protonated, and the C60‐cryptand 22 is changed to C60‐Cryptand22–H⁺ and becomes an anionic electro‐carrier to absorb the I^? ion. The Ag⁺ ion selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 gave a linear response with a near‐Nernstian slope (59.5 mV decade^?1) within the concentration range 10^?1‐10^?3 M Ag⁺_(aq). The Ag⁺ ion electrode exhibited comparatively good selectivity for silver ions, over other transition‐metal ions, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. The Ag⁺ ion selective electrode with good stability and reproducibility was successfully used for the titration of Ag⁺_(aq) with Cl^? ions. The Iodide (I^?) Ion selective electrode based on protonated C60–cryptand22‐H⁺ also showed a linear response with a nearly Nernstian slope (58.5 mV decade^?1) within 10^?1 ‐ 10^?3 M I^? _(aq) and exhibited good selectivity for I^? ions and had small selectivity coefficients (10^?2–10^?3) for most of other anions, e.g., F^? , OH^?, CH₃COO^?, SO₄^2?, CO₃^2?, CrO₄^2?, Cr₂O₇^2? and PO₄^3? ions.     

A Fluorescent Chemosensor for Dihydrogen Phosphate Ion Based on 2‐[2‐Hydroxy‐4‐(diethylamino) phenyl]‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐b]phenazine‐Fe3+ Ensemble

A long wavelength emission fluorescent (612 nm) chemosensor with high selectivity for H₂PO₄^? ions was designed and synthesized according to the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The sensor can exist in two tautomeric forms ('keto' and 'enol') in the presence of Fe³⁺ ion, Fe³⁺ may bind with the 'keto' form of the sensor. Furthermore, the in situ generated GY‐Fe³⁺ ensemble could recover the quenched fluorescence upon the addition of H₂PO₄^? anion resulting in an off‐on‐type sensing with a detection limit of micromolar range in the same medium, and other anions, including F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, AcO^?, HSO₄^?, ClO₄^? and CN^? had nearly no influence on the probing behavior. The test strips based on 2‐[2‐hydroxy‐4‐(diethylamino) phenyl]‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐b]phenazine and Fe³⁺ metal complex ( GY‐Fe³⁺ ) were fabricated, which could act as convenient and efficient H₂PO₄^? test kits.     

A Lead‐Selective Membrane Electrode Based Upon a Phosphorylated Hexahomotrioxacalix[3]Arene

Solvent extraction of a mixture of Pb^II, Mn^II, Fe^III, Co^II, Ni^II and Cd^II in aqueous perchlorate medium by a phosphorylated hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene (calix‐3) in dichloromethane shows a significant selectivity towards lead ions. The ligand can also be incorporated into a membrane to provide a new lead ion‐selective electrode (Pb^II‐ISE). A plasticized PVC membrane containing 30% PVC, 53.5% ortho‐nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE), 4.5% sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and 12% ionophore was directly coated on a graphite rod. This sensor gave a good Nernstian response of 29.7 ± 0.7 mV decade^?1 over a concentration range of 1 × 10^?8 – 1 × 10^?4 M of lead ions, independent of pH in the range 3‐7, with a detection limit of 0.4 × 10^?8 M. The dynamic response time of the electrode to achieve a steady potential was very fast and found to be less than 7 s. The selectivity relative to Ag⁺, NH₄⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺, La³⁺, Sm³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺, Y³⁺ and Th⁴⁺ was examined. The electrode exhibits adequate stability with good reproducibility (with a slope of 29.6 ± 1.5 mV for 8 weeks). The characteristics of the sensor are compared with those of a tetraphosphorylated calix[4]arene (calix‐4) based Pb^II‐ISE, reported recently. The electrode was successfully used as an indicator electrode for a potentiometric titration of a lead solution using a standard solution of EDTA. The applicability of the sensor for lead ion measurements in various synthetic samples was also investigated.     

Cationization of dendritic macromolecule adsorbates on metals studied by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) was utilized to study dendritic macromolecules with various architectures, such as dendrons, dendrimers and hyperbranched polyesters prepared from bis‐(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (Bis‐MPA) and a series of hyperbranched polyethers based on 3‐ethyl‐3(hydroxymethyl)oxetane. The measurements were performed on spin‐coated thin films of the branched molecules (D) onto silicon, chemically etched copper foil and silver‐coated wafers. They showed weak signatures of molecular ions by proton capture (D + H)⁺ in the high mass range of the spectra (m/z > 400). On the contrary, cationization of the intact molecules with alkali or transition metal ions such as Na⁺, Cu⁺ or Ag⁺ was observed. High‐intensity quasi‐molecular ions (D + M)⁺ (with M = Na⁺, Cu⁺ or Ag⁺) allowed the studied polymers to be identified. The whole molecular species were observed for Bis‐MPA dendrons and dendrimers up to 3000 Da for hydroxyl or acetonide‐terminated derivatives. The success of the so‐called cationization experiments with metal substrates compared with analysis of molecular adsorbates on silicon is highlighted. The ToF‐SIMS sensitivity appeared useful to provide information about the molecular end‐groups or to highlight incomplete reaction occurring during some deprotection step of the synthesis. Only uncationized fragments of low masses were detected for the hyperbranched polyesters. This result suggested the effect of molecular asymmetry and/or flattening of the molecules on the substrates, which hampered the molecule lift‐off efficiency. Nevertheless, the hyperbranched polyethers were characterized based on the peak distribution of intensities, which allowed estimation of their molecular weight average. This work was intended to illustrate the capabilities of ToF‐SIMS to analyse dendritic polymers on surfaces. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.