A pyrene-benzthiazolium conjugate portraying aggregation induced emission,a ratiometric detection and live cell visualization of HSO3

The present study deals with the photophysical property of a pyrene-benzthiazolium conjugate R1, as a strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) probe exhibiting long wavelength emission in the red region. Unlike traditional planar polyaromatic hydrocarbons whose aggregation generally quenches the light emission, the pyrene based R1 was found to display aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property along with simultaneous increase in its quantum yield upon increasing the water content of the medium. The R1 exhibits high specificity towards HSO₃⁻/SO₃²⁻ by interrupting its own ICT producing there upon a large ratiometric blue shift of ∼220 nm in its emission spectrum. The lowest detection limit for the above measurement was found to be 8.90 × 10⁻⁸ M. The fluorescent detection of HSO₃⁻ was also demonstrated excellently by test paper strip and silica coated TLC plate incorporating R1. The live cell imaging of HSO₃^─ through R1 in HeLa cells was studied using fluorescence microscopic studies. The particle size and morphological features of R1 and R1-HSO₃⁻ aggregates in aqueous solution were characterized by DLS along with SEM analysis.     

A two-photon fluorescent turn-on probe for imaging of SO2 derivatives in living cells and tissues

SO₂ and its derivatives (bisulfite/sulfite) play crucial roles in several physiological processes. Therefore, development of reliable analytical methods for monitoring SO₂ and its derivatives in biological systems is very significant. In this paper, a FRET-based two-photon fluorescent turn-on probe, A-HCy, was proposed for specific detection of SO₂ derivatives through the bisulfite/sulfite-promoted Michael addition reaction. In this FRET system, an acedan (2-acetyl-6-dialkylaminonaphthalene) moiety was selected as a two-photon donor and a hemicyanine derivative served as both the quencher and the recognition unit for bisulfite/sulfite. A-HCy exhibited excellent selectivity and rapid response to HSO₃⁻ with a detection limit of 0.24 μM. More importantly, probe A-HCy was first successfully applied in two-photon fluorescence imaging of biological SO₂ derivatives in living cells and tissues, suggesting its great potential for practical application in biological systems.     

A logic gate-based fluorogenic probe for Hg detection and its applications in cellular imaging

A new colorimetric and fluorogenic probe (RN₃) based on rhodamine-B has been successfully designed and synthesized. It displays a selective response to Hg²⁺ in the aqueous buffer solution over the other competing metals. Upon addition of Hg²⁺, the solution of RN₃ exhibits a ‘naked eye’ observable color change from colorless to red and an intensive fluorescence with about 105-fold enhancement. The changes in the color and fluorescence are ascribed to the ring-opening of spirolactam in rhodamine fluorophore, which is induced by a binding of the constructed receptor to Hg²⁺ with the association and dissociation constants of 0.22 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ and 25.2 μM, respectively. The Job's plot experiment determines a 1:1 binding stoichiometry between RN₃ and Hg²⁺. The resultant “turn-on” fluorescence in buffer solution, allows the application of a method to determine Hg²⁺ levels in the range of 4.0–15.0 μM, with the limit of detection (LOD) calculated at 60.7 nM (3σ/slope). In addition, the fluorescence ‘turn-off’ and color ‘fading-out’ happen to the mixture of RN₃-Hg²⁺ by further addition of I⁻ or S²⁻. The reversible switching cycles of fluorescence intensity upon alternate additions of Hg²⁺ and S²⁻ demonstrate that RN₃ can perform as an INHIBIT logic gate. Furthermore, the potential of RN₃ as a fluorescent probe has been demonstrated for cellular imaging.     

Naked eye sensing of anions using thiourea based chemosensors with real time application

Novel chromogenic sensors with thiourea moiety as receptor unit were synthesized and characterized using IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The receptors 1 and 2 bearing hydrogen bonding site demonstrate visually striking color change, UV–vis, and fluorescence responses for F⁻, AcO⁻, and OH⁻ over other anions such as Cl⁻, Br⁻, H₂PO₄⁻ and HSO₄⁻. Both the receptors 1 and 2 demonstrate detection limit at micro molar level. Further insight to the nature of interaction between receptors and anions was studied using ¹H NMR titration experiment. In particular, the fluoride of tooth paste and mouthwash in water phase can be detected by receptor 2.     

Fluoride-induced intermolecular excimer formation of bispyrenyl thioureas linked by polyethylene glycol chains

New bispyrenyl thioureas linked by polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains, L1-L3, and methoxy benzene pyrene thiourea, L4, were synthesized. Upon binding with F⁻ in CHCl₃, L1-L3 exhibited strong excimer emission bands (I_E) and weak monomer emission bands (I_M), while L4 displayed the same intensity of both bands. However, little or no change was observed in fluorescence spectra of L1 upon adding OH⁻, AcO⁻, BzO⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, and I⁻. Therefore, only F⁻ induced the pyrene excimer formation. Job’s plots showed 1/1 or 2/2 complexation of L1 with F⁻. Ratios of I_E/I_M of L1·F⁻ complex were dependent on the concentration of L1, implying that the dimerization of L1 proceeded via the intermolecular excimer formation. Among L1-L4, L1 possessed the highest binding constant and sensitivity toward F⁻ implying the importance of the linking PEG chain. L1 was demonstrated to be an excellent probe for F⁻ in CHCl₃ with the detection limit as low as 46.2 μg/L.     

Rhodamine based derivative and its zinc complex: synthesis and recognition behavior toward Hg(II)

A simple fluorescent probe, which contains rhodamine and aminoquinoline moieties, was designed and prepared for selective detection of Hg²⁺ in acetonitrile. RbQ exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Hg²⁺ over other common metal ions. The recognition of RbQ toward Hg²⁺ can be detected by fluorescence spectra, absorption spectra, and even by naked eyes. The binding ratio of the RbQ–Hg²⁺ complex was found to be 1:1 according to Job plot experiment, and the limit of detection was 1.05×10⁻⁷ M. Moreover, the prepared complex RbQ–Zn²⁺ (RbQZ) could detect Hg²⁺ in a ratiometric way and showed lower limit of detection (2.95×10⁻⁸ M) than RbQ in the same condition. Finally, we also demonstrated that the aminoquinoline–zinc complex could be served as a new and effective FRET donor for rhodamine derivatives.     

Fluorescent sensor based on dimesitylborylthiophene derivative for probing fluoride and cyanide

A new D-π-A dimesitylboron derivative with terminal phenothiazine bridged by fluorenevinyl (PFTB) has been synthesized. It was found that PFTB could selectively recognize fluoride and cyanide anions by naked eyes. Upon addition of F⁻ and CN⁻, the color of the solution of PFTB in DCM turned to yellowish-green from yellow and strong green emitting was observed under UV light, while the emission of PFTB in DCM was weak. Moreover, the presence of 10 equiv of tetrabutylammonium salts of other anions, such as Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, AcO⁻, HSO₄⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, could not lead to obvious changes of the UV–vis absorption and the fluorescent emission spectra of PFTB. The detection limits of PFTB towards F⁻ and CN⁻ were 7.52×10⁻⁸ mol/L and 6.12×10⁻⁸ mol/L in DCM, respectively. Therefore, the D-π-A type triarylborane derivatives can be used as ‘turn on’ fluorescent sensors for detecting F⁻ and CN⁻.     

Anion recognition by 2,2′-binaphthalene derivatives bearing urea and thiourea groups at 8- and 8′-positions by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies

Synthesis and anion recognition properties of 2,2′-binaphthalene derivatives bearing two thiourea (1) and urea (2) groups at 8- and 8′-positions were studied. The structure of receptor 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography. UV-vis spectra of the receptors showed characteristic changes around 300-400 nm through isosbestic points upon the addition of biologically relevant anions such as acetate, dihydrogenphosphate, and chloride in MeCN and DMSO due to restriction of the rotation around the single bond connecting two naphthyl moieties by cooperative guest binding of two recognition sites. Job’s plots showed 1:1 complexation for guest anions. The fluorescence quantum yields of free form of 1 and 2 in MeCN were determined to be 0.021 and 0.57, respectively. The fluorescence intensities of the receptors diminished upon the addition of anions in MeCN. The association constants of receptors 1 and 2 were one or two orders of magnitude greater than the corresponding monothiourea and urea receptors 3 and 4 indicating cooperative hydrogen bonding with guest anions. The selectivity trends of association of anions were F⁻>AcO⁻>H₂PO₄⁻>Cl⁻>>HSO₄⁻≈NO₃⁻≈Br⁻≈I⁻ for 1, and F⁻>AcO⁻≈Cl⁻>H₂PO₄⁻>Br⁻>HSO₄⁻>I⁻≈NO₃⁻ for 2. Receptor 2 showed remarkable Cl⁻ selectivity presumably owing to suitable orientation for effective hydrogen bond formation with Cl⁻.     

Anion recognition through hydrogen bonding by adamantane-dipyrromethane receptors

Adamantane-dipyrromethane (AdD) receptors [di(pyrrole-2-yl)methyladamantane (1), 2,2-di(pyrrole-2-yl)adamantane (2), 1,3-bis[di(pyrrole-2-yl)methyl]adamantane (3), 2,2,6,6-tetra(pyrrole-2-yl)adamantane (4)] form complexes with F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, AcO⁻, NO₃⁻, HSO₄⁻, and H₂PO₄⁻. The association constants of the complexes were determined by ¹H NMR titrations, whereas the geometries of complexes 1·F⁻ (2:1), 2·F⁻ (2:1), 2·Cl⁻ (2:1), 2·AcO⁻ (2:1), and 4·F⁻ (1:1) were determined by X-ray structural analysis. The most stable complexes are of 2:1 stoichiometry with F⁻ and AcO⁻. The stability constants are in accordance with the anion basicity and the ability of AdD receptors to place the hydrogen bonding donor groups in a tetrahedral fashion around anions. The binding energies of the complexes between receptors 1-4 and F⁻ anion are calculated using quantum chemical methods. The calculated results show that the solvent polarity is important for the complexation of fluoride ion with AdD receptors 1-4.     

New P-bridgehead urea-based tripodal anion receptors for H2PO4 recognition

A series of new P-bridgehead tripodal urea-based anion receptors 1-3 bearing phosphine oxide (PO) were synthesized and characterized. Their anion-binding ability was examined by UV-vis, ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, and ESI-MS. The results revealed that receptors 1-3 showed good sensitivity, selectivity, and binding affinity for H₂PO₄⁻ over NO₃⁻ and Br⁻, and among them receptor 2 showed the best binding affinity for H₂PO₄⁻ over F⁻, Br⁻, CH₃COO⁻, HSO₄⁻, and NO₃⁻. The Job plot experiments indicated that receptors 1-3 formed 1:1 stoichiometric complex with H₂PO₄⁻.     

Color response of tri-armed azo host colorimetric sensors and test kit for fluoride

Five new chromogenic tripodal receptors (2a-e) containing electron withdrawing and donating groups appended to the azophenol moiety were synthesized, characterized, and their chromogenic behaviors toward various anions were investigated. These tripodal receptors showed a distinct color change only when treated with fluoride ions in CH₃CN solution. Yet, other anions such as Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NO₃⁻, ClO₄⁻, AcO⁻, HSO₄⁻, and H₂PO₄⁻ could not cause any color change. Thus, the receptors 2a-e can be used as a colorimetric chemosensor for the determination of fluoride ion. In addition, ¹H NMR experiments were carried out to explore the nature of interaction between tripodal receptors and fluoride. Finally, analytical application and the use of test strip of the receptor 2b to detect fluoride was also reported.     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of tetradentate chalcogen functionalized phosphines, [P(X)(CH2CH2P(X)Ph2)3] {X = O, S, Se}: Synthesis, reactivity and catalytic carbonylation reaction

The reaction of [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ with 0.5 mol equivalent of the ligands [P^′(X)(CH₂-CH₂P(X)Ph₂)₃](P^′P₃X₄) {where X = O(a), S(b) and Se(c)} affords tetranuclear complexes of the type [Rh₄(CO)₈Cl₄(P^′P₃X₄)] (1a-1c). The complexes 1a-1c have been characterized by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the ligands b and c are structurally determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1a-1c undergo oxidative addition (OA) reactions with CH₃I to generate Rh(III) oxidised products. Kinetic data for the reaction of 1a and 1b with excess CH₃I indicate a pseudo first order reaction. The catalytic activity of 1a-1c for the carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid and its ester show a higher Turn Over Frequency (TOF = 1349-1748 h⁻¹) compared to the well-known species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ (TOF = 1000 h⁻¹) under the similar experimental conditions. However, 1b and 1c exhibit lower TOF than 1a, which may be due to the desulfurization and deselinization of the ligands in the respective complexes under the reaction conditions.     

Osmium assisted C-H activation and CN cleavage of N-(2′-hydroxyphenyl) benzaldimines. Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of some organoosmium complexes

Reaction of N-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-4-R-benzaldimines (L-R, R = OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl and NO₂) with [Os(PPh₃)₃Br₂] in refluxing 2-methoxyethanol in the presence of triethylamine affords two families of organoosmium complexes (1-R and 2-R). In both 1-R and 2-R complexes a benzaldimine ligand is coordinated to the metal center as tridentate C,N,O-donor. In the 1-R complexes, a bidentate N,O-donor imionsemiquinonate ligand, derived from the hydrolysis of another benzaldimine, and a PPh₃ ligand are also coordinated to osmium. In the 2-R complexes, a carbonyl, derived from decarbonylation of 4-R-benzaldehyde (derived from the same hydrolysis stated above), and two PPh₃ ligands take up the remaining coordination sites on osmium. Structures of the 1-Cl and 2-OCH₃ complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the 1-R and 2-R complexes are diamagnetic, and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on the 1-R complexes shows a reversible Os(III)-Os(IV) oxidation within 0.47-0.67 V (vs SCE), followed by an irreversible oxidation of the imionsemiquinonate ligand within 1.10-1.36 V. An irreversible Os(III)-Os(II) reduction is also displayed by the 1-R complexes within −1.02 to −1.14 V. Cyclic voltammetry on the 2-R complexes shows a reversible Os(II)-Os(III) oxidation within 0.29-0.51 V, followed by a quasi-reversible oxidation within 1.04-1.29 V, and an irreversible reduction of the coordinated benzaldimine ligand within −1.16 to −1.31 V.     

A highly selective naked-eye probe for hypochlorite with the p-methoxyphenol-substituted aniline compound

A highly selective naked-eye detection of ClO⁻ is successfully established with probe 1 by taking advantage of the oxidation transformation of p-methoxyphenol into benzoquinone with ClO⁻ and the ICT absorption within the electron donor-acceptor compound. The color of the solution of probe 1 was changed, obviously upon addition of ClO⁻ and ClO⁻ with concentration as low as 1.74 μM can be analyzed in aqueous solution with probe 1. Moreover, the interferences of other anions can be neglected.     

Ferrocene-based imidazolium receptors for anions

Cyclic and acyclic ferrocene derivatives bearing two imidazolium rings have been synthesized and characterized by NMR, elemental analysis, mass spectra, and X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical measurements revealed that all the receptors displayed a significant anodic shift response for F⁻. In addition, for receptors 1, 2, and 4, addition of HSO₄⁻ induced quite different electrochemical behavior with dramatic cathodic peak current increase on CV. ¹H NMR titrations demonstrated that receptors 1, 2, and 4 showed selectivity for AcO⁻ while receptor 3 exhibited high affinity toward Cl⁻ among the anions investigated.     

Syntheses, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of novel ball-type and mononuclear Co(II) phthalocyanines substituted at the peripheral and non-peripheral positions with binaphthol groups

Mononuclear cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) substituted at the non-peripheral 8 and peripheral positions 9 with 1,1′-binaphthyl-8,8′-diol and ball-type dinuclear Co₂Pc₂ substituted at the non-peripheral 10 and peripheral 11 positions with the same substituent are reported. The complexes with 1,1′-binaphthol-bridges were prepared from the corresponding phthalonitriles 4-7. The effects of the position of substituent on spectral, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of these complexes were also explored. The mononuclear complexes 8 and 9 exhibited one metal reduction, one ring reduction and one ring oxidation. The redox properties of the ball-type complexes 10 and 11 exhibited two reduction processes assigned to [(Co^IPc⁻²)₂]²⁻/[(Co^IPc⁻³)₂]⁴⁻ (I), (Co^IIPc⁻²)₂/[(Co^IPc⁻²)₂]²⁻ (II) and one oxidation process assigned to [(Co^IIIPc⁻²)₂]²⁺/Co^IIPc⁻²)₂ (III). The ball-type complexes are much easier to oxidize and more difficult to reduce than the corresponding monomers 8 and 9.     

A reaction based chromofluorogenic turn-on probe for specific detection of fluoride over sulfide/thiols

A new reaction based probe fluorescein nosylate (R1) has been designed and synthesized for selective recognition of F⁻ in acetonitrile (CH₃CN) by exploiting both its nucleophilic and basic character. Probe R1 consists of fluorescein dye as a signalling unit while 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride as the masking unit. The F⁻ plays the role of de-masking agent to set free the fluorescein moiety in its open form from R1 leading to significant changes in its absorption/emission profile. The detection of F⁻ amidst of sulfide/thiols through receptors undergoing nucleophilic scission is a tedious job due to similarity in their extent of basicity/nucleophilicity. Here, we present a convenient solution for the same in the form of R1 which detects F⁻ selectively over sulfide/thiols in CH₃CN with a high detection limit of 4.6 × 10⁻⁷ M and 2.75 × 10⁻⁸ M determined through UV–visible and fluorescence titration data, respectively.     

Novel photo-induced oxidative cyclization of 1,3-dimethyl-5-(1-arylmethylidene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5H)-triones: synthesis and properties of areno[5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1,3H)-dionylium ions and their photo-induced autorecycling oxidizing reaction toward some amines

Novel photo-induced oxidative cyclization was accomplished to synthesize areno[b]pyrimido[5,4-e]pyran-2,4(1,3H)-dionylium ions 13a-c⁺·ClO₄⁻. Furthermore, 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ and their phenyl-substituted derivatives 19a,b⁺·BF₄⁻ were alternatively synthesized by the reaction of salicylaldehyde and its naphthyl derivatives with barbituric acids and subsequent treatment with aq. HBF₄. Structural characteristics of 13a-c⁺ and 19a,b⁺ were clarified on inspection of the UV-vis and NMR spectral data as well as X-ray crystal analyses. The electrochemical properties were studied by the CV measurement. In a search for reactivity, reactions of 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ with some nucleophiles, hydride, benzylamine, and H₂O, were also carried out. The photo-induced autorecycling oxidation reactions of 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ toward some amines under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding imines (isolated by converting to the corresponding 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones) in 643-3600% yield (recycling number of 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻: 6.4-36.0).     

New interlocked molecules generated from a podand containing urea units and imidazolium salts using an anion template

A podand containing urea units (L) was found to form interlocked structures with 2,5-dihexylamide imidazolium salts (3·X), 2,5-dihexyl imidazolium salts (4·X), and 2,5-dihexyl benzoimidazolium salts (5·X), where X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, and PF₆⁻ using anions as templates. The binding ability of L and guest molecules was evaluated by ¹H NMR titrations in CDCl₃. It was found that L could form complexes with guest molecules in the following order, 3·X > 5·X > 4·X. Stabilities of the complexes also depended on shape of the templated anions: Cl⁻>Br⁻?PF₆⁻. Hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions played an important role in the self-assembling of these interlocked molecules.     

Influence of multidentate N-donor ligands on highly electrophilic zinc initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of epoxides

A set of multidentate ligands have been synthesized and used to stabilize the putative highly electrophilic zinc species initiating ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and propylene oxide (PO). Reaction of the bidentate C₂-chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand (^R2,R3BOX: R₂ = (4S)-tBu, R₃ = H (a); R₂ = (4S)-Ph, R₃ = H (b); R₂ = (4R)-Ph, R₃ = (5S)-Ph (c)) with Zn(R₁)₂ (R₁ = Et (1), Me (2)) led to the heteroleptic three-coordinate complexes (^R2,R3BOX)ZnR₁, 1a-c and 2a, which were isolated in 92-96% yield. Next, two pyridinyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been designed and synthesized: the 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolinium salt (d) and the protected NHC adduct 2-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolidine (e). The reaction of ligands d and e with ZnEt₂ led directly to the formation of (NHC)ZnEt(Cl) 3d complex with ethane elimination and the adduct (NHC-C₆F₅(H))ZnEt₂4e, respectively, in high yield. In situ combinations of selected complexes 1a-c, 3d and 4e with B(C₆F₅)₃ (1 or 2 equivalents) give active systems for ROP, with high productivity (3.3-5.9 10⁶ g_polym. mol_Zn⁻¹ h⁻¹) and high molecular weight (M_n up to 132 10³ g mol⁻¹) for CHO polymerization. Although the in situ B(C₆F₅)₃-activated zinc species were not isolated, the sterically demanding BOX ligands (1c > 1b > 1a) and functionalized NHC ligands seem to enhance the stability of highly electrophilic zinc complexes over ligand redistribution, allowing a better control of the cationic ROP as reflected particularly for 3d and 4e complexes by their respective efficiency (42-88%).