The water-soluble indolium-based fluorescence probes for detection of the extreme acidity or extreme alkalinity

In this work, 3,3′-(((1E,1′E)-(H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine-2,8-diyl)bis(ethene-2,1-diyl))bis(1,1-dimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indole-3-ium-2,3-diyl))bis(propane-1-sulfonate) (1), 3,3’-(((1E,1′E)-(6H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine-2,8-diyl)bis(ethene-2,1-diyl))bis(3,3-dimethyl-3H-indole-1-ium-2,1-diyl))bis(propane-1-sulfonate) (2), 2,2’-((1E,1′E)-(6H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine-2,8-diyl)bis(ethene-2,1-diyl))bis(1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indol-1-ium) iodide (3) and 2,2’-((1E,1′E)-(6H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine-2,8-diyl)bis(ethene-2,1-diyl))bis(1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indol-3-ium) iodide (4) were designed and synthesized by ethylene bridging of the N-substituted indolium salts and the Tröger’s Base (TB) framework. The probes exhibited a longer absorption and emission wavelength and the emission wavelength of them in dichloromethane (DCM) was more than 600 nm, performed a red fluorescence. All of the probes could work on the extreme acidic and the extreme alkaline environments and showed a good liner response in the working pH range. Especially, 2 and 4 were soluble in water and manifested a good pH sensing in a water system. Also, ¹H NMR analysis illustrated how these dyes worked as the pH-sensitive fluorescence probes. In addition, they performed excellent reversibility, high selectivity and good photostability.     

Fluorescent detection of glutamate with a dicopper(II) polyamine cage

A dicopper(II) octamine cage includes selectively the l-glutamate ion in water at pH 7, establishing Cu²⁺/-COO⁻ coordinative interactions. In particular, l-glutamate is able to displace the quenched rhodamine indicator from the cage, whose fluorescence is then fully restored. Other typical neurotransmitters (glycine, GABA) and some related amino acids are discriminated.     

Bifunctionalised long-wavelength fluorescent probes for biological applications

The synthesis of benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides which are bifunctionalised in position 2 with 4-ethoxy-4-oxobutoxyl, 3-hydroxypropoxyl or 3-chloropropoxyl groups, and in position 9 with the (aminopropyl)amino group, was efficiently performed. The covalent labelling of valine was carried out by using one of the new fluorophores obtained. Photophysical studies in the homogeneous media of ethanol, distilled water and simulated physiological conditions revealed that all the compounds absorbed and emitted from 610 to 651 nm.     

Dosimetric gelator probes and their application as sensors

Supramolecular gels formed by the self-assembly of organic molecules are useful in many areas from materials to medicine. Of the different applications, exploitation of gels for the visual detection of analytes is a fairly recent trend in gel chemistry. Most of the gel-based sensors rely on non-covalent interactions between the gelator molecules and the added chemical analytes and therefore, often suffer from less selectivity and long response time. In this context, dosimetric gelator probes are superior to other gel-based sensors with high selectivity and fast response time. Unlike non-covalent binding sites, dosimetric gelators typically contain a reaction centre and undergo a specific chemical reaction selective to an analyte resulting in either formation or rupturing of covalent bonds. In this review, we provide an up-to-date report of various reaction-based gel systems applied for the sensing of analytes. We elaborately discuss the concept, design principles, self-assembly properties, and reaction mechanisms of such gelators. We also highlight the limitations, challenges, and the necessity of further exploration of dosimetric gels in this domain.     

Fluorescent probes for detection of biothiols based on “aromatic nucleophilic substitution-rearrangement” mechanism

“Aromatic nucleophilic substitution-rearrangement (SNAr-rearrangement)” mechanism provided a powerful tool to design fluorescent probes for the discrimination between biothiols.     

Fluorescent probes for recognition of ATP

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) plays an important role in various physiological activities and pathological processes in living cells. Consequently, a large number of fl uorescent sensors for detecting ATP have developed in recent years. In this review, we summarized these fl uorescent sensors, where these sensors were divided into fi ve typed ones according to the structure of probes used.     

Design and synthesis of squaraine based near infrared fluorescent probes

A novel class of dialkylanthracene containing squaraine dyes (Sq1-3) possessing intense absorption and emission in the NIR region has been synthesized. Structural and electronic features investigated using DFT methods suggest that the significant bathochromic shifts observed on replacing dialkylaniline by dialkylanthracene in this class of molecules can be attributed to a reduction in the HOMO-LUMO gap mainly due to enhanced hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl group of the cyclobutane ring and the neighboring aromatic hydrogen in the dyes containing the anthracene moiety. The absence of fluorescence in aqueous media and high fluorescence when encapsulated into hydrophobic domains make this class of dyes especially useful as probes for mapping such domains in biological systems.     

A fluorescence turn-on probe for the detection of thiol-containing amino acids in aqueous solution and bioimaging in cells

A turn-on fluorescent probe, based on a water-soluble terphenyl derivative, for the detection of cysteine and homocysteine is reported. The aldehyde groups in the probe play crucial roles in providing reaction with thiol groups in the amino acids, leading to a formation of thiazolidine (from cysteine) or thiazinane ring (from homocysteine). As a result, the new formation of such rings alters the electronic property of the conjugated system in the probe and results in emission enhancement. The probe in aqueous solution exhibits a remarkable increase in its quantum yield upon exposure to cysteine (up to 20-fold) and to homocysteine (up to 700-fold), while slight quenching is observed in the presence of glutathione. Moreover, an investigation on time-resolved fluorescence spectra of the probe in the presence of cysteine and homocysteine reveals potential discriminatory detection of cysteine and homocysteine. Bioimaging of the thiols in live HeLa cells was successfully applied.     

Rhodamine-inspired far-red to near-infrared dyes and their application as fluorescence probes

Probes to dye for: Rhodamine-inspired Si-pyronine, Si-rhodamine, Te-rhodamine, and Changsha NIR dyes have been developed recently. These dyes show fluorescence in the far-red to near-infrared region, while retaining the advantages of the original rhodamines, such as high fluorescence quantum yield, tolerance to photobleaching, good water solubility, and exhibit great potential for biological application.     

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.     

Principles of responsive lanthanide-based luminescent probes for cellular imaging

The advent of chemical tools for cellular imaging—from organic dyes to green fluorescent proteins—has revolutionized the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry. Lanthanide-based probes are a new player in this area, as the last decade has seen the emergence of the first responsive luminescent lanthanide probes specifically intended for imaging cellular processes. The potential of these probes is still undervalued by the scientific community. Indeed, this class of probes offers several advantages over organic dyes and fluorescent proteins. Their very long luminescence lifetimes enable quantitative spatial determination of the intracellular concentration of an analyte through time-gating measurements. Their emission bands are very narrow and do not overlap, enabling the simultaneous use of multiple lanthanide probes to quantitatively detect several analytes without cross-interference. Herein we describe the principles behind the development of this class of probes. Sensors for a desired analyte can be designed by rationally manipulating the parameters that influence the luminescence of lanthanide complexes. We will discuss sensors based on varying the number of inner-sphere water molecules, the distance separating the antenna from the lanthanide ion, the energies of excited states of the antenna, and PeT switches.

Squaraine dyes: The hierarchical synthesis and its application in optical detection

Squaraine dyes, a four-membered ring system with structural rigidity, possess unique photoelectrical properties and are marked by their exceptionally sharp and intense absorption associated with a strong fluorescent emission in solution. These favorable characteristics have prompted their exploitation in a number of state of the art applications including photoconductivity, data storage, light-emitting field-effect transistors, solar cells and fluorescent histological probes. In this review, we first summarize the recently proposed novel methods in the synthesis of these versatile derivatives. Subsequently, their extensive applications in the prevalent optical detection of the surrounding medium such as ions, pH, thiol-based compounds, biomolecules and cell over the past decades are covered and discussed. In addition, different categories for the synthesis and sensing mechanisms for various squaric acid-based chemo-/bio- sensors are illustrated. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in the synthesis and application of these derivatives are also briefly discussed.     

Mitochondria-targeted ratiometric fluorescent probes for micropolarity and microviscosity and their applications

Two fluorescent "off-on" probes YYH1 and YYH2 were used for bioimaging mitochondrial polarity and viscosity.     

Recent developments in novel blue/green/red/NIR small fluorescent probes for in cellulo tracking of RNA/DNA G-quadruplexes

The detection and stabilization of G-quadruplexes (G4s) in living systems is of enormous applicability in the fields of chemical biology and therapeutic materials. Whereas DNA serves as a genetic material, RNA functions in the regulation and expression of genetic materials. Even there is various report on fluorescent probes invitro G4s recognitions, in this review we highlighted briefly, in-cellulo identification of G4s along with conventional methods principles. Although there are varieties of G4-forming sequences in the genome, targeting a specific type (topology) in living cells is highly challenging because of the high instability of G4s in cellular/subcellular systems. In contrast, several reports describe the in vitro identification of G4s, along with in-cell demonstrations, using efficient fluorescent probes, through either intrinsic or extrinsic approaches. In the intrinsic mode, the sensing results from the use of highly selective synthetic fluorescent oligonucleotides or proteins (a labeling approach). In the extrinsic mode, quencher-free small molecular probes are used to recognize specific G4s under physiological conditions. Because of their robustness, simplicity, and ease of handling, this review describes recent trends in the use of blue/green, green, red, and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes for the recognition of G4s in live cells-and, particularly, those approaches employing quencher-free probes. Also highlighted are a few labeled probes, and their in cellulo localizations, which were accomplished upon the formation of non-canonical G4s under specified conditions and supplemented by exogenous G4-forming components, without harnessing cellular physiological conditions.     

A Specific Fluorescent Probe for Antimony Based on Aggregation Induced Emission

In order to find a simple way to detect Sb^III in wastewater, TPE-2IPH, a fluorogen with high physical and chemical stability was simply designed and prepared by the classical one-step Schiff base reaction. The aggregation induced emission (AIE) property of TPE-2IPH was tested in the mixture of THF and water as well as its fluorescent response to antimony. It could be found that TPE-2IPH presented typical AIE property and its emission was greatly boosted with the addition of antimony when the water fraction was 90 %, which indicated that TPE-2IPH was a perfect fluorescent probe for antimony. The mechanism was supposed to be the coordinate of antimony and the IPH functional groups in TPE-2IPH under aggregate state. Moreover, TPE-2IPH could distinguish antimony with other cations well, implying that it was a potential indicator for antimony with high selectivity and specificity.     

Colorimetric and fluorometric dual-modal probes for cyanide detection based on the doubly activated Michael acceptor and their bioimaging applications

In this study, we synthesized CTB and CB probes based on doubly activated Michael acceptors to selectively detect cyanide (CN⁻) anions through a one-step condensation reaction of coumarinyl acrylaldehyde with the corresponding derivatives of malonyl urea (thiourea). Through the conjugated addition of CN⁻ to the β-site of the Michael acceptor, both probes displayed colorimetric and fluorometric dual-modal responses that were highly reactive and selective. CTB generates an active fluorescent response, whereas CB displays a ratiometric fluorescent response. The fluorescent signal of the probes reached its maximum given only 1 CN⁻ equivalent and the signal change was linearly proportional to CN⁻ concentrations ranging from 0 to 5 μM with the detection limits 18 and 23 nM, respectively. The reaction rate of the probes is highly dependent on the methylene acidity of malonyl urea derivatives. Thus, the response rate of CTB to CN⁻ is 1.2-fold faster than that of CB, and the response rate of CB to CN⁻ is 1.2-fold faster than that of the previously examined CM. We then verified the highly reactive nature of the β-site of the probes through density functional reactivity theory calculations. In addition, according to proof-of-concept experiments, these probes may be applied to analyze CN⁻ contaminated water and biomimetic samples. Finally, cell cytotoxicity and bioimaging studies revealed that the probes were cell-permeable and could be used to detect CN⁻ with low cytotoxicity.     

Synthesis of 3-hydroxyflavone fluorescent probes and study of their fluorescence properties

<正>Direct measurement of dipole potential in biological membranes has been impossible and 3-hydroxyflavones(3HFs) have allowed detection of changes in dipole potential in biological systems.In the present study,sixteen derivatives of 3HF with aliphatic hydrocarbon chains of different lengths at 4′-position and 6-position were synthesized.The basic fluorescence properties of 3HFs are maintained in all the probes in terms of strong blue shift in maximum fluorescence emission wavelength and100 fold increase in quantum yield in organic solvents and in dioleoylphosphatidylcholine(DOPC) small unilamellar vesicles(SUV) in comparison to in aqueous Hepes buffer(15 mmol/L,pH 7.4).More importantly,the ability of the new compounds to report dipole potential changes in biological systems are also maintained,since all the new probes showed spectrum properties that are similar to yet different from that of F4N1,which potentially may allow more sensitive measurement of the dipole potential change in membranes.     

A highly selective fluorescence turn-on detection of hydrogen peroxide and d-glucose based on the aggregation/deaggregation of a modified tetraphenylethylene

A new selective fluorescence turn-on detection of hydrogen peroxide was established by taking advantage of the aggregation induced-emission (AIE) behavior of tetraphenylethylene unit and the reaction of hydrogen peroxide toward the arylboronic ester group in compound 1. Moreover, compound 1 was successfully utilized for the selective detection of d-glucose in aqueous solution.