Highly selective detection of Cu2+ based on a thiosemicarbazone triphenylacetylene fluorophore

A novel thiosemicarbazone fluorophore (3) was successfully synthesized in 3 steps via Sonogashira coupling and Knoevenagel condensation using baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a biocatalyst. Compound 3 contains triphenylacetylene, which acts as a fluorophore, and thiosemicarbazone, which acts as a copper probe. Compound 3 exhibited highly selective detection of Cu²⁺ ions based on photoinduced electron transfer (PET) in 10 mM HEPES buffer pH 7.4/propylene glycol (70% (v/v)). A linear relationship was observed for Cu²⁺ concentrations between 0.1 nM and 10 μM, and the detection limit of the method was 0.14 nM. Additionally, 3 was utilized to detect Cu²⁺ in wastewater with satisfactory results, which highlighted its potential for real sample applications.     

Pyrene based Schiff base ligand: A highly selective fluorescence chemosensor for the detection of Cu2+ ions

A Schiff base ligand L has been designed and synthesized by the condensation of 1′-Hydroxy-2′-acetonaphthonehydrazide with pyrene aldehyde for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions. The ligand was spectroscopically characterized by all possible techniques. Among different metal ions, Cu²⁺ ions give a tremendous enhancement of fluorescence intensity in 20% water with THF. The “Turn-On” fluorescence for Cu²⁺ ions utilizes the Photo-induced Electron Transfer (PET) mechanism. It has been observed that the presence of relevant cations and anions did not affect the probe's fluorescence intensity. The stoichiometric binding mode of the complex is confirmed using Job's method. The low detection limit and reversibility make it cost-effective.     

Naphthalene dianhydride based selective detection targetable fluorescent probe for monitoring exogenous Iron in living cells

A green emissive PET operating fluorescent turn-on cell permeable novel probe R1 has been successfully developed and utilized for the detection of Fe⁺³ in the pure aqueous system at sub-nanomolar level. Moreover, probe R1 demonstrate highly sensitive and selective towards Fe⁺³ over the other divalent and trivalent metal ions and was established by using fluorescence spectroscopy. The efficiency and aid of R1 was demonstrated by the fluorescence imaging of captured Fe⁺³ within Pollen grains by using fluorescence microscopy. These results indicate that, this is the first fluorescent turn-on PET probe to detect sub-nanomolar Fe⁺³ in the pure aqueous system and in cellular level.     

Interaction of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) with 12- and 14-membered macrocycles containing O2N2 donors

The 12- and 14-membered diazadioxo macrocyclic ligands, 1,2?:?7,8-diphenyl-6,9-diaza-3,12-dioxocyclododecane (L¹) and 1,2?:?8,9-diphenyl-7,10-diaza-3,14-dioxocyclotetradecane (L²), were synthesized by condensation between o-phenylenediamine, 1,2-dibromoethane/1,3-dibromopropane, and catechol. Metal complexes [ML¹Cl₂] and [ML²Cl₂] [M?=?Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)] were prepared by interaction of L¹ or L² with metal(II) chlorides. The ligands and their complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR, EPR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity measurements, and Electrospray ionization-mass spectral (ESI-MS) studies. The results of elemental analyses, ESI-MS, Job's method, and conductivity measurements confirmed the stoichiometry of ligands and their complexes while absorption bands and resonance peaks in IR and NMR spectra confirmed the formation of ligand framework around the metal ions. Stereochemistry was inferred from the UV-Vis, EPR, and magnetic moment studies.     

一例喹喔啉酰腙荧光探针对锌离子的选择性高灵敏识别及细胞成像应用

通过缩合反应制备了一例席夫碱荧光探针2-喹喔啉甲醛缩2-吡啶酰肼(1),使用核磁共振氢谱和碳谱及质谱等手段表征了探针的结构。荧光光谱分析表明,探针1自身无荧光,而Zn²⁺能够导致其在500 nm处出现强发射峰。该荧光增强能够在常见阳离子中选择性检测 Zn²⁺,检测限低至 0.16 μmol·L^-1。通过核磁、质谱和紫外等手段推测了探针 1与 Zn²⁺可能的配位模式。通过单晶X射线衍射解析了1-Zn²⁺配合物的晶体结构,进一步确认了探针的配位行为。1-Zn²⁺晶体中探针分别采取ONN和NN配位模式螯合2个Zn²⁺,并由桥联CH₃O^-和Cl^-连接形成一维链状结构。此外,该探针还可用于活细胞中Zn²⁺的检测。     

"Off-On" based fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ in aqueous media and living cells

A novel Cu²⁺-specific “off-on” fluorescent chemosensor of naphthalimide modified rhodamine B (naphthalimide modified rhodamine B chemosensor, NRC) was designed and synthesized, based on the equilibrium between the spirolactam (non-fluorescence) and the ring-opened amide (fluorescence). The chemosensor NRC showed high Cu²⁺-selective fluorescence enhancement over commonly coexistent metal ions or anions in neutral aqueous media. The limit of detection (LOD) based on 3 × δ_blank/k was obtained as low as 0.18 μM of Cu²⁺, as well as an excellent linearity of 0.05-4.5 μM (R = 0.999), indicating the chemosensor of high sensitivity and wide quantitation range. And also the coordination mode with 1:1 stoichiometry was proposed between NRC and Cu²⁺. In addition, the effects of pH, co-existing metal ions and anions, and the reversibility were investigated in detail. It was also demonstrated that the NRC could be used as an excellent “off-on” fluorescent chemosensor for the measurement of Cu²⁺ in living cells with satisfying results, which further displayed its valuable applications in biological systems.     

A highly selective fluorescent probe for nanomolar detection of ferric ions in the living cells and aqueous media

A dipodal fluorescent probe 3, with imine and hydroxyl moieties as binding sites, has been synthesized and characterized with spectroscopic methods, single-crystal X-ray techniques, and DFT. The synthesized probe 3 (φ = 0.0028) showed highly sensitive and highly specific fluorescent ‘turn-on’ effect (λ_em = 453 nm) for the 1:1 binding with Fe³⁺ ions to form probe 3.Fe³⁺ complex (φ = 0.203) in semi-aqueous medium (acetonitrile:water (50:50; v/v)) and live cells. The 1:1 binding stoichiometry of probe 3 and Fe³⁺ ions was proposed by DFT calculations and confirmed by the NMR spectroscopy, crystal structures of probe 3 and 3.Fe³⁺ complex, and mass spectrum of probe 3.Fe³⁺ complex. The stability of probe 3.Fe³⁺ complex in a wide pH range (pH 2–12) and reversibility for binding with Fe³⁺ ions in the presence of EDTA indicates that it can be an effective chemosensor for the detection of Fe³⁺ ions in various samples, including living cells. Importantly, with the LOD of 21.5 nM for the detection of Fe³⁺ ions, probe 3 did not show any interference from potentially competing ions even at a 1:3 ratio, indicates its biocompatibility. The nanomolar limit of detection (21.5 nM), cell permeability, and low cytotoxicity allows the probe 3 to be an excellent tool for the live-cell imaging and detection of ferric ions in live cells.     

A pyrene-based dual chemosensor for colorimetric detection of Cu2+ and fluorescent detection of Fe3+

A pyrene based chemosensor was designed and synthesized. The pyrene fluorophore was connected with a pyridine unit through a Schiff base structure to give the sensor (L). L was tested with a variety of metal ions and exhibited high colorimetric selectivities for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ over other ions. Upon binding with Cu²⁺ or Fe³⁺, L showed an obvious optical color change from colorless to pink for Cu²⁺ or orange for Fe³⁺ over a wide pH range from 3 to 12. Moreover, the fluorescence of L at 370 nm decreased sharply after bonding with Fe³⁺, while other metal ions including Cu²⁺ had no apparent interference. Thus, using such single chemosensor, Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ can be detected independently with high selectivity and sensitivity. The limits of detection toward Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were 8.5 and 2.0 μM, respectively. DFT calculation results also proved the formation of stable coordination complexes and the phenomenon of fluorescence quenching by Fe³⁺. Furthermore, L was also successfully used as a bioimaging reagent for detection of Fe³⁺ in living cells.     

Toward a highly sensitive and selective indole-rhodamine-based light-up probe for Hg2+ and its application in living cells

We herein designed and synthesized a light-up fluorescent probe L1 for Hg²⁺ species, which is based on indole derivative and Rhodamine fluorophore. The new probe can show a linear response to Hg²⁺ with high sensitivity and selectivity. As the Hg²⁺ concentration changed from 0 to 450 μM, the fluorescence intensity of L1 at 575 nm changed from 50 to 6181 (～120-fold). The detection limit of the probe was 5.0 × 10^?8 M. Besides, we have successfully applied L1 to monitor Hg²⁺ species in living MCF-7 cells by way of fluorescence imaging.     

A tetraphenylimidazole-based fluorescent probe for the detection of hydrogen sulfide and its application in living cells

A novel probe based on the fluorescence off–on strategy was prepared to optically detect hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) via an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism. The probe shows high sensitivity and excellent selectivity to H₂S. It also displays a large Stokes shift (∼140 nm) and a remarkable quantum yield enhancement (Ф = 0.412) after interaction with H₂S. Moreover, the cellular imaging experiment demonstrated that it has potential utility for H₂S sensing in biological sciences.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ ions and its application in cell imaging

A new on-off fluorescent probe 1 for Cu²⁺ based on Schiff base compound was designed and synthesized by one-step reaction. The single probe 1 exhibited strong green fluorescence emission. A fluorescence quenching effect and faint color change were observed as soon as the Cu²⁺ was added to the probe system in H₂O/EtOH (v/v = 8:2, HEPES buffer, 0.05 M, pH = 7.4) solution. Other common metal cations did not cause the changes in the fluorescence and color of the probe 1. The optical properties were studied by the fluorescence emission and UV–Vis spectra. Meanwhile, the geometry optimizations of probe 1 and the [1-Cu²⁺] coordination complexes were also carried out by DFT using the Gaussian 09 program, in which the B3LYP function was used. Based on experimental measurement and theoretical analysis, we can know that the combination ratio of the probe and Cu²⁺ is 2:1 and the limit of detection (LOD) is as low as 5.3 × 10^?9 M Besides, the probe 1 was also used to analyze the Cu²⁺ in living cells.     

Ratiometric and selective two-photon fluorescent probe based on PET-ICT for imaging Zn2+in living cells and tissues简

A two-photon fluorescent probe TPZn was developed for specific ratiometric imaging Zn2＋ in living cells and tissues. Significant ratiometric fluorescence change was based on photoinduced electron transfer and intramolecular charge transfer. The synthetic method of TPZn was simple. It was successfully used to selectively image Zn2＋ based on the higher binding affinity for Zn2＋ than for Cd2＋. TPZn was easily loaded into the living cell and tissues with high membrane permeability in a complex biological environment. TPZn could clearly visualize endogenous Zn2＋ by TP ratiometric imaging in hippocampal slices at a depth of 120 μm. Thus, TPZn is a useful tool to image of Zn2＋ in living cells and tissues without interference from Cd2＋.     

一例喹喔啉酰腙荧光探针对锌离子的选择性高灵敏识别及细胞成像应用

通过缩合反应制备了一例席夫碱荧光探针2-喹喔啉甲醛缩2-吡啶酰肼(1),使用核磁共振氢谱和碳谱及质谱等手段表征了探针的结构。荧光光谱分析表明,探针1自身无荧光,而Zn²⁺能够导致其在500 nm处出现强发射峰。该荧光增强能够在常见阳离子中选择性检测Zn²⁺,检测限低至0.16μmol·L^-1。通过核磁、质谱和紫外等手段推测了探针1与Zn²⁺可能的配位模式。通过单晶X射线衍射解析了1-Zn²⁺配合物的晶体结构,进一步确认了探针的配位行为。1-Zn²⁺晶体中探针分别采取ONN和NN配位模式螯合2个Zn²⁺,并由桥联CH₃O^-和Cl^-连接形成一维链状结构。此外,该探针还可用于活细胞中Zn²⁺的检测。     

An impedimetric assay for the identification of abnormal mitochondrial dynamics in living cells

Mitochondrial dynamics (fission and fusion) plays an important role in cell functions. Disruption in mitochondrial dynamics has been associated with diseases such as neurobiological disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Analysis of mitochondrial fission/fusion has been mostly achieved through direct visualization of the fission/fusion events in live-cell imaging of fluorescently labeled mitochondria. In this study, we demonstrated a label-free, non-invasive Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) approach to analyze mitochondrial dynamics in a genetically modified human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line with no huntingtin protein expression. Huntingtin protein has been shown to regulate mitochondria dynamics. We performed EIS studies on normal SH-SY5Y cells and two independent clones of huntingtin-null cells. The impedance data was used to determine the suspension conductivity and further cytoplasmic conductivity and relate to the abnormal mitochondrial dynamics. For instance, the cytoplasm conductivity value was increased by 11% from huntingtin-null cells to normal cells. Results of this study demonstrated that EIS is sensitive to characterize the abnormal mitochondrial dynamics that can be difficult to quantify by the conventional microscopic method.     

A new phenothiazine-based fluorescence sensor for imaging Hg2+ in living cells

A new phenothiazine-based sensor PHE-Ad for monitoring Hg²⁺ has been designed and synthesized based on the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. The probes were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and HRMS, and their optical properties were detected by UV and FL. It's showed the probes detection of Hg²⁺ compared to other metal ions (Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, and Cd²⁺) based on the test results. Besides, the detection limits were determined to be 2.12 × 10⁻⁸ M through the standard curve plot. In addition, sensor PHE-Ad shows high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg²⁺ with a fast response in a suitable pH range. Furthermore, taking into account its good “turn-on” fluorescent sensing behavior and low cell cytotoxicity, PHE-Ad was successfully applied to detect and image Hg²⁺ in real water samples and living cells, which shows great potentials for application in environmental and biological systems.     

Linear Schiff-base fluorescence probe with aggregation-induced emission characteristics for Al detection and its application in live cell imaging

A simple Schiff-base derivative with salicylaldehyde moieties as fluorescent probe 1 was reported by aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characterization for the detection of metal ions. Spectral analysis revealed that probe 1 was highly selective and sensitive to Al³⁺. The probe 1 was also subject to minimal interference from other common competitive metal ions. The detection limit of Al³⁺ was 0.4 μM, which is considerably lower than the World Health Organization standard (7.41 μM), and the acceptable level of Al³⁺ (1.85 μM) in drinking water. The Job's plot and the results of ¹H-NMR and FT-IR analyses indicated that the binding stoichiometry ratio of probe 1 to Al³⁺ was 1:2. Probe 1 demonstrated a fluorescence-enhanced response upon binding with Al³⁺ based on AIE characterization. This response was due to the restricted molecular rotation and increased rigidity of the molecular assembly. Probe 1 exhibited good biocompatibility, and Al³⁺ was detected in live cells. Therefore, probe 1 is a promising fluorescence probe for Al³⁺ detection in the environment.     

A minimal core based fluorophore for selective detection of Zn(II) ions in aqueous solution and living cells

A minimal core based fluorophore was introduced as a selectively fluorescent "turn on" sensor for Zn(2+) ions in aqueous solution. Addition of Zn(2+) ions to the fluorophore generates a significant emission through a 1:1 ligand-to-metal complex. The fluorescence titration experiment of the minimal core based fluorophore with various metal ions shows that the pyromellitic diimide derivative also has the advantage of a high selectivity to Zn(2+) ions over other metals such as Ni(2+), or Co(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), Fe(2+). More than 8 fold increase in the intensity of fluorescence was observed for the Zn(2+)-bound fluorophore compared to Zn-free fluorophore. Due to its small molecular size, the fluorophore was cell-permeable and successfully applied to the detection of Zn(2+) in living cells. With its relatively high sensitivity to Zn(2+) in living cells, the synthesized new fluorophore will be very useful in the studies on various biological functions of Zn(2+).     

Synthesis of a new pyrene-devived fluorescent probe for the detection of Zn2+

A novel pyrene-based receptor bearing benzothiazole was synthesized as a good turn-on fluorescent sensor for the recognition of Zn²⁺. The probe showed an excellent selectivity for Zn²⁺over most other competing ions (eg, Cr³⁺, Li⁺, Cd²⁺, Al³⁺, Pb²⁺, Li⁺, Mg²⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Ba²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺) in EtOH-HEPES (65:35, v/v, pH?=?7.20), which might be attributed to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. The formation of 1:1 stoichiometric PBZ-Zn²⁺ complex was determined based on the Job's plot, ¹H NMR titration and ESI-MS. The binding constant of the complex was 4.04?×?10⁴?M^?1 with a detection limit of 2.58?×?10^?7?M. The potential application of the PBZ in real water samples for recognizing Zn²⁺ was investigated. Bio-imaging study also revealed that PBZ could be applied to detecting Zn²⁺ in live cells. These results indicated that PBZ could be a favorable probe for Zn²⁺.     

Sulfonate-based fluorescent probes for imaging hydrogen peroxide in living cells

Based on the mechanism of H₂O₂-mediated hydrolysis of sulfonates, two fluorescein disulfonates compounds (FS-1 and FS-2) were designed and synthesized as the highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probes for imaging H₂O₂ in living cells. The probes were detected with elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. Upon reaction with H₂O₂, the probes exhibit strong fluorescence responses and high selectivity for H₂O₂ over other reactive oxygen species and some biological compounds. Furthermore, the sulfonate-based probes, as novel fluorescent reagents, are cell-permeable and can detect micromolar changes in H₂O₂ concentrations in living cells by using confocal microscopy. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB936000), the National Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar (Grant No. 20725518), Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 90713019), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20875057), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (Grant No. Y2007B02), and the Science and Technology Development Programs of Shandong Province, China (Grant No. 2008GG30003012)