Novel 1,8-naphthalimide dye for multichannel sensing of H<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>

A novel 1,8-naphthalimide dye with simple structure has been produced by a facile synthetic method for colorimetric and fluorescent sensing of H⁺ and Cu²⁺. In CH₃CN/H₂O (1/1, v/v), the dye could monitor H⁺ using dual channels (ratiometric absorbance and fluorescence intensity change) from pH 6.2 to 12.0. Meanwhile, in the pH range of 1.9–5.2, the dye could also be used to detect Cu²⁺ using triple channels [ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption, fluorescence intensity reduction, as well as fluorescence blueshift]. The detection limits for Cu²⁺ evaluated by colorimetric and fluorescent titration were 6.10 × 10^?7 and 2.62 × 10^?7 M, respectively. The dye exhibited specific selectivity and sensitivity for H⁺ and Cu²⁺ over various coexisting metal ions. Moreover, the sensing mechanism of the dye for H⁺ and Cu²⁺ was carefully examined.     

A dual-function chemosensor based on coumarin for fluorescent turn-on recognition of Hg2+ and colorimetric detection of Cu2+ in aqueous media

A novel coumarin derivative CTT was synthesized via the condensation of 7-(N,N-diethylamino) coumarin-3-aldehyde with 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol and its structure was characterized using infrared spectroscopy (IR), ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, and elemental analysis. The recognition properties of CTT with metal ions were investigated in CH₃CN–H₂O (v/v = 1/1) solution using UV–vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectrum method. The results showed that CTT could monitor Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ simultaneously as a dual-function chemosensor in CH₃CN–H₂O (v/v = 1/1). CTT could be used to detect Cu²⁺ colorimetrically; when using CTT, a color change from yellowish-brown to yellowish-green could be readily observed by the naked eye. CTT showed turn-on fluorescent recognition of Hg²⁺, the fluorescence enhancement was attributed to the inhibited C=N isomerization and the obstructed excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of CTT. The recognition mechanism of CTT for Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ was studied by experiments and theoretical calculations, respectively. Therefore, CTT has the ability to be a “single chemosensor for dual targets.”     

A New,Highly Potent 1,8‐Naphthalimide‐based Fluorescence “Turn off” Chemosensor Capable of Cu2+ Detection in China's Yellow River Water Samples

A new 1,8‐naphthalimide‐based fluorescence “turn off” chemosensor, N‐phenyl‐4‐(3,3′‐((2‐aminoethyl)azanediyl)dipropanoic acid)‐1,8‐naphthalimide ( MAST ), for the detection of Cu²⁺ was synthesized. Upon treatment with Cu²⁺, in coexistence with various competitive metal ions in HEPES‐buffered dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution (v/v, 1:1; pH 7.4), MAST displayed a high selectivity toward Cu²⁺ with a fluorescence quenching of 83.67%. Additionally, a good linear response of MAST for the detection of Cu²⁺ was obtained in the concentration range of 10 × 10⁻⁶ to 50 × 10⁻⁶ M. A 1:1 stoichiometric interaction of MAST with Cu²⁺ was observed, and the association constant and detection limit were calculated to be 1.37 × 10⁶ and 0.69 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively. The sensing mechanism of the chemosensor toward Cu²⁺ was proposed due to the effect of the paramagnetic nature of Cu²⁺ and reverse‐photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) process. Ultimately, the proposed chemosensor was applied to quantify Cu²⁺ in real‐world water samples, with excellent recovery rates of 98.00–109.80% observed.     

Unique Fluorogenic Ratiometric Fluorescent Chemodosimeter for Rapid Sensing of CN− in Water

A new benzimidazole‐spiropyran conjugate chemosensor molecule ( BISP ) has been synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), and elemental analysis. The two isomeric forms ( BISP ? BIMC ) were shown to be highly selective and sensitive to CN^? among the ten anions studied in aqueous HEPES buffer, as shown by fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy and even by visual color changes, with a detection limit of 1.7 μM for BIMC . The reaction of CN^? with BIMC was monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), UV/Vis measurements, and fluorescence spectroscopy in HEPES buffer of pH 7.4. TDDFT calculations were performed in order to correlate the electronic properties of the chemosensor with its cyanide complex. Further, titration against thiophilic metal ions like Au³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, and Hg²⁺ with [ BIMC‐CN ] in situ showed that it acts as a secondary recognition ensemble toward Au³⁺ and Cu²⁺ by switch‐on fluorescence. In addition, a reversible logic‐gate property of BIMC has been demonstrated through a feedback loop in the presence of CN^? and Au³⁺ ions, respectively. Furthermore, the use of BIMC to detect CN^? in live cells by fluorescence imaging has also been demonstrated. Notably, test strips based on BIMC were fabricated, which could serve as convenient and efficient CN^? test kits.     

A coumarin based highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for sequential recognition of Cu2+ and PPi

In this study, we have successfully synthesized a new coumarin based fluorescent chemosensor 1, in which tren and quinolone are introduced as receptors for sequential recognition of Cu²⁺ and PPi. The structure of chemosensor 1 was characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and ESI-HR-MS. Sensor 1 showed an obvious “on-off” fluorescence quenching response toward Cu²⁺, and the quenching efficiency reached a maximum of 99.6% with the addition of 20 equiv. of Cu²⁺. The 1-Cu²⁺ complex showed an “off-on” fluorescence enhancement response toward PPi over many competitive anions, especially HPO₄^2? and H₂PO₄^?. The detection limit of sensor 1 was 1.9?×?10^?6?M to Cu²⁺ and 5.96?×?10^?8?M to PPi. In addition, sensor 1 showed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry to Cu²⁺ and sensor 1-Cu²⁺ showed a 2: 1 binding stoichiometry to PPi in CH₃CN/HEPES buffer medium (9:1 v/v, pH?=?7.4). The stable pH range of sensor 1 to Cu²⁺ and 1-Cu²⁺ to PPi was from 4 to 8.     

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.     

Novel coumarin-based containing denrons selective fluorescent chemosesor for sequential recognition of Cu2+ and PPi

In this study, we have successfully synthesized a novel coumarin-based dendrons derivative CD and its chemical structure was characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and ESI-HR-MS. The sensor CD showed an obvious “on-off” fluorescence quenching response toward Cu²⁺ with a maximum quenching efficiency of 99.8%. The CD-Cu²⁺ complex showed an “off-on” fluorescence enhancement response toward PPi over many competitive anions. The detection limit of the sensor CD was 0.29?×?10^?6?M to Cu²⁺ and 2.39?×?10^?9?M to PPi. In addition, the sensor CD showed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry to Cu²⁺ and the sensor CD-Cu²⁺ showed a 2:1 binding stoichiometry to PPi in CH₃CN/HEPES buffer medium (9:1 v/v, pH?=?7.2). The stable pH range of sensor CD to Cu²⁺ and CD-Cu²⁺ to PPi was from 3 to 8.     

A Colorimetric and Fluorimetric Chemodosimeter for Copper Ion Based on the Conversion of Dihydropyrazine to Pyrazine

In this research, we successfully synthesized and fully characterized the new compound 5,8,13,16,21,24‐hex‐(triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)‐6,23‐dihydro‐6,7,14,15,22,23‐hexaza‐trianthrylene ( HHATA , brown color in a mixed solvent of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN 1:1, v/v, weakly blue fluorescent), which can be easily oxidized to 5,8,13,16,21,24‐hex‐(triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)‐6,7,14,15,22,23‐hexazatrianthrylene ( HATA ) (yellow color in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN 1:1, v/v), red fluorescent) by Cu²⁺ ions. This reaction only proceeds efficiently in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions when compared with other common metal ions such as Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, and Li⁺. Our result suggests that this reaction can be developed as an effective method for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions.     

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.     

Naphthalene and pyrrole substituted guanidine in selective sensing of Cu2+, Hg2+, Pb2+ and CN− ions under different conditions

Naphthalene and pyrrole substituted guanidine 1 has been designed and synthesised. Compound 1 efficiently distinguishes Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions by exhibiting different responses in fluorescence. While compound 1 exhibited turn-on emission selectively in the presence of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions in CH₃CN and CH₃CN–H₂O (1:1, v/v), respectively, it showed decrease in emission upon interaction with Cu²⁺ ion in CH₃CN. Furthermore, the Cu-1 ensemble has been established as a potential probe for selective detection of CN^? ion over a series of other anions involving colour change (in ordinary light: colourless to light yellow and under UV light: colourless to sky blue). Theoretical insight has been invoked to understand the mode of metal–ligand interaction.     

A benzimidazole-based fluorescent sensor for Cu2+ and its complex with a phosphate anion formed through a Cu2+ displacement approach

A benzimidazole-based imine linked receptor was synthesized for fluorescent recognition of Cu²⁺ in a CH₃CN/H₂O (8:2, v/v) solvent system. The receptor offers an opportunity for the selective estimation of Cu²⁺ in the presence of another metal ion at equimolar concentration. The Cu²⁺ complex with the receptor acted as a sensor for a phosphate anion, and the phosphate recognition event restored the fluorescence intensity of the receptor.     

A rapid selective colorimetric and ‘On–Off’ fluorimetric sensor for detecting Cu2+ ions in aqueous media based on a simple bis-schiff-base derivative

A simple colorimetric and fluorimetric ‘On–Off’ sensor L (3,3′-dimethyl -[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diyl)bis(azanylylidene)bis(methanylylidene)bis(naphthalen-2-ol) for Cu²⁺ ions bearing o-tolidine substituents has been designed and synthesised, and exhibits significant fluorimetric and colorimetric response for Cu²⁺ in DMSO/H₂O (8:2, v/v) HEPES buffer (pH 7.2) solution. The detection limit of the sensor towards Cu²⁺ is 7.25 × 10^? 8 M and the association constant K_a of 9.86 × 10⁴ M^? 1 was determined. Furthermore, other anions, including Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺ and Mg²⁺ have almost no influence on the probe's behaviour. Test strips based on the sensor L were fabricated, which could act as convenient and efficient Cu²⁺ test kits.     

Two chemodosimeters for fluorescence recognition of biothiols in aqueous solution and their bioimaging application

Two fluorescein derivatives containing 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl group have been developed as fluorescent probes to detect the biothiols (Cys, Hcy and GSH) in aqueous solution. Probes 1 and 2 can distinguish these biothiols in the presence of other amino acids. While probe 1 can recognize the biothiols in PBS/DMSO (v:v = 95:5, pH = 7.40) solution, notably probe 2 could be used in PBS buffer solution (pH = 7.40). The detection limit of Cys for probe 2 reached at 0.021 μM in aqueous solution, which was lower than the intracellular concentration of Cys. In the recognition process, a reaction between the probes and the biothiols occurred, in which the S–O bond was cleaved to remove 2, 4-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl group. The data of ¹H NMR, MS and DFT/TD-DFT calculation further confirmed the detection mechanism. Moreover, two probes were successfully applied to the HeLa cell imaging.     

A highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for Fe (III) based on rhodamine 6G dyes derivative

A new fluorescent probe L based on the rhodamine 6G platforms for Fe³⁺ has been designed and synthesised. L showed excellent selectivity and high sensitivity for Fe³⁺ against other metal ions such as K⁺, Na⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ce³⁺ and Y³⁺ in HEPES buffer (10 mM, pH 7.4)/CH₃CN (40:60, V/V). The distinct color change and the rapid emergence of fluorescence emission provided naked-eyes detection for Fe³⁺. The recognition mechanism of the probe toward Fe³⁺ was evaluated by Job’s plots, IR and ESI-MS. In order to further study their fluorescent properties, L + Fe³⁺ fluorescence lifetime was also measured. Moreover, the test strip results showed that these probes could act as a convenient and efficient Fe³⁺ test kit.     

Study on the synthesis of novel fluorescent macrocyclic sensors and their sensitive properties for Cu2+ and Fe3+ in aqueous solution

In this work, we synthesised and characterised three novel fluorescence macrocyclic sensors containing optically active dansyl groups. The studies for the interaction of the synthesised compounds with various mental ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ag⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺) were performed by fluorescence titration, Job’s plot, ESI-MS and DFT calculations. The results showed that the sensors 1a–1c displayed selective recognition for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions and formed stoichiometry 1:1 complex through PET mechanism in DMSO/H₂O solution (1:1, v/v, pH 7.4 of HEPES). The binding constant (K) and detection limit were calculated.     

A highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probe for Fe3+ containing two rhodamine B and thiocarbonyl moieties and its application to live cell imaging

A novel turn-on rhodamine B-based fluorescent chemosensor (RBCS) was designed and synthesized by reacting N-(rhodamine B)lactam-1,2-ethylenediamine and carbon disulfide. Upon addition of Fe³⁺ in EtOH/H₂O solution (2:1, v/v, HEPES buffer, 0.6?mM, pH 7.20), the RBCS displayed a significant fluorescence enhancement at 582?nm and a dramatic color change from colorless to pink, which can be detected by the naked eye. Significantly, the RBCS exhibited a highly selective and sensitive ability toward Fe³⁺. The detection limit of the probe was 2.05?×?10^?7?M. Job's plot indicated the formation of 1:1 complex between the RBCS and Fe³⁺. Moreover, the practical use of the RBCS is demonstrated by its application in the detection of Fe³⁺ in HeLa cells.     

A functional applied material on recognition of metal ion zinc based on the double azine compound

A colorimetric and fluorescent probe L has been designed and synthesized, which bearing the double azine moiety and showing a detection limit of 2.725 × 10^?7 M towards Zn²⁺. Based on the basic recognition mechanism of ESIPT and CHEF effect, the L has high selectivity and sensitivity to only Zn²⁺ (not Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Mg²⁺) within the physiological pH range (pH = 7.0–8.4) and showed a fluorescence switch. Moreover, this detection progress occured in the DMSO/H₂O ～ HEPES buffer (80/20, v/v; pH 7.23) solution which can conveniently used on test strip.     

A Coumarin-boronic Based Fluorescent “ON-OFF” Probe for Hg2+ in Aqueous Solution

In this work, we reported a simple coumarin-boronic acid ester fluorescent probe 1 , which displayed very high “ON-OFF” fluorescence response for Hg²⁺ in an aqueous environment (H₂O/CH₃CN = 1:1, v/v) or in a PBS solution (pH = 7.4). With the addition of Hg²⁺ to the solution of probe, a color change from light yellow to orange could be observed by naked eye. The detection limits were lower than the permitted level of Hg²⁺ in drinking water defined by WHO. Infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and ¹H NMR titration studies showed that probe 1 formed a 1:1 complex with Hg²⁺. In addition, the probe was non-toxic to cells and could stain specifically the membrane region surrounding the HeLa cell.     

Novel naphthalene-based fluorescent chemosensors for Cu2+ and Fe3+ in aqueous media

Three novel compounds bearing 2,7-dihydroxylnaphthalene capable of detecting Cu²⁺ or Fe³⁺ have been synthesised based on photoinduced electron transfer. The ability of these compounds for complex transition metal ions has been studied, and complex stoichiometry for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ complex has been determined in the Tris–HCl (0.01 M DMSO/H₂O (v/v) 1:1, buffer, pH 7.4) solution system by fluorescence titration experiments. These chemosensors form a 1:1 complex with Cu²⁺ or Fe³⁺ and show a fluorescent quenching with a binding constant of (4.46 ± 0.29) × 10³ and (8.04 ± 0.26) × 10⁴, respectively.     

基于1,8-萘酰亚胺与罗丹明B间荧光共振能量转移的高选择性Hg2+比率荧光探针

以罗丹明B与1,8-萘二甲酰亚胺反应合成了1个高选择性Hg²⁺比率荧光探针(RN). 在甲醇/乙腈/4-羟基哌嗪乙磺酸缓冲溶液(pH=7.2, 体积比8:1:1)中, RN对Hg²⁺具有比色和比率荧光双重响应. 加入Hg²⁺后, RN的紫外-可见光谱在约556 nm处产生强吸收, 溶液由浅绿色变为橙色, 其它金属离子对RN的紫外-可见光谱几乎无影响. 无Hg²⁺存在时, RN的荧光光谱在540 nm处出现萘二甲酰亚胺荧光团的特征峰; 加入Hg²⁺后, 540 nm处的发射带逐渐消失, 同时在580 nm附近产生强荧光, 荧光颜色从绿色变为橙色. 这归因于从萘酰亚胺到开环罗丹明B的荧光共振能量转移(FRET), 探针RN对Hg²⁺的比率荧光响应具有高选择性, 不受其它共存金属离子的干扰.