Development of a novel terbium(III) chelate-based luminescent probe for highly sensitive time-resolved luminescence detection of hydroxyl radical

Time-resolved (or time-gated) luminescence detection technique using lanthanide chelates as luminescent probes is a widely used and highly sensitive method for the biological applications. The developments of various functional lanthanide probes that can selectively recognize the biological targets are the essential objective of the technique. In this work, a unique Tb³⁺ chelate-based luminescent probe, N,N,N¹,N¹-[2,6-bis(3′-aminomethyl-1′-pyrazolyl)-4-(p-aminophenoxy)methylene-pyridine] tetrakis(acetate)-Tb³⁺(BMPTA-Tb³⁺), has been designed and synthesized for highly selective and sensitive time-resolved luminescence detection of one highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydroxyl radical (OH). The probe is almost non-luminescent, and can selectively react with hydroxyl radical to afford a highly luminescent Tb³⁺ chelate, N,N,N¹,N¹-[2,6-bis(3′-aminomethyl-1′-pyrazolyl)-4-hydroxymethyl-pyridine] tetrakis(acetate)-Tb³⁺ (BHTA-Tb³⁺), accompanied by a 49-fold increase in luminescence quantum yield with a long luminescence lifetime (2.76 ms). The luminescence response of the probe to hydroxyl radical is highly selective and insensitive to pH in the physiological pH range. For loading the probe into the living cells, the acetoxymethyl ester of BMPTA-Tb³⁺ was synthesized and used for the HeLa cell loading. Based on this probe, a background-free time-resolved luminescence imaging method for detecting hydroxyl radical in living cells was successfully established.     

Monitoring intracellular pH fluctuation with an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor

Intracellular pH is a key parameter related to various biological and pathological processes. In this study, a ratiometric pH fluorescent sensor ABTT was developed harnessing the amino-type excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. Relying on whether the ESIPT proceeds normally or not, ABTT exhibited the yellow fluorescence in acidic media, or cyan fluorescence in basic condition. According to the variation, ABTT behaved as a promising sensor which possessed fast and reversible response to pH change without interference from the biological substances, and exported a steady ratiometric signal (I₄₇₈/I₅₄₆). Moreover, due to the ESIPT effect, large Stokes shift and high quantum yield were also exhibited in ABTT. Furthermore, ABTT was applied for monitoring the pH changes in living cells and visualizing the pH fluctuations under oxidative stress successfully. These results elucidated great potential of ABTT in understanding pH-dependent physiological and pathological processes.     

Developing a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe based on ESIPT for the detection of pH changes in living cells

As an important parameter of intracellular metabolism, pH plays important roles in maintaining normal physiological processes. The abnormal pH could cause disorder of cell function which may cause neurological diseases. Herein, we present two novel ratiometric fluorescent probes to detect pH changes. The probes employed 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole as fluorescent platform, and displayed desirable fluorescence response to pH on the basis of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. The probe BtyC-1 showed green fluorescence at 546 nm under acidic conditions, while it displayed strong blue fluorescence at 473 nm and weak green fluorescence at 546 nm under alkaline conditions. Biological experiments demonstrated that the probe BtyC-1 could be successfully applied for the ratiometric imaging of cellular pH and the NH₄Cl-induced pH changes in living cells.     

A versatile approach for ratiometric time-resolved read-out of colorimetric chemosensors using broadband phosphors as secondary emitters

A new approach for referencing of colorimetric chemosensors is described. The sensing materials rely on combination of absorption-based indicators and inorganic phosphors. Chromium(III)-activated yttrium aluminum borate and gadolinium aluminum borate were chosen to illustrate the new sensing scheme due to their spectral properties and high chemical and photochemical stability. The ratiometric luminescence read-out becomes possible due to the overlap of at least one form of the indicator with broadband emission (650–900 nm) or excitation (400–700 nm) of the phosphor. Long luminescence decay time of the phosphors (80–150 μs) allows for complete elimination of background fluorescence originating from the media, optical components or the indicator. The versatile scheme enables robust read-out of numerous colorimetric chemosensors and probes. Examples of sensing pH (using a BF₂-chelated tetraarylazadipyrromethene dye as an indicator) and carbon dioxide (a triphenylmethane dye as an indicator) are provided. It is also demonstrated that temperature can be accessed via luminescence decay time of the phosphor to enable compensation of the sensors for temperature effects.     

Synthesis of siloxane-based PAMAM dendrimers and luminescent properties of their lanthanide complexes

The 0.5-2 generations of siloxane-based PAMAM dendrimers with 1, 3-bis(3-aminopropyl) tetramethyldisiloxane (G0) as core unit were synthesized by two different methods. Their structures were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, LC/MS, TGA, and DSC. Results show that method two is more suitable as its synthetic procedure is simple and it provides higher yield than method one. DSC analysis indicates that the introduction of the siloxane linkage into the interior of the dendrimers has significant effect on the flexibility of the dendrimer structures. Lanthanide complexes of the newly designed siloxane-based PAMAM dendrimers were obtained by complexing with Eu(III) and Tb(III), respectively. The luminescent properties of the complexes in the solution were investigated. Narrow-width red and green emissions were observed from the complexes of G0.5, G1.5, and G2.0, indicating intramolecular energy transfer process takes place between ligands and lanthanide ions.     

石墨烯量子点-金纳米簇比率荧光传感器用于海水pH检测

表层海洋pH正以约每年0.002的速度下降,这种变化将会对地球的化学循环和气候变化的物理化学参数产生潜在的影响。为了准确了解海洋的酸化程度,本文建立了一种快速准确检测海水pH的方法。采用柠檬酸热解法合成石墨烯量子点（GQDs）,以谷胱甘肽（GSH）为模板合成金纳米簇（GSH-AuNCs）,将GQDs和GSH-AuNCs结合制成GQDs-AuNCs比率荧光传感器,用于海水pH的检测。在酸性条件下,由于GSH-AuNCs表面的羧基发生质子化,GSH-AuNCs分子之间的静电斥力减弱因而发生聚集,荧光强度随之降低。在碱性条件下,GSH-AuNCs表面的羧基脱质子化,GSH-AuNCs分子之间的静电斥力增强,荧光强度也随之增强。在pH 2～11范围内,GQDs-AuNCs比率荧光探针的荧光强度比值(I₅₆₅/I₄₄₀)与pH之间呈线性相关。将该方法用于海水的pH检测,得到较好的实验结果。     

Naphthalimide-rhodamine based fluorescent probe for ratiometric sensing of cellular pH

The pH values of lysosomes in cancer cells is slightly lower than that in normal cells, which can be used to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. According to this, a naphthalimide-rhodamine based fluorescent probe(hereafter referred to as RBN) with a pK_a of 4.20 was designed and synthesized for ratiometric sensing of cellular pH via fluorescence resonance energy transfer(FRET), which can respond to different pH precisely through ratiometric fluorescence intensity(Ⅰ_(577)/Ⅰ_(540)). RBN can be employed to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells on the basis of different fluorescent response, in particular, RBN showed excellent water solubility and low cell toxicity, all these are quite significant for potential application in cancer diagnose and therapy.     

Development of pH sensor based on aromatic polyurethane matrix

The synthesized aromatic polyurethane (APU)-based all-solid-state (ASS) pH sensor was developed with the same APU-based reference site in an ASS multi sensing electrode. The best analytical performance (the linear range of pH 3.0–11.5, slopes of 57 mV pH⁻¹) was obtained with the membrane composition of 33:66:1 (wt.%) of APU/plasticizer (NPOE)/ionophore (N,N-dioctadecylmethylamine) with the addition of lipophilic additive (KTpClPB, 5 mol.%). This ASSE exhibits more advantages of increasing stability, reducing membrane resistance and reducing anion interference.     

Colorimetric assay for on-the-spot alcoholic strength sensing in spirit samples based on dual-responsive lanthanide coordination polymer particles with ratiometric fluorescence

This study demonstrates a new strategy for colorimetric detection of alcoholic strength (AS) in spirit samples based on dual-responsive lanthanide infinite coordination polymer (Ln-ICP) particles with ratiometric fluorescence. The ICP used in this study are composed of two components: one is the supramolecular Ln-ICP network formed by the coordination between the ligand 2,2’-thiodiacetic acid (TDA) and central metal ion Eu³⁺; and the other is a fluorescent dye, i.e., coumarin 343 (C343), both as the cofactor ligand and as the sensitizer, doped into the Ln-ICP network through self-adaptive chemistry. Upon being excited at 300 nm, the red fluorescence of Ln-ICP network itself at 617 nm is highly enhanced due to the concomitant energy transfer from C343 to Eu³⁺, while the fluorescence of C343 at 495 nm is supressed. In pure ethanol solvent, the as-formed C343@Eu-TDA is well dispersed and quite stable. However, the addition of water into ethanolic dispersion of C343@Eu-TDA destructs Eu-TDA network structure, resulting in the release of C343 from ICP network into the solvent. Consequently, the fluorescence of Eu-TDA turns off and the fluorescence of C343 turns on, leading to the fluorescent color change of the dispersion from red to blue, which constitutes a new mechanism for colorimetric sensing of AS in commercial spirit samples. With the method developed here, we could clearly distinguish the AS of different spirit samples within a wide linear range from 10% vol to 100% vol directly by “naked eye” with the help of UV-lamp (365 nm). This study not only offers a new method for on-the-spot visible detection of AS, but also provides a strategy for dual-responsive sensing mode by rational designing the optical properties of the Ln-ICP network and the guest, respectively.     

A ratiometric approach for pH optosensing with a single fluorophore indicator

A new fiber-optic prototype of luminometer has been designed in order to perform ratiometric-based measurements for optical sensing purposes. The coupling of a pH-selective sensing phase to the fiber-optic prototype has been evaluated for robust pH optosensing in drinking water. The pH-sensitive material has been synthesized by entrapping a pH-sensitive luminescent indicator (mercurochrome) in a sol-gel inorganic matrix. The pH optosensing is based on the detection of pH-induced reversible changes in the mercurochrome fluorescent emission and in the light reflected by the sensing phase.The instrument has been constructed using low-cost and simple optoelectronic components. The active phase was excited by means of a visible 470 nm high intensity light emitting diode (LED). The radiant power of the LED was modulated using a sinusoidal function so that scattered light due to light sources of different frequency than the modulating signal (e.g. sunlight) can be easily removed by adequate electronic filtering of the emission signal. Both the fluorescence emission from the dye and the sensing phase reflected light were collected in a bifurcated fiber-optic to allow the ratiometric measurement.Two different ratiometric approaches have been evaluated. The analytical performance of the pH optrode using both measurement methods have been compared, between them and with simple fluorescence intensity measurements, in terms of sensitivity, measurement range, response time, repeatability and insensitivity to changes in excitation light intensity.The applicability of the developed pH optrode and methods has been tested for pH analysis in tap and bottled still mineral water samples. The results obtained showed good agreement with the corresponding pH values provided by a commercial glass electrode.In this work, pH was selected as a model analyte to evaluate the performance of the proposed methodology, although other optical sensors for different applications/analytes could benefit of this approach.     

A ratiometric luminescence probe for highly reactive oxygen species based on lanthanide complexes

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators in a variety of pathological events, but the oxidative stress owing to excessive generation of ROS is implicated in many human diseases. In this work, we designed and synthesized a novel dual-functional chelating ligand, [4'-(p-aminophenoxy)methylene-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine-6,6'-diyl]bis(methylenenitrilo)tetrakis(acetic acid) (AMTTA), that can strongly coordinate with both Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) in aqueous solutions for the recognition and time-gated luminescence detection of highly ROS (hROS), hydroxyl radical ((?)OH), and hypochlorite (ClO(-)). The complexes AMTTA-Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu and Tb) are almost nonluminescent because of the photoinduced electron transfer from the electron-rich aminophenyl group to the terpyridine-Ln(3+) moiety but can rapidly react with hROS to afford highly luminescent complexes (4'-hydroxymethyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine-6,6'-diyl)bis(methylenenitrilo)tetrakis(acetate)-Ln(3+) (HTTA-Ln(3+)). Interestingly, when the AMTTA-Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) mixture (AMTTA/Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) = 2/1/1) was reacted with hROS, the intensity ratio of its Tb(3+) emission at 540 nm to its Eu(3+) emission at 610 nm, I(540)/I(610), showed a ratiometric response toward hROS, and the dose-dependent increase of the ratio displayed a double-exponential correlation to the concentration of hROS. This unique luminescence response allowed the AMTTA-Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) mixture to be used as a ratiometric probe for the time-gated luminescence detection of hROS.     

Energy transfer in solution of lanthanide complexes

The lanthanides with their well-defined energy levels provide an excellent basis to study different Ln(III)-specific energy transfer processes in a variety of chemical environments. The studies concerning intramolecular and intermolecular energy transfer processes with participation of Ln(III) ions and a variety of ligand groups in solution are reviewed. Phenomena of energy transfer from ligands to Ln(III) ions, resulting consequently in a great enhancement of the Ln(III) ion luminescence (ligand sensitized luminescence), as well as from Ln(III) to other species and between Ln(III) ions are presented.     

Hoechst-naphthalimide dyad with dual emissions as specific and ratiometric sensor for nucleus DNA damage

A ratiometric fluorescent sensor (Hoe-NI) was developed for high specific nucleus labeling and monitoring of nuclear DNA damage in living cells.     

A tunable ratiometric pH sensor based on carbon nanodots for the quantitative measurement of the intracellular pH of whole cells

The whole picture: Carbon nanodots labeled with two fluorescent dyes have been developed as a tunable ratiometric pH sensor to measure intracellular pH. The nanosensor shows good biocompatibility and cellular dispersibility. Quantitative determinations on intact HeLa cells and pH fluctuations associated with oxidative stress were performed.     

Microtiterplate phosphate assay based on luminescence quenching of a terbium complex amenable to decay time detection

We describe a terbium-ligand complex (TbL) for a microtiterplate assay for phosphate (P) in the 0.3-100 μmol L⁻¹ range based on luminescence quenching. As the pH optimum is at neutral pH (7.4) the probe is quenched by both, primary (H₂PO₄⁻) and secondary phosphate (HPO₄²⁻). The LOD is 110 nmol L⁻¹. A Stern-Volmer study revealed that quenching is mostly static. Due to the ms-decay time of TbL, the first luminescence lifetime assay for phosphate could also be developed. The lifetime-based calibration plot is linear between 0.5 and 5 μmol L⁻¹ of P. The effect of various surfactants on assay performance and a study on interferents are presented. The probe was successfully applied to determination of P in commercial plant fertilizers and validated against the molybdenum blue test. The probe is the most sensitive lanthanide-based probe for phosphate.     

A novel ratiometric fluorescent Fe sensor based on a phenanthroimidazole chromophore

Phenanthroimidazole derivative 1 has been developed as a rare example of ratiometric fluorescent sensors for Fe³⁺. Interestingly, upon treatment with Fe³⁺, the sensor displayed a ratiometric fluorescent response with an enhancement of the ratios of emission intensities at 440 and 500 nm from 0.36 to 3.24. The detection range of the sensor for Fe³⁺ is in the 1.0 × 10⁻⁵-1.5 × 10⁻⁴ M concentration range and the detection limit is 5.26 × 10⁻⁶ M. In addition, the sensor showed good selectivity to Fe³⁺ with the selectivity coefficients (KFe3+=SFe3+/S₀) of Fe³⁺ over other metal ions tested in the range of 5-68.     

A versatile ditopic ligand system for sensitizing the luminescence of bimetallic lanthanide bio-imaging probes

The homoditopic ligand 6,6'-[methylenebis(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5,2-diyl)]bis(4-{2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}pyridine-2-carboxylic acid) (H(2)L(C2)) has been tailored to self-assemble with lanthanide ions (Ln(III)), which results in the formation of neutral bimetallic helicates with the overall composition [Ln(2)(L(C2))(3)] and also provides a versatile platform for further derivatization. The grafting of poly(oxyethylene) groups onto the pyridine units ensures water solubility, while maintaining sizeable thermodynamic stability and adequate antenna effects for the excitation of both visible- and NIR-emitting Ln(III) ions. The conditional stability constants (log beta(23)) are close to 25 at physiological pH and under stoichiometric conditions. The ligand triplet state features adequate energy (0-phonon transition at approximately 21 900 cm(-1)) to sensitize the luminescence of Eu(III) (Q=21 %) and Tb(III) (11 %) in aerated water at pH 7.4. The emission of several other VIS- and NIR-emitting ions, such as Sm(III) (Q=0.38 %) or Yb(III) (0.15 %), for which in cellulo luminescence is evidenced for the first time, is also sensitized. The Eu(III) emission spectrum arises from a main species with pseudo-D(3) symmetry and without coordinated water. The cell viability of several cancerous cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, Jurkat and 5D10) is unaffected if incubated with up to 500 microM [Eu(2)(L(C2))(3)] during 24 h. Bright Eu(III) emission is seen for incubation concentrations above 10 microM and after a 15-minute loading time; similar images are obtained with Tb(III) and Sm(III). The helicates probably permeate into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells by endocytosis. The described luminescent helical stains are robust chemical species which remain undissociated in the cell medium and in presence of other complexing agents, such as edta, dtpa, citrate or L-ascorbate. Their derivatization, which would open the way to the sensing of targeted in cellulo phenomena, is currently under investigation.     

A fluorescence ratiometric sensor for hypochlorite based on a novel dual-fluorophore response approach

A fluorescence ratiometric sensor for OCl⁻ has been developed based on a novel dual fluorophore response approach. The sensor molecule contains a coumarin fluorophore and a rhodamine fluorophore, and the two fluorophores are directly linked to an OCl⁻ recognition group. The structure of the sensor was characterized by ESI-MS, NMR, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Upon treatment with OCl⁻, both fluorophores in the sensor responded simultaneously at two separate optical windows, with large enhancement of the fluorescence ratio (I₅₇₈/I₅₀₁) from 0.01 to 39.55. The fluorescence ratios for the sensor showed a good linearity with the concentration of OCl⁻ in the range of 0.2–40 μM and the detection limits is 0.024 μM (S N⁻¹ = 3). Investigation of reaction products indicated that the sensor reaction with OCl⁻ produced two new fluorescent molecules, which were responsible for the fluorescence changes in two optical windows. In addition, the sensor showed high selectivity to OCl⁻ over other reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, cations, and anions. The sensor has also been successfully applied to detection of OCl⁻ in natural water samples with satisfactory recovery.     

A ratiometric fluorescence sensor for Be based on Beryllon II/layered double hydroxide ultrathin films

A ratiometric fluorescence sensor for Be²⁺ has been fabricated via alternate assembly of 2-(3,6-disulfo-8-hydroxynaphthylazo)-1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonate (Beryllon II) and MgAl-LDH nanosheets on quartz substrates using the layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition technique. UV–vis absorption and the fluorescence emission spectroscopy indicate a stepwise and regular growth of the Beryllon II/LDH UTFs upon increasing deposition cycle. The film of Beryllon II/LDH possesses a periodic layered structure perpendicular to the substrate revealed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Atomic force microscopy images show that the film surface is continuous and uniform. The Beryllon II/LDH UTFs display ratiometric fluorescence response for Be²⁺ with a linear response range in 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.9 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ and a detection limit of 4.2 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. Furthermore, the ratiometric sensor exhibits good repeatability, high stability (thermal, storage and mechanical) as well as excellent selectivity toward Be²⁺. XPS and Raman measurements demonstrate that the specific response of the sensor is attributed to the coordination between Be²⁺ and Beryllon II in the UTF. The Beryllon II/LDH UTFs in this work can be potentially used as a chemosensor for the detection of Be²⁺ in the environmental and biomedical field.     

Three new lanthanide compounds based on nitronyl nitroxide radical: Crystal structure,magnetic properties,and luminescence properties

Three new lanthanide compounds were obtained using 2-(3-methylthiophene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) (NIT-3Methien). These compounds, [Gd(hfac)₃(NIT-3Methien)₂]?0.5CH₃(CH₂)₅CH₃ (1: Half n-heptane trihexafluoroacetylacetonate-di-2-(3-methylthiophene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide gadolinium(III)), [Tb(hfac)₃(NIT-3Methien)₂]?0.5H₂O (2: Half Hydrate trihexafluoroacetylacetonate-di-2-(3-methylthiophene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide terbium(III)), and [Dy(hfac)₃(NIT-3Methien)₂]?0.5H₂O (3: Half Hydrate trihexafluoroacetylacetonate-di-2-(3-methylthiophene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide dysprosium(III)), (CH₃(CH₂)₅CH₃ = n-heptane), (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate), were characterized structurally and magnetically. The three compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P1( - ). Ln(III) ion was eight-coordinate by six oxygens from three hfac ligands and two oxygens from two radicals. In 1, direct current (DC) magnetic studies reveal ferromagnetic interactions between the Gd(III) ion and radicals with J₁ = 0.94 cm^?1. In 2 and 3, there are antiferromagnetic interactions between the Tb(III), or Dy(III) ions and radicals. The luminescence characterizations show that 2 exhibits highly selective luminescent sensing of Cr₂O₇^2? ions.