A selective quinoline-derived fluorescent chemodosimeter to detect cyanide in aqueous medium

A simple quinoline derived probe 3 has been described. Probe 3 having aldehyde function upon interaction with cyanide undergo nucleophilic addition reaction to form cyanohydrin derivative 4 in which fluorescence intensity enhances significantly, ‘turn-on’ by photoinduced electron transfer (PET) OFF–ON mechanism. The color of probe solution switched-on to fluorescent blue which is visible to the naked-eye. Job’s plot analysis revealed a 1:1 stoichiometry for an interaction between 3 and cyanide along with detection limit 0.058 μM (1.5 ppb). The mode of interaction to detect cyanide in aqueous medium through a reaction based chemodosimeter approach has been confirmed by NMR, mass, FTIR, and DFT data analysis.     

Molecular beacons: a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for detecting Escherichia coli from fresh produce and water

Molecular beacons (MBs) are oligonucleotide probes that fluoresce upon hybridization. The development of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect the presence of Escherichia coli using these fluorogenic reporter molecules is reported. MBs were designed to recognize a 19-bp region of the uid A gene, coding for an enzyme β-glucuronidase. The specificity of the MB-based PCR assay was evaluated for various E. coli strains as well as bacteria species that are present in nature. The capability of the assay to detect E. coli in drinking water and produce was demonstrated. Positive detection of E. coli was demonstrated when >10¹ CFU mL⁻¹ (colony forming unit) was present in the water samples and fresh produce after 18 h of enrichment. These assays could be carried out entirely in sealed PCR tubes, enabling rapid and semiautomated detection of E. coli in food and environmental samples.     

Nuclear fluorination of 2,4-diarylthiazoles with Accufluor

A series of 2,4-diphenylthiazole derivatives were synthesized and directly fluorinated at the 5-position by reaction with the N-F fluorinating reagent Accufluor^®. Although fluorination occurred selectively at the thiazole ring, it was always incomplete and thus yields for the novel fluorinated products were low to moderate (19-43%) following purification to remove starting material. Nonetheless, the target compounds were obtained in a convenient and straightforward manner. Selectfluor^® was not as effective as Accufluor^® as it gave a trace amount of the 5-chlorothiazole that was difficult to remove by chromatography.     

Recent advances in fluorescent probes for the detection of reactive oxygen species

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have captured the interest of many researchers in the chemical, biological, and medical fields since they are thought to be associated with various pathological conditions. Fluorescent probes for the detection of ROS are promising tools with which to enhance our understanding of the physiological roles of ROS, because they provide spatial and temporal information about target biomolecules in in vivo cellular systems. ROS probes, designed to detect specific ROS with a high selectivity, would be desirable, since it is now becoming clear that each ROS has its own unique physiological activity. However, dihydro-compounds such as 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH), which have traditionally been used for detecting ROS, tend to react with a wide variety of ROS and are not completely photostable. Some attractive fluorescent probes that exhibit a high degree of selectivity toward specific ROS have recently been reported, and these selective probes are expected to have great potential for elucidating unknown physiological mechanisms associated with their target ROS. This review focuses on the design, detection mechanism, and performance of fluorescent probes for the detection of singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hydroxyl radicals (^.OH), or superoxide anion (O₂ ^−.), a field in which remarkable progress has been achieved in the last few years.     

Tutorial: Simulating chromatography with Microsoft Excel Macros

Chromatography is one of the cornerstones of modern analytical chemistry; developing an instinctive feeling for how chromatography works will be invaluable to future generation of chromatographers. Specialized software programs exist that handle and manipulate chromatographic data; there are also some that simulate chromatograms. However, the algorithm details of such software are not transparent to a beginner. In contrast, how spreadsheet tools like Microsoft Excel™ work is well understood and the software is nearly universally available. We show that the simple repetition of an equilibration process at each plate (a spreadsheet row) followed by discrete movement of the mobile phase down by a row, easily automated by a subroutine (a “Macro” in Excel), readily simulates chromatography. The process is readily understood by a novice. Not only does this permit simulation of isocratic and simple single step gradient elution, linear or multistep gradients are also easily simulated. The versatility of a transparent and easily understandable computational platform further enables the simulation of complex but commonly encountered chromatographic scenarios such as the effects of nonlinear isotherms, active sites, column overloading, on-column analyte degradation, etc. These are not as easily simulated by available software. Views of the separation as it develops on the column and as it is seen by an end-column detector are both available in real time. Excel 2010™ also permits a 16-level (4-bit) color gradation of numerical values in a column/row; this permits visualization of a band migrating down the column, much as Tswett may have originally observed, but in a numerical domain. All parameters of relevance (partition constants, elution conditions, etc.) are readily changed so their effects can be examined. Illustrative Excel spreadsheets are given in the Supporting Information; these are easily modified by the user or the user can write his/her own routine.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for Hg based on naphthalimide derivative by fluorescence enhancement in aqueous solution

Naphthalimide derivative (compound 1) containing hydrophilic hexanoic acid group was synthesized and used to recognize Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution. The fluorescence enhancement of 1 is attributed to the formation of a complex between 1 and Hg²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 2.08 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of fabrication of the Hg²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for the determination of Hg²⁺ indicated that the method can be applied in aqueous solution rather than organic solution. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Hg²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of Hg²⁺ with a linear range covering from 2.57 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.27 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 4.93 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 toward Hg²⁺ is pH independent in medium condition (pH 4.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for Hg²⁺ in the presence of other metal ions, which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward Hg²⁺ is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of Hg²⁺ in hair samples with satisfactory results, which further demonstrates its value of practical applications.     

A composite thin film optical sensor for dissolved oxygen in contaminated aqueous environments

A robust optical composite thin film dissolved oxygen sensor was fabricated by ionically trapping the dye ruthenium(II) tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) dichloride in a blended fluoropolymer matrix consisting of Nafion^® and Aflas^®. Strong phosphorescence, which was strongly quenched by dissolved oxygen (DO), was observed when the sensor was immersed in water. The sensor was robust, optically transparent, with good mechanical properties. Fast response, of a few seconds, coupled with sensitivity of about 0.1 mg L⁻¹ (DO) over the range 0-30 mg L⁻¹ and resistance to leaching, were also exhibited by this system. The Stern-Volmer (SV) plot exhibited slight downward turning at all oxygen concentrations. A linear plot was obtained when the SV equation was modified to account for the varying sensitivity of dye molecules in the matrix to the quencher. Good long term stability was observed.     

A simple one-pot synthesis of β-alkoxy alcohols from alkenes

β-Methoxy alcohols are easily obtained from the one-pot reaction of alkenes with oxone^® in methanol, in the absence of any additive or catalyst. The use of other alcohols as solvents has shown that the efficiency of the process decreases with the steric hindrance of the alcohol.     

Colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for citrate based on a rhodamine and Pb complex in aqueous solution

In this paper we unveil a novel rhodamine compound based fluorescent chemosensor (1-Pb²⁺) for colormetric and fluorescent detection of citrate in aqueous solution. This is the first fluorescent chemosensor for citrate based on rhodamine compound. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for citrate indicates that the method can detect citrate in aqueous solution by both color changes and fluorescent changes with long emission wavelength. In the new developed sensing system, 1-Pb²⁺ is fluorescent due to Pb²⁺-induced fluorescence enhancement of 1. However, the addition of citrate may release 1 into the solution with quenching of fluorescence. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of citrate with a linear range covering from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 2.5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1-Pb²⁺ towards citrate is pH independent in medium condition (pH 6.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for citrate in the presence of other anions (even those that exist in high concentration), which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward citrate is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of citrate in urine samples with satisfactory results.     

Spectroscopic characterization of the stabilising activity of migrating HALS in a pigmented PP/EPR blend

In previous work, the FT-IR maximum of absorption of a low molecular weight HALS containing a sebacate structure was reported to shift from 1738 to 1732 cm⁻¹ during the photo-aging of polypropylene. Previous studies have shown that the reduced mobility of the molecule caused the absorption to shift towards lower frequencies while decreasing its stabilizing activity. This paper presents further results evidencing the loss of activity of the low molecular weight HALS and proposes a novel mechanistic interpretation for the observed spectral shift.     

A new Fe fluorescent chemosensor based on aggregation-induced emission

A new tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based sensor M1 bearing double 2-methylpyridyl-2-methylthiophenylamino units linked with triazole moieties was reported. Both UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopic studies demonstrated that M1 was highly sensitive and selective toward Fe³⁺ over other metal ions in THF/H₂O solution based on the aggregation-induced emission quenching mechanism. The lowest detection limit of M1 for Fe³⁺ is 0.7 μM. The detailed fluorescent titration study suggested that the binding stoichiometry of the M1–Fe³⁺ complex was 1:2, and the structure between M1 and the Fe³⁺ complex was confirmed by the ¹H NMR titration.     

Validation of a direct non-destructive quantitative analysis of amiodarone hydrochloride in Angoron formulations using FT-Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy was applied for the direct non-destructive analysis of amiodarone hydrochloride (ADH), the active ingredient of the liquid formulation Angoron^®. The FT-Raman spectra were obtained through the un-broken as-received ampoules of Angoron^®. Using the most intense vibration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) at 1568 cm⁻¹, a calibration model, based on solutions with known concentrations, was developed. The model was applied to the Raman spectra recorded from three as-purchased commercial formulations of Angoron^® having nominal strength of 50 mg ml⁻¹ ADH. The average value of the API in these samples was found to be 48.56 ± 0.64 mg ml⁻¹ while the detection limit of the proposed technique was found to be 2.11 mg ml⁻¹. The results were compared to those obtained from the application of HPLC using the methodology described in the European Pharmacopoeia and found to be in excellent agreement. The proposed analytical methodology was also validated by evaluating the linearity of the calibration line as well as its accuracy and precision. The main advantage of Raman spectroscopy over HPLC method during routine analysis is that it is considerably faster and no solvent consuming. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy is non-destructive for the sample. However, the detection limit for Raman spectroscopy is much higher than the corresponding for the HPLC methodology.     

Turn-on ratiometric fluorescent sensor for Pb detection

We report a ratiometric lead fluorescent sensor (LFS-1) with high affinity to Pb²⁺ that shows considerable selectivity over 12 other physiological related metal cations in aqueous media. Binding induces excimer formation, providing a highly sensitive ratiometric measure of lead concentrations.     

Photoactive chemosensors 4: a Cu protein cavity mimicking fluorescent chemosensor for selective Cu recognition

Fluorescent chemosensor 3 can sense Cu²⁺ ions (1-8 μM) even in the presence of elevated levels of Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺ (5000 μM). 3 can also analyze for Ag⁺ ions (50-500 μM) in the presence of Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ (5000 μM) but Cu²⁺ strongly interferes.     

Synthesis of new benzimidazolium salts with tunable emission intensities and their application as fluorescent probes for Fe in pure aqueous media

A series of novel, water-soluble benzimidazolium salts with common ‘fluorophore–spacer–receptor’ PET design has been synthesized. Despite the common PET scaffold these benzimidazolium salts displayed diverse emission intensities in pure aqueous solutions. The observed emission intensities were found to be influenced by the functionalized alkyl side arms present on the benzimidazolium ring. These benzimidazolium salts were also found to act as selective sensors for Fe³⁺ ions over other metal ions like Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in pure aqueous media.     

Thermodynamic approach for studying both the retention and complexation mechanisms with hydroxy-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin of a phenoxy-propionic acid herbicide series

The retention and complexation mechanisms of a herbicide series were studied from a chromatographic approach using a novel column called “Nautilus^®”. The effects of water fraction and the hydroxy-propyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) concentration in the mobile phase were analysed in relation to the column temperature. Two retention models of phenoxy-propionic acid (PPA) derivatives were investigated. It was shown that the retention mechanism was led by free PPA herbicide for low HP-β-CD concentrations and by the PPA/HP-β-CD complex for the highest ones. In addition, an enthalpy-entropy compensation study revealed that both the solute retention and complexation mechanisms were independent of the number of chlorine atoms in the structure. Also the thermodynamic results showed that (1) the retention process depended on the water fraction (X) in the mobile phase and (2) the PPA/HP-β-CD complexation mechanism was shown to be entropically controlled.     

Thiazole sulfonamide based ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor with a large spectral shift for zinc sensing

A new thiazole sulfonamide (TTP, 1) based Zn²⁺ selective intrinsic chemosensor has been synthesized and investigated. The chemosensor shows a selective fluorescence enhancement (3.0 fold) with Zn²⁺ over biologically relevant cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) and biologically non-relevant cations (Cd²⁺) in an aqueous ethanol system. It produces an increase in the quantum yield and a longer emission wavelength shift (64 nm) on Zn²⁺ binding with the potential of a ratiometric assay.     

A coumarin-based fluorescent probe for selective detection of Cu2+ in water

Fluorescent Red GK, a commercially available coumarin-based dye, was developed as a “turn-off” fluorescent probe for detection of Cu²⁺ in aqueous solution. It exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity at room temperature. Upon addition of Cu²⁺, the strong fluorescence of Fluorescent Red GK was severely quenched and its color changed from orange to colorless under illumination with a UV lamp; the color of the solution also changed from pink to colorless. So, it can be used as a specific colorimetric and fluorescent probe for Cu²⁺ with a detection limit as low as 0.0634?μM.     

New superporous hydrogels composites based on aqueous Carbopol solution (SPHCcs): synthesis, characterization and in vitro bioadhesive force studies

In this investigation new superporous hydrogels composites based on aqueous Carbopol^® solution (SPHCcs) were prepared. SEM images indicated that the inner surface of SPHCcs contained a lot of pores connected each other and the outer surface of them was non-porous. The swelling ratio decreased with increasing the content of aqueous Carbopol^® solution, and the final swelling ratio was similar to that of the SPH although the initial swelling ratio was lower. The density measurement revealed that the porosity increased when aqueous Carbopol^® solution was incorporated. It was observed from in vitro bioadhesive force study that SPHCcs adhered to the intestinal mucosal more quickly and exhibited higher mucoadhesion as compared with SPH. It is evident that the hydrogels synthesized in this study could be a potential candidate for transmucosal drug delivery system.