Nanocrystals for large Stokes shift-based optosensing

Stokes shift is an important feature of fluorescence, which reveals the energy loss between the excitation and the emission. For most fluorescent materials(e.g., organic dyes and proteins), the large overlap between the absorption and emission spectra endow them a small Stokes shift that induced reabsorption by fluorophore itself. Although the self-absorption can be effectively reduced due to the emergence of fluorescent nanomaterials, fluorescence attenuation is still observed in aggregated or concentrated nanocrystals, causing reduced sensitivity of biosensors. Therefore, increasing the Stokes shift can effectively improve the performance of nano-agents based biosensing. In this critical review, through understanding the Stokes shift from the viewpoint of self-absorption, the influence of Stokes shift on fluorescence properties are discussed. Based on the principle of changing the Stokes shift of fluorescent nanomaterials, we described the methods for constructing various optically large Stokes shift-based nanomaterials, and the application of these nanocrystals in biosensing is especially concerned in this review.     

meta-Substituted triphenylamines as new dyes displaying exceptionally large Stokes shifts

A straightforward synthesis of fluorescent tris-meta-substituted triphenylamines (m-TPAs) is presented. These new fluorophores display a unique feature that is a remarkably high Stokes shift up to 250 nm, as compared to their para counterparts. Although the meta substitution is made at the expense of the quantum yield, the latter is maintained at an appreciable level (5%) making the m-TPAs a new class of fluorophores adaptable to a large range of applications from biology to materials science.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel fluorescent BOPIM dyes with large Stokes shift

A novel BOPIM (boron 2-(2-pyridyl)imidazole complex) dye 1 was facilely synthesized by treatment of previously reported 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole with BF₃·Et₂O under basic condition. The bromination of BOPIM dye 1 by NBS gives an unexpected product 2-(2′-pyridyl)-4,5-dibromoimidazole (L2) with no BF₂ group. The desired brominated boron complex 2 was obtained by treating L2 with BF₃·Et₂O. The photophysical properties of these two compounds are thoroughly studied in various solvents. Compound 1 formed aggregates in non-polar solvents, inducing abnormal emission in long-wavelength region. Both 1 and 2 show moderate fluorescent intensity and comparatively large Stokes shift, especially for compound 2 (fluorescent quantum yield is more than 0.30, and Stokes shift is over 70 nm in all adopted solvents) due to its p, π-conjugated effect, which makes BOPIM a valuable building block for synthesis of multi-functional materials.     

A red-emitting water-soluble fluorescent probe for biothiol detection with a large Stokes shift

A highly water soluble fluorescent probe was developed for sensitive and selective detection of biothiols with a red emission and a large Stokes shift. The probe was successfully applied to detect biothiols both in aqueous solution and in living cells.     

A novel fluorescent probe with a large Stokes shift for real-time imaging mitochondria in different living cell lines

Fluorescent dyes with large Stokes shift play a key role in avoiding self-quenching and scattered light of dyes in the process of biological imaging. In this work, a novel mitochondria-targetable fluorescent dye (PI-C2) with large Stokes shift (e. g. Maximum value is 219 nm in DMSO) have been developed. Compared to the commercial mitochondria probes MTR and MTG (Less than 30 nm in various solution), the newly constructed PI-C2 has a much larger Stokes shift in various solutions (169–219 nm in various solutions). Furthermore, the probe can successfully be applied for sensing mitochondria, and exhibited excellent photostability in different living cell lines. The novel fluorescent platform with the large Stokes may be extended to construct powerful fluorescent probes with large Stokes shift for detecting a wide variety of biomolecules in mitochondria.     

Asymmetrical aza-boron-dipyridomethene derivatives with large Stokes shifts: synthesis and spectroscopic properties

The synthesis and characterization of three asymmetrical aza-boron-dipyridomethene derivatives 3–5 are reported. Single crystal X-ray structures are described and the spectroscopic properties of the dyes have been investigated in depth based on an analysis of the optical spectroscopy and the results of theoretical calculations. In contrast with what is normally observed with symmetrical aza-boron-dipyridomethene dyes, very large apparent Stokes shifts are observed for 3–5 and the emission spectra are strongly solvent dependent. DFT calculations have been carried out to explore the structure/property relationships and substituent effects.     

Stokes Shift in Inorganic Lead Halide Perovskites: Current Status and Perspective

Inorganic metal halide perovskite system is considered as a promising candidate for applications from display to biomedical industry. Intrinsic inorganic lead halides possess small Stokes shift or self-absorption, providing negative impact for both photo voltaic and biomedical applications. Therefore, the development of an inorganic halide perovskite system with large Stokes shift is a significant venture. This review aims to provide an updated survey of the Stokes shift phenomena in the inorganic lead halide perovskites. The first section focuses about the mechanism, the second section gives different approaches in preparing inorganic perovskites with distinct Stokes shift, while the third section highlights the potential applications in both photovoltaic and biomedical areas. This review provides deep insight about the importance and usefulness of such phenomena in inorganic lead halides, essential for various applications.     

一种大斯托克斯位移的红光发射荧光探针选择性检测次氯酸

设计、合成了一种基于巴比妥酸衍生物的具有 D-π-A结构的光学探针 3。该探针能够作为一种高度灵敏和选择性的次氯酸指示剂, 快速实现对次氯酸的比色和荧光信号(开-关)的双响应(约 15 s)。推测的响应机制是 ClO^-与 C=C之间发生了亲电加成和氧化裂解反应, 导致探针的 D-π-A 结构遭到破坏, 从而阻断了其分子内电荷转移(intramolecular charge transfer, ICT)进程。探针只需一步即可合成, 同时具有红光发射(628 nm)和较大的斯托克斯位移(158 nm), 检测限(limit of detection, LOD)低至14 nmol·L^-1。此外, 探针还表现出低细胞毒性, 并成功应用于活细胞成像。     

一种大斯托克斯位移的红光发射荧光探针选择性检测次氯酸

设计、合成了一种基于巴比妥酸衍生物的具有D-π-A结构的光学探针3。该探针能够作为一种高度灵敏和选择性的次氯酸指示剂,快速实现对次氯酸的比色和荧光信号(开-关)的双响应(约15 s)。推测的响应机制是ClO^-与C=C之间发生了亲电加成和氧化裂解反应,导致探针的D-π-A结构遭到破坏,从而阻断了其分子内电荷转移(intramolecular charge transfer,ICT)进程。探针只需一步即可合成,同时具有红光发射(628 nm)和较大的斯托克斯位移(158 nm),检测限(limit of detection,LOD)低至14 nmol·L^-1。此外,探针还表现出低细胞毒性,并成功应用于活细胞成像。     

胶体半导体纳米晶的能带宽调控新方法

由于量子限域效应,半导体纳米晶的能带宽随粒子大小而改变。单纯依靠改变纳米晶大小来调控能带宽将引起许多技术和应用上的不便。本文对胶体半导体纳米晶的能带宽调控新概念和新的合成途径,包括近年来发展起来的通过采用合金纳米晶、反转Type－I及Type－II核/壳结构等进行了综述,并对各种途径的优缺点进行了描述。     

Time-Dependent Stokes Shift from Solvent Dielectric Relaxation

The Stokes shift response function, which is related to the time dependent solvation energy, is calculated with the dielectric response function and a novel expression of nonequilibrium solvation energy. In the derivation, relationship between the polarization and the dielec-tric response function is used. With the dipole-in-a-sphere model applied to the system coumarin 343 and water as the solvent, encouraging agreement with the experimental data from Jimenez et al. is obtained [Nature 369, 471 (1994)].     

A near-infrared large Stokes shift probe based enhanced ICT strategy for F- detection in real samples and cell imaging

In view of the few reports of the near-infrared emissive probe for fluorine ions, we herein designed and synthesized a new easy-to-get colorimetric and near-infrared emissive fluorescent probe (IS-NR-F) with a large Stokes shift (>127 nm). Based on specific F^? triggered desilylation reaction induced enhanced ICT strategy involving the donor phenolate anion and the acceptor malononitrile, the probe exhibited dual colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on responses, and provided excellent selectivity for fluoride ions. The fluorescent response at 665 nm displayed very good linear relationship in the wide concentration range and deduced a low detection limit of 0.09 ppm. The detection mechanism was confirmed by ¹H NMR, ESI-MS, and TLC calculation. Moreover, probe IS-NR-F has been successfully employed to detect F^? in tap water, toothpaste samples, and fluorescent imaging of F^? in HeLa cells.     

介电常数对Stokes频移时间相关性的影响

基于连续介质理论,利用溶剂化能计算了香豆素水溶液单球孔穴模型的Stokes频移响应函数. 将水的介电谱实验数据拟合进而得到介电常数理论公式, 并基于此计算了相关函数. 在考虑了延迟时间后, 相关函数的理论计算结果与实验吻合. 考虑到低频响应在溶剂化驰豫中的重要性, 考察了低频极化对响应函数的影响.     

苯热条件下GaP纳米晶的稳定性

用高温高压苯热合成方法制备了GaP纳米晶,用X射线衍射、光吸收谱及透射电子显微镜对所得样品进行了分析测试．结果表明,GaP纳米晶在苯热条件下是亚稳定态的,反应时间过长及反应温度过高均不利于它的生成和生长．文中还讨论了晶粒度分布与合成条件间的关系,并进行了理论上的定性分析．     

一个具有大Stokes位移的苯并噻唑类pH荧光探针

本文通过乙烯基将作为荧光团的苯并噻唑与作为H+受体的4-吡啶基桥联构筑了一个基于分子内电荷转移机制的pH荧光探针BTP2。研究表明该探针的Stokes位移为237 nm,远大于相应2-吡啶基类似物BTP1。滴定实验表明该探针的荧光在pH3.80至5.50之间随pH值增大而增强,且不受其他金属离子的干扰,具有检测胞内酸性细胞器pH的良好前景。探针pKa为4.72,略高于BTP1。4-吡啶基连接导致的更大的Stokes位移表明调节吡啶连接位置可以实现对该类探针分子Stokes位移的调控。     

Molecular engineering of ultra-sensitive fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift for imaging of basal HOCl in tumor cells and tissues

Fluorescent probes have been widely employed in biological imaging and sensing. However, it is always a challenge to design probes with high sensitivity. In this work, based on rhodamine skeleton, we developed a general strategy to construct sensitivity-enhanced fluorescent probe with the help of theoretical calculation for the first time. As a proof of concept, we synthesized a series of HOCl probes. Experiment results showed that with the C-9 of pyronin moiety of rhodamine stabilized by an electron donor group, probe DQF-S exhibited an importantly enhanced sensitivity (LOD: 0.2 nmol/L) towards HOCl together with fast response time (<10 s). Moreover, due to the breaking symmetrical electron distribution by another electron donor group, the novel rhodamine probe DQF-S displayed a far red to near-infrared emission (>650 nm) and large Stokes shift. Bioimaging studies indicated that DQF-S can not only effectively detect basal HOCl in various types of cells, but also be successfully applied to image tumor tissue in vivo. These results demonstrate the potential of our design as a useful strategy to develop excellent fluorescent probes for bioimaging.     

Molecular engineering of ultra-sensitive fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift for imaging of basal HOCl in tumor cells and tissues

Fluorescent probes have been widely employed in biological imaging and sensing. However, it is always a challenge to design probes with high sensitivity. In this work, based on rhodamine skeleton, we developed a general strategy to construct sensitivity-enhanced fluorescent probe with the help of theoretical calculation for the first time. As a proof of concept, we synthesized a series of HOCl probes. Experiment results showed that with the C-9 of pyronin moiety of rhodamine stabilized by an electron donor group, probe DQF-S exhibited an importantly enhanced sensitivity (LOD: 0.2 nmol/L) towards HOCl together with fast response time (<10 s). Moreover, due to the breaking symmetrical electron distribution by another electron donor group, the novel rhodamine probe DQF-S displayed a far red to near-infrared emission (>650 nm) and large Stokes shift. Bioimaging studies indicated that DQF-S can not only effectively detect basal HOCl in various types of cells, but also be successfully applied to image tumor tissue in vivo. These results demonstrate the potential of our design as a useful strategy to develop excellent fluorescent probes for bioimaging.     

Multiple-Color Platinum Complex with Super-Large Stokes Shift for Super-Resolution Imaging of Autolysosome Escape

It is of great significance to track the platinum drugs in real time with super-resolution to elucidate their mechanism of action, such as their behavior and distribution in live cells. Such information is required for further drug development. However, it is always challenging to design platinum complexes suitable for such research. Herein, we design a luminescent building block ( L ) for metal complexes and a dinuclear platinum complex ( Pt₂L ) for super-resolution imaging. Because of its super-large Stokes shift and excellent photophysical properties, Pt₂L is capable of serving as an ideal candidate for super-resolution imaging with extremely low luminescence background and high photobleaching resistance. Moreover, upon light stimulation, a matter flux of Pt₂L escaping from autolysosomes to nucleus was observed, which represents a new transportation path. Utilizing the photoactivated escape properties, we can regulate the nuclear accessibility of Pt₂L form autolysosomes with photo-selectivity, which provides a new way to improve the targeting of platinum drugs.     

An ESIPT-based fluorescent probe for sensitive and selective detection of Cys/Hcy over GSH with a red emission and a large Stokes shift

An ESIPT-based fluorescent probe (Probe 1) using acrylate as recognition group for the selective and sensitive detection of cysteine/homocysteine (Cys/Hcy) has been developed. In the presence of Cys/Hcy, this probe was transformed into 1,3-bis(bispyridin-2ylimino)isoindolin-4-ol (dye 4) which displayed red fluorescence with a large Stokes shift (217 nm) when excited. The detection limits are as low as 5.4 nM and 7.0 nM for Cys and Hcy respectively (based on S/N = 3). Importantly, this probe has been successfully demonstrated for the detection of intracellular Cys/Hcy in living cells.