Synthesis of fluorescent water-soluble functionalised benzo[a]phenoxazinium salts

In order to develop long-wavelength functionalised oxazine dyes with good water solubility and high photostability for biological applications, a series of novel side-chain functionalised benzo[a]phenoxazinium salts were synthesised and characterised. These polycyclic cationic compounds showed strong fluorescence in ethanol and water (pH 7.4), with an emission wavelengths higher than 637 nm, as well as high quantum yields and moderate Stokes’ shifts. The photostability of the fluorophores synthesised, under irradiation at 419 nm, was good to excellent in ethanol and moderate in water at physiological pH.     

Novel long alkyl side chain benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides: synthesis, photophysical behaviour and DNA interaction

Several fluorescent benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides possessing a propyl-, octyl-, decyl-, dodecyl- or tetradecylamino at the 5-position of the heterocyclic moiety were efficiently synthesised. The absorption and emission maxima of all compounds lie in the range 627-638 nm and 654-678 nm, respectively, with good fluorescence quantum yields. Studies of their photophysical properties in ethanol allowed for the estimation of the acid-base dissociation constant, K_a, revealing an enhancement with the increase in the alkyl side-chain length. It is in the aqueous medium only that the acid form is observed as coexisting with H-aggregates. The solubility markedly decreased when the chain length increased. The residual ethanol (0.2% v/v) used to facilitate the solubilisation of the benzo[a]phenoxazinium dyes allow for the existence of the basic form in an aqueous solution, possibly through preferential solvation. Photophysical studies in the presence of DNA revealed that the compounds with an alkyl side chain of up to eight carbon atoms could intercalate between DNA nucleotides. Moreover, other forms of DNA binding were found to be operative, involving also the basic form of benzo[a]phenoxazinium dyes.     

New long alkyl side-chain benzo[a]phenoxazines as micellisation probes

Several novel fluorescent benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides possessing a long aliphatic chain substituent at the 5-amino function of the heterocycle were efficiently synthesised. All compounds obtained absorbed and emitted at longer wavelengths with moderate to good fluorescent quantum yields. The photophysics of N-[10-methyl-5-(octylamino)-9H-benzo[a]phenoxazin-9-ylidene]ethanaminium chloride and N-[10-methyl-5-(dodecylamino)-9H-benzo[a]phenoxazin-9-ylidene]ethanaminium chloride was studied in Triton^® X-100 and in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide micellar media, demonstrating the capability of these fluorophores in detecting the micellisation process.     

Synthesis, characterisation and antimicrobial activity of new benzo[a]phenoxazine based fluorophores

N-[5-(3-Aminopropylamino)-10-methyl-9H-benzo[a]phenoxazin-9-ylidene]ethanaminium chloride (Bze-NH₂) was prepared and used as a precursor in the synthesis of new polycyclic cationic dyes. In addition to the potentiality of Bze-NH₂ as a non-covalent fluorescent probe, the presence of a free amino group in its structure prompted us to study the application of this functionalised heterocycle in the covalent labelling of glycine and valine amino acids, as models of biomolecules. All compounds obtained showed strong absorbance and high emission at long-wavelengths (λ_em >640 nm). Furthermore, all benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives synthesised were evaluated as antifungal agents against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, considering the commercial Nile Blue A (NB) as a lead compound. The results revealed that they exhibited good activity, which was usually superior to NB, the most effective compound displaying a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 15 μM.     

Functionalised benzo[a]phenoxazine dyes as long-wavelength fluorescent probes for amino acids

A series of monoreactive functional benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides with a carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine or chloromethyl group were used as labels in the preparation of long-wavelength fluorescent amino acid bioconjugates. UV-visible and fluorescence studies of all compounds were carried out in ethanol and water at physiological pH. The absorption and emission of all compounds synthesised were in the range 555-640 nm and 632-681 nm, respectively.     

Novel DNA fluorescence probes based on N-[5-(11-functionalised-undecylamino)-9H-benzo[a]phenoxazin-9-ylidene]propan-1-aminium chlorides: synthesis and photophysical studies

Fluorescent benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides possessing undecylamino chains with functionalised ending-groups (hydroxyl, carboxylic acid and the ester group) as substituents at the 5-position of the heterocycles were successfully synthesised and characterised. These compounds were used in photophysical studies with DNA, and compared to the corresponding analogue with a non-functionalised terminal (methyl group). It was found that the functionalised terminal exerts a dramatic influence on the type of interaction with the hydroxyl group promoting intercalation, while the ester group promotes groove binding.     

Bifunctionalised long-wavelength fluorescent probes for biological applications

The synthesis of benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides which are bifunctionalised in position 2 with 4-ethoxy-4-oxobutoxyl, 3-hydroxypropoxyl or 3-chloropropoxyl groups, and in position 9 with the (aminopropyl)amino group, was efficiently performed. The covalent labelling of valine was carried out by using one of the new fluorophores obtained. Photophysical studies in the homogeneous media of ethanol, distilled water and simulated physiological conditions revealed that all the compounds absorbed and emitted from 610 to 651 nm.     

Highly sensitive and selective fluorescence optosensor to detect and quantify benzo[a]pyrene in water samples

We describe here a method for detecting and quantifying the highly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in water, based on a flow-trough optical sensor. The technique is fast (response time of 40 s) and simple and at the same time meets the standards of sensitivity and selectivity required by the European Guidelines on Water for Human Consumption. The optosensor is based on the on-line immobilization of BaP on a non-ionic resin (Amberlite XAD-4) solid support in a continuous-flow system. BaP was analyzed in a 15 mM H₂PO₄⁻/HPO₄²⁻ buffer solution with 25% (v/v) 1,4-dioxane at pH 7. Fluorescence intensity was measured at λ_ex/em=392/406 nm. The experimental conditions (reagent phase, pH, type and concentration of buffer solution and organic solvent) and flow-injection values (flow rate and injection volume) were carefully controlled. Under these conditions the optosensor was sensitive to a linear concentration range of between 3.0 and 250.0 ng l⁻¹ with a detection limit of 3.0 ng l⁻¹ and a standard deviation of 1.5% at 150 ng l⁻¹. The optosensor was applied to the quantification of BaP in drinking and waste water samples (95-105% recovery) in presence of the other 15 EPA PAHs at 1000 ng l⁻¹ concentration level. The influence of other fluorescent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potential interference from ions usually present in water was also evaluated.     

Synthesis of short and long-wavelength functionalised probes: amino acids' labelling and photophysical studies

Fluorescent labelling of α-amino acids at their N or C terminals in the main and lateral chains at short and long wavelengths was carried out in different ways. The N-[3-(naphthalen-1-ylamino)propanoyl]amino acid methyl esters synthesised showed strong fluorescence in the visible region (∼415 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Condensation of these compounds with 5-diethylamino-2-nitrosophenol or 5-ethylamino-4-methyl-2-nitrosophenol produced the benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives, with maximum emission wavelengths shifted to values higher than 644 nm. The synthesis of novel functionalised 5,9-diaminobenzo[a]phenoxazinium salts, by reaction of 5-ethylamino-4-methyl-2-nitrosophenol and N-substituted 1-naphthylamine and their use in the covalent labelling of the N or C terminals of valine, produced derivatives with long-wavelength emissions (644-653 nm). Photophysical studies using the synthesised compounds both in different solvents and in controlled pH were undertaken. Preliminary evaluation of photostability of the cationic polycyclic heterocycles in ethanol and water at physiological pH was also performed.     

Synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted benzo[c]thiophene analogs containing benzo[b]thiophene/benzo[b]pyrrole

The synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted benzo[c]thiophene analogs incorporating benzo[b]thiophene/benzo[b]pyrrole units is described.     

One pot synthesis of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles and benzo[d]thiazolo[3,2-a]imidazoles

A series of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and benzo[d]thiazolo[3,2-a]imidazole analogues were synthesized by stirring an equimolar mixture of dibenzoylacetylene with imidazole/thiazole derivatives in toluene or acetonitrile at room temperature. The products were generated in good yields and characterized by standard analytical techniques such as IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectrometry. The structure of products 19, 20, 22, 24 and 25 were also unambiguously confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of benzo[c]thiophene analogs incorporating benzo[b]thiophene/1-hexylindole/benzo[b]furan

Synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted benzo[c]thiophene analogs incorporating heterocycles such as benzo[b]thiophene/1-hexylindole/benzo[b]furan and thiophene units is described. Optical and electrochemical studies of the benzo[c]thiophene analogs are also reported.     

Tröger’s bases in the acronycine, benzo[a]acronycine, and benzo[b]acronycine series

Reaction of 11-aminoacronycine, 10-aminobenzo[a]acronycine, and 10-aminobenzo[b]acronycine with paraformaldehyde gave the corresponding Tröger’s bases 11, 14, and 16, respectively. The cytotoxic activity of those three new compounds was determined against L-1210 leukemia and KB-3-1 solid tumor cell lines, in comparison with their parent compounds, acronycine, benzo[a]acronycine, and benzo[b]acronycine.     

Synthesis of 1,3-diarylbenzo[c]selenophenes

For the first time, syntheses of 1,3-diarylbenzo[c]selenophenes are reported involving a selenium transfer reaction of keto-alcohol/benzo[c]furan using Woollins reagent.     

Synthesis and characterization of 1,3-diarylbenzo[c]selenophenes

A series of 1,3-diarylbenzo[c]selenophenes (symmetrical/unsymmetrical) have been synthesized involving a selenium transfer reaction of keto-alcohol/benzo[c]furan using Woollins reagent. The optical and electrochemical studies of these diarylbenzo[c]selenophenes are correlated with their structures.     

Fluorescence derivatisation of amino acids in short and long-wavelengths

3-(Naphthalen-1-ylamino)propanoic acid was coupled to the amino group of the main and lateral chains of various amino acids in order to evaluate its applicability as a fluorescent derivatising reagent. The resulting amino acid derivatives are strongly fluorescent with a maximum emission of about 415 nm. Condensation of these derivatives with 5-ethylamino-4-methyl-2-nitrosophenol hydrochloride resulted in the corresponding blue benzo[a]phenoxazinium conjugates, also revealing strong fluorescence in ethanol and water at physiological pH and good quantum yields, but with emission wavelengths between 644 and 657 nm, which was preferable in biological assays.     

Synthesis of imidazo[1,2a]pyridines via three-component reaction of 2-aminopyridines, aldehydes and alkynes

A novel three-component reaction towards the synthesis of imidazo[1,2a]pyridines was independently developed based on 2-aminopyridines, aldehydes and alkynes, and thereby imidazo[1,2a]pyridines were obtained in acceptable yields by the CuSO4/TsOH catalyzed three-component reaction.     

One-pot synthesis of benzo[a]phenanthridin-5-ones by photoinduced cycloaddition of 3-chloroisoquinolin-1-ones with styrenes

One-pot synthesis of benzo[a]phenanthridin-5-ones and benzo[k]phenanthridin-6-ones in fairly good yields was achieved by the photocycloaddition reactions of 3-chloroisoquinolin-1-ones and 3-chloroquinolin-2-ones with styrenes. The reactions were proceeded via photoinduced dechlorinative coupling of 3-chloroisoquinolin-1-ones and 3-chloroquinolin-2-ones with styrenes and subsequent photocyclization, oxidative aromatization.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of novel N-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-benzo[d]thiazole-, thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridine-, thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine- and benzo[d]oxazole-2-carboximidamides inspired by marine topsentines and nortopsentines

We report the synthesis of novel N-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-substituted benzo[d]thiazole-, thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridine-, thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine- and benzo[d]oxazole-2-carboximidamides, which were inspired by marine topsentines and nortopsentines. Condensation of 4,5-dichloro-1,2,3-dithiazolium chloride (Appel salt) with various ortho-halogenated anilines, aminopyridines and aminophenols gave the corresponding aryliminodithiazoles in good to excellent yields. Copper(I)-mediated or nucleophilic-assisted cyclization of aryliminodithiazoles furnished cyano-functionalized benzo[d]thiazoles, thiazolo[4,5-b]- and thiazolo[5,4-b]-pyridines and benzo[d]oxazoles. The latter were condensed with substituted 4-phenylthiazol-2-amines to furnish twenty seven new polyaromatic carboximidamides in moderate to good yields.     

Regioselective cycloaddition of acetylenic esters: a one-pot synthesis of novel dihydrobenzo[a]carbazoles

A one-pot procedure for the synthesis of highly substituted dihydrobenzo[a]carbazole derivatives via a regioselective cyclocondensation reaction between 2-(2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-carbazol-1-ylidene)-propanedinitrile and acetylenic esters is described.