A new cavitand ionophore bearing two rigid crown ether groups

A new cavitand (1) bearing two rigid crown ether groups has been synthesized from tetrahydroxycavitand (2). The binding properties of this cavitand towards alkali metal ions as well as ammonium ion were also examined.     

Synthesis of a sugar-aza-crown ether-based cavitand as a selective fluorescent chemosensor for Cu ion

A chemosensor based upon the sugar-aza-crown ether 7 with one anthracenetriazolymethyl moiety was prepared and its fluoroionophoric properties toward transition metal ions were investigated. Chemosensor 7 exhibits highly selective recognition toward Cu²⁺ ion among a series of tested metal ions in MeOH solution. The association constant for 7∗Cu²⁺ in MeOH solution was calculated to be 2.5 × 10⁴ M⁻¹.     

Bisnitronyl nitroxides bridged by tetra(ethyleneoxy) sensing metal ions spectroscopically and electrochemically

Compound 1 containing two nitronyl nitroxide units bridged by tetra(ethyleneoxy) was designed and synthesized for sensing metal ions, by taking the features of nitronyl nitroxides: a chromophore showing absorption in visible range, reversible oxidation/reduction and coordination to metal ions. The absorption spectrum of 1 was altered markedly upon mixing with a few rare earth metal ions and some transition metal ions. Moreover, the oxidation potential of 1 was shifted to more positive range in the presence of metal ions including Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, and Ca²⁺. Thus, compound 1 can sense metal ions both spectroscopically and electrochemically.     

Synthesis and metal ion complexation of spin labeled 18-crown-6 ethers containing an acridone or an acridine fluorophore unit

Double (spin and fluorescence) labeled pyrroline derivatives of crown ethers containing an acridone or an acridine fluorophore unit (1 and 2) and their diamagnetic analogues (3 and 4) were synthesized. Their fluorescent behavior as well as their complexation properties toward selected metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺) were examined.     

Azo 8-hydroxyquinoline benzoate as selective chromogenic chemosensor for Hg and Cu

Azo 8-hydroxyquinoline benzoate (2) was synthesized and studied to detect metal ions. Distinct color change was found for compound 2 in the presence of transition metal ions Hg²⁺ or Cu²⁺ in CH₃CN, respectively, which makes it possible for distinguishing Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ from other metal ions by the ‘naked eye’.     

Assembly of cyano-bridged Cu(II)/Cu(II) and Cu(I)/Cu(II) compounds obtained by controlled ration of cyanide

One reaction system of Cu²⁺, dipn, and CN⁻ with two different molar ratio sets of 1:1:5, and 2:1:8 produced two compounds 1 [Cu^II(dipn)][Cu^II(CN)₄], and 2, respectively (dipn = dipropylenetriamine). Their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 2 is built from Cu(I) and Cu(II) centers, which are bridged by cyanide groups and metal-metal bonds. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 were investigated in 2-300 K. Compound 1 exhibits an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between copper(II) ions mediated by cyano-bridges.     

Epoxy-based polymer bearing 1-naphthylamine units: highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for ferric ion

A simple epoxy-based polymer 1 bearing 1-naphthylamine units has been synthesized and its recognition behaviors toward various metal ions have been investigated in THF-water (8:2, v/v) solution. The designed polymer 1 was found to exhibit selective ON-OFF-type fluorosensing behavior toward Fe³⁺ ions over other representative metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions.     

Fluorogenic dual click derived bis-glycoconjugated triazolocoumarins for selective recognition of Cu(II) ion

Carbohydrate based fluorescent sensors S1 and S2 have been developed by fluorogenic dual click chemistry and are characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Both the fluorescent probes displayed highly selective detection of Cu²⁺ ions by means of fluorescence quenching. The job plot experiment suggested 1:1 complexation of probes S1 and S2 with Cu²⁺ ions having detection limit of 6.99 μM and 7.30 μM, respectively. The binding constants for S1-Cu²⁺ and S2-Cu²⁺ complexation were evaluated to be 3.34 × 10³ M⁻¹ and 5.93 × 10³ M⁻¹, respectively.     

FRET-derived ratiometric fluorescence sensor for Cu

New N-(pyrenylmethyl)naphtho-azacrown-5 (1) was synthesized as an ‘On-Off’ fluorescent chemosensor for Cu²⁺. Excited at 240 nm corresponding to the absorption of naphthalene unit (energy donor) of 1, emission at 380 nm from pyrene unit (energy acceptor) is observed, indicating that intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET-On) occurs in 1. When Cu²⁺ is added to a solution of 1, however, the fluorescence of pyrene is strongly quenched (FRET-Off) whereas that of naphthalene group is revived. Such FRET ‘On-Off’ behavior of 1 is observed only in the case of Cu²⁺ binding, but not for other metal cations. The high selectivity of 1 toward Cu²⁺ can be potentially applied to a new kind of FRET-based chemosensor. The FRET On-Off behavior is supported by computational studies. The calculated molecular orbitals of HOMO and LUMOs suggest the excited-state interactions leading to FRET from naphthalene to pyrene in 1, but no electron density changes in 1·Cu²⁺ complex.     

Synthesis,characterization and metal ion complexation and extraction capabilities of calix[4]arene Schiff base compounds

The syntheses, characterization and metal ion complexation and extraction capabilities of six new calix[4]arene Schiff base compounds, 5–10, are reported. The preparation of the compounds was achieved by the condensation of 5,17-diamino-11,23-di-tert-butyl-25,27-di-n-butoxy-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene with the appropriate aldehyde (5-bromosalicylaldehyde for 5, 4-anisaldehyde for 6, 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde for 7, 9-anthracenecarboxaldehyde for 8, 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde for 9, and 9-fluorenecarboxaldehyde for 10) in refluxing ethanol. The compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The X-ray crystal structures of 7, 8 and 9 (as dichloromethane solvates) revealed that the calixarene molecules adopt H-bond stabilized, distorted-cone conformations and form centrosymmetric dimers in the solid state. Compounds 5–10 did not form host–guest complexes with NEt₄[(bdt)MoO₂(OSiPh₃)] (bdt^2–=benzene-1,2-dithiolate), a potential precursor for biologically relevant oxosulfido-Mo(VI/V) enzyme models; such host–guest complexes have the potential to stabilize these sought-after but highly reactive model compounds. In addition, the capabilities of 5–10 to extract selected metal ions (Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺) from an aqueous into an organic phase have been assessed by picrate extraction experiments. Compound 5 displayed exceptional selectivity towards Ni²⁺, compound 7 exhibited enhanced extraction towards all of the metal ions tested and compounds 6, 9 and 10 showed very high selectivity towards Hg²⁺. On the other hand, compound 8 exhibited negligible capacity to extract any of the metal ions tested.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a novel pyrenyl-appended triazole-based thiacalix[4]arene as a fluorescent sensor for Ag ion

New fluorescent chemosensors 1,3-alternate-1 and 2 with pyrenyl-appended triazole-based on thiacalix[4]arene were synthesized. The fluorescence spectra changes suggested that chemosensors 1 and 2 are highly selective for Ag⁺ over other metal ions by enhancing the monomer emission of pyrene in neutral solution. However, other heavy metal ions, such as Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺ quench both the monomer and excimer emission of pyrene acutely. The ¹H NMR results indicated that Ag⁺ can be selectively recognized by the triazole moieties on the receptors 1 and 2 together with the ionophoricity cavity formed by the two inverted benzene rings and sulfur atoms of the thiacalix[4]arene.     

Salicylaldehyde hydrazones as fluorescent probes for zinc ion in aqueous solution of physiological pH

Salicylaldehyde hydrazones of 1 and 2 were synthesized and their potential as fluorescent probes for zinc ion was investigated in this paper. Both of the probes were found to show fluorescence change upon binding with Zn²⁺ in aqueous solutions, with good selectivity to Zn²⁺ over other metal ions such as alkali/alkali earth metal ions and heavy metal ions of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺. They showed 1:2 metal-to-ligand ratio when their Zn²⁺ complex was formed. By introducing pyrene as fluorophore, 2 showed interesting ratiometric response to Zn²⁺. Under optimal condition, 2 exhibited a linear range of 0-5.0 μM and detection limit of 0.08 μM Zn²⁺ in aqueous buffer, respectively. The detection of Zn²⁺ in drinking water samples using 2 as fluorescent probe was successful.     

Azobenzene coupled chromogenic receptors for the selective detection of copper(II) and its application as a chemosensor kit

Azobenzene-based receptors 1-4 as colorimetric sensing materials were synthesized and their sensing properties were examined. In solution, the proposed sensing materials give rise to a large cation-induced hypochromic shift for Cu²⁺ resulting in a change from red to pale-yellow, whereas no significant color change was observed upon addition of other selected metal ions. The use of the silica gel plate modified with immobilization of receptor 4 to detect Cu²⁺ was also reported.     

Highly selective fluorescent sensing of Cu ion by an arylisoxazole modified calix[4]arene

A novel fluorescent chemosensor 1 with two anthraceneisoxazolymethyl groups at the lower rim of calix[4]arene has been synthesized, which revealed a dual emission (monomer and excimer) when excited at 375 nm. This chemosensor displayed a selective fluorescence quenching only with Cu²⁺ ion over all other metal ions examined. When Cu²⁺ ion was bound to 1, the fluorescence intensities of both monomer and excimer were quenched. Furthermore, the association constant for the 1:1 complex of 1·Cu²⁺ was determined to be (1.58 ± 0.03) × 10⁴ M⁻¹.     

Metallomesogens derived from benzoxazoles-salicylaldimine conjugates

The synthesis, characterization, and mesomorphic properties of a new series of Schiff bases 2a-h and metal complexes 1a-h-M are prepared and their mesomorphic properties studied. Two single crystallographic structures of 2d (n=12, m=1) and 1g-Pd (n=m=12) were determined by X-ray analysis. Both compounds crystallize in a triclinic space group P−1. A dimeric structure formed by intermolecular H-bonds in 2d was observed, giving nematic phase due to a better aspect ratio. The central geometry at Pd²⁺ ion is nearly perfect square plane. All Schiff bases 2a-h formed N or/and SmC phases. The formation of mesophases of complexes 1a-h-M was strongly dependent on metal ions incorporated. All Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Pd²⁺ complexes exhibited N or/and SmC phase, respectively. However, Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺ complexes were not mesogenic. The lack of mesomorphism was probably attributed to a preferred tetrahedral geometry at Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺ over a square-planar geometry at Cu²⁺ and Pd²⁺.     

Naphthalimide-based fluorescent Zn chemosensors showing PET effect according to their linker length in water

We have developed naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensors that exhibit fluorescence enhancement upon binding Zn²⁺ ion in 10 mM HEPES buffer (pH 7.4) at 25 °C. The fluorescence enhancement was induced by a PET inhibition process in which electron transfer from the nitrogen lone pair electrons of the Dpa unit to naphthalimide was blocked upon the binding of the sensor to Zn²⁺. The longer the linker length (n = 1-3) of the sensor, the less the PET efficiency becomes. Among the sensors (1, 2, and 3) examined, 1 shows the highest selectivity and sensitivity for Zn²⁺ over other transition metal ions and alkali metal ions in water.     

Chromic and fluorescence response system based on the dihydrophenanthroline-bipyridine skeleton: dynamic redox behavior and metal binding properties

The spiro-acridan/acridinium-based dynamic redox pair (1/2²⁺) transduces the electrochemical input into UV-vis and fluorescence spectra, whereas the 2,2′-bipyridine units in 1 works as a bidentate ligand for metal ions. X-ray structural analyses of this redox pair and the corresponding Zn-complexes [1-ZnI₂/2²⁺-Zn²⁺(OTf⁻)₄] demonstrate drastic structural changes upon electron-transfer, thus metal binding properties are modified by redox reactions.     

New photochromic chemosensors for Hg and F

Two new chemosensors (1a and 1b) based on photochromic dithienylcyclopentene were designed and synthesized, and their spectral behaviors toward various metal ions and anions were investigated in detail. Compounds show excellent optical properties and distinguish Hg²⁺ and F⁻ in CH₃CN. Job’s plot reveals that the presence of Hg²⁺ induces the formation of a 1:1 complex between 1a or 1b and Hg²⁺. From the spectral responses and ¹H NMR analysis, the deprotonation of the thioamide protons is proposed to explain the sensing mechanism for 1a and 1b toward F⁻. It is found that 1a and 1b exhibit ring-opening and ring-closing photoisomerization with UV-vis light irradiation. Furthermore, their photochromic properties can be modulated by Hg²⁺ and F⁻ ions. Moreover, 1a and 1b in photostationary states become promising sensors for Hg²⁺ and F⁻ with high selectivity.     

Ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric sensors for Cu based on 4,5-disubstituted-1,8-naphthalimide and sensing cyanide via Cu displacement approach

Two 4,5-disubstituted-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives 1 and 2 were synthesized as ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric sensors for Cu²⁺, respectively. In 100% aqueous solutions of 1, the presence of Cu²⁺ induces a strong and increasing fluorescent emission centered at 478 nm at the expense of the fluorescent emission of 1 centered at 534 nm. Compound 2 senses Cu²⁺ by means of a colorimetric (primrose yellow to pink) method with a thorough quench in emission attributed to the deprotonation of the secondary amine conjugated to the naphthalimide fluorophore. 1-Cu²⁺ and 2-Cu²⁺ sense cyanide in ratiometric way via colorimetric and fluorescent changes.     

Zinc selective chemosensor based on pyridyl-amide fluorescence

Chemosensors are developed to image zinc ions. Fluorescence enhancement due to Zn²⁺ binding is an excellent way to detect its presence. A chemosensor for Zn²⁺ based on dipicolylamine (DPA) groups connected by a pyridyl amide backbone has been synthesized. Addition of 2-chloroacetyl chloride to 2,6-diaminopyridine affords 2,6-bis(chloroethylamido)pyridine, which is converted to the sensor BADPA-P by 2,2′-dipicolylamine displacement of chlorine. This compound along with two others, the mono-DPA, ADPA-P and the benzyl in place of pyridyl, BADPA-B, present three potential Zn²⁺ sensors. It was found that BADPA-P in the presence of Zn²⁺ shows a large increase in fluorescence, whether in polar organic or aqueous environments. Its fluorescence in the presence of Cd²⁺, unlike with Zn²⁺, is not enhanced when excited at longer wavelengths. Proton NMR measurements, indicate two Zn²⁺ ions bind to BADPA-P. Also, Zn²⁺ enhances fluorescence even when other metal ions are present.