A multifunctional aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active fluorescent chemosensor for detection of Zn2+ and Hg2+

An aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active fluorescent chemosensor based on a tetraphenylethene (TPE) unit has been successfully designed and synthesized. Interestingly, the luminogen could detect Zn²⁺ selectively in a THF solution with the detection limit of 1.24 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. Meanwhile, the luminogen could also detect Hg²⁺ selectively in a THF-water mixture with the water content of 90%, and the detection limit was 2.55 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. Furthermore, the solid-state mechanochromic fluorescence behavior of the luminogen was investigated systematically. Indeed, the AIE-active luminogen also exhibited reversible mechanofluorochromic phenomenon involving fluorescent color change from blue to green, and powder X-ray diffraction results indicated that the switchable morphology conversion between crystalline and amorphous states was responsible for this mechanochromism phenomenon.     

Aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE)-active mechanofluorochromic tetraphenylethene derivative bearing a rhodamine unit

A novel tetraphenylethene derivative with a rhodamine unit was successfully synthesized via high-efficiency Suzuki coupling reaction. The highly solid-state emissive target fluorescent molecule exhibited significative aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) feature. Furthermore, the luminogen showed reversible mechanochromic luminescence behavior involving color change from orange to red. In addition, the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) test results verified that the mechanofluorochromic phenomenon of luminogen 1 was attributed to a morphological transformation between the crystalline and amorphous states.     

Tetraphenylethene-based highly emissive fluorescent molecules with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and various mechanofluorochromic characteristics

Three tetraphenylethene-based compounds with different substituents were successfully synthesized. All these fluorescent molecules exhibited typical aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect. In addition, these luminogens showed various mechanochromic luminescence phenomena. Moreover, the mechanofluorochromic behavior of luminogen 1 was self-reversible.     

A multifunctional Schiff base with aggregation-induced enhanced emission,gelation, and mechanochromic properties for anti-counterfeiting applications

This work presents a systematic study of three closely related Schiff bases NpSB, AnSB, and PySB for their potential aggregation-induced enhanced emission, gelation, and mechanochromic properties. While aggregation-induced enhanced emission was observed in case of AnSB and PySB due to the suppression of photoinduced electron transfer; PySB also formed a stable gel in DMF?water. Out of three Schiff bases, PySB exhibited reversible mechanochromism. Importantly, on applying pressure or a mechanical force, PySB changed its color from yellow to bright orange under the visible light while its emission wavelength shifted from 580 to 602 nm. More importantly, mechanical-force-induced changes were reversible after fuming with the vapors of CH₂Cl₂ or by heating at 100 °C. The mechanochromism of PySB was studied by a combination of powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry, density functional theory, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral studies. These studies concluded that the change in color and emission profile was due to change in the molecular packing of PySB after applying the pressure or mechanical force. The slippage of pyrene rings and the conversion of intramolecular H-bonding to intermolecular H-bonding resulted in the alteration of solid-state packing of PySB which was responsible for the mechanochromism. A noteworthy feature of the reversible mechanochromism of PySB was the reversible morphological changes as substantiated by the scanning electron microscope and powder X-ray diffraction studies. PySB was shown to illustrate noteworthy anti-counterfeiting and pressure-induced applications.     

Polymorph selectivity of an AIE luminogen under nano-confinement to visualize polymer microstructures

Despite the huge progress of luminescent molecular assemblies over the past decade, it is still challenging to understand their confined behavior in semi-crystalline polymers for constrained space recognition. Here, we report a polymorphic luminogen with aggregation-induced emission (AIE), capable of selective growth in polymer amorphous and crystalline phases with distinct color. The polymorphic behaviors of the AIE luminogen embedded within the polymer network are dependent on the size of nano-confinement: a thermodynamically stable polymorph of the AIE luminogen with green emission is stabilized in the amorphous phase, while a metastable polymorph with yellow emission is confined in the crystalline phase. The information on polymer crystalline and amorphous phases is transformed into distinct fluorescence colors, allowing a single AIE luminogen as a fluorescent marker for visualization of polymer microstructures in terms of amorphous and crystalline phase distribution, quantitative polymer crystallinity measurement, and spatial morphological arrangement. Our findings demonstrate that confinement of the AIE luminogen in the polymer network can achieve free space recognition and also provide a correlation between microscopic morphologies and macroscopic optical signals. We envision that our strategy will inspire the development of other materials with spatial confinement to incorporate AIE luminogens for various applications.

A polymorphic AIEgen is capable of selective growth in amorphous and crystalline polymer phases with distinct color for microstructure visualization.     

Synthesis and characterization of an unexpected mechanochromicbistricyclic aromatic ene

An unexpected bistricyclic aromatic ene AF was synthesized in a tin(II) chloride-mediated reductive aromatization reaction. The obtained AF showed a highly overcrowded structural conformation as revealed by X-ray crystallography. Interestingly, AF exhibited reversible high-contrast mechanochromism and thermochromism between pale and red color. The obvious chromism is likely ascribed to the conformation transformation and trace amount of diradical species formation upon stimulus.     

An efficient novel anion sensor for the recognition of acetate

A novel colorimetric compound anthraceno-9, 10-dicarbaldehyde bis-(phenyl-semithiocarbazone) as sensor 1 is synthesized and characterized. It showed significant color changed from light yellow to purple upon the presence of acetate. This outstanding property was also bolstered by UV?CVis and fluorescent titrations experiments in DMSO or DMSO?CH₂O (95:5, v/v) solution. In addition, ¹H NMR experiments were carried out to explore the nature of interaction between sensor 1 and acetate.     

A highly selective fluorescence switch for Cu2+ and Fe3+ based on a new diarylethene with a triazole-linked rhodamine 6G unit

A new diarylethene compound with a triazole-linked rhodamine 6G unit attached to the imino group (1O) was designed and synthesized. According to the test results, the solution color and fluorescence color of diarylethene can be modulated by lights and metal ions. The solution color could change from colorless to light purple when irradiated with UV light. When Cu²⁺ was added to the diarylethene solution, the color of diarylethene solution became blue, the fluorescence color turned from dark to bright yellow. Although the solution color did not change by adding Fe³⁺, its fluorescence color varied from dark to yellow. Moreover, it was found that the complex ratio of the diarylethene to Cu²⁺ was 1:1 and the binding stoichiometry of the diarylethene to Fe³⁺ was also 1:1 based on the data of NMR, MS, and other experiments. Based on these findings, photochromic figure of the diarylethene with UV/Vis light, Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ was constructed. Furthermore, the logic circuit was designed by input signals (ultraviolet stimulus, visible light stimulus, Cu²⁺ (or Fe³⁺) and EDTA) and an output signal (fluorescent intensity at 566?nm (or 575?nm)).     

Single chemosensor for highly selective colorimetric and fluorometric dual sensing of Cu(II) as well as ‘NIRF’ to acetate ion

A novel fluorescent probe for the copper(II) ion in mixed aqueous media, based on fluorescence quenching mechanism with noticeable color change from light to dark yellow, was designed and synthesized. It also exhibited high selectivity for acetate in acetonitrile over other common anions in the near infrared region (NIR) accompanied with exciting color changes from light yellow to pink. Hence sensor 1 ascertains its dual chemosensing ability toward Cu(II) and acetate ions as evidenced by competitive experiments.     

Ferrocene containing N-tosyl hydrazones as optical and electrochemical sensors for Hg2+, Cu2+ and F− ions

Ferrocene containing N-tosyl hydrazones as selective and sensitive optical and electrochemical chemosensors were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI-MS and X-ray analysis. The cation and anion binding studies were carried out using various techniques including electrochemistry, UV–vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Chemosensors 2a and 2b have shown excellent selective recognition toward Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺ and F^? through optical and electrochemical signals. The color of 2a and 2b in solution changed visibly from pale yellow to red upon addition of Hg²⁺ion, while the color of solution changed from pale yellow to yellow green upon addition of Cu²⁺, which can be easily detected by the naked eye.     

A two-photon excited luminescence of water-soluble rhodamine-platinum(II) complex: fluorescent probe specific for Hg2+ detection in live cell

The first example of cyclometalated platinum(II)-containing rhodamine probe (1) with two-photon induced luminescent properties was synthesized and investigated for mercury detection. A highly selective color change of 1, from light yellow to pink, is observed only in the presence of Hg²⁺ due to the formation of 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring in 2. This selectivity of Hg²⁺ with color changes can be observed easily by the naked-eye. Meanwhile, a remarkable turn-on and selective 20-fold fluorescent enhancement of 1 upon binding with Hg²⁺ over the other tested metal ions was observed. The water-soluble probe 1 was successfully applied in the visualizing of the site of Hg²⁺ accumulation as well as estimating of trace amounts of mercury ions in live HeLa cells by two-photon microscopy.     

A colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for sequential detection of copper ion and cyanide

A simple cation sensor 1 ((E)-9-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-ylimino)methyl)-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydropyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-8-ol) bearing both a julolidine moiety and a naphthol moiety was designed and synthesized as a colorimetric sensor for Cu²⁺. In methanol solution of 1, the presence of Cu²⁺ led to a distinct naked-eye color change from yellow to purple. The proposed sensing mechanism might be attributed to the decrease in internal charge transfer band. Moreover, the resulting 1–Cu²⁺ complex sensed cyanide in a fluorometric way via fluorescent changes. These results demonstrate a novel type of the sequential recognition of Cu²⁺ and CN⁻ using two different sensing methods, color change, and fluorescence.     

An efficient novel receptor for sensing acetate

A novel highly sensitive colorimetric receptor 1 for acetate based on N-(4-oxa-3-one-phenanthrene-2-carbonyl)-p-nitrophenylhydrazine was designed, synthesized and characterized. Experiments showed that the receptor 1 can selectively recognize acetate in DMSO solution and aqueous solution. The ability of recognition and the bond between receptor 1 and anions were determined using visual inspection, UV?CVis analyses and ¹H NMR experiments. In particular, the UV?CVis analyses showed the whole process included two stages: in the first step, the hydrazine form of 1 interacted with acetate through hydrogen bonding with an obvious color change from yellow to purple upon addition of a small amount of AcO^?. In the second step, as increasing the addition of AcO^?, the color changed from purple to deep yellow, which displayed the deprotonation of the receptor 1.     

Synthesis of colorimetric receptors for dicarboxylate anions: a unique color change for malonate

Three new chromogenic receptors (1, 2, and 3) containing p-nitrophenyl or p-nitronaphthyl or methyl groups appended to the thiourea groups were synthesized and characterized. Upon addition of a series of dicarboxylate anions to receptor 1 in DMSO, only the appearance of the solution of receptor 1 with malonate showed a color change from blue to yellow which can be detected by the naked eye at parts per million. With the addition of the series of dicarboxylate anions to receptor 2, the solutions showed an indistinct intense dark-red color. Whereas the addition of the same dicarboxylate anions to receptor 3, the solutions did not induce any color change. Thus, for the unique color change, the receptor 1 can act as an optical chemosensor for the malonate anion even in the presence of other dicarboxylate anions.     

Guest-responsive intramolecular charge transfer of viologen-crown ether conjugate

Viologen-benzocrown ether conjugate (1) was prepared, in which a phenyl unit in benzocrown ether was incorporated into the nitrogen atom of a bypiridinium unit through a sigma bond. 1 showed a yellow color associated with an intramolecular charge transfer (CT) that responds to alkali and alkaline earth metal ions, especially to Ca²⁺.     

A novel carbazole-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor for Zn recognition through excimer formation and application of the resultant complex for colorimetric recognition of oxalate through IDAs

A new carbazole-based Zn²⁺ selective fluorescent sensor L has been developed. In CH₃CN/H₂O (1:1, v/v, HEPES 10 mM, pH=7.4) solution, L displays selective and ratiometric responses to Zn²⁺ through excimer formation. The Zn²⁺ recognition process has good anti-interference ability over other metal ions. The dinuclear complex Zn₂L₂ was further used as a receptor for oxalate. Through constructing a chemosensing ensemble with chromeazurol S, colorimetric recognition of oxalate in water solution was achieved via indicator displacement assays. The oxalate recognition process exhibits obvious color changes from blue to yellow and is naked eye detectable.     

A highly efficient and selective probe for F- detection based on 1H-imidazo[4,5-b]phenazine derivative

A new colorimetric and fluorimetric chemosensor for F detection based on 1H-imidazo[4,5-b]phenazine derivative has been designed and synthesized.It shows excellent fluorescent specific selectivity and sensitivity for F in DMSO solution.Upon addition of F to the solution of probe 1,a remarkable color change from yellow to red could be observed easily by the naked-eye.The detection limit of this probe toward F is 6.2 10 6mol/L.Analysis by1 H NMR proved that the imidazolyl N–H could be hydrogen-bonded with added fluoride anions,and results in the difference of colors.     

A bifunctional probe for Al3+ and Zn2+ based on diarylethene with an ethylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-6-hydrazide unit

A new diarylethene with ethylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-6-hydrazide unit was synthesized, and its photochromic and fluorescent behaviors have been systematically investigated by the stimulation of lights and metal ions in methanol. This new diarylethene exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺. The addition of Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ displayed excellent colorimetric response behaviour with the concomitant color change from colorless to yellow, which could be easily observed by the naked eye. Upon addition of Al³⁺, the fluorescence intensity was enhanced by 180–fold and the emission peak of 1O–Al³⁺ blue-shifted by 15?nm accompanied with a color change from colorless to bright blue. In contrast, when stimulated with Zn²⁺, its fluorescence intensity was enhanced by 35–fold and the emission peak of 1O–Zn²⁺ red-shifted by 16?nm with an evident color change from black to bright green. The LOD for Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ were determined to be 2.97?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1 and 5.98?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1, respectively. Moreover, a logic circuit was constructed with the fluorescence intensity as the output signal responding to the light and chemical species as the inputs.     

Unexpected highly selective fluorescence ‘turn-on’ and ratiometric detection of Hg based on fluorescein platform

Methylated fluorescein 1 was explored for fluorescence ‘turn-on’ and ratiometric detection of Hg²⁺ in THF and CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (v/v=9:1), respectively, with unexpected high selectivity. In the presence of Hg²⁺, characteristic structured absorption band of 1 diminished and a new sharp band appeared at 445 nm. Meanwhile a blue shifted and enhanced emission was observed. The ratio of the fluorescence intensity at 559 and 478 nm increased linearly with [Hg²⁺], and solution color changing from yellow to cyan under irradiation at 365 nm in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH. Job plot indicated a 1:1 stoichiometry for 1-Hg²⁺ complex in solution. ¹H NMR titration and IR spectra suggested the coordination of carbonyl group in xanthene moiety to Hg²⁺, affording its spectral behavior. Compound 2 bearing two triazolyl amino esters in place of methyl group showed quite similar behavior to Hg²⁺, which indicated that substituents did not interfere with the specific binding behavior of fluorescein platform. Our work presents a new way to explore xanthene dyes as new chemosensors by modulating electron density on the xanthene ring through non-covalent interactions with carbonyl group.     

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.