Luminescent lanthanide complexes as analytical tools in anion sensing, pH indication and protein recognition

Although lanthanide complexes are recently used in luminescence labeling of bio-targets, this review focuses on sensing profiles of synthetic and biological lanthanide complexes. Rational design and combinatorial screening approaches toward synthetic lanthanide complexes applicable as luminescent sensing materials are described. Iron-carrying transferrin and ferritin proteins further form lanthanide complexes working as pH indicators and protein recognition reagents.     

Luminescent dinuclear lanthanide complexes of 5-Me-HXTA

The synthesis and characterization of a series of anionic homobimetallic lanthanide complexes of the septadentate chelate 5-Me-HXTA (N,N-(2 hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-xylylene)bis(N-(carboxymethyl)glycine) is described (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb). Single X-ray crystallography confirms that the complexes exist as discrete dimeric pairs in the solid state. Proton NMR, diffusion-ordered spectroscopy, and luminescence solution studies suggest that the binuclear stoichiometry is retained in aqueous solution over a range of analytically useful concentrations. The phenolic chromophores effectively sensitize the visible and near-infrared lanthanide-centered emission in the terbium, neodymium, and ytterbium derivatives, giving rise to particularly long-lived green and near-infrared emission. The terbium complex displays a high quantum yield of around 50% in aqueous solution with a low detection limit of 1 x 10(-12) M, rendering this compound a potential candidate for time-resolved applications.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with liquid crystalline properties

Lewis-base adducts of tris(β -diketonato)lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared, where the β -diketone is para -alkoxy-substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione. These compounds are the first examples of liquid crystalline lanthanide complexes in which the mesomorphism is introduced via a β -diketonate ligand. Depending on the type of the Lewis base, the metallomesogens exhibit a monotropic smectic A or a monotropic highly ordered smectic phase. Intense photoluminescence was observed for the europium(III) complexes at room temperature.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with liquid crystalline properties

Lewis-base adducts of tris( β-diketonato)lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared, where the β-diketone is para -alkoxy-substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione. These compounds are the first examples of liquid crystalline lanthanide complexes in which the mesomorphism is introduced via a β-diketonate ligand. Depending on the type of the Lewis base, the metallomesogens exhibit a monotropic smectic A or a monotropic highly ordered smectic phase. Intense photoluminescence was observed for the europium(III) complexes at room temperature.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with analyte-triggered antenna formation

A new strategy for accessing analyte-responsive luminescent probes is presented. The lanthanide luminescence of Eu and Tb centers is switched on by the analyte-triggered formation of a sensitizing antenna from a nonsensitizing caged precursor. As the cage can be freely varied, an array of probes for different analytes (Pd(0/2+), H(2)O(2), F(-), β-galactosidase) can be created from the same core structure. The probe design affords nanomolar to micromolar detection limits, provides the capability to detect two analytes in parallel, and can be utilized to monitor enzymatic activity in live cells.     

Extraction of pertechnetate anion as a ligand in metal complexes with tributylphosphate

The extraction of the pertechnetate anion has been investigated in the systems tributylphosphate (TBP)—solvent (carbon tetrachloride, n-heptane, chloroform)—metal salt (uranyl nitrate and chloride, thorium nitrate)—ammonium salt. In the absence of a metal, the solvates HTeO₄. iTBP (i=4) are extracted, while in the presence of uranium and thorium, the distribution of technetium corresponds to the formation of the mixed complexes: UO₂(NO₃)(TeO₄)·2TBP, UO₂Cl(TcO₄)·2TBP and Th(NO₃)₃ (TcO₁)·2TBP. The effective constants of the reactions H⁺+TcO ₄ ⁻ +i(TBP)_org←(HTcO₁·iTBP)_org, and (ML_n·2TBP)_org+TcO ₄ ⁻ ←(ML_n−1TcO₄·2TBP)_org+L were established in the above systems. The extraction of pertechnetate ion is more effective when it is coordinated to a cation solvated by TBP than the extraction in the form of pertechnetate acid solvated by TBP.     

Luminescent nonacoordinate cationic lanthanide complexes as potential cellular imaging and reactive probes

Nonacoordinate delta- and lambda-Eu and Tb complexes have been tested as imaging and reactive probes in mouse fibroblast (NIH 3T3) cells. The uptake of these complexes by the cells was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Complex-induced DNA damage was studied by gel electrophoresis and shown to be a function of complex chirality.     

Luminescent iridium complexes for detection of molybdate

Reactions of [Ir(C^N)(2)Cl](2) [HC^N = 2-(3-R-phenyl)pyridine, 2-(3-R-phenylpyrazole) R = H, Me] with Me(2)-phencat give luminescent complexes [Ir(C^N)(2)(Me(2)-phencat)][PF(6)] (Me(2)-2a, b, c)[PF(6)]. Deprotection of the methoxy groups with BBr(3) is problematic as simultaneous bromination of the cyclometallated phenyl groups occurs. However, deprotection of Me(2)-phencat with BBr(3) followed by complexation with [Ir(C^N)(2)Cl](2) gives luminescent complexes [Ir(C^N)(2)(H(2)-phencat)][PF(6)] (H(2)-3a, c)[PF(6)], which are luminescent sensors for molybdate.     

Self-assembly as a route to dinuclear lanthanide complexes with rare coordination pattern of salen-type ligand

The self-assembled formation of dinuclear lanthanide salicylaldimines is proved by the X-ray diffraction analysis of europium and gadolinium nitrate complexes containing N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-4-methyl-1,3-phenylenediamine (H₂L). The [Eu₂(H₂L)₂(μ-H₂L)₂(NO₃)₆] complex, isostructural with the gadolinium complex, displays nine-coordinate distorted tricapped trigonal prism geometry with a different coordination mode of four undeprotonated salicylaldimines, which act as terminal monodentate and μ-bridging ditopic ligands using exclusively the oxygens as donor atoms with the nitrogen atoms not being involved in the coordination environment. These complexes along with similar lanthanum, erbium, thulium, and lutetium complexes were prepared in situ in a one-step metal promoted condensation reaction between salicylaldehyde and 4-methyl-1,3-phenylenediamine in the presence of lanthanide nitrates. They were isolated and characterized by microanalysis and spectroscopic (IR, ESI–MS, UV–Vis, and ¹H NMR) data with reference to the preformed N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-4-methyl-1,3-phenylenediamine, which was obtained separately and structurally determined by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Luminescent ruthenium(II) bipyridine-calix[4]arene complexes as receptors for lanthanide cations

The synthesis and photophysical properties of novel luminescent ruthenium(II) bipyridyl complexes containing one, two, or six lower rim acid-amide-modified calix[4]arene moieties covalently linked to the bipyridine groups are reported which are designed to coordinate and sense luminescent lanthanide ions. All the Ru-calixarene complexes synthesized in this work are able to coordinate Nd(3+), Eu(3+), and Tb(3+) ions with formation of adducts of variable stoichiometry. The absorbance changes allow the evaluation of association constants whose magnitudes depend on the nature of the complexes as well as on the nature of the lanthanide cation. Lanthanide cation complex formation affects the ruthenium luminescence which is strongly quenched by Nd(3+) ion, moderately quenched by the Eu(3+) ion, and poorly or moderately increased by the Tb(3+) ion. In the case of Nd(3+), the excitation spectra show that (i) the quenching of the Ru luminescence occurs via energy transfer and (ii) the electronic energy of the excited calixarene is not transferred to the Ru(bpy)(3) but to the neodymium cation. In the case of Tb(3+), the adduct's formation leads to an increase of the emission intensities and lifetimes. The reason for this behavior was ascribed to the electric field created around the Ru calix[4]arene complexes by the Tb(3+) ions by comparison with the Gd(3+) ion, which behaves identically and can affect ruthenium luminescence only by its charge. However, especially for compounds 1 and 3, it cannot be excluded that some contribution comes from the decrease of vibrational motions (and nonradiative processes) due to the rigidification of the structure upon Tb(3+) complexation. In the case of Eu(3+), compounds 1, 2, and 4 were quenched by the lanthanide addition but the quenching of the ruthenium luminescence is not accompanied by europium-sensitized emission which suggests that an electron-transfer mechanism is responsible for the quenching. On the contrary, compound 3 exhibits enhanced emission upon addition of Eu(3+) (as nitrate salt); it is suggested that the lack of quenching in the [3.2Eu(3+)] adduct is due to kinetic reasons because the electron-transfer quenching process is thermodynamically allowed.     

Advances in anion binding and sensing using luminescent lanthanide complexes

Luminescent lanthanide complexes have been actively studied as selective anion receptors for the past two decades. Ln(iii) complexes, particularly of europium(iii) and terbium(iii), offer unique photophysical properties that are very valuable for anion sensing in biological media, including long luminescence lifetimes (milliseconds) that enable time-gating methods to eliminate background autofluorescence from biomolecules, and line-like emission spectra that allow ratiometric measurements. By careful design of the organic ligand, stable Ln(iii) complexes can be devised for rapid and reversible anion binding, providing a luminescence response that is fast and sensitive, offering the high spatial resolution required for biological imaging applications. This review focuses on recent progress in the development of Ln(iii) receptors that exhibit sufficiently high anion selectivity to be utilised in biological or environmental sensing applications. We evaluate the mechanisms of anion binding and sensing, and the strategies employed to tune anion affinity and selectivity, through variations in the structure and geometry of the ligand. We highlight examples of luminescent Ln(iii) receptors that have been utilised to detect and quantify specific anions in biological media (e.g. human serum), monitor enzyme reactions in real-time, and visualise target anions with high sensitivity in living cells.

This minireview highlights advances in anion binding and sensing using luminescent lanthanide(iii) complexes.     

Chiral tripode approach toward multiple anion sensing with lanthanide complexes

A chiral tripodal ligand was demonstrated to form a series of lanthanide complexes exhibiting multiple anion-sensing profiles, which incorporated a fluorescent quinoline and a stereo-controlled substituent in a tetradentate skeleton. This mainly gave 1:2 (lanthanide cation/ligand) complexes with lanthanide triflates but 1:1 complexes with lanthanide nitrates. Since addition of external guest anion dynamically changed the preferred stoichiometry, the chiral lanthanide complexes exhibited anion-responsive fluorescence, luminescence, and circular dichroism spectral characteristics as multiple anion-sensing probes.     

1,3-Dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-diazaphospholidine-2-oxide as ligand for the preparation of luminescent lanthanide complexes

Abstract

Europium(III) coordination compounds having general formula [Eu(β-dike)₃L₂] (β-dike?=?dibenzoylmethanate, tenoyltrifluoroacetonate; L?=?1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-diazaphospholidine-2-oxide) were isolated and characterized. The complexes exhibited bright red emission associated to the ⁵D₀→⁷F_J transitions of the metal center upon excitation with near-UV light, with intrinsic quantum yields around 51% and 65%, respectively, for the dibenzoylmethanate and tenoyltrifluoroacetonate derivatives. More information about the behavior of 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-diazaphospholidine-2-oxide as an antenna-ligand towards trivalent lanthanide ions was obtained by its coordination to [Ln(NO₃)₃] (Ln?=?Eu, Gd, Tb) metal fragments.     

Anion sensing with luminescent lanthanide complexes of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines: pronounced effects of lanthanide center and ligand chirality on anion selectivity and sensitivity

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands exhibited anion-specific sensory functions, and their anion selectivity and response sensitivity were modulated by a combination of lanthanide center and chiral ligand.     

A disymmetric terpyridine based ligand for the formation of luminescent di-aquo lanthanide complexes

The synthesis of ligand H3 based on a disymmetrically substituted terpyridine core functionalised by a carboxylic acid in the 6-position and a bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl function in the 6'-position is described. The coordination behaviour of this heptadentate (4N/3O) ligand with lanthanide cations (Ln=Eu, Gd and Tb) was studied in solution showing the formation of complexes with [Ln] stoichiometry. Complexes with general formula [Ln(H2O)2] were isolated from neutral water solutions containing equimolar amounts of cations and ligands, and the complexes were characterized in the solid state (elemental analysis, IR) and in solution (mass spectrometry). The photo-physical properties of the luminescent complexes of Eu and Tb were studied in water solution by means of absorption, steady state and time-resolved emission spectroscopies. Evolution of the luminescence lifetimes of the Eu and Tb complexes in H2O and D2O reveals the presence of two water molecules coordinated in the first coordination sphere of the cations. Despite this important hydration number, the overall luminescence quantum yields of the complexes remained elevated, especially in the case of Tb (Phi=22.0 and 6.5% respectively for Tb and Eu). Upon crystallisation the Gd complex formed dimeric species in which two gadolinium atoms are each heptacoordinated by one ligand, the coordination sphere being completed by a single water molecule and a bridging carboxylate function, pointing to different behaviours in the solid and liquid states.     

Photoluminescent dinuclear lanthanide complexes with tris(2-pyridyl)carbinol acting as a new tetradentate bridging ligand

A tripodal ligand, tris(2-pyridyl)carbinol, affords a novel tetradentate coordination mode in homodinuclear lanthanide complexes, which exhibit remarkably short distances between metal ions. The strong luminescences of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes with the ligand demonstrate that the ligand has a suitable excited state for energy transfer from the ligand to the Eu(III) and Tb(III) centers, respectively.     

Pyrazole complexes as anion receptors

The behavior of the receptors [Re(CO)3(Hdmpz)3]BAr'4 (Hdmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole) (1) and [Re(CO)3(HtBupz)3]BAr'4 (HtBupz = 3(5)-tert-butylpyrazole) (2; Ar' = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) toward the anions fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, hydrogensulfate, dihydrogenphosphate, nitrate, and perrhenate was studied in CD3CN solution. In most cases, the receptors were stable. Anion exchange was fast, and binding constants were calculated from the NMR titration profiles. The structure of the adduct [Re(CO)3(HtBupz)3] x NO3 (3) was determined by X-ray diffraction. Two pyrazole moieties are hydrogen-bonded to one nitrate oxygen atom, and the third pyrazole moiety is hydrogen-bonded to an oxygen atom of an adjacent nitrate, leading to infinite chains. The structure of the adduct [Re(CO)3(Hdmpz)3]BAr'4acetone (4), also determined by X-ray diffraction, showed a similar interaction of two pyrazole N-H groups with the acetone oxygen atom. F- and H2PO4(-) deprotonate the receptors, and HSO4(-) decomposed 1. The structure of one of the decomposition products (5), determined by X-ray diffraction, is consistent with pyrazole protonation and substitution by sulfate.     

Paramagnetic lanthanide complexes as PARACEST agents for medical imaging

This tutorial review examines the fundamental aspects of a new class of contrast media for MRI based upon the chemical shift saturation transfer (CEST) mechanism. Several paramagnetic versions called PARACEST agents have shown utility as responsive agents for reporting physiological or metabolic information by MRI. It is shown that basic NMR exchange theory can be used to predict how parameters such as chemical shift, bound water lifetimes, and relaxation rates can be optimized to maximize the sensitivity of PARACEST agents.