Reaction‐Based Ratiometric Chemosensor for Instant Detection of Cyanide in Water with High Selectivity and Sensitivity

A highly selective chemosensor 1 based on an acylhydrazone group as binding site and naphthalene group as the fluorescence signal group were described, which could instantly detect CN^? in water with specific selectivity and high sensitivity. The detection of cyanide was performed via the nucleophilic attack of cyanide anion on the carbonyl group, which could be confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI‐MS and DFT calculations. The addition of CN^? to sensor 1 induced a remarkable color change from colorless to yellow and generated a blue fluorescence, these sense procedure could not interfered by other coexistent competitive anions (F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, AcO^?, H₂PO₄^?, HSO₄^?, ClO₄^?, SCN^?, S^2?, NO₃^? and SO₄^2?). The detection limits were 5.0×10^?7 M and 2.0×10^?9 M of CN^? using the visual fluorescent color changes and fluorescence spectra changes respectively, which is far lower than the WHO guideline of 1.9×10^?6 M . Test strips based on sensor 1 were fabricated, which could act as a convenient and efficient CN^? test kit to detect CN^? in pure water for “in‐the‐field” measurement.     

Reaction‐Based Fluorescent Probe for Detection of Endogenous Cyanide in Real Biological Samples

Herein, two compounds ( 1 a and 1 b ) were rationally constructed as novel reaction‐based fluorescent probes for CN^? by making use of the electron‐withdrawing ability of the cyano group that was formed from the sensing reaction. Notably, this design strategy was first employed for the development of fluorescent CN^? probes. The experimental details showed that probe 1 a exhibited a fluorescence turn‐on response to CN^?, whereas other anions, biological thiols, and hydrogen sulfide gave almost no interference. The detection limit of probe 1 a for CN^? was found to be 0.12 μM . The sensing reaction product of 1 a with CN^? was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. TD‐DFT calculations demonstrated that the formed cyano group drives the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) process from coumarin dye to the cyano group and thus the original strong ICT from the coumarin dye to the 3‐position pyridyl vinyl ketone substituent is weakened, which results in recovery of coumarin fluorescence. The practical utility of 1 a was also examined. By fabricating paper strips, probe 1 a can be used as a simple tool to detect CN^? in field measurements. Moreover, probe 1 a has been successfully applied for quantitative detection of endogenous CN^? from cassava root.     

Pyridinium‐Fused Pyridinone: A Novel “Turn‐on” Fluorescent Chemodosimeter for Cyanide

A new chemodosimeter based on pyridinium‐fused pyridinone iodide ( PI ) has been obtained through a “clean reaction” method. This compound can detect CN^? in aqueous solution with a high selectivity and rapid response. The detection of CN^? occurs through the nucleophilic attack of CN^? on the C?N bond, which induces the destruction of the π‐conjugation on the pyridinium ring. Support of this detection mechanism was obtained by ¹H NMR titration, HR‐MS, and DFT calculations. Upon the addition of 10 equivalents CN^? to a solution of PI in THF/H₂O (1:1, v/v), a 57‐fold enhancement in fluorescence intensity was observed at the maximum emission wavelength of 457 nm. Meanwhile, the maximum absorption wavelength was also blue‐shifted from 447 nm to 355 nm. Other common anions such as BF₄^?, PF₆^?, F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, H₂PO₄^?, ClO₄^?, CH₃COO^?, NO₂^?, N₃^?, and SCN^? had little effect on the detection of CN^?. The response time of PI for CN^? was less than 5 seconds. The detection limit was calculated to be 5.4×10^?8 M , which is lower than the maximum permission concentration in drinking water (1.9 μM ) set by the World Health Organization (WHO).     

Turn‐On Fluorogenic Probes for the Selective and Quantitative Detection of the Cyanide Anion from Natural Sources

We report new indene derivatives that are good fluorogenic probes for the cyanide anion, one of which is a highly selective and sensitive fluorogenic probe for the fluorescent detection—as well as reliable quantification—of the cyanide anion in water or buffer, with a 10³‐fold increase of fluorescence and low detection limit. It is therefore useful for the quantification of natural cyanide from aqueous extracts of green almond seeds, thus proving that the system is suitable for fast detection and quantification of cyanide from natural sources.     

A Multifunctional Bimetallic Molecular Device for Ultrasensitive Detection,Naked‐Eye Recognition,and Elimination of Cyanide Ions

A new bimetallic Fe^II–Cu^II complex was synthesized, characterized, and applied as a selective and sensitive sensor for cyanide detection in water. This complex is the first multifunctional device that can simultaneously detect cyanide ions in real water samples, amplify the colorimetric signal upon detection for naked‐eye recognition at the parts‐per‐million (ppb) level, and convert the toxic cyanide ion into the much safer cyanate ion in situ. The mechanism of the bimetallic complex for high‐selectivity recognition and signaling toward cyanide ions was investigated through a series of binding kinetics of the complex with different analytes, including CN^?, SO₄^2?, HCO₃^?, HPO₄^2?, N₃^?, CH₃COO^?, NCS^?, NO₃^?, and Cl^? ions. In addition, the use of the indicator/catalyst displacement assay (ICDA) is demonstrated in the present system in which one metal center acts as a receptor and inhibitor and is bridged to another metal center that is responsible for signal transduction and catalysis, thus showing a versatile approach to the design of new multifunctional devices.     

Cross‐Reactive Sensor Arrays for the Detection of Peptides in Aqueous Solution by Fluorescence Spectroscopy

A simple but powerful method for the sensing of peptides in aqueous solution has been developed. The transition‐metal complexes [PdCl₂(en)], [{RhCl₂Cp*}₂], and [{RuCl₂(p‐cymene)}₂] were combined with six different fluorescent dyes to build a cross‐reactive sensor array. The fluorescence response of the individual sensor units was based on competitive complexation reactions between the peptide analytes and the fluorescent dyes. The collective response of the sensor array in a time‐resolved fashion was used as an input for multivariate analyses. A sensor array comprised of only six metal–dye combinations was able to differentiate ten different dipeptides in buffered aqueous solution at a concentration of 50 μM . Furthermore, the cross‐reactive sensor could be used to obtain information about the identity and the quantity of the pharmacologically interesting dipeptides carnosine and homocarnosine in a complex biological matrix, such as deproteinized human blood serum. The sensor array was also able to sense longer peptides, which was demonstrated by differentiating mixtures of the nonapeptide bradykinin and the decapeptide kallidin.     

An Iminocoumarin Sulfonamide Based Turn‐On Fluorescent Probe for the Detection of Biothiols in Aqueous Solution

A new chemodosimeter for the highly selective sensing and imaging of biothiols was designed and realized in phosphate‐buffered saline solution at pH 7.4 through a fluorescence “off–on” response. A unique mechanism featuring a two‐step cascade (biothiols→H₂O) sequence for this remarkable recognition is disclosed for the first time.     

Design of Dual‐Emission Chemosensors for Ratiometric Detection of ATP Derivatives

Nucleoside pyrophosphate (nucleoside PP) derivatives are widespread in living cells and play pivotal roles in various biological events. We report novel fluorescence chemosensors for nucleoside PPs that make use of coordination chemistry. The chemosensors, which contain two Zn^II–dipicolylamine units, bind strongly to nucleoside PPs (K_app>10⁶ M ^?1) in aqueous solution and sense them by a dual‐emission change. Detailed fluorescence and UV/Vis spectral studies revealed that the emission changes of the chemosensors upon binding to nucleoside PPs can be ascribed to the loss of coordination between Zn^II and the acridine fluorophore. This is a unique sensing system based on the anion‐induced rearrangement of the coordination. Furthermore, we demonstrated the utility of these chemosensors in real‐time monitoring of two important biological processes involving nucleoside PP conversion: the apyrase‐catalyzed hydrolysis of nucleoside PPs and the glycosyl transfer catalyzed by β‐1,4‐galactosyltransferase.     

A Highly Selective Fluorescence Turn‐On Sensor for Extracellular Calcium Ion Detection

A highly water‐soluble, fluorescence turn‐on sensor for Ca²⁺ is reported. The sensor affords high selectivity in sensing Ca²⁺ over other biologically important metal cations. The dissociation constant of the sensor in binding Ca²⁺ is 0.92 mm . Fluorescence microscopy experiments demonstrate that the sensor is cell‐impermeable and capable of detecting extracellular Ca²⁺.     

A Reusable DNA Single‐Walled Carbon‐Nanotube‐Based Fluorescent Sensor for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Ag+ and Cysteine in Aqueous Solutions

Here we report a reusable DNA single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)‐based fluorescent sensor for highly sensitive and selective detection of Ag⁺ and cysteine (Cys) in aqueous solution. SWNTs can effectively quench the fluorescence of dye‐labeled single‐stranded DNA due to their strong π–π stacking interactions. However, upon incubation with Ag⁺, Ag⁺ can induce stable duplex formation mediated by C–Ag⁺–C (C=cytosine) coordination chemistry, which has been further confirmed by DNA melting studies. This weakens the interactions between DNA and SWNTs, and thus activates the sensor fluorescence. On the other hand, because Cys is a strong Ag⁺ binder, it can remove Ag⁺ from C–Ag⁺–C base pairs and deactivates the sensor fluorescence by rewrapping the dye‐labeled oligonucleotides around the SWNT. In this way, the fluorescence signal‐on and signal‐off of a DNA/SWNT sensor can be used to detect aqueous Ag⁺ and Cys, respectively. This sensing platform exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity toward Ag⁺ and Cys versus other metal ions and the other 19 natural amino acids, with a limit of detection of 1 nM for Ag⁺ and 9.5 nM for Cys. Based on these results, we have constructed a reusable fluorescent sensor by using the covalent‐linked SWNT–DNA conjugates according to the same sensing mechanism. There is no report on the use of SWNT–DNA assays for the detection of Ag⁺ and Cys. This assay is simple, effective, and reusable, and can in principle be used to detect other metal ions by substituting C–C base pairs with other native or artificial bases that selectively bind to other metal ions.     

A Pyrene‐functionalized Polynorbornene for Ratiometric Fluorescence Sensing of Pyrophosphate

A novel pyrene‐functionalized polynorbornene ( P1 ) bearing sulfonamide NH and triazolium donors has been synthesized for ratiometric fluorescence sensing of PPi in aqueous solution. In addition, P1 is also used to monitor intracellular PPi and to detect PPi released during polymerase chain reaction.     

Riboflavin‐Based Fluorogenic Sensor for Chemo‐ and Enantioselective Detection of Amine Vapors

A novel turn‐on fluorogenic chiral sensory system has been developed using a protonated riboflavin and riboflavin‐derived cationic polymer as a fluorophore precursor and a specific amine receptor, respectively, which enables the solid‐state chemo‐ and enantioselective fluorogenic visual detection of primary and secondary amine vapors.     

Fluorescence Turn‐On Detection of Nitric Oxide in Aqueous Solution Using Cationic Conjugated Polyelectrolytes

A fluorescent turn‐on detection for nitric oxide in aqueous solution is developed using cationic conjugated polymers. The assay benefits from the sensitivity of optical signals from conjugated polymers and the simplicity of fluorescence measurement techniques. The assay contains three elements: a cationic conjugated polymer that contains imidazole moieties, Cu²⁺ ions, and the target nitric oxide. The highly fluorescent conjugated polymer coordinates to Cu²⁺ ions through weak N · · · Cu interactions, and its fluorescence is efficiently quenched by a photo‐induced electron transfer process (‘off’ state). In the presence of nitric oxide, the transformation of the paramagnetic Cu²⁺ ion into a diamagnetic Cu¹⁺ ion inhibits the quenching and, therefore, the fluorescence of the conjugate polymer is recovered (‘on’ state). Other biologically relevant reactive nitrogen species, such as NOBF₄, NaNO₂, and NaNO₃ don't exhibit the fluorescence recovery of the conjugated polymer under the same conditions as nitric oxide. The cationic conjugated polymer/Cu²⁺ complex can thus be used as a platform to detect nitric oxide in aqueous solution with high sensitivity and selectivity.

     

A PEGylated Fluorescent Turn‐On Sensor for Detecting Fluoride Ions in Totally Aqueous Media and Its Imaging in Live Cells

Owing to the considerable significance of fluoride anions for health and environmental issues, it is of great importance to develop methods that can rapidly, sensitively and selectively detect the fluoride anion in aqueous media and biological samples. Herein, we demonstrate a robust fluorescent turn‐on sensor for detecting the fluoride ion in a totally aqueous solution. In this study, a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is incorporated into the sensing system to ensure water solubility and to enhance biocompatibility. tert‐Butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) groups were then covalently introduced onto the fluorescein moiety, which effectively quenched the fluorescence of the sensor. Upon addition of fluoride ion, the selective fluoride‐mediated cleavage of the Si? O bond leads to the recovery of the fluorescein moiety, resulting in a dramatic increase in fluorescence intensity under visible light excitation. The sensor is responsive and highly selective for the fluoride anion over other common anions; it also exhibits a very low detection limit of 19 ppb. In addition, this sensor is operative in some real samples such as running water, urine, and serum and can accurately detect fluoride ions in these samples. The cytotoxicity of the sensor was determined to be Grade I toxicity according to United States Pharmacopoeia and ISO 10993‐5, suggesting the very low cytotoxicity of the sensor. Moreover, it was found that the senor could be readily internalized by both HeLa and L929 cells and the sensor could be utilized to track fluoride level changes inside the cells.     

Reaction‐Based and Single Fluorescent Emitter Decorated Ratiometric Nanoprobe to Detect Hydrogen Peroxide

A novel reaction‐based cross‐linked polymeric nanoprobe with a self‐calibrating ratiometric fluorescence readout to selectively detect H₂O₂ is reported. The polymeric nanoprobe is fabricated by using hydrophobic H₂O₂‐reactive boronic ester groups, crosslinker units, and environmentally sensitive 3‐hydroxyflavone fluorophores through a miniemulsion polymerization. On treatment with H₂O₂, the boronic esters in the polymer are cleaved to form hydrophilic alcohols and subsequently lead to a hydrophobic–hydrophilic transition. Covalently linked 3‐hydroxyflavones manifest the change in polarity as a ratiometric transition from green to blue, accompanied by a 500‐fold increase in volume. Furthermore, this nanoprobe has been used for ratiometric sensing of glucose by monitoring the H₂O₂ generated during the oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase, and thus successfully distinguished between normal and pathological levels of glucose.