Squaraine dyes: The hierarchical synthesis and its application in optical detection

Squaraine dyes, a four-membered ring system with structural rigidity, possess unique photoelectrical properties and are marked by their exceptionally sharp and intense absorption associated with a strong fluorescent emission in solution. These favorable characteristics have prompted their exploitation in a number of state of the art applications including photoconductivity, data storage, light-emitting field-effect transistors, solar cells and fluorescent histological probes. In this review, we first summarize the recently proposed novel methods in the synthesis of these versatile derivatives. Subsequently, their extensive applications in the prevalent optical detection of the surrounding medium such as ions, pH, thiol-based compounds, biomolecules and cell over the past decades are covered and discussed. In addition, different categories for the synthesis and sensing mechanisms for various squaric acid-based chemo-/bio- sensors are illustrated. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in the synthesis and application of these derivatives are also briefly discussed.     

Organotin(IV) Complexes of 2-[(2′,4′,6′- Trichlorophenylamido)]benzoic Acid: Synthesis,Coordination Chemistry,and Semi-Empirical Study

A new series of organotin(IV) complexes of aniline derivatives, R₂SnL₂ and R₃SnL [where R = Me, n-Bu, n-Oct, and Ph], have been synthesized by the reaction of ligand acid with respective organotin halides in the presence of triethylamine as base or dioctyltin oxide using a Dean–Stark trap for the removal of water under reflux conditions. Experimental details for the preparation and characterization, including elemental analysis, IR, semi-empirical study, multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹⁹Sn spectra and EI mass spectral studies) of all reported complexes are provided. The IR data indicate that in both di- and triorganotin(IV) carboxylates, the ligand moiety ?COO acts as a bidentate group in the solid state. Multinuclear NMR data show that triorganotin complexes exhibits a four-coordinated geometry, while diorganotin(IV) complexes show a coordination number greater than four, probably five or six, in solution state.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Thiosemicarbazone Complexes of Ruthenium(II) and Rhodium(I) Containing Triphenylphosphine

Several new hexa-coordinated ruthenium(II) and penta-coordinated rhodium(I) complexes of the types [RuCl(CO)(PPh ₃ ) ₂ (TSC)], [RuH(CO)(PPh ₃ ) ₂ (TSC)], and [Rh(PPh ₃ ) ₃ (TSC)] (where TSC = anion of thiosemicarbazone Schiff bases) have been prepared by the reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh ₃ ) ₃ ], [RuH ₂ (CO)(PPh ₃ ) ₃ )], and [RhH(PPh ₃ ) ₄ ] with thiosemicarbazones of 2-furaldehyde (H-FTSC), thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde (H-TCTSC), p-anisaldehyde (H-ATSC), piperonaldehyde (H-PTSC), and cyclohexanone (H-CTSC). All the new complexes obtained have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, ¹ H NMR, ³¹ P NMR, and electronic spectral data.     

Synthesis,Spectroscopic Studies,and Biological Activity of Organosilicon(iv) Complexes of Ligands Derived from 2-Aminobenzothiazole Derivatives and 2-Hydroxy-3-Methoxy Benzaldehyde

Abstract

The Schiff bases derived from the condensation of 2-aminobenzothiazole derivatives and 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and their silicon(IV) complexes with the general formula R₂Si(L)Cl (R = Et, Bu, Ph, L = 2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy) benzylideneaminobenzo-thiazole) have been synthesized. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, and spectroscopic studies including IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si) spectroscopy. The analytical data suggest trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the silicon atom in the resulting complexes. The ligands and their organosilicon complexes have also been evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activity against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli) and fungi (Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans). The complexes were found to be more potent as compared to the ligands.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Probe Design for the Effective Fluorescence Imaging of Intracellular RNA

Over the past two decades, the spatiotemporal analysis of fluorescently labeled single RNA species has provided a broad insight into the synthesis, localization, degradation, and transport of RNA. To elucidate the dynamic behavior of functional RNAs in living cells, researchers throughout the world have proposed numerous fluorometric strategies for intracellular RNA imaging. Because, like most other biological molecules, RNA is intrinsically nonfluorescent, the development of methods for the labeling of RNAs of interest with fluorescent molecules is essential. Several artificial tag sequences have been attached onto the 3′ end of target RNAs and used as scaffolds for interacting with their fluorescent counterparts. In this Personal Account, we focus on the methods that have been developed to show how RNAs expressed in cells can be labeled and visualized by fluorescent proteins, small molecules, or nucleic acids. Each of these methods is designed to increase the sensitivity and specificity for imaging or to decrease the background fluorescence.