A highly selective sensor for Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions in aqueous medium: Spectroscopic, computational and cell imaging studies

A ″On-Off″ Fluorescent Sensor Based on Coumarin-Furoic Hydrazide for Recognition of Fe3+: Drinking Water, Test Strip Applications and DFT Calculations

A coumarin based fluorescent probe (E)-N'-((7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromon-3-yl)methylene)furan-2-carbohydrazide (CFHZ) was synthesized for the detection of Fe3+ and its characterizations were carried out using spectroscopic methods such as FT-IR, mass spectrometry1H-NMR, 13C-NMR. The novel probe CFHZ showed a highly selective and sensitive "turn-off" response to Fe3+ ion without any interference from other analytes. Strong fuorescence quenching phenomena of the CFHZ were observed in EtOH:H2O (99/1, v/v) detection system (λem = 470 nm) upon the additions of Fe3+. The binding stoichiometry between CFHZ and Fe3+ was determined by Job's method, FT-IR and MALDI TOF-MS and found to be 2:1. Also, the binding constant was determined to be 1.82 × 105 M-1 and the limits of detection for the analysis of Fe3+ was measured as 25.7 nM. Besides, experimental applications were carried out for real-time monitoring of Fe3+ in water samples using developed sensor. Additionally, fluorescence imaging experiments for Fe3+ detection of CFHZ probe on test papers were successfully performed.

A comprehensive review on colorimetric and fluorometric investigations of dual sensing chemosensors for Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions from the year 2017 to 2023

Dual sensing chemosensors for copper(II) and iron(III) ions are molecules or compounds designed to selectively detect and differentiate between these specific metal ions. Because metal ions like copper(II) and iron(III) are essential to so many industrial, biological, and environmental processes, their detection and measurement have become increasingly important. In this work, a novel dual-sensing chemosensor that combines high selectivity and sensitivity is presented. It is intended to detect copper(II) (Cu2+) and iron (III)(Fe3+) ions concurrently. The chemosensor combines two different recognition components into one platform and achieves dual-mode detection by combining optical and electrochemical sensing approaches. Using a dual sensing chemosensors for two cations can save money and time compared to preparing two separate chemosensors to sense each of those cations separately. We often use various techniques, including spectroscopy, fluorescence, and electrochemistry, to monitor and measure the changes induced by the interaction between the chemosensors and the metal ions. Discussions have been held on the excitation and emission wavelengths, media used in the spectroscopic measurements, binding constant with coordination binding mode, detection mechanism, and detection limit (LOD). This extensive review paper investigates colorimetric and fluorometric dual sensing analysis for Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions which includes more than sixty papers from the year of 2017 to 2023.

Fast, Selective and Sensitive Fluorescence Detection of Levofloxacin, Fe3+ and Cu2+ Ions in 100% Aqueous Solution Via Their Reciprocal Recognition

The fluorescence detection of ions and pharmaceutical effluents by using organic chemosensors is a valuable surrogate to the currently existing expensive analytical methods. In this regard, the design of multi-functional chemosensors to recognize desirable guests is of utmost importance. In this study, we first show that levofloxacin (LVO) is able to use as a fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of biologically important Cu2+ (turn-off) and Fe3+ (turn-on) ions via independent signal outputs in 100% aqueous buffer solutions. Next, using the reciprocal recognition of LVO and Fe3+ provides a unique emission pattern for the detection of LVO. This approach exhibited a high specificity to LVO among various pharmaceutical samples, namely acetaminophen (AC), azithromycin (AZ), gemifloxacin (GEM) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) and also showed great anti-interference property in urine. The attractive features of this sensing system are availability, easy-to-use, high sensitivity (limit of detection = 18 nM for Cu2+, 22 nM for Fe3+ and 0.12 nM for LVO), rapid response (5 s) with an excellent selectivity.

Visible-Light-Prompted Synthesis and Binding Studies of 5,6-Dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles with BSA and DNA Using Biophysical and Computational Methods

Fused heterocyclic systems containing a bridgehead nitrogen atom have emerged as imperative pharmacophores in the design and development of new drugs. Among these heterocyclic moieties, the imidazothiazole scaffold has long been used in medicinal chemistry for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we have established a simplistic and environmentally safe regioselective protocol for the synthesis of 5,6-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives from easily available reactants. The reaction proceeds through in situ formation of the α-bromodiketones ensuing trap with imidazolidine-2-thione to provide these versatile bicyclic heterocycles in excellent yields. The synthesized compounds were screened through the molecular docking approach for the most stable complex formation with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA). The selected compound was further studied using ex vivo binding studies, which revealed moderate interactions with BSA and ctDNA. The binding studies were performed using biophysical approaches including UV-visible spectroscopy, steady-state fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), and viscosity parameters.

A Fluorene based Fluorogenic ''Turn-off'' Chemosensor for the Recognition of Cu2+ and Fe2+: Computational Modeling and Living-cell Application

Background:

The traditional methods for the detection and quantification of Cu2+ and Fe3+ heavy metal ions are usually troublesome in terms of high-cost, non-portable, time-consuming, specialized personnel and complicated tools, so their applications in practical analyses is limited. Therefore, the development of cheap, fast and simple-use techniques/instruments with high sensitivity/selectivity for the detection of heavy metal ions is highly demanded and studied.

Methods:

In this study, a fluorene-based fluorescent 'turn-off' sensor, methyl 2-(2-((((9H-fluoren-9- yl)methoxy)carbonyl)amino)-3- phenylpropanamido) acetate (probe FLPG) was synthesized via onepot reaction and characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-APT-NMR, HETCOR, ATR-FTIR and elemental analysis in detailed. All emission spectral studies of the probe FLPG have been performed in CH3CN/HEPES (9/1, v/v, pH=7.4) media at rt. The quantum (Φ) yield of probe FLPG decreased considerably in the presence of Cu2+ and Fe3+. The theoretical computation of probe FLPG and its complexes were also performed using density functional theory (DFT). Furthermore, bio-imaging experiments of the probe FLPG was successfully carried out for Cu2+ and Fe3+ monitoring in living-cells.

Results:

The probe FLPG could sense Cu2+ and Fe3+ with high selectivity and sensitivity, and quantitative correlations (R2>0.9000) between the Cu2+/Fe3+ concentrations (0.0−10.0 equiv). The limits of detection for Cu2+ and Fe3+ were found as 25.07 nM and 37.80 nM, respectively. The fluorescence quenching in the sensor is managed by ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) mechanism. Job’s plot was used to determine the binding stoichiometry (1:2) of the probe FLPG towards Cu2+ and Fe3+. The binding constants with strongly interacting Cu2+ and Fe3+ were determined as 4.56×108 M-2 and 2.02×1010 M-2, respectively, via the fluorescence titration experiments. The outcomes of the computational study supported the fluorescence data. Moreover, the practical application of the probe FLPG was successfully performed for living cells.

Conclusion:

This simple chemosensor system offers a highly selective and sensitive sensing platform for the routine detection of Cu2+ and Fe3+, and it keeps away from the usage of costly and sophisticated analysis systems.

Visible-light driven regioselective synthesis, characterization and binding studies of 2-aroyl-3-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines with DNA and BSA using biophysical and computational techniques

In recent times, fused azaheterocycles emerged as impressive therapeutic agents. Binding studies of such azaheterocycles with biomolecules is an important subject for pharmaceutical and biochemical studies aiming at the design and development of new drugs. Fused heterocyclic scaffolds, such as thiazolopyrmidines have long been used in the pharmaceutical industry for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we have accomplished a regioselective synthesis of 2-aroyl-3-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines by the reaction of tetrahydropyrimidine-2(H)-thione with α-bromo-1,3-diketones, generated in situ from 1,3-diketones and NBS, using visible light as an inexpensive, green and renewable energy source under mild reaction conditions with wide-ranging substrate scope. The regioisomer was characterized unambiguously by 2D-NMR [1H-13C] HMBC and [1H-13C] HMQC spectroscopy. In silico toxicity data analysis showed the low toxicity risks of the synthesized compounds. Computational molecular docking studies were carried out to examine the interaction of thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines with calf-thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). Moreover, different spectroscopic approaches viz. steady-state fluorescence, competitive displacement assay, UV-visible and circular dichroism (CD) along with viscosity measurements were employed to investigate the binding mechanisms of thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines with DNA and BSA. The results thus obtained revealed that thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines offer groove bindings with DNA and showed moderate bindings with BSA.

Visible-light excitable Eu3+-induced hyaluronic acid-chitosan aggregates with heterocyclic ligands for sensitive and fast recognition of hazardous ions

Water-soluble luminescent lanthanide complexes that can be excited with visible light could enable rapid detection of toxic anions and cations in biological systems. Eu³⁺-induced hyaluronic acid-chitosan aggregates (EIHCA) can improve the stability, biocompatibility, efficiency, and light absorption of luminescent Eu³⁺ complexes. Visible-range excitation may avoid phototoxicity associated with overexposure to UV light in biological and ecological applications. In this work, we synthesized and characterized series of EIHCA complexes having three N-donor heterocyclic ligands: 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Dphen), 2,2': 6',2″-terpyridine (Tpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate (Phen). These complexes possessed bright red fluorescence with a visible range excitation maximum. The photophysical properties of one formulation (we denote as EDL6) include fast quenching response (20 s) of the fluorescence, multi-selectivity, low limit of detection, and high quenching (K_sv) values, enabling selective, rapid and sensitive recognition of Cr₂O₇^2- and Fe³⁺ in aqueous solution. Furthermore, EDL6 exhibits cytocompatibility with mammalian cells that make these complexes promising biocompatible candidate as a safe replacement of organic fluorophores for fluorescence sensing applications. Thus, these new EIHCA complexes were successfully employed for the selective detection of hazardous materials in biological and aqueous environment samples.