Fluorescence sensing based on cation-induced conformational switching: copper-selective modulation of the photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer of a donor–acceptor biphenyl fluorophore

Chromo-Fluorogenic Rhodamine-Based Amphiphilic Probe as a Selective and Sensitive Sensor for Intracellular Cu(I) in Living Cells

Fluorescent probes are widely studied for metal ion detection because of their multiple favorable properties such as high sensitivity and selectivity, quick response, naked eye detection, and in situ monitoring. However, optical probes that can effectively detect the Cu(I) level in cell interiors are rare due to the difficulty associated with selectively and sensitively detecting this metal ion in a cell environment. Therefore, we designed and synthesized three water-soluble probes (1-3) with a 1,3,5-triazine core decorated by three substituents: a hydrophobic alkyl chain, a hydrophilic maltose, and a rhodamine B hydrazine fluorophore. Among the probes, probe 1, which has an octyl chain and a branched maltose group, was the most effective at sensing Cu+ in aqueous solution. Upon addition of Cu+, this probe showed a dramatic color change from colorless to pink in daylight and displayed an intense yellow fluorescence emission under 365 nm light. The limit of detection and dissociation constant (Kd) of this probe were 20 nM and 1.1 × 10-12 M, respectively, which are the lowest values reported to date. The two metal ion-binding sites and the aggregation-induced emission enhancement effect, endowed by the branched maltose group and the octyl chain, respectively, are responsible for the high sensitivity and selectivity of this probe for Cu+ detection, as demonstrated by 1H NMR, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy studies. Furthermore, the probe successfully differentiated the Cu(I) level of cancer cells from that of the normal cells. Thus, the probe holds potential for real-time monitoring of Cu(I) level in biological samples and bioimaging of cancer cells.

Dye-surfactant co-assembly as the chromogenic indicator for nanomolar level detection of Cu(I) ions via a color-changing response

Polyaromatic amphiphilic probes have been developed, that can be involved in chromogenic detection of Cu⁺ ions in anionic micelles. A rapid change in solution color from yellow to orange was observed in the presence of Cu⁺ ions. The detection limit was found at the nanomolar range. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the visible detection of Cu⁺ ions in aqueous medium using anionic micelles as a stabilizing agent. Interestingly, the compound can also detect Cu⁺ ions, generated in situ from physiological redox processes. The mechanistic investigation suggests that the probe molecule forms a diamagnetic tetrahedral complex with the Cu⁺ ion, coordinating through a pyridyl ketone unit. In addition, we have also followed the interaction with Cu⁺ on a bilayer surface made of anionic phospholipids. Further, a Cu²⁺-probe ensemble is used to assay the reducing ability of different biogenic thiols depending upon the pK_a of their sulfhydryl (-SH) group. This allows us to determine the amount of reducing thiols present in human urine samples. Considering the high sensitivity of the present system, we screened water samples collected from different natural sources for Cu⁺ ions. Nearly 100% recovery values with considerably small relative standard deviations (<5%) indicate that the present system is indeed suitable for real-life sample analysis. Finally, low-cost, reusable, chemically-modified paper strips have been developed for rapid, on-location detection of Cu⁺ ions.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel benzoxaborole derivatives as potent PDE4 inhibitors for topical treatment of atopic dermatitis

In this work, a series of structurally novel benzoxaborole derivatives were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated as PDE4 inhibitors for battling atopic dermatitis (AD). Among them, the majority exhibited superior PDE4B inhibitory activities to that of the lead compound Crisaborole, an approved PDE4 inhibitor. In particular, 72, the most potent PDE4B inhibitor throughout this series, displayed 136-fold improved enzymatic activity (IC₅₀ = 0.42 nM) as compared to Crisaborole (IC₅₀ = 57.20 nM), along with favorable isoform specificity. In the phorbol ester (PMA)-induced mouse ear oedema model, 72 exerted remarkably greater efficacy than Crisaborole at the same dosage (P < 0.05). Moreover, the ointment of 72 exerted dramatically enhanced therapeutic potency than the ointment of Crisaborole (P < 0.05) in the calcipotriol-induced mouse AD model. In addition to the potent in vitro and in vivo activity, 72 displayed favorable safety in the repeated oral dose toxicity study and did not exhibit phototoxicity. With the above attractive biological performance, 72 is worthy of further functional investigation as a novel anti-AD therapeutic agent.

A quinoline-based fluorescent probe for selective detection and real-time monitoring of copper ions – a differential colorimetric approach

A quinoline moiety was used as a building block for designing a probe for the selective detection of copper ions in a partially aqueous medium.

Emerging chemical tools and techniques for tracking biological manganese

This frontier article discusses chemical tools and techniques for tracking and imaging Mn ions in biology.

Achieving selectivity for copper over zinc with luminescent terbium probes bearing phenanthridine antennas

A family of terbium probes was synthesized and evaluated for the luminescence detection of copper and zinc in water at neutral pH. Each probe incorporates a terbium ion chelated by a macrocyclic polyaminocarboxylate and conjugated to either one, two, or three phenanthridine antennas via a diamine linker. All three probes, Tb-1Phen, Tb-2Phen, and Tb-3Phen, exhibit similar responses toward copper and zinc. In each case, the terbium-centered time-gated phosphorescence decreases upon binding either Cu^I or Cu^II but not upon addition of Zn^II. The phosphorescence of Tb-2Phen is also not significantly affected by other metal ions including Mg^II, Ca^II, Mn^II, Fe^II, Ni^II, Cd^II, and Hg^II. Tb-1Phen, on the other hand, responds weakly to Mn^II, Fe^II and Ni^II. The lack of affinity of each probe for Zn^II was further confirmed by competition experiments with Cu^I and Cu^II. Notably, whereas the terbium-centered emission of each probe is quenched upon copper coordination, the phenanthridine-centered luminescence emission is not. As such, each probe functions as a ratiometric probe for the selective detection of copper over zinc. Theoretical calculations further demonstrate that the turn off response of the probe is due to an increase in the distance separating the lanthanide ion from its phenanthridine antennas upon coordination of copper, which in turn decreases the efficiency of terbium sensitization by the phenanthridines.

The synthesis of lactone-bridged 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene derivatives as pi-expanded coumarin triskelions

Two triply lactone-bridged 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene derivatives with solubilizing moieties have been synthesized in five and six steps from commercially available starting materials. Compounds containing the 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene core with two atom bridges are relatively unknown. This new class of pi-expanded coumarins contain triskelion architectures and X-ray crystallographic studies of one of the triskelions indicates that the 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene core adopts a near-planar geometry. This is the only known example of a two atom-bridged 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene derivative to adopt a planar structure.

Spirolactam capped cyanine dyes for designing NIR probes to target multiple metal ions

This work reports cyanine based spirocyclic metal ion probes, showing a fluorescence turn-on response to various metal ions in the near-infrared spectral region.

Molecular diversity in several pyridyl based Cu(ii) complexes: biophysical interaction and redox triggered fluorescence switch

A novel approach for detection of intra-cellular Cu⁺inE. coliand human blood cells is reported. Studies on several pyridyl based Cu(ii) complexes and interaction of ct DNA with one of them are carried out for plausible application in biology concerning disruption of normal DNA activity.

A new luminescent lanthanide supramolecular network possessing free Lewis base sites for highly selective and sensitive Cu2+ sensing

Illustration of the probable quenching mechanism and the qualitative/quantitative relationship between Tb luminescent intensity and the analyte concentration.

Solvent-free reduction of carboxylic acids to alcohols with NaBH4promoted by 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine and PPh3in the presence of K2CO3

The first simple, rapid, and eco-friendly method for NaBH₄reduction of carboxylic acids to alcohols under solvent-free conditions is reported.

High-contrast fluorescence sensing of aqueous Cu(I) with triarylpyrazoline probes: dissecting the roles of ligand donor strength and excited state proton transfer

Cu(I)-responsive fluorescent probes based on a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism generally show incomplete fluorescence recovery relative to the intrinsic quantum yield of the fluorescence reporter. Previous studies on probes with an N-aryl thiazacrown Cu(I)-receptor revealed that the recovery is compromised by incomplete Cu(I)-N coordination and resultant ternary complex formation with solvent molecules. Building upon a strategy that successfully increased the fluorescence contrast and quantum yield of Cu(I) probes in methanol, we integrated the arylamine PET donor into the backbone of a hydrophilic thiazacrown ligand with a sulfonated triarylpyrazoline as a water-soluble fluorescence reporter. This approach was not only expected to disfavor ternary complex formation in aqueous solution but also to maximize PET switching through a synergistic Cu(I)-induced conformational change. The resulting water-soluble probe 1 gave a strong 57-fold fluorescence enhancement upon saturation with Cu(I) with high selectivity over other cations, including Cu(II), Hg(II), and Cd(II); however, the recovery quantum yield did not improve over probes with the original N-aryl thiazacrown design. Concluding from detailed photophysical data, including responses to acidification, solvent isotope effects, quantum yields, and time-resolved fluorescence decay profiles, the fluorescence contrast of 1 is compromised by inadequate coordination of Cu(I) to the weakly basic arylamine nitrogen of the PET donor and by fluorescence quenching via two distinct excited state proton transfer pathways operating under neutral and acidic conditions.

NIR- and FRET-based sensing of Cu2+ and S2- in physiological conditions and in live cells

We have synthesized a new indole functionalized rhodamine derivative L(1) which specifically binds to Cu(2+) in the presence of large excess of other competing ions with visually observable changes in their electronic and fluorescence spectral behavior. These spectral changes are significant enough in the NIR and visible region of the spectrum and thus enable naked eye detection. The receptor, L(1), could be employed as a resonance energy transfer (RET) based sensor for detection of Cu(2+) based on the process involving the donor indole and the acceptor Cu(2+) bound xanthene fragment. Studies reveal that L(1)-Cu complex is selectively and fully reversible in presence of sulfide anions. Further, fluorescence microscopic studies confirmed that the reagent L(1) could also be used as an imaging probe for detection of uptake of these ions in HeLa cells.

Highly selective colorimetric sensing of Cu(II) ions in aqueous solution via modulation of intramolecular charge transfer transition of aminonaphthoquinone chemosensor

An aminonaphthoquinone based colorimetric chemosensor has been developed and demonstrated for the highly selective detection of Cu(II) ions in aqueous solution. The intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) transition exits in amine moiety directly attached to the quinone ring is modulated by the d-d transition of a square planar Cu(II)-receptor complex resulting in a change of color from yellow to blue. No significant color change was observed upon addition of other selected metal ions. The sensing property has been investigated using various spectral techniques (UV-Vis, fluorescence) and product analysis (Elemental analysis, magnetic moment, UV-Vis, FT-IR, EPR).

Conformationally dynamic π-conjugation: probing structure-property relationships of fluorescent tris(N-salicylideneaniline)s

We recently reported the design and synthesis of a series of conformationally dynamic chromophores that are built on the C(3)-symmetric tris(N-salicylideneaniline) platform. This system utilizes cooperative structural folding-unfolding motions for fluorescence switching, which is driven by the assembly and disassembly of hydrogen bonds between the rigid core and rotatable peripheral part of the molecule. Here, we report detailed time-resolved spectroscopic studies to investigate the structure-property relationships of a series of functionalized tris(N-salicylideneaniline)s. Time-resolved fluorescence decay spectroscopy was applied to determine the main relaxation mechanisms of these π-extended fluorophores, and to address the effects of hydrogen bonding, steric constraints, and extension of the π-conjugation on their relaxation dynamics. Our results agree well with the conformational switching model that was previously suggested from steady-state experiments. Notably, extension of the π-conjugation from peripheral aryl groups resulted in the stabilization of the excited states, as evidenced by longer lifetimes and lower nonradiative decay constants. As a consequence, an increase in the fluorescence quantum yields was observed, which could be explained by the suppression of the torsional motions about the C-N bonds from an overall increase in the quinoid character of the excited states. A combination of time-resolved and steady-state techniques also revealed intermolecular interactions through π-π stacking at higher concentrations, which provide additional de-excitation pathways that become more pronounced in solid samples.

Designed to dissolve: suppression of colloidal aggregation of Cu(I)-selective fluorescent probes in aqueous buffer and in-gel detection of a metallochaperone

Due to the lipophilicity of the metal-ion receptor, previously reported Cu(I)-selective fluorescent probes form colloidal aggregates, as revealed by dynamic light scattering. To address this problem, we have developed a hydrophilic triarylpyrazoline-based fluorescent probe, CTAP-2, that dissolves directly in water and shows a rapid, reversible, and highly selective 65-fold fluorescence turn-on response to Cu(I) in aqueous solution. CTAP-2 proved to be sufficiently sensitive for direct in-gel detection of Cu(I) bound to the metallochaperone Atox1, demonstrating the potential for cation-selective fluorescent probes to serve as tools in metalloproteomics for identifying proteins with readily accessible metal-binding sites.

High-contrast Cu(I)-selective fluorescent probes based on synergistic electronic and conformational switching

The design of fluorescent probes for the detection of redox-active transition metals such as Cu(I/II) is challenging due to potentially interfering metal-induced non-radiative deactivation pathways. By using a ligand architecture with a built-in conformational switch that maximizes the change in donor potential upon metal binding and an electronically decoupled tunable pyrazoline fluorophore as acceptor, we systematically optimized the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) switching behavior of a series of Cu(I)-selective probes and achieved an excellent fluorescence enhancement of greater than 200-fold. Crystal structure analysis combined with NMR solution studies revealed significant conformational changes of the ligand framework upon Cu(I) coordination. The photophysical data are consistent with a kinetically controlled PET reaction involving only the ligand moiety, despite the fact that Cu(I)-mediated reductive quenching would be thermodynamically preferred. The study demonstrates that high-contrast ratios can be achieved even for redox-active metal cations, providing that the metal-initiated quenching pathways are kinetically unfavorable.

Kinetically controlled photoinduced electron transfer switching in Cu(I)-responsive fluorescent probes

Copper(I)-responsive fluorescent probes based on photoinduced electron transfer (PET) switching consistently display incomplete recovery of emission upon Cu(I) binding compared to the corresponding isolated fluorophores, raising the question of whether Cu(I) might engage in adverse quenching pathways. To address this question, we performed detailed photophysical studies on a series of Cu(I)-responsive fluorescent probes that are based on a 16-membered thiazacrown receptor ([16]aneNS(3)) tethered to 1,3,5-triarylpyrazoline-fluorophores. The fluorescence enhancement upon Cu(I) binding, which is mainly governed by changes in the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) driving force between the ligand and fluorophore, was systematically optimized by increasing the electron withdrawing character of the 1-aryl-ring, yielding a maximum 29-fold fluorescence enhancement upon saturation with Cu(I) in methanol and a greater than 500-fold enhancement upon protonation with trifluoroacetic acid. Time-resolved fluorescence decay data for the Cu(I)-saturated probe indicated the presence of three distinct emissive species in methanol. Contrary to the notion that Cu(I) might engage in reductive electron transfer quenching, femtosecond time-resolved pump-probe experiments provided no evidence for formation of a transient Cu(II) species upon photoexcitation. Variable temperature (1)H NMR experiments revealed a dynamic equilibrium between the tetradentate NS(3)-coordinated Cu(I) complex and a ternary complex involving coordination of a solvent molecule, an observation that was further supported by quantum chemical calculations. The combined photophysical, electrochemical, and solution chemistry experiments demonstrate that electron transfer from Cu(I) does not compete with radiative deactivation of the excited fluorophore, and, hence, that the Cu(I)-induced fluorescence switching is kinetically controlled.

Electronically tuned 1,3,5-triarylpyrazolines as Cu(I)-selective fluorescent probes

We have prepared and characterized a Cu(i)-responsive fluorescent probe, constructed using a large tetradentate, 16-membered thiazacrown ligand ([16]aneNS(3)) and 1,3,5-triaryl-substituted pyrazoline fluorophores. The fluorescence contrast ratio upon analyte binding, which is mainly governed by changes of the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) driving force between the ligand and fluorophore, was systematically optimized by increasing the electron withdrawing character of the 1-aryl-ring, yielding a maximum 50-fold fluorescence enhancement upon saturation with Cu(i) in methanol and a greater than 300-fold enhancement upon protonation with trifluoroacetic acid. The observed fluorescence increase was selective towards Cu(i) over a broad range of mono- and divalent transition metal cations. Previously established Hammett LFERs proved to be a valuable tool to predict two of the PET key parameters, the acceptor potential (E(A/A(-)) and the excited state energy DeltaE(00), and thus to identify a set of pyrazolines that would best match the thermodynamic requirements imposed by the donor potential E(D(+)/D) of the thiazacrown receptor. The described approach should be applicable for rationally designing high-contrast pyrazoline-based PET probes selective towards other metal cations.

"Turn-on" fluorescent sensor for the selective detection of zinc ion by a sterically-encumbered bipyridyl-based receptor

A sterically-encumbered 5,5'-distyryl-2,2'-bipyridyl derivative that enforces a 1:1 metal-to-ligand ratio acts as a selective turn-on sensor for Zn(2+) in THF.

Two-Dimensional Electronic Conjugation: Statics and Dynamics at Structural Domains Beyond Molecular Wires

Chemical architectures supporting a high degree of electronic conjugation serve as important functional components in devices and materials for advanced electronic and photonic applications. Increasing the spatial dimensionality of such constructs can fundamentally modify their optoelectronic properties and significantly alter intra- and intermolecular interactions that are crucial for understanding and controlling charge/energy-transfer processes. In this article, emerging design principles in the construction of well-defined conjugated platforms beyond molecular wires are highlighted. Both covalent and noncovalent approaches can be strategically employed to position one-dimensional (1D) substructures in a spatially well-defined manner in order to enhance both structural and functional complexity in a two-dimensional (2D) setting. A predictable and controllable switching mechanism can be designed and implemented with mobile 2D electronic conjugation that operates by correlated motions of inherently rigid 1D subunits. This emerging "dynamic" approach complements and challenges the prevailing "static" paradigm of conjugated chemical architectures.

A selective turn-on fluorescent sensor for imaging copper in living cells

We present the synthesis, properties, and biological applications of Coppersensor-1 (CS1), a new water-soluble, turn-on fluorescent sensor for intracellular imaging of copper in living biological samples. CS1 utilizes a BODIPY reporter and thioether-rich receptor to provide high selectivity and sensitivity for Cu+ over other biologically relevant metal ions, including Cu2+, in aqueous solution. This BODIPY-based probe is the first Cu+-responsive sensor with visible excitation and emission profiles and gives a 10-fold turn-on response for detecting this ion. Confocal microscopy experiments further establish that CS1 is membrane-permeable and can successfully monitor intracellular Cu+ levels within living cells.

The problem of self-calibration of fluorescence signal in microscale sensor systems

Most recent developments in fluorescent molecular sensor devices are based on "ON-OFF" switching, which is an operation with a single measurable parameter, commonly the quenching of total intensity. In the meantime, with this approach self-calibration on the molecular level is not achievable. This calibration is strongly needed in all kinds of microscale applications, including microarrays, microfluidic systems and living cell imaging. Different possibilities are discussed for overcoming this difficulty and an "OR-OR" switching concept is suggested that involves the two-channel detection as a promising solution. For achieving the desired efficiency specific conditions are needed: it should be a single reporter dye exhibiting rapid reversible excited-state reaction and providing two-band wavelength ratiometric response.