A colorimetric squaraine-based probe and test paper for rapid naked eyes detection of copper ion (II)

Dual Metal Ion Sensing by an Azo Compound Derived from Thiazolo[3,2-a] Indole: A Selective and Sensitive Approach

In this study, we report the synthesis and photophysical evaluation of hydrazone 7 and azo 9 compounds of a thiazolo[3,2-a] indole derivative 5; latter synthesized as per our earlier report. Of the two compounds, the azo compound 9 showed exceptional selectivity and sensitivity as a dual sensor for detecting Fe2+ and Cu2+ ions via a turn-off fluorescence mechanism with limit of detection 0.09 µM and 0.14 µM respectively which are much lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline, 5.36 µM for Fe2+ and WHO guideline, 31.5 µM for Cu2+ in the drinking water. DFT calculations revealed that both Fe2+ and Cu2+ complexes with compound 9, and possess low HOMO-LUMO gap of 1.63 eV and 2.94 eV respectively. The binding stoichiometry for both metals was determined to be 1:1 by Job's plot. Stern-Volmer plot (plotted after applying correction to emission intensity), which showed a linear pattern, and fluorescence lifetime measurements indicated primarily a static quenching mechanism for both ions. The chemosensor 9 demonstrated exceptional reversibility and restorability in detecting both Fe2+ and Cu2+, highlighting its potential for practical applications.

Recent Development on Copper-Sensor and its Biological Applications: A Review

Metal ion recognition is one of the most prospective research topics in the field of chemical sensors due to its wide range of clinical, biological and environmental applications. In this context, hydrazones are well known compounds that exhibit metal sensing and several biological properties due to the presence of N=CH- bond. Some of the biological properties includes anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial activities. Hydrazones are also used as a ligand to detect metal ion as well as to generate metal complexes that exhibit medicinal properties. Thus, in recent years, many attempts were made to develop novel ligands with enhanced metal sensing and medicinal properties. In this review, some of the recent development on the hydrazones and their copper complexes are covered from the last few years from 2015-2023. These includes significance of copper ions, synthesis, biological properties, mechanism and metal sensing properties of some of the copper complexes were discussed.

An innovative Schiff-base colorimetric chemosensor for the selective detection of Cu2+ ions and its applications

A novel Schiff base moiety, (E)-4-(1-hydrazonoethyl)benzene-1,3-diol (2), and 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde were condensed in a 1 : 1 molar ratio to generate 4-((E)-1-(((Z)-2,4dihydroxybenzylidene)hydrazono)ethyl)benzene-1,3-diol (L), which was then characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), 1H-NMR, 13C NMR, and single-crystal XRD techniques. UV-vis absorbance measurements were used to determine whether the Schiff base could detect the cupric ions more effectively than the other transition metal ions. When Cu2+ ions were involved, a new band was observed at 462 nm. From the Job plot, the binding stoichiometry for the anticipated L : Cu2+ partnership is determined to be 1 : 1. For the purpose of validating structural correlations and absorption data, DFT simulations were performed. Further, docking studies for L indicated high binding affinity for human hemoglobin, providing vital information about the ligand's favorable binding locations inside hemoglobin binding sites and the consequent interactions with HHb. The binding coefficient and limit of detection were found to be 3.02 × 104 M-1 and 42.09 nM, respectively. Reversibility of the complex was seen upon the addition of EDTA to the L-Cu2+ solution, and a colorimetric variation simulating the "INHIBIT" molecular logic gate was seen upon the addition of Cu2+ and EDTA to L. Furthermore, the chemosensor's potential application in the detection of Cu2+ in the solid state by chemosensor L also confirms its usefulness in real-world applications emphasizing its versatility and practical utility.

A chromogenic diarylethene-based probe for the detection of Cu2+ in aqueous medium in Drosophila for early diagnosis of Alzheimer

A diarylethene-based probe (Z)-N'-((2-amino-5-chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methylene)-2-hydroxy benzohydrazide (KBH) has been proficiently developed and its structure has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. It displays a selective and sensitive colorimetric sensing of Cu2+ ions in aqueous medium with a naked eye colour change from colourless to yellow. It exhibits a significantly low limit of detection as 1.5 nM. A plausible binding mechanism has been proposed using Job's plot, FT-IR, 1H NMR titration, HRMS and DFT studies. The chemosensor is effectively reversible and reusable with EDTA. Test strip kit and real water sample analysis have been shown to establish its practical applicability. Further, the potential of KBH for the early diagnosis of Cu2+ ion-induced amyloid toxicity has been investigated in eye imaginal disc of Alzheimer's disease model of Drosophila 3rd instar larvae. The in-vivo interaction of KBH with Cu2+ in gut tissues of Drosophila larvae establishes its sensing capability in biological system. Interestingly, the in-vivo detection of Cu2+ has been done using bright field imaging which eliminates the necessity of a fluorescent label, hence making the method highly economical.

Glass Nanopore Detection of Copper Ions in Single Cells Based on Click Chemistry

As a common redox metal ion pair in cells, copper ions (Cu²⁺/Cu⁺) often transform between oxidation (Cu²⁺) and reduction (Cu⁺) states. They play important roles in the redox process, so monitoring the change of intracellular copper ions helps understand the redox balance and events in cells. In this study, by self-assembling a thiolated ssDNA (with an alkyne end group) onto a gold-coated glass nanopore (G-nanopore) via the Au-S bond, an alkyne-end single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-functionalized G-nanopore sensing platform (AG-nanopore) was developed to detect copper ions in cells. In the presence of Cu²⁺ or Cu⁺, the introduction of another ssDNA with an azide group will be ligated with an alkyne group on the functionalized nanopore via a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction and hence cause the change of the rectification behavior of the AG-nanopore. The rectification ratio variation of the AG-nanopore had a good response to the intracellular copper ion concentration, and the sensing platform was further applied to the study of the relationship between intracellular oxidative stress and the value of Cu²⁺/Cu⁺.

Highly Sensitive and Selective Spiropyran-Based Sensor for Copper(II) Quantification

The metal-binding capabilities of the spiropyran family of molecular switches have been explored for several purposes from sensing to optical circuits. Metal-selective sensing has been of great interest for applications ranging from environmental assays to industrial quality control, but sensitive metal detection for field-based assays has been elusive. In this work, we demonstrate colorimetric copper sensing at low micromolar levels. Dimethylamine-functionalized spiropyran (SP1) was synthesized and its metal-sensing properties were investigated using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The formation of a metal complex between SP1 and Cu²⁺ was associated with a color change that can be observed by the naked eye as low as ≈6 μM and the limit of detection was found to be 0.11 μM via UV-vis spectrometry. Colorimetric data showed linearity of response in a physiologically relevant range (0-20 μM Cu²⁺) with high selectivity for Cu²⁺ ions over biologically and environmentally relevant metals such as Na⁺, K⁺, Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺. Since the color change accompanying SP1-Cu²⁺ complex formation could be detected at low micromolar concentrations, SP1 could be viable for field testing of trace Cu²⁺ ions.

A novel chromone based colorimetric sensor for highly selective detection of copper ions: Synthesis, optical properties and DFT calculations

In this work, a new chromone based colorimetric sensor (ChrCS) was developed for highly selective detection of copper ions in semi-aqueous media. Evaluation of color and spectral changes displayed by the developed sensor shows that the sensor can be applied to detect copper ions in the presence of other competing metal ions and anions. The developed sensor, which contains biologically active chromone ring, shows excellent selectivity at microlevel for Cu²⁺ with a color change from colorless to yellow. Job's plot based on spectroscopic data showed the complex formation between ChrCS and Cu²⁺ ions has the stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 (ChrCS-Cu²⁺ complex). In addition, the binding constant of the ChrCS to Cu²⁺ was determined using the Benesi-Hildebrand equation. Furthermore, the test papers of the developed ChrCS were successfully prepared and employed to detect different concentration Cu²⁺ (10^-3 M to 10^-7 M) in aqueous solution. Importantly, sensor ChrCS was applied to detect Cu²⁺ ions in real water samples. To better understand the optical character of ChrCS and the effect of metal ion titration, density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) level were performed for ChrCS and its complex ChrCS-Cu²⁺. Furthermore, on the basis of the Job's plot analysis DFT calculations, and reversible nature of the developed sensor, the sensing mechanism was demonstrated.