A new naphthalimide-picolinohydrazide derived fluorescent "turn-on" probe for hypersensitive detection of Al3+ ions and applications of real water analysis and bio-imaging

The development of high-selective chemosensors for trace Al³⁺ detection in the ecosystem is crucially importance due to its detrimental effects. In this work, a simple Schiff-base fluorescent probe NPP derived from naphthalimide and picolinohydrazide was rationally designed and prepared for efficient detection of Al³⁺. NPP exhibited prominent sensing behaviors toward Al³⁺ with low detection limit (LOD) (39 nM), rapid response time (1 min), strong binding affinity (4.02 × 10⁴), good anti-interference characteristics and visual detection. Binding ratio of NPP-Al³⁺ complex was determined to be 1:1 by Job's plot analysis. In addition, the chelation mechanism of NPP with Al³⁺ ions was proposed and substantiated by the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), IR spectrum and ¹H NMR titration experiments. Furthermore, this "signal-on" probe NPP was efficiently utilized as a promising indicator for Al³⁺ detection in environmental and biological samples.

Naphthalimide-Based Hydrazone Derivatives: Synthesis, Mechanochromism in the Solid State and Response to Ions in Dilute Solutions

Molecules showing mechanochromic luminescence (MCL) are promising for use in the in the fields of sensing and probes. We report the design and synthesis of new naphthalimide-based hydrazone derivatives, NI-TPE and NI-3BA. Both the luminogens are weakly emissive with ^s Φ_f =0.3 % and 0.5 % respectively when aggregated in amorphous states as strong π-π stacking and intermolecular interaction prevent luminescence. On the contrary, in the crystalline state, single crystal analysis of two derivatives shows that nonradiative decay is reduced or inhibited by molecular stacking modes and intermolecular interactions. Increases of fluorescence emission intensity to ^s Φ_f =5.5 % and 6.0 % upon solvent evaporation are attributed to weak π-π overlapping and hydrogen bonding (N-H ⋅⋅⋅ O, distance 2.99 Å), which are beneficial to the formation of molecules with a loose packing. At the same time, the packing modes that the two derivatives adopt in the crystal lattice are destroyed to result in a low solid-state fluorescence quantum yield and a bathochromic shift of 23-25 nm upon grinding. All these factors cause the two derivatives show an unusual "turn off" MCL phenomenon. The fluorescence emission, its pH reversibility, and selective response to fluoride and acetate ions of up to 91-93 % in dilute solutions were also demonstrated.

Fluorescent, colourimetric, and ratiometric probes based on diverse fluorophore motifs for mercuric(II) ion (Hg2+) sensing: highlights from 2011 to 2019

Though it has not been shown to deliver any biological importance, mercuric(II) ion (Hg²⁺) is a deleterious cation which poses grievous effects to the human body and/or the ecosystem, hence, the need for its sensitive and selective monitoring in both environmental and biological systems. Over the years, there has been a great deal of work in the use of fluorescent, colourimetric, and/or ratiometric probes for Hg²⁺ recognition. Essentially, the purpose of this review article is to give an overview of the advances made in the constructions of such probes based on the works reported in the period from 2011 to 2019. Discussion in this review work has been tailored to the kinds of fluorophore scaffolds used for the constructions of the probes reported. Selected examples of probes under each fluorophore subcategory were discussed with mentions of the typically determined parameters in an analytical sensing operation, including modulation in fluorescence intensity, optimal pH, detection limit, and association constant. The environmental and biological application ends of the probes were also touched where necessary. Important generalisations and conclusions were given at the end of the review. This review article highlights 196 references.

A naphthalimide-based thermometer: heat-induced fluorescence “turn-on” sensing in a wide temperature range in ambient atmosphere

A heat-induced fluorescent “turn-on” sensor based on naphthalimide, NapPT-1, in which thioether chains were joined at the 4-site of naphthalimide, was designed and synthesized.

Coordinating and supramolecular prospects of unsymmetrically substituted carbohydrazides

Unsymmetrically substituted carbohydrazides serve as multifunctional ligands, practicing their chelating and supramolecular roles with cis-dioxomolybdenum(vi) cationic core and the Lindqvist anion.

A water-soluble fluorescent probe for detecting creatinine in totally aqueous media and imaging exogenous creatinine in living cells

The design of vigorous tools for creatinine determination is extremely important in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. In the study, we examine a robust fluorescent turn-on probe (NCP-Pd) for creatinine detection in a completely aqueous solution based on the metal palladium-catalyzed reaction. In the presence of creatinine, the NCP-Pd dissociates and subsequently restores the fluorescence due to elimination of the heavy atom quenching effect and prevention of the photoinduced electron transfer effect. The probe NCP-Pd displays excellent detecting performance with respect to creatinine such as good water solubility, high selectivity, and a low detection limit (0.16 μM). Additionally, in order to ensure its clinical application, this probe is operated in blood serum samples for detecting creatinine and compared with a commercial clinical method. The results indicate an extremely high agreement with the commercial clinical method. Furthermore, the results confirm that the probe NCP-Pd exhibits satisfactory cell permeability and low cytotoxicity and can detect creatinine in L929 and HCT116 cells. The study provides a potential application for detecting creatinine and conducting pathological research on creatinine-involved diseases.

A gadolinium(III)-porphyrin based coordination polymer for colorimetric and fluorometric dual mode determination of ferric ions

A coordination polymer (CP) based nanoprobe is described for colorimetric and fluorometric (dual mode) determination of ferric ion. The method is making use of a nanosized Gd(III)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin coordination polymer that was prepared by a single-step hydrothermal procedure. The nanoprobe is monodisperse and has uniform size and good water solubility. It also exhibits strong fluorescence and magnetic resonance response. On exposure to Fe(III), the color of the solution changes from red to brown as the concentration of Fe(III) exceed 5 μM. Similarly, the red fluorescence of the probe (with excitation/emission peaks at 420/675 nm) decreases as concentrations of Fe(III) increase from 0.5 to 100 μM. The limit of detection is 98 nM in the fluorometric mode. The assay was applied to the determination of Fe(III) in fetal bovine serum samples. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of the synthesis and application of lanthanide-porphyrin based coordination polymer for ferric ion detection in colorimetric and fluorometric dual modes.

A multiple target chemosensor for the sequential fluorescence detection of Zn2+ and S2− and the colorimetric detection of Fe3+/2+ in aqueous media and living cells

A novel multiple target sensor DHIC was developed for the fluorescence detection of Zn²⁺ and S²⁻ and colorimetric detection of Fe^3+/2+. Moreover, DHIC could image sequentially Zn²⁺ and S²⁻ in living cells.

A new Al3+ selective fluorescent turn-on sensor based on hydrazide-naphthalic anhydride conjugate and its application in live cells imaging

In this communication, we have developed an optical chemosensor 2-amino N-(6-bromo-1,3-dioxo-1H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2(3H)-yl)benzamide (NAPH) for selective detection of Al³⁺ by reacting 4-bromo-1,8-naphthalic anhydride with 2-aminobenzohydrazide. In (DMSO:H₂O, 1:1, v/v) medium, the selective and specific nature of NAPH towards Al³⁺ was observed by the quenching along with a blue-shift in the absorption of NAPH at 465 nm that resulted in the distinct colour change from light brown to colourless. The selective complexation that occurred between NAPH and Al³⁺ was investigated by ¹H NMR and DFT methods. Under similar conditions, the weakly fluorescent receptor NAPH showed a distinct fluorescence enhancement at 555 nm in the presence of Al³⁺ among the other tested metal ions and anions. The NAPH·Al³⁺ complex formation is reversible upon addition of strong chelating agent EDTA. The receptor NAPH can be applied to detect Al³⁺ down to 2.9 μM without any interference from other tested metal ions. In addition, the receptor NAPH was successfully applied to detect Al³⁺ in live HeLa cells.

The naphthoate-modifying Cu2+-detective Bodipy sensors with the fluorescent ON-OFF performance unaffected by molecular configuration

Two new boron-dipyrromethenes decorated with 8-hydroxyquinoline-naphthoate moiety, namely 4,4-difluoro-8-(5-(8-hydroxyquinoline-naphthoate))-3,5-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (8-HQ-N-DMe-Bodipy) (1) and 4,4-difluoro-8-(5-(8-hydroxyquinoline-naphthoate))-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (8-HQ-N-TMe-Bodipy) (2) have been synthesized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis discloses the very much similar steric arrangement of 8-hydroxyquinoline-naphthoate moiety in these two compounds as revealed by the close torsion angle of C-C-O-C bridge, 174.15 and 171.81° for 1 and 2, respectively, despite the different dihedral angle between quinoline moiety and Bodipy fluorophore for 1 (73.46°) and 2 (82.26°) due to the steric hindrance originated from the C-1/C-7 methyl substituents on Bodipy core for the latter species. Systemic optical studies unravel the red-shifted absorption and fluorescence emission together with slightly lower quantum yield for 1 relative to that of 2, indicating the configuration effect on their spectroscopic properties. However, the binding of Cu²⁺ with hydroxyquinoline-naphthoate receptor in both 1 and 2 leads to similar fluorescent quenching characteristic due to the photo-induced electron transfer process on the basis of density functional theory calculations, suggesting their high sensitively fluorescent ON-OFF sensing potential to Cu²⁺ almost unaffected by molecular configuration.

Pentafluorophenyl dipyrrin as probe for transition metal ion detection and bioremediation in Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus

Recognition of transition metal ions and bioaccumulation in B. subtilis and B. cereus were examined using pentafluorophenyl dipyrrin probe.

Curcumin based chemosensor for selective detection of fluoride and cyanide anions in aqueous media

The conjugate N,N-dimethyl curcumin analogue fluorophore dye 1 has been synthesized and its performance as a sensor was demonstrated.