Photoinduced electron transfer quenching and sugar effects on the electrostatic interaction between an anionic Ru(II) complex and cationic bipyridinium derivatives functionalized with boronic acids

The photoinduced electron transfer quenching of an anionic ruthenium(II) metal-ligand-complex (Ru(dpp(SO3Na))2(mcbpy)Cl2 by two boronic acid functionalized benzyl viologen (BV2+) derivatives has been investigated as well as their response to sugar. The electrostatic interaction between these two charge species lead to the formation of static quenching which is removed in presence of sugar due to the formation of a neutral zwitterionic quencher. Spectral data, quenching parameters and sugar titration curves are presented and discussed in term of future developments of optical sensors for sugar.

Effects of metallic silver particles on the emission properties of [Ru(bpy)(3)]

We examined the emission spectral properties of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) in a thin film of polyvinyl alcohol coated on quartz slides or on metallic silver particles. The relative intensities were several fold higher on the surface containing silver particles, and the decay times were several fold smaller. These results are consistent with an approximate 20-fold increase in the radiative decay rate of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) when near metallic silver particles. These results suggest the use of silver particles for increased detectability of the emission from transition metal-ligand complexes.

Charge transfer fluorescent probes using boronic acids for monosaccharide signaling

We have developed a new series of glucose sensitive fluorophores that display shifts in emission wavelengths and/or intensity change upon the binding of monosaccharides. Complexation of glucose with the boronic acid moiety changes both its orbital hybridization and its ability to accept and donate electrons. This change results in distinct emission spectra for the fluorophores when free in solution or complexed with monosaccharide. The spectral changes upon saccharide binding can be modified by substitution of electron donor or acceptor group on the fluorophore allowing rational design of the spectral response.

Saccharide Detection Based on the Amplified Fluorescence Quenching of a Water-Soluble Poly(phenylene ethynylene) by a Boronic Acid Functionalized Benzyl Viologen Derivative

The amplified quenching of an anionic conjugated polymer, sulfonated poly(phenylene ethynylene) (PPE-SO₃ ^-), by a cationic quencher comprising a boronic acid functionalized benzyl viologen (p-BV²⁺), has been used to optically detect sugars. In the absence of sugar, a strong polymer/quencher interaction leads to superlinear quenching. In the presence of sugar at pH 7.4, the dicationic viologen derivative forms a neutral zwitterionic species, reducing its ability to complex with and quench the anionic polymer's emission. Addition of sugar to the polymer/quencher system leads a large increase in the fluorescence intensity (up to 70-fold in one case). Spectral data, quenching parameters, and sugar titration curves are presented and discussed in terms of future development of glucose sensors.

Spectroscopic and Photophysical Characterization of Fluorescent Chemosensors for Monosaccharides Based on N-Phenylboronic Acid Derivatives of 1,8-Naphthalimide

Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of two fluorescent probes for monosaccharides are presented. Probes are based on the N-phenyl-1,8-naphthalimide structure having the boronic acid group [R-B(OH)₂] in ortho in one case, and meta in the other case, positions of the N-phenyl group. Formation of the anionic form of the boronic acid group [ R-B ( OH ) 3 - ] induced a substantial decrease of the steady-state fluorescence of both compounds. Because no change in the fluorescence lifetime from the neutral to the anionic forms is observed, static quenching resulting from photoinduced electron transfer from the anionic form of the boronic acid is used to explain the decrease of the emission intensity. Both compounds show substantial decreases of their fluorescence intensity in the presence of sugars. In addition, this decrease of the fluorescence intensity is associated with an increase of the fluorescence lifetime for the ortho derivative while no effect on the lifetime is observed for the meta derivative. Both photoinduced electron transfer and steric hindrance are discussed to correlate the observed results.

Monoboronic acid sensor that displays anomalous fluorescence sensitivity to glucose

[reaction: see text]. A monoboronic acid fluorescent sensor was conveniently synthesized from 3-nitronaphthalic anhydride and 3-aminophenylboronic acid. This novel saccharide probe exhibits dual emission suitable for ratiometric sensing and displays a remarkable sensitivity for glucose relative to fructose and galactose.

A novel fluorescence competitive assay for glucose determinations by using a thermostable glucokinase from the thermophilic microorganism Bacillus stearothermophilus

We describe the use of a thermostable glucokinase in a novel competitive fluorescence assay for glucose. Glucokinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus (BSGK) was found to retain enzymatic activity in solution for over 20 days. The single cysteine residue in BSGK, which is near the active site, was labeled with a fluorescent probe, 2-(4-iodoacetamidoanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid. The ANS-labeled BSGK displayed a modest 25% decrease in the emission intensity upon binding glucose but no change in lifetime. To obtain a larger spectral change we developed a competitive assay for glucose using the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence from BSGK and a resonance energy transfer (RET) acceptor-labeled sugar. The sugar-labeled acceptor quenched the BSGK tryptophan emission, and the quenching was reversed upon addition of glucose. The use of RET as the sensing mechanism can be easily extended to longer wavelengths for a more practical glucose sensor.

New sensitive and selective fluorescent probes for fluoride using boronic acids

We report the spectroscopic characterization of six fluorescent probes for fluoride sensing and/or monitoring. All probes are based on the ability of the boronic acid group to interact with fluoride. The probes combine electron donor and withdrawing groups and involve the excited charge transfer mechanism. The change between the neutral form of the boronic acid group [R-B(OH)2], which is an electron withdrawing group, and the anionic trifluoro form [R-BF3-], which is an electron donating group, is at the origin of the different spectral changes observed for the investigated probes. Two probes are based on the stilbene structure where the boronic group in the 4 position is coupled with a cyano group, in one case, and the dimethylamino group in the other case, both at the 4' position. Another probe is based on the diphenyl-1,4-butadiene possessing the boronic acid group in the 4' position and a dimethylamino group in the 4" position. One probe is based on the diphenyloxazole structure having both the boronic acid and the dimethylamino groups in para positions. The two last probes reported are based on the benzalacetophenone (chalcone) structure, again coupling the boronic acid and dimethylamino groups. All probes show spectral shifts and/or intensity changes in the presence of fluoride resulting in most of the cases to a wavelength-ratiometric way for the detection and/or analysis of fluoride. Selectivity and stability constants are also presented and discussed.

Fluorescent probe for monosaccharides based on a functionalized boron-dipyrromethene with a boronic acid group

A new highly fluorescent probe based on a boron-dipyrromethene functionalized with a phenylboronic acid group was synthesized from 2,4-dimethylpyrrol and 4-formylphenylboronic acid. Spectral changes in both absorption and emission spectra were observed in the presence of sugars.

New color chemosensors for monosaccharides based on azo dyes

Sugar detection is important for many applications. New developments in sugar signaling would provide new technologies to monitor glucose and other sugars. Azo dye 1 presents a new way to build molecular color sensors for monosaccharides. The boronic acid group is used as chelator group for monosaccharides and linked directly in resonance with the aromatic dye. Dye 1 shows a color change, from orange to purple, in the presence of sugar at neutral pH. [structure: see text]

A new highly fluorescent probe for monosaccharides based on a donor-acceptor diphenyloxazole

A diphenyloxazole substituted with a dimethylamino and a boronic acid group showing intramolecular charge transfer in the excited state undergoes large spectral changes in the presence of monosaccharides.

Evaluation of two synthetic glucose probes for fluorescence-lifetime-based sensing

We evaluated two anthracene derivatives with covalently attached boronic acid groups for fluorescence-lifetime-based sensing of glucose. These anthracene derivatives also contained alkyl amino groups, which quenched the anthracene emission by photo-induced electron transfer. Both anthracene derivatives displayed increased intensities and lifetime in the presence of glucose, as seen from the frequency-domain measurements. A fluorescence lifetime change from 9.8 to 12.4 and 5.7 to 11.8 ns is observed, after the addition of glucose, for the anthracene substituted with one and two boronic acid groups, respectively. This results in a change in the phase angle up to 15 degrees and 30 degrees and in the modulation up to 12 and 25% at 30 MHz for these compounds, respectively. Titration curves in the presence of BSA and micelles are also presented to show the potential interferences from biomolecules. Dissociation constants were evaluated for both compounds, and association with glucose was found to be reversible. Importantly, the apparent glucose binding constants are about 5- to 10-fold smaller with phase, modulation, or mean lifetime than with intensities measurements, shifting the glucose-sensitive range to physiological values. Combining these results and the use of a simple UV-LED as excitation source, the results show an interesting potential of these two compounds in the development of lifetime base devices using synthetic probes for glucose.

Spectral Properties of Fluorophores Combining the Boronic Acid Group with Electron Donor or Withdrawing Groups. Implication in the Development of Fluorescence Probes for Saccharides

We evaluated the spectral properties of four stilbene derivatives containing the boronic acid group [-B(OH)₂]: stilbene-4-boronic acid (STBA), 4'-cyanostilbene-4-boronic acid (CSTBA), 4'-methoxystilbene-4-boronic acid (MSTBA), and 4'-(dimethylamino)stilbene-4-boronic acid (DSTBA). The emission spectrum of DSTBA displays a large solvent-polarity dependence showing the formation of a photoinduced charge transfer state (CT). This state is weakly present in MSTBA and not present for CSTBA and STBA for the neutral form of the boronic acid group. These results show the donor withdrawing property of the neutral form of the boronic acid group. At higher pH, the boronic acid group is present in the anionic form [-B(OH)₃ ^-], resulting in a change of the configuration around the boron atom from the triangular planar (sp² hybridization) to the tetrahedral conformation (sp³ hybridization). This change induced a blue shift of about 50 nm and an increase of intensity in the emission spectrum of DSTBA because of the loss of the electron-withdrawing properties for the anionic form of the boronic acid group, leading to the loss of the CT effect. The same effect is also observed for MSTBA. In contrast, a red shift of about 35 nm and a decrease of intensity are observed for CSTBA from the neutral to the anionic forms of the boronic acid group. These observations lead to the conclusion that the anionic form of the boronic acid group acts as an electron donor group and a photoinduced CT state can be formed when an electron withdrawing group is present on the fluorophore. The usefulness of this effect for the development of saccharide probes is also demonstrated. After addition of sugar, the emission spectra of DSTBA and MSTBA showed a blue shift and an increase of the intensity. On the other hand, a red shift and a decrease of the intensity are observed in the emission spectra of CSTBA after addition of sugar. A change from the neutral to the anionic form of the boronic acid group is used to explain these changes. These results show that the use of the combination of electron donor or withdrawing groups with the boronic acid group is a new and promising way to develop ratiometric fluorescent probes for glucose and other saccharides.