Search

A novel selective fluorescent chemosensor based on an 8-hydroxyquinoline-appended fluorescein derivative (L1) was synthesized and characterized. Once combined with Cu(2+), it displayed high specificity for sulfide anion. Among the various anions, only sulfide anion induced the revival of fluoresecence of L1, which was quenched by Cu(2+), resulting in "off-on"-type sensing of sulfide anion. What's more, the sensor was retrievable to indicate sulfide anions with Cu(2+), and S(2-), in turn, increased. With the addition of Cu(2+), compound L1 could give rise to a visible pink-to-yellow color change and green fluorescence quenching. The resulting yellow solution could change to pink and regenerate to green fluorescence immediately upon the addition of sulfide anion; however, no changes were observed in the presence of other anions, including CN(-), P(2)O(7)(4-), and other forms of sulfate, making compound L1 an extremely selective and efficient sulfide chemosensor. The signal transduction occurs via reversible formation-separation of complex L1Cu and CuS. What's more, the biological imaging study has demonstrated that the chemosensor can detect sulfur anions in biological systems at a relatively low concentration.

The binding properties on [PrL2(NO3)](NO3)2 (L = 9-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-10-(4-methyl-1-piperaziny)-7-oxo-7Hpyrido[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazine-6-carbaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been studied for the first time using fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with UV–Vis absorbance spectroscopy. The results showed that [PrL2(NO3)](NO3)2 strongly quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA through a static quenching procedure, and non-radiation energy transfer happened within molecules. The number of binding site was about 1, and the efficiency of Forster energy transfer provided a distance of 4.26 nm between tryptophan and [PrL2(NO3)](NO3)2 binding site. At 288, 298, 310 K, the quenching constants of BSA–[PrL2(NO3)](NO3)2 system were 5.11 × 104, 4.33 × 104 and 3.71 × 104 l M−1. ΔH, ΔS and ΔG were obtained based on the quenching constants and thermodynamic theory (ΔH 0 and ΔG < 0). These results indicated that hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are the mainly binding forces in the [PrL2(NO3)](NO3)2–BSA system. In addition, the CD spectra have proved that BSA secondary structure changed in the presence of [PrL2(NO3)](NO3)2 in aqueous solution. Moreover, the interaction between [PrL2(NO3)](NO3)2 and calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) was studied by spectroscopy and viscosity measurements, which showed that the binding mode of the [PrL2(NO3)](NO3)2 with DNA is intercalation. The DNA cleavage results show that in the absence of any reducing agent, the [PrL2(NO3)](NO3)2 can cleave plasmid pBR322 DNA and its hydrolytic mechanism was demonstrated with hydroxyl radical scavengers and singlet oxygen quenchers.

The synthesis and spectral properties of a chemidosimeter 1,4-di[2-(6-ethylamino-3-ethylimino-2,7-dimethyl-3H-xanthen-9-yl) benzoic acid (aminomethyl)-3-phenylthiourea] benzene (1) for Hg(II) ions are reported, and it has been demonstrated that 1 can be used as a fluorescent probe for monitoring Hg(II) ions in living cells. A highly sensitive fluorescent probe (1) was developed as a fluorescent and colorimetric chemodosimeter in dimethyl sulfoxide/methanol solution with a broad pH range (pH 5–10) and high selectivity toward Hg2+ ions but no significant response toward other competitive cations. Furthermore, by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy experiments, it is demonstrated that 1 can be used as a fluorescent probe for monitoring Hg2+ in living cells.

The interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the cobalt(II) complex with salicylaldehyde-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboylhydrazone (Co-SPC) was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy, UV absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) under simulated physiologic conditions for the first time. Fluorescence data and UV absorption spectra revealed that the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was strongly quenched by Co-SPC in terms of a static quenching process at a lower concentration of the complex and a combined quenching process at a higher concentration of the complex. Binding constants and binding sites were evaluated. The average binding distance between Co-SPC and BSA was obtained (2.28 nm) on the basis of Förster's theory. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that hydrophobic force played a major role in the binding. The binding of Co-SPC to BSA leads to changes in the conformation of BSA according to synchronous fluorescence spectra and CD data.

1-(4-Aminoantipyrine)-3-tosylurea (H2L) and its three lanthanide (III) complexes, M(H2L)3 3NO3 [where M = Nd(III), Sm(III) and Eu(III)], have been synthesized and characterized. In addition, the DNA-binding properties of the three complexes have been investigated by UV–vis (ultraviolet and visible) absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and viscosity measurements. Results suggest that the three complexes bind to DNA via a groove binding mode. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity (superoxide and hydroxyl radical) of the metal complexes was determined by using spectrophotometer methods in vitro. These complexes were found to possess potent antioxidant activity and be better than standard antioxidants like vitamin C and mannitol.

A novel coumarin-based fluorescent probe L ((4E)-4-((7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-8-yl) methyleneamino)-1,2-dihyydro-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one) has been developed as a simple and efficient chemosensor which exhibits a significant fluorescence reduction in the presence of metal cations. This sensor exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity toward Cu(2+) over other common cations. The mechanism for detecting copper was evaluated by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations and the coordination mode was also confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Furthermore, results of cell imaging in this study indicate that this new probe may be useful for detection and monitoring of Cu(2+) in biological applications.

The interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the anticancer drug molecule ampelopsin (AMP) was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and time-resolved spectra under simulated physiological conditions. Fluorescence data showed that the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was strongly quenched by AMP in terms of a dynamic quenching process. Binding constants and binding sites were calculated. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the hydrogen bonding and weak van der Waals force played a major role in the interaction. The site marker competitive experiments suggested that the binding site of AMP and BSA was probably located on site III. Based on the Forster's theory, the average binding distance between AMP and BSA was obtained (r = 5.47 nm). The binding of AMP and BSA leaded to conformational changes of BSA according to synchronous fluorescence spectra, CD data and mean fluorescence lifetime values.

A novel 4-(2,4-dihydroxybenzylideneamino)benzenesulfonic acid (HL), and its kalium(I), calcium(II) complexes [M(L)n]·2nH2O·Cln (M = K(1) n = 1, M = Ca(2) n = 2), have been prepared and characterized. The crystal and molecular structures of 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The interaction of 1, 2 and ligand (L) with calf thymus DNA was investigated by UV–visible (UV–vis), fluorescence and viscosity measurements. Experimental results indicate that 1, 2 and L could bind to DNA via the intercalation mode, and the binding affinity of 1 is stronger than that of 2 and L. The intrinsic binding constants of 1, 2 and L were 5.60 × 105, 6.53 × 105 and 1.44 × 105 M−1, respectively. The cleavage reaction on plasmid DNA has been monitored by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results indicated that 1 and 2 could cleave pBR322 DNA.

A turn-on chemosensor L1, which exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity toward Hg(2+) over other common metal ions in aqueous media under a physiological pH window via a 1:1 binding mode, had been synthesized and characterized. L1 provides good fluorescent imaging of Hg(2+) in living cells. Particularly, we adopted the "micro computed tomography (MCT)" technology, successfully demonstrating the method of Hg(2+) sensing by L1 in cell lines, also the cell permeability of L1 and its imaging position in the cells.

A new fluorescent probe 1, N-(Rhodamine-6G)lactam-hydrazinecarbothioamide, was synthesized as a fluorescent and colorimetric chemodosimeter in aqueous solution for Cu(2+). Following Cu(2+)-promoted ring opening, redox and hydrolysis reactions, comparable amplifications of absorption and fluorescence signals were observed upon addition of Cu(2+); this suggests that chemodosimeter 1 effectively avoided the fluorescence quenching caused by the paramagnetic nature of Cu(2+). Importantly, 1 can selectively recognize Cu(2+) in aqueous media in the presence of other trace metal ions in organisms, abundant cellular cations and the prevalent toxic metal ions in the environment with high sensitivity (detection limit

A new complex, manganese(II) azide complex with N-methylimidazole, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray studies. Absorption spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and CD spectroscopy have been used to investigate the binding of the complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA). The intrinsic binding constant K b of the complex with DNA was obtained by electronic absorption titration; the value is consistent with the result by fluorescence titration method. The spectroscopic studies together with viscosity measurements support the claim that the title complex bonds to CT-DNA by a groove mode. Control cleavage experiments using pBR 322 plasmid DNA which suggest minor groove binding for the complex.

Four novel water-soluble complexes of Ln(III) with gatifloxacin (HGA), [La(HGA)3Cl3] x 2H2O, [Nd(HGA)3Cl3] x 2H2O, [Eu(HGA)3Cl3] x 2H2O, [Tb(HGA)3Cl3] x 2H2O, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivities, IR spectra, fluorescence spectra, and thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). In addition, the DNA-binding properties of the ligand and its complexes have been investigated by absorption, fluorescence spectra, and viscosity measurements. The experimental results indicated that the complexes and ligand bind to DNA via groove binding mode.

A new ligand, 1-cyclohexyl-3-tosylurea (H(2)L), was prepared by condensation ethyl N-(3-tossulfonyl) carbamate and cyclohexanamine. Its two lanthanide(III) complexes, Ln(H(2)L)(3) . 3NO(3) [Ln=Nd (1), and Eu (2)], have been synthesized and characterized on the base of element analyses, ESI-MS, molar conductivities, IR spectra and thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). In addition, the DNA-binding properties of the ligand and its complexes have been investigated by electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroic (CD) spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The experiment results suggest that the ligand and its two complexes bind to DNA via a groove binding mode, and the binding affinity of the complex 2 is higher than that of the complex 1 and the ligand. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity (superoxide and hydroxyl radical) of the ligand and its metal complexes was determined by using spectrophotometer methods in vitro. These complexes were found to possess potent antioxidant activity and be better than standard antioxidants like vitamin C and mannitol. In particular, complex 2 displayed excellent activity on the superoxide and hydroxyl radical.