A new rhodamine-based single molecule multianalyte (Cu, Hg) sensor and its application in the biological system

A new single molecule multianalyte sensor, vanillic aldehyde rhodamine 6G hydrazone has been designed for the selective detection of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions. UV/Vis spectroscopy indicates that the sensor is a good chromogenic chemosensor for Cu²⁺ in 1:99 (v/v) ethanol-water media. Whereas, other ions, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Ba²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ failed to generate a distinct response. Fluorescence spectral data reveals that the sensor is an excellent fluorescent chemosensor for Hg²⁺ in aqueous ethanol solution and with no fluorescent response toward other ions. The spectroscopic behavior of the sensor in living cells indicated that it can be used for the detection of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in environmental and biological systems. Mechanisms for the high selectivity of the sensor to Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ are discussed.     

Voltammetric metal cation sensors based on ferrocenylthiosemicarbazone

Electrochemical studies on redox-active ferrocenylthiosemicarbazone L_1–4 were carried out in acetonitrile in the presence of various metal cations. Electrochemical investigation have demonstrated that the binding of Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Ni²⁺ guest cations by L_1–4 results in large shifts of respective Fc/Fc⁺ redox couple to more positive potentials. Moreover, for compound L₄, significant fluorescence enhancement was found in the presence of the Cu²⁺, and this suggests it can act as a biresponsive fluorescent and electrochemical chemosensor for Cu²⁺.     

Cu2+ Selective Chromogenic Behavior of Calix[4]arene Derivative

This study involves the copper selective chromogenic response of 5, 11, 17, 23-Tetrakis (N-pyrrolidinomethyl)-25, 26, 27, 28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene based mannich base (3). Complexation ability of (3) was explored by examining the effect of a series of various metal ions, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ag⁺, Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Al³⁺, by using UV-visible spectroscopy. Ligand (3) exhibited pronounced selectivity toward Cu²⁺ even in the presence of various co-existing ions. The stoichiometric analysis, i.e., Job's plot revealed that (3) form 1:1 complex with Cu²⁺ ion in DMF-H₂O system. The complexation phenomenon was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy that favors the selective nature of (3) with Cu²⁺.     

An unusual emissive and colorimetric copper (II) detection by a selective probe based on a pseudo-crown cysteine dye: Solution and gas phase studies

An off-on-off emissive and colorimetric probe L, based on a Pseudo-Crown cysteine dye was designed for Copper (II). Compound L was studied in solution and in gas-phase (MALDI-MS) over alkaline, alkaline, earth-alkaline and transition metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca^2 +, Mg^2 +, Zn^2 +, Cu^2 +, Co^2 +, Ni^2 +, Pb^2 +, and Hg^2 +) in organic media. The recognition of Cu^2 + by L lead to red/dark red colored complexes, one emissive L₂Cu and another LCu, less emissive. In regards to fluorescent quantum yield in both cases an increase respective to L was visualized (2 fold for LCu and 7 fold for L₂Cu). The paramagnetic nature of both complexes was proved by the synthesis of both complex species, as well as, through ¹H NMR and FTIR. Compound L demonstrate to be able to detect and quantify the minimal amounts of 1.3 μM/3.3 μM of Cu^2 +.     

Ligating behavior and metal uptake of N‐sulphonylpolyamine chelating resins anchored on polystyrene‐divinylbenzene beads

Amberlite XAD‐2 has been functionalized by coupling through –SO₂‐with ethylenediamine, propylenediamine, and diethylenetriamine to give the corresponding polyamine chelating resins I–III. The solid metallopolymer complexes of the synthesized chelating resins with Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ were synthesized. The polyamine derivatives and their metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectral (IR, UV/V, and ESR), and magnetic studies. The batch equilibrium method was utilized for using the chelating polyamines for the removal of Cu⁺², Zn⁺², Cd⁺², and Pb⁺² ions from aqueous solutions at different pH values and different shaking times at room temperature. The selective extraction of Cu⁺² from a mixture of the four metal ions and the metal capacities of the chelating resins were evaluated using atomic absorption spectroscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1839–1846, 2005     

A new Cu-selective self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor based on thiacalix[4]arene

A new ON–OFF fluorescent chemosensor for Cu²⁺ ions was prepared through self-assembly inside Triton X-100 micelles of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TCA) and perylene in water solution. This thiacalix[4]arene-based self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor could realize the direct sensing of Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous solution. Addition of Cu²⁺ ions could result in a quenching of the fluorescence emission of perylene inside the micelles, which is ascribed to intramicellar complex-fluorophore electron-transfer or energy-transfer effects induced by the complexation of TCA with the Cu²⁺ ions. Cu²⁺ ions can be detected selectively in the presence of other metal ions (Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Al³⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and its concentration in the submicromolar range can be almost linearly determined according to the fluorescence quenching.     

Complexation studies of some newly synthesized precursors for substituted dibenzo and dibenzodiaza crown ethers

This study represents the synthesis of dibenzo and dibenzodiaza crown ether precursors with various functional groups in good yield by employing four different methods using polar protic and aprotic solvents with high boiling points. Also the complexation abilities of all synthesized ligands with Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ag⁺ were studied by conductometry; thus the conductometric behavior of Cu(NO₃)₂, ZnCI₂, and AgNO₃ in 80% dioxane–water mixture was investigated in the presence of these ligands. The order of formation constant for complexes of the ligands with Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ag⁺ ions was found to be: Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ag⁺ for the ligands of VI , VII , XI , and XII ; Cu²⁺ > Ag⁺ > Zn²⁺ for the ligands of III and VIII ; and Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Ag⁺ for the ligands of I , II , IV , V , IX , and X . © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2497–2501, 2004     

A new copper(II) selective fluorescence probe based on naphthalimide: Synthesis,mechanism and application in living cells

A new fluorescence probe L based on naphthalimide has been synthesized for selective and quantitative detection of Cu^2 + in CH₃CN:H₂O (4:1, v/v) solution. L exhibited a strong green fluorescence. Upon addition of 2 equiv. of Cu^2 +, the fluorescence emission shows a steady and smooth decrease until a plateau is reached with a 30-fold quenching of fluorescence intensity. In the presence of Cu^2 +, the absorbance peak of L maximum at 466 nm decreased, and a new absorption band at 600 nm appeared. Under the identical conditions, other physiological and environmental important metal ions induced negligible spectroscopic changes. The 1:2 stoichiometry binding mode of L with Cu^2 + was supported by the Benesi–Hildebrand analysis and ESI-MS spectra studies. The detection limit for Cu^2 + was estimated to be 64 ppb. Fluorescence microscopy experiments showed that L has practical application in living cells.     

Highly selective recognition of mercury ions through the “naked-eye”

A new sensor 2-((E)-(3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propylimino)methyl)-5-(diethylamino)phenol (1) based on the combination of diethylaminosalicylaldehyde and imidazole groups was designed and synthesized as a Hg^2 + selective colorimetric chemosensor. Upon treatment of 1 with mercury ions, sensor 1 showed a color-change from colorless to yellow in a mixture of H₂O/DMF (5:95), while many other ions such as Al^3 +, Zn^2 +, Cd^2 +, Cu^2 +, Fe^2 +, Mg^2 +, Cr^3 +, Ag⁺, Co^2 +, Ni^2 +, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca^2 +, Mn^2 + and Pb^2 + had no influence. Notably, this chemosensor could distinguish clearly Hg^2 + from Cu^2 +, Ag⁺, Fe^2 + and Pb^2 +. The underlying signaling mechanism is a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) process. Compound 1 showed the serial formation of the 1:1 and the 1:2 complexation between 1 and Hg^2 +. This two-step binding mode was proposed based on the UV titration, ¹H NMR titration and ESI-mass studies.     

A study on acid reclamation and copper recovery using low pressure nanofiltration membrane

In this study, nanofiltration membrane is used to separate proton (H⁺) and copper ions from a ternary ions mixture (H⁺, Cu²⁺, SO₄^2?). The performance of membrane in separating Cu²⁺ and H⁺ was tested under the effect of pressure, concentration and different acid strength (pH). It was found that the H⁺ rejection is independent of the applied pressure. Permeability of solution decreased linearly with the increase of CuSO₄ concentration. In terms of H⁺ rejection, there is a continuous drop in rejection from 0.1 mM CuSO₄ to 10 mM CuSO₄ solution. H⁺ was poorly retained and concentrated in the permeate stream in corresponding to the electro-neutrality requirements, on the other hand, the rejection of copper ion was almost constant with pH. In overall, optimum acid reclamation and copper recovery can be achieved at higher volume flux. A Three Parameters-Combined Film-Extended Nernst-Planck Equation (CF-ENP) model is successfully applied to predict the performance of nanofiltration membrane in separating the ternary ions.     

Enhancement of Palmarumycins C12 and C13 Production in Liquid Culture of Endophytic Fungus Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12 after Treatments with Metal Ions

The influences of eight metal ions (i.e., Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mn⁴⁺) on mycelia growth and palmarumycins C₁₂ and C₁₃ production in liquid culture of the endophytic fungus Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12 were investigated. Three metal ions, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺ were exhibited as the most effective to enhance mycelia growth and palmarumycin production. When calcium ion (Ca²⁺) was applied to the medium at 10.0 mmol/L on day 3, copper ion (Cu²⁺) to the medium at 1.0 mmol/L on day 3, aluminum ion (Al³⁺) to the medium at 2.0 mmol/L on day 6, the maximal yields of palmarumycins C₁₂ plus C₁₃ were obtained as 137.57 mg/L, 146.28 mg/L and 156.77 mg/L, which were 3.94-fold, 4.19-fold and 4.49-fold in comparison with that (34.91 mg/L) of the control, respectively. Al³⁺ favored palmarumycin C₁₂ production when its concentration was higher than 4 mmol/L. Ca²⁺ had an improving effect on mycelia growth of Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12. The combination effects of Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺ on palmarumycin C₁₃ production were further studied by employing a statistical method based on the central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM). By solving the quadratic regression equation between palmarumycin C₁₃ and three metal ions, the optimal concentrations of Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺ in medium for palmarumycin C₁₃ production were determined as 7.58, 1.36 and 2.05 mmol/L, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the predicted maximum palmarumycin C₁₃ yield reached 208.49 mg/L. By optimizing the combination of Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺ in medium, palmarumycin C₁₃ yield was increased to 203.85 mg/L, which was 6.00-fold in comparison with that (33.98 mg/L) in the original basal medium. The results indicate that appropriate metal ions (i.e., Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺) could enhance palmarumycin production. Application of the metal ions should be an effective strategy for palmarumycin production in liquid culture of the endophytic fungus Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12.     

Removal of heavy metal ions with water-insoluble amphoteric sodium tertiary amine sulfonate starches

The removal of heavy metal ions (Pb⁺², Cu⁺² and Zn⁺²) from solutions with high crosslinked amphoteric starch containing the sulfonate anionic group and the tertiary ammonium cationic group was investigated. The adsorption capacity of sodium tertiary amine sulfunate starch is 0.050 meq/g. The adsorption process has been found to be concentration and pH dependent and exothermic, and follows the Langmuir isothermal adsorption. The heat of adsorption (H) of Pb⁺², Cu⁺² and zn⁺² ions is equal to –10.85. –16.20 and –20.00 Kcal/mole, respectively. The amount of adsorbed metal ions on the adsorbent decreases when NaCl or Na₂SO₄ is added to the solution.     

Novel 4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-ylamino)-1,8-naphthalimide based yellow-green emitting fluorescence sensors for transition metal ions and protons

Two novel yellow-green emitting 1,8-naphthalimides, containing a 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl moiety, were configured as “fluorophore–spacer–receptor” systems. The photophysical characteristics of the dyes were investigated in both DMF and water/DMF (4:1, v/v) solutions. The ability of the new compounds to detect cations was evaluated by means of the changes in their fluorescence intensity imparted by the presence of transition metal ions (Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺) and protons. The presence of metal ions and protons was found to disallow photoinduced electron transfer resulting in enhanced fluorescence intensity. The results clearly show that only Cu²⁺ ions and protons were effectively detected, indicating the potential of the novel compounds as highly efficient “off–on” switchers for Cu²⁺ ions and protons.     

Design and synthesis of novel fluorescence sensing perylene diimides based on photoinduced electron transfer

Two novel tetraester- and PAMAM-branched perylene diimides were synthesized and configured as “fluorophore-spacer-receptor” systems based on photoinduced electron transfer. Due to their long alkylester and alkylamine terminal groups the examined compounds were well soluble in organic solvents. Photophysical characteristics of the dyes were investigated in DMF and water/DMF (1:1, v/v) solution. The ability of the synthesized perylene diimides to detect cations was evaluated by the changes in their fluorescence intensity in the presence of metal ions (Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Ni²⁺) and protons. The dyes under study displayed “off–on” switching in its fluorescence as a function of pH, which is attributed to disallowing photoinduced electron transfer from the receptor moiety to the fluorophore. PAMAM-branched dye displayed a good pH sensor activity (FE = 6.4), however the pH sensing ability of tetraester was substantially higher (FE = 184). In the presence of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions tetraester quenched its fluorescence intensity (FQ = 22 and 12 respectively), while PAMAM-branched dye enhanced its fluorescence intensity with pronounced selectivity to Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ (FE = 3.2 and 4.9, respectively). The results obtained indicate the potential of the novel compounds as fluorescent detectors for metal ions with pronounced selectivity towards Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions and highly efficient “off–on” pH switches, especially a tetraester-branched perylene diimide.     

Colossal dielectric properties of Na1/3Ca1/3Sm1/3Cu3Ti4O12 ceramics: Computational and experimental investigations

A modified sol?gel technique was used to synthesize a high dielectric ceramic, Na_1/3Ca_1/3Sm_1/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂. The crystal structure of this sintered ceramic matches the standard pattern of a body?centered cubic (bcc) system within the Im3 space group (JCPDS No. 75–2188). No impurity phases were observed. Interestingly, a high dielectric permittivity of ～1.14–1.35 × 10⁴ and a low loss tangent of ～0.027–0.039 were achieved in this sintered Na_1/3Ca_1/3Sm_1/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂ ceramic. Our DFT calculations disclosed that substitution of Na⁺ ions at Cu²⁺ sites causes an observed excess Cu concentration. As a result, metastable insulating phases were formed at a relatively high sintering temperature. Additionally, our electron density calculations revealed that Na ions lose their electrons to Sm ions, whereas the oxidation states of Cu and Ti are unaltered. Our results show that Cu⁺ and Ti³⁺ were observed after introducing an oxygen vacancy into this lattice. Significantly different values of R_g, R_gb, and E_g, E_gb support an internal barrier layer capacitor as the most likely origin of the giant dielectric properties of this ceramic. XPS results show mixed Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ and Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ in all ceramics, suggesting that electron hopping between Cu⁺?Cu²⁺ and Ti³⁺?Ti⁴⁺ is the probable origin of the n?type semiconducting state inside the grains.     

Design and synthesis of novel fluorescence sensing perylene diimides based on photoinduced electron transfer

Two novel tetraester- and PAMAM-branched perylene diimides were synthesized and configured as “fluorophore-spacer-receptor” systems based on photoinduced electron transfer. Due to their long alkylester and alkylamine terminal groups the examined compounds were well soluble in organic solvents. Photophysical characteristics of the dyes were investigated in DMF and water/DMF (1:1, v/v) solution. The ability of the synthesized perylene diimides to detect cations was evaluated by the changes in their fluorescence intensity in the presence of metal ions (Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Ni²⁺) and protons. The dyes under study displayed “off-on” switching in its fluorescence as a function of pH, which is attributed to disallowing photoinduced electron transfer from the receptor moiety to the fluorophore. PAMAM-branched dye displayed a good pH sensor activity (FE = 6.4), however the pH sensing ability of tetraester was substantially higher (FE = 184). In the presence of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions tetraester quenched its fluorescence intensity (FQ = 22 and 12 respectively), while PAMAM-branched dye enhanced its fluorescence intensity with pronounced selectivity to Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ (FE = 3.2 and 4.9, respectively). The results obtained indicate the potential of the novel compounds as fluorescent detectors for metal ions with pronounced selectivity towards Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions and highly efficient “off-on” pH switches, especially a tetraester-branched perylene diimide.     

A novel 2D organic–inorganic hybrid based on [P2W18O62]6− polyoxoanion and Cu–bbi coordination polymers

A novel 2D compound based on Wells–Dawson polyoxometalates, [Cu₃(bbi)₆(P₂W₁₈O₆₂)] (bbi = 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole)) (1) has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analyse, IR, TG, PXRD and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In compound 1, each Cu²⁺ ion is connected with four adjacent Cu²⁺ ions by bbi ligands along four different directions and each bbi ligand is two-coordinated by two Cu²⁺ ions, which results in an unusual 2D interlink lock-liked layer. Interestingly, two kinds of macrocycles exist in the structure, in which six smaller 33-membered rings are placed end to end to form the larger ones (66-membered macrocycles). The [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻ polyoxoanions as bidentate ‘guest’ is incorporated into the larger macrocycles. These 2D layers are further packed into 3D framework through strong supramolecular interactions. Additionally, electrochemical and electrocatalysis behavior of 1-CPE have been studied in detail.     

Theoretical and practical investigations of copper ion selective electrode with polymeric membrane based on N,N′-(2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl)-bis(dihydroxyacetophenone)

A novel ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane sensor for Cu²⁺ ions based on N,N′-(2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl)-bis(dihydroxyacetophenone) (NDHA) as a new ionophore was prepared and studied. The best performance was observed for the membrane composition, including 30:65:1:4 (wt%) = PVC:DBP:KTpClPB:NDHA. The electrode showed a good Nernstian slope of 30.0 ± 0.5 mV/decade in a wide linear range activity of 3.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol dm⁻³ Cu(NO₃)₂ with limit of detection 2.5 × 10⁻⁷. Sensor exhibited a fast response time (t_95% < 10 s) and could be used for about 4 months in the pH range of 3.0–7.4. The proposed potentiometric sensor was found to work satisfactorily in partially non-aqueous media up to 30 (vol%) content of methanol, ethanol and acetone. Applications of this electrode for the determination of copper in real samples, and as an indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Cu²⁺ ion using EDTA, were reported. In order to predict the extraction ability of NDHA for different metallic ions, the complexes [M(NDHA)] and [M(H₂O)₆] (where M = Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, K⁺ and Al³⁺) were investigated using ab initio theoretical calculations. The metal binding capability was evaluated using the binding energy. Results of our study could be useful for prediction of the extraction power of this Schiff base and could play a guiding role in planning experiments.     

Study on the ion-exchange copper-loaded antibacterial glasses

In this paper, copper-loaded antibacterial glasses were prepared by an ion-exchange method with CuSO₄ or CuCl as copper sources. The effects of different molten salts and ion exchange duration on the antibacterial properties of copper-loaded glasses were investigated. The experimental results show that the glasses exchanged with CuSO₄/Na₂SO₄ mixed molten salts have a higher surface copper loading than that with CuCl/KCl mixed molten salts. The sample color results from the reduced Cu⁰. The equilibrium between Cu⁺ and Cu⁰ is related to the Sn²⁺ ions existed in the lower surface of float glass. Finally, the antibacterial function of glass samples was found to be related to the charge transfer between Cu⁺+e^??Cu⁰, and has a proportional correlation with the content of Cu⁺ ions on the glass surface.     

Capturing copper(II) ions using {Cu(tpy)(bpy)} domains

The reaction of 6,6"'-dimethyl-2,2':6',2":6",2'"-quaterpyridine (2) with 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (tpy) and Cu(NO₃)^·3H₂O leads to the formation of [Cu(tpy)(2)]²⁺ and [Cu₂(tpy)₂(2)]⁴⁺, isolated as the hexafluoridophosphate salts. Single crystal structures of [Cu₂(tpy)₂(2)][PF₆]₄·2H₂O and [Cu(tpy)(2)][PF₆]₂·MeCN are presented and illustrate the special stability of the 5-coordinate {Cu(tpy)(bpy)}²⁺ motif in mono- and dinuclear environments.