Novel pyrene containing monomeric and dimeric supramolecular AIEE active nano-probes utilized in selective "off–on" trivalent metal and highly acidic pH sensing with live cell applications. Issue 10 (22nd February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shellaiah, Muthaiah; Simon, Turibius; Srinivasadesikan, Venkatesan; Lin, Chein-Ming; Sun, Kien Wen; Ko, Fu-Hsiang; Lin, Ming-Chang; Lin, Hong-Cheu
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 4:Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: 2056
• Page End: 2071
• Publication Date: 2016-02-22
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c5tc03738g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : Novel pyrene based derivativesPCS1 /PCS2 with AIEE were reported as trivalent and pH 1–3 sensors using live cell imaging. Abstract : Two novel pyrene containing monomeric and dimeric Schiff base derivativesPCS1 andPCS2 have been synthesized via one-pot reaction and their nano-J-type aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) was well demonstrated using UV-Vis/PL, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), and live cell imaging studies. In contrast toPCS2, PCS1 in CH3 CN exhibits fluorescence "off–on" sensor selectivity towards transition trivalent metal ions (Fe 3+, Cr 3+ and Al 3+ ) among other metals, via PET inhibition with excimerPCS1–PCS1* formation. The 2 : 1 stoichiometry ofPCS1 ⋯M 3+ (M = Fe/Cr/Al) sensor complexes was calculated from Job's plots based on their PL titrations. In addition, the binding sites ofPCS1 ⋯M 3+ sensor complexes were well recognised from the 1 H NMR titrations and supported by ESI(+ve) mass and FTIR analysis. Additionally, fluorescence reversibilities ofPCS1 ⋯M 3+ were observed via consequent addition of M 3+ ions and PMDTA, respectively. Furthermore, the detection limits (LODs) and the association constant ( K a ) values ofPCS1 ⋯M 3+ complexes were calculated using standard deviation and linear fittings. Likewise, quantum yield ( Φ ) measurements, TEM analysis, determination of the effect of pH, density functional theory (DFT) and time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) studies were performed for thePCS1 ⋯M 3+ sensor complexes. More importantly, confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging of Raw264.7 cells showed thatPCS1 could be used as an effective fluorescent probe for detecting transition trivalent metal ions (Fe 3+, Cr 3+, and Al 3+ ) in living cells. Impressively, bothPCS1 andPCS2 showed "off–on" sensing at highly acidic pH values (1–3) with live cell applications.