In this review we will explore recent advances in the design and application of excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) based fluorescent probes. Fluorescence based sensors and imaging agents (probes) are important in biology, physiology, pharmacology, and environmental science for the selective detection of biologically and/or environmentally important species. The development of ESIPT-based fluorescence probes is particularly attractive due to their unique properties, which include a large Stokes shift, environmental sensitivity and potential for ratiometric sensing.

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Excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) based fluorescence sensors and imaging agents

Metal cations and anions are essential for versatile physiological processes. Dysregulation of specific ion levels in living organisms is known to have an adverse effect on normal biological events. Owing to the pathophysiological significance of ions, sensitive and selective methods to detect these species in biological systems are in high demand. Because they can be used in methods for precise and quantitative analysis of ions, organic dye-based ratiometric fluorescent probes have been extensively explored in recent years. In this review, recent advances (2015-2019) made in the development and biological applications of synthetic ratiometric fluorescent probes are described. Particular emphasis is given to organic dye-based ratiometric fluorescent probes that are designed to detect biologically important and relevant ions in cells and living organisms. Also, the fundamental principles associated with the design of ratiometric fluorescent probes and perspectives about how to expand their biological applications are discussed.

Synthetic ratiometric fluorescent probes for detection of ions

There is great need for stand-alone luminescence-based chemosensors that exemplify selectivity, sensitivity, and applicability and that overcome the challenges that arise from complex, real-world media. Discussed herein are recent developments toward these goals in the field of supramolecular luminescent chemosensors, including macrocycles, polymers, and nanomaterials. Specific focus is placed on the development of new macrocycle hosts since 2010, coupled with considerations of the underlying principles of supramolecular chemistry as well as analytes of interest and common luminophores. State-of-the-art developments in the fields of polymer and nanomaterial sensors are also examined, and some remaining unsolved challenges in the area of chemosensors are discussed.

/pdf/supramolecular-luminescent-sensors-1rs45r4um4.pdf

Supramolecular Luminescent Sensors

ConspectusHypochlorous acid/hypochlorite (HOCl/OCl–), one of the most important reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays vital roles in various physiological and pathological processes. At normal conce...

Design Principles, Sensing Mechanisms, and Applications of Highly Specific Fluorescent Probes for HOCl/OCl.

Recent progress in the development of organic dye based near-infrared fluorescence probes for metal ions

The extreme toxicity and ready accessibility of nerve agents and phosgene has caused an increase in the demand to develop effective systems for the detection of these substances. Among the traditional platforms utilized for this purpose, chemosensors including surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, enzymes, carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles, and chromophore based sensors have attracted increasing attention. In this review, we describe in a comprehensive manner recent progress that has been made on the development of chromophore-based chemosensors for detecting nerve agents (mimic) and phosgene. This review comprises two sections focusing on studies of the development of chemosensors for nerve agents (mimic) and phosgene. In each of the sections, the discussion follows a format which concentrates on different reaction sites/mechanisms involved in the sensing processes. Finally, chemosensors uncovered in these efforts are compared with those based on other sensing methods and challenges facing the design of mor...

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acssensors.7b00816

Liyan Chen

Papers

Design Principles, Sensing Mechanisms, and Applications of Highly Specific Fluorescent Probes for HOCl/OCl.

Recent progress in the development of organic dye based near-infrared fluorescence probes for metal ions

Recent Advances in the Development of Chromophore-Based Chemosensors for Nerve Agents and Phosgene

Design and applications of fluorescent detectors for peroxynitrite

A two-photon fluorescent probe for specific detection of hydrogen sulfide based on a familiar ESIPT fluorophore bearing AIE characteristics