Simple Colorimetric and Fluorescence Chemosensing Probe for Selective Detection of Sn2+ Ions in an Aqueous Solution: Evaluation of the Novel Sensing Mechanism and Its Bioimaging Applications

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 93; no. 2; pp. 801 - 811
• Main Authors: Ravichandiran, Palanisamy, Kaliannagounder, Vignesh Krishnamoorthi, Bella, Antony Paulraj, Boguszewska-Czubara, Anna, Masłyk, Maciej, Kim, Cheol Sang, Park, Chan Hee, Johnson, Princy Merlin, Park, Byung-Hyun, Han, Myung-Kwan, Kim, Ae Rhan, Yoo, Dong Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington American Chemical Society 19-01-2021
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Aqueous solutions; Chemistry; Colorimetry; Fluorescence; Fluorescent indicators; Fourier analysis; Fourier transforms; Infrared analysis; Ionization; Medical imaging; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Quantum chemistry; Spectral analysis; Spectrum analysis; Zebrafish
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c03196

An easily accessible colorimetric and fluorescence probe 4-((3-chloro-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)­amino)­benzenesulfonamide (4CBS) was successfully developed for the selective and sensitive detection of Sn2+ in an aqueous solution. The sensing mechanism involves reduction of −CO into −C–OH groups in 4CBS upon the addition of Sn2+, which initiates the fluorescence turn-on mode. A better linear relationship was achieved between fluorescence intensity and Sn2+ concentration in the range of 0–62.5 μM, with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.115 μM. The binding mechanism of 4CBS for Sn2+ was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis, NMR titrations, and mass (electrospray ionization) spectral analysis. Likewise, the proposed sensing mechanism was supported by quantum chemical calculations. Moreover, bioimaging studies demonstrated that the chemosensing probe 4CBS is an effective fluorescent marker for the detection of Sn2+ in living cells and zebrafish. Significantly, 4CBS was able to discriminate between Sn2+ in human cancer cells and Sn2+ in normal live cells.