Ana M. Costero

A new selective fluorogenic probe for trivalent cations

A new selective chromo-fluorogenic probe for Fe(3+), Cr(3+) and Al(3+) is reported. Detection limits are in the μM range and the fluorogenic sensing ability could be observed by the naked eye when illuminated with UV-light. No response is observed with divalent cations.

Targeted Cargo Delivery in Senescent Cells Using Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Learning to let go with age: Intracellular controlled release of molecules within senescent cells was achieved using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) capped with a galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) to contain the cargo molecules (magenta spheres; see scheme). The GOS is a substrate of the senescent biomarker, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal), and releases the cargo upon entry into SA-β-gal expressing cells.

Surfactant-assisted chromogenic sensing of cyanide in water

Chromogenic cyanide recognition in water was achieved by the use of a hydrophobic dye in micellar containers.

Chromogenic Detection of Nerve Agent Mimics by Mass Transport Control at the Surface of Bifunctionalized Silica Nanoparticles

Chemical warfare (CW) agents are toxic chemicals that have been used in several terrorist attacks in recent years. Among CW species, nerve agents are probably the most dangerous; their high toxicity and facile synthesis underscores the need to detect these lethal compounds with quick, reliable procedures. Analytical methods based on enzymatic assays and physical measurements have generally been used to detect these hazards. However, these protocols usually have limitations such as low selectivity, poor portability, and a certain level of complexity. In recent years, several chromogenic and fluorogenic sensors, and reagents for the detection of nerve agents have been described. For instance, approaches that involve perborate-mediated oxidation of organophosphorus agents, fluorescent probes based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), assays that use oximate-containing derivatives, molecularly imprinted polymers, nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, porous silicon, displacement-like procedures, and cyclization reactions in push–pull chromophores have been reported. Most of these protocols rely on changes in fluorescence properties, whereas few examples deal with color modulations. Colorimetric detection is particularly appealing because it uses low-cost, widely available instrumentation and allows assays to be detected with the naked eye. However, the development of selective, sensitive chromogenic probes for the detection of deadly chemical species is still rare. Given our interest in the design of novel hybrid organic– inorganic materials as probes, we focused on the preparation of a new optical test for the detection of nerve agent mimics based on nerve agent control of mass transport to the surface of functionalized silica nanoparticles. The chromogenic approach (Scheme 1) involves the use of silica nanoparticles that are functionalized with two different subunits— thiol groups (SH) and aliphatic alcohols (OH). The role of the

Selective and sensitive chromogenic detection of cyanide and HCN in solution and in gas phase

Two triphenylmethane based chemodosimeters for selective and chromogenic sensing of cyanide anions in aqueous environments and of hydrogen cyanide in gas phase were prepared and studied.

Chromogenic, Specific Detection of the Nerve-Agent Mimic DCNP (a Tabun Mimic)†

We thank the Spanish Government (projects MAT2009-14564-C04) and the Regional Valencian Government (Generalitat Valencia; project PROMETEO/2009/016 and ACOMP07/080) for support. S.R. is grateful to the Generalitat Valenciana for the fellowship awarded. SCSIE (Universidad de Valencia) is gratefully acknowledged for all the equipment employed.

A Molecular Probe for the Highly Selective Chromogenic Detection of DFP, a Mimic of Sarin and Soman Nerve Agents

We thank the Spanish Government (project MAT2009-14564-C04) and the Regional Valencian Government (Generalitat Valencia; project PROMETEO/2009/016 and ACOMP07/080) for support. S.R. is grateful to the Generalitat Valenciana for the fellowship awarded. SCSIE (Universidad de Valencia) is gratefully acknowledged for all the equipment employed.

Highly selective detection of nerve-agent simulants with BODIPY dyes.

Two chromo-fluorogenic probes, each based on the boron dipyrromethene core, have been developed for the detection of nerve-agent mimics. These chemosensors display both a color change and a significant enhancement of fluorescence in the presence of diethylcyanophosphonate (DCNP) and diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP). No interference from other organophosphorus compounds or acids has been observed. Two portable chemosensor kits have been developed and tested to demonstrate its practical application in real-time monitoring.

Design of enzyme-mediated controlled release systems based on silica mesoporous supports capped with ester-glycol groups

An ethylene glycol-capped hybrid material for the controlled release of molecules in the presence of esterase enzyme has been prepared. The final organic-inorganic hybrid solid S1 was synthesized by a two-step procedure. In the first step, the pores of an inorganic MCM-41 support (in the form of nanoparticles) were loaded with [Ru(bipy)(3)]Cl(2) complex, and then, in the second step, the pore outlets were functionalized with ester glycol moieties that acted as molecular caps. In the absence of an enzyme, release of the complex from aqueous suspensions of S1 at pH 8.0 is inhibited due to the steric hindrance imposed by the bulky ester glycol moieties. Upon addition of esterase enzyme, delivery of the ruthenium complex was observed due to enzymatic hydrolysis of the ester bond in the anchored ester glycol derivative, inducing the release of oligo(ethylene glycol) fragments. Hydrolysis of the ester bond results in size reduction of the appended group, therefore allowing delivery of the entrapped cargo. The S1 nanoparticles were not toxic for cells, as demonstrated by cell viability assays with HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines, and were found to be associated with lysosomes, as shown by confocal microscopy. However, when S1 nanoparticles were filled with the cytotoxic drug camptothecin (S1-CPT), S1-CPT-treated cells undergo cell death as a result of S1-CPT cell internalization and subsequent cellular enzyme-mediated hydrolysis and aperture of the molecular gate that induced the release of the camptothecin cargo. These findings point to a possible therapeutic application of these nanoparticles.

Selective opening of nanoscopic capped mesoporous inorganic materials with nerve agent simulants; an application to design chromo-fluorogenic probes

A hybrid nanoscopic capped mesoporous material, that is selectively opened in the presence of nerve agent simulants, has been prepared and used as a probe for the chromo-fluorogenic detection of these chemicals.