Prasenjit Mahato

Ratiometric Detection of Cr3+ and Hg2+ by a Naphthalimide-Rhodamine Based Fluorescent Probe

Newly synthesized rhodamine derivatives, L(1) and L(2), are found to bind specifically to Hg(2+) or Cr(3+) in presence of large excess of other competing ions with associated changes in their optical and fluorescence spectral behavior. These spectral changes are significant enough in the visible region of the spectrum and thus, allow the visual detection. For L(1), the detection limit is even lower than the permissible [Cr(3+)] or [Hg(2+)] in drinking water as per standard U.S. EPA norms; while the receptor, L2 could be used as a ratiometric sensor for detection of Cr(3+) and Hg(2+) based on the resonance energy transfer (RET) process involving the donor naphthalimide and the acceptor Cr(3+)/Hg(2+)-bound xanthene fragment. Studies reveal that these two reagents could be used for recognition and sensing of Hg(2+)/Cr(3+). Further, confocal laser microscopic studies confirmed that the reagent L(2) could also be used as an imaging probe for detection of uptake of these ions in A431 cells.

Specific Recognition and Sensing of CN− in Sodium Cyanide Solution

Specific recognition of CN(-) in sodium cyanide solution was achieved using two imidazole-based receptors (A and B). Visually detectable color changes were associated with the formation of hydrogen bonded adducts, A.CN(-) and B.CN(-). Ratiometric fluorescence response was achieved for receptor A on binding to CN(-), and this reagent was used for imaging bacterial cells pre-exposed to 1.42 microM CN(-) solution.

Recognition of Hg2+ and Cr3+ in Physiological Conditions by a Rhodamine Derivative and Its Application as a Reagent for Cell-Imaging Studies

A new rhodamine-based receptor, derivatized with an additional fluorophore (quinoline), was synthesized for selective recognition of Hg(2+) and Cr(3+) in an acetonitrile/HEPES buffer medium of pH 7.3. This reagent could be used as a dual probe and allowed detection of these two ions by monitoring changes in absorption and the fluorescence spectral pattern. In both instances, the extent of the changes was significant enough to allow visual detection. More importantly, the receptor molecule could be used as an imaging reagent for detection of Hg(2+) and Cr(3+) uptake in live human cancer cells (MCF7) using laser confocal microscopic studies. Unlike Hg(ClO(4))(2) or Hg(NO(3))(2) salts, HgCl(2) or HgI(2) failed to induce any visually detectable change in color or fluorescence upon interaction with L(1) under identical experimental conditions. Presumably, the higher covalent nature of Hg(II) in HgCl(2) or HgI(2) accounts for its lower acidity and its inability to open up the spirolactam ring of the reagent L(1). The issue has been addressed on the basis of the single-crystal X-ray structures of L(1)·HgX(2) (X(-) = Cl(-) or I(-)) and results from other spectral studies.

An interrupted PET coupled TBET process for the design of a specific receptor for Hg2+ and its intracellular detection in MCF7 cells

A new coumarin-rhodamine conjugate constitutes a unique example of the interrupted PET coupled TBET response for developing an imaging reagent for determining the intracellular distribution of Hg(2+) in MCF7 cells exposed to [Hg(2+)] as low as 2 ppb.

Recognition of Hg(2+) using diametrically disubstituted cyclam unit.

A newly synthesized 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane derivative (L), functionalized with a diazo moiety as the reporter functionality, is found to bind specifically to Hg(2+) with an associated change in color that could be visually detected. With biologically benign β-CD, it forms an inclusion complex (L·2β-CD), which shows a much higher solubility in water, and this helps in developing a more intense color on binding to Hg(2+) in a CH(3)CN-HEPES buffer medium. The nontoxic nature of L was checked with the living cells of a Gram negative bacterium, Pseudomonas putida . Further, experiments revealed that these two reagents could be used as staining agents for the detection of Hg(2+) present in this microorganism.

Zn(II)−Cyclam Based Chromogenic Sensors for Recognition of ATP in Aqueous Solution Under Physiological Conditions and Their Application as Viable Staining Agents for Microorganism

Two chromogenic complexes, L.Zn (where L is (E)-4-((4-(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecan-1-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)diazenyl)-N,N-dimethylaniline) and its [2]pseudorotaxane form (α-CD.L.Zn), were found to bind preferentially to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), among all other common anions and biologically important phosphate (AMP, ADP, pyrophosphate, and phosphate) ions in aqueous HEPES buffer medium of pH 7.2. Studies with live cell cultures of prokaryotic microbes revealed that binding of these two reagents to intercellular ATP, produced in situ, could be used in delineating the gram-positive and the gram-negative bacteria. More importantly, these dyes were found to be nontoxic to living microbes (eukaryotes and prokaryotes) and could be used for studying the cell growth dynamics. Binding to these two viable staining agents to intercellular ATP was also confirmed by spectroscopic studies on cell growth in the presence of different respiratory inhibitors that influence the intercellular ATP generation.