Ratiometric turn-on fluorophore displacement ensembles for nitroaromatic explosives detection

Ji Yoon Lee, Harrison D. Root, Rashid Ali, Won An, Vincent M. Lynch, Steffen Bähring, In Su Kim, Jonathan L. Sessler, Jung Su Park

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

131 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

There is a recognized need in the area of explosives detection for fluorescence-based sensing systems that are capable of not only producing a turn-on response but also generating a distinctive spectral signature for a given analyte. Here, we report several supramolecular ensembles displaying efficient fluorophore displacement that give rise to an increase in fluorescence intensity upon exposure to various nitroaromatic compounds. The synthetic supramolecular constructs in question consist of a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based pyrrolic macrocycle, benzo-TTF-calix[4]pyrrole (Bz-TTF-C4P), and fluorescent dyes, monomeric or dimeric naphthalenediimide (NDI) and perylenediimide (PDI) derivatives, as well as chloride or hexafluorophosphate (PF6-) salts of rhodamine 6G (Rh-6G). In chloroform solution, these assemblies exist in the form of discrete supramolecular complexes or oligomeric aggregates depending on the specific dye combinations in question. Each ensemble was tested as a potential explosive-responsive fluorescence indicator displacement assay (FIDA) by challenging it with a series of di- and trinitroaromatic compounds and examining the change in fluorescence spectral characteristics. Upon addition of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs), either a "turn-on"or a "turn-off"fluorescent response was observed depending on the nature of the constituent fluorophore and, where applicable, the counteranion. The FIDAs based on the PDI derivatives were found to display not only a ratiometric fluorescence enhancement but also analyte-dependent spectral changes when treated with NACs. The NAC-induced fluorescence spectral response of each ensemble was rationalized on the basis of various solution-phase spectroscopic studies, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume142
Issue number46
Pages (from-to)19579-19587
ISSN0002-7863
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18. Nov 2020

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ratiometric turn-on fluorophore displacement ensembles for nitroaromatic explosives detection'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this