Highly sensitive and selective fluorescent bis-thiosemicarbazone chemosensor for dual recognition of Zn²⁺ and pyrophosphate anions (P₂O₇⁴⁻) with bioimaging applications
Abstract
This study reports the synthesis and characterization of a series of three bis-thiosemicarbazone ligands and their zinc dinuclear complexes, with a focus on 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis(N-4-allylthiosemicarbazonyl)phenol (H₃L³). This ligand exhibits remarkable photophysical properties and a high analytical performance, acting as a "turn-on" fluorescent sensor for Zn²⁺ with a significant fluorescence intensity increase via the chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) mechanism. The [Zn₂(L³)(OAc)] complex also functions as a "turn-off" sensor for pyrophosphate (PPi) anions through a ligand displacement mechanism, showing a good selectivity over other anions, with a low detection limit of 3.5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The probe combines high sensitivity, signal amplification, and selectivity, making a notably effective sensor among those reported. Importantly, H₃L³ demonstrates a good cell-penetrating ability, enabling in vitro imaging of Zn²⁺ without significant cytotoxicity under the studied conditions. These findings highlight its potential as a highly effective fluorescent probe for trace-level detection of Zn²⁺ and advanced analytical applications in complex biological and chemical environments.
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BibTeX
@article{cebotari2026highly,
title = {{Highly sensitive and selective fluorescent bis-thiosemicarbazone chemosensor for dual recognition of Zn²⁺ and pyrophosphate anions (P₂O₇⁴⁻) with bioimaging applications}},
author = {Diana Cebotari and florian vinchon and Salomé Poyer and Maylis Orio and Matthieu Fonvielle and Magali Aumont-Nicaise and Emilie Mérour and Jérôme Bignon and Arnaud Chevalier and Jean-Pierre Mahy and Sebastien Floquet and Rémy Ricoux},
journal = {Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.jphotochem.2026.117716},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05799360v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Highly sensitive and selective fluorescent bis-thiosemicarbazone chemosensor for dual recognition of Zn²⁺ and pyrophosphate anions (P₂O₇⁴⁻) with bioimaging applications
AU - Diana Cebotari
AU - florian vinchon
AU - Salomé Poyer
AU - Maylis Orio
AU - Matthieu Fonvielle
AU - Magali Aumont-Nicaise
AU - Emilie Mérour
AU - Jérôme Bignon
AU - Arnaud Chevalier
AU - Jean-Pierre Mahy
AU - Sebastien Floquet
AU - Rémy Ricoux
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry
DO - 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2026.117716
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05799360v1
AB - This study reports the synthesis and characterization of a series of three bis-thiosemicarbazone ligands and their zinc dinuclear complexes, with a focus on 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis(N-4-allylthiosemicarbazonyl)phenol (H₃L³). This ligand exhibits remarkable photophysical properties and a high analytical performance, acting as a "turn-on" fluorescent sensor for Zn²⁺ with a significant fluorescence intensity increase via the chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) mechanism. The [Zn₂(L³)(OAc)] complex also functions as a "turn-off" sensor for pyrophosphate (PPi) anions through a ligand displacement mechanism, showing a good selectivity over other anions, with a low detection limit of 3.5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The probe combines high sensitivity, signal amplification, and selectivity, making a notably effective sensor among those reported. Importantly, H₃L³ demonstrates a good cell-penetrating ability, enabling in vitro imaging of Zn²⁺ without significant cytotoxicity under the studied conditions. These findings highlight its potential as a highly effective fluorescent probe for trace-level detection of Zn²⁺ and advanced analytical applications in complex biological and chemical environments.
SN - 1010-6030
ER -