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Ratiometric temperature sensing with fluorescent thermochromic switches
Mercedes M A Mazza1, Francesca Cardano2, Janet Cusido3
1Laboratory for Molecular Photonics, Departments of Biology and Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, USA. fraymo@miami.edu.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|January 10, 2019
Summary
New molecular probes use switchable heterocycles and fluorescent chromophores to create ratiometric temperature sensors. These probes visualize thermal distributions at the microscale by changing emission intensities with temperature.
Area of Science:
- Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Development of molecular probes for temperature sensing is crucial for microscale applications.
- Ratiometric probes offer enhanced accuracy and stability compared to single-wavelength sensors.
- Switchable heterocycles provide a platform for designing responsive molecular systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel molecular probes capable of ratiometric temperature sensing.
- To investigate the relationship between heterocyclic switching and fluorescence emission.
- To demonstrate the utility of these probes for microscale thermal visualization.
Main Methods:
- Synthesizing molecular probes by conjugating fluorescent chromophores to switchable heterocycles.
- Characterizing the photophysical properties of the probes, including fluorescence spectra and quantum yields.
- Investigating the temperature-dependent equilibrium of the heterocyclic component and its effect on emission.
- Validating the ratiometric response to temperature changes at the microscale.
Main Results:
- The synthesized molecular probes exhibit a ratiometric response to temperature.
- The opening and closing of the heterocyclic component lead to two distinct emissive species with resolved fluorescence.
- The relative intensities of these two species change monotonically with temperature.
- Successful visualization of thermal distributions at the microscale was achieved using these probes.
Conclusions:
- Molecular probes based on switchable heterocycles and fluorescent chromophores are effective ratiometric temperature sensors.
- The controllable equilibrium of the heterocyclic component enables precise temperature-dependent fluorescence modulation.
- These probes offer a promising tool for non-invasive microscale thermometry and thermal imaging.
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