Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025
07:10
Split Hybridization Probe Utilizing a DNA Fluorescent Light-up Aptamer as a Signal Reporter for Sequence-Specific Nucleic Acid Analysis
Published on: July 8, 2025
522
Reaction-based fluorescence probes for "turn on" sensing fluoride ions
Wen-Ying He1, Ning Liu1, Xu Jiang1
1Xiamen Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China. jsshen@hqu.edu.cn.
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
|January 24, 2022
Summary
A novel tetraphenylethene-based probe (TPEONO2) enables sensitive detection of fluoride ions in water. This non-fluorescent probe becomes fluorescent upon reaction, offering a new sensing strategy.
Area of Science:
- Chemical sensing
- Fluorescent probes
- Materials science
Background:
- Highly fluorescent molecules can be modified to create sensitive detection probes.
- Tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivatives are known for aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties.
- Nucleophilic species can react with specific chemical moieties, altering molecular properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel tetraphenylethene (TPE)-based probe for sensitive fluoride ion detection.
- To investigate the use of a weak covalent bond and a p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl group for sensing.
- To demonstrate fluoride ion sensing in aqueous solutions via aggregation-induced emission (AIE).
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a TPE-based probe (TPEONO2) incorporating a p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl group.
- Investigation of the probe's response to fluoride ions in aqueous media.
- Characterization of the reaction mechanism involving sulfonyl ester bond cleavage and subsequent AIE.
Main Results:
- The TPEONO2 probe is initially non-fluorescent.
- Upon reaction with fluoride ions, the sulfonyl ester bond cleaves, inducing aggregation and strong fluorescence.
- The probe exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for fluoride ion detection.
Conclusions:
- A novel TPE-based fluorescent probe (TPEONO2) has been successfully developed for fluoride ion sensing.
- The probe utilizes a unique mechanism of weak covalent bond cleavage to trigger AIE for enhanced detection.
- This approach offers a promising new strategy for sensitive detection of nucleophilic species in aqueous environments.
Related Concept Videos
03:31Labeling DNA Probes
8.5K
DNA probes are fragments of DNA labeled with a reporter tag to enable their detection or purification. The resulting labeled DNA probes can then hybridize to target nucleic acid sequences through complementary base-pairing, and may be used to recover or identify these regions.
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...
8.5K
01:14Photoluminescence: Applications
517
Photoluminescence offers a wide range of applications due to its inherent sensitivity and selectivity. This technique allows for both direct and indirect analyses of the analyte. Direct quantitative analysis is possible when the analyte exhibits a favorable quantum yield for fluorescence or phosphorescence. However, an indirect analysis may be feasible if the analyte is not fluorescent or phosphorescent, or if the quantum yield is unfavorable. Indirect methods include reacting the analyte with...
517
01:25Fluorescence and Phosphorescence: Instrumentation
850
Fluorometers and spectrofluorometers are two types of instruments used for measuring molecular fluorescence. These instruments differ in how they select excitation and emission wavelengths and the type of light sources they utilize. Fluorometers use absorption interference filters to choose excitation and emission wavelengths. The excitation source in a fluorometer is typically a low-pressure mercury vapor lamp that emits intense lines distributed throughout the ultraviolet and visible regions.
850
01:12Immunofluorescence Microscopy
11.7K
A fluorescence microscope uses fluorescent chromophores called fluorochromes, which can absorb energy from a light source and then emit this energy as visible light. Fluorochromes include naturally fluorescent substances (such as chlorophylls) and fluorescent stains that are added to the specimen to create contrast. Dyes such as Texas red and FITC are examples of fluorochromes. Other examples include the nucleic acid dyes 4’,6’-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and acridine orange.
11.7K