Macrocyclic "tet a" derived colorimetric sensor for the detection of mercury cations and hydrogen sulphate anions and its bio-imaging in living cells.

A mono-N-substituted probe L containing a bromosalicylaldehyde pendant arm attached to a tetraazamacrocyclic "tet a" moiety was synthesized via straight forward reaction. The probe L crystallizes in a monoclinic P21/n space group. The probe L displayed quick sensitivity and selectivity towards Hg2+ ions due to its hopeful Chelation Enhancement Quenching (CHEQ) feature. Interestingly, the probe L exhibits turn-off fluorescence response to Hg2+ ion and turn-on fluorescence signals to HSO4- ions. When the probe L was complexed with HSO4- in 1:1 mode (L + HSO4- formation), improved turn-on fluorescence emission was detected due to the chelation enhanced fluorescence effect through sensor complex. The macrocyclic "tet a" probe L exhibited a binding constant value of 3.89 × 106 M-1 and 5.58 × 105 M-1 for Hg2+ and HSO4-, respectively. Probe L exhibited good selectivity to Hg2+ rather than other common metal ions and HSO4- over other common anions. The limit of detection (LOD) of Hg2+ and HSO4- were found to be 1 nM and 7 μM, respectively. The time-resolved fluorescence emission single-photon counting study was used to determine the average lifetime value for the probe L and L + HSO4- ions as 0.47 and 1.02 ns, respectively. The practical application of the probe in visualizing intracellular Hg2+ and HSO4- ions distribution in live Artemia salina was demonstrated. Furthermore, the probe L with Hg2+cations was found to be cytotoxic against breast cancer cells in nature and can be delivered as an anticancer agent. Besides the probe L with HSO4- exhibit strong fluorescence emission with low cytotoxicity, and it can be recommended for live-cell imaging.