Emissive‐Dye/Cucurbit[n]uril‐Based Fluorescence Probes for Sensing Applications

Abstract

Supramolecular host-guest chemistry has provided many opportunities for the design and construction of new fluorescent systems in various applications, particularly in the field of sensing. Owing to the special structure and fascinating utilities, cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s) existing themselves as a young family of molecular vessels, it construction a stable host-guest supramolecular complex with a variety of fluorescent dyes and indicators, that has been used as a powerful fluorescent probe and is widely used in sensing and related research fields. Therefore, in this review article, we will outline and attention on the recent advances in the progress of various CB[n] ⋅ guestbased fluorescent probes, it can provide a general overview of the construction, detection mechanism and fluorescence sensing of certain metal ions, biomolecules and toxic chemicals. Examples of the selection of other types of CB[n]-based supramolecular assemblies and coordination polymers will also be covered. Finally, we will also provide important views on fluorescent CB[n] ⋅ guest-based inclusion complex for metal ion and biomolecular sensors.

Emerging sensing platforms based on Cucurbit[n]uril functionalized gold nanoparticles and electrodes

“…1 (top) The reaction between glycoluril and formaldehyde. (bottom) Space-filling models of CB [5,6,7,8] demonstrating the increasing size yet constant height of the CB[n] macrocycles. Copyright 2015, American Chemical Society.…”

“…2.1.1 In situ synthesis method. In 2007, Corma et al synthesized CB [5,6,7] capped Au NPs with variable sizes from 1.2 to 10 nm for the first time, by adding NaBH 4 to CB [5,6,7] and a HAuCl 4 mixture in water/ethanol solution. 33 Interestingly, CB [7] has a larger cavity with an inner diameter of 0.73 nm, and a small (B0.7 nm) gold nanocluster (Au NC) could be fabricated in situ inside the cavity.…”

“…33 Interestingly, CB [7] has a larger cavity with an inner diameter of 0.73 nm, and a small (B0.7 nm) gold nanocluster (Au NC) could be fabricated in situ inside the cavity. 33 After this pioneering work, Scherman and co-workers reported the preparation of CB [5] capped Au NPs and investigated their dynamic aggregation in water, 10 which started a new era in the synthesis and application of CB[n]-Au NPs.…”

“…28 Notably, this process eliminates the need for traditional reductants or external energy sources, in which CB [7] plays a dual role of both the reductant and stabilizer. Moreover, our group extended this green in situ synthesis method to produce CB [5,6,7,8] functionalized Au NPs. 42 The diameter of the prepared particle was strongly dependent on the ring sizes of CB[n]s, which increased from 4.6 nm to 15.5 nm with increasing portal diameters of CB[n], resulting in decreased catalytic activity for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction (Fig.…”

“…2,3 In recent years, robust CB[n]-based sensing platforms at different scales, ranging from biomacromolecular (such as, protein or DNA) assemblies to one or a few small molecules, have been developed. [4][5][6][7] Although lots of CB[n] based sensors have been developed, most of them are performed using an associative binding assay (ABA) or indicator displacement assay (IDA) with the known limitations of low signal-to-noise ratios and sensitivity. 8 Direct signal generation is highly desirable for inherently a The State Key Laboratory of Refractories and Metallurgy, Coal Conversion and…”