Multiplex detection of enzymatic activity with responsive lanthanide-based luminescent probes.

Multiplex analyte detection in complex dynamic systems is desirable for the investigation of cellular communication networks as well as in medical diagnostics. A family of lanthanide-based responsive luminescent probes for multiplex detection is reported. The high modularity of the probe design enabled the rapid assembly of both green and red emitters for a large variety of analytes by the simple exchange of the lanthanide or an analyte-cleavable caging group, respectively. The real-time three-color detection of up to three analytes was demonstrated, thus setting the stage for the non-invasive investigation of interconnected biological processes.

A versatile long-wavelength-absorbing scaffold for Eu-based responsive probes.

Coumarin-sensitized, long-wavelength-absorbing luminescent Eu(III)-complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The lanthanide binding site consists of a cyclen-based chelating framework that is attached through a short linker to a 7-hydroxycoumarin, a 7-B(OH)(2)-coumarin, a 7-O-(4-pinacolatoboronbenzyl)-coumarin or a 7-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-coumarin. The syntheses are straightforward, use readily available building blocks, and proceed through a small number of high-yielding steps. The sensitivity of coumarin photophysics to the 7-substituent enables modulation of the antenna-absorption properties, and thus the lanthanide excitation spectrum. Reactions of the boronate-based functionalities (cages) with H(2)O(2) yielded the corresponding 7-hydroxycoumarin species. The same species was produced with peroxynitrite in a ×10(6)-10(7)-fold faster reaction. Both reactions resulted in the emergence of a strong ≈407 nm excitation band, with concomitant decrease of the 366 nm band of the caged probe. In aqueous solution the methoxybenzyl caged Eu-complex was quenched by ONOO(-). We have shown that preliminary screening of simple coumarin-based antennae through UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy is possible as the changes in absorption profile translate with good fidelity to changes in Eu(III)-excitation profile in the fully elaborated complex. Taken together, our results show that the 7-hydroxycoumarin antenna is a viable scaffold for the construction of turn-on and ratiometric luminescent probes.

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with analyte-triggered antenna formation.

A new strategy for accessing analyte-responsive luminescent probes is presented. The lanthanide luminescence of Eu and Tb centers is switched on by the analyte-triggered formation of a sensitizing antenna from a nonsensitizing caged precursor. As the cage can be freely varied, an array of probes for different analytes (Pd(0/2+), H(2)O(2), F(-), ß-galactosidase) can be created from the same core structure. The probe design affords nanomolar to micromolar detection limits, provides the capability to detect two analytes in parallel, and can be utilized to monitor enzymatic activity in live cells.

Stereoselective intermolecular allylic C-H trifluoroacetoxylation of functionalized alkenes.

Pd-catalyzed allylic C-H trifluoroacetoxylation of substituted alkenes was performed using PhI(OCOCF(3))(2) as the oxidant and acyloxy source. Trifluoroacetoxylation of monosubstituted cyclopentenes and cyclohexenes proceeds with excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity. Studies with one of the possible (η(3)-allyl)Pd(II) intermediates suggest that the reaction proceeds via stereoselective formation of Pd(IV) intermediates and subsequent stereo- and regioselective reductive elimination of the product.

Amine-linked diglycosides: Synthesis facilitated by the enhanced reactivity of allylic electrophiles, and glycosidase inhibition assays.

Diglycose derivatives, consisting of two monosaccharides linked at non-anomeric positions by a bridging nitrogen atom, have been synthesised. Conversion of one of the precursor monosaccharide coupling components into an unsaturated derivative enhances its electrophilicity at the allylic position, facilitating coupling reactions. Mitsunobu coupling between nosylamides and 2,3-unsaturated-4-alcohols gave the 4-amino-pseudodisaccharides with inversion of configuration as single regio- and diastereoisomers. A palladium-catalysed coupling between an amine and a 2,3-unsaturated 4-trichloroacetimidate gave a 2-amino-pseudodisaccharide as the major product, along with other minor products. Derivatisation of the C=C double bond in pseudodisaccharides allowed the formation of Man(N4-6)Glc and Man(N4-6)Man diglycosides. The amine-linked diglycosides were found to show weak glycosidase inhibitory activity.

SiR-Hoechst is a far-red DNA stain for live-cell nanoscopy.

Cell-permeable DNA stains are popular markers in live-cell imaging. Currently used DNA stains for live-cell imaging are either toxic, require illumination with blue light or are not compatible with super-resolution microscopy, thereby limiting their utility. Here we describe a far-red DNA stain, SiR-Hoechst, which displays minimal toxicity, is applicable in different cell types and tissues, and is compatible with super-resolution microscopy. The combination of these properties makes this probe a powerful tool for live-cell imaging.

Functionalisation of lanthanide complexes via microwave-enhanced Cu(I)-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition.

Cu(I)-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions were used to functionalise lanthanide(III)-complexes (Ln; La, Eu and Tb) incorporating alkyne or azide reactive groups. Microwave irradiation significantly accelerated the reactions, enabling full conversion to the triazole products in some cases in 5 min. Alkyl and aryl azides and alkyl and aryl alkynes could all serve as coupling partners. These reaction conditions proved efficient for cyclen-tricarboxylates and previously unreactive cyclen-tris-primary amide chelates. The synthesis of heterobimetallic (Eu/Tb, EuTb17 and Eu/La, EuLa17) and heterotrimetallic (Eu/La/Eu) complexes was achieved in up to 60% isolated yield starting from coumarin 2-appended alkynyl complexes Tb16 or La16 and an azido-Eu complex Eu4, and bis-alkynyl La-complex La5 and Eu4, respectively. EuTb17 displayed dual Eu(III) and Tb(III)-emission upon antenna-centred excitation.