Perylene diimide dye threaded with dual-react able sites for detection of H2S and Hg2+: Diagnostic kit and cell imaging

Abstract

Designing of chemodosimetric probe for detection of H2S and Hg2+ at nanomolar level is highly important and challenging because of their toxicity to living organisms and the environment. Herein, we report unique chemodosimeteric design approach, where perylene diimide core is threaded by dual-react able sites for selective detection of H2S and Hg2+ in water. PDI 3 retained its chromophoric properties in solution, solid state and could be used to develop solution/solid state-based diagnostic kits for on-site detection of certain concentrations of H2S (0.034–0.5 ppm). PDI 3 showed ultra-sensitivity for H2S (UV–vis = 4.6 nM and Fluorescence = 19.5 nM) and Hg2+ (UV–vis = 60 nM and Fluorescence = 33 nM) in solution and 140 pg/cm2 and 19.9 pg/cm2 respectively using TLC strip (solid state). Kinetic profiles of PDI 3 showed the completion of the reaction within 14 min with pseudo-first order rate constant (k = 5.13 × 10−1/min). PDI 3 has good permeability, low cytotoxicity and was successfully applied for H2S and Hg2+ bio-imaging in MG-63 cells and for determination of H2S in human serum and urine samples.