A new fluoro-chromogenic chemosensor based on BODIPY-functionalized gold nanoparticles 1 is prepared. Addition of Cu(2+) ions to aqueous solutions of 1 gave an instantaneous color change along with a blue-shift of the absorption band and quenching of the emission spectrum at room temperature. The chemosensor 1 exhibits a high affinity and selectivity for Cu(2+) over competing metal ions tested. Moreover, confocal microscopy experiments establish that 1 can be used for detecting Cu(2+) levels within living cells.

A new fluoro-chromogenic chemosensor based on BODIPY-functionalized Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) core/shell nanoparticles 1 has been prepared. Chemosensor 1 exhibits a high affinity and selectivity for Pb(2+) over competing metal ions tested. Moreover, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry experiments established that 1 can be used for detecting Pb(2+) levels within living cell.

A new BODIPY dye conjugate has demonstrated selective quenching by mercury over other metal ions. Coupling of this probe to Au-Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles as well as platinum electrodes offered sensitive systems for suspension and surface based sensing, respectively.

The zinc tank: A new fluoro-chromogenic chemosensor based on BODIPY-functionalized Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (1) has been prepared. Chemoprobe 1 exhibits high selectivity for Zn(2+) over other competing metal ions tested. Moreover, confocal microscopy experiments established that 1 can be used for detecting Zn(2+) levels in living cells (see figure).

A new fluorescence receptor based on BODIPY-immobilized silica nanoparticles (BODIPY-SiO(2)) exhibits a high affinity and selectivity for Pb(2+) over competing metal ions in water. An overall emission change of ca. 100-fold at the emission maximum was observed for Pb(2+). The fluorescence receptor BODIPY-SiO(2) can remove 97% and 95% of the initial 100 ppb Pb(2+) from human blood and waste solution, respectively. Experiments show the fluorescence receptor BODIPY-SiO(2) can be a potentially useful and effective agent for the selective separation and rapid removal of Pb(2+)in vivo. We also prepared a portable chemosensor kit by coating a 4 μm thick film of BODIPY-SiO(2) onto a glass substrate. We found that this BODIPY-SiO(2) film detects Pb(2+) ions at pH 7.4 with a sensitivity of 3.2 nM. Finally, we tested the effect of pH on BODIPY-SiO(2) with Pb(2+) ions between pH 3.0 and 11.0. The fluorescence changes of BODIPY-SiO(2) were almost constant between pH 3 and 11. The results imply that the BODIPY-SiO(2) film is applicable as a portable chemosensor for detection of Pb(2+) ions in the environmental field.