Studies On Biological Activity Of Transition Metal Complexes And Fluorescent Sensors For Metal Ions

Transition metal ions were closely connected with medicine, life science and enviromental science. Many of them have important physiological activity and their complexes are widely used for anti-cancer drug research. However, the hazard to human beings and the environment come with the frequent use of transition metal ions. Therefore, detection and control of metal ions in both the organisms and environment has important practical significance. In this paper, the studies mainly focused on the anti-tumor activity of transition metal complexes and fluorescent sensors for metal ions:Chapter I:In this chapter, we give a review about the background of this work and briefly introduce the important role of transition metal ions as well as fluorescent detection method. The classification, development and application of fluorescent probes for metal ions were also stressed in detail.Chapter II:A series complexes of Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+and Zn2+were designed and synthesized. Their DNA binding ability and anti-tumor activity were carefully studied. The results revealed that transition metal complexes, especially Cu2+complex, showed good antitumor activity. Meanwhile, the in vitro results from DNA-binding experiment were consistent with the anti-tumor activity.Chapter III:Based on different coordination modes, we have designed a ratiometric chemosensor L3derived from8-aminoquinoline, for different metal ions. The probe displayed a ratiometric fluorescent response for Zn2+and an ON-OFF signal towards Cu2+. At the same time, the system of L3-Zn2+showed selective detection of Cu2+through the displacement approach.Chapter IV:Based on Pd0-catalyzed reaction, a specific and efficient ratiometric chemodosimeter L4for palladium species has been designed and synthesized. The probe showed a highly sensitive and selective response towards palladium, accompanied with significant color change in the solution, which was easy to distinguish by naked eye for colorimetric detection. In addition, application experiment showed that the probe could be used for qualitative detection of residual Pd2+in a reactor as well as the quantitative detection of Pd2+in environmental water samples.Chapter V:The design approach in Chapter IV was extended to construct a series ratiometric Chemodosimeters L5-L7for mercury species. A water-soluble sensor L7displayed an efficient and sensitive response to Hg2+and methylmercury in aqueous solution. At the same time, obvious solution color change facilitated the naked eye colorimetric detection for Hg2+. Moreover, the probe has been successfully used for fluorescence imaging of intracellular CH3HgCl.