Perylene diimide-based sensors for multiple analyte sensing (Fe 2+ /H 2 S/ dopamine and Hg 2+ /Fe 2+ ): cell imaging and INH, XOR, and encoder logic.

In this report, we present our results on the recognition of multiple analytes using trisubstituted PDI-based chemosensors DNP and DNB in 50% HEPES buffered-CH 3 CN solution. Upon the addition of Hg 2+ , DNB showed a decrease and increase in absorbance intensity at 560 and 590 nm, respectively, with a detection limit of 7.17 μM and bleaching of the violet color (de-butynoxy). Similarly, the addition of Fe 2+ or H 2 S to the solution of DNP or DNB resulted in ratiometric changes ( A 688nm / A 560nm ) with respective detection limits of 185 nM and 27.6 nM for Fe 2+ , respectively, and a color change from violet to green. However, the addition of >37 μM H 2 S caused a decrease in absorbance at 688 nm with a concomitant blue shift to 634 nm. Upon the addition of dopamine, the DNP + Fe 2+ assay showed ratiometric ( A 560nm / A 688nm ) changes within 10 s along with a color change from green to violet. Moreover, DNP has been successfully used for the exogenous detection of Fe 2+ in A549 cells. Further, the multiple outputs observed with DNP in the presence of H 2 S have been used to construct NOR, XOR, INH and 4-to-2 encoder logic gates and circuits.