Direct self-assembly of AIE-active tetraphenylethene derivative with cucurbit[7]uril as a fluorescence probe for metformin detection

• Published in: Microchemical journal 2023-08, Vol.191, p.108830, Article 108830
• Main Authors: Jiang, Chenrui, Li, Geyuan, Chen, Yue, Xi, Liping, Liu, Meiru, Peng, Jun, Dramou, Pierre, He, Hua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggregation-induced emission; Fluorescence probe; Self-assembly; Supramolecular interaction
• ISSN: 0026-265X; 1095-9149
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2023.108830

CB[7] and TTPE self-assemble to form the weak fluorescent probe with good water solubility. The CB[7] portal can selectively combine with the guanidine group of MET to form a host–guest complex. Thus, the probes aggregated and the fluorescence signal was increased when the MET was added to the CB[7]@TTPE system. [Display omitted] •A simple, rapid and stable fluorescent probe by the self-assembly of AIE luminogen and CB[7] was established to achieve the MET detection.•The AIE supramolecular probe that overcomes the traditional ACQ effect displays great selectivity and a wide linear range for MET.•The host–guest interaction can enhance the poor water solubility of traditional AIE material.•The fluorescence mechanism was explored. A fast, simple, sensitive and stable “turn-on” fluorescent probe method by the self-assembly of aggregation-induced emission luminogen 1,1,2,2-tetra(biphenyl-4-yl)ethene and cucurbit[7]uril was developed for selective determination of metformin. Simultaneously the host–guest complex can improve the poor water solubility of traditional aggregation-induced emission material. The response mechanism of the supramolecular probe to metformin was studied by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering technology, scanning electron microscope. The proposed method showed good sensitivity and accuracy for the detection of metformin. The relative fluorescence intensity was linearly correlated with the concentration of metformin in the range of 5 to 100 µM, with a detection limit of 1.5 µM. In addition, the aggregation-induced emission probe was successfully utilized to determine the metformin concentration in serum samples, and the recovery ranged from 90.80% to 104.0% with satisfactory results. Therefore, the established fluorescence assay provides a promising pathway for metformin analysis in biomedicine.