Structural diversity of lanthanide–amino acid complexes under near physiological pH conditions and their recognition of single-stranded DNA

We reported here four structures of lanthanide–amino acid complexes obtained under near physiological pH conditions and their individual formula can be described as [Tb2(dl-Cys)4(H2O)8]Cl2 (1), [Eu4(μ3-OH)4(l-Asp)2(l-HAsp)3(H2O)7] Cl · 11.5H2O (2), [Eu8(l-HVal)16(H2O)32]Cl24 · 12.5H2O (3), and [Tb2(dl-HVal)4(H2O)8]Cl6 · 2H2O (4). These complexes showed diverse structures and have shown potential application in DNA detection. We studied the interactions of the complexes with five single-stranded DNA and found different fluorescence enhancement, binding affinity and binding stoichiometry when the complexes are bound to DNA.

Graphical abstractFour lanthanide–amino acid complexes were synthesized under near physiological pH conditions and their interactions with five single-stranded DNA were studied.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide