Beyond Molecular Recognition: A Perylene Bisimide Derivative as a Functional Mimic of Chlorpyrifos.

Supramolecular assemblies of perylene bisimide derivative (PBI-SAH) have been developed which show 'turn-on' detection of chlorpyrifos in aqueous media, apple residue and blood serum. Differently from the already reported fluorescent probes for the detection of CPF, PBI-SAH assemblies also show affinity for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which endow the PBI-SAH molecules with mixed inhibitory potential to restrict the AChE catalysed hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine (ATCh) in MG-63 cell lines (in vitro) and in mice (in vivo). The molecular docking studies support the inhibitory activity of PBI-SAH assemblies and their potential to act as safe insecticide with high benefit to harm ratio. The insecticidal potential of PBI-SAH derivative has been examined against Spodoptera litura (S. litura) and these studies demonstrate its excellent insecticidal activity (100 % mortality in nineteen days). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding development of PBI-SAH assemblies which not only detect chlorpyrifos but also mimic AChE inhibitory activity of CPF to show promising aptitude as safe insecticide.

ESIPT Active Assemblies for 'On-On' Detection, Cell Imaging and Hampering Cellular Activity of 2,6-Dichloro-4-nitroaniline.

ESIPT active PBI-keto/enol assemblies have been developed which show 'on-on' optical response towards 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline (DCN) due to a combined ESIPT-AIEE phenomenon with a detection limit of 1.65 nM. The potential of PBI-keto/enol assemblies to detect DCN has also been explored in grape juice/grape residue and soil for six consecutive days. Further, the biological applications of PBI-keto/enol assemblies to detect DCN in blood serum, in MG-63 cell lines and their ability to restrict the DCN-induced cell death have been demonstrated.