Fluorescent chalcogenyl organosilanes: a brilliant dual-action tool for Sn(ii) detection and cancer cell suppression via MAD2 inhibition

Abstract

In the present article, we synthesized chalcone-appended triazole-coupled organosilane derivatives 6a and 6b and characterized them using ¹H and ¹³C NMR and mass spectrometry. Compound 6b exhibited remarkable selectivity and sensitivity towards Sn²⁺ ions, as confirmed by fluorescence and UV-vis spectroscopy, with negligible interference from other metal ions. Job's plot revealed a 1 : 1 binding ratio, and high binding constants were determined using Benesi–Hildebrand (0.3 × 10⁵ M⁻¹) and Stern–Volmer (34.03 × 10⁵ M⁻¹) analyses. Limits of detection were 17.6 × 10⁻⁹ M (absorption) and 0.04 × 10⁻⁹ M (emission). Probe 6b demonstrated excellent Sn²⁺ sensing characteristics, including selectivity, reversibility, and molecular logic gate INHIBIT functionality. Computational DFT studies elucidated the interaction mechanism with Sn²⁺. Additionally, 6b showed strong anticancer potential, validated by in vitro studies and molecular docking with the cervical cancer protein (PDB ID: 2VFX), revealing significant binding affinity (binding energy: −9.70 kcal mol⁻¹). These findings highlight 6b as a promising candidate for selective ion sensing and anticancer therapy.