Dual detection highly selective colorimetric chemosensors for fluoride and copper(II) ions based on imine-phenol derivative

Abstract

A simple dual detection using colorimetric chemosensor, imine-phenol derivative L (bearing a 2-iminephenol group as a binding unit and a-nitrophenylazo group as a signaling unit), were synthesized for a high yield in two simple steps. Complexations of chemosensor L with various anions in acetonitrile solvent and other metal ions in DMSO/H2O solvent were monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy. The results indicated that the chemosensor L showed high selectivity for F− and Cu2+ ions. Furthermore, the complexes for L-F− and L-Cu2+ were evaluated by computational chemistry using a B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) and a B3LYP/6-311G (d,p) level of calculation. The complexes between L with F− and Cu2+ were magenta and yellow colored, respectively. Chemosensor L can be applied for the analysis of F− and Cu2+ ions with naked-eye detection making colour comparisons between the standard and the real sample. Most importantly, semi-qualitative detection of Cu2+ in water solution were successfully carried out with the developed test kit using chemosensor L. © 2020 Chemical Publishing Co.. All rights reserved.