Fluorescent detection of Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ by a phenanthrene-based multifunctional chemosensor that acts as a basic pH indicator

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A novel phenanthrene-based sensor <B>1</B> was synthesized for the recognition of Zn<SUP>2+</SUP>, Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> and basic pH range by a integration of phenanthrene-9,10-dione and 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde. Sensor <B>1</B> could detect Zn<SUP>2+</SUP> by fluorescent color change and Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> by fluorescence quenching, and their detection limits were 0.43 μM and 0.18 μM, respectively. Moreover, <B>1</B> also acted as a basic pH indicator by fluorescence quenching. The sensing behaviors and mechanisms of <B>1</B> toward Zn<SUP>2+</SUP> and Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> were proposed by photophysical studies and theoretical calculations.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Phenanthrene-based multifunctional sensor <B>1</B> was developed for the determination of Zn<SUP>2+</SUP>, Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> and basic pH. </LI> <LI> Sensor <B>1</B> could detect Zn<SUP>2+</SUP> by fluorescence change and Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> by fluorescence quenching. </LI> <LI> Sensor <B>1</B> was applied to determine basic pH range through fluorescence turn-off. </LI> <LI> Sensing mechanisms of <B>1</B> for Zn<SUP>2+</SUP> and Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> were supported by DFT calculations. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>