A new highly effective fluorescent probe for Al3+ ions and its application in practical samples

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. A, Chemistry. Chemistry., 2017-01, Vol.332, p.273-282
• Main Authors: Wang, Fei, Xu, Yuling, Aderinto, Stephen Opeyemi, Peng, Hongping, Zhang, Han, Wu, Huilu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum(III) ion; Fluorescent probe; Naphthalimide; Recognition; Schiff base
• ISSN: 1010-6030; 1873-2666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2016.09.004

A fluorescent probe NBPN towards Al3+ was designed and synthesized based on naphthalimide-Schiff. The probe NBPN showed high efficiency for the monitoring of Al3+ in real-world water samples and exhibit marked fluorescence emission enhancement. [Display omitted] •A fluorescent probe NBPN towards Al3+ was designed and synthesized based on naphthalimide-Schiff base.•The NBPN responds to highly selective and sensitive detection of Al3+.•The 1:1 binding stoichiometry of NBPN with Al3+ was established.•Potential applications in the real samples for the detection of Al3+. A new 1,8-naphthalimide derivative, N-allyl-4-[3,3′-((2-aminoethyl)azanediyl) −bis(N'-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)propanehydrazide)]-1,8-naphthalimide (NBPN), was designed, synthesized and evaluated as a chemosensor for Al3+ ion. The structure of probe NBPN was established by single crystal X-ray. Upon addition of different metal ions to the DMF/HEPES buffer (1:1, v/v, pH=7.4) solution of NBPN, a significant selectivity toward Al3+ over other metal ions was observed. NBPN showed a good linearity with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.95 in the concentration range 3–11μM. The respective detection limit of NBPN and the association constant for Al3+ were calculated to be 3.4×10−8M and 1×104M−1. The stoichiometry and binding mode of probe NBPN with Al3+ were studied by spectroscopic methods of Job plot, UV–vis titration, fluorescence titration, MS and 1H NMR titration and the experimental data indicated 1:1 stoichiometric complex between NBPN and Al3+. Ultimately, NBPN was employed for the detection of Al3+ in practical water samples.