A simple chemosensor for ultrasensitive fluorescent “turn-on” detection of Fe3+ and alternant detection of CN-

It is worth noting that Fe3+ is paramagnetic in nature. Thus, in most of the cases, Fe3+ behave as fluorescent quencher which makes it difficult to develop a fluorescent ‘turn-on’ chemosensor. Therefore, it is still a big challenge to devise and synthesise a simple chemosensor that could selectively detect Fe3+ via fluorescent ‘turn-on’ response. In this paper, A simple fluorescence chemosensor T based on N,N-(3,3-dimethyl biphenyl)-bis(2-methoxyphenol) has been synthesised. T could selectively detect Fe3+ via fluorescent ‘turn-on’ response. Meanwhile, the fluorescent spectrum limit of T towards Fe3+ was 0.178 nM, the detection limit was much lowest than previously reported fluorescent chemosensor and has reached to ultrasensitive level. In addition, T could also alternately detect CN−. Intriguingly, IMPLICATION logic gate was successfully constructed. Finally, the test papers and films based on T were prepared, which could be used as a fluorescent display material for the detection of Fe3+ and CN−.