An imidazole-based fluorescent probe for cupric ion

A simple imidazole derivative modified with triphenylamine and fluorobenzene groups (MZ-F) was synthesized through one-pot multi-component ring-formation condensation. In the presence of copper ions, the acetonitrile solution of MZ-F showed a new absorption peak at longer wavelength and at the same time the fluorescence of MZ-F solution was quenched substantially. Photoluminescence spectroscopic titration showed that MZ-F formed a 1:1 complex with Cu 2+ and the detection limit reached 3.93 × 10 −6 mol/L. Meanwhile, MZ-F demonstrates high selectivity for sensing copper ions. A simple yet efficient fluorescent probe, MZ-F, for cupric ion was designed and synthesized. The fluorescence of MZ-F is responded sensitively to the presence of cupric ions. Common monovalent and divalent cations including Na + , K + , Ag + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Pb 2+ , Co 2+ , Hg 2+ and Fe 2+ would not interfere the sensing performance of MZ-F. 1 HNMR and MS(ESI) measurement showed that a 1:1 complex was formed between MZ-F and Cu 2+ .