A polystyrene-based ESIPT fluorescent polymeric probe for highly sensitive detection of chromium(vi) ions and protein staining

A "two-step" preparation method of an excited-state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) fluorescent polymer (f-PP) is reported here. The synthesis of f-PP involves the acetylation of polystyrene and a "multicomponent one pot" reaction. The as-prepared polymer bears a group of ESIPT fluorescent units, enabling it to exhibit high brightness, moderate solubility and ESIPT fluorescence. F-PP gives off tautomeric bright green fluorescence under UV-tamp and the dual-emission could be specifically suppressed by Cr(vi). This phenomenon cannot be elicited by other competing species. On this basis, an ESIPT polymeric probe-based method for the determination of Cr(vi) was developed, offering high sensitivity (19.5 nM) and selectivity. The f-PP was successfully used to detect Cr(vi) in real water samples by standard adding methods, indicating its application feasibility.