A Chemodosimeter Exhibiting Fluorescence “Turn-On” Response to Detect Copper(II) Ions: Cell Imaging and Logic Function

Abstract

In the present work the photophysical properties of a chemodosimeter, 2-[4’-(N,N’-dimethylamino-biphenyl)-4-methylene]-iminophenol, 5 has been explored to recognize Cu 2+ ion selectively through naked eye sensitive fluorescence “turn-on” response. The observed fluorescence enhancement (∼58 fold) and rise in quantum yield (34%) with rapid response time is attributed to the hydrolysis of aldimine function in the presence of copper. The cell imaging studies showed that chemodosimeter, 5 is well-suited to detect Cu 2+ intracellularly. Additionally, the “Off–On” switching behavior of 5 has been utilized to mimic the function of a sequential logic circuit at molecular level. © 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim