A dual optical probe with larger stokes shift for simultaneous detection of Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions and aggregation induced enhanced emission empowering selective detection of Cu2+ ions

Abstract

A new aggregation induced enhanced emission (AIEE) active probe (1) has been synthesized via single step condensation reaction of 2-amino-3-benzyloxypyridine with 3-allylsalicylaldehyde in methanol. Probe 1 has been fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques i.e. IR, NMR (1H and 13C), HRMS and X-ray crystallography. 1 displays a large stokes shift of 190 nm. It recognizes Cu2+ ions colorimetrically and fluorescence intensity enhances on the addition of Zn2+ ions. 1 form nanoaggregates in H2O:CH3OH (80:20, v/v) which detects Cu2+ ions selectively. 1 in the presence of Zn2+ ions and its nanoaggregates n1 show switch on behaviour of green fluorescence comparable to mitochondrial membrane potential indicator, Mitotracker-Red, in larval gut tissues of Drosophila melanogaster. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.