A 2-Styryl-1,8-naphthyridine derivative as a versatile fluorescent probe for the selective recognition of Hg2+, Ag+ and F− ions by tuning the solvent

Abstract

A novel fluorescent probe 1 has been synthesized by a microwave reaction, and its ion-binding and fluorescence-sensing properties have been investigated under different solvent conditions. The analysis results indicated that probe 1 can act as a multiple analysis probe by simply tuning the solvent. Probe 1 exhibited high selectively toward Hg2+ through fluorescence quenching in H2O/DMF. In H2O/1,4-dioxane solution, probe 1 selectively recognized and discriminated between Ag+ and Hg2+ displaying ratiometric behaviour. Moreover, probe 1 readily recognized the anion F− via the ratiometric fluorescent mode in CH3CN. Furthermore, distinct colour changes were observed under UV light, which can be seen by the naked eye and thus used for distinguishing Hg2+, Ag+ and F− from the other ions screened herein using probe 1. Interestingly, almost pure white light emission was evident by simply tuning the F− anion-concentration, which makes this system a potential candidate for smart and tunable luminescent materials.