A multifunctional probe based on ferrocenyl chalcone for the detection of tryptophan and ascorbic acid in solution

Abstract

A multifunctional probe based on ferrocenyl chalcone (Probe M) was designed and successfully synthesized and found to recognize tryptophan (Trp) and ascorbic acid (AA) in solution simultaneously. The minimum detection limit of Probe M for Trp-and AA was 1.3188 × 10−4 mol/L and 1.1545 × 10−4 mol/L, respectively. The binding ratios of Probe M to Trp-and AA were obtained by job plot as 1:1 and 2:1, respectively. According to the Benesi-Hildebrand equation, the complexation constants of Probe M for Trp-and AA were 3.0025 × 106 L/mol and 4.6606 × 106 L/mol, respectively. The binding mechanism was also investigated by IR and NMR titration.