A novel fluorescence aggregation-induced emission active chemosensor for sequential determination of Cu2+ and S2− in an almost neat aqueous solution

Abstract

A simple reversible fluorescent chemosensor 1 was constructed using a coumarin backbone, which displayed notable aggregation-induced emission. Particularly, Cu2+ could selectively and sensitively induce fluorescence quenching of sensor 1 in an almost neat aqueous solution. Furthermore, addition of S2− to 1-Cu2+ system could specifically restore the fluorescence emission of 1 by snatching Cu2+ ion from its complex. The detection limits of sensor 1 towards Cu2+ and S2− were 34.6 nM and 1.15 μM, respectively. Notably, sensor 1 was successfully applied to detect Cu2+ and S2− in living cells and zebrafish owing to its remarkable fluorescence behavior and low cytotoxicity.