A novel purine derivative‐based colorimetric chemosensor for sequential detection of copper ion and sulfide anion

Abstract

A purine derivative‐based colorimetric chemosensor (PHP) for the detection of Cu2+ and S2− is reported. PHP demonstrated a high selectivity and sensitivity for Cu2+ through color change from colorless to yellow with a detection limit of 74.9 nM. The sensing mechanism of the PHP–Cu complex was confirmed using X‐ray crystal structure analysis and density functional theory calculation. Furthermore, the PHP–Cu complex can be used for selective detection of S2− via competitive complexation of S2− to Cu2+. Finally, PHP was successfully applied as a visible test strip for the detection of cupric ions in water.