A photochromic diarylethene-functionalized fluorescent probe for Cd2+ and Zn2+ detections

Abstract

Abstract A novel bifunctional chemosensor 1O constructed with diarylethene and pyridazine unit has been designed and synthesized with excellent photochromic properties upon UV/Vis radiation. The chemosensor 1O shows prominent selectivity and high sensitivity for Cd2+ and Zn2+ by obvious fluorescent enhancement with a low detection limit in water-acetonitrile solution (v(water):v(acetonitrile) = 1:9). The chemosensor 1O could be utilized as a fluorescent sensor for Cd2+ with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.3 × 10−6 M. With the presence of Zn2+, the fluorescence of the generated zinc complex enhances remarkably and the limit of detection (LOD) for Zn2+ is calculated to be 1.1 × 10−5 M by Job’s plot titrations. A logic circuit of this chemosensor 1O has been constructed with the input signals of UV and visible light, Cd2+ (or Zn2+) and EDTA and the output signal of the emission intensity. In addition, the concentrations of Cd2+ or Zn2+ in real water are detected quickly and conveniently by this chemosensor.