A rhodamine-6G based chromo and fluorogenic sensor for the selective turn-ON detection of Fe3+ in aqueous medium with potential applications as INHIBIT logic gate, memory device and live cell imaging

Abstract

A novel rhodamine-6G based biocompatible chromo- and fluorogenic “OFF-ON” sensor L2, having amide based metal ion receptor, has been synthesized using Michael addition reaction and characterized by IR, NMR and HRMS spectroscopic studies. It exhibits an excellent selectivity and sensitivity towards Fe3+ in aqueous medium over mono- and di-valent and other trivalent metal ions. A 14-fold enhancement of fluorescence intensity was found upon addition of 11.5 equivalent Fe3+ ion into the probe L2 in H2O (pH 7.2, 10 mM HEPES buffer) with colour change from colourless to reddish yellow, providing an opportunity for naked eye detection of Fe3+. The corresponding binding constant Kf was evaluated to be (1.16 ± 0.04) x 104 M−1 with 1:1 stoichiometry. Quantum yields of L2 and [L2 - Fe3+] complex in H2O (pH 7.2, 10 mM HEPES buffer) were found to be 0.013 and 0.523, respectively using Rhodamine-6G as standard. LOD of L2 for Fe3+ detection in aqueous medium determined by 3σ/slope method was found to be 4.184 μM. Cyanide ion scavanges Fe3+ from [L2 - Fe3+] resulting quenching of fluorescence due to re-attainment of the non-fluorescent spirolactam ring form of the probe. As the sensing phenomenon is reversible, it helps to frame INHIBIT logic gate and memory devices.