An imidazole-based fluorescent probe for cupric ion

Abstract

A simple imidazole derivative modified with triphenylamine and fluorobenzene groups (MZ-F) was synthesized through one-pot multi-component ring-formation condensation. In the presence of copper ions, the acetonitrile solution of MZ-F showed a new absorption peak at longer wavelength and at the same time the fluorescence of MZ-F solution was quenched substantially. Photoluminescence spectroscopic titration showed that MZ-F formed a 1:1 complex with Cu2+ and the detection limit reached 3.93 × 10−6 mol/L. Meanwhile, MZ-F demonstrates high selectivity for sensing copper ions.