Novel spiropyran derivative-based colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for detecting trivalent metal ions

Abstract

A novel colorimetric and fluorescent probe N-(3-propylsulfonic acid)-4-chloroindolinospiropyran (SP) has been synthesized. The colorimetric probe can be efficiently used to detect trivalent metal ions M3+ (Fe3+, Cr3+, Al3+) and has good interference resistance in the presence of other metal ions. The performances of SP are investigated by using of UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectra. At the same time, the colorimetric and fluorescence probe has high sensitivity for M3+ (Fe3+, Cr3+, Al3+) detection, the detection limits of SP for Fe3+, Cr3+ and Al3+ are 3.1 × 10−6 M, 2.0 × 10−6 M and 2.4 × 10−6 M respectively. Moreover, the as-prepared SP also can be employed as a reusable three-state molecular logic function.