Salicylaldimine-based receptor as a material for iron(III) selective optical sensing

Abstract

Abstract α,α-Bis(salicylimino)-m-xylene (L) was prepared using both conventional and microwave-assisted procedure. The compound exhibits ability to colorimetric recognition of iron(III) ions in aqueous environment, what is manifested by significant color change from yellow to purple. In DMSO: water (9:1 v/v) solvent system, receptor creates with iron(III) cations complexes of 2:1 stoichiometry (L:Fe3+) with stability constant (log K) 7.54 ± 0.21. Incorporation of ligand into polymeric matrix (cellulose triacetate) enables iron(III) detection in 100% aqueous solution at pH 2.9 with detection limit 2.73 × 10−6 M.