Synthesis and characterization of Pyrene/Quinoline based Zn2+ selective fluorescent sensor

Abstract

We have synthesized a new Pyrene/Quinoline-based Zn2+ selective fluorescent sensor and characterized metal ion sensing properties. The fluorescent Zn2+ sensor, Py2, was synthesized by reaction of pyrene-1-carbaldehyde with quinoline derivative in high yield. We found that Py2 showed a good selectivity toward Zn2+ over other metal ions in the mixed H2O-ethanol solution. In the absence of Zn2+, fluorescence was observed at 420 nm upon 340 nm photo-excitation. Upon addition of 5 equiv of tested metal ions, only Zn2+ leads to the appearance of new fluorescence band at 500 nm. Since Py2 exhibited fluorescence changes upon the addition of Zn2+ with high selectivity, it could be applicable in a variety of area such as environment monitoring and diagnostic analysis.