Abstract
AbstractAeruginic acid (H2L), a weakly fluorescent natural ionophore, was synthesized via one‐pot mechanochemical grinding at room‐temperature. This sulfur containing intermediate siderophore showed unique specificity towards Zn2+ in 100% water at physiological pH even in presence of other challenging metal ions particularly, paramagnetic metal ions such as Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+. H2L also displayed a naked eye observable instant color change under UV light in presence of Zn2+, in aqueous solution and in solid phase as well. The receptor H2L with 49 nM limit of detection, upon excitation at 360 nm, reversibly binds one equivalent Zn2+ as evidenced from Job's plot, ESI‐MS, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Being fully water soluble, non‐toxic, and permeable in nature, this natural ionophore can visualize Zn2+ in the gastrointestinal tract of live whole brine shrimp Artemia. We are not aware of any report on bio‐imaging of Zn2+ in living organism.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
