Ferrocenyl Group Research Articles

Electrochemiluminescence aptasensing method for ultrasensitive determination of lipopolysaccharide based on CRISPR-Cas12a accessory cleavage activity

In this study, an ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensing method was developed for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) determination based on CRISPR-Cas12a accessory cleavage activity. Tris (2,2'-bipyridine) dichlororuthenium (II) (Ru(bpy)32+) was adsorbed on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) coated with a mixture of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and Nafion film via electrostatic interaction. The obtained ECL platform (Ru(bpy)32+/AuNP/Nafion/GCE) exhibited strong ECL emission. Thiol-functionalized single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was modified with a ferrocenyl (Fc) group and autonomously assembled on the ECL platform of Ru(bpy)32+/AuNP/Nafion/GCE via thiol-gold bonding, resulting in the quenching of ECL emission. After hybridization of the LPS aptamer strand (AS) with its partial complementary strand (CS), the formed double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) could activate CRISPR-Cas12a to indiscriminately cleave ssDNA-Fc on the surface of Ru(bpy)32+/AuNP/Nafion/GCE, resulting in recovery of the ECL intensity of Ru(bpy)32+ due to the increasing distance between Fc and the electrode surface. The combination of LPS and AS suppressed the formation of dsDNA, inhibited the activation of CRISPR-Cas12a, and prevented further cleavage of ssDNA-Fc. This mechanism aided in upholding the integrity of ssDNA-Fc on the surface of the electrode and was combined with ECL quenching induced by the target. The ECL intensity decreased linearly as the concentration of LPS increased from 1 to 50,000 pg/mL and followed a logarithmic relationship. This method exhibited a remarkably low detection limit of 0.24 pg/mL, which meets the requirement for low-concentration detection of LPS in the human body. The proposed method demonstrates the capacity of CRISPR-Cas12a to perform non-specific cutting of single-stranded DNA and transform the resultant cutting substances into changes in the ECL signal. By amalgamating this approach with the distinct identification abilities of LPS and its aptamers, a simple, responsive, and discriminatory LPS assay was established that holds immense significance for clinical diagnosis.

Towards building blocks for metallosupramolecular structures: non-symmetrically-functionalised ferrocenyl compounds.

Metallosupramolecular architectures formed from metal ions and bridging ligands are increasing in popularity due to their range of applications and ease of self-assembly. Many are able to readily change their shape and/or function in response to an external stimulus and have the ability to encapsulate guest molecules within their internal cavities. Ferrocenyl groups (Fc) have been incorporated previously within the bridging ligands of metallosupramolecular structures due to their ideal attributes brought about by the structural and rotational flexiblity of the two cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings coordinated to the Fe(II) centre. However, the majority of these Fc-based structures contain symmetrically substituted Cp rings. We report the synthesis and characterisation of non-symmetrically functionalised Fc-based ligands incorporating both N,N' and NHC-donor groups chosen for their differing coordination properties. Both substituents were designed to coordinate to a single metal centre with the dissimilar coordination properties of each donor group facilitating stimulus-induced dissociation/association of one of the substituents as an opening/closing mechanism. Preliminary investigations into the coordination of these Fc-based ligands to a [Ru(η6-p-cymene)]2+ moiety indicated complexation through a mixture of either a bi- or tridentate fashion, as alluded by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed the Fc-based ligands adopt a syn conformation driven by H-bonding and π-interactions between the two Cp substituents, which facilitate coordination of both donor groups towards the metal centre.

NIR absorbing ferrocenyl perylenediimide-based donor-acceptor chromophores.

A set of ferrocenyl-functionalized perylenediimide (PDI) compounds and their 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobuta-1,3-diene (TCBD) derivatives 1-5 were designed and synthesized using palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling, followed by a thermally activated [2 + 2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization [CA-RE] reaction with a 1,1,2,2-tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) acceptor in good yields. The TCBD group works as an acceptor, whereas the ferrocenyl group acts as a donor at the central PDI core. The effects of varying the number of ferrocenyl and TCNE groups on the photophysical, thermal, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical properties were studied. The di-substituted PDI derivatives 3, 4, and 5 exhibit bathochromic shifts in the absorption spectra compared to 1 and 2, attributed to the extended π-conjugation. The electrochemical analysis of derivatives 2, 4, and 5 shows multiple reduction waves in the low potential region due to the presence of TCBD and perylenediimide acceptor units. Spectroelectrochemical studies were performed, showing that upon applying redox potentials, the absorption spectra shifted from the visible to the near-infrared (NIR) region. Computational calculations indicate that in the HOMO, the electron density is localized on the ferrocene unit, while in the LUMO, it is distributed over the PDI-TCBD unit, indicating a strong D-A interaction.

Unravelling dispersion forces in liquid-phase enantioseparation. Part I: Impact of ferrocenyl versus phenyl groups

BackgroundHighly ordered chiral secondary structures as well as multiple (tunable) recognition sites are the keys to success of polysaccharide carbamate-based chiral selectors in enantioseparation science. Hydrogen bonds (HBs), dipole-dipole, and π-π interactions are classically considered the most frequent noncovalent interactions underlying enantioselective recognition with these chiral selectors. Very recently, halogen, chalcogen and π-hole bonds were also identified as interactions working in polysaccharide carbamate-based selectors to promote enantiomer distinction. On the contrary, the function of dispersion interactions in this field was not explored so far. ResultsThe enantioseparation of chiral ferrocenes featuring chiral axis or chiral plane as stereogenic elements was performed by comparing five polysaccharide carbamate-based chiral columns, with the aim to identify enantioseparation outcomes that could be reasonably determined by dispersion forces, making available a reliable experimental data set for future theoretical studies to confirm the heuristic hypothesis. The effects of mobile phase polarity and temperature on the enantioseparation were considered, and potential recognition sites on analytes and selectors were evaluated by electrostatic potential (V) analysis and molecular dynamics (MD). In this first part, the enantioseparation of 3,3′-dibromo-5,5′-bis-ferrocenylethynyl-4,4′-bipyridine bearing two ferrocenylethynyl units linked to an axially chiral core was performed and compared to that of the analyte featuring the same structural motif with two phenyl groups in place of the ferrocenyl moieties. The results of this study showed the superiority of the ferrocenyl compared to the phenyl group, as a structural element favouring enantiodifferentiation. Significance and noveltyEven if dispersion (London) forces have been envisaged acting in liquid-phase enantioseparations, focused studies to explore possible contributions of dispersion forces with polysaccharide carbamate-based selectors are practically missing. This study allowed us to collect experimental information that support the involvement of dispersion forces as contributors to liquid-phase enantioseparation, paving the way to a new picture in this field.

Nano-magnetite supported N-heterocyclic carbene-gold complex with pendant ferrocenyl group as a multi-modal anti-breast cancer agent

Nano-magnetite supported N-heterocyclic carbene-gold complex with pendant ferrocenyl group as a multi-modal anti-breast cancer agent

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Biological Activity of Ferrocene-Ispinesib Hybrids: Impact of a Ferrocenyl Group on the Antiproliferative and Kinesin Spindle Protein Inhibitory Activity.

With the aim to combine more than one biologically-active component in a single molecule, derivatives of ispinesib and its (S) analogue were prepared that featured ferrocenyl moieties or bulky organic substituents. Inspired by the strong kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitory activity of ispinesib, the compounds were investigated for their antiproliferative activity. Among these compounds, several derivatives demonstrated significantly higher antiproliferative activity than ispinesib with nanomolar IC50 values against cell lines. Further evaluation indicated that the antiproliferative activity is not directly correlated with their KSP inhibitory activity while docking suggested that several of the derivatives may bind in a manner similar to ispinesib. In order to investigate the mode of action further, cell cycle analysis and reactive oxygen species formation were investigated. The improved antiproliferative activity of the most active compounds may be assigned to synergic effects of various factors such as KSP inhibitory activity due to the ispinesib core and ability to generate ROS and induce mitotic arrest.

Dynamic behavior and alkyne insertion reactions of alkenyl- and thiolate-bridged diiron carbonyl complexes

The alkenyl- and thiolate-bridged diiron carbonyl complexes [Fe2(μ-SC6H4CR1CH)(CO)6] (R1 = H or Me), which are derived from [Fe3(CO)12] and benzothiophenes, reacted with alkynes (R2CCR3) under photoirradiation conditions to form the acyl complexes [Fe2{μ-SC6H4CR1CHCR2C(R3)CO}(CO)5]. In this reaction, an alkyne and CO are inserted into the Fe–alkenyl bond, and the bulky substituents of alkynes, including a redox active ferrocenyl group, occupy the R3 position. To elucidate the reaction pathway, the reaction of the in situ generated acetonitrile complex [Fe2(μ-SC6H4CHCH)(CO)5(NCCH3)] with ethynylbenzene was monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the acetonitrile complex undergoes facile insertion of the alkyne, which is followed by CO insertion to give the corresponding acyl complex [Fe2{μ-SC6H4(CH)3C(Ph)CO}(CO)5]. The reactivity of the bridging alkenyl moiety is related to the dynamic behavior of the alkenyl-thiolate ligand (SC6H4CHCH)2- as well as the entering alkyne. Temperature dependent 31P NMR measurements of the dmpm-bridged complex [Fe2(μ-SC6H4CHCH)(μ-dmpm)(CO)4] (dmpm = bis(dimethylphosphino)methane) revealed that the activation parameters for the flip-flop motion of the alkenyl-thiolate ligand are ΔH‡ = 46.7(7) kJ mol-1 and ΔS‡ = −46(2) J mol-1 K-1.

Covalent modification of glassy carbon surface via radical-induced grafting from electrochemical oxidation of imine derivatives

The selective surface modification and functionalization methods through organic or inorganic grafting are a permanent challenge for constructing custom-made molecular interfaces with high performance as part of electroactive surfaces. We report the novel use of imine derivatives as a source of radical species for modifying a glassy carbon (GC) surface using electrochemical grafting. Based on the above work related to imine compounds, we designed and synthesized two structural isomers, ferrocenyl-nitro imine derivatives. These electroactive ferrocenyl and nitro functional groups served as redox signaling. In order to identify which part of the imine derivatives was grafted on the GC surface, they were subjected to electrolysis at a constant potential to monitor changes in its imine fragment response. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical results suggested that just one of two synthesized isomers (η5-C5H4-CH=N-C6H4-NO2)Fe(η5-C5H5) produced a radical species by electrochemical oxidation of the imine with bond cleavage. After the electrolysis process, the cyclic voltammetry and spectroscopic studies showed that a covalent modification of GC surfaces took place via forming a new bond from a nitro-aryl species on the GC surface. Due to imine bond cleavage, the ferrocenyl scissioned fragment was lost far from the electrode surface.

Effect of topological structure on the supercapacitive performance of redox-active triblock copolymers electrode-based asymmetric supercapacitors

In order to study the effect of topological structure of electrodes material on their supercapacitive performance, the different ratio of hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties were designed in the redox-active triblock copolymers PFcn-b-PEG-b-PFcn (n = 10, 17, 28). And then, PFcn-b-PEG-b-PFcn coated on Ni foam (PFcn-b-PEG-b-PFcn/Ni, n = 10, 17, 28) was applied as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Result displaying that with the value n increased from 10 to 28, the specific capacitances of PFcn-b-PEG-b-PFcn increased. That is to say, the capacitive behaviors of PFcn-b-PEG-b-PFcn could be greatly regulated by topological structure. Among the three copolymers, the as-prepared PFc28-b-PEG-b-PFc28 possessed a specific capacitance up to 358 F g−1 calculated from discharge curve with current density 1 A g−1. Further, the cycle stability test for PFc28-b-PEG-b-PFc28 was performed and the results show that the capacitance decay is only 5% over 2000 cycles, indicating its long cycle life. The reasons for the high capacitance performance of PFc28-b-PEG-b-PFc28 are due to the ferrocenyl groups with a favorable redox environment and faster electron transport and better ion diffusion, which make the material fully utilized. Furthermore, PFc28-b-PEG-b-PFc28 was successfully used to assemble a simple asymmetric solid-state supercapacitor. In summary, the topological structure of the PFcn-b-PEG-b-PFcn effect on their supercapacitive performance, that is, with the value n increasing, their specific capacitances increase. Can be looked forward to, the PFcn-b-PEG-b-PFcn could be as promising candidates towards high performance electrodes for pseudocapacitive supercapacitors.

A comparative analysis of UV–vis transitions in hetaryl and ferrocenyl thioketones

Electronic transitions in a series of symmetrical and nonsymmetrical hetaryl- and/or ferrocenyl-functionalized thioketones have been studied using quantum chemistry methods. An in-depth theoretical characterization was carried out for low-energy electronic transitions. The effects of hetaryl and ferrocenyl groups on the energy of these transitions were recognized and elucidated in terms of atomic and molecular orbital contributions involved in the transitions. A comparison was drawn between the low-energy transitions in the thioketones and in their carbonyl counterparts. The effect of solvents on the position of UV–vis absorption bands, in particular, on those originating in the low-energy transitions, is discussed. The theoretical calculations indicate that the introduction of ferrocenyl group into the hetaryl-functionalized thioketones changes the character of their first two electronic transitions from n → π* and π → π* into dominant d → π*. The most intense band of all studied thioketones appears in the near-UV region and undergoes a redshift upon solvation.

Self-cross-linkable ferrocenyl-containing polysiloxanes as flexible electrochromic materials

Flexible ferrocenyl-containing silicone rubbers (FSRs) with various ferrocenyl-substituted unit contents of 25, 50, and 75 mol% were obtained by applying a simple method included catalytic hydrosilylation (between polymethylhydrosiloxane and vinylferrocene) and self-cross-linking reactions (dehydrocoupling between Si–H groups). Self-cross-linking is one of the most suitable and simple methods to coat and obtain FSRs on various contact conductive surfaces, such as onto indium tin oxide (ITO) glass or ITO-poly(ethylene terephthalate). The synthesized FSRs exhibit the electrochromic (EC) properties, resulting from the reduction-oxidation of ferrocenyl groups (Fc/Fc+ transformations at E0 c.a. 0.36 V) and leading to color change: oxidation causes new band formation at 634 nm in ultraviolet-visible spectra. FSRs with ferrocenyl-substituted unit content of 50 mol% (FSR50) is the most optimal in terms of EC (coloration efficiency of 10.98 cm2/C, coloring and bleaching times of c.a. 49 and 66 s, which are close to undoped oligoaniline-functionalized polysiloxanes and carbazolyl-modified polysiloxanes) and mechanical properties (the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break are 2.80 MPa, 25.33 MPa, and c.a. 50%, respectively). The previously reported EC polysiloxanes have lack of mechanical characteristics. Both electrochromism and flexibility predominantly make FSR50 promising materials for the creation of flexible and stretchable EC devices.

Iminium substituent directs cyanide and hydride additions to triiron vinyliminium complexes

In this study, a variety of new triiron complexes were obtained by nucleophilic additions to vinyliminium ligands bridging between a diiron core and a ferrocene skeleton, and the reaction outcomes were elucidated using DFT calculations.

Ferrocene modified analogues of imatinib and nilotinib as potent anti-cancer agents.

The unique features of ferrocene and the need for development of targeted anticancer drugs inspired the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of ferrocenyl modified tyrosine kinase inhibitors by replacing the pyridyl moiety in imatinib and nilotinib generalized structures with a ferrocenyl group. A series of seven new ferrocene analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity in a panel of bcr-abl positive human malignant cell lines using imatinib as a reference drug. The metallocenes exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition on malignant cell growth with varying antileukemic activity. The most potent analogues were compounds 9 and 15a showing comparable or even superior efficacy to the reference. Their cancer selectivity indices suggest a favorable selectivity profile, indicating a 250 times higher preferential activity of 15a towards malignantly transformed K-562 cells and an even twice greater one (500) of 9 in the LAMA-84 leukemic model as compared to the normal murine fibroblast cell line.

Promotion of S-nitrosation of cysteine by a {Co(NO)2}10 complex.

S-Nitrosothiols (SNOs) serve as endogenous carriers and donors of NO within living cells, releasing nitrosonium ions (NO+), NO, or other nitroso derivatives. In this study, we present a bioinspired {Co(NO)2}10 complex 1 that achieved S-nitrosation towards Cys residues. The incorporation of a ferrocenyl group in 1 allowed for fine-tuning of the nitrosation reaction, taking advantage of the redox ability of Cys residues. Complex 1 was synthesized and characterized, demonstrating its NO translation reactivity. Furthermore, complex 1 successfully converted Cys into S-nitrosocysteine (Cys-SNO), as confirmed by UV-Vis, IR, and XAS spectroscopy. This study presents a promising approach for S-nitrosation of Cys residues for further exploration in the modification of Cys-containing peptides.

Synthesis of 1,1′‐bisphosphinoferrocenes using electrophilic addition reactions of tungsten coordinated phosphenium ions and phosphine triflates

[W(CO)5]-coordinated phosphine triflates undergo electrophilic substitution reactions with ferrocene. We have used this methodology to add PPh2 and PPhCl units to the 1 and 1′ positions of ferrocene to form tungsten pentacarbonyl complexes of 1,1′-bisdiphenylphosphinoferrocene, 1,1′-bischlorophenylphosphinoferrocene, and 1-diphenylphosphino-1′-chlorophenylphosphinoferrocene. The chlorophenylphosphinoferrocenes can be converted to phosphine triflates, and undergo further electrophilic substitutions, allowing us to introduce additional ferrocenyl, allyl, and alkynyl groups, forming tungsten pentacarbonyl complexes of C10H8Fe(PPh2)(PPhR) and C10H8Fe(PPhR)2 (R = allyl, phenylalkynyl, ferrocenyl).

Exploring the Acid-Catalyzed Reactions of 10,11-Epoxy-Dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptan-5-ol as the Synthetic Modules toward Polycyclic Aromatic Scaffolds.

The structural diversity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) offers exciting opportunities for their applications. Yet, selective synthesis of such conjugated networks poses a formidable challenge. Compared to the prominence of transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling and oxidative Scholl reactions, cationic rearrangement in the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon is an underexplored subject. In this study, we reveal that cationic intermediate generated from epoxy dibenzocycloheptanol can be transformed into acenes, azulene-embedded PAHs, and dibenzocycloheptanone derivatives. Reactive patterns, including Meinwald rearrangement, Nazarov cyclization, transannular aryl migration, and transannular Friedel–Crafts cyclization were identified. Both substrate structures and reaction temperature affect the reaction pathways in predictable and manageable manners. A mechanistic scheme was postulated as the working model to guide the reactivity for further application. Substrates containing heterocyclic and ferrocenyl groups exhibit similar reactivity profiles. The inquiry culminates in the selective synthesis of 5, 7, 12, 14-tetrasubstituted C2h and C2v pentacene derivatives. Our results demonstrate that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can be selectively prepared with this cation-initiated strategy by methodically tuning the reactivity.

Synthetic and DFT Modeling Studies on Suzuki–Miyaura Reactions of 4,5-Dibromo-2-methylpyridazin-3(2H)-one with Ferrocene Boronates, Accompanied by Hydrodebromination and a Novel Bridge-Forming Annulation In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity of the Ferrocenyl–Pyridazinone Products

This paper presented the efficiency of different Pd-based catalytic systems in a series of SM reactions of 4,5-dibromo-2-methylpyridazin-3(2H)-one with ferroceneboronic acid, ferrocene-1,1′-diboronoc acid, and its bis-pinacol ester. In addition to the disubstituted product, these transformations afford substantial amounts of isomeric 4- and 5-ferrocenyl-2-methylpyridazin-3(2H)-ones, and a unique asymmetric bi-pyridazinone-bridged ferrocenophane with a screwed molecular architecture. The reactions of phenylboronic acid, conducted under the conditions, are proven to be the most reductive in the conversions of ferroceneboronic acid, and produce 2-methyl-4,5-diphenylpyridazin-3(2H)-one as single product, supporting our view about solvent-mediated hydrodehalogenations that are supposed to proceed via the assistance of the ferrocenyl group present in the reaction mixture, or attached to the bromo-pyridazinone scaffold, which is constructed in the first SM coupling of the heterocyclic precursor. A comparative DFT modelling study on the structures and possible transformations of relevant bromo-, ferrocene- and phenyl-containing carbopalladated intermediate pairs was carried out, providing reasonable mechanisms suitable to account for the apparently surprising regioselectivity of the alternative hydrodebromination processes, and for the formation of the ferrocenophane product. Supporting the results of DFT modelling studies, the implication of DMF as a hydrogen transfer agent in the hydrodebromination reactions is evidenced by deuterium labelling experiments using the solvent mixtures DMF-d7–H2O (4:1) and DMF–D2O (4:1). The organometallic products display antiproliferative effects on human malignant cell lines.

Solvolytic behavior of some ferrocenylphenylmethyl‐4‐methoxypyridinium cations in various solvents

AbstractThe nucleofugalities of 4‐methoxypyridine (4‐OMePy) in pure and aqueous solvents were derived from the rate constants for SN1 solvolysis with respect to the corresponding ferrocenylphenylmethyl‐4‐methoxypyridinium salts by applying the linear free energy relationship (LFER) equation, log k (25°C) = sf (Nf + Ef). In more polar solvents, pyridinium ions become more stabilized by solvation in the reactant ground state than in the corresponding transition state and the reactivity (nucleofugality, Nf) of 4‐OMePy decreases increasing solvent polarity. Due to the strong electron‐donor effect of the ferrocenyl group, it seems that 4‐methoxypyridine is a somewhat better leaving group (stronger nucleofuge) if the substrate is benzhydryl‐4‐methoxypyridinium salts rather than ferrocenylphenylmethyl‐4‐methoxypyridinium salts. Given that the electron‐withdrawing substituents on the 4‐position of the pyridine ring increase the rate of the heterolysis step of solvolysis for benzhydryl and ferrocenylphenylmethyl pyridinium salts, the Nf value of substituted pyridine decreases in order Nf (4‐ClPy) > Nf (Py) > Nf (4‐MePy) > Nf (4‐OMePy) across in all examined solvents.

Ferrocenyl-containing silicone nanocomposites as materials for neuronal interfaces

A synthetic method involving hydrosilylation reactions was developed to produce nanocomposites of elastic ferrocenyl-containing silicone rubber (EFSR) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The EFSR-MWCNT nanocomposites have a satisfactory elongation at break ∼80%, tensile strength (2.4 MPa), as well as electrical conductivity comparable to that of semiconductors (7∙10 −5 S·cm −1 ), all of which are necessary for application as neuronal implants. A novel prototype of a spinal cord neuronal interface based on EFSR-MWCNT was created as a prosthetic for impaired neuronal functions and to access spinal sensorimotor networks. Ferrocenyl groups in nanocomposites increase the charge injection that declines the risks of negative effects of electrical stimulation including nerve tissue damage. • Ferrocenyl-containing silicone nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes were obtained. • The nanocomposites are semiconductors with suitable tensile properties. • A novel prototype of a spinal cord neural interface was created. • The nanocomposite electrodes promote spinal cord stimulation and locomotor circuitry.

Development of highly selective fluorescent ferrocenyl-iminopyridine chemosensor for biologically relevant Fe3.

Design, synthesis, characterization, and ion detection studies of two ferrocene-appended Schiff bases namely N-(2-[ferrocenylamino]ethyl)-5-nitropyridin-2-amine (1) and ferrocenylamino-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide (2) been reported. Both the chemosensors have been thoroughly characterized using Fourier transfer infrared, 1 H and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance, high resolution mass spectrometry, and ultraviolet/visible (UV/visible) and fluorescence spectral techniques. Probes 1 and 2 were designed with the aim of appending the ferrocenyl group with pyridine ring having an amine substitution (for 1) and imidazole ring with an amide substitution (for 2). Interaction of these probes with a series of cations and anions was examined through UV/vis and fluorescence spectral techniques. Probe 2 exhibited an insignificant response towards anions and loss of selectivity for cations, whereas 1 displayed highly selective detection towards biologically important Fe3+ in 2:1 (probe:cation) stoichiometry. Notably, none of the cations and anions could interfere the selectivity of Fe3+ ensured by 1 in aqueous medium. The limit of detection for Fe3+ detection using 1 was determined to be 0.2 ppm. The results strongly suggest that 1 could find promising future application as a chemosensor for Fe3+ in biological systems for quantification and qualitative analysis.