A simple pyrene based AIEE active schiff base probe for selective naked eye and fluoresence off on detection of trivalent cations with live cell application
Abstract A simple pyrene based schiff base derivative 2 (pyren 1 ylmethylene)amino)ethanol PE has been synthesized via one pot reaction and its nano aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) was reported through UV/PL, TEM and DLS studies. Interestingly, PE in CH 3 CN revealed the naked eye and fluorescence turn on sensing responses towards Fe 3+ Cr 3+ and Al 3+ ions, by means of PET and PE PE excimer formation. The 2:1 stoichiometry of sensor complexes PE M 3+ M Fe/Cr/Al) were calculated from Job's plots based on UV vis absorption titrations and supported by FTIR and ESI +Ve) mass analysis. In addition, the binding site of PE M 3+ sensor complexes was well established by 1 H NMR titrations and its sensor reversibility was recognized during subsequent addition of M 3+ ions and PMDTA, respectively. The detection limits (LODs) and the association constant K a values of PE M 3+ complexes were calculated by standard deviation and linear fittings. Likewise, quantum yield Ph f calculations, TEM analysis, pH effect and density functional theory (DFT) studies were executed for the PE M 3+ sensor complexes. More importantly, confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging in Raw264.7 cells showed that PE could be used as an effective fluorescent probe for detecting Fe 3+ Cr 3+ and Al 3+ ions in living cells.