A sensitive ratiometric fluorescent sensor for zinc(II) with high selectivity

Abstract

A new fluorescent Zn2+chemosensor (P1) based on a functionalized porphyrin was synthesized and characterized. P1 displayed dramatic ratiometric variations in absorption and fluorescent emission spectra upon exposure to Zn2+due to the formation of a 1: 1 Zn2+/P1 complex. The sensor also exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Zn2+over other common metal ions in the physiological pH range with a detection limit of 1.8 μM. The sensor showed fast response times and excellent reproducibility, thus confirming its potential applicability as a fluorescent sensor for Zn2+sensing. © 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.