Highly selective detection of Zn2+ and Cd2+ with a simple amino-terpyridine compound in solution and solid state

Abstract

A simple amino-terpyridine sensor exhibits highly selective detection of Zn2+ and Cd2+ in solution and solid state based on the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect. The detection limits were determined to be 0.184 μM for Zn 2+ and 0.176 μM for Cd 2+. Job's plot experiments suggest a 1:1 binding mode between the sensor and metal ions like Zn 2+ and Cd 2+. The resulting complexes were found to be emissive in solution and solid state.