A selective fluorescence probe based on benzothiazole for the detection of Cr3+

Abstract

A novel benzothiazole-functionalized Schiff-base derivative L was prepared and its metal-ion sensing properties were investigated. Sensor L displays selective naked-eye color change from yellow to green in the presence of Cr3+ in aqueous solution at pH 7.2, while other cations do not interfere with the recognition of Cr3+. The proposed mechanism is supported by Job's plot evaluation, IR and ESI-MS studies. The association constant and detection limit of sensor L to Cr3+ are 5.73×104 m-1 and 2.1×10-8 m, respectively. A B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) basis set was employed for optimization of L and L-Cr3+ complex.