A new dual chromo- and fluorogenic chemosensor for Fe3+ in aqueous solution

Abstract

A new rhodamine-based chemosensor 2, which shows a reversible dual fluorogenic and chromo-response to Fe3+ in MeOH-HEPES buffer (10 mM, pH 7.4) (3:1 v/v), has been developed. The free solution of 2 is colourless and nonfluorescent which changes to pink with a strong fluorescence in the presence of Fe3+. Other metal ions (Hg2+, Ag+, Pb 2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Cd2+, Ni 2+, Co2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Cu 2+, Zn2+, Ce2+, Cr3+, Mg 2+, K+ and Na+) had no significant effect.