A sole multi-analyte receptor responds with three distinct fluorescence signals: traffic signal like sensing of Al3+, Zn2+ and F−

Abstract

A dialdehyde-based multi-analyte sensor renders distinctive emission spectra for Al³⁺, Zn²⁺ and F⁻ ions. The ligand exhibited different types of interactions with these three different ions resulting in the enhancement of fluorescence intensity at three different wavelengths. All the sensing processes were studied in detail by absorption spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy and ¹H-NMR titration experiment. The ligand has the working ability in a wide pH range including the physiological pH. The ligand is non-toxic and amicable for sensing intracellular Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ in live HeLa cells.