A highly sensitive fluorescent sensor for Al3+ and Zn2+ based on a diarylethene salicylhydrazide Schiff base derivative and its bioimaging in live cells†
Abstract
A new photochromic diarylethene based sensor with a salicylhydrazide Schiff base unit has been synthesized and its photochromic and fluorescent behaviors have been systematically investigated by the stimulation of light and metal ions in methanol. It displayed a dual-mode with a “turn on” fluorescence response and color changes upon addition of Al3+ or Zn2+. The LODs for Al3+ and Zn2+ were determined to be 8.31 × 10−8 mol L−1 and 3.33 × 10−7 mol L−1, respectively. A logic circuit was designed by using the fluorescence intensity as an output and the combinational stimuli of UV/vis and Al3+/EDTA as inputs. Furthermore, the living cell imaging results demonstrated its value of practical applications in biological systems.