An acylhydrazone-based AIE organogel for the selective sensing of submicromolar level Al3+ and Al(iii)-based metallogel formation to detect oxalic acid

Abstract

A tripodal acylhydrazone derivative (L) was designed, synthesized, and fully characterized. Through the investigation, it had a typical bluish-green aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect. Notably, the gelator was reported to accurately detect Al³⁺via emitting brilliant green light and decay by oxalic acid, and the detection limit of the sensor for Al³⁺ was 8.702 × 10⁻⁷ M. Interestingly, the fluorescence intensity of gelator L would change depending on the water fraction in DMF or DMSO solution. Furthermore, L could detect Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, and Ag⁺ through a change in colour or gel phase. Accompanied by colour and fluorescence changes, we hope to provide a useful and effective strategy for preparing novel sensing soft materials.