Synthesis and fluorescence properties of a boron-dipyrrin functionalized perylenediimide derivative

Abstract

In this paper, a novel dendritic chemosensor was designed and synthesized. Specific dual-channel fluorescence sensing for Hg²⁺ was investigated. The probe represented dual recognition sites and segmented detection behaviors, which can be deduced to the dethioacetalization reaction promoted by Hg²⁺ and the coordination reaction between Hg²⁺ ions and the nitrogen atoms in the triazole rings of the probe. The probe was proved to selectively recognize Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous solution and it showed a high selectivity, a low detection limit (12 nM), a short response time, and a significant fluorescence enhancement (at 610 nm) with a high fluorescence resonance energy transfer efficiency (99%) between the energy donor and the energy acceptor. Moreover, the energy levels of the energy donor–acceptor pairs calculated by DFT were used to illustrate the different FRET efficiencies of the probe and the probe with Hg²⁺.