A stimuli-responsive “smart probe” for selective monitoring of multiple-cationsvia differential analyses

Abstract

A dual-emissive benzimidazole-based ternary ruthenium complex containing multiple ionophores viz. carbonyl, amine, and imine exhibits discriminating behaviour for Pb²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Zn²⁺, at parts-per-million concentrations, which leads to selective recognition of the above cations via differential responses using a single optical technique.