Cell permeable fluorescent receptor for detection of H2PO4− in aqueous solvent†
Abstract
A new colorimetric fluorescent receptor for H2PO4− is reported in this communication. The receptor can detect dihydrogen phosphates optically by developing a color change from yellow to green. Acute spectral responses to H2PO4− in HEPES buffer (DMSO–HEPES 1 : 9) have been observed. The selectivity zone in terms of pH of the receptor for H2PO4− is attributed to the fitness in the acidity (pKa) of receptor with H2PO4−. Hydrogen bonding plays the key role here which is confirmed by 1H NMR titration. The receptor also has good potential for bio-imaging. The mode of interaction has also been established by ab initio calculation.