A highly selective fluorescent ‘turn-on’ chemosensor for Zn2+ based on a benzothiazole conjugate: their applicability in live cell imaging and use of the resultant complex as a secondary sensor of CN−

Abstract

A benzothiazole derivative linked “off-on” multi-responsive and selective chemosensor 3 has been synthesized and evaluated for cation recognition properties. The receptor 3 shows a high sensitivity and selectivity for Zn²⁺ through a ‘turn-on’ fluorescence response over the other tested cations with a detection limit as low as 0.67 μM. The receptor 3 was successfully applied for the detection of Zn²⁺ in live HeLa cells. Then, the Zn²⁺ complex of receptor 3 was also used for cyanide detection and recognition.