The new water-soluble Schiff base derivative fluorometric chemosensor with highly selective and instantly sensitivity for Fe3+ ion detection in aqueous media

The design and development of smart molecules used as fluorescent sensors, which play important roles in many applications with high selectivity and sensitivity toward heavy and transition metal ions have received considerable attention in recent years. In this study, the photophysical and chemosensor properties of the water-soluble Schiff base compound (3), which solid-state structure and geometry were determined using single crystal X-ray structural analysis were investigated. The metal sensing behaviors of the compound 3 was determined in the presence of various metals (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Mn2+, Fe3+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Cr3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Ag+, Cd2+, Al3+, Hg+ and Zn2+) using fluorescence spectroscopy. A significant decrease in fluorescence signals was observed with the addition of Fe3+ ions, and the limits of detection was calculated as 1.29 mu M for this ion. Also, the complex stoichiometry of the compound 3 and Fe3+ ion was determined as 1:1 (L/M) by fluorescence titrations (Job's plot). The results showed that compound 3 could be used as a fluorescent chemosensor with high selectivity and sensitivity, which are instantly responsive to Fe3+ ions in the aqua media.