Synthesis, spectroscopic and spectrophotometric study of BODIPY appended crown ether sensor for ion detection

A novel fluoroionophore compound was synthesized from a boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) fluorophore and 40-formylbenzo-15-crown-5 ionophore groups. Photophysical properties of the BODIPY-crown compound were studied with UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The effect of metalic cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Fe3+, Cu2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Ag+, Hg2+, Pb2+) on the absorption and fluorescence spectra of compound 2 was investigated. Blue shifts were detected in UV-Vis spectra upon addition of some metal ions (Al3+ > Fe3+ > Na+). At the same time, the emission intensity of this complex increased due to binding of Na+ ion to the benzo crown cavity. Additionally, a decrease in the intensity of the 630 nm emission peak and an increase in the intensity of the 570 nm emission peak was observed in the fluorescence emission spectra following addition of Al3+ and Fe3+ ions.