An anthracene based fluorescent probe for the selective and sensitive detection of Chromium (III) ions in an aqueous medium and its practical application

An anthracene based fluorescent probe, integrated with thiophene moiety, exhibited selective and sensitive detection of chromium (III) ions over other metal ions. Its synthesis was achieved by simple mixing of two commercially available compounds, 2-aminoanthracene, and 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde, in onestep without the needed complex purification process. The probe molecule (ANT-Th) offered exceptional features such as "turn-on" fluorescence response, low detection limit (0.4 mu M), and fast response time (<1 min) via C =N bond hydrolysis. Also, a simple test paper system was developed for the rapid detection of chromium (III) ions with the naked eye.