A novel turn-on Schiff-base fluorescent sensor for aluminum(iii) ions in living cells?

RSC Advances Pub Date: 2015-11-27 DOI: 10.1039/C5RA17557G

Abstract

(E)-4-Methoxy-N-((8-methylquionline-2yl)methylene)aniline (L) was successfully synthesized and characterized. The complexation behavior of L with different metal ions was studied using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Results showed that the sensor (L) exhibited a 38-fold enhancement in fluorescence at 517 nm after adding 10 equiv. of Al3+ ions. Such fluorescent responses could be detected by the naked eye under a UV-lamp at 365 nm. The complex solution (L–Al3+) showed reversibility with EDTA and the complex was a 1?:?1 ratio according to Job’s plot and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS). A photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism was considered to be operational for fluorescence enhancement. The detection limit of Al3+ was calculated to be 1.2 × 10?7 M, a satisfying level to detect Al3+ in the micromolar scale. Importantly, the chemosensor L could be used to detect and quantify Al3+ in living cells. Therefore, this sensor has the ability to be a practical system for monitoring Al3+ concentrations in biological systems.

Graphical abstract: A novel turn-on Schiff-base fluorescent sensor for aluminum(iii) ions in living cells
Recommended Literature