A simple fluorescent sensor for the meticulous recognition of Cu2+ ion and its functioning in logic gate and keypad lock

Abstract

A highly selective and perceptive “off–on” mode fluorescent receptor (E)-1-(5-methylfuran-2-yl)-N-(2-(phenylthio)phenyl)methanimine (R) has been constructed for the expeditious recognition of Cu2+ ions in the semi-aqueous medium. The strong fluorescence was observed at 468 nm for Cu2+ ions over other tested metal ions by R, which could be attributed to the constraint of the CHdouble bondN isomerization mechanism and provoked chelation enhanced fluorescence effect (CHEF) upon interaction with copper ions. According to Job’s plot, the binding proportion between R and copper ion is 2:1 and further validated by mass analysis and quantum chemical studies. Based on the emission titration, the limits of detection (LOD) were determined to be 0.194 μM. The obtained results designate that the receptor R serves as a significant nominee for an expeditious recognition of Cu2+ ions. Further, R was fruitfully useful in molecular keypad locks, and molecular logic gate circuits and it could be applied to find out the trace quantity of Cu2+ ions in water samples.