A unique dual sensor for the detection of DCNP (nerve agent mimic) and Cd2+ in water

Abstract

Both DCNP (nerve gas Tabun mimic) and Cd²⁺ are extremely toxic to mankind. We have focused our research on quantitative estimation of DCNP and Cd²⁺ in given water samples. A carbazole–pyrrole conjugate CPC has been designed and synthesized which possesses a unique characteristic feature of detecting two hazardous analytes DCNP and Cd²⁺ by giving two different optical responses i.e. visual color changes and fluorescence “turn-on” respectively. The PET based chemosensor CPC produces a new compound CPC-1 and a highly fluorescent CPC–Cd²⁺ complex upon addition of DCNP and Cd²⁺, respectively. The detection limit of CPC for DCNP and Cd²⁺ has been estimated to be 7.75 nM and 0.27 μM, respectively, at pH 7.0. Quantum chemical calculations have been executed to demonstrate the electronic properties and the mechanism of the receptor–donor interactions. The concentrations of DCNP and Cd²⁺ ions in various water samples have been estimated with the help of standard absorbance and fluorescence curves.