A highly sensitive fluorescent sensor for Al3+ and Zn2+ based on a diarylethene salicylhydrazide Schiff base derivative and its bioimaging in live cells

Abstract

A new photochromic diarylethene based sensor with a salicylhydrazide Schiff base unit has been synthesized and its photochromic and fluorescent behaviors have been systematically investigated by the stimulation of light and metal ions in methanol. It displayed a dual-mode with a “turn on” fluorescence response and color changes upon addition of Al³⁺ or Zn²⁺. The LODs for Al³⁺ and Zn²⁺ were determined to be 8.31 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ and 3.33 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹, respectively. A logic circuit was designed by using the fluorescence intensity as an output and the combinational stimuli of UV/vis and Al³⁺/EDTA as inputs. Furthermore, the living cell imaging results demonstrated its value of practical applications in biological systems.