A 1,8-Naphthyridine-Based Fluorescent Chemodosimeter for the Rapid Detection of Zn2+ and Cu2+

A novel fluorescent chemodosimeter based on 1,8-naphthyridine exhibits high selectivity to Zn2+ and Cu2+. When 1-(7-acetamino-1,8-naphthyridyl)2-(6-diacetaminopyridyl)ethene was mixed with CuCl2, hydrolysis of the acetamino group catalyzed by Cu2+ complex was first observed. Resulting from coordination and hydrolysis catalyzed by the corresponding complex of Zn2+ or Cu2+, the highly effective fluorescent detection of Zn2+ and Cu2+ is realized with Zn2+-selective dual-emission and Cu2+-selective ON-OFF behavior.