Antipyrine derived Schiff's base as a colorimetric probe for the rapid and selective detection of Cu2+ ions

A new chemosensor based on antipyrine derived Schiff's base (L) was synthesized by a reaction of antipyrene carboxaldehyde with 4-nitro phenylhydrazine. The probe L showed a color change toward Cu2+ from pale yellow to colorless. The detection limit of 0.42 mu M for Cu2+ was below the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline for drinking water (31.5 mu M). The probe L exhibits a 1:2 complex formation with Cu2+. The probe work in the pH range of 4-10 without interfering with competing ions. The probe was successfully applied to quantify Cu2+ in water and pharmaceutical samples. The binding mechanism of L with Cu2+ was characterized by using FTIR, ESImass and DFT analysis. Overall, probe L demonstrates a promising and potential for the detection of Cu2+ content in aqueous phase.

Automated summary

A new chemosensor, based on antipyrine derived Schiff's base (L), was synthesized for the detection of Cu2+. The probe demonstrated a color change and 1:2 complex formation with Cu2+, showing promising potential for the quantification of Cu2+ in aqueous samples.