A bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)amine-based selective and sensitive colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+

A new bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)amine derivative (1) was synthesized as a colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for metal ions. Experimental results indicate that I displays significant colorimetric and fluorescent changes upon binding of Cu2+. Since 1 has a high water solubility as well as good cell-permeability, it successfully applied to detect the presence of Cu2+ ion in HepG2 cells in culture medium. Thus, 1 can be used as a potential Cu2+ chemosensor in aqueous solution and mammalian cells. Further, the fluorescence behavior of 1 upon Cu2+ binding was well explained by our quantum calculation based on electronic structure. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.