A high selective turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for detection of Zn2+ in aqueous media

A simple Schiff base fluorescent probe (SW) composed of oxime and salicylaldehyde units was designed and synthesized. The probe has high selectivity and sensitivity for Zn2+ ion in mixed solvent (DMSO/H2O, V/V = 9:1). The fluorescence has obvious redshift phenomenon and visible color change. The stoichiometric ratio of the probe to Zn2+ ion was confirmed to be 1:2 (mole) by H-1 NMR, MS analysis and job curves. And the detection limit of fluorescence response of the SW to Zn2+ is down to 2.53 x 10(-8) mol/L. At the same time, the probe SW can be applied to the test paper detection of Zn2+ ions under 365 nm UV light and the detection of Zn2+ ions in actual water samples.

Automated summary

The Schiff base fluorescent probe SW, composed of oxime and salicylaldehyde units, shows high selectivity and sensitivity for Zn2+ ions in mixed solvent. The fluorescence response to Zn2+ reaches a detection limit of 2.53 x 10(-8) mol/L, with clear redshift phenomenon and visible color change. The probe can be used for Zn2+ ion detection both on test paper under 365 nm UV light and in actual water samples.