Structurally modified 1,10-phenanthroline based fluorophores for specific sensing of Ni2+ and Cu2+ ions

We report two fluorophores with open coordination sites for specific sensing of Ni2+ and Cu2+ ions via a simple synthetic route. The fluorescence activity was completely quenched on coordination of the metal ions with the phenanthroline ring present in the fluorophore as is clearly evident from the photophysical studies.