A fluorescent chemosensor for sequential recognition of gallium and hydrogen sulfate ions based on a new phenylthiazole derivative

A new highly selective turn-on fluorescent chemosensor based on 2'-hydroxyphenylthiazole for the detection of gallium and hydrogen sulfate ions in acetonitrile was synthesized and characterized. The mechanism of fluorescence was based on the inhibition of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The sensor demonstrated high selectivity for gallium as compared to aluminum and other cations and allowed sequential detection of hydrogen sulfate. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.