Development of a cell permeable red-shifted CHEF-based chemosensor for Al3+ ion by controlling PET

A structurally modified quinazoline derivative (L) acts as highly selective chemosensor for Al3+ ions in DMSO H2O (1:9, v/v) over the other competitive metal ions. L shows a red shifted fluorescence after the addition of Al3+ ions and later the further fluorescence enhancement is due to chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) through inhibition of photoinduced electron transfer (PET). This probe (L) detects Al3+ ions as low as 9 nM in DMSO H2O (1:9, v/v) at biological pH. The non-cytotoxic probe (L) can efficiently detect the intercellular distribution of Al3+ ions in living cells under a fluorescence microscope to exhibit its sensible applications in the biological systems. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.