A spirobenzopyran-based multifunctional chemosensor for the chromogenic sensing of Cu2+ and fluorescent sensing of hydrazine with practical applications

A spirobenzopyran-based multifunctional chemosensor (L), produced via a facile synthetic route, exhibited chromogenic sensing of Cu2+ and fluorescent sensing of hydrazine. L detected Cu2+ ions through a distinct color change from colorless to wine-red in Tris-HCIFethanol(1/1,v/v,pH = 7.40) buffer, which was found to bereversible. In addition, L showed good selectivity and sensitivity toward exclusively hydrazine through fluorescence quenching. Meanwhile, L achieved desirable selectivity and anti-interference, and the chemosensor functioned well in the quantitative detection of Cue(2+) and hydrazine in real samples (a pharmaceutical, drinking water, and river water), as well as in the qualitative detection of gaseous hydrazine. Promisingly, test strips and TLC plates were developed, demonstrating L's capacity for practical sensing applications for Cu2+ or hydrazine. Moreover, the sensor could be used to image hydrazine in living cells. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.