A pyrene based fluorescent turn on chemosensor for detection of Cu2+ ions with antioxidant nature

The Copper ion recognition ability of a pyrene based sensor (1) was explored. A selective Cu2+ ion induced colorimetric naked eye changes and a turn on emission was observed in acetonitrile medium. The results were monitored through UV-vis spectrophotometry, steady state emission and fluorescence life time studies. The outcome revealed a selective and sensitive Cu2+ recognition with a detection limit of 2.5x10(-6) M. The compound exhibited aggregation induced emission (AIE) in water-acetonitrile mixture where its critical aggregate concentration was measured by tensiometry at the solvent fraction of maximum AIE. Moreover the compound exhibited an antioxidant nature in DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay.