Highly sensitive optical chemosensor for the detection of Cu2+ using a rhodamine B spirolatam

Highly sensitive colorimetric chemosensor molecule RHN for selective detection of Cu2+ in mixed CH3CN aqueous media was designed and prepared by incorporating the well-known rhodamine fluorophore and a terdentate O2N binding unit into one molecule. The chemosensor RHN showed not only a reversible, selective, and sensitive absorbance enhancement response to Cu2+, but also a strong colour development against the colourless blank during the sensing event, a feature that would facilitate 'naked-eye' detection.