A simple but effective ferrocene derivative as a redox, colorimetric, and fluorescent receptor for highly selective recognition of Zn2+ ions

A new probe, based on a 1,1 '-disubstituted ferrocene, senses Zn2+ selectively among heavy and transition-metal (HTM) ions through three different channels: anodic redox shift of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple, the orange to deep purple color change that is visible to the naked-eye, and a remarkable enhancement of the fluorescence.