New thiazolothiazole derivatives as fluorescent chemosensors for Cr3+ and Al3+

Two new 2,5-diarylthiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole derivatives bearing ethylene oxide moieties were synthesized. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties as well as binding properties towards various metal ions were examined. Thiazole derivative 1 showed large fluorescent enhancements with Cr3+ and Al3+. On the other hand, thiazole derivative 2 displayed a selective fluorescent change with Cr3+ among the metal ions examined. As far as we are aware of, these are the first examples of thiazolothiazole derivatives as fluorescent chemosensors for metal ions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.