A bicarboxaminoquinoline-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor for the sequential detection of Zn2+ and PPi.

[Display omitted] • A highly sensitive Zn2+ and PPi sensor LP was synthesized based on bicarboxaminoquinoline. • LP showed well water solubility, the low LOD, fast response time, and wide linear range for sensing Zn2+ and PPi. • The INHIBIT logic gate was constructed by using the reversibility of LP. • LP was applied for the detection of Zn2+ and PPi in two real water samples and cells imaging. A new ratiometric fluorescent sensor (LP) based on bicarboxaminoquinoline was designed and synthesized for sequentially recognizing Zn2+ and PPi. In aqueous solution, LP exhibited the ratiometric fluorescence response towards Zn2+, along with the about 4-folds enhancement of fluorescence quantum yield. Subsequently, the LP -Zn2+ complex displayed the fluorescence recovery upon adding PPi through the displacement strategy. And the LODs of LP and its Zn2+ complex for sensing Zn2+ and PPi were found to be 15 nM and 5.5 nM, respectively. Notably, the reversibility of LP for sequentially sensing Zn2+ and PPi had been employed to construct the INHIBIT logic gate. Moreover, LP and its Zn2+ complex had been successfully utilized for the detection of Zn2+ and PPi in two real water samples and cells imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]