Rational design of the first furoquinolinol based molecular systems for easy detection of Cu2+with potential applications in the area of membrane sensing

Two molecular probes based on the furoquinolinol (FQ) framework have been rationally designed for the rapid detection and trace level quantification of Cu2+ in organic and semi-aqueous mediums. Synthesized FQs were extensively examined for their Cu2+ sensing abilities by UV-vis/fluorescence experiments, NMR titrations and DFT based calculations. Higher binding constant [2.11 × 104 M−1 (FQ1) and 1.87 × 104 M−1 (FQ2)], low detection limit [1.52 × 10−7 M (FQ1) and 2.13 × 10−7 M (FQ2)], high selectivity, fast response, wide operational pH range, and repeated usability are some of the salient features of the reported sensors. Furthermore, these compounds (FQs) retained their metal detection abilities in thin PVC membranes.