An Organic Molecular Probe for the Fluorescence Detection of Fe.sup.3+ and Photocurrent Response

Author(s): Lidong Shan [sup.1] , Baozhen Li [sup.2] , Wei Fu [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.12527.33, 0000 0001 0662 3178, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, , 100084, Beijing, China (2) [...]
The detection of Fe ions is of great significance for monitoring environmental hazards and disease diagnosis. Herein, a new organic molecule (4,12-diphenylnaphtho-[2,1,8-mna]acridine) with quantum yields up to 68% was obtained by tandem cyclization synthetic strategy, and the fluorescent sensor for highly sensitive and selective detection of Fe.sup.3+ has been demonstrated. Interestingly, the fluorescence red shifted significantly, and the solution changed from colorless to yellowish green in the presence of Fe.sup.3+, indicating that the synthesized compound can detect Fe.sup.3+ with the naked eye. Furthermore, according to the Stern- Volmer equation, the quenching constant K.sub.SV was calculated to be 1.78 x 10.sup.5 M.sup.-1. The limit of detection of the sensor for Fe.sup.3+ is 0.6 [mu]M, which is lower than the detection limit currently reported for most organic molecules. In addition, we have shown that the synthesized organic molecule exhibits high photoresponsivity. This interesting property enables it to be applied in optoelectronic device fields, which offers alternative selectivity for the multifunctional application of 4,12-diphenylnaphtho-[2,1,8-mna]acridine.