A novel pyrazole bearing imidazole frame as ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Al3+/Fe3+ ions and its application in HeLa cell imaging

New pyrazole bearing imidazole derivative was successfully synthesized and thoroughly characterized by various spectroanalytical techniques. The sensor DIBI shows a highly selective and sensitive fluorescent response with the addition of Al3+/Fe3+ ions in acetonitrile-water mixture. The strong fluorescent molecule exhibits a notable ratiometric emissions at 462 nm and 470 nm for Al3+ and Fe3+ ions, respectively (lambda(ex) = 280 nm). job's plot studies conclude that the coordination between DIBI with Al3+/Fe3+ was 1:1 binding stoichiometry. The limit of detection of DIBI with Al3+/Fe3+ was calculated as 2.12 x 10(-7) M and 1.73 x 10(-6) M, respectively. The TD-DFT calculations further supported the photonics performances of the free probe and its complexes. The reversibility and reusability of the sensor molecule are studied using EDTA. The probe was used to track Al3+/Fe3+ in cancer cells via fluorescence microscopy. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.