A visual and fluorometric probe for Al(III) and Fe(III) using diketopyrrolopyrrole-based Schiff base

A new single molecule multianalyte probe based on diketopyrrolopyrrole Schiff base 1, has been designed and synthesized for the selective detection of Al3+ and Fe3+. UV/vis spectroscopy indicates that 1 is a good colorimetric probe for Al3+ and Fe3+, resulting in a rapid color change from orange red to orange and pink, respectively. Moreover, 1 acts as selective chemodosimeter with fluorescence turn-on response to Al3+ and fluorescence turn-off response to Fe3+. Whereas, other ions, such as Cr3+, Mg2+, Cd2+, Ca2+, Hg2+, Ba2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Ag+, Na+, K+ failed to generate a distinct response. The detection of both Al3+ and Fe3+ was also possible in solid state by 1-based teststrips, which showed the capability to detect and respond to both Al3+ and Fe3+. The results indicated that 1 can act as a dual-channel, high selective, immediacy and sensitive optical probe for Al3+ and Fe3+. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.