Novel synergistic effect-based fluorescent sensor for highly selective and sensitive detection of l-Arg

A novel supramolecular fluorescent sensor (FAS) provides a synergistic effect to efficiently bind l-Arg by collaborating with the tetra-acylhyhydrazone and biphenol groups through multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds and electrostatic attractions. [Display omitted] •A novel fluorescent sensor FAS for detection (l-Arg).•Tetra-acylhydrazone-biphenol structure provided a synergistic effect for sensing l-Arg.•The FAS shows single selectivity and high sensitivity detection for l-Arg.•Theoretical calculations provided deeply understanding of the sensing mechanism.•The method was successfully applied in the determination l-Arg in serum sample. Since l-arginine (l-Arg) is crucial to the biological system, it is important to detect l-Arg effectively. Here, we created and synthesized a brand-new fluorescence sensor (FAS) to detect l-Arg with greater sensitivity. Four acylhyhydrazone functionalized arms and two hydroxyl groups have been logically added to the FAS to increase the selectivity and sensitivity of the l-Arg sensor. These groups work together to provide effective l-Arg binding. The findings demonstrated that the FAS could specifically bind l-Arg by collaborating with the tetra-acylhyhydrazone and two hydroxyl groups through multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds and electrostatic attractions; the sensitivity of the FAS to detect l-Arg is high, with a detection limit of 2.73 × 10−8 mol/L. Theoretical calculations and tests were used to study the potential recognition process. Furthermore, the chemosensor FAS was effectively used to ascertain the l-Arg concentration in human blood samples, indicating its capability to identify l-Arg in diverse biological matrices.