Synthesis and characterization for a highly selective bis(salamo)-based chemical sensor and imaging in living cell

A new sensor H5L for continuous identification of Cu2+, Al3+ and lysine was synthesized by Schiff base reactions. The sensor could specifically recognized Cu2+ in the EtOH/H2O (1:1 v/v) solution by UV–vis spectra, and the binding constant with Cu2+ can reach 1011 M−1, meanwhile, it was found by the naked-eye that the color of the solution was changed from colorless to yellow. The copper complex L-Cu2+ formed by the sensor H5L and Cu2+ could further recognize Al3+ and lysine in the fluorescence spectra. The LOD values of the three objects were 2.67 × 10−8, 1.96 × 10−8 and 5.59 × 10−9 M, respectively. In addition, fluorescence intracellular images of Al3+ and lysine were performed and obtained satisfactory results. A novel salamo-like chemical sensor H5L for continuous recognition of Cu2+ and Al3+ and lysine was synthesized. The sensor can identify Cu2+ by UV–vis spectra and naked eye recognition. The formed copper(II) complex L-Cu2+ can recognize Al3+ and lysine by fluorescence spectra, and good results of intracellular images were obtained. [Display omitted] •A new bis(salamo)-based chemical sensor H5L for continuous recognition of Cu2+, Al3+ and lysine was synthesized.•H5L could recognize Cu2+ by UV-visible spectrum and naked eye, and the RGB analysis was obtained good results.•The confocal fluorescence imaging of Al3+ and lysine gained favorable results.