A highly selective sequential recognition probe for Zn2+ and HSO4−/H2PO4− based on a diarylethene chemosensor

A novel diarylethene derivative chemosensor DTP-o connected to Schiff base unit for fluorescent detection of Zn2+ and relay-detection of HSO4−/H2PO4− was designed and synthesized successfully. DTP-o displayed excellent photochromism and fluorometric sensing toward Zn2+ to form DTP-o-Zn2+ complex in acetonitrile with the detection limit of 5.62 × 10−7 M. And the form of DTP-o combined with Zn2+ could further be verified by Job's plot titrations and mass spectrometry analysis. Furthermore, the complex of DTP-o-Zn2+ showed an excellent characteristic of fluorescent relay-response toward HSO4− and H2PO4− with high sensitivity and selectivity. The detection limits for HSO4− and H2PO4− were as low as 3.04 × 10−8 M and 3.41 × 10−8 M, respectively. Moreover, the sensor DTP-o could also be applied to detect Zn2+ on practical samples and test strips with high accuracy. [Display omitted] •A novel diarylethene derivative DTP-o was synthesized and characterized.•DTP-o has high selectivity and sensitivity to Zn2+ and relay-detection of HSO4−/H2PO4−.•DTP-o could be applicated as a sensor for the detection of Zn2+ on practical samples and test strips