Synthesis, characterization and UV–visible study of schiff base-acetylene functionalized organosilatrane receptor for the dual detection of Zn2+ and Co2+ ions

This work involves the synthesis and characterization of Schiff base-acetylene functionalized organosilatranes (6a–6c) for the selective and sensitive recognition of Zn2+ and Co2+ ions. [Display omitted] •New Schiff base- acetylene functionalized organosilatranes (6a–6c) have been synthesized and well-characterized by 1H and 13C NMR and LC-MS (Q-TOF).•The photophysical properties of the synthesized organosilatrane 6a were studied using UV–visible spectroscopy which showed selective recognition of Zn2+ and Co2+ ions.•The interference study experiment was also performed to check the sensitivity of receptor 6a towards Zn2+ and Co2+ ions over other metal ions.•The association constant and limit of detection values were also calculated by plotting BH-plot and linear calibration curve respectively. The present article describes the synthesis of Schiff base-acetylene functionalized organosilatranes (6a–6e) and their characterization by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and ESI-QTOF mass spectrometry. The UV–visible study of the organosilatrane 6a unveiled their high selectivity towards the recognition of Zn2+ and Co2+ ions without exhibiting any significant interference from other competitive metal ions. The calculated value of association constant with 6a for Zn2+ and Co2+ ions was 0.11 × 106 M−1 and 0.24 × 106 M−1 and the limit of detection was 0.28 × 10−6 M and 0.82 × 10−6 M respectively. Furthermore, DFT calculations were performed to get an insight into the interacting behaviour of sensor 6a towards Zn2+ and Co2+ ions.