A Highly Selective Turn-On Fluorescent Chemosensor for Zinc Ion in Aqueous Media

In the paper, a novel rhodamine6G based fluorescent chemosensor bearing 3-carbaldehyde chromone was designed and synthesized. According to the fluorescence behavior toward several metal ions, it showed highly selectivity and sensitivity to Zn(II) over other commonly coexistent metal ions (Cu(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Mg(II), K(I), Pb(II), Fe(III) and Cr(III)) in aqueous environment (pH = 7.4). Meanwhile the binding constant between Zn(II) and chemosensor achieved 6.21 × 10 11 M −1 in aqueous media. Moreover, according to the Job plot, 1:1 stoichiometry between Zn(II) and sensor was deduced in aqueous media (pH = 7.4). The good selectivity and sensitivity in aqueous media effectively enhanced the application value of the fluorescent chemosensor for Zn(II).