Tetrasubstituted cyclopentenone‐based fluorescent chemosensors for the selective detection of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions

Fluorescent chemosensors based on 4‐hydroxy cyclopentenones were synthesized by the base catalyzed reaction of 1,5‐diphenyl‐pentane‐1,3,5‐trione with benzil and thenil. The molecule obtained by the benzil reaction was found to be useful for the selective detection of Fe3+ by fluorescence turn‐off, while the molecule synthesized by the thenil reaction was useful for selective detection of Cu2+ by fluorescent turn‐on. Details of the synthesis, complexation mode, nature of binding, reversibility, and pH studies of the two sensors are discussed. The studies revealed that the sensors were suitable for determining Fe3+ and Cu2+ content in real water samples.