Exploration of an easily synthesized fluorescent probe for detecting copper in aqueous samplesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Spectroscopic and X-Ray Crystallographic characterization of the studied compounds. CCDC 1565466 and 1565824. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c7dt02872e

• Main Authors: Sanmartín-Matalobos, Jesús, García-Deibe, Ana M, Fondo, Matilde, Zarepour-Jevinani, Morteza, Domínguez-González, M. Raquel, Bermejo-Barrera, Pilar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 21.11.2017
• ISSN: 1477-9226; 1477-9234
• DOI: 10.1039/c7dt02872e

An easily synthesized fluorescent probe for detecting copper in aqueous samples, with a short response time and at neutral pH, has been investigated. Through the chelation of Cu 2+ ions or by binding to CuO nanoparticles, the fluorescence emission of the 2-(aminomethyl)aniline derivative H 2 L is quenched by over 50%. Spectroscopic determination of the association constants of H 2 L with some metal ions showed that the ligand has a higher affinity toward Cu 2+ than toward other d-block metal ions. The comparative bonding ability of the aniline-based fluorescent probe in d-block metal complexes was studied in solution by a combination of UV-Vis, 1 H NMR and mass spectrometry analyses. Besides these, the bonding behavior has been investigated in the solid state by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of Pd 2 (L) 2 and Co(L)(HL)(H 2 O) were elucidated. Bonding behavior and spectral response studies of an easily synthesized fluorescent probe for the detection of Cu 2+ ions and CuO NPs in aqueous samples.