Fluorescence "Turn-On" chemosensor for the selective detection of beryllium

A new fluorogenic method for selective and sensitive determination of beryllium using 2,6-diphenyl-4-benzo-9-crown-3-pyrane (DBCP) was developed. The proposed fluorescent probe undergoes fluorescent emission intensity enhancement upon binding to beryllium ions in MeOH/H(2)O (70:30, v/v) solution. The fluorescence enhancement of DBCP is attributed to a 1:1 complex formation between DBCP and Be(2+) ion, which has been utilized as the basis for selective detection of Be(2+) ion. With the optimum condition described, the fluorescence enhancement at 531 nm was linear to the concentration of beryllium in the range of 1.6×10(-8)-1.6×10(-7) M and a detection limit of 1.5×10(-9) M. The fluorescent probe exhibits high selectivity for Be(2+) ion over the other common mono, di- and trivalent cations.