Selective ratiometric fluorescence detection of acetate based on a novel Schiff base derivative

A ratiometric fluorescence and colorimetric probe based on 5,5'-methylene-bis-salicylaldehyde-p-nitrophenylhydrazone (1), which was characterized by (1)H NMR, mass spectrometer and elemental analysis, was prepared through Schiff base reaction. The probe exhibited visible color changes from yellow to purple upon interacting with acetate ion. Particularly, the compound showed ratiometric fluorescence response to acetate with significant blue shift about 150 nm from 410 nm to 560 nm. Thence, the probe 1 was a selective ratiometric fluorescence probe for acetate ion in DMSO solution.