The amidine based colorimetric sensor for Fe(3+), Fe (2+), and Cu (2+) in aqueous medium

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Inorganic Chemistry

Background:

• Development of selective chemosensors is crucial for detecting specific metal ions in environmental and biological samples.
• Amidine derivatives offer promising platforms for designing chemosensors due to their unique electronic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel amidine-based chemosensor, designated AM-1.
• To evaluate the selectivity and sensitivity of AM-1 towards various metal ions, particularly Fe(3+), Fe(2+), and Cu(2+).
• To investigate the sensing mechanism, including visual colorimetric and fluorometric responses.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of the amidine-based chemosensor AM-1.
• Characterization using spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, 1H-NMR, mass spectrometry) and elemental analysis.
• Selectivity studies involving a range of metal ions (e.g., Sr(2+), Cr(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Ag(+), Al(3+), Ba(2+), Ca(2+), Cd(2+), Cs(+), Hg(2+), K(+), Li(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Na(+), Pb(2+)).
• Spectrophotometric and fluorometric measurements to assess sensing capabilities.

Main Results:

• The synthesized chemosensor AM-1 was successfully characterized.
• AM-1 exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity towards Fe(3+), Fe(2+), and Cu(2+) ions.
• A distinct naked-eye detectable color change and a shift in absorption spectra were observed upon binding with target ions.
• Selective fluorescence quenching of AM-1 was observed exclusively in the presence of Fe(3+).

Conclusions:

• The amidine-based chemosensor AM-1 is a highly selective and sensitive probe for detecting Fe(3+), Fe(2+), and Cu(2+) ions.
• The sensor provides a dual-mode detection capability through colorimetric and fluorometric responses.
• AM-1 shows potential for practical applications in metal ion detection and monitoring.