On-off Bodipy chemosensor for recognition of iron(III) ion based on the inner filter effect and its applications in...

One strong fluorescent Bodipy-containing derivative was synthesized and characterized using ¹ H NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Its electrochemical and photophysical properties were investigated. In addition, the Bodipy derivative could be used as an on-off fluorescent probe for the detection of Fe³⁺ ions based on the inner filter effect because the absorption band of the Fe³⁺ ion overlaps the excitation band of Bodipy very well upon irradiation with UV light. Furthermore, the Bodipy-based sensor has obvious advantages including simplicity, rapid response, high selectivity, sensitivity and a detection limit of 1.2 μmol/L, and has been demonstrated in real water samples including tap water, mineral water and water from Lake Tai. Moreover, the fluorescent probe could also be used as a probe for the determination of Fe³⁺ in cellular and bacterial imaging. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.