Benzimidazole Based 'Turn on' Fluorescent Chemodosimeter for Zinc Ions in Mixed Aqueous Medium

Benzimidazole based compound 3 is designed and synthesized. The compound 3 is evaluated as fluorogenic sensor for metal ions in mixed aqueous solutions. Among all the metal ions tested, the compound 3 selectively senses Zn(2+) ions. The imine bond of 3 gets cleaved by Zn(2+) ions. Thus, 3 behave as 'turn on' fluorescent chemodosimeter for Zn(2+) ions with limit of detction in micromolar range. Furthurmore, we demonstated that 3 can detect Zn(2+) ions in cells of Allium cepa. Graphical Abstract Benzimidazole based ligand 3 is designed and synthesized which behave as chemodosimeter for Zn(2+) ions. We further demonstrated that 3 can detect Zn(2+) ions in cells of Allium cepa.