Highly selective and sensitive fluorogenic ferric probes based on aggregation-enhanced emission with -SiMe₃...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE) probes are crucial for sensitive analyte detection.
• Polybenzene and thiophene derivatives offer tunable photophysical properties for probe development.
• Developing selective and efficient probes for ferric ions (Fe³⁺) is vital for environmental and clinical monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel fluorescent probes based on polybenzene-thiophene conjugates.
• To investigate the aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE) properties of these probes.
• To evaluate their efficacy and selectivity for detecting Fe³⁺ ions in aqueous solutions and real-world samples.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of 3,4-diphenyl-2,5-di(2-thienyl)phenyl-trimethylsilane (DPTB-TMS) and 3,4-diphenyl-2,5-di(2-thienyl)phenyl (DPTB).
• Characterization of AEE properties in tetrahydrofuran/water mixtures.
• Fluorescence spectroscopy to quantify Fe³⁺ ion detection and assess selectivity.
• Determination of detection limit and mechanism (static quenching).

Main Results:

• Both DPTB-TMS and DPTB exhibited AEE properties, suitable for Fe³⁺ detection.
• Fluorescence intensity decreased significantly upon Fe³⁺ addition, with DPTB-TMS showing a stronger quenching effect.
• The DPTB-TMS probe achieved a detection limit of 1.17 μM (65 ppb) and demonstrated high selectivity for Fe³⁺ over other metal ions.
• Successful application in detecting Fe³⁺ in water, blood serum, and solid films.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized polybenzene-thiophene compounds, particularly DPTB-TMS, are effective fluorescent probes for Fe³⁺ detection.
• DPTB-TMS offers high sensitivity, selectivity, and applicability in diverse matrices, including biological samples.
• These probes represent a promising low-cost, high-efficiency solution for ferric ion monitoring in environmental and clinical settings.