A cyclometalated iridium(III) complex-based fluorescence probe for hypochlorite detection and its application by test...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Hypochlorite (ClO^-) is a key reactive species in biological and environmental systems.
• Developing selective and sensitive probes for ClO^- detection is crucial for monitoring these processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a new cyclometalated iridium(III) complex, IrCN.
• To evaluate IrCN as a "turn-on" fluorescence probe for hypochlorite detection.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of the iridium(III) complex (IrCN).
• Spectroscopic analysis to determine fluorescence response to hypochlorite.
• Evaluation of probe performance including pH range, response time, detection limit, and selectivity.
• Integration of the probe into fluorescent test strips for practical application.

Main Results:

• The IrCN probe exhibited a 54-fold fluorescence enhancement upon ClO^- addition due to the suppression of C=N isomerization.
• The probe demonstrated excellent performance across a wide pH range (5-12) with a rapid response time (<20 s).
• A low detection limit of 0.11 μM and high selectivity for ClO^- over competing species were achieved.
• Successful application in fluorescent test strips for real-time ClO^- detection.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized IrCN complex serves as an effective "turn-on" fluorescence probe for hypochlorite.
• IrCN offers advantages in sensitivity, selectivity, response time, and operational pH range.
• The probe's integration into test strips highlights its potential for practical and real-time hypochlorite monitoring.