Microwave-Assisted One-Pot Synthesis of Indole-Based Fluorescent Probe for Sensitive Detection of Copper (II)

In this study, a rapid, inexpensive and convenient microwave assisted synthesis of indole-3-propionic acid-bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (IPA-SR3) fluorescent probe was developed. This fluorescent probe has the dual illumination characteristics of photoinduced electron transfer and aggregation-induced emission for the specific detection of Cu²⁺ ion in water. The wavelength-dependent photoluminescence behavior of the aggregated IPA-SR3 was highly selective (Ksv = 1.5 × 104 M^-1) and sensitive in Cu²⁺ ion detection, with a low limit of detection (2.9 μM). Therefore, it can be used to detect low-concentration Cu²⁺ in water samples. Details of the synthesis procedure and fluorescence characteristics are presented herein. Graphical Abstract.