Highly efficient detection of Cu²⁺ and B₄ O₇ ^2- based on a recyclable asymmetric salamo-based probe in aqueous medium

An asymmetric salamo-based probe molecule (H₂ L) was synthesized and characterized structurally. When DMF/H₂ O (9:1) was used as the solvent, it was shown probe H₂ L has high sensitivity to Cu²⁺ . Using high-resolution mass spectrometry and theoretical calculation, it was found that probe H₂ L could form a more stable complex (1:1) with Cu²⁺ , the minimum limit of detection (LOD) of H₂ L for Cu²⁺ was calculated as 9.95 × 10^-8 M. In addition, probe H₂ L could also be used to identify B₄ O₇ ^2- under the same detection conditions and the minimum LOD of H₂ L for B₄ O₇ ^2- was calculated as 4.98 × 10^-7 M. At the same time, density functional theory theoretical calculation further proved the flexibility of probe H₂ L. Through the action of EDTA, probe H₂ L had a cyclic ability to recognize Cu²⁺ , and showed a better response in the physiological pH range; probe H₂ L had the characteristics of fast recognition speed and high efficiency. In addition, with probe H₂ L test paper for Cu²⁺ and B₄ O₇ ^2- , the effect was more obvious. Meanwhile, probe H₂ L can be used to quantitatively detect Cu²⁺ in water samples.