A 2-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde Schiff Base for Turn-on Fluorescence Detection of Zn²⁺ Based on PET Mechanism

Zinc ion is closely related to human health. Its content in human body is small, while the effect is large. However, it is not the more the better, must be in a scientific balance. Therefore, it is significant to the rapid detection of Zn²⁺ in the environment and organism. Herein, a fluorescent probe based on 2-hydroxy-1-naphthalene formaldehyde and furan-2-carbohydrazide was conveniently synthesized via Schiff base reaction. And this probe has been successfully applied to the accurate and quantitative detection of Zn²⁺ in real samples, showing turn on fluorescence, good selectivity, very low detection limit, real time response and reusability. In addition, this probe has the potential application to trace Zn²⁺ in living cells with low cytotoxicity.