Optical Chemosensor as a Sensitive and Selective Tool for the Detection of Thiocyanate Ions Via Cu²⁺ Induced Sensor...

In various fields, including analytical, environmental, and biochemistry, the detection of ions is significant. A simple probe, 3-(1-((4-aminophenyl)imino)ethyl)-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (DPD), was designed for this study and used for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions in methanol, based on dehydroacetic acid and phenylenediamine moieties. Binding interactions studies were performed using UV-Vis measurements, which showed selective binding behaviour towards Cu²⁺ ions. The HRMS spectral data and Job's plot were used to check the stoichiometry ratio of 2:1 of a probe to Cu²⁺ ions. A detection limit of 1.38×10^-7 M for Cu²⁺ ions was observed. Theoretical DFT calculations were used to determine the quantum parameters and the energy gap between frontier molecular orbitals. Interestingly, the DPD-Cu²⁺ complex acted as a probe for the detection of SCN^- ions at a low LOD value, i.e., 1.97×10^-7 M. A novel incidence of reversibility with SCN^- ions was reported using the HRMS technique. Next, real water and blood samples were used, and the concentration of Cu²⁺ ions was calculated to further analyse the practical applicability of the probe. The DPD probe showed better selectivity and sensitivity than previously reported sensors, especially in complex matrices, where other sensors frequently experience interference and detection limit issues, indicating its potential as an advanced tool for ion detection in various applications.