ESIPT Active Schiff Base Fluorescent Sensor for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Co(II) Ions: Experimental, DFT...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Cobalt (II) ions are significant environmental contaminants.
• Sensitive and selective detection methods for Co(II) are crucial for water quality monitoring.
• Schiff base compounds offer potential as fluorescent chemosensors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel fluorescent Schiff base chemosensor for Cobalt (II) ion detection.
• To evaluate the sensor's sensitivity, selectivity, and applicability in real water samples.
• To confirm the binding mechanism and assess the probe's biocompatibility.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of N'1,N'6-bis((E)-3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)adipohydrazide (DBSA).
• Fluorescence spectroscopy for Co(II) ion detection and mechanism study (PET).
• LC-MS, FTIR, Job's plot, NMR titration, and computational studies for structural and binding analysis.
• MTT assay for cytotoxicity assessment on SH-SY5Y cells.

Main Results:

• DBSA demonstrated high sensitivity for Co(II) detection with a limit of detection of 9.9 nM.
• The sensor operates via photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism.
• Structural studies confirmed DBSA-Co complex formation with a binding constant of 4.61 × 10^6 M^-1.
• Successful application in detecting Co(II) in tap, lake, and recycled water samples.
• DBSA exhibited excellent biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• A novel, highly sensitive, and selective fluorescent chemosensor (DBSA) for Co(II) detection has been developed.
• The sensor is effective for environmental monitoring of Cobalt (II) ions in various aqueous matrices.
• DBSA shows promise as a biocompatible probe for transition-metal ion detection.