A selective fluorescence probe for copper(II) ion in aqueous solution based on 4-(1,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)anilinyl acetates

Abstract

A novel fluorescent probe potassium 4-(1,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl) anilinyl acetate (PPIA) was designed and synthesized. It exhibited very strong sensitive, selective, and irreversible for Cu 2? over other commonly coexistent metal ions (Ca ? ) in aqueous environment (pH 7.4). Moreover, according to the Job plot, 2:1 stoichiometry between PPIA and Cu 2? was deduced in aqueous media. A B3LYP/6-31 G(d) basis set was employed for optimization of PPIA and PPIAÁCu 2? complex.