Fluorometric detection of heavy metals with N-methyl-N-9-(methylanthracene)-Nʹ-benzoylthiourea

The new synthesized anthracene substituted ligand N-methyl-N-9-(methylanthracene)-Nʹ-benzoylthiourea (MABT) forms complexes with a variety of heavy metal ions, most of which are strongly fluorescent. Detection limits in the lower ng range can be achieved following Chromatographie separation by liquid and thin-layer chromatography on silica gel and RP-18 phases. The influence of Triton X-100 as a fluorescence enhancement reagent has been investigated. Measurement of time resolved fluorescence of the ligand and the Pd(II) and Cu(II) complexes indicates that transition metals also cause shifts in fluorescence decay times.