A BODIPY based fluorescent chemosensor for Cu(II) ions and homocysteine/cysteine

A new BODIPY-based derivative 1 bearing phenolic OH groups was developed as a fluorescent sensor for Cu(II) ions and homocysteine/cysteine. Receptor 1 behaves as an “on–off” fluorescent sensor for the selective and sensitive detection of Cu(II) ions. The mechanism for the fluorescence response of receptor 1 toward Cu(II) ions could be explained by the widely accepted LMCT (ligand to metal charge transfer) process. The 1·Cu(II) could act as an efficient “off–on” fluorescent sensor for homocysteine/cysteine with high sensitivity.