A novel colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor: synthesis and selective detection for Cu2+ and Hg2+

A novel two-channel metal ion sensor has been synthesized from macrocyclic dioxotetraamine and 1,8-naphthalimide derivative. The metal ion-selective signaling behaviors of the sensor were investigated. The sensor presented the selective coloration for Cu2+ and Hg2+ that can be detected by the naked-eye, respectively. Besides, the addition of Cu2+ and Hg2+ quenched the fluorescence of 1 obviously and the detection limit was found to be 3 × 10−7 M for Cu2+ and 7 × 10−7 M for Hg2+. This sensor can be utilized for the visual and spectroscopic detection of Cu2+ or Hg2+ in the presence of the other competing metal ions.