Highly Fe3+ selective ratiometric fluorescent probe based on imine-linked benzimidazole

We synthesized a novel benzimidazole-based fluorescent receptor bearing imine linkages with two sets of sp2 nitrogens, and investigated its binding properties toward various metal ions. The receptor exhibited a shift in emission band upon binding with Fe3+ ions, and no such significant response was noticed in other metal ions. The receptor shows a property of selective ratiometric fluorescent probe of Fe3+ ions without interferences of the background metal ions.