Molecular fluorescent probe for Zn2+ based on 2-(2-nitrostyryl)-8-methoxyquinoline

A fluorescent Zn2+ sensor based on the 2-(2-nitrostyryl)-8-methoxyquinoline (2-nitroSQ) has been designed, synthesized, and characterized by various spectral techniques. The designed fluorophore displays high selectivity, sensitive fluorescence enhancement (13-fold), and strong binding affinity toward Zn2+ among the various biologically significant metal ions examined in ACN–H2O (9:1, v/v).