A highly selective fluorescent probe for Al3+ based on 4-aminoantipyrine.

A novel and simple Schiff base based on 2-pyridine formaldehyde and 4-aminoantipyrine was synthesized and characterized as a fluorescent probe. In the presence of Al(3+), the fluorescent intensity has a dramatic enhancement over other examined metal ions in aqueous solution. The method of Job's plot indicated the formation of 1:1 complex between probe and Al(3+), and the possible binding mode of the system was also proposed. Moreover, other examined metal ions had no effect on the detection of Al(3+).