Highly selective turn-on fluorescent sensor for nanomolar detection of biologically important Zn2+ based on isonicotinohydrazide derivative: application in cellular imaging.

A new Zn(2+) selective chemosensor (3) was synthesized by condensation of commercially available substituted salicylaldehyde and isonicotinohydrazide, and characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Receptor 3 with Zn(2+) exhibited a highly selective and pronounced enhancement in the fluorescence emission among different cations by forming a 2:1 complex. The receptor can detect Zn(2+) up to nanomolar level (6.75 nM) with good tolerance of other metal ions and can be used for in vitro cellular imaging.