A Fluorophores Probe for Selectively Detecting Cu(II) and Zn(II) Based on Photochromic Diarylethenes.

A novel photochromic fluorophores based on diarylethene (BMBT) was synthesized with simple process, which displays high selectivity for metal ion Cu and Zn. BMBT displays an excellent photochromism characteristic with reversibly spectral change upon alternating irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light. BMBT can detect Cu by color change from pale yellow to dark green in THF solution and exhibits an easily detectable change in fluorescence intensity when the concentration of metal ion Cu and Zn were increased, respectively. More importantly, BMBT exhibits good hydrophilic, low toxicity and good biocompatibility, which indicated that it can serve as a detector for the metal ion Cu and Zn in environmental pollutants and biological systems.