A simple turn-on ESIPT and PET-based fluorescent probe for detection of Al in real-water sample.

Aluminum is known as the most ubiquitous metal in earth's crust but its excessive exposure will cause damage to environment and health of the organism. Here, a turn-on Schiff base fluorescence probe STH based on excited state intramolecular proton transfer and photoelectron transfer processes for Al detection with fast response rate (within minutes), low detection limit (4.26×10M), high selectivity and reasonable pH application range (5.0-8.0) was developed. Fluorescence titration experiments show that probe STH has an excellent linear relationship (R=0.9694) with Al concentration and could be applied to quantitatively recognize Al in real-water samples. Based on Job's plot and in situ mass spectra, two STH molecules will complex with Al to form 2:1 complexation with oxygen atoms of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups and nitrogen atom of CN bond participating in coordination.