Dual recognition of Al and Zn ions by a novel probe based on diarylethene and its application.

We synthesized a new fluorescent probe 1O by attaching a diarylethene molecule to a functional group. The probe can be used to detect Al and Zn at the same time with high selectivity, and its detection limit is very low. When Al was added, the fluorescence intensity was increased 310 folds, and was accompanied by a fluorescent color change from black to grass-green. Similarly, after the addition of Zn, the fluorescence intensity was enhanced 110 folds, with a concomitant color change from black to yellow-green. Moreover, based on the properties of 1O, we designed a logic circuit, and that also can be used for water sample testing.