Novel fluorescent probe for sequential recognition of Zn and pyrophosphate in aqueous based on aggregation-induced emission.

A new fluorescent probe (E)-4-(4-([2,2':6',2''-terpyridin]-4'-yl)styryl)-1-dodecylpyridin-1-ium (TPy-SD), with the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property in aqueous solution, has been synthesized and characterized. The new probe, TPy-SD exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity towards Zn with a relatively low detection limit (1.76 × 10 M). The addition of Zn is thought to disrupt the AIE property of TPy-SD, thereby leading to a fluorescence blue shift. Interestingly, the complex of probe TPy-SD with Zn (Zn (II) TPy-SD), with molar ratio of 1:1, can be used as a simple, sensitive, and rapid means for the detection of pyrophosphates (PPi) in solution (water/DMSO = 99:1). As evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence emission spectroscopy, this detection is thought to be due to the strong affinity between PPi and Zn, which brings out Zn from the coordination cavity of chemical sensor TPy-SD, thus realizing the detection and recognition of PPi. Therefore, the new AIE fluorescent probe can be used as a dual probe for the detection of cations and anions.