Development of [(2E,6E)-2,6-bis(4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)cyclohexanone] as fluorescence-on probe for Hg2+ ion detection: Computational aided experimental studies
Jehangir Khan, Maria Sadia, Syed Wadood Ali Shah, Muhammad Zahoor, Khalaf F. Alsharif, Fakhria A. Al‐Joufi
Abstract
Selective metal ion detection is highly desired in fluorometric analysis. In the current study a curcumin-based fluorescence-on probe/[(2E,6E)-2,6-bis(4-(dimethylamino) benzylidene) cyclohexanone]/probe was designed for the removal of one of the most toxic heavy metal ion i.e. Hg2+. The structure of the probe was confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis displaying distinctive peaks. The complex formation between probe and Hg2+ ion was also studied by density functional theory to support the experimental results. Chelation enhanced fluorescence was observed upon interaction with Hg2+ ion. Different parameters like pH, effect of mercury ion concentration, contact time, interference study and effect of probe concentration on the fluorescence enhancement were also investigated. A rapid response was detected for Hg2+ ion with limit of detection and quantification as 2.7 nM and 3 nM respectively with association constant of 1 × 1011 M−2. The probe displayed maximum fluorescence intensity at physiological pH. The results showed that the synthesized probe can be employed as an excellent probe for the detection and quantification of Hg2+ ions in aqueous samples with high selectivity and sensitivity due to its higher binding energy and larger charge transferring ability.