Phosphazene based multicentered naked-eye fluorescent sensor with high selectivity for Fe3+ ions.

A novel on/off fluorescent rhodamine-based hexapodal Fe(3+) probe (L) containing a cyclotriphosphazene core was synthesized by an azide-alkyne "click-reaction". The synthesized compounds (1-5 and L) were characterized by FT-IR; (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P NMR; and MALDI MS spectrometry. The optical sensor features for the Fe(3+) complex of L were investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The stoichiometry of L-Fe(3+) complex was found to be 1:3 (ligand/metal ion), and the detection limit of L was determined as 4.8 μM (0.27 mg L(-1)) for Fe(3+) ions. The reusability of the sensor was tested by the addition of ethylenediamine to L-Fe(3+) complex solutions followed by the addition of Fe(3+) solution.