Synthesis and studies of selective chemosensor for naked-eye detection of anions and cations based on a new Schiff-base derivative.

A new chromogenic receptor, 4-((2,4-dichlorophenyl)diazenyl)-2-(3-hydroxypropylimino) methyl)phenol, has been designed and synthesized for quantitative and low-cost detection of various biological anions and cations. The dye was characterized by elemental analyses, infrared, UV-visible spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. Upon the addition of F(-) and H2PO4(-) to the solution of chemosensor in DMSO, the dramatic naked eye detectable color changes were observed from yellow to red and orange with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.66×10(-6)mol. L(-1) and 1.24×10(-6)mol. L(-1) at room temperature, respectively. The chemosensor showed visual changes towards cations, such as Al(3+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), and Cr(3+), in DMSO/water (9:1). The detection limit of receptor L for the analysis of Al(3+) ion was calculated to be 3.02×10(-6)mol. L(-1). The anion recognition property of the receptor via proton transfer was monitored by UV-visible titration and (1)HNMR spectroscopy. The binding constant (Ka) and stoichiometry of the host-guest complexes formed were determined by the Benesi-Hildebrand (B-H) plot and Job's method, respectively.