The fluorescent property of 3-[(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl) methylideneamino]benzoic acid and its application as fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2+ and Al3+ ions.

This manuscript studies the fluorescent property of 3-[(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methylideneamino]benzoic acid (H2L). Fluorescent spectra show that in different solvents, H2L displays different fluorescent properties, which can be attributed to the interaction between the solvents and H2L. Further study indicates that H2L exhibits a highly selective and sensitive recognition for Hg2+ ions in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), Al3+ ions in methanol and N,N'-dimethylformamide/water (DMF/H2O, 1/1, v/v). The bonding modes and bonding ratio of H2L and metal ions in different solvents are explored by Job's plot, 1H NMR titration, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The probable mechanisms were discussed.