Acridine-based fluorescence chemosensors for selective sensing of Fe3+ and Ni2+ ions.

Two novel acridine-based fluorescence chemosensors (L1 and L2) were prepared and their metal ions sensing properties were investigated. L1 (L2) exhibited an excellent selective fluorescence response toward Fe3+ (Ni2+) and the stoichiometry ratio of L1-Fe3+ and L2-Ni2+ were 1:1. The detection limits of L1 and L2 were calculated by the fluorescence titration to be 4.13μM and 1.52μM, respectively, which were below the maximum permissive level of Fe3+ and Ni2+ ions in drinking water set by the EPA. The possible mechanism of the fluorescence detection of Fe3+ and Ni2+ had been proposed according to the analysis of Job's plot, IR spectra and ESI-MS. The determination of Fe3+ and Ni2+ ions in living cells had been applied successfully.