A reversible fluorescent chemosensor for Fe~(3+) and H_2PO_4~- with “on-off-on” switching in aqueous media

To realize highly selective relay recognition of Fe3+ and H2PO4- ions, a simple benzimidazole-based fluorescent chemosensor(L) was designed and synthesized. Sensor L displays rapid, highly selective, and sensitive recognition to Fe3+ in H2O/DMSO(1:1, v/v) solutions. The in situ-generated L-Fe3+ complex solution exhibits a fast response and high selectivity toward dihydrogen phosphate anion via the Fe3+ displacement approach. The detection limits of sensor L to Fe3+ and L-Fe3+complex to H2PO4- anion were estimated to be 1.0 × 10-9 mol/L. Notably, the sensor was retrievable to indicate dihydrogen phosphate anions with Fe3+, and H2PO4-, in turn, increased. This successive recognition feature of sensor L makes it a potential utility for Fe3+ and H2PO4- anion detection in aqueous media.