Anthrone-spirolactam and quinoline hybrid based sensor for selective fluorescent detection of Fe3+ ions

The synthesis of a novel, and highly selective Fe³⁺ ion sensor based on anthrone-spirolactam and its quinoline hybrid ligand is reported. The designed ligand displayed selective detection of Fe³⁺ ions with enhanced fluorescence emission. The complexation of Fe³⁺ ion led to a red shift of 32 nm from 420 nm to 452 nm, and a several fold increase in intensity with fluorescent green emission. The complexation (detection) of Fe³⁺ ions with ligand resulted in chelation enhanced fluorescence and intramolecular charge transfer through the inhibition of C=N isomerization. This hybrid sensor shows high sensitivity and selectivity, spontaneous response, and works on a wide pH range a minimum detection limit of 6.83 × 10^?8 M. Importantly, the sensor works through the fluorescence turn-on mechanism that overcomes the paramagnetic effect of Fe³⁺ ions. The binding mechanism between the ligand and the Fe³⁺ ions was established from the Job's plot method, optical studies, Fourier transfor infrared spectroscopy, NMR titration, fluorescence life-time studies, and density functional theory optimization. The sensor displayed excellent results in the quantification of Fe³⁺ ions from real water samples. Furthermore, due to its biocompatibility nature, fluorescent spotting of Fe³⁺ ions in live cells revealed its bioimaging applications.