A Fluorescent Probe for Al3+ Based on Calix[4]arene Containing Salicylaldehyde-Derived Schiff Base

Two novel fluorescent probes L1 and L2 for recognizing Al³⁺ have been prepared by cooperating salicylaldehyde-derived Schiff base groups onto the upper rim of the calix4]arene. Of these probes, L2 is the most effective at recognizing Al³⁺, displaying a highly selective fluorescence “on” response with an emission wavelength at 478 nm and a Stokes shift of 88 nm. Additionally, probe L2 can form a 1 : 1 coordination complex with Al³⁺ with a binding constant of 2.6×10¹⁰ M⁻¹. Furthermore, its fluorescence intensity exhibits a good linear relationship with Al³⁺ concentration within the range of 2.0×10⁻⁵ M to 1.4×10⁻⁴ M, and the probe has a low detection limit of 4.36×10⁻⁷ M.