Ratiometric and simultaneous estimation of Fe and Cu ions: 1,3,5-substituted triethylbenzene derivatives coupled with benzimidazole

We synthesized a novel 1,3,5-substituted triethylbenzene derivative with a benzimidazole moiety as a binding and signalling subunit. The triethylbenzene platform was judiciously incorporated into the receptor design such that all the fluorophores are in close proximity to each other in order to facilitate stacking. The advantage of this approach lies in the fact that the receptor will offer a dual channel emission for the multiple ratiometric determination of metal ions. The sensor was tested in a CH₃CN/H₂O (7:3, v/v, pH 7.1) HEPES buffered solution and successfully developed for the ratiometric and simultaneous estimation of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous samples.