A highly selective fluorescent probe for Cd2+ and Zn2+ based on a new diarylethene with quinoline–benzimidazole conjugated system

Abstract A new diarylethene derivative containing a quinoline–benzimidazole conjugated system had been designed, synthesized, and utilized as a fluorescent probe. The probe could effectively respond to the stimulation of light and metal ions. It exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Cd 2+ and Zn 2+ with different binding modes, approved by the Job’s plot, 1 H NMR, and HRMS experiments. A combinational logic circuit was constructed by using the UV light, visible light, and metal ions (Cd 2+ /Zn 2+ ) as three inputs and fluorescence intensity as output.