An AIE and ESIPT active Schiff base as colorimetric probe of Fe3+ and turn-on fluorescent probe of Al3+: experimental and theoretical studies

Abstract In this present study, a simple cation chemoprobe 1 baring bearing naphthol O-H and imine group was designed and synthesized, which was identified as an aggregation induced emission (AIE) active molecule with excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) features. In addition, 1 showed both colorimetric detection for Fe 3+ and turn-on fluorescence response for Al 3+ . The binding ratio of 1 to Fe 3+ and Al 3+ were determined both to be 1:1 via Job’s plot and ESI-mass spectrometry analysis. The limit of detection (LOD) of probe 1 to Fe 3+ and Al 3+ were 0.10 and 0.43 μM, respectively. Moreover, probe 1 could be used to quantify Fe 3+ and Al 3+ in environmental water samples.