A simple hydrazone as a fluorescent turn-on multianalyte (Al3+, Mg2+, Zn2+) sensor with different emission color in DMSO and resultant Al3+ complex as a turn-off sensor for F− in aqueous solution

Abstract A novel pyrazine hydrazone 1 has been designed and synthesized, which acts as a multiprobe for selective detection of Al 3+ , Mg 2+ , and Zn 2+ in DMSO solution based on fluorescent enhancement with three different emission colors. The higher affinity of 1 toward Al 3+ and Zn 2+ compared with Mg 2+ facilitates the establishment of a simple ratiometric fluorescent method for the detection of Al 3+ and Zn 2+ based on the 1  + Mg 2+ system. Conversely, probe 1 selectively recognized Al 3+ in DMSO-H 2 O cosolvent with a turn-on response, and the resultant 1  + Al 3+ complex could determine F − via a fluorescence quenching signal. In addition, the probe is applied for imaging of Al 3+ and F − in living cells.