A bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)amine-based selective and sensitive colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+

Abstract A new bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)amine derivative ( 1 ) was synthesized as a colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for metal ions. Experimental results indicate that 1 displays significant colorimetric and fluorescent changes upon binding of Cu 2+ . Since 1 has a high water solubility as well as good cell-permeability, it successfully applied to detect the presence of Cu 2+ ion in HepG2 cells in culture medium. Thus, 1 can be used as a potential Cu 2+ chemosensor in aqueous solution and mammalian cells. Further, the fluorescence behavior of 1 upon Cu 2+ binding was well explained by our quantum calculation based on electronic structure.