A fluorescent chemosensor (L) for Mg(2+) has been synthesized and characterized, which exhibits turn-on fluorescence response for Mg(2+) only in alcohol solvent (methanol or ethanol) with high sensitivity and selectivity. But in both nonpolar and polar solvents (cyclohexane, DCM, DMSO or MeCN), L showed negligible fluorescent response for Mg(2+). In order to discover the unique phenomenon, optical measurements, liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and a high performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) of L and L with Mg(2+) ions in solvents were studied. In alcohol solvent, [L+alcohol molecule] was formed and the mechanism aspect of L concerning the remarkable fluorescence response for Mg(2+) has been discussed.
Keywords: Fluorescent chemosensor; Mechanism; Solvent-dependent; Turn-on.
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