As is known, Zn2+ plays a vital role in a variety of biological processes but excessive exposure of Zn2+ to human beings can cause toxicity, inducing a series of overt poisoning symptoms and neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, we designed and synthesized two quinoline-derived Schiff-bases HL1 and HL2, and investigated the fluorescence emission responses of these two Schiff-bases to various metal ions. A significant enhancement in fluorescence emission band centered at 450 nm was observed in the ethanolic solution of HL1 with addition of Zn2+, while remarkably lower fluorescence emission enhancement was obtained in the case of HL2 in which one methyl group was introduced to the azomethine carbon. In addition, HL1 showed good selectivity and high sensitivity towards Zn2+ in the existence of other various interfering metal ions, and the reversibility and regeneration of HL1 were also perfect for extending its applications in environmental and biological systems. Therefore, HL1 could be identified as a fluorescent probe for sensing Zn2+ environmentally and biologically.
Keywords: Fluorescence probe; Schiff-base; Selectivity; Sensitivity; Zinc ion.
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