Interest in developing selective and sensitive metal sensors for environmental, biological, and industrial applications is mounting. The goal of this work was to develop a sensitive and selective sensor for certain metal ions in solution. The goal was achieved via (i) preparing the sensor ((E)-2-((pyridine-3-ylimino)methyl)phenol) (3APS) using microwave radiation in a short time and high yield and (ii) performing spectrophotometric titrations for 3APS with several metal ions. 3APS, a Schiff base, was prepared in 5 min and in a high yield (95%) using microwave-assisted synthesis. The compound was characterized by FTIR, XRD, NMR, and elemental analysis. Spectrophotometric titration of 3APS was performed with Al(III), Ba(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II). 3APS showed good abilities to detect Al(III) and Fe(III) ions fluorescently and Cu(II) ion colorimetrically. The L/M stoichiometric ratio was 2:1 for Cu(II) and 1:1 for Al(III) and Fe(III). Low detection limits (μg/L) of 324, 20, and 45 were achieved for Cu(II), Al(III), and Fe(III), respectively. The detection of aluminum was also demonstrated in antiperspirant deodorants, test strips, and applications in secret writing. 3APS showed high fluorescent selectivity for Al(III) and Fe(III) and colorimetric selectivity towards Cu(II) with detection limits lower than corresponding safe drinking water guidelines.
Keywords: Schiff base; aluminum; antiperspirant; copper; fluorescence; iron; salicylidimines; secret writing; sensors.