A highly selective and recyclable fluorescent sensor based on a Salamo-Salen-Salamo type ligand for continuous detection of Al3+ and phosphates in drug

Abstract

In this work, a fluorescence chemical sensor continuous detection Al³⁺ and phosphates by a Salamo-Salen-Salamo type compound (SL) was employed. The sensor continuously recognized Al³⁺ and phosphates with good selectivity and fast response time, and a low limit of detection of 0.25 μΜ and 0.96 μM, at the same time accompanied by a naked-eye identification specificity. The detection mechanism of SL towards Al³⁺ is due to the chelating fluorescence enhancement effect and ICT effect, and continuously towards phosphates is due to the collapse of the SL-Al³⁺ and coordination interaction between Al³⁺ and phosphates, by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, other spectral characterization and DFT calculation as evidence. In addition, the sensor had good recyclability and reusability. The distribution of Al³⁺ and phosphates in zebrafish cells was effectively monitored by confocal microscopy based on the good biocompatibility and tissue permeability of SL. Furthermore, the feasibility of using sensor SL to detect the content of Al³⁺ and phosphate ions in certain drugs was quantitatively analyzed through experiments. It was found SL had a good result in practical application.

Keywords: Aluminum ion; Continuous recognition; Drug detection; Phosphate ion; Salamo-Salen-Salamo type fluorescence sensor.