An unusual highly sensitive dual-channel bis(salamo)-like chemical probe for recognizing B4O72-, sensing mechanism, theoretical calculations and practical applications.

ABSTRACT

A bis(salamo)-like chemical sensor H3L ((1E,3E)-2-hydroxy-5-methylisophthalaldehyde O,O -di(3-((((E)-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)amino)oxy)propyl) dioxime) was constructed. H3L is capable of recognizing B4O72- in H2O/DMF (19, v/v) solution by both fluorescent and colorimetric channels, bright green fluorescence was turned on when B4O72- was added to H3L and changed from colorless to yellow in natural light. The detection limit was 3.21 × 10-8 M. The identification has good anti-interfering ability, quickly responsive time (5 S) and broad pH detecting range (pH = 5-12). The mechanism of action was determined by 1H NMR titration, infrared spectrometry, HRMS spectra and further elucidated by theory calculations. The fluorescence imaging of bean sprouts and spiked recovery assays of actual water samples demonstrated the practical use of sensor H3L for the detection of B4O72-, which is expected to have applications for the detection of B4O72- in plants and the environment.