A multifunctional fluorescence sensor for Cd2+, PO43− and Cr3+ in different system and the practical application

A fluorescence probe based on thiosemicarbazide has been synthesized and well characterized by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, Elemental analysis , Electrospray ionization mass spectra . The probe 1 functions as a multitarget ion sensor, detect biologically and ecologically important Cd 2+ , PO 4 3− and Cr 3+ . Meanwhile, probe 1 displays selectivity for Cd 2+ over other metal ions and anions in DMF by emission spectrum. Interestingly, probe 1 has been explored to recognize PO 4 3− in CH 3 OH-H 2 O ( v : v  = 1:9). The binding stoichiometry of probe 1 with Cd 2+ and PO 4 3− are 2:1 and 1:1, respectively, which are confirmed by Electrospray ionization mass spectra. Probe 1 is selective, sensitive and reversibility/reusability to Cd 2+ and PO 4 3− with the detection limit as low as 0.035 μM and 0.011 μM respectively. Besides, the designed probe 1 has shown potential applications in the area of photo-printing.