Novel fluorescent probe for sequential recognition of Zn2+ and pyrophosphate in aqueous based on aggregation-induced emission

A new fluorescent probe (E)-4-(4-([2,2′:6′,2′'-terpyridin]-4′-yl)styryl)-1-dodecylpyridin-1-ium ( TPy-SD ), with the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property in aqueous solution, has been synthesized and characterized. The new probe, TPy-SD exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity towards Zn 2+ with a relatively low detection limit (1.76 × 10 −7 M). The addition of Zn 2+ is thought to disrupt the AIE property of TPy-SD , thereby leading to a fluorescence blue shift. Interestingly, the complex of probe TPy-SD with Zn 2+ ( Zn (II) TPy-SD ), with molar ratio of 1:1, can be used as a simple, sensitive, and rapid means for the detection of pyrophosphates (PPi) in solution (water/DMSO = 99:1). As evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence emission spectroscopy, this detection is thought to be due to the strong affinity between PPi and Zn 2+ , which brings out Zn 2+ from the coordination cavity of chemical sensor TPy-SD , thus realizing the detection and recognition of PPi. Therefore, the new AIE fluorescent probe can be used as a dual probe for the detection of cations and anions.