A novel reaction-based fluorescent probe for sensitive and selective detection of Cu2+

A novel reaction-based fluorescent probe ( 2 ) for Cu 2+ was designed and synthesized. 2 exhibited remarkable fluorescence enhancement (65-fold) after the addition of Cu 2+ . Base on the absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, ESI-MS and 1 H NMR spectra analysis, the fluorescence response was attributed to Cu 2+ -promoted hydrolysis of the picolinate moiety to yield a highly fluorescent product, 6-acetyl-2-hydroxynaphthalene ( 1 ). Moreover, 2 not only displayed a rapid response time (within 6 min), high sensitivity (detection limit of 8.5 nM), and high selectivity for Cu 2+ over other metal ions, but also could detect Cu 2+ by absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, even an obvious fluorescence color change at room temperature.