A Schiff's base receptor for red fluorescence live cell imaging of Zn2+ ions in zebrafish embryos and naked eye detection of Ni2+ ions for bio-analytical applications

An interesting dual chemoreceptor (QAMP) was synthesized to quantify the presence of two environmentally as well as biologically important Zn2+/Ni2+ ions in a highly selective manner using different analytical techniques. The fluorescence profile was enhanced to 663 nm (red region) due to the formation of its 1 : 1 complex with Zn2+ at room temperature even in the presence of other interfering ions such as Cd2+ and Hg2+. Moreover, it exhibits excellent chromo-isomerism with Ni2+ ions. Meanwhile, this assay could be successfully oriented with molecular logic functions of AND, OR, NOR and NOT logic gates. The obtained large Stokes shift (similar to 274 nm) value and red emission promoted this receptor as a potential tool for biological studies (e.g. live cell imaging in cancer cell line and zebrafish models).