A novel dual chemosensor for selective heavy metal ions Al3+, Cr3+ and its applicable cytotoxic activity, HepG2 living cell images and theoretical studies

A new simple 'dual' chemosensor (3,3'-(1,3-phenylene)bis(quinoxaline-6,3-diyl))bis (phenylmethanone) L14, for distinguishing Al3+ and Cr3+ has been designed, synthesized and characterized. The designed compound revealed certified selectivity and sensitivity among a fluorescence enhancement to Al3+ and quenching to Cr3+ over commonly coexisting cations (such as Cu2+, Hg-2(+), Fe2+, Pb2+, Ag+, Ni2+, Zr2+, Mn2+, Mg2+, Sr-2(+), Sn2+, Bi3+ and Zn2+) in DMF-H2O (4/1, v/v). These are reversible with the addition of EDTA. The detection limit for Al3+ /Cr3+ by L14 reached the 0.3 mu M and 0.5 mu M level. The binding process confirmed via UV-Vis, fluorescence measurements, H-1 NMR, FE-SEM with EDS and color mapping and DFT calculation. Further, the applicability of the probe was used to the cytotoxic activity, and fluorescent sensors in overseeing intracellular Al3+/Cr3+ in HepG2 cells also demonstrated. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.