A benzothiazole-based receptor for colorimetric detection of Cu2+ and S2 ions in aqueous media

Abstract

A benzothiazole-based azo compound was synthesized and evaluated as a probe for the selective sensing of cations and anions. The probe (PA) could detect Cu2+ ions in aqueous media selectively, without interference from other cations and with a limit of detection of 0.43 lM. The resultant complex, PA-Cu2+, could be used as a secondary probe for detecting S2 ions in aqueous media in the presence of other interfering anions through a cation displacement process.