Abstract:
A novel fluorescent chemosensor based on fluorescent organic nanoparticles (F1) has been synthesized. This
tripodal framework shows significant fluorescence quenching for Fe3+ ions from among nineteen metal ions
due to the formation of a F1Fe3+ complex. The lowest detectable concentration of F1 for Fe3+ ions was
found to be 1.66 mM. Upon the addition of spermidine (a biologically active amine), the fluorescence intensity
of the aqueous solution of complex increases with a detection limit of 3.68 mM indicating that spermidine
can displace Fe3+ ions from the F1Fe3+ complex. Moreover, the recognition of spermidine was selective with
no interference from other biogenic amines studied. Thus, F1Fe3+ acts as a potential sensor for spermidine
through a cation displacement assay in aqueous media.
