Novel synergistic effect-based fluorescent sensor for highly selective and sensitive detection of L-Arg

Since L-arginine (L-Arg) is crucial to the biological system, it is important to detect L-Arg effectively. Here, we created and synthesized a brand-new fluorescence sensor (FAS) to detect L-Arg with greater sensitivity. Four acylhyhydrazone functionalized arms and two hydroxyl groups have been logically added to the FAS to increase the selectivity and sensitivity of the L-Arg sensor. These groups work together to provide effective L-Arg binding. The findings demonstrated that the FAS could specifically bind L-Arg by collaborating with the tetra-acylhyhydrazone and two hydroxyl groups through multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds and electrostatic attractions; the sensitivity of the FAS to detect L-Arg is high, with a detection limit of 2.73 × 10−8 mol/L. Theoretical calculations and tests were used to study the potential recognition process. Furthermore, the chemosensor FAS was effectively used to ascertain the L-Arg concentration in human blood samples, indicating its capability to identify L-Arg in diverse biological matrices. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.