Novel spiropyran derivative-based colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for detecting trivalent metal ions

A novel colorimetric and fluorescent probe N-(3-propylsulfonic acid)-4-chloroindolinospiropyran (SP) has been synthesized. The colorimetric probe can be efficiently used to detect trivalent metal ions M3+ (Fe3+, Cr3+, Al3+) and has good interference resistance in the presence of other metal ions. The performances of SP are investigated by using of UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra. At the same time, the colorimetric and fluorescence probe has high sensitivity for M3+ (Fe3+, Cr3+, Al3+) detection, the detection limits of SP for Fe3+, Cr3+ and Al3+ are 3.1 x 10(-6) M, 2.0 x 10(-6) M and 2.4 x 10(-6) M respectively. Moreover, the as-prepared SP also can be employed as a reusable three-state molecular logic function.