A multiple target chemosensor for the sequential fluorescence detection of Zn2+ and S2- and the colorimetric detection of Fe3+/2+ in aqueous media and living cells

A novel multiple target sensor, (E)-5-((4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzyldene) amino)-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide (DHIC), was synthesized for fluorescence detection of Zn2+ and S2- and colorimetric detection of Fe3+/2+ in aqueous media. DHIC can operate as a turn "on-off" sequential fluorescent sensor for Zn2+ and S2-. Detection limits (1.59 mu M and 8.03 mu M) for Zn2+ and S2- are below the WHO standards (76.0 mu M and 14.7 mu M). The DHIC-Zn2+ complex could be reversibly reused with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Importantly, DHIC could image sequentially Zn2+ and S2- in living cells. Moreover, DHIC displayed a discriminatory color change from pale yellow to orange yellow to Fe3+/2+. The detection limit of DHIC for Fe3+/2+ (0.73 mu M and 1.11 mu M) is far below the EPA drinking water standard (5.37 mu M). The sensor DHIC could be applied to analyze Fe3+ in real samples.