A turn-on spiropyran derivative based reversible photo-driven colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for trivalent metal ions

A reversible colorimetric and fluorescent chenosensor for trivalent metal ions (M3+), 1'-ethyl-3',3'-dimethyl-6-nitrospiro [chromene-2,2'-indoline] spiropyran (SP) has been synthesized. The sensing ability of SP towards M3+ (Fe3+, Al3+ and Cr3+) was investigated by SEM, H-1 NMR and HRMS. And the performances of SP are investigated by using of UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra. The SP is proved to be a colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor, which is selective, sensitive, good linear relationship, low detection limit, good repeatability to M3+. Moreover, the SP also could be employed as colorimetric test strips to detect M3+ and a reusable three-state molecular logic function. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.