Development of fluorescent lead II sensor based on an anthracene derived chalcone

• Low molecular weight anthracene based chemosensor was designed and synthesized by a single step.
• The chemosensor shows unique selectivity towards lead II ion in aqueous media.
• A reversible sensor with an “off–on” process.
• A plausible PET mechanism has been demonstrated with a 1:1 binding stoichiometry.

A simple anthracene based chalcone as a fluorescent chemosensor 1, capable of detecting Pb2+ in aqueous media, has been synthesized by the reaction between pyridine 2-carboxaldehyde and 9-acetyl anthracene. The Pb2+ recognition processes follows a photo induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism and are scarcely influenced by other coexisting metal ions. In addition, determination of lead in a variety of samples was also determined.

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