A new thio-Schiff base fluorophore with copper ion sensing, DNA binding and nuclease activity

• A white light-emitting Schiff base.
• An excellent fluorescence probe for Cu2+ detection.
• Binds DNA electrostatically.
• Mimics nuclease behavior.

Copper ion recognition and DNA interaction of a newly synthesized fluorescent Schiff base (HPyETSC) were investigated using UV–vis and fluorescent spectroscopy. Examination using these two techniques revealed that the detection of copper by HPyETSC is highly sensitive and selective, with a detection limit of 0.39 μm and the mode of interaction between HPyETSC and DNA is electrostatic, with a binding constant of 8.97 × 104 M−1. Furthermore, gel electrophoresis studies showed that HPyETSC exhibited nuclease activity through oxidative pathway.

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