Switching on fluorescence for selective visual recognition of naringenin and morin with a metal–organic coordination polymer of Zn(bix) [bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene]

Flavonoids such as naringenin and morin are ubiquitous in a wide range of foods isolated from plants, and have diverse effects on plants even on human health. Here, we establish a selective visual method for recognition of aringenin and morin based on the “switched on” fluorescence induced by a metal–organic coordination polymer of Zn(bix) [bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene]. Owing to the coordination interaction of aringenin and morin with Zn(II) from the polymeric structure of Zn(bix), the conformational free rotation of naringenin and morin is restricted leading to relatively rigid structures. And as a consequence, the fluorescence is switched on. While luteolin and quercetin, holding a very similar structure with naringenin and morin, have no such fluorescence enhancement most likely owing to the 3′-hydroxy substitution in the B ring. Under 365 nm UV lamp light, we can visually recognize and discriminate naringenin and morin from them each other and luteolin as well as quercetin based on the colors of their emission. With this recognition system, the detection of naringenin and morin in human urine was made with satisfactory results.

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► Naringenin and morin can be recognized by a metal–organic polymer of Zn(bix).
► The recognition is based on the “switched on” fluorescence induced by Zn(bix).
► We can also visually recognize Naringenin and morin with naked eyes.
► Naringenin and morin can be discriminated from each other, luteolin and quercetin.