CdSe quantum dots as luminescent probes for spironolactone determination

Based on the quenching of the fluorescence of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) by spironolactone, a simple, rapid and specific method for spironolactone determination was proposed. In the optimum conditions, spironolactone concentration versus quantum dot fluorescence gave a linear response with an excellent 0.997 correlation coefficient, between 2.5 and 700 mg/mL (6.0–1680 μmol/L) and the limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 0.2 μg/mL (0.48 μmol/L). The contents of spironolactone in pharmaceutical tablets were determined by the proposed method and the results agreed with the claimed values. The possible mechanism for the reaction was also discussed.