Nitric oxide sensors based on copper(II) complexes of N-donor ligands

Cu(II) complexes of amine ligands having pendant dansyl fluorophore were synthesized. The fluorescence intensity of the ligands quenches upon metallation due to paramagnetism of Cu(II) center. Reduction of Cu(II) center in the complexes by NO to Cu(I) restores the florescence intensity of the ligands. Thus, the complexes behave as turn-on fluorescence sensors for NO.