Spectroscopic investigation of bis-appended 1,2,3-triazole probe for the detection of Cu(II) ion

A novel bis-1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazole chemosensor, accessed with “Click Chemistry”, was probed for its recognition of metal ions. The interaction of the sensor with various cation analytes was investigated by 1H-NMR, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The bis-triazole is selective for Cu(II) with a detection limit in the micromolar concentration range and a clear to yellow colorimetric response that is exclusive to that ion is observed. The stoichiometry of probe to Cu(II), 2:1, was determined with Job's plots based on titration studies using UV-absorption and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Computational and spectroscopic investigations revealed that the sensor binds to Cu(II) via its triazole units.