A 'turn-on' fluorescent chemosensor based on rhodamine-N-(3-aminopropyl)-imidazole for detection of Al3+ ions

A novel N-(3-aminopropyl)-imidazole-appended rhodamine-based fluorescent chemosensor was synthesized. The sensing behavior and selectivity of the synthesized chemosensor toward metal cations were studied by UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The chemosensor recognized Al3+ ions by a significantly enhanced fluorescence and a visible color change due to opening of the spirolactam ring triggered by the addition of Al3+ ions.