Highly selective ratiometric fluorescent sensor for Cu(II) with two urea groups

A new Naphthalene derivative with two urea groups, 1,8-bis[N-(o-methoxyphenyl)ureido]naphthalene (BMPUN), was synthesized for detecting Cu(II) ratiometrically. Complexation between urea groups of BMPUN and Cu(II) with high selectivity gives rise to a great red-shift from 380 to 440 nm in the emission spectra. The introduction of electron donating groups is helpful to increase the electron density of the nitrogen atom of urea groups and then enhance the ability of complexation for Cu(II).