A selective fluorescent sensor for Pb(II) in water

A new fluorescent sensor (1) containing bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine group as a binding moiety for Pb2+ was developed. Compound 1 shows selective response to Pb2+ over other metal ions in pH 7.0 HEPES buffer solution. The fluorescence intensity enhancement was ascribed to the complex formation between Pb2+ and 1 which blocked the photo-induced electron transfer process.