A novel colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor: synthesis and selective detection for Cu2+ and Hg2+

A novel chemosensor has been synthesized from macrocyclic dioxotetraamine with 1,8-naphthalimide derivative. In the presence of Cu2+ or Hg2+, the color of the solution changed from both yellow-green to almost colorless or orange, respectively, which make naked-eyes detection of these two metal ions possible. At the same time, in the presence of Cu2+ or Hg2+, its fluorescence has been quenched remarkably. It was found that 1 was a novel and unique colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for the optical detection of Cu2+ or Hg2+.