The design, synthesis and fluorescence chemosensor property of a Schiff base derivative

In this paper, a new fluorescence chemosensor 3-[(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl) methylideneamino]benzoic acid (L) was designed, synthesized and characterized. Fluorescence spectrum and UV-vis spectra show that L exhibits a highly selective and sensitive recognition for HCO3-/CO32- in N,N′-dimethylformamide/water (DMF/H2O, 100/1-10/1, v/v) in pH range of 5-14. The competitive experiments and reversible tests prove the good performance of L. The Job′s plot, 1H NMR titration, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) results show that L and HCO3-/ CO32- form 1:1 complexes. The probable mechanisms and the proposed binding modes were discussed.