Anthracene coupled thiourea as a colorimetric sensor for F−/Cu2+ and fluorescent sensor for Hg2+/picric acid

A new dual chemosensor (Z)-2-(anthracen-9-ylmethylene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide R1 was synthesized by incorporating a thiourea derivative as a binding unit and an anthracene group as a fluorescence signalling unit. R1 selectively binds with Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions in aqueous medium. R1 exhibits highly selective recognition towards F− ion and picric acid in organic medium. Fluorescence quenching was observed in case of R1 with Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions over commonly coexistent metal ions. Furthermore, fluorescence imaging experiments of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions in living RAW 264.7 cells demonstrate its value of practical applications in biological systems.